Skip to content

Tag: Running

Ridley Creek State Park 25K Race Report and Video

Ridley Creek State Park 25K Race Report and Video

Published by Patrick Durante on October 21, 2024
The course was beautiful!

The Ridley Creek State Park run is back for its second year. They moved the race from June to October, and I am glad they did because it was a great way to end my running season. I have wanted to visit the park to explore the trails for quite some time but never got the chance. When my friend mentioned he would be running the race, I decided to sign up. My usual race review format involves answering three questions: what went right, what went wrong, and how either I or the race could improve.

What went right?

Since the weather was nearly perfect for racing, I didn’t need to carry much gear—just a small waist belt with one bottle filled with concentrated Tailwind. The temperature was 40 degrees at the start and reached a high of 70 degrees during the day, which meant we didn’t have to deal with the heat they apparently experienced last year. My kit included removable arm sleeves, a waist belt, one bottle with three scoops of Tailwind, a single granola bar, my hat camera, and compression calf sleeves. I knew I could easily run this distance and rely on the aid stations to keep moving quickly. A 25K race is short enough that it doesn’t put extreme demands on my body. The longer the race, the more food, water, and nutrients you need.

Don’t forget to punch your bib at the top of the hill!

Originally, I had set my pace at 9:15 per mile. However, as I progressed through the miles, I realized the favorable weather conditions allowed me to push the pace. My pacing was on point; although the first mile was a bit fast, I quickly adjusted by walking the hills and running most of the flats. Having completed several 50K races in the weeks leading up to this event, I knew I had the training necessary for this shorter distance.

What went wrong?

I loaded the course on my watch to aid in guidance on the course. I’m glad I did because I still got confused on a few turns. A large portion of the course doubled back on itself. However, this didn’t detract from the overall race experience. I enjoyed the course and the route, though part of me wonders if they could devise a better route through the park that includes more unique miles. They had plenty of people on the course to ensure runners went the right way and ample signage. There were just one or two spots where you had to slow down and look carefully to make sure you saw the trail markers.

On a personal note, I was doing strides during my taper, and I think I was doing them too fast, which caused some soreness in the week leading up to the race. In hindsight, I should have dropped the strides to avoid the added strain.

Hunting Hill Mansion

What could be done differently?

There wasn’t much I would change about my performance and actions for this year, but I do have some ideas for the race and the race directors for future events.

I loved the event, and your team put together an amazing experience that I will probably participate in again next year. I enjoyed the door prizes, the good swag, and the entertaining course. If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to reduce some of the out-and-back sections and create more unique miles that explore different parts of the park. I’m not sure if that’s possible, as it was my first time at the park, but it would be a nice improvement to consider.

The second thing I would change would be to add age group awards. It’s great that all the young hot shots got prizes, but as a coach, I know that some people race to achieve an age group award. It can be something simple or inexpensive, but just having it to say you won is great for social media and helps promote the race. I loved the finisher mug they gave out, but it would be nice to also have an age group award that you can give to the person as they cross the finish line.

Final Thoughts:

Great race, great swag, and great course markings, but the course could use some adjustments. I liked the little hole punch hill to prove you went up it—that was a clever and unique touch that I hadn’t seen before in a race.

I made a virtual run of my race at Ridley Creek State Park, check it out below. I had some fun with all the twists and turns of the out-and-back course by poking fun with my AI image for the thumbnail.

AI Image Gallery for Race of “What way to do I go?”

Motivation vs Identity

Motivation vs Identity

Published by Patrick Durante on May 24, 2024

This podcast discussed how we maintain long-term habits that are beneficial. There was a key component they touched on that I relate to with running, athletics, and endurance. We have all seen a motivational video of someone doing something amazing, or perhaps we have read a powerful motivational quote. Motivation is finite. It is powerful but brief. It’s useful to get the flywheel spinning for change, but it doesn’t last. Motivation also needs constant doses to keep you going; like bathing, you must do it daily. You have to do it often to keep the power of motivation fresh, with more needed to continue to stoke the fire it sparked.

There’s a second, more powerful fuel that goes beyond motivation. It’s when you start to see an action as part of your identity. When you start to see an action or job as part of who you are, it transforms way beyond motivation. This is what I have noticed in my own journey of self-discovery.

I put on my trail runner mask most mornings

You were born a blank slate. Today, you are an amalgamation of different bits and pieces that inspired you. Role models, family figures, and maybe authority figures inspired your identity. It’s that identity that is interesting to me because it’s created. You create the person you see looking back at you. That image of who we see is what we present to the world. Motivation is a fuel; it burns fast like a carbohydrate and is powerful but finite. Identity is the equivalent of using fat as fuel while running; it powers you longer. The issue is that it’s hard to change identity; it takes time and is a slow, long process. Once you tap into it as a fuel source, you will find that you have almost unlimited energy to chase your pursuits.

The more I raise my kids, the more I realize how your identity shifts over time. We are a blank canvas painted with what we experience daily. We wear labels we assign ourselves like masks as part of our identity. I’ve seen it on forums, blog posts, and people asking, “Can I call myself an ultrarunner after a 50K?” When can I assign that label to myself, to be MORE than what I currently represent? We start seeing ourselves as less of a blank slate, and more a character in a story we call our life.

I’ve acquired many labels: father, husband, runner, ultrarunner. Those are part of my identity now. I read a list of motivational quotes when I wake up as part of my daily routine. They help me kick-start ideas and principles that drive my identity. They are helpful as a tool to guide my thought process for what’s important NOW. You GET to have a choice because as I have said, you can change your thoughts to shape the world around you.

I feel joy when what I’m doing aligns with the labels I’ve attached to my identity. I’m a GOOD father and a GOOD runner. I have seen it affect my mood when I do poorly in those labels, as my expectations are not lining up with who I believe I am. I am still more just trying to experience things as they happen without that expectation tied to it. I am less tied to the outcome and more attached to the process that I keep showing up to continue to play my role in these parts, even when I don’t feel like it. Training is hard, and there are days the comfort of the bed is calling me, but I know that doesn’t align with who I believe I am. There are people I love who depend on me as a father, husband, and even a runner! If you are reading this, maybe that’s you! ?

He must be wearing the new Garmin you sew into your skin… LoL

Identity has kept me running for 25+ years. I’ll call myself a runner long after my legs give out. What powers your daily decisions? Some of it may be commitments, but some of it may be identity. Is it for attention, the act of being seen as a god, or is it to serve your community? One is tied to power; the other is tied to service. I am always trying to do more for the community and others as I can. We are all selfish at times, and there’s good reason for that. First, you have to take care of yourself before you can even begin to help others.

I remember the stages of my youth: a punk rocker, and an IT nerd. I didn’t know what to follow, and my identity is STILL evolving… Can I call myself what I say I am? Am I a coach, father, or any other label I use, and am I GOOD at them? I don’t know, but time will tell. I keep showing up and will keep doing the things that align with the labels I use to describe myself. The motivation faded a long time ago and has become fully ingrained in my identity.

I think those truly doing amazing things have gone way beyond motivation, and what they pursue now is part of what they believe is their core identity. I am forever grateful running became a core component of how I see myself, but I am never locked to it. At some point, I will say: “I was once a runner…”

Thanks for reading my random thoughts on running and life. If you enjoyed it, please share these ideas! Let me know in the comments below why you keep showing up to do what you do. Is it part of your identity? Thanks!