The following article appeared in Vol. 1 Number Two edition of the Prospect Park Track Club Newsletter, dated April 1, 1981 and written by Michael Rieman. Enjoy!

The following article appeared in Vol. 1 Number Two edition of the Prospect Park Track
Club Newsletter, dated April 1, 1981 and written by Michael Rieman. Enjoy!

INTO THE STREETS: THE MAKING OF THE BROOKLYN HALF

For nearly all of the more than 1800 finishers of the first Brooklyn Half Marathon, this
event was a winner. Everything – including the weather – seemed to be on the side of the
runners. Among the many triumphs of this day were the very special victories for those
in our club who helped make this event a terrific success.

The inspiration for the race appeared to be a true meeting of the minds. For some
time, Lennie Nemerovsky had been interested in a long Brooklyn race, especially one
held on a relatively flat course. He had actually mapped out several tentative courses,
one using Downtown Brooklyn and another heading out toward Fort Hamilton in
addition to the Ocean Parkway course which was ultimately chosen. At the same time,
Kenny Savoy, who had worked hard on last year’s Seventh Avenue “Seventh Heaven”
race, became interested in a borough-wide race, convinced that it was viable. Once
Lennie and Kenny were able to interest both the Road Runners Club and the Brooklyn
Borough President’s Office in the idea, the race was off to a good start.

Good starts were luckily backed by a good deal of determination. Lennie’s
estimate of a forty-hour week spent on organizing could very likely be seconded by
Kenny and Hank Klein. Many arrangements (such as one with the Board of Education
for keeping the school open for registration) had to be made months in advance.
Community organizations had to agree on the course before the application could be
drawn up – and that was no simple matter. Until a month and a half before race day, in
fact, the course had not been confirmed.

Creativity and resourcefulness went a long way in this race. Kenny (the “Mover”)
found that he needed the service of his business’ moving truck for carting around
supplies. (He also learned to climb poles to hang banners.) Hank learned to coax work
from volunteers by promising everything from food to a ride home. “On race day,”
Lennie noted, “you’re only as good as the help you have.” Even the Brooklyn high
schools were put to use. A suggestion to the coaches provided the kids who kept
thrusting water at us (Remember: it might have been a much hotter day) and cleaned up
afterward. Those mile markers and directional signs came from our own Harry Murphy.
All in all, it was a Brooklyn race all down the line.

What of the future? If the event is run again, its success will probably depend not
only on a larger number of volunteers, but on more publicity and media coverage as well.
“I thought I was dreaming,” one young woman, a resident of E. 17th Street, told this
reporter. It should not have been a surprise to the residents, and certainly not to the
media.

As this race becomes part of the racing season, we can take special pride in it as
part of the group that really made it all happen.

A Big Thank You to Our Volunteers!

A Big Thank You to Our Volunteers!

Veronica Antoine, Cecil Bergin, Jennifer Bolstad, Tom Byrnes, Jackie Calender, Irene Camp, David
Chen, Patty Chung, Natacha Ferrari, Sandra Ferrari, Al Goldstein, Janet Gottlieb, Ami,Hassler, Barbara
Hochberg, Jason Horowitz, Nicole Imperato, Chi Iregbulem, Jim Israel, Krishna Kumbhar, Jessica
Kavoulakis, Charlene Kohler Britton, Steve Lastoe, Tom Meany, Pat Meany, Lynda Mules, Irva Niles,
Yoshi Nitsuma, Doug O'Brien, Doug Olney, Diana Ortiz, Junior Passee, Mark Pendarvis, Patti Perlo,
Anne Perzeszty, Staci Pierson, Michael Rieman, Michael Ring, Juan Rivera, Sarah Scott, Matt Strawn,
Majo Tinoco, Tom Tobin, Pieter VanHammen, Geoff Vincent, Tony Watson, Kathleen Weaver, Richard
Weaver, Julio Zavala

Summer Picnic

What can you expect? First there’s the relay, complete with batons! Each runner/walker
will do a short loop around the lake, just enough distance to work up an appetite. Here
are the details to get you set up for the relay: register at the Oriental Pavilion off Lincoln
Road beginning at 9:15. Names will be drawn randomly for the 3-person teams that will
then take off at 10 a.m.

