December Recap

DECEMBER RECAP

The Speedster Spotlight was on Gregg Holst for the month of December when he completed the Beast Series a series of Ultra Running races that takes place from February to December.  For anyone to complete this series of races has to be a remarkable runner and I’m proud to say that we had a Speedster complete it, not that he used any of his speed to complete this task.  The following are the races and distances Gregg had to complete in order to be named a “Beast”:  Holiday Lake 50k, Terrapin Mountain 50k, Promise Land 50k, Grindstone 100, Mountain Masochist (MMTR) – 50 Miles, and Hellgate 100k.  Once again congratulations Gregg.

As December comes to a close so does the year 2011.  I have to say that I’ve been able to cross many finish lines, in many places, and I have always credited my running as one of the major factors for surviving an awful childhood.  The other factor would be incredible friendships.  The reason I bring this up is because in December I too completed an accomplishment, not a new time or a new distance, but an accomplishment still, one that can be compared to a marathon in a way.  On December 15^th 2011 after thirteen long challenging years I was able to complete my first year of college with a 3.60 GPA.  I would also like to say that I have officially enrolled into college full time starting this January.  With this first year finally completed I feel like I can do anything.  I want you all to know that I have scheduled my classes in a way that coaching all of you in the spring will not conflict.  My education is very important to me and I will not allow it to take a back seat again, but that does not mean I have to give up what I love, helping others to become better runners.   The other day as I was stuck in traffic, in my Fedex truck, on Street Road I read a quote off the back of the vehicle in front of me “Go Confidently In The Direction Of Your Dreams” I plan to live by this and I hope that you can too.  Here’s to 2012!  May it bring all of us closer to our dreams no matter what those dreams may be...

No one contacted me about achieving any Personal Best or completing any marathons, so I’m assuming everyone has been too busy racing the Winter Series.  If you run a PR or complete something as exceptional as a marathon in the coming months, please contact me and I will give you a shout out in next month’s Monthly Recap.

CT

Four Runners Go Missing On the Eve of Christmas Feared Dead

                On what was supposed to be a relaxing, fun run with friend’s four male runners’ ages thirty to fifty went missing.  New Jersey Officials fear that the “Jersey Devil” may be the cause.  The runners had been with a group of about fourteen runners when they took a wrong turn and have not been heard from since.  The group leader and vice president of a local running club refuses to comment on the situation.  Other runners claim that he has never lost a runner on his organized trail runs, until now that is.  Four families will be without loved ones this holiday season due to his negligence. 

If these men did meet their end to the hands of the Jersey Devil it was not a pretty one.  According to the urban legend the creature has been haunting wooded areas for a century and the victims are found in pieces with their flesh burned off.  One can only hope that this was not their fate.  One runner who wants to remain nameless claims that the trail run leader did see these runners going in the wrong direction and refused to yell out to them, she claims that this so called leader jokingly said that half of the missing four runners are faster than him and that if they did not find their way back his race results would benefit.  He also went on saying that one of the runners was stealing his thunder by running more ultra-races than him. What a selfish act that may have cost the most precious thing, human life. 

May this unforgettable tragedy be a reminder to you and yours during what was supposed to be a joyful holiday season that putting your loved ones in the hands of others can be costly.  No matter what holiday you will be celebrating this weekend take a long look around at your friends and family and be thankful that they are safely home with you.  Please give a minute to ingest that there will be  four saddened families this weekend because of one runner wanting to be in the spot light for the first time in his quaint little life.  The things others will do to move up the food chain are pathetic.  What happen to “tis’ the season?”   I know I will be thankful and kind.  I unlike this trail leader am blessed with great friends and as Clarence would say “no man is a failure who has friends.”  

Washington Xing Times

Written By: CT

12/24/2011

Bucks County Road Runners Glowing While Growing

           The first two weeks of the official racing of the Bucks County Road Runners Winter Series has brought out numbers of three hundred and some odd runners.  The all-time record for attendance for a Winter Series race over all was broke during the Covered Bridge race in week one.  The week after was the race that I help direct with a great supporting cast of good people such as Chris Mortensen, Pete Lederer, and my wife Allyson Thompson who preps and makes pancakes every year.  We have been lucky to get great volunteers every year, which change from year to year similar to the club member numbers, club members that seem to come from all the great walks of life. 

