CHATTER September/October 2010 CHECKERS Members and Their Special Races!

FOR ALL ABILITIES CHATTER September/October 2010 CHECKERS members and their Special Races!

Laurie McGorry was sidelined last Linda Sacco had her life- month with a stress fracture in her time PR at the Wendel- foot. Last time we saw Laurie, she ville Race then PR'd by 2 was wearing a boot and was in her more seconds at Shea’s. 4th week of recovery. She is looking forward to getting back to her Rick Deren also had a PR marathon training. at Shea’s! Laurie has PR'd 13 of the 16 races she ran this year and we’re looking forward to seeing her excel more this fall! And next year too!

Congratulations to Pat Kunselman Kieran O’Loughlin had a personal who ran an incredible time at the lifetime best at the Wineglass Lebro’s race ,she ran a 22:33 (7:15 pace). marathon early October. Kieran This put Pat at 92% age graded for the 65 cruised the course till he began -69 age group. Pat has placed 1st out of all having killer calf cramps which 13 races she ran this year. She’s been a made him stop several times to Checkers member longer than anyone can stretch. He was very happy to see remember and we’re proud to have her on his best marathon time ever. our team. NICE going! 3:15:58

Brad Heron ran an awesome 15:57 in the Yalem Race and placed 5th overall .

David Welby con- tinued to improve all year in his road racing and in his new interest- Triathlon. David also had an awesome time in From left Julia, Zenobia, Shian, Madison and Shellea the Yalem race. He work hard at track and everyone is very proud of them! ran a 16:01.

CONGRATULATIONS to Dave Carroll and Catherine Meyer on their recent Wedding Vows. Everyone in Checkers wishes them the best ! Nothing like home baked cookies at Cross Country! Only a few know the significance of that!

Three runs left for RACE TO SAVINGS Saturday, October 16th–Timon Fall Challenge Saturday, October 30th- Jack O'Lantern Fall Classic Saturday, November 13th-Lindsay’s Legacy “Visit checkersac.org/rts.htm for details.”

One last request for: A person to take over the photo album assignment. We need to keep the Checkers photo history updated. You would periodically receive discs with race photos to be printed on photo paper and inserted in clear sleeves, they would then be inserted into a loose leaf binder. It‟s your call about the cropping, artwork, choosing which members and dating of these fine pages. Checkers will reimburse for color cartridges and paper. Email: [email protected]

Email [email protected] with accomplishments that you’ve had this year. Also, if you know of another member you feel is special and would like to highlight in The Chatter, email me with their name and I will include them in future newsletters.

Western NY was well represented at the 18th Annual Syracuse Festival of Races 5K Masters on October 3, 2010. The Checkers AC Team 70+ consisted of Helen Botti, Fran Rowe, and Edna Hyer who enjoyed a first place. Helen also placed 2nd in her 70-74 age group and 11th place in overall women with an age graded 86.77! Edna placed 3rd in the 75-79 group. Helen Bueme was 1st in the 80-84 group.

The Belle Watling Track Club 80+ took 1st place and consisted of Richard Sullivan, Roger Whalley and Gerald Ri- vard. In the individual competition, Ted Sullivan was 3rd in the 75-79, Richard Sullivan 2nd in the 80-84. Henry Syp- niewski was 1st in the 90-94 age group and was well celebrated for being the oldest competitor present. He received a standing ovation at the awards ceremony as he set a single age group record for a 92 year old. He broke the previous record of 40:32 and ran 33:46!

In a Masters Husband and Wife classification, Helen & Sandy Bueme made history being the first time winners of the 80+ group.

A fabulous group of runners including Olympian John Tuttle who recently ran a 15K here on Labor Day were present.

The competition was held as a road race starting near the Manley Field House. The day was cool, but rain free. Fol- lowing the race was a plentiful brunch with an awards ceremony. Masters competitors were from as far away as California, Washington, many Southern states, New England, and of course New York.

Our sympathy to Rich Meyers for the recent sudden passing of his brother, Stephen.

