A weekend of snowshoeing, well trail running and snowshoeing on grass, awaits everyone at the Lake Effect Snowshoe Festival sponsored by Fleet Feet.
Mike, Lou and I, the supreme race course designers, will once again be making a 300 meter track on a park field in Webster. This year participants will have to wear their snowshoes and race on a grass field, thanks to mother nature shortchanging us. It should be rather humorous to watch, though times may also be fairly fast.
Participants can run the 100, 200, 400, and 1500 meter sprints. If they do them all twice, they will qualify for the Empire State Games. Fleet Feet is also offering a 2, 4 and 13 mile trail run. The 4 and 13 mile runs qualify participants for the ESG 5k xc snowshoe race.
The races will be held on Sunday, January 24, beginning at 8am (sprints at 8:30am).
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Fallen & Can't Get Up!
The latest version of the Fleet Feet Snow Cheap series of winter races, to be forever called The Icefest in my mind, was held last night (Wednesday, January 20).
Snow Cheap is six races held every other Wednesday, at Cobb's Hill park in Rochester beginning at 6:30pm, headlamps required. Competitors choose to be in the snowshoe or trail shoe category, but this is always weather dependent. Last night there was not enough snow, so no snowshoes allowed (though I think it would have been easier with them).
For my warmup, per usual, I ran the course, since it changes for each race and I like getting in the extra miles and hills.
The Good - course was well marked and at least three miles.
The Bad - most of the course was covered in ice and crunchy snow.
The Good - Yax Trax or screws in your running shoes would give a distinct advantage.
The Bad - I didn't have either.
The Good - I learned to walk quickly and hang on branches and trees.
The Bad - I rolled down one steep hill that was sheer ice.
The Good - I finished the warmup without major injury.
The Bad - I really considered skipping the race and going home. I didn't relish doing the course again with 130 other people.
The Race
The Good - I decided to race, too embarrassed to go inside the lodge and hand in my chip.
The Bad - I fell behind quickly, way behind.
The Good - I passed many people about 1/2 way into the race till the finish.
The Bad - I fell two more times, including once on the same downhill as the warmup run. Hanging onto trees I spun around twice before collapsing in a heap. Intelligent people slid down the hill on their butts, at least 7 passing me this way as I rolled over and over. I fell on an ice patch going slightly uphill deep in the woods. Got half way upright and skated across, falling again. Had to crawl out/up.
The Good - Finished in 29:58, much better than the warmup, but only 3rd in my age group and the snowshoe category. I made it out with a bruised thumb.
Maybe the next Snow Cheap we will have snow again? The second race we were on snowshoes and it was actually fun. Also the views of the city skyline from the top of Cobb's Hill are fantastic!
Snow Cheap is six races held every other Wednesday, at Cobb's Hill park in Rochester beginning at 6:30pm, headlamps required. Competitors choose to be in the snowshoe or trail shoe category, but this is always weather dependent. Last night there was not enough snow, so no snowshoes allowed (though I think it would have been easier with them).
For my warmup, per usual, I ran the course, since it changes for each race and I like getting in the extra miles and hills.
The Good - course was well marked and at least three miles.
The Bad - most of the course was covered in ice and crunchy snow.
The Good - Yax Trax or screws in your running shoes would give a distinct advantage.
The Bad - I didn't have either.
The Good - I learned to walk quickly and hang on branches and trees.
The Bad - I rolled down one steep hill that was sheer ice.
The Good - I finished the warmup without major injury.
The Bad - I really considered skipping the race and going home. I didn't relish doing the course again with 130 other people.
The Race
The Good - I decided to race, too embarrassed to go inside the lodge and hand in my chip.
The Bad - I fell behind quickly, way behind.
The Good - I passed many people about 1/2 way into the race till the finish.
The Bad - I fell two more times, including once on the same downhill as the warmup run. Hanging onto trees I spun around twice before collapsing in a heap. Intelligent people slid down the hill on their butts, at least 7 passing me this way as I rolled over and over. I fell on an ice patch going slightly uphill deep in the woods. Got half way upright and skated across, falling again. Had to crawl out/up.
