2011 Westfield Pizza Run

The 10th Annual Downtown Westfield 5K & Pizza Extravaganza got a major reprieve from the blazing summer heat although it was hard to find a person besides Race Director Sherry Cronin who truly appreciated the weather. Most participants including this runner thought it was too hot to run but the weather was ideal compared to the dire forecasts for the next 72 hours as well as past race weather including a cancellation due to severe thunderstorms.

“We dodged a major bullet,” said Cronin after the race.

“Had this race been tomorrow we would have had a lot more heat issues and it was nice to not have to look at the radar continually like past years.”

            Although this was the tenth year of the race, this was only the ninth completion due to the 2008 cancelation and my eighth, having missed the 2007 race due to a broken leg. This was the third year of the revised course that was altered to change a hairpin left turn into Mindowaskin Park in the first 400 yards and changed to a safer left on Euclid that was more accommodative to the huge throng of runners. The new course is a marked improvement over the original and a must because of the growth of the race but it has made the course significantly more difficult with three hills.

It is said that for every finisher there is a story and hundreds of races within the overall contest. Here is an account of one middle aged runners’ travails.

At 6 pm, an hour before race time, Quimby Street is a whirlwind of activity. The prime hub is The Running Company, where a large contingent of Westfield High School runners gathers around assistant coach Chris Tafelski for a last minute pep talk. Tafelski has twice been the top finisher from Westfield and is a valuable asset to legendary Blue Devil Coach Jack Martin. Tafelski has been organizing the highly successful summer running program for several years and always looks forward to the race.

“The pizza run is a fun way to get the kids excited about their summer running.  This is just about midway between the last day of school and the first day of formal practice.  It's been a long time since the kids have raced, and it's going to be awhile until they race again - with so much time devoted to just training, it's easy to lose sight of why you're doing what you're doing.  So it's nice to bust the rust,” said Tafelski

“The kids have done a nice job so far this summer - they have big goals and know what it takes to get there.  I think they're excited to get out there and see what they can do,”

            Blue Devil runners past and present dominated the race with seven of the top twenty places, led by 2011 senior Zach Lizmi in third at 16:50.87.

The Running Company has been synonymous with the race with owner Gene Mitchell dominating the early years of the race with three first place finishes and numerous course records.

Another Running Company participant DJ Thornton, a 2010 Union Catholic graduate improved on his second place 2010 finish by dominating this year. Before the race, Thornton was cautious about his chances.

“I am in good shape so I am just going to try and run my race and taker my chances,” said Thornton, who is entering his sophomore year at Notre Dame.

            After the race, Thornton seemed pleased with the overall experience.

“It was a good race. I ran this race for the first time last year. I had a lot of fun this year."

From the first mile on I was alone. I ran a strong pace."

The Running Company also had the women’s’ winner, Caroline Williams of Westfield who finished in 18:59.83. A former star at Mount St. Mary’s, Williams enters her sophomore year at Columbia University and improved on a third and second place the past two years.

"I'm really excited. I've been doing this race since sixth grade. It came together this year,”
said Williams.

            My pre-race preparation is to try and drink plenty of water and stay inside as long as possible. There is much to partake among the numerous vendors and I hungrily ingest a Balance Bar from the Wells Fargo table. As I make my way to the starting line in front of the Rialto Theatre, the line in back seems to stretch to the train station.

            Mark Zenobia of On Your Mark Productions, which has managed the race since its inception in 2002, tries to warn the runners about the heat and also attempts to move some young runners away from the front of the line.

“If you can’t run under six minutes a mile you shouldn’t be up there. If you stay up there and get trampled it is your own fault.”

            I move back to about the fourth or fifth row, which is too far up for my pace but I tend to start fast anyway. After Cronin and Mayor Andy Skibitsky greet the runners, an air horn starts the race.

            I know right away that a sore ankle has not healed properly to let me push off properly and I am content to just run. The first hill leads us out of Mindowaskin Park and crosses Mountain Avenue onto Lawrence Avenue where we hit the second hill. As we turn onto Sylvania Place the one mile mark of 8:21 tells me that breaking 26 minutes will be a challenge. Water is plentiful from official water stops, sprinklers and people handing out their own cups of water. The most popular shirt among runners seems to be the blue technical shirt from the thunderstorm year of 2008.

