(9/28-10/4): aGSTC Has Big Day at HM Team Championships

THE WEEKLY EMAIL or bi-weekly...sorry :( USATF-NJ Half Marathon Championships 40's Women: It Doesn't Get Closer Than This  Some of the masters ladies before the race. 40's Women Team Scores- Before HM 40 points- Garmin 30 points- aGSTC 30 points- RVRR 30 points- Shore AC  This is what the USATF-NJ Grand Prix is all about: team battles.  And, indeed, do we have a close one here.  Before last weekend's USATF-NJ Half Marathon Championships, three teams were tied with 30 points: RVRR, SAC, and the adidas GSTC.  Although the 13.1 team race through the bumpy Jersey City streets is over, the dust hasn't come close to settling.  With just three races left, anything can happen.  And with only the top three teams receiving team plaques at year's end, someone will be left off the podium. 40's Women Team Scores- After HM 50 points- Garmin 10 36 points- aGSTC 35 points- RVRR 33 points- Shore AC The aGSTC women's 40's team finished 3rd at the USA National XC Championships last December in Bethlehem, but it's been a tough 2015.  Superstars Martha Grinnell and Michelle Brangan have been hurt, and Locky Trachsel has been oft unavailable due to her plethora of responsibilities.   Hersey finishing the race Sarah Hersey stepped up and ran a solid race, coming in at 1:39:09 as the team's top finisher.  Cherylann Dorsey continued her fine season, as she finished in 1:43:49.  Pat Butcher, double-dipping from the 50s team, rounded out the group's scoring three, with a 1:45:02 performance.  And who says seconds don't matter?  This group had a total team time of 5 hours, 8 minutes, and 1 second (5:08:01).  Fourth place RVRR finished just seconds behind them- in 5:08:22, just seven seconds per runner slower.  Over a half marathon, seven seconds could be lost or gained on a single water stop.  Yikes...what a close team race! The B Team squeezed out a 10th place point, as Deborah Olson (1:50:50), Stephanie Edwards (2:07:53), and Prudence Jones (2:31:39) teamed up for the performance.   40s Men:  Also a Dogfight  Leitz crosses the finish line in Jersey City 40's Men- Before the HM 70 points- Garmin 50 points- aGSTC 48 points- Do Run Runners 35 points- North Jersey Masters Much akin to the masters women, Captain Matt Baker and his masters men find themselves in a real photo finish upon the final two months of the season.  With just two races remaining, the men's 40s team nurses a slim one-point lead, thanks to some fantastic running last weekend. Nick Van Langen continued a very impressive season, rolling to a superb 1:22:27 finish as the group's top man.  Averaging 6:17 pace, the 48 year old won his 45-49 division--no easy task at such a big, competitive event, and finished 50th overall.   Running just as big of a race was Eric Davis, who was the #2 man--his highest finish ever in club history- with a very solid 1:25:55.  Wes Cole was the third man in 88:13, Karl Leitz  fourth in 1:34:56, and Brian Harris fifth in 96:27.   NJ legend Jeremy Stratton, who was once NJ's best road racer in the 90's, is seen here at mile two 40's Men- After the HM 82 points- Garmin  57 points- aGSTC  56 points- Do Run Runners  45 points- North Jersey Masters  The 50s team finished a respectable sixth, with a 1:38:15 average.  Harris, Yuki Negoro (1:37:27), Jeremy Stratton (1:38:00), Matt Baker (1:38:19), and Peter Auteri (1:41:03) were the group's scoring top five. The 60s team finished 8th, squeezing out one team point, as the crew has been hit hard with injuries this year.  Auteri, John Bergacs  (2:10:26), and Doug McAndrew (2:47:24) comprised the scoring team. Open Men: Domination Club vice president Ken Goglas (right) and Matt Eder lead the peloton at mile two. It's been over four years since the aGSTC open men lost a USATF-NJ championship race, which remains their lone loss in club history.  After last Sunday's half marathon championships, the crew looks poised to extend the winning streak to a fifth year.  Or, maybe another four. Mennitt finishing Mennitt posing afterward Packing sixteen in the top 31 who all averaged sub-6:00 pace, the club swept the top five team spots with 5-man team averages of 77:30, 77:34, 77:44, 79:29, and 79:44.  