go forward

it's that time of year again when the snow is flying, you are fully ensconced in winter doldrums and wondering what to do with yourself this year. something different, please! something fun and exciting! something to look forward to, because now that the happiness of the holiday is passed you are going to be white knuckling your way to spring.
i haven't thought much about what i'll do this year running-wise...but there always seems to be something to jump into, so i am going about my merry way, staying fit so i will be ready to race when the moment strikes, but as for you - maybe you are not so blase about things. maybe you'd like to set a goal to work towards! maybe, just maybe running farther than you ever have? making the leap into the world of ultrarunning or a first marathon perhaps? in that case i would like to suggest that you clear your calendar for saturday May 12th and join me in the ROC for a lil' old race called Mind The Ducks 12 Hour.

i know! running in circles sounds like hell. won't my knees hurt from all the turns? won't i get bored? i like the solitude and challenge of trails..would i even like this sort of thing?! i can answer all of those questions: probably not, absolutely not, more than you can imagine.

over the last couple of years i have seen casual recreational walkers complete a marathon. i have seen people run their first marathon and go home when they were done. i have watched people break distance records, personal speed records, and mental barriers. but i will tell you what i have never seen or heard - complaints, negativity or claims that a good time was not had. to the contrary, most people have been astounded by the high quality fun to be had on a short loop race and the ease of wiling the day away by going round and round as the leaves of a weeping willow brush the tops of their hat, telling big fish stories with new friends, and watching the swans glide over the lake. sure, you could sit in the house on the couch and watch nascar on may 12th. or go for an hour training run and then sort through the junk in the attic followed by a trip to the hardware store with your toddler in the cart screaming to be allowed down. OR you could get up at 6, pack a small bag, drive down to seneca park, set up a camp chair and go forward. with nothing else to do all day but to keep going forward. can you think of a better way to use a saturday?



just look how much fun we had...in the rain even! registration is open, and there are only 85 spots to take. what are you waiting for?