News

The Florida Track Club is very excited to bring our members and the entire Gainesville Running an excellent opportunity to train in a supportive group and qualified coaches!

Here is some more info about the program:

Who can sign up?

Any runner can sign up.  All ages and abilities.  Everyone is welcome.  You do not need to be an FTC member (although this is HIGHLY encouraged!).  This program is for the entire running community.

What are the dates of the program?

The first practice will take place on August 7 (Sunday) and the final meeting will be at the Tom Walker Memorial Race Weekend on November 5^th.

Do I need to compete in either of the races to be coached?

You do not need to race (although this is also strongly encouraged!).  The beginner program will get you ready for the 5k, while a more advanced program will be tailored to get you ready to race the half-marathon.

What is the cost and what does it cover?

The cost for the program is $100.  This is the same for both the 5k as well as the half-marathon program.  The 5k program will also cover your entry fee to the Tom Walker 5k race.  The $100 will provide you with 3 sessions of face- to-face high quality coaching each week for three months.  It’s a great deal!!!

How “beginner” is the 5k program?

This program was designed by our partners at OSMI (Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute) to take folks who have either never run seriously before OR who are recovering from a lengthy/serious injury.  The program starts with walking and builds to getting you ready to complete a 5k.  The emphasis is on building strength, stamina, and speed in a healthy and progressive way. 

How “advanced” is the half-marathon program? 

This program will be tailored to your half-marathon goals.  Both coaches are highly accomplished at both running and coaching runners at longer distances and can adapt training plans to fit your needs.

What if I cannot make all the practices?

You can choose your level of commitment to the program.  Obviously, the more you show up, the greater the likelihood you will see results, but you certainly won’t be penalized for missing practices if conflicts arise.  Unfortunately, we cannot pro-rate the program.  There is one set fee.

How can I sign up?

Visit the Florida Track Club website and fill out the form at the bottom of the page at http://floridatrackclub.org/Blog/4135387

Send completed form to Eddie and Enoch at: thefloridatrackclub@gmail.com

Can I come to a practice to see if the program seems like a good fit for me?

Yes, you can try out the first practice! But first, fill out the sign up form and sign the release waiver for insurance purposes.  Come to the first meeting on August 7^th at 7:30AM and see how great it is to have a workout group and coaches!

FTC Coaches Eddie and Enoch!

The Florida Track Club is excited to announce that it has entered into a partnership with the University of Florida’s Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) to provide personalized coaching. For the inaugural season a “Couch to 5k” and a Half Marathon program will be offered. The programs will both start on August 1^st and run through November 5^th. This year in conjunction with the training program we will be adding a 5k to the Tom Walker Half Marathon weekend.  Participation in the 5k training program includes entry to the Tom Walker 5k (a $25 value).

While the 5k program is primarily structured for beginning runners, the half marathon program will aid runners of all abilities in training for a fall half marathon.  The Track club is bringing in two coaches to run the program: Eddie Garcia and Enoch Nadler.

Enoch is a 2009 graduate of the University of Florida and was the UF Cross Country Team Captain. Enoch has coached a variety of age groups from middle school to adults. He qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials and holds a PR of 1:03:55 in the Half Marathon. Enoch is looking forward to assisting runners reach their goals.

Eddie won the SEC Conference title in the 10,000 Meter with a time of 29:49.92 in 2015. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida Eddie stumbled upon running and found his passion. With a successful collegiate career behind him Eddie has volunteered with Youth Combine, and now hopes to help a variety of runners reach their goals. 

Schedule for FTC Coaching Program:

First practice: Sunday, August 7th at 7:30AM at San Felasco Park (both 5kers and Half-Marathoners)

Couch to 5k Program: Tuesdays 6:30PM @ OSMI

Half-Marathon Program: Tuesdays 6:15AM @ UF Track

Both! :  Thursdays 6:30PM @ OSMI, Sundays 7:30AM @ San Felasco State Park  

Cost: $100 for 3 mos of coaching! (can pay through PayPal or by check)

If interested in participating, please read and fill out the following:

Florida Track Club Coaching Program Participant Sign Up.docx

Send completed form and direct any questions about the program to thefloridatrackclub@gmail.com

This Monday morning the Florida Track Club held its 38th Annual 3 mile Melon Run.  We had 336 official finishers and several dozen kids run in the Fun Run. Results of the Melon Run can be found at:

http://georesults.racemine.com/Start-2-Finish-Race-Management/events/2016/2016-37th-Annual-Melon-Run-3-Miler-/results

A big thank you to the follow people for helping to make this event such a success:

*Runners!!!! It may seem obvious, but without such great a running community, we couldn't put on such high quality races!

*City of Gainesville for granting us the permits and the folks at Westside Park and the Spurgeon Pool staff for open up their facilities for us to use.

*The Melon Run race Committee and the Board of Directors of the Florida Track Club, especially Race Director Mike Carrillo, FTC President Elizabeth Hanselman, Kathy Benton, Matt Carrillo, Richard Garand, Anne Elise Creamer, for all of their help organizing the event as well as volunteering on race morning.

*Jonathan Rembert and Start2Finish Race Management for his timing services as well as The Rembert Family for use of their large function room at Rembert Farms which housed our 200 watermelons in a cool space prior to the race. Also Ken Rembert, owner of The Bagel Bakery for their donation of bagels for post race refreshment.

*Heather Martin for designing another beautiful race tshirt! (She also created last years' Melon Run as well as Tom Walker Half-Marathon, and our 50th Anniversary tshirts).

*Martin Costello and Stephanie McGrail for being our lead bicycles.

*Race day volunteers: Vicky Andrada, Shellie Berkelhammer, the Veltcheva family, Lisa Atkinson, Karen Chamusco, Linda Bloom, Dylan Lennon, FTC Coaches Eddie Garcia and Enoch Nadler

*Our race photographer for her beautiful photos of runners: Cathy Bester.

*National Anthem soloist Ericka Brockish.

*Spectators!  Thanks to our family and friends for your support!

Link to sign up for the Melon Run!

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Gainesville/37thAnnualMelonRun

See you on the 4th!

The Melon Run is fast approaching! Remember to sign up and stay around for the awards ceremony.  We give out melons three-deep in each age group!  Here's a great way to share this refreshing summer fruit:

Red, White, and Bleu Salad

Serves ~10 "regular" people or ~7 hungry runner-type people

1 Watermelon (hopefully brought home from the FTC's 38th Annual Melon Run)

1 sweet vidalia onion

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of cherry/grape tomatoes

1 cup of red grapes

1 container of bleu cheese

Dressing:

1 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fresh basil for garnish

Assembling the salad:

Chop up the watermelon and sweet onion into bite-sized pieces.  Halve the cherry tomatoes and red grapes.  All all fruits and veggies into a large serving bowl.  Chill until party time.

Dressing:

Whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl.

Right before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad, sprinkle with bleu cheese and garnish with basil.

Enjoy and see you at the Melon Run!

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Gainesville/37thAnnualMelonRun

This past week was a busy one for the club!  On Thursday, June 9th we held our Twilight Meet and Monday, June 13th we hosted our June Social and Group Run at Crafty B'astards Restaurant. Many thanks to all who helped make both events successful! 

Twilight Meet:

The track meet was an excellent opportunity for all members of the running community to participate in a professionally organized, yet low-key track meet at a world class facility: the Percy Beard Track at the University of Florida.  We rented out the track and field area for the evening and held three running events: 1500m, 5k, 800m, and two kids' fun runs: 100m and 400m.  

We felt that our Track club should honor our historical roots as a competitive track club and bring the joy (and pain!) of track racing to the next generation of runners.  Watching the little ones "play at track" was one of the major highlights of the evening.  We also had some very fast performances, considering it was well over 90 degrees at the start of the meet.

The event started at 7:25PM and concluded just after 8:30PM... just as the sun was setting.  It was a beautiful evening and a fun opportunity to race hard at our home track!  We are very interested in bringing more track racing opportunities to the FTC community.  If you would like to be involved in a Twilight Meet series race committee, send me an email at: esuda@chem.ufl.edu.

Many thanks to our awesome volunteers that helped make the evening run smoothly: Richard Garand, Elizabeth Hanselman, Kathy Benton, Eddie Garcia, Enoch Nadler, Mike Carrillo, Varun Praveen, Will Harding, Michelle Castillo, Claudia Jackson, and Daniel Jackson.  

June Social:

This event was postponed a week due to Tropical Storm Colin.  A group met at Crafty B'astards Restaurant, which is also the headquarters for our New Year's day race: The Shorter Mile, to get in a quick easy run before the social.  Many thanks to Richard and Elizabeth for leading the run.   The group went across NW 39th Ave towards the Boys and Girls Club and to the wood-chip trail behind Barr Systems.  There is a great sort of hidden running path back there  ~1 mile long - perfect for workouts and shaded summer running. Afterwards, we were able to hang out in the reserved back room at Crafty's and catch up with one another in a relaxed setting with some great beer and food.  These socials always leave me thankful to be living in a place like Gainesville with folks who care so much about running but also about the person behind the runner. It is always inspiring just chatting with fellow FTC members and learning about what is going on in everyone's training and lives outside of running.  If you missed this social, another one is coming up in August at First Magnitude!  Stay tuned for details.

Up next:  38th Annual Melon Run!!!!!!!!!!

Make sure to add this race to your July 4th plans.  Always a family favorite tradition with a flat two-loop course around Westside Park and neighboring streets.  Watermelons for age-group winners and free kids' fun run (~1mile).  Sign up today to save $5 with your FTC membership: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Gainesville/37thAnnualMelonRun

38^TH MELON RUN JULY 4^TH 2016!

  

July 4^th:  3 mile @ 8:00 a.m., 1 mile Kids Fun Run @ 9:00 a.m.

 

If mailing in entry please send this form to:

 Florida Track Club (Melon Run)

c/o Betsy Suda

4190 NW 50^th Drive, #7305

Gainesville, FL 32606

Mail in entry deadline: June 30^th  Day of registration will close @7:30 a.m.

 

Last Name  ___________________________________________ First Name  _________________________________

 

Gender (check one):   oM           oF                   Age (race day)  __________________________________

 

Address  _________________________________________City/State/Zip  ___________________________________

E-mail Address ______________________________________ T-Shirt Size  oS   oM   oL   oXL

                                                                                                       (check one)                 

Contact phone number  _____________________________________________ 

 

I am participating in the (check one):   o3-Mile Melon Run                    o1-Mile Fun Run

 

FTC Member?  oYES                        oNO

 

Interested in joining the Florida Track Club ($20/year)? See the benefits at www.floridatrackclub.wildapricot.org

                                         

Early registration $25 ($20 FTC)               Race day $30 ($25 FTC)                

Total enclosed $  ____________ 

Kids under 12, $5 (no shirt)                        

 

I know that running a road race is a potentially hazardous activity.  I should not enter and run unless I am medically able and properly trained. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative to my ability to safely complete the run. I assume all risks associated with running in this event including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather, traffic, and the conditions of the road, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and understanding these facts, I, for myself and anyone acting on my behalf, waive, and release, the members of The Florida Track Club, and all other sponsors and their representatives from all claims and liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation of this event even though that liability might arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of persons named in this waiver. I understand and agree to abide by the insurance restrictions, which prohibit the use of portable sound systems, wheel conveyances (excluding racing wheelchairs) but including skateboards, roller skates or blades, bicycles, etc. Illegible applications may result in disqualification. My entry in this race authorizes the Florida Track Club, organizations conducting races, or sponsors to record the race and its results in any medium and use those recordings in its discretion for any purpose. The Florida Track Club, organizers, or sponsors in no manner guarantee the accuracy of recording or reporting of results of any race.

 

_________________________________________                        _________________________

Signature of Participant                                                                            Signature of parent or

guardian if Participant is under 18

Be sure to check your email for the June newsletter!  Lots of info and exciting events/programs coming up for the club!

If you haven't received the newsletter, we may not have a current email address for you.  If so, please contact Betsy at esuda@chem.ufl.edu

Please join us in welcoming our May guest speaker, elite runner and dietitian Kelsey Beckmann as she presents on the topic of "Race Day Nutrition"

Some background highlights of Kelsey:

*2015 Jacksonville Track Club Female Runner of the Year

*got her start in athletics in soccer - played DI at Campbell University, NC

* began running competitively 4 years ago, current PRs:  59:46 (10 miles), 1:16:33 (half-marathon), 2:52:32 (marathon)!

*studied nutrition and dietetics at UNF

*conducted nutrition counseling with UCF athletics

*completed a community rotation at UCF athletics and within private practices

*currently enrolled in an MPH (Masters in Public Health) program with a focus in epidemiology

See you Monday at 7:30PM! 

New Location! Hilton UF Conference Center (Magnolia Room) 1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32607.

Free and open to the public - bring a friend/running buddy!

Refreshments will be served! Come early for a good seat!

After the recent death of FTC member Steve Detweiler, the cardiac arrest deaths of a local young high school athlete 5 years ago, a young UF athlete & ROTC cadet in November, as well as the testimony of FTC member John Davis about his remarkable and fortunate experience with his heart attack, it is clear that even athletes in excellent condition can be victims of cardiac arrest. 

It would be great for all of us to know what to do when someone near us is in trouble so that we can help make sure that person could have the best possible chance of survival.

Please join us for a Special CPR/AED Training Class for FTC Members

Monday evening, May 16th at 7:00-8:30 PM

Held at Gator CPR, Address: 1029 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville FL 32609

Cost is $10.00 per person, cash or check made out to Gator CPR.

We can take the first 25 people who sign up, we will do another class in October if there is demand for it.

A light snack and beverages will be provided.

This is a non-certification course that will give members the knowledge and practice time performing CPR and using an AED device to gain confidence in being able to respond quickly and effectively in case a running buddy or another adult or a child collapses or is choking in our proximity.

Interested members can sign up at: notneb.kathy@gmail.com or calling or texting: 352-258-3541