(7/23-29): USATF-NJ 5k XC Preview; Goodbye, Grote

Men's Preview: Can Perrella Defend His Title?

XC Opener To Be First Indicator of GSTC's Club Nationals Team in December

 

Flemington- For a second year in a row, Deer Path Park will be the host of the USATF-NJ 5k Cross Country Championships.  And, for the second year in a row, the Garden State Track Club will unleash an unparalleled display of both talent and depth in the fall opener.  Last year, the men's team finished 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 9th.  The 2008-2010 5k cross country champions, RVRR, were third in 2011.  Team scores here: http://www.compuscore.com/cs2011/october/xc5k.htm#tm01

 

Deer Path Park is a two-loop race mostly on grass.  There is a moderate hill near the finish of each lap; last year, the base of the hill was a swamp of mud, slowing times down considerably.   

 

While it is the early season opener, the race will be the first step in figuring out a top seven to send to Kentucky's club xc national championships.  Last year's top five at nationals did, in fact, finish in the top nine at the 5k xc race: Jeff Perrella, Chris Heibell, Adin Mickle, Mike Anis, and Mike Dixon.  However, GSTC leadership has stated it will send two teams if, in fact, there are two national caliber teams that emerge by December 8th.  Unlike last year, all Gold & Black half milers will spike up and compete, adding even more muscle to the already stacked distance roster.

 

In August, Chuck and men's captain Jeff Perrella will contact all runners individually about racing availability.  From there, equally talented teams will be created, and we shall see which teams....and individuals....prevail! 

 

2011 Results/ GSTC Top Performances @ DPP

1.   15:28  Jeff Perrella 

2.   15:31  Chris Heibell

3.   15:53  Adin Mickle

4.   16:02  Mike Dixon

6.   16:25  Anthony Harris

7.   16:28  James Grimes

8.   16:33  Ashwin Anantharaman

9.   16:37  Mike Anis

10. 16:38  Tim Morgan

12. 16:52  Steve Geiger

13. 16:53  Chuck Schneekloth

17. 17:27  Dan Teichmann

18. 17:29  Zach Speigel

23. 17:47  Mike Obsuth 

24. 17:48  Alex Fowlie

27. 18:04  Kyle Flyer

28. 18:05  Robert Klink

29. 18:05  Zak Martins

35. 18:24  Edsel Flores

37. 18:39  Wismith Francois

45. 19:08  David Grau

52. 19:31  Norbert Kuter

54. 19:36 Tyler Foss

59. 19:47 Mark Parisen

76. 20:16 Nick Waclawski

104. 21:40 Corey Smith

128  22:53 Neil Verano

130  22:59 Thomas Segear

138  23:43 Stefan Symbleme

164  25:08 William Herring

 

 

Women's Preview:  The Heat is On

Every Race Counts as WIG Hold 2 Point Lead Over Defending Champ RVRR

 

Flemington- In 2011, the now defunct Running Company won the USATF-NJ Cross Country 5k Championships, scoring 32 points.  Second was RVRR, third was Sneaker Factory, and fourth...yes, fourth place was the GSTC.  And, believe it or not, the Women in Gold dipped into the sprinter pool to complete a full team, as both Quanisha Booker and Shay Warren hopped in to help field a full scoring team.

 

The 2012 cross country team will return the top three women who helped win the USATF-NJ road 5k championship in late May: Cheyenne Ogletree, Alyssa Douma, and Jamie Liberti.  The team's #4, Kristin Cupido, will race, but will be making up for lost time after a broken toe and hand.  Luckily, the ladies have a strong group to possibly fill in Cupido's spot: Karen Autero, Nicole Corre, Meghan Decarlo, Erin Higgins, Erika Meling, Lindsey Lambert, Courtney Stanton,  and Danielle Stanton.

 

An interesting twist might be a possible b team that develops from this talented group.  Last year's top returning team, RVRR, had their #5 girl run 24:13; every GSTC women above has run well under 22:00.  While it was a challenging 5k course, and while this was not their best five, all eyes will be on the GSTC vs RVRR showdown on Saturday, September 8.

 

It is also important to note that, unlike road races, five women score in cross country-- not four.  Also, cross country races are weighed heavier in team scoring: first place gets 12 points, not 10, etc.

