CVR Birthdays – Jan 13 – 26
| Happy Birthday to: Sal Acosta, William Acosta, Matt Caldwell, Jim Flint, Anna Milkowski (new age group!), Bob Murphy, Tom Shanley, Emily LeVan, Kim Williams (new age group!), and Eric Jordan! |
| Hello from Montpelier, I hope everyone is doing great as the new year has dawned, lots of snow so far that I’m hopeful will continue as the days are slowly becoming noticeably lighter, longer (though definitely keep those headlamps and reflective gear handy as there are boundless opportunities of late to run in the dark – see below for updates on the January unofficial fun runs and the upcoming Glow Run in Montpelier next week). Also in this chock-full note, a new book review by Dot Helling, updates on the planned program for our annual dinner (coming up soon, February 6th!!), and more. And, note that the final 2024 Race Series Standings are now up on the website! Hope to see many out on the roads and at the dinner! Happy (winter) running, Heather |
Upcoming Races and Club Volunteer Needs
- Millstone Madness Snowshoe Race – February 8! The steady snow we’ve been getting lately and no signs of thaws in sight (I hope I didn’t jinx anything by saying so), the annual Millstone Madness Snowshoe Race is coming up in less than a month (and only two days after our annual dinner – see below). Registration is now open, and if you’d also like to volunteer, reach out to Jackie or sign up on the website.
What’s on deck:
(More info on the 2025 CVR/ORO Race Series, and a poster is in the works from ORO so will share that in the coming weeks!)
- Shamrock Shuffle – March 15. This race, organized by the Upper Valley Run Club, is part of the CVR/ORO Race Series so if you’re chasing status in the series for 2025, this is a great race to help stack up some points early in the season.
- Kaynor’s Sap Run – April 6. This race is also part of the CVR/ORO Race Series again this year, the Green Mountain Athletic Association (GMAA) puts this one on and is a popular race for CVR members to get the lead out before our bigger spring race (Paul Mailman) sets off a few weeks later.
- Paul Mailman 10-miler and 5K – April 19th. Get ready for the 50th Anniversary Paul Mailman race! More information to be shared closer to the date but now is a great time to start training.
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CVR cannot put on races without volunteer support, and your help is always needed. Please volunteer now to help the race directors fill necessary jobs and plan for full race day support. Volunteer now online using the Volunteer link on the CVR website homepage at https://cvrunners.org OR by email to the race directors above.
Save the Date – Annual Club Dinner, February 6!
The annual club banquet is coming up quickly on February 6, 2025 (5-8pm) at the Capital Plaza right in central Montpelier! We encourage all members who plan to attend to fill out this RSVP form by January 31, 2025. Currently the tentative program is as follows:
- Arrival/Meet & Greet Social Hour – 5-6pm
- Dinner – 6-7pm
- Awards and Program – 7-8pm
We look forward to seeing many members then! Reminder that anyone who volunteered at least once in 2024 gets into the event for free, but if you did not volunteer or are bringing a spouse or family member who also didn’t volunteer that you have to bear the cost of the meal ($60 with tax/gratuity included). Please reach out if you’re unsure of your volunteer status!
Winter Group Runs – Host Needed for Jan 18!
Winter Group Runs (WGRs) have begun! A snowy Saturday attracted a sizeable group for a turn around Calais with host Mark Howard – nice work all! We are still looking for a potential host for this Saturday (January 18th), so reach out to Katie if you’ve got an idea (see below). If you’d like to join for this run, please sign up in this Google sheet which will have more details about the meet up as details come together.
About WGRs
These social group runs rotate locations throughout central Vermont on Saturdays from December through early April. A few distance options are offered for each WGR, and walkers are always welcome. We most frequently meet near coffee shops to enjoy a treat and each other’s company after the run. To make these events diverse and interesting, we call on the knowledge of our club to pick locations and routes, and any CVR member is welcome to volunteer to host a WGR. “Hosting” doesn’t have to mean inviting everyone to your home, though that is an option and always a lovely time for those who are open to doing that. If you’re interested in hosting or simply want to share an idea for a WGR, please reach out directly to Katie Hulbert at kagirmus@gmail.com.
Receive more information about WGRs
Additional communications about the WGR schedule and a weekly email for each Saturday’s plan will be sent out to those on the WGR distribution list. If you would like to opt in or out of these emails, please send a note to Donna Smyers at dosmyers@gmail.com.
