Sunday, August 5, 2012

(8/6 - 8/12): Sprint Squad, Masters' Team Grows; Team Meeting Change to Thursday

Tim Morgan Award: A Dandy This Week
We'll start off with the TMA, primarily because Zak Martins continues to make a strong bid for the 2012 title.
 
So, when driving to today's long run (editor's note: a 50 minute drive- so props to him), he "forgot about the tolls" and didn't bring any cash with him.  No EZ Pass and no spare change is a problem along the Parkway.  How does he resolve this problem at the toll booth?  Gets out of his car and begs the car behind him for an extra $1.50 (editor's note: thank goodness he didn't have a GSTC shirt on).  You just can't make this stuff up.
 
GSTC Elite Men's captain Jeff Perrella makes his debut in the TMA this week.  After busting our balls on a Facebook thread about the run's location, and even after a last-minute proposal last night to have a 6am viewing of the Olympic marathon prior to the LR, he sleeps through his alarm and never shows. 
 
 
Changed: Team Meeting Thursday @ OB
There were just too many conflicts for Tuesday, and this meeting is just too important about too many critical issues (uniform selection, 2013 schedule creation, Gorilla 5k prep).  We apologize for any inconveniences, but Thursday seems to work for nearly everyone.  So, here we go: EVERYONE IS INVITED, as we want to make decisions that incorporate as many voices as possible!
Thursday Team Run 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park in NB (big parking lot near basketball courts)
Thursday Team Meeting 7:45 @ Olive Branch (37 Bartlett, New Brunswick: half mile from Buccleuch Park)
 
GSTC Sprint Squad Opens Season Wednesday
All half milers and sprinters are to report to Highland Park High School (102 North Fifth Avenue Highland Park) for the 1600m or 600m time trial this Wednesday at 6:15pm.  It is a long season, and the point isn't to be super fit....the point is to get a litmus test of fitness after general training for four weeks. 
 
With the 2013 USATF Club Nationals Track and Field Championships at Icahn Stadium this July, we have a big goal (and a long season) ahead of us.  Get there early and be ready to go!  No spikes....just trainers.
 
 
GSTC Weekly Trivia: Hey, Hey, Hey Ladies!
Let's talk about the women's distance team for a bit as they are, after all, pretty awesome ladies.
 
That said, the GSTC didn't always have such a fine collection of female speedsters.  In fact, this was the slowest growing part of the club until 2012.  Now, however, we have a team that could crack the top ten at club nationals this fall in Kentucky....what a difference a year makes.
 
Okay, now to the trivia question: who was the FIRST lady in black and gold to WIN a race (it was, btw, the Ramsey Day 5k):
A.  Cheyenne Ogletree
B.  Karen Auteri
C.  Ivanna Tinkle
D.  Jaimi Liberti
E.  Meghan Decarlo
 
You Ain't THAT Good
We are thrilled to have the quick couple of Craig and Brandi Donnelly now on our team.
 
However, they were the first ones in club history to send in their club membership forms through....certified mail, which meant we had to drive all the way to the post office to sign for the simple envelope.  Hey, we get it--Craig has run a half marathon in 68:27 (or 5:13 pace), and Brandi has run 18:52- but you ain't that good that we have to drive and sign for your autographed GSTC application!  If anything will be the impetus for us to get this membership stuff on-line....it was this.
 
 
NB Declares War on GSTC
The GSTC puts on enough events in this damned town to know the city rules: "no parking" signs must be placed 24 hours in advance.  So, after parking the team van after Sunday's LR, then going inside it Monday for team shirts, we can say one thing: there was NO SIGN.  After a brief stint of thinking it was stolen Wednesday, we saw a rinky dink sign of one small tree the read "No Parking Tuesday."  So, one ticket, one $20 administrative fee, one lecture from some tow truck clown about how to park, one towing fee of $135, and three hours later, the van is back safely from the NBPD villians. 
 
Homeboy must have put up that sign late Monday or early Tuesday, called police hours later, and had us towed away. 
 
We shall see you in court on August 14.  No one messes with the creeper van and gets away with it.
 
 
Amy Award: It's Back!
Yeah, you don't see the Amy Award (named after member Amy Denholtz who evidently thanks every volunteer while racing) often, but Rich Angillilo gets the nod this week.  The antithesis of the TM Award, Rich helped us drive the van (towed miles away!) back to safety on a last-minute, panicked phone call request.  Thanks, Rich, for helping us out.
 
 
Sprint Squad and Masters' Team Grows 
We're excited about our powerhouse men's masters team of Ken Huryk, Jeremy Stratton, Steve Herring, Marty Doherty, and Eric Davis.  And now, we're super psyched about Drew Davis- another sub-18:00 masters runner who has an incredible, decorated running history.  One quick example: as a 45 year old, Mr. Davis ran the Liberty Waterfront Half Marathon in 74:58....or 5:43/mile.  At age 45.  Wow.
 
