ODDyssey Half Marathon
Don't know why I
decided to run the race. In an Inquirer article the race director said
he created the race when he ran Broad Street and was frustrated that
there were no long distance races close to home to take advantage of
that training. The race formerly known as the PDR isn't until
September.
I think that was partly my motivation: To see how that longer distance felt.
It
is a low key affair. This year the attendance was capped at 3000. It
has a very small expo at Llyod Hall on Boathouse Row. (I place I know
well since it was the meeting place for a running group I ran with in
the 90"s).
I biked over from the Please Touch Museum and got a preview of
how tough the last hill was going to be. (If you have done the Philly
Marathon it is the hill just past the Zoo (Lansdowne Ave) that is about
the 9 mile mark in the Marathon). I was surprised by how many runners
were surprised by hill at the finish - it's an out and back - what the
course gives it ruthlessly takes back.
The race has a very early start - 7am. But I found I like
that. Today was warm and humid and not unbearably so our good spring
continues. I got there about 6AM because I didn't want to end up
parking miles away. As it turn out I was quite close to a small pond
covered in lilies that I remembered from my childhood since my father
took us kids there often (as it was quite close to his childhood home).
I thought of my Dad this week being the 70th anniversary of D-Day. My
Dad spent June 6th very seasick in the English Channel. His unit didn't
land until the 7th. Probably lucky for me (although he saw several
months of heavy combat in France.
The course for me was old home week. Down Martin Luther King
Drive, over the Strawberry Mansion Bridge, up a sharp hill to the Dell
and thru East Fairmount (this is close the Tri bike course that I will
do in 2 weeks), Then a sharp drop back to Kelly Drive to Falls Bridge.
(Again replicating part of the Philly Marathon course). Once back on
MLK you have only a 5K to the finish (and of course that long, half mile
climb up to Memorial Hall (the Please Touch).
I did a mostly 4/1 run/walk but I was consistent changing with
topography and water stops. I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of
run/walkers out there. My little geography remained surprisingly
consistent with me seeing the same runners passing and then me
repassing.
I had a friendly duel with one runner on a schedule similar to
mine (he said he was 3.5 run/30 second walk. About mile 11 I pulled
away from him and never saw him again. Among my companions were two
young ladies who never stopped talking - it was amazing. Later on of
them told me that use it to gauge effort. Frankly by mile 11 I was
hardly thinking of conversation.
The hill was bit of a struggle but once up the last half is pretty flat. I sailed to a very satisfactory finish.
A
clever medal designed as a bottle opener (which I just tried and it
didn't work well), I got in a very long line for a Slyfox beer and
glass. I grumbled but the line moved well enough and I got to trade war
stories with fellow runners - funny how these micro environments ,
Actually, when I got the beer it was quite refreshing. I once again
found a small group. The race encourages costumes although only a few
do it but one guy had a sombrero and poncho and I told the outfit would
get him kicked out of most American universities. Fortunately, he found
that funny and we had a great conversation. I slowly enjoyed my beer
but decided to start home without a refill. As I walked back toward the
gear bus and my car. I heard them calling out awards - they started
out with the 65+ group (which I certainly appreciate I hate sitting thru
all the whippersnappers to get to the old guys and gals). I though I
would see if I knew any of the award winners, when they called out
third place I thought - hey my time was better then that and lo and
behold the next name was mine. I must say I was gobsmacked. (And the
first place guy finished almost 20 minutes in front of me so my surprise
was correct). It was a very nice medal and I will treasure it as an
example of serendipity.
A fun day - will I do it again? Probably not but I will recommend it to all looking for a late spring half.
Monday, June 09, 2014
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Chestnutwold Chase 5K
A couple of weeks ago I run the mammoth Broad Street Run but today a tiny local race.
Chestnutwold is an elementary school in the Ardmore section of Haverford Township. It is the school that kids from my neighborhood go to and the race director is the same women who organizers the buses that took us to Broad Street so it was a natural for me to do it.
It was damp, dreary, drizzly the whole morning but no hard rain.
The first event is a kids' mile run. They had a great turnout despite the drizzle. And it look like all the kids had a great time.
The 5K course is very simple. It uses the "busway" - this is a stretch of road that was a trolley right of way last century but was paved and is restricted to bus traffic only. Since the buses don't run on Sundays it is perfect of recreational uses. It crosses on busy street but the police do a great job of controlling traffic there.
