Valley Forge Five Miler MA-USATF Grand Prix Series
Last Saturday seven PCVRC members towed the line to represent the club in the third race of the MA-USATF Grand Prix Series, the Valley Forge Five Miler. They scored well despite the expected depletion because some possible participants were still recovering from the Boston Marathon. The club scored 393.840 points and is currently in third place in the series. John Schultz has won his age group in all three events.

With MA-USATF’s overly liberal policy of allowing clubs to only score in seven events and with the events on Philadelphia Marathon weekend possibly allowing clubs to accumulate three team scores on that weekend, clubs could skip up to four events during the series and still place well in it. So standings are sort or irrelevant until late November. Am I a being a little too obvious here that I don’t like this policy? Consistency in participating in the events, which PCVRC has demonstrated for years, has less influence on the scoring than a few great performances by a small number of top runners if they show up for some of the events.

The next event in the Grand Prix series will be the Broad Street 10 Miler on May 6 in Philadelphia. The next event in the Off-Road series is the Triple Crown 10K Run at 10:00 A.M. at the Carpenter Recreation Area of White Clay Creek State Park off of Rt. 896, outside of Newark.

Valley Forge Five Miler Results:
30:09 81.537 John Costello
30:54 80.906 Tom Steemkamer
32:24 79.115 Epi Camcho
39.17 77.429 Beth Howlett
36:43 74.852 Dan Simmons
50:41 56.264 Jerry Herman
1:08:34 49.514 John Schultz

More Boston Recap
A longer version of this editor’s account of the 2012 Boston marathon, including the things Mark Lozier and I did and the people we met, before, during and after the race, is now posted on my blog: http://mccorq.blogspot.com/

From President Ray:
Delaware Marathon Course Marshals needed
For those not running a Delaware Marathon event, please contact Ray if you can volunteer to help keep runners safe in our Bancroft Parkway area of the course on Sunday May 13 7:15-9:30am, 9:30-noon, or both. It’s a critical place and we’ve barely had enough people to cover it in the past.
You’ll get a shirt and you’ll have fun. Let me know soon if you’re in or can bring a friend! 302-633-1482

Water Table at Delcastle 4/25
Club will have a table set up to offer spring water to runners, walkers, dogs at Delcastle Rec Area on Wed 4/25 530-730pm. It’s to show our banner, pass out brochures and introduce us to the community. Group run at 6pm as always. Drop by at any time for a couple laps or to socialize. Let Ray know if you can definitely man the table for any length of time.

Race Results:
Ronald McDonald 5K:
20:32 Lynn Knothe, 3rd Overall female, 1st 30-35
20:38 Michael Peyton, 2nd Male Master
20:49 Lisa Jalot, 1st Female Master

DVRTF One Step At a Time 5K
17:54 Greg Cauller, Ist Master, 3rd Overall
20:18 Lynn Knothe, Female winner
26:39 Rachel Bleacher, 1st 19-29, New PR!

From President Ray:
Delaware Marathon Course Marshals needed
For those not running a Delaware Marathon event, please contact Ray if you can volunteer to help keep runners safe in our Bancroft Parkway area of the course on Sunday May 13 7:15-9:30am, 9:30-noon, or both. It’s a critical place and we’ve barely had enough people to cover it in the past.
You’ll get a shirt and you’ll have fun. Let me know soon if you’re in or can bring a friend! 302-633-1482

Water Table at Delcastle 4/25
Club will have a table set up to offer spring water to runners, walkers, dogs at Delcastle Rec Area on Wed 4/25 530-730pm. It’s to show our banner, pass out brochures and introduce us to the community. Group run at 6pm as always. Drop by at any time for a couple laps or to socialize. Let Ray know if you can definitely man the table for any length of time.

Hamptons Marathon/half marathon with B+
Rich Szymanski passes this on from Katie Wilson, Program Director of the Andrew MacDonough B+ Foundation. Unfortunately this bulletin is getting out after an informational meeting.
http://www.bepositive.org/marathon.html

We have 50 slots reserved in the Hamptons marathon/half marathon. If people choose to run with B+ and reach their fundraising goal, they will receive:
a trainer from club 26.2
free travel and lodging
free registration
free pre-race meal
free post-race refreshments
official Hamptons marathon shirt and race number
finishers medal
B+ running shirt
From our marathon page there is a link to the sign-up to run with us. On the site each runner receives their own online donation page where they can personalize all information.

