Lindsay’s Legacy 5K became one of my favorite runs last year.

First, I love the route. We start in the streets of the City of Tonawanda and quickly head out to River Road. Well, I guess it turns into Niagara Street. So that’s where we were. Then at 2 Mile Creek we turn around into Niawanada Park and run along the Riverwalk path along the Niagara River across from Grand Island.

Running along the water is easy around WNY… and to me, that’s the best place to run!

We finish up back on one of the side streets.

Last year, the finish clock was up high enough that it was visible as soon as I turned the corner. That meant a big kick… This year the clock was too low to get a good view. Bummer… Not sure why it’s such a deal for me. I had more timing devices than… well between the watch on my wrist to track my miles, and the mapmyrun.com app on my phone… Yup, wacky.

I still love to see that clock!!

Second, this run is for a great cause. Lindsay’s life was cut short at 21 by childhood cancer. This run benefits Carly’s Club, the pediatric cancer fundraising arm at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Her family and friends organize the run and to say they do a great job is an understatement.

Third, great swag. Last year it was a green (you know it… green is my thing) fleece blanket. This year this nifty cooler! Omg, whoo hoot no cotton T for the pile.

Fourth, a fun, yummy after party. Great food, great entertainment and post run is always great people!

Last is the experience. Last year, I met a coach from Roswell who basically convinced me that I could run a half. She confirmed what I had been toying with and set the next 10 months on that path. Just from a conversation after a run.
This year we met Keith and Julie. The short back story is that earlier this year, I signed us up for a local running club, Checkers. Because we needed as much help as we could get training for the Mighty Niagara, right? Well, by the time they started training outside we were doing OK. Besides… although we kept meeting people from the club, I had no real connection to any one person. Since we were doing OK and I had a fantastic training partner in Porter, it wasn’t as important. Walking into a new group of people is a hurdle sometimes – and no… I’m really not anti-social. Keith & Julie shared how their training had improved training Tuesday evenings with Checkers. That they loved the coach and were better runners today because of the experience. They shared some of the details of how it rolls… exactly what I needed. Tuesdays are a packed night of the week for us. In April, I’m juggling the schedule to spend some time with Checkers.

Oh yea, this was the first run that was pain free since I sprained my foot. It’s tight but no pain!! Finally.

A truly great start to a fantastic day.