Mommy, I Need More Wrecking Ball

Before you read on, remember that this is a holiday...so take it easy on my have butted effort.

Eric V seemed to "enjoy" his first taste of TRY intervals and it reminded me just how important and useful of a training tool they can be...so I encourage those who are ready (I'm thinking the Lisa's, Matt's and Stevil's of the world) to start to incorporate some speed work into your weekly routines - hopefully on Tuesday nights when you have people to suffer along side of. So, that goes for anyone ready to crank up their workouts and are eager to train smarter. Other people, keep building up and let the more experienced runners know if you have questions about where you are at in your running training. We've had a handful of new people show up in the last month - but the return rate has been very poor. Probably just a coincidence but it does make me question if we are being as welcoming as we can be? Obviously being hot and in wicked good shape is going to rub people the wrong way, so I strongly encourage everyone to tone that part of themselves down...we aren't crossfitters after all, so no reason why we should be scaring normal people away!

OK, onto the fluffy part:
You long time readers and TRYers know that I do everything I can to hide my true, gay, self behind a veneer of constant one-liners, ethnic slurs, and hawkward innuendo, and by using my puppet family as props - obviously the kids are a bit too cute to actually be mine. So, it is very rare for me to let my guard down and use an actual true story that cuts to the core of me. Enjoy this rare 100% unfiltered view into my real life:

I swear that in the past few days I've had multiple conversations on the impressive, and seemingly under appreciated,  quality of the song "Wrecking Ball", by Miley Cyrus. It led to some repeated listens during recent road trips culminated by tonight's return to Syracuse where my first born kept requesting it to be played again and again. After a few listens and then attempting to play other songs, at least twice he said something along the lines of "Mommy, I need more wrecking ball" to my first wife sitting in the back seat with him. I honestly do not know if I should be proud? Or if I should call up CPS and hand him over to a more worthy person to raise him? We did limit it to about 6 to 7 listens total within a 30 minute period, but I fear if there is damage to be done, it would have certainly been done within that amount of time. (Not to mention continued damage if I continue on to choreograph a dance to it this coming week - which is a very strong possibility as I write this.)

Parenting is a tricky pickle, no?

I can thank the silly, but entertaining "lip sync battle" shtick for bringing the song back into my life. Kudos to Anne Hathaway for this epic spoof of the original video. I'm starting it at the pertinent part, but the whole thing is worth a watch if you enjoy the Jimmy Fallon lip sync videos that have been coming out for months now from his show (and/or like Emily Blunt the overwhelmed opponent during this round):



And since there is so much turnover in TRY (or if your memory is as short as mine is) this TRY post from September of 2013 is a tour-de-force look at Miley's version. Enjoy it for the first time, or take a swing down memory lane. What's not to love about a little construction soft-core? They don't call them hard hats for nothing! Amirite?!

Lastly, we have two Centipede teams lined up for Paige's Butterfly Run in a week and a half. I'm sorry that some people get left out each year, but I do appreciate the fact that we've entered two teams into the fun for three straight years now and that so many of you are willing and flexible to join and get bumped or switch between teams as necessary to fit the personnel. Splitting people on intervals of 5 is not a simple task, so your flexibility is key. You truly do answer the call when I put it out there with minimal notice and I totally appreciate it!

For those of you not on the teams, there is no reason not to run as an individual - you can hang out with the gang all morning and be a part of 90% of the fun. And even for those of you not up to running a full 5K - say like Jill - there is the mile (or mile and a half?) fitness run/walk that plenty of people run and tons of people walk - so there really is an event for every one that comes out to TRY on a Tuesday night. (Not to mention the kiddie "caterpillar crawl" that all the TRYers in strollers are welcome to do for free.) It truly is a case of the more, the merrier. Let me know if you have any questions about any parts of the event!

Time to Butter-Fly

Just like my life, my posts are a disjointed mess of wonderfulness...so there will be some recaps and repeats here. I can never truly tell (or am willing to spend the time to sleuth it out) who sees the blog stuff, who sees the Facebook stuff and what-not. So, I'll re-cover some ground here, just in case. For those of you who read everything the first time, skip, skip, skip:

Good chance for a rainy and stormy day this week, so choose wisely about coming out and what run you plan to do. Escalade would advise for you to challenge yourself and run in the rain. (Repost from the FB page):



Last week, I put my "good" post out there on Tuesday itself and it had enough potential interesting stuff in it that I think it's worth a read, or certainly a skim - who doesn't crack up at mid-race photos?...so scroll down or jump to last weeks post.

Duerr just shared an article from Syracuse.com tonight that touches on some similar themes as my post last week. I definitely did not come up with the theme - but it's interesting how closely timed that article is. Know this - YOU - the running public - very much have race directors attention. They want to get you and keep you and are very worried about losing you. So, use your power judiciously and reward the races that deserve to be rewarded!

