Walk Into the Future

Tag: Orlando Track Shack

  • The return to New Hampshire

    “Dream as if you’ll live forever.  Live as if you’ll die today.”

    (James Dean)

    The Walk into the Future blog continues to find new ways to explore and live life in 2026.  Not the largest revelation I have put on this blog, but it is something that I remain proud of.

    I have made a concerted effort to write more about leadership and consulting this year, but I am still out here putting in the miles and living this running tourist life.  Yes, Alisa, I’m still using running tourist to describe this life I’m living. 😊

    I made my way to Hampton, New Hampshire last year for the 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon.  This was my first time up there and I was able to cross two states off my visit list: New Hampshire and Maine.  I wanted to get over to Vermont last year but ran out of time and want to get there to explore without having to rush. 

    Fun fact, Breeze Airways just started a non-stop flight from Vero Beach to Burlington, Vermont.  I will book a trip to Vermont in 2027 so I can cross that state off my list as well.  Not sure I’m going to run there considering the mountains in the state.  This may be another hiking trip for me. 😊

    I enjoyed my 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon experience so much that I signed up for the 2026 race before I left New Hampshire last year.  The weather, people, course and after party were great and I decided to run it back again in 2026.

    The experience this year was just as great as last year.  I set my half marathon personal record (PR) at this race last year but did not enter with a goal this year.  My training has been consistent, but my training paces have been off for a good portion of the training cycle.  I can make and/or share excuses, but I continue to toe the line and show up daily.

    I flew out of Orlando again this year and headed to Manchester, New Hampshire.  This provided a direct flight, and I had a 30-minute ride through the fall foliage from Manchester to Hampton.  I went straight to the race EXPO to pick up my race packet and browse.  The EXPO was in the same spot as last year, but it was smaller than I thought it would be.  There were only two vendors this year so my time at the EXPO was just picking up my race packet and taking a couple pictures before heading to my hotel.

    I remain a creature of habit and booked the same Marriott hotel as last year which was close to everything in the area.  I made my way to the same sports bar to carb load and get off my feet.  Wings, fries and Bud Light is still my go to meal when I’m in Hampton, New Hampshire. 😊

    I leveraged Saturday for some sightseeing this year.  I researched lighthouses in the area and decided this would be my focus—explore as many lighthouses as possible while back in the northeast.  Here are a few pictures from my lighthouse adventures:

    I made sure to get to bed early so I would be ready for the 13.1-mile journey on Sunday.  I was able to secure race day parking close to the start/finish line again this year.  I took the five-minute walk over to the race village and got in some stretching and a light jog.  The temperatures were in the low 40’s this year so I kept my throw away sweatshirt on until I got into the race corral.

    I was assigned to start Corral C which put me close to the front based on my time from last year.  I like to be close to the front so I can avoid the pushing and shoving that happens further back in the pack.  Fast forward and my race strategy was simply having fun and enjoying the course.  I went out with a controlled pace and was able to maintain this throughout the race.  I crossed the finish line with another smile on my face and enjoyed hearing the crowds cheering for random strangers on a Sunday morning.

    I got my medal and made my way to the food tents.  The Smuttynose Half Marathon is known for providing a lobster roll to everyone who crosses the finish line.  I tried one last year and was not impressed.  I gave it another run this year and I’m still not impressed. 😊  I love lobster but the texture does not go well with a simple white roll—my opinion.  I think it would be great on a toasted roll but that’s not what they offered.  I made my way to the beer line and got two beers to go with my bag of chips. 

    They had the same band from last year and everyone was singing along and some folks were dancing to the tunes.  It was another great post-race environment, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  I found a great spot across the street for breakfast and posted up to continue to enjoy the morning.

    I highly recommend this race if you are looking for a New Hampshire adventure.

    Fun fact, I visited three states on this trip:  New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.  I’ve been to them all, but it was fun to hit three states in one weekend.  It’s the little things that make me smile. 😊

    Yes, I’m still traveling, running and writing.  I call this Walking into the Future! What do you think, Cathy? 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.

