The Flyer - Fall 2002

The AATC Summer Picnic had a different twist this year. In light of the recent social nights the board had organized there was some thought to forgoing the picnic this summer. Instead an alternate venue was chosen, that being Portage Lake in Dexter Township to allow for boating and swimming – two things that many of us land lubber type runners might not be overly familiar with. And given the support the Ann Arbor Triathlon Club has showed in recent years for the roadside clean-up efforts, they were also invited. (Plus they seem ok and all, you know, mostly…)

The day was perfect for boating and barbecuing and about 50 some odd people made the short trek out to Klave’s Marina where the picnic was staged. The only problem with Klave’s was their rather vociferously voiced lack of parking, so we had to try to accommodate that as best as possible. Other than a small tactical error on my part guessing the level of Sunday police enforcement along the road adjacent to the marina, with the help of Lady of the Lakes Realtors who let us use half of their lot, we managed to accommodate everyone. (They showed a far better sense of community spirit than the Portage Lake Yacht Club who offered to let us pay to park there – gee, thanks but no thanks…)The pontoon boat was busy all day circling Portage Lake. And once, while fully loaded at Ron Olsen’s suggestion, I even dared to punch it wide open, up to a bone rattling 25 miles per hour… Whoopee! (Let’s just say that a couple of other pontoons out there must have had motors a lot bigger than the 75 horse we had, ‘cause I sure couldn’t catch some of those bad boys.) Everyone there got a chance for a boat ride, and some even managed to sneak in a 2nd. The kids especially liked to swim out on one of the lake’s many sandbars. I was careful with the boat and managed not to do any damage to the prop, and Mark Kerr helped out with the chores as grill master and did a fine job. (No reported cases of trichinosis from the brats and burgers that I was aware of…!)

The only thing that didn’t happen was the volleyball challenge match with the triathlon club. Too few of them showed up to field a team so that will have to wait until next year. (Can I officially say that they were most all probably a bit yellow? (I believe I can, and I believe I just did!)) But everyone seemed content to talk about the Crim, go for boat rides or play horseshoes, so the day was well spent not ex-pending energy, although a few people did go for runs from the marina and cooled off afterwards with a dip in the lake. The only organizational goof-up was that I forgot to buy plastic silverware. It took me admitting my faux pas three times to Anna Fraleigh before she believed I really had actually forgotten it, but a quick trip to a local party store and all was right with the world again, and potato salad could once again be more daintily consumed.

All in all it was a fine day and a nice event. A special thanks to Richard and Anita James who helped me set up everything – and Anita also later took on the greasy job of making up all of the burger patties! Thanks also to all those who simply showed up and helped make the day a success.

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It was another successful year for the AATC-Mizuno Team at the 2002 Great Lakes Relay as the team finished in 2nd Place in the Mixed Division. Although the team missed first place by just over one minute, they were pleased that the winning team, Runnin’ Gear Roadkill, was made up of many local runners, including AATC members Jeff Barnett, Doug and Cindy Goodhue, and Tim Emmett.

The annual relay, sponsored by Toyota and Henry Ford Health System’s William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, covers a three-day weekend in July and features the longest and most challenging courses through the scenic upper half of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The race benefits Michigan Special Olympics. Teams compete in two divisions; Open and Mixed. Mixed teams are those who have a female to male ratio of 4 & 6, 6 & 4, or 5 & 5. The winning teams are those teams with the fastest handicapped time based on age and sex. Each team member is required to run at least 24 miles over the three days of racing. To win the three-day relay race through the Michigan outback teams have to be fast, have the right mix of runners for handicap, and stay on course as much as possible.  The race is ended with a banquet and awards ceremony.

This year’s AATC-Mizuno Team consisted of the following AATC members: Jennifer Rossi (soon to be Mrs. Kevin Backus), Kevin Backus, Amy Wolfgang, Marvin Nieman, Eric Swager, Julie Wagner, Lauri Mendenhall, Anna Schork, Mike Holik, and Mark Kerr. The Team also received outstanding bike support and logistical help from AATC club member Dana Zibbell. The Team gratefully appreciates the financial support provided by the AATC and looks forward to a return to 1st place next year.

