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Congratulations to Jeff Jones (24:36) of Chelsea and Gabby Schreffler (30:10) of Bethel, winners of the 39th annual, 4.5-mile January Thaw Road Race held on January 21, 2018, in Belgrade. As the top male and female runners they each received $50 gift certificates from New Balance.
There also was a post-race raffle for all runners with movie passes to local movie theaters, $20 gift certificates from local businesses like the Korner Store and Deli in Oakland, and gift certificates from local lumberyards.
A big thank-you to everyone who helped with the race and special thanks to race co-directors Geoff Hill, Ron Paquette, and Gene Roy. Gene was unable to attend this year's January Thaw due to illness, but Central Maine Striders sent Gene the "Get Well" message above and its best wishes.
Also, special thanks to David Colby Young of Maine Running Photos who comes every year regardless of the weather to take pictures of the race and runners. All photos here are courtesy of and credited to David and Maine Running Photos.
January Thaw Race Coverage:
There also was a post-race raffle for all runners with movie passes to local movie theaters, $20 gift certificates from local businesses like the Korner Store and Deli in Oakland, and gift certificates from local lumberyards.
A big thank-you to everyone who helped with the race and special thanks to race co-directors Geoff Hill, Ron Paquette, and Gene Roy. Gene was unable to attend this year's January Thaw due to illness, but Central Maine Striders sent Gene the "Get Well" message above and its best wishes.
Also, special thanks to David Colby Young of Maine Running Photos who comes every year regardless of the weather to take pictures of the race and runners. All photos here are courtesy of and credited to David and Maine Running Photos.
January Thaw Race Coverage:
39th Annual January Thaw Road Race Results
Belgrade, Maine
January 21, 2018
Place Runner Time Age Hometown
1. Jeff Jones 24:36 47 Chelsea
2. Matt Sawyer 25:06 44 Eliot
3. Philip Gagnon 28:43 33 Oakland
4. Jack Babin 29:21 16 Athens
5. Casey Gallant 29:32 15 Augusta
6. Gabby Schreffler (F) 30:10 24 Bethel
7. Dusty Rhodes 31:12 47 Farmington
8. Sarah Reynolds (F) 32:22 38 Farmington
9. Steve Rollins 33:30 56 Bath
10. Harold Shaw 34:34 60 Sidney
11. Ron Peck 34:37 42 Waterville
12. Sandy Shoulder (F) 35:13 45 Farmington
13. Danielle Gagnon (F) 35:51 33 Oakland
14. Robin LeBlond (F) 36:04 43 Sidney
15. Susan Brooks (F) 37:46 58 Benton
16. Tammy Moulton (F) 39:46 53 Athens
17. Jeffrey Preble 40:04 64 Gardiner
18. Ryan Gallant 42:33 44 Augusta
19. Bob Brosius 43:22 65 Winthrop
20. Phil Pierce 43:54 76 Falmouth
21. Heather Linkletter (F) 44:08 38 Athens
22. David Stanhope 45:53 54 Exeter
23. George Reichert 46:11 65 Bowdoinham
24. David Benn 46:36 72 Waterville
25. Katie Reed (F) 47:01 33 Farmington
26. Joe Phelan 47:58 53 Hallowell
27. Barb Brosius (F) 51:02 65 Winthrop
Belgrade, Maine
January 21, 2018
Place Runner Time Age Hometown
1. Jeff Jones 24:36 47 Chelsea
2. Matt Sawyer 25:06 44 Eliot
3. Philip Gagnon 28:43 33 Oakland
4. Jack Babin 29:21 16 Athens
5. Casey Gallant 29:32 15 Augusta
6. Gabby Schreffler (F) 30:10 24 Bethel
7. Dusty Rhodes 31:12 47 Farmington
8. Sarah Reynolds (F) 32:22 38 Farmington
9. Steve Rollins 33:30 56 Bath
10. Harold Shaw 34:34 60 Sidney
11. Ron Peck 34:37 42 Waterville
12. Sandy Shoulder (F) 35:13 45 Farmington
13. Danielle Gagnon (F) 35:51 33 Oakland
14. Robin LeBlond (F) 36:04 43 Sidney
15. Susan Brooks (F) 37:46 58 Benton
16. Tammy Moulton (F) 39:46 53 Athens
17. Jeffrey Preble 40:04 64 Gardiner
18. Ryan Gallant 42:33 44 Augusta
19. Bob Brosius 43:22 65 Winthrop
20. Phil Pierce 43:54 76 Falmouth
21. Heather Linkletter (F) 44:08 38 Athens
22. David Stanhope 45:53 54 Exeter
23. George Reichert 46:11 65 Bowdoinham
24. David Benn 46:36 72 Waterville
25. Katie Reed (F) 47:01 33 Farmington
26. Joe Phelan 47:58 53 Hallowell
27. Barb Brosius (F) 51:02 65 Winthrop
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Meeting notes from the January 16, 2018, Central Maine Striders club meeting:
