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!

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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.

Hello and Goodbye

Kudos to the people bringing new people out to TRY. I have a couple people pending to come out, but at this point wonder if they will ever actually show up? I can only beg them so much before leaving it in their hands to decide for themselves. The group has morphed a lot over the years and would not exist at this point if newer people had not been brought in to replenish the ranks. The counter to that is that I'm always sad when someone who has been around and enjoyed the group has to leave us. The next departure is going to be Bobcat as she heads to a better job and a warmer climate. This week will be the last chance she has to come out to TRY, so please make it out if you can to give her a proper send off. As part of that, the after hours activity will take the group to The Village Burger for some family friendly dining and bad burger puns. Bobcat is on the hook to be there, so plan to join in if you can. (Hopefully a new person or two will be able to be there as well and continue to bond with the group. Bobcat's uniqueness may be impossible to replace? But we won't know until we try, right?! ;-)

My two favorite lines to use when someone is leaving may both from "Married With Children", from what I remember...
Peg is going away on a trip and asks if Al will miss her. Al shrugs and replies "I won't know until you leave?" Brutally honest and well worded! (Definitely from MWC as I can picture the scene.)

The second and my favorite one I cannot exactly picture so may be from somewhere else? In this case I would say "Bobcat. We'll be so miserable without you, that it'll almost be like you are still here!" A perfect backhanded compliment to use on any friend that is moving away! :-/

I have a couple "real" posts in my mind that I need to work on before they are ready to publish. So know that I haven't abandoned thinking about what to post to TRY. Look forward to a post on Topricin the possible wonder cream. Also another one on something about my experiences of getting my hands dirty and truly helping to organize a 5K event.

For the workout - you've been doing a good job of finding like minded runners for sharing workouts with. Keep that up. We have some Mountain Goat-ers on their final week before the race...perhaps taking it a bit easy? (Depends on long terms goals as well, of course) We have plenty of others still building up due to the late break in spring weather. Choose wisely and stay within your own limits. Your running goals cannot be achieved in a single workout, but sure can be derailed!

Also - a PSA that tickets can and will be given out on the Onondaga Lake Parkway as you are speeding from Liverpool towards Destiny mall. The speed limit changes later than instinct tells you and it is natural to be going faster than you should be as you accelerate out of the village. (If you do get a ticket, it helps to have a daddy that will bail you out and do the messy work for you... If you do not have a doting father, it is even more important to obey all traffic control devices!) Go fast in your intervals, but slow in the village speed zones.

Boston Anyone?

Terry hasn't had the time to put something clever on the blog, so you are stuck with another boring post.

Did anyone watch or follow the Boston Marathon today?  I spent some time this morning following the race.  The elite athletes are amazing.  The men's winner ran the last 5k in 14:40, and the women's winner ran the last 5k in 16:40.  The leg turnover is so quick...it is amazing and exciting to watch.  I don't think I could keep up with any of them for long.  I'm just glad to see another year safely completed!

Back to Syracuse...last week's turnout was great!  We had a big group and a new face (welcome to the group, Christin!).  It was great to see everyone come out and run what worked for them.  Some of us ran pickups, others ran hills, and yet another group did straight running.  We also celebrated Timmy's birthday after the workout.  Thanks for showing up with smiling faces and supporting each other :)

Tomorrow looks like it might clear up just in time for the run.  Currently, 5:30 looks to be rain free, a little windy, and mid 50s.  It is a decent forecast for April.

I have 1 hour on the agenda again with 3 x 6 min pickups.  For others who are ramping up the speed, I recommend 4 miles with 4 x 0.25 miles or hills for the Mountain Goat training gang.  If you are building distance, make sure to continue to push yourself, but do it safely.  The general rule is 10%...don't add more that 10% distance or speed in a week.  This will help keep you injury free!

If you have any questions on what to attempt, feel free to ask any of the more experienced members of the group.  Many members have been doing this for a long time and like to help.

--Kelly :)

Spring is Here!

As Terry posted over the weekend, spring has arrived in CNY!  Tomorrow's forecast is 60 degrees.  This is the perfect time to come out and get back into shape :)

For those of you who haven't been running, come out and get back into it with a couple miles.  If you have been slowly building, use this week to add some distance to your run.  If you feel tired, slow your pace a little so you can safely add that mileage.

For those who have been running and don't need a longer run, I recommend doing 2-4 quarter mile repeats over 4 miles.  I have 1 hour on the calendar if anyone wants to go a little further.  If my legs feel good, I will do 5 x 3 min pickups with 1 min rest.

As usual, please tailor your workout to your fitness at this time of the year.  You want to make sure to build slowly to avoid injury.  My workouts are a little more aggressive right now since we have been building for 9 months, and no one should feel that they need to be as crazy as me.  Always run what is right for you!

Don't forget to check out Terry's posts on Facebook about maple syrup, a couple of local races that he supports, and baseball opening day on Thursday.

--Kelly :)

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.