The busway passes the back of St. Mary's Laundry (now an
art center). A few years ago I learned that by Grandfather and his
brothers worked there when they emigrated from England in the late 19th
century so it is always kind of neat to see the place and the ghosts it
holds.
My best 5k in a while - 27:49 - 8:58 miles. I have for awhile wanted to run 9 minute miles in a 5K so I liked the result. (Wish I could say the miles were consistent but it was more fast downhill, slow up hill.) Since I was the only runner over 60 a medal was a sure thing (came with a gift certificate pretty cool for a small race) but I was also faster then anyone in the 50/60 age group so that was cool.
Post race there is a pancake breakfast in the school cafeteria and surprisingly the pancakes were very good.
A fun if soggy morning.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Well I wasn’t going to write about Broad Street because I was a little disappointed by the results. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a good run – I had a very good run and it was a great day. I just thought I would be faster.
There is a long standing rivalry between Philadelphia and Boston (see http://www.amazon.com/Puritan-Boston-Quaker-Philadelphia-Baltzell/dp/156000830X/ref=pd_sim_b_3) (the author was a teacher of mine in college).
But Sunday was all about Philly supporting Boston as thousands of runners sported red socks and … well read below.
I had been training using a Galloway walk/run. Four minutes running; one minute walking. Just before Broad Street the organizers had a twitter feed with Jeff Galloway and I got a chance to ask him about the ratio for a ten mile run and he said 4/1 was about right. In hindsight I wish I had tried 5/1. I think the walk/run did work in that I felt great throughout the race and at the finish. There was none of that “I’m dead exhausted” at the end. The problem was that my running pace wasn’t fast enough to counter the walk time. The other problem was that the course was so crowded that transitioning from walk to run was difficult as I had to pass runners not going at my pace. This was especially true in the finally mile when all the runners are pressed into the southbound lanes of Broad Street. (For the past couple of years runners have been able to use both sides of Broad Street even south of City Hall.)
(Some
background on Broad Street: a ten mile course, on Broad Street one of
the longest straight streets in America. Big race (32,000 finishers).
Finishes in the Navy Yard [now called the Naval Business Center]) The
race is mostly flat (don't buy the hype there are no hills but there is a
net elevation drop). Perfect weather this year. Cool with some cloud
cover.
Let me back up. I got to the race not on the subway (tradition is to park at the sports' complex about a mile from the finish and take the subway to the start) but by a chartered bus. The buses leave from the local high school just a couple of blocks from my house. This is very nice – no parking hassles, no crowded train ride. Two of the buses were school buses but one (mine) was a nicer – cloth, bucket seats, (with seat belts if you were so inclined), and, unlike last year, the driver knew where he was going. I left some gear on the bus but I also used the race’s gear bus for my phone, camera and dry shirt. (We weren’t sure with the added security whether the buses would be allowed in the Navy Yard.)
Just before 8 I got into my corral (grey) – looking back I wish I had waited to closer to start time (8:30). Unlike Diane I started mid-pack – last year I started at the front of the grey corral – terrible idea since it resulted in a much too fast first mile. Couldn’t hear any of the early announcements – missed the moment of silence and caught just a couple of refrains of the national anthem. But as we moved forward could hear they were playing Sweet Caroline….on an endless loop (God bless the poor neighbors on Broad Street). Someone near said can’t they play something else until someone explained the significance. When we lined up for our start the crowd hand pumped and sang ‘so good, so good’ with great energy. This year the start seemed just right. I know that Galloway insists that it is important to do the walk breaks early and I did but boy was it hard walking and being passed by dozens. I’m not sure when I became aware that Diane and I were close to the same pace. Did I pass her or did she pass me while I was walking? But once it started it was kind of fun – we did a hopscotch down Broad Street. She would pass me walking and I would pass her running but we were never far out of contact. Whether it was the beautiful day, the novelty of following the walk/run intervals, the joy of the runners (everyone seemed to be having a good time – the beauty of the back of the pack), the enthusiasm of spectators (see below) but the time just flew by. There are relatively few spectators the first few miles but where there were they were great fun. At Temple University good crowds including kids in wheel chairs. Then quiet until you get near Broad and Spring Garden. From the old Inquirer building on the crowd get louder and louder. More Sweet Caroline as we went around City Hall, with arm pumps and so goods, amazing – lots and lots of noise. Down the Avenue of the Arts, (Academy of Music, Kimmel Center, Union League ….). I had temporarily stopped the walk/run and skipped an interval just because it was so crowded. I felt great and thought my pace excellent – out of the corner of my eye I caught a white hat bobbing in the southbound lanes (I had stuck to the northbound) Diane was about twenty yards ahead and pulling away. So either I had slowed (quite possible in the crowded conditions or she had a mini-surge.) I wouldn’t see her again for a couple of miles. The race had given out heart shape stickers which began to fall off about mile four (mine made it to the end and then I lost it somewhere on the parade grounds) so the course was marked with hearts.
