SOCIAL EVENT ALERT!!!On Sunday, June 7, we will be having a potluck barbecue at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura. This will be the perfect opportunity for the newly-merged clubs to meet and mingle. Families and friends are welcome!
Please mark your calendars. Time and other details to follow.
THIS SATURDAY AT-A-GLANCEPlease mark your calendars. Time and other details to follow.
Mileage: 8
Volunteers:
Bananas - Denise Ellison (May 2, 9, 16 and 30)
Bagels - Mira Reverente (May 16 and 23)
Set-up and Breakdown - Naomi Kress
TRAINING CORNER
By George Arita, Adviser of Training
Georgerunvta@aol.com
LSD
This weekend is a rest weekend for those running the Los Angeles Marathon on Monday May 25, 2009. But you are welcome to come on Saturday to volunteer your services. See Naomi. Thank you.
For those running the San Diego RNR next Sunday (May 31st), Saturday will be your final long run – eight miles at marathon pace. For those with other upcoming races, run your Saturday miles according to your schedule.
For all you racers, I wish the best for you. Run smart, run well. Come back and tell us all about your accomplishments. Volunteer to write an article for “Been There, Done That.”
For everyone without an upcoming race on the agenda, I highly recommend staying in “half marathon” shape at all times, that is, run 8, 12, 8 and 15 miles on successive Saturdays throughout the year. Those distances are not “killing” and you can easily transition into “marathon training mode” at any time.
I will be OOT this weekend. Head Honcho Tom McK will be in control of the bagels and bananas.
For those running the San Diego RNR next Sunday (May 31st), Saturday will be your final long run – eight miles at marathon pace. For those with other upcoming races, run your Saturday miles according to your schedule.
For all you racers, I wish the best for you. Run smart, run well. Come back and tell us all about your accomplishments. Volunteer to write an article for “Been There, Done That.”
For everyone without an upcoming race on the agenda, I highly recommend staying in “half marathon” shape at all times, that is, run 8, 12, 8 and 15 miles on successive Saturdays throughout the year. Those distances are not “killing” and you can easily transition into “marathon training mode” at any time.
I will be OOT this weekend. Head Honcho Tom McK will be in control of the bagels and bananas.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
By George Arita, recent SB Wine Country Half-Marathon finisher
Georgerunvta@aol.com
This “almost local” half marathon is definitely a “must do” event for ITRC members, females and males. I mention gender because, this race, held the day before Mother’s Day and includes The Breast Cancer Fund as one of the charities, is adorned with participants of the nicer sex. The pre-start announcement stated that 70% of the participants were women. True to the numbers, of the 13 ITRC members (whose names I could recognize) present that morning, 9 were females (69.2%). Throughout the race, I found it most rewarding being a middle-of-the-packer.
Despite the threatening Jesusita Fires in and around Santa Barbara, the conditions in Santa Ynez and Solvang were ideal for running. It was cool with light breezes and clear skies throughout the event.
It was only a couple of blocks from my motel to Solvang Park (adjacent to the finish line) for the bus ride to the start in Santa Ynez. I met Mike and we rode the bus together. The start is directly in front of Maverick’s Saloon in Santa Ynez and diagonally across Hwy 246 from the Chumash Casino, if that would be of interest to some of you.
The 7 AM start was delayed about 20 minutes (late women no doubt), but start we did, some 2000 of us. The first 5.9 miles (what was referred to as the “first leg” for relay participants) took us from Santa Ynez to Los Olivos. There was a net gain in elevation but so gradual and hardly noticeable. During these miles, we ran past a mixture of homes, ranches, farms and small vineyards. Grand Avenue leads straight into Los Olivos. From at least a half mile out, I could see the tall flag pole that marks the center of the small town, and as I got closer, I could hear music and loud cheering. It appeared as though the entire town was out there to cheer us on. The timing mat marking the end of the first leg of the race (5.9 miles) was in Los Olivos, and those running a relay made their exchanges there.
The second leg of the race (7.2 miles) was more “open” with long stretches of vineyards on both sides of the road. I found it rather peaceful, “country peaceful.” The topography however was not exactly “peaceful.” Soon after leaving Los Olivos, we encountered the infamous “Corkscrew,” 0.7 mile of uphill (300 feet?), with most of the elevation gain coming over the last 0.3 mile. The Corkscrew was followed by a rapid descent into “peaceful” Ballard Canyon. At around mile 11, when you think the race is almost over, we encountered the multiple hills of Chalk Hill (wonder why they named it Chalk HILL?). But surviving this final insult, a quick right turn puts you on Atterdag Road and about three-quarters of a mile downhill to the finish line on Copenhagen Avenue. The final tenth of a mile along Copenhagen is lined with YOUR fans shouting YOUR name (it’s on your bib) and your name is announced as you approach the finish line.
