Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 5K & 10K, Jan 25, 2020, Timber Ridge, Traverse City

Race directors, Jen Teeples and Randy Step, welcomed over 500 Racers to the annual party called the “Bigfoot Snowshoe Race 5K & 10K” at Timber Ridge, east of Traverse City, in unusually warm weather. The temperature was 40 degrees higher this year than at last year’s race. The wooded trails were perfect, with excellent packed snow and great snowshoeing.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

According to the race website; “Registration took place around a roaring fire at the beautiful log lodge at Timber Ridge Resort. The pre-race mood is just fun. Usual crowd about 500 entered and 100 rent snowshoes, probably their first time on them, so no excuse, come join us. The learning curve is zero, strap em’ on and run. The course is a super hilly off trail run with plenty of logs to jump and branches to duck, like a leg of Dances with Dirt!  What if there were no snow? It would be the first time if there wasn’t. There will be snow … but, if there wasn’t, you would be part of history, running a snowshoe race in your running shoes. I love this race! I love a winter road trip to Traverse City!

Awards to the top three finishers in male and female age groups in both 5k and 10k plus to the overall male and female winners who won creative, huge, Bigfoot Statues. Sponsored by Running Fit Stores, The Michigan DNR, and the Michigan Fitness Council, results are at this link: Bigfoot 2020 Results. The race was timed by RF Timing and Trevor Step. RF timing produced fast, accurate and complete results.  Additional sponsors were, GoGo Squeeze applesauce snacks, represented by Amy Fritz, who passed out generous samples, Great Lakes Catering, featuring “Farm to Table” catering, represented by owner, Jill Grenchick, who handed out steaming, hot bowls of gluten-free chili and vegetarian potato soup, and Happy Planet Running, with ultra-runner, Jeff Jackson, who recycled waste created by the race, and that’s one huge amount of waste. Jeff says, “Run a great race. Leave no trace.”

 

As author of this article, I get to pick my “winners”. The “winners” are not necessarily the fastest runners, but they have won or are winning the most important race we can win, the race for a better life. Meet our first “winner”, Warren Wood, age 59, from Romeo. Warren was the “big loser” of the race. Warren dropped his pulse, lowered his blood pressure, lowered his A1C, dropped his cholesterol and lost 80#. He lowered the amount of medications he takes, because of running and exercise. He has another 50# weight loss to achieve. Congratulations to a real “winner”, Warren Wood. Mike Webb, age 50, of Benzonia, is another “winner”. Mike completed the 5K. He was the last finisher. Mike recently posted his weight, 422#, on Facebook and has a continuing post showing his challenge to lose more weight. Mike says he “became tired of being obese. I thought about mortality as I turned 50.” He said; “Enough of this.” He joined a local health club, started eating healthy, stopped eating junk food and plans to run a 5K every month this year. Mike is documenting his races, and his progress, by wearing a head camera. Mike’s message to others; “Come join in the fun. Everyone is supportive. Whether you are young or old, skinny or fat, you will enjoy the trip.”

