Valley Stream Running Club News

Box #212 Valley Stream, New York 11581

Stanley Friedlander, President

            www.VSRunningClub.org

 

Vol. 25  No. 5                                                May   2005

 

·        Next meeting is scheduled for June 12 in the Valley Stream park

·        Keep Aug. 7 open to help out at the Valley Stream Rotary Club 4 miler race

 

Aphorisms from various running thinkers:

·        ‘There are very few good ideas that I've ever had that didn't come when I was running.’ - James Carville - Political Consultant

·        ‘He who stops being better stops being good’ – Oliver Cromwell

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

·        ‘Running is an unnatural act, except from enemies and to the bathroom’ – Anonymous

·        ‘He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire’ – Winston Churchill

 

May - Nothing to Say

It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly a shot rang out. A door slammed. The maid screamed. A pirate ship appeared on the horizon. While millions of people were starving, the King lived in luxury. A light snow was falling and the little girl with the tattered shawl had not sold a violet all day. End of Part I.

 

Sometimes, when I get up in to morning, I find my mind going off in all different directions. The morning jog is my time to reflect and organize my thoughts.

 

It was a dark morning with bright stars. Suddenly the neighbor entered his car and shut the door. I greeted a few people, took notice of the LIRR train entering the St. James station and check my time (1 hour to breakfast). I never did find out what happen to the King and the little girl.

 

Joe Tito

 

Tip of the Month

Exercising in air polluted with carbon monoxide, smoke, or other particles increases the risk of heart attack. So move the workouts indoors on hazy, polluted days. When you do exercise outside, avoid busy roads and other exhaust-heavy settings.

 

What’s happening by Stan

Pasta Dinner: There was not enough people to meet the minimum for a dinner at Murph’s  (we needed twenty and had eight) so the event was cancelled. Joe suggested to me that in the future the club meet at a restaurant. Then we can make reservations a day or two before and so not worry about a minimum. We can handle the cost as we did at Bob’s and Val’s going away party. It seems reasonable to me especially as the arrangement at Murph’s hasn’t worked twice now. We will vote on this for the Fall pasta party.

L.I. Marathon: Lois and I got to our watching post at the 8.5 mile point on Merchants Concourse just before Mike came by. We missed some of the club members such as Tom who ran a strong race but cheered on many of you. We had great respect for all the runners and walkers who forged ahead in the wind and rain. Congratulations to you all. Joe has the results elsewhere in this newsletter.

The Great Saunter: The Great Saunter is a group walk about the island of Manhattan (over 30 miles) on Saturday May 7. Donna has done the full walk before and some of us will join her but this year we will probably only do the West Side of it as the walk down the East Side is pretty dreary. Get in touch with Donna or me if you are interested.

The June Meeting: 

The June meeting on Sunday, June 12th, will be at Hendrickson Park and not at the hospital. We will go to the hospital only if it rains and if it does rain, then we will have our usual meeting at 10 in the hospital. So if it is raining, and you don’t find us at the park, you can be sure we will be at the hospital.

Assuming that the weather is good, we will have a two mile run/race/walk starting at 7:30 from the Administration building. We did the one mile relays to death last year so this will be at a longer distance, no relay, and you can race it, run it, or walk it as you please. So everyone can participate. The food and the meeting will start an hour later at 8:30. We need an hour since some people are walking, some will want to run more, and the food takes time to set up.  This is the first time we are doing it this way so I am definitely open to suggestions on how to improve the plan. 

Rotary Run: The 8th annual four mile Rotary Run will be held on Sunday, August 7, 2005 at 8:30 A.M. Runners can register at active.com. Please reserve the date to help out and please help to distribute the flyers at races.

I have talked to Boris about advertising more in the Village and he agrees that it would be a good idea. Quantum Feet, a running store in Fresh Meadows, has donated a $100 gift certificate for an early registrant raffle. I suggested we might also publicize the race in Queens.

Weekday Runs: At the last meeting I suggested that we begin meeting regularly on a weekday night to build club spirit and attract new members. There were a few interested but most at that meeting said they couldn’t make it on a weekday night. I will keep trying for I feel that the club is not growing fast enough to offset membership losses as people get injured, move, etc.. I think that with the loss of the Franklin race and the attrition of our active members we need to do something.

