News & Events

September 2024

Our Newark Mile Champs

            Eunice Leung Luu 20:48 (8:19 per mile) 155th overall 1st in age (56-65)
                                Sam Langendorf 14:06 (5:40 per mile) 7th overall 1st in age (36-45)
                                                   Dan Harris 17:29 (7:02 per mile) 62nd overall 1st in age (66+)
                                                                       Dave Finck 25:07 (10:06 per mile) 247th overall 6th in age (56-65)
                                                                                                    Eva Luu 14:42 (5:53 per mile) 16th overall 1st in age (26-35)

July 2024

Fred Heinze 2,000^th Day Run
by Gordon Gillmouth

MPS member Fred Heinze completed his 2,000^th consecutive day of running on Tues. July 2 with a 3 mile run on the Sycamore Grove trail in Livermore, accompanied by MPS members Dan Harris, Kirk McKinlay, and Gordon Gillmouth. It was a bit toasty for the 9 a.m. run – 83 degrees at the start and 86 degrees at the finish, so they kept the mileage down.

2,000 days --> that’s nearly 5.5 years of running at least a mile each day. Fred’s streak started on Jan. 11, 2019. During the 2,000 days, Fred ran 6,186 miles, an average of a shade over 3 miles per day.

After the run, Fred and crew retired to the 1^st Street Alehouse in Livermore for food & drink. At the Alehouse, the group had a surprise visit from MPS alum John Pettinichio. John is retired and lives with wife Cathy in Pioneer CA – in the Sierra foothills east of Jackson CA.

The group is pictured below. (Front row: Fred, Kirk, John; back row: Gordon, Dan.)

As of July 2^nd, Fred ranked 2,037th of 4,747 runners on the U.S. Running Streak Association list. (Rank based on number of consecutive days run; you have to have run consecutively for a year to qualify for the list.) The leader has run every day for over 55 years!

December 2023

A group of Mission Peak Striders members and their guests enjoyed the club's holiday party on Sat. Dec. 9. We dined on good food from El Rodeo Restaurant & Bar and enjoyed Chuck Lee wines. Ten individuals took away a bottle of wine from our famous wine raffle. In runner interviews, we learned about the running careers of Abe Mazliach and Kirk McKinlay. A good time had by all!

2023 After Run Brunches Kindly supplied By Victoria (July, November & more)

November at the Stables
SMW_5107

July at Quarry Lakes
2023-07-23 Isherwood Brunch 5 edit

September 2023

In September we ran the Niles Canyon Stroll & Roll (Niles Canyon closed to cars)

2023 Stroll & Roll

December 2022

MPS Holiday Dinner (and Wine Raffle)

A group of Mission Peak Striders members and their guests enjoyed the club's holiday party on Sat. Dec. 10 at Bosco's Bones restaurant in Sunol CA. We dined on sumptuous food from Bosco's Bones and enjoyed Chuck Lee wines (chardonnay & pinot noir). Ten individuals took away a bottle of wine from the wine raffle, festively prepared by Carol Turner. We were graced by the presence of two MPS members from the past -- Dale & Sharon Bodtker of Newark and Frank Juarez of West Linn OR. In runner interviews, we learned about the running careers of Frank and club president Dave Finck. After dinner, we retired to the bar to enjoy the music of the Across Party Lines band, including MPSer Dan Harris on guitar and vocals.
(first post COVID ... and late at that)

2021 October

On Oct. 5, Fred Heinze completed his 1,000th consecutive day of running at least one mile a day. Below he describes this accomplishment.

I Have My 'Comma'
One thousand days ago (on January 11, 2019), I decided to start another running streak; i.e. consecutive days running. In accordance with rules set forth by the Streak Runners International, individuals have to run at least one mile each day to extend their running streak.
Previously I had completed running streaks of 366 days (from Jan. 1, 2013 to Jan. 1, 2014, when I stopped as I had met my goal to run every day for a year) and 467 days (from Jan. 1, 2017 to April 12, 2018, when an injury forced me to the sidelines).
Today, Oct. 5, I’m pleased to announce that I hit 1,000 consecutive days of running, thus earning entry into the “Comma Club” – you know, the comma in 1,000! Today I ran 4 miles along the Alameda Creek Trail and around Quarry Lakes -- one of my favorite places to run – to hit the milestone.
During the streak I have run 3,059 miles (including the L.A. Marathon), an average of just over 3 miles per day.
When I set out to do another running streak, I wasn't sure I would make it to 1,000 days. There have been a few times the streak could have ended. Now my next goal is to extend my running streak to 3 years, which I will reach in January 2022. Stay tuned!