Running can be a very solitary sport, and runners can be very solitary individuals. I know I am. Other than interval workouts, which are the kind of workouts that can intimidate a lot of runners into not wanting to participate, I run alone, thank you. I always have, and I probably always will. Not sure why exactly – too selfish I suppose. I’ve never seemed to want to take time to do workouts as a social event – when I do a workout I want a workout! I wanna work up a sweat and get tired. Plus trying to coordinate something as personal and demanding as a good workout with even one other person can be a real pain in the ass. Considering such things as, when do you want to run, where do you want to run, how far, how fast, how often, and in what kind of weather. Heck if even one of those variables isn’t to my liking I’m likely to bail.

I also think most runners are creatures of habit. Running a well known course is generally preferable to running some new, unknown course. Fact is I could run the same course week after week, month after month, year after year, and actually, I generally do. Again, I’m not out to tour new neighborhoods, I’m mostly out to give myself a healthy butt-kicking, so that makes the scenery pretty much totally irrelevant – the grimace on my face will be the same regardless.

One change to that lifelong rut of drudgery has come with the recent introduction of the club’s Crazy Runs by Jim Coleman early last spring. I’ve run about half of them, and that has probably just about doubled my lifetime total of companion runs. The runs generally don’t fall into the “butt-kicking” category, but as I’m getting older and feeling my internal competitive desire continue to fade, I’m finally starting to find the desire for companionship to help find workout motivation I guess. Now for starters, there’s no such thing as a well known course in these runs, at least not so far, and if I know Jim he’s likely to try to keep it that way. They’re generally trail runs and Jim usually seems to hand out maps and spend a good 5 to 10 minutes going over the intended course. Not unlike Hasher style (I secretly suspect he is a former Hasher) he often goes out prior to the run and marks any number of corners and trail splits.

And Jim does a good job finding interesting places to run, with the Arb, the U of M Botanical Gardens, and the North Campus Bell Tower being three of the more interesting locations we’ve hit. Other parks along the river, and a series of parking structures are a couple I haven’t made. The North Campus run was especially nice – some previously unknown trails along the river, and ending by the bell tower while a carillon concert was in progress. And the neat thing that I didn’t know about the tower, is that it’s open to the public to wonder right up and gawk at Quasimoto while he plays. Having recently started playing the piano I found that kinda neat. (I’ll be ready for that in about a decade – I’ll get back to you on the date.) I even talked him into playing the Bach classic Jesu – Joy of Man’s Desiring, which is an organ and bell choir classic. (The bell guy, not Jim – Jim was a little too sweaty to touch anything other than a large, absorbent towel.)

And for the price of a buck, after the run you’re also provided with bagels (which really isn’t a food stuff in my mind) and good orange juice – definitely not the cheap Meijer’s brand I always buy. Jim’s also a hound about taking pictures at the runs. That can be kinda tedious and in one he did manage to catch me in some inhuman mid-stride pose, but really, who doesn’t like to see pictures of themselves? I think most everybody does, at least secretly. There’s even a small gaggle of walkers that seem to come to most of the runs, so it’s definitely an event that can truly accommodate people of a wide variety of physical ability.

So, if you’ve been in a lifelong running rut (like me), you may might wanna consider trying one of Jim’s Crazy Runs. Once I got over the notion of feeling like I needed to run harder I’ve found them quite enjoyable, and if you want to run hard, just go out and run a tough warm-up. There’s generally a good group of 12-15 people, and you might even be lucky enough to have your picture used as the bouncing-runner on the front of Jim’s Crazy Run webpage – like I was the time he caught me in that asinine pose. So when the camera turns your way just remember to look sharp and run like Hal, or not, as the case may be...

Note: you can find info about crazy runs from a link on the AATC website at: www.aatrackclub.org They generally occur once every three weeks on Sundays at 9 A.M. with various meeting places.

