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Editor’s Notes: Satori in Dowagiac

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Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

Michigan Runner of the Year: Lisa Veneziano By Charles Douglas McEwen

Slow Parents of Fast Kids By Dean Johnson

Michigan Runner Race Series 2016 Male Open Runner of the Year: Nick Stanko By Charles Douglas McEwen

Beyond the Chip: Catching Up By Ian Forsyth

Female Runners of the Year: Dot McMahan and Sarah Boyle By Charles Douglas McEwen

Runners Save a Life at the 2014 Turkey Trot By Heather Dyc Hanks

Male Masters Runner of the Year: Rob Hyde By Ron Marinucci

Hall Honors Kozloff with Pillars Award By Tracey Cohen

Female Masters Runner of the Year: Betsy Frens By Ron Marinucci

Senior Male Runner of the Year: Brian Olsen By Ron Marinucci

Dave Foley Wins MITCA’s Kermit Ambrose Award Book Review: Natural Born Heroes

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Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Contributor of the Year: Scott Hubbard

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By Scott Sullivan

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January / February 2016 Events

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Vol. 37, No. 6

By Dave Foley By Dave Foley

My Name Is . . . and I Am a Runner By Jason Elmore

Running with Tom Henderson

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At the Races 7

Speedsters Soar Amid Turkeys, Reindeer for Thanksgiving Wins

Swain Proves She’s No Punk, Molony Repeats at GR

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By Charles Douglas McEwen

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Classic Draws All Ages to Tackle Turf By C. D. McEwen Sandhill Crane Runs Soar Past Where Pavement Ends By Scott Sullivan

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Vasa Races Explore Wild, Beautiful Terrain By Mickey Fivenson Red October Run Marks 25 Years By C. D. McEwen Zombie 5K is Right-Brain Blast

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Gouls in Guise Enjoy Run Scream Run By C. D. McEwen Monster Turnout Descends on Wicked Halloween Runs

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About the cover: Lisa Veneziano of Fenton is Michigan Runner’s first five-time Runner of the Year.

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Michigan Runner © is published six times yearly for $17.00 per year by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Third Class Postage paid at Dearborn, MI and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send Address changes to Michigan Runner,4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contents of this publication are copyrighted all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect endorsement and/or views of the Michigan Runner. Address all editorial correspondence, subscriptions, and race information to: Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 5070241, FAX (734) 434-4765, info@glsp.com, www.glsp.com. Subscription rates: Continental U.S. $17.00 per year: Payable in U.S. funds. Single issue $3.00, back issues $5.00. Change of address: Send your magazine label and your new address to Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Editor’s Notes

Satori in Dowagiac

wasn’t looking for satori in Dowagiac. More like a Coke. We are all thirsty for enlightenment, to which “satori” refers, but sugar water was all I could afford or swallow.

I was driving home from the Sandhill Crane Trail Half Marathon in Lawless Park, which was actually outside Dowagiac, Vandalia, Three Rivers or any known city limits. It just was.

Runners can be tuned in and clueless about our whereabouts. Even rare (but not rare enough) ones like me who don’t run anymore due to injuries but

By Scott Sullivan go anyway as media to document what we can’t do. I used to pay to race; now I’m paid not to — that’s the quality runner I was. You work up a powerful thirst that way.

The convenient mart had a rack of flyers. Satori Salon & Spa, said one, sold hair, facial, color and nail services; body waxing, massage, detox, perms and an Ultimate Day of Beauty: six hours of all the above for $190.

Satori, it said, was in Jones, former home of the Rainbow Farm pro-marijuana campground. HempAid and Roach Roast festivals were held there from 1996 to 2001, when its owners burned down the farm and police killed them in a shootout. Seven days later 9/11 happened. Buddhists believe satori involves awakening to our true, empty Buddha-nature. Once you’ve had that insight, you must deepen it through study, meditation and use of koans.

Think Coke is hard to digest? Try koans. “What

is the sound of one hand clapping?” is a diet version. In “Zhaozhu’s Dog” a monk asks, “Does a dog have Buddha-nature?” Zhaozhu answers “Wu,” which means “negative” in this sense: categorical yes-no thinking is a delusion; un-ask the question. Color services? I studied the flyer further. Satori uses the highest quality of ammonia-free color for beautiful rich shades. Where the Rainbow Farm stood I could now get a full head for $60 or retouch for $50. Could I handle a partial head?

A full head foil cost $70, partial head $50, which gave rise to another koan. Why, when I try to get ahead, am I foiled? Lawless was off Monkey Run Road. I considered my primal origins. A pumice peel promised to use crystals to exfoliate dull skin cells and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. A gloss treatment would renew my limp, lifeless hair, while a waxing would further postpone my waning.

The only thing worse than aging is not. Did the Rainbow Farm have to go up in smoke to become immortal? If the Ultimate Day of Beauty would leave me six hours older, why? The more I thought, the more I knew I was over-thinking. To become a Buddha, I had to purify my mind of desire, aversion and ignorance. OK.

I started by not wanting that Coke. I did not dislike it and knew it, too, had a Buddha nature. Now I could buy and drink it free from attachment to it.

I let go my aversion to being too old and hurt to run. These things were; I had no more desire to change them. I accepted ignorance exists and I should be grateful. What moves us to free ourselves from suffering more than suffering? Was I ready yet for Satori? I checked my billfold, which enlightened me. I would have to make do with the riches of awakening. The spa was beyond my grasp.

I drove home and took my dog Zhaozhu for a walk. It was more of a limp for me, like my hair. Sandhill cranes were more heard than seen, like at Lawless. Drawing near them takes stealth herds of runners lack. Same for Zhaozhu and me as we blundered through wild places. It was just me who wasn’t there. - MR 6

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

michiganrunner.tv

Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot, Detroit

Speedsters Soar Amid Turkeys, Reindeer for Thanksgiving Wins

More than 18,000 participants enjoyed a windy but otherwise runner-friendly morning.

Many dressed as turkeys, pilgrims, Santas and reindeer. Wearing less-traditional costumes were the tall guys who dressed up as “Star Wars”’ Darth Vader and Darth Maul and the girl who transformed herself into Olaf from “Frozen.” And while many came out to party, others hoped to run fast times. Williams, 28, of Ann Arbor zipped through the 10K in 31:15.

“I loved running downtown,” said the former University of Michigan standout. “I’ve never run a race in Detroit before, so it was a really nice first ex-

Letter to the Editor

Tidy Up Dirt Results Dear Editor,

The relay results reported for Dances With Dirt in your last issue were incorrect. The first team over the line was the Coney Island Crusaders, second Albion Ringers and third Onsted Ringers. The Crusaders team included Ian Boyle, Luke Pawlaczyk, Sam Skeels, Jon Kleinow and myself. I know in the world of running this doesn’t matter. I was just excited to see the race we won mentioned in your publication and disappointed when I saw we weren’t mentioned.

I am a very average runner who has been fortunate to build an amazing team for this event and your story gave me a chance to make it into Michigan Runner. I do enjoy your publication. I look forward to every issue. Regards, Matt Hughes

Getting it right always matters. Thanks for your help, Matt. -Ed.

perience.”

A pack of six men led early, with Hunor Tamas Csutak, 27, of Plymouth pushing the pace.

“He (Csutak) led the whole first 5K,” Williams said. “With his big, tall frame (Csutak stands about six feet tall) he blocked a lot of the wind.” Williams took the lead after that. “I kind of picked up the tempo,” he said. “People fell off, so I just kept going.” Williams won by 36 seconds. Next came Aaron Cooper, 29, of

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

DETROIT (11/26/15) — While reindeer tried to fly and turkeys spread their wings, Lex Williams and Callie Macumber soared at the 33rd annual Detroit Thanksgiving Parade Turkey Trot, presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions.

By Charles Douglas McEwen

Camaichi, Ontario (31:51); Danielle Leisner (bib 9030) of Ann Arbor and Amy Dzurnak (bib 15541) of Clinton Township finish the SSS Turkey Trot 10K. Damon King, 26, of Chicago (32:02); Neal Naughton, 29, of Ann Prud’homme, 26, of Flint was third in 16:34; BenArbor (32:11) and Csutak (32:36). jamin Craw, 17, of Mahomet, Ill., fourth in 17:28 and Samuel Barrett, 16, of Wixom fifth in 17:33. Macumber, 25, of Rochester Hills, whipped through the women’s race in 34:25, followed Brook Handler, 22, of Ann Arbor paced the by Laura Portis (36:42) and Meghan Avendt, 26, of women in 17:37. Next came Jacalyn Overdier, 15, of Denver, Colo. (37:06). Masters runners Kirstie KniAnn Arbor in 19:18; Elizabeth Dalrymple, 14, of aziew, 41, of Leamington, Ontario (37:28) and Clarkston in 19:40; Kniaziew in 19:52 and Amber Tammy Nowik, 41, of Clarkston (38:16) were Dermyre, 25, of Canton in 20:16. fourth and fifth overall. “This is my first time racing the Turkey Trot all-out,” Macumber said. “People were cheering me on the entire way. It was a blast!” Former Detroiter Zach Widner, 24, who now lives in Lansing, hoped to break 15 minutes in the 5K. He missed that goal, timing 15:41, but still ran away with the race. “I went out pretty relaxed,” he said. “I didn’t sleep well last night. So I wanted to be smart and not go out too fast.”

“No one went with me, so I just ran comfortably,” Widner said.

Trevor Holowaty, 19, of St. Clair finished second in 16:31. Defending champ Bennett michiganrunner.net

“I’ve never done a road race before,” said Overdier, an Ann Arbor Pioneer High School junior. “The weather was good, but I like it even colder. I run good in the cold.” Scott Smith, 22, of Warren led the men in the Drumstick Double, running the 10K in 35:02 and 5K in 17:57 for a combined time 52:59. Kniaziew paced the women with times of 37:28 and 19:52 for total of 57:20. The Turkey Trot also included a Mashed Potato Mile. Charity partners included The Parade Co., Detroit Mounted Police Division and Humane Society. For complete results, go to http://theparade.org/turkeytrot. - MR -

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Michigan Runner of the Year: Lisa Veneziano By Charles Douglas McEwen

nearly run over by a wheelchair handcycler while talking to this reporter, but otherwise things went well. She ran the 10 miles in 1:04:41, finishing first among women over age 50 the morning after running the Crim one-mile in 5:45, good for third masters female.

hen she stepped to the starting line of the Red October Run 10K Oct. 3, Lisa Veneziano already had her fifth-straight Michigan Runner of the Year award locked up. Still, leaving nothing to chance, she hammered out a come-from-behind victory in her last ROY Series race.

Veneziano also had significant achievements outside the series. In September she snagged her fourth victory and became the first woman over 50 to win the Milford Labor Day 30K in 2:12:12. There, she was pressed by her Fenton neighbor Kelsey Bragg, 32. “She’s an extremely good runner,” Veneziano said of Bragg. “She beats me more than I beat her. I just have a knack for the longer races right now.”

Veneziano bided her time for the first three miles, then zipped by women’s leader Melissa Mantel, 37, of Chelsea to prevail in 38:59. “Lisa’s such a tough runner I could only hold her off for three miles,” said Mantel, 37, of Chelsea. “She just slowly pulled away. I could not go with her.” That’s sort of how things went in the year-long MR Series. Veneziano slowly pulled away, churning out points in race after race. No could stay with her.

At age 51, the Fenton-based Veneziano Express rolled all year. No one in MR’s 35 years has come close to matching her five straight titles. Always on the move, she didn’t have time to chit-chat after Red October. “I’ve got to get going. My son has a (middle school) cross country meet and I’ve got to be there,” she said.

Her Red October win gave her 179 series points, well ahead overall runnerup Nick Stanko, who had 130. The closest woman was Krys Brish, 50, of Brighton, who tallied 70.

As shows in her marathons. Veneziano, thrilled with her 3:05:02 at the 2014 Detroit Free Press Marathon, ran even faster at last spring’s Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C., posting a 3:04:37. She was the 13th overall women’s finisher and third master at that national event. In recent years Veneziano has augmented her training with bicycling, weightlifting and elliptical training. She did two triathlons and a duathlon last year as well. “People think I do a lot of miles (training-wise),” she said. “I’m typically a 25to 30-mile-a-week girl who does a lot of cross-training. Doing three-and-halfhours of cardio in a duathlon really helped with my marathon running training.”

Veneziano’s husband, Jay Owens, and their sons Carter, 14, and Connor Owens, 11, accompanied her at several races this year, including the first one. At the March Kona Shamrock 5K, Veneziano won the women’s race by more than a minute in 20:06, beating Jay to the finish line by three seconds. Carter ran 23:34, Connor 23:48.

She tries not to overdo it. “I’m always listening to my body,” Veneziano said.

Lisa Veneziano places third among women at the USATF National One Mile Masters Championship, held during the Crim Festival of Races.

She picked up the pace at the Bill Roney 5K with a 19:11, third overall among the women and first place in the masters.

In other series races, Veneziano ran 1:47:06 at the Fifth Third River Bank 25K; 18:46 at the Brian 8

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

Diemer 5K, finishing third among masters; and placed second woman overall at the Plymouth YMCA Father’s Day one-mile run in 5:49. At the Crim Festival of Races, Veneziano was |

michiganrunner.tv

She ended the year running turkey trots with her eighth-grade son Carter. “Carter is really taking running on as his sport,” Veneziano said. “Conner (her younger son) is into wrestling and football and runs to stay in shape for them. But Carter did three turkey trots with me and broke 21 (minutes) in one 5K.

“It’s only a matter of time — next season probably — when he starts beating Jay and me,” she said. - MR -

MetroHealth Grand Rapids Marathon

Swain Proves She’s No Punk, Molony Repeats at GR By Michael Zuidema

GRAND RAPIDS (10/19/15) — It’s not a good idea to call Angela Swain a punk. Or even intimate it.

The 22-year-old, who competed in the mile run as a walk-on with the Michigan State University women’s track and field team, originally considered signing up for a half marathon when she was looking for a new running challenge early this year. That’s when one of her former coworkers at Playmakers in Okemos chimed in.

That delivered the satisfaction she was seeking. Swain was attracted by GR’s reputation as a fast course and was happy to finish strong on a cool, sunny morning, much like her Spartans football team did in the closing seconds of their wild 27-23 win against the University of Michigan the night before the race. “I wanted to do one and be done, but the one in Traverse City did not end well,” Swain said. “So I was like, OK, I have to master this and then I can move on.”

No one was calling Brendan Molony names before the event — although he did admit his name is often confused with “Brandon” and “Bolony” — but he still managed to repeat as the men’s marathon champion in 2:31:11. The former Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central High School and Aquinas College standout said he struggled to maintain his pace late.

“The last little bit was more of a grind. I was almost walking the last two miles; it was pretty rough,” said Molony after celebrating with his parents and young German shepherd, Nola. “I feel like I had a lot more speed work this year, so maybe I should have pounded some more miles early on. My calves were just killing me this year.” Molony is now 2-for-3 in marathons. While he confessed his first event did not go well — at the young age of 16 at the Sunburst Marathon in South Bend, Ind. — he ended his second as the Grand

Photo by Scott Sullivan

That initial foray was the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City in May. Not satisfied with her performance — a 3:03:58 time and ninth-place finish — the Ann Arbor native promptly signed up for the 12th annual Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, where she emerged as the women’s champion in 2:57:52.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

“Someone pretty much called me a punk, saying, ‘Oh, just the half ?’” Swain said. “I’m like, I ain’t no punk; I’m going to sign up for the full then. So I just jumped to a full marathon.”

Brendan Molony repeated as men’s marathon champion in 2:31:11.

Rapids champion in 2014 in 2:28:22. He figured he had a decent shot at repeating this year.

“I thought I could,” Molony said. “Last year, running 2:28, I felt like if I could do that again I had a shot to win.” Two former Calvin College standouts claimed the men’s and women’s half marathon titles.

Jon Gries, 29, of East Lansing won the men’s event in 1:09:49, edging his friend Donald Richmond, 30, of Portland (1:11:26). Meanwhile, Nicole Michmerhuizen, 23, of Ann Arbor captured the women’s title in 1:20:04. “Donny and my plan was to run together the first seven miles, then see what we could do,” Gries said. “I’m happy with it overall. I was able to help Donny get a PR and run pretty well myself. It was a good day.” Both Gries and Michmerhuizen, now a graduate student at the University of Michigan, were training for the Monumental Marathon in Indimichiganrunner.net

Women’s champion Angela Swain won the marathon in 2:57:52.

anapolis Nov. 7.

“It was fun to run with other people around again,” Michmerhuizen said. “I mainly run by myself at school.” Nearly 4,000 people participated in the Grand Rapids Marathon. Race director Don Kern said the event is getting better every year.