    (Oscar Wilde)

  • Yoga is a huge part of the run journey!

    “Yoga is the fountain of youth.  You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.”

    (Bob Harper)

    As runners, we often measure progress in miles, pace, heart rate, or race results. We celebrate finishing long runs, setting personal records, and crossing finish lines. But after age 50, success in running is measured by something even more valuable—the ability to keep running year after year.  That’s where yoga enters the picture.

    Many runners dismiss yoga as simply stretching. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve performance, reduce injuries, and extend a lifetime of running. Years of running can tighten the muscles that do the heavy lifting—hamstrings, calves, hip flexors, glutes, and lower back. Tight muscles alter running mechanics and increase the likelihood of injury.

    Yoga gently restores mobility where runners need it most. Improved flexibility allows for a more efficient stride, better posture, and smoother movement with every mile. I started yoga years ago but have not stayed consistent over the years.  This year I dedicated more time to my yoga practice to enhance my running efficiency and avoid injuries.  I’ve been mostly successful with these concepts.  I’ve suffered a few dings this year but I’m still running. 😊

    Balance naturally begins to decline with age. Running strengthens the cardiovascular system, but it doesn’t necessarily improve stability.  My yoga practice develops balance by strengthening the smaller stabilizing muscles throughout the body. Standing poses challenge coordination while improving ankle, knee, and hip stability—three areas that are critical when navigating uneven sidewalks, trails, or fatigue late in a race.

    Every efficient runner depends on a strong core. Yoga strengthens the muscles surrounding the abdomen, lower back, hips, and pelvis. These muscles help maintain proper posture during long runs and reduce unnecessary movement that wastes energy.

    When fatigue sets in mile eight or mile eighteen, a strong core helps me maintain good mechanics and finish strong.  Most runners think improvement comes only from pushing harder. The truth is that growth happens during recovery. Yoga encourages circulation, reduces muscle tension, and promotes active recovery without placing additional stress on the joints. A twenty-minute yoga session after a hard workout may do more for your next run than another set of speed intervals.

    Yoga improves joint mobility while strengthening the muscles that support those joints. Better alignment reduces unnecessary stress and helps distribute forces more evenly throughout the body. Running doesn’t have to wear out your body. Done wisely, it can strengthen it for decades.

    Running challenges the body. Yoga trains the mind. Breathing techniques, mindfulness, and controlled movement teach patience, focus, and calm under pressure. These same skills prove invaluable during difficult training runs and races. When runners learn to stay present rather than panic during discomfort, they often discover another level of endurance.

    Perhaps the greatest benefit of yoga isn’t improving flexibility or reduced soreness — it’s longevity.  My objective isn’t simply running another race. It’s being healthy enough to run next year…and five years from now. Daily habits determine far more than birthdays ever will. A consistent yoga practice helps preserve strength, mobility, balance, and confidence—qualities that support not only running but every aspect of life.

    One of my favorite sayings is, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

    As leaders, professionals, and runners, our health is one of our greatest assets. Every decision we make today shapes the opportunities we’ll have tomorrow. Walking into the Future isn’t just about reaching the next finish line. It’s about arriving there healthy, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.

    Sometimes the path to becoming a stronger runner begins by slowing down, taking a deep breath, and stepping onto a yoga mat.

    Walk into the Future with strength. Walk into the Future with flexibility. Walk into the Future prepared for every mile ahead.

    Who’s ready to join me in a yoga session? 😊

    Fun fact, I started leveraging Tai Chi this year too.  I’m at the beginning stages but enjoying the mindfulness so far.

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Yoga is not a work-out, it is a work-in.”

    (Rolf Gates)

  • Why Grit Is a Leadership Superpower

    “As much as talent counts, effort counts twice.”

    (Angela Duckworth)

    Success isn’t about talent alone is a statement I love to share with my tree branches.

    When we think about great leaders, we often focus on intelligence, charisma, experience, or natural ability. While those qualities certainly matter, there is another characteristic that often separates exceptional leaders from everyone else: grit.

