Neither Snow , Nor Rain, Nor Gloom of Night

Move over USPS (well they might soon who knows) , the Square State Striders completed all manner of racing from mile to uhh whatever, in all manner of climate change jumble that could be stirred up.  

Jeffrey Eggleston

With continued distinct disregard for every tendon in his body Jeffrey has remained steadfast in his mission to train like a 20 year old 800m phenom.

After a racing hiatus due to a winter hamstring issue, COVID, and long weekends spent coaching high school track, I started very humbly with a coaches’ elimination race at the HOKA St. Vrain Invitational on May 9th. I ran 4:32.something with splits of 67-67-70-68, effectively setting the pace to get pwned on the last lap by every coach in Boulder County. The highlight of the evening was seeing my top runner crush my time and break our school record! Better days ahead (or behind?), but as the adage goes: “When there’s nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.”

BJ Karlik

BJ humbled himself at least which is something. 

I did the Greenland trail 50k. I should have trained better and used sunscreen on my arms. A friend of mine said “respect the distance.”  Next time I will. Running is hard. I’m sure I’ll try running again at some point.  

Andy Sherwood- Who is the only HS coach without summer off laced em up like he used to. In the mile fest at CMHS “I beat a guy on varsity at milefest. Does that mean I’m in our top-7 , Coach?”

Neil McDonagh- Bummed they didn’t have a weigh in for the Tortiouse and Hare, predict contest. I had tried to pump my pre-race weight carb loading for weeks. Thankfully we had a freak blizzard to slow all the big handicappers down. I was told that I won, but came across the line 2nd. Full disclosure.

‘I joined Andy, JT and minors of all ages over at the Milefest put on by Cheyenne Mtn high school. I wisely used a pack of JV runners at the start to gauge if I had started at the proper pace, which seemed to be 63 seconds for the first lap. Well if I had planned on running 4:12 for the mile , that would have been precisely on target. But alas I had a NDRE (near death running experience) holding on for dear life to complete my race in 4:38. Not sure I earned a banner hanging from the CMHS rafters with that one. 

My appetite thoroughly whetted, I took on all comers (who signed up) at the Springs All Comers Meet, hosted by Run Mental. The genius of a 2 event track meet is that its over in 60 min. The horror being if you signed up for both (all) the events. I did that. I spun 12.5 laps of the Coronado high track in 16:08, wishing for the rain/sleet/snow the previous versions of this meet experienced. Following it up about 20 minutes later with a 4:23 1500m, promising to never look back, lest 11 yr old Robert Stepanov will catch me. Or at least that’s the story my parents always told me before bedtime the night before races. “A young boy from the east shall kick you down if you show the slightest twinge of fear”  Mom, Dad, I prevailed, today. That’s the best I can hope for. (great photos from Explore With Media)

Sam Wood

Possibly the most normal event Sam has ever reported, maybe Sam will do the Neilson next month!

I finally took a break from being sick full time to run the Lincoln Marathon for the All-Guard Marathon Team trials. I was able to make the All-Guard team, which is a 2-year travel team.

Ruth Leibfritz

Whatever disgressions you are working through Ruth, I forgive you, its ok. You don’t have to do this anymore, your atonement is complete. 

Banana Slug backyard ultra year 2! April 25th. Didn’t go as far as I was hoping, but still made it one loop further than last year for a total of 16 laps/66.7 miles. The MVPs of the day were oatmeal creme pies, cheese quesadillas, and the Hamilton soundtrack. Can’t wait to do it again next year! 

Ruth Black

The timer has been started and I have taken the under on 18 mo before Ruth might have to give the family miler title up (we know she can beat Jared)

Nicole toed the starting line exactly one day after graduating Kindergarten, an envious accomplishment. In her first ever track race, she said “my favorite part was the people cheering, especially the girls at the finish line. Ella (4yo sister) didn’t really cheer me on, but she did follow me some. My breathing was hard. I feel good now.” When quizzed if she wanted to do it again next year, she immediately replied “No, I will be tired.” 8:35 on little legs will do that to you.

Ruth was full of prepared excuses, like the high-elevation hike 2 days prior and the poor nights sleep in the backyard tent… but she paced herself well to a 6:10 and will spend the rest of the day coughing.