The next couple of miles are a blur – I usually hate miles 7 and 8 but this year they didn’t seem so bad and suddenly (or so it seemed) I had passed Pattison Ave (9 miles). This is where they push all the runners northbound. At some point I realized Diane was just ahead and I wondered if I could make up the difference. I did. So just before the Navy Yard entrance (about ¼ mile left) we were running together. Dianne surged a bit and I told her sprint – she moved ahead and I thought this is how the elites feel when after 26 miles their competitor makes a finally surge. However, to my surprise I felt I had more in the tank and began to close the distance and spurted pass just a second or two before the finish ending our Broad Street duel. 98 minutes was considerably slower than I thought I could accomplish, but on the other hand it was the most enjoyable Broad Street ever.
Great organization funneling the runners thru the refreshment area after which Diane and I went to our after parties. Despite the extra security our buses were in their usual place just yards from the finish with some liquid refreshment and, despite a ban on alcohol, a motorcycle officer checked us out and then went on his way (bless him for his tolerance). The only remaining glitch – getting out of the Navy Yard – we were directed out the back gate which dumps you on Passayunk Ave and directly on the Schuylkill Expressway which was the crawlway for five or six long miles. At that point despite the early hour I had a beer in my hand and was content to relax and enjoy the happy buzz all around – much better then pushing thru that mess in my own vehicle. Last thoughts: some runners like races, some hate them. Some especially hate the hassle of really big races but for me the celebratory nature of 30,000 runners pushing down the same course in the heart of a big city is very special. Runners down somewhat from last year (but more than 2011) but there seemed to be plenty of spectators along the course and at the finish. I think the city (the race is done by the recreation department) did itself proud. Kudos to all.
But Sunday was all about Philly supporting Boston as thousands of runners sported red socks and … well read below.
I had been training using a Galloway walk/run. Four minutes running; one minute walking. Just before Broad Street the organizers had a twitter feed with Jeff Galloway and I got a chance to ask him about the ratio for a ten mile run and he said 4/1 was about right. In hindsight I wish I had tried 5/1. I think the walk/run did work in that I felt great throughout the race and at the finish. There was none of that “I’m dead exhausted” at the end. The problem was that my running pace wasn’t fast enough to counter the walk time. The other problem was that the course was so crowded that transitioning from walk to run was difficult as I had to pass runners not going at my pace. This was especially true in the finally mile when all the runners are pressed into the southbound lanes of Broad Street. (For the past couple of years runners have been able to use both sides of Broad Street even south of City Hall.)
Let me back up. I got to the race not on the subway (tradition is to park at the sports' complex about a mile from the finish and take the subway to the start) but by a chartered bus. The buses leave from the local high school just a couple of blocks from my house. This is very nice – no parking hassles, no crowded train ride. Two of the buses were school buses but one (mine) was a nicer – cloth, bucket seats, (with seat belts if you were so inclined), and, unlike last year, the driver knew where he was going. I left some gear on the bus but I also used the race’s gear bus for my phone, camera and dry shirt. (We weren’t sure with the added security whether the buses would be allowed in the Navy Yard.)