Bring a dish to share for what has become the Picnic Buffet and PPTC will provide hero
sandwiches (including a vegetarian option) and beverages. Members and children
up to the age of 12 are FREE as long as we know you are coming – so call the Club
phone 718-595-2049 or send an email to contact@pptc.org and leave your name and how
many will be coming. If children are in your group, let us know their ages so we can
shop for age appropriate surprises. Invite your family and friends to come along; we ask
$5 for these adult non-members. We’ll be wrapping up the “official” festivities by 12:30
p.m. but you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Park. See you on the 16th!

Annual Awards Shindig

Annual Awards Shindig

This year's Awards Shindig on February 2nd at Abigail was a fun, festive evening that allowed long-time members to catch up and new members to recognize how special PPTC is.

The evening began with Club President Tom Meany presenting the President's Award.  This award is presented at the discretion of the President and is usually given to a person who has shown leadership in some area of club business.  This year's winner was Tom Tobin.  Tom became a board member in 2011, led the men's team and was a constant cheerleader at races when he wasn't running.  Tom is also one of our fastest masters runners.  He is certainly deserving of this award.

Ami Hassler then took over the mic to thank all of our 2011 volunteers.  For the first time, a tree was planted in Prospect Park in honor of our amazing volunteering members.  Thanks to Lynda Mules for this brilliant idea.  Thanks also go to Richard Weaver for creating our volunteers' rewards program.  We hope those of you who qualified found a piece of PPTC clothing to wear proudly or enjoyed a free race or renewal of your membership.  The dedication of our members is greatly appreciated.

Ami continued as MC and announced the fastest female and male awards.  Our fastest female ran 24 races this year, and placed 1st in her age group in 7 of those races.  She ran a 1:34:11Brooklyn Half and a 20:42 5K in the last Al Goldstein Summer Speed race of the season.  This year's winner was Maggie Deschamps.  Our fastest male ran a 2:55:50 NYC Marathon, a 1:24:36Brooklyn Half and lest you think his skill is exclusive to long distances, our male winner also ran a 5:13 for the 5th  Ave. mile.  Mike Goettig was this year's fastest male.

Our next award of the evening was the Bob Mueller Award.  This award is given to either a male or female over the age of 50, who is a top masters runner and has volunteered at a PPTC event.  The award is voted on by the membership.  This year's nominees were Tom Tobin,  Frank DeLeo, Anthony Watson, Yves Roger, Anne Perzeszty, and Doug Olney.  And our winner is Coach Tony, who ran 21 races in 2011 and ran the 5th Ave. mile in 5:16.  Now we all know why he's our team coach.  Congrats Coach!

Jason Horowitz then took over as our presenter to award Comeback Runner of the Year.  Our nominees were Paul Soskind, Charlene Kohler-Britton, Tyrone Sklaren and Patty Perlo.  All of these runners battled back against an injury to race well in 2011.  They are all a great inspiration, but our winner as voted on by the membership was Charlene Kohler-Britton.  Charlene, we are all certainly happy to see you back on the roads!

PPTC was particularly blessed this year to have many wonderful, committed new members.  Three in particular stood out to our membership and received nominations for our New Member of theYear Award: Nicole Importico, Steve Lastoe, and Irene Camp.  All three of these members stepped up to volunteer for the club, as well as push themselves on the roads.  Our winner was Nicole Importico.  Yay, Nicole!

Next we presented our Most Races Award.  Our winner ran more than one race a week in 2011, logging 227.5 miles in 58 races.  Our winner was Arthur Gonzalez.

Next we awarded Ultra Runner of the Year. Our winner ran over 700 miles in races this year with at least one 100 mile challenge.  Congrats to Al Prawda!

Now on to our Run Brooklyn Awards. For four years we have given out 5 $100 awards to members who ran 6 Brooklyn races in 2011. We're so proud that so many of our members support Brooklynrunning.  The lucky winners were: Arthur Gonzalez, Joern Ahlers, Paul Soskind, Tom Tobin, and Jim Israel.