 

Here is the start of last year's race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC7Yf5a8il4&feature=plcp

After lap one- Heibell leads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsDXkR-gFKA&feature=plcp

Finish- Perrella FTW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OENo724H0&feature=plcp

 

 

2011 Results/ GSTC Top Performances @ DPP

105.  21:41  Claire Tafelski

140.  23:49  Cathy Stutzman

147.  24:07  Liz Licorish

160.  24:41  Quanisha Booker

194.  27:56  Shay Warren

208.  29:17  Prudence Jones

 

 

Goodbye, Grote

Today, thirty-six runners joined in on Ryan Grote's final NJ run, yet not many know exactly who this guy is.  As we send him off, let's recognize just how much he's done for New Jersey and the sport of running, as it's probably a lot more than you might realize. 

 

Born in Wisconsin, he moved to Seattle before settling in Jersey his junior year in high school. Coached at Bernards HS by Mark Wetmore (you know- that guy who wins tons of NCAA titles now at Colorado- yeah, that guy), he became an All-American in cross country at University of Washington and in track for University of Portland.  He helped U-Dub win their ONLY Pac-10 xc title years ago, along with running a 2:17 marathon in college.  Yeah, 2:17.  That was no error.

 

Upon returning home from college, he opened up Runner's Pace running store in Bedminster.  This allowed him to create an elite racing team with adidas and, while doing so, founded the "River Road Run" and the many loops we follow there today.

His Grote Poll, a no-nonsense ranking of top cross country teams every year, is one of the most discussed running websites.  Indeed, it was truly the first website for competitive runners, leading to the creation of LetsRun.com, today's primary source of running information.  Check it out: www.grotepoll.com. 

Grote had the fastest time in America for the ten mile race, and won both the AC and Philly Marathons in 1998.  He coached two state champions, one of them winning three Meet of Champions titles.

Now, he is making a running comeback after six years of no racing.  He's put in thirty straight weeks of 100 miles or more.  But, sadly for us all, he is taking his comeback out to Wisco- where his parents reside.  That said, perhaps it is fitting that he retires from the GSTC as the only undefeated member; in May, weeks after joining the GSTC, won the hilly Superhero Half in 71:19.

 

Grote Quotes From Email Before Final Run at Jockey Hollow

"I have surely put in more time and miles in these woods than any human or animal in history and also pooped in the toilet there (usually the regular one, not the handi-crapper) more than anybody."

"I will run 2-hours or more, maybe do 2 loops, then add on, go beat up on some of the mountain bike sissyboys in Lewis Morris, etc."

"Many of you have put in a few miles here with me...if you haven't, now is the chance.  For some of you, perhaps new-ish to the area, chance to run with me, see a great spot to run and also meet the club that you SHOULD be a member of...ahem."

 

This Week's GSTC Trivia Question

Question: Who was the first member of the GSTC to score points at a USATF national championship event? (answer at bottom of email)

A:  Mike Anis (steeplechase)

B.  Jeff Perrella (10,000m)

C.  Tim Morgan (3k racewalk)

D.  Chris Heibell (1500m)

E.  Ben Dover (shot put)

 

Club Record: 37 Runners at Today's LR

Heck yeah- check out the attached pictures- a club record 37 people attended today's long run at Jockey Hollow.  Next week let's go for forty at the Manasquan Reservoir!  And fun at the Haskell (biggest horse racing day of the year at Monmouth Park) afterward!!

 

QOTW...You've Waited All Week for It

"You tagged me as tim morgan in one of those pics...Should i be insulted?"  -Andrew Capizzi: FB message

 "For style points I can roll up in a kayak.  But perhaps that would scare away the new girl."  -Mike Gurzo: text about Friday morning run (with new member, Erika) that meets by Rutgers boat house.  (Editor's note: he owns a kayak, and we learned later he has kayaked to this spot before)

"Oh no, I was outta school by then.  I'm 25 Chuck, I'm an OLD man.  Wait, I mean, sorry...."  -Shawn Deandrea, at Monday Philly run, realizing 25 really isn't that old.  You jerk. 