Speaking of rewarding a race that deserves to be rewarded - it is high time to support TRY's favorite local fundraising race - Paige's Butterfly Run. I have a post on Facebook about looking for "Centipede Division" runners, but am looking for more than have replied there. By my unofficial count, EIGHTEEN different TRYers have taken part in the past five years on the seven different teams we have fielded. Last year included six first timers out of our ten runners for our faster and slower teams, so you don't need to be afraid to give it a shot. I expect almost everyone this year to be a repeat runner, based on TRY demographics, but maybe not? I'm going to save the sales pitch, since almost everyone should know it...but if you need more convincing than what follows, let me know.

Just realize that, while I'm certainly overstating our value, we have become a part of the event. Not just as participants, but more like a part of the fiber of the events tapestry. As I write this, Runaway Bride is prominently featured on this years registration materials (a random person just told me last week they had just seen my face somewhere)...and an email just showed up today that pulled out a photo of RUNder Contruction from 2012. So, if you are interested in giving to and connecting with an event in a way that goes a bit deeper, this is your chance. All I ask is that you bring your sense of humor, set aside your morning for the cause, and get CONNECTED. :-)

We have one more week at cheap registration prices, so lets get things decided soon...I'll talk to who I can at the run at the park but who else wants in? Look at the Facebook page header photo for the joy it can bring to your life.

And I'll end with the pertinent part of today's email:

A Tale of Three Races

I do not even have to pretend to write about the training runs anymore, do I? (Let me know and I can attempt something, but it is such a diverse group with diverse training needs that official guidance seems pointless.)

On last weeks post from csnphilly.com - http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/700-level/message-runners-everywhere-shutttttt-uppppppp Sure, it was cheesy and it was not even historically accurate (thanks Mark for pointing that out!), but I did feel it was illuminating in that it COULD BE how non-runners truly feel about what we love to do - run! And to talk about it before and after and any other time that someone will listen. (The running in place at street crossings IS darn ridiculous looking so at least one point of the article was spot on!) Just keep in mind that not everyone wants to run, or talk about running, or even overhear people talk about running. Know your audience and, at times, you maybe should keep your obsession to yourself? It's a shame, but will be appreciated by some people. (It brought back a memory for me of the first year of TRY - when someone named Ally, who will not be named here to protect the innocent, had a sister that HATED hanging out with some of us because she felt like and and noted multiple times - "that all we ever talked about was that stupid running group".) Oops.

I went to one of Fleet Feet Sports race directors meetings this winter and was surprised to hear them emphasize reduction in the number of races and combination of races where we could. 2014 was the first year in memory where race participation had gone done. (I don't quite believe that "fact" but supposedly the race timing services had come up with it - that across all of their races, total races run had gone down compared to the year before.) The meeting I was at was for "experienced" race directors - and longer term events, but they warned us that continued growth is by no means a guarantee and that getting smarter, working harder, and getting the 20-something crowd were going to be keys for any race looking to the future.

I found it "interesting" that the Tipp Hill run - which seemingly could do no wrong with how quickly it had grown and become Syracuse's largest race (from what I know of) had it's lowest turnout (based on number of finishers) in the last three years - 2790 this year, after 3508 and 2994 the previous two years.

Now my tale of three races -- 

All ones I'm connected with that were 8 days apart this year. (With 2 at the exact same time.)

How exactly did I end up at an experienced race directors meeting? Through helping out with the Paint Westvale Purple 5K. For several years I've wanted to help out with a race and now that I have, it was illuminating on just how much work goes into a "simple" 5K race. I was the 6th most important person on a 6 person race committee and I think I did as little of work as anyone - definitely a lot less than the main 4 and it still really took up a lot of my time from time to time. I mostly did their website their informal graphic designs needs (simple logos). I also made it to some of their meetings and was involved on their hundreds and hundreds of email exchanges. In three years now they've gone from 200 participants, to 400, to almost 500 and from raising a few thousand dollars, to several thousand, to this year breaking the $10,000 threshold. They've grown because they care, they put in a TON of effort, they have a "hook" - the purple thing - that's fun. They provide a lot of value to their volunteers - purple PWP cowbells and shopping bags this year and they try to promote the race everywhere. From a billboard, to the paper, to going on 93Q. They certainly could be more efficient with the money - it's hard to say how much the "expensive" advertising actually helped and while it's nice to reward your volunteers, who is to say that it actually pays for itself?

Their growth is nearing its end - if for no other reason than they are close to maxing out their location and because it's so closely tied into the location, they cannot really move it like Paige's did without losing its identity. They do seem content with that though - to limit having to spend any more time on it, but to also keep the quality of it high - they would rather put on a great/fun race for 600 then attempt to do something for a thousand runners. This year was the first year it was timed, they cranked up the on course entertainment, and they added a bake-sale, more vendor tables, and had what could be considered a small expo component to their packet pick-up night and race morning. I'm not sure there is anywhere to go from here? I think the next step is just to be more efficient while keeping the quality the same.