“It always surprises me that every year the process goes even more smoothly than the last,” he said. “The team we have organizing the event never fails to provide a first-class marathon experience for our runners. “We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition, giving the opportunity to the next generation of runners to set big goals and experience the joy that we all feel as marathoners.” - MR -

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

3:36 PM Page 1

Slow Parents of Fast Kids

By Dean Johnson

here are two kinds of runners: fast ones, and formerly-fast ones who are now slow but their kids are fast runners. I’m sorry to say I’m in the second category. I ran in high school and college, won a few road races afterwards and have some PR’s I’m proud of. But they’re from 30 years ago. But fear not, I have three kids. They were actually around for the last race I ever won, a YMCA 5K in Livonia, but didn’t see it because they had finished the 1-mile fun run and now were off selecting free bananas and granola bars from the refreshment table.

They all enjoyed running, but somehow my oldest became a swimmer in high school. No harm, I still had two more runners. It was always obvious my next child, my only son, was going to be fast. He ran a 6:50 mile when he was 10. Our family made a game of wondering when he was finally going to defeat me in a 5K.

For a few years, my main incentive in training was to not let my son beat me. But he was on an upward trajectory and I was on a downward one. It wasn’t surprising that the summer between eighth and ninth grades, he edged past me in the Plymouth Father’s Day 5K. It didn’t hurt too bad. I still had my daughter and part of me doubted she would ever beat me. She wasn’t the runner her brother was -- short, a bit pudgy, an awkward running style, but she loved it more than any of the others. Her sixth-grade year she was at the back of the pack. By seventh she had moved up to the middle. The summer between then and eighth grade,

she ran more mileage than any of the other kids on her team, including the boys, and suddenly she was varsity. Still, I was confident I’d be able to take her a few more years.

We trained together all summer before she started high school cross country. At the beginning of the season her coach holds a meet where the freshmen and seniors team up to take on the sophomores and juniors, who also run against the parents. I went out fast, knowing there was only one person I really had to beat. Just before the mile my daughter glided past me and said, “Hey Dad.” I admit I was shocked. She’s no longer short or pudgy or … well, she still doesn’t have the best form in the world. She beat me by more than a minute. We raced again this fall in this, her sophomore year, and she beat me by three minutes. She won her team’s “Most Improved” award for the season. Now I have nothing to live for. Well, except for the fact I have fast kids. I think I enjoy watching them run fast every bit as much as I enjoyed running fast myself. Recently at a big cross country meet I ran into Brian, a guy I ran with at Lapeer West High School in the 1970s. He’s old and slow like me, but guess what? Brian has a fast daughter. So do I. And now it’s on. I think they call it living vicariously. - MR -

Michigan Runner Race Series 2016 The Michigan Runner race series and point system will be published in early January in Michigan Running News and in the March/April 2016 issue of the Michigan Runner. 10

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

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Classic Draws All Ages to Tackle Turf By Charles Douglas McEwen

ANN ARBOR (10/31/15) — Nine-year-old Clara James-Heer ran fearlessly at the Halloween Cross Country Classic, presented by the Ann Arbor Track Club at Concordia University.

The Coopersville youth, who earlier this year set a 5K world record for 8-year-old girls, cruised to victory against mostly-older girls (ages 9-12) in the 3K in 12:14. James-Heer, who competes for the AATC, topped runner-up teammate Catrin Koselka, 12, who finished in 12:25. Fellow club member Brady Cunningham, 12, beat Tanner Atkinson, 11, in the same boys age group, 11:08 to 11:26.

“I led at the beginning,” said Cunningham. “He (Atkinson) led for some of the middle, and I had it at the end.” More than 100 AATC, Monroe Milers and WAZA TrackClub members competed in 2K, 3K, 4K and 5K action.

Andrew Sottile, 7, looked like he had the the 2K age 8-and-under race won until his Monroe Milers teaamate Solomon Schramm, 8, slipped out from behind him and edged him, 10:13 to 10:14. Sofia Jimenez of the AATC (10:17) topped fellow 8-year-old Kennedy Childress (11:14) for the girls. In the 4K race for ages 13 to 14, Akshay Reddy, 13, of WAZA outfinished Kyle JamesHeer, 14, of AATC in the boys race, 13:04 to 13:08. AATC member Faith Jones, 14, bested Jolie Grieser, 13, of Monroe, 17:54 to 18:51.

The open 5K race saw Ryan Hayes, 30, lead the men in 16:53. Amanda Weaver, 24, paced the women in 19:48. “I thought running on grass would be a good, hard challenge. It was,” Weaver said. “This is a great community event,” said AATC member Shwan Jyawhook, 42, who joined his son Spencer, 14, and daughter, Hannah, 12, competing. “We just need to get more people out here. Cross country is for kids and adults as well.” For complete race results, visit http://runmichigan.com. - MR -

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

Male Open Runner of the Year: Nick Stanko

By Charles Douglas McEwen

fter racing together for much of the first three miles of the Kona Shamrock 5K March 8, Nick Stanko and Tony Filipek heated cold streets with a mad dash to the finish. “I thought I had him with a quarter (mile) to go,” Filipek said afterwards. “I couldn’t believe Nick got back up to me. He never gave up.” Stanko snuck by Filipek to win by a fraction of a second in 15:42. The two were so close they knocked shoulders after crossing the line. “He ran smart,” Stanko said of Filipek. “He kept pushing and digging. Digging and pushing.”

That first race in our Runner of the Year Series set a tone. The two battled often. Stanko eventually amassed 130 points points to Filipek’s 100 to win Runner of the Year in the open men’s category. Others scoring well in the division were Zach Ripley (80), Dathan Ritzenhein (50) and Emmanuel Korir (45). Stanko, 34, of Ann Arbor was MR’s overall Runner of the Year in 2006 and 2009. His victory this year did not come easily.

After their Kona Shamrock battle, Stanko and Filipek went at it again in the Bill Roney 5K March 21. Jon Rock, 26, of Wixom won in a courserecord 14:38. Stanko, Filipek and Clint Verran fought for second.

On the last mile Stanko and Verran broke away from Filipek. Then Stanko out-sprinted Verran down the homestretch to finish in 15:08. Verran crossed next in 15:11, then Filipek in 15:17. Stanko won the Borgess Half Marathon May 3 in 1:09:50 with Filipek second in 1:10:23. “I was hurting by the end of that race,” said Stanko said. “The last mile was a struggle. I was hanging on by a thread.”

Filipek turned the tables on Stanko at the Plymouth YMCA Father’s Day mile run, rocketing out to a big lead, then hanging on to prevail 4:19 to 4:22. “I thought I could reel in Tony at the end,” said Stanko. “But I didn’t know where the finish was. I miscalculated. You’ve got to know the course.” Stanko responded the next week by winning the Charlevoix Half Marathon by more than a minute in 1:09:20.

Filipek won the July 11 Cherry Festival 15K in 49:26, but Stanko still held a point advantage. Neither picked up any points in the final three series races. |

michiganrunner.tv

AATC Cross Country Classic, Ann Arbor

Nick Stanko competes at the Crim 10 Mile.

Stanko, a former University of Michigan standout who currently co-owns Ann Arbor Running Co. with Ian Forsyth, ran well outside the series too. On a bitterly-cold morning at the Ann Arbor Marathon, he took second (2:36:09) behind fellow former U-M standout Zachary Ornelas (2:34:22). “I tried to hang on,” Stanko said. “But my hamstrings started cramping and my quads as well. It was probably the hardest marathon course I have ever run.”

Stanko and his wife Theresa have a daughter, Claire, 10. He called the Plymouth Father’s Day Run a highlight. In addition to running his fastest road mile ever, 4:22, he won the 5K and 10K at that event.

“Running one race after the other was a different kind of hurt,” he said. “The whole way was a grind. said.

“But it’s great training for a marathon,” Stanko - MR -

Beyond the Chip

Catching Up By Ian Forsyth

My child arrived just the other day He came to the world in the usual way But there were planes to catch and bills to pay He learned to walk while I was away And he was talking ‘fore I knew it and as he grew He’d say “I’m gonna be like you Dad You know I'm gonna be like you’

knew the team to be funny, dedicated, compassionate girls, ever providing me sparkling summer mornings. I was definitely interested. Following formulation of a multifaceted maze of pick up/drop off schedules for three of our girls, fueled by numerous favors from clutch family friends, I accepted the assistant position. Trepida-

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon Little boy blue and the man in the moon When you comin’ home Dad, I don't know when But we'll get together then You know we'll have a good time then

ur car lurches into the driveway, doors explode, kids pour out along with a cascade of groceries, backpacks, running shoes, soccer cleats and karate bags; we’re home. TV on, computer on, stove on, the day’s debris scattered and strewn everywhere and anywhere; did everyone make it inside? Gathering garbage in the car from between practice snacks, picking up prematurely discarded bags on the lawn, wading through pools of smelly clothes and roughly depositing everything in their appropriate bedrooms, is my function. I’m the Dad. A chaotic collage ensues of homework, dinner, dishes, screaming, laughing, crying, dishes, TV, bills, dishes, dragging to bed, email … eventual sleep. Every night we arrive home already late in the race to squeeze a heavy, robust life into a skeletal time frame. Sometimes I find my overflowing mind aimlessly floating just beyond the tornado’s path and it all seems slightly surreal, but this is the reality we’ve created and thrive upon. Maneuvering through our commotion, I should be able to prioritize father/daughter time, but I’m weak and often fail. Between the rolling range of tasks our family attempts to climb daily and my near-catatonic state by completion, many moments forever disappear. I love to watch their games and meets and sneak in some snuggle time when we can, but it’s never enough. I miss so much that I can’t get back, so I know I need to treasure the time we get, but that’s not always so easy to remember in the moment.

Being so centrally related to my own daughter's successes and disappointments soon transformed into my own personal paradox; was I coach playing father or vice versa? Shakily tiptoeing the well-camouflaged line separating parent and coach I worked to stay properly distant while still reThe Pioneer girls' team finished 8th this year at the MHSAA LP maining as attentive to her as her teammates. I assumed Cross Country Finals, their best finish since 2002. being too close would cause her undue claustrophobia and tion concerning increased load transferred to my too removed would seem unfair. I felt myself wobpartner at work and my wife everywhere else soon bling back and forth on this decrepit parental fence, loosened as we all fell into the groove. I loved it. but in the end we both survived my first year and the girls on the team enjoyed some well-deserved Hanging out with the team six days a week over personal and team triumphs. the season was simply a pleasure I hadn’t anticipated. Lively, vibrant athletes, listening, talking, A picturesque fall spent chasing the ever-pretraining; growing and blossoming imperceptibly sent painted line across far-reaching lands; yelling, each time I saw them. Gaining a key to a previouslytiming, supporting, teaching, motivating … what locked side of my daughter’s day, seeing her dig to more could I ask for? Maybe if my kids don't revolt secure something more, knowing and enjoying her in the coming years, I might even be able to stick friends; I felt like I was finally able to catch up, just a around. That would be fun. – IF little, with our time which was perpetually draining. - MR -

Photo by Richard Bacolor

– Harry Chapin

Don’t be mistaken; coaching this team, no matter how small my role or how enthusiastic and eager the girls were, was not always simple. Challenging people to shatter through their preconceived tolerance boundary of pain and fatigue on a regular basis is a sometimes arduous task. Each girl faces her journey from a different perspective as the coach is in constant search of the corresponding angle. One week some girls ran great while others struggled and the next it would reverse; an ongoing twisting and turning barrage of joy and frustration. Such is the life of a committed cross country runner.

As fall inherited last summer’s heat, one of the cross country coaching jobs opened up at my oldest daughter’s high school. Spontaneously, I dismissed the idea. How could I? Further reflection revealed our four girls running through there over 14 years to come. Maybe I could? Having volunteered to orchestrate their offseason training, I michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Female Runners of the Year: Dot McMahan and Sarah Boyle By Charles Douglas McEwen

ot McMahan and Sarah Boyle are co-open Female Runners of the Year.

“We basically work with 10,000 meter (runners) on up,” said coach Kevin Hanson. “Occasionally we’ll take a 5,000-meter runner who wants to run 10,000, but that’s it.

Boyle, 29, of Brighton claimed the honor last year. McMahan, 39, of Oakland Township won it several times prior to that. Both tallied 50 Michigan Runner Series points last year, snapping up the two biggest wins. McMahan finished first among Michigan runners at the Fifth Third River Bank 25K and Boyle did so at the Crim 10-Mile.

“Dot came here as an 800-meter and mile runner who asked if she could train with our women,” he continued. “We said yeah — and she proved she belonged in no time.”

oyle, also the top state woman at Crim two years ago, bettered her personal record by 22 seconds on the classic Flint course in 2015, finishing in 55:06.

Boyle stayed strong through the Bradley Hills at around five miles but eventually drifted off the pace she needed to slip under 55 minutes. “It was a tough second half. Still, it’s always fun to PR,” she said.

Boyle had quite a few of them last year, starting with a 9:14.7 3,000 meters at a winter indoor meet. On March 1, a few weeks later, she whipped through the USA Track & Field Indoor 2-Mile Championships in Boston in 9:56.77.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

She went out right behind the lead pack of Kenyan women. “I wanted be up front,” she recalled. “But not that far up. I was a good 10 to 15 seconds faster than I wanted to be early on.”

On April 18 Boyle defended her Meteor 10K championship in 33:46, more than a minute faster than her previous best at that distance.

At the Cherry Mile July 9 in Traverse City, the former Michigan State Spartan went wire-to-wire with University of Michigan alumna Brook Handler, 22, of Ann Arbor. Handler won in 4:33.96, but Boyle’s 4:34.33 was another road race PR. “Coming so close to winning, it was bittersweet,” Boyle said. Other races were more sweet than bitter. Boyle won the Steamboat Classic 4-mile June 20 in Peoria, Ill., in 20:51 and was fourth overall at the Probability Beat The Heat 5K in Saline Aug. 8 in 16:02, just off the 15:55 PR she ran there in 2014.

Boyle defended her Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Half Marathon title Oct. 18 in 1:14:40. Most recently, she coached the Cleary University women’s cross country team to second place in the USCAA National Championship for the second year in a row. “I have a passion for coaching,” she said. “It’s exciting to watch student athletes develop.” 14

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

McMahan, who has run 2:09.17 for 800 meters and 4:35.20 for the mile, has clocked 33:24 for 10K, 55:39 for 10 miles, 1:12:57 for a half marathon and 2:31:48 for the marathon since joining HansonsBrooks. She has also influenced younger teammates

“I was so close to 55 minutes! I think breaking it was do-able,” Boyle said.

Dot McMahan competes at the 5/3 River Bank Run 25K.

Sarah Boyle was top Michigan woman at the Crim 10 Mile.

Boyle might have enjoyed her most productive morning at the Fifth Third River Bank Run May 9 in Grand Rapids. There, she edged Ann Wanjiru, a Kenyan who lives in Lansing, in the 5K, 16:12 to 16:18; then saw Wanjiru turn the tables on her in the 10K, 34:24 to 34:55. The latter time time still beat Boyle’s winning times there in 2012 (35:15) and 2014 (35:00).

cMahan has also made a habit of racking up fast times at the River Bank Run. In 2013 she won the USATF 25K National Championship there in a PR of 1:25:52. In 2014 she finished second overall in 1:27:17. Last year, McMahan placed seventh overall and first among Michigan women in 1:30:27. The Hilbert, Wisc., native was a middle-distance star at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before coming to Michigan in the early 2000’s as a Hansons-Brooks Project member.

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“Dot is awesome,” said Callie Macumber, 25, who recently joined the project. “She’s always positive and fun to run with. She has taught me a lot about staying patient, respecting the process and trying your best every day.”

Outside of Michigan, McMahan ran some of the most competitive races in the country. She finished seventh at the March 29 Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago in 27:48; fifth at Grandma’s Marathon June 20 in Duluth, Minn., in 2:34:49 and 24th at the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston in 34:41 (two seconds ahead of Macumber). At the Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Oct. 31, McMahan was just 15 seconds off her PR, timing 1:13:12. Most recently, she placed 16th at the U.S. National 12K Championships Nov. 15 in Alexandria, Va., in 40:34.

McMahan, who finished eighth and ninth in the last two U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons, is now eyeing the 2016 Trials. “She’s as fit as she’s ever been right now,” Hanson said. - MR -

“I

Runners Save a Life at the 2014 Turkey Trot By Heather Dyc Hanks

This was especially true during a particularly cold Thanksgiving morning last year. Urologist Bill Spencer woke up extra early to make his way to downtown Detroit to run the Turkey Trot for the second year in a row. The traffic was heavy as Detroit was also hosting a Lion’s game and the Thanksgiving Day parade that day. A short time later, Bill was off and running what he thought would be a fairly normal and festive race.