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Meeting notes from the December 13, 2017, Central Maine Striders club meeting:
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Central Maine Striders is the oldest, active running club in the state of Maine. To keep our club thriving we need members, like you, to engage and help lead our club, grow our membership, and increase our offerings.
Joining the Striders Board of Directors as an officer is one way to get involved, especially as we're currently in need of people to fill several positions. Officers serve two-year terms, with the option to be reelected once, for a total of four consecutive years. The board meets monthly, along with any interested members, outside of summer. The next club meeting is Wednesday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at The End Zone (38 College Ave, Waterville).
Nominations are underway for 2018-19 Central Maine Striders club officers. Here is our current slate of 2018-19 officers up for election.
2018-19 Club Officers
President
Vice President
The vice president position has been vacant for the past year. The VP helps with planning club events (potlucks, the annual meeting and awards, group runs, etc), among other duties. If interested in serving, please send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com.
Secretary
Other (Membership)
Other officers, such as a Membership Coordinator, may be elected as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. If interested in assisting the club in this essential way, or another way, please send an email to: run@centralmainestriders.com.
Final Terms
Please note that Ron Peck (Treasurer) and Alicia MacLeay (Communications) will finish their second and final terms as officers at the end of 2018. Their positions will be vacant as of January 2019.
Get Involved
If you have any interest in getting involved with Striders in 2018 or beyond, please come to a monthly club meeting. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at The End Zone in Waterville. Or send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com.
Let us know your individual interests and skills. We're always looking for members to volunteer in the ways most meaningful and appropriate for them and to whatever extent their schedule allows.
That could mean arranging group runs and potlucks (a top request among members), organizing member benefits to local businesses, coordinating Striders race teams for events, writing race reports for the website, and so on.
The possibilities for Central Maine Striders are up to you, our members!
Joining the Striders Board of Directors as an officer is one way to get involved, especially as we're currently in need of people to fill several positions. Officers serve two-year terms, with the option to be reelected once, for a total of four consecutive years. The board meets monthly, along with any interested members, outside of summer. The next club meeting is Wednesday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at The End Zone (38 College Ave, Waterville).
Nominations are underway for 2018-19 Central Maine Striders club officers. Here is our current slate of 2018-19 officers up for election.
2018-19 Club Officers
President
- Brendan Gilpatrick (second and final term)
Vice President
The vice president position has been vacant for the past year. The VP helps with planning club events (potlucks, the annual meeting and awards, group runs, etc), among other duties. If interested in serving, please send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com.
Secretary
- Shara Marquis (first term)
Other (Membership)
Other officers, such as a Membership Coordinator, may be elected as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. If interested in assisting the club in this essential way, or another way, please send an email to: run@centralmainestriders.com.
Final Terms
Please note that Ron Peck (Treasurer) and Alicia MacLeay (Communications) will finish their second and final terms as officers at the end of 2018. Their positions will be vacant as of January 2019.