The 2012 Boston Marathon: The Water Stop Tour
The latest edition of the Boston Marathon, the 13th I’ve done, is now the most memorable one for me. Various sources said the temperature reached 87 to 89 degrees, which was a few degrees above the temperature in the 2004 marathon. But the big difference was the humidity. In 2004 the air was very dry with a westerly wind at our backs. This year the morning dew point was 58, indicating more moisture in the air, even though the breezes in the upper eighties evaporated water applied to the skin in a few minutes. Below are some comments from club members who completed the event, mostly culled from their Facebook pages. Afterward, I’m posting some personal commentary.

Adam Shilling: stayed out of the Medic tent and may have avoided black toes too, bonus.

Andy Jacubowitch: It was a couple degrees hotter than 2004 (the year I got heat stroke), but without a noon start, which helped a little.

Claire Neilan : Today was a crazy marathon day in Boston! But goal was to survive the record heat and cross the finish line without ending up in medical tent. Goal achieved!

Dirk Sweigart: Just ran my first Boston Marathon and I really don’t know what to make of it. Terrible hot day and I was soo slow and walked. My quads were shredded…but I think that’s the course not the heat. I had a great first half (1:40) and then it all fell apart. Sheri had an awesome race…how’d she do that? Beat me for the first time, 3:45 to my 3:57. Hope she gets over THAT quickly, ugh!

Sheri Herrmann: My time was about 30 seconds slower than last year. I ran cautiously and stopped to drink at every water station. I was really just out to finish safely! It was brutally hot!

Sarah Rusk: I’m always a very positive runner. I always keep negative thoughts out of my head, but I couldn’t do that this time. I had a tough time out there. It was brutal.”

I knew at mile two there was no way i was going to run my best. In fact, it was my personal worst. That was the most difficult race I have ever run. It took all the mental strength I had to get through it. Thank goodness for the fans who were, handing out ice, cold towels, freeze pops,oranges, etc. They were amazing.

Although I ran nowhere close to my goal pace, it will be a race I’ll remember forever. I found out how mentally strong I am, which is so important in the marathon. After running that “race,” I now know I can survive anything.
_____________________________

How many times have I watched the weather forecast for a particular race change from a moderate, favorable one to something that’s going to present a challenge? For marathons, it seems about in one out of three cases, the forecast has gone awry. Sometimes it becomes more cold and blustery. Sometimes it’s rain. And sometimes it’s heat. Usually when a trend starts to go in one direction six days out from the event, it just continues to get worse as race day approaches.

And so it was with the 2012 Boston Marathon. A forecast in the low 70s a week out became a prediction of high 80s and no cloud cover with two days to go. By Saturday the Boston Athletic Association had decided to let registrants opt out if they picked up their number, but didn’t start. About 400 took advantage of that. But the other part of the decision was to extend the time in which a runner could be officially scored to seven hours from six. (In actuality, it appears everyone who finished was scored, even over eight hours.) The irony of this change was that club member Mark Lozier had been contacting BAA about extending the hours or an early start several times in the weeks leading up to the race, but kept being denied. But the weather changed all that.

Mark’s dilemma: Back up to last summer. Mark had stumbled going down steps at home and injured his right knee. He got the meniscus operated on in August and 10% was removed. Having qualified at Mohawk Hudson Valley in October 2010 (where I also got a BQ), Mark registered for the marathon in September. But as he tried to run again, he was experiencing pain. Visits to the doctor showed the knee had developed some arthritis at the point of the surgery. He took a series of fluid injections. But the knee never came around. By early this year, he determined that he’d begin walking and shortened a 12 week program to eight. The last month he covered 200 miles and got in two 20 milers. He had decided to WALK the Boston Marathon. He figured at his walking pace it would take about 6 hours and 40 minutes and thus the angst when BAA denied him, but relief when it decided the field could have an extra hour.

Meanwhile, I figured this race was going to be similar to 2004 when the temperature reached 86. Then I told myself it was like another long run at the beach and I ran about a minute a mile slower than I was capable of on a good day. So this time, I figured I could do about 4:45, a time I did in June of 2010 at a warm marathon. But my calculations were off. The humidity was higher than in 2004 and in mid-April there was no opportunity to be acclimated to the heat as I was by June of 2010.

So when the race started I noticed early on the things were going to be different. After the two initial downhill miles, my pace slowed in chunks of time on each successive mile. By the first water stop, I was thirsty and I slugged back both water and Gatorade and then went to the water stop on the other side of the road a hundred or so yards up for more water to throw on my head, neck, back and chest. My legs never felt “runnerish”. My arms got goose bumps (a sign of overheating). It probably took a third of the distance before my body was starting to properly deal with the heat.

