12/31/2020 Great New Year’s Eve 5K Kent, Ohio

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12/31/2020

Great New Year’s Eve 5K

Kent, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  22:20

Overall Place:  30th Place

Division Place:  2nd Place

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  22:30

Overall Place:  36th Place

Division Place:  2nd Place

Amy Stumpf

Finish Time:  22:54

Overall Place:  44th Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Russ Neubert

Finish Time:  23:51

Overall Place:  57th Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  25:47

Overall Place:  80th Place

Division Place:  7th Place

Jerry Lynch

Finish Time:  29:51

Overall Place:  133rd Place

Division Place:  8th Place

Race Review By Scott Orlando:

The Summit Athletic Runners Club (SARC) Great New Year’s Eve 5K is always a great way for any runner to finish the year with one last race.  This year the race was moved from its usually course location of Stow, Ohio to Kent, Ohio.   COVID protocols restricted the race to 150 runners which sold out quickly so a second heat was added which allowed another 150 runners to participate.   Strict COVID protocols were in place to provide a safe experience for everyone.   This year’s course was the same as the Race Like A Local and Turkey Trot both held earlier in the year.  The out and back course features a fast downhill start to the paved trail along the river.  At the 3 mile mark runners divert off the paved trail up a steep short gravel hill and back to the park for the finish.   I hadn’t run in a week as I was resting a calf that showed some signs of a mild strain.   I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to run but I thought I would warm up and see how it felt.   With warm ups complete my calf felt ok so I decided to put it to the test.   I started with a fast first mile of 6:37.   As I hit the second mile of the course I started to slow down,  The bridges and several parts of the trail were covered in compressed snow and ice making traction tough.   I made it to the turn around point still averaging under a 7 minute mile pace.   The second time over the icy bridges slowed me down even more.  Not wanting to strain my calf further I did not push my pace to try to make up lost time.  The gravel hill climb back to the park took my breath away for a few minutes but I was able to increase pace for a quick sprint to the finish.   I finished in 22:20 which was slower then my time of 21:06 on the same course earlier in the year.  I was happy to finish with my calf in tact taking 2nd place in my age division.   It was great to see so many other Team ER members and runners from the Kent running group Run Like A Mother at the race.   SARC, North Coast Multisports and Josh Ritchie did an outstanding job organizing the race.   All runners received quarter zip long sleeve shirts.  Awards included SARC winter hats to be picked up at Ritchie’s Sporting Goods as there were no awards presented the day of the race.   Again thank you to SARC, North Coast Multisports, Josh Ritchie, and Mickey Rzymek for their ongoing commitment to offering live races to keep us all running and competing through the pandemic.

12/5/2020 Ken Frankenbery Hilly 100 Bike Ride Brooksville, Florida

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12/5/2020

Hilly !00 Bike Ride

Brooksville, Florida

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  5:36:54

Event Recap By Ken Frankenbery:

Brooksville Florida “Hilly 100” Bike Ride
12-5-2020
It’s been several years since I did a big bike ride. The 100 is sponsored by a great Local Bike shop.  Pat & Mark from Crank Works Bikes who use the event for a local children’s charity. They really worked hard to make it a awesome event, and raised some significant funds for the charity- first class people.
It was frightening/ exhilarating/ and a great time. There were over 200 riders.  Many top teams from all over Florida were there.  The loop course had close to 5000 feet of elevation gain, stringing together some serious rolling hills (Yes there are hills in Florida !) . Weather was perfect- 60 degree’s & sunny.
I worked with a group of 50+ riders for the first 25 miles, had a team (VDB -all matching kits) of over 30 riders go buy us like we were standing still. I was averaging 23 MPH when they passed, they had to be going 30+ MPH.
Once the bigger hills hit, along with people stopping for water/bathroom breaks, things broke apart. I had Karen meet me at ½ way point with refills/fuel so I could make a fast pit stop & shed some clothing as it warmed up.  I got ahead of many groups ( who had to take longer pit stops ) , and worked with a few groups for most of day, with some solo riding added in.
I ended up averaging just under 18 MPH, finishing in just over 5 & ½ hours- a solid day!   I was able to squeak out an 11 mile run the next morning, so being able to run after a long and hard bike ride is a great plus.  I am so lucky to be able to train in Florida!

