The Flyer - Summer 2002

Asked about their impressions of this year's race, AATC members had good things to say about it! Feedback is always helpful to the race director and the AATC Board as we plan for next year's event. So, if you didn't get a chance to give your impressions, please feel free to do so by messaging any of the Board members or Lew Kidder (Dexter-Ann Arbor Race Director).

David Bach: My first DxAA 1/2-marathon was in 1984(?), and I've run it almost every year since 1989. The course is great, as it always has been. I was happy enough with my time this year, but we got lucky with the weather. It's seldom cool for DxAA, but we can count on more really hot days with the move to a week later (like the two days before the race this year). I've never run the 10K, but I'm sure that a lot of people will miss it. Total race #'s were down vs. previous years (there were times on the course that I was alone!), which is not the way to make a race bigger. Juxtaposition with Taste-of-AA is silly. 'Taste' people don't want to mingle with smelly runners, so it's just as well that we're all long gone by the time the event begins. My bottom line: the race directors should look at who participates in the race, and not try to turn the event into something it's not. This has long been a local event. Perhaps fortunately, the course does not lend itself to becoming another Crim.

Mike Castle: The Dexter-Ann Arbor Run was a very positive experience again this year. I usually run the 10k, but this time I did the half-marathon. Though I will miss the 10k, I was happy to see the relay handoff point right at the old 10k starting line at Delhi Park. So it's still possible to do the old 10k course in a race. The half-marathon was a lot of fun, as usual, with a large field of runners on one of the most scenic courses I've run anywhere (my favorite of all of them!). And the hill at the finish, right next to my house, was as tough as ever. The weather was great and the volunteers were wonderful. Overall, the race appeared to be a big success. I almost didn't run, because of a twisted ankle two days beforehand. I'm glad I was able to do it. I didn't go to Taste of Ann Arbor, but now I wish I had. The international cuisine they were serving up sounded delicious when I read about it in the paper the next day. I only had two small disappointments: t-shirts should be optional, with a discount if you don't take one; why waste more of the planet's resources than necessary for a race whose course puts us so in harmony with nature (the shirt design was very nice this year though--I liked the painting of runners on the front and creative display of sponsors on the back was refreshing after so many billboards of sponsors from other race t-shirts). Apparently, online entry closed a couple of hours before 6 PM the day before (with my injury, I really waited till the last minute to enter). The only other downside about the new race day was that after the race, I was looking at going to work the next day.

Jamie Cope: This year was my first Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. It was also my first half-marathon. I really enjoyed the course, but it was tough - especially the end. I think I need to log a few more miles before the next one!

Mary Jo Desprez: Dexter-Ann Arbor from the other side of the finish line. This year I was responsible for coordinating the food/entertainment area. Like many other things this year we made some significant changes. Many of the changes were the inspiration of Lew Kidder and his desire to create a fun atmosphere as people finished their event. We added a DJ who was brought closer to the runners and action and provided a fun and upbeat mood to the street. We had bountiful fruit (watermelon, bananas, grapes, apples from Busch's in addition to wonderful bread from Zingerman's) At 5:00 a.m. as Karen McKeachie and I stared at a 1 ton pile of food and ice in the middle of Main St. we were skeptical (to say the least) that we could get it unwrapped, organized, cut up, poured into cups and looking presentable. But true to form, the AATC volunteers and their family and friends came out of the woodwork and early morning stillness and turned the mountain of food into a feast for post run festivities, and they helped to ensure that no runner left thirsty or hungry. A huge thanks to all who helped serve to water, Gatorade, and food and who helped with the carnival games. I have helped with many events in the last ten years and this ranked among the top in terms of race day camaraderie! It was an awesome display of community effort!

Don and Gwen Evich: We want to report the 2002 Dexter Ann Arbor Run was the best experience we ever had running the race. We were especially happy that it did not conflict with our traditional Memorial weekend trip down to Lexington, KY for the Horsey Hundred bicycle tour. For many months Gwen has been recovering from "marked hamstring tendonitis" has only been running short distances very slowly and carefully. Therefore, we chose to run the 5k event. The race was not called a "fun run", however it was thoroughly fun from the school staging area to the main street finish line! We arrived by bus with plenty of time to relax/rest 20-30 min. on the cool gym floor, which we appreciated after getting only ~6-7 hours sleep the night before. The "chip start" made for a more relaxed race start for the large mixed group of walkers and runners. We ran to have a fun experience and do our best running w/o pain. Don finished in a modest ~27 min. and Gwen finished carefully in ~29 min. and was very surprised to earn 2'nd place in her age bracket. Thank you ... we both won a very good experience!

