Dusting It Off

No thanks to Mother Nature, it's time to dust off the ol' blog and get ready for regular posts starting next week. Many of you have long had your key race entries bought or key races picked out and know what your goals are, running-wise, for 2015. For you others that run more with the weather, it's time to start thinking about some goals. Whether that be a new race, a new distance, a new pace, weight-loss, or just more consistency in your training, it has been proven that having a goal can help you perform better. It helps even more if you write down. And for most people, even more, if you let someone else know. Something about the writing it down process or the sharing it process tricks your mind into being more accountable. So, for your goalless TRYers out there, use the next week to think of a goal for your 2015 running season. As for a certain birthday girl - I'm sure her response to this will be: "I found that if you have a goal, that you might not reach it. But if you don't have one, then you are never disappointed. And I gotta tell ya... it feels phenomenal." Phenomenal or not, Sue, have a fricken goal this year, OK?

I had assumed I was going to be able to do recruiting for these in person, but I guess not. There were two races I planned on helping out with this spring, but fate conspired against me. One that I have helped for a few years - the "Making Tracks for Celiacs", would surely not line up with a race in my new neighborhood, would it? The "Paint Westvale Purple" 5K Run/Walk and Kids Dash needed some simple web help and just another person to help with ideas, so I offered to help out. It goes half a block from my second wife's new house, and supports Relay For Life, so it seemed like a no brainer. They wanted to avoid Easter so moved 2 weeks later into the month and moved to a Sunday just to see if that would work better. After committing to be on the committee for that I found out that MTFC moved a week early, and also decided to try out a Sunday. So, darn-it-all if they didn't pick the same day after being a full 3 weeks apart last year. They are both on Sunday, April 26th. So, I'm sad. But have to stick to the one I fully agreed to help with - the "PWP" one in the neighborhood. (They picked their date first, being another deciding factor for me.)

I recommend either race to people - the MTFC is a trail (field) run at Jamesville Beach Park. Website is here: Click on "Syracuse, NY" You've heard about this one in years past, so I'm not going to push it this year. If you have questions I'll be glad to answer them as well as I can.

The PWP is a mostly flat road race with lots of gift certificates available for age group awards - such that a few of you  could win $10 or $15 prizes (or more) just by coming out and running an average race for you. There are 30+ age group awards, and counting, available. They are really pushing making this a community event and have 3-4 groups lined up for on course music and entertainment. A sung national anthem, and better than average free food lined up on race day. This will be the third annual event and they are really hoping it becomes a spring staple. Website is here. (Let me know any critiques you have of the website. I want to make it better for next year, so any thoughts are appreciated.)

I selfishly recommend either race, but my heart and time are being spent on PWP, so that is where I'll be on the 26th. It would be great if some of you could join in. If you don't want to run, there are still volunteer spots available - or even just swing on by to cheer. (They plan to have 40+ cowbells on the course already - I wonder where they got a hold of that many bells?!, but could always use more, right?)

Let me know if you have questions. If you decide to run either, it's best to sign up soon to guarantee t-shirts and what not.