New Year – New Running Resolutions
New Year’s Eve is almost upon us and it’s time to tally your miles and remember the races you ran over the past year. And then it’s time to close your 2010 notebook and start another for 2011. As of tomorrow you have run exactly 0 miles for the year. As of tomorrow any disappointments from 2010 are erased. As of tomorrow, anything is possible.
Over the past week, I’ve been looking back at my running-year. I have to say that I am pretty satisfied. I ran two marathons, finally breaking 3:00 in the most recent. I ran a couple of PAUSATF Cross-Country races with the mighty Coast Guard Running Club team. And all told I ran just over 1900 miles during the year. I am happy with what I accomplished, and even happier that I am healthy and feeling strong as the year ends. I should also note that I am very happy to be part of the CGRC and have enjoyed becoming a part of the team.
Now I need to sit down and come up with some goals for 2011. Instead of sitting, maybe I’ll go for a long run on Saturday so I can think…
Running for a cause
Coast Guard AST2 Brian Kirkendall, from Air Station Savannah, Ga., completed a 100-mile race May, 15, almost three years to the day of his final chemotherapy treatment. This was the basis of a recent article in CG Magazine, Issue 3, 2010 titled “Running for a Cause” by PA1 Allyson E.T. Conroy (PADET San Diego).
We highly encourage you to read the full story by picking up a copy from around your office or downloading the pdf version of CG Magazine here (large file, will take a moment):
Photo by PA3 Michael Hulme.
Athlete of the Year Nominations
The message is out, now is time for the CGRC to flex it’s sinewy running muscles and go on a nominating spree. So many of our dedicated runners and triathletes deserve some recogntion, let’s make sure they get it. It’s important to take the time to participate in the programs offered to athletes – in our world this is like voting; it’s one of the rare opportunities we have to show that our community is strong, that we care, and that we’re involved. A message of nominees with a record breaking number of runners and triathletes is the goal - let’s move out strong! Please consider putting in one of the amazing athletes you know.
IMPORTANT DATE: 14 JANUARY – all applications must be received at the Community Service Command by this date.
Read the full message here: http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcgpsc/117-10_psc.txt
JFK 50 Miler
Although open to the public, the JFK 50 Mile is in spirit a military race. It always has been and always will be. In 1963, the initial inspiration behind the event came from then President John F. Kennedy challenging his military officers to meet the requirements that Teddy Roosevelt had set for his own military officers at the dawn of the 20th Century. That Roosevelt requirement was for all military officers to be able to cover 50 miles on foot in 20 hours to maintain their commissions. When word got out about the “Kennedy Challenge”, non-commissioned military personnel also wanted to take the test themselves as did certain robust members of the civilian population.
Of the many awards presented at the JFK 50 Mile each year, the most prestigious is the Kennedy Cup, which is awarded to the top-finishing military team. Each military team can have a maximum of 10 participants with the finishing times from the top-five finishers combined for the team time. Like golf and cross country, the low (time) score wins.
Preliminary U.S. COAST GUARD Results:
“Trailcutters”
Place ~ Name ~ Time
- 121 Carol Guzinski 8:13:04
- 171 Frank Morrison 8:37:10
- 198 Joseph Cosenza 8:49:28
- 285 Darin Schneider 9:26:00
- 336 Evan Weber 9:42:14
- 822 Jake Spinnler (11:36:13)
- 894 Dana Thomas (12:00:26)
Congratulations to our Coast Guard members in completing this historic event – not only as individuals, but as a team! This is the fifth year the team has competed in this historic event.
Event Website: http://www.jfk50mile.org/
PROMOTIVE
ProMotive.com was created as a way to connect companies with influential brand advocates online. The goal of ProMotive.com is to increase brand visibility and sales by offering discounts to high-profile product users (like members of the Coast Guard). Members of the Coast Guard can apply for the “Military – Department of Defense” team. Between Patagonia prodeal through our club and this, there isn’t much out there you can’t get a discount on! A really good deal you should take advantage of.
Sector San Francisco Stair Challenge
Check out the Sector San Francisco Stair Challenge. A very well documented call to athletes to test their metal on the stairs outside the sector. Just one more great event for SF Bay Area members to participate in.
USCG Sports Messages
In case you missed them, a couple important messages to our community were released this fall.
ARMED FORCES SPORTS CALENDAR:
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcgpsc/103-10_psc.txt
With the Armed Forces Marathon behind, our runners can gear up for spots on the Cross Country team or further down the road the Triathlon or Ironman teams.
COAST GUARD SPORTS PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM:
http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcgpsc/090-10_psc.txt
A great deal – due to the Community Service Command by 3 January 2011 – it takes a little work to figure out that routing chain, but this program is a wonderful way to feel supported by the Coast Guard. Take advantage of it, or it might go away.
