In addition to the safety factor, we run together for companionship, and to remind each other how important a part of our lives this activity is.
Gordon Bloch, author

My philosophy on running is, I don't dwell on it, I do it.
Joan Samuelson

Buzz oates RunSac Race Series

The gO! Group is officially signed up for the RunSac Series that will begin it's 2010 season on Feb. 14 at the Valentine Run. All of your names have been submitted and the registration fee has been paid. All you must do to participate is sign up for any of the listed events. You will be ranked as an individual and we will also be ranked as teams (Men and Women's gO! Teams separately). This is an age-graded series which means times are adjusted based on age and gender. Last year we finished 4th out of 7 teams, with Leslie finishing 14th overall for the women, and Allen R. finishing 28th overall for the men. Let's see if we can move up that leader board this year! You must run in 8 of the 14 events (4 "short" and 4 "long"). You can check out all of the details at http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/runsac

Here is this year's schedule:

2009 Buzz Oates RunSac Race Series Events
Schedule subject to change.

February 14 Valentine Run 4-Mile
March 15 Shamrock'n Half Marathon
March 29 Nutrition Fuels Fitness 5 km or 10 km
April 19 Sacramento Zoo Zoom 5 km or 10 km
May 3 Fair Oaks Fiesta Sun Run 5-Mile
May 25 Buzz Oates No Excuses 5k 5 km
June 20 Shriners Run 8 km only
July 25 Alzheimer's Aid Society Memorial 5 km 5 km
August 21 Race for the Arts 5km
September 13 Buffalo Stampede 10-Mile
September 19 Run to Break the Silence 5 km
October 4 Cowtown Marathon, Half Marathon or 5 km
November 1 Applehill Harvest Run 8.5 mile
November 8 Clarksburg Country Run 20-mile, 30 km, Half Marathon or 5 km

“Days like this -- rain coming down sideways, gusty winds -- separate the runners from the joggers.
The joggers take a look at the conditions and, say, "Uh, maybe I'll take a rest day." The runners take a look and say, "Which hat do I wear?"
Not that it's particularly a pleasant experience, trudging through the puddles, blinking away stinging rain drops spitting in your face, getting soaked to the bone despite whatever layering you're wearing. But it's part of the deal -- run in good weather or bad.
I saw a quote recently former Oregon's legendary coach, Bill Bowerman, who said, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people."
Yeah, it sounds like one of those hard-a**, eye-rolling rah-rah coaching axioms. But it also happens to be true. “

Sam McManis
Sac Bee Blogger/Columnist