Last Saturday’s run turned into the Great Skate Half Marathon after freezing rain made for slick surfaces and runners worked their core muscles to the max trying to maintain balance. Nevertheless, skating quartet Karen Spaude, Emily Pearson, Katie Nelson and Edie Lane found the skate an exhilarating experience and we are happy to report all remained vertical despite the treacherous space terrain. Thank you Brian Dobbie for charting a new course!
Most run a marathon at the end of their training program, but Bob Poznanski blast off into outer space with a 26.2 mile mission. Bob completed the Memphis Marathon on December 1, 2007 in a Boston qualifying 3:30:34. Congratulations Bob!
Volunteerism is alive and well in the ranks of outer space. The 2007 KAR Volunteer results are in and 8 of the top 10 volunteers of the year reside in the Milky Way. Topping the list was Mark Sigfrids, whose many, many contributions to the running community through KAR earned him 140 volunteer points. Beyond S-Pace leader Francine Bangs was close behind with 130 points. Also making the top 10 were Brian Dobbie and Pat Johnson, as well as Marty Buffenbarger, Julie Wojtaszek and Bonnie Sexton who tallied up points in between their stints serving on the KAR Board. The KAR Volunteer program awards points to members who volunteer to help out with club sponsored events and programs. At the annual banquet each year, an award is given to the top 3 volunteers with the most points. Remaining volunteers are entered in a raffle. Did you know? The Beyond is 90 participants strong and still growing!
The New Year kicked off with the One One Run, Chris Crowell’s annual rendition of “Charlie Miller’s Chainsaw,” and a snow storm!!! The original Charlie Miller himself paid a visit to Spring Valley Park, and several Beyond participants made an appearance as well. Mark Sigfrids was live on the scene manning the KAR table, and of course Francine Bangs, Dottie Sullivan, Rob Lillie and Tessa Emenheiser were pitching in as part of the Gazelle Sports crew. Giti Henrie and Pat Johnson were also among those space travelers who professed to making an appearance.
Speaking of the New Year, what a beginning it was as the first day of 2008 dawned. Tuesday morning I rose out of bed ready to savor my first run of the year. As I glanced outside my dining room window, a winter wonderland was spread before my eyes with everything covered in a blanket of white, and snowflakes still falling. I contemplated trudging downstairs to my treadmill, but finally convinced myself the first run of the year should be experienced in the quiet beauty of this outdoor painting which promised the tranquility of a Kincaid scene. The winter apparel and Yak Trax went on and out the door I went. The streets of my neighborhood were unplowed, and as I ran I followed along a narrow path of tire tracks left by the few vehicles that dared to venture out. I contemplated my goals for the coming year in many areas of my life; family, spiritual, professional, running and how I can best contribute to the running community while maintaining a balanced portrait.
The New Year is a fresh new canvass to be painted with new goals, new experiences and new challenges. The slate is wiped clean from the year before as brand new adventures lie before us and we make our resolutions for the months that lie before us. For those of us who run, it means gaining a new focus as we train for the spring racing season or a spring marathon. Maybe the goal is to complete a first marathon, set some PR’s whether they be overall or age adjusted, lose 10 pounds or just take a year off of competitive racing to enjoy running for the sheer joy of it. It may mean contemplating our priorities, and figuring out where our running fits within those priorities. It is a time to explore ways we can get involved in giving back to the running community; the opportunities are many. We have the chance to not only fill existing needs, but serve as a catalyst to discover and charter new territories as we reach out as runners to the community around us. Discover your goals, find your niche and have a Happy New Year!
