St. Patrick's Day

Thirty-five million people in the United States claim Irish ancestry, that's seven times the current population of Ireland! I guess the Irish in America are quick breeders.  Patrick was born in Britain, circa 387, kidnapped at age 16 and sent to Ireland. Escaping six years later he found religion, returned freely to Ireland at age 45 and converted thousands to Christianity. St. Patrick's Day is supposed to be a religious holiday, but often, throughout the world, is an excuse for parades, feasting, drinking and general merriment.

It's also not a bad day for a road race! 5 miles, start and finish near the Blue Cross Arena. Races are held across the U.S. in a variety of distances, usually with a parade following the run.

Top Ten Great Things About St. Patrick's Day:

1. Great excuse to drink Jameson's Irish Whiskey

2. Or maybe a Guinness Beer?

3. The first real race day of the season, time to see what speed you do or don't have from months of winter training.

4. In Rochester, the first Runner of the Year race, where I am in a new age group, the only good thing about getting older.

5. Green is the color of choice, and both welcomes in spring and the Irish.

6. MW will begin his new spring diet. This is a different diet than the one he was on after Christmas when he put on ten pounds.

7. Bicycles can be brought up from trainers in the basement or rec room and actually ridden outside.
8. Rumor has it someone in our group of runners from Spencerport will dress up like The Great Gazoo, could it be Lou?

100 points if you can answer who the voice of The Great Gazoo was?

9. Food. Who doesn't love corned beef on rye?

10. Irish Jokes. A true Irishman considers anyone who won't come around to his point of view to be hopelessly stubborn.