Our next kudos go to the member who made an Outstanding Single Contribution to our club in 2011.  Our nominees were Matt Strawn, who has made our general meetings much more enjoyable with his excellent, healthier food choices.  Lynda Mules for organizing our women's team and helping secure our first place finish in the B division with NYRR.  Richard Weaver for the creation of our volunteers' rewards program.  And Michael Ring for "everything" as one of our nominators  phrased it.  Our winner was Lynda Mules.  We're so lucky to have her on our team.

Our final award of the evening is the Most Inspirational.  This year's recipient broke his hip in August of 2010.  He couldn't run for over 6 months, but in March of 2011 he decided to tackle thelofty goal of qualifying for the 2013 Boston Marathon.  As he would be 65 in 2013, the qualifying time would be 4:10, but to guarantee his entry, he would really need to break 4.  The goal race wasthe Ing Hartford Marathon, and we're happy to report that our winner finished in 3:57:58.  Tyrone Sklaren, we're so happy for your recovery and running success.

Thank you to everyone who attended.  We've taken your feedback to heart ad hope to make next year's shindig even better.

The 2012 Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series, presented by JackRabbit

• These 5K races are every other Wednesday starting May 23, June 6, June 20, July 11, July 25, August 8, August 22. Please note we are skipping Wednesday July 4th 
• Registration starts at 6:30 pm at the Oriental Pavilion. (This is near where the ice-skating rink used to be)  Sign up closes at 7 pm and the race starts soon after that.  We usually walk from the Oriental Pavilion to the Starting Line as a group.
• Race starts after the Parks Dept closes the roadway of cars; $5: cash. 
• We will give out awards following the each race at the Oriental Pavilion.  Results for all races are here

• The B/Q and Franklin Ave Shuttle is really close.  Get off at Prospect Park and walk into the Park at Lincoln Rd.  There is not parking anywhere near where you want to park.  
• A detailed map of the Park and its relationship to the subway  can be found here
• We race rain or shine.  Thunder and Lightning not so much.  The decision to cancel will be made from the park at the start of the race.  We don't cancel the race because of a forecast.
• This event has been going on since before people had digital watches, but we have a big digital clock now.  This year we will be using B-Tag timing, using the MyLaps BibTag system.  Timing mats will only be at the finish line, so don't be late.
• You don’t have to be fast, but these races will help you find out how fast you can be.
• You don’t have to run to have fun. Volunteers needed Membership@pptc.org.
• PPTC members who are in Coach Tony's speed training group race for free.Advance Registration is available for the entire race series for only $25. You can go here to pay for the rest of the races or just show up with $5.  If you pay for the entire series you will receive a bib with a timing chip that will work all summer.  The bib will be assigned to one runner for the entire summer and is not transferable, so please bring it to each race.  So you are saving $5 by signing up for all the races but you have to keep your bib.  The bibs have timing chips in them and cost us money.  OK.
• We have a place to stash your bag. 

 Questions????.....  Membership@pptc.org

 Tell your friends, but tell them not to tell their friends. We don’t want this too get to big.

Voting is now open for the PPTC Board of Directors Election.

Voting is now open for the PPTC Board of Directors Election. 

Below is the list of candidates and their statements of intention to run for the two open director positions.  Once you have reviewed the statements, you can vote online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3XDW2NS. The deadline for placing your vote is April 27^th, 2012. You may only vote once per category if you have a single membership.  If you have a household membership you are allowed up to 2 votes for each category.  Your ballot will be confidential.  Thank you for participating in the process to select your club’s leadership. Results will be announced at the next general meeting being held on May 7, 2012.

Candidates for Director (in alphabetical order by last name)  

Irene Faye

Hey PPTCers! Thanks so much for considering me for a position on our team's board.  I am really eager to serve our community in a deeper way, and I hope I can count on your vote.

