Volte Runs Swiftly Before The Ides of March

March was one of those months that runners love:  five Saturdays to race on!

Volte was so busy we broke our recaps into before Spring Break (March 3-4 and March 10-11) and Spring Break and beyond (March 17-18, 24-25 and March 31).

A hearty crew participated in the Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Marathon, the Houston Methodist The Woodlands Half Marathon and the Fleet Feet Sports The Woodlands 5K.

And those who didn't run were helping out Volte founder Bill Dwyer as he once again was the race's Finish Line Coordinator.

"Thank you to the many volunteers from Volte who helped with set up, race day and tear down," said Dwyer.

The first to greet Dwyer at the finish line were those athletes competing in the Fleet Feet Sports The Woodlands 5K.

Volte friend Sonia Dhodapkar made it there first - to win her age group in the process - with a time of 22:47.

Jon Braunersreuther led all of our Voltes in 24:34.  Tiffanie Haidar was the first of the four females to finish in 27:05 while Kim Joyce captured second in her age group with a showing of 28:38.

Jenny Forseca and Marta Mixa rounded the group out with marks of 29:29 and 31:17, respectively.

Over 30 Voltes, friends and family dialed home along The Woodlands Waterway with a finish in the Houston Methodist The Woodlands Half Marathon.

Volte friends Chris Weir and Skye Moody led their respective genders in 1:23:08 and 1:29:15, respectively, but our Voltes were in chase with Derek Bailey crossing in 1:25:12 and Shelby Williams snaring third in her age group in 1:32:11.

A quintet of runners broke 1:40.

Ken Rieger and Juan Flores led that group in 1:31:13 and 1:35:05, respectively.

Laura Godfrey was the only female, throwing down a personal-best time of 1:37:43 -- 93 seconds better than her Cypress Half Marathon effort last November.

Volte friends Rob Rodriguez and Carlos Rodriquez completed the bunch out with times of 1:36:28 and 1:39:53, respectively.

Another half dozen finished in under 1:50 as Kimberly Simmons used a 1:41:24 to win first in her age group.  She wasn't the only one on the podium though.

Kimberly Simmons approaching The Woodlands Half Marathon finish line.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Sandra Tezino belted out a 1:44:10 to win hers while Yaya Herrera grabbed a 3:08 personal best with a time of 1:47:52 that broke her time from three years earlier at The Woodlands Half.

Dave Campbell led the three guys in the group with a mark of 1:43:04 while Jerritt Park and Will Ott crossed in 1:44:26 and 1:47:12, respectively.

Another six-pack broke two hours, including two who did so for the first time ever.

The first one across was Mike Kuykendall, who was more than estatic with his time.

"I finally posted a sub-2 hour half marathon of 1:57:58.  God gets the glory," he exclaimed.  "My coach Rich Cooper created programming that led to a four-minute, 17-second personal best.  And a shout out to coach Bill Dwyer for the mental preparation."

Mike had run his previous best just two months earlier at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2:02:18.

Rob Myers got under two hours with a personal best of 1:59:43 that bettered his previous best time at the distance of 2:00:56 that was achieved at last year's The Woodlands Half Marathon.

Wil Cole was the first of the remaining four in 1:52:29 while Tammy Grado, Kristi Park and Megan Miller all got underneath two hours.

Tammy Grado's double V means her finish is twice as nice for Volte.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Tammy finished in 1:52:43 while Kristi and Megan followed close behind in 1:52:49 and 1:54:07, respectively.

Allysa Smith and Amber Speers both knocked on the two-hour door with efforts of 2:01:39 and 2:03:47, respectively.

Llana Bingham, Carrie Hyde and Laura Hanyzewski all put pressure on the 10-minute per mile standard as Carrie and Laura finished in identical times of 2:12:41 while Llana was three seconds ahead of the duo.

Lauren Hoffart finished in 2:15:41 as Paul Vita and Richard Tong tried to chase her down with marks of 2:20:43 and 2:26-even, respectively.

Volte friend Nilay Dinc crossed in 2:28:09, Leah Bolton in 2:36:50 and Oswaldo Amador - Keri's husband - finished his first half marathon in 2:48:36.

Seven of our Voltes ran the Fidelity Investments The Woodlands Marathon as did four of our Volte friends.

