The Inner Battle - Brockville Road Runners

The Inner Battle
Rex Stinnett, President
Your focus for the last four months has been on being in the
best physical running condition that you can get yourself to.
Your there and then boom! An injury hits you like a ton of
bricks. In your mind you are saying why me? And even more
important is why now? Well the answers are not what we
want to hear as runners but in most cases have no choice.
Okay so this really happens and to more people than you
would think…myself included.
The physical aspect of not running is very hard for us not to
do. Why? It is a simple answer; we love the “high” and
challenge that we get from putting our bodies to the test. The lack of oxygen and movement
are missed within a few short days. There is nothing that can replace it in my mind. Sure the
bike helps as well as swimming and walking but they are not the same. I try and tell myself
and others to be patient. They will return to form as long as they give themselves the right
treatment to heal. My recent injury is not gone but I have been blessed to still be able to run.
The problem is I cannot hit the gas pedal like I would want. I have resolved to deal with it
and continue to train and stop or reduce my racing (which sucks). It will give me the ability
to run better on another day which like you, I hope is in the very near future.
I ran Marine Corps Marathon with my wife this past October, along with many other brother
and sister runners from this area. It was a great experience for me due to the fact that this
was my wife’s 1st Marathon. I was very proud to cross the finish line at her side. To all who
have given back to a fellow runner’s training, I give you praise. Note that my wonder wife
(and CEO) stated that she will not do another marathon. We will see what opportunities lay
ahead. Note also, that less than 3 weeks later, we ran Timberlake ½ Marathon. Never count
a runner out for any reason.
Enjoy the holidays and keep positive thoughts in your minds and hearts at all times. See you
at the Club Christmas Party on Dec 11th and probably at one or several of the races
throughout December. On behalf of Elaine and myself, Happy Holidays and good running!
• Like NWFTC on Facebook ! • Interested in volunteering? We could use some help for the upcoming races, email
president@nwftc.com to help out!
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Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2010
Place/Time: Meeting was held at Scully’s on the Bayou at 6:00 Officers Present: Rex Stinnett President Andrew Norton Vice President Brian McMahon Treasurer Jeff Harris Secretary Board Members Present: Bob White Tony Bordogna Jodie Owen Ed Owens Diane Hall Fil Piazza Paula Piazza Bob Sciretta Sylvia Smith Patti Horton Members Present: Elaine Stinnett Tristan Visitors Patricia Hagen and Judy Williams NWF Ballet’s New Year’s Resolution Run‐Jan. 15, 2011 at 9am at FWB Landing. They have requested Insurance and Timing from the NWFTC. The after‐party and award ceremony will take place at Fokker’s Pub. Patti Horton race director for the Eggnog Jog‐ December 18, 9am behind Buffalo Wild Wings at Uptown Station. NWFTC will provide Timing, Results and Insurance for the race. Participants will receive re‐usable tote bags instead of T‐shirts. After‐party and awards ceremony will be at Buffalo Wild Wings. Davidson Dash‐ no representative present‐Feb. 5, 2011. They have requested timing, and results from NWFTC. Meeting Called to Order by Rex Stinnett. Minutes from October Meeting reviewed and approved. Financial Report: Presented by Brian McMahon, at present we have $12,670 in the bank. Old Business: Membership Committee: Paula and Sylvia reported that membership renewals are staying strong and they are looking forward to the Timberlake ½ Marathon and 5K where historically we have lots of new members sign up as well as renewals. Website: Diane Hall and Ed Owens will be put in touch with Kim Bear so they can assist in updating the race calendar. Race Timing: iPads are on sale and Brian and Rex will purchase one immediately so that we can begin using a program that will expedite race timing. Money was given to Run With It to purchase a keg as NWFTC is using their location to compile race results after the races at FWB Landing and RWI’s beer is being consumed. New Business: Race Insurance: It was brought up by Rex Stinnett that we might want to increase the price of race insurance provided by NWFTC, possibly $50‐$100. There was much discussion about the subject, both for and against the price increase. Diane Hall made a point that we may want to go up on the cost if a race director only wanted insurance from NWFTC, not timing and insurance. It was decided to table the discussion until the February NWFTC meeting and revisit it then. Christmas Party: Will take place December 11 at El Matador. Tickets are at the printer. Prices will be $15 for individuals and $25 per couple. NWFTC is budgeting $1500 for food in addition to the entry price. Beer and wine will be provided also. All members should bring a dessert and a raffle prize. Patti Horton made a motion to get 2 new NWFTC banners that can be used at races. The motion passed unanimously. Upcoming Races: Timberlake ½ Marathon and 5K: NWFTC is offering Spirit Awards for the high school groups manning the water stops. We will give $500 for the 1st place stop, $250 for 2nd place. There are 4 water stops available for the high schools. We are also going to give $200 to the Choctaw cheerleaders that will be at the finish line. Run For Science: NWFTC is providing insurance only as Timberlake is the same day and we cannot provide anything else. Recycle Run‐ Thanksgiving Day at 8am at FSB Landing Running With Angels‐ November 27 at 8am at FWB Landing The Next Board Meeting will be the Christmas Party on December 11at 6pm. Meeting Closed by Rex Stinnett 2010 notes from the Canadian NWFTC members.
