Message From LRC President Rob Mason

Another Summer Sunrise Watermelon Race Series was completed on August 22 and record numbers were there for all four races. There were 548, 520, 534, and 542 at each of the races respectively. But the truly heartening story was the number of first timers and the group from Weight Watchers at the third race. It’s great to know that in its 14th year, the series has been a light of hope and motivation for so many.

The other big story of the last month was the Tour de Pain races are in Jacksonville on August 7 and 8. A total of 14 local runners went up and seven came back with age group plaques. Dave and Cookie Quarles both came home with first place ones. Michelle Lapointe and Linda Snavely got a third place awards. Paul Keating was 27 seconds out of third place after the 4-mile beach run and one second back after the 5K. Then he ran a 5:24 mile and earned third by eight seconds. Will Strouse was a solid second in his age group.

My finish in my ninth Tour was one for the record books. I had no hopes of placing when I went up there, having had dizzy spells and heart tests the week prior. After the beach run, I was in fifth place, one second behind fourth, eight seconds behind third, a fellow that had beaten me in every other Tour we’d both raced in, and 1:12 out off second. In the 5K I wound up beating my third-place rival by 55 seconds and the guy in second by a minute. It was my best 5K of the year at 23:49. I had third for sure and second was 12 seconds away. In the mile, we all lined up with high hopes. I gave all I had, but 6:47 was it. At the awards, I was celebrating Dave’s win in his age group when they called third place. I didn’t even hear it. But I sure heard them call mine in second. I couldn’t believe it, given my health issues and how poorly I’d been running in recent races. I was even more amazed when the results were posted. The guy I beat for second and I had exactly the same time total for the three races, 1:06:31. I had beaten him by precisely 12 seconds in the mile. I got second because I beat him in two of the three races. Just one second in any one of the races and I’d have been third. It was crazy.

This photo is of most of us after the 4-mile beach run. Front row – Will Stouse, Jerry Hanken, Michael Hanken, Paul Hanken. Second row – Hank Hanken Back row – Dave Quarles, Rob Mason, Cookie Quarles, Jeannette Wallace, Jay Dixon, Michelle Lapointe, Paul Keating, Eric Tallbacka (he trained with us on the track at Lakeland High for a couple weeks before the Tour), and Pedro Flores. Pedro also ran his heart out at the Tour. He wound up fourth in the very tough 40 to 44 group.

This photo is the start of the masters mile at Tour de Pain. Pedro is in the orange shorts. Paul Keating is in the middle between the two shirtless guys with the white shirt and black shorts. Dave Quarles is behind the guy in orange shoes with a white tank and blue shorts on. Tim Williams from Winter Haven is on the right in the longer shorts and the sleeveless shirt. Paul had the best finish, as mentioned above. Pedro finished in 5:29, Dave in 5:40, and Tim in 5:50.

August LRC-Board Meeting Summary
In Attendance: Rob Mason, Bryan Graydon, Chris English, Dave Quarles, Nick Sudzina, Bob Harter, Bob English, Louis Irwin, Marc Zimmerman, Will Strouse (Lake to Lake Race Director). Absent: Joe Stine, Julie Landrigan, Rich Wills, Milton Lyons.

There was a discussion about how we will use our LRC funds. It was decided we would secure a new website and Chris English said he’d look into it. He is also looking into a chip timing system and use of outside timing companies was discussed.

It was also decided to purchase a portable sound system, since the bullhorn isn’t powerful enough. Dave Quarles is pursuing this. -Will Strouse, race director for the Lake to Lake 10K, presented his needs and planning assessment for the 2009 race.. -Mark Zimmerman reviewed the state of convention planning to the group. Speakers are being confirmed now. -Bryan talked about the Go Green 5K he is directing on October 10 at the Circle B Bar Ranch. Sponsors have been secured and the awards will be pine trees! -A donation of $1000 for the cross country meet/conference with Jim Ryun at Lakeland Christian School was approved. -Turkey Chase 5K, Bartow-November 21st. Rob Mason took information regarding this race and will contact the organizers.

An Unselfish Act submitted by Louis Irwin -My friend Tom Champeau is a truly unselfish runner. He sacrificed his 3rd-place time in the last Watermelon race, while helping a young girl who had tripped near the tennis courts, and ran with her until she recovered.

LAKELAND RUNNERS CLUB MEETING When – September 10, 2009, 7 pm What -FOOD-FELLOWSHIP-Education -FUN Who – Rich Wills Topic – The new Somnio shoes we just brought in. These are shoes that we custom-build in the store to fit each individual's biomechanics. Pronate more on one leg? Need more forefoot cushion? You use a laser-level attached to abrannock device to perform part of the fitting. It's pretty cool to do and see and the shoes are actually really good....and they don't cost more than other shoes. We're one of only two stores in Florida to carry them. I can arrange food from a restaurant, then whoever wants to meet for a social after can mosey over to the restaurant? Oh, yeah....we'd make the store 15% off too. Where – FITniche at Lakeside Village.

Upcoming Races: September 12, 7:30 a.m. – Autumn Rock and Roll; 5K; Casselberry; 407-898-1313.
September 25, 26 -7:30 p.m. 25, 5K Lake Hollingsworth; 7 a.m. 26, 1 mile Lake Morton; 8:30 a.m. 26, 2 mile Drane Park; 7 p.m. 26th, 5K Lake Hollingsworth; $40 until Sept. 18/$50 late; Tech shirt and post-race at Wing House; 863-682-6200.

Training Opportunities Note: All of these workouts are open to everybody. There are various paces at every outing.
Tuesday 6 p.m. track workouts; at the Lakeland High track; email DAVEANDCOOKIEQ@aol.com for location.
Thursday 6 p.m., hill workouts; at FSC Auditorium parking on Johnson.
Sunday 6 a.m., long runs of 2.8, 5, 6.1, 9.7, 10.5, or 11.4 miles; Yacht Club parking lot, Lake Hollingsworth.

Lakeland Runners Club Inc. Mission Statement:: To promote running and fitness for runners of all ages and abilities in the community through fellowship, education and formal & informal running events. Monthly meetings are open to all Lakeland Runners Club members and guests. Our meetings are held on the second Thursday evening of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Youth and Family Center of the Lakeland YMCA, Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland. Informative speakers provide excellent information on an enhancing your running. Food and beverages are provided.