Nittany Valley Running Club!

Participants Needed For Miles for Smiles Fundraiser

Details: Written by Marty Klanchar Marty Klanchar

Penn State’s Club Cross Country team has invited us to participate in their second annual “Miles for Smiles” fundraiser, benefiting Penn State’s THON. You might recall seeing a video of last year’s finish on the Runner’s World web site. It certainly looked like a lot of fun for a great cause.

The Miles for Smiles fundraiser involves a 46 hour continuous run on a treadmill, with multiple runners taking turns to complete the 46 hour time period. PSU Club Cross Country has offered the NVRC one hour to run and help with the fundraising. The event will be held in a downtown apartment building, starting Jan 29 at 6pm, and ending Jan 31 at 4pm. Note that this is the same time frame as THON (although a few weeks earlier). We have some flexibility as to when we “run” our hour.

NVRC would like to have 3 runners participate, each running 20 minutes, to fill up our hour. We would also like the runners to solicit funds for their run, either by a flat donation, or via a pledged amount per mile. We suggest a NVRC goal of $500, with each runner soliciting pledges totaling $150-$200. All of the money raised goes to THON.

For those not interested in running, but want to support NVRC runners during our time slot, the 46-hour event will feature a different theme and alternative activities each hour. Some of these hour-long events will include yoga, friendly competitions, movies, and many more while somebody is running. It would be great to have a nice group of members present to show our support.

If you are interested in running (and fundraising), or just want to watch and cheer, or donate to the event, please contact Marty Klanchar, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 814-360-9477. Also indicate when you are available to run during the 46 hour period. If we get more than 3 NVRC members wanting to run, we will have a random drawing to see who will fill the slots.

Musser Gap Trail Is Complete To Tussey Ridge

Details: Written by Marty Mazur Marty Mazur

I led a group run up the Musser Gap trail on October 10. I had advertised the run as one that might entail some bushwhacking, particularly if we wanted to get all the way up to Tussey Ridge, the high ridge just south of the gapped ridge that Musser Run flows out of. The last time I ran to Tussey Ridge from Musser Gap, back in December, I’d made a nearly vertical assent because of almost non-existent trail marking. That was some tough, and treacherous, climbing, so if the group consensus was against that kind of adventure, we’d have just run in the sun along the power line cut in the saddle between the ridges.

But when we got to the log footbridge across Musser Run a mile up from the Rothrock parking lot on Rte 45, I noticed a brand new DCNR trail sign that wasn’t there even a couple of months ago. As we progressed through the gap, more new signs. And when we got to the power line cut, there was a new sign for a trail to Tussey Ridge. We decided to take the adventure. The trail to the ridge is, like most trails on the higher ground in Rothrock, pretty rocky. But it’s a trail, with enough switchbacks to greatly reduce the risk of teetering back and going ass-over-teakettle down the mountainside. The trail is pretty obvious in most places, and well blazed where it’s not. Getting to the ridgetop is strenuous, but not dangerous. The total climb from the lowest point on the run (the bridge across Slab Cabin Run on the greenway path near Rte. 45) to the top of Tussey Ridge is just under 1000 feet over 2 miles.

Wahoo Beginners' Running Group Starts Couch-To-8K (or 5K!) Program

Details: Written by Renee Lojewski Renee Lojewski

Nittany Valley Running Club Wahoo Beginners' Group

Couch to 8K**

September 28, 2015- November 19, 2015

Join the Wahoos as we train for an 8K loosely using a popular Training Guide for Novice Runners. See Calendar below!

(*NOTE: Only highlighted days are runs lead by a NVRC leader @ TUDEK PARK @ 5:30 pm!!)

NVRC Supports 2015 United Way Day of Caring

Details: Written by Marty Mazur Marty Mazur

For the fifth year in a row, Cheree Jones and Sheryl Balkey helped to organize a crew of bushwhackers for the United Way Day of Caring,. The project was again the golf course perimeter bikepath/jogging path, this time along the south and west edges of the Penn State Blue Golf Course. There were saplings, bushes, brush, assorted shrubs, and unruly tree branches that were clogging and cluttering the path, as well as an ungainly tree blocking the view of runners, bikers, and drivers approaching the path's crossing of the Clubhouse Road.

