Starting Line Newsletter - March 2013

P A G E

THE NEXT STEPS

PIRATE PLUNDER 2-MILE run

P A G E

giving big!

race events generate donations to local community organizations

P A G E

Running Smartly

2 Running Zone The Starting Line

DON & Denise’s Den

Join us for the Long Dogger’s Kid’s Marathon & Half Marathon

In This Issue: Giving Big............................ 3 The Next Steps...................... 3 Running Zone March Special... 3 Running Smartly..................... 4 Save the Date – Corporate 5K........................ 4 Taking It To the Trails.............. 5 Thursday Night Fun Run – March 21............................. 5 Thursday Night Fun Run – March 28............................. 5 Long Doggers Kids Marathon & Half Marathon....................... 6 Skin Problems in Runners........ 9 Gecko Club Members Special................................. 9 Virtually Making a Difference. 10 Active Women Without Monthly Menses: A Cause for Concern.....11

We are less than 6 weeks away from our newest Running Zone Foundation event, the Long Dogger’s Kid’s Marathon & Half Marathon. Kids 12 & younger running a half or full marathon? Has Running Zone gone nuts? We are having a little fun with the wording. A full marathon is 26.2 miles and the half 13.1 miles so we came up with the idea to just move the decimal point one position to the left; 1.31 miles and 2.62 miles and model it off of a real marathon and half marathon.

On April 13, 2013 starting at 7:30am in Ryckman Park, Melbourne Beach, we have our newest event specifically for kids 12 years old and younger. We are excited about our kids only event to be a way to introduce children to the sport of running and walking in a non-intimidating and fun way. We will have awesome medals for every finisher, each designated with the distance they finish. We also are offering the “Double Dog Dare” medal to anyone completing both distances. We think the older children may want to participate in both races.

We also wanted an event where a parent can run

with their children free of charge just by signing a waiver. We know some children may be more comfortable to have mom or dad with them.

Our hope is that if children are introduced to exercise as part of a fun themed events early in life they will want to continue exercising and participating, hopefully their entire life.

The theme is beach fun and Long Doggers! Our beneficiary is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida.

And to add to the theme and a great cause, Dachsund Rescue will be there! Long Doggers and Running Zone Foundation will make it a fun day for all!

We hope you and your children will join us for a new and exciting event.

Beyond Brevard’s Borders..... 13 New Balance March Special.13 Space Coast Galloway Training.............................. 18 The BIG BANG Series Registration Form................. 19 Running Zone Foundation Series Calendar............................ 21 Gecko Club Membership Form................................... 22

3696 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida 32935 321-751-8890

Running Zone’s hope is that if children are introduced to exercise as part of a fun-themed event early in life, they will want to continue. Above left, Finn Sinclair and Bryce Dietrich, both of Merritt Island, duke it out and finish of the Monkey Madness 3K at the Brevard Zoo on March 2.

3 Running Zone The Starting Line

Giving Big!

By Patti Sponsler

April 6th, 2013 at 6:30pm, Meg O’Malley’s

Joe’s Club (Brevard Alzeimers Foundation) CEO Chris Stagman, center, is all smiles after receiving a $2,500 donation from Running Zone Foundation members Denise Piercy, third from left, and Laura Spedick, third from right. Proceeds from the Jingle Bell 2-Miler allowed for this donation as well as additional $1,500 to be donated to Make a Wish Foundation of Central Florida.

It is always better to give than to receive and we want to thank all of the athletes, volunteers and sponsors who gave big in November and December. Thanks to your support of the Jingle Bell 2-Miler and the Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon, Running Zone Foundation was able to donate proceeds of $11,750 right back into our community through the following organizations listed in the table below.

“We love putting on quality events that encourage families, friends and co-work-

ers to get active together,” said Running Zone Foundation Events Manager, Laura Spedick.

“Even better is the impact made back to Brevard made possible by the support of Running Zone Foundation through our events. We are honored to be a part of it.

Every time you support a Running Zone Foundation event, you can feel good knowing that your generosity is helping your friends, families, and neighbors.

Thank you!

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training

500

Space Coast Crew

500

Rockledge Presbyterian Church

1,000

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

500

Gloria Church

1,000 250

Total from Space Coast Marathon and Half-Marathon

$7,750

Joe’s Club – Alzheimer’s Association

$2,500

Make a Wish Foundation – Central Florida

1,500

Total from the Jingle Bell 2-Miler

n Pirate Costume Contest! n Awesome Technical Tees n Fun Race Packets n Great Pirate Awards n Stay around for a Pirate Party in the back of Meg’s with a band and Meg O’Malley costume contest! n Benefits M.O.R.G.A.N. Project!

$4,000

Space Coast Parrotheads

Water Station #2

A fun pirate-themed fun 2 mile run/ walk. Best pirate costume awards.

New location and change to evening race with fun Pirate after party. Random giveaway of a Vero Beach Disney 2 Night stay for 2 to enjoy their Pirate Themed Pool!

$4,000

With the addition of the above proceeds, Running Zone Foundation has been able to donate a total of $24,250 since the 2012-13 racing season began with the Firecracker 5K on July 4.

Purchase any pair of shoes & receive 25% off any insert/orthotic.

4 Running Zone The Starting Line

Running Smartly

by Patti Sponsler

Last Sunday, an incredibly chilling message was posted on Facebook that read: “Hey FB friends...not my style to be too serious on my posts, but this is a message that I really want to convey after my experience in Wickham Park today. NEVER assume that just because you are in a public place in the middle of the day that you are safe. I was just attacked by a man while jogging who lunged at me and tried to pull me into the bushes. Gratefully, I have been in training and was able to juke to the side and run to safety before he could grab me. HUGE thank you to the four Melbourne police units who took me seriously and staked out the park in the blazing sun to chase down and apprehended the creep. Turns out that he has a long history of prior kidnapping, burglary and assault on a minor under the age of 12. I am most definitely pressing charges for attempted kidnapping and hope that my testimony will put him in jail for a while.”

A few days later, Florida Today reported that a nearly 7-foot tall homeless man, 48-yearold John Patrick Fabian, remained in the Brevard County jail for the crime in lieu of $150,000 bond. He did, indeed, have a history of criminal and sexual violence.

We’re not printing this to scare anyone. Instead we’re sharing the story, along with these general running safety tips from Road Runners Club of America, to remind and help everyone to stay safe out there! n DON’T WEAR HEADPHONES. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Your ears may help you avoid dangers your eyes may miss during evening or early morning runs. n Run against traffic so you can observe approaching automobiles. By facing on-coming traffic, you may be able to react quicker than if it is behind you. n Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information. n Always stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you. The more aware you are, the less vulnerable you are. n Carry a cell phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of public phones along your regular route. n Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right”, it isn’t. n Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact

This post on Facebook a few days ago was a chilling reminder that we need to be smart to stay safe while we run. (The victim’s name has been removed on purpose.)

a local RRCA club or running store. Know where open businesses or stores are located in case of emergency. n Run with a partner. Run with a dog. n Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes. n Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes. n Ignore verbal harassment and do not verbally harass others. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving. n Wear reflective material if you must run before dawn or after dark. Avoid running on the street when it is dark. n Practice memorizing license tags or identifying characteristics of strangers.

Carry a noisemaker. Get training in self-defense. n CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day at the largest outdoor office party in the county! Put together a team and have a great time with co-workers, family and friends. A live band, food available and complimentary green beer will be provided! n Get Started (8 Week Training Program) n Fit n’ Fun Training Program Provided n Awesome Office Party (St. Patty’s Day theme) n Celebrate with co-workers, family and friends n FREE T-shirt to all run / walk finishers n Music and post race St. Patty’s Day Party n Strut your corporate colors!

Hosted by Intersil 1650 Robert J. Conlan Blvd., NE Palm Bay, FL For more information about this event and other Corporate Cup Wellness Initiative events throughout the year contact: Running Zone Foundation Events Manager, Laura Spedick: laura@runningzone.com

5 Running Zone The Starting Line

Taking it to the Trails

by Patti Sponsler

Twenty years ago, Melbourne’s Matt Mahoney would lope along beside the rest of the Pine’s Plodders during the Sunday morning long runs on Tropical Trail and beyond. What made Matt standout, however, was the fact that he would often trot on the grass instead of the pavement; ducking branches and jumping the occasional stump or rock as the miles flew by. The Ph.D, who now works for Ocarina Networks, was well ahead of his time with his trail running fascination.

“My first trail race was the Pikes Peak Ascent half-marathon in 1993,” he said. “My second trail race was the Pikes Peak marathon the next day.”