Two debut marathons and a pair of BQ's -- and a couple of close calls on the latter.

Keri Amador channeled her husband's good half marathon vibes to post a 2:32 personal best (previous was January's Chevron Houston Marathon) that gave her a Boston Qualifier of 3:37:46.

Starting the push down along The Woodlands Waterway for a BQ is Keri Amador.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Needing a 3:45 or better showing, Juliee Sparks also grabbed a BQ with a great effort of 3:41:20.

Getting some encouragement from Derek Bailey, Juliee Sparks wasn't too far at this point from her BQ.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

It is almost certain that Keri will have to run another marathon to actually be able to register as runners for the 2018 Boston Marathon needed to better their age and gender standard by at least three minutes and 23 seconds.

Sparks' standard-beating margin of 3:40 would have allowed her entry, but may not in 2019.

Meredith Moss couldn't have gotten any closer to getting a BQ as she finished in 3:40:01 - one second off of the standard.

Meredith Moss was all smiles on her way to The Woodlands Marathon finish line.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

At last year's The Woodlands Marathon, Mayra Caamano ran her second-best marathon effort ever (3:27:14 over 25.4 miles), but the course was eight-tenths of a mile short because a lead vehicle took runners the wrong direction early in the race.

Still, Caamano worked closer to her second Boston Qualifier with a 3:47:44 showing - her third best of eight career marathons.

Brian Schultz finished his 23rd career marathon.  Andrew Smith broke the proverbial tape in 4:29:26 while Amanda Becker finished her first marathon in 6:21:09 - just under the official cutoff.

Volte friends Gus Murillo and Luis Murillo battled it out as brothers often do with times of 3:01:22 and 3:06:56.  Bob Looney stopped the clock in 3:48:23 while Christina Gray did so in 4:43:06.

Another first-time marathon finish came from Lisa Johnson the next day at the Little Rock Marathon in Arkansas as she recorded a time of 6:54:51.

She had run the 5K the day before in 45:48.

Steven Lopez finished the race's 16th annual running in 4:58:02 for his 18th state to finish a marathon in.

Next door in Lafayette, Louisiana, Ruth Perez grabbed second place in her age group with a 2:16:08 time at the Zydeco Half Marathon on Sunday, March 4.

Later that evening, five Voltes and two friends showed up for The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K at Barbara Bush Elementary.

Jerritt Park led all Voltes in 21:52.  Larry Batton and George Rux followed in 23:57 and 24:41, respectively, while friends Curtis Barton and Jon Walk came along in 25:47 and 31:56.

Alfredo and Letty Gonzalez finished in 41:05 and 50:46, respectively.

The following weekend, it was the Volte ladies and Juan at the Zooma Half Marathon, 10K and 5K in Bastrop.

Griselda Borrero took second in her age group in the half marathon in 2:00:44 while Juan Flores paced Leanne Rosser to a 2:05:59 third place AG finish.

In the 10K, Marta Mixa won her age group in 1:06:17.  Michelle Hanes stopped the clock in 1:12:24, while Falon Gunter and Dawn Johnson ran together for a finish of 1:22:20.

Mary Carter and Lynn Smith also completed the 10K in 1:31:05 and 1:41:48, respectively, while Letty Gonzalez was third in her age group in the 5K in 42:20.

Before the sun rose in Bastrop, Bonnie Scholz was already off and running on Friday, March 9 as she ran with the Cruzin Crusaders team in 200-mile Ragnar Relay Luckenbach from San Marcos to Luckenbach.

Scholz's team finished in 32 hours, 48 minutes and 20 seconds, good for second in their division.

In Houston's Memorial Park, Laura Godfrey ran strong to grab third in her age group in the Memorial Park Conservancy Brunch Run 4-Miler on Saturday, March 10 in 29:11.

Volte friend Carlos Rodriguez was the only one that got to the finish line sooner in 28:49 while another Volte friend Sonia Dhodapkar was next in 30:32.

Amber Speers and Volte friend Vincent Attanucci posted times of 35:47 and 38:53, respectively, while Volte friend Jon Walk exacted a little revenge on his daughter, Waverly, for her half marathon win last month.

Dad led wire-to-wire in a time of 40:46 while Waverly prepared for the next battle with a fine showing of 41:30.

