Binghamton has Community Spirit

The Binghamton area has a great running community.  We work together to create running events.  We turn out to cheer for other runners even when we ourselves can't run because of injury or race schedule.  We encourage each other to try something new or reach for that PR.  We commiserate when a fellow runner is injured.  It's a great community atmosphere for everyone involved.  There's a few events in the area that bring out the rest of the Binghamton community to cheer for runners.  One of those events is our biggest event in the area, the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half-Marathon and 5k.   

The Bridge Run turns out over 2,000 runners, between the half-marathon and 5k, and brings many spectators out to watch their family or friends or just to be inspired as runners of all ages and abilities follow the course for either 13.1 miles or 3.1 miles.  With an excitement in the air, spectators wake up early on that Sunday morning in May to stand holding signs that encourage the runners or just make their run a little more fun.  This is wonderful for those of us running the race, because sometimes when the going gets tough you need that encouragement.  Sometimes just one single funny sign can turn your mind from the misery of race discomfort to remembering that you really are doing something amazing with your body.

Sign Up for the Binghamton Bridge Run

Today opens the registration for the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run.  Excited experienced racers are signing up as I type this.  Nervous first time racers are debating the merits of trying something new that pushes them to find their limits and considering joining the Bridge Run Training Program at Confluence Running.  Others are considering how to best support runners in this race or wondering how to join the army of volunteers that make this race possible!  Now's the time to decide how you can best be part of this supportive community we've created in Binghamton, and take part in this wonderful event

Sign Up by Nov 23rd & Save $30 on the
Bridge Run Training Program
www.BinghamtonBridgeRunTraining.com

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

Virgil Crest Ultras 50k Race Report

I had been training for about three months for the Wineglass Marathon, when I heard about this beauty. For some time, I'd had the crazy idea that I wanted to run an ultra. Sure, a marathon would be a nice challenge, but I wanted to know if I could go beyond that. I know I'm not a speed demon, so it's highly unlikely that I'll ever qualify to run Boston. A 3:05 marathon isn't in the cards for me, well, maybe if I were on a bike... and even that'd be close. No, I may not be fast, but there were times that I'd hit a groove, and feel like I could just run for days. 

I know, I know... 50k... It's barely an ultramarathon. Some purists don't consider a race an 'Ultra' unless it's at least 50 miles. Well, I don't care what the purists think. The Virgil Crest Ultras 50k wasn't your typical 50k. I am amazed at the pure determination of the endurance 'machines' that attempted and conquered this course. Any of the distances. I think the 50 miler would've broken me. Forget the 100.

I went into this race with "finish" as my goal. Having never run any more than 20 miles at one time, I knew I'd be challenged. I did, however, do almost all of the marathon training plan that I had been following. I figured that this was my best chance at completing an ultra, and I wasn't sure that I'd want to go through the training again if I didn't end up loving Wineglass a few weeks later.

I knew this race would take me awhile, I just had no idea how long that 'while' was... My 20 mile training runs through the very flat Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, took me around 3 hours and 20 minutes, so I was hoping for somewhere in the 6 hour range to finish. I just didn't want to miss a cutoff. I didn't want to be pulled from the course, especially if I was still moving.

The week before the race, I tried my best to conserve some energy and rest my left foot. I had been experiencing some pain above the feeble curve that is technically considered an 'arch' and I knew that logging extra miles would only make it worse. I did my daily mile to keep my run streak alive, and little more. Luckily, I was also blessed with some type of sinus issue/head cold the day before the race! Hooray! There's nothing a runner loves more than a head full of snot, and if you don't believe me, just run behind one for awhile.

Gear

I woke up early, on little sleep (partly due to excitement and partly the aforementioned cold) and talked myself into/out of several different clothing and gear options. In the end, I ended up going with the stuff that I was hoping would be most comfortable:

• 2013 Binghamton Bridge Run Tech Tee
• Adidas Soccer Shorts (w/ Under Armour Boxer Jock)
• Zensah Calf Sleeves
• Swiftwick Socks
• Altra Lone Peak 2.0 trail shoes
• Outdoor Products Hydration Pack

The shoes were the toughest decision. I have been running the trails in my INOV-8 X-Talon 190s for a long time, but I felt I'd need some extra cushion for those additional miles. I had been running in the Altra Torins on the road, and the Lone Peaks seemed like a logical choice. I think I made a good decision. The Lone Peaks performed well. Although they felt squishy at times, they got me through with minimal slipping. No blisters or black toenails to report.

