8:00 AM Registration (Renew/Join membership) at the Inn beginning at 8 AM or via Google Forms

8:30 AM The run/walk starts.  Measured routes of 1 and 1.5 miles will be available to runners who can repeat as they like to go their preferred distance.

10:00 AM – Club updates, share your accomplishments and Awards ceremony

Cost (for breakfast): $10

The WRRC is very excited to see many new faces and can’t wait for this callout!  

Name: Charlie Catalano
Location: Estero, FL
Original Hometown: I don’t have one place I call home. My dad served in the Army for 26 years, and I served, too. I’ll always consider West Lafayette one of my homes because of Purdue and the WRRC.
Professional Career: I work in corporate communications, but participating in ultra-endurance events is my passion! What I do for work allows me to chase dreams, hunt goals and inspire others outside of work!
Favorite Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus 35 Turbo Zoom X is my favorite all-time shoe, hands down!
Favorite Race Distance: Hmmm…I’m not sure that I have one. It’s definitely not a 5K! Ha! I tell everyone that I’d rather tackle an IRONMAN than race a 5K. I’m convinced the latter is more painful! I suppose I tend to gravitate toward longer distances where I can settle into a rhythm.
Favorite Personal Record (PR): I haven’t tracked my PRs through the years. The only period I’ve placed a lot of emphasis on time is when I was trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon many years ago. I credit the WRRC with helping me to finally run a sub-3:10 marathon, and I’ ll never forget our trip to Boston! It was the hottest day (at that time) in the race’s history since 1914.
Favorite Food: I love my breakfast, which consists of oat bran, honey, walnuts, mixed berries and banana!
Favorite Singer/Band: This is so hard to answer! Geez, I don’t know. Stevie Nicks moves me!
Favorite Book or Movie: This is easy! Saint Ralph is my favorite all-time movie. It’s a wonderful coming-of-age story about running, friends, family, hope and inspiring others. I also feel a special connection to the film because Ralph’s mother had cancer.

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?

I started running to prepare for the Army. My first road race was a 10K at Ft. Bragg, NC. I was still in high school. I continued to run at Valley Forge Military Junior College–mostly to get off campus, see the community, support good causes and earn t-shirts!

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?

The one that always immediately comes to mind is the Annual Wild DAWG Alum Run 5K at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. My sister and I, both of whom are Type 1 Diabetics, participated in this event, which was a run, not walk. Despite the fact that this was a run, it didn’t deter my sister from walking the entire race. She started and finished dead last. I couldn’t have been more proud of her. I have a picture of us from this race that I will always treasure.

Another favorite memory is from my first long run with the WRRC. I was new to the area, and it was summertime, meaning hot and humid. We met at Purdue West and took off on a 16-mile run. Why do I remember this? Maggie, Tony and Lu Greig’s wonderful dog (and second love of my life), ran the entire way with us. I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe she did it! Maggie could flat out run, just like her dad and mom!

Lastly, when I think about the variety of events I’ve completed I’m filled with joy and gratitude. I’m grateful I’ve had the time, health and ability to complete marathons, triathlons (70.3 and 140.6 miles), ultras (50 and 100 miles) and rides (Ride across Indiana (RAIN)–160 miles, one day, one way).

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?

I couldn’t possibly say or choose. There have been so many wonderful people who have befriended and inspired me through the years, and I’m grateful for each one of them. I’ve told my wife, David “Action” Jackson and Tony Greig that my favorite and best running years were those with the WRRC. This I know for sure!

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?

I’m racing the Pinellas Trail Challenge in August, a 46-mile point-to-point race in St. Petersburg, FL. I’m also considering attempting my first 48-hour ultra in November. I like to try new things!

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment? My favorite workouts are the ones when my wife, Chas, bikes alongside me. It’s something special we share after 26 years of marriage. Chas often says that she’s “an IRONMAN widow.”

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?

I think one of the most wonderful things we can do in life is both give and get inspiration. The WRRC’s many wonderful people have, and continue to be, a wonderful source of inspiration for me. I’m grateful for everyone’s friendship through the years, and I’m proud of them for what they’ve accomplished both on and off the road.

Name: Brian Yankauskas
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Original Hometown: Knox, Indiana
Professional Career: Swine Technician, Purdue University
Favorite Running Shoe: ASICS Cumulus
Favorite Race Distance: Half Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Half Marathon, 1:26
Favorite Food: Burgers
Favorite Singer/Band: lynyrd Skynyrd
Favorite Book or Movie: Without Limits

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?

I started running in middle school on the track. Tried Cross Country In HS and was hooked.