                                           

          I had announced last Sunday afternoon that our efforts had paid off when we raised $924 for “The Give-A-Christmas Fund.”  Well, shortly after I posted that announcement, several club members contacted me about wanting to give more to the cause because they had either forgot their money or they were unable to make it out.  I thanked these members and asked them to contact club President Fred Gropper and they did.  I was contacted yesterday by our club Treasurer Gregg Holst that told me that the club had received more checks for Give-A-Christmas bringing our grand total to $1200.  This impressive number almost doubles the donation’s we raised at last year’s race. 

                                           

         The money we raised will surely help bring a glow to the faces of many, local, needy families.  I am honored to be a part of such a caring running club.  The growing numbers alone show that this running club is becoming an attractive extracurricular option for the community.  The fact that this great running club was able to raise a sufficient amount of money for a good cause not once, but twice in less than a month is telling enough, that this club is well on its way to promising places.  I can sit here and say confidently that I am proud to be member of this amazing running club.  Thank you all very much for doing all you do for the club and the surrounding communities.

Sincerely,

Chris Thompson

This weeks workout schedule:

Tuesday (4:30)-Speed workout will be at Council Rock South at 4:30 PM bring a headlamp it gets dark before we finish. 


Thursday (6PM)-Hill repeats will be moving to Council Rock North this week.  We park at the lot that is close to the front of the school (right behind the road that takes you into Tyler).  We will begin at 6PM and you will need a headlamp and wear reflective or bright clothing.

JINGLE BELL!

Jingle Bell 5.3

Next Sunday!

12/11/11

PRIZES!
PANCAKES!
PRIZES!
PANCAKES!

We will be raffling off all types of prizes

 Top prizes of Brooks Sneakers!

A Pair of Flyers Tickets!

Did we mention Pancakes?

You don’t want to miss next week’s race.

How does one get a ticket into our awesome raffle? Just donate $3 to the Give-A-Christmas Fund when you sign in for the race. 

You give and we give!

Sponsors:  www.brooksrunning.com

Pony Tales Salon 509 Washington Xing Road, Newtown, PA 18940 215-860-3894

Harris & Dawn Brenner (Flyers Tickets)

November Recap

As November wines down so does the fall marathon season.  I would like to put the Speedster Spotlight on two of our athletes for the month of November.  Rich & Maggie Kanak participated in their first marathon on November 20^th and they both did not show signs of this being their first.  Rich ran an excellent time of 3:09:37 and Maggie ran a blazing 3:27:43.  They both qualified for Boston which is no easy accomplishment especially on your first try.  It took me 4 tries to qualify.  So tip your winter hats to Rich and Maggie when you see them at the Winter Series.

Winter Series begins this Sunday with the Covered Bridge 5k (not one of my favorites), but still a good race and there’s always hot chocolate afterwards.  Reminder that the week following is the Jingle Bell and in my opinion the best race of the series!  We will again have great pancakes after the race including some new types.  Also we will have some great give-a-ways including two free pairs or Brooks Running Sneakers!   I always ask you all to “Dig Deep” when you are racing, now I ask you to “Dig Deep” into your pockets and give to a great cause The Give a Christmas Fund.  All donations of $3 or more entitle you to a raffle ticket to win great prizes.  In addition to your donation all Speedsters wearing “Speedster Wear” will be given an additional raffle ticket. 

Good luck this weekend and all of your other races and training runs happening in December.  “Don’t forget to keep those toes and fingers warm, once they go numb so does your performance.”

Others that need to be mentioned for their performances in November:

Pete Lederer 2:56:33 in Philadelphia

John O’Brien 3:42:52 in Philadelphia

Tim Damiani 4:13:36 in Philadelphia

Mike Brown 3:24:42 in Philadelphia

Breandan Nemec  3:23:42 in Bucks County Marathon

Harris Brenner 10:20:40 Mountain Masochist 50 miler

Chris Mortensen 10:20:40 Mountain Masochist 50 miler

Gregg Holst 11:49:37 Mountain Masochist 50 miler

If you run a PR or complete something as exceptional as a marathon in the coming months, please contact me and I will give you a shout out in next month’s Monthly Recap.