The volunteers were: SF & Company (12 volunteers), Joe Hughes--Penn State Golf Courses PGA General Manager/Head Golf Professional, who helped tremendously with the planning and execution, and Sheryl & Seth Balkey and Cheree Jones. The crew cleared the way so that runners have a clear treadway and golfers can see runners so they can yell "fore!". The NVRC chipped in to pay for some food and refreshment. Here are a few pictures.

pix dayofcaring 15 crew

Many hands make light work of shrubs, brush, and trees!

Nittany Track and Field Youth Cross Country Is Starting!

Details: Written by Mark Fedkin Mark Fedkin

If you have children who are interested in cross country training this fall, please see below:

Nittany Track and Field youth club invites girls and boys ages 8-18 to participate in the youth cross country program. Practice starts next week!

The goal of the program is to create a positive and fun atmosphere for youth to learn the the basics of distance running and cross country as a sport. The program promotes active lifestyle and encourages the kids to set goals and develop skills and commitment to work towards those goals over the season. Both beginners and experienced runners are welcome.

Practices will be held Monday through Thursday, 5:45 to 7:15 pm, starting August 24th, at Tudek Memorial Park and on Sundays, 3:00 to 4:30 pm at different locations (TBA)

More information is available on the NTF website: www.ntfxc.com or you can email me any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NVRC Fall Runners Seminar Series

Details: Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

Our Spring runner’s seminar series was a success. We’re doing it again. The Fall seminar series will be presented by Dr. Jon Carlson at Champion Sports Rehab. He has some really great topics that I think will be of great interest to many in the club. All seminars will take place at the State College Area YMCA and the cost is only $5/seminar for NVRC members and students ($10 for non-members). The events are on our Calendar online: http://nvrun.com/index.php/community/calendars

More information below:

Seminar 1 - Champion Sports Rehab: Biomechanics of Running
*Gait Analysis
*To Heel Strike or Not
*Picking the Right Shoe
When: Tuesday, Oct 27th at 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register at: http://www.imathlete.com/events/CSRBiomechanics

Seminar 2 - Champion Sports Rehab: Rehab for Runners
*Common Injuries & Causes
*Injury Prevention
*Stretches for Runners
*Kinesio-Taping & Orthotics
When: Thursday, Nov 5th at 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register at: http://www.imathlete.com/events/CSRRehab

Seminar 3 - Champion Sports Rehab presents: Training to be a Better Runner
*Cross Training Benefits
*Functional Training
*Physical Performance Testing
*Functional Movement Testing
When: Tuesday, Nov 10th at 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register at: http://www.imathlete.com/events/CSRTraining

If anyone has any questions, please email Cheryl at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Weekly Hill Workout: New Construction

Details: Written by Mike Renz Mike Renz

August 11, 2015

Tired of the same ole hills, the crew set out to explorer new hills to test their legs on. What seemed to be a large hill workout group starting from Rec Hall, quickly dwindled down to a smaller number. Some runners were scared of anything new, some had to get back to work, some had to train for the Pikes Peak half marathon by not running any hills, and some claimed to have already completed their lunchtime run (although judging by the lack of perspiration, I’m guessing they too were scared). Thankfully the entire group wasn’t as nervous as the rest, and we headed off towards the Toftrees Trail to find this new hill, which had been previously deemed to be a mere 1.5 miles from Rec Hall.

2.5 miles later, we arrived. The hill is a nice single switchback, not too long, not too st! eep. A great newcomer hill to add to the repertoire. Confronted by construction equipment, box colverts, crushed stone, dirt, retaining walls, and confused construction workers….the crew wasted no time getting to work. Shovel Senior, Steamroller Zimmerman, BellefonteBackhoe Shafer, Excavator Maquire, Dozer Davis, Mechanic Martin, Wideload Weyandt, MackTruck Minard, Caterpillar Cornwall and Rusty Renz sped up the hill. What they weren’t expecting was the rain from last night turning the hill (a gravel construction road) into a soft and sometimes squishy terrain. Some places were extremely soft, sinking your shoes an inch into the mud/dirt as you pushed off to climb up the hill at a surveyors pace. The most busy of the group constructed 5 repeats, while the more jobsite managers of the group were happy with completing 3 or 4 repeats, knowing that they are the boss and could simply record that they did more.

Due to the distance of this hill from Rec Hall, we may not hit it too often, but it is a decent short climb / high volume workout for anyone looking to conquer some hills in their spare time. Next week we shall find something a little closer to home so that we can complete a more fuller set of hill repeats. In the mean time….make sure to not avoid any hills on your normal runs!