The Pace Setter August 2009 - Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club

HUDSON MOHAWKROAD RUNNERS CLUBPresidentMIKE KELLY439-5822•Executive Vice PresidentMARK WARNER464-5698•Vice President for FinanceCHARLES TERRY482-5572•TreasurerJOHN KINNICUn265-2876•SecretaryBARBARA LIGHT729-2882•Race Committee TreasurerPAM ZENTKO372-8275HMRRC COMMITTEECHAIRPERSONSMembership CommitteeED GILLENvcat47@aol.com•Race CommitteeNANCY BRISKIE, 355-3276CATHY SLIWINSKI, csliwinski@nycap.rr.com•Public RelationsROBERT MOORE377-1836•HMRRC Web PageED NElLES482-9032•Digital Clock & TimerBILL MEEHAN456-4564•Volunteer CoordinatorMARCIA ADAMS356-2551www.hmrrc.com4 - The Pace Setterby Mike KellySo, it's 4:30 in the morning and I just wokeup. I tried to go back to bed, but it just wasn'tworking. I figure I might as well do somethingproductive (like write my monthly Pace Setterarticle) since I'm now WIDE awake. A couplerandom comments about getting up at this unholyhour ... the sun comes up very early, andnow I know what Ken Klemp feels like everyday since he's ritually up with the birds.I am fortunate to be the race director forthe Indian Ladder Trail runs. This year's racesare going to be held on Sunday, August 2nd. Ilove these races! To me there's something specialabout running and racing on the trails upat Thacher State Park. It's just a little different.Maybe it's the fresh air and surrounding nature.Maybe it's the feeling of being somewhatlost in the middle of a race, figuratively and literally.In addition to the 15k and 3.5 mile racesthat day, the HMRRC picnic is held right afterthe completion of the races. The race committeeis in the process of preparing for this year'srace. Once again, I'm amazed at the level ofdedication and commitment on the part ofour club members to come together to put onthese events.Last year's occurrence was probably thewettest and muddiest race day I've been affiliatedwith over the past ten years or so. And I'venever received as many compliments aboutthe course - like I had anything to do with it.It simply down poured for forty-eight straighthours before the start of the race. But trail runnersare a somewhat different breed and theylove it. Fortunately for the runners this year, it'srained about every day for the last two weeksand we could be looking at a repeat of lastyear's festivities. I hope so!In keeping with the off-road theme, I'd beremiss if I didn't encourage you to come out forone, a couple, or all of the HMRRC Trail RacesSeries held at Tawasentha Park in Guilderland.There are three Monday 5k races: August 3,August 10, and August 17. These cross countryraces are a lot of fun and challenge each runner.There's no pre-registration for these races,only day-of-race signup. If you're reading thisarticle, chances are you're a HMRRC member.In that case, these races are FREE for you. Ifyou're not a member yet, the cost is $6 perrace. The races are not for the faint of heart;put simply, the course is a roller-coaster beastof hills, grass, muck, mud, and the ever excitingcrossing of the Normanskill.Before closing this month, I'd like to congratulatethe Fathers' Day race directors DavidNewman and Jennifer Senez for a terrific job atthis year's event. Faced with a record numberof participants, including hundreds of day-ofraceregistrants, David, Jennifer and their teamto put together a smooth race and a great day!This race continues to grow in popularity andreally is becoming a community event - a greatway for families to begin their Father's Day.Well, I'm going to head over to Price Chopperto recycle some bottles and cans now. I'llprobably have all the machines to myself sincethe sun is still coming up. Have a great Augustand I hope to see you at Thacher Park. 0