Like a lot of us, I joined PPTC to get the discount on Tony's speed sessions.  Since then, I've worked hard to offer my time and talents where ever I have seen a need.  I have taken on the design and editing of our newsletter, striving to share club news in a way that's exciting to current members and inviting to prospective ones.  I brought some levity and laughter to a monthly meeting with a stand-up comedian (who is eager to perform again!). Most recently, I identified a grant opportunity and wrote a proposal to try to secure funding for a new club website. Although we weren't selected this time around, it was a new experience for PPTC and a great way for us to come together around our goals for the new site.  

Although I'm not the fastest among us, my experience with community organizations allows me to support the club in other ways. I currently oversee all marketing, communications, and events for a (fantastic!) Brooklyn nonprofit, and I look forward to bringing these skills to PPTC.  

With the help of PPTC, running has become more important in my life than I have ever imagined.  I have met amazing and supportive people, become faster and tested my mettle at new distances. I am so grateful to the club for pushing my limits, and I can't wait to give back even more.

Jason Horowitz

My name is Jason Horowitz and I am running for a vacant position on
the PPTC Board.  I have been a PPTC Board Member for just under a year
and hope to help lead the club's continued growth and improvement.
Two of the areas where I think there are opportunities to become an
even better club are:

- to increase the amount of socializing among members  PPTC is a
premier running and race organizing organization in Brooklyn, but we
can do more to promote cohesiveness among members.  To that end, I
made the initiative this past year to move our Monthly Membership
meetings to the Park Slope Ale House.  Look for more opportunities to
mix and bond with your fellow runners over the next few years.

- increase the service component of the club's activity. PPTC has a
longstanding partnership with Bishop Ford High School and we also on
occasion support other running-related organizations such as Prospect
Park Youth Running.  A strengthened community service component of
PPTC will not only benefit our group's reputation, but provide team
building opportunities.

I have also been responsible for the PPTC Clothing program which I
helped start less than two years ago. We are currently in the process
of increasing the variety of items offered and working with the vendor
to improve customer service.

I look forward to many more years of fitness, socializing and service
opportunities with PPTC.

Lynda Mules

Thank you, Team, for considering me for one of the open Director positions. 

My first race ever (and my first visit to Prospect Park) was the Al Gordon 5k in February 2009.  I was hooked.  I signed up for more races and watched with delight as my times improved with each race, but always felt a bit disconnected from the singlet-wearing runners around me.  When I eventually moved to the better borough that summer, I joined PPTC with the goals of connecting more deeply with the New York running community, meeting new people and, perhaps, getting faster.  

Because I wanted a lot from my PPTC membership, I jumped right into club activities -- I joined Tony's speed workouts, helped Gil Torres with the weekly Beginner's Workshop, attended monthly meetings, and volunteered at the Turkey Trot and the Cherry Tree.  In 2011, I stepped into the role of Women's Team Leader, helped organize team participation in local races, and led our women to division victory in the NYRR club points series.  I also joined the Race Committee, the Clothing Committee, and the (unofficial?) Social Committee.

As a Director, I'll continue to do my part to make PPTC the best it can be so that the future of our club is as rich as its history -- that means ensuring that PPTC offers a strong level of competition, a supportive environment for all members, opportunities for people with various abilities to contribute, a positive impact in the community, and an enduring imprint on New York running.  

PPTC elections are coming up in April.

PPTC elections are coming up in April. There are two director  positions open. If you are interested in running, submit your  statement of intent to elections@pptc.org by March 30th.  Directors serve 3 year terms.  

If you are looking to get in some volunteer hours we can use your help with the election process. If interested email elections@pptc.org. 

2012 Cherry Tree Blogomania. (Updated a few times)

Run, Robbin Bird wanted a bagel handed to her at the finish line like the other organization that puts on races in NYC,  But our bagels were fresh and came with cream cheese, hot chocolate and a massage.

The Athena Racing teams had a lot of fun and enjoyed some "post race meat pies".


The Adobo Social and Anit-Social Athletic Club gets their  registration fees subsidized.  I gottaa see if I can make that work for PPTC.

The Dashing Whippits posted some fantastic photos.  The one at right shows the pota potties I ordered.

