FOR ALL ABILITIES CHATTER MAY/June 2010 Moments

FIRST PLACE FEMALE MASTERS RELAY TEAM! Susan Ballard accepted the award plaques for her team mates, Joanne O’Loughlin, Catherine Meyer and Judy Arlington at the Buffalo Marathon. 3:08:04

SECOND PLACE FEMALE MASTERS Thank you volunteers for manning the water Stephanie Spritzer, Linda Haas, Carolyn Corgel stop at the Buffalo Marathon. Your efforts and Diane Sardes gladly accept their second place. were very much appreciated on an extremely 3:21:24 warm day for the runners.

Below, Linda Gerbec and Linda Sacco decide

to have a great training run for the 13.1 miles of the marathon. Congratulations for getting it

in and enjoying the race while you did it.

First Place Open– Don Seitz, Bob Merritt, Guy George and Amy Fakterowitz 2:47:14 First Place Checkers Males– Tom Droz, Paul Wandel and John Ende 3:10:52

Chuck, Yale and Michelle The Fried’s, A FAMILY AFFAIR!

Thu 6/10 6:45 PM JPMorgan Chase Corp. Challenge Buffalo 3.5m 332-3504 Fri 6/11 6:30 PM Alden's 5K Race for Scholarships Alden 5k Jeff Minotti 937-3760 Sat 6/12 10:00 AM Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Buffalo 5k Judy Babel 580-3116 Thu 6/17 6:30 PM Lois Koss Memorial 5K Hamburg 5k J. Mayville 870-7946 Fri 6/18 7:00 PM St. Gregory The Great Race Williamsville 5k Jerry Sheldon 634-0961 Sat 6/19 9:00 AM MSMH River Run Lewiston 5k Jason Hopkins 870-2207 Sat 6/19 10:00 AM Trooper Brinkerhoff 5K 5k M. Brinkerhoff 604-8949 Sun 6/20 9:30 AM Jog for the Jake Buffalo 5k Rich Grimm 856-3500 Wed 6/23 7:15 PM Run in the Mist Niagara Falls 5k Rita Majka 282-7181 Fri 6/25 6:30 PM Fit for Fire Buffalo 5k Joyce Whitman Sat 6/26 6:00 PM St. Mary's of the Lake Hamburg 5k Tom Zugger 570-6316 Sun 6/27 9:00 AM Bemus Point 10K Bemus Point 10k Rappole 488-0788 Tue 6/29 7:00 PM Peach Bud 10K Grimsby 10k Jerry Friesen Tue 6/29 7:00 PM Peach Bud 5K Grimsby 5k Jerry Friesen Tue 6/29 7:00 PM Peach Bud 1K Grimsby 1k Jerry Friesen Sat 7/3 9:00 AM Dick Bessell Independence Day Run Grand Island 2.3m Linda Tufillaro 773-9680 Sat 7/3 7:00 PM Tommy's Run Orchard Park 5k Flannery 662-6659 Sun 7/4 9:00 AM Depew-Lancaster Boys & Girls Club Lancaster 10k Dave Hoak 683-6755 Sun 7/4 9:00 AM Relay Lancaster Dave Hoak 683-6755 Sat 7/10 9:00 AM Tom Drake Memorial 5K Mayville 5k Dave Lewellen 789-2111

Sat 7/10 9:00 AM Tuscarora Nation 10K Run Lewiston 10k Kris Brayley 628-2288

Sat 7/10 9:00 AM Tuscarora Indian Nation 2.5 Mile Run Lewiston 2.5m Kris Brayley 628-2288