I filled the bladder for my hydration pack with some water a few days before, to give me some solid ice for the run. It worked well to keep my Gatorade cold for the early stages of the race. 

As for pre-race fuel, I went to my tried and true Honey Stinger waffles. I had a chocolate and a vanilla on the ride to the race with Jim and Jonathan. Looking back, I probably should've had a little more, but they definitely didn't give me any stomach issues.

Jim Devona's awesome 3-D printed elevation map of the course. 

The Course

The 50k course took you from Hope Lake to the first Aid Station at the Hitching Post. From there, you had another 4.7 miles to the Cortland 9 Aid Station. From there, you trekked another 5.7 miles up the mountain and back down to the Hurt Locker Aid Station. Then, retraced your steps to head back home. Total 33.4 miles (if you didn't get lost along the way...).

Check-In and Pre-Race

Thanks for the ride, Jim and Jonathan! 

When I arrived I saw some people milling around the Start/Finish line, waiting for the next 100 mile runner to come in. The 100 mile race (along with the 50 miler) started the day before, and some of those troopers were still out there, making their way in. I made my way to the check-in table and got my bib, and sweet Atayne arm sleeves, and Red Newt Racing Platypus water bottle. I shuffled through my gear, pretending I knew what I was doing, occasionally chatting with some of the other runners, listening to conversations of strategy and the difficulty of the course sections. It was hard not to doubt my training and my sanity as I saw some of the 100 milers finishing, completely exhausted. There was also an early start option at 6:00 am, so I knew some of the 50k racers were already on the course, and I had no idea what to expect, but I couldn't wait to get started.

The Race

Hope Lake to Hitching Post

I had heard tales of Race Director Ian Golden's ram's horn. He uses the horn to signal the start to his races, and this race was no exception. I lined up in the back of the pack, because I really did want to try to take it easy at the start. He blew the horn, and we were off!

"I always say I'll do it. I tell everyone else to do it. Do as I say, not as I do. Maybe someday I'll actually start off slow, and have energy at the end..." 

Chomping on some watermelon at the Hitching Post Aid Station. Photo: Steve Page 

We made our way around the winding paved path around Hope Lake, and into the woods. For about the first 2 miles, I was feeling like garbage (as usual for the first few miles) wondering if there was any way I'd make it to the first Aid Station. I was miserable. My strides were short, and I felt that I if I somehow managed to finish this thing, it'd take me a year. 

When I hit a muddy patch, I threw my conservative plan out the window. As the runners in front of me were finding the best way around the mud, I saw this as an opportunity to lengthen my stride. I sped up, and got through the mud relatively easily. After that, downhill... My weakness. I LOVE running downhill... FAST. I took off. I passed several people on that stretch, and just kept going. I started feeling better. Maybe I could finish this thing. For a stretch I found myself trying to keep pace with a seasoned runner that I had no business keeping up with, but I pressed on anyway. I pulled into the first aid station feeling pretty strong, and was ready for some fuel. I grabbed some salt potatoes and watermelon wedges and headed out towards the Cortland 9.

Hitching Post to Cortland 9

With 10k under my belt, I was ready to tackle the next section which was only a measly 4.7 miles. I was running hard, and enjoying the varying terrain. There were dips and climbs, drops into empty creek beds, and I couldn't help but think about how much tougher this course would've been with my feet being cold and wet from a creek, or running this same section with a headlamp in the dead of night. I passed some of the 100 milers coming back, and offered them encouragement. 