December 2019

MPS Holiday Dinner (and Wine Raffle)

Thirty one MPS members and guests enjoyed a festive outing at the annual MPS Holiday Dinner last Sunday at Spin A Yarn Restaurant in Fremont. We dined on delicious food and enjoyed cellar wines from Chuck Lee.
We enjoyed hearing about the running careers and accomplishments of four MPS members – Steve Wickland, Mara Sheade, Dale Bodtker, and Senthil Cheetancheri -- who were interviewed following dinner. The raffle saw 16 attendees take home a bottle of wine (or beer), two carafes, and running gel, all elegantly prepared by Carol Turner. The evening ended with a group sing of four holiday songs. All in all, a great way to celebrate the spirit of the season.

December 2018

MPS Holiday Dinner (and Wine Raffle)

Thirty one MPS members and guests enjoyed a festive outing at the annual MPS Holiday Dinner Sunday the ninth at Spin A Yarn Restaurant in Fremont. We dined on delicious food and enjoyed cellar wines from Chuck Lee.

We enjoyed hearing about the running careers and accomplishments of three MPS members – Jeff Sheade, Kelly Rackham, and Abe Mazliach -- who were interviewed following dinner. The raffle saw 12 attendees take home a bottle of wine, elegantly prepared by Carol Turner.

All in all, a great way to celebrate the spirit of the season.

October 2018

MPS Milage Awards Party Wrap
Twenty nine MPS members and their guests enjoyed pizza and other goodies at the MPS Mileage Recognition party on a balmy afternoon last Sat. at the home of Gordon & Rita Gillmouth. Mileage Recognition Awards – renamed as The Doug Mileage Recognition Award – were presented to eight MPS members:
      25,000 miles – Steve Wickland
      35,000 miles – Regis Amann
      40,000 miles – Mike Dunn, Fred Heinze, Joe Walter
      45,000 miles – Chris Sullivan
      55,000 miles – Mike King, J.R. Mintz

Julie Ward, Doug’s widow, traveled from her home in Bend OR for the unveiling of the new Doug Ward mileage certificate. Julie was presented with an honorary mileage award.

Several members went home with running posters, donated by Julie from Doug’s collection.

April 2018

Doug Ward, our founder, passed away April 3 at age 72.
A huge part of Doug’s life was running. He participated in running events including 30 marathons and was a race director and Fleet Feet store owner.
He will be greatly missed.

December 2017

MPS Holiday Dinner (and Wine Raffle) - recap

Twenty one MPS members and guests enjoyed a festive outing at the annual MPS Holiday Dinner last Friday evening at Jack’s Brewing Company in Fremont. We dined on a variety of pub food and enjoyed cellar wines from Chuck Lee.
We enjoyed hearing about the running careers and accomplishments of three MPS members – Mike King, Carol Turner, and Mike Dunn -- who were interviewed following dinner. The raffle saw 10 attendees take home a bottle of wine, elegantly prepared by Carol Turner.
All in all, a great way to celebrate the spirit of the season.

December 2016

MPS Holiday Dinner (and Wine Raffle) - recap

Twenty eight MPS members and guests enjoyed a festive evening at the annual MPS Holiday Dinner Sunday evening at the Market Broiler Restaurant in Fremont. We dined on sea food and enjoyed cellar wines from Chuck Lee.
We enjoyed hearing about the running careers and accomplishments of three MPS members – Chris Sullivan, Michael Huynh, and Dave Finck -- who were interviewed following dinner. The raffle saw 10 attendees take home a bottle of wine, elegantly prepared by Carol Turner.
All in all, a great way to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Also, on club matters, we discussed options for the 5th Saturday run on Dec. 30 (New Years Eve day; either the Brazen race at Quarry Lakes, or Pleasanton Ridge followed by breakfast in Sunol, or Garin Park; stay tuned for an announcement) and for a free wellness seminar that has been offered to the club (targeting for Sat. Feb. 4 after the Coyote Hills run - tentative at this time; stay tuned for an official announcement).

