June 2025 The Strider

THE STRIDER

THANKS to Andy Winnefeld (“a 14-minute mile is just as far as a 6-minute mile”) & Tom Ela & Conrad Cole for contributions

Contribute to future newsletters! Send your thoughts, stories, experiences, etc. to [email protected]

MMS Elexion Reezuldts ! (?)  à The MMStriders haven’t had more candidates for Board positions than open positions since the mid-1990’s!

Karla Nephew, Megan Sand, Martin Wiesiolek, Ashley Ahlholm and Cody Esbenshade

Garfield Grumble (version 2025)

1        Whit Blair      50:11

2        Ian Rogers    50:56            

3        Brian Glassey, 52:45

4        Scott Vig, 57:29

5        Brian Crim, 58:21

6        Chase Rohde, 59:44

7        Cody Esbenshade,  59:55

8        Shane Massey, 1:00:22

9        Daniel Boyer, 1:02:36

10      James Roche, 1:14:39

11      Matt Terwilliger, 1:14:50

12      Mark Waltermire, 1:15:42

13      Levi Hamer, 1:16:48

14      Gordon Harbert, 1:20:09

15      Ernie Langelier, 1:20:48

16      Josh Flint, 1:21:45

17      Riley Ceglowski, 1:22:32

18      Baxter Waltermire, 1:26:59

19      Richard Leclerq, 1:28:59

20      Scott Holmaier, 1:31:22

21      Chris Lindquist, 1:31:25

22      Keith Elms, 1:34:04

23      Steve Ela, 1:35:13

24      Wano Urbonas, 1:35:51

25      Becca Steinbrecher, 1:39:14

26      D Plunkett, 1:40:14

27      Joe Schwarz, 1:40:48

28      Dave Knutson, 1:45:13

29      Kristen Siedel, 1:45:38      

30    Katy Laverdiere, 1:45:43

31      Trent Hamilton, 1:45:46

32      Stefany Busch, 1:46:30

33      Kaila Pierrie, 1:49:03

34      Kylee Lawyer, 1:49:05       

35      Hannah Parnell, 1:49:08

Garfield Story

2025

   We had fantastic weather for the race and trail conditions seemed superb. Our previous perennial aid station folks were back. Jessie and Chris Burg brought a nephew along. That gave Chris a chance to help guide runners to the summit drop-off point. RD Joe Schwarz placed a rope again at the drop-off which was really appreciated by the runners. We had to put a bridge back in place which was the victim of apparent vandalism. Bridgebuilder Levi reinforced it with three vertical supports to keep it snugly in place.

   Whit Blair smoked the course in 50:11 which beat last year’s winning time by 8 seconds. Ian was hot on his heels. The ladies were a bit slower than last year’s crop with Riley coming in 17^th place overall.

   The usual fare of hot dogs and beer dominated the finish line area. We were able to squeeze everyone in past the flaming finish line before the 12pm no-burn mandate. It appears a good time was had by all. 

-- Conrad

          This event occurred on MAY 25.  Is there a tougher, mile-for-mile, trail race? and how often at the end of any race, do you have to leap over a flaming fire pit?

The MMS Directors meeting, April 8:  6 directors were present, plus a guest ~

Location: REI Community Room - 925 Independent Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Karla Nephew – President

Conrad Cole – Treasurer

Jay Krabacher – NL/sec

Larry Ingram - Race Calendar & Race Director Consultant

Andy Winnefeld – V. President*

Martin Wiesiolek - Website, Social Media          

Nikki Sturrock - MMS club member

*Andy announced that this was his last meeting.  He and spouse are starting a new business.  “Sorry to see you go!”

M M S Directors – past/passed & present

KARLA NEPHEW -- President (& Jaguar-Timing-System). 

NICOLE STURROCK –(new) Vice-President

TOM ELA – Membership (among many other things). 

MICHELLE OBERNDORF – (new) Secretary

MARTIN WIESIOLEK -- Web Site &

RYAN SULLIVAN (new) Board Member

CONRAD COLE – Treasurer & Purchaser of Stuff

MEGAN SAND – Board member 

LARRY INGRAM and ROSCO BETUNADA were on the Board for quite some time, until recently. 