Three minutes in to the Turkey Trot, Bill looked over and saw a man sitting on the ground. There were a few people tending to him. He was a larger man that did not appear to be suffering too badly. But something told Bill to stop anyway. The man said he was experiencing shortness of breath. He was there with his family but told them to go on while he made his way back to the car. The man told Bill and the group of others that he had heart problems. He became pale and sweaty and asked to lie down. While lying down, the man began to seizure and then lost consciousness.

Approximately 28 people (6 women and 22 men) have died during running-related events within the past ten years (Matthews et al., 2012). These deaths either occurred during the race or up to 24 hours after (Matthews et al., 2012). Although the median age for these deaths was 45, approximately half were under the age of 45 (Matthews et al., 2012). There are approximately 65 staff members and more than 300 volunteers that work the Turkey Trot, which is one of the biggest Turkey Trots in the US and even Canada. But as with any big event, a large crowd of people means that the likelihood of someone having a heart attack increases. Response times involved in getting help to people in need typically range from 5 to 10 minutes. So if you see someone in need during a race event, be sure you know what to do before help arrives. Lucky for the man lying unconscious at the side of the 2014 Turkey Trot, Bill and the group of people tending to him, which included a dental professional and an ER nurse, just happened to be there to save his life. They performed CPR until a defibrillator and eventually EMS arrived. They were shoved aside and watched as the man whose name they didn’t even know was carried away. Bill was told at a later date that the man they helped survived. Although it’s always handy to have a doctor around, you don’t need to be one to save someone’s life (including your own.) The following are some tips to keep you prepared for the worst during the next big event you attend.

First, look into getting a current CPR certification. There have been some changes made to the procedure of CPR within the last ten years that many are unaware of. These include the following:

These runners finished the Turkey Trot 10K in 2014.

Never give up. At one point, an unresponsive patient was considered to be past the point of help. The new guidelines state that you should deliver chest compressions until EMS arrives. The steps of CPR have changed. The new guidelines of CPR state that you should give chest compressions first, followed by airway and rescue breaths. Rescue breaths are no longer necessary. Eliminating rescue breaths means that the rescuer can get to the chest compressions faster as well as to avoid possible diseases associated with mouth to mouth breaths. It should be noted that Bill used rescue breaths during CPR to the unknown man at the Turkey Trot. Chest compression ratios have changed. If the rescuer decides to give rescue breaths, the new guidelines state that 2 breaths should be given for every 30 chest compressions.

Doug Kurtis, race director of the Turkey Trot, has a valid point. Although the last thing on a runner’s mind the day of such a fun and exciting event is death, it’s all something we need to keep in mind. And not just for our own sake, but for the sake of those around us.

f you’re going to have a heart attack, a race (as opposed to a solo training run) is the best place to do it.”

Bill Spencer competed in the Zero Prostate Cancer Run in 2014. immediate access to this information.

The new guidelines state that you should compress harder and faster than what was encouraged before. The new guidelines suggest making 100 chest compressions per minutes of at least 2 inches deep into the person’s chest.

Have fun and run well at any running event you attend. But keep your eyes open and be prepared. You never know. It just might save a life.

And finally, call 911 as soon as possible. Every second counts during an emergency; therefore, it is also important to start chest compressions immediately as well. For more information about the new guidelines of certification, please visit www.CPRcertification.com.

References

Mathews, S., Narotsky, D., Bernholt, D., Vogt, M., Hsieh, Y., Pronovost, P., & Pham, J. (2012). Mortality Among Marathon Runners in the United States, 2000-2009. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1495-1500.

It’s also a good idea to write your personal information on the back of your bib during every race. This information should include your name and age, a phone number to reach a family member or friend, as well as any health problems you may have. Although this information is provided in the bib chip during a race, it will be helpful to the person who is first on the scene and does not have michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner

- MR -

January / February 2016

Sandhill Crane All Trail Half Marathon, Vandalia

Sandhill Crane Runs Soar Past Where Pavement Ends By Scott Sullivan

VANDALIA (10/10/15) — Yes, there really is a Monkey Run Road, Lawless Park and place where the pavement ends. The Sandhill Crane AllTrail Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K runs brought adventurers here to explore them on a brilliantly-hued fall day.

Now retired from coaching, Gunn continues to lead Cairn Stone Adventure Tours to Tuscany, Spain, the Grand Canyon, Scottish Highlands and points beyond, plus this eighth-year trail event near Dowagiac.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

Director Ron Gunn was happy. For years the Southwestern Michigan College coach of eight national champion teams and 136 all-Americans has preached the gospel of trail running. Be vigorous in the great outdoors, he believes, and it does something for your own nature.

Colors abound as 10K runners turn into light.

Cairns are stones stacked by humans to mark trails. Dr. T.K. Lawless was an AfricanAmerican dermatologist, medical researcher and philanthropist honored by having this Cass County park named after him. Its 820 acres boast seven footbridges, three lakes, woods, swamp, Tornado Alley, cornstalks, hills and, yes, sandhill cranes. Why “Monkey Run Road”? Here’s where trail runners can go ape.

Bret Pete, 51, led a strong crew from Valparaiso, Ind., winning the half-marathon in 1:26:11. Randall Wood, 33, of West Olive ran with Pete most of the way before settling for second in 1:27:00. Next came two more Valpo grand masters: James Kyle, 51, in 1:36:00 and David Ahner, 63, in 1:37:28.

Jessica Biek, 23, from nearby Cassopolis was the women’s champion in 1:38:31. She was followed by Andrea Groote, 40, of Niles in 1:43:01; Meghan Reed, 28, of Granger, Ind., in 1:51:02; Amy Jones, 19, of Mason in 1:54:40; and Kristin Harris, 35, of Wakarusa, Ind., in 1:55:46. David Borntrager, 23, of South Bend, Ind., nipped Brad Petty, 23, of Lansing in the 10K, 41:16

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

michiganrunner.tv

to 41:17. Masters champ Clinton Dickens, 45, of Mishawaka, Ind., crossed close behind in 41:24.

Kathy Griffin, 52, of Three Rivers paced the women in 47:21. Next came Mary Miller, 26, also of Three Rivers in 50:03, and Megan Schuetz, 23, of Novi in 51:20. Honors in the 5K went to Rick Watts, 55, of Union in 31:30 and Christine Ringer, 61, of St. Joseph in 31:47. A few winners, jealous of runners who took more time to enjoy the course, went back to do cool-downs in compensation.

Want construction cranes? Do an urban street race. The skittish sandhills were more heard than seen, their “r-r-r” cries abundant but blending with other bird songs. The call rings for runners who go beyond where the pavement ends. - MR -

MHSAA LP Cross Country Finals, Brooklyn

Favorites Prevail at Prep L.P. Final Meet

Photo by Scott Sullivan

By Scott Sullivan

Otsego coach Steve Long takes a "selfie" of his jubilant Division 2 girls team champs. BROOKLYN (11/7/15) — Michigan’s Lower Peninsula high school cross country finals are a celebration and spectacle. They also are just a snapshot. How many miles of training go into qualifying for this 5K? How many years for a race done by most in fewer than 20 minutes? Close to 2,000 teens who have earned this honor converge on Michigan International Speedway each year to compete against the state’s best. Eight races — four enrollment-based divisions times boys and girls — render team and individual champions in each.

Top-ranked teams won all eight division races in 2015, prompting some pundits to go home and boast they were experts. Spouses disabused most of those conceits right away.

Sunshine and high-40°s temperatures segued into late-afternoon spot showers that cast a rainbow over the closing awards ceremony. For a celebration of young people’s fitness, a perfect fit.

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

Irish Sweep Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy ran away with the small-school Division 4 girls team race, placing all five of its scoring runners in the top 26 overall. The Irish, who will have all seven on their team back next year, tallied 52 points to 119 for runner-up Harbor Springs and 124 for Saugatuck. Defending individual champion Ava Strenge, a Battle Creek St. Philip junior, led from the gun till the last half mile. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes senior Tessa Fornari reeled her in at that point and prevailed in 18:14.5. Strenge crossed next in 18:23.5.

Bullough Pulpit No one likes bullies in schools. But Bulloughs? Traverse City St. Francis can’t get enough, it seems.

Holly Bullough, whose older brothers went on to star as Michigan State University football linebackers, is no slouch as an athlete either. The Gladiator senior captured her second-straight D3 girls |

michiganrunner.tv

title in a division record-tying 17:41.8 and led TCSF to the team crown with 69 points. Benzie Central placed second with 141

Indians Claim Revenge Something not-so-funny happened to Saugatuck’s plans for a second-straight D4 boys title last year. Its top runner got hurt and Beal City upset the Indians by four points in the finals. “The guys used that as motivation all year,” coach Rick Bauer said. The result: no surprises this year. Saugatuck prevailed with the day’s low point total, 51, placing all five scoring runners in the top 15. All seven who ran in the finals will be back next season. Bear Lake Onekama took second with 92 points.

Evart senior Santana Scott, who shaved his hair down the middle to make him look like a middleaged bald man, topped Saugatuck junior Jake Pettinga for the individual title, 16:05.7 to 16:22.2.

Cougars Turn Tables

Maples Re-Bloom Quick

Harding’s Day’s Night

Lansing Catholic Central, second to Benzie Central in last year’s D3 boys team race, lost individual champion Keenan Rebera to graduation, but his former teammates stepped up. The Cougars edged BC this time out, 124 to 127.

Defending D1 team champ Birmingham Seaholm lost Audrey Belf, last year’s top girl runner in Michigan, to graduation. But that didn’t defoliate the Maples. Seaholm prevailed again in the big-school competition with 90 points. Next came Brighton with 136.

It was a Harding’s day’s night in the D1 boys race. Rockford senior Isaac Harding trumphed overall in 15:10.4 and led the Rams to their secondstraight team title with 99 points.

Grandville Calvin Christian senior Abe Visser, third in 2014, out-kicked Holland Black River senior James McCann for the individual title, 15:34.8 to 15:48.4.

Bulldogs Make History Otsego, which had never won a girls state championship in school history, ended that streak emphatically in D2. The young Bulldogs won by the day’s biggest team margin, scoring 97 points. Traditional D2 girls powers East Grand Rapids (180) and Grand Rapids Christian (199) finished two and three. Erika Freyhof ’s red hair could be spotted a mile away, from behind, by everyone. The Hamilton junior captured the individual title in 18:00.7. Holland Christian sophomore Kayla Windemuller claimed runner-up honors in 18:22.5.

Grandville sophomore Madison Troy overcame being tripped just after the mile mark to distance herself from a tight pack at the finish. Troy posted the day’s best girls time, 17:28.2, to 17:30.9 by Saline sophomore Jessi Larson. Farmington senior Maddy Trevisan finished a close third in 17:31.7.

Northville finished an eye blink back with 101 points. Alpena junior Mitchell Day posted the day’s best time by an underclassman with his runner-up 15:13.4. Rockford sophomore Cole Johnson fin ished tight on his heels in 15:15.0.

Name Game Pack It In The Fremont Packers showed why they’re named that in the D2 boys race, grouping their top-five runners within 42 seconds of each other to claim the title with 69 points. Otsego was next with 162. Algonac senior Morgan Beadlescomb repeated as individual winner, running patiently through two miles with the lead pack before outfinishing the field in 15:26.5. Corunna junior Noah James placed second in 15:30.5.

michiganrunner.net

This year’s list of great runner names includes Jacob Starr, David Good, Alex Worth, Walker Child, Ben Geer, Tyler March, Chase Field and Lily Fell. Course-feature all stars were Matt Field, Nathan Woods, Marnie Frost, Brooke Stump, Ally Hill, Caleb Topp, Brennan Mudd and Haley Muck.

Let’s not forget Andrew Dingwall, Madison Hammer, Ethan Sword, Jack Bobo, Marcus Broom, Isaac Waffle and Napoleon’s YaYa Touray. Winners, one and all! - MR

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Male Masters Runner of the Year: Rob Hyde

By Ron Marinucci

ob Hyde has directed the Diemer Family of Races in Cutlerville for 15 years. “I never ran it,’ he said, “till this year.”

friends Hank Risley and Eric Green, both past series winners.

“When my wife gave me the green light to travel around the state, I committed to do it,” Hyde said. In fact, she ran the races with him.

Hyde’s debut bore fruit. His second-place masters finish helped propel him to Michigan Runner’s 2015 Male Masters Runner of the Year award.

“I usually run lots of series races because they are great events,” he continued. “I’ve scored points as an open runner, but never enough to win anything.

“This year all my supporters — including race founder Brian Diemer, co-director Dawn Baker and my wife, Joy — knew the race was part of the MR Series and encouraged me to do it,” Hyde said. He didn’t sleep much the night beforehand and was up early on race morning.

Rob Hyde competed in the Fifth Third River Bank Run.

Hyde started running after being cut from the Godwin Heights High School basketball team in Wyoming his freshman year.

“A friend asked if I wanted to join the cross country team,” he remembered. “I said yes. Then I thought, ‘What is cross country?’”

Hyde praised Godwin coaches Russ DeRoos and Riley Swinehart as amazing. “Russ ran with us every day. We could see how much he loved running,” Hyde said. “He and Riley pushed and encouraged me. They coached me to all-state in cross and track.” At Calvin College Hyde knew right away coaches Diemer (a three-time Olympian) and Al Hoekstra would take his running to the next level. He was a cross country all-American and has coached at the college ever since.

When Hyde decided to run the MR Series as a New Year’s goal, he received encouragement from 20

As a recently-turned 40year-old, this was Hyde’s first attempt at the masters award. “I had a positive, solid race year,” he said. “I raced more often than I have in a long time.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

“I ran with the lead women for most of the race,” said Hyde, 40, who finished the 5K in 16:42. Then he went back to wearing his director’s hat. “It was tough. I’m not sure I’ll try that again,” he said.

“It’s cool that the yearly awards are given to open, masters and grand masters runners. That gives some of us older folks a chance.”

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

“It’s fun to be in the masters division but still able to compete overall. It’s fun to win a little prize money too,” he added. “It didn’t happen much for me as an open runner.”

Hyde won masters titles at the Kona Shamrock 5K (17:48), Charlevoix Half Marathon (1:16:09, good for second overall) and Cherry Festival 15K (53:12). He was second-place master at Diemer, second state master at the Crim 10-mile (56:47) and third Michigan master at the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K (1:29:52).

“The River Bank Run is my favorite hometown championship and had a great field this year,” Hyde said. He also noted his ninth-place finish at the Twin Cities Marathon (2:35:51), which hosted the U.S. Masters Championships. “That opened my eyes,” Hyde said. “There are amazing runners out there of all ages.

“As a 40-year-old, you kind of feel like you are back on top of the food chain. But at Twin Cities I got beat by runners in an age group or two ahead of me. I ran a 2:35 marathon and guys my age were |

michiganrunner.tv

Hall Honors Kozloff with Pillars Award

By Tracey Cohen

d Kozloff, in his 41st year as Motor City Striders president, was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Oct. 20 as a Pillar of Excellence. He is the first individual given that and the Hall’s Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award, presented him in 2014.

“Ed has devoted a lot of time to the passion of the sport,” MJSHF community relations director Sari Cicural said. The Pillars award honors lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions made to athletics and the enrichment of the community. Cicurel noted the Striders had raised more than $40 million for community needs beyond running. And the accolades don’t stop there.

Kozloff was elected Nov. 10 to the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Board of Governors. “He is such an outstanding voice in the community of running,” Cicurel said. “We feel he will add a lot to our board.” - MR running 2:24 or faster.”

Much of his training is aimed at marathons, including Chicago and Boston as well as Twin Cities this year. “I do long runs with my group from RunGazelle.com,” said Hyde, who is also a member of the Patience Endurance Racing Team. Diemer still helps coach him.