August 2015

Mileage Recognition Awards

January 2014

Club treasurers report from Gordon Gillmouth.

MPS Finances / Dues We ended 2013 with $1,201 in the bank -- $609 in the lights fund (for the use of James Logan track Wednesday evenings) and $692 in the general fund. However, the amount in the general fund is misleading as the bill for RCRA dues & insurance, normally paid in Dec., won't be paid until Jan., leaving an adjusted amount of about $200 in the general fund. The lights fund is managed by Regis Amann, collecting money from track users and approving the bills from the New Haven School District for payment. Money in the general fund is used to pay the annual RCRA dues & insurance, annual registration fee for the club website, and for club activities (such as the Holiday party). As dues collections were down in 2013, we will raise 2014 dues slightly so as to break even. Dues for 2014 are: · individual dues: $12 per year (a $2 increase) · family dues: $15 per year (unchanged) Dues for 2014 are now due. They can be paid by check (made payable to Mission Peak Striders) or cash. Give your dues to club president Dave Finck, club track director Regis, or club treasurer Gordon Gillmouth. As in the past, payment of dues is at club members option; i.e., we won't hound those who choose not to pay dues. However, only dues paying members are eligible to use the James Logan track and for MPS Mileage Recognition Awards, since the cost of the insurance and awards is paid out of the club treasury, which is fed by dues.

May 2012

Predict your 5k

Our last track workout will be June 5th, 2013. Therefore, we will hold our predict your time 5k then at 7:00 pm. Whoever has the trophy from last year needs to bring it then. We can then come to my house for some post-race libations and snacks. All I request is that you let me know if you are coming to my house so I can plan appropriately. (Regis Amann is our host).

November 2011

MPS Holiday party (and Wine Raffle)-- all the details below from Gordon.

MPS Holiday Party Our annual Holiday party will be held Friday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at World Gourmet Restaurant 6010 Stevenson Blvd Fremont , CA 94538 (510) 490-6888 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (510) 490-6888 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) Members, spouses, significant others, children, and guests are welcome. World Gourmet is an upscale buffet restaurant, featuring a wide variety of seafood, sushi, Chinese, Hawaiian BBQ, salads, and deserts. We had our Holiday dinner at this restaurant last year and it seemed to work well. Very favorable pricing has been made available to our group. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $17.99 per person. If you pay in cash, you receive a 25% discount (= $16.87 after tax & mandatory 15% tip). If you pay with a credit card, you receive a 20% discount (= $18.00 after tax & mandatory 15% tip). The restaurant will prepare separate checks for each couple/family/person. Party enhancements: • Free non-alcoholic drinks!! The club will pay for your soda, juice, tea, & coffee. Beer & wine are available for purchase. (There's a rumor that Santa Lee may bring homemade wine!) • Free wine raffle!! The wine raffle at last year's Holiday dinner was a hit, so we are bringing it back this year. Each person (21 yrs & older) will receive a raffle ticket. Winners will be drawn from a hat for 10 bottles of wine, compliments of the club. Based on expected attendance, that works out to about one bottle for every 4 adults. Pretty good odds! Please advise Gordon Gillmouth if you will attend and how many in your party. Please let Gordon know by Wed. Dec. 5, so we can give the restaurant an advance head count.

Road Runners Club of America (RRCA)

The New Haven School District requires MPS to carry liability insurance in order to use the James Logan High School track on Wednesdays. This insurance coverage is provided with our membership in the RRCA. Shortly, we will be paying our 2013 dues to RRCA. 2013 RRCA dues are based on 2012 MPS membership. So, if you have not paid 2012 MPS dues and want to participate in Wednesday track in 2013, please give your $10 dues to either Regis Amann or Gordon Gillmouth. If you are uncertain as to whether you have paid 2012 MPS dues, check with Gordon

June 2011

PREDICT YOUR 5K on 6/6

PREDICT YOUR 5K is on 6/6 Wednesday at Logan High School at 7 PM. Afterward celebration is hosted by Regis. It will be s a potluck so bring any post 5K snacks and drinks.. Last year winner of PERDICT YOUR 5K was Dan Harris. Dave Finck took 2nd, and third went to Fred Heinze.