    Grit is the ability to persevere through challenges, maintain commitment during adversity, and continue moving forward when success seems distant. In leadership, grit is not about being stubborn. It is about having the resilience to pursue meaningful goals despite obstacles, setbacks, and disappointments.

    The leaders who make the greatest impact are often not the most talented individuals in the room—they are the ones who refuse to quit.

    As a runner, I’ve learned that success in long-distance races doesn’t happen because of one great workout. It comes from consistently showing up, especially on the days when motivation is low.  Leadership works the same way.

    Organizations face economic uncertainty, staffing shortages, changing priorities, and unexpected challenges. During these difficult times, team members look to their leaders for stability and direction. Grit allows leaders to remain focused on the mission while adapting to changing circumstances. It helps them stay committed to long-term goals rather than becoming distracted by temporary setbacks.

    People follow leaders they trust.  This is not a huge revelation or insight into building trust. Trust is not built when everything is going well. Trust is built when challenges arise and leaders demonstrate courage, consistency, and determination. When employees see their leader remain calm under pressure, continue serving others during difficult times, and stay committed to organizational values, confidence grows. Team members begin to believe that together they can overcome obstacles.

    A gritty leader communicates a powerful message: “We may face challenges, but we will face them together.”

    Grit creates a culture of resilience.  Leadership behavior becomes organizational behavior. When leaders demonstrate perseverance, employees are more likely to adopt the same mindset. Instead of viewing obstacles as reasons to quit, teams begin viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve.

    Organizations led by gritty leaders often develop cultures characterized by:

    • Persistence / Accountability / Continuous improvement / Adaptability

    These qualities help teams thrive in environments where change is constant. Failure becomes a variable that teaches organizational lessons.  All leaders experience some level of failure during their time running organizations.  Projects fall short of intended goals, some decisions don’t work out, and criticism is inevitable in these situations.

    The difference between successful leaders and unsuccessful leaders is not the absence of failure. It is how they respond to failure. Grit allows leaders to view setbacks as lessons rather than permanent defeats. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” gritty leaders ask, “What can I learn from this experience?”

    Growth begins when the excuses end.  Leaders who display grit inspire their teams and others who watch their daily interactions.  One of the greatest gifts a leader can offer is hope. When people witness a leader overcoming adversity, they become inspired to push through their own challenges. The leader’s example becomes a source of motivation.

    Think about the leaders who have influenced your life. Chances are they faced obstacles, criticism, and uncertainty. Yet they continued moving forward with determination and purpose.

    Their grit became contagious and direct reports want to emulate this level of determination.

    The future belongs to leaders who are willing to stay the course when others give up.

    Talent may open doors. Experience may create opportunities. But grit is what sustains success over time.

    How do you display grit in your daily interactions?  What improvements can you make in this process?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

    (Confucius)

  • 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)

  • 2026 Freedom 4-Miler

    “Please ignore the faces I make while running.”

    (Unknown)

    My Walk into the Future continues to provide me with new adventures and places to explore.  This is not a huge surprise since that is one of my goals in life and why the blog title is Walk into the Future.  Adventures await around every corner if you just open your eyes to the possibilities.

    I ventured over to Orlando last year for my first 4th of July race.  I didn’t know if I would enjoy the experience since this was a July race in Florida.  It was hot but not unbearable.  I decided to find a different 4th of July race in 2026 and signed up for the Freedom 4-miler in Tequesta, Florida.  The 4-mile distance was new for me, and I never ventured down to Tequesta before, so this was a completely new adventure for me.

    The Village of Tequesta is the northernmost city in Palm Beach County.  I passed the exit on my way to West Palm Beach, but I’ve never got off on exit 87B to explore this village.  The Freedom 4-Miler was my opportunity to run a new distance and get a chance to get to a new city.  Tequesta is only a 50-minute drive from Fort Pierce, but I decided to book a hotel down there the night before the race to eliminate me having to get on the road at 4:30 am to make the start line.  I’m a Marriott person and had enough points for a free night’s stay so this was an easy decision for me.