And Lauren and Jared Hoffart actually kicked off Spring Break by teaming up for a 2:28:17 Team Hoffart showing at the San Diego Half Marathon Relay on Sunday, March 11.

Volte Wrapped Up March in Fine Fashion

Volte was busy during Spring Break 2018, even though the race card tends to gets a bit thin as race personnel and volunteers spend well-deserved off time with their families too.

However, a pair of greater Houston area standards played host to some of our runners - and Volte friends.

One of the two oldest 10-kilometer races in the state of Texas along with the Capital 10K in Austin, the HARRA-produced Bayou City Classic 10K - held on Saturday, March 17 - saw Jerritt Park recording a 44:50 time while Greg Nettleton and Tim Russell checked in with respective efforts of 47:25 and 56:14.

Former Volte coach Adrienne Langelier captured second in her age group with a fine 41:52 showing while Vince Attanucci chimed in with a time of 54:58.

Further south of downtown, also on Saturday, March 17, we had another trio racing the Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon.

Monica Moreno led our athletes with a 2:39:21 on the double-loop course.

Christine Falzon completed her first career half marathon in 2;58:47 while Jimmy Baker collected a time of 3:01:12.

Volte friend Sabina Lorca-Acosta was second in her age group in 1:48:28 while Ken Johnson won first in his age group with his 101st career half marathon.

"I completed one of my goals yesterday in Seabrook," said Ken.  "I ran my 101st half marathon (13.1 miles) in honor of all those who have served with the 101st Airborne Division, the unit I served with at Fort Campbell, KY and Vietnam in 1967-68.  In 2014, I ran my 101st (and last) full marathon.

"I won first place in my 75-79 age group and yep, I was the only one in that age group."

Something to be said for showing up.

The never ending battle for running supremacy in the Hanyzewski household added another chapter to its epic tale as Brian and Laura combined forces to run as "Team Hanas" during the Seabrook Lucky Trail Two-Person Half Marathon Relay on Sunday, March 18.

Team Hanas - working together - at the Seabrook Lucky Trail Two-Person Half Marathon Relay.
(Photo courtesy of the Hanyzewski family.)

Team Hanas finished in 1:58:31 with Brian covering his 6.55-mile loop in 1:00:16 and Laura finishing hers in 58:15.

We call this a family draw - and a good time racing in a fun atmosphere at Seabrook's Rex Meador Park.

The following Saturday, March 24, Maryanne Svoboda and Lauren Hoffart competed in the Run Houston Minute Maid Park 5K and posted efforts of 25:47 and 33:18, respectively.

Volte friend Rob Rodriguez was the second men's master in the 10K with a time of 45:02.  Mary-Ellen Wilderman-Hay was the first grandmaster in 49:42 while her husband Brad finished in 1:02:01.

Also that same morning, two races were held within a mile of each other in Springwoods Village - just south of the Harris County/Montgomery County line.

The entire Hyde family ran in the United Way 5K, held completely within the confines of the ExxonMobil Campus.

Carrie led the family with a time of 29:03.  Alexander followed Mom in 32:09, while brother Braeden outsprinted his dad, Ray, to finish in 33:22 - five seconds ahead of him.

On the south side of Springwoods Village, Landa Wright was the first women across the finish line in the Springwoods Village 5K which was presented by CHI St. Luke's Health.

She posted a winning time of 24:09.  Gabby Westbrook was second overall in 24:34.

Our three Volte ladies at the Springwoods Village 5K - Gabby Westbrook, Waverly Walk and Landa Wright.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Round three of the 2018 Walk family running competition went to Waverly as she held off her Dad, Jon, with a three-second win, 30:39 to 30:42.

Far to the west Jessy Orlando and Tim Russell participated on the "Bushel of Apples" team that ran the 180-mile Texas Independence Relay from Gonzales to Houston.

The team finished in 31:25:30 and included the following team members:  Stacey Griggs Keener, Denise Rosales, Kristin Sissom, Jennifer Stevens, Bridget Hodge, Liz Koehler, Jennifer Ashmore and Mary Kerschbaum.

Sunday, March 25, a solid group ran in the Texas 10 Series race in College Station.

In the marquee 10-mile race, Amanda Jenkins led Volte as the first overall female in 1:08:15.

First is better than "3" as Amanda Jenkins led all women at Texas 10 College Station.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

First place age group winners included Rip Reynolds and Jerritt Park in 1:10:37 and 1:12:59, respectively.

