Typically, we think of benefit rides and fundraising runs as the work of big nonprofits, of a team engaged in pulling off a major event. The MS Society of Eastern North Carolina and the 2,000-plus-rider MS 150, the American Diabetes Association’s likewise behemoth Tour de Cure.
Well, the iPhone 3G wimped on me again and I was unable to continue Tweeting from yesterday’s Magnificent Mile in downtown Raleigh. In short:
I didn’t win; that honor went for the second straight year to Raleigh’s Bobby Mac, who, again for the second straight year, came in at 4:10.
I’m big on goals, big on cross-training as well. Occasionally, these dual objectives create conflict.
For instance, come autumn, the goal-oriented runner in me gets excited about the Second Empire Fall Grand Prix Series. The series consists of eight races, starting with this Sunday’s Magnificent Mile in downtown Raleigh and including five 5Ks, an 8K, and a 10-miler. I like the series in part because of the race variety, in part because the speed-challenged such as myself have a chance to shine in the series. I won’t place in my age group — stunning how many fast 55- to 59-year-olds there are on the circuit — in any one race, but if I run in every race I could place in the top 10, perhaps even top 5 in the series standings. Great incentive to train for the non-elite.
When I sign up for a run or ride benefiting a cause, I usually have some idea what the cause is. When I signed up for The Magnificent Mile on Sept. 19, I had no idea what primary lateral sclerosis or spastic paraplegia were. Fortunately, I signed up at The Athlete’s Foot in Cameron Village last week and Sarah Roberts-Witt was on hand. Unfortunately for Sarah, but fortunately for the cause of motor neuron diseases, there probably wouldn’t be a Magnificent Mile.