2017 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 Miler

Weather: Cloudy, 12°F (feels like 0°F) , 70% Humidity, Wind: NNW @ 8 mph.
Route: Johnny's Running of the Green, an out-and-back course.
Time (Pace): 38:33 (7:42 min/mile)

Pre-Race Observations: Windpocalypse be damned! Despite calls to postpone the St. Patrick's Day Parade which sets off hours following, the Johnny's Runnin' of the Green is going to go off as planned. Brutal winds, cold temps and a lack of electrical power to 40,000 citizens (including myself) are not enough to stop the hardy weakened warriors and Irish revelers of Upstate New York.

My goal in running this morning is to have a fast pace run as I begin to taper for the Syracuse Half-marathon in two weeks. Last weekend was my longest training run (12.3 miles) in this most recent training cycle, so I am hoping for a fast pace today. Reviewing last year's run, I am surprised by just how fast (7:40 per mile, finishing time of 38:20) my pace was last year, making me unsure of bettering it this year. I have come close to that pace in my faster paced training runs and am hoping that my competitive nature (if not a desire to more quickly get to the warmth of the nearby War Memorial) may push me to go faster...

Post-Run Reflections: The temps were cold (as advertised), but it wasn't as much of an impediment as one might think. The roads were clear and though the winds picked up in a few spots, with 876 other people running there were plenty of opportunities to share drafting duties.

I finished the race in 115th place with a time of 38:33, which while admirable given the conditions (which, other than the wind, were not really favorable) just  missed bettering my time from the previous year by only 13 seconds. I felt strong and confident coming down the final 1/2 mile but did not finish as spent as I could (should?) have. Despite not improving upon my time this year, my age group place was better than last year as I finished tenth (of 65 finishers) in the M45-49 age group. Likely due to fewer participants, I bettered last year's place by 16 positions in my age/gender group and 140(!) slots overall.

All-in-all another solid run for fun and a step in the right direction. There is a good chance that the weather will be similar in Syracuse in a few weeks so this shorter distance dry run did yield some valuable information about just how much to wear (that Turkey trot sweatshirt was not really necessary) and how effective the running mantra/breathing I've been working with in training. I'm excited to run Syracuse in two weeks with my son, who because, he was under-the-weather, gave me the honor of being the first finisher... name Jean-Paul.

2016 Running Reflections

My twin brother, son, Jack, and I following the 2016 Utica Boilermaker 15k in July.

During the build up to New Year's Day tomorrow, many of my friends on Facebook and Twitter have been posting some pretty impressive annual running accomplishments. Whether cumulative mileage (1900 miles!) or number of competitive races, I continue to be impressed by the dedication and training acumen of those within my local running community. While I have always had an awareness of the commitment of local runners, the quantifying of performance that comes with year-end reflections makes concrete that which I have always suspected.

My wife, Anne, and I immediately

following the 2016 Winter Warrior

Half Marathon.

My own numbers for 2016 are less impressive, but I remain very proud of the small achievements I have accomplished. My cumulative mileage (including training and "racing") comes to just over 427 miles, the majority of which were accrued during roughly 30 weeks of training. I ran in only six races this year, covering a wide range of distances ranging from a 5k to two half marathons. It is interesting to note that I started the year with the 2016 Winter Warrior Half Marathon in January and concluded with the Reindeer Run 5k just three weeks ago. In between I revisited a few old favorites (such as my fourth Utica Boilermaker 15k) and found some challenges to embrace, like my first Phelps Sauerkraut 20k.

Although there was a lack of PR (Personal Records) performances for me in 2016, it was the most enjoyable year running I have had in many years. Having the opportunity to go to events with members of my family made the race experience much more satisfying. Whether spectating or running it was motivational to know I had someone with whom to celebrate the finish with.

