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Thursday Track Crew |
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 Thursdays are track days for a small group of men and women. This is not a formal thing -- the exact workout depends on who's there (usually numbering from fifteen to thirty) and what they feel like doing -- but the group is very reliable about showing up. A typical workout might be something like six 400 meter intervals at 70-100 seconds (that's a pretty big spread, but we get a big spread of ability, too), or a 400-600-800-600-400 pyramid, or laps that include 100m striders, with folks doing more or less, faster or slower. We even got covered in the Centre Daily Times! If this appeals to you, meet under the Rec Hall bleachers at noon, or show your face at the Penn State outdoor track (indoors in winter, at the new Multi-Sport Facility) around 12:20 or so on Thursdays. Say "hey!"
The Thursday Track Crew is a group of runners who suffer from the delusion that regular speed workouts will help them run faster races, even though quite a few in the group are past their prime. And, in fact, the workouts have helped a number of
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Last Updated on Friday, 19 March 2010 14:12 |
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Thursday Track Report: Schwedding the Details |
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Written by Bwana
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Thursday, 22 July 2010 21:27 |
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July 22, 2010
It was very moist and schweddy today as Jim Myers, John Domico, Tom Cali, Judd Michael, Costas Maranas, George Lesieutre, Jim Moore, Meira Minard, Martha Nelson, Libby Covelli, Jon Oatley, Joel Niemann, Dana Todd, Adam Smith, Matt Soccio, Kirk Rager, Jim Laudermilch, Rich Harter, Lee Culver, Kevin Becker, Rob Peterson, and Marty Mazur dripped all over Curtin Road on their way down to the track.
Bwana gimped down, deciding to do a few slow 10 minute miles up and back to the track and just be an observer while there. So he missed the usual warm-up conversation. Apparently, the topic was still Schweddy Balds, and other things he's been missing on the Tuesday runs. But Bwana caught Meira's new hairdo. No, she's not a Schweddy Bald, but no more Heidi locks! We're not running with a 15 year old anymore. Nicely highlighted coiffure of the mature woman who has donated her girlie-locks to Locks of Love. Bwana had the Crew schwed through the Fortitude workout, 4X(400-200) with pretty much no rest between the 400 and the 200. Bwana was glad he could stand and watch the whole workout. And listen. Meira kicked everyone's ass, and still had the energy to carry on with Calidonna and Domico. Every lap Bwana heard more about the mysteries of Schweddiness.
Libby, who's been with us all too short a time, had her last workout with us before she heads out to Montana. She's finally getting a (hopefully) more permanent job. We wish her well and hope she can stop by the next time she's East.
As the Crew left the track, the second shift, Nick Downs, came through the turnstiles. But there were quite a few out there who weren't breaking a schwed today. Oh, Tara doesn't count, being stuck out in Bellefonte. But I'm sure she's trying not to schwed all over the stamp glue and hinges at her new workplace. Sherry Tirko was parked under a tree pretending to stretch as Bwana headed by the athletic fields behind Shields Bldg. Greg Fredericks must be leading the life of retirement leisure. He's sure not breaking a schwed to get to the track. And where *are* all the 15 (and 14) year olds who graced our track last month? They're too young to be schwedding SAT prep courses, or anything else! |
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Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 07:47 |
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Thursday Track Report: Embracing The End Of A Tara |
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Written by Bwana in Training Meira Minard
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Saturday, 17 July 2010 14:29 |
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July 15, 2010
The track was simmering and the smell of bacon was in the air as Jim Myers, Randy Jepson, John Domico, Kevin Becker, Jim Laudermilch, John Sheakoski, Costas Maranas, Libby Covelli, Tom Cali, Greg Dillon, Mark Traband, Judd Michael, Jon Oatley, Tara Murray, Rob Shaver, Anne-Marie Oldani, and Bob Cornwall sizzled through today's workout--leaving grease stains in their wake. Today was Tara's last track workout--and although I'm making it sound like she's about to be embalmed in stamp glue, she really isn't going far--and knowing Tara--working in Bellefonte just means that she will have a bit longer warm-up run to get to the workouts! Alas, poor Libby will have a bit longer commute when she runs in from Montana.
Since I conveniently arrived late, the workout was in full swing when I joined in. From what I could piece together, there was talk of a relay workout, which somehow turned into 3 sets of 4x200. At least that was the goal, although it seemed like a bunch of people "adapted" the workout to their own liking. And of course, there were numerous splinter groups doing such crazy things as mile, 1000, 800, 400, 200 and other such idiocy. Tara, Rob Shaver, and Jim Myers appeared to be doing non-stop repeats, although I didn't get their exact method of torture. Anyhow, at the end of the workout, the gents all lined up to give Tara their fond farewells. Costas even wore his new running shorts with the neon green piping for the occasion! And Cali kept rippling his abs. Unfortunately, the hugs probably should have been dispensed with before the workout---because even though the guys were doing their best to look cute and cuddly, they were really just sweaty and smelly. Ahhh well, good thing us runners aren't afraid of a little stink! Tara suffered through the hug-fest (apparently Jim Myers was the lucky recipient of a "Bro Hug.") She probably has some more suffering to do tonight at Zeno's. Just watch out--she might starting employing the "Blackie" response.
