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(Please note that november track workouts are now posted on the Track Workout page, in the "Blog" portion.)

Members and Guests:

It may seem like the Olympic trials are the end of the world, but the most important thing is the people we impact and the God we serve.

-- Sara Hall, November 3, 2007

1. Ryan Shay, In Memoriam: No one in the running community can be untouched by the events of this past weekend in New York City. A day of glory for American long distance running turned to tragedy in the instant it took an elite and much-beloved athlete to collapse from full stride to silent stillness.

Few of us may have heard of Ryan Shay, or may vaguely remember him as the cornerstone of powerhouse Notre Dame cross-country squads at the turn of the decade. He was not favored to earn a place in the marathon at Beijing, but he was a favorite among the running cognoscenti, and certainly among his competitors. The irony of Trials champion Ryan Hall's wife serving as a bridesmaid just months ago at the wedding of Ryan Shay and Alicia Craig is almost devastating -- until we ponder Sara Hall's own words, repeated above. In an age and time when there is so much to be cynical about in the world of elite athletics and sport, the bonds of commitment and love, not to mention the wisdom, demonstrated by these young people should inspire us.

And let us not forget the glory of this day. Ryan Hall's performance -- striding in at just over 2:09, with a sub-1:03 back half of the race -- was simply ridiculous. Dathan Ritzenheim, sometimes lost in the shadow of his high school rival Alan Webb, ran a near-perfect race to grab second. And Brian Sell surged past some of the established elite of American distance running to nail the final spot. Fittingly, Ritzenheim and Sell both hail from Michigan, where the late Ryan Shay was a four-time state champion.

Ryan Shay leaves behind not only his beloved bride -- who will compete in the Olympic Trials next June in Eugene, but a large and loving family completely dedicated to our sport. Ryan's high school coach was his father; his mother also is a coach, and all eight of the Shay children are runners. One now trains, we can trust, on soft trails and verdant pastures.

Much more at:

www.letsrun.com

2. Marathon Day: It's still a bit early to list DCRRC finishers in the NYC Marathon. We hope to hear from them soon; running on Sunday must have been an experience. Paula Radcliffe further demonstrated what many of have expected: that motherhood can be a boon to long-distance success. The inevitable book that emerges about her unique training regimen in the 18 months preceding her triumph on Sunday will teach us a lot about effective cross-training, among other subjects.

3. Winter Training Programs: Our training programs will continue this winter. In addition to the 10K traiinng program that traditionally starts in February, our Club will likely offer programs designed to prepare runners specifically for the National Marathon and National Half-Marathon - which will include preparation for our own GW Birthday Marathon or the GWB Marathon Relay. Details will be announced shortly -- we will be asking for coaches, and the programs would start in December. Please consider whether you would like to help the Club, and the area running community, in this fashion.

4. 2008 Proposed Race Schedule: Our proposed race schedule for 2008 is now posted (see left). No major changes from 2007: the Belle Haven 8K will return to Belle Haven from its tryout year at Fort Hunt. Also, there will be a year-long "Club Championship Series." Schedule will be voted on at the November 12 Board Meeting, schedule for 7:00 pm at the Silver Diner in Clarendon. Priority at the meeting will be given to comments and suggestions that are presented by email to the Club President prior to the meeting. I will collect those proposals and comments and post them before the Nov. 12 meeting in this space. The purpose of the meeting is not to have an unscripted and open-ended discussion of our race schedule. However, all specific and general comments made prior to the meeting will be posted here, and there will be time to discuss them at the meeting.

Finally, while this is not reflected in the posted schedule, there already has been a suggestion to move the Belle Haven 25K to avoid a weekend conflict with the RRCA Club Challenge 10-Miler the following day. That proposal will be taken up at the meeting on November 12.

5. Turkey Trot 5-Miler, November 22nd, Alexandria, VA: Please join us for the Club's biggest race of the year on Thanksgiving morning, starting at 10 AM.
Register online, at a $5 discount, through midnight November 19th at www.pwba.org/events . Please note the following reminders: NO HEADPHONES PERMITTED. Baby-joggers and strollers are strongly discouraged, and participants with such devices may be asked to start at the back of the pack. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: This is our biggest and most complicated finish line of the year. PLEASE help if you can! All participants are asked to bring canned goods to support the food bank operated by ALIVE!

6. Plans for 2008: While our race calendar slows a bit in October and November, the work of the Club goes on -- in this case, preparing for an exciting 2008 racing and training year. Here's a few highlights:

a. Race Directors Needed: Directors are needed for the following events:

(i) Belle Haven 25K, typically run in late February. After many years at the helm, John Haubert is stepping aside to a consultant's role. The race is a challenging one for the runners, and John has figured out over the years what makes it work. Please let me know if you can step up to take charge of this event.

(ii) Fort Hunt 10K, March 2008. Fairly easy race to direct, with criterion course requiring just one water stop. Good opportunity for someone who wants to break into race directing!

(iii) Bunion Derby #1: WDF 5K and RATW 5K. Early June. These "split races," the firts one being part of the are Women's Distance Festival, kick off the Bunion Derby. Also a relatively easy race to direct; out and back course mostly on W&OD Trail.

b. Club Championship Series: We will add a new series, consisting of all races in calendar 2008 that are designated as Club Championships. This entails all distances from 1-Mile (Track, late July) to the Marathon (Greenbelt, in February). In between: 5K, 4-Mile, 10K, 12K, 15K, 10-Mile, 20K, 25K, 20-Mile. Prizes will be good! 5-year age groups. Look for further news.

c. National Marathon, March 29, 2008 -- New Partnership: After serving as a "cooperating club" at the 2007 running of the National Marathon, DCRRC will step up its role and its involvement for the 2008 race. Details will be announced in this space as soon as they are available. PLEASE enter early for the race (Marathon or Half) if you plan to run, and PLEASE designate that you are a member of DCRRC on your entry form.

7. More Upcoming Events:

December 1st: Gar Williams Belle Haven Half Marathon. Contact RD Gene Fox or the club president if you can volunteer. Many street crossings, and 2 water stops, so we need the help.

December 9th: Bread Run: Contact RD Bob Thurston at thurret@aol. com if you can help.

January 5, 2008: Al Lewis 10-Miler and Club Championship. RD Aaron Cheskis will need help with street crossings and a water stop. Please help if oyu can. aaron.cheskis@gmail.com

January 19, 2008: MLK/JFK 5K/20K: The MLK 5K is an official qualifying event for the National Half-Marathon. Race will be run on the Capital Crescent Trail, starting in Georgetown.

February 2008: 10K Training Program: Anyone interested in directing/coaching in this program should contact the Club President as soon as possible.

February 17, 2008: 47th Annual George Washington Birthday Marathon and 3-Person Marathon Relay. Please join for this marathon, one of the oldest continually held marathons in the country, if not the world. And you do not have to run 26 miles to do it! Form your teams now and set your goal. Volunteers always needed for this event. Please contact RD Pat Brown at 703-476-5765.

Run inspired!

Ed