FLRC FOOTNOTES FOR MARCH 2020
Greetings, runners! Lots has been happening with FLRC over the last month, with an indoor track meet, numerous group runs and workouts, and a highly enjoyable party to watch the Olympic Trials Marathon (alas, we didn’t catch sight of the Ithaca women). There’s plenty coming up too, between our Annual Meeting, the last winter track meet of the year, the Skunk Cabbage Classic, and many more opportunities to run together.
Read on for club news, details of our recent and upcoming races, and how to join FLRC group runs and workouts.
CLUB NEWS
Last Chance! FLRC Annual Meeting Scheduled for March 8th from 3–5 PM
Please RSVP for FLRC’s Annual Meeting, where Chelsea Benson, Bailey Drewes, and Ellie Pell will be sharing stories from the Olympic Marathon Trials, showing pictures, and answering questions. At this free event, we’ll also be revealing our Volunteer of the Year, announcing new Lifetime Members, presenting the 2019 Trail Circuit Stonehead, Pebblehead, and Boulderhead awards, and enjoying the entries in our traditional dessert competition (nom nom!). And, of course, if you’d like to get more involved with FLRC, perhaps through races, other events, communications, or more, this is a great opportunity to learn more and talk to board members.
Coming Soon: FLRC Discussion Forum Transition
You’ve been seeing more links to FLRC’s new online discussion forum at forum.fingerlakesrunners.org—it’s where to go to learn what’s new, find out about group runs, and chew the fat with fellow runners. Over the next few weeks, we plan to migrate FLRC mailing list subscribers to the forum, so stay tuned for more information.
FLRC Adopts Trail Sisters Race Recommendations
At its February meeting, FLRC’s board voted unanimously to adopt the recommendations from the Trail Sisters group whenever possible. As such, FLRC commits to providing women with equal podium spots and awards (we’ve always done this), women-specific swag and apparel (if available for the item in question), equal opportunity/space on the starting lines of our races, and menstrual products at aid stations for races of half-marathon length or longer. Questions and comments welcome in our General forum.
FLRC MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Ithaca Women Compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials
Huge congratulations to the Ithaca-area women who competed on the national stage in the Olympic Marathon Trials on Saturday, February 29th. Bailey Drewes led the trio with a strong 2:42:11 on a hilly, windy course, good for 66th place. Ellie Pell was next, finishing in 121st place in 2:44:59, and Chelsea Benson came through in 2:47:05 and 163rd place. See the writeup (and contribute your own thoughts or congratulations!) on the FLRC forum, and we’ll hear more about their experiences at FLRC’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 8th.
Local Runners Compete in Snowshoe National and World Championships
The increasing popularity of FLRC’s Super Frosty Loomis snowshoe race is evidence of the strength of the sport locally. Two of Loomis’s race directors, Eric Sambolec and David Kania, competed in the US Snowshoe Nationals at over 10,000 feet in Leadville, Colorado. Racing junkie Jim Miner traveled all the way to Myoko, Japan, to compete in the Snowshoe World Championships and brought home a silver medal in the 70+ age group (62nd overall). Also in that race was ex-Ithacan Cole Crosby, who took 17th overall and 6th in the 30-39 age group. Congrats to all, and if you’re intrigued by snowshoe running or racing, ask in our General forum.
RACE RESULTS AND UPCOMING RACES
FLRC February Indoor Track Meet Recap
Although overall attendance at FLRC’s February indoor track meet was down a bit due to intersecting with both Cornell’s winter break and the public schools’ winter break, interest in the 5000m set a new record, with 71 finishers across three sections. James Felice (15:58) and Bella Burda (16:50) ended up taking the honors. The 800m crowns were claimed by Jason Matthewson (2:02) and Claire Mason of Corning-Painted Post West (2:24). In the 60m, Nicholas Abdo ran 6.84 seconds for first place, and then followed it up with a second win in the 400m in 51.44 seconds. Team SOAR’s Makenna Keough ran 8.41 to win the women’s 60m, and Charlotte Nevins of Corning-Painted Post West laid down a 58.91 to win the 400m. See the forum for full results and a more detailed writeup.
FLRC March Indoor Track Meet on March 29th
Our final indoor track meet of the winter season is coming up at the end of the month. Events will include the 3000m, 60m, 400m, 1 mile, and 4-by-200m relay. Runners of all ages are welcome, and we particularly encourage families to bring kids—it’s a great environment for kids to get started with running, especially during the cold, wet, winter months. Learn more and (please!) pre-register.
Skunk Cabbage Classic 10K and Half Marathon on April 5th
Don’t miss our marquee race of the spring—the Skunk Cabbage Classic 10K and Half Marathon. This year marks the 39th consecutive running of one of Ithaca’s oldest and largest road races, with your choice between USATF-certified 10K and half-marathon distances. Join the throng of other runners along Ellis Hollow’s scenic countryside as the skunk cabbages start to emerge in early spring. Register today!
GROUP RUNS
Sunday Skunkday Group Runs Going Strong
Are you training for Skunk? Or would you just like some company on your Sunday long run? Whatever pace you run, come join FLRC’s Sunday group run each week through Skunk, which takes place on Sunday, April 5th. All we ask is that you sign the FLRC Training Programs waiver if you haven’t already done so in 2020. We generally meet at Barton Hall at 8:30 AM, but check the Group Runs & Workouts forum for weekly details.
MITHACAL MILERS Tuesday Night Workouts Continue through March
Want to train indoors? FLRC’s MITHACAL MILERS group meets every Tuesday night at 7 PM in Barton Hall. Workouts focus on the 1-mile race with the goal of helping runners improve their mile time throughout FLRC’s winter track season. Each week, your humble president will set a pace-based track workout (again, see the Group Runs & Workouts forum), lead the group in dynamic warmups, and close with strength and mobility exercises. All ages and abilities are welcome, although adults should be running at least 15–20 miles per week to ensure that the workouts are appropriate. These workouts are part of the FLRC Family Running Program, so children 7–13 are welcome and will run custom workouts based around running games. FLRC membership is required. Learn more and be sure to sign the FLRC Training Programs waiver once for 2020.
Black Diamond 1st and 3rd Saturday Group Runs Changing to 8:30 AM
We’re tweaking the timing on our 1st and 3rd Saturday group runs on the Black Diamond Trail. A Doodle poll (you can still vote!) revealed that a majority would prefer to meet at 8:30 AM with the run starting at 8:45 AM, so we’re going to try that for the March 7th run. However, for fans of earlier and later times, we’re contemplating encouraging groups to meet an hour earlier and an hour later as well, such that starting and finishing groups can socialize briefly—discuss in the forum. These free runs start and finish at the base of the Black Diamond Trail behind the Ithaca Children’s Garden at Cass Park (121 Turtle Lane). We’ll run out on the wide, smooth Black Diamond Trail for roughly 30 minutes, and then turn around and run back. You’ll likely find someone at your pace, and everyone should finish at about the same time. Feel free to add in some walking, or to turn around before 30 minutes. Learn more and be sure to sign the FLRC Training Programs waiver once for 2020.
That’s a wrap for this month, and remember, it’s more fun to run together.
—Adam Engst, FLRC President and VP of Track