More Informa- Day Date Time Race City Distance tion

Sat 10/16 10:00 ECMC Lifeline Foundation Buffalo 5k 898-5881 Sat 10/16 10:30 Pumpkin Run Williamsville 5k 883-4531

Sat 10/16 10:30 Dr. Richard T. Sarkin Memorial 5K Buffalo 5k 573-4839 Sat 10/16 10:30 Timon Fall Challenge 5K Run Buffalo 5k 826-3610 North Tona- Sat 10/16 11:00 Chowder Challenge wanda 5k 523-3958

Sun 10/17 10:00 BobKat Honorary 5K Tonawanda 5k 725-7414 Sat 10/23 9:00 Breaking the Sound Barrier 5K Buffalo 5k 834-7200 Niagara Falls International Sun 10/24 10:00 Marathon Niagara Falls 26.2m 905-356-9460 Niagara Falls International Half Sun 10/24 10:00 Marathon Niagara Falls 13.1m 905-356-9460

Sat 10/30 9:00 Chestnut Ridge Challenge 10k Orchard Park 10k Sat 10/30 9:00 Strides for Stewart Grand Island 5k 773-9680 Sat 10/30 10:00 Jack O’Lantern Fall Classic 5K Niagara Falls 5k 285-3421

Sat 10/30 10:00 Heritage 5K Greenhurst 5k 985-6712 Sun 10/31 10:00 Making Tracks For Families Buffalo 5k 380-8954

Sun 11/7 9:00 Bob Ivory Run Tonawanda 5k 270-4113

Sat 11/13 10:00 Casablanca Classic Grimsby 8k 905-562-8669 Sat 11/13 11:00 Lindsay's Legacy 5K Tonawanda 5k 832-4460

Sat 11/13 11:00 Maritime March 5K Buffalo 5k 574-4101 Thu 11/25 9:00 YMCA Turkey Trot Buffalo 8k 875-0457 Sat 11/27 11:00 Amy King 5K Run Lakewood 5k 763-0303

Sat 12/4 10:00 Reindeer Run Buffalo 5k 880-2130 Snowball Run for the Morlock Sat 12/11 10:00 Foundation Amherst 5k 839-1143

Sat 12/11 4:30 It's A Wonderful Run Seneca Falls 5k 315-568-1438 Sun 12/19 11:00 Freezer 5K Run Buffalo 5k 574-0888

Sat. Sept. 25, I did the Niagara Hospice 5k run/walk up in Youngstown on beautiful Lake Ontario and in 4 mile creek state campground. It is a beautiful place for a run/walk and is for a great cause. 2 other checkers members were spotted on the course. Hope next year more will come and enjoy the scenery along with their run. Cathy Levine Checkers Interview with John Ende by Paul Wandel

BIO:

Age Group: 40- 44 Checkers member: 2 years Running: 4 years Residence: Kenmore, NY Professional: Mentholatum Consumer Products VP of Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service

Personal: Married with two children. Katie-11, Maura-9. Interests: Golf, tennis and watching sports. Pace Group: Red-51

Exactly what motivated you to begin running? We all have our own reasons. For John Ende, a senior marketing professional, it was a very familiar theme. Four years ago, this former soccer and squash athlete realized that something had to change. “I was winded after running ten seconds with my daughter. I was not exercising and eating too many Buffalo chicken wings. I let myself go for about ten years!” John‟s motivation was to get into shape through running.

After graduating from US Military Academy at West Point, John spent five plus years specializing in combat engineering while he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. “I‟m proud of my time in the army!” He engaged in competitive sports during his army career with active participation in the German soccer and squash leagues. However, after returning home to the States, getting married and beginning a family, John allowed himself to go sedentary. His wake-up call was just what he needed to turn it around and start again. “I was mad at myself for being out of shape.”

