professor at Castleton, and I agreed to start with
now. “6:40 pace, lets reel back a little. Averaging
7:30 pace and see how we felt at the half. That
7:08, not bad.” 6:40 pace?!?!? Averaging 7:08?!?!?
would give us a 2:30:00 finish if all went well. I
I really wanted to get to the finish line so I
I
wasn’t able to wear my Oakley’s with the rain so
could change into dry clothes, but would I make
t was 4:45 am and the alarm was going off. I
I had to listen to myself huffing and puffing and
it to the finish cranking up the pace to this
spent the night in Rutland at my friend’s house
the splashing of feet through the unavoidable
level? We backed off slightly and I felt reassured
to shave an hour off what would otherwise be
puddles right from the start. I looked around at
that I could go the distance. Time for some
a 4 ½ hour drive. We were headed to Hampton
the wet feet all around me. Asics, New Balance,
nourishment I thought and grabbed a gel pack.
Beach for the Eastern States 20 Miler which at
Mizuno, Nike, Loco, Brooks, as far as the eye
the time seemed to be a daunting challenge.
could see; so many different styles of shoes
Mile 10 came and went and I was still feeling
The previous week I ran nearly 17 miles in 2
pounding the pavement. I wondered if any of
good. Again Matt slowed the pace. With 10 more
hours, but was it enough? At the starting line I
those shoes were any more impervious to the
to go I knew that anything could and most likely
was somewhat intimidated. Twenty miles of 40
water than my Newton’s.
would happen. We let a couple runners go by
Eastern States 20 by Dave Burrows
degree wind driven rain and nearly 600 runners
and I wondered if we would pick them up later
using this as a tune up for the Boston Marathon
We
made me wonder if I was in over my head.
surf pound off the rocks. Surfers were taking
I knew I would soon find the answer to that
advantage of the heavy winds near mile 7. How
question, right, wrong, or indifferent.
crazy does someone have to be to surf in this
ran
along
the
ocean
listening
to
the
weather I thought to myself? Hmm, only a half At the start Matt, my running partner and
marathon left to go and I am feeling good, for
Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s
Cross Country News North Country Triathlo n Run for Hop e Half Maratho n Renew
in the race. The rain let up slightly but the wind
the side of the course. Do I stop to see if he
of runners on the other side. I wondered if this
was relentless. I felt a slight throbbing deep in
is OK or do I keep going? I contemplated this
were the Massachusetts border; it felt like the
my left calf and hoped that it would go away,
for apparently a few minutes. By that time I had
Virginia border to me with no finish line in sight
or at least not get worse. Time for another gel
made contact with one of the runners ahead
yet. I passed another runner and looked over
pack, maybe two.
of me. I hope he is OK I thought to myself as
to see a weathered old man trudging on. I tried
a passing car splashed
to yell words of encouragement but all I heard
I don’t remember much for the next couple miles
gallons of water on us.
was an incoherent mumble escape my lips. He
but realized that around 13 I was starting to
Didn’t matter at that
nodded and looked back to his feet. He must be
struggle. Matt was pulling ahead of me slightly
point, I couldn’t feel my
running the half marathon I thought to myself.
and I labored to keep in touch with him. I just
fingers or toes anyway.
couldn’t let him get away from me; I wouldn’t
I looked down to see if
Finally I heard cheering and screaming. I looked
be able to live it down.
By mile 14 I pulled
my feet were still under
up to see runners turning left onto a side street.
alongside him and stated that I was struggling
me. Yep, they were. I
I followed them around the turn to see the finish
a bit.
