Binghamton Runs: Binghamton Area Runners

Showing posts with label Binghamton Area Runners. Show all posts

Monday, November 10, 2014

You Know You're a Runner in Binghamton if...

We asked and you answered. You know you're a runner in Binghamton if...

You think a spiedie is a nickname for a local running club.
You consider a course with rolling hills as an easy day run.
You've raced in Otsinango Park 500 times.
When someone mentions Riverside Drive, all you think about is that stupid hill by the CVS.
You're supported by the crowd whether you're the first or last in your age group.
You've heard the local running lore of the nearly mythical "King of the Hill" race, or you've run that race yourself.
You talk about watching the Chris Thater Memorial Races 5k so you can watch the Kenyans run by.
TCRC is your middle name.
You remember running in the St Christopher's Race.
You run the Bridge Run Half Marathon or 5k every year.
You know every inch of the rail trail and got excited when they finally opened the new extension.
You have a love-hate relationship with the January Freeze Series.
You forget to put on sunscreen before a run because you're just not used to that being needed very often.
You're extremely familiar with techniques for stepping over potholes or jumping over uneven sidewalks, but have probably managed to twist an ankle once or twice (or more).
You've had to listen to Mike Cordi talk about his M-E cross country team.
Everyone at Confluence Running knows you by name & vice versa...or when your grandma goes shopping there & you know exactly who helped her.
You can run to Pennsylvania and back in under 2 hrs
You dress as the Can Man for Halloween races.
You have ran to all the carousels and have a button to prove it.
You have run stairs in an EJ House.
You have done fartleks between Giants.

Please post a comment if you can think of more! We'd love to hear them.

Remember, the Binghamton Bridge Run opens registration next week. Don't miss out!

Need a coach? Sign Up for the Binghamton Bridge Run Training Program at:

www.BinghamtonBridgeRunTraining.com

Friday, August 15, 2014

How Do You Know If You're A Real Runner?

I’ve been running for 43 years. September 29, 1971 was my first cross-country practice at Maine-Endwell. I was in 7th grade and on my first run EVER I ran 7.6 miles UP Struble Road to Robinson Hill- down Country Club to Taft, UP Taft and down Hooper back to the High School.
I remember being so sore in bed that night wanting to quit and, in an era when parents didn’t baby their kids, my mother told me that if I quit I was a wimp. Thank God she made me continue to run because within about four days I was no longer sore (this includes running my first race on my fourth day of running) and hooked- for life. Back then, running was different - everyone was hard core, serious. The first road race I remember was a “5 mile” race around the grounds of the State Hospital. The spectators were patients watching out the windows. There were about 50 runners and everyone was “good”. Everyone was a serious runner who trained and raced hard.
The running boom hit and numbers grew. How many people remember the Sun Run in Downtown Binghamton? Over 600 in the 5K; I have to admit it felt really cool to be a young kid and finish up near the front with all those people running.

This leads up to a race I was in sometime in the early 1990’s, a friend from high school was running and told me that he was “not a REAL runner like I was”. Well that got me thinking - Just what IS a real runner? According to him, he wasn’t a real runner (and I was) because he ran a time in the mid 20’s for 5K and I was somewhere around 17:00 + or -. I was at the front of the pack and he was at the back of the pack.
OK, if I was a REAL runner then what about the guys who were running 15:00? Did THEY make ME “not a real runner”? Then, what about the guys running under 14:00? Were the 15:00 guys not real runners? I watched the Olympics and one guy won the 5000 meter run. Was he the only “real runner” in the race, in the world?
The answer is (and I speak with over 40 years of experience folks) NO!!!!
Truly, honestly, we are ALL real runners.
Do you go out and train when your schedule allows you to? Do you run the mileage your lifestyle lets you run? Do you enter races and run your best? Trying to beat your PR?
Then you are a real runner.
I was thinking about it the other day and here’s what I think: When you run there is a time when both of your feet are off the ground at the same time. When you walk one foot is always touching the ground.

So now that we’ve solved that problem let’s move on to our perceptions.

When I was younger I could run 6:00 per mile easily, I could do workouts of 400 meter repeats at under 65 seconds and even under 60 seconds and 300’s in under 45 seconds. Now, if I even approach 7:00 on a training run I’m excited (and by approach I mean get that fast). I do 400’s in 1:20 and 300’s in 1:00.
Am I any less of a runner now than when I as 25 years old?

No way - I still love it and feel great doing it.

Meagan Krifchin at Confluence Running in Binghamton, NY

Maegan Krifchin at Confluence Running

Confluence Running has these “Beginner Group Runs". Experienced runners run with newer runners. Our motto is “No runner left behind”. I really enjoy these group runs. Running along at 10:00-11:00 per mile and YES!!!! One of my feet is always off the ground!
Are these people real runners? They sure are. They are out there doing a very healthy activity and becoming “better”, so to speak. In the words of Maegan Krifchin, a Pro Runner from the Syracuse area, they are becoming the best “me” they can become.
We all have our own level- 12:39 for 5K, 15:00, 17:00, 21:00, 31:00. If you’re out there running, your best, becoming a better “you”, then you are a runner.

A REAL runner.

5K, 10K, ½ marathon, marathon, ultra- it doesn’t matter the

distance, it’s the effort, it’s YOU being YOUR

best.

Yes, you are a runner and you should think of yourself as a runner. I’ve been a real runner for over 40 years and I respect you, so you should respect yourself.

About the Author:

Michael Cordi has been a dedicated track and cross country coach for years, as well as an active and enthusiastic member of the running community in Binghamton, NY.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Team Confluence

Come join the team! For ALL abilities. Team Confluence is a support system for dedicated runners of all levels. Runners will become ambassadors of Confluence Running. We want individuals who have a true passion for the sport of running and want to give back to the community. We are proud of each member on the team and what they represent in the running community.

Team Confluence, Confluence Running Binghamton NY - Race Singlets, Seneca 7 Team

At Confluence Running we believe there is a runner in all of us and we want our team to reflect that belief. Whether you lead the race, are in the middle of the pack, or are bringing up the back, we are happy you are out there giving it your all. Our goal is to prepare you to get to the finish line healthy and happy.

Being on Team Confluence is like being a part of a family. You meet new people and inspire others and the friendships that are made will always be a big part.