Dave Furey: I missed not having a day off after the race this year. Memorial Day Weekend made it nice. I don't know if participation was up but I liked getting the run in and then playing the rest of the weekend. I felt there was more attention paid to the race this year and that was great. I also think there is better chance that the weather will be cooler for the half marathon on Memorial Day weekend. Pay to bring in the state's top runners and others will come. I can't believe we don't have a corporation that would spill some money to turn this into another Crim or Old Kent.

John Glazer: First time experience as a volunteer. Had the best spot of all at corner of Kingsley and main, just one block from the finish line near the end of that long uphill. Absolutely amazing to see the variety of expressions and huge differences among all the runners as they approached the finish. Best of all was the pride of accomplishment on the faces of the mid-to-back-of-the-pack runners. They really achieved something!

Neil Longhurst: I liked the changes -- the weekend after Memorial Day is much better for me, and I prefer Sunday to Saturday. Good tie-in to Taste of Ann Arbor. Maybe next year we could convince restaurants to start up earlier, immediately following the race. I volunteered for the race expo on Saturday -- it was very well organized and a positive experience. Great weather for the race -- I tried to pull someone along to an 8min pace, and when that fell apart at about 10 miles, I accelerated and counted the people I could pass in the last 3 miles.

Evan Morrison: I enjoyed the half marathon, comparable to the prior Dexter-Ann Arbor races that I have run. The race support was good and the beautiful course remains one of my favorites anywhere. (I did a 1:41-- not a PR but I was happy).

Marvin Nieman: The field seemed to be a little better this year which was nice. I liked the clocks at each mile (even better if we can get them to have the correct time on them), but at least the mile marks were in the correct spot this year.

Marjorie Nemerovski: I was very disappointed that the 10k was dropped. I ended up doing the relay with my 25-year-old son, but after dropping him off in Dexter I had to wait one and a half hours to run my part of the race. Then, because he ran his portion at a 7-minute mile pace, I felt so discouraged running my 9-minute pace and being passed up by everyone. So the whole thing was very not fun and we won't do the relay again. Please put the 10k race back. I love that race and I can run happily along with my other 9 minutes milers.

Nancy Nowlan: Personally, I thought the Dexter Ann Arbor Run was GREAT! Very well organized, no question as to where to go and when. Liked the registration pick up being at Pioneer High. Much more room and it provided more (and dry) space for a mini Expo. Hope that format is repeated next year. I'm one of those folks who prefer to have water & Gatorade at the same time so running from one side of the course to the other was a little bit inconvenient, tricky and a bit time consuming. Such a minor complaint. Now, if you can do something about the humidity... My time was about 10 minutes slower than expected. Stopping twice to remove shoe and sock twice to rearrange my "no-blister" socks, which were giving the biggest blister ever, didn't really help me. Wasn't well hydrated either; felt like I had cotton balls in my mouth for approx. the last 8 miles. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!!

Elizabeth Riggs: This was my first Dexter-Ann Arbor experience. I'm glad I chose it as my first long distance run as I was quite impressed with the level of coordination by the organizers and volunteers. I had such a good time that I've convinced my husband to train with me for next year's run.

Joanie Rogucki: This year was definitely not a good race for me. I had stomach problems through the whole race. What I really appreciated was every time I came out of the woods there was someone I knew to run with. All of my running partners were wonderful, what a wonderful community!! The running community!

Jennifer Rossi: "As usual, I loved the half-marathon race until the last 2 miles!" Seriously, though, it is a great course. I love the point to point. You never get bored with the scenery. I also thought the relay was a good addition to this year's events. I know quite a few people that participated on relays! So hopefully that will continue to grow in the years ahead.

Emily Twanmo: For the first time, I volunteered at a race and I can recommend the experience to anyone interested in running. I can only describe the positive spirit of everyone involved as inspirational. Even though I'm strictly a 5k runner (o.k, I'm a wannabe 10k-er), the volunteer experience strengthened my resolve to keep going and be as much of an achiever as the actual runners.

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Those who have never been intimately involved in the production of a major running event may find the typical post-race paean to volunteers weak and cliched. But I'm here to tell you there is a reason for these hymns of praise. The reason is this: the race director gets most of the credit if things go well, but every race director knows things would NOT have gone well if not for a thin line of selfless and largely unrecognized people. The 2002 Dexter-Ann Arbor Run was no exception to this rule.

So . . . . Here's my personal hymn of praise. It begins with Ron Olson, who made easy a very complex relationship with the City of Ann Arbor. It moves to Bob Guenzel, who did the same with Washtenaw County. And Sgt. Brad Hill of the Ann Arbor City Police for traffic control with the city. And Sgt. Brian Filipiak of the Washtenaw County Sheriff¹s Department for traffic control everywhere else.

