1,000 Mile Reflections

Our very own Director of Fun Teddy Quinn put some thoughts together after some time has passed from the 1,000 Mile Relay to benefit The Life Back on Track Scholarship, part of the Kevin Dare Foundation.

An excerpt:

Leaving a team and a support network like Penn State track and field was very hard for me. It’s a special group and it’s very hard to leave. But for this run, we were all back on a team. We had uniforms and sponsors and gear. We had organization and an itinerary. We had support, we had publicity and we arrived at Penn State to a hero’s welcome. These were very special days for all of us, and I will always remember these 95 hours of running, when 10 individuals, supported by 1,000’s more, came together and accomplished something so tremendous that it was worth all the pain our bodies could endure.  I’ve been reminded of the strength of the human spirit, the power of self-belief and the abilities that lie deep within all of us to overcome tremendous obstacles. And, for that, I am ever grateful to this run, this team and Kevin Dare.

Read the whole thing Here.

What It's All About

Here's our group's Director of Fun Teddy Quinn sharing the road with his father finishing up the Life Back on Track Relay on the roads of Pennsylvania.  Another nice touch guys!  You are wearing me out...

Addendum: They keep up the surprises!  The runners will detour to run by the Dare family home in State College.  My respect grows...

And there was also a surprise appearance from The Keeper of the Cup Harry Smith who rode his bike with the team for a stretch near Hudson Ohio.  Also well done, Harry!

Through it all, I'm sure Kevin Dare is beaming like never before and has gathered quite a crowd extolling the virtues of Dear Old State.  If you have not already supported the effort, you can do so now!

Remembering What's Important Isn't Easy

The 10 Heroes are currently "streaking" toward State College.  It gives me great pleasure to see PSU (and Lock Haven!) athletes who know what's important in life.  I'm not one to always recognize the good and right things today's youth happen to be doing.  In a cynical age, it's easy to fall prey to the constant stream of negativity coming from the 24-hour news cycle.

And yet here are 10 "youts" putting their athletic prowess to a very difficult test, but still recognizing that this endevour is about more than themselves.  To begin the whole ordeal, they placed a single rose at the site of Kevin Dare's accident 10 years ago at the University of Minnesota indoor vaulting pit.  I actually teared up seeing the photo, and I never knew Kevin except as part of our Track Alumni extended family.  Well done guys!  I'm proud to say I was one of the first to donate to the cause (in the name of all of us at the blog), and I urge everyone else out there to donate also.

Time is Running Out to Support the Ten Intrepid Runners!*

The final list of the 10 runners vying to break the 1,000 mile relay record is out:  The time is now to throw some support their way.  This honors the memory of Kevin Dare and helps support the Life Back on Track Scholarship, so you'll feel good giving them a little of your hard-earned money, and thus shielding that amount from scrutiny by the IRS.

Here's the Hooters classic song Blood From a Stone about the IRS from East Rutherford NJ in 1986:





And Again from the Borgata in Atlantic City in 2008:





* And time is running out on their preparations!

1,000 Mile Relay Rapidly Approaching

I'll bet Ryan Foster regrets his "great idea" about now!  Just kidding Ryan, I know your heart is in the right place.  The 10 runners are gearing up for the attempt to break the record for a 1,000 mile relay.  They are putting in the miles during this East Coast hot spell.  I think Ryan is running the most miles/week he has ever done, and has even resorted to "doubles", if my spies are correct!

I sent in a humble donation to the effort in the name of our whole group, but you should send one in too.  The Life Back on Track Scholarship is a great idea.  They recently gave out their very first scholarship to a worthy student whose track season was taken away by lymphoma.  She plans on a dual major to become a pharmacist.

Don't Forget the 1,000 Mile Relay

Four days of running should just about do it!  That is 10 guys alternating 5 miles at a time for 4 days!  And they have to average under 6 minutes/mile to beat the record they are after.

It's all to honor Kevin Dare on the 10th anniversary of his tragic accident.  The Kevin Dare Foundation will be the beneficiary of the attempt, as well as its inspiration.  The route will take the runners from the actual scene of the accident home to State College. Ryan Foster is the architect of the effort.

The runners are a who's who of recent PSU grads with a few notable additions.  PSU grad student and former Notre Dame great Luke Watson will join former Olympian Brian Sell and the PSU boys for a hundred miles in 4 days.