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On and Off the Track
Compiled by Robin Sarris-Hallop

Time to Party! Please put a hold on your calendar for the evening of Sunday, November 17th starting at 6 pm for our annual AATC banquet and meeting at Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington. Enjoy good food and great company, cheer for award winners, and elect new board members. More detailed information will be mailed and emailed to members as we get closer to The Big Day.

WANNA BE ON THE BOARD?? If you are interested in being considered for the AATC Board, please step forward by contacting any of the current board members listed in this Flyer. There are several positions opening up this fall and we are always looking for new energetic and creative members!

Employment News! Renee Rienas has a new job! She is working for Edward Surovell Realtors on Stadium in Ann Arbor (see her card elsewhere in this issue of the Flyer). Although she got her license a year ago, she didn’t use it because she spent the last year at EMU pursuing her marketing degree. She is 12 credit hours away from her bachelor’s. All this, of course, after being “downsized” from Ford/Visteon after 15 years of service. Her son Matt is at EMU also where he is a Senior in COB so they have both been students this last year! Robin Sarris-Hallop also has a new job (which is mostly to blame for the delay in the publication of this issue of the Flyer).... leaving the UM English Dept. after nine years as Administrative Manager, Robin recently began her new position as the Human Resource Manager for the UM College of Literature, Science and Arts.

Domestic changes as well... Marvin Nieman recently purchased a new home in Dexter. Jennifer Rossi and Kevin Backus are now engaged to be married in June of next year. Wedding plans include a ceremony on Mackinac Island.

The For Women Only 5K was awarded the 2002 amateur athletic event of the year for Region One of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Health. Thanks to Lisa Hesse for her work on a successful nomination. More information and a press release is available at www.michiganfitness.org.

It’s Showtime: The AATC has been getting a good deal of “air time” on local cable television this summer, thanks to Jim Coleman’s work on Community Access Television shows. So far, an “episode” on shoe selection featuring Pat Ball, Tim Fraleigh, and Matt Holappa has aired several times and the taped version of the For Women Only 5K aired for the first time in early September.

Hot, hot, hot....The AATC was well represented at this year’s 10 Mile Crim Race with two teams. Members included: Team 1: Rich Stark (4th M35-54:37); Scott Ebeling (18th M30-59:21); Mike Castle (24th M35-1:02:58); Vladimir Luppov (16th M45-1:04:51); John Farah (6th M55-1:06:35); Theresa Kopach (6th W40-1:11:06); Joanie Rogucki (6th W45-1:15:42); John Bodley (113th M45- 1:17:09); and Bill Hill (29th M55- 1:17:30). Congratulations to John Farah who ran an outstanding race of negative splits. Team Two: Jamie Cope (29th M20- 1:02:01); Mark Kerr (33rd M40 – 1:04:53); Mike Linkevich (34th M50 – 1:11:02); Brad Zigler (80th M30 – 1:11:19); Rick Stevens (20th M55 – 1:15:11); Barney Thomas (93rd M50 – 1:18:18); Jim Coleman (108th M50- 1:19:29); Kathleen Gina (12th W50 – 1:23:11); and Richard James (29th M60 – 1:25:05). Other club members with notable performances included Morty Stensones Fornaess second place finish (14-15 yr) in 1:01:23 in the 10 mile and John Fornaess finishing in 1:18:31.

Richard James tells me that his preparation during the week of the Dexter Ann Arbor Run began with a 5K race on Monday, an AATC workout on Tuesday, a Thursday hill workout, and a 5K on Saturday over a hilly course, finishing up with the 13.1 mile race on Sunday. “The legs were tired and the hills were even steeper than last year. As for providing meaningful competition for Dave Scarlin, et al,” he concludes “it’s probably ‘better luck next year’ or probably in the next incarnation”! Richard joins the ranks of a whole group of runners whose preparation for this year’s Dexter Ann Arbor ½ Marathon seems a bit wacky. Drawn by the prize money on the other side of the state, overall Dx-AA winner Kyle Baker, master’s winner Laurie Decker, and Dave Furey, among others, all ran back-to-back races that weekend...