Then there was Master Sgt. Gabriel Jiminez, whose troops helped control intersections which didn¹t have a sheriff¹s deputy. And Cheryl Woods and Hal Wolfe, who handled the half-marathon and 5K starts flawlessly. And Mary Jo and Paul Desprez, who designed and ran the post-race festivities. And my sister, Linda Kidder, who shepherded the finisher¹s shirts from idea to fruition. And her husband Chris Wolfe, who made sure the race worked for the sponsors. And Julie Wagner, who designed and assembled the awards. And Wanda Gunderson, who made sure the aid station in Dexter was ready for business. And Grace Harrison, who made all of the medical preparations and then stayed close on race day to make sure we¹d know what to do next year. And Dave Armstrong, an announcer supreme ­ and Pam Guenzel, his "spotter". And Ann Remmers, who sent out all the notices to course residents. And Lisa Hesse, who made the Kids' Run fun. And Bob Cranson, who made sure the course worked smoothly. And Jim and Joyce Donaldson, who organized the relay exchange. And Ron Beasley, who did more work on race day than most chief executives do in a lifetime. And Tom Cooney, whose crew from Lakeshore Athletic Services in Chicago brought, erected, and tore down 1800 feet of fencing, 14 tents, 25 barricades, 15 split clocks, 50 tables, 50 chairs, a professional finish line apparatus, together with a stage and other items to numerous to name.

Without these (and more), it wouldn't have happened. Or rather, it wouldn¹t have happened in nearly so pleasing a manner. But, it REALLY wouldn¹t have happened without the three women I'm about to name. Kathleen Gina, Susan Jones, and Karen McKeachie. To make things work, we needed 300 volunteers on race day ­ but without the heroic efforts of Kathleen and Susan, we would have been WAY short. Way to go, you two: you saved my butt! And then there was Karen, my wife ­ who handled a multitude of tasks large and small (including registration and the website) in the months leading up to the race, and then made the whole downtown work on race day. And did it all while putting up with me. There could be no greater sacrifice.

Lew

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So, a new AATC race was in the works. Another race? Do we really need another race? "No, we don't!" I clearly recall thinking. Ok, but this race would have a twist - it would be for dogs. Well, ok, not quite like the greyhound track. No rabbit. No betting. No drunk guys squandering the weeks paycheck, no tough guys wearing derby's standing around with one foot on the fence rail with a toothpick in their mouth grimacing at people… it would be for dogs with their owners. Good ol' friendly dogs. Man's best friend. So it would definitely be different. Maybe it would work. I decided I'd reserve further judgment and at least give it a chance.

Well I don't have a dog, but now that I'm a big ol' prestigious home owner and all, with all the rights and lawn mowing privileges entitled thereof, I've been thinking about getting' me a frisky, furry, little canine companion. By God, a house in the suburbs, and fenced in back yard and a dog, if that isn't the American dream, I don't know what is. About all I'd have left to conquer would be marriage, divorce, child rearing, therapy, and what, either scaling Mt Everest or possibly riding the Millenium Force with my hands up. Zany, but nothing me and a faithful dog couldn't handle!

Alright, well anyhow, I actually made a call or two to try to borrow a dog for the event, but with no luck. Hip displasia here, overly rambunctious there, my few leads didn't pan out, so down to being a race volunteer like always. I showed up and started helping out a bit here and there. Kathleen had things fairly well in hand, but one thing that soon became obvious was that the registration line started kinda piling up. Nothing new there - registration lines can be like that. Only difference was that here race registrants were struggling to fill out a form while also wrestling with a generally uncooperative bundle of tethered but unbridled energy. Funny how simple little things like that don't get thought of until the problem is quite literally at hand - register with one hand, handle a curious, relatively wild animal with the other… (4000 years of domestication don't change some things. Dogs and men both bow to that.) Ok, one interesting little glitch. A few of us helped fill out some forms and we got things rolling.

Then it was out on the course with a few other grizzled veterans to marshal. We got to our posts and pretty soon, here they came - a very unpretentious parade of man and beast. Soon into the mongrel managery I decided to talk to the passing pooches, and started giving them a friendly greeting in their own language. Most replied. (I like to talk to animals you know.) And even at the front of the pack, most of the runners looked like they were definitely the slow side of the partnership, although certainly not in every case, as we did witness one frustrated dog kick up it's heels and the owner actually picked it up and carried it for a while - right past us in fact. I tried to say something commiserating but recall getting a bit of a snide response in return. I guess I should have stuck to small talk with the mutts.

There were a few Dachshunds and other small dogs towards the rear, and then the truly frustrated dogs with the walkers. Poor things, stranded with walkers for masters. How cruel! And then came the crazy guy pulling the dog sled. What the heck was he thinking? On lap one I questioned his judgement, on lap two his sanity, but I couldn't question his determination. He finished behind most, but ahead of some, with the memory of his former sled dog on a picture and in an urn. And I'm not sure if we were the ones who were supposed to make sure all of the people cleaned up after their best friends or not. Thankfully we didn't have to enforce that rule as all the owners we witnessed were careful to place any (presumably) doggy droppings into a nearby trashcan.

