TIPS TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN YOUR HECTIC PACE THIS SUMMER
Christine Boutross
Tip 1: When you go on vacation, really go on vacation. Unplug your mobile devices and see how this
feels. Allow yourself to disconnect from your phone, laptop and iPad. You will feel that your body has
recharged and that will help you relax. How many of you can really do this?
Tip 2: Can you challenge yourself? Sign up with a running or swim coach or a Personal Trainer. It's
important to see that exercise can really make your body feel awesome. Set yourself a goal. Your trainer
or coach can help you accomplish your goals.
Tip 3: Self Care: When is the last time you spent time with yourself? You need time to reconnect with
yourself, recharge your batteries or just have time for YOU! It is so necessary because of the hectic pace
we keep.
Tip 4: Pick one thing that you want to change or improve in your health. Do you want to clean up your
diet, do a detox, be less stressed or need help with planning healthy meals? Speak with a health coach.
He/she can help guide you with steps to set goals and be successful.
What are your plans this summer?
Friday, July 20, 2012
TIPS TO HELP YOU SLOW DOWN YOUR HECTIC PACE THIS SUMMER Christine Boutross
REMEMBERING HARRY
REMEMBERING HARRY
In January 1993, PPTC lost our coach, mentor and friend, Harry Murphy. Regina Cahill and Claire
Dougherty are spearheading a celebration of Harry’s life. You can be part of the commemorative events
beginning in January 2013 by sending your photos and stories about Harry to harrymurphy@gmail.com.
In his quiet, always encouraging way, Harry launched many runners. He single-handedly turned couch
potatoes into sub-4 hour marathoners. He ran 2:41 in his youth and went on to be a founding father of
both NYRR and PPTC. His spirit lives on in Prospect Park.
Stay tuned for the commemorative events beginning in January 2013.
PPTC VOLUNTEER REWARDS PROGRAM
PPTC VOLUNTEER REWARDS PROGRAM
Prospect Park Track Club is continuing the Rewards Program for 2012 which was initiated in 2011 as a
small token of thanks to the volunteers who spend some of their time volunteering doing many different
jobs to make our club a continued success. If you are unfamiliar with this program it works like this:
Any PPTC member who volunteers for a minimum of ten hours in the calendar year 2012 will be entitled
to receive from PPTC, in appreciation of their help, one of the following rewards.
1) An article of clothing (your choice if available) from the PPTC Product Catolog
or 2) Free entry into either of our two races, Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot or Cherry Tree in February
or 3) An additional one year free membership to PPTC
There are many volunteer opportunities available to get in your ten hours, for example, helping with the
various races, Turkey Trot, Cherry Tree,Speed Series, Picnic, Race Committee, Articles for the Newsletter
etc.
To make sure you get credit for your time it is important that you let the person in charge of the project
know that you are there to help.
PPTC ELECTIONS
PPTC ELECTIONS
Staci Pierson
The PPTC Board of Directors wishes to congratulate Jason Horowitz and Lynda Mules for being elected
to three-year director terms in May. Jason Horowitz served during the previous term as director and
chairs the clothing and IT committees. This is the first term for Lynda Mules who leads our PPTC
women’s team.
The 2012 election was the second year that we used online voting; 93 members logged on to vote while
we mailed approximately 15 paper ballots to members without access to email. The online ballot was
promoted via email and social media (FaceBook, etc.).
As the online ballot is a still a somewhat new format, the elections committee greatly appreciates all
of the feedback received so far to improve the process. If you experienced a problem with the online
ballot or have a suggestion for improving the process please email suggestions to elections@pptc.org.
Looking ahead to 2013, all officer positions will be up for re-election as will a few director positions.
It will be a big election year for PPTC. It’s never too early to start thinking about whether or not you
would like to run. We’ll also need volunteers to for the elections committee. If you are interested in
helping with the 2013 election, please email elections@pptc.org.
What you do not know because you are not me
Michael Ring
I am not talking about how to run faster or further. This is about how to be a better citizen in the
racing community.
I have been racing for a while (not as long as many of you, I am sure) and I have observed many
changes in what people think is acceptable behavior at a race.
RFD technology (Chips, D-tags, B-tags) has changed the way people approach the starting
line. Back in the day, there used to be a lot of pushing and shoving at the starting line. That was not
always so nice. If you started 25 feet behind the line, you had to run 25 more feet in that race, but more
importantly if you started 30 seconds after the leaders, you had to run 30 seconds faster than they were
running to win an award. This might not sound so bad, but remember, awards are based on age and
gender, so a 60-year old had the same motivation to be at the starting line as the 25-year olds. Needless
to say, this got a little messy in a large race. Now, the stress of bring at the starting line when the gun
goes off is gone, but some people don’t care when they start. Hey, people! This is a race! Just because
the last race you ran had 80,000 people in it and starting corrals spread out across two boroughs doesn’t
mean you can be drinking coffee two blocks from the start in a volunteer, community-based race. Most
races start on time and when the Race Director says GO! There is no excuse to be late.
Since my kids were born I carry my phone when I run. It is small and I don’t want to worry
about it in baggage check. But I don’t use it. However, too many times I have had to run around
someone who was yakking on their phone (or texting). Not only are they a hazard to other people on the
course, but they are insulting them. A race is an athletic competition; when I am running as fast as I can
and get passed by someone who is texting, it hurts.