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?

Running with teammates in HS, reconnecting with those teammates through running on the roads.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?

Inspiration: Steve prefontaine. Personal interaction/encouragement: Dave Jackson’s

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?

Looking forward to the Mill Race half in Columbus, IN. This will be a tune up for the Monumental Marathon. Goal for Monumental is 3:10

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?

Looking forward to pushing limits with 800 repeats

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?

WRRC has introduced me to a great running community. This has given me a great group of people to run with

Name: David Jackson
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Original Hometown: Kokomo, IN
Professional Career: Speech-Language Pathologist
Favorite Running Shoe: Brooks – Glycerin
Favorite Race Distance: Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Indy Mini – 1:28 with top 500 finish
Favorite Food: Chinese
Favorite Singer/Band: Boston
Favorite Book or Movie: Twilight Zone

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?

Started out to lose weight in 1995. Originally lifted weights 2 hours/day. Got strong but not big despite eating 5000 calories/day. Switched over to triathlons but was not a good swimmer. Connected with the WRRC in 1997 to improve my running. Ran my first Indy Mini just under two hours wearing a cotton shirt…learned my lesson! Ran the Indianapolis 1/2 marathon at Ft Ben as my first and only long run for my first marathon at Columbus and finished in 3:35! Coincidentally, I met up with Brad Pape around mile 14 – we were both hurting. We only knew each other from Tae Kwon Do since we were taking lessons with our kids at the same time!

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?

My best memories are road trips to nearby races(Indy Mini, Wild Wilderness at Kennekuk, IL, Sprint Triathlons at Eagle Creek [poured sweat out of my running shoes after one particularly hot and humid race] AND long hauls to marathons with 5 or more people from the WRRC – Fargo, ND, Tupelo, MS, Houston, Phoenix, Grandfather Mountain, Presque Isle, St George, Huntingtion, VA, Marine Corps,…

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?

Well, first of all –  I would not have been able to run all of these marathons without the support of my wife and family.    She and the kids went on several marathons with me!   Everyone at the WRRC because of the support and advice during our speed, tempo and long runs and camaraderie on all of our roadtrips. Dave Charters for getting me to Boston. We ran many marathons trying to get me qualified. He always did but I always choked! He was there to train with me through lots of injuries, aches and pains for numerous runs and bike rides, Brad Pape for long run support early on in my career (5:10 am starts in the dark, freezing and below freezing runs…), Jay Hodde for getting me hooked on ultra running, Tony Greig for showing me that my seniors can whip my ass at races (Wild Wilderness), Mel Henry (RIP) for being retired but never slowing down (often rode his bike to and from running races and triathlons!!!), Charlie Catalano for pushing me during our long runs (usually turned into competitive sprints at the end), giving moral support, and maintaining our long distance friendship, Brian Finney for traveling with me and making arrangements for many of the distant marathons that we have run together, and Len Chyall, my current partner in crime for keeping me out there running, staying with me on the tough runs when I had to walk, pushing me, and doing crazy stuff with me (Battle of the Brave 10K running with a 25# backpack…well his was 26# and mine was 29# LOL).

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?

I am always training for a marathon. My current goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states. I’m sitting at 40. I have fought numerous running injuries over the years (three knee surgeries for torn menisci, plantar fascitits several times, strained muscles…). I’m going to HI in December to run a marathon with Brian Finney. He will finish his 50 state quest then.

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?

Tues – Speedwork I usually run 800s with 1-2 minute walking recovery

Sunday – Long Run with my WRRC buddies!!!

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?

Having so many friends to run with has kept me going. During the difficult times when I did not want to run – a friend was always there, during the difficult recovery times that necessitated slower than usual pace -a friend was always there, and during those times when my regular partners weren’t available – a new friend would be there!

I attribute all of these to running with the club.

I finished in the top 500 at the Indy Mini – PR 1:28

I PR’d at St George UT – 3:18

I qualified for Boston and ran it in 2004!

Name: (David) Adam Downey
Location: Lafayette
Original Hometown: Lafayette (Shadeland/West Point for you other locals)
Professional Career: Environmental Engineer, Water Quality Specialist
Favorite Running Shoe: Recently got the Hoka Carbon X’s and love them so far although I haven’t done serious distance in them yet.
Favorite Race Distance: 13.1; I like the halves because they are long enough you can’t just sprint the whole way, you have to pace yourself, but you can also recover from them whereas a marathon just tears me up for a few weeks
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Marine Corps Marathon 2018, 3:55:42
Favorite Food: All the food.
Favorite Singer/Band: Man this is a hard one too… I like a lot of stuff and it just depends on my mood… I just went from Beastie Boys to Led Zeppelin while typing this and it wouldn’t surprise me if Katy Perry came up next… whatevs
Favorite Book or Movie: Did I mention I have a problem with the term “favorite?” How about favorite Running Book: “Born to Run” and favorite Running Movie: “Run, Fat Boy, Run”

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?