“Since I coach at Calvin and run with 20-year-olds every day, I need to stay in shape just to keep up,” Hyde said. “For workouts, I try to jump in with the college runners and hang on as much as possible. “Racing is mostly my speed work now, with a workout here and there with Calvin alumni too.” Hyde has several key workouts. One is decreasing fartleks of three minutes, two minutes, one minute and 30 seconds, with three or four repetitions. On long runs, he likes to run every 10th minute hard. Another favorite is hill repeats, about a minute or so up. “I like running,” said Hyde, a phys ed teacher for fifth- through eighth-graders in Grand Rapids. “I had a blast running the series. “It was the highlight of my year,” he said. - MR -

In This Issue

Publisher and Chief Executive Officer

Art McCafferty artmccaf@glsp.com Scott Sullivan scott@glsp.com Editor

Jennie McCafferty jennie@glsp.com Associate Publisher

Dave Foley Mike Duff

Editors Emeritus

Charles D. McEwen Jim Neff Bob Schwartz Bob Seif Bob Shaffer Nick Stanko Anthony Targan Kacey Tulley Cregg Weinmann Pamela Zinkosky Michael Zuidema

January / February 2016

Jamie Fallon Composer

Carter Sherline

Paul Aufdemberge Ian Forsyth Tom Henderson Scott Hubbard Laurel Park Robin Sarris Hallop Rachael Steil Columnists

Tracey Cohen Jason Elmore Bob Godfrey Heather Dyc Hanks Jeff Hollobaugh Dean Johnson Bill Kahn William Kalmar Dr. Edward H. Kozloff Doug Kurtis Grant Lofdahl Ron Marinucci Riley McLincha

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios except where noted

Rose Zylstra

Richard Bacolor Peter Draugalis Alex Harrison Gary Morgan Dane Robinson Greg Sadler Erin Wilkinson Jeff Zita

Social Media Editor

Senior Photographer

Online: Photo Gallery

Photo / Video

Cheryl Clark

Chief Financial Officer

Contributors

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Michigan Runner ÂŠ is published six times yearly for $17.00 per year by Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Third Class Postage paid at Dearborn, MI and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send Address changes to Michigan Runner,4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. All contents of this publication are copyrighted all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. All unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations will not be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope, bearing sufficient postage; publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect endorsement and/or views of the Michigan Runner. Address all editorial correspondence, subscriptions, and race information to: Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, (734) 5070241, FAX (734) 434-4765, info@glsp.com, www.glsp.com. Subscription rates: Continental U.S. $17.00 per year: Payable in U.S. funds. Single issue $3.00, back issues $5.00. Change of address: Send your magazine label and your new address to Michigan Runner, 4007 Carpenter Rd., #366, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Vol. 37, No. 6

Dances with Dirt Falling Waters Trail Run EMU Fall Classic Defeat Depression Dash Headless Horseman 5K MHSAA LP Cross Country Finals Photos by Carter Sherline &â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Scott Sullivan Ann Arbor Turkey Trot Kona Chocolate Run Centaur Team Euro-Style 8K Cross Country Race Grand Blanc Chocolate 5K Article by Tracey Cohen; Photo by Carter Sherline Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot, Detroit Michigan Beer Mile Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Photo and article by Tracey Cohen Fantasy 5K Gobbler Gallop, Milford Ann Arbor Track Club Winter Mini-Meet Jingle Jog, Fenton YMCA Santa Run

About the cover: An early-season snowstorm brought out the hats and mittens for the Grand Blanc Chocolate 5K on November 21. Tori Roark of Goodrich ran the slippery 5K. Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios.

Dances with Dirt, Hell/Pinckney, Sept. 24, 2016

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The “Bobcats” won the all-female five person relay in 9:26:11, with a handicap time of 7:58:59.

Andrew Bucci’s family came from Rochester, NY to cheer him on and were delighted when he won the 50K race. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Falling Waters Trail Run, Concord, Oct. 4, 2015 Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

2011 Footlocker finalist Lindsey Burdette of Horton won the 10K in 38:03.

EMU Fall Classic, Dexter, Oct. 23, 2015

Alex Salinas of Grand Rapids won the half-marathon last year and returned to win the 10K in 2015 with a time of 36:39.

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Michigan alum Becca Addison (bib 318) and Kira Garry, unattached Michigan red-shirt senior (bib 418), battle for the lead at the EMU Fall Classic at Hudson Mills Metropark. Garry won in 17:22 and Addison finished fourth in 17:38. 4

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Defeat Depression Dash, Ann Arbor, Oct. 24, 2015 Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Rachel Gioscia-Ryan of Boulder, Colorado, flies along on her way to the overall win in 18:09. She beat all the guys, too. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Headless Horseman 5K, Howell, Oct. 24, 2015 Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Middle of the pack runners starting the Headless Horseman 5K sport a variety of costumes.

MHSAA LP Cross Count

ÂŠ Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Photos by Carter

D4 girls starting include Tessa Fornari (bib 1895) of Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, D4 champion. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart girls were team champions.

try Finals, Brooklyn, Nov. 7, 2015

r Sherline and Scott Sullivan

Erika Freyhof of Hamilton won the D2 title in 18:00. The Otsego girls were team champions.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

ÂŠ Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Abe Visser (bib 592) of Grandville Calvin Christian won the D3 title after a hardfought battle with James McCann of Holland Black River (bib 612). Lansing Catholic were team winners.

Photo by Scott Sullivan

ÂŠ Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Photo by Scott Sullivan

D3 Girls champion Hoilly Bullough of Traverse City St. Francis ran from the front to a sensational 17:41, winning the title and leading her team to the championship.

Isaac Harding of Rockford won the Boys D1 title and also led his team to the championship. 10

Brendan Fraser (bib 382) and Nathan Mylenek (bib 387) of the Pontiac Notre Dame Prep team finished third and fourth in the Boys D2 race. Morgan Beadlescomb of Algonac (behind Mylenek) won the individual title. Fremont (in red stripes) easily won the team championship.

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Photo by Scott Sullivan ÂŠ Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Leading D1 girls ran in a tight pack until winner Madison Troy (bib 1852) of Grandville pulled away in the last few yards. Rachel Bonner (bib 1212) of Port Huron finished 9th, Emma Wilson (bib 1218 in red) of Romeo was fifth, Maddy Trevisan (bib 1031) of Farmington was third and Grace Cutler (bib 1219) of Royal Oak finished sixth. Jessi Larson of Saline was runner-up and Birmingham Seaholm won the team title.

D4 Boys start show champion Santana Scott (bib 790) with his race-special haircut and Zachary Pettinga (bib 922) who led his Saugatuck team to the championship. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Ann Arbor Turkey Trot, Dexter, Nov. 14, 2015 Article by Tracey Cohen

•

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Runners start the Ann Arbor Turkey Trot 10K at Hudson Mills Metropark.

Dexter (11/14/15) – The hills rolled and rolled particularly higher for one hundred-seventeen of nine hundred plus runners who took on the Ann Arbor Turkey Trot’s “Iron Turkey” competing in both the 5K & 10K races, gun times merely 1 hour apart. “I like the challenge of running both races,” expressed Cortney Ophoff whose strategy was to “run the 5K as fast as possible” – resulting in a personal record, and “run the 10K more casually.” Calvin Ophoff, Cortney’s nine year old son, ran the Kids Mile.

“I liked all the nice scenery,” Calvin beamed, experiencing his own runner’s high, further noting that he “likes how running makes his body feel.”

In light of the horrific tragedy in Paris, France, less than twenty-four hours prior, race director Andrea Highfield, made certain to express her thanks to our protectors, our liberty, and all the seemingly simple privileges our country allows its citizens.

And after a particularly meaningful rendition of our national anthem, the races commenced on a picture perfect morning, drenched in sunshine, blue skies, and forty degree temperatures at Hudson Mills Metropark.

Matthew Melvin (15:28) and Jennifer Blindert (18:43) dominated the 5K, while Mike Katsefaras (33:10) and Lindsay White (38:50) commanded the 10K. Mike Katsefaras and Jennifer Blindert ruled the Iron Turkey roost in their respective times of 48:48 and 58:08.

For complete results and information on the 2016 Ann Arbor Turkey Trot, please visit http://rfeventservices.com and http://www.a2turkeytrot.com. 12

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Kona Chocolate Run, Plymouth, Nov. 15, 2015

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Amber Dermyre of Canton was runner-up at the Kona Chocolate Run 10K. She finished in 39:21, behind winner Leah Foley, 39:18. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Centaur Team Euro-Style 8K Cross Country Race, Ann Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Arbor, Nov. 21, 2015

Runners start the 8K race which included jumping over snow-covered log barriers. Alex Russeau won in 24:37 and Tamara Stevenson won the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race in 34:15.

Grand Blanc Chocolate 5K, Grand Blanc, Nov. 21, 2015 Article by Tracey Cohen

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Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

After a snowy 5K, the chocolate fountain is the pefect reward. Grand Blanc (11/21/15) – The first snowstorm of the season blanketed the city streets of Grand Blanc in a wet, white, ‘winter wonderland’ upon which nearly 500 runners wreaked havoc racing for chocolate at the Grand Blanc Chocolate 5K, temperatures in the thirties. “This is my favorite race!” beamed 2014 Grand Blanc High School graduate, Seema Sabbagh.

A fund raiser for the Grand Blanc track and cross country programs, Seema insisted, “I feel like I owe them so much. I’m so happy I got into it but would not be a runner if not for Grand Blanc’s cross country and track teams.” “It’s great to come back and see my team,” Seema added, “and I love the chocolate, too!”

While all race participants were entitled to an elaborate post race spread of confections including numerous chocolate fountains, overall winners, Ryan Rau (17:10) and Alexa Keiser (18:37) and overall masters champions, Thomas Preiss (18:14) and Lisa Nagel (20:49) earned exclusive chocolate awards.

“It’s the best chocolate race around,” proclaimed 5K finisher, Jane Frasier, a sentiment with which co-race director, Mark Bauman, would have to agree, citing the post-race Chocolate Scavenger Hunt for all participants.

“It’s so fun and unique,” Bauman delighted. “It gets the local businesses involved in the schools and running community, and it gets the people into the local businesses.”

For complete results and information on the 2016 Grand Blanc Chocolate Run, please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandBlanc/GrandBlancChocolate5K and http://werunthistown.com/grand-blanc-chocolate-run. 16

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot, Detroit, Nov. 26, 2015

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Lex Williams is happy with winning the Turkey Trot 10K in 31:06, his first race in Detroit. Cally Macumber was the women’s winner.

Michigan Beer Mile, Flat Rock, Nov. 14, 2015

Brook Handler took the 5K in 17:17, more than 80 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Zach Widner won the men’s race in 15:40.

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

What’s a Beer Mile? Begin by drinking a 12 oz beer, run a lap, repeat three times for a total of four laps.

Erin O’Mara (bib 9) won the Michigan Beer Mile with a time of 6:04 and qualified for the FloTrack Beer Mile World Championships.

On December 1, Erin set a new beer mile world record at the championships in Austin, Texas with a time of 6:08.

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, Ann Arbor, Nov. 26, 2016 Photo and article by Tracey Cohen

Gerherter family members (from left to right) are front: Anna and Kyle; rear: Melissa, Drew and Jake. ANN ARBOR (11/26/15) -- Nick Katsefaras and Annie Norah Beveridge raced to victory in the 10th annual Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K, but Kyle Feliks was gifted two pumpkin pies before even crossing the starting line. Katsefaras (15:29) and Norah Beveridge (18:59) posted the best men’s and women’s times. But Feliks’ 25:26 was especially impressive since he had taken on the challenge of running the entire race carrying two pies. “It was a terrible decision,” he said. “It was the hardest event I have ever run.” Race organizers made sure the event was as much about family, fun and philanthropy as it was about quality running. Trotters felt happy and appreciated, no matter their pace and place. Among more than 2,000 trotters on a mild, wet Thanksgiving morning was Roger Bourne, back for his 10th straight year and winner of the largest group award. “There are 28 of us,” said Bourne, proud to have so many friends and family members join him at this traditional event. Martin and Lisa Schumacher drove from Chicago to establish a new family tradition. “The attention to detail and the care sponsors put into it make this race special,” Lisa said. “I was thrilled with the hilly, challenging course,” Martin said. For complete results and information on next year’s run, visit http://rfeventservices.com and theturkeytrot.com. 18

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Fantasy 5K, Howell, Nov. 27, 2015

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

The Fantasy 5K is a Howell tradition on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving.

Gobbler Gallop, MIlford, Nov. 28, 2015

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner Lisa Venezianoi (bib 383) lines up in front at the start of the 4 mile race. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Ann Arbor Track Club Winter Mini-Meet, Ann Arbor, Dec. 1, 2015

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Men start the mile at the Ann Arbor Track Club Winter Mini-Meet. Bennett Prud’homme, in black at right, won in 4:36:42.

Jingle Jog, Fenton, Dec. 5, 2015

Photos by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

A determined Garrett Clark of Linden (bib 907) battles it out with an equally determined Nolan Alvord (bib 912) oif Fenton. Both finished in the same time, 25:42. Tony Ketchmark of Davison was the men’s winner; Pamela Rynearson of Fenton won the women’s race. 20

Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

YMCA Santa Run, Flint, Dec. 5, 2015

Photo by Carter Sherline / Frog Prince Studios

Runners in the YMCA Santa Run are issued identical Santa suits, beards, and hats. As this race is not scored, we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t identify the runners, but we see that a few strive to stand out from the crowd. Michigan Runner Photo Gallery - January / February 2016

Female Masters Runner of the Year: Betsy Frens By Ron Marinucci

etsy Frens was Michigan Runner’s 2004 Women’s Runner of the Year. Now, 11 years later, she has added the Masters Women’s award to her résumé.

A typical training week includes “one longer run with two additional hard efforts either on hills or speed work on the track, with recovery runs in between,” Frens said.

Frens, 41, lives in Kalamazoo with her husband, Kent, the pastor of the Hope Reformed Church, daughters Madelyn, 12, and Josie, 9. It’s a running family. Kent runs and was a cross country All-American at Calvin College. Madelyn “just started running cross country this fall for Kalamazoo Christian High School,” said Betsy. “It has been a blast to be on the sidelines cheering for my daughter.”

“I love doing ladder workouts on the track. A favorite includes doing a downward ladder from 1600, 1200, 1000, 800, 600, 400.”

Kent helps with training plans. “We do some of our long runs and workouts together,” she said. “Without his support and encouragement, I wouldn’t be able to do all the training that I do.” In addition to running, coaching and raising Madelyn and Josie with her husband, Frens is a substitute teacher at Kalamazoo Christian Schools.

Mom has impressive running credentials herself. “I began running track my sophomore year at (Grand Rapids South Christian) high school after watching my brother compete,” she remembered. “With the encouragement of my track coach, I started running cross country my junior year.”

At Calvin College the then Betsy Haverkamp was a seven-time All-American, four in cross country and three in track. She was the national 3000-meter champion in 1997, her senior year.

“I just finished my coaching season and am taking some time off,” she told us in late November. “But soon I will begin training for next season. I hope to hit many of the same races next year and add a half marathon to the mix.”

In 2015 Frens scored well in three of the Michigan Runner Series races to easily outdistance opposition. At the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K, she was the first state master (1:28:29). She replicated that at the Diemer 5K (17:07), while finishing second among the Michigan open females. At the Crim 10-miler, Frens was the second master woman (59:25).

- MR -

Betsy Frens was second masters woman at the Crim 10 Mile in 59:25.

“I didn’t target the Michigan Runner Series specifically,” she said. “But I was aware of where I stood throughout the summer.

“I love running the Diemer because Brian Diemer was a coach of mine at Calvin,” Frens continued. “He taught me a lot about life and running, so taking part in this event named in his honor and enjoying the fantastic competition is always a highlight. “I also really enjoyed the Crim because I got to run with my husband, who is a huge support for me. It was also fun to hang out with Caroline Rotich — who won both the Crim and this year’s Boston Marathon — after the race.”

Frens ran other notable races last year too. She was pleased with her 17:06 at the Irish Jig 5K, good for top master and third woman overall. She doubled up at Reed’s Lake, finishing as first master and second overall in both the 5K (17:23) and 10K (38:54). She continued running “competitively for many years after college” but then slowed a bit. “Between having children and struggling with a foot injury for a couple years, I got out of competing,” she said.

“But I kept running as much as I was able.

“I missed the racing aspect,” Frens continued. “Knowing I was going to be hitting the masters age, my husband encouraged me to get back into it. I love the sport and the competition. Once you’re a runner it gets in your blood. It’s hard to stop.” She also is coaching cross country at Kalamazoo College. “This is my second year as men’s and women’s assistant coach there,” said Frens, who has reunited with another Calvin alum, Kris Koster, at the school. “It’s excited to be building a program with Kris,” she said. “I love to be sharing my love for the sport with others.

“Coaching helps keep me honest in my running as well,” she added. “Everything I expect from my athletes and all the advice I give them, I demand of myself as well.”

Running is a spiritual time for Frens. “Most of the time I run alone,” she said. “I enjoy the quiet and use running to get away from the busyness of life and even a time to pray. I love being outside and enjoying God’s creation.”

michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Vasa Trail Run, Traverse City

Red October Run, Wayne

Red October Run Marks 25 Years By Charles Douglas McEwen

the Pack:

Vasa Races Explore Wild, Beautiful Terrain

By Mickey Fivenson TRAVERSE CITY (11/14/15) — The annual Vasa 5K, 10K and 25K trail races drew about 200 runners. Race director Jen Teeples and her volunteers cleared the wild and beautiful Vasa trail after a recent storm. The event, sponsored by Running Fit stores, benefited Traverse Area Recreational Trails.