Get Involved
If you have any interest in getting involved with Striders in 2018 or beyond, please come to a monthly club meeting. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 13, at 6 p.m. at The End Zone in Waterville. Or send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com.
Let us know your individual interests and skills. We're always looking for members to volunteer in the ways most meaningful and appropriate for them and to whatever extent their schedule allows.
That could mean arranging group runs and potlucks (a top request among members), organizing member benefits to local businesses, coordinating Striders race teams for events, writing race reports for the website, and so on.
The possibilities for Central Maine Striders are up to you, our members!
Article 5: Officers (Excerpted from Central Maine Striders By-Laws)
5.1
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Clerk, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Any two or more shall be elected by the Members at the Annual Meeting thereof, and shall hold their offices until their successors are chosen and have qualified or until their earlier resignation, death, incapacity, or removal from office. It shall not be necessary to elect the Clerk annually. The Clerk shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall serve until either his or her resignation, death, incapacity, or removal from office by the Board of Directors.
5.2
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Board of Directors may delegate or designate. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Members and Directors, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
5.3
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and while so doing, shall have all of the powers and duties herein given to or imposed upon the President.
5.4
The Treasurer shall be the financial officer of the Corporation, and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have immediate charge of the books of account and of the corporate funds and securities. He shall disperse the funds of the Corporation as directed by the Board of Directors, deposit such funds in the name of the Corporation in such depositories as are designated by the Board of Directors, and shall keep records of account showing accurately at all times the financial condition of the Corporation, which records of account shall at all times be open to the inspection of the Directors. He shall also furnish to the President and to the Board of Directors, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation and shall perform all other duties incident to his office and such other duties as may be prescribed by these By-Laws, the Directors, or the Members. The Treasurer shall, if required by the Directors, give bond, to be held by the President for the faithful discharge of his duties, in such sum and with such sureties as the Directors may require or approve.
5.5
The Secretary shall keep a record of the correspondence of the Corporation, and of the business transacted at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at the Annual or special meeting of the Members of the Corporation; and shall maintain the role of the Members of the Corporation and their addresses. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.6
The Clerk shall be a resident of the State of Maine and shall perform all duties required by the Maine Non-Profit Corporation Act, and such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.7
Any other officers of the Corporation shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.8
All club officers have term limits of 2 years with an option to run for an additional 2 years in the same role. After 4 consecutive years, club officers must vacate their current office. This officer may hold another position within the club following their 4 year term. Officers may run for a previous position in which they had reached term limits, so long as a minimum of 1 term (2 years) has passed, or they are appointed due to an unexpected vacancy.
5.1
The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Clerk, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. Any two or more shall be elected by the Members at the Annual Meeting thereof, and shall hold their offices until their successors are chosen and have qualified or until their earlier resignation, death, incapacity, or removal from office. It shall not be necessary to elect the Clerk annually. The Clerk shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall serve until either his or her resignation, death, incapacity, or removal from office by the Board of Directors.
5.2
The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Board of Directors may delegate or designate. He shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Members and Directors, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
5.3
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President, and while so doing, shall have all of the powers and duties herein given to or imposed upon the President.
5.4
The Treasurer shall be the financial officer of the Corporation, and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have immediate charge of the books of account and of the corporate funds and securities. He shall disperse the funds of the Corporation as directed by the Board of Directors, deposit such funds in the name of the Corporation in such depositories as are designated by the Board of Directors, and shall keep records of account showing accurately at all times the financial condition of the Corporation, which records of account shall at all times be open to the inspection of the Directors. He shall also furnish to the President and to the Board of Directors, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation and shall perform all other duties incident to his office and such other duties as may be prescribed by these By-Laws, the Directors, or the Members. The Treasurer shall, if required by the Directors, give bond, to be held by the President for the faithful discharge of his duties, in such sum and with such sureties as the Directors may require or approve.