Sun 7/11 10:00 AM Run for Rover Buffalo 5k Timm Otterson 884-5624

Mon 7/12 7:00 PM Loughran's Alumni Run Snyder 5k Larry Brownell 432-9734 Thu 7/15 7:30 PM Old Home Days Williamsville 5k Ted Sullivan 839-2543 Fri 7/16 7:00 PM Subaru Buffalo 4 Mile Chase Buffalo 4m Jim Nowicki 881-1652 Sat 7/17 8:30 AM Laurel Run Silver Creek 8k S. Waterson 661-4735 Sat 7/17 8:30 AM Laurel Walk Silver Creek 5k S. Waterson 661-4735 Sat 7/17 10:00 AM Character Chase 5K Hamburg 5k Jeff Cervoni Sun 7/18 7:30 AM Presque Isle Half Marathon Erie 13.1 Jim Lang Thu 7/22 6:30 PM St. John Vianney Kickoff Run Orchard Park 5k E. O'Shei 677-4039 Thu 7/22 7:00 PM Tim Frank Memorial Canal Fest North Tona. 4m Jeff Hardy 688-7839 Fri 7/23 6:30 PM Mental Health 5K Race Buffalo 5k John Grandits 634-5052 Sat 7/24 9:00 AM East Aurora Rerun East Aurora 5k W. McLaughlin 652-4917 Sat 7/24 9:00 AM Dash 'N Splash Family Fun Run Hamburg 2.5m Luke Sullivan 646-5145 Sat 7/24 10:00 AM Crabapple 5K Run Cheek. 5k Victor Nosal 897-7207 Sat 7/24 7:30 PM Mid Summer Nite Run Tonawanda 2.3m Beth McMahon 874-0082 Sun 7/25 8:00 AM The Lockport 100 Mile Team Relay Lockport Relay Walter Potocki Sun 7/25 8:00 AM Empire State Games 10K Road Race Buffalo 10k Kevin Lucas Wed 7/28 6:30 PM Ronald McDonald House Buffalo 5k Rich Meyers 725-4968 Fri 7/30 6:30 PM Mount Mercy 5K S. Buffalo 2.75 Jeff Conrad 824-6768 Sat 7/31 8:00 AM Lake View Field Day 5K Run & Walk Lake View 5k T. Eberhardt 698-4005 Sat 7/31 6:30 PM St. Christopher Summerfest 5K Tonawanda 5k Dave Cannon 694-5582

Buffalo Half Marathon 1:49:28 Laurie McGorry Course

Medved Lilac 10K 40:13 Elizabeth Randell Life Chris Griswold 5K Race 22:25 Laurie McGorry Life

23:18 Stephen George Life

24:54 Rick Deren Life

27:26 Elizabeth George Life Nancy Price Memorial 5K 19:22 John Ende Life

Pinnacle Charter School 5K 18:49 Kieran O'Loughlin Life

Springville Stampede 5K 22:36 Chuck Schweikert Life Mary Casey 6/1 Allegany Adventure 22K 1:37:25 Jim Figler Course Jerome Wojnicki 6/2 Heritage Centers Foundation 23:34 Laurie McGorry Course Valerie Sirianni 6/3 OC Marathon 4:26:50 Tom Lansing Life John Appenheimer 6/4 Mia Symoniak 6/5 High Five 5Mile Race 36:32 John Teuscher Course Bill Harden 6/6 SFC 5K Race For A Cause 21:56 Laurie McGorry Course Joannie Essler 6/7 3 Kings Royal Race 5k 25:21 Rick Deren Life T. Corey Neil 6/8 C. Music Half Marathon 1:50:11 Sarah Klein Life Russell Trippe 6/8 3:00:11 Elizabeth Randell Course Michelle Adams 6/9 Keith Bonas 6/9 3:16:06 Kieran O'Loughlin Life John McGuire 6/10 3:19:44 Jim Figler Life Bill Moran 6/10 Lisa Woodard 6/10 New Members Vicki Mitchell 6/12 Sally Allgaier Shellea Johnson Timothy Schintzius 6/14 Kathleen Blackwell Karen Michaels Emily Zuppelli 6/15 Tim Dieffenbach Grant Peehler Doug Galli Sandy Popovich Maddison Zuppelli 6/15 Shari Hayden Kenny Rodrigues Kelly Dearing 6/18 Terry Herrington Julie Romain Ted Paget 6/19 Katherine Jablonski Timothy Schintzius Michelle Appenheimer 6/20 Milena Johnson Mary Ellen Goergen Don Mitchell 6/20 Shian Wright Corey Pepero Rick Schoellkopf 6/21 Michael Widener Jack Matheson 6/22 Joseph Chernowski 6/23 Toby Mazur 6/23 Samantha Appenheimer 6/24 Mark Guasteferro 6/25 Amanda Phillips 6/25 Seamus Degan 6/26 Nicole Novak 6/26 William Smith 6/26 Emma Rose Pyrak 6/28 Linda Gerbec 6/30