Kilax found someone to take her photo.














Listen to people talk about the Cherry Tree here.  If the link does nor work, go to episode 65 of the Running Show.


The Robots at StinyFeet posted a map that did not make sense and the wrong link.  Good thing their site did not go live till after the race.


Emlt81 Did not appreciate all the effort the volunteers made at packet picket pickup.  I would like to assume it way my kid that crashed into her legs.  "Are you OK?.  But next year we will have bigger cups.


I don't think FNR saw any of the information we had on our race website, but next year will well do a better job sending out pre race emails.  We actually thought we we sending out too many.


Our friends at City Coach know that we are not NYRR.  Thank You.

Blackfoot Running  followed my course instructions and turned toward the finish line.

Believe in the Run PRed but hatted the hat too.  (Sorry)

New York Fly Girl would not demonstrate her "slap bracelet passing technical for the other runners.  And she did not hate the hat.








Running for the Cupboard added an extra 2 to make it 12.  She did not mention that she also volunteered at packet pickup.


Samantha will not tell us what she is training for but she thinks it is inspiring to run with them, and see all the blazing women on PPTC, and North/South Brooklyn Runners."  Samantha, you can join a team.  I know PPTC would welcome you.


The Long Rush " caught sight of [his] wife and daughter" and then ran to a PR.  That is a powerful combination.


Milewon came from far away and had trouble reading our map.  She thought she ran up Mt Prospect Hill.  Notsomuch, we call that Zoo Hill, Mt Prospect is across Flatbush Ave.


Ironman Neil G rode is bike 40 miles the day before the race.  No wonder his legs are sore.


North Queens Runner had tough race, but found a good parking spot.


Donna Rosales was the first to be featured in The Renegade Runners "People Posts".  Her " most recent race was as a member of a 3 person relay team consisting of herself, Sal D'Amico and Reggie Lambert at the Prospect Park Cherry Tree 10 Mile race, where they completed the ten miles in 1:18:07, recording a 7:49/mile pace. .


rundangerously (who never uses caps) choose to run another race but, " the only downside to this race is having to miss the cherry tree 10 miler, one of my favorite races, which is run on the same day :("

Lindsay Runs knows that 18.25 is better than 10.  She maintained a 6:38ish pace and then ran back to The Rock over the Manhattan Bridge.








Welcome back Hills Are My Friends.  We are glad you still have it.

Stephanie, the Epicurious Runner, really did not like the hat.  But she got a PR!


She took a photo of some of our volunteers wearing them.  We made fun of them for weeks.




In Brendan Moroney's bio Brooklyn is referred to as the other borough.  After that I stopped reading.

2012 Cherry Tree 10 Miller and 3 Person Relay

Information about PPTC races an now be found here

The Race For The Hardcore Is Back!
Join Prospect Park Track Club on February 19th for the Annual Cherry Tree 10 Miler and 3 Person Relay. The race starts at 10AM.

As of Feb 18 there are a few bibs left, get to Bishop Ford High School at 8am!

RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE
An evolving review of Cherry Tree related blogs is here
Race day photos taken by PPTC volunteers can be found here. Feel free to add you own to this public gallery.


                                  Early                    Pre Registration                At Jack Rabbit                    Race Day

                               Before Feb-1              Feb 1 - Feb 15           Feb-16,17 or 18                    Feb-19

PPTC Members           $18                             $25                                      $30                            $40
Non-Members             $21                              $25                                     $30                            $40

* online registration will stop st 6pm on Wednesday, February 15th.

In Person Registration (if the race is not already sold out) & Early Pickup: 

• Thursday Feb 16th 4-6:45 p.m. at JackRabbit Sports in Union Square Map (42 West 14th St (between 5th and 6th Aves).
•  Friday Feb 17th, 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18th, 3-6 p.m.at JackRabbit Sports, Park Slope Map (151 7th Avenue (between Carroll St. and Garfield Pl.).

Race Day Registration (if the race is not already sold out) and Pickup: Bishop Ford Cafeteria, 19th Street and Prospect Park West - 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. To ensure runners will get to the start line for the 10 a.m. start, registration will close at 9:30 a.m. SHARP!