My takeaway from my insiders view this year - it is great to be a part of a fun and successful race, but with sponsor and weather uncertainty and with the procrastinating nature of runner sign-ups, it's a bit nerve wracking and almost cannot be worth the amount of time put into it? If they told me I was being replaced by someone better on the committee for next year I would be sad but relieved at the same time.

The Making Tracks For Celiacs event was sadly on the exact same day (and time) as PWP this year. So I had to pull my support of MTFC and fulfill my vows to PWP. My first wife and her family did go to it so I did hear plenty about it. It is important to note that the run is actually an afterthought at that event and it often shows. Plus, with me pulling out and no LM support to speak of this year I heard it took a noticeable step back with quality of runners an on course support. This year they had 55 finishers which was actually up from last years 42 (might be a mistake there though as that does not include walking times?), but way down from 2 years ago when over 100 people finished. They hurt themselves by always moving the day of the event, by always changing the course, by even changing the timing company this year... but all of that is probably irrelevant to the organizers? They focus on the very well done basket raffles, the best in its class goodie bags (all sorts of gluten free stuff) and fun, gluten free vendors. So, the event overall is stagnating, the race portion is an afterthought, but it is still an educational and fundraising success, so it may be all good? The uniqueness of it's location - Jamesville Beach also limits its growth potential. It's awesome on a nice weather day, but on a year like this year, catching a cold and windy day really took the fun out of it.

The last of the three is the venerable Mountain Goat Run. It's the race that made me the runner I am (perhaps the runner I am not?) these days as I feel my running matured from a hack into a decent (if always below average) distance runner on all those training runs I did over the years. I am saddened that I abandoned the race the last few years, but that's at least partially due to the major changes to the training run program. A victim of its own success - something had to give - but the result is the best part of the event has been neutered. I still love the views (despite them taking two of the most scenic spots out of it when making the "new" course 10 or so years ago. The variety of the course is top notch and I like being able to run through so much of the city that we call home. So, that's why I drag myself out there to cheer every year that I do not run it. I feel I owe it to the event that gave so much to my running.

I looked up the number of finishers and kept going back to see when the last year was that had as few as this year. Turns out I had to go all the way back to 2010! Coincidence? The bad weather late winter and spring? Or an event that has outgrown itself? Hard to say...but definitely a bit damning that it had already flat-lined for the past three years.

2015 - 2109
2014 - 2464
2013 - 2517
2012 - 2525
2011 - 2243
2010 - 2062

Note: I'm ignoring the shorter race - so that may be growing?

All my blabbing has come to an end and your reward for reading this far (or knowing to skip ahead) is "a tradition like so many others"...our Mountain Goat race photo shaming section! Actually, I attempt to maximize a decent looking picture when I can. Trust me, I avoided some duds this year...so hopefully nobody minds how they look in these glamour shots. Remember - it's hard to look good while running - but apparently it's easy for some people to always find and wave to the cameras!

We had a ton of TRYers (core and fringe and once-upon-a-timers) complete the race this year! Nice job making my job of compiling the photos a tough one. And a special congratulations to our first time finishers. :-) Hopefully I'm not leaving anyone out? (Undoubtedly I am - so just holler if you know someone I missed.)

Katie - 23rd overall female!



Our MG poster girl. Two lessons here - 1) If you keep your maiden name as a middle name, I will find you. 2) These modern jog bras with their "cloaking technology" really suck. Something beautiful is no more. :-(




Kelly - looking lean and team beefy.



Laura - not quite sure what that was. A wave? A stumble? Looked fun, so I blew it up.




Aaron - with an uncanny ability to find every camera.



Janna - wearing yellow not unlike a banana?



Kristen - warming up for her hyman (actually a two person team marathon) in Vermont.



Eric - salsa-ing his way to a nice finish.



Cynthia - looking waaaay too happy. Steve must be doing at least one thing right!



Duerr - showing off that kick and those kicks.




Stevil - despite looking less happy, still the better half. Right?




Tiffany - because sometimes it's best to wing a 10 mile, hilly, race.




Lisa - showing off her 'thousand yard stare' and an ability to kick in her husband at the end.




Matt - maybe he let her beat him?



Christine - it's been a while, but she showed up for TRY once upon a time. Still running and enjoying it.



Lindsay - First time, but not the last, right Linds? Get that husband of yours out there one of these years.



Lastly, as a double reward for anyone who gets to here - the all timer Mountain Goat photo(s) that can never be beat: Go Nuts!

Placeholder

Believe it or not, I think I have an interesting post to post, I just keep not completing it. So, this will have to hold it's place for now until I can do that one up, nice and proper.

Tonight - chance of rain - but rather low by TRY time. BUT, it looks like it could be very windy - like 20 mile per hour winds from the west? Coming off the lake with nothing to break it up? That will blow!

What else is timely but not being talked about lately? How about that heat we've been having? After the cold spring? WOW! I doubt you've noticed but it has made it seem EXTRA HOT! And how about a shout out to all the mothers in the world? They certainly have been under-mentioned lately.

That's it.