Tussey Teaser #1: 15th Annual Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

March 3, 2018
Rothrock State Forest, PA
by Mike Casper

Blustery breezes greeted runners tilting at the switchbacks of Lauren Run Road. There was a dusting of snow on the mountain but only a few slick spots to make the run festive and the footing more sure than usual.

Josh Litofsky cruised glided to overall victory, with Steve Templin not far behind and Josh Cone in third. Meghan Mason, visiting from Minnesota, folded this run into her schedule and notched a course record by nearly 2 minutes. Meira Minard was second and Ashley McDonald third.

As has become a tradition, there were several “repeat” up-and-down participants. Seth Senior, Bob Shafer, Brian Thiede and Mike Zimmerman did the route three times (twice before the official start), Meira Minard and Tara Murray did it twice, and Jo Ohm warmed up with several miles on the Spruce Gap Trail.

Thanks to series sponsor Subway Restaurants for the party sub, which was handily consumed by participants at the finish line.

Those who run Tussey Teasers #1 through #5 (February’s Teaser #0 was a bonus) will be eligible for a special prize drawing that will take place after Teaser #5, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.

The next Tussey Teaser on April 8 is the Tussey-to-Whipple 11 Miler, run on Legs 1 through 3 of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK course. To register and get details on the remaining Teasers, visit http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tussey_teasers.html.

News Flash: Central PA’s only race with age and gender adjusted results and awards, the Beidleheimer Sidewinder, now features a new start time, 9 a.m., an out-and-back route, and you can choose a 10K or 20K option. Online registration for this May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) race is available at https://legacy.imathlete.com/events/sidewinder2018. Proceeds support Team Ream. The race also features tech shirts and trophies to the first five finishers.

                       Runners and supporting pups braved chilly winds at the start, but the forest provided some respite on the route.

                                                          Two expectant moms supporting the effort made this a hike for health.
                                                            David Lloyd approaches the first switchback with calm determination.

                                                     Josh Litofsky lets the brakes go descending the final section of Laurel Run Road.
                                      Josh Cone points out the lead woman, Meghan Mason, en route to a new women’s course record.

                                                                Meira Minard executes a cartwheel over Josh Cone at the finish.
                                                     Seth Senior leads a small band of runners who completed three reps of the route.

                                                                                 Ashley McDonald was the third lady finisher.
                                                                          Meghan Mason with her winner’s spoils.

Overall Order of Finish


Place First Name  Last Name            City           Sex  Age    Time
----- ----------  ---------            ----           ---  ---    ----
1     Josh        Litofsky           State College     M   21     41:18
2     Steve       Templin            Muncy             M   45     41:39
3     Josh        Cone               Boalsburg         M   35     42:33
4     Meghan      Mason              St. Paul, MN      F   30     43:05
5     Meira       Minard             State College     F   44     44:45
6     Seth        Senior             State College     M   31     46:40
7     Brian       Thiede             State College     M   30     46:40
8     Mike        Zimmerman          State College     M   37     46:40
9     Bob         Shafer             Bellefonte        M   37     46:40
10    Drew        Funk               State College     M   32     46:55
11    Andrew      Maguire            State College     M   47     47:42
12    Judd        Michael            Lemont            M   55     48:28
13    Jason       Spicher            State College     M   25     48:39
14    Dan         Barker             Belleville        M   24     49:14
15    Ashley      McDonald           State College     F   33     49:32
16    Tim         Spigelmyer         mcClure           M   52     50:17
17    Jo          Ohm                State College     F   26     51:00
18    Evan        Bresler            Penna Furnace     M   34     51:04
19    Laura       Cone               Boalsburg         F   31     51:23
20    Steve       Baird              State College     M   40     52:24
21    Tara        Murray             State College     F   41     53:51
22    Jacob       Gordon             Huntingdon        M   29     54:17
23    Sharon      Lupo               Penna Furnace     F   43     56:33
24    Jim         Maras              State College     M   56     56:52
25    Noel        Habashy            State College     M   35     56:52
26    Matthew     Rooke              State College     M   34     56:52
27    Amanda      Pighetti-Marshall  Warriors Mark     F   35     57:52
28    Regina      Lozinski           Port Matilda      F   38     58:12
29    Chad        Brown              Red Lion          M   46   1:01:32
30    John        Pringle            State College     M   56   1:01:32
31    Daniel      Bowers             State College     M   33   1:06:27
32    Brian       Brown              Lewisburg         M   43   1:07:12
33    Ali         Weyant             Huntingdon        F   21   1:10:30
34    Wade        Brown              York              M   48   1:11:36
35    David       Lloyd              State College     M   47   1:12:05

Fitness Study Participants Needed

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

Are you interested in learning about the optimal time and intensity to be training for maximal fitness?