Meanwhile I noticed how quickly the enthusiasm of the participants had dissipated. By 5K it was quiet amongst the runners. People had already withdrawn into their focus on keeping going. There were no easy early miles. It became the Water Stop Tour. The water thrown on the body evaporated in less than five minutes and by the time the next water stop appeared (only a mile down the road), the clothes were dry and the hands were hot. People weaved from one side of the road to the other for the two aid stations at each mile. BAA had doubled the amount of water available for each runner from five gallons to ten. Misters and sprays from hydrants had the runners veering to the sides of the road. Volunteers and ordinary citizens handed out ice cubes, water paper towels, small sponges, and shot water guns at willing runners. The focus was not the next mile or 5K split, it was the next bit of fluid to consume or throw on one’s body.

It was a group effort – runners, volunteers and the hundreds of thousands of civilians. We runners could not have made it without them – those who weren’t running, but who were also there out in the sun for hours and hours, handing out water cups, or gels, whatever individuals got out of their houses. One woman had a small stand of all sorts of small things runners might need – vaseline, pens, ibuprofen. Little kids stood and held small dixie cups of water their parents had poured.

And. of course, there were endless words of encouragement, particularly if one penned a sign on like I did _ “Go, Dave!” I must have heard it 5,000 times. Sometimes, in other events, I’ve gotten tired of it. But not this time. Every “Go, Dave”, even if from a guy who had already had one too many beers, was helping to will me forward.

The Wellesley co-eds, just past the 20K split, seemed to be more competitive than ever with their “Kiss Me” signs. “Kiss Me, I’m from Maine”, “Kiss Me, I’m from Cali”, “Kiss Me, I’m a Senior”, “Kiss Me, I’m Graduating”, and my personal favorite (No, I did not kiss her) – “Kiss Me, I’m a Nerd”. For 300 yards, I probably came out of the 12 minute pace I had settled into and “sped up” to a ten minute pace. So did everyone around me, and when we were past, we settled back down into our ever-slowing slog.

After passing Newton Falls, the lowest spot on the course before getting into Boston, the four successive hills, combined with the effort one was going through to keep the body cool, really slowed us all down. First a 13 minute mile, then 14 minute mile, then two 15 minute miles. Eventually everyone was walking. When I stopped “running” to walk on the third hill, I was breathing so hard that it took me five minutes of walking for my breathing to slow to a semblance of moderate breathing.

Having gone uphill so slowly, the downhills and on into Boston were a bit faster, if you consider 13 and 12 minute paces “faster”. Eventually, I finished in 5:25, over an hour slower than what I felt capable of doing if the weather had been nice. But what an experience! I’ve got many memories. I’m going to write about some of the people we met. Some were inspiring. This I’ll post on my blog in a few days.

Mark had his own interesting experiences back among the last few hundreds of participants. Most notably, he met a woman, J. Jill Cummins, who had dealt with an issue similar to his. She had damaged a tendon in a foot and had decided to walk. She had a protective boot on the foot. Mark said she had a totally positive attitude about the situation. It became even more inspiring to Mark when she mentioned at some point that during the last year she had had a double mastectomy. She ended up finishing right behind Mark, who hit his 6:40 prediction.

Race Results:
2012 Boston Marathon
2:52:29 Enos Benbow
3:06:32 Andy Jacubowitch
3:23:31 Keith Crispin
3:28:38 Sarah Rusk
3:34:28 Matt Cutrona
3:45:39 Sheri Herrmann
3:45:51 Lee Kauffman
3:57:13 Carol Giampietro
3:57:34 Dirk Sweigart
4:16:59 Mike Brown
4:45:25 Claire Neilan
5:24:57 Dave McCorquodale
6:40:22 Mark Lozier

Four Miles of Hope Run
23:11 Greg Cauller, Overall Winner
28:22 Kristen Stump, Female Winner
28:35 Dan Simmons, 1st 60-69 with a 7:08 pace, Dan appears to be reaching his pre-injury form
30:45 Jack Horowitz, 3rd 40-49
30:46 Kelly Horowitz, 1st 30-39 Running with hubby Jack, this is Kelly’s first race since the birth of their twins

Thin Mint 5K
17:49 Greg Cauller, 2nd Overall

Newest & Oldest Member Hugh Campbell
Rich Szymanski and I met Hugh Campbell on Monday evening. In case you are not aware of him, Hugh is 87 years old and has only been running for a little over a year. Last summer he set the state record of 30:15 for the newly created 85-89 age group. This past Saturday at the Cherry Blossom 5K, he broke his own record with a chip time of 28:49! This time equates to an age grade of 90.75, which is considered world class. Indeed, at the National Masters Championship last year, the winner in that age group had a time of over 33 minute, which Hugh could easily attain.

Rich and I told Hugh about the club and about the USATF competition. Hugh is intrigued and may attend the send-off party this evening. We are hoping Hugh can train up to five miles in order to compete in a few of the events this year. Hugh has already joined the club.

USATF update 4/10/12 From Tom Steemkamer:
The next race in the USATF Grand Prix (road) series is the Valley Forge 5 miler, @ 8:30 on Sunday 4/22. This is a well-organized and exciting course run through historic Valley Forge park on rolling terrain. We seem to be challenged with fielding a team for this event since it occurs less than a week after Boston. Hint – we need more racers! Note that all the other clubs have this same issue and last year PCVRC came home with several age group award winners.

There is no day of registration for this race nor will there be onsite registration for the USATF. (Due park regulations regarding cash transactions.) The last day for online registration is next Monday 4/16. Check out the web site for additional details on registration.

If you are considering competing @ Valley Forge and we’d love to have more folks join us, please ensure your registration is complete and USATF membership is current.
Please contact Rich or me for any questions.

The off road series resumes on Saturday, 4/28 @ our home course with the Triple Crown 10k sponsored by the Trail Dawgs. This course is the fastest 10k in the off road series and we always manage to enjoy the home course advantage. The 1st 4 miles are mostly flat with only 2 hill climbs in the final stages of the race. Registration is now open – check here for details. I’d like to hear from anyone interested in completing a modestly paced pre run of the course next week. I’m thinking about doing the pre run on Wednesday, 4/18 or Friday 4/20. Meeting at the Carpenter Rec. area on Rt. 896 @ 5:45, run to start @ 6. Note annual park fees are now in effect.

Please RSVP with interest and preferred date for the TC pre run to Depending on interest we can head into Newark for some post run food and refreshments.

Boston Send-Off / Spring Social Party Recap
The Boston Send-Off Party at Six Paupers last evening was well attended with approximately 40 people although only four of the fourteen club members who are running the Boston Marathon were there. However, many other former Boston runners were there, as well as Doug White, who will be completing his 38th consecutive Boston Marathon. Doug gave out caps, accumulated from the various Delaware Sports Club trips, to people who had been one of those bus trips.

New club member Hugh Campbell and his wife Naomi attended their first club event. Ralph McKinney immediately got to work to increase Hugh’s endurance by treating him to a hour’s worth of running related conversation.

Dirk Sweigart noted this: Six Paupers gave me a tan fleece jacket which was left on a bar stool at the Boston send-off and if somebody wants it they should contact me at 302-545-7047 or .

This editor will be in the Boston area until next Wednesday, so the next bulletin will be later next week. I hope some of the club participants are eager to share their accounts of the event.

Boston Send-off Party & Spring Social
2012-04-11 Wednesday, 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Six Paupers – Hockessin DE

Meet your fellow members!
Join us as we wish our fellow PCVRC Boston marathoners a safe and successful marathon. Various appetizers/finger food will be served, compliments of the club. Drinks will be available from the bar.

Although an RSVP is not necessary for this event it is always helpful if you can us know if you plan to attend to ensure that we have enough food for everyone.
Contact: Rachel Bleacher
Email:

Host a Fun Run! From Dirk Sweigart:
You should host a “group run! The PCVRC doesn’t just run; we also like to socialize! So we are always looking for new people to meet and new places to run (or old friends at old places)! Consider hosting a “group run” where we all meet, run (maybe) and then partake. We can meet to run anywhere and then socialize after at the park, a local restaurant or house. In the past we have run/partied at: Delcastle/Ruby Tuesdays; Newark Reservoir/ Timothy’s; Lums Pond/Jim’s; Judge Morris/Dirk’s; Delcastle/Dave and Carolyn’s (McCorq’s)[see Editor’s Note below]; Weatherhill/Rich and Trish’s (Crabowitz); Greenway Trail/Kid Shelleen’s.

This is easy to do and we’ll help you. Take a look at www.pcvrc.com/groupruns.php, consider some potential dates and locations and then give Dirk a call on 302-545-7047 or e-mail at so we can fill up our summer and fall calendar.

Also, watch for “water Wednesday” nights at Delcastle and come out, make a few loops and help us hand out water and promote our club

R & R National Marathon
From Dave Baca, who ran a Boston qualifying time at the R & R National Marathon in Washington, D.C. on March 17:
The R&R race in D.C. was excellent. There were 24 thousand participants on the inaugural run. About 21 of the 24 were for the 1/2 marathon which made the first 13 miles a bit crowded. The spectator support was good, but paled compared to Philly. The course was not very difficult. I’d say it is on par will Philly, fairly fast. There were a couple areas of good incline, but that was in the first half of the race. I ran under 1:36min for the half, but slowed during the last half finishing with a BQ time of 3:26. I did not do any long runs training (over 15 miles) for this race. Most of my long runs were 12miles, so I knew the last half might be problematic. I compensated for the lack of long runs by dropping 12lbs over 8 weeks before the race. I have recovered well and will probably run a couple marathons in 2012.

The weather was warm from the start and just got warmer throughout the day. I think it was in the upper 70’s by the time I finished.

Tyler Arboretum 10k 3/31/12 From Tom Steenkamer:
It’s been a while since the trail racing shoes came out for some exercise. Still encased in mud from the 3 club challenge at White Clay I knew they would get a good cleaning at the Tyler Arboretum 10k. Tyler is great venue for introductory trail racing with double track trails throughout the course and terrain that is not too technical. (The hills are modest and the roots and rocks are minimal). However, there are those four minor stream crossing which require at least one foot to get damp unless you choose to queue up and use the hiker rocks to stay dry. See below.

With Captain Rich at the helm of one car and Lorri Fencer gathering the balance of the local crew we car pooled up to Media on a cool, overcast Saturday morning. We were greeted with a damp course from the overnight rain and with temps in the low 40’s; the humidity still hung in the air. PCVRC was represented by Josh Loren, Tom Steenkamer, Epi Camacho, Bob Klezsics, Lisa Jalot, Ray Christensen, Lori Fencer, Mike Piorkowski, hall of famer, John Schultz.

The start of the race is typical for the off road series- a 200 meter sprint on old farm road before the runners squeeze through a gate in the Jurassic park like deer fence that surrounds the Arboretum grounds. Josh broke out hard early followed by Epi and myself. The runners quickly spread out over the wide trail and I lost sight of the leaders after about 800 meters of rolling terrain. The first creek crossing comes after a short, fast downhill section just before the first mile. Runners need to choose between jumping from the stream bank and landing a large rock to stay dry or land mid-stream in ankle deep water. With the overnight rains the water is bit deeper today and Josh is in the lead heading to stream, He chooses to push off from the bank and land in the water only to land awkwardly and roll his left ankle. Still plenty of racing to go and Josh pushes on to lead the team finishing 3rd overall. My crossing is uneventful, but the photographer misses my splash.

The second stream crossing is bit wider around mile two, somehow deeper than usual. It takes two steps to cross and the water is up to mid-calf. I finish 12th overall with Epi and Harvest Bob not far behind. I look at the clock and see that my finish time is almost a minute slower than last year and decide to chalk it up to my current training limitations. I head back out onto the race course for a cool down and to cheer on the rest of the team. The Arboretum grounds are not as manicured as Longwood, but I still enjoy a short run through the Pinetum (a collection of various rare and not so rare conifers) and a stop by the Giant Sequoias. Planted sometime around 1830 one of them is the largest specimen in PA.

Post-race we gather for the awards and head over to Mike P’s house for food and hydration. We’re warmly greeted by Mike’s wife Terri and Madame Currie (Mike’s German shepherd) and not one but two beer fridges! Relaxing with couple of cold beverages, and ice packs for Josh’s ankle and my plantar fasciitis, the group enjoys a light lunch. Thanks Mike and Terri!

PCVR – Team score 349.01
14 EPI CAMACHO WILMINGTON DE M 56 44:37 72.30
12 TOM STEENKAMER RISING SUN MD M 53 43:54 71.65
15 BOB KLESZICS HOCKESSIN DE M 54 45:22 69.92
3 JOSH LOREN WILMINGTON DE M 31 38:51 69.45
25 LISA JALOT WILMINGTON DE F 41 48:01 65.69
102 LORRI FENCER WILMINGTON DE F 51 56:31 61.56
52 RAYMOND CHRISTENSEN WILMINGTON DE M 50 51:25 59.70
73 RICHARD SZYMANSKI WILMINGTON DE M 47 53:57 55.56
108 MIKE PIORKOWSKI GLEN MILLS PA M 51 57:12 54.10
323 JOHN SCHULTZ WILMINGTON DE M 79 1: 24:51 50.35

MA-USATF has not yet posted the overall results of this competition.

Editor’s post:
Events within the club in the past few weeks led me to the realization that a shake-up was due. So I’ve made some decisions, which I post below. I’ve also created my own blog, http://mccorq.blogspot.com/. The paragraphs below are the end of the first article I’m posting (http://mccorq.blogspot.com/2012/04/this-editors-journey.html) about how I became involved in the club and editor of its communications. Since the rest of the article is about me, it’s not necessary to read it in order to get the gist of what I post below. But anyone who is a “fan” of my writing might want to bookmark the site.

The recent awards banquet to which the club founders were invited and where some other former club members attended suddenly made it clear to me that those people were of my generation. The thing is I just happened to get into running later in life and joined the club late. But I realized that my generation represents the past of the club.

I’ve put in 16 years as an editor, first just helping to keep the club afloat, and later reporting on the increased participation. I’ve made some mistakes, not in intention, but in style – responding in a curt manner, which is subject to misunderstanding over e-mail; or projecting an abrasive or negative tone. I’m sorry for that. I hope at times people understood that some of these things were attempts at humor.

However, while someone with a lot of experience can have knowledge which makes things easier, becoming comfortable with that person holding a position for a long time can stifle the growth of others and, thus, possibly hold back the growth of the club. While I’ve long pondered why more people don’t participate in actively growing the club, part of the answer may be that having an old-timer staying in a position for too long may be holding others back from using their talents.

So I’ll be stepping down as editor of the E-Bulletins. Here’s the deal, If anyone has the time and the inclination to be editor, I’ll be glad to provide all the help I can to get you up to speed. I won’t stop doing bulletins until you think you can do them without my help. If no one comes forward, I’ll keep being editor until the end of 2012, but will definitely resign at that point.

I’m also ending the hosting of McCorq’s Fun Run at my house. However, I’ve got a measuring wheel that Tony Chelpaty gave me. I’ll pass it on for the measuring of a new 5K challenge course if anyone wants to continue this tradition for late August. I’ve also got the start for prizes, consisting mostly of what wasn’t grabbed the last time when Ray hosted the run because of a death in our family.

Race Results:

Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon:
1:50:39 Ryan Cummingham
1:55:09 Ron Kwasnieski
Two new club members, who both completed their first half-marathon and whose names I missed previously.

Up On Your Feet 5K:
17:23 Matt Cutrona, Overall Winner
19:18 Sarah Rusk, Female winner and second overall

Boston Send-off Party & Spring Social
2012-04-11 Wednesday, 6:30-9:00pm
Location: Six Paupers – Hockessin DE

Meet your fellow members!

Join us as we wish our fellow PCVRC Boston marathoners a safe and successful marathon. Various appetizers/finger food will be served, compliments of the club. Drinks will be available from the bar.

Although an RSVP is not necessary for this event it is always helpful if you can us know if you plan to attend to ensure that we have enough food for everyone.
Contact: Rachel Bleacher
Email:

Caesar Rodney & USATF Series Status
The Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon had 30 Pike Creek Valley Running Club participants. The 49th edition of this Wilmington running tradition brought out a good group of club members to run with over 1,400 other runners in the event and the accompanying 5K. The club was also participating in the event as part of the Mid-Atlantic USATF series and the top five team scorers accumulated 388.336 points in the race. After two events, PCVRC stands in fourth place in the club competition. Below, in Race Results, are listed all the club members I found. Please notify me if I missed your time.

From Ed Maher of MA-USATF:
The next Grand Prix race is the Valley Forge Revolutionary Run Five Mile Run on Sunday April 22 at 8:30am. The LDR Committee will have a table onsite at this race to display Grand Prix Circuit standings. However, due to National Park regulations no money can be exchanged on park grounds so we will not be able to accept membership fees. If anyone needs to join or renew their membership with USATF before this race, they should do so online as far in advance of the race date as possible; https://www.usatf.org/membership/application/

The Valley Forge Revolutionary Run online registration includes a separate registration category for USATF Mid-Atlantic members which enables us to enter our USATF membership number to take advantage of the $2 Grand Prix discount. For the Scott Coffee Moorestown Rotary 5 Miler online registration, there is also a place for our members to enter their USATF membership number to receive the $2 discount.

Hall of Fame From Tom Fort:
The Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame 2012 Banquet will be held on Thursday May 17th at the Chase Center on the Wilmington Riverfront, doors opening at 5:30PM for a social hour and the dinner beginning at 6:45PM.
To purchase banquet tickets to this grand night celebrating the best in Delaware sports, e-mail Sue Holloway at

Banquet tickets are $60 each. Tables for 10 are available. Phone (302) 992 – 0550. Checks payable to: “DSMHOF” can be mailed to:

DSMHOF, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, DE 19801. TICKETS CAN BE PAID BY VISA OR MASTER CARD BY CALLING (302) 425 – 3263.

