Freehold Area Running Club Winter Series 5K - 27:25

Every year I try to give myself a running goal, which helps me stay on track with the exercise. This year's goal is to run at least one race per month with someone who I haven't run with in the past. This could be somewhat of a challenge to encourage friends, family or new acquaintances to join me. Some folks get intimidated running with experienced runners for fear of holding them back or they feel they will run so slow they will com in last. I always say that the folks that come in last are the people who are still home on the couch.

Last week I was suppose to run the Stay Strong Brandon 5K with Sean Brady but he felt the snow was going to be a problem for him. I thought that was a smart move because it wasn't the best footing and if you are not used to it, you might take a spill. Sean has a goal of running a 5K a month for 2012 and if was to get hurt on the first race, it would have set him back. Sean called me up after the Stay Strong race and said I needed to find him a race the last week of January so he could keep his resolution.

I was planning on running the FARC winter series 5K on the 29th with a few other guys so it was perfect plus it was only $5. They run a good series and each race participant gets rewarded with a hot cup of chicken soup.

I met Mike W and the Senator there and introduced them to Sean. My plan was to run the race with Sean knowing we would be doing 10-12 minute miles. We got off to a good start and was running at a 12 minute clip when Sean needed to walk a bit right around the 1st mile. I walked with him for a bit then told him I would take off and then come back and finish the last 3/4 of mile pacing him.

Of course I had my camera with me and got some good shots of the Senator, Mike, Sean and Nova. In fact when I veered of the course just a bit to take a picture of Nova, a girl I was running near, thought I was going to cut the course. How dare she? I took a picture of her said I would blog about her which I am now doing.

The girl who thought I was going to cut course

I finished in 27:25 and Sean finished in 36:25. He said he felt great and this was just the start for him. After some soup and bagels, we hung around to watch Ken, Nova and Mike pick up their age group awards.

Nova Roman

The Senator pushing the pace

Mike W picks up his first place age group award

Sean already has his sights set on February.

January 22 - Princeton Hash - set by Uncle Fester

I have only done a few Hashes in my running life but I have to say, Sunday's course set by Uncle Fester (Mark Strawn) was the best so far, at least for a novice. Why was it the best? It was long, somewhat challenging, some good trails, nothing real dangerous and it provided a good workout.

Along for the ride was HeyYoPaulie, EuroTrash, Runner girl and his dog Peanut, Brian, Steve & Horshak. The first

part of the hash took us through RU parking lots, bu

ildings, athletic fields, the Stadium, the golf course and mostly on asphalt. We also ran around the Cornelius Low House which is where we saw the BN (Beer Near) marking. We enjoyed a nice miller and continued on

the second part of journey.

The second half of the hash took us near the Johnson Park zoo, the horse track and into the woods. It was actually starting to get dark while in the woods and near the end of the hash it made me think of Bear Grylls and what I would need to survive if we got lost and couldn't see the markings. We got a bit off trail and

needed to really work to find the way back to the start. After about 15 minutes of searching for the right way, we saw an open gate which led us right back to the beginning. Total hash time was about 2 hours and we covered 7.3 miles.

We finished up by the house

where we started which is owned by the state. I think they bought it since it is right on route 18 and is now used for state work on the Route 18 Project. Looked kind of creepy. We had our apres hash there which included some more beer, chips and ribs I made for the finish.

The ribs didn't travel well in the cold but were appreciated by all. We were met there by Hosbewet (Mark's wife Ro) where she was happy not to be out in the cold.

Brian 

Most of the guys went back to Mark's house to watch the Giant game, while I hurried back home to make dinner for the family. I would have stayed but I had made fresh gnocchi and needed to prepare. I will make arrangements to stay the next hash I do.

If you have never hashed, you need to give it a try. It's completely different than a normal run and gives you a good workout while also

Post Hash food and refreshments

enjoying different terrains.

January 21 - Stay Strong Brandon 5K - 21:23

This will be my first post in quite a while. I had knee surgery on September 19th and was running very little before that. I guess I was "lack of running depressed" and didn't feeling like blogging about my inactivity. I had a torn meniscus which Dr Jolly of Princeton Orthopedic took care
of, and had me back on the roads in 6 weeks. I will post more on the procedure in a separate blog but I want to get back to blogging about my races.

The Senator, Me & Renee

The Stay Strong Brandon 5K was put together by Chris Paskoc of the Monmouth Junction Fire

Department in an effort to raise money for Brandon Dominguez, a 9 year old South Brunswick student who is battling brain cancer.

Chris called me knowing that I am the race director of the Run with the Vikings 5K and wanted information on organizing a race. This was in mid December and he wanted to put the race on in January, in a mere 7 weeks. He needed to design a course which would run by Brandon's house, get some sponsors, round up volunteers and promote the event in less than 45 days. Not ideal, but doable.

Chris was able to get this all done, but then ran into one problem, it snowed the morning of the race. He didn't cancel and although it probably held down the number of runners and walkers, the race was a huge success. He had 55 finishers and raised close to $3,000.

I was able to get a few runners to show up and we all had a blast. I love running in the snow, but probably wouldn't have made this race if it was a few towns away. The toughest part of the race was actually driving to the start. The roads were not plowed and very slick. It took place at Veterans Park which is about 1 mile from my house. The course started and finished in the park and passed by Brandon's house. In fact Brandon was in a van at the corner of his house and everyone yelled Stay Strong Brandon. It was very moving and hopefully it brought a smile to his face.

I ran with John Liptak, as well as Rich Britton and finished in 21:23. The Senator (Ken V) was there, but he was a good 30 seconds ahead of us. I started slowly and as I got loose picked it up a bit. I think the course was short because my times have been a lot slower since the operation. I ran the PCRC last week in 23:48 on a hilly course. There were no mile markers and the race was not officially timed so it was tough to figure the pace, not to mention the slow track due to ice and snow.

My prayers have been with young Brandon since hearing about his cancer. I know the day brought a smile to his face and hope to his family.

Stay Strong Brandon