            As we eventually wind our way past Franklin School we hit another hill on Prospect Street. Most runners seem to be having fun. As we turn onto Brightwood, the heat is starting to take its toll on me and as we turn onto Embree Crescent, the two mile time tells me what I already knew-I had slowed down to 8:45 for my second mile. I convince myself not to stop and as we turn right onto Clark Street I know that this is the last hill. We make a quick left on Dudley and then it’s back to Elm for a downhill cruse back to Broad Street. I have little energy left to take advantage of this nice finish and even though a strong push could get me under 27 minutes, the time doesn’t bear much significance and I cruise through the finish with my slowest time ever for the race.

            The finish is well organized with several volunteers making sure I am okay. Water is plentiful and the pizza is easy to find.  As I leave to head home, the party is far from finished. The band is playing and runners and their families are enjoying the last pleasant night until Sunday.

2011 firecracker 4 Mile

            It was hot and sticky in Cranford on July 4 which is not surprising but wasn’t enough to keep over 1200 people away and made the 32nd annual Firecracker Four Mile Run a day to remember for the participants and most notably first year race director Jerry Iacovano. The 1246 finishers was a modest increase over the 1196 finishers in 2010 and was abetted by a huge walkup registration, including a large number of young children who competed in the one mile fun run.

“The weather was pretty much what you expect for July 4 but we have learned throughout the years here how to prepare for just about any kind of weather,” said Iacovano.

“Although we haven’t counted everything yet, it appears that the race was a huge success in every way possible,” said Iacovano.

            With defending champion Solomon Too skipping the race, former Chatham High School star Ben Massam 23 of Chatham had an easy time capturing his first title in 19:56.30. Massam pulled away from 22 year old Stephen Mennitt of Edison at the midway point tried his best to maintain an even pace.

“I have tried to stay in good shape after a tough college season,” said Massam, who completed a fine college career at William and Mary.

“I am pleased to run under 5 minute pace on such a hot day.”

            The women’s winner was 25 year old Cat Beck of Highland Park who ran 24:15 to beat former Mount Saint Mary’s star Caroline Williams of Westfield who ran 24:47. The third place finisher, 26 year old Jessica Barr of Cranford was also the top town female finisher. Barr, a former track and cross country star at Cranford under legendary coach Ray White now competes for the New York Road Runners and also works in Manhattan. She is training to run the New York Marathon in November.

“It was very hot out there but I tried to run controlled and was happy with my performance,” said Barr.

            Like Barr, men’s Cranford winner Brian Mahoney also was a Cranford cross country star for White, works in Manhattan, has red hair and is planning to run the New York Marathon, but unlike Barr is an identical twin to brother Kevin, who missed the race with an injury, Mahoney, who also attended William and Mary has been running the race for nearly half of his life and considers it a great way to start Independence Day.

“It is nice that Cranford has such a good tradition on the fourth of July,” said Mahoney, whose older brother Patrick also ran the race.

            But beyond the winners are the majority of runners, who don’t win any prize but have a myriad of reasons for running and often conduct their miniature competitions, often with themselves. An annual highlight at the race is 42 year old David Kother of Scotch Plains, who finished in 40:46 while pushing his two young children in a jog stroller and wearing a large red white and blue Uncle Sam hat. Despite a recently curtailed training schedule, Kother was able to get through the race which has become a yearly event for the Linden detective.

“I wouldn’t think of missing this race. The kids really enjoy it and it’s a fun way to celebrate Independence Day,” said Kother, who added a new member to his family with the birth of his fourth child, daughter Naomi on Wednesday June 29.

“She was a little too young to be out here today but maybe she will be ready for Westfield in a few weeks.”

            55 year old Don Hessemer of Fanwood has been a regular at the race for the past twenty years and while he has run faster than he did on Monday, he was pleased with his 31:56.50 performance that placed him 299^th.

“I paced myself in the heat and ran each mile faster. At my age I have to try and run as smart as possible.”

