We’re going to make it, Spring is coming. Just a few more runs in the snow, the ice and the wind, then we’ll start complaining about the heat! We know how lucky we are to be able to run and have such a great running community of friends to exercise with.
I’m writing this on a typical Saturday. You might have to have one less glass of wine Friday night to make sure you can get up in time to get your gear on and get down to Café Moxo for the weekly long run with the Half Wits. We did six today, a bit of a break after last week’s 9, all part of the training for the Bicentennial version of the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon.
Up to 100 of us head out on these frosty mornings, you might be a little stiff or sore starting out but the conversation and almost ridiculous good cheer a group that size can generate carries you through at least the first couple of miles. You forget about being tired and settle into your pace, breathing slows down and it’s really fun. Around mile 4-5 maybe the hills may start to get to you or the maybe the legs get a little weary but you’ve got someone in front of you, beside you and in back of you, the momentum carries you.
Now you’re in the stretch, one mile to go, the wind isn’t so cold now, you’re warm and hitting a good stride as the sun comes out through the clouds. You get a final energy burst and you pick up the pace a bit as you head for home.
Besides the inspiration of your running friends and comrades, you might have gotten a little extra incentive thinking about what waits at the end of the run. Oatmeal with brown sugar and cranberries, one of those outrageous egg souffles and quiches or that french toast smothered with bright red strawberries. It was all worth while!

You sit with friends, catch up on the weeks’ news, talk about who’s training for what. The inevitable discussion of injuries comes up. It is great to see everyone, new runners, veterans, short distance or long distance in a variety of paces.

Check out our great new website, www.srrc.net and our terrific, updated new newsletter. The Lincoln Memorial is right around the corner on April 4, 2009 and it promises to be bigger and better than ever this year. Come out and run or volunteer, it’s a real community event, officially sanctioned by the Lincoln Bicentennial committee and it is a fitting tribute to Abe right here in his hometown.

We’ve got great races, fun social events and terrific group running experiences to offer. You’ll surprise yourself at what you can do and have fun along the way!

Dear SRRC Members,

Amazing is the way I’d describe 2008, 2009 will be even better!  Our Race Directors, Board Members, Event Volunteers, Participants, Group Run Coordinators and Sponsors are second to none.  Thank you all!

In 2009 we introduce you to a fabulous new website design courtesy of web gurus Anne Baker and Dan Billingsley.  While we transition the interim site is www.sprrc.net.  We’ll be back at our original domain name www.srrc.net soon.   The new site has wonderful features in addition to spectacular graphic, photo and video capability, a very exciting development.  You can post group runs, enter races and keep your membership fresh on the new site, check it out!

Next, I want to personally invite you to join us for the Bicentennial edition of the historic Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon, April 4, 2009 at 7:30 am.  We want runners and volunteers, please come out and join in this event.  Runners will literally run where favorite son Abraham Lincoln walked!  Volunteers can give something back and join in what has proven to be a classic event that draws runners from across the nation to our town.  It all starts at St. John’s, Prairie Heart Institute, be there!  Check the website for more details www.runabe.com

After we all enjoy our annual Monster Mash awards  banquet and party thanks to the work of Emily Klockenga and her team I am happy to introduce you to our newly elected slate of officers to guide the clubs activities in 2009:

I am returning as President, thanks for this opportunity!

Jim Cinotto returns as Past President.

Susan Helm moves from Secretary to Vice-President.

Chuck Costello steps down as Vice-President.

Brent Leach returns as Treasurer.

Mary Rogers returns to Membership.

Lori Milkint steps down from Website.

Anne Baker moves from Newsletter Editor to Website.

Emily Klockenga returns to Special Events.

Linda Jones joins as Race Director Liaison in place of Jan Wilson who retired this year.

 Alysson Strauch is our incoming Newsletter Editor on the board.  Alysson will coordinate newsletter content and work with Maria Ansley on layout and design.  The work of the outgoing board members has been excellent , I know the work of the new board will be outstanding as well.

If all that isn’t enough, the board this year voted to purchase a state of the art IPICO tag/chip timing system for the club, enabling us to further enhance the quality of events.  We’re actively seeking   volunteers to help learn how to integrate this new system into our already great calendar of events for this year!  Please contact me or Linda Jones if you are interested.

Check this edition for the 2009 SRRC Points Series Race Calendar and stay tuned to the website for updates!

 I had the pleasure of attending the High School Cross Country Awards ceremony in January at the State Journal Register auditorium.  John Hartnett coordinates this program, he co-directs the Scholastic Challenge with Denise Hartnett and Jay Rogers.  John, along with the SJ-R’s Jim Ruppert  and Derek Dexheimer our points coordinator and Matt Lamsargis from the Springfield Running Center,  selected this years winners in an exceptional event.   Your club donates money to this wonderful program annually.  The awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the area’s best male and female Cross Country competitors and provides funding to the winner’s school’s Cross Country programs.  It was exciting to be a part of an event so in tune with the mission of the SRRC and to meet these shining stars of the running community who were each inspirational in their accomplishments and their remarks.