Checkers Interview with Matthew Phillips by Paul Wandel

BIO: Age Group: 40-44 Checkers member: Three years Running: Six years Residence: Kenmore, NY Professional: Violist with Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) Personal: Married Interests: Canoeing, fishing, travel, movies Pace Group: 56

Great things often have humble beginnings. At a youthful age of nine years, Matt Phillips discovered something that captured his heart. He picked up the viola in the fourth grade and has since never looked back, eventually earning a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a musician.” Determination, perseverance, and endless hours of practice paid off. Matt has been a violist for the Buffalo Philharmonic for the past 13 years.

“We have played at Carnegie Hall and venues all around the country. JoAnn Falletta, the music director, has done great things for the orchestra.” Matt has performed with a number of guest artists with the BPO. “I like to play with famous soloists. Memorable are performances with Van Cliburn, Doc Severinsen, Itzhak Perlman and cellist YoYo Ma.”

In 2004, Matt Phillips received an unusual invitation from BPO colleague and timpanist, Jesse Kregal. “He challenged me to run one lap around the Delaware Park meadow.” One lap quickly became two, three, and four, as Matt found new enjoyment in the sport of running. “I got hooked. I was running four meadow laps a day, five to six days a week. I ran regular with Jesse my first two years of running.”

Fascination with running eventually attracted Matt to Checkers Athletic Club. “I was drawn to the club workouts and running with others in my pace group. I was both comfortable and inspired. The faster guys challenged me.” Intrigued with speed work and speed, Matt entered the Reindeer Run 5K in December 2004 and completed it in 23:06. His times gradually tumbled and in his second year of running, he went sub 20:00 for 5K.

The harmony of accomplishment, enjoyment, and performance began to become more obvious and real to Matt. In the spring of 2006, Matt heard the call of the marathon. “My first attempt at that distance was the Buffalo Marathon. At 23 miles, I had de- veloped very bad leg cramps and the temperature was in the 80s. I ended up not finishing.” In the fall of 2006, he once again grappled with the 26-mile distance in the Casino Marathon and finished in a time of 3:19.

The discipline he first learned in the fourth grade soon began to pay dividends for Matt. With each subsequent marathon (ten to date), his times improved as well as his confidence and pacing ability. A memorable race for Matt was the 2007 Buffalo Marathon. “I needed a 3:15 to qualify for Boston. It was a goal I had for a few years and I did it. I was so excited!” The following April, Matt posted an impressive 3:11 time at Boston in just his fifth marathon. In the fall of 2008, he once again improved his long dis- tance performance, running 3:06 at the Towpath Marathon in Akron, Ohio.

On course to go under three hours, Matt recorded a 2:59 at the Cleveland Marathon in May 2009. “I ran in a pace group. The pacer made a mistake and took us out too fast with 6:10 miles, but then we evened out to a steady 6:46 pace. There were eight people in my group and I had faith in our pacer. Going sub-three felt terrific!” The following October, Matt competed in the Chicago Marathon along with 40,000 others who braved a cold day in the mid-30s. “The neighborhoods and crowd support were great. I ran well.” He recorded another sub-three hour effort, coming in at 2:58.

Most recently, he outdid himself in the 2010 Boston Marathon. “I took it easy on the first half down hills. There was an unusual level of enthusiasm and fan support. It was a thrill to run for the crowds. I felt congratulated. The volunteers were wonder- ful. I didn’t think I would go sub-three (he finished in 2:58).”

Matt paused to offer this pensive thought about marathoning. “Marathoning is a special challenge. You know it is something that you will be exhausted from, but (you’ll be) very proud of it!”

