![](media/image1.pct){width="6.847222222222222in"
height="1.9444444444444444in"}

**Valentine's Day Run**

As mentioned in the January newsletter, the running club will be
sponsoring an on-site run on Valentine's day with the theme of "Hearts,
Hearts, Hearts". The Chemistry Division's running club members will be
organizing this race as we did last year. We hope to see everyone for
the three mile run or two mile walk starting in front of Building 200 on
Friday, February 14th at noon. Since it will be winter, it will probably
be cold, but come join us for the race and enjoy some hot drinks,
treats, and good conversation. Afterwards, there will be raffle prizes,
but only members who have paid their 1997 dues will be eligible to win.
You can pay your dues before or after the run. For more details, see the
flier enclosed with this newsletter.

**Marty Thomas Retires**

Anyone who has been associated with the running club over the years
probably knows Marty Thomas. Marty has been a highly enthusiastic leader
for the club over the years and was one of the original members of
Argonne's River to River Relay team. We missed him at last years race
because of his foot surgery which prevented him from running. Marty has
also been a leader of the Running Club's yearly volunteer efforts at the
Chicago Marathon. He has also been a key player in holding the club
together during dry times. In appreciation of his efforts, the running
club plans to have a dinner in his honor at Maggiano's restaurant. The
exact date of this event has not been set, but will be announced in a
future newsletter. This is sure to be a fun time, and an opportunity to
say thanks to Marty for all his hard work.

**Frosty Five**

Those of you who are looking for a good early race this year, may want
to consider the Frosty Five in Channahon, IL. Channahon in about 30 min.
drive from the lab. This is a five mile race which starts at 1 PM on
Sunday, Feb. 9. The race winds through the flat, paved, and beautifully
scenic I&M Canal Heritage Corridor and town roads. Stocking caps are
given out to the first 125 entrants. Last year we had 5 ANL runners at
the race, and each of us won an award. I have entry forms for this race
for everyone who wants to go.

**Membership Reminder**

Now that it is February, I hope everyone has paid your 1997 Argonne
Running Club dues. This years dues are \$7. If you are a student, we
only ask \$3. This year, we are trying something new for those people
who get tired of paying dues every year. You can be a lifetime member
for a one time fee of \$50. All members must sign the waiver provided at
the end of this newsletter and send it with your dues to Karl Grimm (RA
208) as soon as possible. You can also pay at the Valentines day run.
This money allows us to provide treats and prizes at on site races, have
running club parties, etc. Seven bucks is less than you pay for most
races...what a deal!

**Summer Events**

I know that around this time of year, most runners start getting anxious
for the weather to start warming up. The bitter months of winter are
coming to an end, and the melting snow hints of the coming of spring.
Those of us who have "taken it easy" during the winter, or taken a few
months off to let the bruises from last fall's marathon heal up, start
getting the urge to get out and start running again. Even the most
serious runners who have trained all winter look forward to being able
to take off the sweats and start running in shorts again.

In order to help you forget all the snow and ice, the Running Club has
started to plan its summer events. This summer, for all you morning
runners, we hope to have a sunrise run with bagels and orange juice
afterwards. And, for those of you who prefer running after work, we are
planning an evening run on the trails in Waterfall Glen. We hope to have
pizza or a barbecue afterwards either at Argonne Park, or at the
swimming pool. If you have comments on these plans, or ideas of what you
want to see the Club do this summer, please send them to me, or let
another core group member know. We want to plan things that **you** want
to do!

**Trail Running Easier on Body**

I have had a problem with an achillies tendon for many months now, which
I think came from a pair of bad shoes. Anyway, I have had to give up
running on paved roads and do almost all my exercise on trails and
paths. This helps a lot and is much more enjoyable for me. It is also
much safer than the roads, where you take your chances with traffic.