In high school I played soccer, was on the swim team, and I grew up in the boonies so I cycled by necessity… if it wasn’t a sprint I really didn’t have an interest. 18-years later I was in awful shape; something snapped inside and I quit smoking cold-turkey and tried to get my health back on track. I had run a few 5Ks and eventually signed up for the Indy Mini and joined Tri-N-Run’s training program; in 2016 I completed the Mini, the Purdue half, and a 5K or other random fun run just about every single weekend for most of the year… I was hooked… and I’ve never felt better physically or mentally.

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?

One reason I love running is I only really compete against myself… I’ll chase whoever is just in front of me in a race but it isn’t about beating them, it’s about pushing myself, and I love that.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?

Also a tough question: although in this forum I’m going to have to say Susan Lauro and Chris Mullen. The three of us were Wednesday WRRC regulars and they really taught me a lot about taking it down a notch to keep it fun, pushing through the ruts, and that there are no “bad” runs.

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?

I am currently preparing for my first 70.3 triathlon (Muncie Ironman 7/13/2019). Tri’s are completely different animals and the training is intense but I think my marathon training has helped mentally which is what really makes or breaks you. After that, I’m already signed up for the Indy Monumental Marathon (I’ve done the half there before but not the full) in November to see if I can beat my MCM PR.

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?

Swim practice!! #iSWIM

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?

WRRC is all about runners as people and about making connections. You can come to a WRRC run ready to push yourself to a new limit or to just get your butt off the couch, walk/run and chat with some great people, and enjoy the wonderful trails we are so fortunate to have around here. I think the WRRC is really for everyone and anyone; runners are really the best people when it comes to welcoming anyone and maintaining a positive view on any situation. Even if you are going after a tough goal and enrolled in a more formal training program: you can find someone in the WRRC that can give you additional advice, has been through that injury or done that race, is willing to do a little more than they planned to do if it helps you get your miles in or pushes your pace, and you can find other runners that are only happy to see you succeed and crush your goals whatever those goals are.

Location: Battle Ground, IN
Original Hometown: Northwestern Indiana & Central Illinois – My parents flipped homes, so I moved every year (IN – Chesterton, Porter, North Judson; IL – Manito, Minonk, Pekin, etc)
Professional Career: Realtor
Favorite Running Shoe: Brooks Glycerin & Launch
Favorite Race Distance: ½ Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Half Marathon – 2:10 – New York City Half
Favorite Food: Carne Asada
Favorite Music: Hardwell
Favorite Movie: The Notebook & the Punisher

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?

I had run in track and cross country in junior high and high school. Took a hiatus and jumped in head first just before turning 40.

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?

The rush of endorphins and accomplishment of crossing the finish line. Sense of completion of a greater goal!

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?

High school track coach Carol Pratt in Illinois. She still inspires me today!!

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?

I have a sundry mix of races upcoming from 5ks, half marathons, trail races, a Spartan Sprint as well as Kentucky Boutbon Chase Ragnar too. I have completed a Sprint Tri and am looking forward to more triathlons in my future too!!

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?

I love group runs as well as solo training. I swim, run and bike. I’d like to work weight lifting for runners in

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?

Fellow runners encouraging others! Setting example and inspiring others

 

Name: Natalia Sanchez
Location: Lafayette, IN
Original Hometown: Gastonia, NC
Professional Career: Assistant Band Director, Tecumseh Junior High School
Favorite Running Shoe: Asics Gel Kayano
Favorite Race Distance: Half Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): Half Marathon, 1:58
Favorite Food: Peanut Butter
Favorite Singer/Band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite Book or Movie: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history? What got you first involved in the sport?
I’ve been running since I was a kid, but I’ve only become an avid “runner” within the past few years. I ran cross country in middle and high school, but I wasn’t very invested (or fast) my whole time on the team. I continued running in college, at first just for exercise. Somewhere in those years, I began running longer distances and really loving the miles. In 2016, I ran my first half marathon, the Hoosier Half in Bloomington, IN. After that, I was hooked. Over the next couple years, I ran a few more half marathons and joined a local running club.

In January 2019, I moved to Lafayette, IN. I’d read about WRRC before the move and knew I wanted to join, so I started showing up to the Sunday morning runs right away. I ran my first full marathon this past May, and I’m excited for many more races to come.

What are your top memories from your competitive career?
I just ran the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, and that training process and race were a definite highlight. In training, I learned so much more about running than I ever had before. In the race, I had a blast. The first bit of the marathon was a big celebration in the city, with lots of spectators and nice views of the river. Finishing it was very challenging and very rewarding.

There’s a trail race series in northern Michigan that I really love, and I had my favorite race so far with them this month. It was a trail half marathon in the Upper Peninsula at Tahquamenon Falls. The whole run was through scenic forest, with beautiful lake views and so much mud. I sank up to my knees a few times and just kept going. It was such a fun race.

All my favorites are very recent—I must be really lucky lately!

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?
I’ve got to say the WRRC members. Before I started running with them, I was mostly just bumbling around trying to figure running out by myself. They’ve given me so much support, practical advice, and inspiration.

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?
I’ve just finished a big round of distance races. Now, I have my sights set on a couple upcoming 5k races. My goal is to run them fast. I haven’t focused my attention on speed since high school cross country ended, and I’m excited to see what I can do with the experience and support system I have now.

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?
I’m excited to do some interval training. I’m ready to change my routine after focusing so much on sheer mileage. Someone needs to remind me I said all that when I’m out there dragging on the track.

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals?
It’s had the greatest impact. From my first Sunday run, WRRC runners have been helping me improve—lending me gear and books, sharing favorite routes, and guiding me through training, especially for that first marathon. They answer all my running questions and offer advice when I need it, and they also motivate me to get moving on mornings I’d rather sleep in. The WRRC is such a wonderful community, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

Location: Near Philadelphia, PA
Original Hometown: Caseville, Michigan
Professional Career: College educator
Favorite Running Shoe: Nike Odyssey (sadly discontinued)
Favorite Race Distance: Half Marathon
Favorite Personal Record (PR): 1:15 Half Marathon, Run Through Hell (that was the race)
Favorite Food: White Rice
Favorite Book or Movie: Chariots of Fire

Q: Can you give us a little background on your running history?
I started running around 1973 in 6th grade track. I ran through high school and some of college in Michigan, and ultimately competed in everything from the 100 to the half marathon. I continued to compete through the early 2000s, then ran for fun and turned to coaching youth runners. I am slowly getting back into shape after a longish layoff (about 2 years).

Q: What are your top memories from your competitive career?
My best memories are team memories: going to meets with my high school team; winning the Mid-American Conference Championship with my college team; the rides to races with WRRC; and winning youth cross country and track championships as a coach in the Philadelphia CYO program, one of the largest youth running programs in the country. A number of athletes from that program, including a few from my team, competed in college.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career?
My high school coach in Michigan established a love for the sport and some lifelong training habits. I had the good fortune of being around some very good runners in high school and college, including several All-Americans, and they helped me see what hard work and perseverance can help you achieve. I also came to running at a time when the sport was hitting its first big boom, and its stars were interviewed on late night talk shows, so the publicity around the sport helped. Frank Shorter, Bill Rogers, and Steve Prefontaine were popular at the time.

Q: What races are you preparing for and what are your goals for those races?
I’m training toward a 5K trail run on St. Patrick’s day. It will be my first race in several years but is getting me out the door and running. After that, we’ll see.

Q: What are one or two of your favorite workouts that you are looking forward to running this training segment?
OI’m working through a Couch to 5K program, so I’m looking forward to the continuous runs toward the end of the program.

Q: How did you get involved with the Wabash River Runners Club? 
I came to Lafayette to study at Purdue in 1989, and started to look for running groups. It took me about a year to discover the WRRC, but then it was my running family until I moved to Philly in 1993.

Q: What are your favorite memories from the club? 
The Sunday morning long runs, the fellowship after, the club get-togethers, and the Runs in the New Year/Mid Year.

Q: How has the sport of running changed since you first got involved? 
In some respects, it hasn’t. I was asked if things were more competitive when I was with the WRRC, and the answer is not really. We always had both competitive runners and social joggers, and that was fine with us. There was a push for awhile to establish more of a “racing team,” but that was developing just as I was leaving.

Q: How has the Wabash River Runners Club helped you towards your running goals? 
The WRRC kept me running during a very stressful period of my life, and set me up to continue my running for years.

Q: What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself? 
Keep stretching and strengthening even when you’re not running. Keep working toward something constantly, or you’ll lose motivation. Have more fun!