Summer Is Here!
While the sprinters, half milers, and distance runners alike rest, rejuvenate, and marinate during the early summer, what better time is there to recap a very exciting spring for the club? But before we look back at the season that was, let's not overlook the lone result of the week:
Heibell Wins Three-Way Tie With a Scissors
Gurzo, Lothian Throw "Regretful" Paper on Wednesday Night Oly Trials Grand Prix Finale
New Brunswick: On Wednesday evening, twenty GSTC'ers congregated at Mike's Courtside to watch the Olympic Trials, along with playing the $1 buy-in Grand Prix. The GP, a list of eight questions asking contestants to predict the place and time of the various events contested that evening, resulted in a three-way tie for first, as James Lothian, Mike Gurzo, and Chris Heibell all had 50 points by night's end. Upon a lengthy team debate, it was decided the trio would decide the $18 jack-pot winner as gentlemen, using an approach that started during the great Han Dynasty (206bc), and continues to be supported throughout the world, including by American federal judge in Florida Gregory Presnell in a court ruling from 2006: rock-scissors-paper.
Indeed, the stakes were high. For Gurzo and Lothian, both engineers, they find this kind of money under their pillow at night; however, they are both building a reputation and relationships as new members. For Heibell, a GSTC veteran And recent college graduate, this was a paycheck, a jackpot, the lottery. After all, he's been admiring a new plaid shirt at Anthropology, but he only gets allowance from his parents at month's end, so...all were excited at the opportunities that awaited. Judge Jeff Perrella made the rules clear: play until there is one winner.
The first throw was anti-climatic, as each threw a different sign- resulting in a stalemate. But the second throw was fascinating, as all three threw the statistically-least common (30%) throw: paper. This built suspense for the third and final round of good ol' "handy-fisty-shake", as both Lothian and Gurzo used faulty reverse psychology and threw down another paper. Heibell, known for his crafty guile and matching outfits, threw down a scissors, and man...we have never seen a double-first-pump celebation like that one before, outside of maybe Jenk's boardwalk at 3am. There were grumblings that this was his biggest win of the season, and we must say--we do agree. Great job, Heibell.
For those that believe in foreshadowing, please note that Decarlo defeteated Bonica, and Heibell defeated Tony Polite and Perrella. Just sayin'.
FINAL RESULTS OF GSTC GRAND PRIX: 1. Heibell (50 points), 2. Gurzo, Lothian (50), 4. Matt, Decarlo, Perrella (40), 7. Leanne, Bonica, Harris (30), 10. Corre, Sharon, Fowlie, Welsh, Chuck, Z-Mart (20), 16. O'Toole, Sarah, Piekarski (10). DNS- Morgan ("You don't want me playing that game"), Foss (late). Via email: Walsh (30), Capizzi (30), Behre (20), Geiger (20).
11 Rock-Scissors-Paper Secrets here: http://www.11points.com/Games/11_Secrets_For_Winning_At_Rock_Paper_Scissors
Get the Gorilla 5k....October 7th!
The GSTC's fall race has it all: costume contest, elite race, centipedes, gorillas, bananas, kids' race....this is all you need to know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCNaxBAn8IA&feature=plcp
TEAM RUNS THIS WEEK
TUESDAY - 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park's gazebo (beside parking lot/bathrooms)
WEDNESDAY - 6:15 @ Morristown Running Company
THURSDAY - 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park's gazebo
SUNDAY - 9:00am @ River Road
SPRING SEASON REVIEW
This will be updated soon, but a fun look at some highlights from parts of this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC-XK_NQA0k&feature=youtube_gdata
Women's Distance: In a Tale of Two Seasons, the WIG Lead by Two Points
It took a while for the train to gather steam, but once it did...the GSTC ladies totally steamrolled over the USATF-NJ Grand Prix, yet now sit just two slim points ahead of RVRR for first place in the open women's division.
At the 20k and 5 Mile championships, opportunities were lost and the ladies settled for second at both races. Carrying the team load these races were Kristin Cupido, Cheyenne Ogletree, Cathy Stutzman, and Meghan Decarlo; in both races, they were winning after the top three runners, but alas...the top four are scored. The GSTC women were in a tough bind: they needed a #4 runner, and they needed it badly.
Karen Auteri, a former runner for TCNJ, stepped up big time in the razor close victory at the USATF-NJ 10k championships; Erin Higgins made the big difference in the 15k champs, running the best race she's ever run in gold and black to help lock down the team win there.
However, in the rubber match and final championship of the season, the USATF-NJ 5k championship at Run for Rachel 5k, was the first time the WIG were in full force, and...it was total domination. Jamie Liberti and Alyssa Douma, both in their GSTC debut, ran fabulously (18:48 and 18:37, respectively), resulting in a win by 3:30--or about 50 seconds per woman--impressive when considering the distance was just 5k.
Despite the incredible finish, four races remain and many questions linger as the ladies cling to their delicate two-point lead. What are those races and questions, you wonder? Have patience...next week is the "Fall Preview."