C A L E N D A R 

(phone #s, if any, are 970-area-code unless otherwise noted)

Next up from Mad Moose, a scenic romp through the Abajo Mtns:
Saturday, June 21   Bears Ears Ultras 30K,50K, 50-Mile
Monticello     https://www.madmooseevents.com/

This popular race has staggered start times so you can do all 3 distances!
Sunday, June 22
Strawberry Shortcut 10K,5K and 1-Mile
Glenwood Springs
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/GlenwoodSprings/StrawberryShortcut

Striders move up out of the heat above Glade Park for another great trail run amongst wildflowers and aspens and pines (& the occasional bear and other fun creatures)
Sunday, June 29, 9 AM   Turkey Flats Run, 9.6 miles
Turkey Flats Trailhead 11.5 miles south of the Glade Park Store
Registration on race day only, well-marked route but no aid stations
More info, Tom 970-773-3124 or [email protected]
For directions and a good trail description, profile and map: https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7004931

Big challenges in July have discounts for paid Striders members under Special Deals on our website. You can contact Tom at [email protected] or text 970-773-3124 if you need help with access.

July 19, Powderhorn Mtn Ultra and Vert Challenge 6 and 12-Hour 

 https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=121730

July 26, Grand Mesa Ultras 50-Mile, 55K, 30K: https://www.bestslopeevents.com/

Registration is now open for our locally-organized Grand Mesa Ultras. Choose from 50-mile, 55K or 30K distances on July 26.   https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=121959

The Imogene Pass Run registration has been postponed from its usual June 1 date to July 1, 6AM. This gives an extra month to decide if you're up for this daunting but amazing race. Mark the date because the race fills up almost immediately after opening!
https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Telluride/45thAnnualImogenePassRun

 

Registration is open for the Oct. 4 West Elk Challenge Marathon and 30K. Prices went up 

May 31!  Note that this race also fills up.  Crawford-to-Paonia  (for non-west/best-slope runners, you should find this on a map.)   westelkchallenge.com

Group training trail run every Monday,  6 PM   
6/16 Pollock Canyon Trailhead, run Flume Canyon Loop
6/23 Pollock Canyon Trailhead, run Pollock Bench Loop
6/30 Mary's Loop Trailhead, I-70 Loma Exit

7/7 Devil's Canyon Trailhead
We will rotate through these four locations in this order through the season. For all but Mary's Loop, take Colo Hwy 340 south from Fruita across the river and turn right at Kings View Rd. Follow through the subdivision and onto the gravel road. Devil's Canyon parking is soon after on the left, Pollock parking is a couple of miles further on the left.
We run in all conditions. Like the Thursday night group, this is casual and all abilities are welcome with various distances to choose from.
Tom 970-773-3124

Group training run every Wednesday morning, NOW 6 AM
Tabeguache Trailhead on Monument Road (aka Lunch Loops)
As always, this is casual and all shapes and speeds are welcome with various routes to choose from. We'll look out for you.

Group training run every Thursday, 6 PM
Tabeguache Trailhead on Monument Road (aka Lunch Loops)
We'll be out there rain or shine. As always, this is casual and all shapes and speeds are welcome with various routes to choose from. We'll look out for you.
Questions: Tom 970-773-3124

For more info, pictures and posts:  www.mesamonumentstriders.com/
www.facebook.com/pages/Mesa-Monument-Striders/282653486288
Messages or to get on or off the list: Tom Ela [email protected]                               

MORE running websites: sjmr.club ( SJMR )    San Juan Mountain Runners, 631 S. 2nd Street, Montrose, CO  81401

West Colorado GIRLS ON THE RUN:  gotrwesterncolorado.org – this AMAZING GROUP has been beneficial to over 35,000 girls in our area since 2000!

Steamboat Springs:  www.runningseries.com – this site should show all you need to know about most (or all!) the Steamboat-area races.  Get on their e-mailing list!

Even if you don’t plan to attend their events, I whole-heartedly suggest you, at least, look at this website. Goofy, colorful, fun (and, yes, informative).

rrca.org (road runners clubs of america) 

and   colorado runner:  www.coloradorunnermag.com à DO yerself a running-related favor and “check” this out.  Lotsa running fun all over the state, well-presented and informatively so.  Colo. Runner has come a long … long … way since Rosco was part of their reporter staff many years ago.

Support the underwriters / sponsors of the MESA-MONUMENT STRIDERS:

The following: ALPINE AUTO-HAUS, the FOOT SUPPORT GROUP, ZEALIOS, WEBCREATE.COM, Dr. Andy Mohler -- family practice, have assisted in keeping membership costs lower than they could be.  And: they support running in the Grand Valley (& elsewhere).  Support them if you can! 

