Nittany Valley Running Club!

Thursday Track Report: Trying To Gain Track-tion

Details: Written by Bwana Bwana

September 19, 2019

Summer is ending in a magnificent way this year. Mild temperatures, brilliant blue skies, and relatively dry air have been the norm for the last week or so, and today was no exception. Even the condition of the IM Fields was better than usual, with the grass freshly mowed and no dew to hinder traction. Despite these conditions, only a handful of people showed up at the IM Fields: Mike Martin, Rich Harter, Andrew Tatusko, John Hardy, David Lloyd, and Marty Mazur all showed up today, and a couple of others buzzed by on their run but did not do the workout. Could the rest of the Crew have been kidnapped on Talk Like a Pirate Day? (Why is September 19 TLAPD anyway?)

Bwana called for a double downward ladder: Two sets of 1 lap (about 640 meters) - a half-lap (320 meters) and two long straights (about 260 meters each). The long rep was done at 5K race pace, the progressively shorter reps at a slightly faster pace. The kicker was the rest got shorter through each set: a long straight (260) after the 1 lapper, but much shorter rests (60 meters) after the other reps. This is a nice workout, and a modest volume (2 X 1480, or just under 3000 meters). The workout is easy to scale up if you have the time.

Next week, we hope to Fall into a routine with even cooler temperatures, and more people!

NTF Youth Cross Country Program

Details: Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

The Nittany Track and Field (NTF) youth club will kick off its 15th Cross Country season on August 26th! We invite boys and girls 8-18 years of age to join our fall cross country program. The program is geared towards a wide range of athletes - from beginners to advanced competitors. Our goal is to create a fun training environment for the youth to help them appreciate running as a life activity, train, improve, and achieve their goals. Cross country as a youth sport provides a good balance of the physical and social aspect - we go on runs in parks and on trails, travel to races, play our favorite games, and just have a good time in fresh air. See if your children want to be part of our team this fall.

Here is some information about the program in the nutshell:

Season: August 26 - November 17, 2019
Practice hours: 5:45 - 7:15 pm Monday through Thursday (+ Sunday long runs 3:00 - 4:15 pm). Attendance flexible.
Practice location: Tudek Park / Location varies for Sunday runs
Registration fees: $70 per season ($50 siblings)
Registration for the Fall season is open, and you can sign up online HERE. (Deadline September 5th)
Orientation session will be held at the beginning of the first practice (8/26 at 5:45 pm) at the first pavilion (near the tennis courts) at Tudek.

During the fall season, NTF athletes will have an opportunity to compete in local all-comers cross country races (NVRC-CRPR, Juniata Valley Striders), Middle School Invitationals, and Cross Country Regional and National Championships.

Here is the program FLYER you can forward to anyone who you know have children that may be interested.

For more information, please check NTF website (www.ntfxc.com), or if you have any questions, please feel free to email them to Mark Fedkin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nittany Valley Half-Marathon Donates $25000 to Centre Volunteers in Medicine

Details: Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

The 2018 NVRC Nittany Valley Half-Marathon, held last December, was a big success. The race has been growing the last couple of years under the direction of Katrina D’Anca and her crew of volunteers. The race had 450 runners in 2016, then up to nearly 500 in 2015, but grew to over 650 last year despite some dicey weather. With that success, the Half was able to donate $25,762 from proceeds of the 2018 race to its beneficiary, Centre Volunteers in Medicine. The NVRC has been a significant contributor to the CVIM through its Marathoners for Medicine team (over $600,000 in the last 15 years) and the Nittany Valley Half-Marathon.

Marathoners For Medicine Raise $45,000 For CVIM

Details: Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

The NVRC Marathoners For Medicine raise money for Centre Volunteers In Medicine, a local medical and dental clinic serving the working poor in our area. Participants use a spring race as a focal point for their fundraising efforts. You don’t have to run a marathon to be part of the team. Sue Forster at Centre Volunteers In Medicine announced that the Marathoners For Medicine fundraising campaign of the NVRC raised $45,000 for CVIM in this year's effort. Here's the announcement:

"The 2019 Marathoners' team raised $45,000 to support the medically uninsured living or working in Centre County. Whether you believe in CVIM because you too have experienced the cost of being uninsured, because being a part of the team gives you the incentive to run/a purpose beyond personal accomplishment, or you are grateful for your health and health insurance YOU are a part of helping to save lives. Being a M4M team member means that you help to relieve dental pain, detect cancer earlier, get patients much needed medications and SO MUCH MORE.”

