We’re on Meetup!
PCVRC has a new MeetUp site (www.meetup.com) with group runs already posted. If you haven’t already been on MeetUp, try it out and search for Pike Creek Valley Running Club. You don’t have to pay anything to register as a member.
Couch 2 5K program
Due to the popularity of our first Couch 2 5k program, PCVRC, in collaboration with New Balance, is once again offering the program to members and non-members – so tell your family and friends. If your goal is to run a 5k, we have the group for you. Come meet Paula Jermyn, Darlise DiMatteo and Claire Neilan on Mondays at 6pm beginning August 5th at the Newark Reservoir. We will start with general introductions and a brief discussion of that night’s workout. You will also receive that week’s training plan for you to follow on your schedule, although we would love to see you at any of the other group runs/walks. There is no cost for this program. Incentives include discounts at the New Balance Brandywine and Christiana stores for those who complete at least 6 weeks of the running program and a discount to our 5k race- the DDC 5k. Spread the word!
Radnor “Steeplechase” for USATF and other runners
We have the next USATF off – road race coming up fast – this weekend! Sunday the 18th at the Radnor Hunt club we will take to the fields and the steeples. This is change from our normal schedule this year but we hope that we can get enough support to keep PCVRC in the club challenge. Currently we are only a few points ahead of the Pineland Striders.
We have also been invited to join the Pineland Striders post-race tailgate (maybe they are trying to figure out how to catch us). There is no need to bring anything but a side dish or cold beer is welcomed.
Details are available here – http://beta.active.com/malvern-pa/running/radnor-red-steeplechase-run-2013 . Day of registration is available.
Run or Volunteer at Nun Run Sept 14 (Ray Christensen)
I hope to see many of you at www.NunRun5k.org Sat. 9/14 in Newark. If you like music, pizza, Chic-fil-A, beer, chocolate milk, random prizes, goodie bags, etc., then register now. Miss New Castle County will be singing the National Anthem. PCVRC will have a table there as always — in exchange for our assistance, so…
If not running, please let me know in advance if you can volunteer (course marshal, traffic control). We will have 400+ participants. Check out plenty of photos of last year’s event at the site. Once again, it’s the RRCA 5K Delaware State Championship (open, 40+, 50+, 60+). This year, we’re raising money for upgraded security cameras for the needy seniors cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor. Run safely!
— Ray Christensen 302-633-1482
Race Results, Reviews and accomplishments:
John Schultz – Green-Fields Duathlon, West Deptford, NJ, July 28 (Run 2, Bike 12, Run 3), 2:11:21 (awards, 1st in age and “Most seasoned veteran”/Oldest finisher
Half Wit Half Marathon, Reading, PA, August 11, 1st in AG
Theresa Kauffman, Presidential Lakes Sprint Triathlon, Pine Barrens, NJ, Aug. 11 (Swim ¼, Bike 11, Run 3.1), 3rd overall female
Pittsburgh Sprint Triathlon, July 27 (Swim 600M, Bike 20K, Run 3.1) 3rd in AG
Sunset Challenge Duathlon, Parvin State Park, NJ, July 27 (Run 2, Bike 13, Run 3.1)
Tom Jermyn, 1:08:39 (2nd in AG)
Dan Simmons, 1:16:08 (1st in AG)
John Schultz, 2:06:08 (1st in AG)
USAT Nationals Race Report (Darlise Dimatteo)
I just got back from Milwaukee, WI where I participated in the USAT Age Group National Championships for Olympic distance triathlon. I qualified last year at my half ironman when I finished 2nd in my age group (woo hoo!). I consider myself an average Joe so to get this invite was an unexpected Christmas present.
I arrived in Milwaukee a couple of days early to get acclimated and to get first dibs on the cool stuff at the expo. This is a beautiful city- a smaller version of Chicago complete with the gorgeous lakefront. I hit the expo and packet pick up on Thursday and got a great picture of Chrissie Wellington- my idol in triathlon. I was able to check out the water on Friday when they opened the course for a practice swim. Good thing they did- the water temp was 64 degrees! It took a minute to get used to, but after a few strokes, I did not notice the cold anymore, thank goodness. Nothing like a good swim to calm the nerves and get me fired up to get to the start line.
Saturday morning-RACE DAY! I was ready mentally and was hoping I was ready physically too. First up was the swim. I was in wave seven out of a lot and they had the waves spaced ten minutes apart which made for a pretty open course. It was uneventful. I am not a fast swimmer so my goal is always to get out of the water without being tired. After a 32:55 swim, I was out of the water and into transition.
Next was the bike. First of all, I had the cheapest bike in the entire transition area. I was the only one without aerowheels or an aerohelmet. I was only one of a few who was not on a tri bike. And, I was the only one on a bike that I had put together- yikes! That’s ok because it is all about the engine and I am OK on the bike. The course was hilly and windy but manageable. The biggest problem was trying to maintain three bike lengths from the girl in front of me (stupid non-drafting rules) because there were TONS of course marshals out there. Having to slow down when the girl in front of me did was frustrating enough but getting a two minute penalty would have been worse. To give you an idea how strict they were, there were 82 penalties for the Olympic event. An hour and 15 minutes later I was back in transition and heading out on the run.
Ugh, the run. This was the discipline that had me most worried. I battled a calf injury in the spring and that set me back with my base training. The weather was low 70s with a breeze off of the lake, which made for great running conditions. I decided not worry about mile splits and just concentrate on running strong. I focused on the girl in front of me and soon I was running them down, one by one. Before I knew it, I was running down the finishing shoot and crossed the line at 2 hours and 42 minutes, a PR by one minute – woo hoo! On top of that, I had just run my fastest 10k ever in 49:34- woo hoo again! As I turned to get my medal, there was Chrissie Wellington, four-time World Ironman Champion, to put my medal on me. I thanked her and told her that she was awesome. She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and she thanked me! What an amazing ending to an amazing race.
From the editor – I publish any results sent to me at or at . So please continue to send me results “of note” and I will put them in the newsletter. Occasionally, I may be moved to publish a list of all PCVRC runners from a big local race. USATF racers running for the club will have their results published as they are sent to me.
I am particularly interested in acknowledging significant other accomplishments that may not get noticed otherwise – someone who ran a “first” (5K to a marathon, a tri, etc.) or ran in a “destination” race (like a Ragnar, Big Sur Marathon, etc.) So please, tell on your friends! And I am always in need of race reviews!