Tom Neal, 76, had a stent put in nine years ago. Tom beat me in our age group in the 5K. Tom is quick! Walt Pheeney, 77, from the Detroit area, suffered prostate cancer 9 years ago. Walt is on the Milford swim team. Rick Hammond, 69, from Maryland, suffered a bike accident in October. He broke his collarbone, four ribs and punctured his ribs. Thank goodness, he was wearing a bike helmet at the time of his accident. His doctor recently gave Rick clearance to run. Gary (61) and Joan (60) Beavers. Of Linwood, started biking when they his 50 years old “to fight the 50s” They both look good, so apparently, they are winning their battle. U of M, GO BLUE, prize goes to Alex Krause, 24, who sported a UM sweat band. Alex was a student at UM Dearborn and is currently a student at Wayne State Law. Alex was joined by friends Garrett Newman, also a student at UM Dearborn, Ryan Pickell, Chris Stewart, and Quinn Osgood. Sarah Jane Stogsdill, 25, of Interlochen, just started running. Sarah runs with her dad. Rhonda Workman, director of the lovely Mesick Mushroom Festival 5K, and a veteran, (thank you for your service), beat me across the finish line. Lately, Rhonda has had a sore leg, and I have beaten her. Way to go, Rhonda. I will keep working. Deena Horchner was at the race. I saw you at the finish line. Did you run the race, Deena? Liz Paulson, 78, from Cadillac, ran with me for a portion of the race but eventually took off and crossed the line ahead of me. And there was Alan Heidt. Alan, you are too fast! Robert Crowe, won his age group in the 10K. Robert lapped me with a faster time for the 10K than I ran in the 5K! Robert says “running saved my life”. Robert refers to the incredible positive feelings generated by running. Robert directs an important race in the Detroit area.  Garret Grant, 10, of Suttons Bay, did very nicely in the race. Bruce Leonard, 52, of Northville, lost 25#. Julie Burch, 38, Alia Polsgrove, 37, Dan Staernstroe, 31, (from Sweden), Christian Chimner, 39, Jamar Williams, 30, Yu Omori, 29, from Japan, have all run marathons. They formed a running group in the Detroit area having met on Facebook. Tim Hiatt, 49, of Rochester Hills, runs for stress relief. Julie Gieraltowski, 47, of New Baltimore, is training for her first 50K trail run. Running clears her head and gives her clarity and purpose.

Tom Kennedy, 64, of Charlevoix, believes the family that runs together, prospers together. Tom runs with his wife, Susan, 60, his aunt, Marilyn Freeman, 65, son-in-law, Simon Milbrandt, 42, and daughter, Amy Milbrandt, 36. They scuba together, boat together and run together. A real family affair. Susan proved she can finish a 5K. This race was her first! John Grossiaux, 59, of South Lyon, ran his first race with a former girlfriend, a marathon, no less. John has run over 10 marathons and several ultras. Ed Giroux, 79, Louis LeBlanc, 55, Alex Ackerman, 56, Erika Thompson, 51, Lisa Pollack, 53, Rich Bazzy, 65, Michele Snyder, 51, all succeeded in finishing the Bigfoot. Jim Frixon, former heart attack victim, looked fresh after completing the race. Bruce Reeves, 50, of Linden, is “trying to outlive his wife” by exercising. Liz Reeves recently started running and already has lost 5#.

Gary Lake, who suffered a heart attack and a recent heart valve replacement, and is the famous TV “Bayer Aspirin Man” volunteered for the race as a course marshal. Ethen Olds, director of the Lighthouse 100 Mile race, helped hand out awards.

Jen Teeples and Randy Step, Bigfoot race directors, hope you will train for and enter next year’s Bigfoot 5K or 10K or enter the Vasa Trail Run, this Fall. You will be a big winner for the effort. Remember to ask your doctor before starting an exercise program.

 

Your author, Mickey Fivenson, age 77, of Traverse City, lost over 100 pounds and has trained 150,000 miles in 48 years of running. He completed 60 marathons (3:01 PR) and holds a marathon world record with his sons, Zack and Adam. Mickey is the former director of the National Cherry Festival Runs, which were ranked in the top 25 races, nationally. Mickey’s doctors credit running toward surviving several strokes. He is an ordained rabbi, an Advanced Scuba Diver and credits his running fitness and his scuba skills with surviving a fall through the ice in over 600’ of water in middle of West Grand Traverse Bay,,,,,, and saving his dog! A U of M graduate, like his kids, (GO BLUE!!), he plays a mean blues harmonica globally and with area bands. If you would like Mickey to cover your race, if you need training tips, email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com. Today, he took a prize in his age group.

Frozen Foot Race, January 18, 2020, Eastern School, Traverse City.

The 2020 version of the Frozen Foot Race (FFR), January 18, was “one tough race”. Runners agreed, the race was difficult and trying. 2-3 inches of fresh snowfall made footing more slippery than usual. It seemed for every foot forward, we runners slipped back ½ foot. My legs were tired within the first 100 yards. But, runners prevailed, after all, this was the “Frozen Foot Race”. The race was supposed to happen during a “Frozen” part of the year. It seemed everyone finished. And best of all, the race was free for every Traverse City Track Club member.