    The drive down I-95 was uneventful, which was great for me.  Packet pickup was held in Constitution Park, and this gave me an opportunity to get a feel for the village.  It was a cute little park, and packet pickup was very basic.  Get your Bib, T-shirt and a few goodies and leave.  There was not an EXPO feel, but the folks were super friendly and seemed to be happy to see all the runners.

    The Village of Tequesta is only two miles from the Jupiter Inlet, so I headed over there and found a seat at Square Grouper.  Yes, Jupiter has a Square Grouper, and I wanted to check it out to see if it is different from the Fort Pierce version.  Both locations have similar setups, but the Jupiter version has a boat dock, and a lot of folks pull up in their boats which I thought was a major flex move—well played rich people! 😊 I stayed at Square Grouper long enough to get a few pictures of the lighthouse and a fisherman feeding a pelican—true story!

    I headed to Duffy’s Bar and Grill to get in some carb loading.  I didn’t need anything huge for the 4-mile race but wanted to ensure I had the fuel needed to run a good race.  I stuck to the tried-and-true meal of wings, fries and plenty of beer.  I don’t have a Duffy’s close to me, but the food was pretty good, and the beer was ice-cold, baby!  My hotel was across the street from Duffy’s, so I made my way over there to get off my feet and rest up for the battle to come on the racecourse.

    I didn’t know how popular this 4-mile race was until race day.  There were 1,000+ runners registered for the 4-miler.  Most of the runners were from the local area with a few other cities mixed in. 

    I have never raced the 4-mile distance, so this was going to be a personal record (PR) regardless of how I performed.  😊  I didn’t enter the race with a preset time in mind but wanted to test my fitness in the South Florida heat and humidity safely.  I posted up in the middle of the start corral to keep from being blocked my slower runners—mission accomplished.

    The course was mostly flat, and I enjoyed that the most.  I started the race with a controlled pace and wanted to maintain my form throughout.  Unfun fact—it was HOT at 7:15 am and there was not a lot of shade for runners.  Okay, enough complaining about the heat.  My controlled pace turned out to be that I completed Mile #1 with a 10:00 minute pace.  I slowed a bit on each subsequent mile, but I didn’t fall apart considering the conditions.  I was able to find a smile on my face in the last mile because there were cameras and people everywhere.  You never want spectators to think you’re not enjoying the pain of a hot race. 😊 Mile #4 went by at a 11:47 minute pace which was fine with me considering the temperature and humidity levels. 

    I crossed the finish line with a smile and newfound respect for summer racing.  I collected my race medal, iced towel, water and headed over to the race village to cool down. There were a few vendors in the race village, but I made my way over to the table serving pancakes.  I got my short stack and found a sit under a tree in the park to enjoy the moment.  I noticed at this point that my run shorts, t-shirt and socks were completely soaked by my sweat.  I’m sure I lost about 5 pounds by sweating this much.  No worries, Jayla!  I always go to get a large meal after my races and today was not different. 

    I made my way to First Watch after showering and cooling down.  I got my traditional First Watch meal, the Trifecta with bacon, scrambled eggs, blueberry pancake, cheesy grits and coffee.  Yep, this is my meal every time I visit a First Watch regardless of the location. 😊

    My first visit to the Village of Tequesta ended with a quick visit to Publix to pick up items for me to grill later.  It is the 4th of July and what better way to celebrate than some good BBQ prepared by me! 😊

    Fun fact, I was the fastest runner from Fort Pierce for this 4-Miler! 😊

    Happy 4th of July!  America is 250!

    How did you celebrate the 4th of July?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Running is a mental sport, and we’re all insane.”

    (Unknown)

  • 2026 Winter Park 10k

    “10k:  It’s too far to sprint, but too short to jog.”

