Walk Into the Future

Tag: Celebration of Running

  • 2026 Celebration of Running 5k!

    “For me, races are the celebration of my training.”

    (Dan Browne)

    The Track Shack running season kicked off as soon as the calendar turned to August.

    This has been the cadence for me for over 15 years now.  I said it before and I will keep saying that I love running with Track Shack and the Orlando running community.  I seriously thought about joining the Track Shack Fanatics program this year, but I can only make half of the six races in the series.  I will stick to picking and choosing Track Shack races that fit within my running schedule and cheer for folks participating in the races I can’t make. 

    The Celebration of Running 5K has become one of my annual measuring sticks. It gives me an opportunity to see where I am early in my training season and determine what I need to do to prepare for the longer races ahead.  Of course, running a 5K in Florida during August comes with its own set of challenges.

    Heat, humidity and more humidity are always on the menu when I venture over to Winter Park for an August race but that’s part of the deal.  I could complain about the weather, the course or how my body feels that morning. And, believe me, runners are pretty good at coming up with excuses. 😊 But running has taught me something important. You don’t always get to choose the conditions. You get to choose how you respond to them.  This lesson extends well beyond running. Leadership is a lot like running

    Leadership and running have more in common than we sometimes realize.  Leadership and running require patience, discipline and the ability to adjust.  There are no guarantees in either of these venues that things will go according to plan.

    My training program is geared towards getting ready for the 2026 Atlantic City Marathon in October.  My goal for the Celebration of Running 5k was to test my fitness and see how much work I still need to put in as I prepare for Atlantic City.  I was prepared mentally and physically but sometimes that’s not enough.  The heat and humidity were major factors in my race results this year.  I started and finished with a smile on my face but found myself struggling with the conditions halfway through the race.  I was able to focus and get myself to the finish line, but I didn’t improve on my 2025 race time.  No huge deal, that’s life sometimes on race day. 😊 There’s always a lesson to learn when I struggle on race day.

    Leadership and running have more in common than we sometimes realize.  Leadership and running require patience, discipline and the ability to adjust.  There are no guarantees in either of these venues that things will go according to plan.

    As a leader, you can prepare for the meeting, develop the strategy, communicate the vision and build the team—but circumstances will inevitably change.  Staff members leave, there are budget cuts, technology doesn’t always work and the organization changes direction.  These things happen all too often.  Things happen in the work environment, and we must be able to adapt to these changes.  How do you respond?

    Running has taught me to embrace that reality. You start with a plan, but you must be willing to adjust along the way.  One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as I continue to race is that progress isn’t always measured by a faster time.  Sometimes progress is simply showing up. Progress can be completing a workout when I’m not feeling great.  It can also be highlighted by slowing down because my body tells me to.  I realize my performance from one race does not define my ability to perform in my next race.  Running is funny like that.

    These things are true in leadership, too. We can become so focused on the next goal that we fail to recognize the progress we’ve already made. Leaders need to celebrate progress—not just perfection.

    When I look at my running journey since 2010, I see much more than races and finish times. I see growth, discipline, perseverance, patience and resilience.  I continue to learn how to handle setbacks as a runner and a leader. Most importantly, I’ve learned that the journey matters.

    That’s also what I try to bring to my leadership philosophy through Authentic Leadership.

    Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to learn. It’s about understanding your people. It’s about creating an environment where people can grow. True leaders must recognize that everyone is on a journey—and helping them become better along the way.

    My leadership philosophy is simple: Impact people in a positive way and leave them better than when you found them.

    That’s my WHY statement that I leverage daily in the work environment.  Running has reinforced that philosophy for me. The people I’ve met through running have encouraged me, challenged me, supported me and, in many cases, become friends.

    Track Shack has been part of that journey for more than 15 years. So, when I show up for another Celebration of Running 5K, I’m not just running a race. I’m continuing a journey while testing myself on the course and the weather. Also, I’m reminding myself that there is always another mile ahead.  This is true in running, leadership and life.

    You don’t have to have the entire journey figured out. You just need to take the next step.

    One step. One mile. One race. One leadership lesson at a time.

    Keep moving forward and Walk into the Future! 😊

    “Running is the answer.  The question is irrelevant.”

    (Unknown)

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • 2026 Marathon training Week #10

    “Every day is a fresh start; don’t measure yourself by yesterday’s troubles.”

