After just an hour, this tweet by Armory Track was retweeted 48 times and favored 83 times.
Any press is good press though, right? Maybe.
Kyle's Korner is a segment of the Club's weekly email that will focus on reacquainting you with a different current club member each week. We will catch you up on how they are doing with regards to their training, their lives, and other general nonsense. This segment intends to be informative and educational while attempting humor in a purely inoffensive way. Mostly.
This week on Kyle's Korner we spoke with one of our ever growing population of Rider's alumni, Chelsea Callan. She's packed quite a lot of talent into her pint sized perky self and she has used it to win races, qualify for big ticket events, and compete with our club on the national level. And that's exactly what she plans on doing again this year.
Kyle: Good afternoon Chelsea. Thank you for joining us.
Ms. Callan: Anytime!
Kyle: So for starters, what lead to you racing in black and gold?
Ms. Callan: I took some time off after college for a much needed mental and physical break. I had started up running again and hopped in a few longer track races spring 2012, noticing GSTC at a few of the meets. I was racing well but realized I missed the Team aspect of running. After Run for Rachel 5k, Chuck creeped and Facebook stalked me, giving info about the club. Luckily it all worked out, I joined the team for a run (at the res!) and never looked back from there!
Kyle: It's hard to resist that magical moment when Chuck first creeps on a potential member. What about that first run at the res made you want to commit?
Ms. Callan: There had to have been about 30+ team members there that day, which was impressive. Everyone made sure to introduce themselves and make us newbies feel welcome. It was so nice to have a pack to run with again.
Kyle: I'm all for the pack running as well. You were at the res today for the long right? Just how you remember it from that first time?
Ms. Callan: The reservoir was great! That is definitely one of my favorite places to run. I always seem to get trail happy there. There's always a lot of people out and we have a solid group of GSTCers every time.
Kyle: So how has this season been shaping up for you?
Ms. Callan: This season seems to be rounding into form at just the right time. I've been consistently running without interruption since May (knock on wood). I've worked really hard to make sure I kept my mileage consistent and have good quality workouts. My focus has been on point lately and I feel very strong running, especially after completing that Michigan last week!
Kyle: You also had a very strong 5k last weekend correct?
Ms. Callan: Yes I did! I knew I was in good shape but felt like others constantly doubted me. I wasn't planning on racing at all but it was recommended I run a 5k to solidify a spot for club nats team placement. Knowing I had to run fast I just went out and ran hard. Luckily I had a pack of men to latch onto. I had a huge burst of adrenaline coming down the finish and seeing 17 on the clock still. It was great to know that all my hard work is paying off.
Kyle: Well doubters gonna doubt but I think Nationals is in the bag for you now at this point with your fitness level where it is. You looking towards A-team status?
Ms. Callan: That's been the goal. I know we have a great middle pack of runners so it wouldn't be easy. I've specifically been training for cross country this season with nationals as the goal race so I am excited to see how our team can mix it up there.
Kyle: Gotta represent on our turf! How has life been outside of running for you this season?
Ms. Callan: It's been alright. Still on the search for a permanent teaching position which is stressful at times but I know the right job will come along at the right time. Also I am somehow in 2nd place at the moment in our teams fantasy league so have to brag while it lasts incase I lose this weekend and drop in the rankings haha
Kyle: Well I wish you the best of luck with both! You have coached as well as taught before right?
Ms. Callan: Yes I have. I still go back to watch the team when I can since my best friend still coaches them. They just had their highest finish at the group meet yesterday finishing 12th as a team! It's such an amazing feeling to have your athletes do well, I almost get more excited for them than I do for myself.
Kyle: I'm lucky to know that feeling as well.
So what's you're craziest running story?
Ms. Callan: Crazy? Hmm this is tough. I've had running adventures getting crazy lost, seeing bears, falling in mud, tripping over the steeple barrier and face planting mid-race, running into the middle of a paintball game in the trails and being scared for my life, and one of my teammates fell through ice into a frozen creek. Let's just say running is always an adventure!
Kyle: Well I can see why it would be hard to pick one. Running into an ongoing paintball game must have been ridiculous though!
Ms. Callan: Yes, it was on a trail near Rider and I was with one of my teammates. It was getting dark so we were trying to get back to the road when all of a sudden we saw someone in a paintball mask pop out from behind a tree. I think I almost peed myself.
