Colonizing Every Peak!

 Square State Striders raced high, far and fast, but mostly far. Lets dig into some of the many great efforts put up by the squad. 

Newest team member Tony Clement followed his own footsteps from the past dozen years up the Pikes Peak Ascent:

"Weather and Remi was all the hype this year leading into my 13th running of the Pikes Peak Ascent.  The week prior was a daily check-in with the summit forecast and cameras.  Plenty of talks with fellow racers on what to wear and what it would be like up top....traction or no traction, what kind of jacket to carry and ultimately how little can I get away with without comprising weight and bulk.  I went "middle of the road" with a long sleeve, light tights and light gloves.....It all worked out fine and ended up with my 3rd best time in 13 years.  I was very happy beating my time last year (6 mins faster) but I'm not sure about you, but I'm never completely satisfied with a race unless I podium or PR, and I rarely, if ever podium so it really comes down trying to PR year after year after year.  I had to look up my best time for the ascent and it was 3:30:34 in 2014.  Practically 10 years ago.  As we age, it's easy to fall into the older we get, the slower we get, but I'm not buying it.  I felt good going into the race this year.  My goal was just to beat last year's time but had a "secret" goal (always) to try to PR if it was going well.  I thought my training this year was more dialed in thanks to the help of @bstapanowich.  Thanks for the detailed work out plan and also huge thanks to @mstapanowich for keeping me accountable to that plan.  Of course life got in the way missing a couple high altitude runs, didn't quite get to my 3,2,1's but overall the training was better than previous years.  The plan for the race was to push just a little harder when I feeling comfortable, spend little to no time at aid stations, and really to have fun and enjoy the race.  Like a lot of races, I had my usual distractions....random smells from the competition, others not responding to my "great job" comments when passing and then there was that one guy.....from Barr Camp to A-Frame I'm not sure if this man was giving birth with his breathing, was about to die, or just had bad asthma?  I seriously thought he may not make it above treeline.  He did.  He beat me. Maybe I should be breathing harder?  So back to Remi, I heard he saw Matt while getting ice cream a few days before the race and he encouraged him to beat his record.  How cool is that?  Do you think he really wanted his record to be broken?  I'm still contemplating this one.  And I'm still contemplating breaking my own PR.  Will 2024, 10 years later be my year to break my own record? "

BJ checked to see if his perpetual enthusiasm is affected by altitude (no).

Hello my name is BJ and I ran the ascent in 3:59:06. It was a beautiful day and the race was a blast and the donuts were the best part.

(BJ captured in game cam style background of Strider-n-law Lindsey Olsen)

Gerald Romero, whom I am still not convinced is being compelled against his will to race more than once a week, doubled on Pikes weekend and them some (of course).

August 12, 2023-- Georgetown to Idaho Springs half marathon- 1st place 50-59-- 9th overall -- 1:24:58

September 3, 2023-- Walt Disney World Castaway Cay 5k- Bahamas--1st overall.  

September 9, 2023-- Imogene Pass Run-- Ouray too Telluride-- 10 miles up to the summit and 7 miles down too Ouray- 17.1 miles-- 2:52:29--23 rd overall-- 1st place 50-54.

September 16, 2023-- Pikes Peak Ascent-- 3:07:40-- 103rd overall-- Golden Trail Series race- 1st place 50-54

September 17, 2023-- Pikes Peak Marathon- 6:01-- 4th place 50-54

Jon Teisher did the double: Ascent: 3:43:54 and Marathon: 5:55:55. Then went elsewhere and did something called the Sawatch 50/50- West Line Winder 50k (6:15) & Sawatch 50k Ascent the next day in 8:11. Jon, don't you know all this running is bad for your knees???  

"I got those $500 disposable Adidas world record shoes. Don't worry Gerald they are WADA approved."

Cynthia Chau, who decided her first ever trail race would be the Pikes Peak Marathon ripped a 7:19. Cynthia you should know the Fall Series is like only 4 miles and on trails also. 

Sam Wood continues to jaunt over mountain tops:  "Finished my 6th Leadville 100-mile run and officially retired from ultra-running :) until I run my next one. Ski season is almost upon us!"

