December 05/January 06 Pacer

Greetings walkers, runners, and the insatiably curious!!!!! The year is winding down and the snow is deep. The Mounds glacier is still currently passable. I would like to thank Santa for leaving all of the other reindeer near the great Mound Tuesday at 5:30P. I had never seen ten deer that up-close and personal in my life. Apparently they were aware of my tremendous speed. They never moved an inch. I slowly crunched my way over to the goofy annex trail section before they decided to move on to their night quarters. At least there was no personal contact this time. I scared up another three going down the south hill. It was a deer extravaganza.

My thanks to the Kris Kringle race staff!! They worked extremely hard to conduct a race in spite of icy conditions before the race. My hats off to Tim Grant and all of the volunteers that make this race a Holiday Tradition. They continue to make Walkers feel especially welcome. Thank you for giving such deep awards to Walkers. It was a very competitive field with Russell, Dale, Greg, Robin and myself. My deepest thanks go to Bill Leveridge. I love your artwork and have several hanging on my walls. Maybe one of these days I’ll get drawn in time for a painted saw!

I survived the HUFF this year!! The Fun Loop in the six inch snow made me feel like I did the three loops. The best thing about this year’s race was that I could still walk without crutches after I finished. Thanks to everyone whom kindly asked how many loops I intended on doing. I just haven’t gotten the miles in to go farther. My cyborg knee just hasn’t kicked in with the kind of speed or durability I keep hoping for. Are you listening Santa?

There were a lot of fellow ARRC members attacking the course. My deepest congratulations to Bud Stiffler for another impressive ultra completed. Next year maybe I can get a Husky to pull me around, if I could keep up with one. The cold crisp morning provided a beautiful view of the lake. The boom of the canon never leaves one wondering when the race will start. The snow provided a beautiful scenic course if you had time to look up from the narrow trail. I enjoyed this race as a character builder. It is the farthest that I have gone in a race since my knee replacement. Though stiff and sore, I could still walk after the race this year. Thanks to everyone at the HUFF, Mitch and Judy, for a wonderful day of racing and great soups.

Walkers, there is a great race coming in February. The Polar Bear is a great five mile race put on by Ken Long in Indy. This race has as many as four hundred walkers. They have five year age groups Male and Female and cash awards for the top three overall Male and Female. If you want to test yourself with the best or just to do some Fazzoli’s spaghetti at the end, this is a great walk through downtown Indy.
Thanks to everyone in the Club for another fine year. I enjoy the races and the fellowship that everyone provides. Thanks for helping me more accurately keep track of the Road Series Points. I seem to need a little more help each year. Take care everyone and keep on getting out There.
Greg

My First Marathon and my new Friend, Bill Rodgers

Carolyn McKinney

Space Coast Marathon, Cocoa, Florida – lovely town, great beach, found a nice, large suite with an affordable price tag. The race might be able to boast the smallest expo – a chiropractor, running store, and the saving grace – Bill Rodgers. It had been advertised he would be speaking at the Pasta Dinner so not a complete surprise to see him. What was surprising was how personable and approachable he was. I purchased a book, got it signed, and a photo then I expected a quick good luck. Instead, 10 minutes later, I had to excuse myself as my family was waiting for me. When I returned later for the pasta dinner, I knew no one else so when I saw Bill and an empty seat at his table, guess where I sat? Now before you think me too bold, it wasn’t like a head table or anything, actually just the closest to the food. Any meal is even nicer with the company of a legend.

My race - the course was an out and back and the marathoners did it twice.  It allowed me to twice see my husband, Tom,

who was doing his first half. The course was beautiful, along the Indian River and mostly shaded with very little traffic so the repetition was not bad. That breaks my race into 4th's.
Nearly the first fourth I ran with another first timer, the time

and miles passed effortlessly. We talked and yelled encouragement to the faster runners returning from the turnaround. We maintained a 9 min pace through 4miles and only off by 10 seconds or so on number 5, number six we had dropped to a 9:30 pace.  I felt great; I think she was beginning to tire, told me to go ahead, nice to meet me, etc.  I was 1:00 and change at the south turnaround.