Richard James also reports...”After racing each summer weekend at the small town 5 km races, it finally happened.  During the weekend when many ran through Hell, MI and others were in the triathlon in Sylvania and yet some were at a race in Monclova outside Toledo,  my wife and I went to a 5 Km in Tontogany, OH.  She sometimes runs unopposed age-groupwise but her spouse has to gut it out.  On this day he did the same, trying to pass all the silver-haired ones and even closed on one with a gray headband.  After results were posted, there it was.  All that effort was needless as the competition was elsewhere because mine was the only card in my age group.  For the first time were took home the hardware due to no opposition!  It wasn’t that easy in Gallup Park!!!”

The Road Runners Club of America Michigan contingent held its annual meeting in AA on the afternoon of the Dexter Ann Arbor Run this year. Joining our new Central Region Director Kathleen Gina, were representatives from many of our state clubs. After our business meeting the group was invited to this year’s post-race party at Wally and Kary Herrala’s home. Thanks again to them for their hospitality again this year.

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Up Close and Personal with Track Club Member Anne Curzan

I grew up outside Washington, D.C., but I consider myself almost a native Michigander as I spent every summer growing up in the great “up north,” at our cottage in the woods on Lake Michigan. I completed my Ph.D. in English linguistics at U of M in 1998 and then moved to Seattle to join the faculty in the English Department at the University of Washington. After four years at UW, I was offered a job on the faculty at U of M, which was pretty much a dream opportunity for me. I am delighted to be back in Ann Arbor, living downtown, swimming at Fuller Pool, running around the Arboretum, and working at U of M.

When and why did you start running?
I have been a serious athlete forever: junior tournament tennis, rhythmic gymnastics, varsity squash and a gazillion intramural sports in college. I had, therefore, done some running as part of my training regimen. After college, I spent two years teaching English in central China, and without a pool, tennis court, good bike, etc., in sight, I began to run every morning. When I got back, I decided that I would probably never be in better running shape than I was then, so a friend and I decided to run the San Diego marathon. Little did I know that would only be the beginning!

What do you consider to be your best running moments/accomplishments? What was your best ever race performance? Your “nightmare” race?
I would have to say that my biggest accomplishment, as a runner and an athlete, is completing the Hawaii Ironman in 1999. It was far from my fastest marathon, but I was just psyched to still be running at that point! And I finished the whole race faster than I ever thought I would. Probably my best race performance was the Seattle half-marathon in 1998, which I ran in 1:33. My “nightmare race” was the Boston marathon in 2001, which I ran/hobbled with plantar fasciitis.

How do you spend your time other than running?
I still keep up with the other events in triathlon, so I swim with the masters team here in Ann Arbor, and try to get on my bike every once in a while. My job, between teaching and research, keeps me pretty busy. I also love to cook, read good books, follow sports, see mindless movies, and do random things like go bowling or play miniature golf.

What does your training consist of?
I know that I train/run too much, because I love to run and it is one of my best outlets for stress. Right now I am running about 50 miles a week, swimming probably 5-6 miles a week, and biking occasionally. I am about to start yoga again so that I will be able to walk twenty years from now.

What things do contribute to your success as a runner? What are the biggest challenges or obstacles for you?
I have never considered myself a particularly good runner because I have never run with a team or coach and I don’t really know what I’m doing! I just run a lot and really enjoy it. So I am looking forward to running with the track club this year, so I can feel more knowledgeable about my training and see what some speed workouts can do for my overall times at longer distances.

What are your favorite races in Michigan/outside Michigan?
Having raced more triathlons than road races, I may not be able to answer this very well. I actually really like the July 4th 10-mile race up in Harbor Springs, because it is a festive event right before the parade (and a very flat course!). I enjoyed the Portland Marathon and am looking forward to the Chicago Marathon this fall.

