2020 Winter Warrior Half-Marathon

Forecast: Snow Showers, 34°F (27°F), 90% Humidity, Wind: NW @ 8 mph.
Route: Winter Warrior Half Marathon
Time (Pace): 1:49.47 (gun), 1:49.29 (official), 8:21 min/mile

Just over a decade ago, when I first discovered the therapeutic joys of blogging, I posted primarily about gardening, training plans and road races. Of late, I write about very little, a circumstance I am always trying to improve upon, but with very little recent success or consistency. So, why not try again by going back to the "old ways"?

Pre-Run Reflections: This afternoon's Winter Warrior Half-Marathon will be my third overall and first since January 2017. A few things have changed since my first run in January 2016, most notably the start time. In year's past, the race did not begin until late in the afternoon, assuring a finish in the cold, dark evening. My guess is that following a few years of terrible wintry weather, this eventually proved too difficult for organizers and athletes so the start time has been shifted to noon. I was signed up to run the 2018 edition but the temperatures were obscenely cold (-something with wind chill) so this change seems perfectly warranted. While a fan of early morning running, varied start times can be challenging especially if one has not taken as much advantage as possible of training during the altered time (noon instead of usual 7 a.m. during Winter Recess, for example.) Of course, I would rather adjust to an earlier start time change than risk pneumonia...

Other facets of the race remain consistent: little doubt of a very well organized and executed by YellowJacket Racing/FleetFeet Rochester regardless of weather conditions, many participants with a variety of personal goals for the run and, most notably, the 5k loop course on closed road surface at Rochester Technical Park in Gates, N.Y. As it has not changed, I am very familiar with it, even having scouted it out in December 2015 prior to my first run. Much like running a 5k on a 400 meter track is as much a psychological as physical test, loop courses can be mentally taxing if unprepared for. Fortunately, I have been down this road before (literally) so can anticipate the challenge--biggest difference this time is that the scenery over the last loop-and-a-half will be during "daylight". There is not much to see given the industrial nature of the Tech Park, but the spirited volunteers always seem to provide an encouraging lift when the going gets boring.

Post-Race Observations: My first rule of running (and especially "racing", which is a different animal), is to look for what was learned whether a "win" or "loss." My competition continues to be myself and against that cat, I did "okay", posting a (slightly) better time than my previous efforts on the course, if only by a few hairs. My secondary goal (the primary always being to just finish with a smile) was to record negative splits (slow-to-fast) and once again, I fell very short, though a little closer than in the recent past. Mentally, I felt much stronger as I focused on my form, breathe and pace, performing with a degree of consistency over all four loops despite going fast-slow. The weather was really ideal and I am sorry not to have taken better advantage of the opportunity.

As was expected, the overall experience was an excellent one thanks to the extremely positive race-atmosphere established by the race organizers. Hyped-up volunteers (each of whom I tried to thank throughout) and an encouraging finish-line emcee, made each pass through the 5k point a chance to re-charge. In the end, it was very difficult to be too discouraged after crossing the finish line.

Having allowed 24 hours to pass since the race, it occurs to me that this may have been the first time I've finished a half-marathon and not told myself "I'll never do this again" (knowing somewhere in the back of my head "well, I might.") The implied acknowledgement that "I want to do this again" suggests a slight change of thinking for me, and I welcome the future challenges it invites.

2018 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green

A beautiful morning for a 5 mile run with 1,000 or so of my closest

sort-of acquaintances. (3/17/18)

Weather: Fair, 24°F (feels like 12°F) , 80% Humidity, Wind: WSW @ 13 mph.
Route: Johnny's Running of the Green, an out-and-back course.
Time (Pace): 41:29 (8:08 min/mile) Unofficial.

Pre-Race Observations: With my forty-ninth birthday less than two months away, I have only recently returned to actively "running". My "competitive" racing "career" has entered a new stage beginning with this morning's awesome annual community run, the Johnny's Runnin' of the Green. In years past, I would fancy myself occasionally competitive. Now, I am just happy to be out there.

Following January's aborted Winter Warrior Half-Marathon, due to very inclement weather and, if I am honest, poor pre-race training on my part, this morning's (morn's?) run is my first organized one since December's equally festive Reindeer Run 5k. In the interim, I have been rehabbing my hamstrings, reading books, and whining about the weather (oddly, a time-honored tradition for those in Western New York born to it!).