Just before 8 I got into my corral (grey) – looking back I wish I had waited to closer to start time (8:30). Unlike Diane I started mid-pack – last year I started at the front of the grey corral – terrible idea since it resulted in a much too fast first mile. Couldn’t hear any of the early announcements – missed the moment of silence and caught just a couple of refrains of the national anthem. But as we moved forward could hear they were playing Sweet Caroline….on an endless loop (God bless the poor neighbors on Broad Street). Someone near said can’t they play something else until someone explained the significance. When we lined up for our start the crowd hand pumped and sang ‘so good, so good’ with great energy. This year the start seemed just right. I know that Galloway insists that it is important to do the walk breaks early and I did but boy was it hard walking and being passed by dozens. I’m not sure when I became aware that Diane and I were close to the same pace. Did I pass her or did she pass me while I was walking? But once it started it was kind of fun – we did a hopscotch down Broad Street. She would pass me walking and I would pass her running but we were never far out of contact. Whether it was the beautiful day, the novelty of following the walk/run intervals, the joy of the runners (everyone seemed to be having a good time – the beauty of the back of the pack), the enthusiasm of spectators (see below) but the time just flew by. There are relatively few spectators the first few miles but where there were they were great fun. At Temple University good crowds including kids in wheel chairs. Then quiet until you get near Broad and Spring Garden. From the old Inquirer building on the crowd get louder and louder. More Sweet Caroline as we went around City Hall, with arm pumps and so goods, amazing – lots and lots of noise. Down the Avenue of the Arts, (Academy of Music, Kimmel Center, Union League ….). I had temporarily stopped the walk/run and skipped an interval just because it was so crowded. I felt great and thought my pace excellent – out of the corner of my eye I caught a white hat bobbing in the southbound lanes (I had stuck to the northbound) Diane was about twenty yards ahead and pulling away. So either I had slowed (quite possible in the crowded conditions or she had a mini-surge.) I wouldn’t see her again for a couple of miles. The race had given out heart shape stickers which began to fall off about mile four (mine made it to the end and then I lost it somewhere on the parade grounds) so the course was marked with hearts.
The next couple of miles are a blur – I usually hate miles 7 and 8 but this year they didn’t seem so bad and suddenly (or so it seemed) I had passed Pattison Ave (9 miles). This is where they push all the runners northbound. At some point I realized Diane was just ahead and I wondered if I could make up the difference. I did. So just before the Navy Yard entrance (about ¼ mile left) we were running together. Dianne surged a bit and I told her sprint – she moved ahead and I thought this is how the elites feel when after 26 miles their competitor makes a finally surge. However, to my surprise I felt I had more in the tank and began to close the distance and spurted pass just a second or two before the finish ending our Broad Street duel. 98 minutes was considerably slower than I thought I could accomplish, but on the other hand it was the most enjoyable Broad Street ever.
Great organization funneling the runners thru the refreshment area after which Diane and I went to our after parties. Despite the extra security our buses were in their usual place just yards from the finish with some liquid refreshment and, despite a ban on alcohol, a motorcycle officer checked us out and then went on his way (bless him for his tolerance). The only remaining glitch – getting out of the Navy Yard – we were directed out the back gate which dumps you on Passayunk Ave and directly on the Schuylkill Expressway which was the crawlway for five or six long miles. At that point despite the early hour I had a beer in my hand and was content to relax and enjoy the happy buzz all around – much better then pushing thru that mess in my own vehicle. Last thoughts: some runners like races, some hate them. Some especially hate the hassle of really big races but for me the celebratory nature of 30,000 runners pushing down the same course in the heart of a big city is very special. Runners down somewhat from last year (but more than 2011) but there seemed to be plenty of spectators along the course and at the finish. I think the city (the race is done by the recreation department) did itself proud. Kudos to all.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Fall Running
I really like late fall running. I like the chill in the air and the
new vistas that open as the trees shed leaves and that special autumn
light.
Saturday I ran in the Reserve. Cold enough over night that the ground
was crunchy with frost and puddles have the lightest sheen of ice.
Now that the most trees have shed their leaves the Blue Route (I476)
is more intrusive. You hear it before you see it but rather than
grouse I am grateful that these acres were preserved. Late in the run
as I came out of the woods toward an open meadow a fat red fox was
strolling down the lane. I surprised him as if he wondered why a
human was intruding on his day. Not sure if he looked fat because his
winter coat is already in or if he has been fattening up on squirrel
and rabbit.
But today a special treat - as I was coming up a small hill not far
from Merion Golf Course a stag came out from between two brilliant red
japanese maples. A youngster, two points, one antler coming off would
have given him a comical look if he hadn't stop and stared back at me
in full dignity. We locked eyes for about 20 seconds before he bounded
off. I know they are a pest but I still love these encounters
especially when unexpected.