This will all occur on August 26th, so there is still time to donate to the cause.

World Record Attempt of 1,000 Mile Relay (Yea, You Read That Right!)

To honor Kevin Dare on the 10th anniversary of his tragic accident in August, ten Penn State Track Alums and friends will attempt to shatter the existing record for a 1,000 Mile Relay.  The 10 runners are a who's who of runners affiliated with Penn State, and I wouldn't bet against them!  Having once run a 24-Hr. Relay, I know that they are in for a wild ride.  This will take significantly longer, and the logistics of the course adds complexity to the equation.  I hope to speak with a few of the runners soon to learn more of the attempt. Teddy Quinn will act as their media consultant. Check out the Web Site for more.

The runners:

1. Luke Watson - PSU grad student and honorary PSU Track Alum Golfer
2. Brian Sell - 2008 Olympic Marathoner
3. Dennis Pollow - veteran Grand Canyon Rim to Rim (twice!)
4. Chris Cipro - Two-Year PSU Captain
5. Vince McNally - 4-time NCAA Cross Country Qualifier
6. Kyle Dawson - Three Year PSU Captain
7. Ryan Foster - Our Group's Singlet Supplier! (More on that to come.)
8. Brian Fuller - Continues his career despite also entering The Real World!
9. Owen Dawson - 800 M All-American (PSU is 800 U)
10. Tyler McCandless - 10K All-American

News From Down Under

Our very own Tasmanian transplant has been named to the Australian National  IAAF Indoor Track Championship Team in the 1500 M.  The championships are being held in Istanbul, Turkey this year on March 9-11. Congrats to Ryan Foster on such an achievement.  He has asked me to help promote his current employer The Kevin Dare Foundation, and I'm always eager to help!  Ryan plans on being with us for the 11th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tourney and Reunion in May.

In other news from the Island Continent, 30 years after the incident, authorities are taking still another look at the case of "A dingo took my baby" case. This has played out many times before, with convictions, reversals, and retrials several times.  New episodes of wild dogs attacking kids have lent credence to the woman's unwavering tale from 1980.

And here's a great report of an Australian woman who turned the tables on the "Nigerian Prince Scam" and conned the cons out of some serious coinage.

2010 Kevin Dare Benefit Golf Tournament Video: Finally!

I have to apologize to the fine folks who ran the Benefit and the many great people helping out all along the course, in the main tent area before, and the banquet area afterward.  It was a truly fine affair. I had hoped to bring more videos in a more timely fashion, but my "reality" interfered, and made it more difficult than I had imagined.  I hope to have more soon.

In trying to put perspective on the whole thing, I've thought long and hard about what it all means.  When Kevin had his accident, every one of us PSU Track Alumni, even those of  us who didn't even know about it, lost a little piece of ourselves.  Such is the bond of a group such as ours, that transcends coaches, administration, facilities and time.  We are all part of a great tradition.  Those younger than myself may not realize it yet, but we are all bound together with bonds stronger than most, maybe only exceeded by family itself.  My heart goes out to the Dare family, but I'm happy I had the privilege to celebrate his life with them.

If a piece of us was taken away following his accident, we must remember that a bigger piece was added to us each time he soared closer and closer to 17 or even 18 feet in the pole vault.  And with each Golf Tournament held in his honor, and each time we remember him in our prayers, we grow a little bit stronger and shine a little brighter.

Here's a little video of our group in action at the Dare Tourney.  This is the "B" group, although you won't be able to tell by the quality of the golf here!

Dare Benefit and Kung Pao Update: Finally!

Sorry for the delay in reporting, but circumstances of the real world sometimes impede my fantasy blog world, (where all is well, after all!).

The Kung Pao Outreach snagged several new members, including Keeper of the Cup, Harry Smith and Penn Relays Watch Wearing Steve Shisler.  There was a cameo appearance by Keeper of the Golden Putter, Greg Fredericks, who was thoroughly afraid of the spicy goodness that is Kung Pao.  He dropped off a 1978 Exeter Cross-Country Guide starring Harry Smith himself.  Nick K. appeared at his second Outreach, ordering spicy food other than Kung Pao, which was approved by all Officers present.  Gary Black ordered the spiciest dish of the night and was thoroughly delighted with the result.  The Golden Wok offers an excellent version of the traditional chinese favorite.