Somewhere along the way, I must've let my mind wander a little too much... I was very surprised that I wasn't at the Cortland 9 Aid Station, yet. It had been almost an hour since I was at the last aid station, and I should've been there by now. I was running along, noticing the marks on the trees, but didn't see any of the reflectors that had been marking the course. As I jumped over larger and larger trees crossing the path (on what must've been an old logging road) I knew something wasn't right. I decided that I must've made a wrong turn, and headed back. I retraced my steps and when I got back to the actual course I realized that I had COMPLETELY zoned out, and jumped over a well marked area, instead of making a turn and heading up the hill. As I laughed at myself, and my approximate 2 mile detour, I joined some of the runners that I had passed in the muddy section, and headed to the aid station (which wasn't far from my missed turn). I grabbed some water, a salt tab, and tried to eat some 'real food'. There were more salt potatoes, ginger ale, pierogies, and some other miscellaneous goodies. As with the last aid station, all of the volunteers were so helpful. "What do you need? What can I get you? Do you need your pack filled?" If I had known the beast that lie in wait, I would've asked for an ATV. Instead I took (off on foot) back down the hill to towards the Hurt Locker... 

Cortland 9 to Hurt Locker

I'll be honest... I don't remember much of this section. I think it's my brain's way of protecting me. Not only did we come out of the cool woods into the relatively hot sun, we had to run a stretch of paved road for awhile, before hit the ski slopes. It was brutal. My run became a jog, which became a power hike, which became a walk, which became a shuffle. Just when I thought I got to the top, I rounded the corner, only to find MORE uphill. If you look at the elevation map below, you'll see that section between 11 and 16.7 miles that dips down to the depths of hell, and then goes STRAIGHT up. Yeah, that's the spot I'm talking about... The worst part was, that the downhill on the way back DOWN to the Hurt Locker Aid Station was so steep that there was no running it. I had nothing left in my legs to prevent me from falling flat on my face. I walked some of that section sideways, just to use different muscles. When I got to the aid station, I found another group of friendly volunteers the (Trails ROC group), and BACON! There were other runners, sitting/laying down. I felt like crap, but I was happy to still be standing. I was halfway there. I couldn't stop now.

Hurt Locker to Cortland 9

More of the same on the way back. Grueling hills, but it was made more tolerable knowing that I had already been through here. The downside, I knew I had already been through here... Halfway back through this section, I think my lack of fueling strategy (and experience) started catching up with me. I started slowing down. I kept hearing other runners come up behind me, and I found that I couldn't keep up, when they passed. I was reaching my previous longest distance, and I knew I still had another half marathon to go. If I could just get back to Cortland 9, It'd be smooth sailing from there, right?

Cortland 9 to Hitching Post

After almost 2 hours of suffering, I made it back to the Cortland 9 aid station. I knew I had it in me to finish, but now I was worried about the cutoff time. At this point I didn't think there were many people left on the course, and I needed to pick it up to be able to finish. I had no idea of my pace, but I took as little time as I could at the aid station, and pressed on. I had surpassed any distance I had every run before, and at this point, the hills had taken their toll. I was struggling to run, even on the flat sections. Luckily, a fellow runner caught up to me, and we ran together for awhile. It helped to pass some time, but I just couldn't keep up. As I watched him go ahead, my jog slowed to a walk again.

Hitching Post to Hope Lake

When I arrived back at the Hitching Post, the first thing I asked was "Am I under the cutoff?" One of the volunteers said, "Oh, yeah! We wouldn't cut you off, after going this far. You've got this!" Music to my ears. I would finish. I had to. There was no way that I'd be stopping at this point. The reality set in. Even though I had underestimated this course, I went out too fast, and I was totally inexperienced, I would finish. 

Almost there.  Photo: Sarah Kuss

I set off for my final 10k, tired, but happy. I kept telling myself, "It's only 10k. You've run a TON of these. Just run this last bit." But I couldn't. I was walking at a good pace, but I just had a hard time sustaining a run for more than a few minutes. I kept thinking to myself... "I'll be reaching the clearing at the lake, soon. Right? It has to be soon..." It wasn't. Even though I had run this course just a few hours before, it looked completely foreign to me. "Did I get lost again? No... There's another marker. Just keep going." Oh, yeah, when you're running for hours on end, you start talking to yourself, out loud. I think it's completely normal. I talk to myself, normally, but it was almost as if my brain couldn't 'think' without my mouth telling it to. "Finally, I reached the clearing! Oh, wait, this isn't it... This is just a dirt road. Did I run this before? More markers, I must've." 