In 2017, I'm looking forward to continuing the "something old/something new" balance struck in 2016. I will be returning to give the Winter Warrior another go (with slightly slower expectations) next weekend, and Jack and I have signed up to run a new (to us) half marathon together. After 10+ years, I am still learning more about running. The challenge of refining my training in light of other responsibilities (teaching, coaching, falling) has me excited to try some new things this year with a more intentionally consistent approach.

My stepson, Gregory, and I prior to the 2016 Webster Turkey Trot.

Funko POP Goes My 2016

Believe it or not, this collection is small as compared to those of

Funko POP super fans. (12/30/16)

For better or worse, 2016 was the year I further expanded my collecting interests. While I have periodically purchased action figures (dolls!?) in the past, mostly unique or unusual characters, such as Batman's Native American counterpart Man-of-Bats, Lord of the Rings Ent Treebeard and the 2003 Hulk movie's David Banner/Absorbing Man amalgam, I have until 2016 avoided falling into the seductive trap laid by figure lines. My resolve was weakened this past year, as I responded to the siren song of Funko POPs.

If the allure of Funko POPs lies in the diversity of the line, it's strength is in the power of the memories they are capable of evoking. As I am in the collectables sweet spot (40+ years old, male, some expendable income, a fanboy), there are in incredible number of relatable characters. Whether reflecting childhood movie favorites (Flash Gordon), recent superhero comicbook interests (Ms. Marvel, Batgirl), cultural icons (Ghostbusters' Patty Tolan, Mel Gibson as Braveheart), or even literary mainstays (Cthulhu from the stories of H. P. Lovecraft), Funko POPs addresses itches that can be stretched. Like comicbooks and baseball cards, the acquisition of many come with an anecdote.

My first Funko POP Holy Grail: I travelled to multiple Walgreens over the course of

weeks to find this exclusive Ms. Marvel. Kamala Khan is one of the more interesting

comicbook heroes to be introduced in years. Was very excited to come across it in

an urban store I stopped at on a lark. 

A favorite character from a favorite movie, Vultan, played by Brian Blessed,

from Flash Gordon (1980). I was 11 when my brother and I went to see this in

theaters. Purchased this on annual excursions to Nee York City to visit my stepson

at college. It kind of became thing to find a unique Funko POP on each visit. 

The first real collectible based on H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos that I wanted was

also the first that I asked my local comic shop to find for me. Though unplanned, it

was also the first "Exclusive". Wish there were more POPs based on "Books" though.

A few months ago, I posted a picture of my POPs on Instagram. A former student wondered

in the comments, "Where are the female POPs?" She was right, at that point I had bought

only characters that were male. Ghostbusters (2016) was a movie I never expected to

like, but I was won over by the performances of the four leads, especially Leslie Jones'

portrayal as Patty Tolan. Jones' own cultural relevance has only continued to grow since.

A gift from my son this past Christmas following last Christmas' Howard the Duck.

Jack and I attended a local Sanders rally in June 2016 when the campaign

ball really began rolling, and I was excited to see his interest in politics develop.

Hawkgirl was an unusual impulse purchase from Barnes & Noble, which by the

way is an excellent source of POPs! I've never seen an episode of DC's Legends

of Tomorrow television show, I do, however, love recent depictions of the

Kendra Saunders Hawkgirl character in DC Comic books over the past ten years.

Also a New York Comic Con Exclusive, an event I have yet to attend but hope to... someday.

Funko POPs tell stories. These 6" figures (and bobbleheads) that prompt me to reflect on semi-important moments in my life as a fanboy and person. To my wife and others who have not embraced the collector's life, it is difficult to explain that these $10 "dolls" are worthy parts of my fandom. As someone who's been doing "this" for 30 years, long before "geek culture" became hip, I dig what Funko is doing with this line and look forward to continue supporting it.

Scoutin' Routes: Phelps 20k

The "folk art" official Phelps 20k course map (left) and another made using Mapmyrun.com.