Among other long distance events in Matt’s repertoire is the half marathon. Notable was his recent performance in the Sarasota Half Marathon. “I was on a nine-day, multi-city tour in Florida with the BPO last March. We were on the east coast and had just finished a performance. I drove across the state to start the race at 7 a.m. in the dark. I felt pumped up. I finished 16 th overall with a 1:23 time!” Continued on next page….

Matt also competed with the Checkers team in the Reach the Beach 200-mile relay race last fall in New Hampshire. The team goal was to complete the distance in less than 24 hours. “We were the first masters team, coming in around 22 hours. Our team is looking forward to running the Hood to Coast Relay this summer.”

Between symphony performances, which typically are Friday, Saturday Evenings, and Sunday afternoons, Matt likes to allocate Sun- day mornings for his long runs.

Drawing from his quest to be a musician, Matt Phillips has applied the same attributes of focus, discipline, practice, and determination to his running endeavors. Similar to his instrumental prowess with deep resonant tones on the viola, he has fine-tuned his running ability and style to produce a steady and consistent progression of tempo and enjoyment.

Fabulous 5K Series The following races are in the series:

St. Gregory the Great Race 5K June 18th 7:00 PM Loughran's Alumni Run July 12th 7:00 PM 9th Annual Ronald McDonald 5K Run and Walk July 28th 6:30 PM Mississippi Mudds 5K River Run and Walk August 14th 7:00 PM Moonlight Run August 18th 8:00 PM Lebro's Falls Classic September 18th 10:00 AM

Rules are the best time in each age group individual can choose 5 races out of 6 races Male and Female to qualify. Age Group 10-under, all 5 in age groups , also over 85 years!

The Fabulous 5K awards ceremony will be at the Glen Park Tavern Main St Williamsville on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 12:00PM. Thank you, Richard Meyers

Another REMINDER! Checkers Race to Savings

Race to Savings, a series of events throughout 2010 that are presented by fellow Checkers members.

Remember that with Race to Savings, you can save on race-day entry fees for any of these races: NEXT…………………………. Sat., Aug. 14 Mississippi Mudd’s 5K River Run, Tonawanda Sat., Aug. 21 Checkers Presents The Mueller Mile, Tonawanda Sun., Aug. 22 Run for Row, Lancaster Sat., Oct. 30 Jack O’Lantern Fall Classic 5K, Niagara Falls Sat., Nov. 13 Lindsay's Legacy 5K, Tonawanda

Keep an eye on the Checkers Web site for details.

Wearing the new Checkers team apparel is Coach Roger Roll. This is a racing photo but Roger actually looks like he is having FUN.

There are numerous pieces of apparel available.

Anyone wishing to order singlets or uniforms, Please contact Roger at: [email protected] or you can leave him a message at 912-9800. Advancement and Civilization in Running By Sheri (The Mule) Graziano

"You can't say that civilization doesn't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way." – Will Rogers

I was once told that if the long run doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger. I think about this as I put one foot after another, mile after freaking mile. To keep myself enter- tained I think about the many “eternal runner’s questions” that have been debated over the years in runner-land: “What is the best footwear to keep your feet from blistering on a 20 mile run in the hot summer sun?” “Is it possible to get faster and older at the same time?” “What sports drink is out there that will provide electrolytes Superman would die for?” “Why is my new Garmin crapping out just when I need it most?” Technology has come a long way since the first caveman pulled on his fur undies and went out for a jog, but how much have things really changed? We leave the house (or cave) and go for a run. We come back tired and happy in an idiot sort of way and we are satisfied. Amidst all of life’s distractions we still managed to get our run in. It doesn’t matter what we wore or how many pterodactyls we outran. The important thing is that we got out there. No matter where running technology takes us, the most important question has always been and always will be – “Did you run?” So how about it – “Did you run today?”

Checker’s Athletic Club Memorial Funding

“The great soul is the person who has taken on the task of change. If he or she is able to transcend fear, to act out of courage, the whole of its group will benefit and each one, in his or her own life, will be suddenly more cou- rageous, though they may not see how or why.” …Gary Zukav, Seat of the Soul

Recently the Western New York running community has lost two such “great souls.”