Andrew Winnefeld, MD, Family Health West Primary Care

401 Kokopelli Drive, Unit 1, Fruita, CO 81521  (970) 858-9894

ALPINE AUTO-HAUS, 539 BOGART LANE – (970) 248-8004

Consider this auto-repair/servicing shop – especially for your Audi or BMW or VW or MINI ~

FOOT SUPPORT GROUP  Foot/gait/orthotics/bracing/modification specialists 

“European Craftsmanship – Biomechanical Design”  3212 F Road, Clifton, CO  81520 

888-242-3881    or, in the 970 area code: 434-2727   

Dr. Andy Mohler, family practitioner – with the Primary Care Partners PC, 3150 N. 12^th (G.J., 81506), 245-1220

WEBCREATE.COM – just as it appears:  need help with your website? [email protected]

Still in the Race

I recently ran in the Life in Color 5K to benefit cancer survivors.  It was sponsored by Grand Valley Oncology.  The race was more of a fundraiser than a competitive event.  Of about 180 participants, only about 60 chose to be timed and I believe the winner finished in around 23 minutes.  This race made me start thinking about why I was so thankful that I could still run.  I realize that one day I will not be able to run anymore and that more than half of my life is likely completed.  So, I am now running slightly faster than 12 minute miles and finished in 36:54, but enjoyed it more than when I used to run a 5K under 20 minutes!

Last October, before Halloween, I was running a 5K at the airport when my hamstring felt a little tight.  I decided to run through a little pain and before I knew it, I was down on the pavement of the runway.  My hamstring had given way and my knee was soaked with blood and arms scraped up.  My race was done.  For the next 2 months, I tried to run, but didn't get very far until pain started down the back of my leg.  Not until the end of December was I able to run 3 miles without stopping.  Then, I was able to finish the Appleton Freezer in January.

I wasn't a very happy person when I could not run, so I am very happy that now I can!  I once saw in Runner's World magazine that people run for a lot of different reasons:  some run to win awards, some run to lose weight and some run, because they love to run.  I am obviously in the last category.  Also, it was noted that many elite runners stop running when they are no longer elite, because of injuries or other reasons.  Although I was never elite, I could occasionally in a small race win my age group.  I did sort of win one race once.  Let me explain.  I was at a conference in Colorado Springs in 2007 (around that year) and they decided to have a 5K.  It was a cold Spring day and it was raining.  About 15 people showed up for the race.  I was next to another man and we were leading the race.  It was on a golf course and not well marked.  I started thinking the end should be soon, when I looked across a lake and saw the finish line.  We were on the wrong side of the lake!  By the time I did finish, others had crossed the line.  However, later that day, they gave the 1st place award to me!  When my name was called, I didn't think I deserved the trophy, but people thought I was just being shy.  I was waiting for someone else to say that they had won, but no one spoke up, so I took the trophy and still have it.  I was in front most of the race and likely would have won, had I gone the right way.  I would still give the trophy to whoever really won, If I knew who it was.  

So after 41 years of running (I started at age 13) I am now still running, but at a much slower pace.   I managed to complete 5 marathons and about 50 half marathons and many other races of varying distances.  I was blessed with no major injuries until about age 44.  Since then, I have torn each hamstring multiple times.  I know that I will never run another 5K under 20 minutes or another 10 K in 42 minutes, but speed is not really what is important to me anyway.  I still will be competitive, but only to try to run a little faster and try to find someone near me that I can beat.  Running slower is more enjoyable and you see more things.  Also, as my over 40 club puts it, "a 14 minute mile is just as far as a 6 minute mile."  I had an octogenarian in my office the other day and I asked him why he wanted his knee replaced, since he had many risks with this surgery, and he said, "I want to run again."  I understood and said OK, here is how we can make that happen.   I have had a good run and I am not done yet!  One day I will have to stop running, but for now I am still in the race!

Andy Winnefeld

The MMS sponsored a presentation to answer your interest and questions about triathlon and duathlon by people who are very successful at both and should cover the whole gambit on Monday, June 9 at 6:00 at the GJ Library Community room.  Sponsored by the Mesa Monument Striders. Our presenters are Robb and Zenon Reece and Anna Luo and Dan Sauers.  Considering that this will occur just before the next MMS meeting, we hope that many of you attended!

One of the great things about my recent trip to Australia was watching the new methods of locomotion displayed by the resident emus and kangaroos. It was a delight to watch them move fast and effortlessly. As anyone knows who has watched me at the group runs, my locomotion is compromised these days so seeing these animals cruise made me quite jealous. Likewise, anyone who has watched me swim can understand my similar jealous delight watching dolphins and orcas glide and frolic through the waves. But I didn't see any of them that could ride a bike like me! 

Ha ha! ~ Tom (Ela)