Spring has sprung and I've shed the running hat and gloves! I can no longer count the number of times I've run outside this year. Therefore, I must declare that running season is well under way!!!!! Honor and many other cyclists have even taken their first rides of the season!!!! This brings a sigh of relief and a shriek of terror all at the same time. It is great to get out, enjoy the trees blossoming and the birds chirping after the fourth snowiest winter in Central New York History (recorded at least). It is also great because we can finally see some of the benefits of our Winter training and assess our goals for the season! I've also learned a little about running with the change of season! The down side is the lack of safety I've seen so far this season!
Let's start with the fact that I almost got hit a few weeks ago by a motorist that wasn't paying attention to me or my location. I chose to take the right of way because I was right! I then came face to face with the fact that there is something worse than not taking the right of way when it is mine: Getting hurt and not being able to run!!!!!!! Right or wrong, it would hurt me more than the other guy!!!!!
With this in mind, we set out for the Mountain Goat Training Run Series (MGTRs) held at the MOST every Spring! This is a great program set forth by the Syracuse Track Club, Dunn Tire, the MOST (facility usage), Powerade, Brooks and I'm sure I missed a sponsor or two! In the first three weeks it became apparent that many other runners forgot a very important concept. It is true that Motorist are bound by law to share the road with Pedestrians, Runners and Cyclists. On the flip side of that coin: Runners, Pedestrians and Cyclists are obligated to share the road with Motorists!!!! We've seen people running with their ears plugged, others running with no regard for where they are, people running seven wide and taking over the whole road. I've seen some of these same people cross the road in between corners at angles. I've even seen people run through intersections with no regard for the motorists that are screaming down a hill and have the right of way (while we have the red light). As a result, the Mayor's Office has been called and their have been complaints about the runners. Maybe these people were over-reacting. More likely, the runners have over stepped their boundaries! Whether you are the motorist or the athlete, please keep the nice weather enjoyable by living in harmony with those around you!!!!!!!
Okay, I'm done being a downer! Now, let's talk about the positive side of things. Good weather means more opportunity to run with others. It also means more miles logged outside, which may translate to faster times on race day!!! Let's hit up the social aspect first. With the MGTRs, there are so many people to meet. People to talk to, to share experiences with and to learn from. I have done all of those things and I even scored a date or two with my wife on the first hill!
There has also been a lot of opportunity to assess goals! My first race that actually matters is June 4th (Paige's Butterfly Run). This race means a lot for a few reasons. First, this is the race that I ran my first sub 30 last year! Second, the race benefits Pediatric Cancer Research at the Golisano Hospital! Third, I WILL PR AGAIN THERE THIS YEAR!!!!!
Something I have to ask myself is, "What if I know I can hit the goal time that I have in mind and I still have seven weeks left to train?" I will still continue to train and try to improve. I can stick with my one goal or come up with a slightly tougher goal or two. Do I go with a better time to try and beat? Do I try to break into the top 200?
One thing is for sure, I have to look beyond my first race and toward my final race of the season. October 16th is the Empire State Marathon and Half-Marathon! I will be doing my first half-marathon that day. I have yet to run the full 13.1 miles. Most people would settle for just finishing. While, I won't tell you my goal for Paige's (mainly because I may have to revise it), I will tell you my Empire State goal! 1:59:59 or better! This I know is a stretch, but that is the mark of a good goal. A goal needs to be out of reach, but not so far out of reach that you can't accomplish it! It needs to be a something you have to work hard for! These are the goals that give us the most satisfaction, especially if we actually hit our mark!
Funny thing is that I've been stoked about this race for quite some time! Last week, we had a quarterly meeting at work. My employer mention that not only is our company sponsoring Ride For The Rescue this year, but also a couple of road races. They wouldn't mention which races though! I tried to get it out of them. All they would say was that one of the races was in October. I went to the race website and learned that A) The course has changed and B) There is an expo and packet pick-up at my work for Empire State! Wonder which race we are sponsoring in October? This makes me extremely excited!
With this in mind, get out, get active and get excited!!!!! Set goals, beat said goal, recover and repeat!!!! Above all, stay SAFE!!!!!
