It's off to our nation's capitol for a contingent of Sal's runners. Joanne and I will attempt to complete the "fun" run, a 10k beginning in the mall near the Washington Monument and taking us past several other scenic sights before finishing at the Iwo Jima monument.
Mike W, Eileen, Lou, Jan, Mike M. and Lou's cousin will be racing the marathon. They get the full tour of Arlington, DC, Crystal City, and the Pentagon before finishing at Iwo Jima. The weather looks great for a race on Sunday. This will be Jan's 5th MCM and I think MW's 3rd.
If anyone is interested in tracking a marathoner, here is the link to signup.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Squirrel Whisperer
There are runners who store their new shoe collection under the bed for safe keeping. Some runners have cubbyholes in their closet filled with untouched shoes. Others might have a special spot in a recreation room or mudroom.
Then there is the "squirrel whisperer (sw)". Our yard is filled with squirrels, constantly zig-zagging around carrying nuts and acorns from one location to another for winter storage. Of course squirrels are so stupid they don't remember where the new location is within a day, but they seem to be happy being able to move the food nonetheless. Annoyingly the squirrels dig up my newly planted flower bulbs. The purchase of a bb gun has crossed my mind. But, our resident SW seems to attract squirrels without any problem and I would feel bad shooting one of her "pets".
The SW's mind may be changing though and coming over to the dark side. Not only has she been chased down the road by squirrels, a few days ago she went in our garage to choose a pair of running shoes. Mind you, the garage doors are constantly kept closed, and at night, locked. This particular morning the SW put her foot gingerly into a shoe (always being afraid of spiders, love squirrels, hates spiders) and found a present inside! One of her furry buddies had left an acorn in her running shoe!
Isn't that nice of her squirrel friends to think she might need a nut for energy while running?
Then there is the "squirrel whisperer (sw)". Our yard is filled with squirrels, constantly zig-zagging around carrying nuts and acorns from one location to another for winter storage. Of course squirrels are so stupid they don't remember where the new location is within a day, but they seem to be happy being able to move the food nonetheless. Annoyingly the squirrels dig up my newly planted flower bulbs. The purchase of a bb gun has crossed my mind. But, our resident SW seems to attract squirrels without any problem and I would feel bad shooting one of her "pets".
The SW's mind may be changing though and coming over to the dark side. Not only has she been chased down the road by squirrels, a few days ago she went in our garage to choose a pair of running shoes. Mind you, the garage doors are constantly kept closed, and at night, locked. This particular morning the SW put her foot gingerly into a shoe (always being afraid of spiders, love squirrels, hates spiders) and found a present inside! One of her furry buddies had left an acorn in her running shoe!
Isn't that nice of her squirrel friends to think she might need a nut for energy while running?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Half an Ironman Anyone?
Quickly catching on to a money-making scheme, Ironman USA has added a bunch of new 1/2 Ironman races to their franchise. IM recently added races in Boulder, Colorado, New Hampshire (formerly Mooseman), Miami, Syracuse (are you kidding-that is a destination people want to travel to?), Texas, and for you world travelers, Singapore. As of today there are 35 1/2 IM races.
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
The cost is only $200-$250 to register, so get ready to throw your money down. All of which is not to say that I didn't attempt one, and may again someday, but, well, I'm jealous, okay? Once again I didn't come up with the idea and spread it across the world. Damn. I guess this makes Musselman and Tupper Lake bargains, since they "only" charge $140 or so?
Monday, October 5, 2009
XC Race at Grand Island
The second race in the Upstate NY series will be on Sunday, October 11 at 11:00am at Beaver Island State Park, part of Grand Island.
Pete Glavin tells me there will be no park entrance fee on race day. From Spencerport it is estimated to be a 90 minute drive.
The race distance is 6k (about 3.7 miles). I'm told it should be a flat as a pancake course. My goal is to set up the FF tent at least one hour before the race begins. We will have drinks and some food for FF team members. At this point it looks like we should have full teams for scoring in all of our divisions.
