The bits of everything -
A reminder that the Liverpool Relay For Life has changed dates this year. Instead of Father's Day weekend, they have shifted it to the last weekend in May. So, it's not this weekend, but next weekend. Is anyone interested in coming out to that? Please let me know. (I'll bug the likely suspects on the side to see as well.)
A tip of the cap to Ben. He completed his "half marathon" as some people call it, or the "hyman" as we call it on Saturday. Despite being new to distance running and not quite trained up for the distance, word on the street is that he ran it in 1:55. A very respectable time and extra impressive for a first timer! Congratulations, Ben. I hope you gave an extra treat to your early season training partner. (There is a 95% chance that Ben never reads this blog...I guess I have to let him know about these accolades.)
Whenever I read running books I'm reminded at just how recent of a sport this is in a lot of ways. The lack of participation by women, the lack of running apparel for women, what sneakers were like, and thoughts about distance running all have changed so much just within my lifetime. (And I don't think I'm all that old.) The latest book I completed was a simple read, full of stories about female runners or groups of female runners or all female races (it was recommended to me in case I follow through on my sex change operation). One story is about Grete Waitz who showed up for the 1978 New York Marathon never having ran further than 13 miles. She did not know what to expect, but was a star in Europe at shorter distances and got invited to participate, so her and her husband agreed to it just because they both wanted to see New York City. She shows up, wins it, and also sets a world record in the process. Not knowing English (or miles) at the time, she did not even understand the mileage markers or the splits and spent most of the race not knowing how far she had left. Supposedly she never wanted to do another, but eventually got coaxed into shifting her sights on marathon training and counting that first one, wins 9 of 11 New York Marathons. That's cray-cray! With modern competition, that stretch will "never" be duplicated, but it shows just how different things are 36 years later - she just showed up and fumbled her way into a world record.
Another story had a touching description of group running -
"...The women know something that all runners come to understand. The image of the distance runner is the lone figure in a solitary battle for speed and endurance. But running is actually one of the most communal sports. 'We're pack animals, we really are.' And the more runners talk, the easier it feels. Sure, you can chat during a round of golf or between sets of tennis. But imagine trying to keep up a conversation as your golf partner lines up a putt or during an intensive volley at the net. With running, on the other hand, the deeper the talk goes, the more the pain eases. ..."
I thought that was nice! Even though I had to cut out the parts about sharing estrogen.
About that west shore trail extension -
Four TRYers and two curtain climbers checked out the grand opening of the Onondaga West Shore Extension (I'm not even sure what the official name is) on Sunday and walked away impressed. We only had a couple hawkward moments.
Watch out, Berms, that guy from the zoo is totally photo bombing you as you are holding, Anakin, the harris hawk!
Hawkward!
I, for one, did not know how they were getting almost 2 and a half miles into that stretch. Plus, I figured that the road noise from 690 would be intrusive. But, it turns out there is more shoreline there than you would think so following that leads to a lot of trail length and the trail often is far enough from 690 that you do not hear a thing. It seemed to have a lot of hill to it, a gentle slope, if you will, but my watch did not measure much elevation change. There are views of Liverpool, Destiny, and downtown Syracuse and the Dome that are slightly different than any you have ever seen. Plus there are stretches with trees between you and the lake where it feels like you are at a "nature trail at a zoo". They even piped in bird noises, seemingly. They have several break points, including benches, covered slightly, and bike racks. But no bathrooms. The stretch seen below only has a port a potty before and after, so you are going without amenities for a 2+ mile stretch. They made more of an official parking lot, at one end of the "orange lot". So, I think once they take down the cones, you will use the Solvay exit, drive up to the upper - upper lot, and have parking for a few dozen cars in a paved parking lot. Basically the spot where I stopped my watch.
I started my watch (green pointer) once we turned around (walking), just before the bridge you have been able to see for a year next to 690 west. Definitely a ton of road noise there, but you quickly get into the secluded part of the trail and do not deal with 690 again til almost the end. I ended it just at the edge of the new parking lot (red pointer).
Finally - the Mountain Goat photos. My computer betrayed me last Tuesday morning, then my internet connection was out Wednesday and Thursday so I saved them for this weeks update. Enjoy!
Watch out world, Katie is done procreating (at least for now?) and is ready to rock:
It's the GW! A race photo staple:
Long time, no see. Hello Janna!
A repeat from last week, but why not take another look at the meat-less assassin:
And floating head Duerr!
Not a TRYer, but she's joining some of us on Team Beef thanks to Berms. And I noticed her name as I was scouring for people I knew. Donna O'beef:
It's VIP Steve on his way to his 10 second massage:
Speaking of Berm's here she is:
And her "roommate" Leo as well:
(Not wearing matching outfits...there must have been a roommate rift that day?)
Finally, Cynthia says forget the "Gerega Wave", I prefer the "Mead Mitten":
And a happy ending, with some of the finer points in life that has been denied to us for multiple years has returned. This is someone I sort of know named Ashley. I think Jake and her cross paths at cross-fit as I've noticed them in group photos, but I haven't seen him in person to ask about her. Enjoy, but don't tell her, because she could undoubtedly kick my non-cross-fit ass. Anyway, she has done the Mountain Goat the last 3-4 years and looks stylish doing it. She wanted to come out to TRY at one point but her work schedule did not match up at the time. Perhaps it's time for our recruiting chair to reach back out to her?
1 comment:
A chilly Mountain Goat. Some might call it down right nipply...
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