Lexington's endurance culture.
Last week, I mentioned that what I loved about Tuesday's run were the people. I have to say the same thing this week too, but from another perspective. When I moved to Colorado I was pretty excited. First of all, I was excited to move back west and this time into the mountains, but I also believed that I would have people to train with all the time. During my time living in Divide, I never trained with anyone.
I still believe that Divide is a great place to live. Waking up every morning and having an undeveloped view of Pikes Peak does an awful lot for one's soul. But training, running, cycling, swimming and doing all those things with a group of like-minded people means a lot to me at this point in my life. And even though Colorado Springs was just down the mountain, it still wasn't close enough that training in "The Springs" everyday was possible.
Why Lexington is great.
One thing I forgot or took forgranted when I was here in Lexington for graduate school was how great this community is for endurance athletes. This morning there were quite a few runners ready to go. There was even a group that started at 5:30am that Nikki felt comfortable running with, so she made it out too. And along our run, there were at least 3 other groups that were independant of the McGee's folks.
And the great thing is that McGee's is not the only place a runner can go to find people to train with. I have always tried to be a regular at Todd's Road. And hopefully will finally push through and join the 500 mile club (I'm pretty close)!
If you are into swimming, then Susan Bradley-Cox is definately a great person to get ahold of. She runs a great program at the university that is open to all. She also trains the Team-in-Training triathlon group along with Eric Atnip (who actually helps manage the aquatic center at the university).
Eric is also the husband of Beth Atnip who was the brave soul that hired me to come in from Nebraska, without ever having met me in person. Beth, Eric, Jeff Buhr and Tyson (the formally known endurance minded Tyson) all helped to suck me into the endurance culture that exists here in Lexington.
The great thing about the groups that exist here are that they welcome all interested people. This is nice because a person doesn't have to feel extremely intimidated about trying something new or pushing themselves to new limits.
One of the most hurtful things I've endured since trying to become an endurance athlete wasn't the last couple miles of any race. It was when I was told,
"You should ride with x group, so that you can get some experience. They are probably more your speed."
This didn't happen in Lexington. I doubt that it ever would either, because from what I've seen, everyone wants to see all Lexingtonians succeed.
When I hear talk about what is the greatest place in the U.S. to live and train, I commonly hear places like Boulder, Austin, Bend (OR), a place or two in North Carolina..... I think Lexington is a great little secret. One I've just let out, so everyone can know.
I still believe that Divide is a great place to live. Waking up every morning and having an undeveloped view of Pikes Peak does an awful lot for one's soul. But training, running, cycling, swimming and doing all those things with a group of like-minded people means a lot to me at this point in my life. And even though Colorado Springs was just down the mountain, it still wasn't close enough that training in "The Springs" everyday was possible.
Why Lexington is great.
One thing I forgot or took forgranted when I was here in Lexington for graduate school was how great this community is for endurance athletes. This morning there were quite a few runners ready to go. There was even a group that started at 5:30am that Nikki felt comfortable running with, so she made it out too. And along our run, there were at least 3 other groups that were independant of the McGee's folks.
And the great thing is that McGee's is not the only place a runner can go to find people to train with. I have always tried to be a regular at Todd's Road. And hopefully will finally push through and join the 500 mile club (I'm pretty close)!
If you are into swimming, then Susan Bradley-Cox is definately a great person to get ahold of. She runs a great program at the university that is open to all. She also trains the Team-in-Training triathlon group along with Eric Atnip (who actually helps manage the aquatic center at the university).
Eric is also the husband of Beth Atnip who was the brave soul that hired me to come in from Nebraska, without ever having met me in person. Beth, Eric, Jeff Buhr and Tyson (the formally known endurance minded Tyson) all helped to suck me into the endurance culture that exists here in Lexington.
The great thing about the groups that exist here are that they welcome all interested people. This is nice because a person doesn't have to feel extremely intimidated about trying something new or pushing themselves to new limits.
One of the most hurtful things I've endured since trying to become an endurance athlete wasn't the last couple miles of any race. It was when I was told,
"You should ride with x group, so that you can get some experience. They are probably more your speed."
This didn't happen in Lexington. I doubt that it ever would either, because from what I've seen, everyone wants to see all Lexingtonians succeed.
When I hear talk about what is the greatest place in the U.S. to live and train, I commonly hear places like Boulder, Austin, Bend (OR), a place or two in North Carolina..... I think Lexington is a great little secret. One I've just let out, so everyone can know.
posted by gary at 9:01 AM
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