    (Unknown)

    My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to experience life, adventures, and travel.  This is not the most poetic statement I have ever made but I like the clarity it provides for my readers.  What do you call your current journey?  It may be time to give it a name and share it with your people.  Just saying! 😊

    I’ve expressed my affinity for the Orlando Track Shack and the folks that run this club.  I started running with Track Shack back in 2012 and still consider it my home run club even though I live in Fort Pierce which is about an hour and a half southeast of the club headquarters.  No worries, I still get over to the Orlando area to participate in Track Shack events that fit my run schedule.

    This was my eighth time running the Winter Park 10k and I enjoy the experience more each year.  It is the last race in the Track Shack Running Series, and it attracts thousands of runners to the paved street of Winter Park.  The after party is always epic with great food, beer and giveaways.  The 2026 Winter Park 10k was not just another run on the calendar for me.  It was a checkpoint, a reflection, and a quiet reminder of why I continue to run.  I love the experience!

    I got to Track Shack after work on Friday to pick up my race bib.  The shop was not crowded this year, so it appears most runners got there either the day before or earlier in the day.  I was able to go to the front counter and collect my race swag with no issues.  I did a quick look around to see if there were new items I didn’t already have in my collection.  I got a small bag of CBD gummies on this trip but didn’t see anything else I needed or wanted.

    I left Track Shack and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings in Oviedo for my wings and beer.  Yes, I’m a creature of habit and normally have the same meal at the same location.  Fun fact, I don’t experiment with food or drinks prior to a race.  I learned my lessons a few years back.

    I made my way across the street to my hotel to get off my feet and relax a bit.  I also wanted to get in some extra stretching because my Iliotibial (IT) band has been causing me some issues.  The issues have not stopped me from running but there is a bit of discomfort.  No excuses! 😊 I went to bed early so I could get up and make the drive back over to Winter Park for the race.

    I had to park a little further out than normal this year.  I attribute this to the larger race field this year.  The additional distance allowed me more warmup time prior to heading to the start line to test myself against the Winter Park brick streets.

    I entered the race corral without a preconceived finish time.  I wanted to run a solid race and gauge my fitness levels before my longer races coming up in Louisville, Kentucky (10-miler) and Nashville, Tennessee (Half Marathon). I was not out to prove anything but wanted to test myself around the great Orlando running community.  I settled into my pace early in the race and focused on my foot rhythm and breathing.  It was another humid Florida morning, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t get out too fast.

    I started having real conversations with myself at the halfway point.  I always have a race strategy and started to focus on ensuring I stayed within myself.  The halfway point of this race has a small incline and a lot of runners decided to walk the incline and then start running again.  I slowed my pace but kept pushing forward towards the finish line.  The voices in my head went away and I just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other—simple concept, huh? 😊

    The thing that made this race meaningful wasn’t just the distance. It was what it represented: another level of growth. At this stage in life, every run is an investment in longevity, clarity, and leadership. Running continues to teach me lessons that carry far beyond the pavement—patience, resilience, and the importance of showing up consistently.

    The 2026 Winter Park 10K reminded me that progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s steady, controlled, and deeply personal. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

    Where do you get your power?

    Irie!

    “Racing is the fun part; it’s the reward for all the hard work.”

    (Kara Goucher)

  • 2025!

    “A year is a journey of 365 opportunities.”

    (Unknown)

    What a year 2025 has been for me!

    I know everyone starts a new year with the hope it will be their best year ever.  We say it year after year but I’m not sure we know how a year will truly go.  I start each new year with a set of goals I want to reach in multiple areas: health, fitness, reading, travel, etc. I wanted 2025 to be a huge year for me but looking back this week showed that this was an outstanding year for me and I’m going to claim my best year yet. 😊

    Travel

    I set an aggressive running schedule for myself in 2025.  I targeted some new races which would allow me to bring my running tourist persona to new locales.  I ran the 2025 Fargo Half Marathon in May and leveraged this race to add two new states to my visit list.  North Dakota was the race state, but I made sure to drive down to South Dakota to check that off my list as well.  I enjoyed the experience but I’m not sure I will run in Fargo again so I’m happy to have experienced the city, food, and culture.