“Yeah, I decided to pick up the pace to
made eye contact with
line blowing in the strong wind and the clock
see what I could do”. He pulled us to a sub 6:40
the woman I caught up
ticking away. I crossed the line with the clock
pace between mile 13 and 14 without telling me.
to. No words needed
registering 2:25:08. Was that good? I didn’t care
I was never so glad to hear that the pace had
to be spoken; the pain was etched on her face. I
at that point, I only wanted to change into dry
increased; at least it wasn’t me falling apart, not
wondered if I looked as bad, I certainly felt it.
clothes and lay down somewhere, anywhere.
hard to distinguish where the puddles began and
As we turned the corner near mile 17 I recognized
All in all, I wouldn’t trade this experience in for
ended, not to mention that I was too tired to
the parking lot that my car was in. What a cruel
the world. I learned a little about hydration and
try avoiding them. I need more energy I thought,
joke! Do I jump in and drive to the finish, or just
fueling, and a lot about me. I finished 5 minutes
time for another gel pack.
change into dry clothes and try to warm up? I
ahead of my goal time of 2:30:00. It was a
plod on, afraid if I stop I will never be able to
struggle with the wind upwards of 15 mph driving
get going again.
the rain sideways. I realized afterward that I had
yet anyway. The rain picked up again. It was
As we moved toward mile 16 I realized that we were reeling in a small group of runners.
attained a 7:15 pace, 15 seconds faster than we
Suddenly I heard the scariest words ever during
We made our way to mile 19 where we had to
intended given the conditions. The full marathon
an endurance event; “I’m hitting the wall, I have
cross a bridge single file. I lost touch with the
is not looking so daunting after all. Look out
to stop”. I looked over to see Matt pulling off to
woman as she made her way through a throng
Lake Placid, here I come!
The 14th Eastern States 20 Mile Sunday March 29, 2009 11:00 a.m., Wallis Sands Beach, Rye, New Hampshire to the Massachusetts border Designed as a pre-Boston Marathon training race, the Eastern States 20 Mile (formerly Border to Border) Race has been called “the single best and freshest idea in road running in ten years.” Run in three states, through seven towns, all in one race. Starting on the Memorial Bridge in Kittery, Maine, the race runs through historic Portsmouth, along scenic Route 1A overlooking the Atlantic, to the finish in Salisbury, Massachusetts. David Burrows Ticonderoga, NY 87/573 2:25:08 7:15
pace
24th in age group (40-49)
S
Cross Country News
ection 7 will be hosting two major cross country events in the Fall of 2009. On Saturday, September 12, 2009 there will be a Section 7 Invitational Pre-State Meet held at the SUNY Plattsburgh Fieldhouse. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championship Meet will be held at SUNY Plattsburgh on Saturday, November 14. We are looking for people who would like to volunteer to help us out at these two meets in various capacities (parking help, light security/foot traffic control, trail monitors, etc.) If you could forward this message to our LaChute Runners membership I would appreciate it. People can contact me by e-mail: bkiely@nycap.rr.co m or by phone at 585-7442 ext 275 (school voicemail) or 597-3858 at home. This is an exciting opportunity for the North Country to host meets of this caliber. A few years ago, well more that than, Section 7 hosted the state cross country championships at Van Hovenbergh. Brian Kiley directed that event. It was exciting! This time the local will change, but the competition will be just as intense. Preparation for the event is incredible. During the event itself, there are a myriad of tasks to do, as many of you know from helping out with smaller races. Hopefully you can help out!
Run For Hope
T
he Run for Hope took place Saturday March
in Essex County. The Run for Hope is in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and includes two races. The 20K started Keene at the Elm Tree inn and finished in Elizabethtown.
The
5K
race
started
at
the
Elizabethtown-
Lewis school and was run on an out and back course. The 20K was extremely competitive with Matt Madaris winning the men’s race and with Dawn Gay winning the ladies. It was a beautiful day to run, chilly at the start and in the shadows below the cemetery.
From
the corner of 9N the sun shone brightly and most were shedding clothing by mile 2.
There
were 3 aid station this year, miles 2, 4, and 7.