So, with over 300 competitors averaging 3 legs each, the race seemed pretty successful. It was fun to watch the different parings of dog and owner going by, and the dogs, well they all seemed to love it. Romping through a big park on a spring day that actually didn't rain, with playmates and treats, what on earth could be better? I'm not even sure if I can think of anything… If we let them vote, I know for certain we'll have another round next year. Fact is, even if you let skeptics like me vote, we would too. I still don't think the world needs too many more new races, but this one seemed to fill a niche and worked out nicely. Maybe I'll see you out there next year. If so, I'll at least be sure to say "hey!" to your dog. Just remember to clean up after yourselves!

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On and Off the Track
Compiled by Robin Sarris-Hallop

Renee Rienas has joined the staff of Great Lakes Sports Publications Inc. as Director of Marketing and Sales for the Michigan Runner. Renee will be working with Michigan event directors to help them market their races in print, online and on Internet TV.

The Dexter Ann Arbor Run is featured on michiganrunner.tv and will remain there for at least the next two years in the archive section. It will show on the front page of the website until the next running show come sup. It will also be linked into the Michigan Travel TV Show (michigantravel.tv).

Spring Race Recaps: (The following races came in too late for the March publication date. Our "special" May issue did not include "On and Off the Track" so here are a few highlights for our club members from the early season races.) St. Pat's Results: At the Spectrum Irish Jig 5K, the following club members were age group winners: Dave Furey (16:00-M40-44); Robin Sarris-Hallop (19:57 - W45-49); Wally Herrala (17:54-M55-59); Doug Goodhue (17:54-M60-64). At the Flint Shillelagh Four Mile, age group winners included Julie Wagner (26:06-W30-34) and Joanie Rogucki (28:06-W45-49). At the Dexter Hoppin' 5K, Dave Furey was the overall winner in 16:34 and Amy Wolfgang took home the overall women's award (20:04). Bruce Harrison was the master's winner in 17:33 and Ellen Nitz won the women's grandmasters in 25:23. Julie Wagner won the W30-34 in 20:19 and Becky Rudnicki won the W35-39 in 20:43.

Rich Stark won the March Hanson's 5K in 15:19. Peter Hallop (17:42) and Robin Sarris-Hallop (19:59) also won their age divisions. At the Spring Gallup 5K, club member Terry Mahr was the overall women's winner in 19:37. Brian Francis (M26-34-17:41), Julie Wagner (W26-34-20:59) and Kathleen Gina (W51-59-24:36) also represented the AATC.

Stampede of Races: Rich Stark won the 20K in 1:04:52; Ellen Nitz won the W60-64 in 1:55:58. Lisa Hesse was the 10K overall women's winner in 39:01. Patrick Shields was the first masters 10K runner in 39:31. Terry Reilly won the master's race in the 5K in 17:38. At the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure Detroit 5K, AATC club member Tim Emmett finished 7th overall and 2nd master.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DOUG GOODHUE !!! At the Indoor National Masters Track Championship, Doug took 3 medals; gold, silver, bronze, finishing as follows: 800m - 3rd in 2:27.29, (age graded 1:57.81 (86.35%)); 1 mile - 2nd in 5:10.59, (age graded 4:03.4 (92.33%)); 3000m - 1st in 10:22.86 (age graded 8:27.45 (88.46%)). Doug's wife, Cindy Goodhue, won her age group (55-59) at the West Bloomfield Half Marathon in 2:05:01.

Susan Jones shared this report on her trip to Boston this year: "Just got home from my 5 day excursion to a grand old city and wanted to share that I felt privileged to have successfully participated in the 106th running of the prestigious BOSTON MARATHON. 4:19 was my chip time which is not quite as swift as I had hoped but, indeed, mission accomplished when I crossed the finish line in good stead. The EXPO, the weather, the city experience including running through the Boston Common, museum tours and being there with family and friends was each an extraordinary highlight. I loved the entire journey. The volunteers and one million spectators are absolutely awesome. I was in tears of joy at many points over the 26.2-mile course. The people are so amazing. So, that was my 20th marathon and I plan to leave this event a closed chapter in my life for the foreseeable future. It has been a great ride spanning the past 17 years but now I want to focus on other distances and other activities like biking, roller-blading, and crewing. I will always run for fitness and the passion of it but nice to bring closure on a good note to the marathon. This is a good thing. I wish you all happy, healthy running and sport adventures in your lives in every way. Live with gusto. Live with your whole heart. Love it passionately. And know that there is a great feeling of camaraderie that connects us all and I feel lucky and richly blessed for that." Other AATC members posting Boston Marathon times included Mitch Garner (3:17:32) and John Farah (3:29:14).

