Valley Stream Running Club News

Box #212 Valley Stream, New York 11582

Stanley Friedlander, President

www.VSRunningClub.org

 

Vol. 24 No. 10                                              October 2004

Ø      October 10 - Come to the Valley Stream Park for the 5th Relay Race – 7:30 am for team selection.

Ø      Pasta Party - Murph’s  at 7:00 P.M. on November 5.  (see newsletter for details).

 

Aphorisms from various running thinkers:

Ø      ‘Sweat cleanses from inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach’ – Dr. George Sheehan

Ø      ‘Forgetting those things which are behind-press toward the goal’ – Philippians 3:13

Ø      ‘Our way is not soft grass; it’s a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upward, forward, toward the sun’ – Ruth Westheimer

 

October – Looking Ahead

Running is a great metaphor for life’s journey. Some people have trouble looking ahead with hope because they keep looking back and moping over mistakes of the past. We cease to be in the moment, we completely lose our focus, missing out on whatever experiences life is providing. Their outlook for the future is dimmed, and their enthusiasm is dampened. We can draw a parallel to our past time of running. Let’s stop looking back and seeing who is gaining on us. Rather, with a forward look, let’s move ahead with hope and joy. The finish line is just ahead with all the free food, drinks and goodies.

 

 

Tip of the Month

A man is not complete who believes that his advancement depends on winning or who worries about matters that cannot be altered or who insists that a thing is impossible because he has not been able to do it.

 

What’s happening by Stan

Ocean to Sound Relay:

The Teams: Both teams did very well. Here are the results researched by Joe with comments added by yours truly:

FARRELL FRITZ, P.C. OCEAN TO SOUND

50 MILE RELAY Sunday, September 26, 2004

VALLEY STREAM A (team 135): Sean-- 47:48 7:58p, Ed---50:06 8:21p, Mike---48:09 8:10p battling a hamstring pull, Rich---47:27 8:20p, Jon---44:24 6:57p fastest pace, Dave---41:34 7:18p, Denis---51:58 7:26p hardest leg, Lara---51:51 7:38p.

Team A totals:  time 6:23:14-- pace7:40-- place 39

 

 

VALLEY STREAM B (team 136): Tom Moore---49:42 8:17p Joe---56:35 9:26p Gregg---55:39 9:26p Rochelle---57:02 10:01p new member Debbie---1:03:27 9:55p Tom Zullo----48:30 8:31p Dorothy----1:06:11 9:28p gutsy run on hardest lap Fred--- 56:20 8:18p Freddy’s back.

Team B Totals: time 7:33:23--pace 9:05—place 91

 

The day started out fine for racing but turned bright and hot as the teams reached the North Shore. The runners on the North Shore had a difficult time in these weather conditions. The teams were close together during the last four legs since the B team started out an hour early. This was nice for me as I could drive and accompany the runners for both teams by turns. This brings me to describing ….

My Day: I came to the pool parking lot at 5:30 a.m. to find Tom Zullo and Fred already there. I was busy until about 7:20 giving out packets and organizing, and then left for the North Shore leading Debbie in her car, so I didn’t see the first few legs. After Debbie dropped off her car at the start of leg 6, I drove her to the start of leg 5 where Debbie got off to wait for the baton. I picked up Rochelle who was waiting there and drove her to the start of her leg 4 where she waited for Gregg to hand her the baton. I then drove Gregg to his car at the start of leg 3. On the way with Gregg, we saw Mike stretching out his hamstring and gave him an encouraging word. We also saw Donna who had a great run with GLIRC team “Pinking up the Pace”. She had a personal best and she ran the entire 5.9 miles without walking. This is the longest she has ever run without walking. This is despite her constant problems with sciatica. She has improved greatly by her constant efforts since she joined the club. Donna and her team were all in pink shorts with pink bonnets. Very cute.

I then drove North to the start of leg 6 and accompanied the support vehicles for the last three legs. Tom Zullo and I gave support to Dorothy at the end of her leg since Fred had to go ahead to prepare for running his anchor leg. All the runners on the North Shore were soaked in sweat and only Denis was smiling. The two support teams, Tom Z., myself, and the last runners wound up at the finish about the same time. We went to the party where we ate and danced. I was tired, happy, and very grateful that the long day was over.  Which brings me to the reason we did so well and that is the work of so many of out members, so here is:

 

Thanks to all who took part in making this day so great, but a special thanks to the great volunteers: In the cars we had Bob, Val, Petra, Fred, Dorothy, Terry, Artie, Tom Zullo, and myself. Fred, Dorothy, and Tom each also ran a leg. Joe Tito got the packets for the runner's, did a lot of organizing work, and ran a leg. Freddy distributed packets from his store and bought supplies for the runners. Thanks also go to the runners who contributed their party tickets so that the volunteers who wanted to party could do so.

Welcome to new member Rochelle Holden who ran a leg. She also has done triathlons with Donna. She joins us all the way from Glen Cove.

 

Meetings: Our October meeting will be in the park again. Our November meeting is at the Marathon pasta dinner and then we will return indoors. I have to check if they still remember us at Franklin. The mile relays at the meetings have been fun so I hope you can make this last outdoor meeting of the year.

 

The Spirit is Willing but some members of the club are battling various ailments from pulls, aches, and pains to more serious orthopedic problems to life threatening cancer. We pray for the full recovery of all. We are not just a running club but we are a club of real friends. Support has been there and will be there whenever and where ever it is needed. God bless.

