RUDY AT THE 2006 NATIONAL 24 HOUR RUN CHAMPIONSHIP

By Marge Smith

            This event took place near Dallas in Grapevine, Texas on November 18-19^th and was the selection

 race for the National Team for the 2007 24 Hour World Challenge to be held in Drummonville,

 Quebec, Canada in July 2007.   Also held at the same place and time were a 48 hour, 12 hour and

6 hour run/race walk.

            My sister lives in Dallas so she was there to pick us up at the airport, play chauffer, hostess,

 food shopper and to do whatever else was needed.

            We got there Thursday night, so on Friday Rudy had time to pick up his number, renew

 friendships made at other ultras and walk the course.  The 48-hour race was in progress so we could see the

 aid stations and check out the food; burgers, M and M’s trail mix, soup, potatoes, peanut butter and the

 other regular stuff.  Hot and cold beverages were always there.

            The course was a USATF certified 2.4 mile paved, out and back with recently filled in potholes,

 gentle curves and some short rolling hills.  It was located on the waterfront of  Meadowmere Park

 in Grapevine.

            Saturday morning we got to the race site just early enough to set up before other crews tried to take

 our spot.  We were at the top of a hill about ¼ miles from the turn around and aid station.  That way

Rudy could tell me what he wanted on the way down the hill and I could have it ready for him on the way

 up.

Things got off to a good start; Rudy picked a steady pace and kept within the top four or five for quite

 a time. He was so steady I knew when he would come around the bend. Other support  people

wanted to know how he could be so steady.  I gave the stock answer-stay focused.  After about eight hours

 a problem developed the sun started to set, it went from a bright, warm and sunny day to a near freezing

 evening in about an hour.  The forecast for Dallas for that night was for 37 degrees.  Sine we were out of

 town and on the waterfront, it was colder than that.  I should have realized that would happen since my

sister’s flowers had all died from the frost and mine up here were still alive and doing well!  Soon Rudy

was dressed for the weather in long pants, gloves and a windbreaker, some others were walking wrapped

 in blankets, and still others were wearing heavy woolen caps with earflaps and other similar clothing.

Two hardy souls wore shorts and T’s until about an hour before sunrise. 

            Just about all the runners slowed down when it started to get cold some sped up when their

 bodies adjusted and some couldn’t.  Rudy was in the second group, he spent sometime in the medical

tent trying to warm up and he put on every piece of clothing we brought.  He stopped the water and

Gatorade and drank just warm liquids, nothing helped.  I knew it was over when I walked with him for a

while and I was going faster than he was.

            We had high hopes that things would change when the sun rose.  That didn’t happen till about

seven and since the race was over at nine, it was too late.  Rudy still finished 15^th but didn’t do enough miles

 to stay on the team, so he and a few others will probably be replaced for the race in Quebec.  He has a

few options, one of which is to run as an individual in Quebec, another is to forget the 2007 race and try for

 the 2008, or maybe just work on endurance for the next year.  I’ll keep you posted.

            Now, when we were in Taiwan I was asked if I was Rudy’s mother.  After I got over the shock

 that someone thought I could be the mother of someone Rudy’s age, (I told myself he looks younger than

his age). I realized that if I got married a year or two after high school and got pregnant right away, I was

 old enough to be his mother.  The same thing happened at the 24-hour race in Mass.  I thought I would be

safe in Texas because I knew many of the runners from other races I have been to with Rudy, but sure enough.

                                                                        Membership News

January 2007

Our BTC holiday party was a huge success thanks to our members.  I find it a pleasure to be at a party

 where everyone has a smile on their face.  It is also nice to see the dance floor and DJ put to good use.

 We certainly have one of the most energetic groups around!  Everyone seems satisfied with the location of

our BTC party so we are booking December 9^th for our party next year.

Of course, some planning goes into the party and we are fortunate to have people willing to help.  I started

 the party committee with Marge Smith and myself.  Luckily other members came forth to help without

any hesitation.  Joan Ackerman made centerpieces and wrapped gifts so no one went home empty handed.

 Pat Satenstein served as our MC and took care of our raffles.  Mary Trotto came as “Mrs. Claus” this year

 to see who was naughty or nice.  Natasha and Mike Service came to the party early to help decorate.

 Ken Demulder donated cakes for our dessert.  Debra Williams donated a beautiful homemade quilt for

our raffle.  Debra’s daughter, Jennifer was killed in a car accident several years ago and keeps her

memory alive by writing a heart warming letter about Jennifer with every quilt.

Joe Lazarro announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Kathy, at the holiday party.  The BTC wishes them

the best.

I always enjoy reading the “Act Two” section of Saturday’s Newsday.  This news section is dedicated to

the 50 and over set.  There was an article on December 2^nd that caught my eye.  It was entitled “She’s now

the woman on the flying trapeze”.  The article was about one of our members, Janis Henderson.  This

gutsy lady went on the trapeze last summer while visiting upstate.  This former tomboy loved the experience.

Please welcome our newest members, Eileen Steigerwald and Laura Puccio.

Don’t forget to bring your membership dues to the meeting if you have not done so, or you could

Send them to me at 3 Cedar St. Bellport, NY 11713.  Call me at 803-0586 or email me at

 eclasen@optonline.net if you are unsure of your renewal date.

Dr. Mary Trotto reports:

Noakes’ Training Program for the running of a marathon, 

modified from Grete Waitz’s beginner program of 26 weeks.

Step 1: pre-train by running 160 min/week or on the average about 27 minutes per day (assuming a

6-day running week)   Successfully compete a 10K race. 

Once completed step one go on to step 2: numbers in boxes are minutes per day

Step 2: The minutes per day to prepare for a marathon:

This program is designed for those who want to run a comfortable marathon, without getting injured

 and to good when finished. 

The Forbes- Carlite yearly training schedule:  A way to plan you training for the year:                                   

WINTER RUN SERIES

Sun. 1/14         Sunken Meadow SP   5K

Sun 1/21          Caumsett SP               5K

Sun 1/28          Jones Beach SP           5K

ALL RACES START AT 11 AM  

                                             ABOUT FRIENDS OF KAREN

Friends of Karen began in 1978 as the inspired effort of Sheila Petersen to raise the funds needed to care for one terminally ill child, Karen, at home during the final stages of her illness. Ms. Petersen also arranged for Karen’s medical care and relieved her family of many of the financial and emotional demands of her illness.  After Karen died, it became apparent that the services performed for her and her family was desperately needed by many others.  Friends of Karen was incorporated and designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.  Over the past 28 years, Friends of Karen has developed a comprehensive program of family support, including bereavement services.

    Friends of Karen helps children from birth to 21 who are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses and living in the New York metropolitan area, including all five Boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan and Orange Counties, Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and Passaic Counties) and Fairfield County, CT.

Through Friends of Karen’s Family Support Program a team of trained social workers helps families caring for catastrophically ill children to meet the extraordinary financial and emotional demands of their child’s illness. Parents often lose wages because of time away from work, and many are forced to leave their jobs to care for their children.  Medical and other illness-related expenses soar, and living expenses become unmanageable.  Many of these families earn too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to afford their child’s illness.  Single parents head 50% of Friends of Karen families.