Pre-run jitters less of a problem when

you're doing it for fun. (3/17/18)

After getting out and about on one-day-icy, one-day-spring-like roads for the past week-and-a-half, I registered for the Flower City Half Marathon this past week. This run takes place toward the end of April and today's run is just another step toward accomplishing crossing that finish line with a smile. This is my sixth Johnny's, and third consecutive one, and after posting admirable times the previous two years (38:20/7:40 per in 2016 and 38:33/7:43 in 2017), I suspect the law of diminishing returns will bite hard this year as I project a finishing time of around 45 minutes based upon the past two weeks. Like most "old grey mares", this one ain't what he used to be. An increasing comfort with that new reality does not mean I am resigned to not going faster, further in the future!

Post-Run Reflections: As usual, the Johnny's Runnin' of the Green was a festive, enjoyable community event regardless of how well one might have run. Lots of friendly faces, green t-shirts and picturesque skies made for a very pleasant morning jaunt. Though I am a little socially awkward, it is always nice to see some familiar faces enjoying their time together as a community of runners. It is even nicer to be a small part of it for a few hours on a cold March morning.

I felt remarkably well for initially feeling so unprepared to run. Though my pace was slightly slower than in years past, I was happy with both the final time and mile pace. As is to be expected with a back-of-the-pack position at the start (intentionally), my first mile was at a leisurely 8:49 pace though the final two miles were consistently faster (7:51 and 7:42). In both instances I settled within 5-10 meters of faster runners in an effort to pace with them. The pace also allowed me the breath with which to thank the many volunteers and police officers who helped keep the course safe.

While there was some slight discomfort in my hamstring, overall, I felt strong and excited about what comes next. With a little ice, core work and stretching, I look to be ready for tomorrow morning's longer, slower training run and ultimately (fingers crossed) ready for that half-marathon a few weeks.

Ubiquitous Birds Post-Windpocalypse

American robin on tree branch. (3/10/17)

It has been months since taking my camera (and not the picture taking function of my cell phone) out for a walk but conditions being what they have been the past 48 hour this morning seemed a good time to do so. Following upstate New York's Wind Storm 2017, we and 100,000 of our neighbors find ourselves without power and I find myself with two days off from school. There are only so many hours one can listen to local politicians pat themselves on the back for being such amazing public servants during a catastrophe, so the silence of the trail provided a welcome break.

Emptied pond on Erie Canal. (3/10/17)

A short drive up the road from the Comfort Inn we have relocated to for the (sadly) foreseeable future, the Lock 32 Canal Park is part of a path I am very familiar with both walking and running with my wife and children. I did not really anticipate seeing too much of great interest beyond the traditional barren terrain of the emptied canal bed, but was pleasantly (okay, really) glad to come across some common park birds. It was like seeing old friends after a long absence. Amongst the creaking trees and polar winds, it was heart-warming to come across a few wood peckers, robins and crows on my short trip down the canal trail...

American robin on the ground. (3/10/17)

American robin keeping watch. (3/10/17)

Erie Canal in Winter-time. (3/10/17)

Pileated woodpecker doing his thing. (3/10/17)

Pileated woodpecker. (3/10/17)

American crow. (3/10/17)

Crows. (3/10/17)

Downy woodpecker. (3/10/17)

Duped water birds in winter. (3/10/17)

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.

2017 Winter Warrior Half Marathon

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 21°F (9°F), 54% Humidity, Wind: W @ 11 mph.
Route: Winter Warrior Half Marathon
Time (Pace): 1:52.02 (gun) 1:51.28 (official), 8:27 min/mile

Pre-Race Observations: Same location as last year's Winter Warrior, but significantly cooler temps. Whereas last January, we were working with a balmy 47°F, at the 4 p.m. start tonight, the temperature is forecast to be about 21°F with a "real feel" of about 9°F! Though I don't mind these conditions too much for running (especially after the first mile or two, it does make for a rather uncomfortable spectator experience, which brings me to the another difference from last year's run, Anne will be staying home. It will be cold and I will be running for up to two-and-a-half hours during which time she would be sitting in the car. Her logic is sound for staying home and I don't blame her in the least.

This afternoon's race is a flat, fast, "loop course," as seen in last year's route scouting trip. I may be past any huge performance breakthroughs, but I am planning to finish with a smile and break 2:00, slower than last year, but respectable given the training I have been doing.

Post-Run Reflections: It was definitely colder than last year (note the icicle-snot-stache!), but other than the temps, and a Westerly wind, conditions were excellent. No precipitation (even in the days leading up to the event) meant there were no issues with footing, always a good thing. As was the case last year, I was fortunate to tie my tale to some good runners with whom I was able to pace myself to a good performance. I went out, and maintained, a comfortable pace throughout finishing in 1:51.28, a difference of about 6 seconds per mile off last year's time.