5.5
The Secretary shall keep a record of the correspondence of the Corporation, and of the business transacted at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at the Annual or special meeting of the Members of the Corporation; and shall maintain the role of the Members of the Corporation and their addresses. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.6
The Clerk shall be a resident of the State of Maine and shall perform all duties required by the Maine Non-Profit Corporation Act, and such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.7
Any other officers of the Corporation shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
5.8
All club officers have term limits of 2 years with an option to run for an additional 2 years in the same role. After 4 consecutive years, club officers must vacate their current office. This officer may hold another position within the club following their 4 year term. Officers may run for a previous position in which they had reached term limits, so long as a minimum of 1 term (2 years) has passed, or they are appointed due to an unexpected vacancy.
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Central Maine Striders
November 8, 2017
Big G’s Deli
- Introductions
- Present were: Alicia, Stephanie, Karen, Amy, Ron P., Shara, Ron, Donna, Susan
- Present were: Alicia, Stephanie, Karen, Amy, Ron P., Shara, Ron, Donna, Susan
- Financial Report (Ron Peck)
- $1,826 in account
- $1,826 in account
- Communications Report (Alicia MacLeay)
- Requests for articles, race reports, & member introductions
- Requests for articles, race reports, & member introductions
- 2018 Membership
- Renewals: Automatic notices from runsignup; Alicia to email current and former separately
- Member benefits needed
- Company discount codes
- Ask around for area benefits and local discounts
- Merchandise & Shirt Designs
- Look into less expensive clothing options - Brendan
- Beanie option on Atayne - Brendan;
- Look into a couple shirt designs (overall, January Thaw, Riverlands, etc.) - Chad
- Look into less expensive clothing options - Brendan
- Company discount codes
- Renewals: Automatic notices from runsignup; Alicia to email current and former separately
- Annual Meeting
- Potential Date and Location: January 10, 2018, at Mainely Brews (TBD) - confirm date and room
- Awards:
- In past have done: Strider (M/F), Youth (M/F), Most Improved (M/F), Volunteer, Sponsor, Race Director
- Gene Roy (January Thaw) - Strider of the year
- Send nominations to Alicia
- In past have done: Strider (M/F), Youth (M/F), Most Improved (M/F), Volunteer, Sponsor, Race Director
- Potential Date and Location: January 10, 2018, at Mainely Brews (TBD) - confirm date and room
- 2018-19 Officers
- Secretary (Shara Marquis) already voted in
- Vice President: needed
- Helps organize events
- Ron P. suggested Ryan
- Ron suggested reaching out to Quarry Road attendees, asking to join the club/VP
- Helps organize events
- President (Brendan): first term ends in 2017, up for reelection
- Treasurer (Ron Peck) and Communications (Alicia MacLeay) term out at end of 2018
- Susan said she will volunteer
- Secretary (Shara Marquis) already voted in
- Riverlands Relay (Karen Gross) - May 12/13
- Register by end of January perhaps
- 1 team of Striders so far, looking for more interest to create a 2nd team full Striders team
- Karen will help coordinate
- Strider-specific shirts would be nice for unified team
- Club can provide tent gathering area
- Register by end of January perhaps
- Upcoming (end of year) Races
- Turkey Trot - Athens 11/19 @ 2pm $5 - Ron provided details
- Turkey Trot - Athens 11/19 @ 2pm $5 - Ron provided details
- 2018 Events
- January Thaw - 1/21 @ 11
- Get the word out to other club sites; great awards
- Get the word out to other club sites; great awards
- Unity College Spring 5K - April
- End of Quarry Road Series Potluck
- Set a general calendar of events ahead of time to get people involved in helping (seasonal potlucks, etc)
- January Thaw - 1/21 @ 11
- New Business
- Ron P. would really like to move forward with some new shirt designs. Shara and Ron will mention the design work to Chad.