Stan

 

A Note from Lois

I would like to thank everyone who has sent me well wishes, prayers and who has been there for me during this difficult time. Your love and support will keep me strong and help me get through this.      Love, Lois

 

Passing on

Eunice Harris Security and Treasurer of the LIRR club has passed away. She was a main stay of their club and made all runners feel welcomed. We extend our sympathy and lost to her husband Colin and to the members of the Long Island Runners Club. She will be missed.

 

A little more detail about the Marathon Pasta Party

The November meeting will not be held due to the Pasta Party. The Club Marathon Party for the Fall Marathon will be at Murph’s of Franklyn Square on November 5 at 7 p.m.  It's $28 per person. It includes pasta primavera, chicken franchisee, and penne ala vodka. Also, tossed salad, bread, wine, beer, coffee and tea. The price includes tax and gratuity. Please let Donna Hahl know if you can attend although you can still come at the last minute

 

The Great Cow Harbor 10K SWIM – Joe Tito

It was September 18 early morning when my neighbor and I left for the 10K race. No sign of Hurricane Ivan, boy I am lucky and I bet the weather person is wrong again. I was assigned to the 8th wave, which means that I had a little time before the start. Well the rain started and the cannon sounded the start of the first wave. At the 8th blast, off we went with rain, wind and the cheers of the crowds yelling “keep Dry” – I do not like cheering crowds. I ran through the pouring rain which created quite a mess in the streets. I had no desire to stop for water. At mile 5 we ran downhill onto Main Street and for the finish. The rain was so powerful that Main Street became a raging river; signs, road barricades and water stations were being washed down stream. When we arrived at the finish line the water had reached the 6 inch mark. The Timing Clip Pad had washed away and the finish clock was nowhere in sight. I did not care; I have my trusty Timex watch with me which will have my finish time. At the finish line there was no one dressed in a Cow Costume to ring the Cow Bell which heralds our victory over the Cow Harbor hills. I met my neighbor and picked up some water logged goodies. We gathered up our wet clothes from the baggage bus, headed up stream to his car and stopped for a moment to aid a volunteer being washed away. A half an hour later in the warmth of the car, I checked my watch for my finish time. The watch displayed a blank screen. Do you know that Timex watches are not really water proof?

Post Script – A week later I was working near Wall Street and stopped at a street vendor selling watches. You guess it – I bought a new ‘Denacci’ water resistance runners watch for $10.00.  I love it; it tells time, gives spits, has an alarm function and a night light.

Yours in servitude, Joe Tito

 

A note from Florida - Subject Hurricane Frances and the “Tip of the Month”

I am OK. I have been volunteering at The Fountains all weekend so I took today off to take care of some of the damage around the house.  I lost roof tiles, roof parts, chimneys, mail box, and other minor things.  I just have to do some patch work before the claims adjuster gets here, and before "Ivan."  All and all the house held up pretty good.

I plan to dispute your news letter article on "Tip of the Month," if it's OK with you.  I think I know a little about strength training.

Take Care Joe Cataldo

Editor’s reply: Last month’s tip suggested one set of strength exercise twice a week – OK, Joe tells us how many times you do it.

 

 

“Tip of the Month Rebuttal” (September 2004 Newsletter)

One set of strength exercise twice a week is not enough. First of all, the benefits of strength training are numerous:

·        Increased muscle fiber size.

·        Increased muscle fiber strength.

·        Increased tendon tensile strength (defined as resistance to being stretched or torn apart).

·        Increased ligament tensile strength.

·        Increased bone strength.

These benefits have an effect on our everyday lives. My personal program is a resistance workout three times a week that challenge all of the body’s major muscle groups, performed to muscle fatigue. Even the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) recommends a “minimum” of strength training two times a week, executed to muscle fatigue. Need proof?  Consider this:  Starting at age 50, people begin to lose 12 percent of their muscle strength and 6 percent of their muscle mass every decade.  But weight training can reverse these effects in a big way.  2 to 3 months of weight training three times a week can increase muscle strength and mass by one-third, making up for 3 decades of loss of muscle strength. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of chronic disease - such as heart trouble, diabetes, even cancer - and keep you feeling and looking younger as you age.

Joe Cataldo

Certified Personal Trainer / Certified Senior Fitness Instructor

 

New Members

·        Pauline Williams has completed her first Valley Stream Relay Race and loves to walk.

·        Lissa Nelson has joined our club by mailing in one of our applications; we hope to meet her at our next relay/meeting.

·        James and Jen Hogue (newly weds of 2003) has re-joined.

·        Rochelle Holden has joined us and completed her second Valley Stream Ocean to Sound Relay.

 

 

Race Results

Donna Hahl - Virginia Beach-Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon, 2:50. (It was a super course-Says Donna.)

Sept. 12 - 4th Valley Stream Balloon Relay Race.

First Place Team 29:47

                        Mike G.  6:45,            Rich O. 6:53,              Pauline W. 8:56         Lara M. 7:13              Second Place Team 23:26

            Denis B. 6:13,           Joe T. 7:46,                Stab F.   9:38 Ed P. 6:58

Joe Tito – Great Cow Harbor 10K – Finished but time unknown.

Joe Cataldo – Cocoa Beach 5K – 34:00