Note: While we all live in Ontario Canada, we’re in different cities/towns. Our
common bond is we all go to Destin and are privileged to run with the NWFTC.
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Randy Frith, Mallorytown, Canada
Summer is a time where running has to share time with my other passion, "golf". I play
daily and competitively at the Senior-level. Also, I work part-time as Tournament
Coordinator at Smugglers Glen the number one public golf course in Eastern Ontario. Most
of my running during these hot months is strictly maintenance. There aren't many races in
our area during that time of year, though I did do a 10k and served as a pace bunny in a
half marathon in Kingston. That role was fun. I push myself in every race so to be able to
run at a slower, more relaxed pace was most enjoyable. My son-in-law was running his first
half so there was added incentive to stick to my pace. The latter part of this summer, my
training included some longer runs as I tried to get into shape for the NYC Marathon. I'd
never done it before though I knew lots who had. Not having run a marathon in almost
three years made me a bit apprehensive about the whole process. Also having recently
turned 63 I was recognizing that my best times were behind me. Through Sept and Oct, I
was doing 80-90K's weekly and starting to feel more positive about my training. Did two
half marathons locally in the fall, but both more at marathon pace. The NYC Marathon on a
cool, bright Sunday in early November was one of the highlights of my relatively short
running career. It was such a unique experience. It is an immense field and millions of
screaming supportive fans. Not like Boston but much more relaxed. It's a difficult course to
aim for a PB, due to the size of the field and the hilly last few miles in Central Park. My goal
was simply to break 4 hours, which I did easily and to have fun. I felt great most of the
way, but definitely slowed down in the last 5 miles. One side bonus was, I re-qualified for
Boston, if I so choose to do it again. I'm trying to maintain my mileage in hopes of arriving
in Destin in early December in better shape than normal. This is my racing season. I look
forward to our time here mostly for the friends I've made through the NWFTC and at local
races. Because I live most of the year in a fairly rural setting I do a lot of my training on my
own. So it's great to run with groups at McGuire’s and Run With It. My first race was the
Chiropractic Run just seven years ago. Brian McMahon, Chris Neil, Sandy Ebanks, Reuben
Diaz, Horace Ellis, Paula and Fil Piazza and particularly John Woods were the runners I tried
to keep up with. Some I've eventually caught, others I never will. But it focussed my
training, just trying to.
Carole Tracey, Toronto, Canada
I look forward to receiving the NWFTC newsletter by email and it helps me keep track of
how the members are doing, what races they participate in and their results. Seems like the
club "elites" are still winning and posting great times. Being in Destin the first few months
of the year gives me a head start to running races for the rest of the year.
In total, I ran 20 races (of various lengths) this year, the first 7 in Destin and surrounding
areas. However, for 2010 only one full marathon was in the plans and it was destined to
mark my 50th and "last" marathon. It had to be a special one and it truly turned out to be
just that. For years, I had been trying to get into the vineyard to vineyard Marathon du
Medoc (just outside Bordeaux, France) and thankfully succeeded this year. It was held in
September and the weather conditions were hot and sunny, 85F and no wind. Of course,
vineyards don't have a lot of shade by definition. Why choose the Medoc marathon? It has
the reputation of being the zaniest marathon held. A high percentage of runners dress up in
costume. In fact, the race directors suggested runners follow the comic heroes theme this
year. Some costumes included cavemen (very big with the French), Snow White (there
were about 5 or 6 of them), all men naturally and the 7 dwarfs too, Christ on the cross,
nuns, smurfs and smurfettes, a lot of Scottish highlanders - won't mention what they had
under the kilts (and very short kilts, they wore) - well you get the picture, they were all
there. There were 22 wine stops along the way - the race winds through some of the most
fabulous chateaux in France. While many of the runners stop at all the stops, I passed on
them considering the hot weather but made up for it at the finish where the wine and beer
poured freely. The overall male and female winners won their weight in wine. Even the age
group top 3 won a case of wine.
