Innovative Edge Summer 5K Cross Country Series, Race #4

The water bureau building at the top of Cobbs Hill;
and the default "target" one has while running up the large
incline during a x-c race there. Though the course runs to
the right of the building, it's hard not to take note of the architecture.
Weather: Fair, 79°F, 46% Humidity, Wind: NNE @ 5 mph; feels like 80°F.
Run: 3.1 mi. @ 6:30 p.m. + 1 mile to the start
Course: All three races take place in Cobbs Hill Park in the southern part of Rochester, in between Culver Road, Monroe Avenue, and Highland Avenue.

Pre-Run Ruminations: For the past two days I have felt somewhat "off-the-grid," like I just want to be isolated and that I am alone... it's easy to get complacent and feel sorry for oneself, I suppose, but how can this feeling last when the sun is shining, the birds are singing and there is a cross-country 5k 6to be run? Uh-huh, I know what you mean...

Billed as "The Summer's Ultimate test of strength, speed and stamina," more than just a single "race," this evening's activity is a series of three different running events, the first of which is actually the fourth race in the Innovative Edge Summer 5K Cross Country Series, Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Harriers. (Whew--that's a mouthful!) Roughly an hour after the start of the 5k, there will be a one mile road race around the Cobbs Hill reservoir, and then a half-an-hour later a 400 meter sprint UP Cobbs Hill... sounds like fun, no?

I have no real goals, per se, for this evening other then top go and complete the three sections. Hopefully, this will re-energize me for my final week of Summer Break and the two races I am planning on attending next weekend.

Post-Race Reflections: You know what they say about "the best layed plans?" Well, this evening in true "Scotty" tradition, after running a wonderful 5k, I was distracted talking my beautiful wife and missed the start for the second "race," the one mile run. So, I sabotaged myself, but all was not lost, I spent the time walking home with my wife that I might otherwise have spent running... and that's a pretty good trade-off in the end.

In conclusion... felt great running a good trail 5k.... but failed to complete the rest: c'est la vie!

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

Run: 6 miles in :47:58 min @ 1:20 p.m.

Weather Report: Partly Cloudy, 45°F, 58% Humidity, Winds: W @ 21 mph, gusting up to 29 mph; feels like 37°F.

What a difference a day makes... maybe it was the sunny, cool breeze, or maybe it was the anticipations of all the kids coming home soon for Christmas Eve, but for a few minutes this afternoon my legs felt good. Mostly because I could not "feel" them as I had the sensation of being a disembodied spirit along for the ride on my body-vehicle...

My training route this afternoon took me past many of the municipal parks and landmarks on the southeast side of River City: past Mt. Hope Cemetery, through Highland Park and past the Lamberton Conservatory, around Pinnacle Hill and briefly along Cobbs Hill Park...

Embrassez votre été invincible!

A View from the Top...

of Cobbs Hill Park, in Rochester, NY, is remarkably similiar to that in Wyoming. At least in spirit.

Cobbbs Hill Park is located in the city's south-east area and features 109 acres of land. Also at is the location is our city's water reservoir (the main building of which is pictured to the right), around which is a paved level walkway freqented by walkers, joggers, runners, and bicyclists. When I was a highschool student, the city schools (mine among them) ran their (our) cross-country races at the park, and in fact, they still do.

I fondly recall the fall days running through the woods playing and laughing with my friends as we prepared for the season...

I had not thought about it until last evening, when Anne and I went there to jog, but I had not been to the top of Cobbs Hill, in quite a while. While I frequently run past the area below the reservoir, or down some of the more roads in the [park's lower area, I had need been up to the Reservoir in seven or so years. I had forgotten that from that partciular point in the park, which is the second highest point in the city, you can see the whole cityscape, including, the sky. The BIG sky. Like in Wyoming.

As I've observed before...



there is something special about being under a BIG sky, some sort of reminder of one's place in the world, as one small, yet signficant, part of a larger picture.

I look forward to soon returning to the top of Cobbs Hill, and with that visit, enjoying another stop at the top of the world...

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