Message From LRC President - Before looking ahead to the rest of 2010, I would like to take a moment to look back at 2009 and recognize our out-going officers. Rob Mason and Chris English did a wonderful job as our President and Secretary. Both of these gentlemen put a lot of time into making our organization continue to move and grow in an positive direction. Rob is a constant at our local races and then puts in even more time at home compiling and tabulating results to appear in The Ledger. Chris did so many things behind the scenes that most club members were never aware of, but without his tireless efforts we could not have accomplished all that we did. I am grateful to them both and I hope all of our members will express their gratitude when they next see these two fine members of our running community.

The New Year is off to an outstanding start. Our January gathering at Natalie's Sports Bar and Grille was a resounding success with almost 60 people in attendance. Several first-timers came out and some long lost faces made reappearance. It was great to see such a mix of people all there to share some time together based around our common love of running. Dave Quarles took to a stool to recognize those in attendance that competed in the frigid temperatures at Disney the previous weekend. Everyone seemed to have a great time and we are currently in the planning stages for what we will be doing in February, so keep an eye out for those details.

At January's board meeting new officers were elected for 2010. Marc Zimmerman was elected Vice President and Nick Sudzina was voted in as Secretary. Julie Landrigan remained as our Treasurer and I assumed the role of President. Our board for 2010 has some new faces and it is great to have them along with any new ideas and input they may bring. My goals for this year are to see that we have a great RRCA national convention in April and to increase the membership of the club and the benefits of being a member. If you know of someone who is a runner, or would like to get in to running, who is not in the club, please invite them to a meeting or have them join us one of our group runs. My e-mail box is always open and I invite you to share with me any feedback or ideas you may have in regards to the club.

Happy Running

January LRC- Board Meeting Summary
The January Board meeting of the Lakeland Runners' Club (LRC) was convened at 6:35 p.m. on Monday, January 11th at the Lakeland Family YMCA in S. Lakeland. President Rob Mason called the meeting to order. The following board members were in attendance: Rob Mason, Linda Snavely, Joe Del Valle, Dave Quarles, Bob Harter, Joe Stein, Julie Landrigan, Louis Irwin, Rhonda Fosser, Mark Zimmerman, Will Strouse, Bryan, Graydon and Nick Sudzina.

Julie Landrigan gave the Treasurer's report and noted that each race the club has put on has been profitable. The account balance is $29,104.47 and the club moved to approve a donation to the YMCA and asked Bryan Graydon to make the arrangements for a representative of the Y to come to the next board meeting so this can be accomplished.

There was considerable discussion on the payment plan for the club for assisting with race events and the proposed changes. The changes in the plan were discussed and several changes were made. Bryan said he would email the approved changes to the board after the meeting (this has been done). The most significant change eliminates the $200.00 service plan. The club also lent considerable discussion regarding whether board members should be paid for any tasks they perform at races that the club assists with. The RRCA provided an opinion that board members should not be paid; however, board members can be reimbursed for actual expenses, as long as a receipt, invoice or statement is submitted to the Treasurer. The board also voted out the payment of $100.00 to a board member who assists with non-club races. However, there is nothing prohibiting a non-board member from procuring a fee for helping with a non-club race as long as LRC's equipment is not used for that event.

The board discussed assistance requested at area races when insurance is at issue. It was decided that any organization that solicited assistance from the club would need to produce an authentic document showing that the event was insured, as well as the runners and all volunteers and officials helping at the event.

The election of club officers was discussed next. Motions were made, seconded and approved for the following slate of officers for 2010: President-Bryan Graydon; Vice President-Mark Zimmerman; Treasurer-Julie Landrigan; Secretary-Nick Sudzina.

Mark Zimmerman provided the board with an update of sponsorships for the RRCA Convention that will take place at the Lakeland Center in April. He asked the board to think of any more sponsorships that are possibilities and to let him know. Other planning for the Convention is proceeding as anticipated. Will Strouse, as race director for the Run-the-Lakes races, to be held in conjunction with the Convention, provided a draft of the race brochure. The club discussed the starting times for the races and agreed that there should be no charge for children and no race-day registration. The cost of the races was discussed as well as the number of age groups.

The board agreed to provide a club presence and to assist with the Health Fair, hosted by the Polk County School Board, at the Highland Park Church of the Nazarene on March 6th.

Rob Mason presented a proposal for a new design for the Mayfaire awards. He will present this to Rich Wills, the race director for that event for final approval. The club agreed to go 5 deep in the standard age groups for that race.

Nick Sudzina discussed the plans for the Guardian Gallop at Lake Hollingsworth on January 30th.

The board agreed to table discussion of the purchase of a new clock until the next meeting.

Bryan discussed his plans to enhance club membership. This would include the provision of race vouchers that could be awarded when individuals renew their membership or new members are received. The club members that joined or renewed would be invited to come to a club meeting to receive their race vouchers. It was decided that anniversary renewal dates would be given to the club members as opposed to the same date for all members.

The board then discussed the posting of other area races on the club's website. It was decided by the board to post all area races on the site, with the LRC races highlighted and the race director and contact information for all races will be listed. If an area race conflicts with a club race, that race will not be listed on the website.

The next board meeting is scheduled for February 8th at the YMCA at a time to be determined by the club's president.

LAKELAND RUNNERS CLUB MEETING
• When - February 11, 2010, 7 p.m.
• What - FOOD- FELLOWSHIP
• Where -The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill, 5216 South Florida Ave. (across from the Outback Steakhouse).