If so, Dr. Jinger Gottschall has a research opportunity that may be of interest to you. To participate, you must be between 20 to 55 years of age and train over 8 hours per week (with at least 10 minutes per week at an intensity greater than 85% heart rate max).  Examples of this intensity include: interval training during swimming, cycling, running, or group fitness classes; exercises that involve jumping, squats, lunges, or burpees; team sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, or rugby.  The study will include collecting heart rate data during your regular training sessions during a 3-week period followed by the completion of 2 high intensity training sessions on a single day. Dr. Gottschall is the professor leading this investigation within the Kinesiology Department. The purpose of this research is to assess the relationship between time and intensity for individuals who train regularly. We will collect survey data on your current activity, feelings, and sleep. In addition, we will collect 6 saliva samples during the high intensity session day to analyze substances related to stress. Each participant will earn a Polar A370 watch and H10 chest transmitter as well as feedback on their training quality.

If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Jinger Gottschall at 814.404.6639 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Required Study Dates:

Information Session and Consent (45 minutes):  

Friday, February 2 at 6:45pm or Sunday, February 4 at 1pm

Surveys, Exercise Familiarization and Heart Rate Maximum Test (90 minutes):

Saturday, February 10 at 1pm

Experimental Day_High Intensity Interval Training Sessions (2 x 120 minutes):

Sunday, February 25 from 10am-12pm and 2:30pm-4:30pm

2018 Predicted Mile Contest

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

A Predicted Time Contest was held in the last race of the Indoor Mile Series. Chris Cipro took the honors of predicting a time closest to his finish time in the mile. Chris thought he'd cross the finish line in 4:30 and was only 0.51 seconds off that time, finishing in 4:30.51. Still nowhere near the 0.01 second mark set by Mike Zimmerman a couple of years ago, but a great prediction, and a great mile time!

NVRC 2018 Winter Blood Drive Is Successful

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Written by Mike Casper Mike Casper

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. The NVRC’s reason for hosting blood drives is to encourage healthy, able donors to come out because in some areas of the country, it hasn’t been possible. Thanks to you, we were able to help the American Red Cross in several key ways.

• January is National Blood Donor Month, the perfect time to resolve to give more life by being a blood donor.
• Winter weather and illness can make it difficult for the American Red Cross to maintain a sufficient blood supply at this time of year. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to give at this time.
• Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 200 blood drives forced to cancel, causing more than 6,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.
• Donors in areas unaffected by the weather may be helping patients close to home or patients in areas where donors are unable to give because of inclement weather.

With your generosity, we collected 17 units at this drive. That translates to saving up to 51 lives – which is no small accomplishment!

Our presenting donors were treated to fresh Pizza Mia pizza, treats, movies (including the comedy “Run Fat Boy Run”) and camaraderie. Whether you were able or unable to participate in this drive, we encourage you to take a moment to put the NVRC’s Fall 2018 Blood Drive, set for Thursday, Sept. 13, on your calendar.

The presenting blood donors, volunteers, and those whose lives may be saved by those donations were the winners. Drawing prizes went to:

Nick Pagano – Beidleheimer Sidewinder 10K entry (May 5)
Grace Collins – Crack O’ Dawn 5K Run/Walk & Pancake Breakfast entry (June 16)
Emily Knell – Nittany Valley Arts Festival Races (5K-10K-10M) entry (July 15)
Jim Sellmer – Allegheny Front Trail Run (50K or 13.1M) entry (June 2)

When can you give? As often as every 56 days: If you didn’t donate on 1/18, we encourage you to donate soon at a drive that’s convenient for you. We hope to see you at the Sept. 13 NVRC drive.

Thanks for supporting the American Red Cross and the NVRC!

2018 Nittany Valley Running Club Indoor Mile #2

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

January 26, 2018
University Park, PA

The second meet in the Indoor Mile Series saw some very close finishes, particularly in the fast last heat. In Heat 1, Don Bond led most of the way and finished first in 5:49.85 for a very good Masters time. Becky Szabo was second in 5:56.79, and Erica Pitcavage finished just under 6 (5:59.07) for third. Michael Goldfine has been out of the running for a few years due to injury, but now, in his 60s, wanted to come back and do one more strong mile. Michael finished 6th in 6:15.81.