Adam Rich: Whom I am certain ran triple the amount of races but I’ll allow it because he appears to be back on his usual vanquishing all challengers mode as of late.  Central Park 5k 1st 16:34

Donut dash 1st 16:00(

Dash for Detection 1st 15:55

Mother's Day 5k 1st 16:28

Colfax 5k 1st 15:55

Gerald and Kari Romero stayed in state for a change but kept up their frenetic pace of competition. Please excuse the disjointed report as Gerald sends me updates via CB radio. Spoiler he almost beat a child. 

April 26, 2025-- Cheyenne mountain trail race 7.8 miles

3rd overall.

Won 50 bucks prize money

Double header weekend

May 3, saturday 2025-- take 5 in the garden. I did the 5 mile road race. 3rd overall 1st master.

May 4th Sunday Colorado marathon weekend in Fort Collins.

I did the 10k

I got 3rd place 50-59 podium award. 4th master overall. 16th overall.

Kari did the 9.5 double take at take 5 in the garden and kari ran the marathon at Colorado marathon

1:32 Colfax half

Blue moon series #1. Utevalley park. 2nd overall

At blue moon I was leading until about half way then that 14 year old got me on the flat part and then I closed the gap back too about ten seconds again so I almost got him back

Kari completed north fork 50k this past Saturday may 31 in deckers

It was her PR of 7 hours 30 min

Hybrid Athletes: outdoor AND indoor running !

 Winter is for January good intentions and avoiding the  December credit card bill. The Square State Striders did an excellent job this quarter tending to their running obligations. We had folks running half miles to marathons. Let’s hear about it!

Ruth Leibfritz toed the line in Chaffee county, against the world’s best (and some other people I assume). 

Run Through Time Marathon - Salida, CO

Saturday 3/8/25

I signed up for this one with a few friends to have a longer "training run" for future ultras this spring. Finished in 5:23:30, which was better than I expected with all the elevation gain and some dicey terrain. Achieved my goal of not falling down. 

Courtney Dauwalter casually showed up and ruined my chance of placing first and breaking the course record - maybe next year... Overall, I enjoyed the course and all the views/snacks that came along with it!

Andy Sherwood, when not allocating apologies for unfilled potholes on Fountain blvd, snuck into the Rescue Run after Christmas. 

Rescue Run 5k- “I beat Cheyenne Mtn #3 girl. JT was working the race for EPSCAR so I had to run solo”

Jon Teisher ran the Mississippi Blues Marathon and another one in the upper Midwest. 

“You don’t like my reports”-JT (JT sends reports in via postcard and must be using media mail grade postage for the time it takes to get to Striders HQ). JT also mixed up with aging Masters Mid America USATF champs at UCCS in the 1500m.

Adam Rich has maintained his steady diet of front range 5k-ing(ish). Adam also has kept up a new Square State tradition, finishing second to Joe Gray. 

“Go slow, slower and lost to Joe Gray.”

Jeffrey Eggleston continues his Don Quixote quest of sub 2 min 800m. 

1/10/25, CU Potts Invitational, 800m, 2:00.41, 7th

Ran a lifetime best but ended up on the wrong side of 2:00. Running in a collegiate 800 is wild. Realized I may need to try bicarb and a speedsuit next time.

2/9/25, USATF Mid America Region Masters Indoor Championship, 800m, 2:05.17, 2nd; 1500, 4:22.29, 2nd

I knew 2 laps into the 800 that it was not my day (or preferred track) to go for sub 2, but did what I could to hang on. In a tactical 15, I followed a strong move by Neil at halfway to hang on for 2nd. Square State 1-2! The masters racing scene is a different vibe than college indoor racing.

2/22/25, USATF Masters Indoor Championship, 1500m, 4:01.22, 2nd

Gainesville was a trip. In the 15, Neil kept the race operating smoothly in 32s. I weaved my way through to the front for the final 3 laps to wind it up. The winner had a major gear shift with 300 to go and outdistanced us in last lap. We both closed in 30 and went 2-3. A cranky hamstring kept me from completing the 800m the next day.  