What is the worst running injury/setback you’ve ever had?
I would have to say the plantar fasciitis that I developed while training for the Boston Marathon in winter/spring 2001. It got to the point where my foot/heel would never warm up and I was in enormous pain just walking. I use to hear runners talking about this injury all the time and I just didn’t “get it” until I got it—what an awful injury.

What is the last book you read? What is your favorite music?
I’ve been reading a lot this summer, both for work and for fun. The book that I probably enjoyed most this summer was Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande—it is a fascinating look at the practice of medicine and he is a terrific writer. My taste in music is, well, eclectic and mostly borrowed from my friends.

What runner has inspired you most?
I don’t even consider myself in a class to be inspired by the professional runners I admire—I am simply in awe. I was in Atlanta when Michael Johnson broke the world record in the 200 and that was probably one of the most amazing, inspiring athletic events I have ever witnessed. I am also very inspired by the masters women runners whom I know—to see how much they still enjoy running and how fast they are: it allows me to believe that there might still be hope for me!

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Thoughts on the Michigan Runner Series
Submitted by Gerard Malaczynski

Dear Jennie (McCafferty of Michigan Runner),

I am sending a copy of this letter to Ann Arbor Running Club, Motor City Striders, and Bob Cross who represents Michigan Grand Masters. This is in the hope, that together we can arrive at the best possible formula of ranking Michigan runners. I sincerely believe the ranking activity undertaken by the Michigan Runner promotes our sport, therefore, any improvement effort will benefit all of us. Consequently, I am asking all addressees to contribute, and I am assuming you will collect all ideas and make use of them. Forgive me my no so good English, but despite the fact I had started learning it at age 40, about 10 years before I started running, I feel that my language skills are not on par with my running.

My latest experience with one of so called Michigan Runner of the Year races prompted me to send my thoughts for your consideration. Like most human beings I become more critical when facing some not-too-comfortable situations. It happened last weekend. I made a wrong turn when running Milford 30k race. I found myself, together with a fellow runner George Wynarsky, on an unknown road just when we hoped to catch some falling behind of the leading pack which consisted of six runners and the race pilot riding a bicycle. We lost their side due to a steep hill, which we climbed while they were descending. To our surprise there were no clear markers at the nearest cross-section, however we spotted red flags and before we found that they mark gas line laying job, we
found ourselves way out of the proper course. Well, thinks like that happen (I am sure you remember confusion at the 10k Turkey Trot few years ago) but not too often since we almost always follow other (faster) runners, and they are guided by the race pilot. In our case the situation was quite unique. There was nobody in front and nobody behind us in a visible distance. The 30 km Milford race is hold only for the second time so not too many runners showed up, except... those chasing points for the Runner of the Year, and couple of dozens others who smartly found that the course is great, and the timing is just. I bet they will bit all expectations at the coming Free Press marathon.

Enough on my latest 30k adventure, which became more like a 20 miler, and let’s get to the point. Are we really selecting the best runners of the year with races like 1 mile Domino’s Stampede, Jackson’s 10k with hardly more than 200 runners showing up, newly established Milford 30k, or coming Mt. Baldhead where climbing a staircase is necessary to get the championship laurel? I am quite high in the ranking table despite being badly bitten by Doug Goodhue at CRIM. However, he hasn’t collected a fraction of points I proudly (?) possess. So who is the best?! Well, I do not doubt that Doug G. is better this season than myself despite his no-show at the ranking table.

What if the next season rules are adjusted along the following guideline:
· Only races with established reputation are included.

· These could be CRIM, Old Kent River, Dexter, Free Press. I am sorry but even Volkslaufe is not good enough despite great organization and wonderful prices. It is too hot for long distance, and too many runners are on vacation; we are after fair assessment who is the best, aren’t we?

· If indeed we need to cover every distance, Irish Jig and Zanglin could make the list. However, I do not think 20k, 30k, or 15k are necessary, since the list becomes dominated then by long distance. If you insist, Kensington Challenge would be my candidate for 15k. I do not have any favorites for 20k. I hope Milford 30k will be big and famous few years from now. 10k is a jewel of road distances, but please not Red Rose! We need something fast (and cold day) to show up to other states that Michigan is a powerhouse! 1 mile? - it’s a classic. We need it, but traditionally short distance season is the summer (was below freezing at Domino’s Farms). Any suggestions?