            Another 55 year old John Montuori of Cranford, a more recent convert to running, ran the Firecracker for the fourth straight year and maintained a sub nine minute pace in the heat.

“It’s easy to get to the race and we see so many people we know. It’s a good start to the day,” said Montuori.

Former Race Director Art Bilenker, a Jaycee and race benefactor once again held court after the race and gave out awards to runners who had the nicest abdominal muscles, had the worst race experience, had the strangest jobs and had the nicest biceps among other things.

“This is nice day for the community. It’s a good day for everyone,” said Bilenker, a dentist in Cranford.

            Other popular activities at the race included free popcorn, yogurt and Good Humor ice cream. After a frenzied start early in the day when he seemed to be holding three conversations at once, Rokicki settled in and after the race could enjoy what was another successful race.

            “We will have a post race meeting in a few weeks to go over what we did right and what we can improve on for the future. This race is always a work in progress and we will look to make changes if needed.” said Iacovano.

           

2010 Westfield Pizza Run Review

There is a well known adage that states that there is a story for every finisher in a race. The 2153 men, women and children who braved 90 degree heat and high humidity to finish the ninth annual Westfield Downtown 5K and Pizza Extravaganza on Wednesday July 21 produced a variety of compelling stories.

The Winner

19 year old George Galasso of Holmdel needed a fast tempo run to augment his summer training so the Princeton University student hopped on the parkway for the 25 mile trip north and accomplished his running goal. His 15:48.30 time was easily enough to out run recent Union Catholic graduate DJ Thornton of Rahway, who ran for The Running Company. Galasso, who ran 9:15 for 3200 meters as a 2009 senior at Holmdel High and 8:35 this past winter as a Princeton freshman, was wary of Thornton’s finishing speed and tried to mitigate his kick by taking the race out hard from the beginning. Taking the lead in the first 400, Galasso was able to maintain a steady 5:05 pace that would not allow any other runners to catch him.

“I was hoping someone would try and catch up to me, but I was happy with the performance. It was very hot out there, but it has been that way for weeks, so I was used to it,” said Galasso.

“It’s really a great race to have in the middle of the week in the middle of summer. If it fits my schedule, I would like to come back next year and try to defend next year,” added Galasso.

The Coach

There are not many coaches who can outrun all the members of a top ten cross country team, but former Westfield star Chris Tafelski is not your ordinary coach. Tafelski,30, of Garwood, is an assistant to veteran Jack Martin and although he finished fifth in 16:37:47, he seemed more excited by the performance of the teenagers who will make up the bulk of next year’s Blue Devil squad.

The top three town finishers were rising seniors Andrew Kirna and Zach Lizmi and junior John Kirna who ran together, all finishing within a second of each other in 17:11.99,17:12.05 and 17:12.17 respectively. Junior Evan Tarlow was a minute behind in 18:11, just edging top Cranford finisher Eddie Baker.

“They have been working really hard as a group all summer and this has been an extremely challenging summer to train in,” said Tafelski, who has also benefited from staying healthy in his training.

“I have been getting my workouts in but it is only a matter of time before those kids beat me. They are very excited about this fall and their results are fantastic for the middle of summer.”

The new girl in town

The first question asked to 20 year old Elisabeth Stocking, the top Westfield female finisher, running 20:29 was how come she didn’t run for the top rated Westfield cross country team. Her replay was that she went to high school in Singapore and the family just moved to Westfield last year. Stocking was not that avid a runner until she moved stateside.

“I am just starting to get into running. It is exciting to be the first town finisher,” said Stocking, who edged her 16 year old brother Teddy, who ran 21;17.

Their father Carl,49 also ran the race and finished in 24:19.

The perennial

Don Hessemer of Fanwood was a little disappointed with his time of 25:12.23that was two minutes slower than his 2009 effort.

“I just couldn’t get going tonight. Maybe it’s just old age,” said Hessemer 54,who has competed in all nine years of the race.

“I have been doing some encouraging track workouts and I thought I could at least get under eight minutes a mile but a lot of other runners had a rough night out there, too. The air was stifling, but the pizza was good and it’s always great seeing old friends”

The Mayor

“It was great night for Westfield and a fantastic chance for us to show off our beautiful town. I am sorry I had to miss this year for the first time,” said Mayor Andy Skibitsky.

