by Steve Matusch, Run Director

As we start to break through the dark days of January, and we start to look forward to spring, I want to remind everybody of the upcoming third annual Sudbury Rocks!! Race Run and Walk for Diabetes taking place on May 4th.

For those of you who took part last year, you know that our long event – the marathon – was something a bit special and unique – the event is what we call age/gender graded – which allows people of different ages and genders to start a bit earlier – to compensate for a few extra candles on the birthday cake.

Since last year we’ve had an extremely positive response from runners – who thought that the format was really unique (and it is… it’s the only one in Canada and maybe North America).

We’ve also had a few people ask where it came from.. the idea to level the field for us older athletes.

Why, and where does this come from?

As every runner knows, the sport of marathoning has undergone an amazing seismic over the last 20 years. Once the domain of wiry young, endurance junkies - grouped with those rare and hardy souls who dare to climb Everest or hike to the north pole, marathoning is now a lifelong pastime. Lining up behind the starting mat, you will easily be standing with people of 4 or more generations.

The idea of the age graded race goes back to the very first marathon that I ran – the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2003. Overshadowing the usual tribulations that go with running a first marathon, I have to say that that I found the event to be in all ways impressive – a huge, well organized and truly enjoyable experience.

But, as impressive as the Kenyans were, as impressive as the crowds were, the thing that impressed me the most was something a lot less dramatic. About 7 or 8k into the race - as I was running down the Gardiner Expressway, I caught sight of a shock of bright white over my left shoulder. Looking across, my mouth dropped open as a very quiet, unassuming man with a mane of snow white hair blowing behind him, slowly overtook me and dropped into line ahead of me.

It’s no exaggeration to say that I was floored. Here I was – 36 years old, full of tightly wound enthusiasm, dreaming about qualifying for Boston, being overtaken by a man who could, biologically, have been my grandfather. The Kenyans were impressive – but this man (whom I later found out was Ed Whitlock), was truly the best athlete in field that day.

It wasn’t the last time that that I felt that way… My personal best 5K race ever was a contest with Frank Lesk - one our local masters runners - and an exceptional athlete in his own right. I ran this particular race, pacing Frank for the first 4 of 5 kilometres – matching him footstep for footstep. At the 4 km, Frank very graciously told me that he couldn’t hang on any longer – to run ahead. I did, but not without a twinge of guilt. I felt a bit like I was cheating – that my younger legs gave me a natural advantage. Without a doubt I knew that the best athlete had quietly finished a couple of spots behind me - only because of he had an extra package of candles on the cake.

Time after time, I saw this… I saw amazing men and women of all ages quietly posting amazing times that were well down on the scoreboard. Why?? Only because as we clock up years, our bodies naturally operate at a bit of a slower pace – no matter how many hill training days, how many early morning 20k runs, or how many -30 degree Saturday runs you might slug through.

So… this is where the Sudbury Rocks!!! Marathon comes from. The Sudbury Rocks!! Marathon was created as a celebration of athletes of all ages - where we level the field, still allowing the best to be the best – but we throw out the calendar and compete strictly on the basis of talent and training.

The Sudbury Rocks!! Marathon can be an event where the younger runners can prove to themselves that they’re the best, not only of their particular age group – but of all of the prior age groups. Or it can be an event where the more senior runners can put a few of their younger stablemates into their rightful place.

Best of luck to all. May the best (man or woman of any age!!!!) win!!

For information on the Sudbury Rock!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes please go to their website at:
www.sudburyrocksmarathon.com

Having trouble getting up in the morning for your 6 a.m. run? Can’t seem to push it for the last kilometer at the same intensity as the rest of the race? Performing great in practice runs but choke when it comes to competition? It sounds like you may need some mental training.

Sport Psychology is a developing, up-and-coming domain in which more and more athletes are benefiting from. At the professional level, most athletes who are a part of a team sport will be blessed with a specialist to deal with their mental issues. However, when it comes to the amateur or even beginner level, it is often more difficult to develop mentally and overcome psychological obstructions because the skill set of the activity is so recent. Individual sports such as running in particular often get neglected in terms of sport psychology when really athletes in this field may need it the most.

My name is Gene Howe and I am a fourth-year student in Sport Psychology at Laurentian University. In terms of my athletic experience, I have competed in various sports my entire adolescence including basketball, football, soccer and roller hockey. My first passion however, is long-distance running. I have completed numerous 5 and 10k runs not to mention competing in cross country and track running most of my life. I have aspirations of completing a marathon next fall. As this is my last year of my undergraduate degree, I am expected to complete an internship with athletes that may be in need of mental training. When I discovered a running club associated with the Running Room, I was shocked that I had the potential to be blessed with such a perfect role.

I can provide you with a number of sport psychology techniques which relate specifically to your own athletic and mental needs. I offer an unobtrusive, casual approach to sport psychology to make athletes feel comfortable with me such that the transition from the initial meeting to the fix of the particular mental issue is a smooth one. Whether it be motivational issues, assistance with goal setting, managing stress and anxiety, utilizing self-talk or various other mental concerns, I would be happy to assist you. Even if you are unsure why you may be struggling with your recent runs, I will be able to work with you and help you in determining what needs to be done to improve.

I can be contacted by phone at 705-562-8970 or by e-mail at genehowe@hotmail.com. I will also be in the Running Room from time to time, and hopefully will be able to attend each meeting with Sudbury Rocks Running Club for support, whenever and whatever may be needed. Keep in mind that this is a volunteer internship for my undergraduate degree therefore I am not a certified sport psychologist and there will be no charge whatsoever.