It’s the most wonderful time of the
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeear. Why,
it’s late April and early May, of course.
For runners, holiday shopping season is a distant second, unless you
need new (insert gear item here), then it’s definitely right now.
So Shearer, what makes this the most wonderful time? Well, let me tell ya! This is the time of year when runners
run. It’s when we watch runners
run. It’s when we see and train with
other runners and we run. And of course,
as the weather finally releases it’s icy grips on us… we run.
For me, the Boston Marathon, held in mid-April, is the true
passing of winter into spring. Boston’s
strong grip on the running community dates back thousands of years. Okay, not thousands, but quite a few. April 19, 1897, to be exact. And since then, this singular race has
embodied the ‘every runner’s dream’ mentality.
Sure, the elites are there, but it’s you and I who take center
stage.
About a week after Boston is the Penn Relays Carnival, held
annually in Philadelphia. This year’s
three-day track and field meet was the 129th edition. April 21, 1895, was the first such Meet. This unique meet features middle school and
high school athletes (quite a few from our own Small Wonder), collegians and of
course, the professionals and Olympians, ALL on the same stage. Efficiently run, entertaining in content
(like the 100 year old competitors), and in our back yard. If Boston doesn’t do it for you, the Penn
Relays will.
As the coach of a local high school program, this is also
the time of the year when we gear up for our own ‘championship’ run. From the conference meet to the state meet,
it’s high octane, high level competition.
My daily mantra to the team is ‘eat well, sleep well, drink well,
stretch well’. It can be the difference
between a state title and not making the final roster. Come watch the future Boston Marathoners and
Olympic Hopefuls compete.
After all of that ‘watching’ and after the final thaw (and
usually third grass cutting), most of us are ready to shed the sleeves and
hats, and trade them in for bug and tick repellant and bare legs. Group runs increase in size, the local racing
season heats up, and generally us runners become more fluid in our movements,
as our desire to move increases. Face
it, 70 degrees is a much more motivational temperature than 20. Am I right?
So on your next run, get that Andy Williams soundtrack
rolling in your head, as you think ‘less cold’ thoughts. And whether it’s the oval of a track, the
straight shot of a 26.2 mile marathon, or watching the next generation compete,
enjoy the season!
I hope to see you on the roads, tracks and trails.