After having the medal placed around my neck and fetching water (the paper cup needed to be gently crushed to break the ice that had formed on the water's surface), I hustled home. I was excited to share my feeling of accomplishment with  to celebrate with Anne. I learned quite a bit during my experience tonight, from maintaining form, evening overall pace and maintaining breathing cadence. And I confirmed for myself that I am still capable of a solid effort with the right mindset and planning (however quickly thrown together.

Individual results for the event from our friends at Yellowjacket Racing are available HERE.

2016 Reindeer Run

At the start of the 2017 Reindeer Run!

Weather: Flurries, 20°F (Feels like 9°F), 100% Precipitation, 81% Humidity, Winds SSE @ 10 mph.
Route: Reindeer Run 5k in Downtown Rochester, NY
Time (Pace): 26:34, 8:33 min/mile.

Pre-Race Ruminations: Woke up early,even for me on a weekend, and was a little glad that the wintry, cold weather of the past few days had not yet dissipated. Warmer temps in the forecast means slippery roads and for today's 5k, that would be an unnecessary addition to what is likely to be challenging conditions.

I've been back at running consistently for the past week, hopeful to run today's fun, holiday run pain free and with an eye toward the Winter Warrior Half Marathon in 3 weeks(!). Training this week has been slow but exhilarating as the primal weather conditions have made for exciting mental play mid-run. As with event road races, I'm setting out solo, with a book to keep me company before the start. One of the freeing aspects of running against only oneself is the sense of calm and the ability to embrace the "adversary": myself.

Feeling Rudolph, but
looking Krampus post-race.

Post-Run Reflections: Just before the race, YellowJacket Racing announcer said, "For those of you running the Winter Warrior Half Marathon, you're welcome!" I suspect that if the weather is as "seasonal" in January as it was today. those of us running will be appreciative of this practice. The 3.2 mile Reindeer Run course, whcih ran through city streets, river walks and access roads was fairly well-maintained but did include the usual challenges to be expected in December. Standing snow covering the occasional icy patch, slushy build-up, and fresh cover made for a challenging, but enjoyable surface. Definitely not a PR day, also accurately suggested by Ellen pore-race, it was am invigorating engagement with the elements.

I succeeded in both fiinsihing the run with a smile, albeit a chilled one, and with relatively little discomfort (need to get some warmer socks!). In the past weeks I have re-discovered the joys of winter running--any ahces that do exist due to wear-and-tear are much less noticeable in the colder temps and the necessity of focusing on footstep and surface ameliorates any mental energy spent considering tweaks and stings.

As an added bonus to this morning's run, I am looking forward to an hour of Western New York cross-training (translation: shoveling) when I get home! The Currier & Ives appearance of our recent winter blasts has made it much easier to romanticize (and therefore psychologically "deal with") what is shaping up to be a much more brumal season than the recent past.

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.

Turning, Spreading, Mixing

Nearly a week, and a few days rain, after prepping
the gardens, the opportunity presented itself to lay
 the vegetable plants in the soil. (6/5/16)

Another late spring and another go round with our vegetable garden. With each passing year the seasons come more quickly and it feels as though (too) shortly after pulling up stakes and turning over dirt in October, comes time to turn over the soil again and reappoint certain sections as tomato territory and cucumber lane. As is our tradition, I usually wake up early, around 6 a.m., to weed and prepare the bed, while my wife plans and plants. Slipping neatly into our archetypal roles, I, as the man, am the destroyer and my wife is the nurturer.

This year, Memorial Day weekend once again proved to be the first time our other individual activities gave way just enough to create the opportunity to work together in the yard. Though the images look roughly the same each year (so, maybe the house was a different color last year, or the bed inched out a little further this year), the transformation from weed bed to vegetable garden is a rewarding one even before the vegetables take root.

Rather than cutting down the length of the weeds and grass,
 not mowing allowed for an easier grasp for yanking out roots.
(5/30/16)

Once used a roto-tiller, but preferred a
pitchfork and my hands to turn the soil and extract the
invasive weeds; it's a small enough area and it feels good to
get dirty. (5/30/16)

With the overgrown weeds, removed, a bag of
compost left over from the previous summer comes into view
as things begin to take shape. (5/30/16)

Ready for the annual mixing of compost, both earned
through our recycling efforts with Community Composting
and self-generated in the corner composter. (5/30/16)

Spreading, mixing and turning. (5/30/16)

Ready to receive whatever vegetables milady
wishes to grow this summer. (5/30/16)

