GERMAN VILLAGE WALKING CLUB

USATF Track Meet Cleveland 3000M 

June 18, 2016

by Cindy Wildman

 

Joyce and I took part with our track club in a USATF track meet this morning. We both placed 1st in age group for 3000 meter race walk. It was very hot but totally awesome to participate with our track club. My goals just keep happening for me. Life just keeps getting better, one step at a time.

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Ohio Senior Olympics 1500M and 5000M 

June 11, 2016

by Karen Edwards

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I placed first in my age group and 2nd overall in the 1500 meter and third overall in the 5000 meter. There were 15 people listed as participating. Neil, Cindy and Dave Ridenour all qualified too.

 

This was my first judged racewalk and it was a lot harder than I anticipated. The judges were tough (one of them was Donna Graham) and people in both the men's and women's races were DQ'd. There wasn't a race where someone wasn't DQ'd. I think it was partly because of the heat. It was so hard to hold form. The judges were crouching down watching for form. I am used to racing with music and there was no music allowed during the races as I use it to help pace me. You are on a track and I am not used to walking on a track.  The curves are hard on a track in racewalking form. The 5000 meters had 25 curves! My first race was at 10:00 a.m. and it was hot, but my second one was at 1:00 p.m. in 92 degree heat! It was hot! Anyway I am glad to be done and glad to have qualified! I am excited and will be going to Birmingham next year!

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Bountiful  Gifts 10K 

June 4, 2016

by Otto Beatty

 

Inspired by the stories, encouragement and energy of my fellow German Village Walking Club members, I participated in my first 10k walking race at the Massillon Ohio.  My number one cheerleader and spouse traveled with me to cheer me on, or maybe more so to make sure I woke up on time.   I also found that the walking community is friendly, welcoming and proud.  We met several people at the hotel breakfast room who travelled from different parts of Ohio and the region.  It was also great to see a few familiar faces from Columbus – Cindy, Priscilla, Linda, and Karin who provided me with last minute tips and calmed my nerves.   Despite the small number of walkers and several glitches at this inaugural race, the experience was fulfilling and satisfying.  

 

My GVWC Saturdays prepared me well for the race – when I pushing through during the last leg of the race– I thought to myself “Walking a dirt towpath is nothing because I come from the land of Uneven Brick Streets! – Finish Strong!”

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Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon 

May 1, 2016

by Jim Matysiak

 

Before departing for a conference on Monday, I ventured over to Cincinnati to participate in the Flying Pig Half Marathon. My time 2:43. I am really happy because my Fall 2015 Columbus Half Marathon time was 2:47 and the Cincy course had a topography much more challenging with the hills. I saw a lot of race walkers participating in both the Full and Half races. Lastly, there was no rain after the gun went off and although humidity was elevated, MANY volunteers were on the race course with ample water and treats for the participants. I thought we would have pulled pork at the finish! Nope! Skyline Chili Dogs were a delicious way to replenish. I usually do the Pittsburgh race this same weekend ever year, but I'm thrilled to have been "oinked for life ".  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt Fork Spring 10.4 Miler Challenge

April 30, 2016

by Karen Edwards

 

Yeah, this was a really hard race! This was harder than the Great Wall of China Marathon and the Disney Dopey (5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon on consecutive days).  Although, it did not help that I had done no hill work at all! But regardless, I spoke with a couple of people who had completed this race before and they said it is a hard course. Out of the 10.4 miles only 1.2 is paved. The rest of it is on trail with a little bit on grass. It is also all hills and these are steep hills! We do not have anything like this in our area of Ohio. The website said 11 hills and I will agree with that statement except that I would add 11 BIG hills and the rest are smaller rolling hills. Take a look at the elevation on the website as that gives you an idea of what it is like.

 

There were tree roots sticking up along the paths and rocks everywhere there was also several trees that had fallen over that you had to climb over in order to continue. The course also had three streams that you have to cross (and they are about 3 feet wide) so unless you are a long jumper you are wading through them. With all of the rain recently left mud everywhere! In fact, as announcements were made at the start of the race they gave everyone another 1/2 hour to complete because the mud was so bad. I threw away my socks and shoes as they were covered with mud and completely soaked. Fortunately I did wear my oldest shoes knowing they would more than likely get trashed. The only problem with this was the fact that they were old... so old... that by mile 8 my feet were killing me because there wasn't enough support left in the shoes. I would definitely do this race again... but I would train for hills next time. They run this race in the Fall too but it goes in the opposite direction and that direction is supposedly easier. There are no port-o-potties on the trail as there is no way to get them into the woods. There is one area where you can go to the bathroom and that is at mile 5, which is the one mile that is on pavement. The is also a water stop at mile 5. If you need more water than that you are on your own. There are plenty of park rangers on horses so if you need to drop out you will be brought back to the lodge on horseback. That is the only way out of the hills/woods as no car could ever get up there.

 

This is definitely a trail run and a heck of a challenge! I made it but by mile 5 I thought I had made a horrible mistake. Unfortunately I am no quitter... and the trail wasn't going to get the best of me! As I said, I will do this again except that I will train (as best I can) for the hills. It made for a nice weekend. The lodge has an indoor pool with a hot tub, game room and good dining etc... so it's not too expensive. But if you didn't want to stay the race doesn't start until 9:30 a.m. (because it is still too dark in the woods) so you could get up and drive down for the day. Anyway.... that is my story! It is a challenge... even trained really well it would be a challenge as there was so much climbing on trail. I climbed alot with the China race.... but it wasn't trail.