There Is No TRY

For one Tuesday every June, Yoda was right -- there is no TRY. The Chase Corporate Challenge takes over OLP and TRY is put off for a week. Most TRYers are able to participate so it's not a big deal. For those of you who aren't on corporate teams, I hope you find another place to train tomorrow or enjoy a slightly easier running week and use the night off as part of a step back week in your training.

For those of you new to the CC, it's as boring of a race course as you'll ever run. Despite being next to the lake, it just comes across as awful. I think it's partly to do with the four lane road, that is almost perfectly flat and mostly straight. And it's never fun when the turnaround is just a cone in the middle of the road that almost brings you to a stop as you come around it. And the finish drags on forever as it's 3.5 miles instead of a 5K and the way that the road curves away from you (and the width of the road plays a part as well) makes it seem like the finish will never get there.

But you can use some of this knowledge to your advantage. Look for your teammates, friends, and fellow TRYers as you cross each other on the out-and-back course. Give them a shout of encouragement! You'll notice that it gives you a boost too. And as you get past the low bridge, start to turn it on. You can rest when you are dead. And a lot of beginning runners fade at that point because it is longer than a 5K and because the finish is a bit of an optical illusion. So, get your drink just before the bridge (last drink break), get under the bridge and start to slowly use up whatever energy you have left. There is plenty of ground to cover, so pick someone a ways ahead of you and slowly reel them in. Nice and relaxed. Long comfortable strides. Deep, steady breathing. Most of the people around you haven't been doing speed-work. So, let your experience kick in and feel your body respond. You've done this before. They haven't. Now is the time to show it. Another big thing with this big of a race is to not burn out your energy at the beginning dodging traffic. Start a little slower than you want to. Let it open up a little. Then use that energy to run and make up for the little bit of lost time...not to dodge people. At the end, use the road to your advantage. Don't be out in the middle as you are doing the long, slow bend to the right. Be on the right hand edge. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. And race courses are measured from the inside edge of turns. So, every corner that you take wider than you have to is wasted steps. Run smart. Run hard. And the most important thing to do in any race: Enjoy yourself! This is supposed to be fun. Make sure you remember that. And for goodness sake, if you hear a cowbell, be sure to smile. Every time a cowbell rings, a cow gets it's wings. Remember that. It's important.

After the race enjoy your company tent and any amenities it may provide. Go around finding your friends at other companies (always a fun thing to do the CC) and then as things are winding down, walk on over to the Retreat and join in for what is always an informal after hours gathering. Various people will be wearing their companies' shirts or the CC shirt and it makes for a simple, but festive post race atmosphere.

Good luck everyone! :-)

Weather forecast is mid-to-high 80s with the chance of a storm. Perfect CC weather! We lucked out there, so be thankful for that.