2016 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 Miler

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 37°F, 76% Humidity, Wind: SW @ 6 mph.
Route: Winter Warrior Half Marathon
Time (Pace): 38:20 (7:40 min/mile)

Pre-Race Observations: Somehow this traditional pre-St. Patrick's Day weekend run is 20° colder than the Winter Warrior Half Marathon I took part in back in January. Despite temperatures of higher than 50°F this past week, this morning I awoke to frost on the windows and the real thought that I might need to wear tights for today's run. The desire to wear green, orange and festive colors went by the wayside as I sought to wear something that would keep me warm for the fairly short run. The runs I completed this past week suggest that my goal of bettering my time from last year's run (42:44/8:33 pace) was within reach, though the possibility of a lengthy bottleneck at the start would be problematic.

Post-Run Reflections: By the time the race went off at 9:30 a.m. the temperature had warmed, especially in the sun, which was fortunately bright. Though I had anticipated the likelihood of wearing a long sleeved running short, I left that behind as I went to the line, choosing instead to go with a short-sleeved running shirt with a cotton tee over it. The weather was perfect, allowing for me to take my knit gloves off at mile 3. I felt confident and strong going out at the start (which included the usual bottle  of walkers if strollers lining up in front) and despite passing the mile marker at approximate 7:30, that turned out to be the correct pace as I finished with a mile pace of 7:44, taking over four minutes off my time last year. I could definitely feel the pace wearing on me in the last half mile but was motivated by the electronic clock (showing the gun time) which suggested I might just break 40 minutes, if I was lucky.

I left the race knowing I had bested last year's time, and eventually sitting down six hours later, it was rewarding to see that I had done so by quite a solid margin. In the end, I placed an admirable 255 overall of 1557 finishers, and 26 of 105 in the competitive M45-49 gender/age group.

Backyard of Birds

Northern Cardinal. (3/6/16)

While many are binge watching the latest season of Netflix's House of Cards television series, I spent a number of hours this past weekend with my eyes glued to our backyard looking for birds who had begun coming out of their wintry hiding spots or returning from warmer climes. For the second time in as many weeks, spring had sprung (for the moment). Of course, I did watch a few episodes of Cards, though I'd rather savor than binge.

Mourning Doves. (3/6/16)

Mourning Doves. (3/6/16)

Downy Woodpecker. (3/6/16)

Downy Woodpecker. (3/1/16)

Northern Cardinal. (3/6/16)

Northern Cardinal. (3/6/16)

New Year, New Downy

Downy Woodpecker on suet feeder at 3:45 p.m. (1/1/16)

First day of new year and it seems that due to damage incurred by the emerald ash borer this past summer, the large tree in our backyard will need to be removed come spring. It has been a reliable tree over the past twelve years we have lived in our home, and it will be missed. The tree has recently demonstrated a willingness to continue giving as it has been a wonderful natural feeder in its current state for passing woodpeckers. Today, while first drinking coffee in the morning and later putting dishes away, I noticed a Downy Woodpecker picking at the bark and eating from the cylindrical suet feeder hung on the tree. In both both instances, an otherwise grey weather day was brightened by the bird's presence on our tree.

Downy Woodpecker near top of tree at 9:45 a.m.; pic was taken 
from the ground looking up into the grey sky which might account for 
unusual coloring. (1/1/16)

Downy Woodpecker on suet feeder at 3:45 p.m. (1/1/16)

Downy Woodpecker climbs. (1/1/16)

2015 Shoreline Half-Marathon

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 74°F, 87% Humidity, Wind: W @ 10 mph.
Route: Shoreline Half-Marathon
Time (Pace): 2:01.18 (9:15 min/mile)

Pre-Race Observations: When I went to bed last night the weather called for occasional thunderstorms with a chance of rain. Like most in upstate New York, I was awoken at 4:00 a.m.-ish this morning by the weather alert alarm on my cell phone (as well as that of my wife's). Following the light and water show, I was ready to get ready for the run which would commence in two hours up at Hamlin Beach State Park.

At the risk of jinxing myself (uh-oh, I think I just may have!), having run the Boilermaker last weekend, followed the training plan of choice and scouting the route this past Monday, I feel as ready as ever for this morning's run which culminates my most recent training phase. With bettering my most recent half-marathon, 1:50.31 (8:26 min/mile) in April, as a target, I am confident that my goal is within reach.

Now that the rains have ceased and the clouds are clearing its time once again to hit the roads and challenge my self to be my greatest competition, myself.

