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Home

• GBTC Invitational
• GBTC Men Capture New England XC Title
• Running Shorts ... a few words from the editor
• Welcome New Members
• President's Column
• Que Sera Sera
• 1996 USATF-NE and GBTC Road Race Grand Prix
• Exhibit: Against the Winds
• The Athlete's Kitchen
• Grand Prix 1995, Final Results
• Track and Field Grand Prix Standings
• Indoor Track Schedule
• Road Race Results
• Sunday Long Run Schedule
• Race Results
• Publication Notice

GBTC Invitational

Sunday, January 21. We held our 15th annual GBTC Invitational Indoor Track and Field Meet. The meet includes a full complement of activities with sprints, middle distance, distance, field, and relay events. Over 800 athletes from colleges and clubs competed, with many local university participants, as well as those from Metropolitan New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, and North Carolina.

The meet began at 9:30 AM with the 3000m walk and ended at 5:00 PM with the distance medley relay (880y, 440y, 3/4 mile, mile). In between, were trials, semi-finals, and finals in the 55m dash, hurdles, 200m, and 400m. Also, the 500m, 800m, 1000m, mile, and 3000m races were run in sections with the finishing places being determined by time. Further, the high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put and weight throw were contested. Relays, held at the conclusion of the meet, included 4x220y, 4x880y, and 4x440y, prior to the distance medley.

A highlight of the Invitational was an American Senior Men's indoor record and unofficial world indoor record by Chicago's Ken Sparks in a special Masters (40+)/Senior Men's (50+) 2-mile run. At 51 years of age, Ken ran the 2-mile in 9:54.51. Last year, Sparks shattered world records in the mile (4:32.84), 1500m (4:13.9 -- en route to the mile), and 800m (2:03.5) runs, at our meet. Rob O'Hara (Tri-Valley Front Runners) also set a meet record in the 40-49 age group 2-mile, with a time of 9:35.63.

The meets most outstanding performance was provided by UCLA graduate, Derrick Knight, who ran 7.15 meet record in a heat of the 55-meter high hurdles. He has been ranked by Track & Field News in 1995 as one of the US' top outdoor high hurdlers. Unfortunately, Derrick's travel plans kept him from competing in the hurdles' finals.

Three women's meet records fell. Villanova's Kathy Sullivan ran 2:07.17 in the 800 meter run, triple jumper Leonie Codrington (New York Pioneers) reached 43'3-3/4", and Essex County College's 4x220y relay team ran 1:38.94.

The men's and women's invitational mile runs were won by Central Mass Striders' Jamal Prince (4:12.61) and Villanova University's Carrie Tollefson (4:49.26). Both won by about a quarter of a second. Quality performances produced victories for Manhattan College's Michael Williams (800m - 1:51.64), NIKE's Cindi Girard (3,000m - 9:29.56), and Central Mass Striders' Bill Bland (3,000m - 8:11.19).

GBTC Men Capture New England XC Title

GBTC captured the Men's USATF-NE Cross Country Grand Prix after its 8th place finish at the New England Championships. The Grand Prix consisted of the Yankee Runner 5K at the Governor Dummer Academy, Biefield, MA; Brooksby Farm 5 miler in Peabody, MA; Boston's Mayor's Cup 8K at Franklin Park; HFC Striders 5K Tune-up in the Middlesex Fells; and the USATF-NE Championship 10K at Franklin Park.

GBTC finished with the season with 39 points, outdistancing runner-up North Shore Striders (30), and third place HFC Striders (22). Competing for GBTC were Bill Newsham, John Bowser, Andy Rogovan, Tom Cotter, Doug Burdi, Eamonn Browne, Chris Hussey, Ron Spangler, Bruce Bond, Jack Burke, Karl Hoyt, Dan Oberlander, Jon Berit, Rezwan Rahman, and Chuck Fergerson.

Our women's team fell from its first place Grand Prix standing the past two years, to finish sixth. Often, we did not field full teams. The women's team consisted of Jennifer Weaver, Lenia Ascenso, Sarah Rankin, Sarah Tabbutt, Julie Donahue, Elaine Christy, and Cynthia Hastings, and Judy Pruit.

Running Shorts ... a few words from the editor

For those of you interested in running the New Bedford Half Marathon, the race benefactor is the Brain Tumor Society. Last year, Dick Nickerson organized black ribbons which were worn by GBTC runners in memory of Jay Boviard. Although he is not doing the ribbons this year, Dick would like to see another good showing of GBTCers in this year's New Bedford Half. Surprisingly, the Newport Federal Half Marathon, and not New Bedford was selected as part of the USATF-NE road race grand prix.