Thanks to Jaimie Wright for organizing this year’s effort. M4M will be gearing up for their 2020 effort after Christmas. If you’d like to join, contact Jaimie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Minutes of the February 5th 2019 Meeting of the NVRC

Details: Written by Erika Christiansen Erika Christiansen

Board Meeting
Club officers present: Bob Shafer (president), Dave Eggler (treasurer), Marty Mazur (communications director), Erika Christiansen (secretary/archivist). Others present: Cheryl Keller Capone, Dean Capone.

Membership Meeting
Club officers present: Bob Shafer (president), Dave Eggler (treasurer), Marty Mazur (communications director), Erika Christiansen (secretary/archivist). Others present: Cheryl Keller Capone, Dean Capone, Dave DeGroote, David Lloyd, Rev. Carl Miller, Doug Schunk, Chris Hunsberger.

The officers discussed a date for the Give ‘Em 5! race. November 10^th which is two weeks after the Tussey Mountainback will be the set date for the race and very appropriate since Monday November 11^th is Veterans Day. This race is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices and commitments of our community's brave veterans. Funds raised from this race will be made available to veterans in need of financial assistance through the Veterans Assistance Fund.

Nittany Track and Field Youth Track Program To Start Season Monday, April 29!

Details: Written by Mark Fedkin Mark Fedkin

Nittany Track and Field youth club is kicking off its 2019 track season this coming week – Our first practice will be on the State College High School track on April 29th. The club is open to any youth athletes in the age range from 7 to 18, and its main mission is to create environment for the kids to be introduced to the track and field as a sport, learn new skills, and train to achieve their athletic goals. The program is suitable for both experienced athletes and beginners.

The practices will be held from 6:15 to 7:45 pm Monday through Thursday (except for the youngest group which practices two days a week), and our season goes until July 18. The lead coaches for the summer program are Mark Fedkin, Andrew Maguire, Matt Lindenberg, and Jayson Jackson. We are also engaging a number of event coaches and volunteers for our practices. The events we are practicing for this season include: sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps (long, high, triple), and throws (shot, discus, javelin). Also we are looking to organize several youth pole vault clinics over the summer.

If you have children or friends who are interested to join our track team this summer, be sure to sign up soon! Here is the link to the registration page: http://www.ntfxc.com/registration.html which has all the information. We are also looking for volunteers and support coaches for various groups and events, so if you have any interest to be involved, please email Mark Fedkin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about NTF club and our summer and fall programs, please visit our website www.ntfxc.com or connect to our Facebook page. Also I will be happy to answer any questions about the program.

2019 Winter Blood Drive Is Successful

Details: Written by Mike Casper Mike Casper

THANK YOU!
A hearty thanks to everyone who came out to donate, invited someone to donate, or helped someone get to the Nittany Valley Running Club’s Winter Blood Drive, which was held on January 17 at State College Presbyterian Church! The NVRC’s reason for hosting blood drives is to encourage healthy, able individuals to come out and donate, because currently it is just 4% of the population that provides the blood for the nation’s emergency needs, so you generous donors are invaluable. With your generosity, we collected 19 units of whole blood at this drive and made our goal! That translates to saving up to 57 lives – which is no small achievement. Thank you!

Our presenting donors were treated to fresh Pizza Mia pizza, running films, the new Trail Runner magazine and friendly conversation. Whether you were able or unable to participate in this drive, we encourage you to take a moment to put the NVRC’s Fall Blood Drive, set for Thursday, Sept. 12, on your calendar now. Online appointments will be available about 6 weeks before the drive.

WINNERS: The presenting blood donors, volunteers, and all those whose lives may be saved by those donations were the drive’s many winners.

Drawing prizes went to:

Emily R. – Egg Hill 10 Miler entry (4/7/19)
Details: http://nvrun.com/index.php/racing/club-sponsored/run-around-egg-hill

Wayne W. – Crack O'Dawn 5K entry (6/15/19)
Details: http://nvrun.com/index.php/racing

Hongquyen P. – Arts Fest Races entry (7/14/19)
Details: http://nvrun.com/index.php/racing

Congratulations all!

WHEN AM I ELIGIBLE TO GIVE AGAIN?
If you donated at this drive, you’ll be eligible again on March 7. If you didn’t donate at this drive, you can donate anytime at a drive that fits your schedule. The last date to donate this summer and be eligible to give again at the NVRC’s Sept. 12 drive is July 18.

Thanks for supporting the American Red Cross and the NVRC!