Many club members have already renewed their membership for 2024, but if you have not yet gotten around to it, please take a moment to do so by the end of the year!
Individual membership dues are $20 (annually) for an individual, or $30 for a family (2 individuals in the same household).
Benefits of membership include complementary meals at monthly Pacer meetings, discounted tickets for Pacer social events, plus all the intangible, unquantifiable joy of being part of this great community.
Click the button below to renew your membership (or to join for the first time)!
Immediately following the 2023 Pittsburgh Half Marathon, I transitioned into fat loss (156lbs to 145lbs) in order to compete in a bodybuilding show at the end of June. During this time, I was walking a lot but only running 1-2x a week for 5 miles. Immediately following that event, I did a 5-week prep period for a powerlifting meet in July. Also during July, I participated in the summer version of GRIT which helped me have volume pr for the month of right around 186 miles ran. I think that month helped build a good base for my marathon training block.
My marathon training block consisted of 4 runs a week. 2 easy runs of about 5 miles pushing my daughter in the stroller, one speed workout, and one long run. I did not follow a set plan but scaled up my long runs over time and worked in some higher pace intervals on the long runs. I topped out at 2- 18s and 2 – 20 milers. Weekly mileage was between 25-43 miles. On top of the running, I was lifting (powerlifting style) 4x a week, which included squatting and deadlifting 2x a week.
pre-race
I carb loaded per Featherstone Nutrition guide, 550-600g of carbs for the three days leading up to the race. I had my now routine meal of spicy tuna roll sushi the night before (this has now occurred 3x so its definitely “a thing” now). I’m not superstitious, but I am a “little stitious” (or I like the comfort of routine and I know my body tolerates that meal well). We stayed over with family nearby so we could get to City Island faster and I got there with plenty of time to pick up my bib, warm up, and take my last gel/electrolytes.
The race
For those unfamiliar with the Harrisburg Marathon, it is a double loop course that goes across 3 bridges, up and down Front St that runs along the Susquehanna, around a PennDot Building, and 2 U-Turn turnarounds. The half marathon and 4-person relay were run concurrently.
Miles 1-6
Pretty unremarkable start: it was smooth sailing, hitting water and gels as planned. I set out to run 1:37:30 for the first half, as my strategy was to pick a pace that I thought would be relatively comfy for the first 18-20 miles and give me a shot at 3:15 if the stars aligned. A month prior, I ran the Reading Hospital Half Marathon in 1:33:30 and felt like I left some in the tank, so that also guided my race strategy. I had set out to run sub 3:30 at the beginning of the block, but recent runs had me set a super-stretch goal of 3:15.
Miles 7 -13.1
Still smooth sailing. Came in the halfway mark right where I wanted to be. Still was feeling pretty good and manageable.
Miles 13.1-23
Right around mile 14, I started to feel my legs grow really heavy. I was very thrown off by this, because I figured this wouldn’t happen for another 4-5 miles. My miles started to creep past the 7:30 mark and I entered Pain Cave territory earlier than expected. I kept to my fueling plan and worked to gut it out.
Miles 23-26.2
“This. F——. Sucks”. The Pain Cave was in full-effect, and I was definitely not having fun here. I knew that sub-3:15 was definitely not in the cards and felt that sub-3:20 was as well. I passed my wife at one point and also passed a group of three young women who had one of those signs about marathoners being crazy or stupid or both… I don’t really remember but I definitely told them that “This. F——-. Sucks” as I passed them. They laughed, and I felt better for about 100 feet. It was right after passing them and having that fleeting moment of feeling better that I decided that I was not going to hard charge the end as I wanted to preserve my body to a degree and thought that even with a 1000% effort, that sub 3:20 was not going to happen. I crossed the finish line at 3:21:XX gun time.