- Karen - would like to establish group runs at Riverlands in Turner; open to all & gather interest in the Relay.
- Ron P. would really like to move forward with some new shirt designs. Shara and Ron will mention the design work to Chad.
- Next meeting: Wednesday, December 13, 6 p.m. at The End Zone, 38 College Ave., Waterville
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Hats, shirts, shorts, stickers...?
Central Maine Striders is looking into potential gear for club members to buy in 2018. Please help us gauge interest by completing the five-question survey at the link below.
We'll give away a free 2018 club membership to at least one respondent. Thank you!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WMTS23Q
Central Maine Striders is looking into potential gear for club members to buy in 2018. Please help us gauge interest by completing the five-question survey at the link below.
We'll give away a free 2018 club membership to at least one respondent. Thank you!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WMTS23Q
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Have fun hanging out with your fellow Striders club members while competing in a 100-mile relay race this spring. Members are currently organizing several Striders teams for the 2018 Riverlands 100 & Relay race in Turner, Maine, on May 12 and 13.
Riverlands 100 is 100-mile relay or solo trail race organized by Trail Monster Running. Each relay team has five runners and each runner completes a 20-mile, out-and-back loop.
Karen Gross, who ran the inaugural 2017 race with team Kennebec Trail Runners (read their 2017 race report), is helping to organize Striders teams for 2018.
All abilities are welcome to join a club relay team. The Riverlands course is mostly wide dirt roads and is very easy to run, says Karen. Aid stations are positioned about every five miles along the course. The cutoff time is 32 hours, so even slower runners will have plenty of time to finish.
The cost is $55 for each relay runner ($275 per team). This includes a race tee and a very cool hooded sweatshirt with a race logo if your team finishes before the cutoff time. For a bigger challenge, solo runners can compete in the full 100 miler ($160 registration fee).
If interested in joining a Striders team at Riverlands or if you have questions, please send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com or reach out to Karen Gross directly.
For more information on the Riverlands 100 & Relay, put on by Trail Monster Running, visit www.riverlands100.com.
Riverlands 100 is 100-mile relay or solo trail race organized by Trail Monster Running. Each relay team has five runners and each runner completes a 20-mile, out-and-back loop.
Karen Gross, who ran the inaugural 2017 race with team Kennebec Trail Runners (read their 2017 race report), is helping to organize Striders teams for 2018.
All abilities are welcome to join a club relay team. The Riverlands course is mostly wide dirt roads and is very easy to run, says Karen. Aid stations are positioned about every five miles along the course. The cutoff time is 32 hours, so even slower runners will have plenty of time to finish.
The cost is $55 for each relay runner ($275 per team). This includes a race tee and a very cool hooded sweatshirt with a race logo if your team finishes before the cutoff time. For a bigger challenge, solo runners can compete in the full 100 miler ($160 registration fee).
If interested in joining a Striders team at Riverlands or if you have questions, please send an email to run@centralmainestriders.com or reach out to Karen Gross directly.
For more information on the Riverlands 100 & Relay, put on by Trail Monster Running, visit www.riverlands100.com.
Striders Club Run at Riverlands
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The date for the club run at Riverlands has been postponed due to trail conditions. Once a new date has been selected we'll update the info.
Weather permitting Karen Gross will lead an easy, no-drop, 10-mile club run at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park for Striders members interested in joining a relay team.
The group will follow the Old River Road Trail on an out-and-back run, so runners can adjust the distance up or down to their liking. Meet at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park entrance off Center Bridge Road, Turner, Maine.
Directions: Travel Route 117 east from Turner about 2 miles, turning right at a fork just before a four-way intersection. Continue onto Center Bridge Road and proceed another 2 miles to the parking lot on right just before the Turner boat launch.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The date for the club run at Riverlands has been postponed due to trail conditions. Once a new date has been selected we'll update the info.
Weather permitting Karen Gross will lead an easy, no-drop, 10-mile club run at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park for Striders members interested in joining a relay team.