Unofficial Tuesday Night Fun Runs – January at the Bear Naked Growler
From Darrel: As 2025 kicks off, there are a few die-hard runners that like to get out and get some mileage in, no matter what the weather. For the month of January, a few of us are going to continue meeting on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm in front of the Bear Naked Growler (186 River St, Montpelier, VT 05602) to go for a fun run or walk. The bike path is usually plowed, salted, and mostly lit with street lights making it a little safer than running on the roads. Another option is to go out the more secluded Old Country Club Road for a peaceful trip along the river. Head lamp and reflective vest are recommended. Some people will walk a mile or two, just to keep the legs going, others will run 3, 4, or 6 miles (or more) to keep in shape for the spring races. After the run, the group can go into the Bear Naked Growler to warm up, socialize and have a drink (both non-alcohol or a large selection of craft beers). Everyone is welcome (not just CVR Members). Bring a friend or non-running spouse. It is a good place to hang out while you are waiting for the long running buddy.
Annual Glow Run – January 22 in Montpelier
Purpose: A fun run hosted by the Montpelier Complete Streets Committee to raise public awareness of pedestrians after dark and the importance of being bright at night, particularly during the winter months. Runners should come dressed in their brightest season-appropriate running attire, including headlamps, flashing vests, reflective strips, and any other highly visible festoons.
Time: Wednesday, January 22, 6:00pm start
Location: Meet in front of Onion River Outdoors, at the corner of E. State St. and Main St. in downtown Montpelier.
Route: 4 miles (375’ of uphill) touring Montpelier’s downtown, quaint neighborhoods, seven lit bridges, and the Statehouse. The planned route on Strava can be found here.
Pace: Group pace(s) will be determined by the turnout – we may break into quicker/slower groups if we have enough turnout to warrant splitting up.
Contact: Please RSVP Scott Richardson at richardson.76@gmail.com with your intent to attend and your approximate conversational pace or with any questions.
CVR Running Book Club – Review!
Anne hosts the Bill Mares Memorial Running Book Library, loaning books to club members and other interested readers. Email her (ac98@cornell.edu) for the list. Readers are welcome to submit brief running book reviews for occasional inclusion in this newsletter.
Mini Book Review
BETTER FASTER FARTHER, How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women,” by Maggie Mertens (2024)
Quoting Kara Goucher – “A look behind the curtain that all women who love running and sport should read.”
This book tracks historical obstacles to women’s acceptance into running. It debunks long-standing myths like the proposition that running may result in your uterus falling out or that running while pregnant would kill your fetus. It includes behind the scenes stories of problems faced by talented runners like Mary Decker. It identifies barriers and diagnoses which have impacted the ability of gifted female runners to succeed in sports and in their personal lives. Examples include: the Female Athlete Triad which can be fatal (disordered eating, amenorrhea and osteoporosis), Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (Red-S), mosaicism (the biological complexity of determining sex), and sex testing including genetic mutation and the search for “masquerading males.” These concepts and realities are mind-boggling.
Although the book is often scientific, it is interspersed with fascinating and revealing stories and experiences of record-setting women runners like Decker, Mary Cain, Annet Negesa, Mia Brahe-Pedersen and Kara Goucher, to name a few. Some of these women were relatively unknown due to the challenges to their female identities and treatment and training methods. You will read about unhealthy coaching highlighted by the training regimens and expectations of Boston Marathon winner Alberto Salazar, and particularly a long-standing fixation on weight. It is shocking to read what female athletes have been put through and to learn about surgeries conducted on them for diagnosed conditions like gonadectomy. Mertens discusses the continuing fears of competitive female runners not being “real women” especially when they beat men. Unlike men, women have and continue to be subjected to random testing and treatment, as well as a myriad of questions when they appear strong and powerful as opposed to sinewy and graceful. Alas, as Mertens writes, current fears continue around losing the distinction between genders, and the policing of gender deviance.
The book ends with the heart-warming story of British Fell Running Champion, Jasmin Paris. In 2019 Paris was a new mother who won the 268-mile Spine Race on the Pennine Way in England in 83 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds. Paris won overall, finishing 15 hours ahead of the previous 3-time male winner and smashing the course record by 12 hours. At race checkpoints she pumped breast milk. Paris was and is a testament to the continuing accomplishments of women in fell-racing and ultrarunning. As Mertens’ book cover notes, “For women runners, the race has just begun.”
