1997 Venice Christmas 10K / Sacramento Marathon

By Eric Barron

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Do not let anyone call TCLA wimpy. With no prodding from their coach, all eight TCLA runners at the Venice run opted for the 10K instead of the 5K. A particularly admirable decision given that the 10K started at 8:00 a.m., whereas the 5K started at the much saner hour of 9:30 a.m. (some of us like to sleep).

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Tom Dellner, running as if he had something to prove (could it be that Buckeye loss to the Wolverines?), finished in 38:21, seconds ahead of John. Personally, I think John could have taken Tom, but Tom was laughing so hard at the sight of Tom blazing by that quick acceleration was difficult. Jacinda followed about thirty seconds back, learning that a big part of the race takes place between your ears.

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Meanwhile, p.r.'s abounded. Silvia knocked minutes off her previous best and went well under 1:00:00 with a 57:58. Melinda improved her best by a few seconds with a 43:05, and Peggy turned in a 43:33 (with which she dips under a seven-minute mile average, a nice milestone). Shauna, too, p.r.'d with a 46:27. Mike's time of 39:14 left him blasé, but it is understandably hard to concentrate when you are responsible for arranging the upcoming post-Tuesday workout gathering.

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Special mention goes to Wenise, who found the 10K to be "nothing," after last weekend's Sacramento Marathon. There, in pouring rain and sporting a Hefty bag, she ran a perfectly paced race. She had previously calculated the pace necessary for a sub-3:40, and hit her mark exactly. Unfortunately, she calculated the pace based on a 26-mile race, and, as some of you may be aware, marathons tend to be 26.2 miles. Nevertheless, she came away with an excellent effort, a thirty-minute p.r., and a goal to shoot for next marathon.

Sacremento Marathon, December 6, 1997

By Eric Barron

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Extra-special mention goes to Meshelle who also ran at Sacramento. Due to the rain, she chose not to wear her heart monitor. Although this may not seem like a big deal, remember that this is someone who measures her performance by heart rate, not time. Fortunately, she had enough sense not to stop every mile to take her pulse, though she did have to stop for the bathroom, and still finished in a fantastic 3:38, thereby earning her, if she so chooses, a number at the Boston Marathon.

The Fox and the Turkey 4 Miler, Batavia, IL. 11/28/97

By Special Correspondent Bob Weiss

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Former coach Dave became the second TCLA member to experience the thrill of winning a turkey on Thanksgiving (Current coach Eric being the first). An initial lead pack of 5 runners thinned to just Dave and one other runner by the 2 mile mark. Fearing a spahgetti & beans Thanksgiving, our spendthrift founder threw in a surge that was good enough to secure the lead and the 12.8 lb. turkey, clocking 21:36.

Jet-to-Jetty 5/10k Run 1997, Playa del Rey, CA

By Eric Barron

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One can count on the Jet To Jetty 5K for two things, a fast first mile and an ugly 50/50 (cotton/poly) shirt. Something that no one seemed to expect, however, was the start of the race. Instead of the usual, "Thank you for coming. Now I'd like to introduce [name of has-been celebrity or local politician] to start the race," someone whispered, "Four, three, two, one." Which would not have been that big a deal except for the fact that your coach, standing at the starting line pumping up the troops, was almost trampled to death and stepped aside an instant before the gun went off.

Once underway, TCLA runners ran well. Although she lost first place to a punk rocker (Jacinda's words, and I think she was just jealous of the short, spiked, blond hair), Jacinda took second in 18:11. Next to cross the line (and second in his age division) was John, and then Magnet Tom several places back, though quick enough to keep him from considering early retirement. Little did he know it, but Magnet Tom's day was to get far worse when his Buckeyes succumbed to the undefeated Wolverines on a lovely, gray, Ann Arbor afternoon.

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Winning her age division in 21:11, Peggy set a p.r., as did Shauna who took second in her age division with 22:09. Jeannie also ran, though the smile on her face at the end of the race seemed to indicate she was in it more for fun than competition.

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While Peggy, John, and Jacinda jumped into the 10K for a warm-down, Melinda and Matt took it to heart. Melinda ran 43:17 (exactly seven-minute pace if you round down), and Matt finished a few minutes back. Given his short-distance background, it is quite an accomplishment to race a 10K.

Terry Fox 5/10k, Westwood, CA . Novembery 9, 1997

By Eric Barron

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A fine showing (both in numbers and performance) by TCLA at the Terry Fox 5K (or, more accurately, the Terry Fox 4.85K) and 10K runs last Sunday. It was particularly nice to see Magnet Tom, Catherine, and Riz cheering on the gang. Running wonderful times for a 5K, and even good times for whatever distance the race actually was, were Jacinda, Shelly, Clint, John, Ann, Peggy, Shanna, Dorsey and Seth (a college track friend of Eric who lives in Washington D.C. and was made an honorary member of TCLA for the race).

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When Seth heard before the race that the course had a hill around mile two, he said, "L.A. doesn't have any hills." Well, those that ran would probably disagree with him. The course is a tough one with about a 1200m hill in the middle. Nevertheless, people ran well enough to garner TCLA's second consecutive team victory in the race. Congratulations.