This issue includes last year's GBTC Road Race Grand Prix final results, as well as the 1996 Road Race Grand Prix Schedule. Since Karl Hoyt had difficulting getting results from some of the races, the 1996 schedule is identical to the USATF-NE schedule. Their results are readily available. The overall mens and womens winners receive a gift certificate from the club.

We've had a number of recent births in the club. Rachel Shanor, John Coombs, and Katherine, welcomed baby brother, Richard Berrian Coombs (7 lbs. 2 oz.) on November 09. Rachel notes she ran up to delivery. Marianne DiMascio and Nick Donohue celebrated Jennifer Kane DiMascio-Donohue's birth (7 lb. 2 oz..) on November 20. Also, January 3 marked Karen, Jim, and Timothy Rattray's welcoming of Jennifer Jordan (6 lb. 12 oz.) to the world. Congratulations to all! Thank you parents for your long range planning for new GBTC members. In about 21 years they will have used up their college eligibility and can run under the red and black colors! We are all happy to see that all of our parents stay in the club. I've heard that at one time, children meant that parents would drop out of the club. We'll have to think about day care services during practice.

Speaking about the red and black, Sarah Rankin has reported that the GBTC bolts of material for our racing uniforms were shipped prior to Malden Mills' devastating fire. Fabrication of the uniforms has started and the first ones should be available around the end of February. Sarah has been busy 7 days per week in getting the mills' operations restarted. We hope for a full recovery for the injured employees, out-of-work personnel, hard working management, and the Lawrence community.

On January 14, prior member and son of Dick, John Nickerson, was married to Elizabeth Winship in Millis, MA. John has been working out, but has not been competing. They live in Mount Arlington, NJ. If they return to this area, we'll have to get back into racing shape!

Remember, the US Men's and Women's Marathon Trials will be televised on NBC, Saturday February 17th, from 3:30 to 6:00 pm.

Thanks to all who provided information for this Wingfoot. The next edition's deadline for articles is March 19.

Welcome New Members

President's Column

First, I would like to congratulate Marianne DiMascio, Karl Hoyt, Hugh Jessup, Frank Monkiewicz, and Bob Ward, who received numbers for the 100th BAA Marathon based on club service. The GBTC would not be the same without their continued efforts. Similar kudos to Sandy Miller for planning the Holiday Party, and to all of the atendees who provided good food, conversation, and atmosphere. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did, and that somehow the Eliot Lounge will be relocated.

Further, I would like to thank all of the volunteers at the GBTC Invitational beginning, of course, with Jim O'Brien. More on him later. For those of you who volunteered at the GBTC Invitational, it was really critical that you helped. Some members didn't show up and we were a little short of help this year. That meant all you who helped, had to work a little harder. As a reward for your efforts, we had some extra T-shirts, and you can each have one on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see Mike Turmala.

Back to Mr. O'Brien. Jim directs our largest event of the year (participation and budget), is on his second term as a board member, and regularly represents the GBTC at USATF-NE meetings. He has been a contributer to the club for 20+ years.

I've been a member of GBTC for 5 years. In that period, the first time I saw Jim compete was in the 200m at 1995 GBTC Relays. The second time, Jim moved up in distance to run (well, maybe a little walking) a hilly 4.4 mile leg in the Lake Winnipesaukee Relay. I was prepared to try to talk Jim into withdrawing his request for a number to the BAA marathon. Luckily, he didn't submit one!

Remembering Tom Derderian's statement that half the battle is showing up, the Men's Cross Country team won the 1995 USATF-NE Grand Prix. The HFC 5K race was won by a single point over CSU. GBTC's 6th and 7th runners beat CSU's 5th runner, each displacing the CSU runner by one place, attesting to the importance of showing up. Our team should be applauded for their efforts and their victory! (Actually, they were at the Holiday Party, but you can pat them on the back again.) Wouldn't it be nice to see the men repeat as champions this year, and see the women come back to recapture the title they won in 1993 and 1994?

Overall, it is clear to me that the participation of individuals in the GBTC defines the course the club takes.

Que Sera Sera

The GBTC Holiday party appears to have been a success, with estimates of 50+ revelers. First, I want it known that I did NOT request that the DJ play "Que Sera Sera" (it was a fellow who did not belong to GBTC, and we let the DJ do it as a favor). This is the first GBTC party that I've been to where a "No Moshing" warning was given to folks on the dance floor. The closest we ever got to that was years ago (party was held at the Exchange that long-ago year), when two members were running laps around the block, fell over some trash barrels in the alley and returned to the party a bit bashed up (one fellow's quote was "I think we're drunk now"). It's good to see that we've progressed socially.