Four weeks ago, my son, Jack, and I ran the 2016 Utica Boilermaker. I had been coming off a four month layoff from training, so prepared in 2 1/2 weeks with a goal of finishing the race by using a run-walk training plan and strategy for completing the 15k run. In training long runs  as well as the race itself, I adhered to a pattern of 3 minutes running followed by 1 minute walking and repeat until completed. Following this approach I did ultimately cross the finish line in 1:26.31 for a mile pace of 9:17. The following Tuesday, Jack and I registered for the Phelps Sauerkraut 20k. For Jack, Saturday's race is just another run building to what will be his first full marathon in mid-September and for me it provides the opportunity for me to both challenge myself and to (briefly) run with my son.

To train, I continued running four days a week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), running complete shorter distances Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 miles at a moderate pace, while committing to longer runs (7-10 miles) using a run-walk ratio of 5 minutes to 1 minute. Sundays were for easy 3-4 mile recoveries, often on a treadmill. On "off days" I would walk for 45-60 minutes early in the morning. While not the most rigorous training approach, given a variety of factors (aches, pains, wear-and-tear), I am hopeful it will be enough to put in me the position to finish the 20k in two hours.

As a runner, I rely on visualization to help me get through longer races... and for me at 48 with many miles under my belt, 20k is long. So, when possible, I travel to courses in advance of running hem to get a sense as to what to expect. Last week, Jack and I went on a short roadie to Phelps to scout the race route. At that point, the potential challenges became clear: not the course, but the weather conditions. Though it would be unfair to label the terrain as a whole "hilly," there are a few interesting features. In addition to a few manageable rolling hills, there are 2 extreme, short inclines. The primary possible challenge, just as was the case at Utica, will be the weather. The temps in July at the Boilermaker actually turned out to be fairly favorable this year, and the race organizers did a tremendous job having a myriad hydration stations along the course. The Phelps 20k course is also very open, with zero shading from the sunlight during the course of the race. With a start time of 8 a.m., barring a change in weather projections, the entire race will be run in direct (rising) sun, with a strong likelihood of high humidity.

Here's what Jack and I saw, with a few caveats: the picture quality is somewhat inconsistent as it is difficult to take shots from a (mostly) moving vehicle through the windshield, and distances noted in the captions are my estimates based on reviewing the maps.

Race starts at (roughly) the corner of Main St. and William St.,
in the image above, the start goes to the left.

Other than a quick pass through town, the first 2 miles is fairly flat and open road.

At m the 2.5 mile point the course continue straight, though you veer to the left in the
"fork" where Rt 96 turns to 13.

Flat country roads take you past Midlakes High School on the left.

The first turn, at 3.6 miles, comes after a pass through residential Clifton-Springs
at the corner of Main St. and Pearl.

Continue south, passing through the town of Hopewell, until Pearl ends. To the
right is Taylor Rd., but take the sharp turn right onto Waddell Rd. onto...

The first incline of the day at almost exactly the 5.5 mile mark.

The course flattens again following the ascent and one mile later the
course crosses 488 and Waddell becomes Railroad Ave. for less than a quarter mile.
Over half way to finish!

You'll pass a small-ish water tower on your left and shortly come to the end of Railroad
Ave. Turn left at County Road 23 and onto...

The second "major" hill of the race, starting exactly at the 7 mile mark.
Warning: this one is a long one.

At approximately the 7.3 mile mark, take a left onto Wheat Rd. where
you'll be for just about 2 miles.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'... on Wheat Rd. where you'll come across fields
with bales of... wheat. Really beautiful scenery throughout!

At Case Rd. take a right. This is nearly the 9 mile mark... it's all downhill from here!

Case Rd.

At Toll Rd. take a left, where you'll be on this road for a cup-of-coffee;
 you've made it 9.5 miles, hang in there!

Time for a right onto Griffith Rd. Halfway down, just past the
intersection with Melvin Hill Rd., you'll hit the 11 mile mark!

This left on Fort Hill Rd. means you have less than one mile to go;
you can probably hear the cheers!

Back into Phelps and a little downhill. Fort Hill Rd will turn into S. Wayne Street as
you move into the residential area...