Jack Meegan, of Buffalo, was a friend and mentor to many athletes. Since the running boom of the 1970s, Jack was an inspiration to all who knew him personally and all who knew of him. Whether training at Delaware Park, running in local road races, teaming with others at track events, or competing in 30 Boston , he lived by the principles we at Checker’s A.C. share; “encouraging and supporting individuals participating in the sport of run- ning…”

Pete Glavin, of Greece NY, started a series of cross country events in 1990 that have become the standard for cross country in New York. The Upstate NY XC Series began with five events scattered throughout Rochester and one in Newark. This past 2009 season the XC Series was in each corner of our region; Syracuse, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester, and Canandaigua. Over the years countless Checker’s A.C. members have successfully participated in this series.

In recognition of their contributions to our sport and the people whose lives they have enhanced, Checker’s Athletic Club has made the following donations; $100.00 to (fill in recipient) in memory of Jack Meegan. $100.00 to (fill in recipient) in memory of Pete Glavin. They Say You Never Forget Your First…………..

I loved half marathons – the distance is perfect, most of the time your long runs are longer than the 13 miles, you’re not beat up afterwards and you have a social life. I never had the urge to run a full marathon – 26.2 miles, are you nuts!! But all that changed when I met the Hooligans, they seemed like such a normal, fun group at first. Nancy Then before I knew it, there I was, January 10, 2009 standing on Krause Road in 20- degree temps with wind chills in the single digits. I loved it!

I started marathon training that day but would not run my first one until 16 months later. It took me awhile to actually decide, I did the training program for the spring season but still hadn’t gotten the urge. Then I decided to run Fallsview in October 2009. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen, a series of injuries prevented me from doing that one and I am now deferred until October 2010. But I did not want to wait that long. We were looking for a cool weather race and decided on the Illinois Marathon in Champaign-Urbana Illinois on May 1st, should be perfect, right? Wrong. It was awful, the humidity was in the 90’s when we finished (what’s happened to Spring?).

As Gary Lew, Teresa Darlak and I approached the starting line, I could hear Bob Seger (my favorite) blasting from the speakers. I’m thinking this is a great omen. Needless to say, things did not go according to the plan. It was so humid; so many people were being carted off the course. Emergency personnel were great; they were constantly going up and down the course. I got asked twice if I was okay, I get really red when I run. Around the 12-mile mark I debated if I should split with the half marathoners and run another day or keep going forward. I kept pushing forward, it was the only answer. Twice medical personnel asked me if I was okay. But I was re- membering the advice I got from my friends, about the feeling you get when you cross the finish line. They were correct, my eyes started tearing up when I ran across my first full marathon finish. Surprisingly, I felt good, I did not make my goal time but I will. There will be a next time, I am already scoping a couple fall ones. But, I am also planning a destination half marathon for Spring 2011 because I am ready to some fun and enjoy running with my friends .

But I will never forget the experience and what I learned about myself from the first one.

Nancy Campbell

HEART HEALTH! JULY BIRTHDAY’S!!!!!! Long time member, Joe Kielb 53, of Alden went for his an- Dave Lawrence 7/1 Douglas Ostrom 7/17 Jeanne LeGault 7/1 Suzanne Fenger 7/19 nual check-up. Little did he Craig Alf 7/2 Jeff Hirt 7/19 Greekfest 5K know that shortly after a Kathie Evans 7/2 Nancy Campbell 7/20 May 21st scheduled angiogram, he would Bonnie Bathurst 7/3 Cathleen Ducato 7/20 be in Buffalo General Hospital Grace Dalton 7/3 Des Hughes Jr. 7/22 the very next morning receiving Quintuple by- Megan Hughes 7/3 Pamela London 7/22 pass surgery. Quintuple is a FIVE vessel coronary William Hilbert 7/7 Rick Queeno 7/23 Henry Sypniewski 7/7 Robert LaMantia 7/28 artery bypass graft. It will be a 6-12 month Kellie Trybalski 7/7 Andrew Moynihan 7/28 recovery. The best part of all this is that Joe’s Alexander Wukovits 7/8 Robert Dowrey 7/29 heart was VERY STRONG from running for so Julie Donnelly 7/9 Clyde Ferguson 7/29 many years. His times were slowing but now Michele Fried 7/10 Judi Harris 7/29 learned it was more than just his aging. Mark Gordon 7/10 Michael Kowalski 7/29 David Spillman 7/11 Claire Rutowski 7/29 Joe went through his surgery very well and is Jennifer Raby 7/12 Debbie Symoniak 7/30 looking forward to resuming his 5K running Joelle Ruettimann 7/12 Debbie Benton 7/31 and marathon career. Christopher Dirr 7/14 Shari Hayden 7/31 Best of luck Joe~