The Road Race Grand Prix winners were announced. Kay McDonald won the women's division and Bob Ward won the Men's division. The drawing for the Boston Marathon numbers was held. Eamonn Browne, Julie Wyman, Susan Richards, Andrew Bloch, and Geoffrey Groesbeck were selected in the lottery. In addition, the 5 winners based on service to GBTC were announced: Marianne DiMascio, Karl Hoyt, Hugh Jessup, Frank Monkewicz and Bob Ward. The coaches were awarded a holiday bonus, which was presented by Club President, Bruce Bond.

As Sunday is a "school night", the party did not go into the early a. m., but there were a few club members who were willing to extend the evening, if the DJ would continue (you dancing fools know who you are!!). It appears that all had fun, and that no serious damage was done. A success?

1996 USATF-NE and GBTC Road Race Grand Prix

Exhibit: Against the Winds

The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Museum of Cultural and Natural History are pleased to announce an exhibit on Native American running. The exhibit will open in conjunction with the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in April 1996. The exhibit will be shown on- line, on the Internet using the World Wide Web. The only physical component will be photographic panels placed in the Boston area to highlight the exhibit. We hope that these panels can be placed in the Prudential Center Mall or the Hynes Convention Center to draw attention to the on-line exhibit and to encourage runners and their families to visit the Museum of Cultural and Natural History while they are in Boston for the Marathon.

In the past, running was often incorporated into ceremonies as well as being a mode of transportation. Running was a means through which messages were delivered and cultural traditions exchanged. Today, running plays a somewhat different role -- as a way to encourage fitness and prevent disease, primarily diabetes, and as an alternative to gangs and drugs for the youth of native communities. Running has in many ways reinvigorated tribal communities. The exhibit will look at running in native American cultures from both an historical perspective as well as its current importance.

By using computer network technology to present this exhibit, it will be accessible to those who cannot travel to the museum.

A talk by Peter Nabokov on "Indian Running" will be held at the Museum of Cultural and Natural History at Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Friday, March 8 at 7:00 PM. Copies of his book by the same title will be available for sale. Nabokov will sign them.

The Athlete's Kitchen

"My hockey coaches tell me I have to weigh 195 in order to play on the team. So I starve myself for two days before weigh-in to shut them up, then stuff myself and play at my best weight, 200 ponds." ... "When I get weighed at the doctor's office, I was shocked to find out I'd gained 8 pounds. I haven't eaten in two days." ... The fifth grade teachers at my son's school want to measure body fat as a part of their health class. I'm appalled at the idea. Should they do that?" ... "Yesterday at a health fair, my body fat measurement was 21% and here with you today it's 18%. What's the story???"

When it comes to measuring weight and body fat, we tend to put great value on pounds and percents. Most athletes perceive themselves as somewhat superior when the numbers are lower. These same athletes can also spin into a tizzy when the numbers go higher. If this reaction sounds familiar to you, keep reading. The purpose of this article is to help you stop waging war with the scale, your weight and the percent fat.

Q. What's the best way to measure body fat? When athletes ask me about the best way to have their body fat measured, I first question why they seek the information. Why does the number have so much importance to them? Is a coach or a sport imposing unreasonable goals? Or are they their worst enemy?

There is no "best" way to measure body fat. Speaking at the 1995 annual meeting of the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, exercise physiologist Dr. Frank Katch of U Mass-Amherst explained that although many methods to measure body fat are accurate, the translation of the measurements into percent body fat are fraught with error. For example, calipers can very accurately measure skinfold thickness. But when the numbers get translated into percent body fat, a person might be 8%, 12%, 15%, depending on the formula used. Fatness with electrical impedance measurements will vary depending on how well hydrated you are. Even underwater weighing, the gold standard, is rendered less accurate with low bone density (common among female athletes) or intestinal gas. Also remember that the leaner you are, the less accurate the translation is likely to be. Most formulas are based on the "average" person, as opposed to very lean athletes.That's why you'll hear about football players with "negative three percent" body fatness. They'd be dead if this was a valid number!

Q. What are the best body fat goals for athletes? Although most athletes believe the thinner they are, the better they'll be, there are no data to support this myth. Rather, the best athletes tend to be genetically lean and can easily maintain a low percent body fat while fueling themselves optimally. Researchers have documented the body fat levels that are common to athletes in a variety of sports, but they have no way to determine the "best" percent body fat. That's because thinness and fatness are influenced by genetics. The nutritional cost may be very high for a genetically heavy athlete to be 9% body fat. That is, he will likely have to endure chronic dieting that results in poorly fueled muscles. Will this low percent of fat help him be a better athlete? Doubtful.