You'll take one final left onto Park St. leaving only about 200 meters to go! 

As you approach the finish on Park St. the gazebo above will appear to the left.
The finish is parallel it on the street.

At the very least we'll be running through some beautiful, classic, Western New York country.
Ideally, the weather on Saturday will be very much like the day we went out to Phelps: overcast. At least in the morning. For the sake of the 50th Phelps Sauerkraut Festival, I hope it's super sunny and pleasant after the race for the remainder of the weekend.

2016 Utica Boilermaker 15k

Post-race party at Saranac Brewery in full swing. (7/10/16)

Weather: Showers followed by clearing, 65°F, 90% Humidity, Wind: W @ 8 mph.
Route: Utica Boilermaker 15k
Time (Pace): 1:26.31 (official), 9:17 min/mile.

Pre-Race Observations: Heading out very early this morning to participate in my fourth(!) Utica Boilermaker 15k. Despite being the fourth time I've run the course, and the second consecutive year, I come into this run with my lowest personal expectations. As previously shared, I committed two weeks ago to following through with running it "with" my son. While my son, Jack, has been diligent in training toward this race (as part of a larger effort to complete this first marathon in September), after too many weeks away from formal training, I needed to choose an alternate path to competition.

I have in the past two weeks followed through on my "get fit(-ish) quick" scheme consisting of multiple run-walk "workouts" ranging in distance from 3 to 8 miles with the occasional 3 to 4 mile ez runs mixed in for good measure. As one might expect, there are some challenges with run-walk, th most significant being the necessity of disciplining oneself to adhere to the 3 minute run-1 minute walk schedule, even when feeling as though you could continue on through the entire thing at the run pace after suitably warming up. The need to honor my plan, while maintaining my breathing and mantra has been challenging to do when running alone, and will be even more difficult in the context of 11,000 other folks running the race. I am embracing both the challenge of the new race plan (whcih means accepting a slower finishing time than in years past) and finding the joy in simply participating with my son (who will only be held back if he chooses to stay with me).

An unanticipated added benefit is that my brother happened to be in town this weekend (he lives and teaches in Monterrey, Mexico) and will be making the two-hour drive to Utica with us...

Post-Run Reflections: This was the fourth Boilermaker I have "run," and despite being the slowest time I have put forth, it was the best one I have been part of. Beyond my finishing the course it was great to have have my son run the course for his first time (and doing well) and to have my brother make the trip with us. The logistics of meeting up aside  (FYI: it is not easy to find one person among 13,000 of your closest friends at the post-race party!), celebrating having finished with your family is definitely the way to go.

While waiting in our assigned pre-race starting coral, my son and I talked quite a bit about how incredibly well organized the Boilermaker weekend is. The Utica community once again did a fantastic job making what could have been a nightmare (and what I have experienced as a hug pain in the butt in races of significantly smaller scale), very easy. From parking at the finish to picking up post-race swag, the entire experience was very smooth... and dare I say it, enjoyable!

My run-walk approach, at a ratio of 3 minutes running followed by 1 minute walk, worked well. I did vary slightly at the beginning however. Given the 11,000+ participants, I did need to run the first two miles at a pace of about 8:50--to stop to walk would have been much too disruptive to those around me. By about two miles in, it was much easier to find my way to the outside lane without impeding others. from that point forward I faithfully fell into my desired pattern. (My son, ever the optimist, suggested at the beginning that I could run the whole thing; while true, I reminded him that I needed to "trust my process" despite the impulse to attempt to hang on.) I did need to ficus while walking to resist the cheers from spectators to "keep going, you can do it!" because I sensed to do so woudl result in my ultimately having to walk at the end. In the end, I finished 3,670th of 11,359 15k finishers, which was good enough for 216 of 562 in my 45-49 Male age group, with an official time of 1:26:31 (9:17 min/mile).

Complete results for all Boilermaker Weekend events are searchable HERE.