“I am really proud of the all the Westfield people who helped to pull off such a fantastic event.”

As he has done the past few years, Skibitsky interviewed race participants for a television broadcast. He was also a proud father, with his sons Shane, 18, Troy, 16 and Chase,14 all finishing.

“It doesn’t get better for a father than this,” said Skibitsky.
The Running Store

It didn’t seem possible that The Westfield Running Company could be an even bigger part of the race than in previous years but their new and larger location on Quimby Street made it the place to congregate before and after the race. Owner Gene Mitchell, a four time winner and the course record holder, was out of town and unable to compete. Although they did not finish first, Running Company members were ubiquitous in the top 50 and would have easily won a team competition had there been one,


Cranford contingent

The race included a large Cranford contingent including Amy and John Montuori, who ran the race together. When asked what drew them to run the race, John was quick to answer “Pizza”. Margaret McHale of Cranford participated in the race for all nine years and said she was there “To keep the tradition going.” Athletic Director Marc Taglieri was at the race to support his wife Christine who ran 26:35.

A stirring battle for 72nd place was won by 14 year old Connor Mcmahon edging his 46 year old father Joseph by a second. The first Cranford female finisher at The Firecracker 4 Mile, Jessica Barr, topped the numerous Cranford women competing.


The race director

While some huge lightning bolts at 6:30 and a moderate rain may have scared some runners, Sherry Cronin Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC), who had the largest stake in the evening, was not worried.

“We had people who were totally on top of the radar and correctly predicted that we would have a clear window from race time through 8:30,” said Cronin.

“We have control about whether the race would be delayed and we would have pushed the start back if needed to ensure the safety of every runner.”

Entries swelled past 2500 and Cronin declared the online registration a success. “It really helped us out logistically to have running chips attached to the numbers. It made things much smoother for the volunteers.”

The huge turnout presented its own challenges. With such a large crowd in a constricted area, safety became a major consideration.

“We wanted to ensure that all of the runners are safe on the course and a
larger crowd means more volunteers and staff to monitor the race. We have
also communicated with the residents along the race route as we do every
year to ensure that they know when the race will occur in front of their
home,” said Cronin.

“The logistical issues are enormous for a race of that size, Everything is harder including setting up water stops, getting all runners to the start and making sure the registration lines move quickly .“

With another successful race behind her, Cronin looks forward to 2011.
“We will sit down and talk about what went right and what we can improve on. We are always tweaking to make it a better race.”

2010 Firecracker 4 Mile review

The 31st annual Firecracker Four Mile Run proved to be no dud as the beginnings of a vicious heat wave held off until after the race was completed and led to increased registration. A new champion was crowned as Kenyan Solomon Too clocked 20:42.37 to outrun 2009 winner Tim Morgan of South Plainfield and 1193 other finishers. The women also had a first time winner as 19 year old Dana Guglielmo of Basking Ridge ran 25:16.26 to outpace Jessica Barr of Cranford. While race time temperatures were well over 80 degrees the humidity was manageable and the runners were also abetted by plentiful water, provided by the race and residents who lived on the race path, many of whom sprayed runners with hoses.

“It was warm but not the oppressive heat we have had in the past and not as bad as we are supposed to get later this week,” said fifth year race director Mike Rokicki.

“We are able to handle any kind of weather and we made sure that there was plenty of water on the course.”

The weather proved no problem to Too, who has a personal best of 2:20.45 for the marathon and used the race as mid-summer training run. Too broke away from the pack early and ran averaged 5:10 per mile.

“The weather was good for me. I am used to hot weather,” said Too.

Morgan out ran the chase pack that included third place finisher Joe Jacobs of Bloomingdale and 2006 Cranford graduate Kevin Brown. “I am okay with the race I ran. He went out faster than I wanted to and never gave us a chance to catch him,” said Morgan, who although 26 has completed the last 11 Firecracker races.

“It was a tradition I started when I was in high school and it is a lot of fun to come back to this race every year. It is a well organized race and has good refreshments,” said the razor thin Morgan, while enjoying post race ice cream, that was available to all participants.