Q. What should I weigh? The general "rule of thumb" for estimating a reasonable weight for your body is:

• Women: 100 lbs for the first 5 feet; 5 pounds per inch thereafter.
• Men: 106 lbs for the first 5 feet; 6 pounds per inch thereafter.

Q. How often should I weigh myself? Never, if you are obsessed with your weight. Your better bet is to let your body be what it is and love yourself from the inside out, rather than judge yourself from the outside in. If you are on a weight reduction program, you might want to weigh yourself once a week to chart your progress. The best time to weigh yourself is the first thing in the morning after going to the bathroom and before eating or drinking. Weights taken at other times of the day will record the weight of food, water, and clothes...not changes in body fat.

The bottom line: My advice is to remember that weight and fatness are more than a matter of will power. Nature has a blue print for each person's body. You have to trust that appropriate eating in combination with appropriate exercise will result in your body being an appropriate weight. If you struggle with pounds, percents and accepting your body, the chances are you are struggling with self-esteem issues. Somehow you feel less perfect or less adequate if you weigh more than your self-imposed goal. The concern may have little to do with health, beauty, or performance, but more with control -- and feeling out of control. Remember: you are the same wonderful person regardless of what you weigh. The best fueled athlete has advantages over the thinner, but starved, one.

Grand Prix 1995, Final Results

GBTC's 1995 Road Race Grand Prix overall winners were Kay McDonald and Bob Ward. As in previous seasons, points were awarded in each division based upon a 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, scoring system for every GBTC Grand Prix road race. Individual race results were summed to arrive at the overall scores.

Ann Bokman, Kay McDonald, and Dotty Fine were leaders in the women's Open, Master's, and Senior's divisions, with Kay and Dotty the overall co-leaders, scoring 40 points. Kay was awarded the championship based on head-to-head competition.

In the men's division, Ron Spangler, Frank Monwiewicz, and Bob Ward, were the respective Open, Master's and Senior's division leaders. Bob won the overall title based upon a 66 to 43 point lead over Ron. Following are the final results.

For GBTC's 1996 Road Race Grand Prix, we are using races selected for the USATF-NE Grand Prix schedule. (Please see page 4 for this listing.) As a result of the reduced number of races compared to our 1995 schedule, everyone is encouraged to participate in all the races.

Women's Open

Ann Bokman 	20
Jenifer Weaver	18
Claire McManus	17
Hiedi Wallis	14
K.Simshauser	11
Miriam Fein	 7
Kirsten Findell	 6
Julie Donahoe	 5

Men's Open

Ron Spangler	42
Doug Burdi	41
Bill Newsham	36
Chris Hussey	32
Karl Hoyt	27
Tom Cotter	20
Hugo Cortes	18
Andy Rogovin	18
Jim St.Pierre	18
Jack Burke	17
Rick Jones	15
Bill Wright	13
Chuck Ferguson	 5

Women's Masters

Kay McDonald    40*
Sandy Miller    34
Nancy Clark     30
Judy Romvos     20
Jean Smith       8

Women's Senior

Dotty Fine      40

Men's Masters

F. Monkiewicz   28
Bruce Bond      20
Mike Turmala    20
Hugh Jessup      7

Men's Seniors

Bob Ward        66*
Dick Nickerson  50

Track and Field Grand Prix Standings

Men

55m
Fisher		6.9, 7.21

200m
Fisher		514 (25.65)

400m
Fisher		409 (60.14)

800m
Bowen	457 (2:15.7), 455 (2:15.80)
Berit	265 (2:27.9), 310 (2:24.71)

1500m
Burke		446 (4:40.05)
Hoyt		432 (4:41.70)

3000m
Newsham		633 (9:16.3)

5000m
Newsham	        662 (15:49.6)
Hoyt		321 (18:06.16)
Wright		281 (18:26.21)

Long Jump
Fisher		623 (18'5 3/4")

Women

400m
Miller		551 (72.49)

Indoor Track Schedule

January

February

10 BU Valentines Open Meet, Boston University, 617-353-2911

18 13th Annual "Boston vs. NY" Club Dual Meet, Boston University, USATF-NE, 617-566-7600

25 Maine USATF Championship/Open, Brunswick, ME, 207-443-6171 or 207-224-8240

March

17 Eastern Masters (30+) Meet, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USATF-NE, 617-566-7600

23-24 Masters (30+) Nationals, Greenville, NC

Road Race Results

Waltham 4-miler

Andy Rogovin	21:03	  1st
Bill Newsham	21:29	  5th
Eammon Browne 	21:41	  8th
Jack Burke	23:16	 15th
Dick Nickerson 	27:32	 55th  (3rd Senior)

Sunday Long Run Schedule

Notes:

1. Most runs can accommodate shorter distances for those of you who are concerned about "making the distance."
2. Please call the host in advance (say, by Saturday afternoon) to allow them to plan for participants.
3. All Sunday Runs are slated to start at 9:00 AM. Please be prompt or risk being left behind.