The Dare Benefit Golf Tournament  was a great event, and well run by the Dare Foundation and Penn State.  Hors d'ouvres and the dinner were both excellent, with a healthy turn-out by 25 current PSU athletes (who even had the day off from practice!).  Coach Crater, Coach Sullivan and Coach Gondak as well as Jess Riden hacked away at the lush Blue Course Greenery with abandon.  I even have video of Jess attempting an approach shot on the first hole, which should serve as an excellent source of blackmail funds.  Negotiations are currently underway.

The "A" foursome pictured are Steve Balkey, Clark Haley, Paul Mundy and Harry Smith.  They ended up at (-6).  The "B" foursome shows Steve Shisler, Jeff Sanden, Gary Black and Nick K., who ended up at (-5).  Discussions occurred about some exciting Group events in the future, and arrangements were made to continue our close relationship with the Hampton Inn, Official Hotel of PSU Track Alumni Golf.  Stay tuned for more photos and videos from the event.

The Mirth is Turned Off for this One

I don't know how 8 pounds of incessant yapping covered in fur gets under your skin, but somehow it does. It doesn't even matter that he has the brains of a sponge and will eat anything he encounters. Montgomery, our 3 year old Pomeranian became ill last night and lapsed into shock so quickly, we never had time to even try to figure out why. We rushed him to the ER where he is clinging to life with a poor prognosis. I didn't get any sleep worrying about the little guy, and had time to think about many things.

I couldn't come to any real conclusions other than...Give your dog, cat or whatever a hug and let them know how you feel. Give your kids a big hug and call your parents to say "hi". Do something nice today for no reason.

And give some thought to sending a little something to the Kevin Dare Foundation. I can't imagine what his parents went through. Consider giving also to the Kevin McDermott Fund, a former Duke University runner injured in a swimming pool accident. His parents are living with much more than I can imagine.

Tailgate 2009: Ruminations and Grumblings

This little 2-year-old camper was at her first Tailgate and amused the crowd quite well. I, on the other hand, did not. The Grumpy Old Man I have become was at my worst at the first Tailgate of the season. Traffic and crowds aren't my things, but several other factors conspired to "improve" my misery.

• The RV to my immediate right decided to take 3 feet of my space which meant my huge 16 foot trailer would not fit correctly in its space, ticking off the guy to my immediate left.
• When trying to turn on the generator I tripped over the hand brake of the trailer and fell into the next guys grill, knocking it over and causing great noise and tumult in the process.
• The original guy to my right insisted on running his generator at 110 dB 4 inches from my tent room, causing me to not sleep at all Friday night. At 3 AM I finally got the RV cops into action and made him turn it off. They took a long time in doing it because they were all fast asleep!
• The Fireworks after the Pep Rally caused one of my dogs to befoul my trailer. Luckily it was on Barb's side!
  

There were several good things about the whole affair, though.

• Grilled sticky buns from The Diner in my portable microwave with Creamery ice cream on top. Including Death by Chocolate as recommended by the Radzwich's.
• Our generator performed flawlessly despite zero maintenance in 3 years.
• A friend from Day Care days found Anne and they played all day.
• I didn't have to go to the game and instead went for a run through campus, keeping my streak alive and updating my campus knowledge, (the Classroom Building has been renamed the Joab Thomas Building).
• And you wondered what any of this has to do with PSU Track? I ran into Kevin Dare's grandfather at the Tailgate, reminding me to remind all of you about their coming Golf Tourney Fundraiser. They are also having a raffle, so get in touch with them. I will again send $50 their way from our entire group.
  

Kevin Dare Golf Tourney :

I sent $50 to the Kevin Dare Scholarship fund today in the name of PSU Track and Field Alumni Golf. Today is the Third Annual Kevin Dare Golf Tournament at both the White and Blue Golf Courses. (It would be great if we could fill up both courses in coming years.) Coach Whittaker is currently hitting little white balls all over the hills and dales of University Park, representing our group with esteem, I'm sure. He is a 2008 Champion, (sort of!).

I have always had a healthy respect for pole vaulters since living with Don Skerpon in 1979-80. The combination of strength, speed and technique needed for good vaulting far surpasses any abilities I ever had. When Don switched to a longer pole in 1980, I couldn't even carry it down the runway!

Kevin was a talented vaulter and it is good to know he is being remembered by his family and friends and KevinDare.com. Click on the headline to this post to check out the web site.