This went on for some time, with me hearing cheering voices (which must've been in my head - because there was no one around), running past some random guy with a shotgun (who was annoyed, and said "Jeez, you 'runner guys' are all the way out HERE?!") until I finally reached the clearing. I could hear my fiancée, Sarah and my friend Jeff cheering from up on the hill. I was back on the paved path around the lake. So close, yet so far. I was running again, but not fast, by any means. Finally the finish. 



Results

I was happy to learn that I wasn't the last person still running on the course (keeping the volunteers from getting home to dinner), but finished 27th of 58 runners. Not bad for my first Ultra. 

Profile of the course and my splits from the website

Final Thoughts

Photo by Sarah Kuss

Overall, this race was an AMAZING experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The atmosphere was amazing, and everyone was friendly and welcoming.

Thanks to Ian Golden for designing such a challenging course, Confluence Running, all of the awesome volunteers, and most of all, my friends & family for all of your understanding and support of my crazy pursuits (and for dealing with my hours of training, and the incessant babbling about it).

_______________________________________________________________

Feeling inspired to take your running to the next level? 

Sign up for the Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon & 5k!

Registration opens November 17.

_______________________________________________________________

About the Author:

Joe Brienze returned to running in 2012, feeling nostalgic about that one season of cross country in high school. He is a member of the Triple Cities Runners Club and Team Confluence and blogs at www.abominabletrailmonster.blogspot.com

Staying Active In Cold Weather

Who has a warm comfy bed? Who wants head out into the cold for a workout when that warm bed is begging you to stay? We struggle with this too! So here's some tips for staying active in the cold, chilly snowy weather!

Set a Workout Date with a Friend

Working out with a friend not only helps the workout go faster and you’ll typically have a better workout, but you’ll also be held accountable for dragging yourself out the door.  No one wants to let down a friend!  Consider planning a weekly workout date so that you are definitely getting out the door that day each week.

Group Runs

Don't have any friends that run?  Not a problem. Join up with local runners and make some new friends!  Most areas have a runner's club or other organization (consider looking for triathlon clubs, or groups from local gyms for instance).  In Binghamton, we have group runs organized by the Triple Cities Runner's Club, the Broome County Triathlon Club, not to mention those organized by your friendly neighborhood running store.  Luckily, we also have a local running calendar available on which you can check for group runs in our area.  Generally there's no expectations on being able to run at a fast pace to participate, so anyone can be part of these group runs.  The more, the merrier!  

Treat Yourself

Whether it’s another cup of coffee, making your favorite breakfast or those shoes you HAVE TO HAVE. Having something in mind as a treat when you wake up, heading out the door and while working out always keeps my motivation going through a workout!

Sign up for a Race

Nothing inspires motivation like an end goal and that often comes in the form of an event on the calendar.  Planning a race is a great motivator no matter what time of year it is. While cold-weather races are less common, there are still plenty out there. If all those options are too cold, sign up for a longer race in March or April and make sure you put in the time to get ready for it. Either way, it will require you to stop hibernating and start running.  For all those looking for a longer term race goal in the local area, the Binghamton Bridge Run Registration will open November 17th, 2014!  

Sign up for the Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon & 5k, November 17th 

Join a Training Program or Get a Coach

Sometimes more than just signing up for a race is necessary to motivate a runner to get moving.  Consider joining a training program for that race!  Many areas have generalized training programs available to get you to your goal, whether it be running your first 5k, first longer distance race like half or full marathon, or pulling off a personal best.  Having a person or group to be accountable to can really keep your motivation up, while giving you someone to talk and get a morale boost when motivation is low.  At Confluence Running, we are once again offering a training program specifically geared toward the area's premier race, the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run, at both the 5k and half-marathon levels.  Join the group and make new friends while making gains in your personal running ability.  Not into the group thing?  Ask us about finding a personal coach to help you meet your goals!

New Gear

Nothing beats heading out for a run in a new pair of shoes, shorts, socks, or a new shirt. Now that the weather is colder, it's a great excuse to get some new gear to flaunt. A new pair of gloves, or a long-sleeve shirt, or pants, or ear warmers are necessary additions to your running outfit. Splurge, then head outside and show it all off.  The local running shop, Confluence Running has the most durable and comfortable running clothing out there.  

