The racers were giddy as they handed out the ribbons at the end of a recent Tucson City Parks Road Race. Blue for 1st, red for 2nd and so on…  Fellow racers cheered and clapped during the ceremony; and when my name was called for 1st (in my age group), I was through the roof.  It seemed everyone shared similar sentiments when called to the front – from the 10 year-old boy who out-kicked me (oh, I’ll get him next time), to the couple married longer than I have been around. All of them winners.

If you ever participated in an activity as a kid, you probably received a ribbon – swim meets, 4-H projects, science fairs or art contests. There are many.  Those ribbons were proudly displayed on your bedroom wall – or better yet on the fridge for all to see. Proof to the world that you had participated and accomplished great things. 

Now you can travel back to your childhood every week courtesy of Tucson City Parks. For just $3.00, these low key, family fun races are a blast.  Staged at various parks throughout town, between 60 – 80 racers compete in a one-mile predict, 2K and 5K cross country style race. No need to be the fastest runner in the park, ribbons are awarded in five-year age group categories, meaning everyone can compete. Run enough of the races and you might be in the running to be the Tucson City Parks Grand Prix Champion (updated – I finished 3rd!). 

The staff is great and really makes it fun for everyone.  The best part – when they announce your name for your fabulous prize.  Mine is on the fridge…

Tucson City Parks Road Races (and track meets)…

I hear conflicting reports that the monsoons may arrive a little earlier in Tucson this year.  This made me happy, not just because it will help my outdoor plants currently on life support, but because I love to run in Tucson’s summer rains.  Actually, I think it’ right after the rain stops, when steam comes up from the desert floor, carrying the smell of dirt, rocks and creosotes that is my favorite time. 

Yesterday’s rain was kind of a tease, but it did get me to thinking about precautions to take while running during the monsoon season in Tucson (many of these make sense all the time).

-Stay off the roads if you can, Tucson drivers have a hard enough time negotiating the roads as it is.  Plenty of beautiful places to run here in southern Arizona.

-Lightning is bad.  Do not run if lightning is present – ever.  If you get caught in a lightning storm, low lying areas are the best and stay away from trees.

-Know that a dry wash can turn into a flooded wash at any time.  Ask some of my friends that got airlifted out of Sabino Canyon last year…

-Carry ID, cash and a cell phone.

-Always, always let someone know where you plan on running and when you plan to return.  Good advice all the time.

-A hat – keeps the sun out of your face and the rain out of your eyes.

It doesn’t take much to get out and hit the trails, and with these precautions you’ll be sure to enjoy your run no matter what Mother Nature throws at you…

What are your favorite times to run? 

Why does a Creosote bush smell? Everything you wanted to know (or maybe not) about the Creosote bush…

This is our running team in Tucson – The Slow Old Goats, a subsidiary of The Workout Group.  Many have tried, but it’s not easy to qualify for the Goat squad. There are three criteria:    

• You must be SLOW
• You must be OLD (over 40)
• You must be a GOAT

We will consider 2 out of 3, because we do have some on our team that are obviously not Slow, but they are Old Goats. We even bumped a guy up from the JV team (he’s 39), because he almost forgot his anniversary to go running, thereby proving that he is a Goat and well on his way to being Old.

We’re thinking of branching out too. The women’s team will now be known as The Nanny Goats, while those that do not meet the OLD criteria will be relegated to The Billy Goats (because they’re just kids anyway…).

You must also have a sense of humor, obviously.

Go to any local race and you’re sure to see The Grinders, The Workout Group (WOGGERS), Blue Pants Racing, and a host of other racing teams toeing the line. Why the uniforms, why the team names when we’re not really racing for a team prize?  Maybe they’re like me, being on a team or part of a group makes running easier – having teammates that understand the effort it takes to stay motivated and train goes a long way.  Maybe being on a team or group is fun because, even deep down, it appeals to our desire to be a part of something bigger, even in this individual of all sports. 

The Goats (aka The Soggy Woggers) is our team.  Slogan – We may be OLD, but we’re SLOW…