The group will follow the Old River Road Trail on an out-and-back run, so runners can adjust the distance up or down to their liking. Meet at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park entrance off Center Bridge Road, Turner, Maine.
- For more info on the club group run: Facebook event
- For more info on Riverlands 100: www.riverlands100.com
- For more info on Androscoggin Riverlands State Park, including a trail map, visit:
www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=98
Directions: Travel Route 117 east from Turner about 2 miles, turning right at a fork just before a four-way intersection. Continue onto Center Bridge Road and proceed another 2 miles to the parking lot on right just before the Turner boat launch.
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Run, walk, waddle, or race and join Central Maine Striders for an invigorating run at the 39th annual 4.5-mile January Thaw Road Race. This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, January 21, at 11 a.m. at the Belgrade Central School.
The top female and male runners will receive $50 gift certificates each from New Balance. There also will be a post-race raffle for all runners with movie passes to local movie theaters, $20 gift certificates from local businesses like the Korner Store and Deli in Oakland, and gift certificates from local lumberyards. All runners get lightweight cotton gloves.
Refreshments will be served after the race in the Belgrade Central School cafeteria and will include oranges, bananas, hot chili, dark chocolate brownies, and Poland Spring water.
In the case of severe weather, the race will be held on Sunday, January 28, instead.
Registration:
The top female and male runners will receive $50 gift certificates each from New Balance. There also will be a post-race raffle for all runners with movie passes to local movie theaters, $20 gift certificates from local businesses like the Korner Store and Deli in Oakland, and gift certificates from local lumberyards. All runners get lightweight cotton gloves.
Refreshments will be served after the race in the Belgrade Central School cafeteria and will include oranges, bananas, hot chili, dark chocolate brownies, and Poland Spring water.
In the case of severe weather, the race will be held on Sunday, January 28, instead.
Registration:
- Race fee: $10 on the day of the race (please make out checks to Central Maine Striders)
- Registration will be held at Belgrade Central School (158 Depot Road, Belgrade) starting at 9 a.m. on race day
- Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/events/693862517488903/
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The club now has a popup tent for races and other events, thanks in part to a donation from member Mark Fisher. While Mark lives in New Hampshire, he annually joins Strider friends on the Central Maine Striders team for the Mount Washington Road Race. He and his wife, Linda, also vacation often in Maine. Thank you for your generosity, Mark!
Get to know more about Mark below.
Get to know more about Mark below.
I was an athlete in high school (Avondale High in Michigan) and thought in general running was a punishment versus a joy. After graduating my first college roommate was a runner. We started running our freshman year and kept it up through our time at Western Michigan. This is where I ran my first race, The Paper Chase 5K.
For the past nearly 30 years I have lived in a number of places (Michigan, Illinois, North Caroline, Pennsylvania, and now Chichester, N.H.) and run consistently. I have completed two marathons and about a dozen halves. I've run in the capital area race series for about 10 years and have been an age group winner several times.
I joined the Striders about a decade ago at the suggestion of Ron Paquette and Dean Rasmussen because I lost any excuses about not running Mt. Washington when I made the mistake of moving there. I am now 12 years in and would not miss it for anything. Ron, Dean, and Donna Jean Pohlman are not just my running heroes but life heroes as well. The joy is in the doing and being, not the time.
Currently, I work at Sanofi Pharmaceuticals as part of the Organized Customer Group account team. I find the work challenging and rewarding and am energized in how we can help patients with our medicines.
For the past nearly 30 years I have lived in a number of places (Michigan, Illinois, North Caroline, Pennsylvania, and now Chichester, N.H.) and run consistently. I have completed two marathons and about a dozen halves. I've run in the capital area race series for about 10 years and have been an age group winner several times.