 We’ve got a lot to offer and there is a lot going on.  I’m continually amazed at the success of all of these club activities that are all a product of hardworking volunteers.  We look forward to hearing from you ,whether you’d like to try your hand at race direction, timing and scoring or as part of our fantastic Abe’s Army Training program.  Send an email or give us a call.  I hope your running is going well, see you on the roads!

Barb

We’re well into the crisp and cool part of the running season when you receive this edition of Foot Trails. It is time to make some running plans around the holidays and upcoming race events.

No matter what the economy or the weather does, you’ll always have the great friendships and good times associated with the Springfield Road Runners Club. Running is a healthy, fun, environmentally friendly and economical way to stay fit and it can keep the holiday stress at bay. In fact, there is no better time to renew your commitment to exercise than during the more hectic seasons of the year.
You know everything the SRRC does is made possible by volunteers. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, all year long to plan and implement the annual calendar of races, training and social events offered. While this is the season to thank those volunteers for their work, consider joining in at any level to help maintain the quality and variety of events provided to club members. You can give something back to the club to keep it great.

Instead of mourning the loss of the season just passed, look ahead to the beauty and solitude of a fresh snow fall or trees glistening with a coat of ice in the bright winter sun. When you are all shopped out, or have baked or eaten one too many holiday treats, put your shoes on and remember how great it is just to breath the fresh cold air, enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow runners and feel so alive on a winters run!

Happy Holidays!
Barb Bonansinga

I can’t believe it is the middle of May. I’ll be brief because if you’re like me you’ve got running to do, or yard work, or something else that lets you get outside! Here’s what’s happened or is happening in May:

Road Runners Club of America Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio including the famous Flying Pig Marathon and the presentation of the national, Rod Steele Volunteer of the Year Award to Tim Butler. Congratulations on this outstanding honor Tim and thanks for all that you do!

Looking back just a bit, if you had anything to do with the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon this year, and almost 1000 runners and over 200 volunteers did, well done! As the bicentennial year of Lincoln’s birth, 2009 will be even bigger and better. I think Lincoln Memorial ranks among this areas most unforgettable running experiences. If you weren’t a part of it this year, get on board for 2009 with on-line registration through www.runabe.com.

You may have started Abe’s Army as a participant or a leader, either way you’re in for a great time. this is a very dedicated yet fun group!

Get your racing shoes on for an exciting new event brought to us by race director Kelly Urbas. It’s the Springfield Magnificent Mile, Saturday, May 24, on 6th Street.

And it’s time to register for three SRRC legacy points races, the Passavant-Powerade 5 and 10K in Jacksonville, May 31, the 4 Mile and 15K Steamboat Classic in Peoria June 14th and the always popular Bob Goldman Scholastic Challenge 5K June 21 in Springfield’s Center Park

This is a summer filled with great running events, so get out there!

Barb

“…you’ve got to understand something, this is no ordinary group, these are runners!” That’s a quote in response to concerns raised by the conference center staff afraid that there wouldn’t be a large turn out for the Monster Mash Annual Awards banquet, Friday, February 1, 2008. Attendance for the banquet was great despite the cold temps and record-breaking snow. Marathon and Beyond Magazine’s Jan Seeley’s presentation was well received and congratulations go out to all the award winners.
There is an exciting year of running, group training activities and social events coming up in 2008. The season is off to a great start with Half Wits Training in preparation for the April 5, 2008 running of the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. All club races and programs are possible due to the excellent work and commitment of our outstanding members, event participants, volunteers, race directors, board members and sponsors.

Each issue of the Foot Trails newsletter features the race calendar, great articles and expert tips. Visit the club website www.srrc.net frequently for the most current information on what is coming your way. If you haven’t already selected the events you plan to run or volunteer for this year now is a great time to do that. The SRRC has a top-notch series of points races and associated events over a variety of distances and venues, and customized training programs to get you race ready. These training programs are for everyone including the runner working to enhance speed with Katie McAfee at the Track, the first time race participant whose goal is to finish and the runner whose primary goals are fresh air, exercise and camaraderie. Training for a race has taken on a whole new meaning in many instances complete with organized group runs, nicknames, custom gear, blogs and websites, all of which add to the fun.

A special thanks and a job well done are extended to all the members of the 2007 SRRC board, especially those retiring from the board including: Past President Jim Dahlquist, Vice President Derek Dexheimer, Treasurer Mike Boyd, News Letter Editor Nyle Robinson, Membership Director Arlee Grimsley and Secretary Patty Shafer.

The 2008 SRRC Board looks forward to an outstanding season. If you got an idea to help make the club great, let us hear from you.

Barb Bonansinga