Fueled by a determination to restore his fitness, John began to run and train on a regular basis. “I had a smooth path toward fitness.” As he developed stamina, strength, and speed, thoughts of training for a marathon eventually emerged. The 2008 Buffalo Marathon was his first target goal. “I recall running through the second relay checkpoint at 12 miles with a pack of eight runners and hearing a spectator with „Good job number 212 marathoner. You look great and smooth!‟ I quickly realized I was running with the half marathoners!” That encouragement and surprise thrust John to complete his first marathon with an admirable time of 3:13 and qualified him for Boston (BQ).

Excited with his successful performance in Buffalo, John commenced training for the 2009 Boston Marathon that January and became curious of running clubs in the Buffalo area. Internet searches directed him to Checkers AC. and he readily joined the club. Making it a habit to greet people and introduce himself, John met and befriended Jim Figler. He also developed camaraderie with Kieran O‟Loughlin, Matt Phillips, Liz Randell, and others meeting for long runs at Delaware Park, Chestnut Ridge or the bike path. “I‟ve made some great new friends.”

John was now a marathoner and his first attempt at the Boston Marathon proved challenging. He found the final four to five miles to be very difficult. “I put my head down and didn‟t look around. I was focused and I made another BQ by just 20 seconds.” Addi- tional marathons include the 2009 Niagara Fallsview Marathon (3:13), 2010 Boston Marathon (3:24) and most recently, the 2010 Wine- glass Marathon (3:14).

On a pensive note, John expresses some abundant passion for his newly discovered sport. “I‟m happy I found running! I„ve learned a lot about it, I enjoy it and I am so grateful for the club (Checkers AC).” John‟s short-term goal is to compete in two marathons in 2011, Boston and New York City and at some point a trail marathon. “My number one long term goal is to be able to keep running!”

Love for the sport coupled with his new partnership of Checkers running friends prompted John to participate with Hood to Coast in a Mixed Masters relay team represented by Checkers in September 2010. “We became very close as a team. It was one of the most rewarding things I have done.” The Checkers team finished 1.5 hours behind first place and scored an impressive second place in their division.

John travels extensively due to his marketing responsibility for Mentholatum. He is quick to make the most of the opportunity to run in new and different locations. He recently registered for a half marathon in Nara, Japan. He has run near the White House in Washington, Central Park in New York City and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Finally, a place of special significance to John was the crest of Heartbreak Hill in the 2010 Boston Marathon. This call came from among the thousands of spectators directly to him. “There you are. Living the dream and I‟m here to cheer you on!”

Brad Heron 10/1 Joel Rozler 10/21 Barry Ladner 11/9 Corey Pepero 10/1 James Waldron 10/22 Peggy Guenther 11/10 Sarah Bartkowiak 10/2 John Miller 10/23 Julie Roehmholdt 11/12 Sharon Daniels 10/2 Michael Neff 10/23 Jim Christen 11/13 William Hilbert 10/2 Anne Horan 10/24 Joshua Wheeler 11/13 Linda Forrestel 10/3 Christy Petry 10/24 Stephen Karas 11/15 Lisa Lynch 10/4 Jonathan Bottoms 10/25 Thomas Meka 11/16 Anne Pyrak 10/4 Michelle Wolniewicz 10/25 Sandy Popovich 11/16 Tom Appenheimer Sr. 10/5 Eric Graber 10/26 Elizabeth Randell 11/16 Chrissy Casilio 10/5 Linda Sacco 10/26 Leah Baldassarre 11/17 Maggie LaMantia 10/5 Maura Tyrrell 10/26 Renee Casciano 11/17 Chelsey Schweikert 10/5 Jessica Bell 10/27 Michael Karpie 11/17 Lauren Williamson 10/5 Daniel Dengler 10/27 Bobbi Blackburn 11/18 Leigh Oehler-Smith 10/6 Amy Koppmann 10/28 Carolyn Corgel 11/18 Renee Tabone 10/6 Trey Gardner 10/29 John Noe 11/18 Anthony Garrow 10/7 Jack Noe 10/29 Jaime Faulhaber 11/19 Patricia Lyons 10/7 Christopher Gordon 10/30 Michael Harrison 11/20 Bob Merritt 10/7 Eric Hepkins 10/30 Kathy Melling 11/21 Kim Zuppelli 10/8 Jerri Joyce 10/30 Lou Ann Adinolfe 11/22 Rauri O'Loughlin 10/10 Elizabeth Phillips 10/30 Brenda Spillman 11/22 Bobby Heard 10/11 Chuck Schweikert 10/30 Parker Woodard 11/22 Natasha Mendoza 10/11 Timothy McAllister 10/31 Steven Woodard 11/22 Claire Noe 10/12 Fran Emmerling 11/1 John Gerbec 11/23 Joe Rutowski 10/12 Kingsley Haas 11/1 Jason Smith 11/23 Budd Bailey 10/13 Paul Hagen 11/4 Brad McFadden 11/24 John Mangione 10/14 Des Hughes 11/5 Curreen Luongo 11/25 Ernesto Gutierrez 10/15 Judy Jack Lewis 11/5 Daniel Luongo 11/25 Kenny Rodrigues 10/15 Belinda Stoll 11/5 Jared Sedor 11/25 Stephen George 10/16 Mohamed Zeid 11/5 Jennifer Fisher 11/26 Donald Blowey 10/17 Thomas Miller 11/6 Grant Peehler 11/26 Jeffrey Brzuszkiewicz 10/20 Lauren Breen 11/7 Linda Gowans 11/29 Paul Justinger 10/20 Jared Samuel 11/7 Marvin Gross 11/29 Dan Brignon 10/21 Louise Cadwalader 11/8 Paul Hassall 11/29 Lindsay Heron 10/21 Jason Schwock 11/8 Timothy Kearns 11/29

