Weekly Group Runs

I just wanted to post that all of these group runs are still meeting regularly in 2013.

• Tuesdays 8:15 PM - Oberlin bike path - we meet at the Oberlin McDonalds for a 4.5 mile run. There is a core group of 5 that meets, year-round, rain or shine.  Winter pace is around 8:30-9:00 per mile. In the summer our numbers grow to 10-12 or more. The faster runners may run around 7:30 or faster, others paces vary up to 9 or 10 minutes per mile.

• Weekend long runs are a staple but are inconsistent, different people, different places each week.  Show up on Tuesday night and you may find a running partner for Saturday or Sunday.

• Sunday 7:00 AM - LCCC - the long-time LOCO (Lorain County ROadrunners) group meets every Sunday.  I personally am new to this group but there were several small groups running 4 to 11 miles at various paces.  Park by the tennis courts.

Here is a picture of our group from July 2001.  Most of these are summer-only types and several have moved on but Greg, Keith, and myself are still regulars year-round.

Why run with a group?  Here is a video I found from years and years ago that describes some of the many benefits of training with other runners.

Cleveland Marathon

Our Tuesday night group had a strong showing at the 2011 Cleveland Marathon.

Veteran marathoner Greg Landis finished his 39th marathon.  High-schooler Michael Ogle ran 3:55:44 for his marathon debut.  Kyle Harding ran his first marathon in 3:43.  Randy Crowder paced a friend, finishing in 3:32.  And Kevin Landis ran a PR time of 3:08.

Luke Landis ran the half-marathon, winning the 15-and-under age group by 11 minutes in 1:27.  Randy's wife Michelle also completed the half, running with a friend.

XtraNormal Running Videos

If you are a runner, or know a runner, and you haven't seen these xtranormal videos, you don't know what you are missing!

I Am A Runner

I Am An Ultra Runner

I Am A Barefoot Runner

I Am A Winter Warrior

Ted Talks - Christopher McDougall

"Landis Loonies" Marathon

New Years Day 2011 was the date of the first ever "Landis Loonies" marathon.  This run was the brainchild of Eric Ebinger, who then wussed out and went to some football game in Florida.

Keith Landis mapped out the 6.55 mile loop which basically circled New London, from the school to the bypass, past the Marathon station, out to Euclid Road and back in through the Recreation Park.

The weather forecast called for low 40's and rain all morning, and it was absolutely correct.  The photo on the right shows several runners making a mad dash for the aid tent during one particularly intense downpour.

The fastest runner was Randy Crowder in 3:34:30.  Right behind him was Dan Horvath.  Local high school runner Joey Curtis was 3rd.  Ladd Clifford edged out race organizer Kevin Landis, the final finisher in 4:04:14.

6 other runners ran part of the course, most of whom came for the cameraderie, never intending to run the full marathon.

Plans are underway for a bigger event next year.

Rails To Trails

Our running group meets Tuesday nights at 8:15 PM at the North Coast Inland Trail in Oberlin.  This is a great place to run at night as it is flat and straight (being an old railroad track) and it doesn't take much light to be able to navigate the path.

Other communities are also developing Rails To Trails.  In Huron County, several sections of the Firelands Rails To Trails are complete.  I have run on the section from Norwalk to Monroeville, about 3 miles long.

Also in my hometown of New London, Ohio, there is a movement underway to develop a Rails To Trails path to neighboring Greenwich!

In August I had occasion to travel to Bowling Green for my son's soccer tournament.  It was long-run weekend for me so in between games I made my way to the Slippery Elm Trail.  Another straight and flat paved path, this one even has water fountains at a few access points along the way.

Please use these trails and support their development!

2010 New London Firelands 5k Race Results

Here are the results, as posted on Active.com.

Race Results

7/17/10 Gary Jordan Wellington Cheese Festival 5k & 10k