Lopez Gets State #35, The Road to 100 and June Racing and Training Updates

June is for Jerritt.

Well, May was too.

As we head into the last weekend of the month, Volte's Jerritt Park has completed 49 races on his road to 100 races in 2023.

And he finished nine races in both May and June (so far).

He hit the road to Corpus Christi and Waco this month to go with trips to Keller, San Antonio and Dripping Springs earlier this year.

Below is a list of his races for this month:

41.  6/1/23 - 25:36 - Millican Summer Series 5K #1, College Station - 2nd AG

42.  6/2/23 - 19:59 - Fun Fit Endurance Fest Glow Run 5K, Corpus Christi - 1st AG, 4th overall

43.  6/3/23 - 20:17 - Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #72, Magnolia - 1st masters, 2nd overall

44.  6/4/23 - 20:51 - TWRC Sunday Night 5K, The Woodlands - 1st overall

45.  6/10/23 - 19:57 - Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #73, Magnolia - 1st masters, 2nd overall

46.  6/11/23 - 1:02:20 - Xterra Cameron Park Trail Run 10.5K, Waco - 1st masters, 3rd overall

47.  6/15/23 - 24:20 - Millican Summer Series 5K #2, College Station - 1st masters, 9th overall

48.  6/17/23 - 20:18 - Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #74, Magnolia - 1st masters, 2nd overall

49.  6/18/23 - 45:05 - Warehouse Distance Challenge 10K - Race 2, Cypress - 1st overall

But, yes, we had other Voltes and friends running through the first three weeks of the month.

Friends Randall Ivins and Ken Johnson joined Jerritt at Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #72 where they finished the triple loop course in 28:07 and 53:45, respectively.

Just a few short miles from the 45th Parallel North marker and a figurative stone's throw from Canada, Paul Roche was second in his 70-79 age group at the Cobscook Bay 10K on Sunday, June 4 in Pembroke, Maine.

Navigating over the flyover states, we journey to Deadwood, South Dakota where Steven Lopez finished the vaunted Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon to log a marathon finish in his 35th different state.

State #35 for Steven Lopez:  Sweet Finish in South Dakota
(Photo courtesy of Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon)

Steven takes over the story from here:

"Feeling thankful and blessed," he said.  "The route had beautiful views but for this flatlander, it was truly another challenge.

"However, if for a sign, on the bus ride back to the hotel, I sat near a woman who, with this marathon, has completed her 48th state.

"Although truly an inspiration for anyone, she shared something that made me somewhat emotional. She shared that she has stage 4 cancer but that the marathons have kept her alive.

"She shared also that the last two will be this year. She was completely positive and thankful for every day of life.

"My hat was off to her as well as a huge level of respect. Needless to say, the pain in my legs was nothing compared to what she has been going through.

"I will again say my appreciation for every day of life and for the thankfulness for my health."

A definite lesson for us all.

And in the beautiful California city of San Diego, Keith Wiley finished the Rock 'N Roll San Diego Half Marathon in 2:51:15.

Back home, and later that Sunday, June 4, Kristi Park took over for our founder Bill Dwyer, who was out of state attending to family matters, and organized the monthly The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K.  (Thanks Kristi!)

Jerritt, as noted above, won, but Christopher Branch was second in 22:30.  

Kim White easily took third in 24:10 followed by Trey Taylor with a mark of 25:14.

Judith Albarran rocking the Volte blues for a Sunday Night 5K win!
(Photo courtesy of Kristi Park)

Judith Albarran was the first female finisher in 26:13 and Julie White was second in 27:58.  

Julia Di Paolo, Kimberly Roth and Mona Draper all finished in 46:56.

Again, Randall Ivins and Ken Johnson were Volte friends that were out and they posted times of 30:29 and 49:08, respectively.

The following Saturday, June 10, Christopher Branch and Judith Albarran kicked the tires on a new race - the Hometown 10K by a race production company new to the greater Houston area (Bodie's) as did Volte friends Josh Rivas and John Nguyen.

First overall female in the 10K was Judith in 48:18, while Christopher was first in his age group in 44:24.

Christopher Branch closes out the Hometown 10K in Sugar Land
(Photo courtesy of Hometown 10K)

Josh was first in his age group in the half in 1:40:10 and John was second in his - at the same distance - in 2:06:24.

Volte friends Randall Ivins and Vincent Attanucci joined Jerritt at Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #74 on Saturday, June 17.

They finished in 32:48 and 39:32, respectively.

On the day before Father's Day, some of our Volte friends ran the No Label Brewing 5K in Katy, which is produced by Run In Texas.

Reported as a short 2.9 miles, Mark Amann was first in his age group in 16:17.  

Paul Blutt stopped the clock in 23:35 while Dr. John Slate covered the course in 36:22.

And rounding out of Volte's efforts in Stateline, Nevada, Kate Semmelrogge-Thomas ran the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon in 2:55:06.

It has been a great start to the summer as we've welcomed close to 10 new runners to our group -- even though we've never been one to focus too much on numbers at Volte -- and our walking group, within that, is gaining momentum.

Running with us recently has been Megan Cardon from Utah.  

She is in town with her husband who is finishing up an internship.

And, lastly, Volte will have nearly 30 runners going to the Tunnel Light Marathon in North Bend, Washington in September, including at least four in a brand new half marathon distance event.

Come run with us!