Congratulations to Sandy Popovich also ran a Nicole (Novak) Lifetime PR at Harvest and Nate Oliver on Moon and was 10th female their recent overall! marriage! She sailed to the finish line in 23:47! Way to go!

Last month a few Checker’s members got the chance to check an item off our bucket list. We flew out to Port- land, Oregon to participate in the 30th annual Hood to Coast Relay. This race was a long time coming for us. The entry is done by lottery and we were unable to get in until the third year of trying but it was well worth the wait!

Hood to Coast is a 197 mile relay with 12 people done over a 24 hour period. Each team has 2 vans and every team member runs 3 times. Checker’s has gone to Reach the Beach many times before which is the east coast version of this race. Here’s a little side by side comparison of the 2 events:

Reach the Beach Hood to Coast 206 miles 197 miles Franconia Notch, NH to the Mt Hood, OR to the Pacific Atlantic Ocean Ocean 1022 teams 330 teams Terrain: VERY hilly Terrain: More rolling hills (and a major drop at the beginning) Scenery: OUTSTANDING Scenery: OUTSTANDING Post race party: excellent post race party: not as good as RTB

We were fortunate enough to spend a few days before the race site seeing in different parts of Oregon. A few of us went down to Eugene on Wednesday. We were able to run on historic Hayward Field, visit Pre’s memorial, run on Pre’s trail, and take a dip in the Willamette River. We finished that off with picking wild blackberries which made for the perfect day. The next day we met up with some more of our teammates and went for the most beautiful trail run in Portland. Miles and miles of green, hilly trails in great weather was just what we needed (except for an unfortunate incident with Don’s ankle versus a tree root. The tree root won).

Soon race day came. The start of the race is staggered with the first teams going off at 6:30AM. We didn’t leave until 6:00PM. Instead of just waiting around we decided to go up to the Mt Hood and spend some time re- laxing and looking at the unbelievable views. Finally it was our time and Susan was off! We were very fortunate because Jerry’s friends lived along the course. That gave both vans a brief stop during which we could eat and rest our heads for a minute or two. Once the race started it seemed like it was over in a flash. Our late start meant that we had 2 legs at night. That was tough at times. There is always a moment during a race like this (especially at 2:30 AM) that you think there is no way you can get out and run again but somehow you always do. Your body re- members how to move and your mind takes over wanting to catch the next team in front of you. And your teammates basically push you out of the van.