And finally, if you've made it this far, which of course you have because I'm sure you don't have anything better to do, here's my
Ode To Tara (sung in three-part harmony)
"Tara Tara She's Our Gurl
If She Don't Make Us Hurl
Then No One.....Wurl...."
Amen. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 22 July 2010 21:29 |
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Thursday Track Report: Arts Fest Weather! |
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Written by Bwana
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Thursday, 08 July 2010 17:29 |
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July 8, 2010
It was hot enough to cause serious discomfiture as Tom Cali, Dave Mengle, Dave DeGroote, Meira Minard, Tara Murray, Matt Soccio, Lee Culver, Rob Shaver, Rob Peterson, and Marty Mazur headed for the track. Mark and Natasha Fedkin, Kathy Koetje-Simin, Kirk Rager, Dana Todd, Jim Laudermilch, and Kevin Becker were already there basting in their juices. Tatum Del Bosco had already been turned to bacon by time the Crew arrived and went home to de-crispify. We knew we were in for a hot one.
Beads of sweat dripped from Bwana's brow as he introduced young Natasha Fedkina (age 11), the Blond Blur, to the Crew. Natasha just finished third in the 800 m at the USA Youth Outdoor National Championship in Lisle, IL. She had a PR time of 2:25.84, just two hundredths of a second in back of second place. Bwana decided to reward the whole crew for Natasha's performance, just as he punishes the Crew for individual misdeeds. The workout was an easy 800-2X400-4X200. Several Trackers, including Bwana, skipped a couple of 200s. Punishment awaits on another day. Mike Casper hobbled to the track to saw howdie. Mike, unfortunately, is the victim of a recent spate of misfortune that has hit our Crew. Cheryl Capone, almost mended from her fractured bone, is being replaced by Mike and Pam Scott, both wearing a boot due to freak running mishaps.
Now to punish the truly deserving. Mark Traband and Tom Hilands abandoned the Crew to go chasing llamas and unicorns in Walnut Springs Park. I think they actually headed up the hill at the end of the park to Tom's house for some cold beer. Greg Dillon was at Alpha Fire Company teaching some firemen how to run in the heat with a 50 lb flame retardant, insulated jacket. All Greg had to wear was his Wookie suit, which he carries all the time. We're worried about Greg Fredericks loosing his marbles in retirement. He was last scene at the Arts Fest kiddie fair buying a vuvuzela. And Dave Moore didn't know what to do without his training partner Tatum. He went home and stood in front of his air conditioner. |
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Last Updated on Saturday, 17 July 2010 14:30 |
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Thursday Track Report: Voyage of Discovery |
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Written by Bwana
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Thursday, 01 July 2010 17:27 |
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July 1, 2010
It was cool and breezy as explorers Jim Myers, Jim Moore, Andrew Webb, Costas Maranas, Dave Moore, Marty Klanchar, George Lesieutre, Jonathan Thurley, Rob Shaver, Tara Murray, Esther Prins, Meira Minard, Adam Smith, Steve Olson, Rob Peterson, Matt Soccio, and Marty Mazur set sail to try to find the Northeast Passage shortcut to the track. The crew had following winds all the way down, but upon arrival, like Columbus, they found that the place was already inhabited by Lee Culver, Ron Cunfer, Paula Jech, Janet Jonson, Tatum Del Bosco, Dana Todd, Rich Harter, Kevin Becker, Dave Mengle, Ed Thompson, and Jon Oatley.
Bwana liked the cut of this crew's jib. But the winds died down. So after some jabbering he decided to have them take their turns at the oars. Seated in pairs, the crew did 4 rotations of 800 strokes apiece while Miles "Standish" Smith and his son Max beat out the tempo. After that, Bwana passed out the grog so the crew could row upstream back to Rec Hall. By the time they got back, they were two sheets to the wind.
Bwana was having a hard time finding some of his explorers. Tom "Ponce" Cali was tanking up at the Fountain of Youth, the location of which he refuses to share. Julie Grubb was lost and fiddling with her Magellan, so she couldn't bring Hannah Grubb and Katie Stec back for a return voyage. Hill Conquistador Libby Covelli was sitting on her kiester at the Dairy Queen, pouring extra sprinkles. And Ken Davis was giving a lecture to Al Gore on how to get his boat out of a jam so his voyage could have a happy ending! |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 08 July 2010 17:32 |
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