Kari and Gerald Romero used what I can only imagine was all their PTO bank this winter to travel to a litany of races from coast to coast. Delta Medallion level of finisher medals!

Gerald submitted a trove of photos, some oddly vulgar from a Vegas t-shirt stand (you had to be there). 

Rescue run 5k - 1st place 50-54. Jan 1st 

Dopey challenge - 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon January 9,10,11,12 Walt Disney world 

Disney land 10k and half marathon February 1st and 2nd- california

Super half marathon downtown Colorado Springs 1:45 

Shamrock stampede 10k today in castle rock 
8 th overall
1st place 50-59 
RRCA CHAMPION 

Building my base up slowly. No speedwork yet. Low mileage. Doing a lot of climbing and trail. 

Getting ready too qualify for the xterra trail world championships at xterra Phoenix at the end of March

Neil McDonagh, tested the tendon gods in a sampler plate of events at the Mid America Masters Indoor champs. Completing a high school dual meet amount of events: 3000m (9:06) , 800m (2:07.4), 1500m (4:20.5) and finally at 4x800 relay. 

‘Luckily I was only able to conjured neurotic injuries from this meet prior to my return to Florida (a state I was once a registered voter). Florida smelled as I recalled. The top notch new indoor facility in Gainesville exceeded all expectations and made for a series of great races at the Masters Indoor National Champs. Chasing Jeffrey and other speedy 40+’s all the way to the finish of the 1500m /3rd (4:01.5). Finished off almost catching my freshman high school PR in the 800m /3rd (2:00.1). After being marked safe from the South, I took a detox and raced the ever popular 7k distance at the Running of the Green (Denver) chalking up a 21:49 (5th overall). Can’t wait to impress everyone at the work water cooler with that time!”

December Always Remembers

 Jeffrey Eggleston, like the NASA Parker Solar probe dabbled in flying as close as he could to the sun in some recent races. 

11/17/24, The Wash Park Circuit (2.25mi), 10:52.57, 10th

Tucked in behind a large pack of generation Alpha(flies) and flashed through the first mile in 4:35. Thankfully the race wasn’t much longer than 10 minutes.

11/23/24, NXR Southwest Citizens Race, 5K, 15:07.64, 3rd

First cross-country race in 19 years (and I probably haven’t been on a golf course in as long). It didn’t disappoint. I took some wise advice and hung back in a very eclectic chase pack. Ran the final 1.1mi in 5:13 to move into 3rd. It was a good day. All 9 of my Peak to Peak High School runners ran personal bests, making me look like a credible xc coach. The family had a fun trip visit to Arizona. Within 24 hours of returning to Colorado we all came down with the flu.

  

Jeffrey didn't send a picture of those races so I found this one on the internet. This is pre-AI folks, real deal. 

I am certain there is a serious  Denver runner or two who feverishly check Denver race results on Saturdays hoping that if Adam wins a 5k that he won't crash that runner's planned race on Sunday. Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucker 

City Park 5k 15:40 for 1st.

The Great Candy Run 3.16 1st 16:22

Pumpkin Pie 5k 3.13 1st 15:52

Ruldophs Revenge 15:36 1st

Rock Canyon 5k 16:22 1st not an easy course

Jingle Jog 6k 1st 19:42

Ugly Sweater 5k 3.13 3rd 16:02

Jeff Mohrmann, a seasoned runner, took a vision quest to California and in the end he came back with the most important prize one can receive. He learned a little about himself. Or maybe he didn't. He might disagree with me because that's what he tends to do. 

The first thing you should know; I think I hate running. 

Not in the actual, functional movement sense. I enjoy moving via running. It is the "I'm going to get in ten miles today as part of my build for XYZ race in three months because I might shave a few minutes off of my PR" sense. That part. That is the part I hate. The unyielding feeling of obligation to train...improve...yada yada yada. I don't think it's for me anymore.

(If it is still for you - I support you and see you. But I don't want to join you for a run). 

I somehow manifested this current state of mind into an early December trip to Santa Monica, CA to run a 50K in the mountains above Malibu. Which was really an oversight on my part. I signed up for this race in January. Forgot about it for 9 months, and then was reminded by my friend who convinced me to sign up in the first place. So, having done exactly zero training for a mountainous 50K I booked a hotel and a plane ticket and showed up to the start line with an average of thirty miles per week of running in my legs and no runs longer than 8 miles since September. 