The next three weekends I have races - it's been a long time since I
tripled. Hope everything holds up.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
I wrote this for the Dead Runners Society but wanted to share it with a wider audience.
Since increasing my running times/distance I have become more interested in trail running. Fortunately there is a solution in my own backyard.
Today is bright, beautiful, filled with the special October sunlight.
Back in the 1950's the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania took by eminent domain about 200+ acres of Haverford Township to build a state mental hospital. The facility lasted until the late 90's. When it closed the township had the opportunity to buy it from the state (why it just wasn't returned to township control I never quite understood). There was plenty of local drama surrounding how this bonanza was to be used. There was talk that Villanova University would buy it and build its law school there. Eventually it was sold to a developer (not without a scandal that saw a Township Commissioner convicted of corruption). The developer was to build on the old hospital grounds and 120 acres would be given to the township for recreational purposes.
The result is that a large portion remains undeveloped (part was given over to athletic fields, dog park, a very special playground, and a Community Recreation and Environmental Center (the CREC). Although the choices made didn't please everyone the overall result is really quite satisfactory. I haven't used the CREC much but have used the dog park and the trails through the undeveloped portion.
This is not wilderness by any stretch of the imagination. I476 (the Blue Route) cuts through a corner of the property. But what a treasure. The woods remaining haven't been touched for almost a hundred years. There is a problem with invasive species but that is being addressed. There are too many deer but a culling program has been initiated. (Like the culling taking place in Valley Forge I have mix feelings. I intellectually know that the deer population must be reduced for the health of the woods but when I run with the deer which I have on many occasions it breaks my heart that they will be taken by a bow hunter.)
I have run to the reserve but today for distance and time sakes I drove. My run took me on some of the newly mark trails and on some that I suspect are merely deer trails barely passable. There are unusual sights: a stone and timber cabin that must be hundreds of years old slowly returning to nature perhaps not historic enough to be preserved (or just neglected); an ancient piece of machinery abandoned but how did it get there; a slab of concrete without any apparent purpose. There is a trail that takes you under the Blue Route and the contrast between the thumping traffic and the quiet wetland just beyond is striking.
Today I managed a four mile loop, some of my own making, but lightly always lightly. Today is a brilliant argument for a four season climate. I wish I could bottled it for a cold, dreary February day. The light is just magical and last night a light frost so while many trees remain green others have turned golden yellows and reds. I got back to my car in 50 minutes and was very tempted to set out again but prudence prevailed.
All this just a couple miles from my front door. I am very lucky indeed.
Good running to all.
Friday, September 28, 2012
(See Wikipedia for a good breakdown of the various Plain Folk [Lancaster County alone has 30 variants of the Amish]).
There is a tension between the touristy, commercial Lancaster and the back road farming communities just off the highway. The Amish are no strangers to the blandishments of the modern world. These are not isolated folks. But they have chosen to remain in the world but apart.
My weekend began with the Friday night pasta dinner and 5K. Hot air balloons went up all through dinner. My niece and nephew ran the 5K and it was great fun seeing them coming in with the Amish children who ran.
Saturday, unfortunately, was the last of the warm, muggy days and it wasn’t a pretty day, and because of threaten storms no balloons, but the course – what a delight. At the start, the crowd around me was relaxed and friendly. The course wound through a late summer landscape and Amish farmers watched our passing. How strange we must seem to them. The water stations were great fun especially the children who were a special delight. One of my favorite things on the 13 mile trip through that farmland were the children lined up on a fence and at the water stops calling out water and Gatorade, Gatorade.
We passed a quartet of horses at the edge of a field of corn and having recently ridden a Belgian mare I thought I recognized the breed. Are those Belgians I called out. The farmer didn’t answer but an Amish man standing near by did, “Yes, and very fine ones they are”. I’m guessing the farmer couldn’t boast on his horse but his friend could. A little further on there were two young men with a team of animals. Are they donkeys I asked – no mules. When shortly after another teenager came down the road with a team I shouted out “Mules?” - Yes. Wow, I getting to be an agricultural expert.
Another favorite was when we turned onto a country lane (Red Lane?). It was a narrow, crushed stone and suddenly I saw a very large banner for Rita’s Water Ice. It seemed so alien and out of place, but just past it was a table manned by teenagers giving out water ice. What a treat! But how they got the ice there and kept it cold is a mystery. However, it seemed to capture the magic of this weekend – the marvelous combination of English and Amish sensibilities. I doubt if I ever enjoyed a water ice so much.
