THE PACER

September-October

In This Issue:

 

 

Who Are These People?

 

ARRC Members Attacked

 

I Have Siamese Twins

 

Regular Features……

Kathy’s Korner

 

Limp the limp by Greg Smith

 

Presidents Message

 

ARRC News and Highlights

 

Race Schedules

 

Race results

 

 

President’s Message

 

Greetings all!  Where has the summer gone?  We started off running the Mini, and a few road trips later, we’re evaluating our training for a fall marathon (or a half - you choose).  Our summer youth cross country program is drawing to a close, and what a success it has been this first year.  Before you know it, it will be time to “Run the Mounds”!  The first day of fall is less than a month away, and I’m not the only one thinking about the change of seasons; read another member’s reflections in these pages. 

 

I think it’s great to see folks line up along the path once again on Thursday nights, cheering on and supporting our fellow race participants.  The impact of this small gesture can provide great inspiration and motivation to our fellow runners – please take a moment, when you can, and boost the spirits of those who follow you across the finish line.

 

Who is signed up for the 2005 Mini?  Does it seem too soon?  Word is that it’s filling up fast, so don’t delay too much longer.  You don’t want to miss out on the fun, plus signing up now will provide you with inspiration and motivation when planning your winter runs.  And don’t forget the Lawrence Marathon and Half Marathon and 5k coming up October 16^th – there’s still time to fine-tune your training and get signed up!

 

For those of you who are looking for more of a challenge, I would recommend participating in one of DINO (Do INdiana Off-road) Trail Runs.  These runs offer a unique challenge for those looking for a change of pace; fast times are not a priority when staying upright is your main goal.  Running up and down hills, through creek beds, making sure you know where to plant your next step – what a challenge with everlasting memories to reflect upon next winter.  For more information on the series take a look at their website www.dinoseries.com .

 

Finally, I just want to say once again what a great group of people we have as members of the ARRC.  Not only do we try to support each other while reaching our fitness goals, but we are supportive in our emotional needs as well.  Several members and close friends have lost loved ones in recent months, and our membership’s compassion and caring has been overwhelming and much appreciated by those suffering the loss.  Many of us have grown closer through these experiences and I’m proud to be a member of this group.  A special thanks to each and every one of you……..

 

Happy trails, 

 

Tommy G.

COOL SUMMER……………….HOT  DINO RACES

It’s been a cool summer , which has been great for running and racing. Every so often it’s fun to try something different. Some ARRC members are doing triathlons, quite a few are getting ready for fall marathons and some of us are doing some of the DINO races (see above). They are trail races of varying difficulties. It’s really amazing that we have some really rugged trails here in Indiana. The DINO races are all quite a challenge to begin with, but this year the weather made them even tougher. Even though we had a cool summer The DINO races seem to fall on the hottest days of the year. A race in April at Avon,  fell on one of the first 80 degree days of the year. The toughest race was on July 3rd (same day as the Chesterfield race) at Muscatatuck Park and you know how hot that day was. A group of us, including your editor, Greg Smith, Tommy Goodson, Kathy Wehrley, and Robin Gerhart traveled to Libertyville, In. this past weekend , August 28, to Doin It Outdoors, site for the supposedly second toughest race in the series. It was a steambath… extremely hot, and the terrain was extremely tough with less than foot wide trails,paths constantly going up and down hill and numerous switchbacks. There was very little water available on the course which made it even tougher.

As tough as it was,  we all persevered to the end. Greg and Kathy did the 5K (Greg walked), and the rest of us did the 15 K. Greg finished fourth in his age group, including the runners, Kathy finished 2nd in her age group, Yours truly finished 3rd in his age group , while Tommy finished first in his( Tommy snuck into my age group last month), and Robin finished 3rd female overall. The awards are great, really nice 8 x 12 inch plaques. The winners  get medals for each race to place on the plaque.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One sad note… Although five of us went together, not one of us won a door prize.

 

The last two DINO races are in Indianapolis in October and November. Consider a challenge! These last two races are a bit easier than some of the others, so they would be good to try. Check the DINO website above.

KATHY’S KORNER

 

As I sit here and shiver in my long sleeves, watching the rain come down, I can’t help but think it won’t be long until summer is gone and winter isn’t far behind.  Oh, I know it’s just late August as I write this, and chances are (maybe) that we’ll have a few more 80 degree days, but I know, as most runners do, when the seasons are on the brink of change….

 

As runners, we spend loads of time outdoors, many of us enjoying the trails at Mounds and the paths around Shadyside Lake.  We know what time the sun comes up, when a cool morning will start to warm up, and how much daylight is lost as the months march on.  We see the leaves begin to fall from the trees, and know it won’t be long until we’ll be wearing long sleeves on our early morning runs.

 

It’s inevitable, but it still brings on a sense of loss.  I love running in the summertime, knowing I’ll be wringing wet at the end of my Saturday morning 10 miler.  You see so many more folks out in the summer, even at the times when runners have the parks to themselves; many of those same folks tend to run less and hibernate in the winter months.  For me personally, I have to really talk myself into those cold winter morning runs, even though I do enjoy the cool of the fall and the smell of the air.

 

But summer for me is the best.  I enjoy the Thursday night races, the canoeing trips with running friends, the road trips to weekend races, pool parties, open air concerts, any reason for a celebration.  I will miss those things in the fall and the winter, when we’re indoors more, but with different things to look forward to…let’s see, there’s the leaves changing color, the smell of wood smoke and fall in the air, Run the Mounds, running in the first snowfall, the Thanksgiving run, Christmas!  Maybe the HUFF this year?  New Year’s Eve, setting new mileage and race goals, the Kennekuk 7 miler, dreaming of spring...

 

I guess there is a lot to look forward to and much to be grateful for.  The list goes on and on – hope this gets you to thinking about your own list…..

 

 

Kathy Wehrley

 

FEATURE STORY… Runners Attacked…..

Age not a factor

In one of the most shocking twists yet to an ongoing story, at least two members of our running community have been attacked. Cole Hardacre, one of our elite youth runners, was running near the river at Mounds State Park when he was viciously attacked by THE owl. Grabbed by the hair, he was able to escape. He was seen the next day running with a stick to ward off further attacks by this predator. Later Doug Rose was also attacked from behind while running at Mounds. Here is the twist. Doug didn’t see his attacker. While we assume the first attack really was due to an owl, who can know for sure what or who attacked Doug Rose. This makes us reevaluate our previous understanding. More and more freak happenings lead to only one conclusion:

                                                                                

 

Our group at the DINO run

Kathy with the plaque the winners receive

RUN the MOUNDS

     BATBOY RETURNS

Recent theories state that batboy may have developed the ability to make himself invisible to his victims with his powerful sonar. Not only that, but he may have the ability to morph himself into other species, such as owls or even humans. If you notice anyone acting strangely , including mood changes, sudden losses or gains in weight, sudden new found speed  or deteriorating race times, you will need to consider that Batboy may have temporarily assumed control of that person. Tell tale signs would be little trails of bat droppings strewn across the floor, sleeping upside down in bed, and a smell of ammonia.

While at least one of these attacks may have really been an owl,  only time will tell. Although, our board has not voted on this officially, funds will be available as a reward for any proof of Batboy’s existence. Editors note…..ARRC does not confirm or deny the existence of Batboy. All readers will need to come to their own conclusions