1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. 2010 Treasure Report by Angelo Prieto
3. Upcoming Events

Happy New Year! Enjoy!

Your club has two areas where help is needed immediately and the majority of work can be done when your time permits. First, we need an awards coordinator. Maria Moore has been doing the job for more than a year and we are looking for a replacement for her. Responsibilities include the ordering, preparing, inventory management, delivery, and distribution of trophies and medals at our monthly races. Secondly, we need an individual or couple to conduct one monthly interview with a club member for publishing in our monthly online newsletter. Neither job should require more than a few hours per month. If you can help please let us know.

During the last seven races in 2010 we were able to pay for timing services at far below the going rates. Replicating the services at this cost will be challenging. Trophies are also an area where we have been able to purchase at reasonable rates and re-use trophies turned in by our members. Don and Sue Wallace have been instrumental in dealing with the city to minimize our costs for permits and portable toilets and many of our volunteers have been instrumental in holding our costs down.

Membership dues account for some part of the increase in revenues. However, the club has also increased revenues because of its success in recruiting new members and by attracting guest runners to its races. This is the ultimate measure for the success of the club. We thank all of you for your part.

1. Upcoming Events

Happy New Year! Enjoy!

1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. Thanksgiving Poem: You’ve Made a Difference by Stacey Rotunno
3. Upcoming Events

Happy Holidays! Enjoy!

Look for the Plano Pacers Running Club on Facebook. It is a fabulous way to stay in touch, share your thoughts, seek or offer advice, and make your voice heard.PLEASE…..PLEASE…..PLEASE!!! If you have not already done so go online and register for your permanent bib chip! It is a quick and painless procedure that will minimize race day lines and confusion for all of us.

For months (actually years) we have been begging for members to become involved in our club in a meaningful way. For one reason or another the call has not been answered. The result is that it now appears that we will be eliminating some of our monthly races and prediction runs in 2011. Unfortunately we have witnessed the same thing happen at other area running clubs, probably for the same reasons. Additionally, most of our end of month races will offer just one distance rather than two. We do anticipate having a Kids’ K at all end of month races. Please monitor our website for the anticipated changes.

Last, but not least, beginning in January we will cut off race day registration at 7:45 a.m.in order to allow volunteers who are also running the time necessary to warm up for the race. If you have your bib chip this is a moot point since registration is unnecessary. If you are a guest or a member who does not have his or her bib chip and you do not show up before 7:45 a.m. you will be welcome to run, but you will not be timed. NO EXCEPTIONS!

As Thanksgiving Day approaches,
Our blessings we recall;
The things we are most thankful for,
We recollect them all.

You are really special,
In all you say and do.
You’ve made a difference in our lives;
We’re thankful now for you.

By: Joanna Fuchs

1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. Upcoming Events

Enjoy!

The future of our club is in jeopardy. We all lead busy lives, but the Pacers are truly at a crossroads. If individuals who are willing to take ownership’don’t step forward in the next 60 days our club’s future is in doubt. Sue and I reluctantly agreed to take on the challenge this year because no one else was willing to do so, but we have families out of town who are in need of our help and our time and we must put their needs first. Therefore, in January we will relinquish the majority of our responsibilities. If others step forward to run the club we will continue as race directors for our monthly prediction runs for another year. The need for leadership for our club is critical and the time is NOW! Don’t assume someone else will do it.

Weather did not cooperate and the turnout at our September race was the lightest we have seen this year. As I write this letter it looks like this weekend’s weather will be ideal! We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. Upcoming Events

Enjoy!

This past year, with the help of our officers, our board of directors, Ruben Saguil, and many volunteers, my wife, Sue, and I acted as race directors at each of our month end runs, as well as our monthly prediction runs. With our support and encouragement Ruben has developed a very accurate, user friendly registration and chip timing system that can function efficiently and effectively with substantially fewer race day volunteers. Though we have experienced a few hiccups along the way enhancements are still being made to the system and we are very confident that the finished product will more than adequately meet our needs.

Now it is YOUR turn. At year end Sue and I will be stepping aside from many of our responsibilities, though we intend to continue directing our monthly prediction runs.

We will assist where we can but we have other responsibilities and commitments that will prevent us from continuing in our current roles. We love the Pacers and we know that you do to. Please let us know how you can help!

1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. Dog Days 3X3 Relay by Stacey Rotunno
3. Faces at the Finish Line by Maria Moore
4. Always Take Your Running Shoes by Vernon Hodge
5. Upcoming Events

Enjoy!

We did not do a very good job of getting the word out regarding our Children’s Charity Race in July. Therefore, we are continuing to solicit your donations for our charity – ReadyStart. We will accept your contributions at our August 3 x 3K race or you may mail your check (made payable to ReadyStart) directly to our treasurer, Angelo Prieto at: 

Global Financial Services 

5100 Independence Pkwy., Suite 314 

Plano, TX 75023 

ReadyStart is a 30-year old non-profit organization dedicated to helping pre-school children throughout North Central Texas in Collin, Denton, and Wise counties. During the last 30 years they have positively impacted the lives of thousands of families throughout the three county areas they serve, by ensuring that all children are fully prepared for the challenges of school. ReadyStart focuses on the first five years of a child’s life, which are critically important to providing a solid foundation for future learning and development. For more information, please click here to visit their website.  

Dog Days 3 x 3K  

If you haven’t already, please register your 3 x 3K team today. There is a registration link on the Pacer homepage. 

If you don’t have a team all lined up, don’t let that stop you from participating. We will be able to help you find a team on race day morning. While you’re on our homepage please also reserve your permanent BibChip. You must be a current active club member in order to receive a permanent chip. It’s a painless procedure that will allow you to completely bypass registration at our future monthly races.  You will be able to go directly to the starting line and run! 

See you all Saturday!

 Overall:  All Female

 Overall:  All Male

 Overall:  COED

First Athena team

First Clydesdale team

*Awards will be given to the top three teams in each of the following divisions:

 Family 1 Boy

 Family 1 Girl

 Family 2 Kids

 Family Other

 All Female 0-  44

 All Female 45 – 119

 All Female 120-  149

 All Female 150-  179

 All Female 180+

 All Male 0-  44

 All Male 45-  119

 All Male 120-  149

 All Male 150-  179

 All Male 180+

 COED 1 Female 0-44

 COED 1 Female 45-119

 COED 1 Female 120-149

 COED 1 Female 150-179

 COED 1 Female 180+

 COED 2 Female 0-44

 COED 2 Female 45-119

 COED 2 Female 120-149

 COED 2 Female 150-179

 COED 2 Female 180+

*Note: Any division with two team entries or less will be combined with another age division.

*Note: Any solo runners will have his or her time recorded, but we do not have a solo division this year.

Name: Leslie Smith

Age: 43                               

Q: Why did you decide to join the Plano Pacers?

A: I joined the Plano Pacers because the races are great, the environment is friendly, and it’s a good deal!

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I am married to Tommy, I have a 22-year-old stepson and three dogs and four cats.                       

Q: Please tell us briefly about your background.

A: I grew up in Seattle Washington, I went to college at UMA Boston and have been teaching in Texas public schools for 19 years.

Q: How long have you been running? 

A: I have been running for fun and fitness since I was a teenager and started racing when I was about 31.

Q: Is there any special reason you started running? 

A: I’ve always enjoyed running with my brothers and dad. It’s just what we did.

Q: What are the main reasons you keep running?

A: Running is a simple way to feel wonderful. It’s good for my body and mind.

Q: What is your favorite running route and time of day?A: I usually run very early in the morning. I never get tired of running up Loving at White Rock Lake!

Q: What is your normal training routine and mileage?

A: I usually run six days a week. My mileage varies from 30-50 miles a week depending on what I’m training for. I normally get a couple days of cycling in, along with some strength training.

Q: What is your most memorable race and why?

A: My most memorable race was the Boston Marathon because I worked hard to reach my qualifying time when I was in my 30’s. Tommy also qualified, so we ran it the same year. I always watched the Boston Marathon when I was in college, so running it brought back good memories.

Q: What other sports and interests do you enjoy?

A: I love cycling and I like swimming. I love duathlons and I like triathlons. I love competing in agility with my dogs Pepe and Ozzy.

Q: Do you have any running goals this year?

A:Yes, I am running the White Rock Marathon after taking a few years off of marathons. I am working hard so I can run it in the 3:30’s again!

Q: Tell us about your most proud, and/or your most embarrassing, running experience.

A: One of my most proud running/cycling experiences was when I made the Elite Duathlon list and placed top in my age group for a few years in a row.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself?

A: I love the physical and mental challenges of competitive sports which includes competing in agility with my dogs Pepe and Ozzy. I have met some of the most wonderful people in these environments.

Q: Please share with us any lessons or advice you’d like to pass along.

A: No matter what happens in your life, never stop doing what you love!

The loop through the French quarter, running lengthwise, was just under 10 K. Running the exterior of the quarter was about the same, but traffic was a problem.  The road surface was uneven, so do not expect an uninterrupted pace. However, the cars, trucks, and police are very accommodating to runners. At the end of the run I was quite dehydrated, but satisfied.

Runs for me during the summer months are just base maintenance runs, so I took in the atmosphere and was able to enjoy seeing Bourbon Street’s blocked up doors that the unseemly tawdry night life takes place. I have no joy of expensive lap dances, bad liquor, expensive beer, hawkers, or pick pocketers, so the morning running life appeals to me.

The Louis Armstrong Park was not open at that early, but I was still able to enjoy an unobstructed view of Jackson Square.

1. Letter from the Vice President by Don Wallace
2. New Procedures by Don Wallace
3. When Not to Run by William Jones
4. Upcoming Events

Enjoy!

Click here to view the photos taken at our June races by Gib Martinez from Gameday Studios.

The BibChip will have an RFID chip embedded inside that can be read when it is detected to be in the area of the chip readers.  It is similar to the TollTag used on cars to zoom through the express lanes at the Toll Plaza.  This system will also eliminate the need for finishline chutes and individual scanning. As long as your BibChip is pinned correctly and can be “seen” by the readers, your times will be accurately recorded.

The Pacer ID system will remain the same.  Whatever Pacer ID number was assigned to you will remain yours and your membership information and status will be connected to that ID number.  For the personalized BibChip to work we have to link it to an existing Pacer ID number. You can have multiple BibChips linked to the same Pacer ID, but only the first BibChip issued will be free. Once assigned a personal BibChip it is non-transferrable. You may verify your BibChip if the BibCheck station is available.

How to Reserve Your BibChip

- SignMeUp.com - New members and renewals will automatically be assigned their first BibChip.
- PlanoPacers.net - Current members can reserve their first personalized BibChip or request a replacement.  Each member and family member must be registered separately for their BibChip. Children participating in only the Kids’ K do not need to reserve at this time.

Please Take Care of the BibChips

Do not bend them or put them in the washing machine. 

Membership and Race Information

Please be aware of the date your membership is due for renewal.  Check online or at the race.  You may also get an email reminder if it’s about to expire.

When there are two race distances to choose from, your distance will be determined based on your estimated finish time.  Please check the results and alert a race volunteer if needed.

Clydes/Athenas
If you wish to compete in the Clydes (190 lbs +) or Athena (150 lbs +) category, you can specify on the online form to be added to that category.  The designation will be carried over to future races.  You can request by email or at the race site to change this designation.

Running a mile was on race day was possible. Race director Don Wallace said we would be running the old course. It added a half mile walk to the start and another half mile walk from the finish.  Don also pointed out that my expected slow pace may end at a closed finish line and recommended keeping my own time. 

It was time for me to fight the anticipated problems.  An early departure and a slow walk allowed me a few minutes of rest before the start.  Jerry Powell noticed my weak pace and checked on me.  The start was uneventful and I fell in behind a group of walkers.  These walkers were salvation. They gave me hope the finish line would stay open a bit longer.  They gained two minutes during the race and gave me a chance to shout to James Gabhart to hold the finish line open.

James clocked me in, noticed I had heat exhaustion, and agreed walking to the pavillion was a bad idea.  He arranged for me to ride back with the timing equipment.  Needing a ride after a one mile race says very little for a runner’s condition.  The ride ended my heat exhaustion, but shock had set in.  Jerry Powell and Maria Moore checked on me, but shock was a familiar thing after a hard run. I sent them away with assurances of my not passing out or passing away. Shock normally goes away in a few minutes and this time it required lying down and raising my legs. Rather than risk more heat exhaustion, driving four kilometers home and resting was the best idea. 

This event was an avoidable disaster. Our volunteers will help with any accident or injury,  but should not be called on because the runner was too stubborn to listen to his body or heed signs of problems.  When ill health or poor condition make a run inadvisable, sit down and watch instead.  Collapsing during a race causes many problems and no trophy is worth the death of a runner.