This blog reflects my world of architecture and my running experience. Accordingly, I have goals and intentions in each of these areas. This post will focus on my running life for the year ahead.
My plans for the 2016 running year actually became quite defined back in September of 2015. Even though I had qualified twice in the past 12 months to compete in the 2016 Boston Marathon, I really did not give running Boston in 2016 until only a day or two prior to the application process. I ran Boston in 2006 and had always felt once was enough, until September.
The chance to return to avenge my previous poor experience in Bean Town and to do so with about 16 others from our training group were significant influences in my decision process. However, the kicker was the opportunity to earn my second Boston finisher’s medal and pass two medals onto two of my three grandchildren. For my third grandchild, I have thoughts of running again in 2017. I have already more than qualified for 2017 and official acceptance from the Boston Athletic Association should not be a problem. It does not hurt that I also will move into a new age group if I run in 2017! So in the end, three finisher’s medals for three grand kids. Should a fourth or more grand kids show up I guess I will need to qualify again!
The other significant item that occurred in late September was my official notice from The Crim Foundation that I had completed 29 Crim 10 mile races thus qualifying me to be one of about a dozen other runners who will join the prestigious 30 Year Club. As a member of this group I will be provided special recognition and receive a 15 minute head start ahead of the elites. My goal is to make it to the Bradley Hills (about 4.8 mile mark) ahead of the Kenyans and other elites. This will also be the 40th anniversary of the Crim and no doubt there will be special events leading up to Crim Race day.
Other races will include a return to the Tobacco Road Marathon in Carey NC in mid-March. This will be a tune-up race for Boston but I also believe I can be a strong contender to win my age group. I have also competed in all of The Brooksie Way Half Marathons. In September 2016 I will compete in this race for the ninth time. The difference this year is that it will be a focus or destination race for me. In past years it has primarily been a training race for me.
Finally, I look forward to bringing the world of running to many new people I already know and others I have yet to meet this year. This will be done via my workplace and the Running Fit 501 training program where I enjoy helping others as a coach.
Oops! Correction, this is the final goal, I resolve to visit this blog on a much more regular basis (weekly?) this year as I attempt to share by preparations for running in the most prestigious marathons in the world, the 120th Boston Marathon.
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Coach Lee
T h e R u n n i n g A r c h i t e c t 