November/December 2015 | Vol.41 No.6 The Starting Line Letter from the Editor Don’t know how many of you read my bit in the last Can a post-race party upstage the main event, the race newsletter entitled, Revenge of the Pokey Walk-Jogger. It itself? I raise that poignant point in an article inside. was largely the saga of my lamentable, pathetic attempts Speaking of parties, I had to miss our 40th birthday at running last summer. I am happy to report that things extravaganza that took place on October 28th at Tijuana have turned around for the better lately, partly due to the Flats in Lakewood, but by all accounts I understand it cooler weather and also because of training consistency. was a great affair. Some of the Olde Timers showed up Consistency, kind of important, wouldn’t you agree? to spin some yarns about the Jacksonville Track Club, While out running one morning it occurred to me that as our club was once known. Jay Birmingham, Tom other people in our club might also be having trouble Skordas and Rodney Smith, all were club “pioneers,” with their running. Could be they have hit a plateau, or as we like to call them. Back in 1975 could they have are plagued by injuries, or maybe they just need some ever imagined that this club would last for so long? Did good old training advice. We have some fine people in they ever suspect that we would some day be one of the this club who can help with training and with injuries. strongest, most notable running clubs in the USA? Could Why not contact me at [email protected] and I see they think that in the future we would create and own what we can do to help; just another great feature of a one of the greatest races in the world, the Gate River Run JTC Running membership. 15k? Continuing on the subject of training, help and coaching, Yes, we’ve come a long way – all of us. it seems to me that many of us who do not participate Rodney continues waxing nostalgic in this issue with a in our on- going track workouts at The Bolles School very humorous story about an innocent little training run probably forget all about them. The training is designed he undertook many years ago. It was in the age of pre- for all levels and abilities and takes place twice every terrorism, but you’d never think so. Thankfully, he lived Wednesday. In the morning, at the invigorating hour of to tell the tale. 5:30 AM, JC Pinto leads an intrepid band of members. Then in the evening, Paul Smith coaches another bunch How are your feet when they hit the ground? Oh, I see, at 5:30 PM. Why not give it a try? You can contact JC at never thought about it much, right? Well, some people 655-1044 and Paul at 982-3730. think about it all the time and our great friend, Jeff Wight, is one of them. You will learn a lot about feet, You never know where running around in circles, well, force and a lot more in his latest article in this issue. more like ovals, can get you. A certain Japanese sprinter is the new sensation of the Track & Field world. I have From feet to tendons, Dr. Mark Baughman, one of our written him up in this issue. Kind of makes me feel resident physical therapists, along with Rob Coltman, ashamed though. All those years I ran track and loved it divulges all the details concerning the various forms of but then I gave it up. My excuse? “I’m too old. No more tendonitis. I never knew it was so complicated; all I knew track for me in this lifetime,” I would say. This Japanese was that it hurt and it made me stop running. I have gentleman, known as The Golden Bolt, makes me realize battled Achilles tendonitis on and off for decades, as have how wrong I am. many of my friends. You will find Mark’s article very helpful and informative. And, once again, Jay Birmingham, our golden one, makes some more good points about running, the people Well, that’s about it for another newsletter year. I hope who do it and those who don’t. When you read his story that 2015 treated you well and that 2016 will do the in this issue you will see what I mean. same. Not sure what to make of all the madness in the world right now. Wish that people everywhere would I’m looking forward to our Guana Back to Nature Trail understand that we all just want to live in peace and get Races coming up on Sunday, Dec. 6. Why? Not just on with our lives and take care of those whom we love. because it’s an expertly organized JTC Running event but You know, “live and let live,” as the sensible old saying because I have always gone for races with a difference, goes. and our Guana