Running

Celebrating the Fourth

by Laura Clark

“Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing… You’ve always got to make the mind take over and keep going.”

--General George S. Patton

The idea that 13 colonies would challenge the mighty Great Britain seemed totally preposterous; yet, through sheer determination, bravado and a little bit of luck, we succeeded. While few of us will have the opportunity to defend our country in battle, as athletes we often push ourselves over the edge and can well understand the soldier’s mindset. So, as we celebrate our country’s independence with barbecues and fireworks, it is fitting that we also challenge our bodies and our minds to surpass what we thought possible.

As one of the premiere events of the weekend, the 29th annual Adirondack Distance Run offers a true test of ability and perseverance. Celebrated this year on July 3rd, the 10-mile Lake George to Bolton Landing route will be traveled by approximately 700 runners. According to E. John Loucks of The Adirondack Runners, the race originated in 1977 with the Adirondack Track Club. Ironically, the track club did very little actual training on the track, and considering their love of long distance, this was probably a good thing. Their moment of epiphany came in 1983 when they dropped the more fashionable “Track Club” appellation in favor of the more realistic “The Adirondack Runners.”

While E. John reminiscences that the 10-mile distance was carefully selected, “…because we settled on the course, and that was the distance,” the NY Route 9 layout did get the blessing of Hal Higdon, now a columnist for Runner’s World magazine, who came over for the weekend and helped map the course. So now you, too, can experience a course expertly designed by a famous running guru. Not only that, but you would be doing your small part to remove middle distance events from the endangered species list. According to Vince Juliano, the Schenectady Stockade-athon 15K director, who has almost made a career of researching 15K events, “There are close to 100 15K races in the United States, with about 60 with over 200 participants… My gut feeling is that there are a similar number of 10-milers.”

And why the alarming scarcity? Ten is an elegant, easily adaptable number, readily divisible into four equal split times. I admit I’m reaching here, since it isn’t likely you’ll ever encounter a 2.5-mile marker. Still, 10 has class and is more readily understandable than 9.3 miles (sorry, Vince). My guess is that both races have fallen victim to the increasingly popular marathon and half-marathon combo. Vince, however, speculates in favor of the shorter races: “5K events fit the trend of compressed discretionary time, as one does not have to train for as long a period, and can squeeze in a race on a weekend in less time.” Adding fuel to the fire, Adirondack Runner statistician Brian Teague observes that, “Since the Adirondack Distance Run started, the average age has gone up 12 years and the average finishing time has increased from 1:11 to 1:27.” Based on this evidence and my current age-related motto, “If you can’t go fast, go long,” middle distances are due for a comeback.

So if you feel somewhat rebellious yourself and would like to do you part to put the middlers back on the map, how should you train? According to the race brochure, the Adirondack Distance Run consists of “10 miles of rolling hills.” However, it helps to bear in mind that Adirondack rolling hills are steeper than other rolling hills. Obviously, hill repeat workouts are a no-brainer. But while you can train for known roadblocks, it is impossible to be fully-prepared for whatever wildcards the day throws your way. For Stu Eichel, a 70-plus competitor who, in 2002 achieved USATF age group standards, the biggest wildcard is the weather. If summer gets off to a slow start, as it seems to be doing this year, then short of doing long runs in a sauna, no one is adequately prepared to deal with the heat. Fortunately, the road is mostly shaded. Unfortunately, the final Bolton Landing section is not. Adjust your pace accordingly by aiming for a slower first half, which will enable you to pass heat-weary eager beavers later on. Go to your library and check out either ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer or Running Within by Jerry Lynch for some Patton-like mental toughness advice to get you through when it seems like the hills and heat are winning the battle.

If this is your first Adirondack Distance Run, don’t neglect race day logistics. Like many point-to-point courses, you cannot simply show up and run. You can drive to Bolton Landing and ride the bus back to the start, or you can park at Lake George High School and ride the bus back from the finish. The first time I competed, I rode the Bolton bus. We are talking school buses with ancient shock absorbers and one speed: slow. My stomach was intimidated by the bumps and my mind by the seemingly endless route we would have to run. The best option, though, is only hinted at in the brochure: meet your family at the beach that’s adjacent to the finish line for a picnic and a refreshing swim. Afterwards, they can drive you back.

Just remember not to get too relaxed and snooze through the awards ceremony. Instead of the traditional age group awards, the top male and female runner for each year is honored. This levels the playing field somewhat as newcomers to each age group are on equal footing with those struggling along at the end of the awards chain. Last year, ages ranged from 9 to 82. Give us time and the baby boomers will raise the bar to 90!

One of the memories you will take with you is the Adirondack Distance Run’s festive atmosphere. One year, bride-to-be, Lori Darfler, and her groom, Pat Sweeney, ran the course fully outfitted for the occasion and then joined family and friends for a lakeside wedding ceremony. This year, Brian Teague will celebrate his 1,000th lifetime race. Others have their own secret agendas. Todd Traxel, of the Roman Runners in Rome, will follow up his recently completed Vermont City Marathon — his fifth this year — with the Adirondack Distance Run and the Cazenovia 10-miler the next day — a more than adequate warm-up for the Utica Boilermaker the following week!

So however you choose to celebrate your country’s birthday, do combine your barbecue and fireworks with a physical and mental challenge worthy of any soldier.

Here are some other July 4th celebration running events — see the Calendar of Events for more details.

• July 2: Finger Lakes Fifties Trail Run in Hector. 25K, 50K and 50 miles. Great chicken barbecue, free camping and luxurious outhouses.

  July 4: Montcalm Mile in Ticonderoga. Visit historic Ft. Ticonderoga, view a parade and get a mile PR on this downhill course lined with spectators.

  July 4: Cazenovia Footraces in Cazenovia. 10 miles around Cazenovia Lake, 5K and 1-mile fun run.

  July 9: CVPH Mayor’s Cup 5K in Plattsburgh. This is part of a weeklong Independence Day festival which includes a bike race, regatta and idol competition.

  July 10: Firecracker 5K Run in Mechanicville. Includes craft exhibits, food, bocce ball, entertainment and fabulous evening fireworks by world-famous Alonzo Fireworks.

  July 10: Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica. America’s largest 15K with plenty of spectator support and post-race party at the F.X. Matt Brewery with daytime fireworks.

Laura Clark of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children and young adult’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.

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