—Dot Helling
| Reminder about Committee Openings As a note, there is a general call for committee members for a few issues, please reach out to me (by replying directly to this email) if you’re interested in joining any of the below!Award Nominations Committee – last minute call for one more person to work with Donna and Tim on nominations for the annual Spirit of the Club award and the David Ellerson Award. Reach out to either Donna or Tim to express interest.Club Anniversary Event Planning Committee – 2025 marks the 45th birthday of CVR – Merill and Donna are heading this up – won’t you join them? The idea here is to come up with some ideas for how to celebrate the club’s anniversary, whether with one event next year or possibly several. If you want to shape what this looks like, join this committee! |
| CVR Special Edition – Did You Miss It? So far we’ve had quite a few great stories come our way that we’ve put out in these special editions. We hope you have been enjoying them! Do you also want to tell your story or share a profile you’d like to have featured? Please reach out and send details to Heather. You could be our next special edition! Stories could cover anything running or club related, such as: Club history – how races started or stories from past decades of members’ accomplishmentsYour achievements – did you tackle your first marathon? Your 15th? Your first 10k? Race stories are inspiring, whether you triumphed, set a personal record, or did not finish but learned a lesson. Tell your fellow members about it!Personal history – how did you get into the sport of running?Other ideas!All stories welcome – pitch me or just send something along with a picture or two to go with! Deadline is rolling! |
| News, Races, and Updates from around the Region Calling all Runners – Survey inputs needed! A few Dartmouth students are working on a startup and want your inputs to contribute to their research on how runners purchase, use, and assess the condition of their shoes. The anonymous, 3-minute survey can be accessed here. FOR SALE For sale: Runner’s World Training Journal for Beginners: 52 Weeks of Motivation, Training Tips, Nutrition Advice, and Much More for Runners Who Are Just Starting Out. Like-new condition, 100% unused. https://www.amazon.com/Runners-World-Training-Journal-Beginners/dp/1609615395/ $10. Contact Graham Sherriff at graham.a.sherriff@outlook.com 10% off Opened in October 2022 in Waitsfield Vermont The Mad Rover carries lifestyle and outdoor apparel for all seasons. We carry STIO, KUHL, PRANA, JETTY and FAIR HARBOR to name a few. We stock backpacks and bags, Sunglasses, Jewelry, Socks, Hats and Hydration vessels of all sizes. All CVR members get 10% off. Owner Steve Kenny has been an avid runner for 20 years. |
| Club Needs, Opportunities, and Reminders Quarterly Newsletter Support – Now “Special Editions” Rather than publish a newsletter, we will plan to send out the periodic “special editions” – see above for a call for stories! Membership Renewal – Reminder Stan is sending out a reminder to folks about renewing. Renew so you can continue to receive these amazing newsletters! It takes less than 5 minutes. Check your status! There’s a link to RunReg at https://cvrunners.org/join-cvr (“JOIN CVR”). This page also has a printable form for those who prefer to mail their renewal. Renewing with a multi-year membership means fewer year-end renewals for you and less administration for the club. CVR Equipment Use Anyone wanting to use equipment send Sal (and cc myself) a request that includes 1) Date equipment to be removed from the shed, 2) Itemized list of equipment being removed; including quantities, 3) Date equipment will be returned to the shed. Please send Sal (and cc the club president) and email to let us know when the equipment has been returned.Race Series – 2025Stay tuned for a new poster in the new year! We agreed on some new rules for the next year so check out the Race Series site for more details. Link above. |
| Current Club Membership Benefits:Don’t forget that you get many benefits to being a member!Meet, run with, and socialize with other area runners of all abilities.Keep up-to-date on area running races and events.Receive a regular newsletter with race results and club news.Be eligible for the Central Vermont Runners/Onion River Outdoors Race Series.Join a club that’s part of the Road Runners Club of America organization. RRCA is invaluable for insuring CVR races.Become eligible for discounts at these area businesses:Onion River Outdoors – 15% off all running gear, including running shoes, running apparel and socks, reflective gear, run vests, etc. Special orders of Hoka and Altra running shoes included.Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel — 10% off running shoes.Ski Rack — 15% off running shoes and running apparel.Mountain Valley Lotus Massage Therapy — 15% off massages |
| Club Info:Elected Officers President – Heather Tomlins Vice President – Tim Noonan Finance – John Valentine Secretary – Cheryl Lasell At Large Executive Committee: Anne Treadwell & Dot Helling John Hackney: website and timing Donna Smyers: timing Sal Acosta: Equipment tracking/storage Stan Brinkerhoff: club membership tracking Jackie Jancaitis: Race director support TBD: Winter Group Run organization Mark Howard: Summer Trail Runs organization Jeff Prescott: MailChimp Administrator Ann Bushey: Youth Running Program Grants Joe Merrill: Race Series Tracking and Awards Dinner MC Darrel Lasell and Jim Flint: CVR Facebook page managers |
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