The seasonal changes have seemingly begun, crocuses pushing forth from the earth and blooming, trees begining to bud out and the sap flowing copiously. Temperatures inching higher on the thermometer and the days starting to feel warmer overall.
Yes, things are looking nicer, weatherwise at least; as for economic reports, I'll leave those for the TV talking heads.
March 30th, and what has transpired over the past few days? Well I'm still getting out to run, It helps start my day and makes things seem more relaxed overall. Tree cutting, now that the sap is flowing its a challenge to keep the saws clean but the warmer temperatures make the work easier too as I'm not dress in bulky garments trying to stay warm on cold windy days.
Also as from the pictures posted you can see the condition of a few of the trees I'll be taking down. Not pretty, nor easy but it shall make the wood lot safer to manage.
Yesterday, I took part in a small 5K race in Plattekill, NY. The Lt. Mark Dooley Race of Honor. It was a small field of runners but a nice enough turnout over all.
What follows is a short description of the race:
It had been a wet and rainy night and the dawn broke sullen and sodden. If the temperature had been much higher the 100% humidity would of been oppressive, still the rains accompaning the poor weather mad for a nicer day than it could of been for the purpose at hand.
Today I decided to run in the First Lieutenant Mark Dooley Race of Honor. Lt. Dooley had died in Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 and thodays race was to honor him and those who serve and have served in the military.
The run took place in and around Plattekill, NY. a modest hamlet bordering the NY State Thruway and sliced through by NY State Rt 32. In Ulster County, NY.
There were two events today a 5K walk and a 5K run. It is the run I shall expound upon.
I arrived in Plattekill about 08:30 and the walk was in progress. The town police force is small and there was at least one office who could of been a posterchild for the Doughnut Munching Cop image, yapping on his cell phone while trying to wave traffic through. But so much for that moment. I found a place to park between a mud waller and a mudhole and made my way to the Plattekill Fire house to sign up for the 5K race which was to kick off at 09:30.
After signing in and recieving my race packet I found a quiet dry corner within the Fire Department's building where I could stash both my sweat shirt and race shirt for post race wear; Do some minor pre-race stretching; and enjoy the atmosphere without being trampled by the other runners who also wished to avoid the alternating mists and rains till start time.
09:27 and the mob takes their customary positions for the race start. Elite runners and wanna be elites pushing for the front line, the pack of various skill levels mixed and mingles and the slower runners and jokers to the rear just relaxing and have fun.
09:30 And they are off with Seabiscut taking an immediate lead, Actually the first line sprinted off the mob broke forward and I'm standing in the back waving bye bye and wishing them a bon voyage before starting off on my feeble attempt at running.
Along the way as we pass the onlookers i keep asking where the beer stops are and getting a few chuckles from the road guards for the effort. and begin the easy climb up hill to the first mile mark.
Mile One, a nice sedate and slow 9 min, 20 seconds, and the first water point. Unfortunately there is no beer. and heading on to mile two with a quick drop and another climb to the two mile mark. You know you aren't having a good run when a lady pushing a baby jogger passes you. i encourage her to hope on the back and ride the thing down hill after asking if there was room enough for me to ride infront with the baby.
Mile Two. 19 min, 20 seconds. OMG I'm going slower, I wonder if it was the driving rain which slowed me down. Even worse on the approach run to the two mile mark the faster runners are in the opposite lane heading for the finish and some munchkin about 3 foot tall is running his stubby little legs off well ahead of me; I'm emotionally crushed.
Finally I'm pass the two mile mark and gravity, the friend of the fat down hill runner gives me a break for almost 1/2 mile.
Near about 1/4 mile to the finish line I spy two other geezers of about my age group running side byside and i pick up my run to catch them and then do the worst thing imaginable. I spur/egg them on for a sprint to the finish. It looked like a horse race run by draft horses; Nostrils flaring foam streaming from the corners of the mouths and amazingly no insults. The intense effort may of been too much for words.
The three of us cross the finish line within a few seconds of each other. Unofficially my finish time was 28:16. Not my best effort but after a cold winter without any real structured training pretty good.
Then it should of been time to lay on the ground gasping for air or flopping about like a landed fish but we stayed on our feet and turned back to the finish shoot to welcome in and congradulate a few other incoming runners before breaking for a quick snack followed by a fine non kosher breakfast provided by the fire department.
After breakfast it was time for the awards ceremonies. Talk about fast times whoa the West Point Triathlon and Marathon teams had a very nice showing. As for myself, it wasn't a bad run either even with my slow time. I pulled 3rd place for my age group. I guess the damp soggy and sullen conditions work best for me.
Well aside from preparing to run in a half marathon on Sunday the 5th of April, I'm just keeping on keeping on.
Have a safe & easy Spring everyone.
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