Alexander Smith
I have endured many solo runs over the past couple of years. Many times, I have to admit that the solo run allows one’s self to get in touch with you and understand how you function and move as a runner. The solo run is a time for reflecting on your life, your relationships and yourself. The solo run has helped me understand my capabilities and how thankful I am as a human to have the people, health and happiness in my life.
As the weeks tick by and the weather starts to turn and breeds new life into the landscape in our small world in the suburbs I am fortunate to be able to share my life and runs with my friends.
Today was one of the occasions. If you have been reading this blog and have glanced at a calendar you know today is Wednesday, Track Day. As the temperatures become more tolerable for some, more runners are venturing off the dreadmills and heading out under the open skies.
This morning we had quite the crowd of runners hitting the track on an un-normal crisp late March morning. We all had a purpose for being out on the track this morning. Stacy and Shane were pursuing speed as part of their seasonal triathlon training, Evan was out there, and well I am not sure why he was out there actually. Evan is a young and up-and-coming athlete. He is fast. Uncontrollably, fast. For 27 years of age, the guy has some serious speed on the run and in the water. The thing with Evan is that he does not have structure. He has been hanging around the “ole dudes” to get some wisdom and like the athletes we are, we are guiding him the best we can. Evan came out to run speed, because he can. The Wonder Twins came out to the Oval to run because of some unfinished business. Bob missed the 10K a couple weeks ago due to family obligations and Jay did not hit the goal he set out to achieve. Each of them needs to put this 10K challenge to bed by racing. Ann Marie headed out to the track like Stacy and Shane for speed. Ann Marie has speed she just wants to get faster. Each week I am out there with her, she is. There was a newcomer, Darren, Coach Mike’s buddy. This was his first time out to the track and he made the rookie mistake by following Ann Marie on her workout. By the end of the day he will figure out that he needs a plan. Tell him that Mike when you see him. There was one more entity moving at the speed of sound out there besides me, Ken Brown, Ann Marie & Stacy’s Tri-Coach. Ken worked the track like a fine tuned instrument. He is another quick dude. As for me, you all know the reason why I was out there for the 11th time this season.
The departure this morning went in 2 waves. A 5:30AM departure and a 5:45AM departure. Stacy, Shane & I headed off to AHS at 5:30AM. Ann Marie, Jay & Bob at 5:45AM. It was set up this way so we could all finish roughly at the same time. Darren & Ken met Ann Marie at the track.
The workouts varied this morning. 300’s, 400’s, Evan just running fast, 1600’s. Having some experience with most of these runners before on the track no one was in each other’s way. Stacy & Shane cruised out 6 X 400M’s. Ann Marie was hitting 8 X 300M’s, The Wonder Twins were knocking out 3 X 1600M’s, Evan was sprinting 400’s just fast and I was popping out 10 X 400M’s. Darren followed AM’s example and Ken was doing his own thing.
Due to the different distances and the exceptionally dark track this morning, keeping track of the runners and their times was not going to happen. Stacy & Shane finished early and headed back to LTF. Evan was a couple minutes behind them and left the rest of us to complete our sets.
With running the ING Half and lifting on Monday, I was a little concerned under the crisp skies if the legs would hold out for the session. The times where:
1. 1:21
2. 1:22
3. 1:21
4. 1:23
5. 1:20
6. 1:21
7. 1:22
8. 1:21
9. 1:18
10. 1:19
The goal time was 1:24’s for my marathon pace, so except for the last two I was within the tolerance range. I felt relaxed and controlled on each 400 so there was no need to increase the pace or decrease. Just maintain.
We all finished out sets close to each other. The group headed back to LTF, stretched and left to start our days.
Being out on the track this early in the morning with a group of runners that you call your friends puts that extra little zest into life. Which means, it is better to have someone else out on the dark, cold track with you than you being out there solo.
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