Brown finished fourth in 21:26 and was also the top Cranford finisher. The top 20 also included three current and former Cougar runners. Rising junior Elias Howard was 13th in 22:55, 2005 graduate Brian Mahoney was 16th in 23:05 and 2010 graduate Jeff Sun was 20th in 23:33.

Guglielmo, who just completed her freshman season at the University of Richmond, ran the race for the first time and came away impressed.

“It is a fast flat course with a lot of shade. I definitely hope to come back and run this race in the future,” said Guglielmo, whose father and younger brother also competed.

Unlike Too, Guglielmo ran the race with different male competitors and was not certain that she was first until being told by volunteers at the three mile mark. Guglielmo finished her first college season competing in the 3000 meter steeplechase for the first time.

“I love the event. I am still learning to hurdle and get through the water barriers but it is such a fun and challenging race,” said Guglielmo.

Barr, a 2003 Cranford High School graduate, is one of the top distance runners in the area and also won her age group at the Rutgers half marathon in April. Among the other Cranford residents to win their age group was the amazing Kathy Calabretta, who ran 31:35 to win 60-64.

But beyond the winners were runners like John and Amy Montuori of Cranford, who have made the race a staple of their Independence Day schedule.

“I was only able to do the one mile fun run because of an injury but I am so thrilled that John ran his best time for the race. We are so lucky to have such a good race in our town,” said Amy Montuori.

Other popular activities at the race included free popcorn, yogurt and Good Humor ice cream. After a frenzied start early in the day when he seemed to be holding three conversations at once, Rokicki settled in and after the race could enjoy what was another successful race.

“We will have a post race meeting in a few weeks to go over what we did right and what we can improve on for the future. This race is always a work in progress and we will look to make changes if needed.” said Rokicki.

2009 Firecracker 4 Mile

After downright awful weather conditions that ruined or altered nearly every outdoor event since Memorial Day, the weather gods smiled on Cranford on Independence Day and made the 30th annual Firecracker Four Mile Run a day to remember. For runners, volunteers and spectators, alike, who had begun to wonder when summer 2009 would finally begin, the sunny conditions with low humidity and comfortable temperatures brought a smile to everyone’s face, most notably fourth year race director Mike Rokicki. Although the 1174 finishers were 12 fewer than 2008, there was a huge walkup registration, including a large number of young children who competed in the one mile fun run.

“The weather really turned out great and while we have learned throughout the years here how to prepare for just about any kind of weather, this was a pleasant surprise,” said Rokicki.

“Although we haven’t counted everything yet, it appears that the race was a huge success in every way possible,” said Rokicki.

With defending champion Dave Alfano of West Orange and runner-up Will Nowicki of State College, PA both skipping the race, perennial contender Tim Morgan of South Plainfield had an easy time capturing his first title in 20:45. Morgan took the lead early with a 5:10 first mile and ran sol the final three miles, trying his best to maintain an even pace.

“I was rather surprised that certain runners were not here. I was expecting a pack like most years,” said Morgan, who was third a year ago in 20:46 and has finished in the top five each year since 2006.

Morgan is a member of the top club team in New Jersey, the Raritan Valley Road Runners (RVRR), was a top runner at South Plainfield High School and is a high finisher at nearly every road race he enters. His biggest challenge in 2009 will come on November 1 in the New York City Marathon when he attempts to improve his 2:47 personal best in the marathon. Morgan’s RVRR team mate Michael Anis of Highland Park was second in 21:45. Anis, who manages the Running Company’s Princeton store, is on the comeback trail after being injured and was pleased with his effort.

The women’s competition had a definitely local flavor to it, even though the winner, 22 year old Carmen Ballard was listed as being from Washington, DC. Ballard, a recent graduate of Georgetown, was a college teammate of former Cranford star Laura Gallo, a sophomore with the Hoyas. Gallo told Ballard about the race and pair traveled north to compete, with Ballard staying at Gallo’s house.

“Laura told me about what a good competitive race this is, so it seemed like a good idea to run it. Everything worked out really well. This is a great event and I was happy to participate in it,” said Ballard, who originally hails from Kelowna, British Columbia.

