I’m not sure which is worse…cold, dark and 28 degrees, or sweating it out in 110 degrees in the middle of summer. I love running but even I can admit that it can be miserable under perfect conditions, let alone running in weather that makes your face hurt. The last few workouts I’ve done have been a STRUGGLE! Despite my best efforts in trying to talk myself out of going (and believe me, my excuses are quite convincing)…I go…reluctantly… because my friends are there, and it was a struggle for them to get there too.
Let me tell you about my friends. I didn’t know many of them before I started running with them. They come from all walks of life with enough stories and experiences to pass the time on countless miles. Their pace doesn’t matter nor does the amount of miles they put in. They know the pain of hard run, and they know the elation that comes from a great one! It’s a rare breed that’ll want to listen to your full race recap, down to the socks you were wearing and the shoes on your feet. And I’m grateful for them! They keep me motivated when it’s hard to do so on my own. Running (and this club) has brought people into my life I might not have otherwise met and my life would be severely lacking without them.
In looking back on 2022, I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish this year.
We coached youth athletes at our first Track & Field Camp with Templeton Rec and cheered them on at the Atascadero All Comers Meets in July. We ran in the dark from Morro Bay to Sierra Vista Hospital and Avila Beach carrying a flag on its journey from Canada to Mexico with the B. Supportive Relay. We had first time half-marathon and marathon finishers at Mountains to Beach in Ventura and the Wine Country Run in Paso Robles. A few of us had the privilege of running in the 126th Boston Marathon! Many of our runners are just getting back at it after running Cal International Marathon in Sacramento a few weeks ago!
We gained the support of sponsors like April Fehrer with ReMax, Tenet Health Central Coast, Hug a Mug Coffee in Paso Robles, Wild Fields Brewhouse, West Coast Auto and Towing, and Terry Lopez Dressage. Their contributions helped keep our run club free to all that wanted to participate! In addition to GH Sports and Running Warehouse, we gained a new community partner with Prescription Roasting Coffee in Templeton! Last but not least, we teamed up with Luis Escobar and All We Do Is Run to host the inaugural Tierra Redonda Mountain Trail Run. Not only was it successful in that the majority of runners enjoyed the race and no one got hurt, but the proceeds that Luis donated back to the club will fund our first high school scholarship in 2023!!
Speaking of 2023, January is chock-full of running events! But first!! We need all our members to renew their waivers. Please follow the link on the website to update your information. Better yet, print off a copy, fill it out, sign it, and bring it to a run or mail it to: Templeton Run Club, PO Box 522, Templeton, Ca 93465.
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January 8th is the Running Chicken 2023 10k/ 5k Fun Run and Walk fundraiser for the Bitti and Brynn Foundation at Santa Margarita Lake. Come run “the wall” with us!
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January 14th is the Castle to Coast 8 miler if you were lucky enough to get registered before they filled up! The event is a fundraiser for the Cuesta College Track & Field program.
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On January 21st we’re teaming up with Running Warehouse for our first Hot Chocolate 5k fun run and walk in Templeton! This FREE event will start and finish at 15C and will include a complementary Hot Chocolate and raffle prizes with Brooks shoes after the run.
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January 28th is the All We Do Is Run La Cuesta Ranch 10k/25k/50k Trail Run at the historic La Cuesta Ranch in San Luis Obispo.
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Save the date for our first Pub Run of the New Year at Barrelhouse Brewing on February 4th! Discounted brews and raffle prizes after the run!
We will continue to meet for group runs Tuesday mornings, Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings. After January 1st we’ll switch to our “winter hours” and meet at 8am on Saturday mornings. Run Club meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month at Barrelhouse after the track workout. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate!
While I have enjoyed having you all as a captive audience over the last several years, I had the thought recently that I’d open this blog up to more than just my own random reflections and over shares. Starting this January, in addition to our run club updates, one of our run club members will write on their own thoughts and insights into running, a race they’ve run, struggles they’ve had or experiences they want to share. Please email me at rosaliesmith@templetonrunclub.com if you’d like to contribute!
Merry Christmas (and Happy Hanukkah) Runner Friends! See you in the New Year!
Rosalie Smith
rosaliesmith@templetonrunclub.com
Templeton Run Club
PO Box 522
Templeton, CA. 93465