Who's Who in the Jungle? Meet Annie Laugavitz (#342). Great run Saturday Annie!
Here is this week’s Safari Email
The Riverview Drive Run Map is right here!
As we head into fall half marathon and marathon season, please let us know about your experience so we can report on it in Paw Prints, Hoof Tracks and Tales! We will be checking Safari results for our target and some of the larger half and full marathons such as Park to Park, Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids. But if you are running a different event, please let us know about it. Of course we always welcome stories, whether fact or fiction! Our aim is to keep you guessing on what is truly fact and what is fable.
Mysterious disappearances were reported at last Tuesday’s track sessions as most of the runners vanished. What happened? The morning workout was accompanied by downpours, thunder and lightening which prompted most early risers to hit the alarm rather than the track. Only the most daring of jungle beasts ventured out into the wild tropical monsoon, including the fearless Dottie Sullivan who has been known to scale tall jungle fences. John Willard, Sherrie Mann, Crack of Dawn Wisecracker Bob Poznanski, Julie Pomeroy, Vicki Mergen, Marty Buffenbarger and Pat Johnson were some of the others. Mike Toburen, who had been told by jungle authorities that huge crowds of runners show up every Tuesday morning, made his am session debut only to find a skeleton crew.
The evening session fared no better after the masses wandered in search of south of the border delights to the KAR/BCRR Fiesta 5k Fun Run! After being giving “official” permission by Safari authorities to skip the evening track workout, the fun run won out over serious training as many of the Safari migrated to Borgess Health and Fitness Center to enjoy virgin margarita punch, salsa, taco salad, quesadillas and some fun theme-based door prizes. We learned Sheryl Foppema and Susan Fennema are training for the Park to Park Half, and Gordon Gallagher is in search of a half marathon and accepting suggestions. Pam Borer and Ferdy Huntz, both p.m. track regulars, hit the fun fiesta festivities, as well as Kristi Buckham, Karen Arrick, Giti Henrie and Cristi Dedoes. Karen held her audience captive as she retold the story of how she redecorated Charlie Miller’s Chainsaw. Is it possible her tale could become part of the legend itself as told by Chris Crowell each year? We will find out when Cristi Dedoes turns it in at the 2008 One One Run. Yes, the Safari’s Cristi Dedoes was this year’s recipient of the famous Chainsaw and we will be touching base with her shortly to find out the latest update on its whereabouts.
Sprechen sie Deutsch? Auf Weidersehen Frau Monica Lynch! Monica und Herr Bob Lynch wohnen ins Deutschland fur 3 – 5 jahren mit seinen hund. We can only hope no one reading this speaks fluent German or it will be quite obvious the author has no clue on past, present or future tenses or other language rules. In simple English, we will be wishing stray jungle beast Monica Lynch and her husband Bob a fond farewell as they relocate to Germany for 3 -5 years, and yes, they will be taking their dog! Before she leaves in December, Monica will be running the Toronto Waterfront Marathon along with Sherrie Mann, Cindy Owen, Bonnie Sexton and jungle stray Peggy Zeeb! In honor of the pending move, Monica cut her hair.....short! So did Shani Iuni, who donated her long tresses to Locks of Love! Both have reported a slight increase in velocity on the run.
We could have used a tow truck or two at last Saturday’s Run from KVCC. Pat Johnson just pulled into the parking lot when his serpentine belt snapped, and Julie Steeby returned from her run only to discover a flat tire. Paige Sexton’s pink 20 inch two-wheeler was offered as alternative transportation. Mark Sigfrids as of late only rides two-wheeled alternative transportation, but it isn’t pink. Wait a minute, is it a Department Store or Coffee joint? In order to compensate for the invasion of sweaty runners into Asiagos’ Saturday, Bonnie Sexton gave away free samples of Heavenly Body Spray to entering runners and did have several takers! Yes, this truly is West Michigan’s most comprehensive and innovative marathon training program (or at least we think so). We try to meet most of your marathon training needs and some needs you didn't know you had!
