FEB 2018
VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2
TRACK TIME NEWS ST. LOUIS TRACK CLUB
MONTHLY SOCIAL RUN/WALK
February 19 Schafly Bottleworks March 19 Schlafly Tap Room
Come out and run or walk 3 or 6 mile routes with other club members and stay for a free pour of Schlafly beer or cider afterwards! We are planning some new social runs in 2018 so keep an eye out!
W WW WW W .. SS T T LL O OU U II SS T TR RA AC CK KC C LL U UB B .. C CO OM M
6136 Southwest Ave St. Louis, MO 63139 314-781-3926 office@stlouistrackclub.com The Saint Louis Track Club encourages running and walking for people of all ages and abilities. Board of Directors
Race Directors
Rae Mohrmann - President John Harwell - Vice Pesident Renee Parks - Secretary Luke Padesky - Treasurer Amy Cadman Matt Coriell Craig Lindgren Bob Maher Jeff McPherson Jack Riegel Kate Stewart Steve Wasserman
Don Denham and Oz Harper Pace Series Mike Orrico Corps of Discovery Kevin Jokisch St. Louis Half Marathon Rae Mohrmann and Paul McGee Marathon Relay Mike Bahr and Bob Chitwood Frostbite Series
Staff Maggie Siemer - Executive Director Anna Jones - Webmaster ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Track Time News is produced monthly. Reproduction of this newsletter in any form is strictly prohibited without the permission of the St. Louis Track Club.
WWW.STLOUISTRACKCLUB.COM
F R O M
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P R E S I D E N T :
M O H R M A N N
February--- Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day AND my birthday! As children, we all anxiously looked forward to our very own special day each year. Well, gone are the days after we have passed the momentous milestones of walking, talking, first day of school, driver's license, graduation, legal drinking, voting etc Then we are lulled into complacency for years until it is time for a ZERO Year! Even though the zero years bring the joy of a new age group to runners, they are difficult in every other way. Thirty was difficult for me because in that era, it marked the end of childbearing years and I always thought I'd get married again and have more children. Instead, I watched a movie about Kathrine Switzer and went out and began running around my apartment building. That move was life changing. Running has brought more to my life than I ever could have imagined back in 1978!! Forty, fifty, sixty all slid by without too many incidents until the biggest milestone after turning 21: Medicare! and now, another zero year already. The big 7-0. This wasn't even an age group when I began running! How could I be 70 already?? We have often heard metaphorical comparisons between running and life. Well then, I am now entering the last 10k of my marathon of life. Even if you have never run a marathon , you can imagine or you have been told how difficult it is. We can all do things like nutritious eating, weight training, speed and interval work to slow the aging process but we can't stop the constantly ticking clock of aging. As I always say, " It is what it is, so might as well make the best of it." So-----, I am going to share my secret: Live every day to its fullest. Don't pass on anything you even remotely want to do. Try new things. We are never too old for more firsts. Face challenges rather than put limitations on yourselves. Give to others and make a positive difference in our brief time on this earth. When you reach the finish line, do so with no regrets. That's my plan.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Gabe Luzynski Age: 16 Hometown: Eureka Family: John Sr., Jennifer, Kyle, John Jr., Kristen Member Since: 2017
How did you get into running? My 5th grade coach wanted me to run the 1600m How did you learn about SLTC? Cruising the web looking for runs between cross country and track seasons Average miles per week? 30 Favorite places/routes? Al Foster trail in Wildwood Favorite shoes? Brooks Ghost 10 Favorite pre or post race meal? Reese's Puffs cereal prior, Vegan Slinger from Roosters on S. Grand after Most satisfying performance? My cross country meet at Sioux Passage in my Freshman year. Got to pass lots of other runners up those hills! Favorite SLTC event? Frostbite Series Favorite restaurant? Lulu's on S. Grand Buffalo Blue Burger Anything else we should know about you? I enjoy science and technology a lot. I enjoy mathematics and history. I really enjoy going on family vacations.
