Yesterday was the first official race of 2007…the 13th annual Cradle Beach Penguin Run. A little over 400 souls braved wet slushy pavement with some ice at the end. The course which is flat starts out in front of Classics V on Niagara Falls Blvd. snakes through the neighborhood behind and comes back out to the Blvd. before ending right at the front door of the banquet hall.

It was good to see old friends especially Dean, the Wyatt Earp looking dude who now works for Cradle Beach, and his lovely wife. But the weirdest part was being a spectator not a participant. Joined by good friends Diane and Anne plus Judi who was smart enough to stay indoors and do her Sudoku, I watched the start and the last quarter mile.

You could separate out the serious runners from the middle of the pack from the wanna-bes from the casuals. I could almost picture myself when good buddy Mike K. came limbing along after pulling a calf muscle. The running juices started flowing in me but if I ran, chances I would have wound up with the same fate. I guess I am about 2 weeks away. So, its off to the gym to get started on the 2007 running season…on the treadmill.

Next week is activation date…boy, am I looking forward to that!