Different Routes

There are some routes that you tend to avoid in the summertime like trails with no trees to shade you from the baking heat, or tourist-friendly streets that are too crowded during peak season. Now that the weather has changed, you can start hitting those routes again. Winter-friendly routes do the job of mixing up your training and keeping things interesting. And with fewer people out there blocking your way, those paths are all yours.

Treadmill Motivation 

No, the treadmill is not as fun as a nice run outside, but there are ways to make it interesting!  Consider using a GPS watch so the data from your workout is right in front of you as you run. Set a goal (I'm going to hit 3 miles in less than 28 minutes, or I'm going to progress to 7 miles per hour in the next 10 minutes) and go for it. Does your favorite football team have a game on Sunday? Head to the gym and run on the treadmill for the first quarter. Your workout will be done before you know it.

"Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running."

- Sarah Condor

Why Everyone Should Run Cross Country

We’ve talked about being a real runner; all you have to do is race. But now, we’re gonna talk about how to become a REAL runner. Not just someone who laces up shoes and enters a race, but a REAL, hard core, old time, runner.

It’s simple (but definitely not easy):

Run a cross-country race. 

Better yet, be a part of a team. Get out there in the crisp autumn air, or maybe the cold, rainy, autumn air. Whatever the weather (in XC it doesn’t matter). Just try a race and you’ll be hooked.

image from http://ancientolympics.arts.kuleuven.be/

Cross-Country is the purest form of racing. The very first Olympics in 776 BC had one event, a race along a river. It was only about 200 meters long, but it was along a river, on the ground that the gods put there for the Ancient Greeks to use. 

Back in the day, when the church was the main social gathering place, people would have running races from one church to another (hence- steeplechase because churches have steeples) over whatever terrain was available. Over stone fences, through creeks, but rarely on roads (and the roads were basically dirt anyway unless you were somewhere where Rome had conquered and they were cobblestone).

According to English writers Montague Sherman and F.A.M. Webster cross-country took its organized form in England in the late 1800’s. They called the races “Paper-Chases” or cross-country steeplechases. Here’s how it worked:

A couple of runners called “hares” (hence the term harrier) would set out on a run and lay strips of cloth for the pack of runners, called hounds, to follow. The idea was that the first hound to catch the hare won! I got all that information from a book titled Cross-Country Running, by Marc Bloom 1978. 

image from http://www.artofmanliness.com/

So, now you know how the competitive aspect of the sport of running began, so go out and do it. Cross-country races are hard to find but we are lucky enough to have Confluence Running who not only can find you races but can provide an opportunity for you to be a part of a team. That is one part of running that most people who started running as adults never experienced.

Team pre-race huddles, post-race pictures, maybe even a uniform all make the painful  XC race worth it. I realize that some people are apprehensive about it but cross-country runners are the most supportive group out there. Get some friends (you only need five runners and extra are always welcome) and sign up for a race. If you REALLY want to have fun get a pair of spikes, but they certainly aren't required. Run over natural terrain, up and down hills, through a forest or nature preserve. It doesn't have the technical nature of trail runs. The idea isn’t to slow you down but to give you a natural challenge and a break from the same old 5K road race or the time consuming half-marathon and marathon training programs. 

I guarantee you’ll love it, “That was fun!” is a common post-race exclamation. You’ll also develop a very real respect for all those teenagers out there in the most popular high school sport in the nation. You’ll understand and appreciate what they go through every week. You’ll feel like a kid again when you run through the mud and come back in a condition where you can actually take a shower with your clothes ON! There was once a local high school race where it was so muddy they had to hose down the hallways of the school where the runners gathered after their races!

Check out www.SouthernTierCrossCountry.com for the STXC Series, form a team, and have some fun!

Thanks and thanks to Marc Bloom for a book I’ve read and re-read countless times. Oh, and thanks to my teammates for getting me through my first cross-country race in 30 years!

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.

Confluence Kids!

We've got exciting news for kids and parents in the Southern Tier!  

