Freezeroo #2: New Year's Resolution 7.5 Mile Run

Run: 7.5 miles in :54:00-ish min. @ 10:00 a.m.
Pace: Approximately 7:12 min./per mile

Weather: Flurries, 32°F, 93% Humidity, Wind: From ESE @ 8 mph; feels like 32°F.
Course: Beginning and ending at Stewart Lodge, Mendon Ponds Park, Pittsford, NY (note map to the right).

Pre-Run Observations: Early this morning, at around 2:00 a.m., I was awoken by who-knows-what, and as I went to reposition myself under a mountain of blankets I felt my left ankle twist and a numbing pain envelope that area of my leg. The last thing I recall (five-and-a-half hours later) is thinking to myself “Now, you’ve done it… how are you going to run tomorrow?” before removing the blankets to allow my legs to move around, ad falling back to sleep.

Now, I feel fine, and have worked through my existing ritual of two cups of joe and warm oatmeal in advance of showering and dressing for the run. My "goal" remains the same as previously stated: to show up, enjoy myself and finish strong. One great thing about this morning's run is that is actually looks and feels like a freezeroo... snowy, cool, and wet. This is not always the case, given our wildly unpredictable weather, but I feel fortunate that we will all get the full winter-running experience today, for better or worse!

Post-Race Reflections: It turned out to be a beautiful day for a run, the heavy snow creating a very Currier & Ives scenery for those of us who hoofed it through Mendon Ponds Park. It was exciting to see such a strong turn out (one fellow suggested that it was around 200 people) and a wonderful way to start the new year.

I began the race at what I felt was a conservative pace but at the first mile marker the timer announced a pace of about 7:20 per mile which was much faster than I had initially anticipated, especially given my lack of advance training. I fet remarkably comfortable as I settle into my form for the uphills and "rested" on the downhills. There was quite a bit of conversation to be had as I made my way along the course, and it was inspiring to see so many great recreational runners helong one another. Overall, it was yet another well organized event from both GRTC, who organized and sponsored, and FleetFeet Rochester, who provided the timing.

In the end, I'm unsure (yet) of what my time was (I'm terribel at self-timing and never manage to remeber the time at the end--though it's in HUGE numbers!) except to recall that it was about 54-ish, and that I obsvered myself finishing with folks whom I recognized from previous runs, so I was around were I should be I suppose. It was a true "Mission Accomplished" run as I attained both pre-run goals by both finishing strong and feeling "good" in general about my performance thereby creating favorable building blocks for the future as I prepare for whatever comes next!

Embrassez votre été invincible!