· All rules should be published before the season starts. No adjustments and surprises when season progresses.

· And finally something for veterans. Why everybody over fifty is a senior? Michigan Runner does not give monetary awards so saving money is not the reason. Why not having open category, masters (40-50), grand masters (50-60), veterans (60-70), seniors (70-80), and grand seniors for 80+. Expense for Michigan Runner would be few more lines of text. And what a fun for older generation! And I hope, soon we find that 90+ makes sense too.

· I would suggest one more category, and even volunteer to help in keeping books. The Super-Open where internationally approved look-up tables are used to find who really is the best regardless of age. Is it Kurtis, Harris, Forshee, or somebody who has just made a national team?

Finally, Michigan Runner does not promote walking by including one event into the running ranking table. To the contrary, if one runs during the walking competition, he/she is disqualified. Walkers deserve attention, but the mix makes only both parties unhappy.

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On Saturday June 8th, the AATC sent seven young athletes to the 35th Midland Invitational Track Meet, which was held at Midland High School. Both Anne Brett and Lee Carroll attended as the coaches. We had 7 athletes entered in 18 events. The kids did GREAT. They won a total of 6 awards. One first, two seconds, one third, a sixth, and a seventh. Jon Porath won the 1500m (5.14) and came in second in the 800 (2.37). Zach Wigal placed second in the 100m (12.79) and sixth (28.22) in the 200m. Tasi Newton place third in the long jump (9’11"). Lauren Smith placed seventh in the 100m. Carter Johnson took 3 seconds off his personal best in the 200m. And both Tasi and Alison Cupp improved their 200m times.

2002 AAU State Meet

This was a two-day event this year with the younger competitors on Saturday and the older ones on Sunday.

Saturday. The younger kids ran on this day and did quite well. Jonathan Porath ran in both the 800m and the 1500m in the Midget division. He qualified for the Midwest Championships with a fourth place in 3:16.32 for the 800m and a first place in 5:17.82 for the 1500m. Tasi Newton finished third in the long jump in the Bantam division at 10’ 01.75”. This qualified her for the Midwest Championships. She also competed in the 200m and finished 12th in the state with a time of 34.48. Drake Johnson of the Primary division competed in both the 100m and the 200m. In the 100m, he finished fourth in :16.58 and qualified for the Midwests. In the 200, he finished third in 35.02, qualifying for the Midwests in both events. Lauren Smith of the Primary division competed in the 100m and the 200m. She was 24th in the state in the 100 with a time of 25.67 and was 16th in the state in the 200m with a time of 42.50. Carter Johnson of the Bantam division competed in the 100m, the 200m, and the 400m. He finished 18th in the 100 in 16.62; 20th in the 200m with a time of 35.55; 12th in the 400m with a time of 1:24.54. Alison Cupp of the Sub-Midget division competed in the 200m and the 400m. She was 21st in the 200 with a time of 36.54 and was 11th in the 400m with a time of 1:27.02.

Sunday. This was a good day for the competitors and for the AATC. It started off with Liam Carroll winning the Intermediate 3000m Race Walk for the fourth straight year in the time of 19:32.00, his third fastest time ever. Morty Stensones came through with two fine performances winning both the 1500m and the 3000m runs in the Intermediate division. His time for the 1500 was 4:36.13 and for the 3000 was 9:54.09. Phaltiel Witlock also was in the 1500m race, but in the Youth division. He took third in that division in 5:20.46 and also took third in the 800m run in 2:28.85. Zach Wigal of the Youth division ran in both the 100m and the 200m. He finished 10th in the state in the 100 with a time of 13.58 and was 15th in the state in the 200 with a time of 27.95. Carmen Schneider of the Youth division competed in the 100m finishing 30th in the state with a time of 15.67.