The course was beautiful - single track in the hills above the pacific, dry valleys, great vistas and conditions. The aid stations were exactly as you would expect for an ultra (think grizzled vets telling you how the next section is "going to rip your legs apart if you aren't careful, plus some pickle juice). My fellow racers were the usual mix of people having a great time and overly serious ultra bros (and gals). Overall, the race organization and event itself was low key and low maintenance. I recommend it. 

And look, I finished. My heart rate never got above 140. My knee didn't explode. Neither did my stomach. I ran the opposite of hard. Experience, sea level and a decent level of baseline fitness got me through. I was grateful for the finish and the experience. But did I love it? Did I even like it? No. Because, like I said, I hate running. 

Colorado XC USATF State Champs and USATF Masters XC National Champs

Boulder was once again the site of the combined CO state (open/masters) & National Masters Cross Country Championships. This year the weather showed out and was a perfect crisp fall day prime (get it) for racing.  Junior Strider Nicole Black, led things off with a smoking fast 9:01 1km in the kids race, with a jazzy tie-dyed Square State jersey. I think age graded she may have edged out her mom Ruth Black! Ruth exacted revenge on the previous CO state champs that was not, due a near homeowners insurance claim. This time she almost barfed which is way better than breaking your butt bone.

 

Nicole trained with one single 5min run. Her race report:

“The part that was most tiring was going up that hill. I didn’t really meet any friends at the race. I liked running and crossing the finish line and wearing my medal. Next year I think it will be warm.” She wore her tie-dye shirt for 3 straight days after the race. Nicole ran the whole 9mins straight! Not bad for being almost 6.

I arrived to the starting line without a broken tailbone this year. My goal was to pace myself and not go out too fast. It was a fun course, although a humble reminder that grass slows you down. It was the closest I’ve ever come to throwing up after a race, and the experience was inspiring enough that I found a new running coach a week later. 2025 will be different!

Logan Wealing, founding Square State Strider, came back to this event after a team podium placing in 2022. Logan laced up spikes for possibly the first time since his days as a Purdue Boilermaker athlete. Logan battled with the mostly altitude based teams to a 12th place finish in 17:59, beating every single sea level runner in attendance (not very welcoming Logan). 

Neil McDonagh also joined Logan and sadly missed teammate Adam Rich shooing away flocks of Canadian Geese from the last champs race. Neil kept a healthy personal space buffer from eventual winner, Joe Gray, placing 2nd in 15:49. 

Club Cross Country National Championships-Tacoma WA

Neil McDonagh - 10k 33:45 2nd

Tempted with the idea of chasing fellow Springs resident Joe Gray in another race, this time in the hometown of Arthur Batanides (guest star of several episodes of Bonanza!). This time the weather was the opposite, despite a well laid out 10k course with a packed masters field, the runners were pelted with bone chilling rain, sleet , hail and 40 mph winds during the entire race. Stuff only mailmen allegedly go out in. In the words of Boulder race director, Lee Troop, the course 'looked like the dog's breakfast', with many deep long mud patches with no alternative option but to think about trench-foot related worm risks. At the risk of bringing shame upon my family back home in Colorado and even my local AirBnb hosts, I was able to surge over the back half of the course and replicate the previous months result finishing 2nd to Mr Gray. This time albeit, distinctly muddier and near hypothermic. 

Gerald and Kari Romero completed all of the Disney Races (are there like 9 you have to do now?). But hopefully it was a work conference trip (wink) and it could all be expensed, because it sure looked fun! They also hopped in the Colorado Springs Turkey Trot with Gerald on the mend from his foot injury with a 22 min clocking for the 5k event. 

The Mountain Never Loses

Striders raced each other, strangers, a few costumed folk, possibly up to two guys in Five Fingers shoes, but if we're being honest no one beat the weather (not the government controlled kind). Lets hear some of the creative excuses these brave folks came up with.