Post-race reflection
I waited over 2 weeks from race day to write this report because of mixed emotions. I ran the Philadelphia Marathon (my first) last year in 4:02:04. I PR’ed the marathon by a huge margin of over 41 mins the following year. I am very happy with the margin of improvement, but wasn’t as happy and truthfully, still am not super happy with it like I have been with my other races. This was my first major race that I didn’t get the “race day magic” effect that I’ve enjoyed previously. I have agonized over what went wrong or what I could’ve done better too much. I physically recovered really well and am back to base building for future races but mentally I am still working on it. I am very Type A and control as many variables as possible so at Mile 14 when I felt worse than I thought I should’ve, I think that I became my own worst enemy because it stopped being fun for me around that point, when usually I enjoy (or at least partially enjoy) the races I do from start to finish.
I had selected Harrisburg because it was better for my family (2 babies under 14 months), but I probably won’t run it again. Crowd support was sparse and I really missed that boost from the atmosphere compared to races in bigger cities. If there wasn’t a relay, then there would have been under 100 people spectating outside the start/finish area.
I have already signed up for the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon. Seeing a lot of my friends run the half or full the following week was torturous and the FOMO was killer. I am still deciding on which race in Pittsburgh I want to do but I am very excited to race there again the first weekend of May and I highly recommend it! I am excited to continue to train and improve and will be increasing my volume and focus on running as my main goal for 2024 is to BQ.
One of our members, Jamey Hutchinson, and his partner, Patti, were recently recognized as “2023 Volunteers of the Years” by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). Jamey and Patti put in a ton of volunteer hours on the Horse-Shoe Trail, and also at Nolde Forest, French Creek, and the Green Hill Preserve. Congratulations, Jamey and Patti!
Horse-Shoe After-Hours
There was also an important notice in the latest Horse-Shoe Trail newsletter about the dangers of night-hiking on this trail. Please note that most sections of the trail are CLOSED between dusk and dawn!
Trail protection isn’t only about easements. It is also about respect for our landowners. In October, we were asked to move the trail from an off-road path around a property on to the road away from the property. Why? Because users were accessing the trail at 4:30 AM, with a head lamp, which woke up the family’s dogs and … you guessed it: the dogs barked and woke everyone up. This wasn’t the first instance of disrespect, but it was the final straw. Please enjoy the trail BUT, in most townships, it is closed after dusk and before dawn.
The deadline to order a hoodie and register with early-bird pricing for the 2023 Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is 11:59PM EST on 12/3. After that there is a $5 price increase for race registration and hoodies are no longer available.
Seasons Greetings Pacer Friends! It’s that time a year again and we are looking for volunteers for our Kris Kringle Race on Sunday, December 31st. Registration opens at 9 am with a start time of 10 am. We are hoping to have all of our volunteer spots pre-assigned with confirmation distributed via email the week leading into race day. Please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com if you are able to help. Please include your job preference and any time restraints. We sincerely appreciate your help and could not do this without you!
Set- Up on Friday, December 29th at 10:00 am – Noon 2-3 additional people
Registration – arrive at 8:30 am – 7 spots
Parking – arrive at 8:30 am – 5 spots
Course volunteers arrive at 9:15 am. We need you to check in at the 4H and have time to get to your assigned spot. 18 spots
Course Sweeper – Arrive 9:30 am – This is walker friendly so please plan on walking the course.
Kitchen and Cleanup – arrive 10 am should be done by noon – 5 spots
Swag: Sports Towel measuring 11”x42” with a great design
Pre-registration is only for the series. Race day registration is available for the series or individual races.
Series runners can pre-register online NOW at Pretzel City Sports until midnight on the Wednesday before the race; you can also mail the app and a check.
If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race – for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. Volunteers can either contact one of the race directors prior to race day or just show up on race day. If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – 118% of target, which is a low amount historically. He is asking for info from the race directors in order to get the RRCA insurance in place before the end of the year.
Races:
Blues Cruise 50K (completed for 2023) – Mike Whalen – Volunteer shirts are still available. Blues Cruise beer glasses, coffee mugs, and clothing items will be for sale in the RUseeN online store (look under ‘clubs, Pagoda Pacers’). Items can be shipped (at a cost) or picked up at RUseeN in Sinking Spring (no shipping charge).
