If January resolutions have gone off course, or active days lost to the February blizzard haven't been found, a local club may have the answer to getting started again.
The Lake City Running Club of Northern Indiana began last month, hosted by Mike and Tracy Skipper. About 10 people attended.
"It's for people at all running levels," Skipper said of the club. "Beginning runners, walkers or people who want to keep a commitment made at the first of the year are welcome. Some people want to get into shape with a group, or to have some kind of base training for longer races."Club activities, in addition to business meetings, will include seminars of interest to runners and walkers, like stretching before and after a race and what kind of shoes to wear.
The Skippers have organized the Lake City Distance Classic since 2004. The first year there were 11 marathoners. In 2006 there were 77 marathon runners and a total of 192 participants in all of the events. The Kosciusko County YMCA sponsors the event.
He expects 250 people to attend this year's event, which will include three distances - a marathon, a half-marathon and an 8-kilometer run.
The Lake City Distance Classic is U.S.A. Track and Field certified.
The event is gaining in popularity because the course is paved. It is one of two events where 50 State Club members - marathoners who race in each state - can participate.
"In the second year of the marathon, we had a guy who was a member of the 50 State Club, who was running in his 400th marathon and who had two Zimmer knees," Tracy said.
The Distance Classic is for advanced and professional runners. Entry fees are $28 to $60 and include professional photographs, chip timers, a free dinner to runners and entertainment.
Skipper doesn't expect folks to fling themselves into a 26-mile race. On the www.lakecitymarathon.com Web site is a suggested beginner marathon schedule.
Marathon training is a slow and meticulous endeavor. Runners start out by running one mile twice a week and two miles on Saturday. A runner who began in January would now, in the third week of March, be running five miles on Tuesday, three miles on Thursday and seven miles on Saturday.
Several events are scheduled prior to the local marathon.
A series of free fun runs and walks are set for Thursdays: April 26, May 3, 10, 17 and 24; Tuesdays: June 5, 12, 19 and 26; Mondays: July 2, 9, 16 and 23; and Fridays, Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24.
All fun run/walk races start at the Winona Lake Park at 7 p.m. The Heritage Trail portion of the Lake City Greenway will be used. Miles are marked on the route and aid station support will be provided. Participants can run or walk as little as half a mile or up to five miles.
Last month club members voted to join the Roadrunners Club of America and set dues at $15 per year.
Fitness and training run entry fees are waived for LCRC members.
Cash fees may be waived, too, because the Skippers plan to support various organizations through the races.
"We will collect canned goods instead of entry fees during one event, which will go to local food pantries," Tracy said. "At another event we might take products for babies."
Fitness and training runs and walks will be early Sunday mornings (dates to be announced), around 6 a.m. to beat the heat and the traffic. Entry fees will be $5 unless otherwise specified. These runs are geared for the beginner and intermediate runner. The first event will include a 5K run and 5K walk; the second will be a 10K (6.2 mile) run and 5K walk and the third will be a 15K (9.3 miles) run and 5K walk.
Other races for intermediate and advanced runners will follow the Distance Classic.
Mike said marathons are traditionally scheduled in the fall.
Mike began running when he was in the Air Force in 1980. One of his friends ran a mile and a half in 8:24. His time was 12 minutes for the same distance. He was determined to improve.
Four years later he ran on the Missouri Central Bible College cross country team and ran five miles in 41:38. He cut 10 minutes of his time in three months.
"That's probably a little quick," he said of his shaved time.
He transferred to the Saint Louis Catholic University and continued running and listening to advice about training and food requirements.
In August 1991 he ran in his first marathon and turned in a time of 3 hours, 37 minutes.
"That wasn't too bad," he said. Mike added that beginning runners can expect take as long as 4 hours, 30 minutes to go the course.
"But if you're out more than five hours, you're probably in trouble. That's just too much for the body to take."
In 28 marathons, Mike has turned in times under three hours. These days he mostly runs with his 6-year-old son. The couple also have a 9-month-old daughter.
The next club meeting is April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Warsaw Community Public Library. The organization will have non-profit 501.c.(3) status, and be affiliated with the Road Runners Club of America.
For more information, call 574-267-3306 or e-mail lakecitymar@earthlink.net
