RunVassar

Yes, Thanksgiving is all about eating tofurkey and paying respects to those loopy Puritans, but it also the perfect day to do a fun run!  If you're staying on campus over break, then check out the "Upcoming Races" portion of the website. And if you're going home over break, then do some research, find your local fun run, and send us an email to get it approved.

 As always, if you're not a sponsored runner, then submit an application today.  (Click on the "Sponsorship Program" link to access the application.)

 Happy Trails,

-The RunVassar Team 

In conjunction with the Vassar Greens, we led a Vassar Adventure for New Students (VANS) trip to the Vassar Farm as part of new student orientation. The group of 20 freshmen and two supervisors performed trail maintenance on Vassar's 500-acre preserve.

In order to mitigate the effects of erosion, the group reinforced a hillside with fallen trees and decomposing debris, as part of ongoing ecological restoration. The freshmen and leaders also performed more routine trail maintenance, and hiked part of the six miles of trails the Farm has to offer.

 This project will help to ensure that the Vassar Farm remains an ecologically undisturbed community resource for decades to come. 

We regret to announce that due to technical difficulties and behind-the-scenes politics RunVassar will no longer be hosting the Founder's Day Fun Run. 

Instead the classic 3-mile event will be held, as it has been for over 20 years, by the Vassar cross country team. Details from the official flyer:

Location: Ballentine Field (beside Walker Field House)

Start time: 10AM (come up early and be ready to run at start time!)

No pre-registration. Finisher information will be collected at the finish line. Awards for top non-xc finishers! 

 Happy trails,

 The RunVassar team 

2009 Founder's Day Fun Run results are posted here. This year's race was a huge success with 99 participants. We hope to see you all next year!

We are also excited to announce that our members' online election has confirmed nominees Jon Erickson (2011), Danny McBee (2010), and George "Ges" Adams (2010), as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of RunVassar for the 2009-2010 academic year. 

We wish them the best of luck in ensuring the growth and prosperity of RunVassar and its mission to make active outdoor lifestyles accessible to the Vassar community. 

 Happy trails (and exams),

 The RunVassar team 

Ah Spring... At long last its time to break out the shorts and hit the trails.

Spring means that as a Vassar student, you'll have the opportunity to participate in local road races for free as a RunVassar sponsored athlete. Just choose a local race on our 'upcoming races' page, pick a training program on our 'training' page, sign up for the 'sponsorship program' and follow the simple directions to get reimbursed for your entry fee and transportation. 

Speaking of great Spring races, mark your calendar because on Saturday May 2nd RunVassar will be hosting the Founder's Day Fun Run. Running the scenic 3-mile course has always been the best way to kick off a fun and fit Founder's Day. Check back for more information shortly!

Happy trails, 

The RunVassar team  

Though the weather outside may be frightful, it is never too early to start thinking about getting out and hitting the trails -- or the roads. Winter can be the most beautiful time of year to run. But it can also be the most dangerous. It is important to remember a few things before you pull on your extra-thick smartwool socks. 

•  Avoid icy trails! Though your favorite trails may be more beautiful than ever, snowy or icy trails are notorious for causing twisted ankles and frostbitten toes.
• Watch out for cars. Duh! When running on or near snowy or icy roads keep a safe distance from cars as they can easily lose control. Run on the sidewalk whenever possible. 
• Keep warm. When running in the winter always wear a warm hat, gloves, pants and long sleeves. A spandex (under armour) base layer can mean the difference between a great workout and a miserable one.  
•  Try to run with a buddy. We know that it isn't always possible to find someone else willing to brave the elements but ask around. The number of closet runners in the Vassar community will surprise you.
• When all else fails there is the gym. If the thermometer reads -5 and you don't feel like dodging subarus on Hooker Ave. then you can always jump on a treadmill or an elliptical trainer to augment your training routine. 

 See you all back on campus very soon.

The RunVassar team 

Despite a damp course and threatening clouds, 93 people made their way to Ballantine Field to kick off the Founder's Day activities with the 21st annual Fun Run, sponsored by the Vassar Cross Country teams and RunVassar.  In the 4th annual VCXC Alumni Challenge, the Vassar women's team prevailed while the men fell to their alumni rivals.  Lead by Mera McGrew '10, the Vassar women packed in tightly for a decisive 24-35 victory in a sport where lowest score wins.  Meanwhile, the 2nd place finish of VCXC captain Colin Sanders '08 wasn't enough to defeat the strong showing by male alums, who won the competition 24-31. 

