June 15, 2006

    Clinics

1. Rocks!! and Locals Run in North Bay
2. Rocks!! Get Down and Dirty in the Mud Run
3. Awesome Adventures - by Tim Uuksulainen

Awesome Adventures

by Tim Uuksulainen

Variety is indeed the spice of life. Yet I have know of many runners over the years who have continued to do almost all of their training over the same few routes or mostly on treadmills. Likewise many runners have participated in the same handful of road races from year to year. I’m sure we all know of someone who fits into one or both of these categories.

I’m not suggesting there is anything wrong with this but I do think they are missing out on what I feel is one of the fundamental, raison d’etre for running – to experience as broadly and deeply the whole running experience with its connectivity to nature, culture and our fellow competitors with whom we interact with at many different levels. Long after the competitiveness and fitness levels have begun to wane, these rich memories and experiences will remain with us forever.

There are many good reasons for running races close to home for many of us. There is the familiarity of the course, the chance to better last year’s time, a good nights sleep in your own bed, hotel and travel costs, supporting the fundraising aspects of the local race and the opportunity to compete in front of family and friends.

On the other hand, when I reflect on the hundreds of races I have participated over the years from high school through to the masters ranks and places where I have run during my travels, the experiences that stand out most vividly invariably involved races and trips away from my home community. My first high school track meet in the United States at the Mansfield Relay in Ohio. While the race itself was a disaster I fondly recal the time trial that sealed my place on the team and the fun time I had with my teammates and coaches. The Jasper to Banff Relay with the camaraderie on the team and the incredible majestic beauty and toughness of the rockies will remain a lasting memory, along wit the moose that walked in front of our hotel room on the eve of the race. The Skagway Alaska to Whitehorse relay with the trip up the Queen Charlottes, the beauty of the course and duel we waged with other teams, culminating with a good soak in hot springs after the race followed by a klondike stage show. My first marathon in Vancouver in 1974 and the experience of running the big four –Boston, New York, Chicago and Las Angeles, just to recall a few events. Humour is a big part of my life and I really appreciate some of the funny things that can occur at races. One of my favourite occurred at Boston the year Jerome Drayton won his big duel with Bill Rodgers. Shortly after the race while resting in the parking garage at Boston with my friend Jack Friel, who had run a respectful time in the mid 2.30’s., a television crew approached Jack and asked if he would do an interview. Jack , never one to shy away from a camera at the best of times, accepted and began to answer their questions. How did he enjoy the race, the crowds, representing Canada, did he enjoy coming to the Boston marathon, how was the competition etc. Finally they asked, “it must feel great to win the Boston marathon” Jack said I’m sure it would feel fantastic”. The interviewer looked a little puzzled and then shakily asked ‘ aren’t you Jerome Drayton? Cut and fade to black..

Another thing, I always seemed to produce better performances away from home. My logical or illogical thinking was premised on the following: I was making a bigger commitment by traveling away to a race – physically and psychologically by giving up the known and familiarity of staying home and hitting the road. There was the extra financial cost of traveling to a race . Drawing on the energy and excitement of a new race and surroundings was probably a bigger catalyst for doing well. Also, not knowing anyone had its benefits, as sometimes in local races there is the pecking order mentality of almost predicting where everyone should finish and racing accordingly. So when we reflect on our personal awesome adventures, I’m sure most of them occur on the road.

Speaking of awesome adventures or perhaps revelations, I thought that my list of personal excuses for poor performances had been exhausted, when I read an article that provided a new perspective. It would appear that my premature gloating and lack of empathy about not having to train and race in the polluted air of southern Ontario, a new hazard has been identified for athletes in the North. The unassuming cow! It would seem that these poker faced, cud chewing creatures from the bovine group have been the focus of a large government study to determine if indeed, humankind is in peril from the large quantities of methane gas produced from the belching and flatulent behaviour of these gentle creatures. Why, this may even become the platform for some astute political party.

I had reasoned that training in the great air quality of the north, could only enhance my fitness. However, this may not be the case. During those relaxed rural runs outside the city, I have been under siege from the ultimate free radicals. So there, that’s my new excuse for sub par performances. Come to think of it, I have some running partners who may be prone to releasing a few free radicals themselves but that’s an udder story. The moral of the story is that there are many things out there beyond our control that can act as speed bumps on our road to fitness, which we must face and overcome. But in any event they will remain memorable in ever sense.(no pun intended.

Tim Uuksulainen

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