Two-thirds Way There Run

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, but clearing as sun rises, 31°F (Real Feel 22°F), Wind SSW @ 10 mph w/gusts up to 13 mph at 6:45 a.m.
Route: 18.4 miles from my home in Park Avenue Neighborhood to St. Charles Borromeo Church on Dewey Avenue and back.

Even my students as recently as last month had commented to me that "this year is going by so fast!" Time has been passing at an even faster rate these last four weeks. Though I have done well establishing a routine for working at home, a pleasant side effect of our quarantine status is that much of the time previously sent commuting or decompressing after the workday had been used, instead for walking the dog and running. As a result, hours continue to quickly turn to days, days to weeks, and here we are, just with considerably more quality miles in the log than in year's past.

I realized this morning that in one month, after twelve months of time passing quickly, I will have my (fingers-crossed!) 51st birthday. Thumbing the browning pages of my last few running journals, it becomes clear that this morning's planned run will be my longest in five(!) years. Thanks to a social media comment from a former student after I ran by and photographed some of the many public libraries in my neighborhood (an area that continues to grow), I have embraced the idea of running out to the school I teach at which is nearby the Greece Public Library. It is roughly 11.5 miles by bicycle (I used to do this regularly when my teaching day started later) to Greece Athena from my home, so the goal is a 23 mile round trip.

The view heading west on East Avenue at 6:50 a.m. Another
beautiful Saturday morning for a run! (4/11/20)

Street art on Scio Street. (4/11/20)

I set out this morning taking a route very similar to one used in the past under slightly different circumstances.  Running rather than bicycling or driving, meant I would need some different equipment. I opted to wear a modified old Camelback for hydration,  stashed a single GU for quick energy, and went on my directly the downtown Rochester at about 6:45 a.m. In an effort to practice proper social distancing, the lack of traffic meant I could occasionally run with the proper flow in order to assure space and safety.

Driving Park Bridge over Genesee River; surprisingly slippery from the high
flying spray. (4/11/20)

I've traveled over this bridge in both directions many times and had never fully realized how slick the sidewalk can be from the spray. Fortunately, I could safely drift further into the road without concern for traffic oncoming. Naturally, I slowed down so as to avoid falling, and, yes, managed to snap a shot while running.

Heading north on Dewey Avenue at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. (4/11/20)

Entrance to what was part of Kodak Park on West Ridge Road. (4/11/20)

The two mile section of the course from St. Paul to West Ridge Road is fairly uneventful and not particularly picturesque, at least to my untrained cellphone photographer's "eye". Whether because it was hidden on side streets or less obvious in presentation, there seemed to be much less street art (I found none) on the west side of the Genesee River. This neighborhood around Aquinas High was one I frequented as a high schooler as I had friends who lived nearby and attended public school like me. As happens with the passage of 30+ years, the neighborhood has changed, but the older homes (especially on the side streets) remain beautiful examples of "old city house" architecture. West Ridge Road is what you might expect from a six lane highway in a residential area (near Kodak Park). On a normal day, commuting by bicycle on the 12" shoulder of the road is very dangerous. That is not the case at all in COVID-19 Rochester.

Finally into Greece on Bonesteel Street of West Ridge Rd. (4/11/20)

The town of Greece, in which I have taught for 15(!) years borders the city of Rochester. I teach at the western-most high school in the district, so despite being "in town", I remain geographically about 4-5 miles from school at this point. The plan today is not to run the entire distance to Athena, but to prepare for the run out-and-back at a later date. Running to school is definitely do-able at this point, though I was less confident about being able to comfortably make the return trip home. At this point this morning, I was feeling very good, focusing on good running form while maintaining a controlled breathing level.

St. Charles Borromeo Church at 3003 Dewey Avenue. (4/11/20)

St. Charles Borromeo Church was the pre-planned turnaround point for today. It is also another of the Catholic churches that is part of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester. It also happens to be where, 50 years ago, my twin brother and I were baptized. Since then, I have only returned for my kids CYO basketball games. Though I haven't attended mass there, it is natural that it has a place in my heart given it's significance in my early religious life.

9-mile turnaround back home at Barnard Park. Yes, I write directions on my
hand so I follow the planned route as closely as possible. (4/11/20)

Just past St. Charles Borromeo is Barnard Park, this morning's official 9 mile-ish point. The scribbling on my hand is intentional. I often write street names on my palm with pen so that I stay on the course I've set for myself in advance. I will deviate from some of the smaller aspects of the plan, but the main roads are important for me to keep in mind. I doubt I could ever really get lost on the streets (it has happened on trails), but it is comforting to have a "cheat sheet" if I need it.

The gates at the Dewey Ave. entrance to Holy Sepulcher Cemetery on Dewey Ave
where my grandparents and father are buried. (4/11/20)

During the return trip down a part of Dewey Avenue north of West Ridge is the entrance to a large private cemetery, Holy Sepulcher. It is beautifully maintained and I visit occasionally with my mother to say hello to deceased relatives. Today was not the day for that, but I am always pleased to notice that the cemetery is well taken care of. If not for social distancing, I would normally be returning tomorrow with my mother, a delayed Easter trip we will be able to take later this year with any luck.

View of  Sacred Heart Cathedral's west side on Primrose Street. (4/11/20)

Sacred Heart Cathedral at 296 Flower City Park. (4/11/20)

Sacred Heart Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Rochester and seat of the diocesan bishop, as well as home to a parish community. It is a tremendous structure that has benefited from recent renovations. Both my daughter and stepson were received the sacrament of Confirmation here, and my wife and I last attended mass at Sacred Heart following the passing of Pope John Paul II.  Pope John Paul II's passing was a pretty heavy thing for those of us who were in Catholic school when he ascended to the papacy. He was in many ways, "our Pope."

Entering the Genesee River Trailway heading into Maplewood Park. (4/11/20)

A short distance down Flower City Park leads to the trail that is part of the Genesee Valley Trailway. This is also part f the out and back course for fall's Rochester Full and Half Marathon's. At this point I'm about 13 or so miles into my run so mercifully it is by far the least challenging part of that (in my mind) difficult half marathon course.

The view going south on State Street in Downtown Rochester. (4/11/20)

I could not believe how good I felt after getting home and concluding my 18.4 mile run. The pace was comfortable and my legs felt strong. Thinking ahead, the personal goal of running out-and-back to school, today's run representing about two-thirds of the trip one way, seems well within reach. Doing so would be a nice achievement as I haven't run that distance in many, many moons. I continue to enjoy this time to run, explore and reflect, and extend my personal sense of "neighborhood". Like many, I am finding reward in looking for bright spots in these challenge times; with so much sadness and pain it is important to find something from which to glean some light, and in addition to family, this is doing the job for me...