James Kaminski also made a Lifetime fitness pilgrimage to Leadville:

"I forgot how miserable 100 milers are, and don’t recall too much of Leadville. But I think I had a really good 40 miles followed by a really really bad 20 miles and somehow managed a solid 40 miles to finish. Here’s some action shots though. Finishing time 26:37:02"

Ruth Black found a race without a stroller category, so ran by herself. Staunton Rocks trail half - Aug 26. 9th female.

"Lots of rain leading up to race day, but Staunton state park dries out impressively fast and there was zero mud on course. Tough course with a fair amount of walking (sad face), but in my defense everyone around me was doing it too. I also learned that technical downhill running is brutal on the whole body.

And you know you’re training for an ultra when your cool down for a half marathon is a wild 5 miles. I’ll be doing the Above the Clouds 50k Oct 7! My first ultra - yippee!"

Melissa Stepanowich found possibly the steepest trail, somehow.

"This race is outstanding and I want to come back year after year.  There are three distances - 13, 24, and 40 milers and I completed the 24. While an official race, it had more of a fat-ass run feel to it with a laid back vibe. The morning prior to the race, I was talking to Amy (fellow Strider!) about my concern for not making the cut-offs in the required time.  She suggested that I carb load.  She plugged my age, height, and weight into some formula on her phone and said I needed to consume over 700g carbs that day. I tried my very best eating croissants and donuts from "Baked in Telluride", going back to the same restaurant for pizza at lunch, and then eating chicken sandwiches and soft pretzels at "Stronghouse."  I made it to roughly 375-400g of carbs and would give the chicken sandwich at Stronghouse 4.5/5 stars.  I made my cut-offs, had amazing views, and a stellar time."

(Melissa if these are just stock photos I'm gonna be mad)

Lars Heckman, who spends part of his time chasing STRAVA segments in South Africa, cherry picked some sweet bread basket of America races.

"About 9 months into this jogging (or maybe it's yogging) endeavor I've decided to undertake, I thought to myself, maybe I can go to my hometown of 8000 people and win a 5k they put on (admittedly it is called a fun run). I had no intention of making it so, as my father told me "come home the winner or don't come home at all". After a brutal first mile that had not one, but two significant hills, I thought I would find my bags outside, as I had some company when we crested the second . Fortunately, running at sea level is basically a cheat code and the sly acceleration I threw in dropped the competition. Crossed the finish line to no fanfare (or official timing) in first. 20:20 was the time, but the mission was accomplished.

2 races in 1 week, feels like I'm a true runner again! I should have scouted my second race more closely since it started with about a half mile of what seemed like Tour de France grade decline, and what goes down must come  up.  Went out way too fast, it was fun while it lasted, hung on to get 6th place. Can't wait for the next!"

(credit: Lars' father, Mr Heckman I assume, with these great shots. I'm pretty sure he used his new long range 20 inch telephoto lens. Didn't even have to leave his back deck a mile from the race course!)

Zach Miller, got 2nd at UTMB. He said it was a French race that lots of people know about.

Every Distance Ever Measured

 The Square State Striders have been out in force for the past month. Racing distances from a measly mile to 100 miles (likely a few extra on their Garmin). Lets get to business and highlight some great performances. 

Ruth Black, decided to put everyone's feelings on FMLA at the Summer Sizzler 5k. Glad you could make the best of our country's utterly unsustainable lack of childcare.

"Summer Sizzler 5k - a surprisingly tiny downtown race where nearly everyone who showed up podiumed in their age group. Pushed nearly 110 pounds of double stroller and toddler weight, and overpacked on fun snack incentives. Couldn’t find a babysitter while Jared (husband and Square State lurker) crushed 5 laps of the 719 ride (he was useless the rest of the day, and check out that helmet hair). 23rd overall, 25:24, 1st AG and most proudly, first stroller. "

Brandon Stepanowich, went into the mountains a man and returned a man but with more blisters at the High Lonesome 100 Trail race. 