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Lining up for the 10K (this time, the race director got the course right), were Meshelle, Mike, Silvia, Sheri, Kim, and Ann. These brave souls ran a rather unpleasant double loop of what was the true 5K course.

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Individual highlights include a particularly strong performance from Jacinda (she thinks I refer to her race, but I mean the six miles she ran after the race), a master's victory for Peggy, Ann willingly chosing to race up that hill three times, and Shanna taking a twisted ankle in stride (pardon the pun). Yet, the overall highlight of the morning came when TCLA was able to accept its First Place award from none other than Pia Zadora, whose greatest accomplishment may be that she has managed to be considered a celebrity long after a reason ever existed (if one ever existed) for anyone to do so. On a personal note, the lowlight came when, after thinking that all I had to do was accept the award, the announcer said, "So, tell us about TCLA," and thrust the microphone in my face. I do not recall "public promotional speaking" being part of the job description when I accepted this coaching gig. Next year, let's go for a three-peat.

Dolphin Run 1997, Malibu, CA

By Eric Barron

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A typically overcast October morning on the shores of Zuma Beach provided the setting for the Dolphin 10k run. In the air was the smell of kelp and p.r.'s, and our troops rose to the occasion. With a 51- minute finish, Ann hacked off a whopping six minutes from her previous best. Just in front of her, Catherine also p.r.d. Proving that one need not be sober to turn in such a performance, Shawna, still reeling from a good time the night before, turned in a p.r., too.

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Somewhere farther ahead in the fray, Jacinda, one of our newest members, lopped at least a minute off of her previous best to finish in 37 flat. She will claim that she really crossed the line in 36:58, and that Race Central added two seconds to the final time, but I'll let you be the judge. (Okay, she's right.) Two places in the women's race ahead of Jacinda, Rebecca ran a strong 36:09. She now has incentive to get to the line of another 10k and break 36.

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Also crossing the finish line were Wenise and Tom Dellnor (a long- standing member of the club who has been absent while treating his plantar fascitis). Wenise started from way back in the pack, and spent most of the race working her way past others. Tom ran sub-7-minute pace, and we look forward to his return. 1997 Dolphin 10K Run.

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Finally, Dave, who ran in the race, but bopped back and forth between our runners, managed to be the only runner in the race who ran a 12k. Remember to say your good-byes to him today, we will probably not be so lucky as to have the movers be inept for another week.

Santa Monica 5k, October 1997

By Eric Barron

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Hundreds lined the streets to see if Coach Dave would pick up the $250 for first place and be able to afford dinner for the first month in Naperville. Unfortunately, an ex-Arkansas runner with sub-4:00 mile speed also needed some dinner money, and he finished about a minute ahead of Dave. Still, I am sure we would all be happy if we could have turned in Dave's 16:30 performance. A couple of minutes behind him, just missing breaking 6:00 pace, Shelly finished third overall for women. Clint paced her throughout, foregoing his own chance at the dinner money.

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Mike betrayed his true speed by running ahead of Tom for most of the race. We will now expect to see Mike giving Tom hell in the workouts as well. Dorsey put in an excellent effort by running a faster second mile than first, and holding on without falling apart from the effort. Such effort will pay off. Quietly sneaking in to the finish line, Ann and Sylvia rounded out the troops. Post-race activities included recruiting and eating (not necessarily in order of importance).

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Lake Perris Triathlon: Passing on a sure $250 for the 5k, Rebecca chose instead to run 8k in 100 degree heat in the desert preceded by a 1k swim and 30k bike ride. I know, you are thinking she must be crazy, but she must have known something because she won the damn thing. Her first woman's win at a U.S. triathlon did not come easy. She had to really bear down during the run, both mentally and physically. Respect her, emulate her, just don't swing your arms as wide as she does.

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Portland Marathon: Not one to shirk tough work either, Peggy lined up for 26.2 miles Sunday, and finished with a p.r. of 3 hours, 43 minutes, and change. Details were unavailable as of press time, but our hats go off to her.

Record of 1997 Races

By Eric Barron

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• Gertrude Cox Scholarship 5k, Anaheim: David Afshartous, first place, 16:15, August 12, 1997
• Pasadena OTF 10K: Rebecca Werneck, first place woman overall, 37:41, Jun 14,'97
• Rice Open Track Meet: Kevin Scannell, first place men's triple jump, 13.87m, Jun 13, '97.
• Powder House Pub 4 Mile Road Race, Somerville, MA: Dermot Fitzpatrick, first place overall, 20:06, Jun 8, '97.
• Brentwood 5K: Peggy Enriquez, first place, women's 45-49 age division, May '97.
• Reebok VO2 MAX Distance Classic: Rebecca Werneck, 17:41.5 women's open 5k, May '97.
• 2nd Co-ed Team, Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon, Apr'97 (Peggy Enriquez, Jeannie Rothman, Rebecca Werneck, Tom Delner, Miguel Rodriguez)
• Las Vegas Marathon: Dermot Fitzpatrick, 2:35 marathon, Feb'97
• Irvine Half-Marathon: Dave Afshartous, 1:13:22, Jan'97
• 1st Co-ed Team, John Wayne Cancer Institute Terry Fox 5k, Sep'96 (Eric Barron, Peter Kelly, Dave Afshartous, Rebecca Werneck, Dorsey Dobry)