Yesterday was the Chuck Tokarz directed East Aurora Rotary Club Bunny Hop. This was the second running of this race and over 350 runners braved less than ideal weather conditions. Of all the races I have done, this and the Bengal Run (directed by Jen Small) have been the most well organized. Kudos to those two for a great job done! Anyway, my line was:

72. Sam Spritzer 0:23:20 0:07:31 11/M50-54 59/M

Not only is the course itself challenging since it is of the rolling hill kind, but the weather was what you normally expect in December – cold, snowy, wet and slushy. Geez…its April already but its Buffalo!! My time was exactly the same as last year although it was sunny and in the 50s back then. Checker’s coach Bob came in second overall with a time of 18:33. And of course, “Coach” Di tells me since he is now in my age group, I have to try and keep up with him. Ehhhhhh….I don’t think so and besides, I was in the 50-54 age group first! But let me tell you this, I’ll surely give it my best shot! Why? It’s all about guts! Just like the line in the side bar…

“Most people run a race to see who is fastest, I run a race to see who has the most guts.” -Pre

Pre is the late great distance runner, Steve Prefontaine. There was another race on the same day – the 4th Annual Friend’s Of Night People Run Against Hunger 5K which I did last year. About 60 folks turned out for this race. I have nothing against the organizers of this race and I hope next year, they will have a day to themselves because this is truly a worthwhile cause with a nice easy course and great post-race party. I would have easily placed 2nd and in my age group. But that would be too easy.

You see, its not about the medals, trophies and what-have-not. Its about taking my God-given body, the way it was made, shaped and formed over the past 50 plus years and subjecting it to the farthest extremes it can take. Its about giving it all it can take. Its the sheer agony of pushing one’s limits for a little more than 20 minutes. Its the torture of blood sweat and tears, pulled muscles, shin splints, inflamed joints and bad knees. All for the pleasure of knowing that I finished a 5K (or 8K) race to the best of my abilities. The rewards? 7 personal bests (PRs) in 2006. And, I am aiming to do better this year.

Why? Because I want to see who has the most guts…….

Happy Easter!