Gallo, 20, was the second women’s finisher in 24:52 and also was the top Cranford female finisher. Gallo has been competing in the race since before she entered high school and this was her fastest time.

“I really enjoy running for Georgetown and attending classes there but it is always great to come home and run this race,” said Gallo.

Without the two Georgetown runners competing, the women’s winner would have been a Mount Saint Mary’s runner for the second year as rapidly improving Caroline Williams of Westfield ran 25:16 for third in the women’s competition. A year ago, 2008 MSM graduate Liz Campbell of Colonia took the title.

31 year old Matthew Dipretore ran 22:01 to win top town finisher for the second straight year. He defeated former Cougar track star Brian Mahoney, who ran 22:25 and fast improving 15 year old Elias Howard who ran 23;31. Mahoney teamed up with father Donald (32:59) to win the father-son category. Among the other Cranford residents to win their age group was the amazing Kathy Calabretta, who ran 30:01 to win 60-64,13 yea old Ryan McGann who took 13 and under and Lauren Garbacz (27:18) in 35-39. The top Kenilworth runner was Sean Cunningham (26:12).

But beyond the winners were runners like 40 year old David Kother of Scotch Plains, who finished in 38:41while pushing his two young children in a jog stroller and wearing a large red white and blue Uncle Sam hat. Despite a recently curtailed training schedule, Kother was able to get through the race which has become an annual event for the Linden detective.

“I wouldn’t think of missing this race. The kids really enjoy it and it’s a fun way to celebrate Independence Day,” said Kother.

Former Race Director Art Bilenker, a Jaycee and race benefactor once again held court after the race and gave out awards to runners who had the nicest abdominal muscles, had the worst race experience, had the strangest jobs and had the nicest biceps among other things. There was also a special award given to a young boy who impressively sang the National Anthem.

“This is nice day for the community. It’s a good day for everyone,” said Bilenker, a dentist in Cranford.

Other popular activities at the race included free popcorn, yogurt and Good Humor ice cream. After a frenzied start early in the day when he seemed to be holding three conversations at once, Rokicki settled in and after the race could enjoy what was another successful race.

“We will have a post race meeting in a few weeks to go over what we did right and what we can improve on for the future. This race is always a work in progress and we will look to make changes if needed.” said Rokicki.

March Memories

March came in like the proverbial lion in 2009, delighting school children with a snowstorm that gave them an unexpected three day weekend. The storm was the second part of a 1-2 punch that convinced the organizers of the E Murray Todd half marathon to cancel their race that Sunday, delaying the unofficial start of spring for runners. That final weekend of February, which morphs into March was also the unofficial two year anniversary of my worst day as a runner.
It was actually March 3,2007, the day before E. Murray Todd, when I set out on a ten mile run with only one other member of my Saturday morning group. The remainder were running the next day and the main reason the two of us were not is that we did not feel ready to tackle the challenging course. As we passed the halfway point of a run we had done hundreds of times, the unseasonably warm late winter weather made my thoughts wander. I talked about how we needed to work harder as the weather warmed and I told my partner that we needed to pick up the pace. Less than a minute after I uttered those infamous words, we made a right turn onto the hilliest part of the course. I foolishly did not avoid a wet spot on the road, which did not possibly seem like it could be frozen but it was the dreaded black ice.
I have slipped on ice before, but never making a sharp right turn. I fell awkwardly and knew right away this was bad, worse than anything I had ever felt. Unfortunately I was correct. Had I been alone, I may have gotten up and tried to struggle through a few more yards, but my partner wisely told me to stay down. Since we were near a major intersection, my partner was able to flag down a car who called 911. The Plainfield rescue squad people were fantastic in dealing with a raving lunatic, who continued to cry out numerous irrational thoughts.
The ride to Muhlenberg Hospital was short in distance but seemed endless. When I got to the x-ray room, I asked the technician if he thought sprain or break. He looked at the swelling, shook his head and said that it didn’t look too good, but that’s why he’s not a doctor. When the doctor finally came into the room he cheerfully said “You’ve have two bones in the foot-the large one and the small one and you broke the small one”.
The rest of that day was like a blur, with some of the high or low lights being a nurse who asked how I could slip on ice when it’s 60 degrees? Going back to the park to retrieve my car was more torture. The mild weather had brought a slew of exercise enthusiasts, many who dressed as if it was 30 degrees.
The next six months were excruciating but I followed all medical instruction, including one week of physical therapy (12) for every week in a cast. When I was finally given a tepid okay to start back running it was as if I had never run at all.
But fast forward to Feb 28,2007, the day before another E Murray Todd and I did a symbolic run. I ran right across the spot I fell and kept going to the Plainfield track which faces Muhlenberg, since closed. I ran a slow mile into a cold wind and as much as possible looked at the hospital and thought what I had been through the past two years.
I had learned a great deal and would like to become another beacon of hope to those who have suffered a disabling leg injury. I tell anybody I see that you will get back and to listen to your doctor and find a good physical therapist. They know what they are doing and know how to get you back. I am sure I will get hurt again, hopefully not before you read this, but every subsequent year, I will always remember the day before the E Murray Todd race.