"After surviving the Colleegn De Reuck Cross Country 8k in November 2022, Brandon took the logical next step and returned to the racing scene at the High Lonesome 100. The course takes runners on a tour of the southern Wasatch mountain range with alpine sections that follow the Continental Divide and Colorado Trails. Brandon had flawless crewing support from his wife, Melissa, son, Felix, and his 'Grandparazzi' (parents and mother-in-law). He was paced by Zach Miller who, while on the course, submitted a 4.5 star Yelp review for the sliders at the Purgatory aid station-“you must have them with ketchup.” Brandon finished 2nd in a time of 22 hours and 25 minutes. Most notably, he had no poops during the race and spent a cumulative time of 24 minutes at aid stations. This was the least amount of time among all the competitors and, coincidentally, the precise duration of Jeff Mohrmann’s Peloton rides with Olivia."

Sam Wood spent almost exactly 2 whole days racing the nastiest elevation that can be found in the Lower 48, on purpose and paid out of her own money I can only presume. 

"For my birthday on Friday, July 21 at 0800 I began hiking the Ouray 100. Ouray has nearly 42,000ft of elevation gain and equal loss, all at high altitude, so it really becomes a hike more than anything. At 0503 Sunday, or 45 hours and 3 minutes later, I finished as 3rd female and 19th overall. Both full days of the race were hot without a cloud in the sky but the first day I could pack snow under my racing hat. It was the rare occasion that I begged for a rainstorm in the mountains. I only projectile vomited once, at mile 27 in the heat of the first afternoon. It somehow felt appropriate to vomit on my first full day as a 38-year old woman doing an ultra-marathon. I also ran off course about 1.5 miles around mile 36, not a flat and easy departure, but a full send up a steep technical mountainside only to realize I had lost all the course flagging and other humans. I used breadcrumbs on my watch to find my way back and again during the first night as I summited Richmond pass alone and there were no flags to be found. I had my first ever experience running into a second night and I began sleepwalking, zoning out and finding myself dangerously close to the edge of a cliff before my brain came back online. I took my first ever "trail nap" that did not include actual sleep, just laying flat with my eyes closed. I learned that closing my eyes and laying down could trick my brain that was getting substantial rest, even if it was only for 5-minutes. The final climb of Ouray is called the Bridge of Heaven and it's >4,800ft and a 10.2 mile round trip. Said another way, it's nearly 5,000ft of climbing in 5 miles, and I'd already gone 95 miles and 36,000ft thanks to my extra credit. I ate 3 slices of pizza at the Fellin Park aid station at around 10pm the second night before starting this climb. The pizza got me up the mountain and the dinosaur chicken nuggets back down. All in all a great affair. On Sunday I had my first river beer and a 3-scoop ice cream cone. On Monday I tackled the Ouray Via Ferrata and had another river beer. How could you not love this birthday?"

Jon Teisher reports to have started a minor league version of the team, named "Square State Hikers". Jon completed the Pikes Peak Ultra 50k in 7:34:47. If you're new to running, that's a really long time to be out there, not Sam Wood long but pretty darn long.

Gerald Romero, new addition to the Striders, will no doubt challenge Adam Rich in pure volume of races completed. No comment from his publicist on rumors of body doubles or Peter Theil-esque blood boy whispers. 

In possibly chronological order:

USATF New Mexico State mountain championship 10k- 10th overall- 1st 50-54 champion- 1:06.    August 6th Sunday -- .6 vertical ski lift climb up too 11,000 feet -- 8th overall.    1st master.  

Estes park- Rocky Mountain 5k and half marathon.   5th overall 5k and 3rd master half marathon.  

Barr trail mountain race-- 1st place 50-59-- 2:04

5k at 10,000 feet- vail-  3rd overall

Cookie chase 5k- USATF 5k road championships - 2nd place 50-54 - USATF-19:11.  

4K on the 4th - 15:48-22nd overall

the vail hill climb-7.6 miles --1st place 50-59. 

Demonstrating how inclusive the Square State Striders are, Brian Fleischmann won the 45+ Swimming Masters Nationals in the 1500m. Just like a parent asking their kid about video games "Are you doin' good son?" We don't have a clue if this mark is good but I'm guessing so since you won and its the nationals. Way to go Brian. You'll always have a place here. Lets screen print some speedos soon. 