Melinda Porter, 55, of Harbor Springs was my big winner. During a 2003 physical for a new job, a lump was discovered in her left breast. It turned out to be insignificant, but doctors rushed into a 10-hour radical mastectomy for another lump in her right breast. After 15 months of chemo in Petoskey and one year of clinical trials, she is now cancer-free. My second-place finishers were three friends who walked the race together: Doug Howell, 69, of St. Clair Shores, a former Marine; Gary Faria, 65, of Traverse City and Chris Brooks, also 65. Doug and Gary are prostate cancer survivors. Doug, who got his cancerous “gift” thanks to Agent Orange, fell this October and broke several ribs. Chris suffered a serious spinal cord injury in a bike accident. All three attribute their current health to running and exercise.

Sarah Toth, 35, of Kewedin, trains with her Siberian husky, who she taught to run with a leash tied to her arm. Sarah survived pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication, thanks to her good health brought on by running. Randy Step, 59, of Ann Arbor, who had a heart valve replacement 22 years ago, was a top finisher in his age group. His current heart rate is 40 beats per minute. He trains about 30 miles per week. Full race results can be found at http://runningfit.com. - MR -

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

WAYNE (10/3/2015) — The Red October Run celebrated its silver anniversary with more than 1,000 of its closest friends.

Among them was Kevin Sherwood (aka the guy who dresses up as Capt. America) who has run the event all 25 times.

“I wasn’t sure where the first one was,” recalled Sherwood, 53, of Royal Oak. “I had my mom and dad drive me here and they really liked it.” He did too — and kept coming back. “This (race) kicks off my October running season,” Sherwood said. “You have a choice of the 5K or 10K, then all the nice food and hot dogs afterward. I always fill up on the hot dogs and everything.” Cynthia Cook has directed the Red October Run since its inception. “I never imagined I’d be here working on the 25th race,” she said. “I feel privileged to be part of an organization (Beaumont HospitalWayne) that wants to support this.

“When it started out, it was all about youth, family fitness and fit lifestyles,” Cook continued. “We’re still here telling the same story.” This year’s entrants had to contend with cold, blustery weather. “One runner told me, ‘Everywhere I went, it was a headwind,”’ said Cook.

From the Back of

Kira Garry was first overall in the Red October 5K.

a Michigan Runner of the Year series race, in 38:59. Melissa Mantel, 37, of Chelsea led until Veneziano passed her at the 3-mile mark. “I didn’t beat her by a whole lot, but I was able to stay in front of her,” Veneziano said.

Despite the bitter morning, Kira Garry, 22, of Ann Arbor beat all comers in the 5K. The former Yale star, now a University of Michigan graduate student, timed 17:05, which shattered Suzanne Larsen’s women’s course record.

“Lisa is a tough runner,” said Mantel, who still posted a 39:16 personal-record time. “After mile three she pulled away. I just couldn’t go with her.”

Former U-M all-American Erin Webster, 29, of Dearborn battled the top male runner, Paul Mayer, 48, of Ann Arbor for second overall into the final mile. She eventually pulled away to prevail in 17:35.

Landry Bennett, 23, of East Lansing led the men from the start to prevail in 35:00.

“It was little chilly, but the course was flat and great. I enjoyed it,” Garry said.

“I guess I beat him,” Webster said. “But he still ran well.”

Mayer won the men’s 5K in 17:53. Next came three more masters runners: Nessan Kerrigan, 40, of Livonia (18:29); Ed McGovern, 40, of Ypsilanti (19:23) and Jerome Macko, 50, of Redford (20:07). Matt Hartley, 33, of Dearborn was the fifth-place male in 20:17.

Rounding out the women’s top five were Tanai Gupta, 16, of Northville in 23:01; Martijn Sier, 15, of Ann Arbor in 23:19 and Karen Bearse, 43, of Wayne, the top master in 24:26.

Rick and Shelly Huber of Montrose swept the 5K race walk for the seventh year in a row. Rick, 59, paced the men in 29:11, while Shelly, 55, topped the women in 33:56. Lisa Veneziano, 51, of Fenton won the women’s 10K, |

michiganrunner.tv

Vanita Shukla, 28, of Livonia was the thirdplace woman in 43:54, followed by Heidi Drallos, 52, of Commerce in 44:35 and Madeline Young, 23, of Orchard Lake in 45:27.

“I went out really hard,” he said. “I wanted to get close to 34:00 and came through 5K at a 34:20 pace. But it’s hard to finish the last half all by yourself. I let the pace slip, but I still got a PR.” (Bennett’s previous best 10K was 35:12.)

Next came masters stars Brian Olsen, 54, of Jackson in 36:29; Steve Menovcik, 46, of Grand Ledge in 36:34; Michael Young, 58, of Orchard Lake in 38:21 and Claudio Salas, 45, of Allen Park in 39:14. For complete results, go to everalracemgt.com. For more information on the race, visit oakwood.org/redoctoberrun. - MR -

Senior Male Runner of the Year: Brian Olsen

By Ron Marinucci

ot only did Brian Olsen replicate his 2011 Senior Men’s Runner of the Year award in 2015, he competed in all 12 Michigan Runner Series races. MR associate publisher Jennie McCafferty believes he is the first to do so.

“Martha and I enjoyed traveling to all the races,” Olsen continued. “Michigan Runner does a good job of placing a variety of races and distances throughout the state.”

Olsen scored 130 series points, far outdistancing senior male runners-up Scott Fiske and Ruben Henderson. Lisa Veneziano won for the fifth straight year overall with 179 points. Olsen, 54, is no newcomer to racing. He and Martha “are very competitive,” he admitted. He also won male masters honors 11 years ago.

“Encouraged by friends and my physical education teacher, who was also the cross country coach, I started running in the spring of my sophomore year at Grand Haven High School,” he remembered. That was 1977. Olsen moved and ran his senior year at Jackson High School, then ran cross country and track at Jackson Community College and Oklahoma State University. He continues to live and work in Jackson. Having run all the series races from a mile to the marathon, Olsen finds it hard to pick out one highlight. He scored points in 10 of the 12 events. He was the first senior runner at the Borgess Half Marathon (1:23:27), Charlevoix Half Marathon (1:21:05), Volkslaufe 20K (1:19:14) and Cherry Festival 15K (58:00). He placed second among seniors at the Kona Shamrock 5K (19:05), Bill Roney 5K (18:04), Diemer Festival 5K (17:28) and Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon (2:58:55).

Olsen won masters crowns at the Plymouth YMCA Father’s Day Mile (5:10) and Red October 10K (36:29). Two races that stood out for him were the Charlevoix Half Marathon and Cherry Festival 15K in Traverse City.

From the Back of the Pack:

Zombie 5K is Right-Brain Blast By Mickey Fivenson

“I have run in the series before,” said Olsen. “But I made it a goal this year to try to win it. Other than my wife Martha and daughters, who also run, I only informed Steve Menovcik” (who manages the Patience Endurance Racing Team, of which Olsen is a member).

Zombie Run, Traverse City

TRAVERSE CITY (10/31/15) — This year’s Zombie Run drew 1,167 zombies and living runners to start and finish at the Right Brain Brewery. Race director Matthew Ross and his volunteers saw rain and cold give way to great weather for the Tart Trails benefit.

My winner was Fay Hanity, 64, a witch-zombie from Millersberg who survived two surgeries removing cancerous tumors from her brain. Her husband Bruce, 74, dressed as a farmer-zombie and took second in the 70years-old-plus age group, beating me.

Brian Olsen competes at the Red October Run.

“Charlevoix was a first-time for Martha and me,” said Olsen. “We really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and well-organized race. The Cherry Festival has a long tradition and I have run it several times dating back to the 1980s.”

His favorite races include the Diemer, Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids and Flint’s Crim 10-miler. Although he didn’t score in the latter two, Olsen likes that they are “extremely competitive.”

Norm Pfaff, 73, a wolf-zombie from Clinton Township, took a close second place by my estimate as a survivor of serious bleeding ulcers. The former Marine, who endured a 35-day hospital stay due to a burst appendix, used it as motivation to give up drinking and smoking. He couldn’t run a half-mile when he started but has since finished the Detroit Free Press Marathon. His daughter Michelle Howard ran as a skiing zombie, while her husband Scott was a zombie-zombie.

Al and Louise Mendralia, ages 69 and 57 respectively, joined a “Wizard of Oz”-themed group who included Jenn Coyle, 41, and Kim Busch, 42, both running to improve their heart health, and Sara Hoffman, 42, who runs as a role model for kids. All are from Traverse City. Wedding zombies Melissa and Jason Blyth are from Oregon and Montana; he is stationed with the Coast Guard locally. Patty Lint, 64, from Saugatuck ran in honor of her late brother, who helped found this race.

He trains about 2,000 miles a year. “I’m pretty consistent with my weekly mileage,” he said. “During spring I train once a week with a group of runners. We do repeat 200s, specifically training for the 5K.

Yvonne and Dave Moulton, both 55, and Christine Pedder came from Royal Oak. Yvonne ran the mile in high school; it was Dave’s first run.

Olsen usually runs alone. “Maybe once a week I’ll run with another person,” he said.

The 2015 Zombie Run was a fun time and featured amazing, creative costumes. For more information about it and next year’s event, visit tczombierun.com.

“Other than that,” he went on, “I do mostly base mileage and longer training runs.”

Why is he still running? For health? Competition? To socialize? Just plain fun? “All those reasons,” he said. “Martha and I have met many people and started friendships along the way.” Olsen gave special thanks to his PER teammates and wife, “who keep me motivated and competitive throughout the year,” he said.

Dave Smith, 46, his wife Carrie, 47, and their children Rend, 8, and Silas, 6, ran in “honor” of the Detroit Lions who they said were “Dead in 2015.” The Smiths’ team was joined by Bill Bageris, 51, and his daughter Olivia, 8.

Mickey Fivenson, 73, of Traverse City, is a stroke survivor who credits running for his survival. As former director of the National Cherry Festival Races, he founded its Golden Mile and wheelchair races. He has completed 60 marathons and has run 100,000-plus miles in 45 years of training and racing. - MR -

- MR michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

Dave Foley Wins MITCA’s Kermit Ambrose Award

Book Review

Natural Born Heroes

By Dave Foley

everal years ago author Chris McDougall published “Born to Run,” which introduced many readers to running barefoot and told the story of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico who run unshod.

McDougall’s new book “Natural Born Heroes” makes a compelling case for changing the way we work out and encourages a reexamination of the athlete’s diet. Rather than present these ideas in a straightforward manner, he weaves them into a masterful true narrative of espionage during World War II on the island of Crete. In Nazi Germany’s buildup to invading Russia in 1944, Crete was needed as a staging area. A hundred thousand troops were sent to the island to smother the Greek resistance, an effort that was spectacularly unsuccessful. Nothing illustrated this more poignantly than the abduction of a German general by a group of resistance fighters. Despite thousands of Nazi soldiers in pursuit, the British, with the support of local Cretans, evaded the Germans.

From MITCA's Newsletter:

"Dave Foley of Cadillac High School is the 2015 recipient of the Kermit Ambrose Award. . . This award is in recognition of one’s outstanding service to the sport, school, association and community. It is given to someone who epitomizes all that a coach should be.

“In over 27 years of coaching, Dave established Cadillac as one of the top running programs in the north. Dave’s biggest contribution to the sport is his love of running. That love and respect for his sport led him to be the Michigan Runner Magazine’s editor for 14 years. Because of his remarkable writing skills, runners all over the state of Michigan were informed about workouts, upcoming events and human interest stories. “Congratulations, Dave Foley, on receiving MITCA highest honor."

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

McDougall returned to the island years later to learn how the abduction was executed and retrace their steps. He learned the people of Crete, inspired by their ancestors, have long practiced a natural movement as they travel, enabling them to nimbly traverse rugged terrain. Instead of using muscle, the graceful, efficient movement comes from incorporating fascia, the elastic connective tissue. While the Cretans have practiced this for centuries, in the early 1900s it caught the idea of Frenchman Georges Herbert, who studied natural movement by watching children play -- running, climbing and twisting around using spontaneity and improvisation. While his work spread the idea of natural movement, today it is best exemplified by the popularity of parkour. As the author points out, the Cretans’ natural movement resembles parkour, which was adapted from military obstacle courses where practitioners move by running, vaulting, swinging, jumping and rolling in the fastest, most-efficient way possible through an environment.

Parkour involves seeing one’s environment in a new way and imagining the potentialities for navigating it by movement around, across, through, over and under its features. McDougall notes that the “tough mudder” and “warrior” events are based on the premises of natural movement.

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The heart of the story is the two narratives. From his research McDougall recreates the ordeal of the kidnappers as they spirit the general across the island, and at the same time tells of his own attempt to follow in their footsteps many years later.

Using a flashback technique, we follow the two stories. First the experience of the harrowing World War II trek across Crete made by the British resistance fighters and their Cretan guides. Then, 70 years later, the attempt by McDougall to follow the same route. From the Cretans who accompany him, he works to master the skills of natural movement, practices the techniques that gave these people such remarkable endurance and eats only the native diet. McDougall notes the Cretans are among the healthiest people on earth. Their diet, heavy in protein, is rich in native plants, goat meat and eggs. It is almost completely devoid of sugar and starches. The high-carbohydrate diet so popular among endurance athletes is shunned by these Greeks. After learning Dr. Tim Noakes, a longtime proponent of the high-carb diet, has switched and is now an advocate of the protein meal plan, McDougall decides to try it and soon finds his athletic performance markedly improves.

“Natural Born Heroes” succeeds at several levels. As a fast-paced World War II thriller adventure story, it has that “can’t put it down” aspect that grabs the reader. History lovers will get a new understanding of the role Crete played in changing the war’s outcome. Then there’s the detailed analysis of the history and practice of natural movement as well as the healthy benefits the Greeks seem to get from their protein diet. This appealed to the runner in me, as I am always willing to consider making changes that will improve my running. McDougall goes into great depth and supplies a historical perspective on these topics that helped me fully grasp the benefits of these practices.

Although this review appears in a running magazine. McDougall’s “Natural Born Heroes” will appeal even to sedentary folks who are looking for a good read. - MR

Running Shorts with Scott Hubbard Trivia: What are the 70-74 age group 12K world records for men and women?

‘90s, as the second Running Boom was coalescing, times at races began a steady decline that continues to this day. Look it up; the numbers are stark.

But stats don’t define what running does and means for runners. How fast you run is measurable, but that’s as far as it goes. Your time spent and recorded is yours to measure; apply your own standards. As running is an enriching outcome for those in GOTR, so it is for newer runners in the past 20 years. One wonders what the next 20 years will bring?

On the Run.

While talking about the current state of road racing, a friend it seemed most new runners were participants in Girls (and Guys) on the Scott Hubbard Run for Adults. I’d never looked at it that way, but quickly agreed there were similarities to the enormously-successful program for girls ages 8 to 13.

Drawing the line. I’m going to say something a large segment of the running/walking community won’t like. I’m fine with that. I’m secure in my stand. I know all the reasons folks will offer in opposition, but for the most part they don’t wash with me. Some will say, “You’re old school, that’s why you feel that way.” There’s something to that, but my reasoning goes deeper than “It used to be this way, it was right and we managed fine.” If that’s all I could offer in my defense, I’d be on thin ice. Some will say I’ve already fallen through, “Who do you think you are?” and “You’re a spoil sport, a Grinch.” Yet I’m none of that.

Girls on the Run started in Charlotte, N.C., in 1996 and went international in 2000. There are chapters in nearly all major cities in Michigan. Meeting once or twice a week for 60 to 90 minutes, the girls participate in a variety of empowering exercises, many that explore diversity, responsibility, connectedness, joy and health.

The goal of GOTR isn’t to nurture future runners; it’s to turn out well-rounded young people. Adults who come to running later in life have many of the same experiences as their younger GOTR counterparts.

There are differences in what adults bring to the sport, since they’ve had more opportunities to have those same or similar life experiences. But the running, ah, the running is where all things intersect! Adults start for basically the same reason: it’s a healthy thing to do. Kids don’t do things for health; for them it’s a byproduct of the games they play. Adults turn to it for the benefits: health, social, mental and the like. They’re drawn in by how well running makes them feel, enjoy pushing the envelope of possibilities and look forward to larger challenges. No matter the pace, the running rewards all. It is, to borrow a phrase, a positive addiction. New runners have been coming to the sport forever, but in the past 15 to 20 years there’s been a noticeable move from “performance” to “participation.”

