It is now the height of the summer. Gone are the cool most wonderful top 10 days, replaced by the annual ever so repressive heat. At least it isn’t the dreaded sticky humid. Here are my last three races…

July 25th – Ronald McDonald House 5K
72. Sam Spritzer 0:21:41 0:06:59 9/M50-54 55/M
This race always has a good turnout because of the good cause it’s for and its great post-race party. The weather was hot and humid. The course snakes through west of Delaware Avenue before ending just past its upslope south of Gates Circle. If you’re not prepared for this “little” hill…WATCH OUT!

July 28th – River Run 5k
20. Sam Spritzer 0:22:09 0:07:08 3/M50-54 18/M
This is a very scenic race that runs along the Niagara River in Lewiston. Its always humid because its near the water and the morning fog made it even more humid. Even with its low turnout, the challenge is being able to sustain the full 5K running in practically a straight line, from start to finish. And I mean straight…as if it never ends!

August 1st – Take Back the Path 5K
54. Sam Spritzer 0:22:25 0:07:12 6/M50-54 45/M
This is a brand new race in memory of Joan Diver, a woman who was murdered in the Clarence Bike Path. Thank God, her killer is behind the bars but for the organizers and community, her memory lives on forever and in the hearts of 332 brave runners and walkers. For a first time race, this was one of the most well organized races with a fantastic post race party. And no one anticipated such a large turnout that they had to delay the start a half hour (considering the heat, this was a blessing!). And on top of it all, trophies that would put make long-running races to shame. The course is a rectangular out and back and includes the very same bike path where the woman was killed. Many of the runners actually finished the race in tears because when you think about what happened, it really hits home. Despite the 90 degree heat, this was one race that definitely belongs in the elite club of WNY running. The organizer, Kevin Patterson deserves a standing ovation.

On the CI front, its been a rather quiet summer. The other day, I heard what sounded like a faint echo of music almost as if it was tinnitus. It was the music coming from Steph’s iPod earbuds! Other than that, speech recognition is coming along very very slowly. Sooner or later I am going to have to face up to it and get my butt in gear, practicing! As a matter of fact, I told the IT Dept. at work to give me a phone. I might as well start by calling those 800 numbers where you get a recording. Sooner or later, that lazy brain of mine will have to get its act together. At the same time, I am looking forward to doing my left ear in January and listening in stereo. At least I’ll have better balance and will be able to take advantage of the fact my left ear is the better one, at least before the CI.

Anyway, time to hit the hay. One of my co-workers is getting married this weekend and the festivals start tonight with a party for the out of towners. And we are invited to tomorrow night’s pre-wedding party at his uncle’s house which is suppose to look like the house in the movie Scarface. And then Saturday, there will be two wedding ceremonies and receptions simply because one alone, can’t hold all of the people that were invited. We’re going to the morning/afternoon one. Mike…if you are reading this….forget it buddy, I’ll gladly give you $1,000. You can go elope!