To be featured in a future Spotlight, fill out this form: http://www.stlouistrackclub.com/member-area/member-profile/
News and notes from the St. Louis running scene. by Donna Springer A contingency of “Galloping Gourmets” met in the lobby of Missouri Baptist Medical Center to continue the tradition of a New Year’s Day Walk. Single digit temperatures that morning prompted leaders Steve and Gerardette Groll to suggest moving the walk “inside,” to which everyone agreed. For almost an hour, the walkers navigated the aesthetically decorated corridors as healthy persons, rather than as patients or visitors. The tradition of the New Year’s Day walk dates from the mid-1990’s. Jack Welch, under the umbrella of AYH (American Youth Hostels) organized a start at Benjamin Moore Paints in Soulard--start amenities included champagne. After Jack’s move to Arizona, Dorothea Wolfgram took over and led, complemented by husband IronMan Ed and by daughter, Dorothea. Their routes varied, originally starting in Soulard but then switching to the downtown Culineria. Patricia Cornell, who mapped routes and included historical information for the walkers, succeeded the Wolfgrams. Longtime member Steve Groll has led for the last two years. Walk routes have included the Soulard neighborhood, the waterfront and arch, Laclede’s Landing, Washington Avenue, Union Station, ice-covered Eads Bridge, Luther Ely Park ( to observe St Louis from the East side), and now, parts of the County, inside and out. The Galloping Gourmets are an eclectic group of people who enjoy walking, socializing, and eating. Persons interested in joining may contact Alison Bourey at atbourey@earthlink.net, or 314-576-4137. WWW.STLOUISTRACKCLUB.COM
Runners and their friends exercised mental mettle at The Festival of Miles Trivia Night, Jan. 6th at Saint Louis University High School (SLUH). Proceeds from Festival of Miles benefit a local Athlete in Need. “It was a successful event, and raised a lot of funds to help the Festival of Miles Foundation put on a first class charity track meet this spring” said Katie Helbig, of the Festival of Miles Foundation. “We had 30 tables present. It was a Who's Who of the running community, with tables representing SLUH track and cross country runners, coaches, alum and parents, coaches from Cor Jesu Academy, St. Louis Blazers Board members and parents, Parkway West faculty members, the 8:30 pace group from Big River's Training Team, Big River's Racing Team, Maplewood Bicycle, staff from Girls on the Run, St. Louis Track Club's very own Executive Director Maggie Siemer, and many more! The most meaningful table there was #TeamGorecki which comprised of Cassie Gorecki and her family. Cassie was Festival of Miles Athlete in Need in 2017. It was great to see her there!” Cassie (pronounced “KC”) began experiencing severe back pain during a much sought-after pregnancy. Upon multiple tests, x-rays, and scans, at 21 weeks pregnant, Cassie was diagnosed with cancer. Considering the life of their unborn child, Cassie and husband , Adam, elected to forego immediate surgery. At 32 weeks, Baby Gus entered the world, born small, but “mighty.” About a week after giving birth, Cassie underwent an extensive surgery to remove a tumor next to her spine. Cassie now suffers from paralysis below the navel. With therapy and medical assistance, it is hoped that Cassie will one day be able to walk again, but, until that day comes, Cassie uses a wheelchair. As Cassie continues radiation and chemotherapy, Cassie, Adam and baby Gus are rebuilding their lives involving a new reality.
The Festival of Miles includes elite invitational events for male and female athletes of all ages, a corporate challenge, and a fun run around the campus for young persons. The St. Louis Track Club sponsors the finale event, the Elite Men’s Mile which showcases Olympic caliber athletes, and has seen winning mile times below four minutes. The Festival of Miles Foundation is accepting nominations for their 2018 Athlete in Need. Nominations may be e-mailed to katie.helbig@gmail.com. The 11th annual Festival of Miles will be May 31, 2018. Katie and Matt Helbig are coaching a new entrant for the running community. Murphy Frederick Helbig was born in April 2017, three weeks ahead of his predicted “start time.” He attended his first track meet, the 2017 Festival of Miles, when he was one month old. “He's always trying to keep up with his big brother, Connor, 6, and big sister, Paige, 4, “ Katie said. “He likes to pull to standing, and show us how strong he is. He works out on the treadmill a couple times a week. He doesn't like to miss out on anything so makes sure to check in with us many times throughout the night.”
Julia Kohnen qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials at The Bank of America Chicago Marathon last October and is following a rigorous training schedule to prepare herself. “My coach, Jason Holroyd, has a training schedule that I follow, targeted for certain races,” Julia said. “He coaches a select group of us, and leads a strong training program. He currently sends us weekly mileage and workouts--right now I am running about 80-90 miles a week, and training for the Boston marathon. I have a few races to help me prepare for Boston, including: the Frostbite 15k at Forest Park, The Run S’more 5k, the St. Patrick’s Day 5- mile downtown race, and the Alton half marathon.”. Julia came to running as a young adult. She played soccer during her four years of undergraduate school at the University of Southern Indiana. During her fifth year, at the university, she got offered a scholarship to complete her Masters Degree, and to run cross country and track. She then ran casually on her own and eventually joined the Big River Racing Team. Julia has won four GO! St. Louis half marathons, as well as the MO Cowbell full marathon. Last April, she won the female division of the Christie Clinic Illinois Half- marathon, Champaign-Urbana. Her 1:16:31 time ranked first among 2,096 entries, and she set a new course record. Outside of running, she works in Marketing at Panera Bread, at the corporate office located in Sunset Hills. Julia also works for the St. Louis Cardinals as a member of Team Fredbird. The Olympic Trials will be held in the Los Angeles area in June, 2020, in preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The St. Louis Track Club wishes Julia the best at the trials, and in her training.
Runners and walkers can use an updated resource for planning their routes in Forest Park. ForestParkMap.org, has helped 140,000 park users plan their trips and explore hundreds of destinations, since its launching by Forest Park Forever’s conservancy in August, 2015. The web app is free, GPS-enabled, and works across all devices. After its recent update, it includes up-to-date information on road closures and construction projects. ForestParkMap.org may be “brought up” in your browser on any device, without visiting the app store, and then bookmarked or added to the phone or tablet's home screen. Come springtime, walkers and runners may see, smell, and enjoy floral displays at the Boathouse. “Next summer’s display will once again be laid out in the cottage garden style, incorporating 11 different varieties of plants,” said Forest Park Forever Horticulturist Patrick Greenwald. “But, before I get ahead of myself, stay tuned for our tulip display this spring, complete with 7000 Tulipa ‘Maggie Daley’, 100 Fritillaria persica, and 700 Phlox divaricata ‘May Breeze.” (What’s New in the New Year, info@forestparkforever.org, Friday, January 12, 2018). Forest Park, Champaign-Urbana, Alton, indoor treks, downtown, on the treadmill, or wherever, the St. Louis Track Club wishes you the best. Share your news with Dsprin5574@aol.com, or the St. Louis Track Club office.
St. Louis Track Club ST. LOUIS TRACK CLUB NAMES 2017 ALL-METRO HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY TEAM by St Louis Track Club Staff For the 25th year, the St. Louis Track Club will honor the All-Metro High School Cross Country Teams at the SLTC Annual Awards Banquet, to be held Sunday, February 25, at Favazza’s Rose of the Hill, 2300 Edwards, St Louis, MO 63110. This year, the panel of coaches again selected honorees for a first team and second team as well as honorable mentions. Each honoree will receive a plaque commemorating his or her selection. Leading the Boys First Team is Festus junior Max McDaniel, who led Festus to its third straight Missouri Class 3 state title with his second-place finish at the Missouri state meet in November. The Girls First Team is led Waterloo junior Jenna Schwarz, who won the Illinois Class 2A title in November with a 3-mile time of 17:05. The members of the selection panel for the All-Metro Team were Mike Ebert of Marquette High School, Gaylerd Quigley of Nerinx Hall, Neil James of O'Fallon (IL) High School and Kally Fischer of Lindbergh High School. BOYS