Summer Runnin'

After a three month break from training, I decided to take some of my own recently dispensed advice and stop living like time won't run out. In March, after a pretty nice morning run in the local St. Patrick's Day five-mile Running o' the Green, I signed up for the July 9 2016 Utica Boilermaker 15k. To raise the level of personal significance to the race, my son also signed up with the intent of "running it with me." Of course, now that the race is two weeks away, I find myself needing to quickly catch-up, just to put myself in a position to finish.

Finishing 2008
Boilermaker 15k.

When speaking with friends at work about the probability of still running the race despite a lack of preparation, I reminded them that at this point it would be an issue of whether my pride would allow me to participate in a race I knew I would not be competitive in. It has been a long time coming, but after a few years of being a "pretty good" weekend runner, it is time to admit that the PR days may be behind me. (Yes, I am fully aware that were I to commit to a formal training regime, including speed workouts and repeats etc., I could be faster--but my own recreational interest in running is a matter of "therapy" rather than any desire to be an Olympian.) I have zero delusions that I have a 15k PR in me for 13 days from now, I am hopeful that I can finish in two hours, which while an absolutely terrible personal performance, could still be seen as a victory of sorts as it would represent a completed race.

This past Saturday morning, the first day of my summer break from teaching, I put in 3 workman-like treadmill miles (despite fairly pleasant weather outside) just to get jump started. This was followed by a miserable 1.5 miles of a planned 5 easy miles on Sunday. I walked the balance of the planned run, feeling a little demoralized. When I made it home, I decided to do my best to persevere and change focus slightly. Moving away from my standard training model, I looked up a Run/Walk Half Marathon Training Schedule, with the intention of picking up the plan at the seven week point. I have used a run-walk training plan before, and to pretty good effect, when preparing for the Finger Lakes 50k Trail Race wa-a-a-ay back in 2009. Given my current fitness level (I could handle a plan requiring a 10-15 mile weekly base), my new-found purpose, and the timeline, it seems my best bet to prepare for a 9 hazy, hot, humid and hilly miles.

This morning, I finished the first day of week seven, which calls for 4 miles in the following pattern of exertion: run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 minutes and repeat until the distance expectation is met. It went fairly well, and allowed me to feel a small sense of accomplishment after the prior day's aborted 5 miler. The mile pace was consistent with what I might hope to do on July 6, but over the course of 9 miles I may need to adjust expectation even more.

The desired optimal 10 min mile pace is much slower than I have run in past Boilermakers, but would result in a (literally) pedestrian 1:45 to 2:00 hour finish time. For reference, my prior Boilermakers (including last year's run after a seven year hiatus from the race are:  2015 1:19.40 (8:33 min/mile), 2008 1:07:27 (7:15 min/mile), 2007 1:08:52 (7:24 min/mile). The hilly and crowded course accompanied by potentially difficult weather (humidity and heat) make for a notoriously challenging race. The intent is that dialed-back and reasonable expectations will help avoid defeating myself mentally before crossing the finish line. For me, this year (in addition to being a small part of what I am confident will be a good run for my son) is about finishing. And, a finish is a finish.

Highland Hospital Lilac 10k

Beginning in my traditional position toward the middle-back of the pack. (5/17/15)

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 66°F, 65% Humidity, Wind: From NW @ 1 mph; feels like 66°F.
Route: Highland Hospital Rochester Lilac Run (10k)
Time (Pace): 48:10 (7:45 min/mile)

Pre-Race Observations: After finishing the Flower City Half Marathon a few weeks ago, I began searching for another goal run. While the Lilac 10k is not "it," I did sign up for the 6+ miler this past week due to its proximity to my home (I can easily jog/walk the mile each way) and the distance. I am beginning to build longer back-to-back weekend runs, in addition to adding a day (now 5 of seven days rather than 4 of 7), so with my familiarity with the course, it seemed like a no-brainer. Having competed in this particular road race previously, the most recent effort was in 2008, there was a much smaller likelihood that there would be any surprises.