The Good - Finished in 29:58, much better than the warmup, but only 3rd in my age group and the snowshoe category. I made it out with a bruised thumb.
Maybe the next Snow Cheap we will have snow again? The second race we were on snowshoes and it was actually fun. Also the views of the city skyline from the top of Cobb's Hill are fantastic!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Innocence Lost (moral wrongdoing?)
The problem began simply enough. The product was cheap and suppliers were abundant. Friends and family members were doing it, or so I told myself. Even my wife joined in at times.
It came in a box and was available in red or white. I was only an average runner no matter how much I trained. Continually searching for some kind of edge, this product seemed so easy, so difficult to resist. It promised to help me recover from training, enjoy life more and lower cholesterol (or maybe blood pressure?).
My first dosages were a box every two-three weeks. But as I saw the results I wanted, no, needed more. It hurt my family, all that money I was spending. I couldn't help myself.
Yes, I was a box wine addict. But only for health reasons. Really.
After a long and tumultuous recovery I have since moved on to other, more acceptable means of consuming alcohol. I am a card carrying member of Mahan's and Marketplace liquor stores and haven't purchased a box of wine in years. I will always carry the emotional scars of hiding the boxes in my fridge when friends visited. Please forgive me!
It came in a box and was available in red or white. I was only an average runner no matter how much I trained. Continually searching for some kind of edge, this product seemed so easy, so difficult to resist. It promised to help me recover from training, enjoy life more and lower cholesterol (or maybe blood pressure?).
My first dosages were a box every two-three weeks. But as I saw the results I wanted, no, needed more. It hurt my family, all that money I was spending. I couldn't help myself.
Yes, I was a box wine addict. But only for health reasons. Really.
After a long and tumultuous recovery I have since moved on to other, more acceptable means of consuming alcohol. I am a card carrying member of Mahan's and Marketplace liquor stores and haven't purchased a box of wine in years. I will always carry the emotional scars of hiding the boxes in my fridge when friends visited. Please forgive me!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Bonified and Qualified!
Mike W., Eileen W and myself are officially qualified for the USSSA National Snowshoe championship being held on March 6 near Tully, New York. Mike finished 4th (1:03:54) in his age group (top 5 automatically qualify), Eileen was 2nd (1:15:22)and I was 1st (58:38) among USSSA members. Lou gave a valiant effort, but finished seventh. You can also qualify on time, finishing with 130% of the winning time for your age group, but Lou picked a tough and fast age group to compete in.
Almost 100 snowshoers competed in the 10k at Mendon Ponds on Sunday, January 17. There seemed to be a good representation from around New York state. The warm spell threatened to make the race a running trail run, but fortunately there was just enough snow left on the hilly course to allow us to use snowshoes.
Jan, a past qualifier, opted to save her achilles tendon for summer triathlons and did the smart thing by resting.
Almost 100 snowshoers competed in the 10k at Mendon Ponds on Sunday, January 17. There seemed to be a good representation from around New York state. The warm spell threatened to make the race a running trail run, but fortunately there was just enough snow left on the hilly course to allow us to use snowshoes.
Jan, a past qualifier, opted to save her achilles tendon for summer triathlons and did the smart thing by resting.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Diet Results
Looks like Lou wins the diet contest. :(
As of Wednesday, January 13 Lou had lost 10 pounds. Strange enough, Mike W. gained ten pounds during the same period.
Kidding.
Lou wins by being first one to lose the weight. I am down 3 pounds, Mike W. is even-steven.
Of course the starvation diet Lou went on (Mayo Clinic...with grapefruit,lettuce, no carbs) put him in such a state that morning runs involved Mike pushing Lou in a baby jogger stroller. Lou got so skinny he actually fit into the toddler size!
As of Wednesday, January 13 Lou had lost 10 pounds. Strange enough, Mike W. gained ten pounds during the same period.
Kidding.
Lou wins by being first one to lose the weight. I am down 3 pounds, Mike W. is even-steven.