The “food” tent had water, energy drinks, cut-up bananas, oranges and bagels (What no WHOLE bananas or bagels!), yogurt, cheeses and other goodies. I recommend taking handfuls of cheeses and crackers if you plan on participating in the wine-tasting event. There was a problem with shirt distribution, but this was a one-time breakdown due to the late arrival of the shirts from the manufacturer.
The Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon is highly recommended. Mark your calendar for next year’s race on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. And register early because the race sells out.
SUGGESTION: if you would rather not spend precious bucks staying overnight in the area motels, you can pick up your packet on Friday at the Doubletree Inn on Cabrillo Blvd in SB and then take the bus early on the day of the race from the same Doubletree for $20 roundtrip.
CLUB NEWS
By George Arita, recent SB Wine Country Half-Marathon finisher
Georgerunvta@aol.com
SANTA BARBARA WINE COUNTRY HALF MARATHON
This “almost local” half marathon is definitely a “must do” event for ITRC members, females and males. I mention gender because, this race, held the day before Mother’s Day and includes The Breast Cancer Fund as one of the charities, is adorned with participants of the nicer sex. The pre-start announcement stated that 70% of the participants were women. True to the numbers, of the 13 ITRC members (whose names I could recognize) present that morning, 9 were females (69.2%). Throughout the race, I found it most rewarding being a middle-of-the-packer.
Despite the threatening Jesusita Fires in and around Santa Barbara, the conditions in Santa Ynez and Solvang were ideal for running. It was cool with light breezes and clear skies throughout the event.
It was only a couple of blocks from my motel to Solvang Park (adjacent to the finish line) for the bus ride to the start in Santa Ynez. I met Mike and we rode the bus together. The start is directly in front of Maverick’s Saloon in Santa Ynez and diagonally across Hwy 246 from the Chumash Casino, if that would be of interest to some of you.
The 7 AM start was delayed about 20 minutes (late women no doubt), but start we did, some 2000 of us. The first 5.9 miles (what was referred to as the “first leg” for relay participants) took us from Santa Ynez to Los Olivos. There was a net gain in elevation but so gradual and hardly noticeable. During these miles, we ran past a mixture of homes, ranches, farms and small vineyards. Grand Avenue leads straight into Los Olivos. From at least a half mile out, I could see the tall flag pole that marks the center of the small town, and as I got closer, I could hear music and loud cheering. It appeared as though the entire town was out there to cheer us on. The timing mat marking the end of the first leg of the race (5.9 miles) was in Los Olivos, and those running a relay made their exchanges there.
The second leg of the race (7.2 miles) was more “open” with long stretches of vineyards on both sides of the road. I found it rather peaceful, “country peaceful.” The topography however was not exactly “peaceful.” Soon after leaving Los Olivos, we encountered the infamous “Corkscrew,” 0.7 mile of uphill (300 feet?), with most of the elevation gain coming over the last 0.3 mile. The Corkscrew was followed by a rapid descent into “peaceful” Ballard Canyon. At around mile 11, when you think the race is almost over, we encountered the multiple hills of Chalk Hill (wonder why they named it Chalk HILL?). But surviving this final insult, a quick right turn puts you on Atterdag Road and about three-quarters of a mile downhill to the finish line on Copenhagen Avenue. The final tenth of a mile along Copenhagen is lined with YOUR fans shouting YOUR name (it’s on your bib) and your name is announced as you approach the finish line.
The “food” tent had water, energy drinks, cut-up bananas, oranges and bagels (What no WHOLE bananas or bagels!), yogurt, cheeses and other goodies. I recommend taking handfuls of cheeses and crackers if you plan on participating in the wine-tasting event. There was a problem with shirt distribution, but this was a one-time breakdown due to the late arrival of the shirts from the manufacturer.
The Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon is highly recommended. Mark your calendar for next year’s race on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. And register early because the race sells out.
SUGGESTION: if you would rather not spend precious bucks staying overnight in the area motels, you can pick up your packet on Friday at the Doubletree Inn on Cabrillo Blvd in SB and then take the bus early on the day of the race from the same Doubletree for $20 roundtrip.
CLUB NEWS
*Birthday greetings
May 12- Jeff Lowell
May 14 - Ed Burnett
May 27 - Erin Howard
Good luck to our members who are doing the LA Marathon this weekend!
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