Adam Rich as usual mixed it up along the Front Range road race scene. Adam credits recent success to  his recent training camp in Phoenix last month (checks notes, yeah he said Phoenix). 

Donor dash 2nd 16:03 (3.17) (clearly Denver races have been borrowing my AppleWatch to measure race courses tooooootally legit)

Heritage Eagles 6th 15:47.

Lars Heckman, newest addition to the Square State Striders, raced the Pearl St Mile in Boulder this past weekend . Lars clocked a 5:50 officially, but that does not account for the fact that out of pure Midwest chivalry Lars stood at the absolute back of his wave and worked his way through the 4 laps & 13 turns of the exciting Pearl St Mile course. Welcome aboard Lars, great start!

Zach Miller paced 22nd in the Mount Marathon "race", which is exactly what I would imagine a bunch of inebriated Alaskans would come up with if they invented a race 100 years ago. Easily one of the most absurd races out there, scaling 1.5 miles straight up a mountain with no trail or discernible footing, and then back down like you have European universal healthcare to the finish in town. Nice 5k Zach. 

Neil McDonagh, was on a racing diet this summer, deciding to only run 1 mile races. 

East End Mile: 4:41 1st Masters, Neil channeled his 2 years of living in Phoenix by almost giving himself heat stroke by simply running. 

Mile High Mile: A spectacular night of track mile races put on by the Boulder Road Runners. Neil took 8 sec off the Colorado soil masters mile record running 4:27.28. The only problem was Denver ace Anthony Bruns who etched his name less than a second earlier in 4:26.32. Although race director, Todd Straka, was dismayed that stadium lights did not turn on, he made memorable lemonade by pulling in a dealership worth of cars onto the track for ad-hoc lighting. 

Pearl St Mile: 4:34 1st Masters. In this race Neil attempted an impression of Anthony Bruns' previous week performance by going out in sub 4:20 mile pace. Only difference was Neil most definitely slowed at a precipitous rate over the final quarter mile. 

And finally the Square State Striders would like to announce our first sponsor. 

5 Rice Studio: Premium Custom Apparel 

Our local go to all in one custom print supplier. Printing Square State apparel since mid '22 !

Summertime, Sunburns, Storms & Suds

   A crew of Square State Striders hitched their wagons and headed west to Lake City for the San Juan Solstice 50 Mile Run. Both Sam Wood (13:34:14) and Melissa Stepanowich(15:41:10) braved all manner of obstacle, beyond the obvious of running 50 miles on purpose. Here's what they had to say. 

I enjoyed ice cold feet in the first section of many creek crossings. Actually numb feet, wait where are my feet?! Oh God my feet are gone! Nooooo! Then it was a flaming hot sauce buffet most of the day along the Continental Divide. I implemented nasal-only breathing while above 12,000ft to test my theory that keeping my mouth shut is nearly always the best idea. Next comes the Ouray 100, which happens to fall on my birthday, July 21. Hopefully I don’t lose my feet again! - Sam 

At 10pm on the evening that the lottery was closing for San Juan Solstice, I crawled into bed and Brandon said “How mad would you be if I told you I signed you up for the SJS50 lottery?” At 11am the following day, I got the email that stated “congratulations” along with a credit card charge. Interested in keeping his marriage in good standing, Brandon then wrote a training plan for me. I followed it, finished the race that was my first 50 post baby, and had an amazing time. Would love to go back. Highly recommend spouses signing up their partners for races without consent. - Melissa

Palmer Lake 4 Miler:  Jon Teisher and Andy Sherwood rang in the 4th running away from Palmer Lake to the safe shores of Monument Colorado. Likely judging by the results Andy drafted off Jon for as long as possible without straining their friendship and then zipped ahead for a finish of 25:07 to Jon's 26:56.  

            Andy told me that he would send me a photo of himself and Jon, but he didn't. So I have a stock photo of two men running here. 

Beer Mile: Jon cut short a bicycle ride from a Mexican Pharmacia back into America, to run a 7:46 Beer Mile. He claims this is a SSS team record. We'll ratify it when you mail in that bottle of pee to US Anti-doping agency. 