According to the Traverse City Record Eagle; “The Traverse City Track Club is all about getting people outside and together,” according to race Director, David Rosier. “Right now, there are a bunch of people in the Eastern School gym, catching up and saying hi to each other. They may not see each other during the winter and then we will go out and start to race. They are so hardcore they are out here still running, still being active, in the middle of winter, which is what The Track Club loves to see.”

How old is the FFR? Organizers agree the FFR is one of Michigan’s oldest races started as early as the 1980s. The five-mile race started and finished at the new Eastern Elementary School on Eastern Av, near Central High School after winding around the base of the Peninsula. Eastern School is not the same as the Eastern School attended by my sons, Zack and Adam. The school is totally remodeled and brand new.

Before the FFR start, there was a 1-mile race for kids. The Traverse City Central XC and Track teams were present and acted as course marshals. They were highly visible at every turn of the route. Owen Sullivan, a junior, was a representative of the team. Erica Harrell, was an important volunteer, passing out and organizing snacks and helping with registration. Jim Birch, 78, from TC, retired from running due to leg issues. Normally, Jim and I duke it out for age group honors. Today, Jim helped marshal the course and passed out water. Finally get to beat you, Jim.

The top three finishers in each age category received a prize and overall winners received a $25 gift card to Running Fit. Great snacks were available. Sponsors included Running Fit Stores, represented by Jen Teeples, GoGo SqueeZ Apple-sauce and yogurt snacks with Amy Fritz passing out delicious samples, (after completing the race, herself) and hot chocolate provided by the Traverse City Track Club. Results can be found at this link; Frozen Footrace 2020 Results .

I talked to many “winners”. These runners were not necessarily the fastest, but they were definitely “winners” in the race we call “life”. Running has significantly influenced their lives. For example, Gary Lake, 73, from Honor, had a heart attack several years ago. He is famous because Bayer Aspirin created a TV commercial featuring Gary and his continuing running experience after his heart attack. He takes a baby aspirin every day. On July 23, Gary had an aortic valve replaced. Forty-four days later, Gary completed the Holland ½ marathon and was first in his age group, all with doctor’s permission. Gary owes his survival and continued good health to his exercise program. What happened was an inordinate build-up of plaque in Gary’s heart due to genetics causing a 68% blockage. Now, Gary is training for the Glass City Marathon and other runners better watch out! Gary’s resting heart rate is an excellent 40-48. Gary trains smart for marathons, limiting his training to 30-42 miles per week mixed evenly between trails and hard surfaces. Go get ‘em, Gary Lake. Our FFR “winner”.

Joe Evans, 65, from Ypsilanti, is surely a “winner”. Joe had a hip replaced and is limited by his doctor to race walking. Joe has never had special race walking training but still manages a fast pace of 11 minutes per mile. Joe’s time puts my time to shame. Joe has been running/walking since 1978. Joe was 14^th overall in the famous Crim 10 mile competitive race walk division held in Flint.

I had the pleasure to run with another “winner” for several miles of the race until she took off a beat me across the finish line. Susan Tuttle, 69, from TC, is running from cancer in her family. Susan’s sister and brother-in-law passed on from the disease. A result of her quest for better health, Susan is on a mostly plant based diet. She takes vitamin D3 and fish oil. Susan’s hubby, Wally, finished behind both of us. J Wally and I used to play music together. Let’s do it again, Wally.

Linda Lepper, 62, uses running to maintain her weight, but more importantly, running has allowed Linda to reduce her asthma medication by a whopping 75%! Linda keeps her asthma in check, breaths better and does not get sick as often due to her exercise regime.  Linda trains four times per week and only takes medication when needed. Linda’s training is done with her doctor’s approval. Linda, you are a true “winner”.