One of the highlights about running for me is road We walked around the campus after dinner and it was trips with my running mates. Recently, five of us trav- very beautiful with gorgeous old buildings and a tra- eled to Toledo, Ohio for the 34th Annual Glass City ditional collegiate look with a tall bell tower. For Marathon. It is always held the 4th Sunday in April, anyone who has done enough campus tours, it looked and, as a bonus—this flat, fast course is a more like a private college, not like part of a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. So named state university system at all. because it is the home of Libbey Glassware, the Glass City Marathon turned out to be a hidden gem. The event consists of a mara- Parking on race day was not a problem. It thon, half-marathon, 5-person relay mara- had rained the night before, but, fortunately thon, 5K, and a kids marathon. This year, for all of us runners, the morning turned out there was a record 3500 participants. The to be around 56 degrees and cloudy, but, no host hotel was the Ramada, which was where rain. The course for both the half and full we stayed. I thought it was a real bargain at marathon started on the campus and wound $75/night (+ taxes). There was ample, FREE through beautiful, fragrant, lush, green, tree parking. We were able to get a late checkout -lined neighborhoods of Ottawa Hills, Old of 3 pm. We have learned through the years Orchard, and then entered the University/ to bring our own “runners breakfast” to these events Parks trail (similar to the Clarence Bike Path) and the and good thing we did. The breakfast room at the ho- Wildwood Metropark looping back to the UT campus tel didn’t open until 7 am, which was the start time of with a glorious finish along the sidelines of Glass the race. The rooms were clean and comfortable and Bowl Stadium. Every finisher was projected onto the the hotel has a nice courtyard pool with a hot tub. It jumbotron in the stadium as they crossed the finish was conveniently located less than 2 miles from the line and received a short-sleeve technical t-shirt, fin- University of Toledo campus(which is where the race ishers medal, and, of course, a glass mug. The event started and finished) raised $10,000 for the local autism chapter, leukemia and lymphoma, and local children’s running pro- Packet pick-up at the university was organized, and, grams. due to the small size of the race, not crowded. The expo was small and we all agreed we would have liked The large races have their advantages, but, it’s nice to to have seen more vendors. However, the race was take advantage of some of the lesser-known events modestly priced at $35 for the half-marathon (which is with smaller crowds and lower costs associated with the event we entered). The pre-race pasta dinner was them. Only 5 hours from Buffalo, the Glass City $15 and was held in the student union on the campus. Marathon turned out to be another memorable and Not many people participated in this—probably opting fun road trip with my running friends. for a local, Italian restaurant. Laurie Seier

Buffalo Marathon Ideas

“Maybe you're right Greg. Music and refreshments at the train crossing might have made the wait better.”

April 24th Niagara Falls

Congratulations to all the Checkers Members who raced this spring!