 Then I must have  jackrabbitted a bit - I made up the 41 seconds and was back on 9 min pace by mile 8, then I stabilized but continued 9 min pace or slightly better - I was about 30 seconds under 9 min pace at mile 12.  I was feeling great, yelling encouragement to other runners. One guy I came up on, greeted me with, "so you're the cheerleader"  I realized how much I was enjoying cheering for other runners. At the north turnaround (also finish area), I made a pitstop. I crossed the mat at half way 1:58 and change.

Third fourth - the wind had really picked up coming off the water.  During the third fourth, I passed a couple women right after the turnaround. And caught back up with some of the guys I had run with for a while earlier. I noticed my mile splits getting slower but was enjoying the experience and still felt good.  I could feel the extra effort needed for the wind but appreciated being cooled some too.  I noticed some achiness in my knees around 16 miles but nothing major.  I changed my stride a bit for a while - seems I shuffle more when running slower and think maybe tougher on the knees.  That helped some - said some prayers and recalled encouraging Bible verses.  I really felt uplifted.  A bit of fatigue around 19 - I was really ready for the turnaround, thinking it would be a mental boost to be heading in, also hoping the wind would help me heading in.

The final hot, slow but finishing and conquering leg

When I entered the neighborhood for the mini turnaround loop, a worker called me by name and said I was in the top ten women, keep it up. (our names were on our bibs - nice touch, great for encouraging each other) That boosted my spirits. I was the only one in the neighborhood block - started to worry about knowing the way but was just around a block, no real chance to get lost - just odd feeling to see no one ahead of me. I came out of the neighborhood and the clock said 3:03 - yes my time was slipping greatly, I just wanted to finish - my calves were in knots.  By this time, I was hot.  The wind did not seem to be blowing much at all by this time or not in the right direction.  After the race, I overhead someone say that last year the high was 70 on race day - this year it was 73 at the start and about 80. It must have been tough for many, I passed 2 women and seemed to be running alone, other than slower traffic on the other side of the road.  I still tried to cheer for others but know I sounded much less enthusiastic.  I lived for the next water stop - for the excuse to walk and take a few sips. Though the walking did not feel better than running actually.
Around mile 23, there was an ambulance pulling   over about quarter mile ahead of me, I thought - don't tempt me.  There was a man, apparently troubled greatly by the heat.  He was standing and apparently reluctant to give up but disoriented.  I jogged on and counted my blessings.  I said a prayer for the man, myself and all the runners.  I also decided finishing in 4 and a half hours would be better than being picked up by the ambulance while averaging a nine minute pace - at mile 25.  After all, I could always improve on my time in my next race. So, I took it pretty easy  from that point. Around 24.5 one of the women I had passed, passed me back, and we stayed close until the end.  I passed her and finished strong into the park - about the last 2 tenths - I felt so good then - maybe I should have tried running faster sooner. 



My dad had made it there to see me finish. That was cool - he saw me when I was coming in strong for my 4:10 overall time.  I did not know he was there until after I got my medal.  I knew there was a chance - if the woman was right about the top ten – that I could have placed in my age group.  Then after my massage, results had been posted - and there I was 2nd in my age group.  I later found I was 8^th woman overall.  My dad was very impressed when he heard them announcing the younger age groups - and my time was better than most of them.  Yes, they even announced the times for age group 1,2,3 places. Bill Rodgers gave me my award and remembered me - said something like hey, you made the cut.  Then, in the midst of the awards, he is telling me to have a safe trip home to Indiana and get some rest and enjoy Christmas.  How awesome for Bill Rodgers to remember me!
So, I am hooked. My three days a week training program worked – 4:10 for a first-timer – not too shabby! Now if I could add the recommended 2 days a week of cross training or easy runs, I might just break four hours. Unfortunately, the cold and holidays have derailed me a bit. I also realize how much I need the structure of a plan and the motivation of an upcoming race.


The Running Company is opening a new store in Carmel. Other exciting news from the Running Company LLC is the announcement of new Assistant Apparel Buyer, Kathy Wehrley. Kathy recently traveled to Chicago to check out the fall 2006 line from Nike. Congratulations, Kathy!



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