Dear Pacers,
Barry Goodhart passed away in January. He was a long-time Pagoda Pacer member, and he directed the club’s Oley race for 30 years.
I didn’t know Barry during his running days. I met him during his days of coming to every monthly meeting and staying engaged with the community. He was clearly proud of his years directing the Oley race – and he had every reason to be. I know most of us have stood on the start line of his race.
We will remember him fondly.
Rest in Peace, Barry.
Steve
Dear Pacers,
I’ve always considered the Wednesday Night Run to be a core component of the Pagoda Pacers’ identity. I think it is a primary means of drawing new members into the club. During the last 3 years, we have consistently provided leaders for both a long and short route at the Wednesday Night Run. This was an attempt to accommodate different ability levels and create a welcoming environment for new runners.
Starting in 2025, we won’t be able to provide the same level of attention. I’d like to highlight these changes:
Contact me with any feedback.
Steve
At the upcoming October monthly meeting, I will make a motion to discontinue the club’s Gring’s Mill race. If you want to participate in the debate and vote, please attend on October 10.
The current race director is moving from the area. This prompted discussion at the last Board of Directors’ meeting, and a recommendation to bring the issue before the club for a vote. The size of the club has decreased over the last decade. This action is intended to reduce the commitments of the club and avoid overextending our race directors and volunteers.
** Please let us know if you will attend, so we can plan for food.**
We submit a headcount on the Monday before the meeting. You can mark yourself “Going” to the FB event, comment on the event, or contact president@pagodapacers.com.
Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters
100 E. Summit ST
Mohnton, PA 19540
https://goo.gl/maps/fukZK8BEGAsXUjDv5
The meeting is upstairs. Enter the front door and the stairs are on your left. No need to ring the buzzer for entry.
Food and drink at 6:30pm
Meeting starts at 7:00pm
All members welcome. Members are responsible for purchasing their own beverages.
Steve
The summer calendar is packed with outdoor events and activities, but that didn’t prevent more than 30 people from coming out to the Justa Road Fatass on July 27th. It was great weather and a fun course. Thanks to Elaine Cooke and Michael Whalen for putting this together and continuing to build excitement for Blues Cruise in October.
Since we are turning toward the second half of the year, everyone should check their progress on the Pacer Passport. One of the criteria is to attend 3 Pacer club meetings, but there are only 4 meetings remaining for 2024. Don’t let this slip away from you.
(Haven’t started your Passport yet, or don’t know what it is? Click HERE to learn more and get in on the fun!)
At the end of July we had the final session with the Pagoda Pathfinders group. We have 3 new runners who have been preparing for the past 8 weeks and are ready for the Grings Mill race on August 4th. Thanks to Andrea Thrush for providing 2 months of guidance and encouragement to the group – all during the hottest streak of Sunday mornings I can remember.
As usual, I welcome your feedback. Email me.
Steve
president@pagodapacers.com
The club had a busy holiday weekend with the Charlie Horse and Dirty Pony. The event was a great success, and I’m seeing a lot of enthusiasm for our new Triple Trail Challenge race series. It’s exciting to watch the club launch a new idea. Thank you, race directors, for supporting and implementing this series.
The Pacer Wednesday Night Run is a fixture on the club calendar, and we rarely interfere with it. But Wednesday, June 5 is Global Running Day, and the club is supporting a community running event that evening (more info at https://news.pagodapacers.com/2024/05/31/global-running-day-june-5-2024/). We won’t have the typical WNR, but we will be representing the club and trying to draw in some future Pacers.
As always, I welcome your feedback. Email me.
The Pacers have 2 new programs I want to highlight this month, and I’ll give you some background on how they got started.
During a discussion at the Pacer Race Director meeting in April, many of the directors said they never intended to become a RD because, from the outside, it looked too hard. But they helped another director, learned how to manage some of the details, and eventually grew into the role.
We’d like to create an opportunity for some new volunteers to assist the current race directors. There is no obligation to become the next race director and no need to be committed to one, specific race. We’re calling it a “Race Director Internship.” Our first step is just to identify some interested people. We’ll develop the details around the availability of the participants. For more details, please click HERE.