2002 AAU Midwest Championships

The AATC qualified three of its runners for the National Championships in the meet at Eastern Michigan University. Liam Carroll won the 3000m Race Walk in the Intermediate division in 18:38.0. It was a very hot day and two of the competitors collapsed during the race. We missed Morty Stensones who was in Norway with his family. Jonathon Porath of the Midget division did qualify for the 1500m Nationals in 4th place with a time of 5:05.2. He also finished 5th in the 800m in a time of 2:35.0. Phaltiel Witlock of the Youth division finished 16th in the 1500m in 5:10.0 in a new personal best. He also took 20th in the 800m in 2:39.3 Drake Johnson of the Primary division took 4th in the 100m in 15.57 and 2nd in the 200m in 32.10, qualifying for both events in the Nationals. A very fine set of performances for a first year of competition! Tasi Newton of the Bantam division finished 12th in the Midwest region in the long jump with a distance of 2.94 meters.

2002 AAU National Championships

These were held in Knoxville, Tennessee in the last week of July 2002. Liam Carroll competed in the Intermediate 3000m Race Walk. He finished sixth in a new personal best time of 18:18.0. The first two boys broke the National record for the event and the third boy tied the old record. The fourth and fifth place competitors also set new personal records. Jonathan Porath competed in the Midget division 1500 meter run. He ran in the second heat, the fastest of three, and finished 8th in the heat and 20th overall. He ran 5:15.36, his second fastest time. Drake Johnson competed in the Primary 100 and 200 meters. He ran 15,63 for fourth in his heat in the 100 meters. This gave him 33rd overall in the event. He ran 32.08 for the 200 meters in his heat and qualified in third place for the semi-finals. He then ran 31.66, a new personal record, for 6th in his semifinal and 18th overall.

USATF Junior Olympics Regional Championships
Submitted by Ron Beasley

On Sunday July 14th, five athletes from the AATC competed in the USATF Junior Olympics Regional Championships. The meet was held in Dayton, Ohio’s Welcome Stadium. Ron Beasley was present at this meet as the coach, since both Lee Carroll and Anne Brett were officiating and coaching some AATC athletes who competed in the AAU Junior Olympics Regional Championships, which were held that same day at EMU’s Rynerson Stadium in Ypsilanti, MI. The results of our athletes’ performances in the USATF Regional (in Dayton) were as follows: Nick Hill took 10th in the shot put (midget boys division) with a throw of 7.40 meters. Michell Young took 8th in the 200m dash finals (bantam girls division) with a time of 40.73 seconds. Drake Johnson took 14th in the 200m dash prelims (bantam boys) with a time of 33.99 seconds (wind:0.8). Carter Johnson took 9th in the 200m dash prelims (bantam boys) with a time of 31.88 seconds (wind: 0.4). Carter also took 5th (and a ribbon) in the 400m dash finals with a time of 1:10.90 — his best performance in the 400m of the season! Victor Phillips took 15th in the 400m dash finals (bantam boys) with a time of 1:33.01. Victor also took 14th in the 800m run finals with a time of 3:43.40.

**As a matter of definition:

• USATF (USA Track & Field) — the national governing body for track & field, cross country, and long distance running events, including race walking and the multi-events (decathlon, pentathlon).
• AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) — the national governing body of all amateur youth sports, which includes track and field as well as cross country, basketball, football, tennis, swimming and a lot others.
• Bantam division consists of athletes born in the years 1992 and later.
• Midget division consists of athletes born in the years 1990 and 1991.
  

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Conceived around a keg a beer in Peter Brown’s back yard, hours after the 1982 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run, the idea of actually doing a 24-hour relay quickly took on a life of its own for a handful of Ann Arbor Track Clubers. What was unknown at the time however, was how that decision to compete, would initiate lasting new friendships and strengthen existing ones for decades into the future.