Oley Valley Country Classic (completed for 2023) – Lenny Burton – 217 runners participated between the two races (5K and 10-miler). A decent profit was made. The Oley Fairgrounds venue is already booked for “our day” next year, so the date for 2024 is TBD. Barry Goodhart thanked all the volunteers.
Kris Kringle 5-Miler (Sunday, December 31, 2023) – L isa Domeshek about 115 registered so far, volunteers will be needed.
Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (first race is Sunday, December 10, 2023) – Sue Jackson – volunteers needed, especially for the course. There will be a sweeper assisting with volunteer relief notification. The usual post-race menu will be available. The course will be run backwards this year. As always, Sue prefers anyone to run over volunteering, if that becomes a conflict. Needs help with the trailer.
Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational (completed for 2023) – Tom Chobot – 193 kids, 14 volunteers for the Junior High even. It cost the club about $1600 for awards, etc. Everything went well. For the High school event, there were 15 volunteers and 300+ kids. So that accounts for over 500 kids that the club interacted with and influenced this year. Plus, as a bonus, some of the volunteers had run these races previously as students.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
Skating social went well. Tiffany will gladly arrange again for next year.
Christmas party – Friday, December 1, have to buy tickets via RunSignUp. No annual dues renewal at the door. This can be done online – will have QR cards at the tables. The race directors will give certificates to their races for raffle prizes.
Our WallyBall location (Colonial Fitness) is closing effective November 10. No one is aware at this time of an alternate location.
Community Service
Trail Maintenance – Mike Whalen – one tree removed from the ski slope.
Long run, the Saturday after Thanksgiving – running from the Quarry to the Pagoda, about 13 miles. And then going to the Hop Yard after this for their holiday event (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) The Pacers will have a table there – volunteering will count towards the Pacer Passport.
Volunteers needed for the Girls on the Run table on November 18. Brittni and Cody did it last year, and said it was a lot of fun.
Membership committee: Jason Karpinski – will be sending out an email as a reminder to the membership, prior to the Christmas Party. And then will send out another one after the new year.
New business
Curtis Musser, in the process of opening the apparel store for on-line purchases. Will update the design and have a few additional items. The store will be open November 17th to the 28th.
Election results: Voting went smoothly – a few people did not get the ballot, which Matt resolved. 91 members voted.
Steve Vida – elected president for one year. He was gifted his very own Pacer cow bell by his sister, Michelle Henry.
Board of directors elected for two years: Michelle Henry, Sue Jackson, Jason Karpinski, and Curtis Musser.
Join Fleet Feet West Reading for a Christmas adventure run through West Reading and Wyomissing!
Run Santa Run Scavenger Hunt organized by Fleet Feet West Reading is back for the 2nd year. Gather your friends and family or meet some new friends at the start of the festivities to form your teams. You will be given a list of clues for locations you can visit to earn your raffle tickets. Be prepared to sing, decorate trees, and eat cookies as part of the challenge!
You will earn entries for raffle prizes on the hunt. In addition to the raffle prizes, we will have fun prizes for the best Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus costumes. The first 120 to register will also receive a custom Run Santa Run Coffee Tumbler. The REAL Santa Claus will be joining us during the post-run festivities!
We will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the food pantry at Bethany Lutheran Church. Please drop off non-perishable food items at the beginning of our adventure!
The locations will be handed out starting at 9:30 am. Participants will be sent out at 10:00 am and will have exactly 1 hour to get to as many locations as they can to earn their raffle tickets. Anyone who returns to Sly Fox after 11:00 am will have to hand their raffle tickets over to the Grinch.
Brooks will be joining us with demos of their new shoe, the Ghost Max. Superfeet will also be with us with with demos of their insoles that provide great support for your running shoes. Both brands are providing raffle prizes and will have swag while supplies last.
Pagoda Pacers News 