The other program came out of a conversation that I had last month with Andrea Thrush, who asked me if the Pacers do anything for beginner runners. The Wednesday Night Run tries to accommodate runners of all paces, but I wouldn’t recommend it for someone on their first couple runs. They need a separate meet-up for a few weeks where they can get individual support and attention.
Andrea quickly volunteered her time and energy to lead just such a program. She put together a plan, a schedule, and even a logo! Please check out the details by clicking HERE.
I realize that most readers of this newsletter have already gotten over the hump of their first attempts at running, but maybe you have a friend or family member who would be interested in this program (which is open to Pacers and non-Pacers alike, free of charge). Please help us spread the word!
I hope your Spring is starting better than the Phillies’ season. If not, there’s still time to turn it around for your goal races later in the year. We have longer days and better weather ahead of us.
There are several interesting topics for the April monthly meeting (scheduled for Thursday, 4/11, at 7pm — click HERE for details and to RSVP):
Come out to the meeting if you want to be part of the discussion, or send me an email if you have input but can’t attend.
Steve
The Wednesday Night Runs have always been one of my favorite Pacer activities, and I don’t miss many of them. On the last Wednesday in February, I was looking at the weather forecast (rain with 20 mph winds), and my wife said, “You know, you don’t have to go.” Haha. She was (half) joking – she knows I’m drawn to the worst weather conditions. I think they offer extra running satisfaction.
Rain usually lowers turnout for WNR, but 20 people came out that night! The wind and rain weren’t bad at the start, and we had a normal, chatty good time. But near the end, we were finally hit with a 3-minute downpour that I can only describe as exhilarating. No one around me sounded too miserable about it either. The mood boost carried over to the post-run refueling – it felt like we won something.
I can’t promise running nirvana every Wednesday. But the next time you’re on the fence about WNR, just show up. No one ever finishes a run and says, “I wish I hadn’t done that.”
At the March membership meeting we will review our spending plan for 2024. It looks a lot like 2023 spending, but come and have a look and ask questions about the details. If you want to get something on the meeting agenda, please email me or see me before the meeting begins.
Steve
Ps.
The March Membership Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 14, at the Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters. All members are welcomed to attend. Food will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The meeting is upstairs. Enter the front door and the stairs are on your left. No need to ring the buzzer for entry. Please let us know if you will attend, so we can plan for food. We submit a headcount on the Tuesday before the meeting. You can mark yourself “going” to the FB event, comment on the event, or contact president@pagodapacers.com.
Did you know that over the last 10 years, the Pagoda Pacers A.C. made $121,300 in charitable donations and awarded $29,000 in scholarships? The Pacers have a long history of giving back to our Berks County community. If you volunteered or ran a race, or especially if you were one of our amazing race directors, then you contributed to this legacy. Thank you.
Generally, the club targets a percentage of race proceeds for donation. Sometimes we also use prior years’ donations as guidance. I would like to discuss this at the February meeting and vote on a default policy. It may be easier to have this debate when it’s outside the context of a specific race.
Come to the meeting on February 8th if you want to participate in a decision. You can always email me if you have input but can’t attend.
Happy New Year!
Many of us are formulating fitness goals for 2024. Maybe it’s a target race at a milestone distance. Maybe you want to consistently run at least once a week. Whatever you’re reaching for, I hope the club and its members will be a part of the support network that helps you succeed.
Each month, I will use a little space in the newsletter to preview topics for the next club meeting. This can give you some warning if you want to attend the meeting and participate in any discussion. If you can’t attend, you can still contact me if you have an opinion or information that could be helpful.
The next meeting will take place at the Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters on Thursday, January 11. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Please RSVP via the Facebook event or email (president@pagodapacers.com)
At the January meeting, we will review our list of committees. The start of a new year is probably a good time to confirm existing committee members and invite new participation. Let me know if you can’t attend the meeting, but want to get involved. It’s important that we spread these responsibilities around.
I am still looking for a PPAC Secretary for 2023. This needs to be someone who can attend at least most of the monthly meetings. You take some notes, especially regarding any motions, votes, or decisions. Then send the notes to the newsletter editor. Not very time-intensive, but an important function. Again – contact me if you can help.
Steve Vida
president@pagodapacers.com
Pagoda Pacers News 