Running in his collegiate home, Mike Csikos sported a swift time of 1:14:47.

Nothing put a smile on the face of "Sunshine" (aka Mike Csikos) than running in Aggieland.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Keri Amador took second in her age group in 1:21:58 while Mike Kuykendall crossed the finish line surrounded by the Hanyzewski family.

Mike broke the tape in 1:32:52 as Laura finished in front of him in 1:31:33 while Brian followed in 1:33:49.

Brayden Park ran his usual 5K and 1-mile double and won his age group in the 5K in 26:47.

Volte friend Ken Johnson was second in his age group in the 10-mile in 2:27:25, while Ray and Diana Sarno both completed the 5-miler in 1:06:12.

The last Saturday of the month, Easter Saturday, saw Jerritt Park improve upon his Bayou City Classic 10K time with a mark of 43:42 at the Green 6.2 in City Centre Houston on the west side of town.

Figuring Waverly would take him to task again, Dad race announced Green 6.2 while Waverly nearly broke an hour with a fine showing of 1:00:26.

And, saving the best for last, Bill Dwyer recorded a 38:26 time in virtual race of the Superfly Galactic Hero 5K that was held on Saturday, March 31 in Ann Arbor, Michigan - as he attempts to complete his goal of one race a month for 2018.

Volte Loved February and February Loved Its Runners Back

As a large number of our runners spent the month of February either recovering from their efforts at the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half or completing training for The Woodlands Marathon, Volte still had plenty competing in a menagerie of races throughout the Lone Star State.

Except for Bonnie Scholz, who took off to Page, Arizona on Saturday, February 24 to complete her second career 50-miler at the Antelope Canyon Ultramarathon.

She finished in 11 hours, 47 minutes and 49 seconds, 97th among 212 finishers, 33rd women and eighth of 26 finishers in her 40-44 age group.

Next in the distance club for the month was David Campbell, who placed second in his age group at the Rocky Raccoon 50K Trail Run on Saturday, February 10 in Huntsville State Park.

Campbell completed the course in 5:18:08.

Capitaizing on her Chevron Houston Marathon fitness at the start of the month was Waverly Walk.

She and her father, Jon, traveled to Waxahachie to compete in the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Half Marathon on Saturday, February 3.

Dad held an advantage for the first seven miles before Waverly put the hammer down and completed the long course in 2:14:12 - six minutes ahead of Jon who finished in 2:20:17.

The course map was printed as 13.25 miles and as runners approached the mile 13 mark, the finish was more than just a tenth of a mile away.

Later that evening, a handful of Voltes picked up 2017 Texas 10 Series age group awards at the Armadillo Cup and Ten Gallon Cup Awards Party in Cypress.

Volte Endurance Training was fifth overall.

Jerritt Park and Keri Amador was first in the respective age groups while Alfredo Gonzalez was third in his.

Park led us at The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K on Sunday, February 4.

He ran the out-and-back course in 20:39.  Mayra Caamano and Monica Moreno finished in 25:23 and 31:18, respectively. 

Monica Moreno starting her second loop in the Barbara Bush parking lot at the TWRC Sunday Night 5K.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Seven Hills Running Club friend and resident of The Woodlands Curtis Barton posted a time of 28:52.

Maryanne Svoboda recorded a first place age group finish the following Saturday, February 10 at the Klein Bearkat Bash 5K with a showing of 26:50.

The next day, George Rux and Griselda Borrero got the Volte multisport season kicked off for 2018 with their participation in the Du The Polar Bear Duathlon in Cypress on Sunday, February 11.

George won his age group with a time of 1:10:16, while Griselda was third in hers in 1:14:37.

Their split times were as follows:

George - 2-mi run 17:01, T1 1:53, 10-mi bike 34:30, T2 0:42, 2-mi run 16:51
Griselda - 2-mi run 16:56, T1 1:29, 10-mi bike 37:38, T2 1:19, 2-mi run 17:13

The second annual Montgomery County Meals on Wheels Miles for Meals 5K was held at B-52 Brewing Company in Conroe on Saturday, February 17 - and Volte and friends represented.

Landa Wright led us in a time of 23:25.  Megan Eastin finished the out-and-back course in 27:35.