Mahoney spends a good chunk of his

Trail Running Resources n Locations and description of all of Brevard’s trails protected and maintained by the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program: http://www.brevardcounty.us/ eelprogram/home n Space Coast Trail Running on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386508 801419863/?sid=0.06796837039291859 n Florida Trail Running (including race calendar): http://www.trailrunner.com n American Trail Running Association: http://www.trailrunner.com n USA Track & Field Mountain/Ultra/Trail http://www.usatf.org/groups/MountainUltraTrail/ n Trail Runner Magazine – “one dirty magazine”: http://www.trailrunnermag.com

Don’t forget to set your

clocks 1 hour ahead on March 10. After the time change, Running Zone

Fun Runs will start at 6:00pm.

vacation each year running some of the country’s toughest and longest trail events such as Hardrock 100 and Leadville 100. He is also ranked in the Colorado Fourteener Climbers rankings as having scooted up 53 of Colorado’s 54 mountains that are higher than 14,000 feet.

In Melbourne, though, Mahoney is a regular at most road races, often running two on the same day if the timing is right.

“I like both roads and trails,” he said.

“Most of my races are on roads just because that is where most races are.”

The times, however, they are a-changin’.

(Sorry Bob Dylan!)

Many of our local runners are catching on to what Matt discovered decades ago and athletes from Mims to Malabar are stepping out of the sometimes rut of the road to discover new challenges.

“It is so much fun and so different from road running,” said Rockledge’s Kati Craig.

“There is so much sensory input. Think about when you’re on the road, there’s not a lot to think about and your gait is pretty standard.

On the trail you have to watch the terrain so you don’t trip. It is a lot more technical and much more lateral movement. You have to adjust for tree branches, rocks, snakes and

Enchanted Forest Trail Run Jan.: Matt Mahoney and Cyndi Bergs watch their steps during the Enchanted Forest Trail Run 10K on Jan. 6 in Titusville.

animals.”

It didn’t take long before Craig was addicted.

“I love it so much I started looked for trail races and last year did Dances with Dirt in Dade City,” said Craig, who took third continues on page 6

6 Running Zone The Starting Line

Taking it to the Trails

continued from page 5

Kati Craig’s love for the trails has led the Rockledge Nurse Practitioner to competing in ultra distance trail runs.

overall and won the women’s marathon by more than 18 minutes. “Right after that I did my first ultra trail run – 52 miles. After those two races I was hooked and all I did was sniff out trails.”

Indialantic’s Robin Moran loves how trail running challenges her fitness level, but especially, how interacting with nature affects her emotionally and spiritually.

“Trail running is a combination of exhilaration and peacefulness,” she said. “There is a heightened level of focus as you traverse your way through the various terrestrial challenges on the trail; jumping over roots, pounding through sand, ducking under branches and floating along on pine needles. And yet there is this overwhelming feeling that you are part

Robin Moran, in third white visor from the left, poses after a group trail run in December. Robin’s favorite local trails include Turkey Creek and the Malabar Scrub Sanctuary, “which has expanded its trail system to include more than 10 miles of well-marked and maintained trails.”

of the natural world and you belong out there embracing it with all your being.”

In addition to being just plain old fun, Craig, a Nurse Practitioner, pointed out how tromping the trails will help you on the roads.

“Going off-road strengthens your ankles, hips and core,” she said. “It’s very good for making you a more efficient road runner.”

It’s easy to find a trail if you live locally.

The Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program has developed and maintains miles of them throughout the County

– some of which include bathrooms and/or water. We’ve attached one of their flyers at the end of this story and you can also go on-line to see the complete list and descriptions at http:// www.brevardcounty.us/eelprogram/home

The number of trail races locally and nearby is also starting to blossom. In January, the inaugural Enchanted Forest 5K and 10K kicked off in Titusville. (To get a flavor of the race or to spot your friends, check out the short YouTube video posted by Scott Milliron at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=m2SHY9wSJTA

Check out local race calendars like Running Zone’s http://www.runningzone.com/ calendar2 to find a nearby trail event!

Here are a few tips to get you started and we’ve listed some on-line resources that will help you with all your questions. n Begin gradually and start on mostly flat, level dirt-packed trails. Limit the amount of time on the trail to let your soft tissues adjust to new surfaces. n Expect to be slower as the softer surface will naturally slow you down. n Muscles and tendons continually adjust on uneven surfaces so it’s common to feel some soreness in new places when you begin. n Adjust your stride. To prevent tripping over roots and rocks, lift your feet – especially your toes. n Keep your gaze on the trail – about 10 feet ahead – to avoid any obstacles. n Take a buddy and a cell phone with you, especially on a trail that is new to you. continues on page 7

Micco Road, Micco, FL Park at the trailhead on the north side of Micco Road, between Babcock Street and the I-95 crossover. Follow the 3.5 mile marked loop trail through the pine flatwoods habitats.

No bathrooms are available.

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

• Have fun

• Be respectful

• Horses should have the right of way

• Runners yield to hikers and horses

• Hikers yield to horses

• Bikers yield to hikers, runners & horses

Refer to the chart above as a good guide for proper trail etiquette.

Remember that the faster users should always yield to the slower users unless there is a horse involved.

Many of our local trails are multi-use trails that allow for a variety of recreational uses.

Encouraging all users to remember proper trail etiquette, will help to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience on the trails.

Sharing The Trails

Many of these local nature sanctuaries provide excellent trail running opportunities for those who enjoy mixing their passion of running with their love of nature.

In 1990 and again in 2004 Brevard County voters approved two property tax referendums to preserve the county’s natural heritage and biological diversity for future generations to enjoy.

NATURE SANCTUARIES

Taking it to the Trails

Micco Scrub Sanctaury

Maritime Hammock Sanctaury 6200 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL Park at the north trailhead on the west side of A1A along the paved bike path. The trail heads west towards the river, and turns north along the shoreline. From the pond, the trail loops back to the south along the shoreline dike road. Cross over the canal to the left, and continue back to A1A. Follow the paved bike path north back to the trailhead. (5k loop) Hours: Dawn to Dusk

AT BREVARD COUNTY

TRAIL RUNNING

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continues on page 8

Fox Lake Sanctuary 4400 Fox Lake Road, Titusville, FL Trail starts at the trailhead at the south end of the park near the Cheryl K. Page pavilion. The trail is mostly shaded with nice views of Fox and South Lakes. The trail passes through oak hammocks, bay tree forests, pine flatwoods and scrub ridges. The first few hundred yards of the trail passes through private property, so please stay on the marked trail and respect the signs. Bathrooms are available at the park. (5 mile loop with longer options).

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Scottsmoor Flatwoods Sanctuary 4055 Magoon Ave. Scottsmoor, FL Trail starts on the north and south sides of Parrish Park Scottsmoor. The trail passes through open pine flatwoods, and some shaded hammocks in the south end. Great location for cool weather running.

Bathrooms are available at the park.

(6 mile loop).

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Jordan Scrub

For trail maps go to:

Micco Scrub

Maritime Hammock

Malabar Scrub

Pine Island

Enchanted Forest

http://www.brevardcounty.us/eelprogram/home

Fox Lake

Scottsmoor Flatwoods

Trail Locations

Jordan Scrub Sanctuary 2425 Marie Street Malabar, FL Park at the small trailhead on the left side of Marie Street, south of Malabar Rd. after it turns to dirt.

From the trailhead, follow the main trail to the east, and then south through the main portion of sanctuary and the interior lakes.

No bathrooms are available. (3.4 mi. loop) Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary 1501 Malabar Woods Blvd. Malabar, FL Park at the bathrooms at Malabar Community Park, and access the trail by entering the main gate of the Sanctuary on the old concrete road. Take your first left onto the trail and continue around the west side of the pond. Follow the trails north and westward through the Cameron Preserve, to the trails on the western portion of the sanctuary. This is a popular mountain biking area. (2 to 10 mile loops).

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Pine Island Conservation Area 6195 N. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL The best access is from the Sams House Education Center on North Tropical Trail.

4.5 miles of trail pass through oak and palm hammocks, dirt access roads, and pine flatwoods. The trail can also be accessed from the main gate at the end of Pine Island Road. Bathrooms are available at the Sams House. (2.5 to 7 mile options)

Enchanted Forest Sanctaury 444 Columbia Blvd. , Titusville, FL Trail starts at the south end of the parking lot at the environmental education center.

A 5k route is marked with yellow diamonds with black arrows. Bathrooms are located in the education center. (5k loop) Hours: Dawn to Dusk

Taking it to the Trails

For questions, concerns, or to report a problem, call 321-255-4466.

The following trail locations provide great opportunities for trail running and hiking.

These particular trails have been identified because they offer great natural scenery, compacted trail surfaces with very little “sugar sand”, and some shade from the Florida sun. All trails are unimproved wilderness hiking trails.

Please remember to run with a friend, and always let someone else know where you’re going. Be prepared for hot conditions, run with water and be respectful of other trail users and the wildlife.

Trail Descriptions

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Skin Problems in Runners

by Richard C. Wilson, DPM, Melbourne Podiatry Associates

To those of you who were grossed out by my last article on toenail problems, I have great news: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Today’s article features more disgusting conditions such as warts, athlete’s foot, and rashes.