When I saw all the costumes, I was reminded of the Pensacola McGuire's 5K prediction run
and since so many of the NWFTC runners have costumes, you'd be a natural for the Medoc
race. Not to mention the liquid refreshment...except could you handle wine instead of the
usual beer?
Like Randy and John, it will be a pleasure to get back to Destin to enjoy our winter running.
I am the envy of my running friends in Toronto who have to slug through the winter snow
and ice to keep up their training while I enjoy the balmy (admittedly, some days last winter
were not so balmy) temperatures.
John Woods, Guelph, Canada
2010 has been an interesting running year for me. Most of my racing is done in the Florida
area during January through March. This year I capitalized on Randy’s slow start early in the
season and beat him (barely) in a couple of 5k’s. Then his conditioning kicked in and the
world returned to normal with me running a few strides or so behind him.
Besides the usual Destin area races, I ran five marathons and one half marathon this year.
Mobile AL was the first marathon of the year and the coldest/windiest weather I’ve ever run
a marathon in. I made it under my self-imposed goal time of four hours, but barely.
In March I ran the Albany GA marathon, missed my goal time but overall enjoyed the race.
I would recommend it for a great course, friendly people, and lots of goodies.
Boston was next and to me this is the race of all races. This was my third and at each I’ve
been filled with awe at the thought of the history of the event and the calibre of the elite
runners that run, and have run this same course. I’m constantly expecting Jock Semple to
appear and tap me on the shoulder and say “...get out of my race!” This year was my best
Boston, going under my four hour limit and running negative splits-a first!
I ran the Chicago marathon on 10-10-10 (what a date). The race, city, and people were
great, but the temperature was a little too hot for me-69F to start and 81F at the half. I
suffered the last 5 or 6 miles which was disappointing but not unexpected. With one start
time it’s quite the sight to see 45,000 people lined up to run.
New York was next and the weather, with the exception of the head wind for most of the
first 20 miles was great. Not one of my best times, but the people, atmosphere and crowds
were great. Randy Frith ran as well with a good time well under the magical 4 hours.
Congratulations.
In May I ran the Buffalo half marathon and won my division by 7 seconds. I almost felt
guilty because I won on gun time. Using chip time I would have been second by 5 seconds.
My only other race was a 5K Fun Run at the University of Waterloo in September. Rather
than use age categories they do students, alumni, faculty and open. I finished 8 of 23
alumni, but I looked and felt like the oldest runner there.
My other big running event this year was taking the RRCA coaching certification course. This
included two days of classroom instruction in Boston the weekend before the marathon
followed by a one shot online exam (I passed). This program provides trained individuals to
work as coaching professionals for the sport of distance running at all levels from beginner
to advanced runners working towards a common goal such as completing a marathon.
I ran my first race, a 10K fun run, in 1979 followed by a few 5 milers, several more 10k’s,
three marathons in the early 90’s and finally the Around the Bay 30K in Hamilton Ontario in
March 1994. With sore heels and slowing times that was it for racing until 2005. While
lounging in the hot tub, another snowbird, Randy, who had started running a few years
earlier was talking about his running and upcoming races. I had already decided to try and
get a little more focused and disciplined with my running, hopefully back to the 30 miles a
week of the past and got taken by Randy’s enthusiasm. Before I knew it I was lined up and
running the Valentine 8K. I can still remember running through the parking lot behind Lance
thinking no one in the world cares when I finish so why kill myself trying to catch him. I
didn’t catch him and came in 4th in my age group. The age group timing was something
new to me. When I had last run in the 90’s there was only open and masters categories,
neither of which I had any shot at. When I got home I continued running a little more
seriously and set off to run the Buffalo marathon in May 2005. I was trying to qualify for
Boston with the age specific qualifying times and thought I had at the 17 mile mark, only to
be crudely awakened a couple of miles later, finishing 7 minutes too late. It took a few more
marathons and basically aging into another time category to finally qualify. I can honestly
say that without Randy’s enthusiasm and the encouragement and camaraderie of the NW
Florida runners I would still be plugging along trying to get my 30 miles a week in. Thanks
to all.
We’re looking forward to getting back to Destin in December and all the great running and
racing there.
Runner’s Spotlight: Lee Hall
by Liesel Schmidt
Lee Hall has quite a colorful, varied history. Born on Cinco de Mayo in 1965,
Lee came ready for the party, and he’s continued in that spirit of living. As the
son of a Navy man, the fact that he didn’t learn English until he moved to
America from his home in Colon, Panama, seems quite unusual, though his
voice carries no trace of an accent. Such a split childhood might have been
precisely what prepared him for the life that he would go on to lead, first as a
Marine, then as a self-employed realtor.
