Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Notes From The Foot Whisperer - Buffalo Creek Half Marathon

Hi all. I hope everyone who ran in the recent Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, had an enjoyable time and ran their PR! It was a little cold, windy and rainy. And this year, the Winfield Fire Hall was closed. So that presented a challenge to not only the runners, but also to those of us who helped put this great event on.

I think in the end, almost all enjoyed the scenery, camaraderie, and especially the pizza and hot apple cider afterwards! As your humble master of ceremonies, I hope I didn’t butcher your names up too bad as you were crossing the finish line. And I’m hoping next year to hand off the microphone to some new person so that yours truly can finally run in the tenth annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon! And we promise some great new things for next year’s Half!

For any of you age-group award winners, who didn’t stick around for the post-race festivities, give us a call at 724-898-2525 to arrange to pick up your medals. Also, if you happened to shed any added clothing on the trail, the trail council retrieved everything. It is washed and bundled. And its here at Up-N-Running. We have three big garbage bags full of apparel. And some quite nice! We’ll keep everything at the store until the first week of November. Then any leftover will be given a new home at Good Will. So there’s some really nice Holiday Themed runs coming up:
The 34th Annual Butler YMCA Turkey Trot will take place on November 1 at 10:00 AM – Begins and ends at the Butler “Y”. Entry forms available at Up-N-Running
The Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5K Race will take place on November 9, 9:00 AM at the Hampton Community Park. Proceeds go towards holiday packages to our heros, the active duty troops,
The 16th Annual American Cancer Society’s Fight for Life 5K will take place on November 15th in Apollo, PA 9:00 AM. Starts at the 1st Lutheran Church on Pennsylvania Avenue.

For any of you who have never visited Ebensburg, PA, you’re in for a treat on Thanksgiving day as nearly 700 runners, including a turkey, race the streets and boulevards of Ebensburg’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. Enjoy great post-race refreshments! Starts at the Ebensburg Fire Hall at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 27.

*****And just a little note to our Military Veterans; A sincere thanks to all of you for your service, vigilance and sacrifice. Without you, we would not enjoy the freedoms that so many take for granted. Please be our guests on Veterans Day, November 11th, for some free coffee, goodies, and some free socks! Just a little way of giving a big THANKS!

~Ed

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Notes From The Foot Whisperer - Thanking Those Who Help Us Along The Way

As we approach the completion of our eleventh year in operation, its nice to reflect on just how Up-N-Running got started. Its true,we were influenced and aided by Kevin and Keith Hanson of Hanson's Running Shop fame. Their help and advice was invaluable! And we had the assistance of some pretty good runners along the way.

It is also good to acknowledge some of the non-runners who helped Up-N-Running get to our current status.

Larry and Jean Benton owned the plaza where UNR makes it's home. Their main business was Costumes, Etc. and the associated Christmas shops. Larry's special gift was his unique way of conjuring up creative ideas to promote his business as well as our own. On any given day, Larry would pop in and ask, "What do you think of this idea?" And with his jovial sense of humor and sincere thoughtfulness, he'd always end our discussions with, "Peace." A true throwback from the 60's.

Jean Benton always knew what to tell you to make you feel at ease. A cancer survivor, she had a contagious smile on her face, having vanquished that terrible disease. Over the past couple of years, we lost Larry to the debilitating ALS. And although keeping Costumes, Etc. open and in business was a prime objective of Jean's, she eventually decided to close the store. In the midst of the closing and store liquidation, Jean tragically died from an apparent heart attack. She and Larry are dearly missed by all who have known them.

We mourn the passing of two dear friends. I personally will always remember the wonderful expression of hope in Jean's words when I lost my sister earlier this year, "She's not gone. Just gone ahead!" I truly believe that is the case with Larry and Jean.

If you get the opportunity to stop by Costumes, Etc., check out their closing sale. And offer some kind words to their extended family.

~Ed