West End Mile: Neil McDonagh decided to double his drive time from Colorado Springs to Boulder to avoid a reenactment of the Helen Hunt cinematic blockbuster Twister. Racing the first part of the Boulder road mile summer series on a rainy evening, he took 1st in the masters elite race with 4:42. 

credit: Dave Albo

Leadville Trail Marathon: Tom Caughlin completed this very unpleasant sounding marathon in 5:39. But wait there's more! Rumor has it Tom plans to make this the shortest distance of the summer, with aim to complete the Leadville 100 bike and run races, and gaining the credit he so so desires from his peers to be anointed 'A Leadman'. Good luck to your body , mind and patience of your family. 

Tom crushing this game cam shot. 

 Adam's Roundup: As if besting all comers up to 3 times in a weekend on the roads in Colorado wasn't enough, Adam Rich headed down to Arizona to mix it up in the convection oven known as Phoenix. Placing 2nd at the AZ Road Runners Summer Series 2 with a 16:56 (3.32 mi), next up was the AZ Sunrise Series where he took 1st in 15:45 and wrapped it up back in Colorado at the Parker 4th of July 5k taking top prize 1st in 16:25 over a hilly course. 

 

Striders Racing Sampler

Square State Striders lined up all over the country this past month. Lets dig into some great performances!

Carson Rickey and Cynthia Chau both SF tech diaspora in Colorado, who have now made their official home in Colorado. Ditching the hoodied avocado toasting sunless San Francisco for sunnier skies and thinner air of the Centennial State. Here's their report from the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City MI. 

'The Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City blends a smooth and fast road out-and-back course with scenic waterfront views into a running experience that is hard to beat. Cynthia and I both had fantastic race results and experiences on the day. Cynthia is not yet an official member of SSS but after running a 10min PR in only her second marathon in a stellar time of 3:38, I think she will soon be donning the white and black singlet. I ran a time of 2:44, good enough for 39th place but much more importantly, 1st Asian. Overall, it was a top-notch event and even included three runners accomplishing OTQ Marathon times. Running over 20 miles alongside the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay was sublime- certainly an experience you can only have in a location like the American Upper Midwest.'

COLFAX MARATHON:

Jon Teisher was registered as starting the marathon and finishing the marathon. Now I am not insinuating that he did not cross each timing mat. We don't need Marathon Investigations involved here. I am here to say that Jon may have invented a revolutionary marathoning method. Early workshop name leader is 'Fermented Galloway' . Carson Rickey was present to crew for JT. The method centers on not bothering carrying your fuel/calories, but in fact just buying them along the course. Time: 4:52:49 "STRAVA said my moving time was four flat, so I spent almost an hour of the race in bars. I bet Adam Rich couldn't pull that off!"

FEDERAL CUP 5K: Adam Rich ran just a quantity one race in Denver this weekend. Adam placed a shocking first in 15:48. Adam credits not using super shoes. Not kidding. But very on brand for Adam Rich. 

Colorado Rockies Home Run 5k: Adam kept it spicy at this MLB theme 5k. 

"Rockies Home Run 5k (3.24 and the damn gate was not open for me to get into the stadium to finish, hense the slower finishing time of 16:34 (was legitimately on target for 15:36) and 1st place."

Don't worry Adam, I checked the IAAF conversion tables and closed gates at altitude give 20 sec/mile of race. 

Pole Pedal Paddle Bend OR: Zach Miller with partner Jess (singular name like Bjork), placed 2nd in the Co-ed Pairs division. Listen beyond placing 2nd of many teams, I have no clue if these marks for each discipline are any good. But I'm guessing that is the case here. Way to go Jess and Zach!

The Springs All Comers 5000m: Neil McDonagh decided to race all comers (of the ones who attended this rainy Saturday morning track race). Neil had to dig deep over the last lap to finish at 15:59, as he was under the impression that this event followed Price is Right rules. As he submitted a 16:00 seed time for the 5k. 

