I Paid, Do I Really Have to Go?

Sometimes the feeling of guilt can be overwhelming. Recently I preregistered for the Fleet Feet Sports Spring Forward race. The 15k was being held at Mendon Ponds park, a hilly route just south of Rochester. I have either worked at or run in this race most years since 2005 (it began 2004).

This year Spring Forward was the second in the Rochester Runner of the Year series. Based on my training (only one "long" run of 9 miles this year) I didn't expect much. But with the series it can still be important to run in as many races as possible, unless you are uber fast. You never know who will show up to race in your age group and if you will get points or not.

Mike W and I made plans to commute to the race together. The race has grown tremendously over its' 11 year history. Organizers expected close to 1,000 people in the 15k, a separate 2.5 mile run and the kids races. Parking in the park was a concern and shuttle buses were supposed to help move people around.

My pre-race anxiety, despite the fact I knew it was more of a training run, grew as the race neared. I wanted to leave early and be able to park near the finish. I wanted to leave later and take the bus and leave a gear bag with my daughter who was working at the race. I didn't know if I really wanted to go, but I had paid my $25 race fee and talked Mike into going.

And then the weather hit us again. Snow was predicted, which came true with about 4 inches. I didn't want to slip and fall and re-injure my shoulder. But still I was going to go. I had all my race gear laid out the night before. I had a post-race bag packed and in my daughter's vehicle. I was set...physically.

Fifteen degrees. Yes. March 28 and it was going to be 15 degrees at race time, about 25-30 below normal for here. With snowy roads. This winter is never ending. I woke up every hour from 1:30am on. At 4:30am I heard the plows going back and forth near the intersection by our home. At 5:25 I got out of bed.

Start of Spring Forward 2015

I went to the bathroom and noticed our motion detector night light didn't come on. It was dark, really dark. Hmmm, the bulb must have blown. I went downstairs, all of the clocks were out. No lights. It was cold. No electric, no power. What the hell? How do I get ready for a race now? No coffee? That's just cruel. What about Jan? I couldn't go to a race and leave her, she needed to stay awake for work until 3am Saturday night. Who knows how long the power would be out? Now what?

I texted Mike saying I wouldn't be going, I had enough. I felt guilty. At 6:20am the power came back. Mike texted, want to go now? I was done, but MW did go and ran a good effort despite the cold, snow, ice and no shuttle buses showing up. I stayed home and biked inside 24 miles while watching "Oh Brother Where Out Thou?" It seemed an appropriate choice. Clooney's character lied about there really being a treasure, I lied, in a way, about going to race.

Four days later I still feel a bit guilty, though the Scotch Saturday night took care of some of that feeling.

Spring Forward 15k

The 10th running of Fleet Feet Sports Spring Forward 15k was held on April 1 at Mendon Ponds Park. Fortunately the predicted rain held off until the race was completed, though it was a cold day with temperatures hovering in the 30's.

The rolling, hilly course is always a challenge, but another participant record was set with 562 finishers, 296 of whom were female. Tim Chichester won the race in 48:42, a 5:13 pace. Jennifer Bigham finished first among females in 56:53, a 6:06 pace and beating Trisha Byler by a narrow 13 seconds.

Sals runner Frank Quattrone won the 55-59 age group in 1:09:17, just 16 seconds ahead of second place. I finished 7th in the same age group, far back of Frank, in 1:14:55 (8:02/mile). But I was satisfied with my effort and time, especially being able to stay strong in the last 1.3 miles (7:30 pace). Jan was fifth in the 50-54 age group, 1:23:09 (8:55 pace). The three of us picked up RROY points and Frank is now in first place for his age group in the series! Jennifer K. ran a strong 1:13:36, 12/52 in a tough age group.

Another 175 people completed the 2.5 mile race. Parking was at a premium. Cars were strong out on the roads for a mile in either direction. YellowJacket Racing had timing result kiosks. Instead of posting paper results on the side of a truck runners went to a machine, punched in their race bib number and printed out personal results. In the future these results will also include age group placing instead of time and overall finish place. Sending a text after crossing the finish line was also a new option.

Spring Forward 15k

Photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier from FF.

A crisp spring day greeted runners at the Fleet Feet Sports Spring Forward 15k on Sunday, March 28.

The hilly course is always challenging, at least for slugs like me. I always think training on the old 10k kick course in the village of Spencerport is great for hill running. Then I get to a race at Mendon Ponds and learn what hills really are! Maybe I'm just getting too old?

New Roger, Roger Odell, had the race of the day from our Sals group. He won the 65-69 age group in 1:11:35, a 7:42 pace, picking up 10 RROY points. Lou, after running about 18 miles the day before, cruised through the race in an 8:13 pace and got 2 RROY points. Jan, beginning a comeback from injury, received 3 RROY points.