trail runs are certainly that. There are miles and miles of pristine trails and running without a Best wishes to all. Keep running and try not to let it get car in sight. What could be better than that? Besides, like you down. everyone, I like a truly great, fun, post-race bash and this event has that too. The Starting LIne President's Letter All year long we have been celebrating JTC Running's Next comes the Kickoff of the 2016 Gate River Run 40th Anniversary and it has been so much fun! The Training Class at the 1st Place Sports Town Center Awards Banquet in June, the Baseball Game and Store January 7 at 6:30 pm. Members of the last Summer Beach Run kickoff in August, the Birthday GRR class and the Fall Half Marathon class have been Party in October, and the emailed a $5 discount code. The Christmas Social and Guana 2016 Gate River Run on March Awards party in December have 12 will be the best ever and there all kept us in the spirit. As this is no better way to prepare than great year draws to a close we our training class led by John and have one "last" celebration ahead, Denise Metzgar. the Last Gasp Cross Country Race and Social on Saturday, December 26 at Jacksonville On January 23 the Club presents University. the Winter Beach Run, 5 or 10 miles on Jacksonville Beach at 2 pm. Meet fellow Club members In recognition of our 40th Year, before or after the race at the JTC this year's Last Gasp will be special in many ways. To Running tent in front of the bandstand. Nearby start, the entry fee is only $3 online for members, a will be a new sponsor, the Florida Cocker Spaniel throwback to the days of yesteryear when race entry Rescue group, with several adorable pets for potential fees were a fraction of what is normally charged these adoption. Check them out and chat them up. Your days. Those three bucks buys more than the race new best friend could be there! bib-- this year's shirt will be first rate and many, many awards will be given to the top finishers in a range of categories. The post race social will be special as well: In February the Club will have a booth at the 26.2 held on site at JU's Bartlett Kinne Hall and featuring With Donna Expo at the Prime Osborn Center quality pizza, beer, and soft drinks. Sign up now as February 12 and 13. Stop by and say hello. If you space is limited and day-of-race fee will be $30. Go would like to volunteer to staff the booth please online at JTCRunning/Events or, pay $2 more, and signup at JTCRunning.com/Events. mail the entry form in this newsletter. January gets off to a running start with the Jacksonville Bank Marathon at the Bolles School Sunday, January 3. The Club will have the JTC Running tent near the finish line to welcome runners. If you would like to volunteer to staff the tent please signup at JTCRunning.com/Events. The Starting Line JTC Running Board Members New & Returning Members George Baccash Gary Harlow President Adam Beamer Lauren James Larry Roberts [email protected] Steve Bruce Sharon Lucie Rushton Callaghan William Lund Vice President Larry Sassa Lamar N. Campbell Michael Morales [email protected] Gary Castner David Ohnsman Treasurer David E. Dawley Jamie Poindexter Bonnie Brooks Michael DelCharco C. J. Quiggle [email protected] Shawn Dent David Rafanowicz Secretary John and Susan Duss Guillermo Ramos Piazza Douglas Tillett Jared Ellis Matthew Reimer [email protected] Claire Fawcett Daniel Rivera Doug Alred Jim Fawcett Jay Robinson [email protected] Billy Fehrs Mark Ryan Jane Alred [email protected] Robert Frary Martin Smith Colleen Clarson [email protected] Mark Goetz Rick van Brederode Errol Daniels Tom Greene Josue Velazquez [email protected] Michael DelCharco [email protected] Richard Fannin [email protected] Upcoming Events Susan Haag [email protected] The Last Gasp & JTC Running’s Birthday Party Angela Harris Saturday, Dec. 26th [email protected] 5k Cross-Country at 2 PM Stan Lambert [email protected] Entry Fees: Club Members $3 online, $5 mail-in Franz Lerch Free 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run at 1:30 [email protected] Todd O'Donnel [email protected] Gate River Run 15k Ty Payne March 12, 2016 [email protected] Save Money, Enter Now Connie Smith [email protected] $2 Club Members’ Discount Lamar Strother JTC Running.com 904-388-7860 Stuart Toomey [email protected] Jim VanCleave [email protected] 3 The Starting Line November/December 2015 The Starting Line / Written by Gary Ledman A Night of Service JTC Running members represented the club over don’t just run.