Thanks to all our members whether you chose to wear Checkers apparel or not! You are all #1 ! Buffalo Half Marathon Finishers Buffalo Marathon Finishers

Name Time Name Time David Welby 1:22:15 Rick Deren 2:09:40 Matthew Phillips 3:00:05 Michael D Moore 1:27:18 William Moore 2:09:44 Darlene G Schweikert 3:42:00 John Mangione 1:31:01 Jared M Sedor 2:09:55 Francis H Emmerling 3:47:37 Brenda Spillman 1:31:25 Laurie Carpenter 2:09:57 William Smith 3:48:36 David Carroll 1:32:47 Bobbi J Blackburn 2:10:08 James F Lonergan 3:55:55 Richy D Deren 1:33:36 Sallie A McGuire 2:11:54 Brandi N Boyle 3:57:28 John Feroleto 1:36:41 Sandra J Hebeler 2:12:49 Chuck J Schweikert 3:57:32 Mohamed Y Zeid 1:39:20 Don McMahon 2:12:54 Chrissy Casilio 3:58:20 Darell J McKenrick 2:13:16 Gene McDonough 1:39:40 Robert Dowrey 4:04:11 Greg C Murnock 1:39:44 Barbara A Dorogi 2:13:30 Belinda A Stoll 4:22:21 Joshua R Wheeler 1:39:50 Melanie A Uhteg 2:14:09 Tom Appenheimer 4:23:15 Rurik C Johnson 1:40:04 Mike E Reilly 2:15:11 Krysten L Stoll 4:23:27 Daniel Dengler 1:41:07 Nancy J Sheehan 2:15:38 Michael J Schiavone 4:24:01 David M Melohusky 1:41:55 Marc F Ruettimann 2:15:40 Clyde H Ferguson 4:28:39 Kingsley P Haas 1:42:38 Rick Krollman 2:19:35 John Teuscher 1:43:38 Michele Fried 2:20:00 Sandy C Bunn 1:46:22 Renee Tabone 2:21:52 Jerry Bergman 1:48:33 Sibatu Khahaifa 2:24:44 Ed Wardrop 1:49:07 Fran Warthling 2:26:12 Patrick Dalton Jr 1:49:12 Richard G Meyers 2:26:26 Hugh Arthur 1:49:22 Yale Fried 2:27:55 Laurie McGorry 1:49:32 Linda M Sacco 2:29:02 Eric S Twichell 1:50:05 Linda E Gerbec 2:29:03 Dan Krotz 1:50:18 Mike Curry 2:29:54 Sarah A Neal 1:52:52 Sharon A Daniels 2:33:58 Kelly K Dearing 1:53:45 Rick Schoellkopf 2:33:58 Dave Lawrence 1:53:50 Mike Woltz 2:34:19 Sam Spritzer 1:54:18 Ted Sullivan 2:34:58 Anne M Lytwynec 1:54:41 Ginny Krollman 2:37:05 Patricia L Hilbert 1:55:16 Gretchen Carney 2:37:40 Amy E Koppmann 1:55:38 Lillian Chotkowski 2:45:41 Billy Flynn 1:56:21 Paul Hassall 2:49:34 Roger A Roll 1:56:32 Dawn Bingeman 2:49:37 Larry Ammon 1:57:10 Karen M Radkowski 2:51:02 Bill Harden 1:57:15 John A Radzikowski 3:00:25 Andrew R Moynihan 1:57:31 Alyssa M George 3:02:05 Michelle L Adams 1:57:51 Richard J D'Arcy 3:04:15 Katherine J Jablonski 1:58:30 R.Michael Stoll 1:59:20 Jennifer Toth Astalos 1:59:28 Eric J Graber 2:01:05 All Checkers Relay team Thomas S Lansing 2:02:50 results can be found Toby Mazur 2:03:32 on the website.

Stephanie J Stoll 2:04:06 Congratulations to everyone who Sandy Popovich 2:04:06 trained so hard for Megan N Poeller 2:04:20 their race and had to Marvin E Gross 2:04:30 bear an exceptionally Lou Ann Adinolfe 2:05:32 warm sunny day! Dennis R Hall 2:05:53 Cindy A Demske 2:06:29 Kathleen M Blackwell 2:07:58 Dear Mr. President,

I have been a Checkers member now for a few years. On Wednesday, March 24th, I had my fifth pacemaker implant. Sam Spritzer and I are in the same age group (male 55-59) and I easily could identify, empathize, and sympathize with him and his wife last summer when he had a heart attack and what he had to overcome to get running again.