Open Women's Standings (5 of 9 races completed)
46 points- Garden State Track Team "A"
44 points- Raritan Valley Road Runners "A"
30 points- Garmin Runners "A"
17 points- North Jersey Masters
15 points- Sneaker Factory "A"
Men's Sprints: 4x400 Quartet Steals Spring Show as PRs Abound
Things got off to a great start in the opener, as the 4x400 relay of Ricky Garcia, Mike Brito, Duval Sewer, and Tony Harris outmuscled Manhattan College on December 9, winning in 3:26.25. This set the tone for a season of golds for the foursome, including big wins at Madison Square Garden and Penn Relays, although the club record came at the Swarthmore Last Chance with a 3:17.48 silver medal. Thanks to such successes, the crew was invited- and raced- at one of the world's best meets: the adidas Diamond League Grand Prix in NYC, where the group finished 6th of 9 teams.
All four ran lifetime PRs by season's end: Garcia (48.5), Brito (48.8/52.97IH), Sewer (49.3), and Harris (48.7/1:52.69).
The half-mile crew, after breaking the club record in the 4x800, went on to also set a plethora of lifetime bests: Zak Martins (2:00), Reggie James (1:59), Mark Parisen (2:00/54.52IH), Sewer (1:58i), Tyler Foss (1:58i), and Garcia (1:59i).
The sprint side saw equal success, as most of the most committed athletes saw huge PR breakthroughs: Alan Broussard (14.65/110HH), Ish Robbins (10.87), Arvid Pansanjan (22.58), and Daniel Brathwaite (50.76/22.74).
The season ended on a huge team win, as the GSTC defeated the Shore AC to win the USATF-NJ Open Team Championship. In addition, the men's fastest 4x400 time was the 5th best by any club in America.
Women's Sprints: Washington Qualifies for Olympic Trials
Asia Washington had a banner year, lowering her previous 400IH best from 56.90 to 56.78, qualifying her for the 2012 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Throughout the season, she set three club records in addition to the 400IH: the 100 (11.95), 200 (24.18), and 400 (54.71). She also played an instrumental role in both the sprint medley and 4x200 relays at the Millrose Games.
Unfortunately, several of the other women sprinters battled injury most of the year. Things did end on a good note, however, as Shay Warren, Haleigh Simon, Quanisha Booker, and Alexis Mbakwe teamed up to break the 4x400 club record at the Swarthmore Last Chance Invitational in mid-May.
Men's Distance: America's Deepest Club Team Close to 1-2 Finish
The men's distance team had a near flawless spring, racking up wins in all five USATF-NJ Grand Prix Championship races. In fact, they went 1-2 in the first three races (20k, 15k, and 5k), but due to injuries and track races, were unable to field "B" teams in the final two contests. This sets the table for an interesting fall, as the B team will claw back from a six point deficit to bring the GSTC to an unprecedented 1-2 team sweep atop the state leader board.
The mighty Tom Poland set the state on fire in the first two races, finishing 2nd at the 20k and winning the hilly, grueling Indian Trails15k in a course-record time. Flanked by Adin Mickle, Ken Goglas, Shawn Deandrea, and Mark Del Monaco, the Men In Gold ran wild on the circuit, often filling the top ten spots with 7-8 guys.
Perhaps the greatest display of depth came in the USATF-NJ 5k Championships, wheres the GSTC finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th--just missing out on the clean sweep of the team podium. Hard to believe, but true: http://www.fasttrackcoaching.net/timing/Results/2012-STOMP-THE-MONSTER-5K-TEAM.txt. This was the first race of team captain Jeff Perrella, who then went on with Tim Morgan, Edsel Flores, Goglas, Mike Anis, and Dan Teichmann to capture the final team title, the USATF-NJ 10k race, averaging 33:21/man in sweltering conditions. Two weeks prior, the MIG flashed yet another different look, with Andrew Capizzi, Goglas, Ashwin Anantharaman, Anis, and Chuck Schneekloth finishing 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th to lock down the dubya at the Our House USATF-NJ 5 Mile Championship.
Throughout the season, the Gold have picked up some of the best male runners in the tri-state area, all of whom have yet to race in a USATF championshp yet. Who are they? All in due time...just wait for next weekend's fall preview.
Open Men's Standings (5 of 9 races completed)
50- Garden State Track Club "A"
30- Sneaker Factory "A"
27- Raritan Valley Road Runners "A"
24- Garden State Track Club "B"
15- Clifton RR "A"
THIS WEEK IN TRAINING
Distance
(we are on week three of three-week break): Take 3 weeks of downtime to recharge the batteries. In those 3 weeks you should stay active, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to run - walk, hike, ride a bike, swim, play other sports. Each week, get out for 2-3 easy runs of 2-3 miles. The purpose of these runs is to keep your muscles, tendons etc in good working order and prevent atrophy of inactivity during your break time. That way, when the time comes to get it going again, you are met with much less muscle soreness and you can resume normal training and build mileage faster. Enjoy the downtime, forget about training for awhile so you can come back to training in mid-July hungry and fresh!
Sprints
This is your last full week off without running, but doing cross training like biking, swimming, etc. is great! However, be smart. It sounds like Christian broke some bones playing football; that is what NOT to do during your time-off. Sure, play hoops- but not all-out, full-court press hoops. Exercise and have fun, but remember: one sprain and you're starting off 2012-2013 in a bad way. Be smart, relax, enjoy, and read a book! Next week, we start slowly grinding the axe, and with club nationals being at Icahn in 2013.....we race until early July next year...that's a LONG season, my friends. Enjoy the mental and physical break while you can.
No comments:
Post a Comment