BJ Karlik, a guy who does 90% of his training circling a playground in Rockrimmon, like an unwanted neighborhood watch captain, had this to say.

BJ here….reporting that I was informed that this year was the first time in its history that the PP marathon wasn’t completed in full. Disappointing? Without a doubt. Still a fun day?  Absolutely. Turns out people weren’t lying when they said downhill was tough. No idea how some of these young (and not so young) kids fly down the rocky areas with no regard for their ankles. I passed several people on the way up and was passed by even more on the way down. 

No idea if 2:41 is a good time for Barr camp and back but I felt decent finishing 153 overall. Maybe someone wants to help me with the downhill portion next year?

Adam Rich who only has 7 alleys left in the Patty Jewett neighborhood, before he takes every single STRAVA segment in 80907, kept up his dominance in Denver.

Warrior 5K 1^st 16:00 not sure on distance as I was still having watch issues.

Race for Research 1^st (3.20 miles) 16:31 long course, started 1 hour later then it was advertised!!!

Pancake Stampede 2^nd 15:53

Golden Gallup 2^nd 15:58

Flyin Lyon 5K 1^st 16:27 (3.16 miles)

Colorado Springs Marathon 5k 1^st 15:21 (A bit short)

Abby Winery 5k (Canon City) 1^st 16:02 (course was not fantastic, almost messed up ankles running on the uncut farm fields)

Denver Rocks Run 5k 1^st 16:01 (3.14 miles)

Harvest Festival 5k (3.24 miles) 1^st 16:44 

Strides for Sierra 5k 1^st 16:05 (3.13 miles)

Andy Sherwood, who is still ironing out the kinks to legalize signing local high school runners to NIL deals with the City of Colorado Springs landscaping and chipping pile down off Las Vegas St; laced his racers up after a summer hiatus.

I ran the first annual Manitou 5k. Top Master in a Course record time of 19:53. Racing 5k at Nike Regional Citizen race on November 23 in Phoenix.

Jon Teisher, ran the Manitou Coffin Races and also the Detroit Marathon. I only have a photo from Coffin Races where I think half his team tore their Achilles in the first 20 ft. 

Sam Wood, who could single handedly easily put 2 Men and A Truck out of business if she ever decided to stop being a PT, ran a sampler of cool events. 

In September I ran an abbreviated Pikes Peak Double and the 1st Cougar Ridge Classic race in Vail. I don’t have much to say about the PPA/PPM other than I had fun and it’s a great hometown tradition (despite this only being my second year to run it). The Cougar Ridge Classic however I have to report that the swag you get at packet pickup (long-sleeve sun shirt, hydropack soft flask, small 1st aid kit, sunscreen, dynafit socks, chapstick) plus the free beer, post race $15 meal voucher, and free bags of coffee far outweigh the race fee! The race is approx 15-miles of single track, point to point, starting in Vail and running up the ski slopes to a ridge traversing over and down into Minturn. The fall colors were stunning this year! Consider putting it on your list for next year!

Phil Stafford, completing his bucket list of kinda odd marathons, capped it off with the climate change finish. 

2024 PPM (Partially Peak Marathon) 

Lugged a bunch of extra Maurten, shot blocks, and clothes up for good weight training / classic over packing. Took a little to get the engine running, then things turned into a full blown sprint downhill on that #herodirt, featuring an unexpected uphill hiker on the W’s that got a free “Phil Hug” at 12 miles an hour. 

Ruth Leibfritz, who I can only assume was trying to win a creativity award for submitting court ordered community service loitered all over Palmer Lake.

On 9/28, I attempted my first 24 hour race - a .82 mile loop around Palmer Lake over and over (and over).  I ran with my sister, and had friends come hang and run throughout the day. 

We switched directions every 4 hours to really mix it up, and I got to meet and chat with a lot of runners throughout the day. Night time was tough, but the aid station crew was great, and a cheese quesadilla may have saved my life.

I hadn't really trained specifically for this race, so by 4 AM (hour 20), I was over it and decided it was time to nap in my hammock at our aid station. I ended up placing 4th female overall, 74.62 miles (81 laps). My longest run yet! I love type 2 fun, so I'm already planning to sign up again next year and try to make it the full 24 hours.