Pete Glavin tells me there will be no park entrance fee on race day. From Spencerport it is estimated to be a 90 minute drive.
The race distance is 6k (about 3.7 miles). I'm told it should be a flat as a pancake course. My goal is to set up the FF tent at least one hour before the race begins. We will have drinks and some food for FF team members. At this point it looks like we should have full teams for scoring in all of our divisions.
Monday, September 21, 2009
XC Race Report Jamesville Beach
Thank you to everyone who represented and ran for our Fleet Feet team on Saturday. It was a perfect day to run cross-country on the two-loop 5k course. I really appreciate and have respect for our team members who ran the 1/2 marathon or marathon the week before, and a couple who did the Highlander Bike tours on top of the races. Awesome that you came out and ran with us. We also had at least three people who continued the weekend by racing at the FingerLakes Triathlon on Sunday!
Check Pete Glavin's Upstate NY Cross-Country web site for complete finishing times and places.
To those of you who witnessed my meltdown and temper tantrum before the race, I'm sorry. Thanks to everyone who assisted in carrying stuff to our site and set up the tent. You are all great and I appreciate the understanding.
A quick explanation is that I arrived at the race site about 15 minutes later than desired, through no one's fault but my own. But then we had to park at least 1/2 mile from all the other team captain's parking area. When I asked about this I was told I could not move in order to unload stuff. Let's just say I was a bit upset, but got a great warmup running to the car, getting all the stuff out, and running back with the tent. Some friends helped carry the shirts and food, staying far back as the steam from my head created a localized warming effect.
As to the race, I thought we did well. Mary Lee was first in the women's 40-49 age group with a great time of 22:33. Brenda Reeb was our other finisher in that age group. Terry Christo was 3rd in the 50-59 division with a time of 22:24. Our Vet women's team with Terry, Jan and Eileen earned two points and finished in fourth place out of six.
The men were led by Marty Coffey in a nice time of 20:15 and our 40-49 team finished fourth. Carl Palmer, Alan McAllister, Sean Hendrick,Ken Rhoda and Richard Doe completed our team.
Our men's vet team was short one runner and didn't score. But, Frank Quattrone ran a nice race, in 21:14, followed by Mike Weinpress, myself and Lou Katz.
My goals for the next race:
1. Leave earlier and be set up at least 1 hour before the race starts.
2. Run faster.
3. Have complete teams in all divisions.
4. Beat GVH (don't tell them)
5. Don't have a temper tantrum.
6. Remember everyone's name (we need to have a meet and greet, though I think most of you did that on your own).
7. I like the support everyone seemed to have for teammates and found it nice to know other FF people were all around me. This might sound weird, but I mean it.
Let me know what kind of food/drink you want for after the race. Last time we had gatorade, water, danish, cookies, bananas. The cookies seemed to be the favorite.
Next race, Sunday, October 11, 11am, 6k in distance (about 3.8 miles). It's about a 90 minute drive from Spencerport. Jan and I can pick up two people at the LeRoy tollbooth area if anyone wants a ride.
Beaver Island State Park
2136 West Oakfield Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
Check Pete Glavin's Upstate NY Cross-Country web site for complete finishing times and places.
To those of you who witnessed my meltdown and temper tantrum before the race, I'm sorry. Thanks to everyone who assisted in carrying stuff to our site and set up the tent. You are all great and I appreciate the understanding.
A quick explanation is that I arrived at the race site about 15 minutes later than desired, through no one's fault but my own. But then we had to park at least 1/2 mile from all the other team captain's parking area. When I asked about this I was told I could not move in order to unload stuff. Let's just say I was a bit upset, but got a great warmup running to the car, getting all the stuff out, and running back with the tent. Some friends helped carry the shirts and food, staying far back as the steam from my head created a localized warming effect.