11/26/2020 Scott Orlando Mansfield Lexington 10K Turkey Trot Mansfield, Ohio

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11/26/2020

Mansfield Lexington Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K Turkey Trot

Mansfield, Ohio

10K

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  44:18

Overall Place:  3rd Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Race Recap By Scott Orlando

This was the third year for the Mansfield Lexington Turkey Trot Race and my second time competing in the event.   This year the race was moved to a new location but still utilized the same paved bike trail as the previous last two years.   The new location offered more parking and probably a safer environment for social distancing.  The new start and finish line were about 1.5 miles from the previous year’s races.  The 5K course was mostly new while the 10K and half marathon utilized a great deal of the old course.   I found that the new course featured a little bit more elevation change then the old courses but still it is a relatively flat fast course.   Weather was fairly good for running with temperatures in the high 40’s but there were some strong winds in the 10 – 15 mph range.  Race organizers were under strict health department guidelines that they followed very well which included required masks, staggered starts, and social distancing.   The race was kept small by design and was very family friendly allowing dogs on leashes, strollers, and a pre race kids fun run.

I started fast which was my plan and clocked a 6:36 first mile.  For social distancing purposes I wanted to clear some space and get everyone away from me on the trail.   A 34 year old started just behind me and passed me after the first mile.   He never slowed down and was the overall winner.   I settled in at a little slower pace.  My goal was to finish the race under a 7 minute mile pace.   I was running well and trending towards my goal.   At the turnaround I was able to see the other runners behind me.   I only saw one young runner that looked like he might be able to catch me, but with a staggered start it was very hard to tell.    The last mile my GPS was telling me I was averaging a 6:56 mile pace.  I knew reaching my goal would be close so I pushed not knowing where the other runner was.   I finished not being passed by any other runners so I felt like I had a chance for 2nd overall.   Turns out the young runner who was 14 years of age started well behind me and did beat my time by about 30 seconds so I finished 3rd overall with a time of 44:18.   I am happy with my result as it was a tougher course then last year and I beat my time by about 15 seconds.   According to my GPS I averaged a 6:54 mile pace for 6:41 miles.  Officially results have me completing the course with a 7:08 mile pace.  I remember seeing a sign about 150 meters from the finish the read 10K finish so I am not sure if the course was long by design and the sign indicated the actual 10K mark or my GPS was off.

There were no awards of any kind per health department guidelines.   In the past there were no age group awards and overall winners received large baskets of Thanksgiving style groceries.  Perhaps the health department said no to this type of award offering which I certainly understand.   I am not clear on why the race directors would not be able to offer another type of award or mail out awards.   Like other races, award ceremonies are not allowed.   I don’t know all the details on why the race was not allowed to provide awards but I found it interesting.   They were able to provide the race swag in prepackaged bags as well as a table to pick from a selection of pies and some post race snacks of granola bars and bananas.  Swag for this race was awesome and included tech hoodies, finisher medals, tote bags, sponsor samples, and pies.   The race was really well organized and was executed with extreme safety.  Very well done.  I am grateful for the opportunity to share the experience with my niece who ran her 2nd ever 5K.

11/7/2020 Ken Frankenbery Lake To Lake 10K Lakeland, Florida

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11/7/2020

Lake To Lake 10K

Lakeland, Florida

Ken Frankenbery

Finish Time:  45:32

Overall Place:  15th Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Race Review By Ken Frankenbery:

Another Covid race with small waves sent out every minute. 170 racers in 10 waves, I was in wave 5. Temp was mid 70’s & windy- decent conditions, course was hillier than I expected. It looped around several lakes, but also worked through some neighborhoods with classic homes- great scenery.
My last race was burned into my memory ( getting second place by 1 second-but never seeing my competitor), so it helped motivate me to push my max the entire race . I ended up 15th Overall, 1st in my age group, and had a time of 45:32 , a 7:20 pace.
They had an award for Master Champion ( over 50 ), I noticed they awarded it to a 50 year old who was a minute slower than I was. I asked, and the Promotor was honest and said she assumed no one over 60 would be in contention for award so never checked my time so they missed me.  Since she already gave award out- ( it was a local she knew) said she would mail me another one.
It didn’t matter to me as I was just happy to be racing!