Rashes, or inflammation of the skin, can occur anywhere on the body and can have literally hundreds of causes. Many different rashes occur on the feet and their appearances there can be quite different from those on other parts of the body. These conditions are so varied and interesting that a whole subspecialty organization of podiatry exists to study them (American Society of Podiatric Dermatology).

Of the rashes that affect the feet in runners, the most common by far is the condition known as “athlete’s foot”. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin. Its medical name is “tinea pedis”. It is extremely common in runners and other athletes. There are two varieties, the acute and chronic forms. The acute form presents as painful, itchy blisters and redness that usually affect the skin on the bottom of the arch and between the toes. This is the most common type in runners and is related to excessive sweating or moisture within the shoe. The chronic type of tinea pedis is a dry, scaling rash on the soles and sides of the foot in a classic “moccasin distribution” (like the outline of wearing a moccasin). This type usually affects older people and is often associated with fungal nail disease.

Treatment of acute tinea pedis involves using either over-the-counter or prescription strength anti fungal creams. Proper drying of the feet, particularly between the toes, is also important. Since the fungal spores that caused the condition can survive in the shoe and re-infect the foot the next day, it is important to use an anti fungal powder or spray in the shoe each day. Treatment of excessive sweating of the foot, to be discussed later, is important in many cases.

Treatment of chronic tinea pedis usually involves a prescription anti fungal lotion, and sometimes even oral anti fungal medication.

This oral medication will also treat the fungus nails, which are often associated with the skin disease.

Another common skin condition in runners is the wart, or “verruca”. Warts are

Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection extremely common in runners and is related to excessive sweating or moisture within the shoe.

A Plantar wart on the foot is often painful due to weight bearing. As with Athlete’s Foot, excessive sweating can predispose skin to wart infection.

thickened, often elevated growths of the skin caused by viral infection. They can occur anywhere on the body. Those on the legs, arms, etc. are called “common warts” or “verruca vulgaris” and are usually not painful.

However, those on the sole of the foot are often painful due to weight bearing. These are called “plantar warts”, or “verruca plantaris”.

Wart viruses are everywhere in the environment. A small injury in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, can allow wart viruses to enter the deeper layers of the skin and cause the infection. The wart then develops its own blood and nerve supply, acting like a grotesque little parasite on the skin. As with athlete’s foot, excessive sweating can predispose skin to wart infection. Warts can be contagious, especially if an infected person shares shoes with someone.

Treatment of warts is usually conservative. Topical over-the-counter or prescription medications are often effective. In more resistant cases, destroying the wart with freezing, burning, chemocautery, laser, or surgery, may be necessary. Control of excessive sweating is also important.

Regarding perspiration, some runners produce too much. This condition is called “hyperhidrosis”. This can predispose a runner to athlete’s foot and warts as previously mentioned. It can also lead to blisters. Finally, it can lead to excessively “smelly” feet, or “bromhidrosis”. This results from the interaction of sweat with surface bacteria of the skin. Control of hyperhidrosis involves using wicking socks, absorbent foot powders, and occasionally, a prescription strength topical liquid.

In summary, remember that many of the

skin conditions affecting runners are related to excessive moisture. Control of this should decrease the chances of developing these problems. As with all foot problems, seek professional help if the condition does not respond to simple, self-treatment measures.

Dr. Wilson, a Melbourne native and Florida Gator, earned his doctorate degree from the Illinois College of podiatric Medicine in Chicago. After completing a surgical residence in Chicago, Dr. Wilson returned to Melbourne where he has been practicing with Melbourne Podiatry Associates for 30 years. The good doctor is passionate about his profession; running – a sport in which he has reveled for more than 45 years – and writing, particularly about all things running and foot related.

10 Running Zone The Starting Line

Virtually Making a Difference

by Patti Sponsler

Do you ever read about all the cool things others do on Making a Difference Day and then feel guilty because maybe you didn’t do anything?

Now is your chance to change that.

On September 23, 2011, 40-year-old Jason Whitworth received a devastating diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the progressive degeneration of motor neurons sends the body into a horrifying downward spiral of paralysis and death.

“I went in fully expecting to hear that I had Parkinson’s or MS and I was prepared to tell my family about it,” the former West Shore Junior/Senior high school physical education teacher and cross-country coach was quoted as saying. “I was not prepared for this.”

At the end of the 2011-12 school year - just nine months after his diagnosis - the father-of-two, who had long loved to run and surf, was wheelchair bound and partially paralyzed. The illness forced him to take a medical retirement from the profession he had so passionately lived.

“By then he had lost all use of his right arm and partial use of his left arm,” said

Gayle, Jason’s wife of 20 years. “Both of his legs were starting to go and he was already having issues with his breathing.”

Before transferring to West Shore six years earlier, Jason had spent a decade teaching and coaching at St. Joseph Catholic School in Palm Bay as well as coaching at Melbourne Central Catholic.

For 15 years, the two schools had actively supported Make a Difference Day through multiple community projects. The decision about where to focus their 2012 efforts was an easy one and soon the “Jason’s Run 5K” was inked on the calendar for Oct. 27.

Jason Whitworth loved coaching and being

“Jason had made such a difference in active before he was stricken with ALS. his 16 years of teaching and a lot of people wanted to help him,” said Mary Loschiavo, a race and 400 people come to dinner,” said coordinator of the project that also included a Loschiavo. “There were about 800 individupost-race meal provided by Carrabba’s Italian als who supported us as not everyone came to Grill. “They needed help with house alteraboth events.” tions and medical expenses.”

Perhaps even more amazing was the fact

The day truly made a difference as that the project – one of thousands completed $25,400 was raised for the Whitworths. across the country that day - was one of only

“The money is a great help,” said Gayle. five nominated for the Make A Difference “But more than that was Jason seeing the sup- Day All-Star Award. The Gannett Foundation port from the community. That did more than and USA WEEKEND will give $10,000 to the anything.” continues on page 11

“We had 529 runners and walkers at the

11 Running Zone The Starting Line

Virtually Making a Difference winning project’s charity of choice.

And this is where we all can make a difference.

Between March 1 and March 10, we can show our support for this effort by logging on to www.makeadifferenceday.com and voting for “Melbourne (Fla.) Central Catholic High and St. Joseph Catholic School, Palm Bay”.

Individuals can vote once a day. Should this project receive the most votes and win, the recipient of the donation will be the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association (Fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

The burden of the disease is taking its toll on the Whitworth family.

Jason is now a quadriplegic who relies on a ventilator to make him breathe. The family has initiated Vitas Hospice to come in to help as the amount of care has become too great for Gayle – even with the rotating efforts of her mother and mother-in-law during the day while she is at work.

“We are living in a new normal and it has made things very different,” said Gayle.

“Our son, who will be 12 this month, can’t understand why we can’t ‘just be us’ again.

Both our son and daughter miss doing all the things they used to do with their father. It’s very hard.”

Gayle is hoping a project win will help

continued from page 10

Jason (seated in background) was overwhelmed by the love and support shown for he and his family during last year’s Oct. 27 Jason’s Run 5K. 529 runners and walkers came out to raise money for the popular coach. The race and post-race Carrabba’s feast was part of the Make A Difference Day project initiated by St. Joseph Catholic School and Melbourne Central Catholic High.

give a voice to fight ALS.

“We really want to raise awareness about ALS,” she said. “I had a grandmother and aunt who had breast cancer. There are so many organizations to help and I support that.

But no one knows about ALS or how it af-

fects the whole family. We’d want the money directed toward research. Diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s have lots of drugs to fight them but ALS only has one and that one only

extends life two or three months.”

Please make a difference and vote!

The Athlete’s Kitchen

Active Women without Monthly Menses: A Cause for Concern Nancy Clark MS, RD, CSSD

Hey ladies, has your monthly “visitor” stopped coming? Some active women feel relieved when they no longer get a monthly menstrual period. (Yes! More freedom, less discomfort, no more cramps.) They may believe having no period is a sign they are training hard, like a real athlete. Others believe they have stopped menstruating because they are exercising too much or have too little body fat. No. Many very thin athletes who exercise hard have regular menses.

Absence of periods (called amenorrhea) can be linked to serious health problems, including loss of calcium from the bones, almost a three times higher incidence of stress fractures today and long-term problems with osteoporosis in the not-too-distant future. If you should want to start a family, amenorrhea interferes with the ability to conceive easily,

and can also contribute to future problems with infertility (even though normal menses may have returned).

Amenorrhea is not sport-specific. Sports that emphasize lightness (ballet, running) have the highest prevalence. Up to 44% of these athletes may experience amenorrhea (as compared to 2% to 5% of women in the general population). The question arises: among a team of female athletes, why do some of the women experience menstrual problems and others don’t? The answer may relate to nutrition. Woman with amenorrhea commonly under-eat. Their bodies have inadequate fuel to support the menstrual process, to say nothing of nurture a baby. Under famine-like conditions, menstruation can stop to conserve energy.