The first non-aGSTC team, in sixth place, averaged 82:54 a man. Steve Mennitt battled the lead pack for twelve miles, caving in the final mile to settle for second overall in 70:49.  Considering the windy conditions, his 5:24 pace was an outstanding effort for the Edison HS and Rowan alum.   Numerous athletes had breakthrough performances, including massive PRs for Tony Harris (73:13), Kyle Price (73:56), Ted Doyle (75:28), Edsel Flores (77:17), Stephen Wallis (77:29), Matt Eder (77:48), Jaris Rousseau (81:43), and Brian Weitz (82:49).  While not a personal best, Sean Donohue's 9th place, 73:40 effort marks a huge step forward for him, after a year layoff from the sport. Rissell, Neyhart, and Stetler Shippensburg grads Josh Neyhart, Sean Stetler, and Ethan Rissell were reunited for the first time since their college glory days, as the trio cruised 5:52 pace as a controlled hard long run.  Open Women: The Streak Continues While it certainly wasn't the team's best showing in club history, numerous ladies ran well to help the team finish 1-2-6 in the team scores, keeping the 3.5 year winning streak in tact. Aimee Chewidden, pictured above leading the team's front pack, was the top finisher.  Averaging 6:40 a mile, she was 7th overall in 1:27:20, good for 7th overall.  Only two other club members cracked the competitive top ten: Sarah Schillaci (1:28:11, 8th) and Adrienne Viola (1:29:40). These two teamed up with Erika Meling (1:38:19), Carmen Graves (1:38:20), and Allison Malecki (1:39:19) to win, as the group averaged 1:28:11.  The second place team, along with Chegwidden, consisted of Katie Castroaguadin (1:31:45), Aya Leitz (1:35:45), and Kristina Petillo (1:50:42). On the C Team, both Tara Lobianco (pictures above, 1:44:58) and Bri Teichmann (1:52:49) ran personal bests, enabling the group to score team points as the sixth place team out of thirteen. All results can be found here. In the overall USATF-NJ Grand Prix, the adidas GSTC had 536 points on August 30th, with the second place team 296.  Sadly, those team scores haven't been updated yet. Two Big Events The aGSTC is hosting two big events in November! On November 8th, the club will host its first track and field clinic.  Read about it here. On November 15, the club will be hosting the USATF East Region Championships at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia.  Read all about it here. Kyle's Corner It was a battle through the streets and parks, the wind and the humidity, the pot holes twists and many tight turns. But the Black and Gold army fought hard and fought strong and we once again conquered the 13.1 miles of the Newport Half Marathon. With multiple top finishing teams, and individuals flooding the top half of the results sheet in all categories, we certainly didn't let the weather nor the course keep us from victory. Here on Kyle's Korner we have the exclusive post race interviews with our club's top finishers. Steve Mennitt Kyle: How confident were you coming into the race this morning? Mr. Mennitt: 7/10. I haven't done many workouts this season, aside from a couple tempos, so it was hard to gauge what kind of shape I'm in, but I'm usually better at longer races vs the shorter ones, so I knew I'd be okay if I found a rhythm and pack to run with. Missing my alarm and the team van was NOT a proper start though. Kyle: Well you recovered nicely! You must been feeling confident now with a such a strong race performance under your belt despite little workout work. Mr. Mennitt: Yeah it was mostly fun. Kyle: How was the wind for you up front? Mr. Mennitt: The bike path, especially along the water noticeably slowed us down (10-15 sec/mile according to my watch) I tried letting whomever I was with take the lead to 'break up the wind. Kyle: So with the rough start to your morning and non-ideal conditions, are you happy with your performance today? Mr. Mennitt: Yeah, all things considered, very happy. Aimee Chegwidden Kyle: Were you expecting to be our first female finisher