The summer track schedule is as rotation between Milpitas High School and Mission Peak at Standford Ave.

November 2011

We are officially a RRCA affiliate

August 2011

Save Oct 22

MPS Mileage Recognition Party The Mission Peak Striders Mileage Recognition party is only two plus weeks away – Sat. Oct. 22. Have you checked your cumulative miles to see if you qualify for a MPS Mileage Recognition Award? Several members have, with seven stepping forward to qualify for awards:

Kelly Tarkowski 30,000 miles
J.R. Mintz 30,000 miles
Fred Heinze 35,000 miles
Chris Sullivan 35,000 miles
Michael King 40,000 miles
Gordon Gillmouth 50,000 miles
Chuck Lee 55,000 miles

Schedule conflicts will now push the MPS Mileage Recognition party back to Sat. Oct. 22. This will allow Ken & Pam to attend (they will be on their honeymoon on the previously proposed Sept. date) and Chuck Lee to finish his crush of 2011 grapes!
This event will feature a 7.6 mile hill run (up Morrison Canyon), an alternate 3.8 mile flatlands run and 2.5 mile walk (both through the Kimber Park neighborhood), followed by a potluck party (party starting about 5 p.m.) All will be held at Gordon Gillmouth's house in Fremont . Club members are invited to attend, along with spouse/significant other and children. Additional details are in the attached flyer.
At the party, the club will give out Mileage Recognition Awards to any new members of the "25K Mile Club" (have run more than 25,000 miles in their lifetime) or those existing "25K Mile Club" members who have reached an additional 5K mileage increment above their previous level. We leave it to each individual to tally their miles, or reasonably estimate such. Round your total down to the nearest 5K increment; for example, if you have run 27K miles, you will be honored for achieving the 25K level.
To be eligible to receive a Mileage Recognition Award, you must be a current dues paying club member. Why this restriction? Because the cost of the awards is paid from the club treasury, which is fed by club dues. While dues are voluntary, it is only fair to limit awards to those who have paid into the club treasury.
So, count up your cumulative miles (or expect to reach by Oct. 22) to see if you qualify. If you do qualify for the "25K Mile Club" or have reached an additional 5K mile increment, please let Gordon know -- so that certificates can be prepared.
So, mark the date on your calendar; check your cumulative miles and advise Gordon accordingly.

July 2011

July 4th

June 2011

Congratulations to our Triple Crown winners Kelly Tarkowski and Mike Singleton. We had an excellent showing of MPS member at Woodminster.

The summer track schedule is as rotation between Milpitas High School and Mission Peak at Standford Ave.

February 2011

MPS Finances / Dues MPS dues will remain unchanged for 2011 as follows:

individual dues: $10 per year
family dues: $15 per year

We have adequate money in the club treasury. We ended 2010 with $1,545 in the bank -- $487 in the lights fund (for the use of James Logan track Wednesday evenings) and $1,058 in the general fund.

The lights fund is managed by Regis Amann, collecting money from track users and approving the bills from the New Haven School District for payment. We are awaiting a billing from the school district for the last 2+ months, so a portion of the amount in the lights fund will soon be paid out.

Money in the general fund is used to pay the annual registration fee for the club website and for club activities (such as the mileage recognition party). In 2010, we took in slightly more in dues that was spent.

Dues for 2011 are now due. They can be paid by check (made payable to Mission Peak Striders) or cash. Give your dues to club president Dave Finck, club track director Regis, club newsletter editor Marie Chavez, or club treasurer Gordon Gillmouth. As in the past, payment of dues is at club members option; i.e., we won't hound those who choose not to pay dues. However, only dues paying members are eligible for the MPS Mileage Recognition Awards, since the cost of the awards is paid out of the club treasury, which is fed by dues. We are planning a mileage recognition party this summer.

