Shawmont Running Club

For 8/9/25

By

• JHC • WHOZ • CONGRATS • RUNNIN’ • ELSEWHERE • THEMZ •

RUMINATIONS

By JHC

My experience with the Shawmont Run Club last month was incredible, and I resolved to contribute a rumination after reading Calvin and Kristy’s beautifully written entries [AKA CtCloser and KayCee].

Read more: JHC’s first club run (Ruminations – Run Report 7/19)

Where do I begin? Running is such a versatile tool. It’s often associated with fitness, but it has so many benefits beyond cardiovascular conditioning. Take its ability to facilitate meditation, for instance. I’ve rarely associated sitting still, in silence, with calmness and peace. Ironically, I’ve often found peace when I’m running, one that lasts long after the last step is logged on my Garmin. With time, I settle into a natural rhythm, and my mental state comes into focus as my physical energy wanes. Group runs are such a unique social experience because of this shared phenomenon that every runner, no matter the pace or running style, experiences. Perhaps introspection is inherent to running, as eloquently depicted in Forrest Gump and countless other forms of media. Regardless, when introspection is paired with attention to others, as it often is in a group run, runners get the benefits of social interaction and introspection all in one, forming a kind of collective meditation. I fluctuate between states of introversion and extroversion, so I often feel like I’m “in my element” on group runs.

Stoicism also comes into play in group runs; you can demonstrate character through the decisions you make while exerting yourself physically and mentally alongside other athletes. For instance, if the pace is sped up without warning, it’s your prerogative to protest. On the other hand, in this scenario, you could also take a stoic approach, and just keep running. Running in a group is like real life group dynamics in many scenarios, where it pays off to be adaptable to others’ whims or inclinations, because, in my opinion, people should take a “team” approach to life whenever possible, emphasizing humility, and a deferent curiosity to perspectives other than their own. Ultimately, I feel that running is a wholesome manifestation of what it means to be human, to persevere, move, fail, succeed, exist, and ponder, all within one natural motion. It’s nice running solo, but even better in a group. Shawmont is one of my favorite clubs that I’ve run with, and I want to give major kudos (both in real life and on Strava) to Julianna [AKA JulCee], Kristy, and Calvin for welcoming me to the Shawmont Club. I’m already looking forward to the next run!
–JHC

FINE PRINT ¶John Campbell, © All rights to duplicate are reserved with owner and require permission (Wikipedia). ¶Cross-published: Facebook Shawmont Running Club, Shawmont Running Club website.

 

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WHOZ DOIN WHAT IN 2025

Through October…

  • 10/18: THE HAUNTED HUSTLE ½M (Middleton, WI)
    • All That Jaz (AKA James, JC)
  • 10/26: MARINE CORPS MARATHON (Arlington, VA)
    • Bryce

 

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CONGRATS-A-MUNDO TO ALL!

  • 8/10: CHIEF LEE MILLER 5K (Whitpain, PA)
    • KayCee, 24:37

SEND YOUR RACE RESULTS TO: TEDMILLER01@GMAIL.COM

 

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RUNNIN’ OFF AT THE MOUTH [Rerun from 7/19/25]

“I trained 4 years to run only 9 seconds. There are people who do not see results in two months, give up and quit.” – Usain Bolt

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” –Haruki Murakami

“Hills don’t go away. They wait.” –Unknown

“Just stick with it. What seems hard now will one day be your warm-up.” –Unknown

“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I’ve never met a fake runner.” –Bart Yasso

Source: The Gigantic Book of Running Quotations, Higdon, 2008 (Skyhorse Publishing)

 

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ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB – by Teddio

5 Areas to Improve Marathon Performance

  1. Endurance – The Foundation of Your Run: Long runs, tempo runs…
  2. Stamina – Sustained Speed and Power: Interval training, cruise intervals, 10K distance upwards…
  3. Speed – Unlocking Your Potential: Strides, intense hill repeats, interval workouts…
  4. Durability/Resilience – The Unsung Hero: Mindful recovery practices, adequate sleep, proper fueling, rest days…
  5. Race Toughness – The Mental Edge: Practicing discomfort in training, visualization techniques, positive self-talk mantras…

(https://rundown.runtheday.com/p/5-areas-to-improve-marathon-performance)

 

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THEMZ WHO WUZ THERE (except those forgotten or missed 😊)

Stats – We track attendance and Shawmont. Loggin’ the miles is just for fun.

Records: Attendance – 39 on 6/23/18. Shawmonts – 26 on 2/10/18.

This Week: Attendance – 14. Shawmont – 7.

  • Trail Name: Distance (Route)
  • AKA: 14 (SHAWMONT)
  • All That Jaz (FKA: JC, James): 8
  • Caiter (FKA Caitlin R, Kate R): 16 (SHAWMONT + 2)
  • Jamie: 5
  • Jimmy Dee: 14 (SHAWMONT)
  • John NTT (No Trail Tag. FKA JR): 10
  • KayCee: 14 (SHAWMONT)
  • Rob Ray: 14 (SHAWMONT)
  • Quietman Tom: 14 (SHAWMONT) [Added retroactively: 8/16/21]
  • Scottsy: 12
  • Teddio: 10
  • Terminator Tony: 7
  • Thaddeus: 16 (SHAWMONT + 2)
  • Ying1: 10

 

Thanks for reading. Let’s have a great week!
To read this Newsletter on email, send request to TEDMILLER01@GMAIL.COM

Email Newsletter Editor: Teddio
Facebook and Website Newsletter Editor: CtCloser

 

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