    (Dagny Scott Barrios)

    The Walk into the Future blog decided to concentrate on marathon training in 2026 instead of highlighting the weekly sessions.  My initial goal was to simply write about the 2026 Atlantic City Marathon when I finished in October, but I’ve had several tree branches ask me how my training program is going.

    I found the quote above and thought it was a sign to write about my ongoing training efforts. I will not rehash the weekly sessions but provide a summary of where I’m at in this training cycle.  FYI—it’s super-hot in Florida this year.  I’m not sure I’m breaking news to anyone, but the heat and humidity are at a different level in 2026. ☚

    The Hal Higdon 18-week training program has been good for me over the past four marathons, so I decided to stay with this program for marathon #5.  I like the ease of following this plan as it lays out the training sessions and provides slow progression to build up mileage.  I also like this format because it has me running four days a week.  I’ve seen some programs where you train six days a week and that seems like running would take over my life.  Training four days a week fits into my current work and life situations and provides some flexibility if I miss a session.  I’m not sure how many more marathons I have in these legs, but the Hal Higdon program is the training plan I’m using to get ready.  Fun fact, the program helped guide me to another Personal Record (PR) last October and I’m looking forward to repeating this feat again this year.

    I’m currently in Week #10 of my training program as I write this blog article.  That’s 378 training miles so far at this point.  I count all my cardio sessions in my mileage totals, and this includes runs, bike sessions and rowing.  The plan calls for cross training, and I leverage my gym sessions to get a few extra miles in before lifting weights.  Fun fact, 80% of my mileage total comes directly from my running sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  I adjust if I miss a session but have been good getting up in the mornings and putting in the road work. 😊

    I’ve started to incorporate yoga and Tai Chi into my weekly routines to help with flexibility and prevent injuries.  Tai Chi has quickly become a favorite exercise for me because of the calming impact it has on my mental state.  I’m not sure why it took me so long to start training with Tai Chi.

    I’m averaging 35 miles per week so far during this training cycle.  The program will have me increasing my miles starting in Week #11.  I have a 17-mile training run scheduled for this week and an 18-mile training run coming next week.  The 20-mile run is scheduled for Week #15 so it’s time for me to mentally and physically lock in for the next two months. 

    I’m looking forward to completing my marathon build up and then starting the taper process in Week #17 as I let my body recover in time for race day.

    I’m enjoying the training process and love seeing the results so far.  I’m maintaining a comfortable body weight, but I know I’m going to lose a few inches and pounds as I increase the mileage and intensity in the training program.

    Fun fact, I’ve started including rucking into my cross-training program to increase my endurance. 

    Tai Chi and rucking are my new additions to get me to race day and help me get this next PR. 😊

    Training is still enjoyable and I look forward to the transformation I’m going through both mentally and physically.  Again, I’m not sure if I will run another marathon after 2026, but the training still appeals to me.  Rise and grind daily!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

    (Robert Collier)

  • 2025 Celebration of Running 5k

    “Forward is a pace.”

    (Unknown)

    I love running with Track Shack!  This is not a startling revelation, but I like to share it with my readers. 😊

    I started running with Track Shack when I moved to Oviedo, Florida in October 2010.  There’s another running organization, Front Running Sports, in the area but the Track Shack races always appealed to me and were closer to my home.  I ran as a Track Shack Fanatic for several years since this saved me money for races I was going to run in anyway.  I’m no longer a Fanatic but still make my way ‘home’ for 3 races each year.

    The Celebration of Running 5k is one of my regular Track Shack races and I made my way back over for the 2025 Celebration of Running 5k in Winter Park, Florida in August.  This race normally starts my running season, but I got an early start with races in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Watermelon 5k in Winter Park. 

    My times in this race have been decent, but the humidity and early part of the running season never allowed me to maximize my finish times.  I know this is all just another excuse, but this race provides me with the data I need to determine how much I need to push myself to train for longer distance races in the fall. 

