Monday, June 25, 2007

3rd Annual Bennie Bernard Memorial 6K Run

Sunday, June 24, 2007
"Out and back on Route 155, Thompson Road, Palmer Road - Nice run and event for all family members."

Sunday at Palmer Road it was cloudy and little rain and 16 degrees.

The out and back course on Rte 155 near St. Louis.

Finish in 26:13, place 3rd and got a medal.

Paul Dalton won and Jennifer Nickerson was top female and she ran with her hushand and baby.

Randy Allian organize the race.

Watermelons afterwards.

Was fundraiser for Immaculate Conception Church round window.

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure


DeltaWare Systems Inc. 5K Fun Run

Saturday, June 23, 2007
"A nice run for all abilities through the streets of Charlottetown"


This Saturday it was cloudy and drizzle before the race and 13 degrees. Gord from UFit lead a warm up with music.

5km loop course around Charlottetown.

I finish in 20:13 at 22nd out of 140 runners.
22nd in 3 races in the row!

Scott Clark won in 16:46 and Rachael McCalvill for top female in 18:14.

Official Result: 22nd out of 140
5K in 20 minutes, 13 seconds
2006 Deltaware
2005 Deltaware
2004 Deltaware




Stan is going to the Island Games. Brian McKenna organized a fundraiser for Stan and raised over $1200. to get Stan to the Island Games in Greece. Good Luck Stan! Have Fun!

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

Council of the Disabled honour Islanders, businesses


Council of the Disabled honour Islanders, businesses
The Guardian

Several Island businesses have been honoured for efforts in making their facilities more accessible to those with disabilities. The P.E.I. Council of the Disabled hands out the access awards annually.
The Clyde River Community Centre, Clyde River, was awarded for barrier-free renovations, including a ramp, widened doors and handrails in washrooms.
St. Mary's Parish Council, Souris, was awarded for efforts made to make barrier-free renovations, including fund-raising and installation of an elevator.
Life Bridge Incorporated, Charlottetown, was awarded for constructing and providing accessible and supportive housing for people with intellectual and mobility disabilities.
St. Pius X Parish, Charlottetown, was awarded for its barrier-free renovations.
ONI Properties, Charlottetown, was awarded for considering and addressing the need for barrier-free apartments in new developments.
Kim Levesque with the Arthritis Society of P.E.I., Charlottetown, was awarded for her efforts in assisting people with visual disabilities by transcribing a lengthy manual into an electronic format.
Several appreciation awards were also handed out. The CBC, Charlottetown; the Journal-Pioneer, Summerside; Stew and Sharon Arkwell, Summerside; Paul Schurman, Summerside; Clary Stubbert, Meadowbank; Wal-Mart Summerside; Kristin Rowe, Halifax; and Danny and Marty Murphy all received awards.
A special recognition award went to Alex Bain and his family for raising awareness of Autism.
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities award was presented to Laurel Smyth of Charlottetown.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

CBC TV Interview - Aired on CBC News Compass June 14th, 2007

This follow up interview to a number of interviews we did surrounding Alex's Tip-to-Tip Run and Dennis Debbaudt's Seminars was done for Charlottetown's CBC 6pm News Compass on June 13th and aired June 14th. It runs 2:33.


Connaughton off to Pan American Games

21/06/07
Connaughton off to Pan American Games
New Haven, P.E.I., track star will wear Canada's colours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Guardian

OTTAWA (CP) — Led by hurdler Perdita Felicien and sprinter Tyler Christopher, Canada will field its top track and field team at next month’s Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Athletics Canada named its 30-member squad Wednesday with an eye toward the world championships later this summer in Osaka, Japan.
Also on the squad is Jared Connaughton, from New Haven, P.E.I. He is part of the the men’s 4 x 100 relay team and is in the 200 m.
The Pan Am team is virtually the same as the one that will compete in Osaka, said Canadian head coach Les Gramantik. And with perennial track powerhouses such as the U.S. and the Caribbean countries competing in Rio, the Pan Ams are a perfect final tuneup for the world championships.
“This event will allow us to evaluate the preparedness of our top athletes,” Gramantik said in a release.