Giant charities have also gotten involved in racing. This is good and bad. Yes, it is good that
more money is gong to charity. However, sometimes the concept of racing has been thrown out the
window. Entire offices, schools or religious groups use a specific race as a fundraising tool. They
often “run” the race as a unit, often in jeans and holding Starbucks cups. I know the front of the pack
would not be the front with out the back of the pack, but this is getting ridiculous. The front of the pack
should not have to say excuse me to the back of the pack.
I don’t like to use headphones, but I can see how others might enjoy them when running.
However, you have to be able to hear instructions from race officials. The vast majority of course
marshals are volunteers and it is not fair to make them chase you because you did not hear them
say, “Turn here.” It is even worse when a Race Director or Medic says, “Are you OK?” and you cannot
hear them. People are giving up their morning to make your race experience better, the least you can do
is be able to hear them.
At the edge of comical are the actions that have been observed at water stations. When you are
done with your cup, throw it in a pail, or drop it on the ground. But do not put half a cup of water back
on the table. Think about it.
As a race director I have seen many first time racers get a little “overdramatic” at the finish
line. It is OK to finish your fist 5K in 30 minutes or more. But please don’t run the last 50 yards like a
maniac and collapse on the finish line. There is still someone behind you and if you are flopping around
like a fish in the timing mats, you are just in the way.
I hope this short essay will start many conversations. Maybe so of the runners that are new to our sport
will enjoy their experience more.
And another thing; Just because you are wearing a chip that tracks your time that does not mean you do
not have to make your bib visible on the front, not on the back, of your clothes. Why not on the back?
Because your body can block the electronic timing from recording your finishing time.*. Never mind
that sometimes technology fails and there are people using those bibs to keep track of the order and time
of racers crossing the finish line. But you are in a race, the difference between someone running a race
and someone who is not is that they are wearing a number on their shirt.
*This pertains to B chips that are part of a bib. Otherwise, it identifies a runner as newbie, someone
who isn’t in the know and is not cool.
FREE FIREWORKS FRIDAYS GROUP RUN: AN IDEA INTO ACTION
Jess Yeomans
Starting a new project can be extremely exciting… and equally daunting. As a full-time
freelancer, I’m constantly training myself to focus on what it is that excites me for each
new project. Without it, production suffers and the process becomes stale; productiveness
is fueled by passion. As passionate as I am about my job, I’m equally passionate about
running, so when the idea to start a group run to Coney Island entered my head, the
excitement launched into action.
Every Friday throughout the summer, hundreds of Brooklynites flock to Coney Island
to enjoy a free fireworks show. The first show of 2012 took place on June 15th, the night
before the PPTC picnic. While watching the show, I had the idea to organize a one-time
group run from Prospect Park to Coney Island with the fireworks as our reward. The
next day I shared the thought with Lynda Mules, who agreed that it was a good idea. So
I decided to run with it. After sending out an email on the PPTC forum and receiving a
great deal of positive feedback, the idea began to grow. Why not make this more than just
a one-night event? Why not open this up to runners outside of PPTC? Why not make this
HUGE?! And with that, the Free Fireworks Fridays Group Run was born. With guidance
from Michael Ring, the FFFGR Facebook page was created and quickly gained 60+
members in the first week.
Then came time for our first run on June 29th. Naturally, anxiety tried to creep in.
Are people going to show up? Will everyone have a good time? What if someone dies
running in that heat?! As nerve-wracking as it was, I wouldn’t let myself get wrapped up
in the negative. This was about running and having a good time, right? So let’s run and
have a good time!
The worries began to fade away as I stood in front of 10 other runners who came out to
join the first FFFGR. After the (very hot) 6 mile run, we made it to Coney Island (alive)
and celebrated under the fireworks with beer and hot dogs. A couple PPTC’ers even
brought their families along to hang out with us. Sigh of relief… it was a success!
Though we’ve only had one run I believe this will continue to grow and evolve into
a memorable summer event. FFFGR is the product of colliding passions; running,
entertainment, creativity and community. Anyone can start a successful group run,
especially if you can incorporate your own passions into the mix. If you’ve thought about
starting your own group run, I want to encourage you to take a leap of faith, both in
yourself and in our PPTC family to help launch your own idea into action.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who celebrated the inaugural FFFGR,
it wouldn’t have been possible without you: Allison Nickerson, Beverly Walley (NBR),
Colin Dungan (NBR), Frank Deleo, Gary Belcher, Marianne van Ooij, Matt Strawn, Oren
Efrati, Vinny Spiteri and Wallis Finger. You guys are awesome!
To find out more about Free Fireworks Fridays Group Run, visit the Facebook group
page. Hope you can join us for some Coney Island fun this summer!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/402843873100420/
CLUB TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 5M AUGUST 4 IN CENTRAL PARK 5M RACE – 8:00 MEN; 9:00 WOMEN
• Open: 10 men/10 women (scored by time)
• 40+: 5 men/3 women (scored by time)
• 50+: 3 men/3 women (scored by time)
• 60+: 3 men/3 women (scored by time)
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