As to the race, I thought we did well. Mary Lee was first in the women's 40-49 age group with a great time of 22:33. Brenda Reeb was our other finisher in that age group. Terry Christo was 3rd in the 50-59 division with a time of 22:24. Our Vet women's team with Terry, Jan and Eileen earned two points and finished in fourth place out of six.
The men were led by Marty Coffey in a nice time of 20:15 and our 40-49 team finished fourth. Carl Palmer, Alan McAllister, Sean Hendrick,Ken Rhoda and Richard Doe completed our team.
Our men's vet team was short one runner and didn't score. But, Frank Quattrone ran a nice race, in 21:14, followed by Mike Weinpress, myself and Lou Katz.
My goals for the next race:
1. Leave earlier and be set up at least 1 hour before the race starts.
2. Run faster.
3. Have complete teams in all divisions.
4. Beat GVH (don't tell them)
5. Don't have a temper tantrum.
6. Remember everyone's name (we need to have a meet and greet, though I think most of you did that on your own).
7. I like the support everyone seemed to have for teammates and found it nice to know other FF people were all around me. This might sound weird, but I mean it.
Let me know what kind of food/drink you want for after the race. Last time we had gatorade, water, danish, cookies, bananas. The cookies seemed to be the favorite.
Next race, Sunday, October 11, 11am, 6k in distance (about 3.8 miles). It's about a 90 minute drive from Spencerport. Jan and I can pick up two people at the LeRoy tollbooth area if anyone wants a ride.
Beaver Island State Park
2136 West Oakfield Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Top Ten Reasons to Love XC Running
10. No cars to worry about when running.
9. Beautiful scenery (if you can look and not trip over a root while running)
8. Variety of terrain, short steep uphills, long gradual uphills, the ridiculous hill at the FLCC course 3 miles into it, at a time when you are already hurting.
7. Did I mention there might be hills? Oh, and you can sprint hard and go around a corner and lose competitors in the trees.
6. Your finishing place is important even if you are in the bottom 30% of racers.
5. Another excuse to shop at your favorite running store (Fleet Feet, right?) for the right gear.
4. Spikes make you feel fast even if you aren't and they come in cool colors.
3. Why should the kids in high school have all the fun?
2. It's fun to travel to new areas to run.
1. Listening to Mike W. complain.
9. Beautiful scenery (if you can look and not trip over a root while running)
8. Variety of terrain, short steep uphills, long gradual uphills, the ridiculous hill at the FLCC course 3 miles into it, at a time when you are already hurting.
7. Did I mention there might be hills? Oh, and you can sprint hard and go around a corner and lose competitors in the trees.
6. Your finishing place is important even if you are in the bottom 30% of racers.
5. Another excuse to shop at your favorite running store (Fleet Feet, right?) for the right gear.
4. Spikes make you feel fast even if you aren't and they come in cool colors.
3. Why should the kids in high school have all the fun?
2. It's fun to travel to new areas to run.
1. Listening to Mike W. complain.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Running and Injury
It is difficult to update a blog about running when you can't run, especially when the injury continues to dog you for a few weeks.
I'm too paranoid to say my injury is totally healed now, but I did run for the second day in a row yesterday. An amazing four miles at a speedy(?) sub-9 minute pace!
Tonight, I hope, is my last deep tissue sports massage at Canalside Massage in Pittsford. Three treatments in three weeks, lots of rest from running (I could bike and swim with the hamstring and adductor issues) and maybe I'm on the way, and will feel like writing again.
I'm too paranoid to say my injury is totally healed now, but I did run for the second day in a row yesterday. An amazing four miles at a speedy(?) sub-9 minute pace!
Tonight, I hope, is my last deep tissue sports massage at Canalside Massage in Pittsford. Three treatments in three weeks, lots of rest from running (I could bike and swim with the hamstring and adductor issues) and maybe I'm on the way, and will feel like writing again.
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