Islanders on the Run - Last Weekend in Nova Scotia and on Mount Washington

Congratulations to PEI runners who were out representing this past weekend. Over in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at the Johnny Miles Running Event Weekend, PEI had 3 runners in the top 5 in the Marathon. Scott Clark placed 2nd in a time of 2:57:39, Shawn McCardle placed 3rd in a time of 2:59:08 and Mark McCosham placed 5th in a time of 3:07:44. There were many, many more Island runners in the Marathon.

Full Marathon Results
Half Marathon Results
10K Results
5K Results
Student Challenge Results


Meanwhile, south of the border, Bev Walsh ran the Mount Washington Road Race

"Just before race director Bob Teschek starts the race, he always reminds you "there is only one hill." Of course that hill is more than 7.6 miles long with nearly 5,000 feet of climb, a sadistic test of running ability. It's really no mystery why there are so many runners willing to put themselves through this anaerobic hell, and why hundreds of disappointed more wish they could, but were not "lucky" enough to get picked in the lottery. It's the challenge, of course. The fact that it is so difficult is precisely the reason so many are so driven to try a race that leaves even the most accomplished runners gasping for breath. As one famous writer once said, " I don't enjoy writing at all, but I do enjoy having written." That pretty much sums up running up Mt. Washington."
Bev finished in 1:57:00, the 104th woman to finish, 17th in her division. Congratulations Bev, I hope you got a bum-per sticker to go on the back of your shorts, you most surely deserve it!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

PEI Council of the Disabled Special Recognition Award 2007


Saturday, June 16, 2007

After the trail run we went to the new residence building at UPEI to the PEI Council of the Disabled's Annual General Meeting.

They give me and my family a Special Recognition Award "For individual achievement in raising awareness of Autism" for my Tip to Tip from North Cape to East Point in 2006 and training law enforcement and first responders.

The PEI CoD helped us set up the Runman Fund to collect donations.

Thank You very much.

Photo (left to right) :
Mom/Janet, Bernie Wilson, Dad/Roger, Alex





PEI Parks Trail Run

Saturday, June 16
"Flat and easy on the Confederation Trail"

PEI Parks Trail Run at Milton. It was foggy and sunny morning.

Out and back course on Confederation Trail. Waterstop at 3km with 6km runners turnaround.

Finish in 48:16 at 22nd out of 49 runners.

Randy MacNeill for top male and Shelly Simmons-MacLeod for top female, she run first 1okm in 2 years.

Leo was timekeeping because he running at the Johnny Miles on Sunday.

Official Result: 22nd out of 49
10K in 48 minutes, 16 seconds
Trail Run 2005
Trail Run 2004



Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

Friday, June 15, 2007

Help Get Stanley Chaisson to the Island Games in Greece



Our man Stan has been asked to represent Prince Edward Island at the Island Games on the Island of Rhodes in Greece June 30th - July 6th 2007.

Stan will be running the 10,000 Metre (10Km) track event at the beautiful new Kalipatira Sports Complex.


Anyone who knows Stanley can attest to the fine choice this Bear River native is to represent PEI. One doesn't have to be in his running group, or even a runner to know Stanley's enthusiasm, support and encouragement. I experienced it first hand last fall when we were both speakers at the PEI Marathon Speaker Series and were both a bit nervous about our presentations. Stanley was my support and encouragement beforehand and I remember well how, every time I looked up during that presentation, I saw Stanley, smiling, looking interested in what I was saying, and making it easy to relax and carry on. Alex and his fellow runners know Stan's encouragement all too well - with Stan's blazing times and top finishes he has plenty of time to go back and cheer on the rest of the field, "Stanley cheers at last few meters after winning in 15:34" Alex wrote after the Proude's Shoes Run in May. I've heard other runners comment on how Stan's cheers encouraged them to pour it on at the end of a run as well. He has an easy rapport with Alex and my observation leads me to believe he really enjoys and takes great interest in each and every member of his very diverse running groups.

For Stanley, the total cost of the trip is $4,000.00. While the Province has agreed to cover $3,000.00 of this , Stanley has to come up with an additional $1,000.00 on his own in very short order. Stanley's beginner group at Run UPEI have sprung into action to help him fundraise that $1000.00. Many from this group, thanks to Stanley's encouragement & support, will be running in their first 5K race Saturday, June 23rd at the Deltaware 5K Run in Charlottetown and a collection will be taken following the Run for Stan. This race is where Stan has run his personal best 5K time, running it last year in 15:07.

For all who will be participating in the Deltaware 5K, please bring along a donation for Stanley. If you'de like to donate but won't be there on the 23rd I have a couple of suggestions.... You can send a cheque, made out to "Stanley Chaisson" to Brian McKenna, 18 Johnson Ave. Charlottetown C1A 3H9, before June 27th (you can contact Brian at ). Alex & I will be at the PEI Parks Trail Run in Milton Saturday June 16th and The Michael Thomas-Barney Francis Memorial Run on Lennox Island on Thursday June 21st and would be happy to take any donations (cash or cheques) along to Stanley at the Deltaware Run June 23rd. If you can't spare a dime but can spare a word of encouragement, drop Stanley a line and wish him well, he can be reached at

Stanley Chaisson, BSc Kinesiology.
  • Kinesiologist & Personal Trainer
  • Program Facilitator, RUN UPEI
  • Five-year varsity Cross Country and Track & Field member at Dalhousie University
  • Wealth of experience: competed in numerous National competitions
  • Former CIS All Canadian
  • Broad knowledge of the science behind health and exercise
  • Several years of training experience
  • Active runner and sports enthusiast

The sport of Athletics has had its roots since ancient times on the Island of Rhodes. All participants will have the opportunity to visit the islands Ancient Stadium. As a very popular sport on the island many athletes participate in international events, the Olympic Games and have even won medals in IAAF World Championships.

Athletics has a well-organised local association supported by the National Federation of Athletics, with vast experience in organising events at the National level having participants in all athletic events.

The athletic events will be hosted in the newly constructed, 400m 8 lane, Track and Field of the "Kalipatira Sports Complex" located close to the accommodation area. The half marathon will be held in the City of Rhodes starting from the Ancient Stadium. Athletes will also have the option to train in the newly constructed track and field of "Agios Silas".
Links:

The P.E.I. government says it will help pay to send athletes to the
International Island Games this year in Rhodes, Greece.

Nelson Hagerman, vice-president and fundraiser for the local island games association, said athletes are also looking ahead to 2009, when the Games are due to be held on the Baltic Sea island of Aland. Hagerman said that event will be a good warmup for the Canada Summer Games, which will be held in P.E.I. in 2009.

"We hope to send a good contingent of athletes, because what it would do is give them an initial training or competition process before...the Canada Games in 2009," said Hagerman.

In all, 82 athletes, coaches and officials will travel to the Games in Greece this summer. The provincial government will contribute $75,000 to the cost. P.E.I. sent its first athletes to the International Island Games, which are held every two years, in 1991. It is the only North American member of the International Island Games Association.

P.E.I. is also looking into becoming the first North American host for the Games, launching a bid for 2013. A successful bid could bring as many as 4,000 visitors to P.E.I., said Hagerman.

The games in Rhodes are the first to be held outside the British Isles and Scandinavia. The inaugural Games were held on the Isle of Man in 1985.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Cornwall Classic

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Sunny and few clouds and 18 degrees.
Cornwall Classic 5km-10km run. I run 10Km.

Marlene Hunt was there, she was my T.A from when I was 3 years old until Grade 3. She is a Cornwall councillor. MLA Ronnie MacKinley started the race.

Ran up Ferry Rd. passed Uncle John's lane. Wore my white cap and soak with water.

Finish in 47:39 place in 22nd out of 51.

Official Result: 22nd out of 51
10K in 47 minutes, 39 seconds
2006 Cornwall Classic
2005 Cornwall Classic

Photos
Alex & "MJ" (Marlene Hunt). Alex's TA from the time he was 3 until Grade 3. I cannot say enough about her, her common sense, her respect for Alex and his autism, her ability to see beyond his disabilities to his abilities and the calm and gentle way she followed his lead and brought out the very best in him. She helped lay a very solid foundation for his education and began building successes upon it that continued throughout his school years. She is indeed one of the best things that ever happened to Alex and we're always thrilled to see her.

Dianne Pye & Alex.
Dianne loves to keep Alex on his toes and, although he's doing his best to look cool here, she can usually put a shy smile on his face from ear to ear. When he's running well he can beat her to the finish line but for the most part he's looking at her back, even though it might not start out that way.
He keeps her secrets too though she confesses to breaking the rules by times..... She is one of the few runners he has blogged about by name and one he showed great concern about as he followed her Boston Marathon times during the race and they weren't what they should be (poor Dianne got hit with Strep throat during the Boston Marathon). Safe to say they are watching, and watching out for, each other.

Running For Autism
Not Against It
acceptance not cure

Friday, June 8, 2007

Run, run, run - Journal Pioneer

June 8th, 2007

Run, run, run
With proper planning and pacing, running has its rewards

LORI A. MAYNE
The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE —When Scott Clark first tried running, he made it about 300 feet. “Whew, this isn’t easy,” he thought. Now he’s literally a front-runner at 10Ks and marathons alike.

“I just got bitten by the bug,” he says.

Clark started training a decade ago, when he decided to run the new 13-kilometre Confederation Bridge. Though he dropped running for a few years, he started again in 2001 to lose weight.

The 43-year-old shed 35 pounds and has been pounding the pavement since.

“I still enjoy beating some of the young fellas,” he quipped.

Running is arguably one of the cheapest and easiest exercise programs.

But where do you start?

Melanie Ramsay, manager of Summerside Wellness Centre gym, said the first step is to look at your fitness level.

“For a lot of people, running a minute is a big deal,” she said.

If you don’t even run across the street, you should likely start walking first. You can build fitness with 30 minutes, three times a week. It’s a good rule of thumb to increase mileage by no more than 10 per cent each week.

When you’re comfortable walking 30 minutes briskly, try incorporating a walk-run progression. That means running for a minute, then walking for two. Each week extend the running time (following the 10 per cent rule) until you can run the whole distance. Thirty minutes would include a five-minute walk, 20 minutes of running-walking and five-minute cool down.

As with any exercise program, check with a doctor first. Ramsay recommended running three to four times a week and cross-training – weight training, swimming or biking – other days to build different muscles and prevent injury.

Trying a program is the best way to find out if it’s for you.

“Give yourself a good week or two,” Ramsay said.

Participating in one of the many runs on P.E.I. may help boost motivation.

“It’s a very supportive sport,” said Clark.

He suggested 10K as a good distance to start, adding it would take five to six weeks of training.

“Work on your endurance, and then think about speed later,” he advised.

Clark also recommended using the 10 per cent rule for distance. Then, to get faster, add speed training once a week.

For example, run two or three kilometres at an easy pace, then run bursts of 30 seconds hard, 30 seconds easy. Do this 10 to 12 times followed by another two or three kilometres of easy running to cool down.

Clark said running is all about fitness and fun: as the saying goes, you’ll enjoy the race no matter what your pace.

“There is no better feeling than seeing the finish line and realizing that all your efforts paid off.”

----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=35636&sc=118

Proper footwear essential for running
LORI A. MAYNE
The Journal Pioneer


SUMMERSIDE —If you don’t have proper running shoes, expect more than sore feet. Aching knees, hips and back can signal it’s time to get new footwear, said Dwayne McNeill, owner of Source for Sports in Summerside.

What’s the most common mistake when buying new running shoes?

Going too small, he said.

“When you run, the front part of your foot swells,” McNeill explained.

When you try a running shoe, make sure there’s a thumb-width of space at the front. McNeill recommended buying the shoe even a half-size larger than normal. But the heel should fit snug and shouldn’t slip.

You should also try to determine your foot type and if you under- or over-pronate. Pronation refers to the natural rolling of the foot from heel to toe. In a neutral running stride, the outside of your heel strikes first and then your foot rolls inward so the impact gets evenly carried across the front of the foot.

Over-pronation means your foot rolls too far from outside to inside and there’s too much stress on the inside of the foot. Underpronation means not enough rolling and too much stress on the outside.

One way to determine that is by looking at your arch. Wet the bottoms of your feet and stand on a paper bag. After a minute, step off and look at the imprint.

Low arch: Not much curve on the inside of the imprint. The imprint will show almost your whole foot. People with low arches typically over-pronate. The majority of people over-pronate.

High arch: Very sharp curve on the inside of the imprint. Imprint shows only a thin band between heel and toe. People with high arches tend to under-pronate.

Normal arch: Distinct curve on the inside of the foot. Imprint has a band of a little less than half your foot width between heel and front of foot.

This information will help you pick shoes designed for your feet. Shoes for over-pronators offer more rigidity and support. Those with under-pronation tend to do best with more cushioning. An educated staff person can help pick the best for you.

McNeill also recommended checking store policies on trying shoes. Some will let you try them on a treadmill or other clean surface.

A proper running shoe will likely cost over $100, unless there’s a huge sale. You’ll typically need a new pair every six to eight months.

Monday, June 4, 2007

RUN UPEI Summer Clinics

For those of you interested RUN UPEI summer clinics will be starting again the week of June 25-29th. This time around their will be 4 groups.

Just for Ladies Intro Run/Walk Clinic starting Monday June 25th at 6:30pm Goal event - Banks Financial Group Inc. 5km Charity walk/run on September 8th

Learn to Run Clinic starting Tuesday June 26th at 5:15pm Goal event - 5km Friendship Run for Prince County Hospital Saturday September 1st

5km/10km Performance Clinic starting Thursday June 28th at 5:15pm Goal event - PEI Marathon 10km run

Half Marathon and Marathon Clinic starting Tuesday June 26th 6:30pm Goal event - PEI Marathon Weekend

NEW!! Just by joining RUN UPEI you could win a brand new pair of running shoes! Every workout you attend your name will be entered into a draw for a brand spankin' new pair of running shoes. The more workouts you attend the better your chances are. Draw will be made on the last clinic session.

Clinics have limited space available so sign up soon! For more information contact Stanley Chaisson at running@upei.ca

More Information

PEISAA track-field records set

PEISAA track-field records set
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=34465&sc=119
CHRIS MARSHALL
The Journal Pioneer

HAMPSHIRE — Three new provincial records were set at the P.E.I. School Athletic Association provincial track and field meet here at Bluefield High School on Saturday.

Alex Cyr of Evangeline School set a new mark in the novice boys’ 1,500-metre event — five minutes 10 seconds (5:10) — and Cierra Gaudet of Summerside Intermediate School established a new standard in the 400-metre midget girls’ race — 1:03.01.

Zach Tawell of Glen Stewart stopped the watch in 13.6 seconds in the 100-metre novice boys’ event.

Gaudet, though, felt it was anybody’s race until the final stretch run.

“I felt pretty good then and knew I had a good chance of winning, but I wasn’t really expecting it (the record),” said Gaudet, who shaved three-tenths of a second off the old record of 1:03.4, which was set by Susan MacEachern of Belfast in 1981.

Gaudet also won the 100 and 200 metres and was on the relay team that garnered second place.

Cyr, who was as surprised as anyone at his record-setting performance, broke Bobby Mersereau’s 5:13.1 mark, set in 1987. Mersereau was a student at Air Marshall Johnson.

“I just ran and was very excited when I was told about the record,” said the 11-year-old, who admitted to being nervous before the race. “I didn’t have any idea how I’d do.”


http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=34453&sc=99
High school athletes set three records
The Guardian

HAMPSHIRE — Three records were set at the P.E.I. School Athletic Association track and field championships Saturday at Bluefield high school.

Two of the new standards came in the novice boys’ division, the other in midget girls.

Zack Taweel of Glen Stewart won the novice boys' 100 metres in 13.6 seconds, eclipsing the mark set by Jared Connaughton of 13.8 in 1996.

Alex Cyr of Evangeline ran a 5:11.6 in the midget boys 1,500-metre race to better the previous mark of 5:13:1 set in 1987 by Bobby Mersereau of Air Marshall Johnson.

Cierra Gaudet took the third PEISAA record in the midget girls' 400 metre when the Summerside intermediate runner was timed in 1:03:1. The previous best was by Susan MacEachern of Belfast in 1:03.4 during the 1981 meet.

West Royalty and Colonel Gray each won two divisional titles at the meet.

West Royalty took the novice girls and boys while Gray won the two senior sections.

Other divisional winners were East Wiltshire (bantam girls), Hernewood (bantam boys), Summerside (midget girls) and Charlottetown Rural (midget boys).

Meanwhile in Abram-Village, it was mission accomplished for Tessa Stammberger at the recent zone track and field meet here at Evangeline school.

The 14-year-old Kensington intermediate-senior high school student set a new provincial bantam girls' triple jump record — 9.97 metres.

“I felt really happy because it was my goal,’’ said Stammberger, the daughter of former Olympian Anna Pendergast-Stammberger.

Lauren Campbell of Athena set the previous mark — 9.85 metres — in 2002.

Stammberger couldn’t add to the record at the P.E.I. School Athletic Association provincial meet at Bluefield.

“There was a headwind today (Saturday),’’ added Stammberger.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Red Island Relay 2007

Red Island Relay 2007

For the last 28 years (from 1978 to 2006) the PEI Region of the Canadian Red Cross has organized the "Red Cross Relay" with the help of many volunteers. However starting this year, 2007, a team of volunteers is taking over the organization of the event under the new title "Red Island Relay". The Red Island Relay 2007 event organization is being headed by Ardelle Hynes and Ken Sampson. The Red Island Relay will still be a fundraising event for charity. This year's beneficiaries will be the Canadian Red Cross and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of PEI.

Organizers team up to get relay back on track
Red Island Relay is set for Saturday at the Brudenell Provincial Park
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=33844&sc=99

Red Island Relay teams compete
The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=34455&sc=99

ROSENEATH — P.E.I. Speed Inc., was the only team to break the three-hour barrier in winning the Outdoor Expeditions Red Island Relay Saturday.

The team, which includes Dylan MacDonald, Cory Jay, Kendall MacDonald, Ryan Taylor, Peter Toombs and Allan MacEachern, finished the five-leg multi-sport relay in two hours, 57.39 seconds.

A total of 33 six-member teams, 18 two-person teams and 18 solo competitors took part in the event which included a 7.5-kilometre run, 26-kilometre road bike, 10-kilometre run, 19-kilometre mountain bike and a six-kilometre canoe/kayak leg.

Jody Sanderson, a native of York Point, P.E.I., now living in Toronto, finished second overall, capturing the solo division in a time of 3:19:46.

Tyler Read of New Haven was second in solo and third overall in 3:22.41.

Naturally Fit, comprised of Corey Ellis, Terence Dunphy, Jason Lyndsey, Steve Rush, Justin Ellis and Garrett Toole, were race-timed in 3:25:04 to finish fourth overall and second in the six-person division.

Law and Older, a team including Ralph Lea, Kevin Spencer, Dan McCarthy, Shawn McCarthy and Andrew Thompson were third in the six-person division in 3:27:04 while Pavement Pounders, a six-person masters' entry of Mark Victor, Russ Melanson, Garth Simmons, Tim Murphy, A.J. MacDonald and Paul MacDonald came in at 3:30:04.

The BMO Nesbitt Burns/Prestige Honda team of Graeme Carr and Robbie Hambly took the two-person division in 3:35:41 while the Pink Canoeists of Craig Beaton and Jeff Zahavich were second in 3:39:05 with the father/son entry of Paul Hannan and Ben Crook-Hanna third in 3:44:37. Fourth place went to the Whip and Drip duo of Ryan DesRoches and Sean Fleming (3:45:17).

This year's beneficiaries were the Canadian Red Cross and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of P.E.I.
-------------------

Course

The race consisted of 5 legs:
Leg 1: Run. Approx. 7.75km
Leg 2: Road Bike. Approx. 27 km.
Leg 3: Run. Approx. 10km.
Leg 4: Mountain Bike. Approx. 20km.
Leg 5: Canoe or Kayak. Approx. 6km

Results:


6 Person Team - http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/results-show.php?result=410

2 Person Team - http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/results-show.php?result=411

Solo - http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/results-show.php?result=412

Congratulations all!

Silent Running - New York Times



The Island
Silent Running
By COREY KILGANNON
Published: June 3, 2007

HICKSVILLE

BEFORE a 5-kilometer race here last weekend, a pair of 16-year-old identical twins limbered up among several hundred other runners, looking, at first glance, perfectly ordinary.

They had slim builds, sinewy legs and lean faces. Their tank tops bore their race numbers: 46 for Alex Schneider, 47 for his brother Jamie.

But closer up, one could see they were different from the runners around them. They did not speak, even when spoken to. They stared into the distance and were clingy with their parents, Alan and Robyn Schneider. Each twin wore a bracelet identifying him as having nonverbal autism and listing contact information.

They pranced distractedly on the lawn like colts, impatient to run. But by the time the competitors left the starting line on South Oyster Bay Road, both boys stared intently ahead and moved quickly — each with a running coach at his side — toward the head of the pack.

“They can focus like a laser beam,” Mr. Schneider said. “They just get in a zone from the minute they wake up on a race day.”

That zone can distress the parents of autistic children. It can keep the children prisoners of their inner world and keep everyone else out. But if applied, it can become a tool, the way some of us use anger or charm or obsession to pursue our goals.

The Schneiders were desperate for some activity for their boys to focus on — one that would bring crucial interaction with nonautistic children and allow a physical outlet for their boundless energy.

The boys would often run speedy circles in the gym of their school, the Genesis School in Plainview, founded in 1995 by a group of parents with autistic children. A school official mentioned the Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program, which helps physically and mentally challenged athletes on Long Island compete in mainstream races.

In the regular weekend races and practices, the Schneiders found focus and interaction and energy release for Alex and Jamie.

They also learned that the boys were gifted runners. Alex is beginning to challenge the best of his age group, finishing 25th out of 370 runners in February at the Snowflake four-miler in Long Beach and recently running a 10K race (6.2 miles) in 43 minutes. He beat 85 people last month to win a 5K (3.1 miles) in Great Neck.

Officials at Great Neck South High School have agreed to allow the twins to practice and compete with its varsity team come September, the Schneiders said.

Because the boys cannot follow a race course alone, each must run with a guide. But they have trouble finding guides who are fast enough. Shanthy Hughes, 39, of Floral Park, runs with Jamie. Kevin McDermott, 48, of East Islip, runs with Alex. The guides’ availability is limited, so the boys run only once a week.

At the end of each race, Alex keeps running, and Mr. McDermott has to corral him.

“He’s a running machine,” Mr. McDermott said. “He’s come so far with minimal practice, and he drops 15 seconds each race. We don’t want to push him, so we really don’t know how fast he can really go yet. We’re holding him back because he doesn’t understand pacing. He goes out too fast the first mile, because he doesn’t know when the race is going to end.”

The brothers have always excelled at certain things, including being able to quickly and methodically assemble 500-piece puzzles from the bottom up, left to right. But now, running has taken over.

“Alex races through his dinner, he races up and down the stairs,” Mrs. Schneider said. “You can’t tell them about the race the day before because they get so excited they won’t sleep. You have to tell them that morning. Then they take their sneakers and the clothing in their gym bags and line it all up.”

After they leave school at age 20, the twins will most likely live in a group home and work. “They already have jobs that make use of their compulsiveness,” Mrs. Schneider said. “They work at T. J. Maxx, unpacking boxes of merchandise and organizing it, and at an office, opening and collating mail.”

Like Alex and Jamie, their parents are also racing: in their case to prepare the boys to survive when they can no longer parent them. Running in the real world, the Schneiders hope, will teach their sons about the rewards of discipline and hard work and push them toward more independent mainstream ventures.

After last weekend’s race, other runners sprawled in exhaustion, but the Schneider twins still pranced around restlessly.

Alex had finished 86th out of nearly 400 runners, completing the five kilometers in 20 minutes 53 seconds, including a 6:30 first mile. Jamie ran the race in 27:46.

Steve Cuomo, 54, of Shirley, head coach and president of the Rolling Thunder group, came by and hugged them.

“We don’t know what kids like this can do because we’ve never trained them,” he said. “One thing I teach them is: Never quit. They’re going to survive out there in the real world.”