I highly recommend other Checker’s members to form some teams and enter a relay like this one. They are all over the country and worth the effort of organizing a team. Our team would like to thank Checker’s for their support of this trip and Metholatum for their generous donation. Thank you also to Coach Vicki for getting us ready to race and being our team cheerleader and coach. These races are very difficult to put together without support and we real- ize how lucky we are to have people believing in what we are doing.

We ended up at the finish getting 2nd Mixed Masters team and 44th overall out of 1022 teams. We met many in- teresting characters, had tons of laughs, and came back with many memories of an awesome experience. Rumor has it that we get an automatic bid into next year’s race…will we take it? It’s a little too soon to tell so stay tuned… Oh frabjous day! by Ray Ernst (with a little help from) “Through the Looking Glass-and What Alice Found There” by Lewis Carroll

I know what you‟re thinking. “What does Alice in Wonderland have to do with running?” The answer probably is…not much. Except it is within that story that Alice reads the nonsensical poem, „Jabberwocky‟. “It seems very pretty,” she said when she had finished it, “but it's rather hard to understand!” (You see she didn't like to confess even to herself, that she couldn't make it out at all.) “Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas…only I don't exactly know what they are! However, somebody killed something: that's clear, at any rate…”) It seems to have filled my head with ideas too, ideas a little bit different than Alice‟s. Let me give you my take on how „Jabberwocky‟ fits into my running life. Here I am cruising along, enjoying a nice easy jog on a late Sunday morning. It‟s warm and pleasant and peaceful, the kind of day runners dream about while slogging through the cold and snow of January. Birds are chirping, children are playing and dogs are barking. („Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.‟) I was a mile and a half into my run and my mind was just starting to drift into that place where it is safe from all the world‟s troubles, when a sharp pain in my right foot stopped me in my tracks. Without having ever experienced it before, I suspected I‟d suffered a stress fracture. („Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun the frumious Bandersnatch!‟) I sat on the curb for a few moments and rubbed at the top of my foot, but the pain was not going away. I slowly hobbled home and ended up spending the afternoon in the emergency room. Stress fracture! The next morning I was able to see an orthopedist, whose prognosis was six weeks of no running; biking was okay as long as it didn‟t hurt. “Let the pain be your guide,” I was told. (“He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought. So rested he by the Tum- tum tree, And stood a while in thought And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came!“) My first real injury would keep me from doing what I love. Six weeks! Okay, I accept and I‟ll deal; no anger, no “oh, woe is me.” With Karen by my side, we volunteer at Mississippi Mudds and the Diner Dash. I direct the RUT Race, with plenty of help from the Bond Lake club members. We go to the Moonlight Run and cheer on the racers. We bike at Bond Lake while the others are running eight or twelve or sixteen miles. I‟ll come to track and watch and encourage and think about when I can return. I start swimming again, a fall and winter activity for me, as I‟d rather be outside in the spring and summer months; but its movement and breathing and exercise. And finally, finally! I put on my running shoes and start a slow loop at Delaware Park. Feels good, I‟ll do another. Then, maybe just one more. (One two! One two! And through and through the vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back.) I‟m sore; but I‟m happy because it‟s a good sore! The ankles, the hamstrings, the glutes, but not the foot! I‟m sore, but I haven‟t felt this good in six weeks. “And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy.) I‟ve slain the dragon, my „Jabberwock‟. I can run again. In a couple more weeks I‟ll be running like a little kid again, without a care in the world. I‟ll be running while birds are flying south and kids are squealing with happiness while jumping into piles of leaves and dogs are barking their approval. („Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, and the mome raths outgrabe.‟)

On Weds July 21st Melissa went into the emergency room at Milliard Fillmore Subur- ban with severe anemia and they admitted her right away and immediately gave her a blood transfusion to bring her Red Blood cell count up. After a night in the hospital and some more blood work more the doctors determined the cause was more seri- ous and transferred her to Roswell Park on Thursday night – preliminary diagnosis was some form of leukemia.

