President’s Message – June/July 1993
Climb Aboard GFTC Summer Smorgasbord

At the May meeting, we voted to affiliate with Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), a national organization of over 490 running clubs in 46 states. Although our initial interest was stirred by their liability insurance program, there are several other benefits from this affiliation. RRCA sanctions state, regional and national championships at various distances, sponsors a “Women’s Distance Festival,” provides seed money (from Nike) to encourage youth running programs, and in general does much to promote grassroots running. 

We must make two amendments to our By-Laws to qualify for affiliation. These amendments, found on page 6 in this issue, will be voted on at the June 12 meeting. The first declares us to be a non-profit organization. The second states that in the ‘event of our dissolution, any funds left in the treasury, after purchasing the officer’s retirement annuities and awarding their Lifetime Achievement Golden Parachute bonuses, will go to non-profit organizations. 

Summer is here and there’s no better time to get involved in club activities. Saturday morning fun runs are much more pleasurable when you don’t have to huddle in a biting wind before and after the runs. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet other club members. There is a certain cultivated ambience after the runs, as we stand around sweating and spitting and lying about our training runs. New members are always encouraged to join in the scintillating conversations about stitches, cramps, oxygen debt, dehydration, torn muscles, twisted ankles, abraded cartilage, etc. There is almost a sensual aspect to our smugness, as we contemplate how much healthier we are than non-runners. 

For the fleet-footed, or those who wish to be, there is the Tuesday night Killer Track Workouts at Bowditch Field (6:00 PM). For a fun-filled summer evening, especially if you have kids, come to one of our Wednesday night Summer Track Meets; they’re a hoot. For the Outdoorspeople (note the political correctness), come join us on the Mt. Washington hike on June 26. These mountain climbs are led by John and Charlotte Shane, two experienced and knowledgeable AMC members. Some people mistakenly believe mountain climbing is too risky a venture for a running club. Such is not the case; we’ve never had more than three fatalities on such outings, and in all instances the deceased were fully paid up in their dues. 

So don’t sit on the sidelines, come on out and join us. Life is short. You don’t want to reach the end and realize to your horror that you’ve never done anything irresponsible. 

Art