2009 Fleet of Foot Award Winner Loni Smith
Runner Profile
Those who attended the December Christmas Party know that Loni Smith was the recipient of the Fleet of Foot Award for 2009. Well, she didn't waste any time proving that she deserved it. At the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 9, Loni was the 5th Overall Female and first in her 25-29 age group in an amazing 3:01:12. And that placing is the best showing by a Polk County runner in the 18 years the race has been held.

Loni, secretary and treasurer for her family's business, has run 4 previous marathons. One of those was in an Ironman Triathlon in Louisville, Kentucky and her previous best was a 3:16 at the 2008 Jacksonville Marathon.

Going in to Disney, Loni did three 20-mile training runs.

"My highest weekly mileage was around 55 miles," she said. "But I averaged 6:45 pace (per mile) in my last 20 mile training run.

"I have to say a significant part of improvements I have made in running have not come from running alone. I swim 3 days a week, which I feel greatly increases my lung capacity. And I see Will Shillito, at Total Body Conditioning 2 days a week for core training."

Loni's goal for the marathon was just to run a smart race and pace herself well. Remarkably, the cold temperatures race morning were no problem for her.

"I just put my mind in another place," Loni said. "I was not cold during the race, but knew how cold it was because I had ice stuck to me. I just stayed relaxed, concentrated on my form, and kept an eye on my Garmin at each mile split. Through training I knew how 6:50 pace felt, so I just got into that feeling and stayed there.

"I always try to be confident in myself and in the training that I have done. After racing for 10 hours and 43 minutes during an Ironman (Louisville), I still had another 7 hours in me. I felt very strong the whole race."

Loni's split at 13.1 miles was 1:30:54. So, her second half was a faster 1:30:18. There aren't many local runners I know who can claim a faster second half in a marathon.

"I passed two girls in the last six miles," she said. "I just kept my eye on their backs, until I passed them.

"I wanted to break 3 hours and I feel that, if it was not for the ice on the road around mile 25, I would have.
But it felt good to run a smart race and to set a new PR by 15 minutes."

On Loni's schedule going forward are the Rotary Twlight 5K, the Suncoast Classic 10K, the Gasparilla Half Marathon, and her second Boston Marathon.

Congratulations on an amazing performance Miss Fleet Foot.

Upcoming Races
• January 30, 8 a.m. - Guardian Gallop; 5K; Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland; $20/$25 race day; T-shirt and refreshments; 863-534-4605.
• February 5, 7 p.m. - Rotary Twilight 5K; 5K, Diaper Dash, and kids runs; Edgewood Park, Buckingham Ave., Lakeland; $25; long sleeved tech shirt, door prizes, and refreshments; www.lakelandrunnersclub.com.
• February 6, 8 a.m. - Fishhawk Road Race; 10k, 5K, and kids run; Fishhawk Ranch, Lithia; $25/$30 race day; T- shirt, random give-aways, and refreshments; 813-685-7500.
• February 6, 8 a.m. - Crusader Gallop; 5K and 1 mile; Wilson Trail, Del Oro Park, Clearwater; $25; T-shirt and refreshments; 727-461-1207.
• February 6, 8 a.m. - Trevor's Miller Mob; 5K; Rosselli Park, Isle of Capri, Treasure Island; $25; T-shirt, raffle prizes, and refreshments; 727-360-6286.
• February 6, 8:30 a.m. - Run For The Greys; 5K and 1 mile; Lake Seminole Park, Seminole; $30; T-shirt and refreshments; 727-249-9187.
• February 13, 8 a.m. - Achievement Academy Run; 5K and ½ mile children's fun run; Summerlin Park at Wilson Lake, Bartow; 863-559-2547.
• February 13, 8:30 a.m. - Mardi Gras Run; 5K, 1 mile fun walk, and kid's fun run; Kiwanis Park, Lake Wales; 863-676-9441.
• February 13, 5:30 a.m. - Dances With Dirt Green Swamp; Half Marathon, 50K, 50 mile, and relays; Withlacoochie River State Park, Dade City; 734-929-9027 or randy@runninafit.com.
• February 13, 8 a.m. - Race For A Child's Future; 5K and 1 mile; St. Leo College, St. Leo; $25/$30 race day; T-shirt and refreshments; 727-246-3132.
• February 13, 8 a.m. - Suncoast Classic; 10K and 5K; St. Petersburg; $30; T-shirt, prize money, goodie bags, give aways, and refreshments; 727-865-4297.
• February 13, 8:30 a.m. - Chinsegut Run; 5K; Chinsegut Nature Center, Brooksville; $15 until Feb. 5/$20 late; T-shirt and refreshments; 352-754-6722.
• February 14, 8 a.m. - Flatwoods Four; 4 mile; Trout Creek, Tampa; 813-232-5200 or www.tamparaces.com.
• February 20, 7:30 a.m. - Run Your Heart Out; 5K and 1 mile; Countryside Golf Course, Clearwater; $20 until Feb. 13/$25 race day; T-shirt and refreshments; 727-796-1333.
• February 21, 8 a.m. - Cigar City Classic; 5K; Al Lopez Park, Tampa; $20 until Feb. 15/$25 late/$30 race day; T-shirt, give aways, and refreshments; 813-874-7223.
• February 27, 7:30 a.m. - Gasparilla Distance Classic; 15K and 5K; Downtown, Tampa; $30; T-shirt, medal, and refreshments; 813-245-7866 or www.tampabayrun.com.
• February 28, 7:30 a.m. - Gasparilla Marathon; 26.2 miles and 13.1 miles; Downtown, Tampa; $85; T-shirt, medal, and refreshments; 813-245-7866 or www.tampabayrun.com.

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.