I joined the Striders about a decade ago at the suggestion of Ron Paquette and Dean Rasmussen because I lost any excuses about not running Mt. Washington when I made the mistake of moving there. I am now 12 years in and would not miss it for anything. Ron, Dean, and Donna Jean Pohlman are not just my running heroes but life heroes as well. The joy is in the doing and being, not the time.
Currently, I work at Sanofi Pharmaceuticals as part of the Organized Customer Group account team. I find the work challenging and rewarding and am energized in how we can help patients with our medicines.
- Favorite race: Mount Washington of course. But it is about the Guinness and pizza at the Shannon Door afterward. Also love the Canterbury Shaker Village 5K XC
- Favorite run: Lakefront in Chicago is tough to beat, but vacation running near Moosehead Lake is tops.
- Favorite piece of running gear: my silly iPad and podcasts ("99% invisible," "Judge John Hodgman," and "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!")
- Favorite running advice/mottos: To steal two: "Just one Hill" and " anything worth doing is worth doing poorly".
The new Striders tent at Last Man Standing Ultramarathon at Pineland Farms in September
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A big welcome and thank you to Shara Marquis, who recently was voted in as the new Central Maine Striders secretary. Get to know Shara below. You can also join club members and officers at a monthly Striders meeting, typically held at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Check the club calendar for upcoming meetings.
I was not born a runner. I wasn't on any sports teams in high school or college. Most would not consider me athletic by any stretch of the definition. About four years ago, I realized I needed to do something to get healthy and maybe lose a bit of weight. So, I ran... I ran 1/10th of a mile before stopping to walk a bit.
I started the Couch to 5K program and on day one it took me almost 20 minutes to go 1.4 miles. It was hard, harder than I thought it would be, but I kept with the program until I could run a full 5K. I ran off and on since I finished, but started to take my running more serious when I had to train for my first half marathon in 2015. It was an amazing and tiring experience!
From that point, I went on to run a number of 5Ks, a handful of 10Ks, a few half marathons, and a couple relay races. I've cut back a bit this year, but I still get out to run when I'm able. I am definitely not a race leader. I run for the fun of it, the exercise, and just to get away from the hustle and bustle of life for a while. While I don't have a date set yet, I am planning on completing a full marathon at some point.
Currently, I work at Colby College in the IT department. I've lived in Waterville a little over a year now, and I'm slowly adding new running spots to my collection. I've been a Strider for just about a year and now, as secretary, I am hoping to help increase membership and spread the word about our club as well as lend a hand wherever I can. I love to help motivate people to be the best they can be and support them at their level.
I started the Couch to 5K program and on day one it took me almost 20 minutes to go 1.4 miles. It was hard, harder than I thought it would be, but I kept with the program until I could run a full 5K. I ran off and on since I finished, but started to take my running more serious when I had to train for my first half marathon in 2015. It was an amazing and tiring experience!
From that point, I went on to run a number of 5Ks, a handful of 10Ks, a few half marathons, and a couple relay races. I've cut back a bit this year, but I still get out to run when I'm able. I am definitely not a race leader. I run for the fun of it, the exercise, and just to get away from the hustle and bustle of life for a while. While I don't have a date set yet, I am planning on completing a full marathon at some point.
Currently, I work at Colby College in the IT department. I've lived in Waterville a little over a year now, and I'm slowly adding new running spots to my collection. I've been a Strider for just about a year and now, as secretary, I am hoping to help increase membership and spread the word about our club as well as lend a hand wherever I can. I love to help motivate people to be the best they can be and support them at their level.
- Favorite race: Tough choice between Riverlands 100 (my first trail and first relay race), Down East Sunrise Trail Relay (my first overnight run), and Santa Hustle Half (love getting in the Christmas spirit)—all different, but fun, experiences.
- Favorite run: I will run pretty much anywhere, and almost always have a bag of running gear in my car.
- Favorite piece of running gear: Something simple to have, but annoying to be without...a hair elastic
- Favorite running advice/mottos: "Step, step, step" and "Suck it up, buttercup"