Of course the starvation diet Lou went on (Mayo Clinic...with grapefruit,lettuce, no carbs) put him in such a state that morning runs involved Mike pushing Lou in a baby jogger stroller. Lou got so skinny he actually fit into the toddler size!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Triathlon Training Video
This is a hilarious cartoon video about triathlon training. Listen carefully and without a mouthful of food. Credit to Mr. Withrow for sending this to Jan and myself.
From the website xtranormal.
From the website xtranormal.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
2010, that number doesn't look right, maybe we need to refer to the new year as Roman numerals, MMX. Yeah, that's a sexier, more appealing look. I hereby deem this new year MMX.
Everyone makes resolutions or goals for the coming year, especially athletically minded people, and I am no different. My top ten list for MMX;
10. Lose X pounds. If I were normal I would be skinny, but, as we all know, I am not normal. It's a fact that I am not a good enough athlete to run to my full potential weighing in at 173 (yes, still 173 even after a month of "dieting"). But I'm not giving up.
9. Qualify for the Empire State Games 1500m and 5k races.
8. Qualify for the National Snowshoe championship.
7. Win at least one medal at the ESG's, held in late February.
6. Become more Tigger like and less Eeyorish. Probably not possible, but the attempt will be made.
5. Finish in the top 5, in my age group, for Rochester Runner of the Year.
4. Qualify for the Boston marathon in the fall. This can be by running a 3:35:59 and qualifying for MMXI, or 3:45:59 and qualifying as a 55 year old for MMXII.
3. Cook healthier and better tasting foods. This actually began last night as I prepared tilapia, from my new Jamie Oliver cookbook, with a sidedish of broccoli seasoned with an asian sauce. Jan and I actually thought both dishes were delicious.
Probably I need a couple more non-athletic goals to fill out this list. After all these years of running you would think I would have lost a lot of my competitiveness. Obviously I'm not going to race anywhere near the times I did in the past. You know my kids don't remember me not running? Funny, I grew up hating to run, even when participating in other sports. Running was just a means to get into shape for whatever sport I was playing. But most of the time, when I go to a race, I still want to do my best, whatever that is, and I do take pleasure in "making the podium" (top 3) in my age group and beating lots of people younger than me. I probably won't ever really grow up.
Hmmm, well I don't have a top X list of goals, only VIII. That's okay, it makes success more achievable.
Have a great MMX!
Everyone makes resolutions or goals for the coming year, especially athletically minded people, and I am no different. My top ten list for MMX;
10. Lose X pounds. If I were normal I would be skinny, but, as we all know, I am not normal. It's a fact that I am not a good enough athlete to run to my full potential weighing in at 173 (yes, still 173 even after a month of "dieting"). But I'm not giving up.
9. Qualify for the Empire State Games 1500m and 5k races.
8. Qualify for the National Snowshoe championship.
7. Win at least one medal at the ESG's, held in late February.
6. Become more Tigger like and less Eeyorish. Probably not possible, but the attempt will be made.
5. Finish in the top 5, in my age group, for Rochester Runner of the Year.
4. Qualify for the Boston marathon in the fall. This can be by running a 3:35:59 and qualifying for MMXI, or 3:45:59 and qualifying as a 55 year old for MMXII.
3. Cook healthier and better tasting foods. This actually began last night as I prepared tilapia, from my new Jamie Oliver cookbook, with a sidedish of broccoli seasoned with an asian sauce. Jan and I actually thought both dishes were delicious.
Probably I need a couple more non-athletic goals to fill out this list. After all these years of running you would think I would have lost a lot of my competitiveness. Obviously I'm not going to race anywhere near the times I did in the past. You know my kids don't remember me not running? Funny, I grew up hating to run, even when participating in other sports. Running was just a means to get into shape for whatever sport I was playing. But most of the time, when I go to a race, I still want to do my best, whatever that is, and I do take pleasure in "making the podium" (top 3) in my age group and beating lots of people younger than me. I probably won't ever really grow up.
Hmmm, well I don't have a top X list of goals, only VIII. That's okay, it makes success more achievable.
Have a great MMX!
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