Recently, Binghamton was listed as one of the most overweight cities in America.  We want to align with the city's initiative to promote health and fitness in its citizens.  Our goal is to make it easy for parents to encourage a love of fitness for life in their kids through fun races and group fitness activities.  We've started a page on facebook to keep you updated on all the running and endurance related events for kids in the the Broome County area.  Along with that, we've posted a new kids-only endurance events calendar right on our website including lots of events that are totally free to participate in such as fun run races and group activities, to make it easy for parents to find events.  

When kids participate in fun endurance related events, it encourages self esteem and can-do attitude.  Why not try a few fun runs with your kids?  Many of these events are completely free of charge and available to anyone in the community.  Most of them have day-of sign-ups, so you can even do it last minute, if you suddenly find you have available time!

We have started a new Confluence Kids program of kids-only group runs with some health and wellness education tied in.  This is a great opportunity for kids in the Southern Tier to not only get fit, but learn about their bodies, training, and general wellness. Not only that, but associated with the Confluence Kids events, we'll be holding a Beginner Group Run/Walk.  What better way to encourage your kids to be healthy than for you, as a parent, to work toward good health, yourself?  The Beginner Group Run/Walk will have a goal of two miles, and all abilities are welcome.  No runner left behind. We hope to see you there!

We've also started a Marathon Miles program for kids participating in Confluence Kids!  Come to any Confluence Kids event and you can participate in the Marathon Miles program by getting stamps on your Marathon Miles card.  Every time you fill up enough boxes to get to one of the pictures, just bring it in to Confluence Running and claim your prize!

Why I Run: Bridging the Gap to Fitness

Flipping through my mental rolodex to the afternoon of February 24th 2012 as I stood on a scale in my doctors office watching in horror while the nurse continue to slide the weight on the scale higher and higher. The weight kept climbing like the thermometer on a summer afternoon. Two hundred pounds, two hundred and fifty, finally the mercury stopped at three hundred and eight pounds. I was mortified!

That afternoon while sulking and depressed I made a life altering decision to lose weight. The very next day drastic change came to my diet. I began to walk six miles a day five days a week and slowly things began to change for me. My body started feeling better. The digestive issues I had been having were suddenly gone. I began to have more energy and my walking began to speed up.

Fast forward to an afternoon in late April as I returned from the local Agway where I had purchased some fertilizer for our lawn. After lifting these extremely heavy bags from my car I happened to notice that each bag weighed forty five pounds. Taking a step back, standing there in amazement it had just hit me: I, myself had lost forty five pounds. Lifting those bags of fertilizer really put things into perspective for me.

Joe becomes a runner in his first 5k, 2012

A week later several friends had begun to push me to run a 5K race. Now, I had not run since playing high school lacrosse twenty two years prior. I was resisting all I could but my curiosity would eventually get the best of me. Our family registered for the Binghamton Bridge Run 5K as we had planned to walk it. Race day finally arrived and upon our arrival the half marathoners had just begun to come in. The atmosphere was electrifying. I was so excited to be a part of what was going on but really having no clue what was going on. All I knew is that it felt good.

Now it was our turn and as we stood waiting for the gun my wife looked at me and said “You know you want to run.” I politely replied no I’m going to walk.  BANG, the gun goes off and the tightly packed crowd of runners begins to move. My wife looks at me and says again “You know you want to run” and I looked back with a huge smile and I was off. Mile one, I am feeling great as a gentle pat on my back gets my attention and WOOOSH, my thirteen year old son goes flying on by.

Now with the finish line in sight, my adrenaline pumping I noticed that most of the runners who
ran the half marathon were lined up along the finish line clapping and cheering the 5K runners as
we crossed the finish line. Wow, I thought to myself, what a sense of community.  Runners of all skill levels cheering and supporting one another. I was hooked!

My first ever 5K race was now complete, finishing in 35:19. The Binghamton Bridge Run sparked an entire new lifestyle. Today, September 2nd, 2014, I’m in training for my first ever marathon. On November 2nd 2014 I will be running the New York City Marathon.





About the Author:
Joe Geronimo is a father, husband, runner, photographer & throw in locomotive engineer for good measure.  He is also an active member of Triple Cities Runner's Club and Team Confluence.