In 2010, some members paid dues at the higher rate that was in effect in 2009. If so, the overpayment was credited towards your 2011 dues.

October2010

Save Saturday October 30, your are invited to our Presidents Dave's Birthday party at Dave and Victoria's house. Party will be at 4pm.
The Oakland Marathon and Half Marathon (3/27/2011), the rates go up by $10 on 11/1.
This coming Sat, 10/16, is our half-year Sunol Run, bring food to share and come 15 minutes early to take care of logistics. Remember you don’t have to run over to Sunol there are some very nice scenic run in the Sunol park hint hint.
Sunday, 10/17, we have a group doing loops at Mission meet or park in front of Mission Coffee. Feel free to show up on the hour to get in your loops, I am starting at 6 am since I have a slower pace and have several loops to do.
Another fun run to Sunol on 10/16, we had a wonderful turn out and too much food as usual. The next ½ yearly run to Sunol we will provide more information earlier regarding the picnic areas and directions to Sunol so more folks can come stroll, hike, walk or chase lizards.
Congratulations to everyone that was able to register for Boston. It is not enough to qualify you have to have access to fast servers in order register online as soon as registration opens.
The 15th Annual Stanford Habitat for Humanity Home Run 5K/10K race event is on Nov 14 on the campus, and they donate 100% of profits to partner chapters at Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley and Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, as well as a small portion to Global Partners for Development (a group similar to Habitat that focuses on building homes specifically in East Africa).

September 2010

We're retuning our track work out at Logan High every Wed at 7pm for the remaining school season.
Welcome Ed and Peter to MPS, hope to see you at one of the weekly runs.
Injury report: Dave was spotted at Saturdays run.
Deana is so clever instead of doing the Sat run she did the Sat ride. Thanks for coming back for me on my slow long run.
Rida is back on Saturdays, Kelly is out while she is Coaching Soccer.

June 2010

Mission Peak Striders have been added to the drop down menu on registration for the Silicon Valley Marathon & Half Marathon. If we participate in the 5th annual Running Club Challenge! Gift certificates will be provided among other great prizes awarded to the top clubs. Prize packages will be awarded this year in three categories: Speed (Overall), Speed (Women’s), and Size. All Club members receive a 10% discount on race registration (use code: rcc10). To qualify for the Club Challenge, each club must have at least 10 runners sign up for any combination of the three races: Marathon , Half-Marathon, and 5k run/walk. For the Speed Competition, at least three club members must enter the Half-Marathon race because the Speed winner is determined by the total time of the top three.
If you plan to run California International Marathon here is a reminder, $80 by August 1, $100 until 7,500 limit is achieved or by Nov. 1 deadline.
Andrew McIntire again this year is going to ride 100 mile to raise money for the fight against cancer. If anyone would like to donate to the Lance Armstrong Foundation here is his link or you can contact Clancy McIntire.
Predict your time 5K

The schedule for summer track

May 2010

Gordon's 70/70 S.F. Bay Trails Odyssey
Bay Trails Odyssey kicks of this Sunday, May 30. I will run 10 miles a day for 7 consecutive days = 70 miles to celebrate my 70th birthday. I welcome my running friends to join me on some or all of the following legs:
* Sunday, May 30: Fremont (Alameda County) -- Alameda Creek Trail, north side. Meet at the Alameda Creek Trailhead at 9 a.m.
* Monday, May 31: Moraga (Contra Costa County) -- Lafayette - Moraga Trail.
* Tuesday, June 1: Mill Valley (Marin County) -- Matt Davis & Coastal Trails (Mt. Tam State Park).
* Wednesday, June 2: San Francisco (San Francisco County) -- S.F. Waterfront from Ferry Building to Fort Point.
* Thursday, June 3: San Mateo (San Mateo County) -- Sawyer Camp Trail, beside Crystal Springs Reservoir.
* Friday, June 4: Palo Alto (Santa Clara County) -- the Stanford Dish, from the Roche campus.
* Saturday, June 5: Fremont (Alameda County) -- Morrison Canyon & Vargas roads, from our house.