  Question: CherryTree@PPTC.org

                                                                     

                                                                                  Course    

Bishop Ford High School                          :

CLICK TO ENLARGE

View Larger Map

The Start will actually be on Wellhouse Drive, please note new map.  Enter the park at Bartel Pritchard Square and walk south on the inner loop roadway. The finish is just inside Center Drive. Partisans located next to finish and in proximity to start.  It is about a mile from Bishop Ford High School to the Starting Line, please give able time to get there.  This is the route

This race will be time using B-Tag timing and results will be posted on www.pptc.org
Timing mat will remain out for 150 minutes, giving participants who are running a 15 minute mile a chance to finish.

This race is capped to insure a quality event.  All registered participants will receive a race souvenir.

Baggage Check:

Baggage check will be available at the finish line and at Bishop Ford High School. Please leave your valuables at home. PPTC is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Awards

10M Awards:

• Cash Awards for Top 3 10M Overall, men and women - $100 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place

·       Top 3 10M in each age group:  Men/Women: 19 and under; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70+

·                   First PPTC Member, Men/Women

Relay Team Awards:

Top 3 Men, Women and Co-ed Relay Teams

Youth / Master Relay Team Awards:

Top 3 Sum of age under 35, under 30, under 25 and over 150 years of age Relay Teams

No duplication of individual awards.

All awards will be based on "gun time", that is from the time the race starts until the runner passes the finish line.  Chip times are provided for informational purposes only.

Also enjoy a FREE post race massage courtesy of the students at The Swedish Institute

Awards will be available following the race at Bishop Ford High School.  Unclaimed awards will be available at Jack Rabbit Sports Brooklyn util March 1.at the next meeting of the Prospect Park Track Club.  It will be March 5th at 7PM at the Park Slope Ale House, 6th Ave and 5th St.

Directions to Bishop Ford

By Car: BQE to Prospect Expressway - 10th Avenue Exit. Make right at stop sign. Bishop Ford is on the right. Registration is in the gym on 19th Street

By Bus: Bishop Ford is at the end of the B69 and B61 bus lines 

By Subway: Take the F train to 15th Street/Prospect Park Station. Walk 5 blocks to 19th Street.  Always check with www.mta.info before starting your trip F/G trains may not be stopping at Prospect Park. The Coney Island bound F/G trains will not be stopping at Prospect Park, please add extra time to your trip to go to Church Ave and back or walk from 7th/8th Ave.



Get through the toughest miles with MOTOACTV, the new GPS fitness tracker and Smart MP3 Player from Motorola that helps you power through workouts with music and tracks your stats.



Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the historic Henry Hudson Drive (River Road), one of the oldest scenic roads in the United States while supporting the parks and historic sites of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Proceeds from the race will be directed toward the rehabilitation of the roads and trails of the New Jersey section of the Palisades Interstate Park.  Click here for more information on this 5K and Half Marathon on May 6.

We would also like to thank the support of The New York City Chapter of TEAM IN TRAINING. Ever thought about doing a full or half marathon, triathlon, or 100-mile bike ride?  Join The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, the world’s largest endurance sports training program!  You’ll receive personalized training with the Team, airfare, lodging, and race entry; in exchange, you’ll raise funds for blood cancer research.  This season, choose from events including the Nautica NYC Triathlon, San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & Half Marathon, Mayor’s Marathon & Half in Alaska, the Ride to Montauk, and others!  Visit www.teamintraining.org/nyc or email ben.spoer@lls.org.

We will be having an athletic clothing drive.  We are going to collect any clean, used and usable athletic clothing and equipment.  It can be dropped off at the Bishop Ford Cafeteria during the Cherry Tree.  This clothing and equipment will be drop-shipped to Belize to assist the Belize Amateur Athletic Association

Thanks to our newest partner in this race:  Cheribundi will be available at the finish!.  They say "cheribundi™ starts as Montmorency cherries grown in Michigan and New York orchards. We use a proprietary juicing process that was developed with Cornell University to make a drink that retains all the power and benefits of the nutrients and antioxidants found in the little round fruits. cheribundi™ has more disease-fighting antioxidants than other juices and has been tested in the lab and field by athletes and people who just work out. Because cheribundi™ is all-natural and not from concentrate, it's a feel-better and live-healthier addition to your lifestyle."
It will be available at the Bishop Ford High School after the race!