To my knowledge, I have never had a heart attack. I have an electrical problem known as second degree A.V. heart block (not blocked clogged coronary arteries). What I have to guard against is sudden cardiac death due to abnormal heart rhythm. I am presently in my 34th year of wearing a pacemaker which spans over seven U.S. president reaching back to Gerald Ford on December 1, 1976. It would have spanned 10 presidents if Reagan, Clinton, and Bush II were not two- termers.

My first pacemaker was nuclear with 4.38 curies of plutonium 238 as the power source (one of the most deadliest sub- stances on earth). I was one of 50 people in the country in 1976 who wore a nuclear-powered pacemaker. They do not install nuclear pacers any longer due to terrorism and the threat of leakage. However, after nine months had passed, I had pacemaker relocated, because it was pacing my heart as well as my diaphragm muscle due to a surgical error.

After this, my pacemaker worked fine for 17-1/2 years until around 1992 when I had my third surgery because the 22-year- old wiring went haywire. Once again, a short five or six years later in October of 1998, it was time for pacemaker #4, which lasted until March 24th, 2010.

When examining mechanical duration, my second and fourth implants served me longest of 17-1/2 and 11-1/2 years re- spectively. Hopefully, my present fifth one will serve me at least into my mid-60s, but God only knows for sure.

I have been running longer than I’ve been wearing a pacemaker. When they wired me up, it aggravated me. My attitude was “I’ll show you” and I just kept running. I am presently recovering, but should be back on the race circuit at a slow pace possibly by the 2011 Bunny Hop 5k in East Aurora.

My cardiologist told me on Monday, March 29th that I can go and either jog slowly or walk fast at a pace that he said should cover 4.2 miles in an about an hour. So I shall see. He maintains my leads are secure to my pacemaker and be- cause I only had generator replacement and no lead changes, that the leads leading into the heart muscle on the other end are also secure. He still wants me laying low for another week or so, however, before I can resume more vigorous ac- tivity without fear of any danger. My former ninth grade math teacher and I conservatively estimated that I had at least 11,000 miles running on my last pacemaker. This does not include walking, cycling, or delivering my mail route as I am a retired letter carrier and walked a beat for 18 years. I have been retired for almost nine years now.

So in short, I have had my ups and downs time over the last 33-1/2 years as it relates to my heart health as affected by a pacemaker. All this to compensate for my electrical heart block where somehow the circuitry gets blocked (not coronary artery blockage like Sam had), but a different form of heart disease nonetheless.

I was running in the mid and upper 22s for a 5k last fall and at this year’s 5k Bengal Run, I had a 22:55 to close out my fourth pacemaker. I am hoping I can get back to that level, as surgery tends to take the “sails out of your wind” as former Buffalo Bills coach Hank Bullough erroneously put it.

In conclusion, I have had my ups and downs with my running, heart health, pacemakers working properly, five surgeries, three angiograms, one His’ bundle, and other non-related surgeries and procedures. And like all of us, I have had crosses to bear with life in general.

Sincerely yours,

Timothy Geiger (55-59 men)

P.S. I forgot to mention that due to surgical error in 1976, the end results of a pacing diaphragm muscle, is that you have hiccups more or less continuously and constantly for nine months when your heart is at rest. So in order to sleep, my pacemaker was turned off. I ran, I walked, I cycled, I played softball, I stayed as active as I possibly could during my wak- ing hours with it on. Trying to sleep with it off was a problem. They put me on Valium help me sleep which was not good. Anyway, after nine months, the doctors finally realized my problem was not subsiding and finally did relocation sur- gery on September 12, 1977. After that, as I said, my nuclear-powered pacemaker worked fine for a total of 17-1/2 years. Thanks for listening to me, and God willing, as I start out on another 11,000-mile journey, we will see you at practice and on the circuit. Group at our pasta dinner at Limoncello's restaurant, the night before the Boston marathon .

President Donnelly was on Marathon duty leave, the Corner will return in the next issue.

Checkers Athletic Club 340 Puritan Road Tonawanda, New York 14150