After more blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy it was confirmed that Melissa has Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL) and had to start treatment right away. Melissa was to be in the hospital for 4-6 weeks and will probably not be back to work for about a year. Melissa has already started undergoing a steroid chemotherapy treatment. Wineglass Marathon 2:56:18 Jeff Hirt Linda Yalem Safety Run 5K 25:04 Stephanie Stoll Life

3:10:59 Mark Valites Finger Lakes Intermediate 2:53:52 Diane Sardes Life 3:14:11 John Ende Shea's 5K Run For The Arts 23:27 Linda Sacco Life 3:15:58 Kieran OLoughlin 24:13 Rick Deren Life 3:26:36 John Mangione Rochester Marathon 3:24:47 James Lonergan Life 3:53:32 Kathy Reynolds Rochester Half Marathon 1:50:10 Kathy Reynolds Life 4:01:25 Gary Lew Erie Half Marathon 1:38:56 Kingsley Haas Life 4:13:24 Diane Kurek 1:47:59 Stephanie Spritzer Life 4:16:26 Teresa Darlak 1:48:15 Sam Spritzer Life 4:27:10 Michelle Adams 1:50:25 Belinda Stoll Life 4:29:48 Cindy Demske ARC Half Marathon 1:48:52 Annie Schuster Life 4:32:16 William Moore Harvest Moon Run 5K 23:29 Linda Sacco Life 4:33:34 Stephanie Stoll 23:47 Sandy Popovich Life 6:08:01 Susan Moran Fleet Feet 15K Run Into 1:14:53 Laurie McGorry Course Wineglass Marathon Relay 3:57:45 Linda Sacco 1:35:17 Dawn Bingeman Life 3:57:45 Toby Mazur Beaver Island Marathon 3:27:45 Carolyn Corgel Life 3:57:45 Tom Droz Ironman Kentucky 14:35:07 Diane Sardes Course 3:25:10 Benda Litzinger Habitat for Humanity 5K 17:56 Matthew Phillips Life

Twin Cities Marathon 3:00:03 Elizabeth Randell Moonlight Run 5K 22:54 William Moore Course Toronto Waterfront 2:58:40 Herman Pohl Marathon New Members

Akron Marathon 5:36:40 Dawn Bingeman

Airforce Marathon 3:53:29 Clyde Ferguson Ed Barauskas Denise Kennedy

Jonathan Bottoms Barry Latner Rochester Marathon 3:24:47 James Lonergan Ann Marie Cohoon Nancy Moriarity 4:17:12 Theresa Marie Palmieri Michael Cohoon Kelsey Ryan Bonnie Dugan Jared Samuel Beaver Island Marathon 3:27:45 Carolyn Corgel Dennis Dugan Terri Swaydis Seattle Rock and Roll 4:26:23 Nancy Sheehan Stanley Grzebinski Jr. Pam Tymchak 5:43:38 Mark Ruettimann Stanley Grzebinski Sr. Maura Tyrrell Rock & Roll Marathon 4:49:04 Michael Neff Sabrina Baskerville "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." -John Bingham

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help our- selves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable." -Sir Roger Bannister New member Jonathan Bottoms competed in the World Championship Olympic Triathlon in Budapest, Hungary September 12th.

August 29th Ironman Kentucky: Tony Garrow completed his 9th in 12:30:29 and it was number 6 for Diane Sardes.

Checkers members who have competed in a triathlon or Duathlon this year Steven White, David Melohusky, Christopher Harris, Jonathan Bottoms, Darlene and Chuck Schweikert, Mi- chael Rogers, Herman Van Leeuwen, Brenda Litzinger, William Smith, James Schaffstall, Michael Reilly, Greg Murnock, Jim Lynch, Anthony Garrow, James Karnath, Karl Kozlowski, Jennifer Astalos, Patrick Dalton Jr., Diane Sardes, Carolyn Corgel, Pamela London, Brad Boyle, Joseph Rutowski, Leigh Smith, David Ward, Michelle Adams, Kristin Leiby, Andrew Moynihan, Tim Dieffenbach, Natasha Mendoza, Jonathan Mugel, Mark Forell, Karen Michaels, Deborah Morrison, David Welby, Paul Justinger, Timothy Geiger, Greg Lavis, Annie Schuster, Clyde Ferguson, Eric Hepkins, Chuck Fried, Rurik Johnson, Jack Noe, Derek Dunstan, Suzanne Fenger, Megan and Matthew Poeller, David Spillman, Michelle Bauman, Mike Woltz, Jill Kaplan, Laurie Seier, and Susan Moran. (Hope we didn’t miss anyone!) There were other Checkers members who trained for a triathlon but have not yet committed to a race.