    Nashville, Tennessee is always on my running calendar in April.  The 2025 Rock N Roll Half Marathon is one of my favorite races and I love the country music available in Nashville.  I’m coming up on ten years running in the city and I don’t see a reason to stop now.  Tennessee provides a lot of different adventures and Gatlinburg was my destination in November for Smoky Mountain hiking.

    I made a Midwest trek for the 2025 Madison Mini-Marathon in August.  Wisconsin was a state I always wanted to visit but I never put in the effort to get there.  Running has turned into my vehicle to get up and travel, so I used my love of running to get to Wisconsin.  I took advantage of proximity and made my way over to Dubuque, Iowa to experience the city that sits right on the Mississippi river.  It was a quick trip over to Iowa, but I was able to have a fantastic catfish dinner while overlooking the Mississippi river.

    I took my regular trip to Virginia Beach for the Labor Day weekend to run the 2025 Virginia Beach 10-Miler.  This was my third run of this race, and I enjoyed my time on the boardwalk as this is a great place for people watching.

    I ventured further north in October for the 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon.  This race took me back to New England and I crossed off North Hampshire and Maine as states I have visited.  I enjoyed the race and environment so much I signed up for the 2026 race before I came back to Florida.  The 2025 Atlantic City Marathon got me back to the northeast two weeks later in October.  I’ve been to New Jersey multiple times, but this was my first marathon in the state.

    That’s 8 states visited in 2025 with 6 of those being new states for the running tourist.  I’m looking forward to being just as aggressive in 2026 and adding a few new states.  There are races in Louisville, Kentucky, Lincoln, Nebraska and Morgantown, West Virginia that I’m researching, and I hope to book those early for new adventures.  I will keep my normal Florida races on the schedule as well so get ready for more running tourism adventures. 😊

    Negril, Jamaica is my go-to place to visit yearly.  I write about this trip every year and will continue to visit.  I would like to get down there twice in 2026 since I love the island and culture so much.

    Running

    I can’t call myself a running tourist without highlighting the running program.  I’m always looking for ways to increase my yearly mileage but never put exact numbers on the total.  I still need to balance regular life, work, travel and running.  Running is a big part of my weekly life, but I do try to have balance and enjoy other aspects of life.  I currently sit at 1,505 miles with three weeks left in December.  I would like to get over the 1,600-mile marker as this would be my largest run total for a year.  I’ve got to ensure I don’t miss any run or training sessions to make it to 1,600. 

    Fun fact—I completed a total of 18 races in 2025, which is my personal best for a calendar year.

    Fun fact 2—I ran PRs over three distances in 2025:  2025 Virgina Beach 10-miler, 2025 Smuttynose Half Marathon and 2025 Atlantic City Marathon.

    Reading

    Reading has been my passion since I was a kid.  I had a newspaper scription when I was twelve years old and read every book I could get my hands on.  There were not a lot of distractions in Jasper, Florida so I developed a love for reading and I still have it.  This love of reading followed me into adulthood, and I have multiple books on my reading list.  My 2025 reading goal was to read daily and I have met that goal.  I read articles, devotionals and have finished reading 15 books this year.  I don’t know if that’s a record for me, but I’ve enjoyed the process and continue to be a life-long learner.

    Target boycott 2025

    Target was one of my favorite places to shop prior to 2025.  The Target leadership decided to reverse multiple Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to political pressure.  Well, a few folks decided to boycott Target until they put these initiatives back in place.  Target has been consistent with the refusal to reverse the decisions—I respect that. 

    Fun fact 3—I have not spent one cent or step foot in a Target store in 2025.  My contributions to this boycott will never make it into a history book but I’m standing firmly committed to this small step to demand better from a place I can choose to shop with or not.

