By David Freeze
Fall Beginning Runners Class, Some Humor and Reflection
Summer has nearly flown by again, faster and faster as I get older. We had another wonderful dragonboat competition last week and our August Prediction Run is this Saturday morning, and then we are looking at September. With September comes our 21st Annual Fall Beginning Runners Class, this year starting on September 8th at the Salisbury Police Department, continuing our long-term relationship with the PD as they continue to host these classes.
Fall is the best time to take these classes because the training schedule will work its way through longer runs as the weather cools and humidity improves. Fall classes are usually smaller in number of participants, but that means more individual coaching time and typically a higher finisher percentage. Please think about joining us if you have wanted to be a runner and haven’t yet been able to make it happen. Or maybe you left running behind years ago and want to find it again.
Each Tuesday night, we will have a classroom topic that will include a class overview, shoes and equipment, stretching and strengthening, running form, injury prevention, nutrition and safety. Then we go out to run, and the first class will run/walk a half mile. Over the first seven weeks, we will gradually increase to running 2.5 miles. Then comes graduation night with the class completing one of our local 5K courses, followed by a graduation celebration complete with quality diplomas, a band and healthy refreshments.
With the class, each participant becomes a member of Salisbury Rowan Runners for a year, gets a training shirt and free entry into our Santa Run 5K in December. Participants also get a training schedule and coaching during and after the class. Cost of the class remains at $65, payable on runsignup.com or at the first class.
Many of our spring class are still running together and have several out-of-town race weekends planned. Taking the class is a great way to challenge yourself, meet others with similar interests and become active in a running club with many ongoing activities, both with running and otherwise.
My bike ride on the Katy Trail in Missouri was wonderful and just what I needed to challenge myself. With the hot weather and humidity of that week, I became focused on staying hydrated quickly. Everything seemed a little easier and more tame than my usual bicycle journeys, just as a friend pointed out last week. Some of those have lasted much longer and one topped out at 54 days. Long days on the road always had lots of humor. So did the ride on the Katy Trail. Here is the best humorous memory of that ride for me.
Many of the small Missouri towns had few stores and most were not open on Sundays and Mondays. According to my trail information, one town had a small hostile and several stores, plus a visitor center. The temperature was hot and at first look, none of the stores were open and no one was moving. I heard some talking and maybe a little music coming from a shaded spot on a hillside. I was nearly out of water and decided to take a chance.
I walked up a long series of stairs and found an open bar at the top. Inside, I found two operators and a group of three eating lunch with their bike helmets on. I thought that was odd, but some alcohol was involved with lots of laughing and giggling. I asked for bottled water and found it for $2.50 a bottle. I paid and began to leave when the one man in the group of eaters said, “What is that on your hip?” I said, “It’s a radio, AM-FM.” The man said, “Wow, I didn’t think they still existed, how old is it?” I said, “I bought it a couple nights ago on Amazon to listen to while riding.” A 20’s woman, also with him, said, “I can’t remember when I have seen one.” They all giggled, I grabbed my bottles and headed for my bike, never seeing them again which suited me.
Look for the Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run in Landis on September 12. Support the Bible teachers in our local schools. More information is at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
And finally, I will miss Dolly Parton. She never passed up a chance to make the world better. Good for us all to do!