In the first 20 years of the first Running Boom, many new runners were motivated by the same thing those who preceded them in high school and college were driven by: time and place. In the mid

Runners also want accurate courses, because, although the scene has become more about “the experience” than “performance,” it’s still a sport where some basics remain implicit. Course accuracy eludes 90 percent of races held. Kudos to those that have lower entry fees, certify their courses and don’t give out finishers’ medals. I have another splendid idea: only give out race tees to finishers! Let the tees replace medals. Let them be the “prize.” I’m aware my position won’t change the minds of those happy with finishers’ medals, love them, hang them on racks, etc. I’m just one guy with an opinion borne of a full complement of life, athletic and running experiences in particular. I also know I have supporters who feel everyrace-a-medal cheapens whatever might be special about an event. Ask prep and college runners if they receive finishers’ medals. No, they don’t and don’t need a medal to feel good about what they’ve done, to lend what they’ve done perspective. Neither should you.

Six Figures. I added up my career cycling miles to date Nov. 29 for the first time since I went “to the dark side” in 2003. The total was sobering. I’d exceeded 100,000 miles around Oct. 1.

In games, small doses of running or walking are involved. At the end of a multi-week session, all the kids participate in a 5K. Completing the race gives the girls a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and meeting life goals. They are encouraged to stand up for themselves and others, to be optimistic, to show gratitude through deeds, words and thoughts. They learn to make what once seemed impossible, possible.

Here goes: I don’t think finishers’ medals should be given at any distance shorter than the marathon. While it’s true most of my running was done when the only medals given were to those in top places, I don’t recall when the finishers’ medal business started and why it seemed a good idea.

Race directors say they give runners what they want. That reason lacks sway, but sure, OK. Runners also want lower entry fees but I don’t see that happening any time soon. A lower entry fee is compromised by the cost of a finishers’ medal.

My running was winding down by ‘03. By ’08 an arthritic foot said “No mas.” I’ve worn out two bikes and many parts over time. I’m due for a new back hub and derailleur soon.

It comes down to this for me: I don’t see the big deal in finishing a race. I feel finishing ought to be its own reward, its own validation and affirmation. It’s something you set out to do and should be fulfilling enough. I fail to see how a finishers’ medal can make you happier with the experience than the innate sense of achievement in doing so. And this; a medal after seemingly every race at every distance diminishes its being special. It’s just one more trinket to gather dust.

I like medals to the best in show, not simply to all who show up (and finish). A medal should be for a special occasion. Finishing a race shorter than a marathon is not special. Why the marathon? It fully involves a person, stretches you out optimally, places folks in demanding circumstances other distances don’t. The distance requires our complete attention. michiganrunner.net

In recent weeks I’ve wondered what kind of cycling I’ll be doing in another dozen years. I’ve been active in endurance sports since age 14, so one side of me says I’ll still be getting out there, getting something done. Another side worries about the vagaries of aging, mishaps and the unknown. Bike parts wear out; will I? I don’t think on it much. Each day a new adventure!

A Calming Experience. From a Facebook post I made Nov. 19: I don’t always regard a run or ride as therapy but when I do, it’s for good reason. Today I had reason. Engage the body, free the mind and the heart will follow. Better now. It’s all small stuff. Stay true to your convictions, my friends!’

Answer: For men it’s Doug Goodhue of Milford, who completed the distance in 48:37. June Machala of Washington state holds the women’s record of 58:22.

Michigan Runner

- MR -

January / February 2016

By Dave Foley

ew Michigan runners are better known than Scott Hubbard. Readers of this magazine will associate him with the “Running Shorts” column he has written since 1982. That’s about 260 installments if you are counting. In each he brings forth new ideas. That’s not surprising when you realize he has been on running’s front lines for 40 years.

He lettered all four years for Eastern Michigan University’s track and cross country teams and was a member of the record-setting 4 x mile relay team. Having run a 4:09 mile, 8:56 2-mile and 29:43 6-mile, it wasn’t surprising that he became a standout road racer.

While establishing personal bests of 31:30 in the 10K, 51:00 in the 10-mile, 1:07 in the half-marathon and 2:28 for 26.2 miles, Hubbard did some coaching. He assisted the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School girls track team from 1975 to 1979 and was girls varsity cross country head coach from 1977 to ‘79. Later he was head cross country coach at Wayne State University from 1985 to ‘87. From 1980 to ‘83, he was director of the Dexter-Ann Arbor races.

Scott Hubbard (l.) called his son Jeff’s 11th place finish in the 2003 MHSAA LP D1 Cross Country Finals.

Runners often hear Hubbard calling out their names as they near the finish line of big races. Starting with the 1982 Crim 10-miler, ’83 Detroit Free Press Marathon and ’88 Volkslaufe, he has announced each one, plus a host of others. He announces some of the biggest high school cross country invitationals in the state, including the Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals and award ceremonies since 1999. Hubbard calls out the action at a dozen Michigan colleges including the University of Michigan and Michigan State, plus several out-state universities. Last year he was a field announcer at the NCAA Division 2 Track and Field Nationals at Grand Valley State University.

The happiest moment of his announcing career, he says, was calling his son Jeff's 11th place finish in the 2003 High School Lower Peninsula Division 1 meet. Perhaps even more important to runners than hearing Hubbard’s voice at the finish is knowing that, due to his efforts, the courses we’re running are accurate. Since December 1981, he has ridden hundreds of race courses with a Jones counter on his bike, meticulously making sure the route meets USA Track & Field

I accompanied Scott once while he was working to get a course certified, watching him carefully ride the most direct line of a route. This at times put him perilously close to traffic. One time, while he riding along a line of cars in Windsor, he was sent flying when a car door opened suddenly beside him. Luckily he was wearing a helmet, which may have kept him from being seriously hurt.

Hubbard was named most valuable runner for the Ann Arbor Huron High School cross country team that won the 1969 Class A state championship. He been inducted into that school’s athletic hall of fame.

standards for establishing records.

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

With so much of his time spent working in other areas of running, Hubbard hasn’t had much time to write for publications beyond Michigan Runner. He’s done some work for the Detroit Free Press and been published in Runner’s World and Marathon and Beyond magazines, but says, “probably the best thing I’ve written was about my brother, Don.”

That story first appeared Michigan Runner in spring 1992, then in an edited 6-page spread in the October Runner’s World that year. Don is gay, had won an event in a recent Gay Games and was an advocate for running and walking in Ann Arbor. “I recently re-read this feature and found it emotionally moving,” said Hubbard. “I realized it sent a powerful message to the running community. Having been a central figure in running for 40 years, he has met the likes of Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Toni Reavis, Don Kardong, Hal Higdon, Joe Henderson, Lisa Rainsberger and Dave McGillivray. Yet if their names were given, along with Hubbard’s, to Michigan runners, I’d bet his would be the most recognized.

He stands at the center of running in Michigan and is deserves recognition as the Contributor of the Year. - MR |

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Ghouls in Guise Enjoy Run Scream Run By Charles Douglas McEwen

Photo by Charles Douglas McEwen

Contributor of the Year: Scott Hubbard

Run Scream Run, Ypsilanti

Daniel Freedman and Danielle Nadeau match their pace and their outfits as they run the 10K. YPSILANTI (10/10/15) — Flesh-eating zombies, killer clowns, blood-thirsting bridezillas, fire-breathing dragons and other ghouls besieged Wiard’s Orchard for Run Scream Run, presented by Running Fit. These terrors competed in 10K, 5K and Cider Mile races on dirt trails and paved paths at the orchard and inside the 363-acre Rolling Hills Park.

Monsters in the 5K all chased Erik Wippler, 39, of Canton, who won with a personal record of 18:03, much faster than the 18:49 he ran here last year.

“There was no wind,” Wippler said. “And the weather was nice and cool. Last year there was frost on the ground and the grass was slippery. But I have different shoes. So maybe it was the shoes.”

Alison Lucas had Wonder Woman behind her for much of the race. But the Royal Oak resident, 27, held off costumed Amy Pistone, 29, of Ann Arbor to capture the women’s title, 19:31 to 19:45. “Every time I picked up the pace, she picked up the pace,” said Pistone, 29, of Ann Arbor. Lucas never glanced back. “I just kept looking forward and running as fast as I could,” she said.

“She’s a rock star. She does her best all the time,” Rachel Lewis, 21, said about her sister, adding their father, Frederick Lewis, 60, captured his age group too.

“I think he’s excited about it,” continued Rachel. “He’s like, ‘There has to be a mistake.’”

Michelle Magagna, 25, of Ann Arbor won the women’s 10K in 40:41. “That’s three-and-a half-minutes faster than I’ve run a 10K before,” she said. Next came Theresa Frasca, 33, of Ann Arbor in 42:27 and Kelly Valente, 35, of Dearborn in 42:45. Frasca, who dressed up as a banana, didn’t slip or split. “I was a frozen banana when the race started,” she said, “before thawing out.” Karen Parzuhoski dressed up as fire and pushed her toddler son, Neil Fuenmayor, in a fire truck/stroller.

“Ideally, I’d be in front of the fire truck,” Parzuhoski said. “But the stroller doesn’t have a motor, so Neil can’t drive it.” Kevin Courtney won the men’s 10K in 38:59, followed by Roger Faber (42:10) and John Tarkowski (42:24).

Tarkowski, 62, of Northville, took note of the forest full of ghouls who jumped out and screamed at them at the end. “Scared the ... out of me!” he said. For complete results, go to http://runscreamrun.com. - MR -

Wicked Halloween Run, Plymouth

Monster Turnout Descends on Wicked Halloween Runs By Charles Douglas McEwen

PLYMOUTH (10/25/15) — Heather Irvine, running with her dog, won the women’s Wicked Halloween 10K, presented by St. Mary Mercy-Livonia Hospital and Kona Running Co.

“I think I wore her out,” said Irvine, 46, of Ypsilanti, about her Vizla, Ripley. “But in these races she won’t stop to get a drink. She wants to keep going.”

The pair timed 40:23, well ahead of runnerup Stephanie Muscat, 26, of Grand Rapids (43:59). Amber Williamson, 39, of Macomb was third in 44:23 and Jenny Sprague, 35, of Royal Oak fourth in 45:21. Last year, Irvine and her dog won the 5K and set a PR. This year they set a 10K PR. “I’m overjoyed,” said Irvine. “I thought my PR days were done. “Ripley is named for the bad-ass character in the ‘Alien’ movies, Ellen Ripley. She inspires me to run fast,” Irvine said.

The top four men in the 10K were also masters. Kerry Barnett, 55, of Keego Harbor won in 35:51; followed by Paul Mayer, 48, of Ann Arbor in 36:0; Eric Green, 47, of Pontiac in 36:45 and Roman Krzyzanowski, 44, of Plymouth in 37:04.

Barnett ran with Green for the first three miles before taking the lead. “I kept thinking Eric was going to come back on me because he looked so good,” Barnett said. “I convinced Kerry to come here this morning,” Green said. “Unfortunately he beat me.”

While masters athletes dominated the 10K, two teens took a break from their high school cross country to race the 5K. Romulus Summit Academy junior Garrett Novak, 16, and Livonia Franklin freshman Erin Seibert, 14, were the men’s and women’s winners in 17:17 and 20:26 respectively.

“It was good,” said Novak. “But it wasn’t my best race.” (His PR is 16:41).

The 5K took place an hour after the 10K started, which gave some runners a chance to double. Krzyzanowski placed second in the 5K in 17:55 and Green third in 18:08.

“The 5K felt a lot better than the 10K because I got the cricks and creeks out,” Krzyzanowski said.

For the women, Danie Matusik, 43, of Chelsea took second in 21:31 and Claire Gottliebsen, 25, of Ann Arbor third in 22:04. Many runners dressed in costumes for this Halloweenthemed race. Matusik dressed up as The Flash. “Every runmichiganrunner.net

Matt West, 40, of Ypsilanti took second in 18:58. Yvan Boucher, 29, of Ann Arbor, who won this race in 2013, came in third in 19:29.

Heather Levine and her dog, Ripley, won the 10K.

ner wants to be The Flash, right?” she said.

Eva Solomon of Ann Arbor was a bumblebee. “I buzzed through the 10K in 59:30,” she said. “Then I did the 5K for fun.”

Plymouth residents Jeff Fedewa (6:30) and Sierra Green (7:09) won the Monster Mile. Wicked Halloween also had a monster turnout with more than 3,100 total entrants. For more information, go to http://wickedhalloweenrun.com. - MR Michigan Runner

January / February 2016

My Name Is . . . and I Am a Runner

hen I was much younger, someone close to me struggled with an alcohol addiction: my father, Gary. Alcohol had absorbed him to where it was seizing control of his life, like a puppeteer. The real man was present but no longer in control.

My mother, brother and I had our own version of hide-and-seek we called “find the bottle.” Ceiling tiles. Dresser drawers. Wedged in our family’s financial files in the cabinet. Up and under the dash of the truck. In a toolbox. In all the nooks and crannies parents think are hiding spots, but to children are places where they live, explore and play daily. The world is much smaller for children than for adults. The alcohol had my dad convinced he was better at hiding than we were at finding. My father was never violent. The real man was always present, even when buried beneath the surface. He was and remains a good, tender-hearted man.

He was there when I needed. He helped in Cub Scouts, taught me to ride a bike, catch a ball, throw a pass and to water ski. He spent time with me on my homework, bought me my first weight set and cheered for me at my practices, games and meets. He taught me the skill and value of hard work. I learned to drive field trucks before age 10, began trimming in our Christmas tree fields, had my first chainsaw at 15, and planted my first field for my younger brother and me by 16. In the important ways, he was a great father.

At 6’3”, 210 pounds he was big, tender, loving, man who cried at nearly everything my younger brother and I achieved. At our weddings he wept more than most would expect of a big tree farmer.

Our family smiles at the story of Dad’s struggle to tell me about the birds and bees after driving me home from one of my football games. “Jason, how’s he doing?” Mom asked, poking her head out. “Fine,” I responded through a rolled-down window of our truck, parked in the garage. It captured the man that was and still is my father.

I remember one early November harvesting Christmas trees weighed down by one of those wet, heavy wet snows that penetrates to the core. “There is no way I’m going to be a farmer the rest of my life,” I declared as we shivered with our barely-working fingers clutching steaming cups of hot chocolate. My parents took my rejection of the way they provided for our family well. “We don’t blame you,” they’d say. “But don’t forget where you came from.” I confronted my father one day about his “situation.” “Be careful where you point that finger, son,” he replied. “Addiction can take different forms for different people.” I did not drink, smoke, nor use drugs. I’d never went to the hidden teen parties along county-line 28

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

By Jason Elmore

roads. I’d studied, got good grades, did my share of the work in the fields, watched what I ate and ran daily. “What are you talking about?” I asked him.

“Running, son. You don’t think you’re addicted to it?”

My response was denial. “He’s displacing blame and denying his issue again,” I thought. “There’s a difference between an addiction and a healthy, focused lifestyle. Nice try, Dad.” Today, after thousands of miles on my nowaching feet, knees, hips and lower back, I can say it: My name is Jason and I’m a recovering runner addict. I can’t handle as much running as I once could. Chronic injuries, scar tissue buildup and time have seen to that. The years of running on all sorts of road shoulders trigger massage therapists to ask, “Were you ever in a car accident?” When I say no, they usually look at the questionnaire and ask, “You’re a lawyer? Hmm.”

These days I dilute my need to run with swimming, cycling and mountain biking. But at the core I am a runner.

I realized my father’s wisdom when I was in law school. During my last year of collegiate running, I’d suffered severe tendonitis in my posterior tibialis. A coach had told me I needed to learn not all pain is injury, so I kept running until it was definitely the latter. If you are a fellow addict, you know what happened next. I began to favor one leg over the other. What started as one injury became a gateway for others: My hips. My lower back.

The pain became so bad I had to wear a girdlelike back brace to sit in my classes. I spent weekends studying laying flat on the floor of our apartment. I saw several doctors and therapists. It hurt to do anything and hurt even more to do nothing. This was the first phase of trials for my marriage. Alicia, who was attending medical school, was also training for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials with Jim Spivey. She was running very well while as I was unable to run at all.

I was proud of her, but it killed me to go to races. I had to quit running cold turkey. I canceled the Runners’ World subscription, refused to talk about the sport and kicked her running shoes into our only closet when they were left out. I was a total jerk. It was the puppeteer taking me over through withdrawal. Whenever I felt an inch better, I would sneak out and try to run a few blocks. I thirsted for those brisk runs through fall foliage. I longed to be quenched by runs when the only sounds were my breathing and fresh snow crunching underfoot. Having a community college track across the street and visible from our apartment was like an alcoholic |

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living next to a bar.

I would start to run. There would be glimmer of things feeling good, which caused me to push it too hard too early. Then like a tide, the pain swelled back. I would beat it off, ingest too much ibuprofen, then run too much, only for it to return. Those notso-secreted runs only worsened the injuries. My wincing and slightly-sweaty clothes gave me away. I realized the old man had been right. Damn it.

