Niagara Falls was a busy place for Sudbury Rocks!! and friends on Sunday. Five events took place - from the 5k to the marathon. Sudbury and area were represented in all of the runs. There were 13 in the marathon, 16 in the half, 2 in the 10 and 3 in the 5k.

Looking at all finish times, I believe the wind probably had some negative effects on times. Good on you all for excellent efforts in less than optimal conditions.

Results Here

Ken writes:

It was great seeing some Rocks faces at the Niagara Marathon. I hope everyone's run was satisfying. This year’s Marathon did not surprise me. The high winds made everyone work extra hard. On Saturday the weatherman said a tail wind and rain. We woke up to some wind and sun. But, then the wind picked up and up, turning into a cross wind / head wind at the finish. It was quite strong at times. Water station cups were blowing everywhere. Lynn said the finish line almost blew over. We had to hang onto to our hats. (We woke up to a little snow Monday morning in Niagara.) It was quite a debate before the race deciding what to wear. People wore everything from shorts/tank top to all out winter gear. Kids operated most of the water stations. They stuck signs to themselves indicating whether they were holding water or gatorade. That was a very smart thing to see for us runners. As with other years, the biker gang was at one of the water stations. They are a scary bunch.

Gene and I felt good before the race. Neither of us had any nagging issues. Gene was strong as expected. He led the whole way. He has reminded me that my overall lead-time has now dropped to 9 minutes 10 seconds.

I feel good today. The legs are even less stiff than last week. It is amazing how the body can adapt as long as it is injury free.

Lynn had a good race as well. The 10k was an out and back, so she had a head wind race at times too.

We went to Hooters for supper. Never been before. That was disappointing. I thought it might be more than a sports bar; the service was poor; and the hooters had no hoot.

Not sure where the after 6in6 celebration will be. Lynn says I definitely have to take her out for dinner. After all she hung in with all the crazy driving / running around for this venture.

So how about last week's cartoon. Man I knew that was coming. I have been told the cartoon is drawing more attention than the runs. I guess the “editor” will have some thinking to do to keep us all entertained. I hope to prove the cartoon wrong next weekend by 12:00 noon. (Hey I have to give myself some extra time.)

See some of ya at Hamilton.

Ken (not from Sudbury)

Rocks!! Run in the Marine Corps 10k

October 26, 2008, Five years after completing his first and only marathon (the Marine Corps Marathon in 2003) Louis Moustgaard once again hit the pavement in Arlington Virginia. This time out Louis and Maureen Moustgaard took on the 10k. Results here More photos here Maureen writes: OOPS---We almost missed the start---- This past weekend Louis and i flew to the D.C. area to visit our daughter,Jennifer and also take part in the 10km event of the Marine Corps Marathon.This is the 4th time we have participated in the race weekend.As usual we stood in the bright sunshine,listened to the bands and watched the 20,000+ runners approach the start line .In the previous years when the last marathoners went by we would just go down the slope of grass and line up with the rest of the runners for the 10km race. Not this time!! As the last marathoners were approaching the start the announcer advised for those people doing the 10km it was starting shortly at Runner's Village. None of us had looked at the maps for the race course assuming it was the same as 2006.

Panic set in as one of the Marines told us it was 3/4 of a mile away.We threw our jackets to Jennifer and took off.As we crossed a field towards the start line I heard them say it was 40 seconds to start time.Some how we made it. I even took a few seconds to start breathing again as the people were moving to the start line.For the record this is the first time Louis has ever done a warmup before a run---not like he had a choice---
The run went well as Louis improved on his 2006 time by a couple of minutes.As for myself i had not run more than 10 feet since the beginning of September and had not planned on running much here either. I was going to run a bit and if my knee bothered me it would be a brisk walk the rest of the way. I think the pre race warmup changed my attitude as i did run more than planned and I was only 3 minutes slower than 2006 when i had done "some" training.And my knee didn't hurt but the rest of my body did as i had done a toning class with Jennifer the day before {never done before} and then used the elliptical trainer for about 30 minutes{had not done this in at least 2 years} DAH!! Was I really hurting on Monday? Yes! ! . I must need my hearing checked as i didn't hear the little voice saying you don't try any thing new the days before a race.
As in the other years it was a fun day in spite of the panic at the start----Louis' fault for not looking at the map of the course--- But I did not hold a grudge and gave him my beer at the Bud Light trailer at finish.

Til next time
Maureen

Congratulations to Andy Szanto who persevered through numerous setbacks during training to ultimately come out on top when it counted as he successfully completed the 2008 Adidas Dublin Marathon.

Photos by Laura Young - Emily and Rob Marcolini