Mike Castle is going to France to run in the Paralympic World Championships! He says, "I just barely made it. I was tied for the last spot on the team--they almost had to flip a coin to decide between us--then another athlete ahead of us had to pull out of the games because of an injury so we're both on the team." Mike qualified based on his marathon at Boston (2:49:57 on the chip, 2:50:07 official). Talking about his race, Mike reports "I tried a depletion diet, three days of nothing but protein and water, followed by a day of nonstop carbo-loading and three days my normal high-pasta diet. This strategy helped me to run a PR, despite a stop at the port-a-john. I was running to support the Massachusetts Association of the Blind and got a lot of support from fellow runners in the track club, as well as colleagues, family and friends. Knowing that these people might be checking up on my progress on the Web certainly helped keep the fire burning all the way to Boyleston Street. My time from Boston was just good enough for me to be picked for the final spot on the U.S. Team for the Paralympic World Championships in Lille, France from July 20-28 http://www.handisport2002.com/. I will run the marathon there on July 28, competing against the best visually-impaired runners from around the world. This is the biggest such competition between Sydney and Athens." Good luck Mike!

Speaking of marathoning: Rich Stark ran 2:28:32 at the Pittsburgh Marathon to place 8th overall and 2nd American. His accomplishments earned him the privilege of being drug tested! He is very encouraged by the race and looking forward to Reach the Beach and the Steamtown Marathon in the fall. Laurel Park is playing the role of enthusiastic spectator this summer as she recovers from yet another occurrence of her chronic hip injury. Running on snow and ice in December and January aggravated muscles and connective tissue on her right hip and it will be July before she is permitted to lace up her running shoes again. She hopes to be back to daily running by winter in preparation for racing next spring. In the meantime, she is enjoying the chance to watch her friends compete and is supporting her husband Rich (Stark) in his quest to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Trials Marathon.

Mar Pulte ran a huge PR at the Bayshore Marathon this May - 4:10:47!

And more recent club performances: Congratulations to the For Women Only 5K club age group winners; Sarah Bauer (25-29: 20:20); Amy Wolfgang (30-34; 19:42); Grace Harrison (55-59; 22:23); Sister/sister team Joanie Rogucki and Betty Raab finished second in 50:38; Robin Sarris-Hallop was the overall master's winner in 19:31. Robin also won the RRCA 10K National Masters Championship title at the Elizabeth River Run in Norfolk, Virginia finishing in 39:43. Kathleen Gina finished 5th in her division in 50:29. At the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 10K the AATC was well represented with Mike Holik (33:15) and Amy Wolfgang (41:11) taking home the top honors on this tough hilly course. Marvin Nieman (M30-34: 36:10) also won his age division.

Up and coming: 14 year old Morty Stensones Fornaess won his age group in the Dexter-AA 5K in 17.12, good for 8th overall. Morty also won his age-group and was 2nd overall in the Burns Park 5K.

Checking in: Jackie Garris reports that she recently ran the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon in 2:14:10. "While not a PR, it's been a long time since I ran that distance. I will be 40 next year, and that is incentive enough to drop some weight and get back into good shape for the second half of life."

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH TRACK CLUB MEMBER JAMIE COPE

I was born in Jackson, MI and raised in Battle Creek. I am currently a senior in the Computer Engineering program at U of M. I have a girlfriend of three and a half years and no pets (yet!). I currently work at the U of M Virtual Reality Lab as a Research Assistant.

When and why did you start running?
I started running when I was 10 years old at the Y-Center in Battle Creek, MI. I'm not sure why - I had just decided that it was something I wanted to do! I ran everyday after school for 20 minutes.

What do you consider to be your best running moments/accomplishments? What was your best ever race performance? Your "nightmare" race?
Every time I run a PR it always feels like a great accomplishment. I think my best performance would probably be when I won the Triple Creek Dash in Three Rivers last year. It wasn't very big, but it felt great being my first time ever winning a race.

I had several "nightmare" races while running in high school. I remember two cross-country meets in particular: one when it was over 90 degrees, and one when there was snow on the ground. I don't tend to perform well in extreme temperatures.

How do you spend your time other than running?
I'm a big computer nerd. I build/fix computers, design websites, write programs, etc. I also enjoy art and spending time with my girlfriend.

What does your training consist of?
I currently am hitting about 50 miles a week, including the track workout and an occasional day of hill-repeats. I have been racing about every other weekend. On the off weekends I try to go for a long run.

What things do contribute to your success as a runner? What are the biggest challenges or obstacles for you?
I didn't really become "successful" at running until a few years ago. I contribute most of it to the speed work at the AATC workouts, being able to learn from successful experienced runners like Peter, and learning to be able to run on my own.

What are your favorite races in Michigan/Outside Michigan?
I really like the Run Thru Hell and the Crim. I just recently did the Arnold Schwarzeneger Pump & Run in Columbus, OH and it was a lot of fun.

