THIS SATURDAY AT-A-GLANCEMileage: 12
February Volunteers:
Set-up – Sherry and Clark Osborne
Breakdown – Laura Diamond
Supplies – Tom McKiernan, Tom Monahan, Tim and Sendia Lysaght
Aid station/s – Tom Monahan
Pace Leaders:
9:00 – Mike Miskel
10:00 – Ed Burnett and Luz Lyon
11:00 – Mira Reverente
12:00 – Caroline Connolly
13:00/14:00 – Tom McKiernan
*Please don’t forget to thank our volunteers for their time, when you get the chance.
TRAINING CORNER
By George Arita, Advisor of Training
Georgerunvta@aol.com
LSD
The second month of 2009 is here already. But we get to fall back to a leisurely 12 mile LSD run, 6 miles out and 6 miles back. Enjoy the “short” run because next week is a new high of 18 miles. We are on our way, Folks! Our 20-milers are just around the next bend. Tom will be at his customary station with water and Gatorade.
Congratulations!
The information I could muster spells out another good showing by Run Ventura members, this time in last Sunday’s Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon. In the Half, Lindsay Ferro did 1:49:31 (8:22 pace), Luz Lyon did 1:56:24 (8:53), Vicki Weishaar did 2:18:11 (10:33) and Tawni Gomes did 2:41:09 (12:1. In the Marathon, Laurie Kahn did 5:07:54 (11:45), Rick Kanatzar did 3:39:53 (8:24) and Mike Miskel did 3:40:00 (8:24). Great running, you gals and guys!
In the previous Newsletter, I missed reporting Robin Solis (2:18:42 [10:35 pace]) and Paul Solis (2:09:17 [9:52]) in the Carlsbad Half Marathon. Congratulations to the Solises!
Essay
Road Racing Conditions: Take Them As They Come
The course is too hilly, too flat. I won’t race if it’s too hot, too cold, too windy, too calm, too wet, too dry, etc. etc. etc. I have heard those complaints about certain race venues and race conditions too many times. And many runners don’t show up on certain training days for those very same reasons.
Running outdoors and running the roads offer an endless variety of environmental conditions. Running on one course offers different conditions from running on another course during the same time on the same day. The conditions of the first half of a run are different from those of the second half. The wind is great when it’s a tail wind to help push you along, but with tail winds, evaporation rate of your sweat is reduced and you can heat up really fast. Head winds, on the other hand, will increase the rate of sweat evaporation and will keep you cool, but a heavy head wind can be taxing (time to tuck in behind a bigger runner).
Varying and changing conditions are the norm in road running. To succeed in being a physically and mentally tough outdoor runner, one must be willing to accept and face all these environmental challenges in training and in racing. This is true not only for road running but also for track running, except for the lack of hills on the track. The only way to avoid all these “nasty” conditions would be to stay indoors and become a treadmill runner. Ugh!
Performing your training runs on courses and on days that offer a wide variety of conditions will prepare you to run and race at venues that present similarly widely varying conditions. However, if you know beforehand (and you should for every race you enter) of the characteristic conditions of a certain course, such as the presence of monster hills, exceptionally long descents, usually warm or cool temperatures, some off-road running, etc., you must prepare for these specific conditions by training under those conditions.
Not only will weather conditions challenge your performance. In road running, the road surface will also require your attention. Will the surface be asphalt or concrete or a combination of these? Is the course entirely on roads or are parts of it on bike paths or trails? There may be a few to many potholes to watch for or curbs to step up or down. Some roads have speed bumps that one has to be aware of. I ran in a race a long time ago that had those curved spikes that prevented cars from going in the wrong direction and the race personnel neglected to cover these spikes. Ouch! Some roads have a very pronounced camber – run along the middle line as much as possible on such roads.
Conditions are highly varied in road running and racing. Accept these conditions as part of the rigors of your sport. Train for them and be aware of them as they come, when they come. But don’t run away from them.
RUNNER PROFILE
Name: TESSIE MEDINA
Proudest accomplishment: Moving out to California on my own and also making All-American Cheerleader.
Greatest weakness: Sweets
Pre-race rituals: Probably Getting a lot of sleep and carbo-loading (haven’t ran a race yet except for a 5k).
Post-race recovery strategies: Icing the pain, rolling my feet with a tennis ball.
I would rather be a little faster/a little richer/a little smarter (choose one)… A little faster!!!
What do you like to do when you're not running? I like to relax, go to school, read, hang out with friends.
Funniest thing that has ever happened to you during a run or race? I really don’t know – none yet.
What made you want to do a marathon? Tawni inspired me. She is such a wonderful person and has done so many. I love that you get to travel as well.
Is there anybody in our group that you admire? If so, what/why? Yes, Tawni and Caroline. They have both helped me through rough runs. They both keep my spirits high and won’t let me give up even if I wanted to. They both always make sure I’m doing all right during the runs. They are both wonderful. I’m so grateful to be a part of the group
Who would you most like to run with? I love the group I’m in now. Everyone is great!
CLUB NEWS
*Attention: Napa Valley Marathon-bound Folks
Denise Ellison would like to organize a pre-marathon dinner. Please e-mail her at: dmecnm@gmail.com and give her your contact information, arrival, departure and hotel details.
*Run Ventura Now On Facebook
Just a note to those socially networked folks in the group, or those who want to be more socially networked – Run Ventura is now on Facebook Groups! With discussion boards, picture sharing, and more, we welcome all to join and share. See the link to join on the “About Us” page or look us up on Facebook Groups. And you need a Facebook account to join.
*Birthday corner
Feb. 3 – Veronica Santangelo
Feb. 5 – Betty Crowell
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