Quarantined Race Director Stays Sharp With Daily Starter Pistol Practice
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A local race director, entering his third week of coronavirus quarantine, is relieving tedium and keeping his skills sharp with daily starter pistol practice.
John McVie, 62, said the pandemic has forced him to cancel at least three upcoming races, including his signature event, May’s Fleetwood Marathon.
“It’s hard,” he said. “But we’ve all got to sacrifice a bit if we’re going to get through this.”
One thing McVie won’t sacrifice, he said, is his skill with a starter pistol.
“I’ve been practicing every single day, usually in my backyard,” he said. “Typically I’ll start out first thing with a single shot out my back door, to sort of say ‘good morning,’ then have some breakfast, then head back out with a box of blanks for an hour or so of practice.”
McVie said he’ll often “do a double,” heading back out after lunch for a second practice session.
“Firing my starter pistol at home isn’t quite the same as doing it at a track or a road race,” he said. “But I’m grateful I can still do it at all.”
McVie’s neighbors seem grateful, as well, he said.
“Every time I start practice, they really hoot and holler,” he said. “Sometimes they get so worked up they use profanity.”
Luckily for them, said McVie, he has plenty of blanks.
“I really stocked up last month,” he said, “So I can keep this up as long as I need to.”