What is the worst running injury/setback you've ever had?
I had two tibial stress fractures at the same time. It was the worst because I "could" run, but I wasn't supposed to so that they would be able to heal.

What is the last book you read? What is your favorite music?
Unfortunately, I haven't had time to read anything other than textbooks for the last three years…..
I like lots of different music, my favorite is probably classic rock.

What runner has inspired you most?
I've always liked Bob Kennedy. He's done as much as anyone in recent years to try and bring American distance running back to the level of the rest of the world.

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ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA NATIONAL CONVENTION UPDATE

This year's RRCA Convention was held on May 2nd through 5th in Norfolk, Virginia. Kathleen Gina, Peter Hallop and Robin Sarris-Hallop attended as AATC Representatives. Kathleen and Peter spent two full days in the RRCA Adult Coach Certification Program and found it very worthwhile. During the convention, Kathleen Gina was voted into the role of Central Region Board of Directors Representative and she will be taking on this responsibility in the coming months. Robin attended the convention wearing multiple "hats" as an AATC Rep, the Michigan RRCA State Representative, and also participated as a presenter on a panel with Jennie McCafferty (from Michigan Runner Magazine) and Jim Carson (from the Massachusetts Melrose Running Club). Below are a few highlights from the convention:

The Keynote Address and Opening Session gave the membership a chance to meet the new RRCA Executive Director, David Dobrzynski. He discussed the challenges facing the RRCA over the next year, which include establishing a new marketing identity, resolving lingering financial concerns, and updating the national level committee process. This last issue included an attempt to modify the by-laws through a vote of the RRCA membership. Much of the discussion at the convention focused on these procedural changes and the potential impact on the governance of the association. Unfortunately, due to confusion about what the changes would actually mean and some unclear communications, the membership ultimately voted to indefinitely postpone the vote for these changes. David has expressed a commitment to move the organization forward over the coming year in spite of this frustration.

The Central Region Meeting gave club reps from across our region to share their successes over the last year as well as discuss issues of common concern. Clubs in general seem to be doing more programs which focus on women's running including beginning runner clinics and all-women's races. Many clubs share a concern about maintaining a solid volunteer base for their events and looking for new ways to reward their committed volunteers. Kathleen Gina's new AATC program is a great model for other clubs!

Other sessions of interest at the conference included one on ways to improve communication through newsletters, websites and new technologies such as web TV; a session on insurance; another on membership drives; and one on organization skills. The local Norfolk/Virginia Beach running club, the Tidewater Striders (one of the largest running clubs in the country!), did an outstanding job of hosting RRCA participants as a part of their annual Elizabeth River Run, a large, successful and extremely well organized 10K. This was the only race I have ever run in that had markers every quarter mile for the entire race! The race was designated as the RRCA National 10K Championship.

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A dozen volunteers braved the forecast but unmaterialized rains and the roadside hazards to help clean-up litter along Huron River Drive on Saturday morning, April 27th. Half of the group were AATC members, and the other half were volunteers from the Ann Arbor Triathlon Club, who have generously helped out with the clean-up for most of the past few years.

It was a fine morning for picking up litter and other activities out on Huron River Drive. As our chain-gang trudged up and down the embankments along the roadside many a merry bike rider glided gracefully past. Some of them offered greetings or words of encouragement. Maybe I'm a bit overly sensitive, but there did seem to be a subtle but discernable air of superiority amongst the cyclists as they whizzed whimsically on their way. I mean did any of them actually stop and thank us? I think not. Did anyone even offer one of us so much as a power bar? Not a one. Ok, maybe I'm a little jealous, but it just seems like they ought to have to work just a little harder to cruise at 20 miles an hour. Just where do they get off getting all dolled up and chatting right along all convivial like while doing speeds well over twice as fast as they'd likely be able to muster if some angry mob of lanky land lubbers like me ripped their precious little bikes away from them? "Oooo Mommy Dearest, I just lost my widdo' bikey-pooh! That bad man there took it from me and bent it around a tree, graphite fiber frame and all!". I'll bet they wouldn't feel so special in their sassy little skin tight lycra suits after that…

Ok, there now, I seem to have gotten a bit off track, back to the trash. Some of the notable items we found were numerous spent shot gun shells, a couple of old ID cards for one Laura Roe, and a copy of the video classic "Mommy Dearest 2". (Who doesn't recall the unforgettable scenes of Mommy Dearest 1, so you can well imagine how dearly we all hoped the sequel that was unearthed was in playable condition.) We also found a number of unopened cans of vegetables. This one mystifies me. I can't figure at point on the ride home from the store that people start yanking cans of vegetables out of their shopping bags and thinking, "Canned peas, what the heck did I buy this for? Mixed vegetables, we don't really need these!" and start chucking them out the window. Anyhow, we find a bunch of them every year, and it just seems a bit odd.