If you among the estimated 20% of ac-

Amenorrhea is part of The Female Athlete Triad that creates undesired health issues.

tive women who have missed three or more consecutive menstrual periods and are experiencing amenorrhea, please stop rejoicing continues on page 12

12 Running Zone The Starting Line

The Athlete’s Kitchen

continued from page 11

Up to 44% of female athletes who participate in sports that emphasize lightness (ballet, running) have the highest prevalence of amenorrhea.

and go see your gynecologist. Amenorrhea is abnormal. It can be a red flag for body image problems (i.e., claiming to feel fat even when emaciated), an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and restrictive eating. Amenorrhea is part of The Female Athlete Triad, along with low bone mineral density/stress fractures, and restrictive eating patterns/eating disorders. Amenorrhea can create undesired health issues.

Resolving the problem

If you no longer get regular menstrual periods and feel as though you are struggling to balance food and exercise, please get a nutrition check-up with a sports dietitian as well as a medical check-up with your doctor or gynecologist. To find a sports dietitian in your area, use the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics referral networks at www.SCANdpg.org or www.eatright.org.

The most important change required to resume menses includes matching your energy intake with your energy output, so you eat enough to support both exercise and normal body functions. Historically, doctors gave the birth control pill to women with amenorrhea; this forced menstrual bleeding. But taking the birth control pill is a “Band-Aid approach” and does not resolve the underlying problem.

You are likely eating too few calories if you are hungry all the time and think about food too much. You can achieve energy balance by exercising a little less (add a rest day) and by eating a little more (add a healthy snack or two). Your goal is to consume about 15 calories per pound of body weight that you do not burn off with exercise. That means, if you weigh 100 pounds, you may need to eat ~1,500 calories to maintain your weight

Amenorrhea is abnormal and can be a red flag for body image problems, an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and restrictive eating.

PLUS another 500 to 800 calories to replace the fuel you burned while training. That totals 2,000-2,300 calories for the entire day, a scary amount of food for some women.

Tips for resolving the issue

If eating this much sounds overwhelming to you, the following tips may help you get “back on the healthy track.”

1. Take a vacation from dieting.

If you cannot let go of your compulsion to lose weight, at least be less restrictive. Cut back on your eating by only 100 to 200 calories at the end of the day, not by 500 to 1,000 calories during the active part of your day. Small deficits can result in losing excess body fat and are far more sustainable than the food chaos that accompanies starving-stuffing patterns.

2. Throw away the bathroom scale.

Rather than striving for a certain number on the scale, let your body achieve a natural weight that is in keeping with your genetics.

3. Eat adequate protein.

When you under-eat, your body burns protein for energy. Some of the protein comes from your diet; for example, the protein in your omelet gets used for fuel instead of

building and repairing muscle. Some of the protein comes from your muscles, hence, you experience muscle wasting and that can lead to weaker bones and stress fractures. A 120-pound athlete should target 60 to 90 g protein per day. If you think your diet might be low in protein, track your food intake at www.supertracker.usda.gov.

4. Eat a calcium-rich food at each meal to help maintain bone density.

Exercise alone is not enough to keep bones strong. Enjoy milk on cereal, low fat cheese on a lunchtime sandwich, a decaf latte in the afternoon, and a yogurt after dinner.

5. Get adequate vitamin D to help with calcium absorption and bone health.

Sunlight on the skin helps make vitamin D. If you are an “indoor runner” (a “treadmill rat”) who gets little sunshine, be sure to choose foods fortified with D (milk, some breakfast cereals), fatty fish like salmon, eggs, and mushrooms. In the winter months, you may need to take a vitamin supplement.

6. Eat at least 20% of your calories from (healthful) fat.

While excess calories from fat are easily fattening, a little fat at each meal (15 to 20 g fat per meal, or 45 to 60 g fat per day) is an important part of a sports diet. You won’t “get fat” by eating fat. Your body uses fat to absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K; these vitamins are important for good health. To boost your intake of healthy fats, sprinkle slivered almonds on cereal, snack on a banana spread with peanut butter, enjoy salmon for dinner, drizzle olive oil on steamed veggies, and add avocado to your turkey sandwich.

Is there long-term damage?

Loss of bone density can be irreversible and lead to early osteoporosis. The younger you are, the better your chances of recovery.

My advice: nip this problem in the bud now!

Nancy Clark, MS, RD CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) counsels active

people at her private practice in Newton, MA (617-795-1875). For more information, read her Sports Nutrition Guidebook and food guides for marathoners and new runners. The books are available at www.nancyclarkrd. com. Also see www.sportsnutritionworkshop. com for online education and CEUs.

13 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders

by Patti Sponsler

February could stand to add a few more days.

In spite of it being the shortest month of the year, race directors crammed in as many events as they could during the weekends that fell within its 28 days. Locally, we had 14 races from which to choose and an unlimited bounty beyond Brevard’s borders in which to race, place and/or pace.

And for good reason – the second month of the year is usually cool and sunny in our state.

This year, however, Ma Nature had PMS and warmed temps into the 80s during the weekend of Feb. 9-10; dumped lows into the low 30s on the 17th and then warmed things right back up for the last weekend of the month.

Congrats to all who took the weather roller coaster in stride (no pun intended). Below we list the accomplishments that our friends, families and neighbors achieved at some of our out-of-town events. We hope you’ll be inspired to challenge yourself to go farther or faster than you thought possible.

Feb. 9 Ironhorse Endurance 50-miler (mixed terrain), Florahome, FL

Tracy Dutra, 40, Melbourne, 4th OA, 8:17:18; Jessica McCaskill, 32, Palm Bay, Melbourne, 10:59:06; Lori Rattay, 47, Palm Bay, 12:42:15.

Feb 9: Extreme Half-Marathon (off-road), Christmas, FL

Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 2nd 4044; Richard Davis, 39, Cocoa, 2nd 35-39, 1:36:05; James Figlan, 31, Patrick Air Fore Base, 2:27:35; Joel Fenlason, 39, Patrick Air Force Base, 1st Military, 1:30:39; Casey Gilbert, 33, Melbourne Beach, 5th 30-34, 2:03:50; Elizabeth Gmerek, 52, Merritt Island, 5th 50-54, Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 3rd 45-49, 2:07:56; Sandra Kenney, 45, Cocoa, 2:47:37; Renae Maresh, 30, Cocoa Beach, 4th 30-34, 2:02:33; Kristin MacBride, 40, Cocoa Beach, 2:29:31; Thomas Merrill, 47, Titusville, 2:02:54; Theresa Miller, 53, Merritt Island, 2nd 55-59, 2:02:11; James Mulligan, 30, Melbourne, 2:02:17; Christy Tagye, 40, Cocoa, 3rd 40-44, 2:02:17; Rodney Walker, 48, Cocoa, 2:14:20; Robin Williams, 51, Merritt Island, 3rd 50-54, 2:27:37; Christy Zieres, 53, Merritt Island, 4th 50-54, 2:27:37.

Feb. 9: Extreme 10K (off-road), Christmas, FL

Melbourne’s Tracy Dutra and Palm Bay’s Jessica McCaskill and Lori Rattay share nervous smiles before the start of the Ironhorse Endruance 50-mile run in Florahome, FL on Feb. 9.

Tracy Dutra shares the medal she won after completing the Ironhorse Endurance 50-miler on Feb. 9. Dutra finished fourth overall with her time of 8:17:18.

Jeff Arnold, 35, Palm Bay, 4th 35-39, 54:00; Sean Black, 44, Melbourne, 2nd OA, 41:39; Angela Heyne, 48, Titusville, 2nd 45-49, 1:01:33; David Kenney, 52, Cocoa, 4th 5054, 1:19:17; Kelly Lamaster, 29, Rockledge, 1st 25-29, 52:00; Robert Schneider, 51, Titusville, 1st 50-54, 52:49; Loran Serwin, 57, Merritt Island, 1st 55-59, 51:31.

Christmas Trail Run: Merritt Island residents Cyndi Bergs, Loran Serwin, Christy Zieres and Theresa Miller pose with the age group hardware they earned at the Feb. 9 Extreme Half-Marathon in Christmas, FL

St. Pete Rock n Roll: Indialantic’s Lori Kruger and Melbourne’s Rick Suarez, Janet Erlacher and Karen Suarez get ready to rock at the Feb. 10 Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon in St. Pete on Feb. 10.