Before the race you can enjoy a sample of FRS healthy energy drink. "The advantage FRS Healthy Energy® has over other energy drinks is simple. Instead of using lots of caffeine and sugar to give your body a lift, FRS activates your body's own energy-producing mechanisms, so you can stay at your best longer without fear of crashing. In other words, you get the energy you need to turn possibility into reality, whether you're shooting for a championship or just trying to make it through your workout."

Any Questions, ask... CherryTree@pptc.org

We did it! Swimming with the polar bears on 1/1/12

Natasha and Sandra 

On Friday December 30, 2011, after a colleague at work told me that she and a couple of her lifeguard friends would go for a swim on New Year's day with the Polar Bear Club in Coney Island , I proceeded to shoot an email to the PPTC Forum to see how many takers I could persuade to join us upon such short notice.

Low and behold, the response was immediate, Marcy Greenberg was in. Janine Acquafredda, Michael Ring and Pat Perlo were too!. The positive responses kept pouring in. I was psyched!

Janine offered to drive us there. Michael Ring who only had four spots to spare in his own vehicle offered rides as well to anyone who wanted to take part in this new year's adventure.

After completing the BRRC midnight run and partying at a friend's house on Coney Island Avenue on December 31, 2011, Natacha and I woke up bright and early and arrived at the K of C Hall on 10th Avenue off Prospect Park South West . Hey, we even got there on time. Upon entering the room, I could tell the day was going to go my way. There was lots of food as always and Tom Meany, Ann P and Julio Z were there to make sure all was fine and dandy.

After the award ceremony and after Ruth Garsky was awarded her medal (I was thrilled for her! ) we walked to Bartell Pritchard in front of the Connecticut Muffin to hook up with Janine whom we had never met in person and with whom I had only communicated via the PPTC Forum. She was in a  black Volvo with John her husband in the passenger seat up front. Janine's girlfriend led the way in her own car with her husband and her two beautiful little girls.

After a brief introduction in the car, Janine and I  started to speak as if we were old friends.

When we arrived at Coney Island, we could see the masses of people and we knew we were in trouble. Parking space seemed sparse. We could not find a spot in the street.  We tried a parking lot and that was full also. We ended up finding a parking space almost four to five blocks away . Where's the valet parking when you really need it !

Once we left  the cars, people started to greet us with 'Happy New Year' and congratulated us for going to take a dip. Some folks were already drinking and behaving like people who might be already drinking. Everyone was having fun.

After strolling on the boardwalk, we got down to business. We walked across Coney Island's sandy beach and took off our coats, robes and started to take pictures. Some of us even sported our PPTC shirts.

Janine and her best friend could not wait and so at about 12:58 pm , folks with similar intentions  started  screaming and shouting all psyched  to take the plunge. The crowd roared and bursts of animal-like  cries were heard as folks started to run into the water. Some screamed, others yelled and shouted words that I can't mention here. Natacha and I went in quietly. On our way down into the water we saw Tom Tobin and his wife and son. We saw Robert from BRRC. Tom courageously dove in while we slowly walked into the water. Natacha ran out and I went in and squatted down to get my shoulders wet. All of a sudden, my tired and achy legs no longer bothered me . I felt great. The aches and pains dissipated. The cold water was the  remedy. I got out and asked a bystander to take pictures of us but lo and behold she didn’t know how to use my simple camera! I then went back into the water again while  Tom Tobin took some pictures of us. We ran out of the water and then for one last time we went back in again and laid down in the water and got our entire bodies wet!

What a feeling! What a blast! What chilly water! We did it! What a way to welcome 2012!  I feel rejuvenated!!

-- Sandra Ferrari