Karl Jennifer Jonathan Kristin President’s Corner by Tom Donnelly

It’s time for ten opinions in a row.

This summer was too hot, hot, hot for running, They can range from monthly but I miss it already. Maybe the change to fall happy hours, to group tours was too sudden, but I would like to request at of whatever. Anyone who has least one more month of summer. Feel free to an idea for something that lop that extra month off winter. Mother Nature, sounds like fun, e-mail me at are you listening? [email protected].

Our second track season — coached by Vicki Triathlon training has become what running used Mitchell and Roger Roll — has really gained to be in the ’80s. Getting fit then was as simple speed. Literally and figuratively. Attendance is up as lacing up your shoes and going for a run. and there are lots of new faces. Is there a better These days, with more education and emphasis program anywhere in the area for such a minimal on the benefits of cross training, triathlons are investment? seeing a surge in participation. I’m sure Buffalo Triathlon Club President Tony Garrow will back Two more Checkers members found each other me up on this observation. One sure sign is the through the club and recently tied the knot. Dave emergence of a triathlon retail/training center in Carroll and Catherine Meyer were married on town. Tri Spot Multi Sports is doing record busi- September 25; Nate Oliver and Nicole Novak did ness while owner Kevin Patterson finds innova- the same on October 2. Congratulations to all tive ways to couple training programs with his four of you. I don’t think there’s a running club outstanding selection of merchandise. around that has brought more couples together. With Checkers, you can get fit and find a life It’s only natural that if I plug Kevin’s store, I mate at the same time. should also mention the best all-around runner’s store in the area. Runner’s Roost in Orchard Is there a community anywhere with more races Park has been a long-time partner with Check- a year than here? Good or bad, you never have ers. Dave Borodzik has a complete selection of to wait long for a race. I laughed when I heard a running gear at very competitive prices. On top friend complain a couple weeks back that there of that, as a Checkers member, you receive a were only two races to choose from that week- 20% discount. Once again this year, Dave will end. Back in the dark ages, when I started run- have many sale items on display at our Turkey ning, I often had to wait a month or more be- Trot packet pick-up. Be sure to stop in and see tween races. And 10Ks were just as common what he has to offer. I find it to be an excellent back then as 5Ks are today. way to start shopping for the holidays.

While working with our Western New York Run- I love the new surface of Delaware Park’s Ring ning Hall of Fame committee, I marvel at what a Road. I’ve been running there for 33 years, and talented bunch of volunteers we have — all dedi- it’s by far the best it’s ever been. I hear they in- cating their time to this great cause. It almost ri- cluded an additive to the asphalt to make it a bit vals the talent and professionalism of our Check- more resilient. It sure feels that way. And my legs ers board. We’re getting a lot accomplished to- have never been happier. ward recognizing Western New York’s best runners, coaches, and sponsors. And my tenth opinion is that it sure is hard to come up with ten opinions all at once. It’s time to re-energize our social events calen- dar. Once the days get shorter and the weather turns cold, it helps to have events to bring us together.

Again this year, Checkers was winner of the largest participation by a running group award, for their participation in the Ronald McDonald 5K. As recipient of this prize, we are allocated $300 toward our food bill at Casa Di Pizza. Each year, we have more and more members turn out to help us celebrate, while enjoying some good food and great company. It has become an annual get together before the end of our track season. Race Director's Rich Meyer and Gary Brownell were there to present this year's commemorative poster to club president Tom Donnelly, and track coaches Vicki Mitchell and Roger Roll. A fun time was had by all who attended.

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