The out-and-back course, which starts and ends in beautiful Highland Park, has a number of challenging elements to it's layout, the most interstate being a number inclines including an uphill finish. The start of the 10k starts immediately follows the conclusion of a 5k, so there are sure to be many folks there to run as well as "sort of" run--just which group I will fall into on this day is yet to be determined. Given my 1:50.31 (8:26 min/mile) half three weeks ago, and that this will be my longest run by about 2 miles since then, I am shooting for a 54 minute finish time.

Post-race Reflections: Things went much better than I had anticipated. A tribute to the number of participants in the race (and just how far back in the start I was), my chip time was exactly 1 minute "faster" than the gun time! I completed the 6.2 mile run in 48:10, nearly 7 minutes faster than I had hoped.

My son and I walked to and from the race together and perhaps that helped my "warm-up" prior to the start. We arrived on site about 5 minutes before the gun, so there was not much waiting around other then to put my running shoes on (I walked to the course in my CROCS, naturally) and weave my way to the middle of the pack. The weather was very nice and the sky was cloud-free in contrast to the forecast, and things did get a little steamy once the course went outside the park area as we ran in direct sun for about 4 of the 6.2 miles. Once again, the community did a fantastic job cheering on all participants and the volunteers and police who managed the course (which went through some "busy" areas) were incredibly supportive and attentive. I did a much better job pacing myself with other runners during all phases of the run, which resulted in a stronger (though spent) finish than in my recent road races. The race also reminded me of how much fun running a well-organized 10k can be: it's a manageable distance that offers challenges but is less inclined to leave you physically or mentally beat-up.

I am glad I signed up for today as I left it feeling more like a "runner" than a slug ( and a part of this self-satisfaction was having my son there cheering me on); an important sense to have as I continue easing myself back into a running lifestyle.

Cortland Classic Invite, Day 1

A picturesque afternoon for racing at SUNY Cortland! (4/17/15)

Friday afternoon/evening was my first opportunity to get out to one of Oneonta's outdoor Track and Field meets. While my son and, the majority of his cross-country comrades, would be running the second-to-last race of the evening, a 10k at 8:20 p.m., the beautiful weather made an afternoon at the track a very attractive possibility. Many of the usual suspects were also in attendance providing competition (U of R, Brockport College, and host Cortland among others) so most athletes were very familiar with their competition from both cross-country and indoor seasons. This familiarity was not a hindrance to many of my son's teammates from putting forth solid performances in an effort to qualify for the upcoming league championship, SUNYACs, at Brockport College in two weeks. It would be fantastic to have weather conditions similar to this evening's for that meet, so fingers crossed!

Women's Steeple. (4/17/15)

Women's Steeple. (4/17/15)

Women's Steeple. (4/17/15)

Women's Steeple. (4/17/15)

Men's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Oneonta Track and Field cheering on their own. (4/17/15)

Men's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Women's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Women's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Women's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Women's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Women's 100m Trials. (4/17/15)

Men's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Men's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Men's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Start Women's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Changing angles (again). (4/17/15)

Women's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Women's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Women's 1500m. (4/17/15)

Women's 110m Hurdles. (4/17/15)

Women's 110m Hurdles. (4/17/15)

Men's 110m Hurdles. (4/17/15)

Getting ready to get ready for the 10k. (4/17/15)

Women's 5000m. (4/17/15)

Warming up for 10k. (4/17/15)

Women's 5000m. (4/17/15)

Women's 5000m. (4/17/15)

Women's 5000m. (4/17/15)

The sun quickly setting. (4/17/15)

Coach consults with athletes following the Women's 5000m. (4/17/15)

Pre-Men's 10k strides. (4/17/15)

Race strategy discussion prior to 10k. (4/17/15)

... a-a-a-nd they're off! (4/17/15)

Men's 10k. (4/17/15)

Men's 10k. (4/17/15)

Men's 10k. (4/17/15)

Men's 10k. (4/17/15)

Big finish for Oneonta in the Men's 10k. (4/17/15)