Some particulars: -- for simplicity purposes and to allow travel time, all runs will start at 9 a.m.
-- each course will be out and back.
-- with one exception, there are bathrooms and water at or near the start of each run.
-- I will run about an 11 minute per mile pace, slower at times, maybe even some walking (significant hills on Stanford Dish and Morrison Canyon courses).
Please let me know if you can join me on any of these runs, and I will provide directions accordingly.

At the completion of the final run on Sat. June 5, we will host a beer, soda, and pizza party at our house. Runners, non-runners, and their families are welcome. We should finish the final run by 11:15 or so; so come then if you are not participating in that day's run. If you plan to come to the party, please RSVP by Thurs. June 3, so that I can ensure we have appropriate food and drink on hand. This is a running party, not a birthday party, so please, no gifts. Gordon (gillmouth@yahoo.com)
From our dear friend Fernando: ClickHere
We have two races this weekend Tilden Tough Ten and Bay to Breakers, we have carpooling opportunities. The conversations strings are on FB.
Abe is looking to carpool to SF for Bay to Breakers.
Ohlone 50k is quickly coming upon us. Deana is going to be at the Backpack Area station and Jolene is going to be at the Laurel Loop . Marie will hiking into Backpacking/Sunol aid station than will meet you all at the finish. We are all willing to take a few supplies in for you. I will take anything you want at the finish.

April 2010

We have fundraiser for Lisa Moreno’s school CSUSJ on April 10. You can either register on line via Active.com for $25 plus fee or we can get a group of 20 people and pay 20 a piece. If you would like to participate complete the attached form and forward to me. You can pay me at any run. I will pass it on to Lisa Moreno.
Anyone interested in jumping in on TheRelay from Calistoga to Santa Cruz? You've heard of TheRelay, but wondered what it is all about? Team Yo...TAXI is looking for 1 more runner to round out this year's team. All additional fund-raising requirements have been met, so registration and shared costs is all that is required. We are a noncompetitive, mixed team (6 men, 5 women so far) just looking to have fun and enjoy the experience. This is my team's 6th straight year, so we have all the logistics figured out. Thanks/Terry Keisic

March 2010

MPS Finances / Dues

These are tough economic times with budgetary woes at the national, state, and local levels. In keeping with the times, MPS will lower its 2010 dues to the following levels:
* individual dues: $10 per year (down from $15 last year)
* family dues: $15 per year (down from $20 last year)
We have adequate money in the club treasury. We ended 2009 with $1,855 in the bank -- $882 in the lights fund (for the use of James Logan track Wednesday evenings) and $973 in the general fund.

The lights fund is managed by Regis Amann, collecting money from track users and approving the bills from the New Haven School District for payment. We are awaiting a billing from the school district for the last 6 months, so most of the amount in the lights fund will soon be paid out.

Money in the general fund is used to pay the annual registration fee for the club website and for club activities (such as last summer's "Adios Amigo" & mileage recognition party). We have taken in more dues than we have spent, so the obvious answer is we need more club funded functions. Let us hear your ideas.

Dues for 2010 are now due. They can be paid by check (made payable to Mission Peak Striders) or cash. Give your dues to club co-president Dave Finck, track director Regis, or club treasurer Gordon Gillmouth. As in the past, payment of dues is at club members option; i.e., we won't hound those who choose not to pay dues. However, only dues paying members are eligible for the MPS Mileage Recognition Awards, since the cost of the awards is paid out of the club treasury, which is fed by dues.

Some of you have already paid 2010 dues at the 2009 rates. Gordon will give you a refund.