Feb. 10: Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon, St. Petersburg, FL

Mike Acosta, Cocoa, 1:39:32; Donna Baker, Palm Bay, 1:52:46; Cynthia Cardenas, Cocoa Beach, 2:06:48; Jessica Crate, Melbourne, 1:32:24; Arleen Creasor, West Melbourne, 2:31:32; John Davis, West Melbourne 3rd OA, 1:17:25; Janet Erlacher, Melbourne, 1:59:32; Elizabeth Gmerek, Merritt Island, 2:59:37; Kendal Harder, Palm Bay, 1:44:19; Christine Hetzel, Cocoa, 2:16:011; Amy Hibbard, Palm Bay, 1:51:02; Christey Krause-Nichols, Melbourne, 2:28:11; Gary Letchworth, Indialantic, 2:00:52; Janet Letchworth, Titusville, 3:23:06; Andrea Lucas, Melbourne, 2:22:04; Rosanto Macam, Rockledge, 1:57:16; Susan Meltzer, continues on page 14

14 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders Melbourne, 1:40:35; Jeff Murphree, Indian Harbour Beach, 2:27:04; Phoebe Powell-Hungate, Rockledge, 2:39:13; Christina Russell, Melbourne, 1:53:00; Kurt Russell, Melbourne, 1:43:46; Brittany Streufert, Viera, 1:52:25; Shane Streufert, Viera, 5th OA, 1st 40-44, 1:18:04; Karen Suarez, Melbourne, 2:32:36; Rick Suarez, Melbourne, 2:16:06; Denise Thaller, Merritt Island, 1:57:09; Tom Thaller, Merritt Island, 1:49:29;Joseph Wehlen, Rockledge, 3:06:07; Holly Wooley, Palm Bay, 1:31:22.

continued from page 13

Merritt Island’s Chris Loines revs his engine on the Daytona Speedway as he heads toward the finish line of the Daytona Half-Marathon on Feb. 10. Chris earned 10th overall and 1st in the 45-49 division with his finish time of 1:26:30.

Rosanne Bessenaire, Marcia Jeddrie and Kirstin McDonough celebrate their Daytona Half-Marathon finishes in style on the Daytona Speedway.

The 13.1-mile event was the first half-marathon Sisters Carol Ball, from Merritt Island; Patty for Marcia.

Gay, formerly of Cocoa and Donna Neill, formerly of Titusville, pose with their bib numbers for the Lost Dutchman Half-Marathon in Apache Junction, Arizona on Feb. 17. The race was a reunion for the ladies and race number 14 in Carol’s quest to complete a half-marathon in all 50 states. She had completed number 13 the Carol Ball, 56, Merritt Island, 2:35:35. week before in the snowy Ralston Creek HalfMarathon in Arvada, CO.

Feb. 10: Ralston Creek Half-Marathon, Arvada, CO (snow) Feb. 16: Run Around the Pines 5K, Winter Park, FL

Kevin Butler, 50, Cocoa Beach, 1st 50-54, 17:43; Susan Byther, 53, Rockledge, 34:13; Nicole Castro, 30, Melbourne, 27:13; Anny Cobb, 57, Merritt Island, 59:50; Jennette Cobb, 35, Merritt Island, 59:50; John Davis, 35, Melbourne, 1st 35-39, 6th OA, 16:24; Ed Donner, 36, Melbourne, 3rd 35-39, 17:14; Feather Faircloth, 31, Palm Bay, 48:22; Jim Faircloth, 58, Palm Bay, 31:21; Jessica Hathaway, 37, Merritt Island, 39:38; Heather Mitchell, 38, Mims, 30:37; Martha Ransom, 56, Mims, 33:48; Carolyn Sevor, 42, Mims, 33:46; Eric Sevor, 47, Mims, 35:34; Brittany Streufert, 40, Viera, 22:41; Shane Streufert, 41, Viera, 2nd 40-44, 8th OA, 16:35; Jamie Szafran, 27, Titusville, 33:27.

Feb. 17: Daytona Half Marathon, Daytona, FL

Gary Baker, 37, Melbourne, 2:34:19; Martha Belinski, 45, Merritt Island, 2:51:14; Carl Belles, 45, Merritt Island, 2:36:30; Cyndi

Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 2:55:29; Mark Bergs, 48, Merritt Island, 2:55:29; Brad Berry, 44, Titusville, 1:54:31; Eugenia Berry, 45, Titusville, 2:02:44; Rosanne Bessenaire, 56, Melbourne, 2:22:10; Eric Blissonnette, 44, Cape Canaveral, 1:58:07; Kim Blissonnette, 48, Cape Canaveral, 2:46:40; Thaddeus Callahan, 31, Titusville, 2:45:13; Edward Cloak, 39, Rockledge, 3:07:11; Cara Cooper, 32, Melbourne, 2:57:19; Richard Davis, 39, Cocoa, 1:34:21; Diane Doppenberg, 28, Cocoa, 2:16:35; Patricia Folsom, 56, Titusville, 2:32:43; Rick Foresteire, 45, Rockledge, 1:57:33; Candice Harris, 31, Mims, 2:12:19; Kelly Haskins, 45, Merritt Island, 3:01:44; Dede Henrich, 52, Melbourne, 1:59:21; Chris Hopper, 37, Indialantic, 2:35:13; Kate Howick, 36, Cocoa, 1:57:51; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 1:59:25; Nancy Huy-Perry, 62, Melbourne, 2:12:33; Marcia Jeddrie, 36, Rockledge, 2:15:51; Lisa Kercsmar, 45, Merritt Island, 3:01:43; Erin Lauscher, 31, Cocoa, 2:54:59; Gary Letchworth, 51, Titusville, 1:58:22; Lynn Levine, 57, Titusville, 3:20:02; Richard Levine, 60, Titusville,

3:20:02; Chris Loines, 46, Merritt Island, 1st 45-49, 10th OA, 1:26:30; Sharon Loines, 45, Merritt Island, 2:44:27; Andrea Lucas, 47, Melbourne, 2:22:25; Kristin MacBridge, 31, Cocoa, 2:45:33; Matt Mahoney, 57, Melbourne, 1:34:03; Kirsten McDonough, 46, Rockledge, 2:19:55; Jeff Murphree, 55, Indian Harbour Beach, 2:20:32; Gerard Newsham, 27, Cocoa, 2:04:20; Kevin Pagelsdorf, 40, Satellite Beach, 1:58:40; Shani Pehl, 39, Titusville, 2:49:56; Julie Pomerleau, 38, Mims, 2:03:06; Pete Quinlan, 44, Rockledge, 2:34:37; Brenna Reyes, 41, Cocoa Beach, 1:55:02; Ricardo Reyes, 45, Cocoa Beach, 2:09:24; Barbara Richer, 51, Cocoa Beach, 2:22:50; Daniele Shearer, 38, Mims, 2:49:57; Ruth Sorrell, 35, Mims, 2:10:04; Jodi Swita, 42, Rockledge, 2:14:03; Barbara Toland, 36, Viera, 3:06:07; Jason Toland, 37, Viera, 3:06:07; Nancy Wingo, 59, Rockledge, 2:02:35; Lysette Wittholt, 37, Titusville, 2:34:08.

Feb. 17: 26.2 With Donna Marathon, Jacksonville, FL Dennis Boudreaux, 37, Rockledge, 4:11:34; Emily Boudreaux, 36, Rockledge, 4:30:29; continues on page 15

15 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders

continued from page 14

Mary Boyken, 45, Merritt Island, 5:29:12; Shelley Christian, 57, Merritt Island, 2nd 5559, 3:57:10; Monica Hall, 46, Melbourne, 4:54:59; Christopher Hill, 30, Titusville, 3:27:59; Jesse Hornback, 32, Rockledge, 3:54:20; Michael Netzer, 46, West Melbourne, 4:20:22; Marcia Pesi, 41, Melbourne, 4:07:04; Julia Plumley, 35, Merritt Island, 5:04:19; Cristie Sinclair, 36, Merritt Island, 5:04:19.

Feb. 17: 26.2 With Donna HalfMarathon, Jacksonville, FL

Stephanie Carraway, 44, Indialantic, 2:04:05; Julie Chappell, 28, Palm Bay, 2:26:03; Jessica Crate, 27, Melbourne, 1st 25-29, 1:29:55; Todd Ellison, 45, Satellite Beach, 2:55:16; Scott Henderson, 49, Satellite Beach, 2:24:55; Karen Horak, 46, Satellite Beach, 2:20:15; Sammye Johnson, 44, Rockledge, 2:10:54; Tanya Kuelbs, 39, Melbourne, 2:58:45; Eric Larkin, 45, Cocoa, 2:23:19; Paula Lemieux, 47, Indialantic, 2:31:19; Anne Nichols, 50, Indialantic, 2:07:41; Lauren Pattelena, 34, Rockledge, 2:34:15; Michael Pesi, 44, Melbourne, 1:52:21; Carrie Petzy, 52, Indialantic, 2:31:20; Lindsay Richer, 31, Palm Bay, 2:15:24; Sherry Thorpe, 47, Rockledge, 2:27:14.

Feb. 17: Lost Dutchman Half Marathon, Apache Junction, AZ Carol Ball, 56, Merritt Island, 1:53:49.

Feb. 17: A1A Marathon, Fort Lauderdale, FL Craig Booth, 36, Palm Bay, 3:45:30; Steve Chin, 44, Satellite Beach, 3:24:08; Joel Fenlason, 39, Patrick Air Force Base, 3:35:09; Danielle Hustoles, 34, Titusville, 3rd 30-34, 3:34:01; Mark Reagan, 59, Indian Harbour Beach, 4:46:11; Jeffrey Scholoesser, 58, Satellite Beach, 4:19:36; Kristen Tinker, 43, Merritt Island, 3:53:16;

Feb. 17: A1A Half-Marathon, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Unable to report as participant cities were not listed.