There is a group which meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the park during cooler weather and at Jones Beach during the warmer months. It is mostly a walking group but you can have a great run along the beach and join the group for a late supper. Ed often does that. I would welcome any runners or walkers who would like to join that group and I would also welcome those interested in beginning to meet at the park on some other night.

 Best Wishes:  By chance, I had the pleasure of meeting Jim and Jen Hogue wheeling their 5 month old daughter Christine in Hewlett this week.  Christine is a beauty. She also has a might grip with her little hand. Congratulations to the happy parents. I wish them and everyone the very best and a speedy recovery to all that are ill or injured.

Stan

 

 

LI Running Events

·        10K Shelter Island is scheduled for May 21 with a start of 4:00 PM, contact Donna if interested.

·        The Long Beach Memorial Day Race is scheduled for May 29th with an 8:00 A.M. start. In passed years the race was a combination 5K and 10 Mile run, for this year it is only a 10 mile race called 'Salute for our Veterans'.

·        2005 State Parks Summer Run Series applications are available. It cost $50 to pre-registration for 8 races with the starting race at Jones Beach on 6/13. You can register on-line by going to Active.Com.

·        Donna has applications for the July 4th Bellmore Striders 4 mile race. If you register by 5/31 it costs $5.00, please get in touch with her for an application.

 

St. James Fire Department 5 Mile Run – Joe Tito

If you want to run an old fashion race, take a look at the St. James 5 mile Race. It starts north of the St James’ fire house, takes the runners on a scenic and challenging course through the Village of the ‘Head of the Harbor’ (That is where the nice homes and water front property is located). Like many areas of the north shore, there are enough hills to keep it interesting. In this case there is a steep half-mile climb at mile 3 which is psychologically and physically challenging. The race ends at the fire house on Route 25A. Coffee, cake, water and bagels are served to all. They offer a raffle. I may be slow but winning a set of running shorts and tank top shirt makes this a great race for me. Life is Good - Joe T. 

 

Donna and the ladies run in New York City

The More Marathon was on Sunday, 4/10.  You could do a full marathon or half marathon with a partner. When you do the half marathon, they combine your time with your partner's time.  I did a half marathon with Pam Lee.  Pam has completed several NYC Marathons.  I'm very impressed with that.  She race-walks at about the same speed that I jog.  We finished in 2:50.  We could have finished sooner, but we made a stop or two along the way. 

Dorothy Russo and Rochelle Holden were partners. Dorothy finished in 2:22 and Rochelle finished in 2:46. Dorothy and I took the 5:26 from VS and met Rochelle and Pam at Penn Station.  It was a bit chilly at that hour of the morning. By race time, we were able to wear tank tops and shorts.  It was a gorgeous day.  The hills in Central Park are very difficult.  It was a real workout for me. 

What really made the day for me was when I looked up and saw Fred, Lois & Eddie. They drove into the city to see us.  It was so nice to see friendly, supportive friends.  The race was a wonderful experience and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Regards Donna

 

Ted Orosz has an Idea

Next they will write an article advocating running barefoot because 100% of people who won the 1960 Olympic Marathon ran barefoot.  Then we will see an article advocating running on one's head so that you don't get blisters.  That article will do a lot more harm than good.

 

Bob and Val – One more!

Hi, Bob and Val! I read the VSRC newsletters a little too late to have my act together to attend your going away dinner in March. Sorry I missed it...I would have loved to tell you then how much I appreciated your being at races and cheering me on. So, I'm telling you now! Your voices and encouragement helped me many times while I was running and your volunteering, spectating and cheering us all helped me many times when I wasn't able to run...I've had an up and down course with running since I started in the late 1980's and you've been there for most of it! So, thanks for everything and best of luck in your new digs! If we're coming out that way, we'll be sure to let you know. Love and best wishes to you both, Mary Ostop.

 

 

 

Race Results

10 K Run for Aspire 4/2

         Rochelle Holden 1:06, Joe Tito 1:06, Donna Hahl  1:09

JFK 5K run

Denis Brazil:  21:05, Tom Zullo: 24:11, Lara Menig:  25:21  1st place age group

Tom Zullo - 51:59 in the Scotland Run in Central Park 10K on 4/3 

Joe Tito – St. James 5 Mile Run 4/23 – 50:10

LI ½ Marathon 5/1

            Mike Gillen 1:51,                   Tom Zullo 1:51,          Lara Menig 1:53,

Dorothy Russo 2:05, Fred Pupke 2:05,      Donna Hahl 2:31