Watchin' Running: Upstate New York XC Series

While driving down Ayrault Road today in Fairport, NY, a suburb of Rochester, I noticed a sign on the side of the road that read "NYS XC Series Parking" (or something close to that) and there was an arrow pointing in the same direction I was travelling. I was only out that way because my son had a rec league soccer game. Fortunately for me, I had anticipated only watching his game, but happened upon the Opening Race of the 2006 XC Series. Both the race and soccer game were in the same location, and, actually, the finally 100 yards or so of the race ran along the sideline of the soccer field!

I ran XC (cross-country) in high school, and have recently participated in a few trail runs, and am ashamed to admit that I had not even realized the event was taking place this weekend. While my son was warming up for his game, I walked over and snapped some pics of the start. (For some reason I had decided to bring the digital camera... it's funny how things work out!)



There were quite a few particpants, and while I'm not well-versed in how this series "works," it appeared as though their were also teams representing the larger running communties of Upstate New York: the Genesee Valley Harriers (Rochester), Checker's (Buffalo, I think) and others.



I have had the chance to watch, and run against, quite a few of the GVH runners, and they are impressive. While I recognize some of them by name and appearance, there were many I had not seen before. I am in awe of some of the folks who compete at exteremly high levels (local, regional, national) in their age groups... there are some fine folks (and good runners, too) among them.



This course is also where the Fairport High School Cross Country team trains, and I have also seem them train on a number of occassions during my son's practices and games. The course seems very well laid out and I have often thought about bringing my shoes and running it some evening during soccer. I am glad I didn't do this today, as I would have felt pretty embarrassed!



There is great deal of beauty in watching someone finish a run, regardless of where they place. The battle inside to do one's best often supercedes the need to win. I am reminded of what a tremendous running communtiy we have here in Monroe County, when I see the comraderie and shared success present at events such as this.



The GVH website posted the following news update later in the day:9/23:

Scott Shaw (STC), Christa Downey Meyer (GVH) Win Upstate XC Opener @ Center Park. GVH wins 5 team titles; High Noon AC and Syracuse TC one each.

I also came across an article about the series written by Pete Glavin, who also operates the website which inlsude the series logo shown above.

All in all, I great event, I am glad to have stumbled upon...

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!