Valley Stream Running Club News

Box #212 Valley Stream, New York 11581

Stanley Friedlander, President

www.VSRunningClub.org

 

Vol. 25  No. 2                                                February   2005

 

Ø      The February Meeting will be at Franklin Hospital’s Shankman Auditorium, Sunday, February 13 at 10:00AM.

Ø      Club Election will be held at February  meeting – just like Iraq

Ø      The best Running Club breakfast will be served at the meeting. Bring a few bucks, your appetite and club dues.

Ø      Group Run Precedes the Meeting at Pool Entrance - 7:30 AM start.

 

Aphorisms from various running thinkers:

Ø      ‘He was a simple man who died of complications’ – On a grave in Tennessee

Ø      ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’ – Oath taken by athletes who compete in the Special Olympics

Ø      ‘It’s not the load that breaks down, it’s the way you carry it’ – Lena Horne

 

February - The Race

Being a middle of a pack runner, I have always sensed the excitement of ‘The Race’. People from all walks of life and a few real runners are lined up at a starting line, all with the divine goal of crossing a mystical finish line. Before the race starts, some of my cohorts are talking, others are quiet, many are jumping about to warm-up and few are in mediation.

I can not help but be awed and humbled by the fact that each one of them in my sight contains a story – or even a few – as many intricate, joyful and painful. Each is living out the stories of their lives. ‘Let the games begin’.

Joe Tito

 

Tip of the Month

Training on a soft surface, such as a dirt trail, significantly decreases the amount of shock your bones, muscles, and cartilage are forced to absorb. So, you’ll recover faster from workouts on soft surfaces and reduce your injury risk. If you plan to race on the roads, however, you must do some hard-surface training to prepare your legs.

 

What’s happening by Stan

Stan did not have his column ready for the newsletter and will be sending it out soon. I have enclosed a note from Stan to me.    Joe T

Joe,

I would love it if you and Carol continue. You both have done tremendous service to the club.

Alas! My column will not be ready for a while so I will send it out as an e-mail. Sorry!

The meeting will be at the Hospital as usual. I don't believe that we should change our normal meeting pattern until we investigate the options carefully so please hold your thoughts for a while.

Please play up the elections at the Feb. meeting.

Thanks

Stan 

 

Club Elections

Please come to the meeting, your input is very important. Our club is made of members who have a common interest in health, fun and do a little running.

 

Dues

Dues for 2005 are $20 per local household.  We will collect dues at the February meeting. Please send your dues to Lois or bring them to the next meeting. Please note that dues for out-of-towners are $10 for single members or families. 

 

John Corrigan 5x2 Race – New Date and Team Size

Make a note in your calendar - The Long Island Road Runners Club (LIRRC) is hosting a John Corrigan 5x2 Mile Relay race on Sunday March 20 at 9:00 am. Try and make this race for a special friend. For 2005, the running teams are made up of 5 runners. Our March VSRC meeting will be held after the race (That is, the March meeting will NOT be held in Franklin General Hospital).

 

The Subject of Milk – Tony Cannonito

You noted in last month’s newsletter that I drink Milk. To clarify; Cow's Milk is not my first choice as I drink Soy Milk at home but as you can imagine, most diners don't offer this on their menu's. Try it, you might like it and perhaps you might restore your body to the stout 6'2" it once was.
Editor’s reply – Me drink Soy Milk? I think will stay petite.

 

Running at the Mouth -  Mike Gillen

I’ve been noticing recently that people are trying to take my job.  This is not a new development; it’s been going on for some time now.  At first, I thought I was being paranoid, but lately it’s been happening more frequently and it’s out of control.  I want everyone to know here and now that harassing Tom Moore is my job and I happen to think that I’m very good at it. 

 

I’ll give you some examples of how they’re infringing on my responsibilities.  On a recent run in the park, Tom mentioned that he was going to try some shorter distances and was looking to set a recent PR for the distance.  To that, Tony replied, “First, you have to finish the race”.  Not only is he trying to take my job, he’s even using my material!  Tony, if you are trying to do my job, you at least have to come up with some material of your own. 

 

On another run, Denis and I saw Ellen in the park and I asked if Tom was coming out that day.  She said he was getting ready when she left the house but she hadn’t seen him.  Denis then responded, “Maybe he ran half way to the park and turned around”.  I knew things were getting serious when even Denis is getting in on the act.   

 

I’m presenting this to the club members to consider how we can resolve this and I’m proposing that it become an elected position.  This way, anyone who is interested can throw his/her hat in the ring and we’ll let the membership decide.  I’m not afraid of letting the members decide; I think my record stands for itself.  I’ve been heaping years of abuse on Tom, ever since he started issuing challenges to me.  He’s even told me he has a bulletin board with all the best material.  I’m sure that I will come out on top when the votes are counted.

 

Reflecting on My Life – Harry Feigengaum

Harry is 75. Always he keeps looking back on his life. Harry is not an up-beat type. So he's running the track at the McBurney YMCA, reliving his most memorable geriatric/athletic  humiliation (the time he was passed in the bike heat of the Town of Hempstead Triathlon by a physically handicapped young woman {in Harry's defense, this should be qualified: he was using a girl's bike, his daughter's, which was outfitted with a handle bar basket for groceries, while all other competitors, physically challenged girl included, were on obscenely expensive racing machines - but I digress} even though I seem to remember Harry taking a 3rd in his age group that day). Go figure. The point is it was an emasculating humiliation. But soft; what's this? While mulling over this debacle and sundry other athletic/geriatric disgraces, Harry notices he's been passed by another "senior", a guy with an artificial leg. Can this be? Wait, it gets even worse: it looks as if Harry is going to be lapped! This can not be permitted
to stand! Harry speeds up, stabilizes the situation and even perceives he's gaining on the one legged guy. The competitive juices kick in; maybe the physically challenged runner can be passed. No, he speeds up, too, on the last lap of his 3 miles; Harry is good for 6 - so there!

Should I be ashamed of myself? Yes. Am I? Of course. How low, both morally and physically, can a person sink? By the way, my adversary turns out to be Bob Kerry, Vietnam War hero/criminal {?} (His characterization, not mine – I adore the man; wish he were our president), ex Senator from Nebraska, presidential aspirant in 1992 - lost out to Vietnam draft dodger Bill Clinton - ex lover of Debra Winger (not sure he includes that one in his resume) and currently President of the New School.

As for Harry, what next? To be passed by an 8 month pregnant mommy pushing twins in a jogging stroller?

 

Editor’s comment - It is good to hear from my old running and philosophy buddy who is currently living in the Big Apple.

 

Race Results

State Park Winter Series

  • Hechscher – 1/16

Joe Tito – 29:16

Ed Pettinato – 31:17

  • Sunken meadow – 1/30

Joe Tito – 29:33

Donna Hahl – 33:45

 

Joe Cataldo - 1/29/04 RUN FOR THE LIGHT 10K, Melbourne, FL.   2nd Place with a 1:04.06 and missed 1st by 5 seconds.  I was coasting because I didn’t see any old guys around, then with the finish line in sight, along came Morris, who by the way ‘WILL NEVER BEAT ME AGAIN’!

 

Rick Kyung -              Polar Bear 8 Miler - Jan 16,  0:56:24
Terrible Tyler 9.2 Miler  - Jan 30,  1:07:26