THIS SATURDAY AT-A-GLANCE
Mileage: 20
March volunteers:
Set-up – Sherry and Clark Osborne
Breakdown: Rick Kanatzar
Food:
Water and aid station/s: Various
TRAINING CORNER
By George Arita, Advisor of Training
Georgerunvta@aol.com
Because of the Ventura Half Marathon last Sunday and the Agoura Half Marathon next Saturday, we had to modify (again?!) our training mileage. Two Saturdays ago we ran our first 20 miler and then rested last Saturday in preparation for the Ventura Half. This Saturday (March 21, 2009), we have our second 20-miler on tap. Be sure you train lightly the rest of this week and come rested for the long Saturday run. Don’t forget your GU or other calorie booster for the long run – you’ll need it.
As with the previous 20-miler, we will again go south toward the state park for 2 miles, turn around and head back to the Main St bridge. From there, we’ll head north to our 8-mile mark, turn around and head back for home. Our water stop should be situated at the usual 4.75 mile mark.
Remember, this is an LSD (Long, Slow, Distance) run. We are not racing. Take is slow and comfortably.
VENTURA HALF-MARATHON REPORT
The Ventura Half-Marathon/5K was hosted by Inside Track to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Team In Training). The race, with a new venue at the VUSD office on Stanley Avenue, went off without any apparent glitches according to my eyes. There was ample parking and space for everyone to roam. Bathroom facilities (flush toilets and potta potties) were adequate with no long lines that I could see. The half marathon started only a couple of minutes after the 8 AM posted time.
The course was an exact out-and-back ― you could follow your own “out” footprints on your way back and not get lost. The first approximately four-tenths of a mile (and the same final distance) were on the dirt track along the perimeter of the baseball field. There were some soft spots, loose dirt and small rocks that you had to watch for, but once on the Ventura/Ojai bike trail, the going was nice and smooth. The bike trail had no potholes or cracks that I noticed and rather peaceful. CHP patrolmen provide protection at the two public streets that we had to cross (thank you, CHP). Two water stations provided ample supplies of water, twice going out and twice coming back.
We had quite a few members representing our club. I visited the website looking for results several times (the last time was a few minutes ago) but couldn’t find any posted as yet. Therefore I have no results of club members to report. I had to leave soon after my finish (went to visit my grandkids down south) so I didn’t get to see everyone after the race.
I highly recommend everyone running this race next year. I certainly will.
ESSAY
There is no essay this week. Instead, only this:
“At RunVentura, during our training runs on the bike trail, when we approach other trail users, we always greet, wave and smile at them. However, on our way back, especially during the final 2-4 miles of our long runs, often the best we can do is greet, wave and “smace” (combination of smile and grimace) at them.”
George says (March 18, 2009)
bmcrowell@verizon.net
This week is the debut of a new column, "Been There, Done That", a light-hearted attempt at chronicling the travails and triumphs of a recent race. If you just finished a race, would like to share your experience/s and be our guest columnist for the week, please send your contribution to mirarev@hotmail.com. Photos may also be included. Please limit your contribution to 350 words.
What do you call a trail race that's 31 miles long with over 13, 00 feet of elevation gain? Cool !!! “Way Too Cool”, to be exact. That's how four Inside Track runners spent last Saturday, March 14th, running up and down and all around the trails in Cool, CA, near Auburn.
Under perfect weather, Mimi Champion, June Muller, Mira Reverente, and Betty Crowell spent eight grueling hours completing their first ultra-marathon, the “Way Too Cool” 50k. The race included five aid stations, filled with high carb goodies (pretzels, boiled potatoes, M & M's, salty broth, Pepsi, etc., (Editor's note: Some people who were rushed through the aid stations don't remember the food at all.), acting as a re-grouping stage for the foursome. The two time cut-offs were at mile 21 and 27, each coming right after a major climb (Ball Bearing and Goat Hill . . . Mimi has other names for them!)
Whadjaget? Two colored tech shirts (one short and one long-sleeved); arm-warmers with “Cool” logo; coffee mug with “Cool” logo
How much did it cost? Entry through Active.com totaled $88.
Wherejastay? Best Western, Auburn (800.201.0121) @ $100/night for 3 people, good (cold) freebie breakfast included, with an espresso/cappuccino machine at your disposal, available starting at 5:30 AM
Howjagithere? We carpooled. Count on a seven-hour drive time plus stops. June and hubby-John went on to Lake Tahoe and hit the ski slopes the following day, an excellent idea since you're only 1.5 hours away.
Worse thing about the race: For a short distance (1 mile? 2 miles? Editor's note: It seemed "way longer" than that.) you have to share a single track trail with the lead runners who are coming at you FAST! This means that you must stop, step to the side (cliff on the left and slope on the right), and allow others to pass by before you resume running . . . very disruptive!
Worse thing after the race: The food was GONE! We were hungry, tired, and quickly getting cold, and sure enough, the fast runners had eaten all our food! GRRRR!!
Best bruises: June, on her right hip beats out Mimi's hands (from climbing UP the dried-up waterfall)
Best thing about the race: Completing our first ultra-marathon with our friends! PRICELESS!!
What do I need to know that I haven't asked about? The race sells out in less than 10 minutes! So if you're interested, be at your computer this December 13 at 8:00 AM to sign up.
Would you do it again? In a heartbeat!
CLUB NEWS
*The Great Race of Agoura - Saturday, March 28th
Friday, March 27
4:00 - 7:00 pm - pre-set-up; hauling stuff from Inside Track to Agoura Hills
*Needs: 4-6 people; two to three cars/vans
Saturday, March 28
5:00 - 7:30 am - booth set-up; unloading stuff from cars
7:30 - 10:00 am - mostly manning the booth; talking to potential members (do not sign up for this shift if you are doing the half-marathon)
10:00 am - 12 noon - more booth manning; start of booth break down; loading stuff into cars (great shift to volunteer for if you are racing)
*Needs: 6-8 people per shift; two to three cars/vans
Please e-mail Mira at mirarev@hotmail.com if you are able to help. Thanks in advance!
*Birthday greetings
March 8 - Josh Spiker, Lisa Anderson
March 14 - Christopher Means
March 15 - Tom McKiernan
March 17 - Erin Keesch
March 20 - Marianne Owczarski
March 21 - Yinyin Goh
March 29 - Laura Diamond
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