January 2010

NJ New Year Update from pal Fernando

I want to wish you and your loved ones, happiness and good health in this new year and always. I wrote earlier some updates and a bit of humor, I hope I was able to bring a smile to your faces. Let me start by saying that NJ, is not that bad and can even be good. I feel more alive in here, let me explain a little. Your nose runs all the time, you can see your breath, you can hear the howling wind, your hands, ears and toes freeze, your lips crack, your feet slip, your teeth rattle, etc. As you can see, plenty of things here remind you that you are alive. My commute now is about 10 Km or 20 min by car, maybe I can try to run to work in the summer. When I leave the house in the morning, my hands are frozen and even with gloves they are still very cold when I get to work, to stay positive I tell to myself that I have a very, very short commute and not that it’s very, very cold in here. When I just moved, I thought that the GPS was going to be my best friend ever, the device has been very handy, however, I need to confess that I have a new best friend (or BFF for the younger audience) my thermal underwear. Now that the winter has started, I have became very attached to it, so attached to it that didn’t realize that needs to be washed at some point, thanks to Carmen for pointing that out. Seeing the first day of snow was very enjoyable, that Saturday I took several pictures during the 6 hr process until everything was covered in white. Next Monday’s storm wasn’t fun at all, it snowed overnight and rained early in the morning. I came outside to a thick layer of slush, my feet got wet just walking to the car. The rest of my body got wet while removing the snow from the windows and roof of the car. Then I, a warm weather trained driver, drove to work on a very slippery road, taking twice the regular time to get there. No more snow pictures were taken!!! Family is doing good, Fernando was in the honor roll in Verona High School for the first quarter of the school year. Martha, after finishing college in UC Davis, has been working in a one year contract with the California’s government. Carmen, when we moved to NJ, started walking 2-3 miles per day, after all this time, she was last seen near the border with Pennsylvania. Recently, I went a beautiful hike close to home at South Mountain Reservation, a place with plenty of leaves-covered paths, weather was sunny, temperature very comfortable, the area was peaceful, a scene almost impossible according to the Hollywood standards. Movies always have something wrong happening when there are such beautiful moments. Although I don’t believe on those silly movie scenes, I still made a fast jump move every 2-3 minutes and landed facing backwards in a combat pose just to let, Chucky, the scissor handed dude or the guy with the chainsaw know that I was prepared and ready for anything. Fortunately, nobody came to say hi or to chase me to death. I’m planning to keep writing these updates, as a way to stay in touch and to share my gratitude for the gift of your friendship. If after 25 years of writing this updates, they get deleted without reading, that’s OK, I wont get offended, 25 years is a long time to remain loyal to anything. All the best in 2010 and always,

Fernando

December 2009

There are many many of the MPS that are either running CIM or Santa Barbara this weekend. Our meet on Saturday and Sunday might be a bit slim, but is still meeting. See you out there AND good luck to all our runners representing!
For the CIM runners, please get back to Marie Chavez regarding her hosted pasta feed this Saturday 5th in Sacramento.
Gordon came across a website for South Valley Endurance events that may be of interest to some of you. This group sponsors endurance events, similar to that sponsored by Pacific Coast Trail Runs. However, SVE is more encompassing in that their events include trail runs, road cycling, triathlons, and duathlons. Check out their website to see if you have any interest. Thanks Gordon!

November 2009

News From Fernando

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy and happy. We are getting settled more and more in our new home and exploring the area. About 30% of our belongings are still in boxes but we have enough now to be fine and maybe those boxes will remain unpacked for a while. Few days ago, I found my leaf blower (I owned one in California, Yes!) and was very happy and proud to get it out and look like a local. I pulled it out immediately and started blowing leaves, well, my pride only lasted for the time it took me to fill out 4, well packed, bags of leaves (city takes leaves in brown paper biodegradable bags, the size of a big black plastic trash bag), and that was only the front of the house. Don't get me wrong, is not a huge property, but has for sure plenty of leaves mainly from 3 big threes. For the back of the house, I used the lawn mower and was taking the leaves and cutting the grass very nicely but the bag filled out quite quickly, but this procedure broke the leaves in small pieces that can be packed more efficiently in the bags. Every thing was going great until I hit a big rock underneath the leaves. The mower stopped and I realized that the blade was completely bent. I took it apart and after hammering it for several minutes, I couldn’t put it back close to the original shape. It’s OK, nice way of meeting new people (from the hardware store).

