Spring hadn't sprung when we started running outside! It started with the Shamrock Training Runs with the Lake Effect Runners. I met a few people at the couple that I was able to attend. It is always good to meet new people and to have other people to run with. Interesting enough, the last couple of weeks, we've had amazing weather for March! The Tip Hill Shamrock Run was cooler, but sunny. The experience was a mixed bag though. So many people didn't realize that their 5k pace is not their Shamrock Run pace and that meant that us "honest" people got bogged down and lost some time. On the other hand, I was running a race that I wasn't committed enough to run last year. Last week, with the time change, it made it possible to start running after work. I went so far as to run 6 miles (my longest outside run since my injury in August) at a record 56:40!
That brings us to this past weekend. I was privileged enough to run with groups on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was the first Mountain Goat Training Run with the Syracuse Track Club and many local runners. That was followed my the weekly post goat snack at Starbucks! It is amazing that just because you have something in common with almost everyone in the restaurant, you can have a conversation with a complete stranger and it isn't considered crazy!
Sunday was a group run at Onondaga Lake Park! The concept of this run was time, not distance. The goal was to run for 100 minutes. So, my longest run was Thursday (6 fast miles) followed by Saturday (5.75 miles). If I ran for 100 minutes on Sunday, that would be more mileage in 4 days that I have ever done in a whole week! We started out with some of Honor's friends. Unfortunately, one person had to bow out. That left five of us. Granted, the others went a little ahead of us, but we ran into them several times and ran with them for a few good spells. They logged 9.9 miles or so and we logged around 9 or so. Incredible run! Inspiring even!!!
Even more inspiring was the post run refuel at Ophelia's with Honor, Doug, Kristin and Mary! This group of athlete's traded knowledge, goals, friendship and laughter. I personally learned a lot from these new friends (and one old one) about running, triathlon, nutrition and them.
So, Running With Everyone is exactly what I did this weekend!!! It is a great way to recharge your batteries and learn a thing or two. I feel as if my goals aren't as far out of reach as I sometimes feel that they are. So, whether you are a newbie or an experienced runner, now is the time to find a group to run with. Maybe it is a running group or maybe it is just a group of friends new and old alike. I even invite you to join me as the weather warms up for a run along the shores of Oneida Lake because I truly want to Run With Everyone!
(Next month we might visit the controversial topic of technology.)
