5/14/2022 Roy Miller, Ken Frankenbery, Kristi Gunyula, and Kris Engstrom To The Clock Tower And Back 5K Portage Lakes, Ohio

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5/14/2022

To The Clock Tower And Back 5K

Portage Lakes, Ohio

Roy Miler

Finish Time:  19:46

Overall Place:  17th Place / 299

Division Place:  1st Place / 28

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  21:35

Overall Place:  34th Place / 299

Division Place:  3rd Place / 10

Kristi Gunyula

Finish Time:  22:28

Overall Place:  41st Place / 299

Division Place:  1st Place / 38

Kris Engstrom

Finish Time:  24:04

Overall Place 66th Place / 299

Division Place:  9th Place / 28

Race Recap By Ken Frankenbery:

I ran hard and finished in 21:35, 3rd out of 10 in my age group (some fast old guys!) and 34th overall out of 300 (sold out race)
It’s been a week of reflection, and I am never happy getting 3rd, with 21:35 when my PR is 19:32, but I am coming to grip with the fact that entering my late 60’s and I can’t compare my times to times I made 10 years ago.

I started running in my 40’s, and was able to set new PR’s in my 50’s.  Hitting 60 I was able to train even more (cut back on working) and stayed competitive with my younger self.  Those days are in the past and now my focus is being the best I can be right now. I still love to compete, and as long as I am healthy will keep pushing.

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

I did not run the race as I was letting a sore calf heal but I did attend to support the Team ER members running as well as the local running community.  Team ER had a great showing with 4 members competing in the race.  Team ER walked away with 3 age group awards and Kris Engstrom ran a 5K PR.   The weather had threatened all week with severe thunderstorms but race morning there was nothing but blue skies and sunshine.  The course proved to be extremely fast.   Great job by Portage Lakes Run Club for organizing a great event.   When race directors are runners themselves good things happen at races.  The event was very runner friendly and well organized.  Race results and images were quickly made available on line.  All runners received a beautiful finisher medal and stylish t-shirts.  Age group winners received custom race logoed tumblers.

5/7/2022 Nancy Wardell Dandelion 10K Dover, Ohio

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5/7/2022

Dandelion 10K

Dover, Ohio

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  57:08

Overall Place:  23rd Place

Division Place:  3rd Place

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

Finished the 2022 Dandelion Run 10K today with some rain and tons of elevation that I definitely did not expect, but finished 23rd overall, 3rd female in my age group, and 7th female overall! Took a long nap after this one!! It hurt a little.  Thankful for another fun run though!!

5/7/2022 Scott Orlando Indy Mini Marathon 5K Indianapolis, Indiana

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5/7/2022

Indy Mini Marathon 5K

Indianapolis, Indiana

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  22:35

Overall Place 70th Place / 2,594

Division Place:  5th Place / 93

Race Review By Scott Orlando:

This was my first time racing at the Indy Mini Marathon.  I was originally registered for the half marathon, but my calf tightened up on my very last training run a week before the race.   Heading to Indianapolis I wasn’t sure if I would drop out of the race completely, risk further injury by attempting the half marathon, or drop down to the 5K knowing at the very least I could walk the course.   I spent all week rehabbing my calf and resting it.  The night before the race I made the decision to run the 5K.  My plan was to run as long as my calf would hold and to walk at the first sign of any tightness.   The 5K started at 7:00 am and had a field of almost 3,000 runners.   My first mile I was a little hesitant not knowing what to expect from my calf.  It felt okay but not great.  Each stride I was expecting it to get worse but it never did.  Mile 2 my calf stretched out a little and felt better so I pushed the pace a little faster.  By the third mile I felt like it was stable so I continued at the faster pace.  I finished with a time of 22:35.  I finished 70th overall and 5th in my age division.  Certainly not my best but under the circumstances I was pleased with the result.  The best part of the race experience was watching my niece complete her first half marathon.   The race was very well organized and was probably the largest race I have ever been a part of with over 20,000 runners in the half marathon field and almost 3,000 in the 5K.  I hope to return next year and compete in the half marathon.