Choices (Patterns)

(Author’s note: This story was conceived during the last 40 minutes of a run that became solo on Saturday January 17 in 7 degree weather. It was essential to helping me finish slogging through.)

So much of our successes or failures in life depends on the choices we make. Whether it is what we major in at school, the community we decide to live in or the career we go into, the quality of our lives usually comes down to how these choices work out. Nearly every day we are faced with choices, many of the minor variety and then there is the example of the US Air pilot, who was immediately faced with the choice of what to do with an airplane that had no working engines. His correct choice resulted in the saving of 155 lives and elevated him to deserved hero status. A vast majority of us will never be faced with anything close to that significance but it continues to be one of the life’s challenges on how we deal with the many smaller choices we face every day.

Because most of us now coach ourselves, we as runners are faced with choices that coaches used to make for us. Often, these choices decide what type of success we have as runners. Hopefully, the more experience we have gained will allow us to make the wise choice more often than not. On the third Saturday this January runners were faced with the challenges of running in frigid conditions. We had to decide how much clothing would be needed to survive weather that most experts warned us to avoid if possible. That choice was an easy one for me. I have always enjoyed frigid conditions as long as there was running room. We started out with a vigorous group of nine, which was around average. There is certain euphoria to exercising outdoors when the park is nearly devoid of all other forms of life. There is a certain camaraderie you feel towards anybody else outdoors. As we passed the two mile mark there was very little distance separating the group as if our closeness would help retain heat.

We approached the point in the course where you could make a choice of cutting the ten mile run to a seven. About 300 yards from reaching that point, my hamstring started to tug at me the way it has been doing the past few months. It is the kind of injury that can be very frustrating this time of year because treadmills are almost definitely not an option because of the repetition of motion so there was a cumulative effect of an injury and the inability to train because of it. Luckily, on this day, the hamstring started hurting at a time where there was the choice to cut my losses short.

I reluctantly turned at the short path, accompanied by two others who were going short for various medical reasons. I was immediately happy for my choice because my condition got progressively worse and I lost contact with the other two, giving me four miles and over 40 minutes to plod on in solitude. Somehow my wandering mind immediately recalled a classic Simon and Garfunkel song “Patterns”, with some incredibly appropriate lines it. “Like a rat in a maze, the path before me lies and the pattern never alters until the rat dies”. I remembered how we studied this song in high school English and I thought of that airplane pilot, who was probably far less esoteric and totally analytical as he quickly and correctly decided how to save a plane full of lives and everybody connected to those people.

The mind plays tricks when you are running alone in such conditions, so logical comparisons should not be expected here. As I ran along in near quiet, I thought of many things, one of which was how few activities can be tried in such weather. I was extremely pleased with my decision to not try and worsen a difficult situation by running ten miles.

On a day like January 17, nobody should be expected to have sympathy for you if you fall way off the pace. So as I ended my run and waited a few minutes for the others going ten, I again thought of “Patterns” and the classic ending:

“Like the color of my skin or the day that I grow old. My life is made of patterns that can scarcely be controlled “ Hopefully, the choice I made at three miles would enable to be run many more miles this year when the roads again fill up with weekend athletes.