In the second heat, Joey Stoltz took charge of the field early on and finished first in 5:35.08. Mike Martin was second in 5:46.42 and Matt Smith ran third in 5:48.79. Everyone in the heat finished under 6, which is a good standard for the second heat.

Top Masters Duathloner Jeff Miller easily cruised to victory in Heat 3. If Jeff shows up at the last Indoor Mile next week, he'll take the Master's crown for best combination of two times. Jeff's time today was 4:48.09. Second was Sean Theoclitus in 5:02.77, and Shundai Li put in another strong Masters time to take third in 5:08.5, barely edging Adam Creveling. Harriet Smith ran the fastest women's time of the day, finishing 5th in the heat in 5:10.39. Suz Stein and Baylee Robey took the next two women's slots in 5:13.99 and 5:14.05, respectively.

The fast heat was Chris Cipro's all the way...until the end. Cipro had a huge lead on the field, and ran a decent final lap, but Matt Balogh came from nowhere, running a 30 second Lap 8, to catch Cipro and win the heat in 4:31.59. Cipro's 4:32.31 was good for second, and Mark Puleo took third in 4:33.43.

 

Don Bond runs away with the first heat.

                                                                             

Heat 1
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
 1.    Don Bond                 5:49.85 (M)
 2.    Becky Szabo              5:56.79
 3.    Erica Pitcavage          5:59.07
 4.    Clare Gervino            6:14.47
 5.    Madline Margevicius      6:15.29
 6.    Michael Goldfine         6:15.81 (M)
 7.    Marty Klanchar           6:21.58 (M)
 8.    Lauren Braukmann         6:24.97
 9.    Phillip Pillin           6:32.73 (M)
10.    Marc Burns               6:45.37 (M)
11.    David Lloyd              6:48.88 (M)
12.    Wilma DePiore            6:55.99 (M)   

Heat 2
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
 1.    Joey Stoltz              5:35.08
 2.    Michael Martin           5:46.42
 3.    Matt Smith               5:48.79 (M)
 4.    Doug Schunk              5:54.39
 5.    Keith Henderson          5:55.97 (M)
 6.    Sean Hillman             5:56.30
 7.    Rita Concannon           5:56.80
 8.    Molly Holmes             5:57.36
 9.    Grace McStravock         5:58.46

Heat 3
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
 1.    Jeff Miller              4:48.09 (M)
 2.    Sean Theoclitus          5:02.77
 3.    Shundai Li               5:08.50 (M)
 4.    Adam Creveling           5:08.58
 5.    Harriet Smith            5:10.39
 6.    Wyatt Boscom             5:11.93
 7.    Matthew Rodgers          5:12.14
 8.    Suz Stein                5:13.99
 9.    Baylee Robey             5:14.05
10.    Dom Wyzomirski           5:16.19 (M)
11.    Mark Hawkins             5:26.59
12.    Isaac Messner            5:31.10

Heat 4
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
 1.    Matt Balogh              4:31.59
 2.    Chris Cipro              4:32.31
 3.    Mark Puleo               4:33.43
 4.    Raymond Friend           4:35.24
 5.    Matt Pennock             4:38.02
 6.    Dave Rasmussen           4:42.93
 7.    Josh Velez               4:47.16
 8.    Matt Guenter             4:49.96
 9.    Ryan Clark               4:58.05
10.    Steven Hanna             5:00.89
11.    Brody McElwain           5:03.61

M - Indicates Masters (40 and over) runner

NVRC Supports 2017 United Way Day of Caring

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Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur

It’s seven years in a row now. Cheree Jones helped to organize a crew of bushwhackers for the United Way Day of Caring, this time with the help of Liz Kisenwether. The project was again the golf course perimeter bikepath/jogging path, this time along the southwest edge of the Penn State Blue Golf Course along Blue Course Drive. Brush was also cleared at intersection of former railroad bed and road leading up to the Walker Clubhouse. The usual saplings, bushes, logs, branches, vines, and thickets had encroached on the jogging path.

The volunteers were: Keller Williams Realty, Kid Tech, the Penn State Women's Softball and Lacrosse Teams (around 60 volunteers from among these groups, including over 20 from each of the PSU women's teams), and Joe Hughes--Penn State Golf Courses PGA General Manager/Head Golf Professional, who helped tremendously with the planning and execution, and Liz and Jim Kisenwether 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, as usual, chipped in to pay for some food and refreshment. Here are a few pictures, courtesy of Cheree Jones.

Group shot of some of the participants in the 2017 Day of Caring

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