The entire team celebrated their 20th reunion on August 4, 2002. Hosted by Pam and Bob Guenzel, the happenings of 1982 were brought to life again as they had been done in 1992 and in 1997 (15th). Earlier that day, the team ran, well jogged, to the Sweetwater Café where they imbibed in cappuccinos, a ritual many of the local team members participate in regularly.
The evening at Guenzel’s Gardens included an elegant potluck dinner; with placemats indicating each team members average mile time for the event and their fastest mile time. A highlight of the evening included a warm welcome for team member John “the Hippie” Stark who has been in exile in Seattle for the last four years. Team members were presented t-shirts with the 1982 team photo depicted. In addition, a 2002 team photo was taken with all members in the identical 1982 order. As a keepsake, Pam Guenzel provided each team member with the photo on a memorable souvenir program. As expected, it was extremely difficult to tell which photo was from 1982 and which from 2002. An exciting climax to the evening for this mature group, included all team members and guests eating the 20 Year Reunion Commemorative Cake.

Interesting Relay Facts:
· Total miles run 254
· Finish place 3rd/22 teams
· Fastest mile 5:08
· Slowest mile 6:47
· Average mile 5:38

Team Roster (Also running order)
Kurt Berggren (chaplain)
Peter Brown
Barry Fish
Larry Friedman
Mike Glass
Dan Gamble (captain)
Bob Guenzel
Wally Herrala
John Stark
Fritz Yunck

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Training programs nowadays get more and more sophisticated, so it was only a matter of time when the Crim Training would include more hill training than just the usual up and/or down on Devonshire. To test the approach of including mountain running in the program two candidates were sent to Alaska. They were supposed to test how taking part in a mountain run rather short before the race would affect the results.

After a few days of adjusting to “never ending” rain the two test persons showed up at the registration for the Alyeska International Mountain Run in Girdwood on August 10th. Later they also showed up at the finish line so we can call it a successful race.

Some information about this race:

• The race had two opportunities for every runner: you run either the 2k uphill course or the internationally sanctioned roundtrip. The roundtrip was especially designed to be a preview for the next year’s World Mountain Run Trophy Race and therefore had to be confirmed by representatives of the World Mountain Running Association.
• Additionally this race is part of the Alaska Mountain Running Grand Prix and the two Michigan runners earned 41 points in the Grand Prix statistics. Unfortunately, these points only matter if a runner finishes at least 3 races so the Ann Arbor Track Club is unlikely to show up in the 2002 statistics.
• The Crim was not run yet, therefore the final evaluation of this kind of hill training is still missing. But there are already some points that should show up in the “lessons learned list”:
  • In Alaska everything is more expensive, so an entry fee of $35.00 per runner should catch no one by surprise
  • Alaskan Mountain Running is not running with Mountain View (there was no view anyway), it is running and “power hiking” up and down a mountain. The picture below shows an example. To be honest, this picture is from the race in 2000; the sun was more supportive back then.
  • International Mountain Running Courses, on the other hand, should be designed in a way that Elite Runners can run all of it and don’t have to powerhike. This didn’t make too much of a difference for us, since we are ordinary mortals. But when we found the race results in the Anchorage Daily News the article was focused more on the fact that the WMRA rules might cause slight changes in the course than on the race itself. (Obviously no runner ran all of it.)
  • There is a point in having shoes especially designed for this kind of workout. Slipping all the time costs a lot of energy and makes the people running behind you nervous. (It was the only time anyone called me names in Alaska.)
  • Running uphill is hard 8 trail running downhill is technique 8a second uphill run is hell.
  • Rain does make a difference only in two terms: it makes the trail more slippery and you cannot take good pictures 8 i.e. it didn’t matter.
  • You can get used to carbohydrates after a race. No matter how precious fruits are in Alaska, after the race (and only then!!) I would have easily exchanged the melons at the finish line for a slice of bread (or two?).
  • Alaskan race volunteers are as supportive, helpful and friendly as they are in Michigan and whatever seemed to be strange would not prevent us from doing this again and from recommending everyone to try mountain running where possible. Not only to prepare for the Crim.

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At The Races

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