today? Ms. Chegwidden: Not really, I know a lot of our girls have pretty solid half PRs so I thought I would just be in the mix. Kyle: Do you feel that either your racing tactics or how you felt with the wind might have given you the edge up to be our best today? Ms. Chegwidden: I guess my racing tactics help, I usually start out easier and then gradually pick up the pace/ keep it consistent. Kyle: Are you happy with your race for this point in your fall training? Ms. Chegwidden: I'm okay with my race, it's not where I wanted to be. I was hoping to run at least under 85. But today gives me some more motivation for the rest of the fall season. Nick Van Langen Kyle: Can you give us an abridged account of your race today? Mr. Van Langen: I tried to start at a steady pace and held that for about 6.5 miles. After turning back into the wind I struggled through the 11 mile mark and then was able to finish the last 2 miles at a strong pace. Kyle: Do you think your early race tactics payed off for your strong finish despite the battle with the wind? Mr. Van Langen: Yes it did. I think if I had went out harder I would have been completely wiped out by the 10 mile mark. Kyle: How were your last two miles strong miles with all of those turns? Mr. Van Langen: First I was passed by Jaris Rousseau and so I tried to run with him but he left me behind. After that I was chasing down another masters competitor so I was really focused on catching and passing him rather than all the turns. Sarah Hersey Kyle: How was the course for you today? Ms. Hersey: Was great weather today, except for the wind was a little bit tough miles 5-9. Luckily, had so many great teammates that were encouraging me during that stretch which was really tough. It helped a lot! Kyle: Were you pumped to be our first master women finisher? And we're you happy with your performance? Ms. Hersey: Did not realize I was the first master woman finisher until you told me. Was happy that I finished, it was tough. Would have liked to have been faster, but again still very happy with the outcome. Next time! Kyle: Are you looking forward to some other upcoming team races? Ms. Hersey: Yes, Prudence just sent out a note of encouragement to the Woman's Master's team that we may be eligible for an award this year if we continue to perform well for the last three scoring events. Think the master's ladies are psyched and up for the challenge! Sunday Team Event The women are running the Little Silver 5k on Sunday,  the USATF-NJ 5k Championships! Club Results   Hallenborg Wins Oktoberfest Nicola Hallenborg cruised to an easy win at the 3rd Annual SuperHero Oktoberfest 10k in Booton.  Running 6:28 miles, she won in 40:08.   Teammate Aya Leitz was second in 43:21. Billy Duran was second overall, averaging 6:16s for a 38:36 finish.  Masters runner Brian Harris won his 50-59 age group in 42:47. Karl Leitz, above, won the "Best Dressed" award for the German-themed event--sweet VW car costume!   Two Wins at BH Atilla Sabahoglu and Hope Tiboni won the Berkeley Heights 5k last weekend.  He ran 16:31 to break the course record, and she ran 19:44.  Bobby Hammond was second in 17:42. Graves: 5 Mile CR Last Saturday, Carmen Graves won the hilly York Horse Run, rolling to an easy victory in 29:19.  She won by about 100 seconds!  This also set a new club record for five miles. Three Win at Steeplechase Numerous club members ran the Steeplechase Run, a 10k and 5k race in Hillsborough today.  In the 10k, Aya Leitz won in 42:50, as Nick Van Langen (38:30, 4th), Karl Leitz (44:11, 17th), Eric Davis (45:39), and Jatin Meghani (46:23), coached by Ken Goglas, which was a 6:00 personal best from last year's Giralda Farm's 10k! In the 5k, Chuck Schneekloth (17:10) and Leah Roberts (20:13) won the race, as its proceeds go to cancer research at Roberts' hospital. Lowry Wins 5k in Bumble$%^&, NY Dylan Lowry hit the 82% PLP for club nationals this weekend as he won the Spaten Sprint 5k in 15:42.  He will given a toilet bowl swirly, however, if he wins another race in a non-aGSTC uniform.  Shots fired!    