Last Track Tuesday of August 2025

Era of WTF..joy and resistance

Today my co-team Red leader is not here. MB won’t be back for a couple of weeks because she is in Scotland and England with her wife. I’m not mad at that.

That means I have to be team red ready because I was running solo. This is when I have to do track math and pacing together. On deck today is a mini Michigan. 1200( 3 times around the track) at 10k pace, 5 min run at tempo back, 800 at 10k pace, 5 min run, 400 at 10k pace, 5 min run, 200 at tempo. All of this with a 1 minute brake in between.

I’m so glad team Red was small, so this could be manageable. But of course my garmin was not fully charged and died. Seriously! Glad I had my phone to keep track of the 5 min time. I appreciate Chris, telling me that I was going too fast. I had to slow down my running pace. I didn’t have my watch, so I did not know my pacing.

I know how to dial down my running pace, when I’m made aware. Pacing last week for Boston 10k for Women, helped to correct my pacing.

I was doing good with the team. I couldn’t do the last 200. My knee was feeling a bit twitchy. I did my route of anti inflammatory and Ben gay. I’m going to keep a watch out for it.

I know my pacing was good because I could hear Team red behind me, having a conversation. They could run and talk. The conversation was about the Sydney Marathon. Two of ladies are off to Sydney to get a star for the abbott Majors. Chris, did the marathon last year but it was not an “ official abbott Major.”

This reiterates the business and eliteness of running. KB is spending $10,000 to go to Sydney and get her 7th star. I know, for many people it is a motivator to run, to travel , and more. The Sydney marathon has been around for at least 25 years. So anyone could have signed up, saved up, and ran it. The allure and being in this special group, is what draws people in. Especially for black and brown folks- middle class runner folks, who can have access to the same running opportunities as our white running colleagues. I find it all very interesting.

Sidenote: Part of the conversation around a possible addition 8th “ star” for Capetown, South Africa marathon. The Abbott Majors are not globally spread out. 3 are in the US - Boston, Chicago, New York. No races in Canada, Mexico, Central America or South America. Then 2 races are in Europe- Berlin and London

One in Asia- Tokyo. None on the Continent of Africa. I am curious to know how much monies the races and the cities are making. And what is the process and power behind choosing a city. Oh so many questions.

These are the thoughts while I was running. The questions will have to get answered later. Today, we did a mini Michigan and we all survived. :).