 

And Then There Was Ekiden

 This past weekend, a cluster of Square State Striders, tempted the gods and held an Ekiden relay before Memorial Day. Local pickleballers were likely befuddled by what could only be described as 'a confused flashmob in a park'. 

What's this all about? Ekiden is a form of distance running relay practiced in Japan, often over several days. Teams run varying lengths against other teams, all hoping to finish first by the final leg of the relay. Contestants pass a beauty pageant style sash to their teammates instead of a relay baton. It remains one of the most popular national events in the entire country of Japan, bringing the whole country to a near stand-still. 

Then there was what we performed. No varying distances. Barely memorized order of relay handoffs. Sash's that might double as a  vintage softball uniform fabric on Etsy. Children playing inside an archery alley. Time keepers holding what can only be described as several burner phones. This might have passed for the Burning Man of Bear Creek Park. 

THE EKIDEN RACE:

The course consisted of 1 single loop of the Bear Creek archery area trail network. A winding hilly dirt humbling 1.3 mile segment. If you think you're cool, go run it. You probably won't feel that way after. 

The opening leg was a duel up front with Robert Stepanov (age 9) battling Logan Wealing to the line handing off in a dead heat. Andrea Fleischmann on team Striders allowed her spouse to watch his children with other adults supervising him during the first leg.

Adam Rich fresh off a race in Denver on Saturday, and a casual 12 mile warmup, had the enviable task of 2 loops of the hilly dirt course at Bear Creek Park. Julia Stepanov and Neil McDonagh, in order chased after Adam. Along with Adam, Brian Fleischmann and Tom Caughlan were manifesting being anywhere better for the next 7-8 minutes. Over the final leg, BJ Karlik put chum in the water figuratively while Vitaly Stepanov radar locked nearly catching him. James Kaminski completed the final leg and is in the process of petitioning Leadville 100 organizers if he can only run 98.7 miles later this summer, under the 'Time Served' philosophy. 

Final Times were as listed below. Sincere thanks and amazement at official Timekeepers: Sarah Blakeslee and Amy McDonagh; I don't even know what you were doing with the other phones but it made it look way more official for sure.

Post race festivities involved a BBQ and Awards presentation. Robert Stepanov represented the winning team Square. Bringing home the coveted Darius Songalia bobble head trophy. James Kaminski being awarded the top newcomer, with his own long lost full DVD box set of MacGyver . Verdict was that no one at the event died and even reported to marginally be willing to attempt again in the future after speaking with their physician. 

QUARTERLY REPORTS ARE IN !

While everyone around the country (besides lazy Californians) was guesstimating how many thousands of dollars they should claim in value for their donated old HOKA's; the Square State Striders were running all over America. 

Lets dig in with new team additions:

Ruth Black locked down 6th place overall (44:54)at the local Take 5 in the Garden. Ruth reported that she signed up for this race before even moving to town. So I can only assume that she won the signup competition as well. She submitted a rather graphic race report detailing the various  methods of bodily damage that a GI bug had inflicted upon all the members of her family.   if  you are interested in hearing the uncenscored review of Ruth's race, you'll have to join the team

Sam Wood, another new Square State Strider, decided to front load all her miles this year in a span of two weekends. Sam secured 3rd place (5:30:17) at the Cheyenne Mountain Trail 50k . Sam completed this marathon plus distance in sandals (as one does), reporting that she cramped in an unspecified manner. Sam did acknowledge that 2 burritos were required in the immediate recovery process. Not more than a week later Sam completed the Lincoln Marathon,  in Nebraska (* last state to create a flag!) in effort to qualify for the Army Guard Marathon team. Sam clocked a 3:29:09. Sam's detailed report of the race was "Hot. 1 burrito. Qualified." Way to go Sam, best of luck at your next unpleasant endeavor!

Melissa Stapanowich trapsed through the forest service roads of Chaffee County, notching a speedy 4:36:27, at the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run - 25 Mile. A race this long requires mental fortitude, which can mean the tipping point of a successful event. To pass the time, Melissa collected juniper berries along the course to brew a spicy pot of juniper berry tea post race (chillout narcs, its federal land, she can pick all she wants). Great job Melissa, looking for that recipe!

