Cooler weather makes for great racing. Here are results from this weekend’s races:

Art & Sole 5K

There were more than 200 in the Art & Sole 5K run and another 100 in the 5K walk at the Neighborhood Art House on Saturday morning.

Top honors in the run:

Male: Andrew Holland, 34, 16:28; Dino Montagna, 31, 17:07; and Jim Samuels, 46, 18:08

Female: Katie Kuttenkuler, 29, 19:21; Kelli Proctor, 35, 20:24; and Mimi Prather, 14, 21:12

Complete results here.

P.R. Run in Oil City

Nearly 200 participated in each the 1/2 marathon and the 5K at the Paul Richey Memorial Run in Oil City on Saturday morning.

Complete results here.

Organizers of Erie’s Jog ‘n Hog did a fun little interview with 78-year-old Erie runner, Larry Berdis, who will be toeing the line at this Saturday’s 2nd annual Jog ‘n Hog.  Read it here. No word on whether Larry is going full or half hog.

Race starts Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at Beach No. 1 and if you’re thinking about doing it, register NOW because there is NO (none…zero…zilch…you’re outta luck) day-of-race registration.  Registration closes at midnight on Tuesday, June 11.

OK…all you old  former seasoned track stars, check this out:

My name is Doug Stratton and I’m an assistant coach at Penn State Behrend. We’re happy to invite the community to our brand new and fabulous on campus track & field facility. We have an all-comers meet Friday June 14 with registration beginning at 5:00 and the track meet beginning at 6:00.

We hope to have at least one other, depending on how this first one goes. We hope to have athletes from youth to adult join us. We plan on running the 100, 400, 800 and 1600, as well as long jump and a couple throwing events. Once we know how long this all takes, we’d like to add a 5k for our next meet.

The fee is $5 per event, with a $10 limit and three event limit. So if someone does three events they’ll get one free. We’re extremely happy with how our facility turned out and we’d like it to be a community asset. I know already many of the Erie Runner’s Club members have been up and ran some laps. Please invite any and all so we can have a great first meet. The track is at the top of the hill accessed by a road at the back of the large parking lot, adjacent to our softball and baseball fields. Some might know it for the youth soccer fields next to where the track is.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to call me or our head coach Greg Cooper.
Doug Stratton – 814-504-2385
Greg Cooper – 898-6239

I’ve never heard of anyone (locally) offering an adult track meet, so spread the word about this unique opportunity to test your meddle on Penn State Behrend’s brand-spanking new track!  Bring the kids….bring the spouse….and bring water (you’re going to need it)!

What’s your “bucket list” race…the one you want to do before you die?

1.  Boston, 2. New York City, 3.  Disney marathon/ half  for the goofy combo  — Amy Cronk

Boston Marathon! No contest there. — Mary Connerty

Boston. — Paul Bressen

Rock ‘n Roll 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas. — Jameel Gavin

1. Boston 2. New York 3 . Disney. 4 . Runner’s World Half in Bethlehem, Pa. — Ramon Patron Jr.

Goofy Challenge at Disney World! — Tracy Jenks

Hatfield & McCoy Marathon on  June 14, 2014.  State number 50 for me. — Dale Werner

I really would like to run the Disney World Marathon and someday I will but it probably won’t be for another 8 or 9 years (after my kids graduate). — Sandie Sweet

Marine Corps Marathon. And the Leadman Ironman n Bend Oregon…starts with a 5k mountain lake swim…..eek! — Mary Kay Snyder-Migdal

Any race that pushes my limits to the point of breaking. — Eric Ellis

The 100K at Oil Creek 100. I will never be fast enough to consider the full 100 miler but the 100K is possible. — Christine Vassen

I HAVE to run the next Nike Women’s Half whether in DC or San Fran because they give away a Tiffany’s necklace at the end of the race instead of metals! I have to have one! Also, the Moab Half Marathon in Utah looks amazing because of the awesome scenery! — Jessie Zahner

Western States 100, Hardrock 100, Marathon des Sables. — Patrick Krott

Great Wall of China marathon. — Doug Oathout

I’ve been lucky enough to run most of my bucket list marathons. In October I’ll be knocking the Marine Corps marathon off my list. The remaining race(s) is the new Disney World Dopey – consisting of a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon, and the full marathon. Looking to run that in January 2015. — Karen Manganaro

I’ve completed my “bucket list”. All that is left is my “F_ _ _ it” list. Marathon #11 is on that list. That’s what happens when you get old. — Cyndie Zahner

The original marathon course in Greece. — Michael Morris

New York City marathon! — Lou Montefiori

Worth Reading

* Planning to run your first 6.2?  Here are 10 Tips for Running a 10K.

* Runners, Yeah, we’re different. (I think I’ve done every one of these…you?)

* 4 ways to stop side stitches (from Shape.com)

* Tsk, tsk, NY Times, I think we all know the answer to this question: Is it Better to Walk or Run?

* Headed out of town? Tips for traveling runners

Video of the Week

Your new cross-training routine? (I thought this was a joke, but…um….no, this is for real. And, if I see you doing it, I will absolutely laugh at you) “We’re going to really cut the noose, and let it loose with the Prancercise Gallop!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-50GjySwew&feature=youtu.be

T-Shirt of the Week

Available here in various sizes/styles…on shirts and mugs, tote bags, etc. Buy something for your most loyal supporter!

Ready to race? Here’s what’s going in & around Erie this weekend:

Art & Sole 5K — Saturday (Erie)

Right here close to home, but…(stop the presses) NOT at the peninsula, is the Art & Sole 5K, which benefits the Inner-City Art House (a really worthy cause). You’ll run through the streets of Erie with the start and the finish at the Art House at 10th & Holland. Those who place get super cool art gifts made by kids from the art house….so run hard!  Race starts at 9 a.m. More details here.

The PR Run (1/2 marathon & 5K) — Saturday (Oil City)

Wow, the race director of this Oil City race sure knows how to lure runners. Who doesn’t want a PR and where better to set one than The PR Run on the Samuel Justus Trail in Oil Creek.  This event offers a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) distance and a 5K, too.  Race starts at 8 a.m. Saturday. More details here.

Run from the Nun 5K — Saturday (Ashtabula)

This 5K race is in nearby Ashtabula, Ohio. Starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Lake Short Park. Here’s the application, but…that link appears to be broken, so if you want more info, call the race director, Steve Wychock at 440-964-2035.

Raising the Dough 5K — Sunday (Bemus Point)

Help the Maple Grove H.S. Class of 2018 raise the dough by hoofing it around nearby Bemus Point, New York. Race starts at 9 a.m. in front of Bemus Point Elementary School. More details here.

Like Wine? Like Yoga? Then, you’ll love this idea: Mindfulness Yoga for Beginners and Beyond, followed by a mindful approach to wine tasting.

Where: Harborcreek’s only winery — 6 Mile Cellars, 5727 Firman Road (just a few miles from Route 20).

When: Saturday, June 15, 6-8 p.m.

Who: Michael Plasha from Plasha Yoga will teach class in the apple orchard behind the winery.

What (to bring): A mat or blanket for yoga.

Also…Light refreshments will be provided by SueAnn Miills form Cresent Catering, which will be complemented by a glass of 6 Mile Cellars’ wine.

Cost: $25

Reservations are required. Email admin@6MileCellars.com or call 580-8375.

Speaking of yoga….

Yoga for Runners Workshops

Don’t forget that Yoga, Pilates, and More in Erie has continuing runner’s workshops:

* Saturday, July 13 — Yoga for Runners: Focus on Common Injuries

* Saturday, Aug. 3 — Yoga for Runners: Putting it All Together

Cost is for each workshop is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Details & registration here.

Saturday was the Edinboro triathlon in…you guessed it, Edinboro!

There were a couple hundred participants in the Olympic distance, sprint distance and team division combined.  Results here.

There are also 457 photos  from GoErie.com Street View photographers here.

Monday nights are speed work and my marathon training program called for 12 x 400s. Mother Nature provided perfect conditions (cool & clear) for a long track workout up at the Behrend track.. There were five of us on Monday and we ran consistently hard, even gaining speed at the end.

I’m telling you all this because it’s my excuse for not “Just Writing” last night.  I was just tired. You get that, right? (Of course you do, my running friend).

I had planned to “just write” about  our final Winery Run from a friend’s house in Harborcreek to 6 Mile Winery. We went on Saturday at 1 p.m. Yeah, when it was like 80 degrees. The run was long (nearly 12 miles), hot, and hillier than any of us intended or expected, but that just made the reward at the end (box lunch and wine tasting) all the sweeter.

My friend Eloise, who had the grand idea to run to each of the wineries on the directional sign, is a blogger and she wrote all about our/their (I wasn’t there for every run) winery series on her blog: Lessons from the Lamp Post.   Be sure to watch hervideo/slideshow, too!

Next up: Ice Cream runs. Ah….now, there’s a sweet running reward. Our first one is this Sunday at 5 p.m. — we’re headed to the Straw Hat in North East.