I have been out exploring new trails and now my favorite is in Palos -
Horsetail Lake and interconnection to Swallow Cliffs between McCarthy
Road and Route 83, just East of Wolf Road. I have a loop which is 5
miles (8 km), and very hilly! The main problem in Winter is irate
cross-country skiiers and in Summer, Spring, and Fall - it\'s the bikers
who like to race the trails. Waterfall Glen is also very nice -
especially the East trails starting off Cass Ave. and going back of
Argonne Park. I rarely see people on that section.

Lemont has nice new trails along the I&M canal which I use when I want a
shorter and flat trail. They are very well maintained also.

*Rich Lee*

*Editor's Reply:*

Thanks for the tips Rich! I totally agree that running on trails is
safer, easier on your body, and more enjoyable than running on paved
roads. Just watch out for trails that allow horses, because they can
leave ruts that are pretty hard on your knees and ankles. Also when the
spring thaw comes watch out for ice patches that form when melted snow
freezes at night or you'll end up with a sore butt. As far as getting
along with skiers in the winter, I'd just advise to try not to step on
the groomed ski tracks and they should be happy. And, as far as getting
along with those mountain bikers, just yell "passing on your left"
before you run past them!

**Team Runs**

There has been some interest within the club to organize more "team
runs". For the past two years, eight members of the running club have
joined together to enter the eighty mile River to River Relay race in
southern Illinois. Our team has an entry in the 1997 race which will be
held this April. (Future newsletters will have more details.) We always
have a great time down there encouraging each other to do their best.
For those of you who like to have a good time with other runners or
would like to make your running more of a team sport, this may be an
option for you. There are several races that allow team entries such as
the Lincoln to Lincoln Relay, Lake County Races, Chicago Distance
Classic, etc. Don't be scared off if you feel you are not a great
runner - we are not trying to compete with the Power Bar team, just have
fun. If you have an interst in running with a team, please send me your
name and what type of race you are looking for (if you know), and I'll
try to match you up with other runners who would like to run with you.

**Five Minutes for Joe**

I think that most true runners have at some time or another, perhaps
after an injury, thought about what life would be like if they could
never run again. It is one of those things which we hope never happens
to us. We try not to think about it, but every now and then we hear
about someone who had to give up their love for running. Sometimes
seeing this happen to someone we know can inspire us to train harder or
enjoy our runs more.

I recently found out that one of our running club members, Joe Cepielik,
had an accident and injured both of his knees. Joe was a true runner,
who just loved to run and talk about races. After talking to him for a
few minutes about running a marathon, you wanted to do one, now. It is
unfortunate that Joe may never be able to run again. For a true runner,
that is a hard fact to face so suddenly.

What I'm asking, is that if you can relate to how emotionally difficult
it is for Joe to face life without running, just take 5 min. the next
time you run past a store that sells cards, and find one that can give
him a little encouragement. Just sign it, or put a short note in it and
send it to me. I'd like to put them all together and send them to Joe to
let him know the running club hasn't forgotten him. By the way, you
don't have to

personally know him to send him a card, you just have to relate to what
he is going through.

**Inspiration**

I used to think that the guys who woke up at six to run were nuts. When
I started doing that, I decided the guys who ran in the rain were nuts.
When I started doing that, I decided the guys who ran marathons were
nuts. So, here I am getting up at five to train for a marathon and its
snowing!

*Quote from Adidas advertisement*

*Editor's comment:*

The ad has a picture of a guy on it. But if you are a woman, you can
change all the "guys" to "women", and then get up at four and run in the
hail.

**Cool Down**

*Laurie Culbert ran across this cartoon on September 11.*

*Editor's Comment:*

It is amazing how many things Laurie runs across, over, under, and
through!

The Running Club is considering inviting an outside speaker to give a
presentation for running club members. In order to make this a success,
we need to know what topic the speaker should address (running gear,
motivation, training, nutrition, injuries, etc.), and when would be a
good time (lunch, evening, weekend, etc.). We expect that most of our
members will attend, so we want to make this something you will enjoy.
Send to: John Schlueter, Bldg. 200, Rm. A185.

Topics I'd be interested in: Best days/times:

1)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
1)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

2)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
2)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

3)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
3)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_