Two weeks ago, I had a terrible pain in my lower back that kept me in bed for 2 days. The pain was severe and Doctors were thinking that I had kidney stones, a CT urogram discarded that possibility (unless they cleared before the study) and a potential reason was muscle spasm. I couldn’t think on the way I injured it, other than doing what the “dog whisperer” does to discipline bad behaving dogs. I tried it while watching the show (just to be ready and knowledgeable). The technique consists in having the dog on a short leash and kicking with the opposite leg and behind the knee (of the leg proximal to the dog) to just tap the dog slightly. This is supposed to teach the dog who is the “pack leader”, powerful isn’t it? Yes, powerful and put me on bed few days. Halloween was fun, I tried to take advantage of the wealthy neighborhoods in Upper Montclair. While Carmen stayed home handing candy, I asked Fernando Jr to get ready with a big, heavy duty, bag and we drove to the “big houses”. We parked on the street and walk up the first drive way, after knocking for few minutes we saw the curtains moving but nobody answer the door. I asked Fernando Jr not to get discouraged. We walked to the next house, the old short lady that answered the door pulled a basket and ask Fernando to grab one, he hesitated while looking for the less dry celery stick in the basket, meantime the lady open the peanut butter jar and asked him to dip it, he kindly said no thank you. Walking to the next door, he handed me the celery (he did a good job, the celery was still crunchy inside). We walked to the next home and Mr. Boccanelly, guessing the name from the “for sale by owner sign” opened the door and offered Fernando some apples, “they are from my tree in the back, all organic” he said, and then explained in case we didn’t know what he was referring to “No insecticides or fertilizers”. Fernando picked a good colored one although it was not bigger than a golf ball. He continued explaining “the seeds are from Italy, they are very sweet”. While he was explaining I glanced at his suspenders that were pulling his pants so high that his very light and thin legs were showing, almost to the knees and the combination of the shoes and socks, I’m sure are worthed more than $7,000 in the antiques show. Any way, at that point with such big houses and long drive ways, I think we walked probably 4 miles, visiting only 3 houses. Fernando got tired and didn’t want to go to the next house. I went by myself, and when the door was opened I said, “the orange thing you see by the side walk, is my son in a pumpkin costume, he’s very cute, I promise. Then I chanted, “trick or treat”. The lady believed me handed me a couple of red vines and asked me “make sure you give one to the little boy”. After the “successful trick or treating” we went back home and found (hiding in a bush) few unopened boxes of raisings. I’m guessing kids don’t share the same healthy thinking of one of the neighbors. Watching NYC marathon last weekend was fun, I was hoping to see the participants from Fremont, too bad I missed Russ and Marie at mile 16.5, spotting someone within 44,000 runners is hard. The good think is that the course allowed me to go and meet Marie at mile 24.5 and thanks to cell phones, I saw Russ at the Finish. It was very nice to see both of them and talk with them for some time. Warm regards,

Fernando

1996 Our Founder & Founding

Doug Ward, the founding member and first president of the Mission Peak Striders, started running in 1979 after a friend from Seattle came to visit him. His friend, who was an avid runner, asked him if he would like to join him during one of his runs. The two went running and since then Doug was hooked on running. Doug

In the early 1980’s Doug joined a group of 8 to 10 runners met to do training runs each week at the Kimber Tennis Club in Fremont. They soon became known as the Kimber Runners. As Doug learned from the group and his enjoyment of running grew, he opened a Fleet Feet running store at the Fremont Hub. The running group became known as the Fleet Feet Runners and competed in local races and put on running events.

Unfortunately, in the early 1990’s the Fleet Feet running store closed its doors, but the running club continued. The club was originally called the Tri-City Runners but the name was changed to the Mission Peak Striders in 1996 because a triathlon club already was using the Tri-City name.

Doug liked to run because of the social and physical fitness benefits. "When I’m running I tend to focus better and work better," Doug remarked. Running took Doug to many places he felt he would never have gone otherwise. He ran in Germany and had run marathons in Boston and in New York.

Doug’s most memorable run was the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in 1983 where he set a personal record of 2:49. In addition to the Avenue of the Giants Marathon, Doug ran over 30 marathons including Boston, New York, Honolulu, and the Bridge to Bridge race in San Francisco.

Doug felt that anybody who picks up the sport of running should run with a group, get a good pair of shoes and just stay with it. "When I started running I would look at other runners and think how do they run like that? I’ll never be able to run as fast or as long as they do. But as time went on and I stuck with it I became just as good as they are."

Sadly Doug Ward passed away April 3, 2018 at age 72.
He will be greatly missed.