St Patrick's Day

Denis Leary‏Verified account @denisleary 9m9 minutes ago

#StPatricksDay Irish History Fact: We invented whiskey, sarcasm & bare knuckle brawling. All on the same night. In that order.

A few members of our "club", the Sals Racing team, participated in the annual Johnny's Running of the Green 5 mile race on March 11. Just coming off of power outages due to high winds (and thousands in the area still without power) we weren't sure if the race was going to happen. Over 800 people showed up to run though, with another 1,400 registered but not at the race. It was a balmy 15 degrees with the wind averaging 15mph, making a nice cooling effect. 

Save for one large tree that had come down across the road near the 1.2 mile and 3.8 mile section of the out and back course, the roads were pretty clear. Someone had chopped enough of the tree so that about 20 feet was clear for runners to get by, which was nice. Johnny's was the first race in the Rochester Runner of the Year series and we all got off to a good start. Pete won his age group, Mike W was second in his group and I was fifth, Jan was tenth and Eileen third. I'm not happy about getting older but it definitely helped to earn RROY points by moving into a new age group.

Johnny's Running of the Green

The annual 5 mile St. Patrick's race that begins the real racing season in Rochester is this Saturday. After record setting snowfall and cold in our area for February most runners were hoping March would bring in lots of sun and warmth.

We have had a few days in the 40+ degree range, which was most welcome. But we still have 2-4 foot drifts in most yards and have only just begun to see brown mud along some highways. Predictions for the race time weather have changed quite a bit over the last five days. As of today, Thursday, it looks like 37 degrees and an 85% chance of rain. Better than the sleet predicted a couple of days ago, but still cold rain isn't much fun to be out in.

In honor of the cold rain I re-wrote a famous song, "Singing in the Rain", which was a hit for Gene Kelly many years ago. If you don't know the tune, watch the video. It's pretty easy to sing to.

 
I'm running in the rain
Just running in the rain
What a soggy feeling
I'm soaked again
I'm angry at the clouds
So dark up above
There’s mud on my feet
And I'm ready for the hot tub
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the race
Come on already with the rain
There’s no smile on my face
I'll run down the lane
With no joy in my refrain
Just dodging puddles in the rain.
I’m running in the rain.

Race Registration Fees

The trend, which is only going to increase, is for races to encourage online entry. There are some races where you don’t have a choice. Register online or don’t race. I understand the basic reasoning:

1. “Green” – no paper wasted

2. Volunteers or paid staff not needed to open and process hundreds of entry forms

3. No hectic last minute race day registration for participants, volunteers or the timing company

4. Easier to collect information from participants that can later be used to market directly to known customers

5. Transfer of data from electronic entries to timing database much easier than hand entry

6. Guaranteed money to use for expenses before the race

There are several companies offering online entry services; Active.com, Getmeregistered.com, raceorganizer.com and runsignup.com are four of the largest. The fee structures are a bit different for each of them, but know that they are all in the business to make money. Currently raceorganizer.com only charges $1 for any race. Most companies charge a graduated fee depending on the race registration cost, from $2.00 to a percentage if registration is over $50. Active.com is charging a 14% fee to register online for Johnny’s Running of the Green in Rochester (I chose the paper form and paid for the stamp, saving $6.00 for my wife and myself).

What do customers get in return for the fee of paying online? This is what I don’t understand. The privilege of paying by credit card instead of a check? Not standing in line for late registration? Most races charge extra for day-of registration, so it’s not like they are losing money on that.

The race scene has changed dramatically over the last ten years with many selling out in days, hours or even minutes of opening registration. I get that online is the only way to handle this scenario. But your local 5 mile race is going to add 14% to your race fee? That I don’t understand. If directors take away the option of paper entry then I have a choice – pay the fee or don’t race. There may be times where I choose not to race.

Johnny's Running of the Green

Results are in and Sal's runners performed well in the first real road race of the season. Frank led the way with a 35:12, good for 3rd in the 55-59 age group. Close behind, so close, was Kenny Katz in 35:14. Our intrepid hero MW came in 8/79 in the same group with a 36:55 time.
Lou K took off with the young pups for 2 miles, then held back and paced Joanne to an 8 minute pr for the 5 mile distance! (47:38, 29/82 in age group). The barefoot, ageless runner of our group, Pete, ran a 40:09 and also came in 8th place in the 65-69 age group (notice a theme?).
Eileen W ran a 41:58, good for...yes, 8th place in the age group (8/43). A nice comeback race. Jan also ran well, finishing in 43:08, for 12/82 in her age group.

Nice races by everyone on a beautiful day for running and a record turnout for the race with 2,296 official finishers.

St. Patrick's Day

Thirty-five million people in the United States claim Irish ancestry, that's seven times the current population of Ireland! I guess the Irish in America are quick breeders.  Patrick was born in Britain, circa 387, kidnapped at age 16 and sent to Ireland. Escaping six years later he found religion, returned freely to Ireland at age 45 and converted thousands to Christianity. St. Patrick's Day is supposed to be a religious holiday, but often, throughout the world, is an excuse for parades, feasting, drinking and general merriment.

It's also not a bad day for a road race! 5 miles, start and finish near the Blue Cross Arena. Races are held across the U.S. in a variety of distances, usually with a parade following the run.

Top Ten Great Things About St. Patrick's Day:

1. Great excuse to drink Jameson's Irish Whiskey

2. Or maybe a Guinness Beer?

3. The first real race day of the season, time to see what speed you do or don't have from months of winter training.

4. In Rochester, the first Runner of the Year race, where I am in a new age group, the only good thing about getting older.

5. Green is the color of choice, and both welcomes in spring and the Irish.

6. MW will begin his new spring diet. This is a different diet than the one he was on after Christmas when he put on ten pounds.

7. Bicycles can be brought up from trainers in the basement or rec room and actually ridden outside.
8. Rumor has it someone in our group of runners from Spencerport will dress up like The Great Gazoo, could it be Lou?

100 points if you can answer who the voice of The Great Gazoo was?

9. Food. Who doesn't love corned beef on rye?

10. Irish Jokes. A true Irishman considers anyone who won't come around to his point of view to be hopelessly stubborn.