    I’m happy to report I took 31 seconds off my 2024 time and finished in 28:34 (twenty-eight minutes and 34 seconds) with a 9:10 per mile pace.  I have run faster times but I’m happy to hit this time marker considering the time of year, heat and humidity we had on race day.  My mile splints were:

    Mile 1: 8:53 / Mile 2: 9:26 / Mile 3: 9:14 / Mile .12: 1:00

    I felt good throughout the race, but Mile 2 was a tough transition because of the new course design.  We normally run on a wider street for this portion, but the new design was narrow and created bottleneck areas for runners.  This was not a huge problem, but I felt boxed in a lot more this year which slowed my pace a bit.  I didn’t fall off a cliff in Mile 2 but would have liked to run a faster split here since I was feeling good. I got back on track during Mile 3 and started smiling with half a mile to go.  I was tracking a few other runners and began to reel them one by one.  I crossed the finish line with a smile and still felt fresh after competing in Orlando humidity. 😊

    I was able to catch up with a few Track Shack friends, get my beers and take a few pictures in the race village.  I decided not to head over to the Seminole Cross Trail this year to complete my long run.  The humidity was thick, so I pivoted back to my hotel and got some extra miles in on the treadmill.  I snuck in a quick full body workout since the day was still young. 

    I’m happy with my training progress so far and look forward to my longer races during this season.  I’ve still got work to do but I can see progress with my time, weight and mental approach.

    Happy running! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “What seems hard now will one day be your warmup.”

    (Unknown)


  • Track Shack Celebration of Running 5k

    celebration 2

    “Someone who is busier than you is running right now”.

    (Nike)

    The quote above speaks to me on multiple levels.  There is always something happening in our daily lives and skipping a training run can become a habit.

    I continue to look for ways to motivate myself to stay consistent with my training.  It would be easy to blame COVID-19 since the racing world and protocols have changed.  Again, that would be an excuse because we do not need a start or finish line to get a run in.  My goal for the rest of the year is to maintain training consistency and get out and run.

    I have written previously that running is my therapy.  Running gives me an opportunity to clear my head and gather my thoughts after a long work week.  This sport also helps me maintain a healthy body weight while I continue to eat without counting calories.

    Decided to find a start line and signed up for the Track Shack Celebration of Running 5k.  This race served two purposes:  helped me determine my fitness level and got to shop in a great city.

    I ran this race multiple times when I lived in Oviedo, so it was an easy decision to get over to Winter Park for another Track Shack race.  I did not get in town early enough to visit Track Shack, so I do not have an in-store shopping experience to share this time.  I am pretty sure I own every color of the Track Shack training shirts—will add more to the wardrobe in the future. 😊

    Got off work early on Friday afternoon and drove over to Oviedo.  I normally get into a race town early the day prior, but this was a 5k and I did not need the extra prep time.  Guess that’s what real runners say when they show up not knowing how well they will run the next day.  My goal was to toe the line and run with enough intensity to determine what I needed to do to complete my half marathon training. 

    Happy to report physical distancing at races is still a thing.  People were respectful of spacing and did not crowd together at the start line.  Made my way to the 8 minute per mile area with the intent to avoid the crowds behind me and minimize bumping into other runners.  I recognized quite a few runners from my days living in Oviedo.  I smiled when a few of them recognized me too—guess runners never forget! 😊

    I started with a controlled pace to ease into the race and to determine if there were any runners I wanted to pace with.  Orlando has a great running community and there were several runners available to tag along with during this race.  Somehow, I did not get my music playlist set prior to the race and ended up running without music.  This is not normal for me during races or training so had to create my own rhythm listening to my breathing and feet pounding the ground.  Not as interesting as bobbing my head to T.I.’s Motivation.  I will have my music situation corrected before heading to Virginia Beach for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

    My miles splits:  Mile 1:  8:45 / Mile 2:  9:20 / Mile 3:  9:40 / Mile .1 / .59 = 9:13 pace.

    Not bad for a training run.  Decided not to push too hard and enjoy stretching my legs while getting in some extra road work.

    Laughed a few times during the race when several Orlando runners complained about the HILLS on the course.  I have experienced the Tallahassee and Nashville hills during training and races—the Orlando hills were simply sidewalk inclines.  I did not even break strides to get up those big, bad hills the Orlando folks dreaded.  I had to control myself and not give folks a hard time for walking up these very small inclines—guess hills are subjective to runners.

    Crossed the finish line with a smile on my face and gas left in my tank.  Made it over to the vendors and got pizza as an after-race snack.  Yes, runners eat horribly once the race is over. 

    Happy with my efforts during the Celebration of Running 5k.  Will continue to work on my conditioning as I prep for my visit to Virginia Beach in September.  My goal is to enjoy the course and my time on the beach.  I do not have a goal time for this race but will finish and enjoy the grind.

    I’m sure I will have an article to discuss my race weekend! 😊

    Irie!

    “Long distance running is 90% mental, and the other half is physical”.

    (Rich Davis)