Kyle: Lions and tigers and ballistics oh my! Well that's all the time we have for this week. Thank you so much for speaking with us!
Ms. Callan: Thank you for having me!
Kyle: Tune in next week to see who we interview.
Gold Star
by Bri Teichmann
Kristina Petillo
Kristina has been running for about 3-4 years and is excited to join the black and gold for some running company! She started running locally around her town without setting any official goals. She signed up for the Disney half marathon for some motivation and to add some purpose to her runs. Since the Disney half she has completed the Wine and Dine half 2 years, the Disney marathon this past January, the Unite Half at Rutgers, the Superhero Half in Morristown and recently just added the NYC marathon to her completed list! She is currently training for the Wine and Dine again and the Dopey Challenge in January.
When she's not running, Kristina works in schools as an aide in special education classes and teaches dance five nights a week. She is a dual certified teacher, but just hasn't been had the right time-right place thing on her job search.
Kristina lives in Lake Hiawatha, which is part of Parsippany and usually runs through the surrounding towns. She usually runs by herself, so is really looking forward to having company on her runs!! Welcome, Kristina!!
Quotes of the Week
"I miss the crap out of the team right now." -sprinter Kevin Perrson, who's been stuck coaching XC all fall. He returns to sprint practice this week. Two years ago, he was the third fastest in the 500m on the East Coast at the IC4A Championships.
"Back at it, after taking some months off, winners train, losers complain, you can be talented, but talent alone won't bring you success, gotta stay focused, hungry, and dedicated." -sprinter Julius Frederick, via FB, after his first sprint practice
"7-11 is not the place to buy a chicken caesar wrap, just in case any of you were considering this." -Tim Morgan, via FB.
"Just letting you know I just ran in the rain. One of my second best runs as well (flexes the guns)." -sprinter Ish Robbins, via FB. It appears Ish is proving sprinters don't actually melt when in the rain.
 |
| Ish and Julius training Saturday morning at aGSTC practice |
"If you look closely, he's actually pushing the world down." -half miler Mike Saparito, via FB, in response to Jaris Rousseau's push-up video
"Do I need to write an essay to get my shoe back?" -Ezra Chefitz, via FB post whereas his right running shoe was mistakenly taken and placed in the Essays 4 Equipment donation bags by David Fett
"This could have been settled by text message :(" -David Fett, in response to the long thread enjoying his oversight
"Great! I'm psyched to be a part of the team! I haven't been on a team since college. I'll do my best to represent!" -Joe Pawlish, a masters runner who ran 16:32 weeks ago...and will be rocking black and gold at club nationals in a month.
"After 26 missed practices and 4 and a half weeks of sitting around and not doing anything, I'm finally cleared to return to the sport I love!" -thrower Casey Ciaston via FB
"I'm not number 1, I lied.
I'm number 1, 2, 3, 4 and five." -KRS-1, Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)
"Ashwin Anantharaman, grow a pair and join us." -Kenny G, via FB, during a Central Enclave group workout. He loves to meet up with the girls, but...
"Thanks! You guys are the real family that I've always wanted to have in the states." -Youssef Rochdi, via text, a native Moraccan.
"One slice Ken? After running some big boy times, I need a big boys meal." -Ezra Chefitz, via FB, asking Ken for a bigger bribe after his nifty 18:03 5k last weekend
"It's longer than a Mike Anis story." -Ken Walsh, via text, regarding the last weekly email. Is this a good or bad thing?
 |
| Half milers throw down 200s after doing 2ks Saturday morning at Donaldson park |
"And my training partner is the old lady doing burps with her dog at the track." -sprinter Tyrone Ross, via FB, who trains alone, daily, at 4:00am."
"Dude, a half minute PR for someone who's been running as long as you have is fantastic. However, I wouldn't plan on making the weekly email." -Steve Bonica, via FB to Mark Parisen after his 5k breakthrough last weekend, joking about just how good the aGSTC distance crew is.
"When I wanted to die I just kept thinking 'newsletter.'" -Erika Bow, via text last weekend, after her half marathon personal best. Indeed, the weekly email loves to celebrate every member success.
"I'm glad I was able to come away with the win, although a team win would have been much more satisfying." -Thomas Toth, the Lone Star Conference Champ fro Oklahoma, who plans to move to NJ upon graduation to train with the aGSTC
Kyle:
Kyle:
