Monday Group Run

Due to a scheduled park improvement project at Chagrin River Park, http://www.lakemetroparks.com/news/projectsinyourparks.shtml, we will meet at the Rural Road entrance until the Reeves Road entrance is finished being "messed with".  It looks like the Reeves entrance will not be closed on the 13th of May, but parking may be very limited.  Let's meet at the Rural Road entrance near the shelter by 6:05 to allow for the additional travel time.  If you haven't heard about this group run, see the sidebar for details.  We've had some regulars running around a 9:00 min/mile pace and some at an 11:00 min/mile pace.  Come on out and join the fun!

Grand Prix Series News ...

Grand Prix Series - Participation Awards

This year in addition to awards for scoring and placing in the Overall and Age Group categories we are adding a new twist for our members.

Throughout the season we will give out some prizes just by participating.

1. Participate in  a May race (West End Y5k or Madison Red Bird5k)  AND  Flag Day 5k (June)
2. Participate in a July Race - Painesville Sunrise5m  or Bnai Brith5k
3. Participate in an August  Race - St Gabriel5k or Mentor Fest 5m
4. Participate in a September Race - Potato Stomp9m or Run for the Grapes5K
5. Participate in Bridge to Bridge 11m or 5k
6. Participate in  Autumn Leaves 5m (Nov)

Winning name will be drawn following the qualifying event when possible or at the following Club meeting.

Amish ? Irish? Either way it was a Fun Run

A healthy crowd of about forty NERC members donned green and raced the buggies in Geauga County on Sunday (March 17th). OK maybe not buggy races but I did see Steve & Rich Novack outrun a crowd of Amish walking down the road!  Steve did a great job (yet again) in organizing us.  With maps and pre-run instructions there were distances for all levels. Turn around at the stone house for 2 miles if there were any walkers in the bunch, or maybe go on to the caboose for a 4 miler, how about flashing stop signs for a turn around?  Venture out to the ‘big’ water stop, which was decked out like a mini aid station with snacks and you did just under 10. Quite a large crowd did the entire route  by adding a nice loop after the ‘big’ water stop (13 to 14 miles).  This extra adventure resulted in a very chilling wind on a long uphill that made a few of us think twice about the decision to go on.  It was worth it though, Andy Rattray greeted us on the gravel road with a surprise water stop and the rest of our run was out of the wind.

 For some reason I’ve neglected to mention the hills, there were a lot!  The group was in agreement, this is a challenging course and we were all happy to be done.  To help distract you from ‘the ups’ there were many beautiful views of the rolling country side with snow covered hills and pristine farms.  By the time we got back to town, Burton Square was bustling with activity as the crowds were enjoying another type of running.  It’s spring and the sap is running in all of the maple trees.   The cabin in the middle of town is there to satisfy your curiosity and sweet tooth.  The rest of town is there to greet you with many options for a pancake breakfast, a book sale at the library and the firetrucks for kids to explore. 

As is tradition, the NERC crowd filled up the back of Belle's as we enjoyed the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and multiple conversations on running.  This year there was quiet the variety on the buffet, including made-to-order omelettes but alas no GREEN eggs and ham?

  
Join us next year and you too can get a glimpse of the simplicity of Amish life as you run past the farms and various businesses you won’t find in our hectic cities.


Written by Amy Frank-Hensley

2013 Grand Prix Report

The Grand Prix Race Series has been a part of the club for many years.  One goal has been to promote friendly competition among our members.  A second goal has been to support local area races that want to be included.

For 2013 planning we had a committee (Donna Crooks, John Welsh, Jeremy Verdi, Kelly Chandler, John Distler and myself) that  provided input.  We met over the winter to determine how we could make this better and improve participation. We also tried to talk with people at meetings and group runs to get some feedback for moving forward.

We recognize that our club makeup is changing. Our 2012 membership group included more than 100 members age 40-49. This age group was also most active in last year’s grand prix.   We also recognize that we are happily retaining our mature members and have added a new category of 70 and over.  To promote running to our young family members we will have two 5k races this year that only 19 and under can score in. 

Everyone who participates in a race will score a minimum of 5 age group points. A new element this year is a weighted participation system that will also award 3-10 pts per race based on race distance. There will also be drawings during the season that will award some prizes just for participating.

We have made an effort to spread the races more evenly over the running season.  Locations and distances (5k to Marathon) take into account our member demographic.  With early registration, the cost of many of these races is low and they are nicely run events.

Flag Day and Autumn Leaves are NERC club races and benefit our scholarship fund. Two of the races are also a part of the Ashtabula Distance Runners series and an additional two are part of the Lake Health Running Series. Choosing to run any of these races gives even more value for your efforts.

If all goes as planned, more of our members will receive a little payback for their investment in Grand Prix Races.   In the bigger picture- the many good causes that these local races promote will also see a growth in their race bottom line.

2013 Grand Prix Schedule

Track Tidbits

Track Tidbits – New Weekly Starting Time for 2013 Season

 
Riddle me this, fellow NERCs.  What is oval shaped, gets stepped on a lot, and can reduce your race time?  Is it an egg being tossed at your feet to make you run faster?  I think not.

It's the Kirtland track and the NERC speed workouts!  Wednesday, April 3 will begin a new opportunity for us all to get stronger, faster and more efficient.  I promise you will improve without getting hurt.  All it takes is some determination and a bit of guidance.  Bring your running goal to the track and we will help you to achieve it.

All are welcome (any level).  If you want to acquire more pep in your step, then come on down to the track work outs.  Please wear a watch, so that you can watch the time start slipping away.

WHAT:            Track Work Outs

WHERE:         Kirtland High School Track

                        approximately one mile south of I-90 on Route 306

WHEN:           New starting time!!!

                        6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
                        every Wednesday
                        beginning April 3
                        through September 11

CONTACT:     Coach Rick 216 – 408 – 5441

                        spiderwebb500@aol.com

P.S.  On the rare occasion that the track is occupied for a high school event, we will walk across the street to run the trail behind the library and do a little hill work, up to Penitentiary Glen and back.

Calling All Turtles!

New Weekly Group Run (coming soon) for the slower paced among us J

Maybe you’re a “newbie,” or you enjoy taking time to enjoy the scenery.  Perhaps you’re recovering from an injury, or you need an evening run to take it easy and recover from a tough weekend race or long run.  Maybe this is just how you roll, and you’d like to share the trail with others of the same speed.  Whatever your reason, plan to come out and run with a group of others at a 10-12 min/mile pace. 

Starting Monday March 11^th there will be a group meeting at Chagrin River Park (at 3100 Reeves Road, Willoughby) at 6:00 p.m.  All ability levels are encouraged to join in the fun.  The park’s relatively flat and wide trails are a combination of hard packed dirt and crushed limestone.  The simple loops make it easy to do increments of 1,3 and 5 miles in a beautiful setting of trees, fields and the Chagrin River.  All of these loops pass the parking lot, so you can come join the group and run any distance you like.  The park also has multiple restrooms and water.  Each Monday we will meet at the Reeves Road entrance (parking lot across from the restrooms) and gather according to desired distance and pace.

Park Map:

http://www.lakemetroparks.com/parks/documents/ChagrinRiverParkColorTrailMap10-12-11.pdf

Who is NERC?

What is the NORTHEAST RUNNING CLUB?

We are a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting physical and active lifestyles through running and walking. Our club members are comprised of all levels of physical ability. Ages range from children to people in their  80’s.

Why do people join?

•      to socialize at our numerous events
•      to find running/training partners
•      to learn about all aspects of running and nutrition
•      to give back to the community by volunteering

How much is it to become a member and where does that money go?

It is $20 for an individual and $25 for a family for 1 calendar year. Our club hosts events throughout the year and is very active even in the winter months. The following are just a few examples:

•  Monthly meetings - these typically have food provided and guest speakers or other activities.
• Group fun runs – Organized club runs in various locations with food and socializing afterward.
• Weekly runs and track workouts – getting into a weekly routine is a great way maintain or improve fitness levels and to do it in a group setting can be very motivating

How do I become a member?

You can sign up through our website www.northeastrunningclub.org  or pick up a membership form at one of our many events.

Is there anything else I should know?

In 2011 we had over 2,600 participants in our races which raised over $19,440 in charitable contributions including $7,250 in scholarships.

We serve our club members and the surrounding community by focusing on social interaction, education and community support. There are just too many activities and benefits to list on a single sheet of paper and long lists are boring! If you are still not sure The Northeast Running Club (NERC) is right for you then check us out on facebook, visit our website or simply come out to one of our events.                                                                           

www.northeastrunningclub.org