GIRLS
First Team
High School
Coach
First Team
High School
Coach
Max McDaniel-Jr
Festus
Bryant Wright
Jenna Schwartz-Jr
Waterloo (IL)
Larry Huffman
Andrew O'Keefe-Jr Lucas Capistrant-Sr
Granite City (IL) O'Fallon (IL)
Richie Skirball Jon Burnett
Abby Korak-So Emily Griesenauer-Sr
Edwardsville (IL) Holt
George Patrylak Craig Kinnary
Nassim Oufattole-Sr Harrison Brown-Jr
Lafayette Lafayette
Sean O'Connor Sean O'Connor
Melissa Spencer-Sr Kylie Goldfarb-Fr
Edwardsville (IL) John Burroughs
George Patrylak Christine Bugnitz
Nick Warmann-Sr
Marquette
Mike Ebert
Abby Juedemann-Jr
Lindbergh
Kally Fischer
Justin Mumford-Fr
Wesclin (IL)
Tyler Weis
Kaitlyn Walker-So
O'Fallon (IL)
Neil James
Second Team
High School
Coach
Second Team
High School
Coach
Roland Prenzler-Jr
Edwardsville (IL)
George Patrylak
Brooke Witzel-Sr
O'Fallon (IL)
Neil James
Charlie Parrish-Sr Luke Goebel-Sr
Freeburg (IL) Breese M. Dei (IL)
Carl Florczyk Marv Eversgerd
Abby Schrobilgen-Jr Breanna Chandler-So
Edwardsville (IL) Freeburg (IL)
George Patrylak Carl Florczyk
Blake Selm-Sr
Parkway West
Kevin John
Stephanie Anthonies-So
Seckman
Jacqueline Roach
Andrew Lofgren-Sr
Parkway West
Kevin John
Mercedes Schroer-Fr
O'Fallon Christian
Francie Blackwell
Kevin Koester-Sr
Hillsboro
Tom Gordon
Nautica Stricklin-Jr
Herculaneum
Kyle Davis
Will VanAlstine-Jr
O'Fallon (IL)
Jon Burnett
Lila Bensky-Jr
Ladue
Matt Strayhorn
Honorable Mention Franky Romano-Sr
High School Edwardsville
Coach George Patrylak
Honorable Mention Emily Enghauser-Jr
High School Herculaneum
Coach Kyle Davis
Cerow Aligab-Sr
Parkway West
Kevin John
Chloe Hershenow-Jr
Parkway West
Charlie Cutelli
Paul Burka-Sr
SLUH
Joe Porter
Tickets for the awards banquet are $25 and include a buffet-style meal. Doors open at 4:30pm, with opening comments at 5pm. Dinner and awards follow. For more information, please go to stlouistrackclub.com/sltc-events/annual-awards-banquet/ or email office@stlouistrackclub.com or call 314.781.3926.
Join us February 25 as we honor the top high school runners from the 2017 season! Tickets are $25 and will include a buffet dinner. A cash bar will be available. INFO AND TICKETS
Save the Date! Member and Volunteer Appreciation Picnic JUNE 10, 2018 Join us at Stacy Park for a potluck picnic and fun with other members! We will recognize volunteers at this event and award our Lifetime Achievement and Volunteer of the Year awards. Stay tuned for more information!
WWW.STLOUISTRACKCLUB.COM
Member Discounts Check the Member Discount page in the Member Area of our website to find special discounts just for you! 20% off the Clinton Historic Half Marathon on February 24 $10 off Run n Run S'more 5k February 24 15% off Relay and Run for 21k March 25 $5 off Heart to Heart 5k/10/Dog Run June 2 15% off Kansas City Marathon October 20 10% off written training plans from Spewak Training. Log in to the Member Area to find the discount codes.
CALENDAR
VOLUNTEERS
SOCIAL RUN/WALK
NEEDED
FEBRUARY 19, 6PM SCHLAFLY BOTTLEWORKS
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY AWARDS BANQUET
FROSTBITE SERIES February 10
FEBRUARY 25, 5PM ROSE OF THE HILL
SOCIAL RUN/WALK MARCH 19, 6PM SCHLAFLY TAP ROOM
WWW.STLOUISTRACKCLUB.COM