Feb. 23: Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, Tampa, FL

Laura Beebe, 43, Rockledge, 1:41:26; Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 1:20:53; Rhonda Butler, 52, Melbourne, 1:41:10; Holly Champa, 43, Rockledge, 1:45:02; Julie Chappell, 28, Palm Bay, 1:42:49; Erik Cole, 37, Cocoa, 2:00:29; Jessica Crate,

Two-time Gasparilla half-marathon champ and female course record holder Jessica Crate decided not to defend her title this year. Instead, she gave back to the weekend-long Gasparilla event by volunteering to lead a 7-minute-permile pace group at each of the weekend’s four events that included a 5K, 8K, 15K and half-marathon.

A race official provides a towel and finisher’s medal to hard-charging Kaitlin Donner after the Melbourne professional triathlete earned the ladies win at the Gasparilla 5K on Feb. 23.

Shiver’s time of 17:42 was good enough for 20th overall in the field of 11,635 finishers.

27, Melbourne, 1:04:29; Makenna Diesel, 30, Cocoa, 1:58:35; Jorge Echegaray, 34, West Melbourne, 2:00:58; Tyla Faby, 27, Cocoa, 1:58:34; Christine Ferrer, 36, Rockledge, 1:44:09; Marisa Flint, 47, Cocoa, 1:32:56; Elizabeth Gmerek, 52, Merritt Island, 1:51:31; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 1:25:32; Cassi Jacobs, 26, Cocoa, 1:58:35; Monica Levsen, 51, Indian Harbour Beach, 1:41:05; Tonya McDuffie, 37, Merritt Island, 1:28:55; Sue Miller, 42, Rockledge, 1:34:35; Cassidy Nicholas, 18, Rockledge, 1:32:24; Cindy Nicholas, 45, Rockledge, 1:47:57; Reed Nicholas, 15, Rockledge, 1:09:59; Roy Nicholas, 45, Rockledge, 1:51:46; Ron Roff, 42, Palm Bay, 1:24:52; Heidi Sayut, 45, Melbourne, 1:55:53; Jackie Schmoll, 33, Melbourne, 1:14:43; Beth Shelby, 35, Viera, 1:29:00; Deanne Sichler, 32, Viera, 1:33:14; Patricia Ward, 42, Mims, 1:51:56; Rodney Ward, 42, Mims, 1:51:56; Lisa Yancey, 40, Rockledge, 1:15:42.

Andrea Lucas, Kelly Semenko and Trisha Lucas are all smiles after finishing the unseasonably hot and humid Gasparilla Half-Marathon on Feb. 24 in Tampa.

Feb. 23: Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K, Tampa, FL

Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 26:59; Tammy Blout, 50, West Melbourne, 48:01; John Chamberlain, 50, Cocoa, 50:51; Deanna Cisar, 24, Melbourne, 30:53; Erik Cole, 37, Cocoa, 51:26; Kimberly Cole, 35, Cocoa, 51:26; Jessica Crate, 27, Melbourne, 21:09; Kaitlin Donner, 23, Melbourne, 1st OA, 17:42; Stephen Dressler, 61, Vero Beach, 33:54; Leah Drumm, 15, Cocoa, 44:16; Sierra Dunham, 17, Cocoa, 44:16; Devon Engel, 8, Merritt Island, 36:16; Ed Engel, 41, Merritt Island, 36:17; Ken Flieder, 54, Cocoa, 33:51; Keith Flint, 48, Cocoa, 32:53; Marisa Flint, 47, Cocoa, 32:53; Susan Frieden, 65, Rockledge, 40:00; Elizabeth Gmerek, 52, Merritt Island, 39:40; Alex Hoffman, 19, Malabar, 16:22; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 28:05; John Hummer, 24, Titusvillle, 46:03; Mary Hummer, 57, Titusville, 46:06; Denise Kenkel, 51, Titusville, 53:12; Michael Kenkel, 50, Titusville, 53:13; Eileen McGurk, 58, Melbourne, 30:00; John McGurk, 54, Indialantic, 44:45; Sharon McGurk, 51, Indialantic, 44:57; Allyson Pagan, 20, Melbourne, 20:45; Jeff Philo, 41, Melbourne, 29:17; Sean Reynolds, 28, Melbourne, 23:12; Teresea Ristow, 19, Melbourne, 18:48; Ron Roff, 42, Palm Bay, 27:13; Marcella Rua, 41, Melbourne, 48:20; Beth Shelby, 35, Viera, 31:04; Douglas Sonosky, 50, Cocoa Beach, 30:48; Mark Williams, 58, Cocoa, 36:03.

Feb. 24: Gasparilla Distance Classic Half-Marathon, Tampa, FL

Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 2:04:47; Craig Booth, 36, Palm Bay, 1:44:10; Sharon Bresser, 51, Indialantic, 2:39:24; Doug Butler, 49, Melbourne, 3rd 45-49, 1:25:21; Eric Cole, 37, Cocoa; Jessica Crate, 27, 3rd continues on page 16

16 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders

Palm Bay’s Kim Hunger, center, turned in Brevard’s fastest time and took third in the 30-34 age group with her 1:34:46 finish at Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon on Feb. 24. Kim shared the post-race joy with her sister, Jenny Imel, left, who had just completed her first-ever 13.1-mile race. Kim’s six-month-old daughter, Aliyah, looks interested in the bling!

The Mad Hatter shares a mid-race pose with Melbourne’s Kathy Abel, left, and Cocoa’s Karen Rodriquez. While both ladies had raced the distance previously, this was the first time the two sisters crossed the finish line together after stopping to get shots with all the Disney characters.

25-29, Melbourne, 1:34:41; Damion Dam, 25, Merritt Island, 2:22:06; Donna Davis, 34, Melbourne, 1:58:08; John Davis, 35, Melbourne, 8th OA, 1:20:22; Dipty Desai, 46, Indian Harbour Beach, 2:39:24; Shashin Desai, 55, Indian Harbour Beach, 2:10:44; Tracie Donnelley, 41, Indialantic, 2:07:54; Geoff Draper, 56, Indialantic, 2:15:31; Chris Fisher, 52, Indialantic, 2:39:23; Jeff Fisher, 56, Indialantic, 2:01:01; Marisa Flint, 47, Cocoa, 2:23:09; Charis Gaines, 46, Viera, 2:00:28; Elizabeth Gmerek, 52, Merritt Island, 2:40:31; David Grider, 52, Indialantic, 2;00:10; Mary Grider, 51, Indialantic, 2:39:24; Christopher Hendren, 30, Indian Harbour Beach, 1:46:32; Ken Hill, 25, Merritt Island, 2:59:13; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 2:06:53; Suzanne Johnson, 66, Merritt Island, 3:29:23; Kelly LaMaster, 29, Rockledge, 2:54:49; Kristy Lawry, 20, Malabar, 2:16:13; Andrea Lucas, 47, Melbourne, 2:26:17; Patricia Lucas, 30, Melbourne, 2:26:17; Tonya McDuffie, 37, Merritt Island, 3:53:59; Thomas O’Day, 54, Melbourne3:10:31;

continued from page 15

Jeff Philo, 41, Melbourne, 1:58:41; Kimberly Philo, 41, Melbourne, 4:15:49; Pete Quinlan, 44, Rockledge, 2:33:24; Ron Roff, 42, Palm Bay, 2:03:06; Kelly Semenko, 32, Melbourne, 2:28:35; Amber Shukitis, 23, Odessa, 2:22:04; Lindsay Skinner, 29, Indialantic, 1:49:30; Karen Speed, 51, Melbourne, 3:12:14; Tim Speed, 51, Melbourne, 2:21:42; James Underwood, 33, Merritt Island, 2:51:34; Jennifer Underwood, 29, Melbourne, 3:19:24; Sarah Wilson, 30, Melbourne, 2:12:05.

Feb. 24: Gasparilla Distance Classic 8K, Tampa, FL

Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island, 50:55; Alea Burke, 35, Melbourne, 49:23; Dean Capistrano, 17, Palm Bay, 42:52; Jessica Crate, 27, Melbourne, 2nd 25-29, 37:01; Erin Fagan, 22, Palm Bay, 54:01; Keith Flint, 48, Cocoa, 1:01:59; Marisa Flint, 47, Cocoa, 1:01:59; Elizabeth Gmerek, 52, Merritt Island, 1:13:35; Kaitlin Hardcastle, 23, Cocoa Beach, 48:11; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa, 52:39; Suzanne Johnson, 66, 1st 65-69, Merritt Island, 40:42; Shelly Lauretta, 50, Merritt Island, 1:05:46; Krista Lukens, 34 Merritt Island, 1:00:26; Tonya McDuffie, 37, Merritt Island, 49:23; Julie Michel, 40, Cape Canaveral, 1:05:46; Sandra Miller, 33, Titusville, 59:15; Kimberly Philo, 41, Melbourne, 1:11:12; Ron Roff, 42, Palm Bay, 45:03.

