Weekly Hill Workout: A Lonely Climb

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Written by Mike Casper Mike Casper

May 24, 2011

Spontaneity (or zero planning) has its virtues. Today’s advance hill discussion was a single FYI sent out less than half an hour before noon. Though not calculated this way, this boosted my chances of running solo hills on the path behind the high school. Thus I focused on nature and how I felt and not on shrinking figures climbing ahead of me. I’m just getting into speed and hills again after months off, so rep speed is a very relative term. The water gizmos at the revamped pool across Westerly Parkway were all gushing away for one or two onlookers – and of course to get all the drivers-by talking and planning for the grand opening. To optimize climb time and minimize flats, I stuck with just the pathway ascent, leaving off the flat yardage to Westerly as well as the flat-ish macadam between the path and the next bumps of road. This allowed the climb and recovery times to be nearly similar, while the climbs felt better and better and got faster. I did 11. The path went from mostly wet to mostly dry in 30 minutes, just from the heat of two feet.

So, no aspersions to cast, but I do wonder who else was making multiple ascents somewhere . . .

[Note: Judd Michael and Jon Oatley did another impromptu hill workout on Park Ave... -Ed.]

2010 Race Series Results

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

The 2010 NVRC Race Series and Volunteer of the Year competition wrapped up with December's Nittany Valley Half-Marathon. The winners of this year's competition are:

Race Series

1st Place: Cory Neff

2nd Place: Meira Minard

3rd Place: Alan Effrig

Volunteer of the Year:

1st Place: Mike Casper

2nd Place: Marty Mazur

3rd Place: Jerry Steffy

Awards will be presented at the next bimonthly meeting of the NVRC, which will be at 6:30 PM on February 1 at the Hi-Way Pizza on North Atherton.

The 2011 Series has already begun with the First Night Resolution Run 5K and continues this week with the start of the Indoor Mile Series. All you need to participate is to be member of the NVRC. Details on the Series can be found here.You can join the NVRC here.
 

Nittany Track and Field Youth Club Begins Training the First Week of May

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

Girls and boys, ages 8 to 18, with or without track experience are invited to join the program.The practice starts May 2nd at the State College High School Track. Hours will be 6:15 to 7:45 pm Monday through Thursday (except holidays). Attendance is flexible. The season will run until July 21st. We will hold an Informational meeting on Friday, April 29, 6:30 pm, at the High School track for athletes, coaches, and volunteers.The form and information for athlete registration can be found on our registration page: http://mysite.verizon.net/ntfxc/registration.html

The mission of the NTF’s track program is to provide qualified instruction and a fun environment for kids of virtually all ages to try different track and field events, learn the basics of athletic training, gain fitness and new skills, and develop discipline to pursue personal goals. Learning and training are emphasized above the competition or scores, although track meets are also included as part of learning experience. And of course, fun, game activities, new friends are great bonuses that kids will get by participating in the Club through the summer.

Check out the current updates on the Club website: http://mysite.verizon.net/ntfxc. Please spread this information to anybody who you know may be interested. If you have questions about NTF, contact Mark Fedkin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 814-876-0461

2010 Christmas Light Group Run

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Written by Marty Mazur Marty Mazur

December 21, 2010

A nice sized group of about a dozen of us set out from the West Side Stadium for a light-seeing tour of the southwest fringes of State College. We hit the 12 Days exhibit on Sparks St, then wound our way up to Orchard Park and thence to the bike path into Stonebridge. We hit Cali's house, where Esther and the Calis' majestic greyhound greeted us. We sped by Sheakoski's house, then dropped Kathy LDC off at her place. From there we headed downhill to the dark neighborhood of Scrooges near Bwana's house. The lone pool of light at Casa Bwana was a welcoming sight, as were Mrs. Bwana and the Bwanas' ever-vigilant watchdog/media star Sheila. After some cookies, hot cider and bourbon, the crew staggered back to the West Side Stadium for a nightcap.

Sorry to those who showed up late and had to find/catch us. I had a route in mind prior to the run but wasn't sure how much we'd hew to it. Next year I'll put out a cell number for those who want to play catch-up along the route!

NVRC on Facebook

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

The Nittany Valley Running Club has been on Facebook for a while. Now we have a Fan page. We plan to update the page with the latest race information, group run plans, and other activities. If you go there and "Like" us, our updates will automatically appear in your newsfeed.

2009 Christmas Light Group Run

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

December 22, 2009

It was cold, but not snowing for this year's Christmas Light run. The crowd was modest, but jocular. John Wilcock, Marty Mazur, Andy Arndt, Dave Moore, Bob Cornwall, Tim Spigelmyer, Dave DeGroote, Jonathan Thurley, Paul Ruby, Denise Weaver, Mary Conner-Righter, Hank Aaron, Carly Simon, Rep. Henry Waxman, the ghost of Ulysses S. Grant, Brooke Shields, Lech Walesa, the Dalai Lama, Homer Simpson, Steve Tyler, Barry Manilow, John Cusack, Ben Bernenke, Gisele Bündchen, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Dick Enberg, and Lucy Liu headed out from the High School parking lot.

The crew headed through the Vatican City (the neighborhood behind OLV) for the 12 Days exhibit, then got on the bike path to Stonehenge. But they were too late for the Winter Solstice sacrifices. They thought of dropping by Tom Cali's house to pester Esther (Tom was at a CVIM Board Meeting, followed by a penmanship class), but decided to head straight to Sheakoski's house. There, the group was greeted by a Scrooge-like visage who turned a deaf ear to their pleas for beer. Disappointed, but undeterred, the runners wended their way slowly down the hill and into Marty's neighborhood, where they were warmly accepted for cookies and a wee nip at Bwana's house. After a round of bourbon, the runners did a jolly jig as they headed back to the High School parking lot to get their rides home.

A great time was had by all. Stonebridge had the best lights and Bwana's street (except for Bwana's warmly inviting pool of light), the worst. Next year, Bwana will provide bunny slippers and brandy snifters for all. The group might never get back to their cars.