Post-race Reflections: Sometimes it's enough to finish a race with a hint of a smile (smirk? grimace?) on your face. The humidity was intense and so it felt much warmer than the temperature suggested. For the first time I seriously contemplated quitting and it was at that moment that doubt crept in that any aspirations for some sort of personal best went out the window. Despite a good start (reflecting back, it really wasn't a matter of "going out too fast, but a matter of running out of momentum), at mile 7 I psychologically fell out of my groove. Once that occurs it is difficult to find it again.

I've often joked that in marathons, I spend miles 19-20 trying to figure out how to save face by dropping out without anyone noticing. Today that game took place earlier and the only "solution" was to continue moving forward albeit in a run-walk-run manner. It would be easy to be discouraged in my effort, but it was a challenging day for everyone. Just as last week's Boilermaker was not a "PR course" for recreational runners, today's weather made what could have been a flat, fast course merely survivable (for me anyway).

I finished the half-marathon course in 2:01.18 (9:15 pace), good for 182nd place out of a total of 828 finishers. Along with a 15th place finish of 44 in my age group (M 45-49), I was able to finish in the top 50%, one of my general goals.

At mile 8 I told myself I'd never run another road race again, but twelve hours later (as I sit on the front porch reflecting on the race), I begin to wonder what might be next. After a week's rest (doing the 15k last weekend and the half this was not my brightest idea and I need to rest), I'll begin making some decisions. Like a past-his-prime prize fighter, I always think I have at least one good good run left in me, and I'm still looking for the right competition to rove it.

Oneonta at 2015 Outdoor SUNYACs

First dusk lap of many for the Men's 10k race. (5/1/15)

This past Friday and Saturday the SUNYAC league Track & Field Championship were held at my undergraduate alma mater, SUNY Brockport (which in recent years has been rebranded as "The College at Brockport"). Despite it being a personal homecoming of sorts, I attended both days to root for the college my son competes for, SUNY Oneonta. (Truth is, I rooted for a number of student-athletes from Brockport and others as well given my past relationships with them as a local high school coach.) While SUNY Oneonta came in as the defending champions, victory this year was not assured, or meant to be, but that did not keep the student-athletes from giving their best and some of them from earning their way onto the podium.

Friday evening's events consisted primarily of preliminary heats which would lead to Saturday's finals. The last race of the evincing however was the Men's 10k which my son and his roommates were competing in. It was a beautiful evening for a race and by the 7:30 p.m. start time, the sun had just set behind the bleachers along the final 100 meters.

Women's 400 meter Intermediate Hurdle preliminaries. (5/1/15)

Women's 400 meter Intermediate Hurdle preliminaries. (5/115)

Men's 400 meter Intermediate Hurdle preliminaries. (5/1/15)

Men's 400 meter Intermediate Hurdle preliminaries. (5/1/15)

Oneonta prepares for the final race of the night, the Men's 10k. (5/1/15)

Tight pack at first 200 meters of a lo-o-o-o-ong track race. (5/1/15)

Oneonta's Charles Remillard moves up to the front. (5/1/15)

Oneonta's JP Scott continues working with two laps left. (5/1/15)

Oneonta's Anthony Lupia and Charles Remillard battle down the final lap. (5/1/15)

Oneonta's David Busby finishes strong.(5/1/15)

Remillard, Lupia and Busby  earn sports on the podium following a rigorous 10k race. (5/1/15)

The second day of competition featured the majority of finals for distances ranging from 100 meter dash to the 5k. Because of Free Comic Book Day festivities at my local comic shop, I came in time for the 800 meter race, but came primary for the 5k.

A beautiful afternoon at the College at Brockport track. (5/2/15)

Oneonta's coach cheers on athletes. (5/2/15)

Better conditions could not have been ordered. (5/2/15)

Women's 5k. (5/2/15)

Oneonta's JP Scott warms-up prior to 5k. (5/2/15)

Competitors at the start of the 5k. (5/2/15)

And they're off... (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Anthony Lupia and JP Scott after the second lap of the 5k. (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Scott, Remillard, and Miek Didas. (5/2/15)

Here they come. (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Remillard completes an impressive double following up 10k win with 5k! (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Lupia also doubles back to the podium position. (5/2/15)

Must be the sweatband! (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Remillard works hard to earn more team points. (5/2/15)

Oneonta's Didas pushing hard for the podium with competitors immediately behind him. (5/2/15)

Many solid performances and solid efforts at the two day SUNYAC championships on the part of the Oneonta Men's and Women's squads. For some, they'r end-of-season drive continues to a higher level of regional competition, while others will prepare to move on, gradate or give it another go next season: great job all!