11/5/2020 Team ER October Stretch Challenge

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The October Stretch Challenge Starts Today!
This might be our toughest challenge yet! As runners and multi sport athletes we all know we should be stretching regularly but rarely do so here is a new challenge that you could find to be our most difficult yet!
The Rules:
  • You must complete some form of structured stretching each day for the entire month.
  • This may include static or dynamic stretching performed individually, as a group or in a class setting.
  • Stretching should be no less than 5-10 minutes daily to qualify and keep you in the challenge.
  • The longer you last in the challenge the more team points you earn!
    • October 1st – October 4th earns 2 points.
    • October 1st – October 11th earns 4 points
    • October 1st – October 18th earns 6 points
    • October 1st – October 25th earns 8 points
    • October 1st – October 31st earns 10 points
  • Miss a day and you are out of the challenge.
  • Once your challenge has ended post a picture of yourself in a Team ER shirt or apparel item to the team Facebook page with the title: I took the Team ER October Challenge And Lasted _____ Days! #teameroctoberstretchchallenge
    • Team members performing the challenge but not submitting pictures will receive half of the points earned.
  • Every Team ER member that participates in the challenge will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a great prize!
  • Challenge Results
    Asad Khan earned 1 point
    Mike Williams earned 5 points
    Gretchen Snyder earned 6 points.
    Kevin Christensen earned 6 points
    Scott Orlando earned 8 points
    Christine Churpek earned 10 Points

11/1/2020 Buckeye Half Marathon and 10K Peninsula, Ohio

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11/1/2020

Buckeye Half Marathon and 10K

Peninsula, Ohio

Half Marathon

Loretta Harland

Finish Time:  2:06:18

Overall Place 76th Place

Division Place:  1st Place

10K

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  46:24

Overall Place:  14th Place

Division Place 2nd Place

Mike Williams

Finish Time:  54:26

Overall Place: 36th Place

Division Place:  7th Place

Steve Zenar

Finish Time:  57:55

Overall Place: 49th Place

Division Place:  4th Place

Jill Bidwell McCauslin

Finish Time:  1:15:08

Overall Place: 90th Place

Division Place:  1st Place

Virtual 10K

Mike Pastva

Finish Time:  1:05:51

Race Review By Scott Orlando

250 brave runners took to the streets on a wet and windy morning in Peninsula, Ohio to compete in the Buckeye Half Marathon and 10K.  I have competed in this event in the past in both distances and decided this year to go with the 10K distance.  For me the second loop of the half marathon course gets a little boring so I prefer the 10K option for this particular race.  Race conditions were tough with temperatures in the mid 40’s strong steady winds with occasional heavy wind gusts and cold blowing rain.   Because of the challenging conditions I wasn’t looking for a PR or to push at maximum speed.  Instead I wanted to just survive the race and live to run another day.  I started with a strong first mile around a 7 minute mile pace.   My GPS watched glitched up and lost track of me at the end of the first mile so for the remainder of the race my splits were off and I didn’t have a real accurate idea of my pace.   In the second mile my music stopped playing and I was unable to get it to turn back on as the face of my touch screen watch was wet from the rain and not responding.  I was running blind without data and in solitude without music.  The rain continued to to pour down on the runners throughout the race.  At times it was a drizzle but would quickly turn heavy and come down sideways with the wind.   Runners were shielded from the strong winds by the trees and valley for most of the first 4 miles or so of the course.   In the 5th mile when the course opened up near Salayz’s Farm there was no protection from the wind and runners were really challenged as they ran directly into it.  Strong wind gusts actually pushed me side to side as they hit me.   The winds, rain, and hills in the last mile of the race slowed my pace some but I pushed through it.  The course leveled out and got a little faster as I neared the finished.  I was surprised that I was faster then last year on a course that was actually longer.   I finished 14th overall and 2nd in my division.   Team ER had a great showing at the race with 6 members competing including Loretta Harland who won her division in the half marathon, Jill Bidwell McCauslin  who won her division in the 10K, Mike, Williams, Steve Zenar who both did well in the 10K,  and Mike Pastva who competed in the virtual 10K.  The combined efforts of Summit Athletic Club, NC Multisports, And Ritchie’s Sporting Goods made for an excellent and safe race experience for everyone.  All participants received really nice performance tech hoodies and custom finisher medals.