    Family and friends

    My family members and friends are all healthy and thriving.  I make it to Jasper, Florida to visit my mom monthly and this is a highlight of the month for me.  I finally convinced her to visit me in Fort Pierce this year and it was a great visit for her.  She needed a break from Jasper obligations and I’m happy I could help.  I will look forward to getting her back down to Fort Pierce more in 2026. 😊 My friends continue to make me smile daily.  I don’t run in a large circle, but my folks fit me, and we enjoy life to the fullest.

    Creating content for the Walk into the Future blog is a huge part of my life.  I continue to look for ways to become better at writing and provide a platform my readers enjoy visiting.  I fine-tuned a few of my writing prompts in 2025 and I’m happy with my overall content production.  2026 should bring better content for my readers!

    Well, I can continue to rattle off things from 2025, but I’ve made my point—at least to myself! 😊  2025 has been an outstanding year for me. 

    I’m excited to see what 2026 will bring!

    What moments are you proud of in 2025?  What will 2026 bring?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.”

    (Unknown)

  • 2025 Atlantic City Marathon training

    “Training for a race is going to be uncomfortable…you can fight it, which uses precious energy, or you can learn to embrace it.”

    (Lisa McClellan)

    The 2025 Atlantic City Marathon is fast approaching!

    I decided to lay low with my training updates this year and concentrate on the grind of the process.  This will be my fourth go at the marathon distance, and I continue to learn more about myself and how to train.  I am proud of this training cycle with my consistency and ability to hit weekly mile markers. 

    Maintaining a consistent bedtime (8:30 pm) ensures that I get enough rest and can get up for my early morning runs.  I find myself waking up on my own before my alarm clock goes off at 4:30 am.  I’m excited to train and it has been showing in my weekly efforts.

    I have continued to leverage the Hal Higdon 18-week marathon training program for this cycle.  This program has helped me grow into a marathoner and is easy to understand and follow.  I have missed a few training sessions due to life (travel, work, rain) but I have found ways to keep my mileage up and mentally prepare for the 26.2-mile battle coming up in Atlantic City. 

    I lowered my marathon personal record (PR) by over 23 minutes in Chicago last year and I want to lower it again in Atlantic City.  I revealed in my first Atlantic City marathon update that my goal time is 4:45 (four hours and forty-five minutes).  That would be a 35-minute reduction but I’m not backing down from my goal.  Will I hit it?  You will see soon! 😊

    I leverage races to help me work on my speed and I’m happy with the results in my lead up to the 2025 Atlantic City marathon.  I ran a PR at the 2025 Virginia Beach 10-miler in September.  I ran 1:34:44 and that lowered my best time for this distance by two minutes.  My 2025 Outrun Hunger 5k time of 28:41 was not a PR but was a good indicator of my fitness considering the Fort Pierce humidity levels in September.  This all showed my training, fitness and mental approach were producing positive results. 

    The final tune-up was conducted at the 2025 Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon in Hampton, New Hampshire.  I set my half marathon PR during this race two weeks before Atlantic City.  The 2:04:31 time was due to my training program, and the cool weather helped a lot.  (A blog article on this race is coming soon). 😊

    Here’s my weekly mileage update:

    Week 1126.65
    Week 1233.28
    Week 1329.73
    Week 1434.64
    Week 1538.02
    Week 1634.3
    Week 1725
    Week 189.62

    Total Week 11 – Week 17:  228.98 

    Total miles this training cycle: 583.74

    Total Friday nights out: 0😊

    I continue to learn how to train and recover for a marathon.  My body has felt good throughout this training cycle and I’m mentally tougher than in previous years.  I am excited to see how this new level of fitness and mental preparation shows up on race day.  Race fast and having fun are the main goals with a potential PR at the end—we will see!

    Thanks for following the marathon training journey and see you on the other side of 26.2 miles in New Jersey.

    What are you training for?

    Fun fact: I started marathon training weighing 198 pounds and got down to 189 pounds at one point during this cycle.  I will toe the start line at 195 pounds this year. 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Aiming for the marathon is a task of sorts which can include terrific highs and lows.”

    (Bill Rodgers)

  • 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)