Valley Stream Running Club News

Box #212 Valley Stream, New York 11582

Stanley Friedlander, President

www.VSRunningClub.org

 

Vol. 24 No. 9                                                 September 2004

Ø      September 12 - Come to the Valley Stream Park for the 4th Relay Race – 7:30 am for team selection.

Ø      Help us plan for the up and coming events – Stan.

 

Aphorisms from various running thinkers:

Ø      ‘I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn’t have signed up in the first place’ – Unknown

Ø      ‘Fitness has to be fun. If it is not play, there will be no fitness. Play, you see, is the process. Fitness is merely the product’ – Dr. George Sheehan

Ø      ‘A man gazing at the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road’ – Alexander Smith

 

September – Running with the Stars

When running very early in the morning on a clear sky, it is suggested by those in the know that one be a stargazer (not to be confused with the word: Old Geezer). It is said that the Stars point to mystery, beyond themselves; they remind us both our origins and destiny. Motivational writers stress that one should gaze upward and go in faith and never focus on the dust or stand still.

 

I love looking up and seeing the sky and noting the phases of the moon as well as the movement of early clouds moving to the east. But, I find that I must run with my attention to where my feet are placed – The road has lots of pot holes and other hidden dangers, just like real life.

 

Running with total attention on your feet can be a problem, see my second article about the Valley Stream 4 mile race. … Joe Tito

 

Tip of the Month

Unless you’re a bodybuilder or serious athlete, doing one set of strength exercise twice a week may be all you need. Extra sets increase the risk of injury and provide little added benefit.

 

What’s happening by Stan

Ocean to Sound 50 Mile Relay:  We will decide at the September 12th meeting in the park at 7:30 on the composition of the teams for the relay. Runners must give their shirt sizes to me as soon as possible after they know they have been selected. They also need to sign a roster sheet on race day morning or give me permission to sign for them if they will not meet us that morning. I will try to get the roster sheets before the meeting. We will meet in the pool parking lot by 6:30 on race day, Sunday Sept. 26, for runners to pick up their materials and for the early legs to set off for the race. (I need a volunteer to pick up the materials from Runner’s edge.)  At the parking lot, runners will pick up their numbers, shirts, and party tickets. (Please leave your ticket with me if you are not going so we can give it to a volunteer.) The two lead runners will also pick up the batons. Each baton will have a chip attached. Please let us know if someone will pick up your materials for you. Also please call us if there is any problem. My cell is 906-4772 but mine is notoriously out of order, other cell phone numbers will be made available as we near the race.

 

Previously, I had suggested that runners would pay $16 each and the club would pick up the $21 difference with the $37 cost. But after considering the long term finances of the club with the loss of the Franklin race in my mind, [It usually got us $300], I now feel that we should go to $20 from each runner and $17 from the club. This is still quite a bargain and would save the club $64. I also suggest that if any non-members would like to run with us, they must sign on as members for $10, pay $20 for the race, so they will still save $7 on the cost of the race alone and no non-members would compete for us. The composition of the teams and the prices will be decided by the club at the September meeting so my suggestions here are by no means the final word.

 

Here is a list of the people who have signed up so far (in no particular order): Tom Z., Tom M., Denis, Mike, Jon, Dave, Lara, Rich, Dorothy, Ed, Sean, Denise, Petra, Joe Tito, Joe Cataldo, Gregg, Fred, Debbie, Rochelle, Donna, and Artie.

 

This is more than the16 necessary for two teams but almost every year we have had to use several alternates due to injuries and family emergencies among the runners. I expect that this year will be no exception so at the meeting we will also line up as many alternates as we can.

 

We also need more volunteers: So far, Bob, Donna, Fred, Petra, Terry and I have volunteered but some of these people will also be running a leg so we can certainly use more help. I ask the runners to consider helping out in addition to running.

I look forward to another successful relay for our club.

 

Pasta Party:  Donna has done her usual excellent job in arranging the party for us. This time they are going to charge us if we are more than two under the number we will guarantee them and this number must be given them two days in advance of the party. So please let Donna know at the very latest by three days before the party if you are coming and how many will be with you.

 

The party will be at Murph’s at 7:00 P.M. on November 5. The menu will include pasta primavera, penne a la vodka, chicken parmesan, salad, bread, beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea, and hot water. The cost will be $28 per person (that includes tax & tip).

