Bob Smola goes for his 90th!
It was quite a phenomenon and it literally stopped traffic…runners, runners EVERYWHERE! The spring like weather drew the fleet of feet out in full force, causing the cars to finally lose control of the roads! Early Saturday morning a foot traffic advisory was issued for the vicinity of Lover’s Lane and Bicentennial trail in Northern Portage. At approximately 7:15 am southbound marathoners from The Beyond almost collided with northbound SHufflers on the Bicentennial Trail as they passed each other by. Fortunately, only a few hands were slapped as the groups passed each other by. At approximately 9:00 am as Beyond Marathoners headed northbound via Lovers Lane and Bicentennial Trail, they were overcome by a flood of Borgess Run Campers traveling southbound via the Lovers Lane Footpath.
Tim Bredahl went from running 80 miles a week to working 80 hours a week and with Boston right around the corner, has now made his reappearance! “Training for Boston in 5 weeks will be no problem,” reports Tim. Sidelined from regular training since last summer’s Safari, Steve Rice is now on the mend and has made his reentry. Steve has also been named Beyond Subject Matter Expert (BSME) on the Glass City Marathon since he reportedly ran his PR there. Beth Gross and Michael Ryan are planning on running Glass City and have consulted with Steve.
Giti Henrie is also now on the mend and was named to the Beyond Welcome Wagon Committee after bringing a newcomer from Windsor, Ontario to this Saturday’s run. Brian Campbell and Dan Wolf came back after last Saturday’s Arctic Adventure run. Julie Wojtaszek, Rachel Wittkoski, Joel Pennington and Brenda Stoddard did not come back after last Saturday’s run, at least to this Saturday’s run. As a side note, Brenda Stoddard’s husband and renowned artist Jim Stoddard had two sculptures selected for the KIA Art Fair.
Tim Bredahl went from running 80 miles a week to working 80 hours a week and with Boston right around the corner, has now made his reappearance! “Training for Boston in 5 weeks will be no problem,” reports Tim. Sidelined from regular training since last summer’s Safari, Steve Rice is now on the mend and has made his reentry. Steve has also been named Beyond Subject Matter Expert (BSME) on the Glass City Marathon since he reportedly ran his PR there. Beth Gross and Michael Ryan are planning on running Glass City and have consulted with Steve.
Giti Henrie is also now on the mend and was named to the Beyond Welcome Wagon Committee after bringing a newcomer from Windsor, Ontario to this Saturday’s run. Brian Campbell and Dan Wolf came back after last Saturday’s Arctic Adventure run. Julie Wojtaszek, Rachel Wittkoski, Joel Pennington and Brenda Stoddard did not come back after last Saturday’s run, at least to this Saturday’s run. As a side note, Brenda Stoddard’s husband and renowned artist Jim Stoddard had two sculptures selected for the KIA Art Fair.
Pat Johnson Ranks #5 Marathoner in the state in his age division!
The Beyond hosts some of the top age group and open runners in the state of Michigan!!! Megan James, Peggy Zeeb, Jen Shaffer, Francine Bangs, Pat Johnson & Brenda Stoddard all ranked in the top 5 in their age division or the top 15 in the open division in Michigan Runner’s 2006 Best of Times!
The Beyond hosts some of the top age group and open runners in the state of Michigan!!! Megan James, Peggy Zeeb, Jen Shaffer, Francine Bangs, Pat Johnson & Brenda Stoddard all ranked in the top 5 in their age division or the top 15 in the open division in Michigan Runner’s 2006 Best of Times!
Did you know? Former Schoolcraft High School Cross Country and Track Star Paul Dewolf is a satellite participant of The Beyond. Paul has been following the Beyond Training Program to a T and performing his workouts solo on his college campus in Grand Rapids. Paul will be making the Martian Marathon his very first 26.2 mile adventure!
