From the president’s desk . . .
by Scott Gleason
As interim president of the running club I want to thank my predecessor, Christian Martin, for the leadership and vision he has provided this year. Christian didn’t step down for any negative reasons, but only because he wanted the best for the club. He has been a great role model and mentor for this interim president.
My goal during this interim period is to “stay the course” that the Board of Directors has set for the year: to focus on our mission statement (find it at https://www.sjmr.club/about/ ) and to grow the club in all aspects – including enabling members to experience the enjoyment and growth that comes from volunteering.
Speaking of volunteering, I’d like to solicit the inputs of you, our club members…
In December we will have our annual membership meeting and dinner (don’t miss it!) during which the Board of Directors will announce the donations that we will give to charitable organizations in the coming year. We will also vote for a new slate of club directors and officers.
Regarding the charitable organizations that we will choose to support, we’d love to have your input. If you would like to nominate an organization please send your recommendation by email to sanjuanmountainrunners@gmail.com. The Board of Directors will decide during the month of November, so the cut-off for nominations is November 1st.
On the topic of club officers for 2019, in addition to supporting and leveraging the knowledge and experience of the existing leaders, it is important for any organization to cultivate new leaders. If you’d like to nominate yourself or someone else, please reach out to a club officer and discuss your ideas. I’d like to see nominations during September and October so that the Board can recommend a slate of officers at the annual meeting. Note that nominations from the floor during the meeting will also be accepted.
In closing, with summer activities and adventures in the rear-view mirror and cooler weather before us, more and more club members will be showing up at the Saturday morning club runs (see below). I hope to see you there!
SATURDAY MORNING FUN RUNS
*~*Sherry Heinel*~*
Two years ago I was new to the area and most of my runs were alone. After messaging a stranger (Lori Lambeth) on Facebook, I got up the nerve to go to the Looney Bean Coffee Shop one Saturday morning for a group run. The group was small (they vary from 2-20 people) and I was hooked. I kept going and found a local resource of runners and a few really good friends in the following months. So, come out to run or walk as far as you want on the bike path behind Target. The group is smaller in the summer (we are all in the mountains) but gets bigger as it cools off. If you have time, stay for awhile to chat and drink some coffee. We are currently meeting at 7:30 am (this changes seasonally). All levels of activity are welcomed. Be brave and join us!
2018 ANNUAL TURKEY TROT
Don’t miss out on all the fun Thanksgiving morning. The Turkey Trot is on November 22nd this year.
Registration will be 8:00 am to 8:45 am with the races starting at 9:00 am. There are two courses that will be well marked. The 2.0 mile out-and-back starts at Oak Grove School (62100 Oak Grove Road in Montrose) and goes south on Hwy 90 for one mile and then reverses course back to the start. The 4.2 mile loop also starts at the school and heads south on Hwy 90. A series of right hand turns will take you west on Hwy 90, north on County Road 6100, and finally east on Oak Grove Road and back to the start. Walkers are allowed on both courses. This is a fun, family event so strollers and well-behaved dogs on leashes are also welcome.
Going back to an old tradition, donated baked goods are welcome to be given away as door prizes. Registration fee is $5 per person or $15 per family.
Thanks to YOU, SJMR gives back to our community!
*~*Mary Plumb*~*
To those of you at last year’s annual meeting and dinner, you may recall us deciding on which non-profits to support with our club earnings from 2017. We are thrilled to report that the following organizations each received $250 from us:
- Girls on the Run
- Uncompaghre Watershed Partners
- Ouray Trails Group
- Peer Kindness
- Montrose High School Cross Country Team
- Pediatric Congenital Heart Assn (formerly Mended Little Hearts)
- Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans
It was my honor and pleasure to hand out these checks and experience the gratitude these groups had for our support. Let’s keep the monies coming so we can continue to give to the people that do so much to make our communities a wonderful place to live and play.
Don’t forget to attend this year’s annual dinner and meeting on December 11th so you can help us make that happen!
SJMR Educational Series Summer Talk Recap
*~*Mary Plumb*~*
Thank you to those who participated in our second gathering of the SJMR Educational Series on June 29th. Amanda and Adam at Ridgway Adventure Sports were wonderful hosts; offering discounts in their new beautiful store, providing beverages, and even giving away a new pair of running shoes in the participation raffle!
Our guest presenter came all the way from the front range to share her mental skills awareness and training to those of us desiring to “up our game.” Jill Sommers, a five time Ironman Athlete and Performance Coach, shared how S.M.A.R.T is the new Fast to over 20 eager listeners.
To recap her valuable information:
S = Get into your SWEET SPOT
M = Use MENTAL imagery
A = Pay ATTENTION to what you are focusing on (what you focus on increases)
R = When you hit the low points REFRAME
T = Utilize the power of your THOUGHTS
She also shared some great videos to inspire us to achieve success whether it be in sport, business, or relationships…
- Watch how Billy Mills demonstrates the power of mental imagery (the M of SMART) and how it helped him win the 10,000 m gold medal in the 1964 Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5vOhMwRQwI&t=1s
- Next, Mirinda Carfrae, Ironman Champion, runs with power, grace and fortitude (listen to some really kick butt music sure to raise your energy as you watch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjP0OzSdfMg
Another form of mental imagery, observing someone who has accomplished what you want, and then embodying their form (or mindset or determination, commitment, etc), can be extremely powerful in achieving your goals.
If running is not your thing, consider finding an inspiring video of something you want to accomplish.
Our wonderful world of technology these days affords us ample opportunity to observe other people’s success such as Steve Jobs delivering a commencement speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc; Admiral William McRaven talking about winning your day in the first hour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OoCaGsz94; or Oprah Winfrey discussing struggle and its foundation for growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkSgxuQrYwY.
And don’t forget to check out Ridgway Adventure Sports and thank them for their generosity!
Stay tuned for our next Educational Series Chat coming up this Autumn!
SAVE THE DATES:
Turkey Trot on November 22nd (see above for more info).
Annual Meeting on December 11th (we’ll send out an email soon with time/place, etc).
For those of you who use Facebook, there are several pages to find information on upcoming races and club news:
Montrose & Delta Runners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/191387481046485/
San Juan Mountain Runners: https://www.facebook.com/San-Juan-Mountain-Runners-301751839944392/
Mesa Monument Striders in Grand Junction: https://www.facebook.com/Mesa-Monument-Striders-282653486288/
FUN RUNS: We meet every Saturday morning all year ’round at Looney Bean in Montrose (3480 Wolverine Dr – near JCPenney and Target). We are currently meeting at 7:30 AM. All abilities, all ages, walkers/joggers/runners all welcome.
“I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.
I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I’m not.”
- – John Bingham, author and runner