James Kaminski, reurned to the heartland and sped his way to a 1:26:48 half marathon at the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon. OneAmerica 500 (which sounds like the 3rd company my mortgage was sold to) half marathon was held in Indianapolis. James a fixture on trail and ultra scene here in Colorado, joins the Striders to clearly address unfinished business on the speed side. Welcome James!

Brian Fleischmann, early Strider team member but just dusting off his racing cap. Wait, swimming results?!?. Brian had a very successful weekend at the Masters Swim Nationals, held in Irvine CA. Brian took home gold in the ag 40-44y , 1000yd freestyle touching the wall in 10:18:59. Brian spends his free time fooling other Square State Striders by describing made up swim strokes, like the Belgian Frog Lip. 

Adam Rich, whom we can only assume has signed a secret deal requiring at least 2 dozen race wins per year; notched an eye opening double win at the Highline Canal 5k and 10k. No clue on the time gap between the race starts (I'm sure we could look it up). Adam ripped around Centennial CO, clocking 16:15/34:18, clearing the field in both races by minutes. Nice work Adam. 

Neil McDonagh, flew out to LA in hopes of reliving the 90's, racing a Masters mile at the storied Arcadia Invitational high school track meet. Neil held off a pack of hard charging 40+ guys with a late last homestretch kick. Neil left LA satisfied having run a 4:26.9 and with an incubating case of COVID. 

New addition but not recently racing, Zachary Miller, has joined the Square State Striders. In his intro email Zachary touted: 

• 10+ Nielson Challenge finishes
• Bragged about living tax free for a number of years on the side of Pikes Peak 
• Represented USA for World Championships in Mountain Running Long Course

Show's Over Folks!

The 2023 Winter Series, only a bit shorter than the NHL season, has finally come to a conclusion. Lots of great performances at this race and throughout the gambit of weather that S^3 runners encountered. 

Winter Series IV: 

Short Course 10k:

BJ Karlik zipped along the course securing 3rd place on this day, with his family watching. BJ knocked out a 41:29 over the 10k course (not that short if you ask me) which was rerouted to go north instead of venturing to the scruffier southern Sante Fe trail. There were whispers that front runners may have taken an alternate route, but later revealed that no advantage was gained. We hope that BJ can learn to cheat in a more advantageous fashion by the end of this season. In the overall series awards, BJ placed 2nd overall and 1st his age group! Way to rep the Striders. 

Melissa Stepanowich slid under the 50 min barrier with a 49:56, good enough for 3rd overall on the day. Melissa identified no cheating, but maybe that's the key (take notes BJ). Melissa skated off with a 1st place in her age group series award, just shy of the overall podium I believe. Melissa is all set to gear up for what can only be described as a severe race schedule this summer. 

Amy McDonagh knocked out a 1:00:16 time but will obviously credit the 60 min timestamp to her semi reluctant children, who ran down the finish straight and even ghosted her in the last 20 yds. Taking home the top honors in the Athena division, Amy credits the winter of creatine and power lifting.  Amy might go climb a mountain in a foreign country next, who knows. 

Long Course 20km: 

Vitaly Stepanov had a 12~ mi battle with the overall winner placing 2nd on this day with a 1:13:40. Vitaly potentially the most photogenic member of the team behind Felix Stepanowich, managed to sneak in some races while his son Robert collects statewide running hardware. Vitaly held on for 2nd overall in the series standings 3 min back from top honors, which is pretty close if you add it all up. 

Other racing (aka Adam Rich podium count):

Spring Runoff 5k: Adam Rich 1st (well yeah), in 16:34. Adam credited his time (negatively) to near hurricane force winds in his face for an extended period of the race.

credit: Southern Colorado Runners

Runnin of the Green 7k (Denver): Adam Rich places 6th in a time of 22:47, amongst stiff competition including Olympians. Who knows if this is a great time, isn't the metric system supposed to be all 5's and 0's? We assume this was a great placing Adam. 

St Patrick's Day 5k (Colorado Springs): apparently the course was tremendously short and results near worthless. If you ran this congrats on getting to run on closed downtown streets.