Not So Sweaty Gazette


Volume 5, 2008

More than 45 people turned out on Wednesday, April 2, for the Orange Runners Club monthly meeting to break bread and hear David O'Neill. David is an area-resident who every year runs 363 miles along the Long Path, from the George Washington Bridge, to Albany. He spoke about his passion for trail running.

I unfortunately was working on some Little League obligations that evening and couldn't be at the meeting, but the buzz I am hearing from ORC members about their interest in hitting the trails this summer leads me to believe that Mr. O'Neill blazed a few new paths for members.

I've run some trails in my day, mostly here in the Hudson Valley. During a vacation three years ago, I hit the trails around the Mohonk Preserve and was rewarded with a serenity I have never found while road running.

Even though I wasn't there that night, I definitely made a connection with Mr. O'Neill through the article Tara Pipia wrote in this Sunday's Times Herald Record. Yes. There definitely is something different about feeling stone, leaves and mulch, versus asphalt, underfoot. There is a special feeling that comes from the quite a complete canopy of forest creates early on a summer morning.

We here in the ORC are especially blessed to be able to explore trail running in the Hudson Valley. We have the Appalachian Trail cutting through the southern half of the county. Harriman State Park rises to guard our eastern flank. We have SPARC up near Stewart, Black Rock in Cornwall, and an assortment of other lightly trammeled trails throughout Orange. And if you're a little adventurous, I highly recommend the Minnewaska and Mohonk preserves.

Some of us here in the ORC are thinking about establishing a series of trail runs throughout the spring, summer and fall. Please write to me if you are interested. We'll coordinate based on interest level, and publish something via the ORC website later this Spring.

So what are you waiting for? Lace 'em up and get out there already!!! 

April's Hudson Valley Races

  • April 20 , Kingston Classic 10K
  • April 26, 2nd Annual Baby V, 5K, Newburgh

Link here for more events and detail s

Next ORC 2008 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, May 7 , DeStefano's Olde Erie Pub, Middletown. Speaker TBD, but with the slate of speakers we've had lately, you'd be crazy to miss it.

Some thoughts about trail racing, from ORC Member Bob Nordman

A few words about the Nipmuck Trail Marathon. I ran the Nipmuck in 2004 after hearing about it from my running buddy Ruben, the guy who got me involved in this kind of crazy running. Ruben gave me the application which was blood stained and muddy looking (fake blood and mud), this was the first clue that this was no run in the park!

As I read over the application I thought to myself, Ruben has done it again, gotten me into another insane marathon. Most of the info on the app was devoted to warnings. Things like “if you don’t have health insurance don’t do this race”, “ there is the possibility of serious injuries that may need extensive medical care, (if we can get you to a hospital) and an extensive period of time away from work or even death”. Of course I signed up right away, the race is limited to 250 nuts and I did not want to miss out of all the fun!

Having run a few Escarpment Trail Races in the past, I knew this race could not be as difficult as that. I was correct, it wasn’t as bad as advertised. It was well organized, had plenty of water on the course, the trail was well marked, and I only cracked a couple of ribs from one fall. I consider that a good trail run.

Anyone interested in running the Nipmuck, the date is Sunday, June 1, 2008. Oh, by the way, instead of a medal for finishing, you get a log.


Achieve your Goals

Boston Marathon Shout Outs

The Orange Runners Club will be fully represented at this year's 112th running of the "granddaddy" of all marathons. Our President Todd Jennings is headed out as is Gary Arne, Tara Pipia, Marco Pabon and numerous other elite runners. Ttrack your friends and colleagues at the BAA website. Congratulations to all of you for qualifying and the best of luck.

 

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Hudson Valley Grand Prix

This issue, we finally get to the men. You still have time to sign up for the 2008 HVGP. May 24 is your deadline.

70-over elite males:
1. Phil Brennan            Milford, Pa.
2. Herb Waterman       Middletown
3. E.J.Szulwach            Chester

60-69 male developing:
1. George Realmuto     Middletown
2. Gene Piaquadio       Newburgh

60-69 elite males:
1. Lorne MacDonald    Sussex, N.J.
2. Kent Laudeman      West Point
3. Bob Venezia           Harriman

50-59 elite males:
1.  George Shurter     Middletown
2.  Carl Zuidema        Warwick

50-59 males developing:
1. Richard Robillard     Chester
2. Brian Rivenburgh    Middletown
3. John Monchak         Tafton, Pa.

 

Expand your Horizons

Finding trails to run in our area is not so difficult to do. One source is Trails.com, a paid subscription website. I am not an employee of Trails.com nor have I signed up. You can obtain a 14-day free trial membership to test drive the site. If you do choose to check it out, or join, let us here at the NSSG know what your experience is like and whether it is worth it for other members to consider.

 

Regional Trail Runs

So with all of this talk about trail running, are you in the mood yet? There are a number of regional trail run races you can explore.

Indian Ladder (covers the end of David O'Neill's Long Path run.)

Escarpment Trail Run (covers a middle portion of the Long Path journey) held every July.

 

Have some Fun

Looking to meet up with some good people, and train for the Classic 10K? Join Wayne Beam and the BeamTeam every Sunday morning @ 9 a.m., at the Twin Towers school.

By the way, the Classic 10K course has changed. Check out the 2008 course by clicking here.

 

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