In non-varsity action, Evan O'Dea was the top finisher, coming in 13th with a time of 17:49.  Soccer alum Kate Bossange was the top non-VCXC female finisher in 21st with a time of 19:35.  The faculty contingent was paced by the strong effort of French professor Mark Andrews, who finished 50th overall in a time of 22:53, while Andy McKenzie '10 won the annual basketball race, edging out Coach Mike Dutton by 6 seconds (22:50 and 22:56, respectively).

Complete results can be found by clicking the Founder's Day Fun Run link in the left navigation panel.  Thanks to all who participated!

RunVassar is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the 2008-2009 academic year.  Andrew Utas '09, who helped to create the site in 2007, has been elected President.  Jon Erickson '11, a rising sophomore on the VC track and cross country teams, has been elected Vice President.  Alex Booth '09 will continue as Treasurer of the club, a position he has held since 2006.

Freewebs.com, our wonderful webhosts, have added yet another feature to their Site Builder!  The Web Store is a great update over RunVassar's former CafePress store.  Now, all of your purchases will go directly to support RunVassar!  Our store features tshirts, totebags, and other gear featuring the RunVassar.com logo.  Help support our organization so we can continue to support you!

RunVassar.com has updated the Upcoming Races schedule to include a thorough list of "approved" road races for the Spring season.  Click "Upcoming Races" on the left to see what's coming up.  This is a great time to pick a target race and start a training plan!  The Founder's Day Fun Run is exactly 8 weeks from this Saturday (March 8th).  Now is the perfect time to choose one of our 5k training plans!

And don't forget, we are currently accepting applications to the RunVassar Sponsorship Program.  No previous running experience is required, and you'll find many benefits, including a soon-to-be-introduced Sponsored Runners Home Page!

RunVassar is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Leap Day Giveaway:

The following students have won a RunVassar totebag: Elysia Glover '11, Will Jobs '10, Ariel Kleinberg '09, Alina Von Korff '11, and Carolyn Demougeot '11.

The following students have won a RunVassar magnet: Lindsay Wood '11, Christina Peltier '10, Julia Hirsch '08, Amrita Kundu '10, and Eliza Herschkowitz '09

Lillian Reuman '11 has won the Bud Coates Runners World running log.

Thank you to all who entered the Leap Day Giveaway.  Look for a similar giveaway next year.

Just for visiting RunVassar.com, you are eligible to receive a free totebag from the RunVassar store!  Just click the link below to fill out the entry form.  The drawing will take place on February 29, so enter now!

• 5 grand prize winners will receive a quality RunVassar.com totebag
• 5 first prize winners will receive RunVassar.com magnets
• 1 runner-up will receive a Runner's World training log, created by Budd Coates

   

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

The site is constantly updating, and we're preparing for another!  Over the next several weeks, the RunVassar team will be working to make significant additions to the Upcoming Races schedule.  Also, we'll be adding several Training Plans to work with more levels of runners who are training for events like a 10k or even the marathon.  The Sponsorship Program section will see drastic improvements, and we'll do our best to add another city to the Running Routes section. 

Also, stay tuned for details on a RunVassar.com sponsored Trail Race, coming in May!

RunVassar.com offers a selection of training plans meant for all ability levels who are training for a race or just to get in shape.  The longest of these plans is three months.  With the Spring road racing season approaching, now is the time to start!  Check out the Training Plan Menu, and choose the one that seems right for you.  Need help deciding?  Ask in the Ask A Coach section, and we'll help you pick the ideal plan for your situation.

Also, don't forget about the RunVassar Sponsorship Program.  This is a unique opportunity to get a personalized training plan and a RunVassar.com t-shirt... you can even put it on your resume!  Look for improvements to our Sponsorship Program page with the March 1st updates.

Thanks for visiting RunVassar.com... spread the word!  Click the "Send to a Friend" button at the bottom of this page.

The Shoe Review Menu more than doubled in size yesterday, with several new shoes reviewed in different categories.  In addition, the menu now features testimonials from Vassar runners who have worn the shoes, giving you a better idea of how the shoe might work for you.  Check it out!

RunVassar President Jamie Anderson '08 and Treasurer Alex Booth '09 will be attending the USATF Level 1 Coaches' School at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO February 9-10.  The two will learn the latest training strategies from Troy Engle, an accomplished racewalker who once held US high school records in the 2 mile and 5k racewalk events.  The two-day conference focuses on basic strategies of coaching distance athletes, as well as the throwing and jumping events of Track and Field.  RunVassar hopes that the experience will help the officers to further their knowledge in the sport of running, and to more effectively produce training programs for RunVassar athletes.

Questions?  Comments?  Concerns?  Click here to submit a comment form.  Also click here to refer to the RunVassar constitution for questions concerning the organization.