Quote:
"What was the secret, they wanted to know; in a thousand different ways they wanted to know The Secret. And not one of them was prepared, truly prepared to believe that it had not so much to do with chemicals and zippy mental tricks as with that most unprofound and sometimes heart-rending process of removing, molecule by molecule, the very tough rubber that comprised the bottoms of his training shoes." - Once A Runner
Once A Runner is a quintessential read for every runner. While fictional, it beautifully encapsulates the journey of pursuing goals through dedication, sacrifice, and mental resilience. Throughout my encounters with runners—from elite professionals to early beginners—I've observed that talent and genetics certainly play a role, as they do in any sport. However, the one unwavering truth for all runners pursuing their personal best is the necessity of running. Be it on hard days, easy days, long days, or short days, "The Secret" to becoming a better runner lies in simply running.
Intro:
Sheesh, February is already here! Although, given the weather we've had, it almost feels like it can't go by fast enough. Talk about a tough few weeks to be a runner. I'm not expecting stellar conditions for the next two months, but I certainly hope they don't get any worse!
I'm excited for this newsletter! These winters months are bit slow and quiet typically. While there isn't a lot of news to report, you'll find some excellent features highlighted below. This month's spotlight features the Flying Pig's new CEO, Doug Olberding! I had the opportunity to get some of his thoughts on stepping into the role and the upcoming Flying Pig Marathon later this spring. Additionally, I'm diving into Cincinnati's running history and the origins of this incredible community. Check out the sections below, and stay tuned for more insights in future articles!
Cincinnati Running News:
Cincinnati Cyclones Frozen 5k/10k kicks off February on Saturday. Might not be too frozen this year!
Fleet Feet is hiring at their Fifty West and Newport locations. Follow the link for more info: https://jobs.fleetfeet.com/jobs
Cincy Chase the Crown tournament entered the final round this week. 4 men and 2 women remain! Check the live bracket here to see who wins! Live Bracket
Tri-State Running Company is hosting a run at Little Miami Brewery tomorrow, 1/30, at 6:30PM. They will be joined by Pig Works! All are welcome.
Heart Mini registration continues! Join thousands in fundraising for the AHA and taking on Columbia Parkway in March!
Cincy Runner Spotlight: Doug Olberding
This week, we take the spotlight to Doug Olberding! He's the new CEO of the Flying Pig Marathon and he's excited as that first weekend in May draws nearer.
I asked him his thoughts, which you can read below:
"If you had asked me on January 23, 2023, what I’d be doing on this day in 2025, I probably would’ve said something like prepping for my History of American Sport class at Xavier University, sitting in a curriculum committee meeting, or tackling some other routine academic tasks.
But everything changed for me on June 1, 2024, when I stepped into role of CEO for Pig Works, an organization that has been at the center of our region’s running a fitness ecosystem for 27 years. My journey with the Flying Pig Marathon began at its inception. Over the years, I’ve been a volunteer, a board member for 23 years (twice serving as board chair), and now I have the privilege of leading this incredible team.
What started as a single event on the first weekend in May has grown to 17 events spread across the calendar. Through these events, we support more than 300 charities, inspire kids through our youth programs in local schools, celebrate inclusion with our Pig Abilities event for athletes with disabilities, and offer life-changing opportunities through a scholarship program which last year awarded fourteen $20,000 college scholarships to high school cross-country and track athletes.
This role feels like a continuation of a running journey that started when I joined my first track team in 7th grade and shaped me through high school, college, and beyond. While I don’t run as fast, as far, or as often as I once did, I still make movement and fitness a priority in my life. There’s still something very special about those moments spent on the road with friends, finding joy in the journey.
To now lead the #1 Marathon in the USA (as named by USA Today) is a profound honor and a responsibility I embrace with gratitude. This opportunity is a blessing, and I’m committed to serving this organization and the running community with the care it deserves." - Doug Olberding
What an exciting time as Doug takes the reigns from Iris Simpson-Bush, who helped make the Pig such a great race for so many years. We look forward to that continuing!
Cincy Running Historical Moment: The Origins of the Clifton Track Club
One of CTC's primary objectives is to cultivate and advance the Cincinnati running community. To achieve this, it's essential to honor those who paved the way. With that in mind, I want to pay tribute to the Runner's Club of Greater Cincinnati—formerly known as the Clifton Track Club. They are the true trailblazers of the Cincinnati running scene.
Below is an excerpt from their website's history page:
Origins of the Clifton Track Club
By Mike Boylan, Founding Father
(Originally printed in the newsletter in January 1995)
Don Connolly (Indian Hill), Bob Roncker (Elder), and me (Roger Bacon) were all contemporaries in the local high school cross country and track scene during the late ’60s and early ’70s, before the “running boom” and the personal fitness movement began. We each dropped out of the coaching scene at various points, but kept our contacts with the running sports. By the mid-70s, Frank Shorter had inspired us all with his Olympic Marathon win, and the running scene was blossoming everywhere. In June 1976, Don was selling New Balance shoes out of his basement; Bob had returned from a stint with Runners World in California; and I was studying for the state bar exam for wannabe attorneys. I couldn’t make it one mile to Clifton School. The Clifton Track Club was born, humbly, with a notice on the bulletin board in the window of the Clifton Town Meeting office on Ludlow Avenue:
Wanted:
Running Partners for 1 — 3 mile runs,
8:00 — 10:00/ mile pace.
By September, there was a “network” of about 40 runners. By November, we had a club name, “Clifton Track Club and Joggers Association”; had started monthly meetings in the basement of the First National Bank at Ludlow and Whitfield; and had announced our formation at the 1976 Elks Club Thanksgiving Day Race. The early newsletters were no more than an updated runners directory. In 1976, the only local road race was the Elks Thanksgiving Day Race, a loosely organized affair that began at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ft. Thomas and ended at the Elks Lodge on Central Parkway, very close to the start of the 14-K race. Don Wahle, who is still actively running and plugging races, used the modest proceeds to finance a summer track series at the new all-weather track at Reading High School. There was also a Labor Day cross country race, held on the site of the former NIOSH facility on Ridge Road; but that was about it for the running scene in Cincinnati outside of the high schools and colleges.
It's amazing to think that there was a time when jogging wasn't a common activity. Nowadays, we often take it for granted. Nearly 50 years later, we're part of a thriving running community. We owe a lot to these guys, who paved the way for the vibrant scene we have today. To learn more on RCGC, check out their website https://cincinnatirunning.com
Strava Segment Highlight: Sycamore Climb
Shout out to this beast of a hill. I included the elevation graph in this week's segment screenshot. Nice and steady all the way!
Throwback to my article from 2021, Top 10 Hills in Cincinnati, where I crowned Sycamore as the most brutal climb for runners. With so many challenging hills in Cincy, picking the absolute worst was no easy task. Think I got it wrong? Let me know!
However, I'll only accept disagreements if you run up it and tell me at the top that it's not the worst (:
Training Tip:
In line with the opening quote, strive for consistency in your running. Each of us has unique goals, whether it's achieving a personal record, covering a specific distance, or simply crossing the finish line. Reaching these milestones often requires substantial effort and countless miles. Establish a routine, remain consistent, and embrace the journey along the way. That's the true "secret" in becoming a better runner.
February Local Races:
2/1 - Cincinnati Cyclones Frozen 5k/10k - Heritage Bank Center
2/8 - Cupid's Undie Run - Queen City Radio
2/18 - Couple Shuffle - Sawyer Point Park
Outro:
Thanks for checking out the second episode of the CTC Newsletter! As always, your feedback is welcome! If there's anything you'd like to see in future episodes or you have any thoughts on what was included, please leave a comment below or reach out via email! See ya next month!
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