Inductees include Terry Dendy, Jim Fischer and Ukee Washington for Track & Field and Mike Clark for Triathlon. The Delaware Distance Classic has given a portion of its funds for several years to the Mike Clark Foundation or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware in Mike Clark’s name.

Adrenaline 5K Recap – From Jay Coughenour
(Received too late for last week’s Bulletin)
I’m at the starting line, and it is really crowded with everyone squished together. I can’t see Steenkamer or anyone else that I know and I figure they must be up-front as I’m about three-four people deep off the starting line.

The gun goes off and it’s immediately very fast. The pace feels too quick, and I’m dancing over potholes on Main St! I hit the mile in 5:32 and there is a girl who looks no older than 12 just ahead of me – this makes me feel old and slow. After one mile the field starts to thin out a bit. At about 1.5 miles I’m suddenly going down a big hill. Crap – I thought this was a flat course! Sure enough, just before the 2nd mile I find myself going up a hill. Steenkamer told me this was a “fast course” – that darn liar! Where is Steenkamer? I didn’t pass him – so he must still be up ahead kickin’ my ass.

I get to the top of the hill at the 2nd mile mark and finally pass that 12 year old girl – damn she’s tough! I better keep my act together or she’s gonna drop me like a bad habit in the last 400m. I look at my watch and realize that I slowed down the second mile. Crap. The race takes a final turn onto Main Street where I pass an old guy I recognize from one of the other teams. I think I better pick up the pace or he’ll still beat me on that dreaded ‘age score.’ Speaking of old timers, where is Steenkamer???

I come over a final rise on Main Street, dodging pot holes, and finally see the finish line. I try to speed up, but my legs feel detached from my brain and they fail to respond to the “go faster” command. Some guy on a megaphone is yelling at all the runners to “kick it in”. Some do just that and fly right by me like I’m standin’ still.

The finish line is pretty with a big blue banner. I finish, and feel like a winner of some sort because a dude immediately hands me a medal. I thought they only gave finishing medals for long races, but I don’t complain. I turn around and see that young girl finish, but unlike me, she looks really relaxed, as if in the middle of an easy workout. Where are the bagels? Where is Steenkamer?

Postscript – I checked the results, and the girl I mention above must been Briana Gess, a 13 year old who ran 17:27!

Jay has another tale about the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon, along with one from Theresa. It shouldn’t be difficult to pick out the person who is the common denominator in these recollections.

Jay Coughenour’s CR Half-marathon:

It’s chilly, with a bit of a breeze and a few drops of rain at the starting line. I’m about three-four people deep off the starting line, squished tight, waiting with Andy Jakubowitch for the start. Andy is a running buddy on weekly PCVRC runs from Newark’s Panera Bread on Sunday mornings.

Senator Carper says a few words that I don’t really hear, and then we all stand in the cold just a bit longer for the National Anthem. Finally, a cannon bursts and it seems like EVERYONE is flying down the hill toward the Wilmington waterfront. I thought Andy and I agreed to run 6:00 pace, but he is darting ahead with a big wave of humanity. I catch Andy just before the mile, which we hit in 5:40. Thanks a lot Andy!! We slow down, yet still pass a lot of runners who must have inadvertently thought this was a 5K.

The waterfront area is the same as usual, but slippery in spots. A few spectators cheer for loved ones, and a coach yells words of encouragement to his runners. Where is our PCVRC coach? Andy and I hit the three-mile split in 17:51, only three seconds/mile too fast, which isn’t bad. We settle into a good pace and I feel better. As we make our way up the boardwalk, we are now running into the teeth of the wind, which seems stronger than it did on the starting line. We catch a group of four-five runners and let them break the wind for us. I can’t recall our cumulative five-mile split, but I do remember Andy yelling out “5:51” for our 5th mile. This is NOT GOOD – as I doubt my ability to handle that pace for eight more miles. Crap! On Tuesday, Coach Fischer told me not to push it much faster than 6:00 pace, but I decide to hang within the perceived safety of our little pack, as dropping back and running alone would seem demoralizing.

We hit Walnut St and pass many people yelling out encouragement, which is wonderful! A few people I can’t see yell ‘Go Jay’ which I really appreciate! Everyone seems to know Andy along the way – Mr. Popularity! I notice more coaches yelling out splits and encouragement to runners on the other teams! Where is Rich? Is he our coach?

We turn onto Park Drive and head up the hills. The hills seem longer and steeper than I recall. My legs feel heavy, probably from last week’s Adrenaline 5K. Our group strings out on the hill and Andy gaps me by a few meters before the Museum – some runnin’ buddy, eh? We finally round the Rockford Tower. Josh Loren gives out a shout of encouragement, and we give Mike Monigle and his daughter a high-five as they cheer us on! Andy hits the 10-mile split in 60:03 and I follow in 60:11 – eleven seconds behind schedule – crap!

As we head back down the hills we now pass large crowds of runners making their way up to the museum. Now I see Rich! Rich is jogging up the hill laughing and having a great ol’ time. It reminds me that this is supposed to be a fun way to spend a Sunday morning! The downhill back into Wilmington is painful. I can’t understand how downhills can actually hurt?! Tom Steenkamer gives out a cheer at the hospital with about 1/2 mile to go. Thanks Tom!

My legs feel seriously heavy as I make the final turn up the last nasty hill to the finish. Why do they route the course this way? Race directors can be evil! I don’t know about the rest of you, but on that hill my legs were churning, but I felt like I was standing still. I look up and see Andy finishing in the mid 1:18’s! I try to put together a ‘sprint’ to the finish, which must have looked pathetic. Break 1:19? Nope, I clock in at 1:19:01 – damn that last hill! We get handed a medal by a nice volunteer. It feels good to finish and congratulate the other runners.

All in, it was a very good day except for a bit of a headwind. The roads were in good shape most of the way. The temperature was great, and rains never arrived. After finishing I quickly forget the pain – it truly is temporary. It was fun, and I hope to be out there again soon!

2012 Caesar Rodney -some reflections from Theresa Kauffman:
I shared a touching moment with a fellow club member at the finish area of Caesar Rodney this past Sunday that I feel compelled to share with the PCVRC. I had to dig deep to get through this CR. I looked for some external motivation as Sunday neared.

I noticed in the old results I had run CR in 1987 – at age 24 and placed 3rd. I found some comfort that I’m still running after 25 years. I thought about how many CR’s I have run and it is at least ten( I don’t keep track) Ok, a bit more comfort. I’m 49 and it’s the 49th CR. I was searching….

I had my fears, my concerns as for the first time during my running years, I have a heel condition/ injury that doesn’t “sustain” treatments. For the last eight months I have managed this condition to continue running at a slower pace with cross-training, PT and determination. Running has not been enjoyable to me, but I don’t want to stop. I think it is a common condition we all share. We all want to run fast… to feel good!

We get upset if our races are off by seconds….let alone dropping by minutes! So, as I finished CR on Sunday, I was relieved I ran pretty pain-free thanks to Dr. Feehery and a special padded sock that relieved pressure. However; when I looked to the clock, I had run my slowest time in a half-marathon..by over ten minutes. I know I told myself not to focus on time, but my heart sank.

As I saw some friends, I smiled, and looked around. I saw Rich Szymanksi finish the race. I had to go over to him for some reason and just hug! He made me forget everything about finishing slower. He had tears in his eyes. He looked awesome. I know the fight he has faced this past year and he has won! He is still running…. I had tears in my eyes now…. It hasn’t been “fun” to run this past year…. It has hurt…. But Rich faced a far greater battle and he crossed the finish line. He was just thankful to be able to run and at that moment I was happy too….

My heel will be fixed with surgery after I get through Boston, but because of Rich, I will be happy to just see the FINISH BANNER!

Results:

Caesar Rodney 5K:
17:58 Greg Cauller, 3rd Overall, 1st Master

Caesar Rodney Half Marathon:
MA-USATF participants:
1:19:01 Jay Coughenour 81.945
1:24:26 John Costello 79.984
1:30:52 Lee Kauffman 76.284 2nd 55-59
1:49:15 Beth Howlett 75.744
1:28:36 Sara Rusk 74.379 2nd 30-34
1:42:27 Dan Simmons 74.215
1:40:08 David James 73.103
1:47:41 Lorri Fencer 70.113
1:38:01 Dirk Sweigart 69.495
1:41:10 Sheri Herrmann 68.138
1:39:54 Ray Christensen 67.017
1:59:54 Dave McCorquodale 65.318
1:46:32 Claire Neilan 63.157
1:55:03 Rich Szymanski 56.743
2:20:46 Jerry Herman 56.192
3:07:16 John Schultz 49.751

Other PCVRC participants:
1:18:40 Andy Jacubowitch
1:24:22 Matt Sargant
1:38:31 Adam Shilling
1:42:39 Dave Farren
1:51:45 Theresa Kauffman
1:56:47 John Hand
2:02:47 Darlise DiMatteo
2:02:48 Andrea Landany
2:04:36 Tricia Szymanski
2:06:23 Frank Cebula
2:19:10 Rudy Antonini
2:45:36 Rachel Bleacher
2:45:37 Ryan Perkowski