After finishing – getting a great medal and some refreshment I thought to leave but the line of cars was so long I walked back and listen to the gospel group playing and sat thru the awards. I was glad I did. The music was excellent and it was nice to see the diverse runners get their prizes.
Saturday afternoon we went to the barbecue hosted by the local fire company (turns out the Amish can be volunteer fireman). Almost everyone there were plain folk. What a wonderful atmosphere there was. I found the mixture of an ordinary barbecue with folks who otherwise have rejected much of the 21sth Century intriguing. I had such of good time I asked to be directed to a member of the fire company because I wanted to make a donation, but was told no they just wanted everyone to have a good time, an enjoyable time. Well I did – a very good time. Of the dozens of half marathons I have done it was my favorite ever. I have mix feelings now. I want to tell everyone I know how great it was and do it and at the same time I want to keep it the small intimate experience I had. Selfish I know but there it is. Those of us lucky enough to have run the 2012 event had a very special experience – thanks to everyone who made it possible.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Monday, May 31, 2010
Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in
Run For Victory 5K - Downington, PA
I was attracted to this race because I wanted to do a Memorial Day Run and the prospect of doing a new race starting in a great local brewery and ending with a burger and beer seemed irresistible.
The course was a bit different than any I've done before. I'm guessing that the course was designed to minimized the effect on local traffic. The course looped twice on the same section of road so that at one point there were three lines of runners with the lead runners lapping the slower runners. On one side was a high school field and on the other an industrial park/retention pond. No shade. The last 3/4's mile was thru neighborhood streets.
Pretty good incline but I suppose the course was relatively flat as describe. (When I "challenge" the race director on his "flat" description he said it is compared to where we are - a born politician).
Ran mid pack and felt my pace was fairly consistent with mile two a little too slow.
Just three runners in my age group. I finished second but well (two minutes) behind first. Unfortunately, the age awards were only one deep (a beer mug ).
Major sponsor was Victory Brewery so the after spread and beer were first rate.
Still this race consolidated my gradual return to racing. I have discovered that my current regime will allow me to race occasionally without causing hip pain.
I won't be fast but I will be comfortably mid pack and even if not competitive it feels like racing.
"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a drama, each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others." George Sheehan
Run For Victory 5K - Downington, PA
I was attracted to this race because I wanted to do a Memorial Day Run and the prospect of doing a new race starting in a great local brewery and ending with a burger and beer seemed irresistible.
The course was a bit different than any I've done before. I'm guessing that the course was designed to minimized the effect on local traffic. The course looped twice on the same section of road so that at one point there were three lines of runners with the lead runners lapping the slower runners. On one side was a high school field and on the other an industrial park/retention pond. No shade. The last 3/4's mile was thru neighborhood streets.
Pretty good incline but I suppose the course was relatively flat as describe. (When I "challenge" the race director on his "flat" description he said it is compared to where we are - a born politician).
Ran mid pack and felt my pace was fairly consistent with mile two a little too slow.
Just three runners in my age group. I finished second but well (two minutes) behind first. Unfortunately, the age awards were only one deep (a beer mug ).
Major sponsor was Victory Brewery so the after spread and beer were first rate.
Still this race consolidated my gradual return to racing. I have discovered that my current regime will allow me to race occasionally without causing hip pain.
I won't be fast but I will be comfortably mid pack and even if not competitive it feels like racing.
"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a drama, each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others." George Sheehan
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
On Getting Old
"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a drama, each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others." George Sheehan
Next race the aptly named "Run For Victory". Right now it looks like I will be the oldest runner. I will be thinking of Dr. Sheehan.
"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. My times become slower and slower, but the experience of the race is unchanged: each race a drama, each race a challenge, each race stretching me in one way or another, and each race telling me more about myself and others." George Sheehan
Next race the aptly named "Run For Victory". Right now it looks like I will be the oldest runner. I will be thinking of Dr. Sheehan.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Chestnutwold 5K
A follow up to yesterday's post:
There is a local race director, Ron Horn of Pretzel Sports, (a wild and crazy guy if there ever was one) who often advertises races as easy medal races. These are usually small local races with a hundred participants. Well Sunday I ran a race like that. The Chestnutwold Elementary School is just around the corner from my house. The course used a route locally called the busway. I used part of this roadway when I created the Reindeer Romp course. Up through the 1960's trolleys ran up Darby Road. Much of the rail bed was used to widen the Road but a two mile stretch was preserved as a closed roadway for exclusive use of buses. This has become a valuable resource for the community and is widely used for walking, jogging and biking. It is also used by emergency vehicles who can avoid the congestion on Eagle Road.