Lots of Beyond Runners won Volunteer and Runner Recognition awards at last Wednesday’s KAR/BCRR Annual Banquet. Gale Fischer won the Battle Creek Volunteer of the Year and Story Teller awards. Brenda Stoddard and Bob Smola won the Reynold G Oas Volunteer of the Year award. Jen Shaffer and Marty Buffenbarger won Women’s and Men’s Open Runner awards, Peggy Zeeb won Women’s Masters and Mega-racer awards, Peter Gower won Mega-Marathoner, Kayla Kling won Rookie Runner and Bonnie Sexton won Social Runner.
Rookie Runner of the Year
You just have to love running group dynamics. It has been less than a week since the annual KAR/BCRR Banquet and the power struggle between new KAR/BCRR Co-President Marty Buffenbarger and Training Program Director and Board Advisor Bonnie Sexton has already commenced. The first official dispute began when official timekeeper, Steve Downard reported that the group had dropped to a 6:57 pace during part of their 16 mile run. Bonnie immediately ordered the group to slow down 30 seconds per mile to stay within Pete Pfitzinger’s recommended guidelines. Marty Buffenbarger threatened to overrule this command using his new positional leadership, but did eventually heed the advice of the Advisor, and the group finished with a 7:26 average pace.
Have you ever noticed there is just way too much fun stuff to do out there, including Multi-sport! It appears that at least 2 of the Beyond have figured out how to get the best of all worlds. After finishing her 16 mile training run, grabbing sustenance to go from Panera and dashing to Kingdom to watch her boys play soccer Saturday, Bonnie zipped over to Bronson to compete in the Iron BAC Indoor Triathlon. How did she do? Despite running 3.1 miles and biking 7.4 miles each respectively in 20 minutes flat, she dropped to the middle of the pack and 5th out of 6th in her age group after finishing 2nd to last in the swim. This is despite Renee Brady’s expert coaching attempts to convert her to a fish. As a side note, Todd Raab was spotted at Bronson playing hooky from The Beyond due to child care issues and the need to spend all afternoon on a stationary bike to prepare for his multi-sport adventure, Ironman Wisconsin. Bonnie is now in recovery, not from the 16 mile/Triathlon combo, but from a 2nd grade slumber party that night.
Good luck to Bob Smola, who will be running his 90th marathon next weekend. The hoopla surrounding Bob’s 100th marathon, which will commence in fall of 2008, is already being planned by KAR/BCRR officials!
You just have to love running group dynamics. It has been less than a week since the annual KAR/BCRR Banquet and the power struggle between new KAR/BCRR Co-President Marty Buffenbarger and Training Program Director and Board Advisor Bonnie Sexton has already commenced. The first official dispute began when official timekeeper, Steve Downard reported that the group had dropped to a 6:57 pace during part of their 16 mile run. Bonnie immediately ordered the group to slow down 30 seconds per mile to stay within Pete Pfitzinger’s recommended guidelines. Marty Buffenbarger threatened to overrule this command using his new positional leadership, but did eventually heed the advice of the Advisor, and the group finished with a 7:26 average pace.Have you ever noticed there is just way too much fun stuff to do out there, including Multi-sport! It appears that at least 2 of the Beyond have figured out how to get the best of all worlds. After finishing her 16 mile training run, grabbing sustenance to go from Panera and dashing to Kingdom to watch her boys play soccer Saturday, Bonnie zipped over to Bronson to compete in the Iron BAC Indoor Triathlon. How did she do? Despite running 3.1 miles and biking 7.4 miles each respectively in 20 minutes flat, she dropped to the middle of the pack and 5th out of 6th in her age group after finishing 2nd to last in the swim. This is despite Renee Brady’s expert coaching attempts to convert her to a fish. As a side note, Todd Raab was spotted at Bronson playing hooky from The Beyond due to child care issues and the need to spend all afternoon on a stationary bike to prepare for his multi-sport adventure, Ironman Wisconsin. Bonnie is now in recovery, not from the 16 mile/Triathlon combo, but from a 2nd grade slumber party that night.
Good luck to Bob Smola, who will be running his 90th marathon next weekend. The hoopla surrounding Bob’s 100th marathon, which will commence in fall of 2008, is already being planned by KAR/BCRR officials!