Jeremy Treadwell, 59, of TC, taught me a new running trick as he applied screws to his shoe soles to improve traction. Today, the screws did not help because loose snow on the roads was too thick and Jeremy continued to lose traction. Deena Horchner and Liz Paulson, as nurses, used exercise as therapy for their oncology patients and beat me like a drum. Daughter, Nicki Horchner, ran well, as usual. Robin Mosher, ran the race in fine form. Robin is a medical tech specializing in breast cancer cures. Due to her own cancer, she became her own client. Rhonda Workman, 65, a veteran,(thank you for your service), is director of the scenic, wooded Mesick Mushroom Festival 5K, held every spring. Rhonda ran a very fine race. Rhonda is wearing compression pants to help heal painful hamstring muscles. Alan Heidt ran his usual excellent race. Bob Jones, 66, of TC, trains 3-4 times per week. Bob also uses a treadmill.

I met the niece of my all-time favorite college teacher. Alan Schumsky was uncle to Molly Schumsky. I only took one college class before attending the University of Michigan, Alan Schumsky’s freshman English class at NMC. Alan was one of my most memorable instructors. He had a style that resonated with students. I remember his “barbarisms” of writing. A student had better not commit a barbarism or we received a failed grade on the paper. Alan is gone, today, but not forgotten. Mollie’s nephew, Alex Marek, 11, ran the race today. Jim Frixon, heart attack victim, ran the race today. You would never know from looking at him, that Jim Frixon is a heart attack survivor. Jim Graham, president of the Traverse City Track Club, ran an excellent time. Jim is a natural runner who puts me to shame. I need a few more years to stay out of his age group. Keith Prevost did not run today so I beat him. J  Keith is recovering from November prostate cancer surgery. Keith is doing fine but receives his current exercise inside with a combination of aerobic and strength training. Keith expects to start running in about one month. Darn, I better beat him while I can.

Travis Eastman, 39, was accompanied by his son, Jackson, 9, as they stood out in their University of Michigan outfits. GO BLUE! Travis runs to relieve stress. You both win the U of M prize for today’s FFR.  Nathan, 26, Travis, 32, and Beth Blohn, pushing two kids in a racing stroller, ran in matching tee shirts representing their software company, Lean Goat Consultants. That’s right, Beth pushed two children in a stroller! Kyle Keil, 38, finished second overall. Kyle is recovering from a tooth implant. He was accompanied in the FFR by wife Kristen Verette, daughter, Kylanna, 12, and son, Keegan Verrett-Keil, 10. What a loving family outing. Kyle also gives back to running by being a marathon pacer in several major races. Kyle was beaten. I am breaking a rule. In ten yers of articles, I never have interviewed the fastest runner. But this race winner is an acquaintance of mine, because he is a funeral director at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, where I officiate as a rabbi. Eric Rizzio, 28, is qualified for and plans to run at the Boston Marathon.  Eric runs to relieve the natural stress formed because of his unique job. Eric, you are a fine funeral director. You are very helpful at funerals I will interview you again, even though you are the fastest runner and take the BIG prize.

Frozen Foot Race director David Rosier hopes you will join the Traverse City Track Club and participate in the free Frozen Foot Race in 2021. In the meantime, while the Bay Shore Marathon is sold out, there is still time to train and enter the Bay Shore ½ marathon or 10K sponsored by The Traverse City Track Club, May 23. You will feel better for the effort. Remember to ask your doctor for permission to exercise.

Your author, Mickey Fivenson, age 77, of Traverse City, lost over 100 pounds and has trained 150,000 miles in 48 years of running. He completed 60 marathons (3:01 PR) and holds a marathon world record with his sons, Zack and Adam. Mickey is the former director of the National Cherry Festival Runs, which were ranked in the top 25 races, nationally. Mickey’s doctors credit running toward surviving several strokes. He is an ordained rabbi, an Advanced Scuba Diver and credits his running fitness and his scuba skills with surviving a fall through the ice in over 600’ of water in middle of West Grand Traverse Bay,,,,,, and saving his dog! A U of M graduate, like his kids, (GO BLUE!!), he plays a mean blues harmonica globally and with area bands. If you would like Mickey to cover your race, if you need training tips, email mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com. Today, he took first prize in his age group, 75-120.