Birds Of A Feather………..
03/16/2012 in Running Posts
I am sure you are all aware by now, that my life has changed drastically from the way it was six years ago. Heavy smoking, an unhealthy diet and an erratic mood were all things that could be expected from me on a daily basis. Life is different now and running has allowed me to surround myself with a new group of people. Some of my posts have touched on the philosophy and psychology of the sport but have neglected one very important aspect, building relationships with other runners. I have found that people who are passionate about running are more supportive, helpful and an all around better class of human being than most you would encounter participating in any other activity.
As the past two years have flown by, the running community has exploded exponentially and this year’s sell out of the Chicago Marathon in a record six days is pretty strong proof. It would be a blessing if the newbies to this lifestyle have the character and class of the runners that have populated the sport in past years, only time will tell. Currently I am a member of two running clubs. The Badgerland Striders, which is a relatively recent alliance and Tri-Group Kenosha who has been my primary running club for a few years. As a new member of Badgerland, I can only say that the people I have had the pleasure to meet are very kind and helpful. However, the Tri-Group Kenosha members are some of my best friends. Truly, they are a wonderful group. Friendships have even been forged with people that I did not think possible in the past. The founder of the organization is a superb leader and top notch motivator who inspires everyone she trains to be the best they can be whether it is in cycling, swimming or running. Keep in mind that while the name of the club is Tri-Group Kenosha, most of our members treat running as their primary sport.
For all the single runners out there, speed work should not be confused with speed dating, but races are a great opportunity to meet people who have common goals and similar passions. What could be more comfortable? You have a built in conversation starter. I encourage all of you to join a local club if you have not done so already. If you don’t, you will be missing out on some great experiences with some great people.
With Saint Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you what it means to me as a runner. The weather is becoming a little warmer and this is my personal kick off to the racing season. Every year I participate in the Shamrock Shuffle in downtown Chicago which is eerily close to running five miles of the Chicago Marathon. The atmosphere is exactly the same and approximately 25,000 runners take the starting line based on corrals. This race weighs heavily on my mind in September of the previous year because that’s the time I strive to get a qualifying time that will keep me somewhere near the front. Gotta’ be first to the beer tent ya’ know.
I am a big fan of Halloween races. It’s always a good excuse to wear something outrageous without drawing too much attention. The past two years I have run the Skeleton Skamper 5k and 1/2 marathon in my self created superhero outfit. If you plan on running a Halloween event please keep in mind, it’s very easy to overheat when trying to complete 13.1 miles in a full spandex body suit, black cape and utility belt adorn with a giant letter “H”. Yes, I am “The Hornet” once a year.
attire was within the bounds of “tasteful” and reserve the right to remove any runner who is not family friendly. Fortunately, I did not witness any wardrobe malfunctions of Janet Jackson proportions. After completing the race you are directed to walk six blocks on busy downtown streets in your underwear to a restaurant which hosts a banquet and beer for all the runners. This Fruit of the Loom inspired stroll was a new experience for most of us. But hey, I’ve seen worse in Chicago.
Once inside the clubhouse you can register for the race and begin work on your business skills, DIRECT EYE CONTACT! You might ask, “My gosh man, where do they pin your bib?” No worries, a grease penciled number on your chest works just fine. That made me feel much more at ease until I wondered, “Wait! What are they using as a pull tab??!!”
