Guest speaker: Fred Sylvester of New Hanover Chiropractic spoke about heart rate monitors, heart rate, and exercise. He gave a comprehensive and informative discussion of running and the principles of stress and adaptation.
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther—A break-even year, even with the trailer expense. RunSignup is now doing electronic transfers, along with PayPal.
Races:
Charlie Horse—Shaun Luther—Boxes of horse shoes are being repurposed as race awards. A section of the trail is being professionally logged, between aid stations 2 and 3, so currently the trail is impassable for the event. Hopefully, the logging will be completed by race time. Correction to last month’s minutes—even though a bridge is likely to be in place, the directors will NOT be using it in the race.
Run for the Ages—Donna Hey—The race is open for registration online. Construction on the education center, which we use for pre-registration and bathrooms, is scheduled to start on June 1, and will not be completed by the race date. This will create a potential problem for parking and registration. Donna will update as more is known.
Grings Mill—Jane Setley—The directors are finishing up the race applications. Orangetheory Fitness, new in Wyomissing, has offered to be a sponsor.
Blues Cruise—Mike Yoder—no update.
Oley Valley Country Classic—no update
Kris Kringle—Polly Corvaia—Polly found out that Kris Kringle was the largest race in Berks County of any of the races in the year. She reviewed the 1st and 2nd male and female finishers. 620 pre-registered with 560 finishers. Schuykill Valley EMS did not show up this year as scheduled, again. There was one email from an angry driver who had to wait “25 minutes” at Rebers Bridge Road, although this length of time was disputed. However, Polly will keep this in mind for next year, and plans to place signs next year to announce possible delays. Also, Polly will reevaluate the position of the mile markers, as she got some feedback that they might be incorrect. Next year’s race will be on Sunday, 12/27. She is considering moving the start time to 10 a.m., versus 11 a.m. The Southwest tickets (Ted Andrus) may or may not be available next year. Polly will consider some additional ideas for meaningful raffle prizes. Jason Manbeck, Mike Whalen, Tiffany, and Jane were much appreciated volunteers. Fleet Feet and Kim Kohl made donations. Polly is looking for assistance—she would like to do for this for the next few years and then pass it off at year 10. Profit was good, and 49% of it was donated to the Berks County Coaches Association, plus the additional online donations.
Shiver by the River—Sue Jackson—run #2 this Sunday. Runners and volunteers always needed. Mike Whalen will bring the trailer, which has been a huge help. Could use additional trailer haulers, so the burden doesn’t fall on Mike. (Steve is working on this.)
Jr. High Cross Country event—no update
Race director comments—no update
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
The Pacer event at the Reading Royals is Saturday, Feb 22, cost TBD, but will probably be about $20 per person, with the club will subsidizing the remainder of the cost. The tickets will likely be available for up to 40 people, pending final details.
Wally Ball, is scheduled for Friday, Feb 21, at Colonial Fitness, making this a true Pacer weekend.
Communications Committee: no update
Community Service: no update
Charity Committee: no update
Membership committee: no update
Old business:
Blue Marsh Trail maintenance, our efforts are appreciated and count towards the park’s budget. They will be having chain saw training (next on Jan 26), which must be attended, since any injury while maintaining the trail will be under their insurance. Looking for a good mechanism for volunteer tracking.
New business:
Find a suitable cadre of people to haul the trailer to events.
It’s the end of a decade, the beginning of a new year. You’d think I’d have this wealth of content to write about. I got squat. The Pacer Christmas Party was a blast; Shiver Race was fast and warm; Tiger Woods turned 44 today; the Eagles squeaked a clinch of the NFC East; and Wawa opened in Wyomissing. I tried Google and the best I get with highlights for 2019 is how to cover my grey with tints of brown and amber.
We’re supposed to have this list of resolutions–call it a plan–a path to goals we tell friends that acknowledge we all want to be a bit better. Really I’m just trying to walk through the kitchen without opening the cookie jar for the umpteenth time. How am I to make this list? This is important. It’s going to be 2020–the year of the optometrist. You know they’re like Santa; they can see things we can’t.
(Fun fact: Herman Snellen developed the eye chart in 1862 with only 10 letters. C, D, E, F, L, N, O, P, T, and Z.) I’m going to do better next time, now that I have the answers.
…. Excuse the pause–I had to get a cookie. I think I have something now. You see tonight I was with a few people who are teachers. Various ages, various districts, but there was one common concern or frustration pushing many towards retirement or leaving the profession. As Aretha Franklin told it like no other, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” I doubt this is something new, and I’m sure my classes tested the fortitude of the faculty. Those times however were different and there were repercussions, some following the phrase “when Dad…..”
Our choices and what we support as a club have influence, and maybe there’s a resolution to write. As a club, through various events, we support healthy lifestyles, which I believe the various 450+ members do with character, enthusiasm, and empathy.
Maybe the word “model” or “mentor” should be added. I’ll reference Lance Armstrong, his 7 Tour wins, and the reality that his publicity gained as the product of deceit still brought tremendous viewership to cycling. The same World Anti-Doping Agency that couldn’t or chose not to detect Lance for years this November voted to ban Russian athletes from the Olympics and World Cup competition. I think it’s important, but time will tell how ESPN, CBS, etc. treat the various sports if the WADA ban stands.
At the local level, however, seen in the recent 600ish Kris Kringle runners, we have tremendous youth athletes and support at many levels from the County Coaches. Polly Corvaia, Jason Manbeck, and a great turnout of volunteers put on a tremendous event where pride in the logo may be as warm as the fleece of the hoodie.
In the October meeting we had a presentation from Girls on the Run. In November Dale Wiest presented a program for adaptive athletes he’s developing with IM ABLE. I’m not sure what 2020 will bring, but maybe that resolution might include volunteering, support, and modeling those roles worthy of respect.
The 2nd Shiver by the River 5K/10K is Sunday, Jan 12th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30am; both races start at 10:00am.
If you have never run this race or maybe you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us! There are gallons and gallons of soup and dozens and dozens of bagels waiting for you in the farmhouse. Not to mention a chance to reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages!
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. 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!
Hope to see you there!!!
Sue Jackson, Kelsey Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja
The Pagoda Pacers award four outstanding high school seniors each with a $750 scholarship for their continuing education. Students are recognized for their participation and achievements in athletics, academics, and community service.
Pacer Member Scholarships – Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors whose parents are current members in good standing for at least one year of the Pagoda Pacers.
XC Scholarships – Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high school cross country team.
We run every Wednesday night–year round–at 6:15pm. Come join us. All paces welcome. No membership required.
–DECEMBER 4: Oley Valley High School, 17 Jefferson St, Oley. Post-run gathering at Bella Italia Restaurant.
–DECEMBER 11: Home Depot, 1731 Crossing Dr, Wyomissing. Run to see the lights at Gring’s Mill! Bring money to make a donation.
–DECEMBER 18: Hampden Park (near Reading High School). Christmas on the Mountain run! Bring money to make a donation! Option to climb up to the Pagoda and run along Skyline Drive.
–DECEMBER 25: Christmas run at Nolde Forest, Sawmill Parking Lot, 8:30am. No PM run.
Note: Nine club members serve on the Board of Directors, and each is elected to serve a two-year term. Five or four of the Board positions are up for election each year. The members of the Board who are currently in the middle of their terms, and will be up for re-election next year, are Larry Drogo, Tom Chobot, Sue Jackson, Jon Durand, and Matt Brophy.
The remaining Board members would like to thank outgoing Board members Phil Lechner and Ken Seale for their service to the Board and the club.
Pagoda Pacers News 