Feb-Mar, 2011

President's Message - Feb. -Mar., 2011 So You Want to Be a Runner of the Year? - By Wilt Alston "I'd rather be a tiger one time than a lamb a thousand times."  ~ Rick Pitino "Your direction is more important than your speed."  ~ Richard L. Evans In a follow-up to my last president’s column about New Year’s resolutions, and having just enjoyed another inspiring set of GRTC Hall of Fame speeches at our annual awards banquet, I feel compelled to make a few observations about how lucky we really are. The GRTC mission is, “to make Rochester the best place for runners of all ages and skill levels to live.” Without trying to take any credit for the accomplishment, either personally or on behalf of the GRTC Board, it’s pretty clear to me that Rochester ranks high among a select few locales for strength and depth of running.  A perusal of the GRTC Hall of Famers (on the back of our newsletter) shows a mixture of AAU Champions, Olympians, and all-around running studs.  So there is ample inspiration.  On top of that, consider: •    There is a beautifully maintained, very long, wonderfully located, easily accessed, picturesque, paved, and pleasant running trail.  Having traveled—and run—all over the country, and even as far away as France, I can tell you that our “bike trail” is one of the best to be found anywhere. •    There is a constantly evolving, multi-faceted, well-organized, come-one-come-all, slate of races offered throughout the year, as the GRTC On-Line Race Calendar illustrates.  A good way to put some consistency into your racing schedule is via one of the racing series.  For example, if you’re experiencing cabin fever (and frankly, a little short on intellect) you can join us for bi-weekly runs in the snow called the GRTC Freezeroo Series.  (If Saturdays—the days when Freezeroos are normally held—are not your best option, you can enjoy the PolarCat Series on Sundays.)  If you miss those days getting lost in the woods as a kid, you can enjoy the Fleet Feet Dirt Cheap Series, or the Medved Thursday Night Trail Runs. •    And speaking of Fleet Feet and Medved, we’ve got two running outfitters, along with a range of other stores, who endeavor to out-do each other in offering more and better avenues for runners to improve, train, compete, and enjoy themselves.  Who knew market competition could be so great for runners? •    Want to run short?  There is a 5K (or 2) every weekend during the summer.  Five of them are incorporated in this year’s Rochester Runner of the Year (RROY) Series. •    Want to run long?  Rochester offers three outstanding half-marathons, on three distinct courses, and one of the up-and-coming full marathons in the Northeast, the MVP Health Care Rochester Marathon.  One of those ½ marathons, the Unity Health System Rochester Flower City Half Marathon, is part of this year’s RROY Series. •    Want to train with company?  There is a wide array of “informal running groups” that run on weekdays, weekends, mornings, evenings, fast, slow, on the track, on the road, on the trail.  Some of the have coffee and a bagel after they run.  Some of the have beer and wings after they run.  Every one of them welcomes new members with open arms. •    Want to run alone?  See the note above about our great bike trail. •    Want to torture yourself on hills?  Start with any race held in Mendon Ponds Park.  Work your way up to the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K.  (Be sure to have at least 2 hotdogs at the end, to cap it off.)   Then, rise to hill-climber glory at the GRTC “Hearnish” 10K, approximately 6.356 miles of the most heinous hills Powder Mills Park has to offer.  (Added bonus:  This race is held during the winter, so you can enjoy snow, sub-freezing temperatures, and a blazing fire, with hot soup, at the end.  Yahtzee!) •    Want to improve your running, no matter where you currently reside along the running food chain?  Sign-up for the GRTC Track Clinics and enjoy being coached by world-class, nationally known, amazingly successful coaches.  (Meet some cool people and make some good friends along the way.) So there is also ample opportunity.  Best of all, you can compete at the level at which you are most comfortable, no matter the venue.  If you want to “bring it” you’ll have company.  If you want to just “shake the cobwebs off” that works too. Conclusion What does all this have to do with being a runner of the year?  The quotes that head this essay hold the answer.  When you grab those running shoes and head out the door, you are setting a direction, no matter the speed.  And when you endeavor to compete, at whatever levels of competition, you become—in no uncertain terms—a “runner of the year,” a tiger, no matter who happens to be ahead of you, or for that matter, behind you.