So, the people who helped out with this year's clean-up were (pictured left to right): Reed Newland (tri), Greg Giltron (aatc), Amy Klinke (tri) Jim Coleman (aatc), Mike Blommer (tri), Marcus Nee (tri), Ren Farley (aatc), John Koenig (aatc), Sandra Wright (tri), and Ken Wright (tri). Not pictured are Ron Beasley (aatc), Heather Benoit (tri) and Hal Wolfe (aatc). Thanks for the help everyone!

Addendum: as it turns out - the bags I used caused a bit of a controversy - I used up some leftover National City bags I'd had lying around from a previous Dx-A2 run. Someone saw the logos on the bags and actually thought they might be money bags and called the back. The manager sent two people (possibly in a Brinks truck?) and picked up ALL of the bags. The thought if this just kills me. That's what I get for trying to use up the available bags and to give some PR to the bank. On the up side, since some years the County doesn't get the bags cleaned up until after the Dx-A2 run date, I now know a great way to get our trash bags picked up promptly…!

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Frank Shorter is certainly a living legend in the sport of running. I remember the '72 Summer Olympics for three things, tragedy of course, but also for defeat, and finally for triumph. The tragedy of the terrorist murders of the Israeli athletes is an indelible memory of mine, but so to is the controversial 51-50 loss of the U.S. Basketball team to the USSR, and more appreciably so are the triumphs of Mark Spitz, Olga Korbit, and the final triumph of Frank Shorter winning the gold medal in the marathon. We watched the whole darn race, my brother Joel and I did. Don't ask me why. Actually we watched the whole darned Olympics. And I recall the imposter on the final lap of the marathon vividly as well, and Jim McKay barking out "That's an imposter - get him off the track!" One final bizarre twist to an already surreal Olympics. Frank was an underdog champion in '72, and some give him credit for the revival of distance running in the U.S. I don't know if that's really true, but he did make a sizable impact, that's for sure. So having him come to a local race, that would be sorta exciting.

Plus the Burns Park run has always been one of my favorites. It's a nice, fairly small, neighborhood run. Race Director Mitch Garner came and made an announcement to the AATC at one of our indoor workouts that they were bringing Shorter to the event. I told Mitch that I write for our humble, little ol' newsletter and asked if I might have a chance to talk to Frank. I didn't end up getting the interview I'd hoped for, but I did get invited to the Friday evening reception for Frank, and did get a chance to meet him briefly. The reception was very nice - Mitch gave Frank an inspired introduction. As Frank quipped, 'Mitch seems to know more about my career than I do!', and it seemed like maybe he did. Frank then spoke at some length about the drug and doping scene that has become inextricably linked to world class sports today. Frank lost the gold medal in '76 to an East German who as since admitted that he and his team were all on performance enhancing drugs. Trying to untangle drugs and sports is going to be a difficult challenge, but Frank felt that in the Salt Lake Winter games that the IOC finally stepped up to the issue and that there may be at least some hope for fairness in the future.

Mitch and Frank both were contemporaries at Yale as I found out. But you still don't bring in a world-class athlete these days without an appearance fee. I hear that $5,000 - $7,500 is the going rate, but Mitch's friendship with Frank did allow for a reduced fee. Most of the U of M track team was also at Frank's reception, except for freshman sensation Alan Webb. Kevin Sullivan was there, and I spoke to him a bit about his running. Whereas Frank seemed a bit distant, Kevin was not at all so. He felt he'd probably try for the 2004 Canadian Olympic team. I asked him about Paul McMullian and he said he wasn't sure if he would make another run at the Olympics of not. I guess Paul's doing a lot of cycling and enjoying that.

The race itself was just as expected - a fairly small field, well organized, two big hills on the course (one per lap!) but with perfect race day weather. I ran the 10k with my friend Anne Bork and paced her so I didn't really race. Fact is I didn't even wear my chip. That's one nice thing I discovered about chips - you can run anonymously if you just want a workout. Frank gave all of the awards after the race. He said he was glad to see all of the kids at the Burns Park run, and he did do a good job at the awards ceremony. I don't know if any world class athlete is worth the money they charge to show up, but I did enjoy meeting him, and it was interesting to have one of the world's best runners right there in Burns Park of all places.

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Running Fit in downtown Ann Arbor is sponsoring a group run every Thursday evening at 6:30pm for women only. Every Thursday come to Running Fit, and "check-in", then go for a run from the store, (there are maps available for various distances from 1 mile to 8 miles.
When you come back from your run, log in the miles, when you have accumulated 50 miles, Running Fit will award you with a "cool-max" t-shirt monogrammed with "Women Running Fit".
Then each additional 50 mile accumulation will earn the runner another award from Running Fit. (There is a limit to a 10 mile run each Thursday.) This is a great way to "run for clothing" and "prizes". So get those running shoes back on and come on down to Running Fit Thursday at 6:30pm for the "Women Running Fit" Group Runs.