Since there are no buses on Sundays the route is especially attractive as a race route. It is not flat but the ups are gradual and since it out and back you do get the hills back and Sunday's race finished on the downhill. (The Reindeer Romp finishes on the uphill and never fails to catch first timers by surprise who took the downhill without a care.)
Being a small race I thought there would be no age group awards but I had hung around post-race to enjoy a pancake breakfast (very nice amenity) and kibbutz with friends. Greg speculated that given that the race was mostly kids and their parents there might be awards for the old guys. Well to my surprise there were age awards one deep, and to my further surprise I got one. Turns out I was alone in my age group. Being old has some rewards.
Now next Sunday I am doing a 5K in Dowingtown at Victory Brewing (one of my favorite microbreweries - if you get Victory in your area and like hoppy beer get their HopDevil).
A quick survey of the 400 registered runners shows I am pretty much alone in the age group. One other 63 yr old runner ordered an xxl shirt so I thinking maybe he won't be much competition. I know I am dangerously close to hubris but I am feeling good and Sunday's time was almost two minutes faster than my last 5K.
Today I did a 1500 meter swim followed by whirlpool. Really seems to help recovery.
A follow up to yesterday's post:
There is a local race director, Ron Horn of Pretzel Sports, (a wild and crazy guy if there ever was one) who often advertises races as easy medal races. These are usually small local races with a hundred participants. Well Sunday I ran a race like that. The Chestnutwold Elementary School is just around the corner from my house. The course used a route locally called the busway. I used part of this roadway when I created the Reindeer Romp course. Up through the 1960's trolleys ran up Darby Road. Much of the rail bed was used to widen the Road but a two mile stretch was preserved as a closed roadway for exclusive use of buses. This has become a valuable resource for the community and is widely used for walking, jogging and biking. It is also used by emergency vehicles who can avoid the congestion on Eagle Road.
Since there are no buses on Sundays the route is especially attractive as a race route. It is not flat but the ups are gradual and since it out and back you do get the hills back and Sunday's race finished on the downhill. (The Reindeer Romp finishes on the uphill and never fails to catch first timers by surprise who took the downhill without a care.)
Being a small race I thought there would be no age group awards but I had hung around post-race to enjoy a pancake breakfast (very nice amenity) and kibbutz with friends. Greg speculated that given that the race was mostly kids and their parents there might be awards for the old guys. Well to my surprise there were age awards one deep, and to my further surprise I got one. Turns out I was alone in my age group. Being old has some rewards.
Now next Sunday I am doing a 5K in Dowingtown at Victory Brewing (one of my favorite microbreweries - if you get Victory in your area and like hoppy beer get their HopDevil).
A quick survey of the 400 registered runners shows I am pretty much alone in the age group. One other 63 yr old runner ordered an xxl shirt so I thinking maybe he won't be much competition. I know I am dangerously close to hubris but I am feeling good and Sunday's time was almost two minutes faster than my last 5K.
Today I did a 1500 meter swim followed by whirlpool. Really seems to help recovery.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Ho Hum Another Day Another Medal
So here is a tutorial on how to get a medal: run a small local race; make sure there is no one else in your age group and voila you have a medal. Turns out there is an advantage to getting old.
Ran a small 5K (Chesnutwald School 5K)where most of the participants were children (glad to see so many kids running). Since it was so small didn't expect there would be any medals. After race there was a nice pancake breakfast. Best news for me is that I improved my time since my last 5K and I hope to do even better next week.
So here is a tutorial on how to get a medal: run a small local race; make sure there is no one else in your age group and voila you have a medal. Turns out there is an advantage to getting old.
Ran a small 5K (Chesnutwald School 5K)where most of the participants were children (glad to see so many kids running). Since it was so small didn't expect there would be any medals. After race there was a nice pancake breakfast. Best news for me is that I improved my time since my last 5K and I hope to do even better next week.
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