Feb. 23/24: Michelob Ultra Challenge, Tampa FL

For those who love a challenge and lots of bling, the Gasparilla weekend offered the Michelob Ultra Challenge. Participants had to run about thirty miles over two days and through four courses (15K, 5K, half-marathon, 8K). Not an easy feat on a weekend boasting record high temperatures. Their sweaty efforts earned the rabid runners four race shirts; five medals – including the Michelob Ultra Challenge Finisher’s medial - and a special commemorative jacket. We’re guessing that no one was strutting those jackets afterward.

Amazingly, two-time overall female winner and current course record holder, Melbourne’s Jessica Crate, chose not to defend her title. Instead she chose to give back to the event by pacing the seven-minute per mile group in all four races.

Congrats to all our local Challenge finishers including:

Cyndi Bergs, 42, Merritt Island; Jessica Crate, 27, Melbourne; Marisa Flint, 47, Cocoa,

Melbourne princesses Cathy Chapman, left, and Lea Anne Richard decked out in their royal finery for the Princess Half-Marathon on Feb. 24.

Elizabeth Gmerek, Merritt Island; Kelly Hunter, 47, Cocoa; and Ron Roff, 42, Palm Bay.

Feb. 24: Sunrunners 10K, Vero Beach, FL

Art Anderson, 53, 5th OA, 1st 50-59, 41:47; Matt Mahoney, 58, Melbourne, 8th OA, 1st 55-59, 43:10; Joan Meadows, 53, Malabar, 56:29; Kevin McEnerney, 55, Melbourne, 59:03; Erin Schuck, 38, Melbourne, 1st 3539, 50:18;

Feb. 24: Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon, Walt Disney World, FL

Kathryn Abel, 41, Cocoa, 2:28:03; Susie Allen-Sierpinski, 28, Titusville, 3:36:50; Courtney Amick, 24, Titusville, 3:27:34; Katelyn Anderson, 21, West Melbourne, 3:31:59; Sherry Anderson, 39, Melbourne, 3:08:33; Kelly Arner, 32, Palm Bay, 3:08:54; Ginger Arrington, 41, Cocoa, 2:37:40; Janet Bainbridge, 48, Titusville, 3:11:43; Jennifer Balserait, 26, Merritt Island, 2:22:36; Kimberly Balsitis, 42, Viera, 3:18:06; Gabrielle Bargerstock, 36, Merritt Island, 3:26:06; Andrea Bastien, 48, Melbourne, 2:45:21; Amanda Bedell, 24, Indialantic, 3:03:58; Mandy Beeghly, 36, Cocoa, 3:42:19; Bridget Beitel, 43, Titusville, 3:31:54; Danelle Bernardo, 27, Palm Bay, 2:58:51; Paula Biggs, 36, Melbourne, 2:54:55; Amy Blair, 32, Melbourne, 3:41:37; Lisha Blankenship, 42, Satellite Beach, 3:32:27; Amy Bourke, 51, Melbourne, 2:54:39; Kellie Bowling, 33, Viera, 3:32:42; Mary Ann Bowman, 60, Melbourne, 3:25:03; Nicole Bowman, 21, Satellite Beach, 2:46:07; Kristin Brach, 26, Merritt Island, 2:11:20; Jennifer Brady, 40, Malabar, 2:58:28; Carrie Bryniak, 35, Cocoa Beach, 2:33:13; Kevin Bryniak, 33, Cocoa Beach, 2:15:58; Betsy Butler, 44, Cape Canaveral, 1:56:37; Andrea continues on page 17

17 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders

Charlotte McClure, from Rockledge, and Cape Canaveral’s Betsy Butler get ready to begin the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World.

Canterbury, 26, Titusville, 3:29:48; April Cantwell, 37, Indialantic, 2:23:16; Sammy Cappadonia, 42, Cape Canaveral, 3:09:02; Jennifer Carlson, 25, Melbourne, 2:39:47; Doris Carter, 42, Melbourne, 3:28:28; Pamela Castellana, 51, Melbourne, 2:39:11; Joe Castner, 44, Melbourne, 2:55:26; Leann Castner, 36, Melbourne, 2:55:27; Holly Cerull, 18, Merritt Island, 2:19:54; Olivia Chancellor, 19, Melbourne, 2:27:19; Amanda Chandler, 25, Viera, 2:36:22; Andrea Chapman, 22, Melbourne, 3:16:30; Cathy Chapman, 50, Melbourne, 3:06:02; Christopher Chapman, 27, Titusville, 3:34:26; Esther Chinnery, 73, West Melbourne, 3:31:34; Michele Choma, 37, Palm Bay, 3:52:57; Lisa Clark, 44, Rockledge, 2:46:38; Ed Cloak, 39, Rockledge, 2:46:57; Jeppie Compton, 66, Melbourne, 2:53:16; Shalin Compton, 28, Melbourne, 2:53:16; Tracy Conner, 35, Melbourne, 3:10:38; Katelyn Conroy, 25, Melbourne, 3:42:39; Lori Cooper, 52, Rockledge, 3:46:02; Michelle Corey, 35, Palm Bay, 3:23:07; Tracy Cox 37, Melbourne, 3:46:24; Carly Cruz, 24, West Melbourne, 2:59; Chris Davis, 25, Titusville, 3:14:49; Donna Davis, 42, Rockledge, 2:38:09; Rachel Davis, 26, Titusville, 3:14:49; :02; Tracie Deakins, 46, Cocoa, 2:44:00; Rachel Deeter, 37, Palm Bay, 3:07:06; Danielle Depaolis, 25, Cape Canaveral, 2:22:42; Lisa Derr, 46, Cocoa, 3:39:34; Katie Devito, 40, Melbourne, 3:39:27; Lauren Dietl, 18, Satellite Beach, 2:35:52; Theresa DiPinto, 30, Melbourne, 2:57:59; Hannah Dixon, 20, Cocoa 3:36:59; Kenneth Dixon, 41, Satellite Beach, 2:39:34; Melissa Donoghue, 45, West Melbourne, 3:05:53; Sharon Doran, 52, Merritt Island, 3:38:47; Hally Douglas, 55, Palm Bay, 3:47:24; Melanie Drake, 28, Melbourne, 3:20:33; Jennifer Dunne, 27, Melbourne, 3:11:19; Deborah Episcopo, 50, Melbourne 2:28:48; Bailey Estes, 20,

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Melbourne, 2:40:54; McKenzie Estes, 18, Melbourne, 2:40:54; April Fearon, 39, Rockledge, 3:17:59; Vivian Fisher, 57, Melbourne 3:25:03; Bill Floyd, 40, Palm Bay, 2:27:29; Tara Foxbessey, 33, Satellite Beach, 1:59:58; Bill Floyd, 40, Palm Bay, 2:27:29; Lynnda Floyd, 39, Palm Bay, 3:38:31; Lawrence Foster, 56, Titusville, 3:18:23; Carrie Friday, 29, Palm Bay, 3:11:21; Kimberly Gallaher, 36, Viera, 2:32:35; Taylor Gannon, 19, Merritt Island, 2:41:22; Nahyomy Garcia, 31, Melbourne, 2:58:52; Tracy Geiger, 29, Viera, 3:17:51; Lisa Gerdes, 50, Melbourne, 3:31:41; Jaclyn Golec-Parker, 26, Satellite Beach, 3:03:58; Kelly Gonzalez, 36, Palm Bay, 2:39:48; Tina Gonzalez, 42, Titusville, 3:42:20; Tonya Goodwin, 31, Melbourne 3:56:25; Cathy Greene, 49, Viera, 3:48:37; Sharon Greenleaf, 40, Palm Bay, 3:22:54; Michelina Grelck, 30, Cocoa, 3:27:34; Michelle Gruka, 22, Melbourne, 2:41:41; Samantha Guettler, 42, Viera, 2:27:03; Darlene Hachmeister, 47, Melbourne, 3:36:53; Kim Haig, 30, West Melbourne, 3:20:03; Christina Hanks, 38, West Melbourne, 3:05:52; Andrea Hansen, 40, West Melbourne, 2:24:59; Maggie Hansotte, 20, West Melbourne, 3:42:33; Sue Harker, 43, Palm Bay, 3:23:19; Charlene Harmon, 36, Rockledge, 2:48:50; Marie Hartley, 21, Merritt Island, 2:45:41; Shannon Hayes, 41, Rockledge, 3:34:48; Megan Hecht, 33, Cocoa Beach, 2:55:22; Holly Henderson, 20, Satellite Beach, 3:03:36; Kathryn Hehn, 34, Palm Bay, 3:42:23; Calla Hess, 50, Palm Bay, 2:28:30; Dawn Hewitt, 42, Melbourne, 2:39:22; Kristen Hicks, 20, Satellite Beach, 2:46:07; Kristina Hildreth, 35, Viera, 2:49:45; Steve Hinkle, 42, Satellite Beach, 3:32:27; Michelle Hintz, 43, Viera, 2:48:50; Aran Hissam, 36, Melbourne, 2:52:55; Deena Hoder, 49, Melbourne, 2:21:37;; Nicole Holmberg, 35, Titusville, 3:06:38; Cara Houser, 26, Rockledge, 2:40:45; Carrie Howard, 25, Melbourne, 3:51:20; Kate Howick, 36, Cocoa, 2:00:32; Jamie Hughes, 26, Rockledge, 2:30:47; Kim Hunger, 32, Palm Bay, 3rd 30-34, 1:34:46; Kim Hunt, 45, Indian Harbour Beach, 3:25:07; Rebecca Hurtley, 21, Rockledge, 3:38:23; Jennifer Imel, 35, Palm Bay, 2:34:00; Margaret James, 31, West Melbourne, 2:43:01; Christina Johnsen, 24, Rockledge, 3:01:27; Concetta Johnson, 47, Palm Bay, 3:34:25; Beth Jones, 46, Melbourne, 3:40:11; Tara Jones, 26, Cocoa, 2:51:19; Helen Kramer, 65, Viera, 3:34:09; Jessica Lafosse, 31, West Melbourne, 2:57:40; Erin Lauscher, 31, Cocoa, 3:15:59; Marybess Leech, 24, Indialantic, 2:45:54;

