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Just a reminder that you can purchased Central Maine Striders shirts, singlets, and hats at Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville. Click here to download the pricing sheet.
To order, you can call Joseph's at (207) 660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.
To order, you can call Joseph's at (207) 660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.
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Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Maine Striders weren't able to have their annual year-end social this year. As a way to foster some kind of social spirit amongst the members of the club, Club President Ryan Goebel hosted an online trivia night after the December 15th Striders monthly meeting. The 25 questions were all running-related, with topics ranging from Striders history to movies about running to songs with running in them. Although some may say that the random algorithm that Zoom used to divide the teams wasn't very fair, the "Running With The Dogs" team (Julie Millard, Ron Peck, Pat Guerette, and Rob Krickus) came out on top of "The Mainiacs" (Alicia Wilcox, Tom & Lynda McGuire, and Drew McCormick) and "Posterior Cross Bite" (Deb Violette, Sapan Bhatt, Shanon Delaney, Brian Morin, and Kate Scott). Although Julie Millard proved to have some impressive Striders historical knowledge, no one could have guessed that it would be Ron Peck's knowledge of the song "Run" by Korean boy band superstars "BTS" that held onto the win on the final question of the night.
Thanks to everyone who participated. We already have plans for a second trivia night coming soon.
Thanks to everyone who participated. We already have plans for a second trivia night coming soon.
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It's getting to be that time of year again. The temperatures are dropping and 2021 is approaching. That also means that it's time to renew your membership for 2021. Also, memberships for anyone who joins now will be valid through December 31, 2021.
Keep in mind that membership benefits include:
- Membership for your entire household
- Being part of the oldest, active running club in Maine
- Subscription to our e-newsletter, The Interval
- Discount on entry to local road races, including the January Thaw 4.5-Mile Road Race, Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k, Doc & Mardie 5k, Quarry Road Summer Race Series, and Save Your Breath 5k.
- Discounted or free Central Maine Striders gear
- And more benefits coming soon!
Go to www.centralmainestriders.com/join for more info and the link to join.
Keep in mind that membership benefits include:
- Membership for your entire household
- Being part of the oldest, active running club in Maine
- Subscription to our e-newsletter, The Interval
- Discount on entry to local road races, including the January Thaw 4.5-Mile Road Race, Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k, Doc & Mardie 5k, Quarry Road Summer Race Series, and Save Your Breath 5k.
- Discounted or free Central Maine Striders gear
- And more benefits coming soon!
Go to www.centralmainestriders.com/join for more info and the link to join.
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Are you interested in purchasing some Central Maine Striders gear?
We've partnered with Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville for some exciting new Striders apparel. They'll have Striders short and long sleeve tech tees, singlets, hoodies, and hats available for ordering. Click here to download the pricing sheet.
To order, you can call Joseph's at (207)660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.
We've partnered with Joseph's Sporting Goods in Waterville for some exciting new Striders apparel. They'll have Striders short and long sleeve tech tees, singlets, hoodies, and hats available for ordering. Click here to download the pricing sheet.
To order, you can call Joseph's at (207)660-6676, or stop by their store at 146 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.
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by Harold Shaw
Over the past few years, I have bought far too many pairs of running shoes (about 20-25 pairs a year since 2012) - hoping or is that dreaming about the "right" shoes that will magically allow me to become the runner that I have always wanted to be.
A typical runner’s dream, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, as I have learned the expensive and hard way, there is no such thing as a pair of magical running shoes that are going to make you or I, a better runner. If you buy into that line of thinking you will spend a LOT of money searching for that magical shoe.
I have.
Besides, just like everyone else my body changes a little each year and what would have worked for me as a younger person, doesn’t work for me now. Those Asics Excalibur GT’s that I loved in the ‘80s would kill my feet now and so many other shoes that I have loved over the years would not work at all for me in the body that I have now.
This is something I think that we tend to overlook when we look at running shoes, how much our bodies do change as we get older. The reality is that it really doesn’t matter what our age is, our bodies are always changing whether we 25, 43, 62 or 75 and the type/style of running shoes we need constantly change as well.
What have I learned
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So think twice and then think again about what you are reading, watching or being told.
Over the years, I have learned that there are no magical running shoes (although some claim otherwise as the current controversy over the Nike Vapor Fly line shows) and that the best ways to improve as a runner are to focus more on:
Although I gotta admit that the wrong running shoes really do screw things up royally from time-to-time! The litany of injuries I have had over the years are a testament to bad shoe choices, training mistakes and just being stoopid.