Lee is, by his own admission, determined. His love for setting and meeting
challenges is readily apparent, both in his professional life and in his personal
life––one particular example of this would be his current marriage. Diane, his
wife of four years, was working at a chiropractic office when they met. While
most men might concede defeat after being turned down by a beautiful
woman, Lee, whose eye and interest was captured when he brought his son in for treatment of a sports
injury, found himself in the midst of a challenge. Like any true athlete, he didn’t give up, and he
continued to pursue her until she finally agreed to go on a date with him. And the rest, as they say, is
history. After eight years together and four years of marriage, Diane is still “a big inspiration for me,
because we’re both so athletic. It’s something that we share, that we understand about each other.”
While running has never been his main focus, Lee has been enjoying the sport for most of his life. It
has only been in the past few years that he has put more emphasis on developing those particular muscles.
“Running is another fun thing to challenge yourself.” Though he’s not opposed to running some of the
local 5Ks, Lee prefers longer distances like 10Ks and half marathons. “5Ks are so grueling because
you’re pushing so hard,” he says. When he does decide to push it, Lee’s favorite races are the McGuire’s
5K Prediction Run and Hog’s Breath Hog Trot 5K, both of which he enjoys mostly for the post-race
atmosphere. With a 5K PR of 22:03 at the Frosty Run and a half marathon clocking in at 1 hour, 48
minutes at last year’s Pensacola Half Marathon, Lee might not be the fastest runner out the gate, but he’s
determined––and he enjoys his sport. “Just the fact that you ran makes you a winner.”
“I don’t have a set workout plan,” Lee notes. “I lift, run, swim, or ride according to how my body is
feeling.” Lee’s favorite competitions seem to be combinations, whether that means participating in
biathlons or triathlons. “I always say any workout is better than no workout,” Lee says.
Lee, whose stature brings to mind a fire-plug, is undeniably fiery. Rightly so. His Latin American
roots make the personality trait a natural part of his chemical make-up, but it translates into his
competitive nature as well as his love of a good party. His ability to find balance between work and play
make him a determined athlete, a successful businessman, and a passionate family man. Lee’s zest for
life keep him young; and, if he has anything to say about it, Lee won’t be throwing in the sweat-soaked
towel anytime soon.
Pictured L to R Rex Stinnett, Elaine Stinnett, and Bryan Christie
Photo taken in Washington, DC after the three
completed the Marine Corps Marathon.
Elaine said she ran two marathons that day:
Her first…and last!
RACE CALENDAR
Races In Bold are NWFTC Grand Prix Events
December 11 – Crestview Reindeer Run 5K- North Okaloosa Medical Center –Crestview
Feet to Faith 5K –Niceville, FL Niceville United Methodist Church 8:30 am
http://www.nicevilleumc.org/feet2faith/
NWFTC Christmas Party – Okaloosa Island 6pm SOLD OUT!
December 18 - Egg Nog Jog 5K, Uptown Station, FWB Patti Horton 8am
Florabama Make it to the Line 4 Mile Run, Perdido Key 12pm
December 19 - Jacksonville Marathon and ½, Jacksonville, 7am active or 904-403-8399
January 8-9
Disney Marathon Weekend –Orlando
January 15
January 22
January 29
February 5
February 12
February 19
February 26
March 28
April 23
Race to Faith -5K &10K Cinco Baptist Church
NWFL Ballet 5k –FWB Landing 8am active.com
Pensacola Beach 5k-10K-1/2 Marathon P’Cola Bch - 8am active.com
PRA Bay for Breakfast Run
VOAS –Lackey Memorial 8K, FWB Landing 8am
Payne Chiropractic Run For Health Clement Taylor Park Destin 8am
St. Mary’s Frosty 5K – ST. Mary’s Catholic Church FWB 9am
Hog Wild 5K & 15K – Dothan, AL 3:00pm (possible bus w/PRA)
Pensacola Double Bridge Run, Downtown Pensacola, 7am
http://doublebridgerun.com/DBRHomeWide.cfm
Valentine’s 8K Kiss ’em to the Finish Destin, 9am
Band on the Run 5K – Niceville High School, 8am
Pullman YMCA 5K – Navarre
Azalea Trail 10K – Mobile, AL, 8:00am (probably a bus – watch the newsletter)
Crescent City Classic – New Orleans, LA, 8:30am (no bus…sorry)
Please forward additional race information or corrections about races to our calendar to
membership@nwftc.com
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Direct Grand Prix questions to Dennis Samac at samacd@valp.net . Be sure to email
him your information after volunteering at club races to be sure it will not be missed.
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