RRC 2nd at Invite   The Rutgers Running Club finished second in the first annual RRC Invitational at North Brunswick Community Park this weekend.  The team is coached by aGSTC officials, and all of the RRC members are aGSTC members, so we love the RRC!  Princeton won the race, with Rutgers, Lehigh, and Sacred Heart finishing in the next four spots.  No women's team had a complete squad.   We would tell you all about it, but it's getting late, this email is already two weeks late, and we have no idea what we are teaching next week. Sandi Kaspszyk Runs in Celtic Fest 5k That's about all we know.  We couldn't find any more information on Facebook or the Internet.  We meant to ask her, but we forgot.  But she did well, clearly, because she has a medal on.  And a fun kilt.  Fun was had by all.  We have no idea who the other two people are. A Message from the President Get us your gently used running gear ASAP!   2015 adidas GSTC Fall Racing Schedule 9/20  USATF-NJ Half Marathon Championships  10/4  USATF-NJ Little Silver Open Women 5k Championships 10/25 USATF-NJ 8k XC Championships @ Deer Valley Park 11/8  USATF-NJ 10k Masters Women Championships 11/15 Garden State XC Invite @ Belmont Plateau (Philadelphia) 11/26 USATF-NJ 8k Championships 12/12 USATF National Club XC Championships @ San Francisco Hello. It's time to pay your 2015 Team Dues. The club has many operating expenses that depend on membership dues. Renew your aGSTC Membership here! *** Garden State Triathlon Club Is almost ready to roll! Peter's Puzzler Peter Bolgert is an esteemed member of the club who was on the DMR that won the club national title in 2013 for the aGSTC.  A former Marquette standout in the steeplechase, he is now halfway through a PhD program in the plasma physics department at Princeton University.  In hopes to raise the intellectual rigor to the club's weekly email, he designs weekly puzzlers to sharpen the wit, acumen, and intellect of the club...while wearing this onesey. This one will require you to think outside the box a little.  (By the way, the solution does not involve multiple people, magic, mirrors, or anything silly like that.) There are three switches in the basement. Each corresponds to one of the three light bulbs in the attic. You can turn the switches on and off and leave them in any position.  How would you identify which switch corresponds to which light bulb, if you are only allowed one trip upstairs? Anis Angle   Mike Anis is an aging cranky, albeit beloved and long-standing member of the club who takes great pride in his beard and his onesey.  In full transparency, we should probably also add he's never been asked to write an angle.  We just do it for him. This reminds me of the time my landlord, whose name I won't mention but I'm pretty sure he writes this weekly email, paid an licensed professional $100 to "fix" the furnace, but really all the guy did was flip the emergency switch from off to on in the staircase. Answer: Flip switch #1 on for a few minutes. The corresponding bulb will get hot.  So all you have to do is flip switch #1 off, flip on #2, and then walk into the room with bulbs.  The dark, but hot bulb corresponds to switch #1 and the others can be easily identified.       aGSTC Runs Type caption text here.   Check your Facebook Enclave group pages for regional group runs!  They are happening often now!   Quote of the Week "Yesterday was a big step in the right direction for me, one that doesn't happen without the most supportive, talented, and inspiring athletes by my side. Your accomplishments inspire me to strive to be the best runner I can be. I joined this club because I knew if I surrounded myself with greatness, it would bring out my best. You know what they say, 'You can't soar with the eagles, if you flock with the turkeys.'"  -Brian Weitz, via FB Steady Striders   Do you run 9-12 minute mile pace on your runs? Come join the aGSTC Steady Striders!  They have their own Facebook Group Page, coach, and group runs.  Email gardenstatetrackclub@gmail.com and we will introduce you to our two co-captains! STAY CONNECTED

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