Contact Kathleen Gina, twodogsrunning@yahoo.com or stop in Running Fit for a flyer. This run is FEE FREE!!!

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Triple-Header Trail Series
Submitted by "Bennet"

The following is a report on a series of trail races held this spring... "All the races were small, well-organized, friendly, and most of all, fun. If there are plugs to be given to races, I'd give each of these a 4 stars out of 5 rating."

Running in Brighton without frills: The All Thrills, No Frills Race at Hudson Meadows Metropark was a grand success. It was windy and cold and sunny at the start, but it was just windy and sunny by the end, which came for your intrepid reporter after 57 minutes and some seconds -- but we can round down, can't we?

The race was a lot of fun: there were enough people so it felt like a real 'event' but not so many that organizing everybody got out of hand. The course was well marked, and I thought it was a nice blend of gentle uphill, gentle downhill, and not quite flat. There was water at the halfway point, praise be, and those of us at the back of the pack did not get lapped until about mile 4. It was disconcerting for a moment around mile 3.6975 when a big, white rabbit came charging by doing about a 6-minute-mile pace muttering something about a late start. . . .All in all, this was a great race, but don't take my word for it, there might be too many people next year.
Oh, I shouldn't forget to tell folks about all the things that they might remember from last year at, during, or after their first race of this year:
1) Don't try new socks.
2) Shoes are not ski boots, don't use a winch to lace them.
3) Drinking an extra large banana blender drink 1/2 hour before the start is a bad idea, especially between miles 3 and 4. If it hasn't come up by mile 4, you should be safe, though.
4) It is always colder at the starting line than at the finish line, so it is better to remember to leave the parka in the car.
5) Never, ever, ever start a race without first visiting the bathroom. If you have to rectify this situation during the race, you will have an audience, and they aren't always reluctant to comment on what they see, or imagine they see, or wish they couldn't see.
6. You will finish slower than you did at the last race of the previous year. Deal with it.

Dateline: Pinckney Recreation Area, Road Ends Trail Race

The gruff voices muttered imprecations along the lines of: 'Nah. This is the wimp's race, just a warm-up. I came for the pizza tonight and the
marathon tomorrow.' They were a hard looking lot. Not a coordinated color to be seen. I had fallen in with a bad crowd. This is what I get for entering races on the internet.

The sky was gray, the wind blew -- even harder and colder than at the All Thrills, No Frills race last month -- and the starter announced that he was just waiting for the rain to start, and once it started, we'd start. Then we were off, and it was too late to turn back. Hell and high water had come, by gum, and I was in it.

But the wind died down once we got into the trees, and a really fine race was run. The tree roots were out and alternately cheering us on and inviting us to have a seat. The trees were just starting to green. The trail was dry, the footing good. It was a fine, fine day to run in the woods, and those hills just kept comin' and goin' and then it was over.

I kept up with the standard poodle and her owner for a bit (they both placed first in their age groups), but the force was too strong within them for me to keep up for long. I did manage to finish in the same age group in which I started, and that was just a grand way to end a grand day.

The Rocket Dog Ankle Biter Race started at 9:00 AM under a blue sky. The frost had melted, but the air was still crisp and the grass damp when the starting gun went off. I was glad to be there for it. I had originally thought the race started at 9:30, and I got there with 8 minutes to spare by trying to be a 1/2 hour early.

The fast people went out, well, fast. The rest of us trooped along behind laughing and generally having a good time. There was a small traffic jam right at the beginning as about a hundred of us made the turn from the two-lane blacktop onto the single-file trail, but other than that, I knew
perfection was the order of the day when I finished in less than an hour. Not much less, but less than an hour.

There were dainty patches of mud, with discrete dry spots on which to run around them. There were sandy spots, but they were just damp enough so the sand didn't climb into your shoes. There was a nice mix of walking hills and running hills, and there even seemed to be as many hills going down as went up, which seems often not to be the case. Nature conspired to make it a fabulous spring-morning run.

This was the last race of the trail triple-header series. The series is great introduction to trail running. The first race -- All Thrills, No Frills, 4.8 miles I think they said -- in March was the shortest and the easiest. The second -- the Road Ends, 5 miles -- was just a little longer and a good deal more demanding. The last -- the Rocket Dog Ankle Biter, 6.2 miles -- fits perfectly as the culmination to the series. The first two races are great preparation, and the final, longest race becomes a joyous romp in the woods, not effortless by any means, but invigorating nonetheless. What a great way to start the running year.

Contrary to popular opinion, trail running does not have any harmful effects on the mind. Say, I hear there's a 10-mile run through a deer-fly infested swamp in June. . . .

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At The Races

Dexter-Ann Arbor Runs

For Women Only

Burns Park Run

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