In the Sprint squad, we welcome some serious heavy hitters.  First, a trio of solid half milers:  Steve Ambrosi (1:52.57/ Moravian '11), Hamer Farag (1:53/4:17), and Jon Karlsson (1:53/ Rutgers '11).  Throw Tony Polite's 1:52 in there, and that's a serious 4x800 relay. 
 
From there, we've got Elizabeth vaulter/sprinter Josh Chavanne (3-6/50.5), Lyndhurst hurdler Ali Kohne, Northern Burlington 100/200 sprinter Mikey Weekes, Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Regelle Thomas, former Dartmouth hurdler Helene Sisti, and 110 hurdler Marshall King with hs nasty14.20 PR.
 
Prepping for Upcoming Races
Hard to believe- the fall races are a 'coming, and here's what you need to know (especially for new folks):
1.  Need to be a 2012 USATF-NJ member!  Do that here: https://www.usatf.org/membership/application/
2.  You need to have USATF affiliation with GSTC.  In above link,make sure you indicate club team #385, GSTC!  People always miss this part.
3.  Be a 2012 GSTC member- send in that membership form: http://www.gardenstatetc.org/membership/members.html
4.  We will email you in a few weeks about your racing availability!
 
 
2012 Fall Racing Schedule
9/8          USATF-NJ 5k Cross Country Championships (Saturday)
9/23        Liberty Waterfront Half Marathon: USATF-NJ Half Marathon Championships (Sunday)
10/7       Get the Gorilla 5k (Sunday- GSTC hosted event & big fundraiser)
10/28     USATF-NJ 8k Cross Country Championships (Sunday)
12/8       USATF Club Cross Country 10k National Championships (Saturday)
 
Quotes of the Week
"I started on the D Team, and now I'm on the H or higher team depending on who shows up at any given race."  -board member Alex Fowlie, in an email
 
"Slow news last week.  TM Award for being 5mins late.  Weak."  -Mike Anis, via text, protesting his TMA nomination last week
 
"Thanks for inviting me on this morning run.  Have a great day!"  -71:30 half marathoner Rich Angillilo via text
 
"I'm still the man to beat."  -Tony Harris, text message, regarding the growing horses in the GSTC half mile stable
 
"im definately excited about being on the team...Looking forward to getting back into the groove of things."  -newcomer sprinter Regelle Thomas, on Sprint Squad FB page
 
"If that new iPhone costs $800, it better be able to download food."  -FB status by our 110HH club record holder Alan Broussard.  Usually he offers some lame tip like "Enjoy the day and don't get too emotional"- but this was a solid one
 
"Bonica just got engaged this week.  He's done.  He will be emotionally distracted all fall."  -Rob Decarlo, after today's LR, discussing his rivalry with Steve Bonica that is just weeks away from re-commencing
 
"Dude, I got here like 15 minutes early simply because I didn't want to end up in the Tim Morgan Award section,"  -Chris Behre, talking to Mike Anis, about his approach to making the LR today.  Nice to see that our public shaming is getting people to runs on time....
 
"Thanks for the run invite.  Today was about 20secs per mile faster than the beach run on a more humid day - pretty cool."  -Mark Parisen via text, regarding Friday team run 
 
"hey, i just graduated hs, im currently attending Kean U. im absolutely glad to join this track club =)" -Ali Kohne, hurdler, on Sprint Squad FB page
 
 
Team Runs: Because Sharing is Caring 
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!
Monday 6:00 @ Holmdel Park's gazebo/main building (email Kenneth.m.walsh@gmail.com) ****a change from usual Thursday run*****
Tuesday 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park (parking lot near bathrooms)
Wednesday 6:15 @ Morristown Running Company (park in Wells Fargo lot after 5:00 for free)
Wednesday Women's 7pm track workout (email robbob13@hotmail.com for details)
Thursday 6:15 @ Buccleuch Park (parking lot near bathrooms) + TEAM MEETING AT 7:45 AT OLIVE BRANCH
Friday 9:30am @ Boyd Park (New Brunswick- parking lot left of Rutgers boathouse)
Sunday: 8:00AM @ RIVER ROAD IN BEDMINSTER
 
Sunday LR:  We need to start earlier, and Perrella and Poland vote for River Road.  Here's the course: http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=110524
Easy to get to: 287 to exit 22B (Route 202/206). Drive a minute, take River Road jug handle, see the parking lot on right hand side!
This Week in Training
Sprinters
As always, please check the Sprint Squad FB group page!
Distance
If you're up to the mileage you're aiming for, hold it.  If you're not, add the miles according to how you're feeling.

Not a whole lot new this week.  Keep up the medium run, long run, hill sprints, and strides.  A fartlek run the day before the medium run will help you get the speed rolling - just make sure the recovery intervals are honest and you're not running too fast on the pickups.  

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