After a decade away I moved my family back home. We have been in Michigan now for 11 years. While in the Army I worked my way back to running — not without realizations, admissions and other steps.

I don’t “train” anymore. My only goal is to lead a healthy lifestyle for as long as I can. I don’t wear a watch to prevent me from tracking and comparing my splits or the time it takes to run a certain loop. There is no Fitbit on my wrist. No step counters. You will see no awards, as they are hidden, buried and boxed away in the attic.

I watch what I eat but no longer count every gram or calorie. If I do, that part of me sneaks back. I know my limits and do the best I can to stay within them. I do mountain bike races and a couple triathlons a year, but almost never just a running race. I feel for those I see flirting with the same type of addiction I had. Be it running, cycling, cross-fit or the next diet fad, I want to warn them. Balance. I want to say something but know how hard it is to hear the message. It’s healthy; right? I was there once. My folks divorced and married new spouses. Dad’s issues were part of why that happened, still everyone gets along. While he still struggles from time to time, he remains the same tender, good man from the long garage talk of my teen years. I know he feels guilty for his addiction and the example it set. But we all have downs. Life is full of challenges.

“All good people do bad things,” my mother once told me. “The bad things don’t necessary make people bad. We should never judge ourselves or others on the bad choices we all make. We should hope to learn from our lessons and keep moving forward.” Dad, you taught me to work hard and pursue my goals — on or off a race course. You taught me to watch and not overly judge. You taught me that when I fall, get back up and keep moving forward. Lastly, you taught me that when I fall again, learn not to repeat the mistake. I hope my three children learn the same core lessons. The race always moves forward. When you don’t give up, you can never fail. - MR -

January / February 2016 Event Calendar

Fri, 1/1/16 Fri, 1/1/16 Fri, 1/1/16

John Daley Memorial One One Run Life Time Fitness Commitment Day 5K Detroit New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resolution Run

4.4MR/W, 2.2MR/W 5KR 5KR/W, 1.5MR/W

Kalamazoo Farmington Lake Orion

(269) 342-5996 gazellesports.com/oneonerun (734) 845-7559 commitmentday.com/detroit/ (248) 693-9742 downtownlakeorion.org

Fri, 1/1/16 Fri, 1/1/16 Fri, 1/1/16

Resolution 5K Resolution Run 5K Sergeant Preston, Yukon King Run

5KR/W 5KR/W 6MR, 5KR/W

Lansing Traverse City Muskegon

(989) 620-1674 (231) 392-2146 (231) 206-5571

Fri, 1/1/16 Fri, 1/1/16 Sat, 1/2/16

Shepherd New Year Resolution 5K SISU Run Cadillac Area YMCA Resolution 5K

5KR 9.5MR 5KR, kids run

Shepherd Marquette Cadillac

ricahoon@gmail.com runsignup.com (906) 361-5059 uprrc.org/calendar.html (231) 775-3369 cadillacareaymca.org

Sat, 1/2/16 Fri, 1/1/16 Sat, 1/2/16

Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company Hair of the Dog 5K Run/Walk Livonia Park Run

training: 6MR, 4.5MR 5KR/W 5KR

Ypsilanti Saugatuck Livonia

mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (269) 857-5001 http://tiny.cc/jom86x (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia

Sat, 1/2/16 Sat, 1/2/16 Sat, 1/2/16

Michigan 6 Hour Relay PR Fitness Group Run Reese Winter Road Race Series

5-7K team relay XC ski 3-20MRR 10KR, 5KR/W

Grayling Ann Arbor Reese

(989)348-9266 (313) 815-4513 (989) 529-7904

hansonhills.org prfitnessa2.com race-mrm.com

Sat, 1/2/16 Sat, 1/2/16 Sun, 1/3/16

run Frosty run Prediction 5K Yankee Springs Winter Challenge Dirty Herd Trail Run

Watervliet Middleville Grand Rapids

(269) 876-0710 (616) 54001987 (616) 940-9888

swmiracers.org yankeespringstrailrun.com gazellesports.com

Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon

4MR, 2MR training: 2MR tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR

Kalamazoo Ypsilanti Bloomfield Twp.

(616) 940-9888 gazellesports.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (248) 282-4300 indoortri.com

Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16

Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon

tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR

Canton Commerce Twp. Novi

(734) 394-2800 (248) 960-0955 (248) 734-0100

indoortri.com indoortri.com indoortri.com

Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16 Sun, 1/3/16

Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon Life Time Fitness Indoor Triathlon

tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR tri: 10minS/ 30minB/ 20minR

Rochester Hills Shelby Twp. Troy

(586) 532-1300 (586) 532-1300 (248) 267-1000

indoortri.com indoortri.com indoortri.com

Sun, 1/3/16 Tue, 1/5/16 Tue, 1/5/16

U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships - 4 days 10K, 15K, 30K XC Ski Downtown Detroit Run / Walk - Vivios 4-6M training runs Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company training: 6MR, 4MR

Houghton Detroit Ypsilanti

(906-487-3070 nordicchampionship.org (734) 683-5568 detroitdowntownrunners.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Tue, 1/5/16 Tue, 1/5/16 Thu, 1/7/16

Poker Run PR Fitness Group Run Hansons Group Run - Thursdays

untimed treadmill 4-8MR

Shelby Twp. Ann Arbor Royal Oak

(906) 280-2983 (313) 815-4513 (248) 616-9665

lifetimefitness.com prfitnessa2.com hansons-running.com

Thu, 1/7/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series

track & field: distance classic

Warren

(734) 649-2091

mitstrack.org

prediction runs: 10KR, 5KR 50MR, 50KR, 25KR, 10KR, 10K snowshoe 4MR, 2MR

michiganrunner.net

Michigan Runner

runningfoundation.com www.pbandjmkt.com sgtprestonrun.com

January / February 2016

January / February 2016 Event Calendar Thu, 1/7/16 Thu, 1/7/16 Fri, 1/8/16

PR Fitness Group Run Workout Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

speed training 5KR hs track & field

Ann Arbor Rochester Ann Arbor

Fri, 1/8/16 Sat, 1/9/16 Sat, 1/9/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series Cross Country Winter Trail Days Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company

hs track & field XC Ski & snowshoe Cinic training: 6MR, 4MR

Mt. Pleasant Thompsonville Ypsilanti

(734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org (800) 968-7686 crystalmountain.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Sat, 1/9/16 Sat, 1/9/16 Sat, 1/9/16

LIvonia Park Run LIvonia Park Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

5KR 5KR hs track & field

LIvonia LIvonia Allendale

(734) 642-6664 (734) 642-6664 616-895-3042

parkrun.us/livonia parkrun.us/livonia mitstrack.org

Sat, 1/9/16 Sat, 1/9/16 Sat, 1/9/16

PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 12MR, 10MR, 8MR, 6MR Ann Arbor REI Frosty Freestyle Cross Country Ski Race 15K X-C Ski; 5K X-C Ski, kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race Brighton SISU Ski Festival 42K/ 21K/ XC ski, kids XC ski Ironwood

(313) 815-4513 (248) 535-9351 (715) 254-4104

prfitnessa2.com www.nordicskiracer.com sisuskifest.com

Sat, 1/9/16 Sun, 1/10/16 Sun, 1/10/16

The Ididarun 8 Mile Challenge Dirty Herd Trail Run Dirty Herd Trail Run

8MR, 8M relay 4MR, 2MR 4MR, 2MR

Linden Grand Rapids Kalamazoo

(810) 429-9568 (616) 940-9888 (616) 940-9888

http://tiny.cc/nwh46x gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Sun, 1/10/16 Sun, 1/10/16 Tue, 1/12/16

Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company NordicSkiRacer.com Krazy Klassic Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company

training: 2MR 8K-12K XC Ski-Classic training: 6MR, 4MR

Ypsilanti Brighton Ypsilanti

mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (734) 531-8747 krazyklassic.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Tue, 1/12/16 Tue, 1/12/16 Thu, 1/14/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run PR Fitness Group Run Workout

field: hj, sp, pv 4-8MR speed training

Grand Rapids Ann Arbor Ann Arbor

616-895-3042 (313) 815-4513 (313) 815-4513

Thu, 1/14/16 Fri, 1/15/16 Sat, 1/16/16

Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run Cote Dame Marie Loppet Kids Race Auto Show 5K

5KR kids XC ski races 5KR/W

Rochester Grayling Detroit

Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16

Freeze Your Fanny 5K Run/Walk Frigid Five K Gazelle Sports / New Balance Elite Mile

5KR/W 5KR/W HS 1MR

Bay City Niles Allendale

(989) 832.2267 (269) 684-2000 (734) 649-2091

Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16

Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company Livonia Park Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

training: 6MR, 4MR 5KR track & field

Ypsilanti Livonia Allendale

mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (734) 642-6664 parkrun.us/livonia (734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org

Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series Michigan Indoor Track Series Michigan Indoor Track Series

hs track & field track & field, hs track & field

Ann Arbor Grand Rapids Hillsdale

(734) 649-2091 (734) 649-2091 (734) 649-2091

Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16 Sat, 1/16/16

OPC Indoor Triathlon Portland Winter Run PR Fitness Group Run

tri: 20minS/ 20minB/ 20minR Rochester (248) 608-0251 facebook.com/events/391415887674312/ 5KR/W Portland (517) 526-2210 runningfoundation.com 20MR, 12MR, 10MR, 8MR, 6MR Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Sat, 1/16/16 Sun, 1/17/16 Sun, 1/17/16

Winter Wolf Run Cote Dame Marie Loppet Dirty Herd Trail Run

15MR, 2 person relay 30K, 15K XC Ski 4MR, 2MR

Omer Grayling Grand Rapids

(989) 529-2906 (989) 348-9266 (616) 940-9888

Sun, 1/17/16 Sun, 1/17/16 Tue, 1/19/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company

4MR, 2MR training: 2MR training: 6MR, 4MR

Kalamazoo Ypsilanti Ypsilanti

(616) 940-9888 gazellesports.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Tue, 1/19/16 Tue, 1/19/16 Thu, 1/21/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

field: hj, sp, pv 4-8MR track & field,

Grand Rapids Ann Arbor Ypsilanti

(734) 649-2091 (313) 815-4513 (734) 649-2091

Thu, 1/21/16 Thu, 1/21/16 Fri, 1/22/16

PR Fitness Group Run Workout Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run Junior Noque

speed training 5KR 1-5K XC Ski

Ann Arbor Rochester Marquette

Fri, 1/22/16

Michigan indoor Track Series

hs track & field

Ann Arbor

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

michiganrunner.tv

(313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub (734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org

mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.com prfitnessa2.com

(248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub (989) 348-9266 www.hansonhills.org (517) 347-7891 michiganfitness.org barc-mi.com www.nilesf5k.com mitstrack.org

mitstrack.org mitstrack.org mitstrack.org

witchywolfrun.com graylingnordic.com gazellesports.com

mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.co mitstrack.org

(313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub (906) 235-6861 noquemanon.com (734) 649-2091

mitstrack.org

January / February 2016 Event Calendar

Sat, 1/23/16

Bigfoot Snowshoe Race

(734) 929-9027

runsnow.com

Sat, 1/23/16 Sat, 1/23/16 Sat, 1/23/16

Noquemanon 15M Snowshoe 15M snowshoe Marquette Noquemanon Ski Races - 2 days 12-50K XCSki, Adaptive/Sit Ski, Relay, 20K snowbike Marquette PR Fitness Group Run 20MR, 12MR, 10MR, 8MR, 6MR Ann Arbor

(906) 249-1331 (866) 370-7223 (313) 815-4513

noquemanon.com noquemanon.com prfitnessa2.com

Sat, 1/23/16 Sun, 1/24/16 Sun, 1/24/16

Tip Up Town 5K Run/Walk Brooksie Way’s Chill at the Mill 5K Dave’s 10 Mile Shoe Run

5KR/W 5KR/W 10 MR, 5KR

Houghton Lake Rochester Delta

(989) 366-5644 (248) 266-6291 (419) 704-8164

houghtonlakechamber.net thebrooksieway.com davesraces.com

Sun, 1/24/16 Sun, 1/24/16 Sun, 1/24/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run Dirty Herd Trail Run Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company

4MR, 2MR 4MR, 2MR training: 2MR

Grand Rapids Kalamazoo Ypsilanti

(616) 940-9888 gazellesports.com (616) 940-9888 gazellesports.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Sun, 1/24/16 Sun, 1/24/16 Sun, 1/24/16

Noquemanon 10K Snowshoe Polar Bear 5K Snowmans Half Marathon

10K snowshoe 5KR/W 13.1MR/W, 10KR/W, 5KR/W

Marquette Okemos Mt. Pleasant

(906) 249-1331 (517) 853-4608 (989) 317-5889

Tue, 1/26/16 Tue, 1/26/16 Thu, 1/28/16

Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company PR Fitness Group Run Workout PR Fitness Group Run Workout

training: 6MR, 4MR 4-8MR speed training

Ypsilanti Ann Arbor Ann Arbor

mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Thu, 1/28/16 Fri, 1/29/16 Fri, 1/29/16

Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run Michigan Indoor Track Series Michigan Indoor Track Series

5KR hs track & field hs track & field

Rochester Ann Arbor Grand Rapids

Sat, 1/30/16 Sat, 1/30/16 Sat, 1/30/16

Frosty 5K & Merry Mile Frozen Foot Race Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company

5KR/W, 1MW, 5KR/W Team 5 MR/W, kids run training: 6MR, 4MR

Iron Mountain Traverse City Ypsilanti

(906) 774-2256 frostyfk.wix.com/dicsa (231) 933-9242 frozenfootrace.com mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com

Sat, 1/30/16 Sat, 1/30/16 Sat, 1/30/16

Livonia Park Run Michigan Indoor Track Series Muskegon Family YMCA Indoor Triathlon

5KR hs track & field Tri: 15 min S/bike/R, duathlon

LIvonia Hillsdale Muskegon

(734) 642-6664 (734) 649-2091 (231) 578-7300

parkrun.us/livonia mitstrack.org http://tiny.cc/u7l86x

Sat, 1/30/16 Sun, 1/31/16 Sun, 1/31/16

PR Fitness Group Run Dirty Herd Trail Run Dirty Herd Trail Run

20MR, 10MR, 3MR 4MR, 2MR 4MR, 2MR

Ann Arbor Grand Rapids Kalamazoo

(313) 815-4513 (616) 940-9888 (616) 940-9888

prfitnessa2.com gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Sun, 1/31/16 Sun, 1/31/16 Sun, 1/31/16

Grass River Shiver Group Run - Ypsilanti Running Company Hanson Hills Classic

5K & 10K snowshoe training: 2MR 12K XC Ski

Bellaire Ypsilanti Grayling

Sun, 1/31/16 Fri, 2/5/16 Sat, 2/6/16

PoHo Hot Cocoa 8K Run/ 5K Walk Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve Groundhog Gallop

10MR, 10KR, 5KR, 1MR, kids run Port Huron 4.3 MR, snowshoe run Grand Rapids 5KR/W, Kid’s Run Jackson

(810) 824-3272 (616) 293-3145 (517) 784-5444

elitefeetrunning.com groundhogmarathon.com runsignup.com

Tue, 2/2/16 Tue, 2/2/16 Tue, 2/2/16

Downtown Detroit Run / Walk - Vivio’s Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run

4-6M training runs field: hj, sp, pv 4-8MR

Detroit Grand Rapids Ann Arbor

(734) 673-5568 616-895-3042 (313) 815-4513

detroitdowntownrunners.com mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.com

Thu, 2/4/16 Thu, 2/4/16 Thu, 2/4/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run Workout Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run

track & field, speed training 5KR

Ypsilanti Ann Arbor Rochester

(734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

Alpenfrost Frosty 5K Run/Walk Break the Ice 5K Run/Walk

5KR/W 5KR/W, kids run

Gaylord South Haven

(989) 619-4908 gaylordalpenfrost.com (269) 906-0121 southhavenmi.com/pages/IceBreaker

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

Heart & Sole 5K Hot Chocolate Hustle

Sat, 1/23/16 Sat, 1/23/16 Sat, 1/23/16

Fri, 2/5/16

Sat, 2/6/16

Hiawatha Invitational - 2 days Livonia Park Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

10K, 5K snowshoe

2 - 10K XC Ski 5KR hs track & field

Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve

Groundhog Day Marathon

Traverse City

Sault Ste. Marie, ON Livonia Saginaw

4.3MR

soofinnishnordic.com parkrun.us/livonia mitstrack.org

noquemanon.com http://tiny.cc/7zl86x michiganhalfseries.com

(248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub (734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org (734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org

(231) 533-8314 grassriver.org/grass-river-shiver-5k.html mike@ypsirunning.com ypsirunning.com (989) 348-9266 hansonhills.org

