Upcoming Race Schedule

The Leprechaun Leap is nearly upon us! This will be my third consecutive year running this race in the town of Lenoir, NC. The course is a perfect one for early racing season. It begins with a long downhill of 1/2 a mile or so and then is flat as flat can be. The out and back brings you right back to the hill to finish up. The spectators see nothing but the whoosh away at the start and the hill inspired, oxygen-debt induced stumble to the finish in the parking area finish line.

Two Years Ago I ran this as my first North Carolina race and was unprepared to say the least. I ran okay, coming of cross country season, though I was more nervous there than I can recall being ever before a race. The results were a win, fairly alone most of the way for somewhere around 17:50 or so if I recall...

Last Year's Duel with a 13 year old boy brought many questions to my mind. It was a dilemma as the race progressed and I went from thinking, 'hey, cool, this kid is pretty fast' to wondering 'hey, how much longer is this kid going to stick around?' Then deciding as the literally elbow high competitor put a surge on me with under a mile to go, that he was indeed worthy of all my effort, to actually race this little kid and see what we each had in us.

The Dirty Deed
There came a point where I had to decide.

1. Let the kid win... he is cute and would love to win this race I am sure. He deserves it. And the people, what if this mean man beats a little guy... and what if he does it in the final sprint???
2. Go for the win... respect the sport, respect the kid. Give a full effort and see what happens.

Well, my integrity told me to go for it. But I knew this, better go for it at the base of the hill and not in the parking lot, no need to George Costanza the little boy out of the way. So, after Peter put his move on me leading into the hill (and he did get away, gapping me by about 10m) I responded and made a hard push up the hill. It was decisive and I think my strength paid off with the climb.

Do Not Be Fooled

This kid, Peter, was tough, one of the most fierce races I have been in actually. Normally things are decided much earlier in a course. Now, 3 weeks until the big day where a year of training will tell this years story. I am a year older and Peter will be 14... I am getting the big guns polished up ready for whatever may come at me.

I am feeling fresh and fast and eager to test the early season racing waters. I know this, I am more prepared at this point in the year than ever before with my best winter of training on record. I have become my best version of a Leprechaun Leaper and can't wait to get this show on the road!

P.S.- This also means the Leprechaun Leap Sirens (Georgia Snail dubbed as such) will be soon moving on to their off-season home.