"I want to go to Kentucky, and run the fastest 10k of my life.  I know that making that happen will take serious dedication, careful attention to my health and avoiding injuries, and as aforementioned, focus on the penultimate goal."  -Mike Anis: emal re: club national

"That blonde guy over there looks like he's from a super hero movie.  Like he's a villian from Spiderman!"  -Cheyenne Ogletree about Ryan Grote.  Yeah, many opponents have similar fears of him, as well!

"I'll be there early."  -Tim Morgan (Editor's note: he made it by one minute)

"Got some new shoes.  Now I'm ready for tomorrow's run!"  -Kyle Flyer: text re: Wednesday Morristown run

"At my last job, I just had to make sure no one parked in this one big spot near the (movie) set.  For 14 hours straight.  It helped when a car full of girls flashed me at like 3 in the morning.  It worked better than a 5 Hour Energy Drink."  -Adin Mickle: discussion during Monday Philly run

"What do you need me for?  Beard power?"  -Mike Anis: phone call regarding a team run

"That was the last time I do the racewalk.  I can't believe I even did it once, for that matter."  -Tim Morgan, talking about the infamous racewalk in 2012 USATF-NJ Track and Field Championships 

"No- they are YOUR enemies.  Everyone loves me."  -Ken Goglas, making sure just Chuck is the scapegoat for all club issues

 

Team Runs...It's Better Than Runnin' Alone!

Monday:  5:30 @ Philadelphia's Wissahickon Trail (660 West Rittenhouse St., Philadelphia, PA 19144) w/ Adin, Chuck, Peter, and Shawn.  Hit up Chuck or Adin if you want in!

Tuesday 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park (parking lot near bathrooms)

Wednesday 6:15 @ Morristown Running Company

Wednesday Women's 7pm workout @ Franklin Middle School/Ridgewood (email robbob13@hotmail.com for details)

Thursday 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park (parking lot near bathrooms)

Thursday 6:00 @ Holmdel Park's gazebo/main building (email Kenneth.m.walsh@gmail.com)

Friday 9:30am @ Boyd Park (New Brunswick- parking lot left of Rutgers bathrooms)

Sunday: LONG RUN AT MANASQUAN RESERVOIR @ 9:00am.  Going to watch the Haskell afterward!!!!

 

Tim Morgan Award

Conversation During Friday's Team Run

Unnamed GSTC runner: Hey Tim, how many miles did you run yesterday?

Tim Morgan:  I ran ten miles--it was a good day!

Unnamed GSTC runner:  Wow- how many does that put you in the week, being that it's Friday?

Tim Morgan: (after long pause) Thirteen.

 

This Week in Training

Sprinters/Half Miler/Hurdlers: Please check Sprint Squad Group for instructions

Distance Runners

Time to take a few minutes to think about how the week has gone and where to go from here.  Again, if it was a tough week, you should think about repeating your mileage or even backing down a bit.  If you felt good or great, step up!  I wouldn't go up more than 10 miles from one week to the next.  Remember that the medium run on Wed/Thu and the long run on Sunday are the cornerstones of an effective build.  Do strides the other days, and try to get some hill sprints in on two nonconsecutive days (Tuesday-Friday is a good combo).  Remember you want them to be no longer than 10sec in duration, all-out, on the steepest hill you can find.  You may want to do a few strides before you begin.

It's also a good time to get in some quality fartlek work.  Start with an easy breakdown of hard/easy, like 1:30 on/3:30 off.  There shouldn't be more than 1:00 per mile difference in pace between pickup and recovery - so it's better to go 6:30/7:00 than it is to go 6:00/7:45.  You don't want it to feel like a continuous interval workout that you would do on the track.  I don't recommend you do this on the same day as the hill sprints, and you shouldn't really feel a burn on these - it should still be quality aerobic work.  So I would stay well short of threshold pace on the pickups.  

Build smart and strong!  

Trivia Answer

A- Mike Anis.  The 3k steeple was one of the first finals on the track on Friday night, July 8 2011, at club nationals.  Jeff Perrella was ready to run the 10k, but meet managemnt canceled it due to heavy rains....making Anis forever etched in the hearts and record books of the GSTC.  Beard power!