Donna and Dorothy have also checked out another location for possible use at our future parties. It looks promising but it is too late to use for this party. Thank you, Donna and Dorothy.

 

 Rotary Run: The race went very well despite the rain. Boris did a great job putting it together, directing, and coordinating. The running times at the front were very good (see below) and the raffle prizes were exceptional. You may want to sign up next year (even though you volunteer and don't run) just to be in the raffle.

 

Thanks to all who helped out and stuck it out despite getting soaked in the rain. You all did a great job. The volunteers were the following: Mike, Gregg, Tom Z., Ellen, Joe T., Carol T., Dorothy, Jack, Mary, Tony, Lois, Stan, Donna, Eddie, Denis, Fred, Bob, Liz, & Teri.

 

There were 142 finishers according to the web site http//www.fitresults.com

Some other results are

First: Pamenos Ballantyne 20:15, 5:04p.

Second: Chris Mammone 20:50, 5:13p: You all probably remember Chris from his many previous victories.

8th: Anthony Randolfi 24:07, 6:02p: club member

51st and first woman: Michelle Restivo 30:07, 7:32p.

Debbie Whitton 38:34, 9:39p: club member

 

Windbreakers: They are at my house where you may pick them up or you may get them at the meeting. They are $7 for the first piece and $9 for each additional piece and you may pay by cash or by check to Valley Stream Running Club.

 

Well wishes: Happy Jewish New Year to all and a speedy recovery to all ill or injured. 

Stan

 

At my Rotary 4 Mile Run post by Joe Tito

Carol, I and two Nassau County Auxiliary Policemen were stationed on Emerson Rd and Maple Street. Over the years this has become our usually post. This turn has lots of activity; directing runners to the park, tying to keep cars off of the course and answering many questions, such as; why was I not told about the closing of Emerson RD? My Son has a little league Game in Fireman’s Field and how do I get there? How long a Marathon is it? Having the Auxiliary police with us was a great aid because they were able to block Emerson Road with their impressive SUV which helped me with the car issue.

 

Well there was a group of ‘middle of the pack’ runners approaching our post. Carol and I were pointing the way to the park and shouting ‘looking good, water ahead’. When one of the runners (head down) ran past Carol, me, two auxiliary cops, road barrack and around the Police SUV.  She ran to Merrick RD, a little confused as what to do next and then stopped. Realizing she had no idea of which way to go, she came back and demanded directions and remarked that she had lost her place in the race. Receiving her directions, she headed towards the park in search of fame and fortune. She did not look back or say thank you. The four of us looked at each other with our mouths wide open. The moral of this story is that running may be a great metaphor for life, but keeping your head up and watch where you are going is very important.   

 

Denise a Grandmamma?

Congratulation to Denise and Mike on an addition of a new grand son. The parents named the boy ‘Michael John DePace the 4th’.

 

Which Foot do you place your Racing Chip on?

‘I always lead and end a race with my left foot. Putting the clip on my left foot has taken over a quarter of second off of my time’ – Says Tom Zullo

 

 

Race Results

Donna Hahl – Long Beach Biathion (3 Mile Run with 500 Yard Swim) 56 Min - 2nd Place

Aug. 8 - 3rd Valley Stream Frankfurter Relay Race.

First Place Team 22:05

                        Fred P.           6:56,   Gregg W.       7:23,               Joe T              7:46

Second Place Team 23:26

            Denis B.         6:17,   Lara M.           6:59,               Stan F             10:10

Third Place Team 23:27

            Mike G.           6:43,   Donna H.        9:54,               Ed P.              6:50

LIRRC Wednesday Night 5k Summer Series

            Aug 18 – Joe Tito 27:40,     Aug 25 - Tom Zullo 24:59,    Sept 1 – Joe Tito 27:30

Jon Falk – Manhattan ½ Marathon – 1:39:15

Ed Pettinato:

             Aug.2   Heckscher  5M     48:29   Aug.9    Sprint for the Arts   5k    25:01

             Aug.16    Brentwood Cookie Run  5k    28:17,  

            Aug.  22    Vytra-Tobay Triathlon    Overall  Time: 1:51:35

                      1k Swim (28:56); T1 (5:07); 15k Bike (45:18); T2 (2:19); 5k Run (29:57)

Long Beach Memorial Race 5 M Aug 6

            Tom Zullo 41:02,       Ed Pettinato 46:10,   Joe Tito 46:35