The past 40 days have been an adventure! The holidays knitted everything together with family, friends, parties and then off to the warm and sunny climes of Walt Disney World...not!! As some may know, I am lucky to be the emcee and lead announcer for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend every year and part of the anticipation is to run every morning in relative warmth surrounded by greenery. Instead, I ran indoors one morning and watched snow fall at the start of the half marathon...not what anyone expected!

 

OK, we're used to it and the many Coloradans that I greeted at the start and finish, including my significant other, Renee Hamilton (who did the "Goofy" by doing the half and then completing the marathon with Barb and Jeff Galloway doing the classic run/walk!) weren't complaining.  The Runner's Edge and LLS Team N' Training folks were omnipresent and the expo practically sold out of winter gear! The weekend is all it's touted to be...incredible medals...weather not withstanding! They're adding a brand new half in the fall that will sell out quickly...check it out!

 

Talk about a "gut check": I decided to participate in Colorado Runner Mag's Frosty 5 Miler at Chatfield this past weekend (my house sitter, Sammy Nyamongo needed a time trial) and learned just how off my training I had slipped. The race was fun and the people I reacquainted myself made it a wonderful experience. However, trying to remember how to "race" was not fun. Let me explain, please. My mind was ready to go...I looked over the assembled runners and decided how I would fit in. That was the beginning of my fantasy. I "pretended" that I had been training at a much higher level and "decided" I could negotiate a certain pace. After the 1st mile, reality set in with gripping claws and I was reconciled to a different outcome. Once my little ego was slapped, I began to observe all the people around me (and many passing me!). They were having "fun", joking, smiling and having a great experience! My two big "takeaways" were one, that you can saddle up, run or walk by yourself or in the bonds of others and completely enjoy the moment and, two, there is NO substitute for proper training!

 

I'm going to pick a target event down the road to aim at and use it to improve my fitness...not sure when/where but it'll help. If you've had a similar experience, tell me how you worked the magic!

 

Bart Yasso, one of my oldest buddies in this sport, is going to be here for the 3rd race in the RunDenver Series, the Super Bowl 5K presented by Assurant Health. We'll have flyers for that race at this weekend's January 24th Assurant Health Polar Bear 5K at Denver's Washington Park.  Bart will do a light training run/walk from the Runners Roost Lakewood store on Saturday, February 6th at 8am followed by his completely entertaining talk (an inside look at his book, My Life On The Run). He'll also participate in the Super Bowl 5K on Sunday, February 7th at Washington Park. Please give him a warm, Colorado welcome! 

 

I am noticing a number of events are changing their dates (some their locations, too) so watch the calendar carefully. One example is the always fun Mile High Mile that has moved up to the week before the Cherry Creek Sneak! Another is the Zooma Women's Half Marathon that is looking at a mid-July date. Keep an eye on their calendar!
 
Before I forget, Deb Conley (an amazing athlete and tireless supporter of blind and sight-impaired runners) sent me this link for a mockumentary on Race Walking. I haven't seen it but the trailer is crazy! I spotted our marathon running friend, Susie Wargin, 9News in part of the cut. Let me know if you saw it and your opinion!
 
Finally, we all are wrestling with the reality of Haiti right now and will continue to do so in the months ahead. Many of you have participated in relief efforts over the years and we salute you. One such person is the quiet, solid master's athlete, Bob Cisneros. Bob recounted his experiences with the Peace Corps helping hand out supplies with the emergency relief effort in the Dominican Republic and it sounded like he was speaking about Haiti. He reminded me that we can all play a role, large, small, in person or at a distance. There are lots of legitimate funds that you can donate through. Here are two to get you in play: http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/ and through Mile High United Way http://twitter.com/unitedwaydenver. Athletes are the most giving people on this planet and I, for one, thank you!
 
See you at the Polar Bear 5K?!