After cresting the hill at mile 4, there was
North Country Triathlon Event Date: Saturday June 27 (8:00 am start) Location: Hague Beach - Hague, NY Events: Olympic & Sprint Distance Triathlon North Country Triathlon is a yearly event located in the town of Hague in upstate New York on beautiful Lake George featuring an Olympic distance and Sprint distance triathlons. North Country races benefit charities and nonprofit organizations that seek to impact our world in a positive way. 2009 beneficiaries include: The
Run Vermont Half Marathon Saturday, April 11
F
our La Chute runners curious to test their
The finish line was moved this year. Last year
long distance fitness, ran the UH (Unplugged Half
it was on the wrong side of the tracks and the
marathon) on a cold and windy spring morning.
finish was interrupted by the arrival of a freight
The idea behind the event was to have a race
train. This year’s race was smooth and fast. A
that just provides minimum services, without
train did arrive, and it was smooth but slow.
awards and a ceremony. Organizers did provide the essentials: transportation to the start, a well
The runners were pleased with their efforts and
marked course, and food. The race was limited
results. Pictures of the race can be found on
to 450 runners.
the next page.
Hope Lodge of Burlington, VT (health), Room-
The race began at Airport Park (which isn’t near
To-Read (Education), and 1% For The Planet
any airport) in Colchester and ran along the
(Environment).
bike path to the south end of Burlington, and
North Country races are unique in a number of ways: -Competitive and beautiful course (ex. the crystal clear waters of Lake George) -Organic and locally sourced pre-race pasta dinner and race products -Wonderful and encouraging race volunteers -Registrations limited to 400, making the race intimate and extremely well organized If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to have your help! For participant and volunteer registration, please go to: www.northcountrytri.co m
bikes.
then back to the Flynn Dog (which didn’t have anything to do with dogs). There were a few Women (212 runners) Place Name 67 Marge Huseman Men (187 runners) 91 Dave Natale 122 William McDonough 137 Jim Cunningham
City Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga NY Port Henry NY Ticonderoga NY
Shamrock Shuffle 5 Miles Marge Huseman Dave Natale Jim Leavens John Donohue
39:16 40:50 44:44 47:33
NY
Bib No Age 196 28 195 176 269
39 68 64
Overall(399) Time 181 1:50:31.0 134 206 236
1:46:04.5 1:52:49.4 1:56:30.7
Skunk Cabbage Half Marathon Ithaca, NY
Jim Cunningham 1:34:55, 7:14 pace
L C RR C Running Clubs La Chute Road Runners Adirondack Runner s Albany Running Exchang e Hudson Mohawk Runner s Northern Lights Saratoga Stryders
Links gmap.com Results ARE Cool Running M embership PD F
Photos of the Doctor’s Day 10K, Tuscaloosa Alabama Two La Chute runners participated
La Chute Road Runners
Goals Encourage the youth of the community to get involved in a beneficial activity. Provide competitive opportunities for its membership. Provide membership with educational and social opportunities.
Activities Sponsor the Montcalm Mile, Resolution Run, Heritage Day 10K, Footrace at Fort Ticonderoga Support a LCRRC Point Championship Series Hold an annual Awards Banquet Provide a newsletter Provide organized training opportunities Membership in Road Runner’s Club of America
L C RR C
Club Membership/Application Waiver I know that running and volunteering to work in club races are potentially hazardous activities. I should not enter and run in club activities unless am medically able and properly trained. I agree to abide by any decisions of a race official relative to my ability to sagely complete the run. I assume all risks associated with running and volunteering to work in club races including, but not limited to, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including high heat and/or humidity, the conditions of the road and traffic on the course, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing there facts, and in consideration of your acceptance of my application for membership, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the La Chute Membership type Road Runners, and all sponsors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my Family $10.00 ( ) participation in there club activities, even though that liability may arrive out of negligence Individual $5.00 ( ) or carelessness on the part of the person named in this waver. Student $2.00 ( ) Signature___________________________________________Date_____________________ First: ___________________ Mi: ____ Last: ______________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________ State: _____ Zip: __________________ Home Phone: __________________________Email: ________________________________ Date of Birth: ____________ Gender: M F
Email: ______________________________
Mail to: Dave Rutkowski 253 Corduroy Road Ticonderoga, NY 12883 Checks: La Chute Road Runners Newsletters will be emailed Family Members: