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Friday, April 27, 2012

Tryon Running Club to Become Local Chapter of Road Runners Club of America


Tryon, NC—April 22, 2012—Members of the Tryon Running Club (TRC) are making their organization “official” by joining the Road Runners Club of America to form a nonprofit running club. The group, often self-described as “just a Facebook page,” is excited about taking their social running club to a new level: a socially responsible running club. As a nonprofit organization, the Tryon Running Club will be able to give back to the community.
The group, which formed in January 2009, has built quite a network of runners and walkers that meet regularly at the Harmon Field track for 5:30 a.m. workouts and on Saturdays for longer, more scenic runs. Members routinely participate in and train for local running events including the upcoming PAC Trail Race on May 5, 2012. In addition to training runs, the Tryon Running Club has teamed up with Malone Coaching to offer running clinics geared to new runners.
The Tryon Running Club welcomes all levels of fitness—walkers, new runners and seasoned athletes. "When we meet for the track workout or group run, the idea is to start off together and break off into pace groups,” explains one of the groups’ organizers Laura Phelps. “We all have different goals we are working on, but being out there together and supporting each other makes the run so much more fun. The best part is being able to see people accomplish goals they have set for themselves. Being part of this group is very rewarding." 
The first official meeting of the Tryon Running Club will take place on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Harmon Field Picnic Shelter. Dues are $12 per year and include a member discount to events hosted by the club.



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Better Together

When I started running in 2008 I logged every mile by myself mostly around Harmon Field. Nobody knew me so I could easily plug in my music and run anonymously around the park. Nobody knew me and I liked it that way. I mostly ran at night so nobody would see me and I could remain invisible. I didn’t want the attention as I huffed and puffed my way around the track.


That all changed one night in 2009 when there was a group of a few other runners out there as well. I could see them running together and chatting, enjoying each other’s company. I was a bit envious on the camaraderie, but who would ever run with me? I was overweight and slow… not like them. They were athletic looking and probably fast. They were the runners I could only hope to be. I kept my head down and continued to run. Before I knew it they were coming my way and invited me to run with them. I told them I couldn’t keep up and I would only slow them down but they insisted.

I ran with them and, although I had a hard time talking and got out of breath, I managed a mile with them before my workout was done. It was nice. That was the first time I heard of the Tryon Running Club. My training continued and I am sure they continued to run as well, but I never managed to meet up with them again until the Ache.

Sometimes in running, as in life, you just have to be ready to take that first step. Scarlette posted an Ache Around the Lake training run and I decided to go. It was scary to show up by myself not knowing what to expect. Thank goodness I did! Not only was the training run just what I needed but I met people that would become my friends. That one day changed my life… and I am not saying that lightly. I needed to take that first step to get out and meet other runners and get involved.

Since that day I have met so many new and wonderful people; people I never would have met if it were not for our little running club. There are so many out there with different goals and experiences to share. I love being with them and sharing in their success; from the first time someone ran a mile without stopping to others qualifying for the Boston Marathon… there is no limit.

Now we are ready to take the next step for our running club and make it official. Why? We want to get the word out about our wonderful little club. We want to share the joys of running and find ways to give back to the community. Now is the time to make it happen. I hope you come out and see what we have in store.








As Bart Yasso autographed in a book for me, “Never limit where running can take you.”

Monday, April 9, 2012

Next Local Race - The PACRun!

It's time to get ready for the 2nd Annual PACRun 5K Trail Run on May 5th, 2012.  This race is held on the beautiful trails surrounding Tryon Estates. It is a TRAIL race so there are no smooth paths here, but it is not terribly technical so it is a great trail run for someone new to trail running or someone (like me) who is lacking coordination. 

The PACRun, along with the PACWalk held the same day, benefits the Pacolet Area Conservancy which strives to protect mountains, forests, farms, waterways and greenspaces.

 Race Director Caroline Eller is an active member of the Tryon Running Club and does a great job coordinating everything on race day. Last year the race was fun and well organized with plenty of volunteers to keep things running smoothly. After the race there is an awards ceremony and FREE LUNCH!

You can register for this run online at Strictly Running or on race day before the race.

Location:
Tryon Estates
617 Laurel Lake Drive
Columbus, NC 28722

Schedule of events:
PACRun:
7:30 AM - Check in and registration
8:00 AM - Trail run start

PACWalk:
9:00-9:45 AM - Check in and registration
10:00 AM - PACWalk begins

Approximately 11:30 AM - awards and lunch

Hope to see you there!