Grand Rapids (616) 293-3145 groundhogmarathon.com

26.2MR, 13.1MR

Grand Rapids (616) 293-3145 groundhogmarathon.com

5KR/W, kids run 5KR/ 1MW

michiganrunner.net

(705) 759-0626 (734) 642-6664 (734) 649-2091

Alma Adrian

(989) 330-2430 (517) 263-2911

Michigan Runner

runsignup.com www.adriansef.com

January / February 2016

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

Livonia Park Run Man vs Mountain 5K Run

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

(734) 642-6664 (989)779-5331

parkrun.us/livonia mt-pleasant.org/mvm

Maple Syrup Stampede 20K XC Ski-skating; 7K XC Ski-classic Michigan Adventure Race - Winter Edition up to 3 hr adventure Michigan Indoor Track Series hs track & field

St. Joseph Island, ON (705) 759-0626 Rockford (616) 460-9331 Saginaw (734) 649-2091

soofinnishnordic.com miadventurerace.com mitstrack.org

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

Paczki Run PR Fitness Group Run Reese Winter Road Race Series

5KR 20MR, 10MR, 3MR 10KR, 5KR/W

Hamtramck Ann Arbor Reese

(248) 766-6485 (313) 815-4513 (989) 529-7904

tour-de-troit.org prfitnessa2.com race-mrm.com

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

The Frostbite Tortoise and Hare Winter Challenge USATF 100 Mile Trail Championships

10KR, 5KR/W 3 hour limit, 2K loops 100MR

Fremont Ann Arbor Huntsville, TX

(231) 924-6045 (734) 623-9640

fremontxc.com tortoiseandhare.com usatf.org

Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16 Sat, 2/6/16

USATF Cross Country Championships White Pine Stampede Winterlaufe

6KR, 8KR, 12KR 40K, 20K, 10K XC Ski 8KR/W

Bend, OR Mancelona Frankenmuth

(231) 587-8812 (989) 860-3388

usatf.org whitepinestampede.org www.winterlaufe.org

Sun, 2/7/16 Sun, 2/7/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run Dirty Herd Trail Run

4MR, 2MR 4MR, 2MR

Grand Rapids Kalamazoo

(616) 940-9888 (616) 940-9888

gazellesports.com gazellesports.com

Sun, 2/7/16 Tue, 2/9/16 Wed, 2/10/16

Super Bowl 5K PR Fitness Group Run Bumper Run

5KR/W 4-8MR 6 MR

Okemos Ann Arbor Shelby Township

(517) 702-0226 (313) 815-4513 (248) 701-4036

Thu, 2/11/16 Thu, 2/11/16 Thu, 2/11/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run Workout Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run

track & field, speed training 5KR

Ypsilanti Ann Arbor Rochester

Fri, 2/12/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series Bon Soo Lantern Ski Cupidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Undie Run

hs track & field 4k ski tour 1.2MR

Ann Arbor (734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org Sault St. Marie, Ont. (705) 759-0626 soofinnishnordic.com Detroit (586) 322-8612 cupidsundierun.com/city/detroit/

Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16

Frosty Five Trail Run Gun Lake Winterfest Junior VASA

5MR 5MR/W/Snowshoe/Ski kids 6K ski

Adrian Shelbyville Traverse City

(517) 266-6344 (616) 540-1987 (231) 938-4400

runningwithes.com yankeespringstrailrun.com www.vasa.org

Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16

Leelanau Outdoor Center Snowshoe Stampede 5K snowshoe, 1M snowshoe Livonia Park Run 5KR Marysville Police Department K9 Unit 5K Fundraiser 5KR

Maple City LIvonia Marysville

(231) 334-3808 (734) 642-6664 (810) 364-6300

locprograms.org parkrun.us/livonia http://tiny.cc/zem86x

Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series North American VASA Pentwater Snowman Scram 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

track & field Saginaw 50K ski, 27K ski, 12K ski, 6K ski Traverse City 5KR/W, 1MR Pentwater

(734) 649-2091 (231) 633-1054 (231) 869-4100

mitstrack.org www.vasa.org goracego.com

Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16

Petoskey Winter Carnival 5K Run Run PR Fitness Group Run Run Broadway

5KR/W, 1KR/W 20MR,10MR, 3MR 2,4,6,8,10MR

Petoskey Ann Arbor Ann Arbor

(231) 348-0388 (313) 815-4513 (734) 662-2400

petoskeydowntown.com/ prfitnessa2.com annarborrunningcompany.com

Sat, 2/13/16 Sat, 2/13/16 Sun, 2/14/16

Sweetheart Race U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon Dirty Herd Trail Run

10KR, 5KR/W, Couple Teams

Flushing Los Angeles, CA Grand Rapids

(810) 487-0954

riverbendstriders.com

(616) 940-9888

gazellesports.com

Sun, 2/14/16 Sun, 2/14/16 Sun, 2/14/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run 4MR, 2MR Hagerty Insurance Gran Travers Cross Country Classic 16K / 6K XC Ski Heart Throb 5K 5KR/W

Kalamazoo Traverse City East Lansing

(616) 940-9888 (231) 633-1054 (248) 660-7390

gazellesports.com nordicskiracer.com http://tiny.cc/2gm86x

Sun, 2/14/16 Mon, 2/15/16 Tue, 2/16/16

IceCube Half Marathon Michigan Indoor Track Series Mardi Gras Burn Fat Tuesday

13.1MR, 10KR. 5KR track & field untimed treadmill

Mt. Pleasant Grand Rapids Shelby Twp.

(989) 317-5889 (734) 649-2091 (906) 280-2983

michiganhalfseries.com mitstrack.org http://tiny.cc/ohm86x

Tue, 2/16/16 Tue, 2/16/16 Wed, 2/17/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run Michigan Indoor Track Series

field: hj, sp, pv 4-8MR track & field - distance fest

Grand Rapids Ann Arbor Warren

616-895-3042 (313) 815-4513 (734) 649-2091

mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.com mitstrack.org

Thu, 2/18/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series

track & field,

Ypsilanti

(734) 649-2091

mitstrack.org

Sun, 2/7/16

5KR 5KR, obstacle

Super 5K

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

5KR/W

4MR, 2MR

michiganrunner.tv

LIvonia Mt. Pleasant

Novi

(734) 929-9027

runsuperbowl.com

runningfoundation.com prfitnessa2.com don.richmond@juno.com

(734) 649-2091 mitstrack.org (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub

January / February 2016 Event Calendar

Thu, 2/18/16 Thu, 2/18/16 Sat, 2/20/16

PR Fitness Group Run Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run Betsie Bay Frozen 5K

6MR, 5MR, 4MR, 3MR 5KR 5KR/W

Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com Rochester (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub Elberta & Frankfort (231) 668-1010 events.bytepro.net/betsie-bay

Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16

Chili-Heart 5K Dragon Run Gazelle Sports / New Balance Elite 3200

5KR/W 5KR/W 3200 meter R

Saint Clair Howell Allendale

Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16

Hot Fudge 5K Run & Walk Livonia Park Run Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk

5KR/W 5KR 5KR/W

Burton Livonia Bay City

(810) 513-3330 (734) 642-6664 (989) 832.2267

hotfudgerun.com parkrun.us/livonia barc-mi.com

Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16 Sat, 2/20/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series PR Fitness Group Run Winter Blast 5K

track & field 20MR, 10MR, 3MR 5KR/W

Allendale Ann Arbor Grandville

(734) 649-2091 (313) 815-4513 (616) 293-1862

mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.com winterblastrun.com

Sun, 2/21/16 Sun, 2/21/16 Sun, 2/21/16

Dirty Herd Trail Run Dirty Herd Trail Run Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run Tutu Run

4MR, 2MR 4MR, 2MR 2.2MR/W

Grand Rapids Kalamazoo Kalamazoo

(616) 940-9888 (616) 940-9888 (269) 532-1220

gazellesports.com gazellesports.com girlsontherunkazoo.org

Sun, 2/21/16 Sun, 2/21/16 Tue, 2/23/16

Last Chance for Boston Marathon 26.2MR, 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR, relay Riverview Winterfest Breakfast and 4 Mile Run 4 MR, 4x1M relay PR Fitness Group Run Workout 4-8MR

Dublin, OH (614) 431-9134 premierraces.com/lastchanceforboston Riverview (313) 550-9336 downriverrunners.org Ann Arbor (313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com

Thu, 2/25/16 Thu, 2/25/16 Fri, 2/26/16

PR Fitness Group Run Workout speed training Rochester Running Club 5K Fun Run 5KR Big Ten Indoor Championships - Men & Women - 2 days track & field meet

Ann Arbor Rochester Geneva, OH

Fri, 2/26/16 Fri, 2/26/16 Sat, 2/27/16

Michigan Indoor Track Series - State Championship - 2 days track & field, Mid American Conference Indoor Championships - 2 days track & field meet Coopersville Outhouse 5K 5KR/W

Grand Rapids Akron, OH Coopersville

(616) 889-8626

mitstrack.org mac-sports.com michianatiming.com

Sat, 2/27/16 Sat, 2/27/16 Sat, 2/27/16

Livonia Park Run 5KR Michigan Indoor Track Series - State Championship - 2 days track & field, PR Fitness Group Run Workout 20MR, 10MR, 3MR

Livonia Grand Rapids Ann Arbor

(734) 642-6664 (734) 649-2091 (313) 815-4513

parkrun.us/livonia mitstrack.org prfitnessa2.com

Sat, 2/27/16 Sun, 2/28/16 Sun, 2/28/16

Walk for Warmth Dirty Herd Trail Run Fight for Air Climb Detroit

5KR/W 4MR, 2MR 70 or 40 floors

Sterling Heights Kalamazoo Detroit

(586) 469-5905 (616) 940-9888 (248) 784-2018

Sun, 2/28/16 Sun, 2/28/16 Sun, 2/28/16

Mable Lake Tour Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon USATF Masters 8 km Championship

XC Ski tour 13.1MR, 10KR, 5KR 8KR

Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (705) 759-0626 soofinnishnordic.com Portage (269) 270-5641 portagewinterblast.wordpress.com Brea, CA usatf.org

Mon, 2/29/16

Night of the Glow - Leap Year 2016

4MR/W

New Boston

michiganrunner.net

chiliheart5k@gmail.com chiliheart5k.com (810) 355-8459 facebook.com/HowellDragonRun (734) 649-2091 gazellesports.com

(313) 815-4513 prfitnessa2.com (248) 497-9340 facebook.com/RochesterRunningClub bigten.cstv.com (734) 649-2091

(734) 507-1789

Michigan Runner

mccsa.macombgov.org/w4w gazellesports.com ClimbDetroit.org

everalracemgt.com

January / February 2016

Running with Tom Henderson

unning Fit in Traverse City is my go-to place to shop when summer is approaching and I need to lay in a three-month supply of deer-fly strips, the sanity-saving bits of tape you affix to the top of your cap during deer-fly season.

Instead of driving you mad buzzing your ears and biting you between Tom Henderson your shoulder blades and on the backs of your thighs and arms as you try to log a few miles on the trails, deer flies for whatever reason bomb the strips first, before they bite, and there they stick, buzzing and struggling but harmless. And biteless. My record for a 5-mile run on a steamy, postthunderstorm day in early summer, when they are most active before the bats and birds have eaten them by the millions, is 38 stuck to a 2x4-inch strip. But it was midweek, which meant I was working in the Detroit area, when I found myself deerfly-less and being besieged while on a run in Bald Mountain State Park. So after my run and after work, I went into a running store on the east side. “I’m looking for deer-fly strips,” I told the salesperson. “You’re looking for what?”

I explained what they were and why they were crucial for trail running.

“Where do you find trails around here?” asked the curious sales — oh, for brevity’s sake, let’s just call him a salesman.

Granted, it was the east side of Detroit, not many trails nearby. But I would assume for the sake of conversation, or being able to answer a question about trails from a curious customer, the salesman would at least know where some trails are.

Apparently he is like one of my colleagues, a marathon runner whose every run starts and finishes at his front door. A run is something to get done with, and why delay the chore any more than necessary by taking the time to drive somewhere before and after?

Or like the venture capitalist I know, a marathoner who works every day in downtown Ann Arbor and had no idea, until I took him there, there’s a wonderful series of connected trails along the Huron River, literally two minutes from his office.

Michigan Runner - January / February 2016

By Tom Henderson

Or like I was when I started running. All my runs started and ended at my front door too. Each 4-mile run followed the same route. Each 7-mile run was identical. As were the 10- and 12-milers. All on concrete sidewalks the entire way. Now? Unless it’s a race, I never run on concrete. All my runs are on trails. Easier on the mind, much easier on the body and not a second wasted on watching out for distracted drivers.

I first started to fall in love with trails in the spring of 1986, if memory serves. It was Randy Step’s 30th birthday (again, if memory serves), I’d started hanging around with a woman in his running club and everyone was invited to join him for a celebratory run on the Bridal Trail at the far western edge of Edward Hines Drive in Northville. Randy was running a mile for each of his years, and folks were invited to run as many 3-mile loops as they wanted. I ran three tough loops. Lots of steep, thigh-busting ups and downs. And lots of grassy pastures and deep forests. I’ve run there ever since and used it for weekly group runs years ago when I was coaching the marathon fundraising team for the American Diabetes Association. I loved converting street runners to trails.

“Where do you find trails around here?” Well, if you love to run as much as I do, and it’s not a chore to get over with as soon as possible, then a great trail is always worth a drive — more so now I can fill the tank at $1.63 a gallon. Here are some favorites: • The aforementioned Bald Mountain State Park, a couple miles north of the Palace in Auburn Hills. Relentless ups and downs, creek crossings if you’ve got a thirsty dog, mostly heavy forest.

• Barton Reserve, just off North Main Street on Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor. Park just off the road and over the bridge across the river to three miles of flat trails that offer easy access to the clear, fast-flowing water on a hot summer day. If you need more miles, cross the river at the next bridge to the west and enter Bird Hills Park, which offers another four or five miles of trails — these very hilly, on a loop that ends up back at your car. • Gallup Park and the Arboretum in Ann Arbor. Park at Gallup, run on the bike path heading west, cut through the hole in the fence along the railroad tracks and head into the Arboretum. Access to the river for thirsty dogs or hot people.

• Kensington Metropark near Milford. Forget the 8mile blacktop bike path that circles the lake. There are miles of dirt trails in the north side of the park, many intersecting with dirt roads that lead in and out of the park, so you can get in a 20-miler without having to do loops. Lots of deer and the occasional coyote. • Maybury State Park. What I love here is there are |

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runner-only trails so you don’t have to worry about bikes. Keep an eye out for morel mushrooms in May and oyster mushrooms in the fall. If you park on the entrance off Beck Road, you’ll find lots of steep hills. Park off the Eight-Mile entrance and it’s flatter. Again, creeks for thirsty dogs. • Belle Isle in the Detroit River. Flat and fast. You can do two miles through the forest in the center of the island, great for tucking out of the ferocious wind of winter, then connect to the three miles or so of bike path that lead to the lighthouse at the eastern end of the island. Cool views of the freighters going by and plenty of spots to jump in the river. Want to see something cool? Dip an empty clear plastic water bottle in the river and fill it. Guess how clear it is? As clear as any water you can buy in the store. Absolutely clear. • Stony Creek Metropark in Washington Township. Park by the beach at the east end and hit several miles of flat trails with lake access. Or park at the mountain bike trails to the west and take on the hills. There are a lot of races held here each year too, so it has become a favorite place to race, with hilly excuses for going slow.

• Rolling Hills Park south of Ypsilanti. It’s free for county residents only, but unless you’re there on summer weekends there’s no one at the gate. I run there a lot and have never had to pay. If you’re into Frisbees, they have a great Frisbee golf course too, so you can do a little cross training.

• The Cranbrook education community just north of Birmingham offers a couple cool running choices. On the west side of the sprawling campus are asphalt bike paths and acres of soccer fields to run around. The east side offers four miles of trails that snake mostly through forest on steep ups and downs, with occasional views of picturesque gardens, a lake and a fastflowing, dog-friendly creek. This serves as a cross-country course in the fall, so if you time things right you can get a run in, then watch the kids go at it.

peaking of Randy Step, he gave the final instructions this year for the Vasa Trail runs in Traverse City. They were held in November this year instead of the usual September.

It was the best day for running in November I can remember. Sunny, warm, no wind, just glorious. He asked the 200 or so runners ready to head off on their 5K, 10K or 25K routes if the race should keep to the November calendar.

I held my peace then. Not now. No! A thousand times NO!! A late-summer run in that woods on those trails is a perfect way to end the season, enough early color in the leaves to let you know what’s coming. Don’t mess with perfect.

- MR -

Online: Photo Gallery Inside January / February 2016 online issue: http://issuu.com michiganrunner/docs/mr0116 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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