Stephanie Legare, 42, Titusville, 2:46:10; Wendy Levine, 44, Viera, 3:23:30; Tessa Ling, 18, Merritt Island, 2:41:21; Aimee Long, 25, Palm Bay, 3:38:07; Cheryl Long, 48, Cocoa, 3:29:53; Paola Lopez-Duarte, 32, Melbourne, 2:22:13; Lori Lynch, 42, Melbourne, 2:33:08; Rebecca Maitlen, 39, Rockledge, 2:34:36; Connie Maltby, 50, Rockledge, 2:08:01; Veronica Marren, 46, Titusville, 2:46:09; Christina Martin, 26, Cocoa, 1:59:57; Timothy Marunde, 34, Indialantic, 1:55:34; Michelle Massey, 31, Palm Bay, 4:02:09; Anthony Mazza, 54, Melbourne, 3:40:41; Lorna Mazza, 57, Melbourne, 3:26:28; Charlotte McClure, 40, Rockledge, 1:56:37; Heather McCormick, 26, Melbourne, 3:04:30; April McCoy, 35, Melbourne, 2:52:54; Katrina McKay, 27, Palm Bay, 3:20:24; Joan McMahon, 51, Melbourne, 2:32:28; Catherine Mentillo, 29, Melbourne, 3:12:09; Sonya Merritt, 47, Cocoa, 3:13:08; Rachel Miller, 22, West Melbourne, 2:33:10; Anne Mitchell, 40, Melbourne, 2:30:33; Heather Mitchell, 38, Titusville, 3:00:20; Erin Montgomery, 37, Melbourne, 2:29:01; Teri Moore, 40, Viera, 3:28:32; Jennifer Moran, 32, Indialantic, 2:32:12; Gina Morrison, 42, Satellite Beach, 3:08:15; Cathy Mulqueen, 63, Rockledge, 3:39:27; Susan Nolan, 51, Indian Harbour Beach, 3:15:16; Kimberly Nudd, 49, Palm Bay, 2:14:28; John Oliver, 34, Merritt Island, 2:14:13; Karen Olson, 38, Melbourne, 3:27:53; Leslye Ortiz, 22, Cocoa, 3:37:00; Margaret Otero, 43, Satellite Beach, 3:54:51; Jennifer Pait, 43, Merritt Island, 3:33:50; Denise Paternoster, 43, Melbourne, 2:43:22; Jennifer Phelan, 50, Palm Bay, 2:58:06; Rachel Phelan, 20, Palm Bay, 2:58:06; Amber Philman, 30, Rockledge 2:48:00; Gigi Ramnarace, 31, Melbourne, 2:25:30; Margaret Ramsey, 21, Palm Bay, 2:51:18; Susan Ramsey, 56, Palm Bay, 2:51:19; Nancy Reizen, 66, Indialantic, 2:57:28; Lea Richard, 45, Melbourne, 3:25:02; Erin Rodriguez, 24, Melbourne, 3:04:10; Karen Rodriguez, 38, Cocoa, 2:28:02; Carrie Roller, 23, Melbourne, 2:14:51; Amelia Roush, 51, Rockledge, 3:47:24; Ashley Roush, 25, Rockledge, 3:19:05; Shannon Rubin, 33, Titusville, 3:45:37; Tristin Rutland, 39, Rockledge, 2:56:44; Jeanne Ryba, 47, Titusville, 2:48:35; Kate Schindler, 28, Titusville, 2:13:59; Kela Schram, 61, Melbourne, 2:40:17; Cassandra Schutte, 31, Melbourne, 3:55:08; Rochelle Schwindt, 43, Rockledge, 3:42:57; Jennifer Shields, 38, Melbourne, 2:23:53; Michaela Shinn, 22, Melbourne, 2:55:05; Tammy continues on page 18

18 Running Zone The Starting Line

Beyond Brevard’s Borders Sigurdson, 47, Merritt Island, 3:35:28; Melissa Simmons, 31, Palm Bay, 2:32:12; Erin Slavik, 33, Rockledge, 3:50:20; Carol Smith, 61, Indialantic, 2:48:25; Henry Smith, 61, Indialantic, 2:48:24; Jill Smith, 44, Merritt Island, 2:43:59; Sharon Smith, 48, Titusville, 2:50:17; Erica Spencer, 34, West Melbourne, 3:52:33; Karen Stout, 53, Titusville, 2:33:39; Andrea Swayze, 34, West Melbourne, 3:52:56; Jenny Tagg, 31, West Melbourne, 1:55:43; Gail Tagliaferro, 60, Rockledge, 3:17:37; Richard Tankersley, 50, Melbourne, 2:33:42; Jennifer Tecson, 32, Melbourne, 3:58:06; Candy Thomas, 52, Melbourne, 3:15:12; Kaley Thomas, 19, Melbourne, 2:45:37; David Thompson, 52, Melbourne, 3:01:54; Stacy Tobin, 32, Palm Bay, 3:52:57; Christopher Torres, 33, Rockledge, 3:12:58; Heather Torres, 32, Rockledge, 3:34:29; Crystal Townsend, 49, Titusville, 3:34:53; Joy Turingan, 46, Melbourne, 3:23:55; Ralph Turingan, 50, Melbourne, 3:07:44; Michael Tuttle, 27, Titusville, 2:21:07; Jennifer Van Den Driessche, 34, Cocoa, 3:47:37; Teresa Van Valkenburg, 43, Melbourne, 3:23:59; Anita Vanderwyst, 37, Palm Bay, 3:10:37; Jules Vasquez, 22, Melbourne, 2:18:13; Megan Vautrinot, 25, Titusville, 3:34:36; Elizabeth

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Velez, 42, Cape Canaveral, 3:11:41; Christie Waclawski, 36, Indialantic, 3:20:03; Shannon Waddy, 31, Indialantic, 2:09:31; Laura Wade, 45, Merritt Island, 3:38:48; Lori Wagner, 42, Viera, 3:12:57; Catherine Waldenberger, 22, Titusville, 3:31:37; Alicia Wallace, 24, Melbourne, 2:24:05; Dolores Walsh, 44, Melbourne, 2:41:06; Ashley Walter, 19, Titusville, 2:35:59; Erika Ward, 33, Indialantic, 3:42:15; Marilyn Waters, 60, Melbourne, 3:26:02; Robin Weiss, 44, Frank Whitmore, 38, Titusville, 1:58:49; Rockledge, 3:31:55; Rachel Wilcox, 21, Merritt Island, 3:40:57; Andrea Williams, 51, Titusville, 3:26:05; Lynn Williams, 53, Melbourne, 3:02:54; Travia Williams, 35, Rockledge, 3:32:23; Jennifer Wilson, 21, Cocoa, 1:56:54; Elizabeth Windfelder, 46, Satellite Beach, 2:46:34; Zoe Windfelder, 16, Satellite Beach, 2:04:18; Steve Winship, 38, West Melbourne, 3:52:49; Molly Winsten, 19, Rockledge, 3:58:59; Amy Wolfe, 35, Palm Bay, 2:13:09; Melody Wolff, 21, Cocoa, 3:40:52; Kristy Yannelli, 35, Rockledge, 3:02:13; Allyssa Yost, 24, West Melbourne, 2:20:17; Michelle Zeppieri, 35, Cocoa, 3:27:34; Markus Zimmerman, 30, Titusville, 3:29:47.

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19 Running Zone The Starting Line

20 Running Zone The Starting Line

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22 Running Zone The Starting Line

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23 Running Zone The Starting Line