Please call Dave Emery at 617-894-1408 (H) or 508-623-1075 (W) if you have any concerns regarding this schedule.

Race Results

Harvard Invitational

5000m
3. Bill Newsham		15:49.6

Brandeis Invitational

800m
6. Ted Bowen		2:15.7
7. Jon Berit		2:27.9

3000m
6. Bill Newsham		9:16.3

Brown All-Comers #2

55m
1.  Wayne Fisher	6.9

400m
1. Wayne Fisher		60.0

Dartmouth Relays, Masters

55m
1. Wayne Fisher	7.21  	1st(tie) 40-44

200m
3. Wayne Fisher	25.65	2nd(40-44)

400m
1. Sandy Miller	72.49	1st(45-49) PB

800m
1. Ted Bowen		2:15.80	2nd(30-34)
3. Jon Berit		2:26.21	4th(35-39)

1500m
8. Jack Burke		4:40.05	2nd(30-34)
9. Karl Hoyt		4:41.70	3rd(35-39)

5000m
4. Jack Burke		17:11.38  3rd(30-34)  1 lap short
6. Karl Hoyt		18:06.16  1st(35-39)
7. Bill Wright		18:26.21  2nd(35-39)

Long Jump
1. Wayne Fisher		18' 5 3/4" 	      1st(40-44)

Dartmouth Relays, Open

800m
11. Jon Berit		2:24.71

Brown Masters Meet

55m
2. Wayne Fisher		7.22 (40-44)

200m
3. Wayne Fisher		25.82 (40-44)

800m
3. Bill Newsham		2:05.67 (2nd-30-34)
8. Jon Berit		2:24.02 (4th-35-39)

Mile
2. Bill Newsham		4:37.79 (1st-30-34)

Long Jump
1. Wayne Fisher		18' 10.5"  (40-44) meet record

Shotput
3. Wayne Fisher		29' 4" (40-44)

GBTC Invitational

400m
4. Sandy Miller		73.7  (1st Master)

800m
5. Bill Newsham		2:02.0 heat 4
9. Ted Bowen		2:15.0 heat 5
10. Jon Berit		2:22.7 heat 5

Masters 800m
8. Tom Derderian    	2:25.00

Mile
4. Eamonn Browne    	4:50.2
5. Jack Burke       	4:51.6
10. Chuck Ferguson  	4:56.9
13. Chris Hussey    	5:02.1

3000m
7. Tom Cotter		9:30.40
11. Chris Hussey	9:52.80

Master's 2 mile
8. Bruce Bond		10:39.69

Distance Medley Relay	12:08.56  6th
Dan Hernandez		(2:14)
Dan Oberlander		(   61)
Tom Cotter		(3:32)
Jon Berit		(5:21)

Publication Notice

Newsletter
Editor/Publisher	Bruce Bond

Board of Directors
President	Bruce Bond	(617) 275.4982
Vice-President	Susan Richards	(617) 437.6557
Treasurer	Jim O'Brien	(617) 282.5537
Clerk	Sandy Miller	(617) 923.0754
Board Member	Lenia Ascenso	(508) 283.2647
Board Member	Bill Newsham	(508) 785.8038

Event Directors
GBTC Invitational	Jim O'Brien	(617) 282.5537
GBTC Relays	Jim Rattray	(617) 749.9136
Heart & Sole 5K	Mike Turmala	(617) 491.7285

Coaches
Track Events	Jon Berit	(617) 899.1249
Men's Distance	Tom Derderian	(617) 846.2902
Women's Distance	Bill Durette	(617) 484.9262

Club Hotline Number

(617) 499.4844

GBTC Web Page: http://www.research.digital.com/CRL/personal/tuttle/gbtc/home.html

The Wingfoot Express is the newsletter of the Greater Boston Track Club, Inc. Publication is semi-monthly. Any material submitted for publication will appear at the discretion of the editorial staff. Please send any inquiries or material for publication to: