Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Role models (Cassidy Smyth-Robinson)

Hi Everyone!

Wow, what a fantastic weekend we had for running. The cooler temps made such a difference! There were some great races too! At the Light at the End of the Tunnel marathon, Jon McRea ran a PB and BQ of 3:16 in the leg-crushing hilly gravel race. In the Georgina Marathon, Gillian ran a huge PB and qualified for Boston! Jason ran the Georgina half and also had a solid race, which he used as training run. And over on the Island 10K, Amanda and Carter ran a mother-son bday celebration race (my dream celebration). Way to go all!

Today we have a guest post by Cassidy Smyth-Robinson (thank-you Cassidy!)

Running With Role Models

It is not common for most to say that, if willing to wake up before 5:30am, they can spend time running intervals with a group of their role models.

Though I’m not in frequent attendance to Wednesday workouts, waking up and showing up promises to be a rewarding time with a great team, and for me time spent looking into a hopeful mirror of my future. I think that it truly is important to have big dreams, to be motivated by some goal, some hope of a future, but as I age and as I become familiar with those around me, I realize that what I really hope to become is the people running intervals around me.

On Wednesdays I see a group of people motivated towards their own races, their own milestones, whatever they may be, all on unique but similar journeys in an activity they love. More importantly though, I see parents, children, neighbours. Doctors, lawyers, researchers, teachers, CEO’s. I see people who are passionate not just about a hobby, not just about a career, but about a multitude of things, and high on that list is their community. It’s simple to overlook, as an hour interval workout or run is a short moment in most people’s day, but when seeing these moments through more of an outsider view, I see countless people who excel at being role models of balance and passion.

I believe that both of these traits represent exactly what I only hope to strive for one day. To not have perfection in one form, but to have commitment, excitement, and grace for multiple facets whatever those may be, and to do them all with a community like the Lower East Siders.

I hope I always go to bed where the last things discussed in the evening in my family are what type of workout is being done in the morning, who that workout is being done with, and what type of work has to be done after. I hope I get to embody a sliver of the joy & compassion in any of you.

On to tomorrow’s workout! We have a division here based on what you’re training for:

People just training to train or running CIM or even later Boston – hills are on the menu. This is strength work that will serve us well. People running Toronto, you’re right on the cusp at 6 weeks out – if hills make you feel strong, do hills and this will be your last session. If you’d prefer some tempo/ pace work, do the alternate workout.

For hills, let’s stay with the same formula we’ve been doing – I’m not bored of it yet and it seems to check all the boxes: One full, one half, 4 min tempo. 2-4 sets (careful on intensity of doing 4).

People running Chicago and Berlin (and possibly Toronto), you have 2K repeats. You can choose where to meet up to do these.

4-5 x 2K w 2 min rest/shuffle. Start at HM pace. If feeling good you can work down to 10K pace.

That is all – I’ll be at Pottery so see some of you there!

Seanna