Then you have the fun issue of when the brands update that style/model that you love and the new version is a different shoe than the one you loved. It sucks big time and happens all too often. Then we have to go out and start looking for a new running shoe all over again - it has happened to almost all of us who have been running for a while and yeah, it does suck.
The reality is that...
All runners are different, we have different likes, needs and wants from our running shoes and in today's world, most brands have a shoe that will satisfy that need.
The primary purpose of running shoes, in my opinion, is to protect our feet from the ground, tar, concrete, trail or whatever you are running on, which in turn allows us to run more safely or comfortably than without them (no I do not believe in running barefoot other than for drills - it doesn't work for most of us, especially in Maine in the Wintah).
While I believe that proper running shoes can make a difference (good or bad) for a runner, at the same time I strongly believe that I (and other runners) put too much emphasis on the importance of their running shoes and how much of a difference they actually make.
The biggest lesson I have learned over the past few years is that my running shoes are a lot less important to my running than what I am doing as a runner, but even so, I am ever hopeful that someday, I will find that running shoe that works for me and hope against hope that its updates continue to work for me.
Hmmm let me see what Running Warehouse has on sale this week. :-)
Yeah, I know I am an incorrigible running shoe geek. Hehehee
A typical runner’s dream, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, as I have learned the expensive and hard way, there is no such thing as a pair of magical running shoes that are going to make you or I, a better runner. If you buy into that line of thinking you will spend a LOT of money searching for that magical shoe.
I have.
Besides, just like everyone else my body changes a little each year and what would have worked for me as a younger person, doesn’t work for me now. Those Asics Excalibur GT’s that I loved in the ‘80s would kill my feet now and so many other shoes that I have loved over the years would not work at all for me in the body that I have now.
This is something I think that we tend to overlook when we look at running shoes, how much our bodies do change as we get older. The reality is that it really doesn’t matter what our age is, our bodies are always changing whether we 25, 43, 62 or 75 and the type/style of running shoes we need constantly change as well.
What have I learned
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So think twice and then think again about what you are reading, watching or being told.
Over the years, I have learned that there are no magical running shoes (although some claim otherwise as the current controversy over the Nike Vapor Fly line shows) and that the best ways to improve as a runner are to focus more on:
- Running consistently - the more uninjured miles run - the better, in other words, training smarter, is more important to being a better runner, than what running shoes I am wearing.
- Lose weight/eat better - getting rid of the extra 5-10-15 or more extra pounds of flubber and looking at what we eat, are far more important to running better, than how much different shoes weigh.
- Be aware of the BS factor - When it comes to running shoes, we have to wade through the ever-present marketing hype, discussions, bluster, believe it or not maybe even a few facts -- in magazines, ezines, blogs, forums and yes even on Twitter or Facebook, along with our ever-present running buddies about running shoes over the past few years. So much so that most of us runners do not really know what works versus what is hype most of the time.
- Have an open mind - we need to figure some things out for ourselves by doing the research, actually thinking about what we are seeing or doing and even be willing to go beyond our usual authors, friends, coaches, websites or brands for information related to running. It might even mean - heaven forbid, that we need to think outside of the box from time-to-time and look at brands or ideas we have not used in the past. I know that I have been surprised by what works and does not work several times.
- Don't jump on the next great bandwagon shoe or shoe style. Just because it is a certain design, style or the next best thing since whatever, it doesn't mean that it will work the same for you or that it is even the right thing for you and the way you run. The minimal, maximal, carbon plate bandwagons come to mind pretty quickly. All have led to mixed results and caused more or different injuries than have been reported or talked about.
- That all the major brands have at least one running shoe style that we can or could run in - Not really what we want to believe, after all, such and such a brand couldn’t possibly work for me. While it is true that I run better in certain styles of running shoes and I tend to stay with the brands that have those styles.
- BE COMFORTABLE - this is the most important thing, find a shoe that you run comfortably in - one that you put on and forget about. Get beyond brand marketing, the salesperson's prejudices or preconceptions, the running store's limited selection and find the pair of running shoes that feel comfortable to you when you are running.
Although I gotta admit that the wrong running shoes really do screw things up royally from time-to-time! The litany of injuries I have had over the years are a testament to bad shoe choices, training mistakes and just being stoopid.
Then you have the fun issue of when the brands update that style/model that you love and the new version is a different shoe than the one you loved. It sucks big time and happens all too often. Then we have to go out and start looking for a new running shoe all over again - it has happened to almost all of us who have been running for a while and yeah, it does suck.
The reality is that...
