Nittany Valley Running Club!

Sproul 10K Trail Race Report

Details: Written by Mike Renz Mike Renz

Wait…isn’t that a trail race? Break out your finest metal mug filled with instant coffee, throw another log on the campfire…and prepare yourself for another looooong winded email.

So a few of us roadies thought it would be fun to test our legs on some trails and see what it’s actually like, so that we have some clout to make fun of trailer runners instead of just picking on them for fun. In talks with some of my trail running friends (or the ones that put up with me) it turned out that Sproul would be a great beginner trail race. I wanted something runable rather than a rock climb, and also wanted something far enough away from marathon/fall season so that I’d have time to heal after I hurt myself since it seems every trail runner gets hurt every other time they run.

Sproul 10k course is a 3 mile climb follow by a 3.7mi descent. Hold up…3 + 3.7 = 6.7. Apparently math isn’t a strong suit of the trail people, because every 10k I’ve ever run is 6.2mi. I guess this is more of an ultra 10k? Or maybe since the times are so slow they can use the “oh that’s because its longer than a road 10k” excuse. Eh..whatever. I’m still going to run this thing. So hearing about its grueling front half climb, I figured I’d used the weekly hill workouts as my Sproul training and I’ll be set to show these trail folks how to run their races. I’d worn my road shoes out and needed a new pair, so I bought a pair of Patagonia trail/ultra shoes…to help me fit in on race day. And for good measure I went to Shingletown gap once to run with the Thursday trail crew, to round out my Sproul training and hone my trail skills.

Cherry Run Trail Run #2

Details: Written by Marty Mazur Marty Mazur

June 20, 2015

It was a little like herding ducks to get everyone together for our second Cherry Run Trail run. It's a bit of a field trip (all the way out to Lamar!), and the weather of late has been "nice weather for ducks", but I had thought that the prospect of lunch at Elk Creek Cafe would have made this an automatic on people's schedule. Still, there was a lot of hemming and hawing and unresolved schedule conflicts. But by the time the run started, there were 7 runners that were there to do the whole loop, plus another runner who'd meet us at the end and another who'd meet us at Elk Creek.

The Cherry Hill Trail is well described in my report of a family hike a few years back. It's a beautiful, mostly forested run. Rocky, but not too technical (i.e., nothing like Rothrock), with some modest climbing. The big thing is that the tail end of the trail can be muddy, and our recent rains made the last few miles the muddiest I've ever run through on that trail. Still, nobody's shoes were sucked off their feet by the mire.

Lunch at Elk Creek was excellent, as was to be expected. The beer was magically cold and delicious after the 10 mile run. Everyone said "We HAVE to do this again." Keep a lookout for a couple of dates, maybe in August and early autumn.

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A few of the runners who completed the Cherry Run Trail run

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Muddy feet and still allowed a seat at the Elk Creek Cafe

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Pilsners and Pale Ales are emminently guzzlable after a 10 mile run.

NVRC Winter Blood Drive Results

Details: Written by Mike Casper Mike Casper

Thanks to all who braved the wild winter weather, baked, volunteered, and came out to donate at yesterday’s NVRC blood drive. The drive collected 15 units, and we had two first-time donors! That and the unbeatable NVRC energy made the day enjoyable. If you weren’t able to donate at this drive, we hope to see you at the next one!

Special thanks to Bob and Kathleen Crowe for volunteering, Sarah Clements for child care and homemade treats (she took care of the Clements’ two children while Jake donated), and Jaimie Wright and Meira Minard for more delicious treats.

Winners of the prizes drawn at the drive were:

Rebecca Stewart – free entry to Arts Fest Races (5K, 10K, or 10 Mile)(7/12/15)

George Lesieutre – free entry to Crack O’ Dawn 5K (6/28/15)

Chris Menseck – free entry to Beidleheimer Sidewinder 10K (5/9/15)

Kassidy Colton – free entry to Linden Loop 5 Miler (5/3/15)

George Conrad – free entry to Allegheny Front Trail Run (20K or 50K)(7/25/15)

Kathy Moir – winter fleece or cap

Jake Clements – winter fleece or cap

It’s never too early to put the next installment of this unique drive on your calendar. The next drive will be on Thursday, Sept. 10, a few days after the 2015 Mount Nittany Marathon (Sept. 6).

Thanks for supporting the NVRC and the American Red Cross!

The 1st Annual Runner Education Seminar/Workshop Series

Details: Written by Tara Murray Tara Murray

The Nittany Valley Running Club is proud to announce its 1st Annual Runner Education Seminar/Workshop Series. The series consists of two seminars and workshops in the month of June that will cover topics important to runners: Nutrition and Strength Training. The seminars will be run by professionals in the respective fields and are presented at minimal cost to you. You can register (online sign-up) for any or all of them, but hurry! Registration is limited! NVRC Club members get a break on the price for these seminars. If you're not a member, sign up here. You'll pretty much make back the cost of dues in one seminar!

Information on the series topics and presenters, and on how to register, is in this flyer and on the Event Calendar. (Note: A seminar on self-defense for runners originally scheduled as part of the series had to be canceled.)

The Musser Gap Greenway Trail - A Great Collaboration

Details: Written by Amy Blake Amy Blake

October 17, 2014

I just returned from the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Musser Gap Greenway. The Musser Gap Greenway is the result of a collaboration between the ClearWater Conservancy, Penn State University, local government bodies, and many other local organizations. The Greenway connects downtown State College (via Whitehall Road) to the Rothrock State Forest at Musser Gap. It was very exciting to hear about the collaboration of all the different groups that brought this project to fruition. Speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony included Katie Ombalski of the ClearWater Conservancy, Representative Scott Conklin, Jim Steph (Centre Region Council of Government), Jason Albright (DCNR Bureau of Forestry) and Nick Jones (Penn State Provost). It was great to hear them all speak and you could tell that they were all passionate about the project and what it brings to the community. The Nittany Valley Running Club organized a group to meet up and attend the ceremony. When it concluded, we provided instant gratification for the project organizers by running back to town via the Greenway! An exciting and beautiful addition to the community and an exciting event to a be part of.

Photo from ClearWater Conservancy Facebook page.

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NVRC runners break in the Musser Gap Greenway Trail

Nittany Track and Field Summer Program Sign-ups!

Details: Written by Mark Fedkin Mark Fedkin

The Nittany Track and Field (NTF) youth club starts its 11th track season this May and invites youth athletes from 8 to 18 years old to join. We create training opportunities for both beginners and experienced athletes. Whether the kids have competitive goals or simply want to work on technique, strength, endurance, or just learn new things, NTF is a great place to spend some time during the summer.

Practice starts Tuesday May 5th at the State College High School Track. The season will go until July 17th. Practices are scheduled for Monday through Thursday from 6:15 to 7:45 pm. Registration is now open - please visit our Registration page for sign-up forms and other details.

We have a great group of coaches coming back this summer, and we plan a lot of different activities and events this season. New this year, NTF Club will host a youth invitational meet on June 6th - Central PA Youth Track Meet, which will hopefully provide a new competitive opportunity youth in Central PA. We are looking for volunteers for both club practices and the track meet mentioned above.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to help or have any questions about the program. Please spread this info to anyone you think could be interested.

For more information about the NTF club and updates, please visit our website www.ntfxc.com.

NVRC Supports 2014 United Way Day of Caring

Details: Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

For the 2014 United Way Day of Caring, Cheree Jones and Sheryl Balkey organized a crew of bushwackers for the fourth year in a row. The project was again the golf course perimeter bike path/jogging path, this time along the northwest side 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. The volunteers were: SF& Company (12 volunteers), Joe Hughes--Penn State Golf Courses PGA General Manager/Head Golf Professional, 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.

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The clean-up crew.