All runners are different, we have different likes, needs and wants from our running shoes and in today's world, most brands have a shoe that will satisfy that need.
The primary purpose of running shoes, in my opinion, is to protect our feet from the ground, tar, concrete, trail or whatever you are running on, which in turn allows us to run more safely or comfortably than without them (no I do not believe in running barefoot other than for drills - it doesn't work for most of us, especially in Maine in the Wintah).
While I believe that proper running shoes can make a difference (good or bad) for a runner, at the same time I strongly believe that I (and other runners) put too much emphasis on the importance of their running shoes and how much of a difference they actually make.
The biggest lesson I have learned over the past few years is that my running shoes are a lot less important to my running than what I am doing as a runner, but even so, I am ever hopeful that someday, I will find that running shoe that works for me and hope against hope that its updates continue to work for me.
Hmmm let me see what Running Warehouse has on sale this week. :-)
Yeah, I know I am an incorrigible running shoe geek. Hehehee
Harold Shaw lives in Sidney, ME and retired from the U.S. Coast Guard a long time ago. He has been a Striders member since 2012 and a running shoe geek for way too many years before that. When he isn't injured he tries to run 30-40 miles a week and someday will finish another marathon if he can ever stay healthy long enough. Maybe he will even find that magic shoe that will help him achieve that goal.
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On Tuesday, August 22, join us for group runs at Quarry Road Trails in Waterville, followed by casual potluck socializing.
August 22nd is the final makeup date for the Quarry Road Summer Race Series. If no makeup races are needed, join us at 6 p.m. for informal group runs on the trails, including the new singletrack.
Meet other club members and local runners. Bring some potluck (main or side dish, apps, or dessert) to share afterwards. All abilities and speeds are welcome!
If there is a Quarry Road race that night, come run it, celebrate the overall and age group series winners, and share some potluck afterward.
Striders Group Runs and Potluck
Tuesday, August 22, 6 p.m.
Quarry Road Trails, 300 Quarry Road, Waterville
Facebook Event
August 22nd is the final makeup date for the Quarry Road Summer Race Series. If no makeup races are needed, join us at 6 p.m. for informal group runs on the trails, including the new singletrack.
Meet other club members and local runners. Bring some potluck (main or side dish, apps, or dessert) to share afterwards. All abilities and speeds are welcome!
If there is a Quarry Road race that night, come run it, celebrate the overall and age group series winners, and share some potluck afterward.
Striders Group Runs and Potluck
Tuesday, August 22, 6 p.m.
Quarry Road Trails, 300 Quarry Road, Waterville
Facebook Event
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For just $15, you can get a running gift that fits all paces, ages, and abilities and will last all year long (that’s longer than most running shoes).
Join or renew your annual family membership with the Central Maine Striders running club today for the best running deal around.
Whether you’re been running for a month or decades, describe yourself as recreational or competitive, Central Maine Striders is your local running club and welcomes all runners.
Join Central Maine Striders today for just $15 and you’ll get all of this in 2015:
Plus, race directors who are active members can access the club’s:
Whether you want to meet other runners, train, race, or just have fun, join Central Maine Striders today and you’ll help support our local running community. A club membership also makes a great gift. Forget the socks and give one as a gift to a favorite local runner.
As our club gets ready to celebrate 40 years of central Maine running, we hope you’ll join us on the roads, trails, or track in 2015.
Join Central Maine Striders today. Or download and print and mail a PDF.
Join or renew your annual family membership with the Central Maine Striders running club today for the best running deal around.
Whether you’re been running for a month or decades, describe yourself as recreational or competitive, Central Maine Striders is your local running club and welcomes all runners.
Join Central Maine Striders today for just $15 and you’ll get all of this in 2015:
- Membership for your entire household (kids too!) in the oldest, active running club in Maine
- Interval monthly newsletter via email featuring upcoming local races, events, and club news
- Reduced registration rates at certain local races
- Access to club events like seasonal group runs and training programs
- Opportunities to connect with other local runners of all ages and abilities
Plus, race directors who are active members can access the club’s:
- Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) insurance coverage
- Race equipment
- Outreach and promotion through club channels and contacts
(all subject to club approval)
Whether you want to meet other runners, train, race, or just have fun, join Central Maine Striders today and you’ll help support our local running community. A club membership also makes a great gift. Forget the socks and give one as a gift to a favorite local runner.
As our club gets ready to celebrate 40 years of central Maine running, we hope you’ll join us on the roads, trails, or track in 2015.
Join Central Maine Striders today. Or download and print and mail a PDF.