Mary-Ellen Wilderman-Hay paced our Volte friends with a 23:49 effort, while husband Brad followed in 27:28.  Maygen Ritchie stopped the clock in 29:25.

A large group of Voltes supported Rob and Debra Myers who sponsored the Out of the Darkness Walk in The Woodlands on Saturday, February 17 through their company Enfusia.

Deb Myers (above) spoke to participants at the Out of the Darkness Walk as her company Enfusia was a sponsor.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

An untimed two-mile walk was completed by Debra Myers, Rob Myers, Bill Dwyer, Leanne Rosser, Larry Batton, Greg Nettleton, Marta Mixa, Alfredo Gonzalez, Letty Gonzalez, Carrie Hyde, Llana Bingham, Dana Formon, Mayra Caamano, Brooke Kramer and Chloe Kramer.

Our awesome Volte walk team in support of the Myers at the Out of the Darkness Walk.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Lauren and Jared Hoffart kicked off the Rodeo Houston spirit the following morning, Sunday, February 18 at Karbach Brewing Company in Houston.

They ran the Rodeo Clown Roundup 5K with Lauren taking second in her age group in 29:17 while Jared finished in 40:07.

At the Austin Half Marathon the same morning, Juan Flores got in a good test for April's Boston Marathon with a 1:45:28 showing on the hilly course.

Monica Moreno and Naika Vargas finished in 2:33:08 and 2:39:59, respectively, while Volte friend Sabina Lorca-Acosta nailed down a time of 1:49:08.

The big event on Saturday, February 24 was the Pathfinder Pediatric 2K in The Woodlands.

Held a week earlier of The Woodlands Marathon for the first time, Volte had a host of boys and girls participating.

Some had participated in The Woodlands Running Club Juniors program and picked up an extra medal for running 25 miles on their way to race day.

Jackie Medina finishes up the Pathfinder Pediatric 2K in The Woodlands.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Completing the 2K were - in addition to Volte friends Kate, Jack and Anna Looney;  Faith Craig and her children Abby and Roger Craig; Kristi Park and her daughter Riley; Amanda Becker and children Caitlyn and Tyler; Keri Amador and her son Lucas; Monse Louimeus and her daughter Jackie Medina; Gabby Westbrook and her daughter Olivia; Carrie Hyde and her sons Alexander and Braeden, and Brian Jackson and his daughter Emma.

The Volte crew welcomes Olivia Westbrook after she finished the Pathfinder Pediatric 2K in The Woodlands.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Geri Henry won her age group in the Cleft Smiles 5K the same morning in The Woodlands with a time of 35:58.

Monica Moreno completed her busy February with a 1:05:03 finish at the ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run 10K in Houston on Saturday, the 24th.

Penny Garza also represented Volte in the 5K in 50:41.

Volte friends Scott Farrand, Sabina Lorca-Acosta and John Laskowski all ran the 10K. 

Sabina led the trio with a time of 50:40, while Scott, likely in his distinctive orange hat, was just three seconds off of Sabina while John finished - certainly with a smile - in 53:12.

Volte's 2018 Road to Boston: Michelle McGill

(Note:  One profile is left to catch up on from prior to the race.  We apologize for not having the writing mojo for a little bit.  Rather do it well, than do the effort a disservice.  ~NV)

When you fear you may lose something, you invariably work harder to hold on to it – especially if it is something worth keeping.

Or better yet, experiencing.

Heading into this year’s Boston Marathon – and why it is so important to her, five years ago Michelle McGill had almost made her mind up not to another 26.2-mile race.

“I think what brings me back to this race is 2013 – “the bombing year” - being my first Boston,” she said.  “As I thought it would have been my last marathon, it makes me work harder to get there every year.”

The group’s co-leader with 32 marathon finishes heading into the race, it was marathon #28 – the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, New York – that gave her the golden entry ticket.

“I loved the course.  It was beautiful,” Michelle said.  “It was the first race of the season and the first one coming back from an injury.

“I was so happy to run pain free.”

Just about a mile from the finish at Wineglass; making it look easier than most!
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Which is her goal every time she puts her shoes on to run 26.2 miles, including her fourth Boston Marathon.

“It is to try and enjoy – as much as you can in a marathon it, run pain free and feel good at the end,” she noted.

At Wineglass, Michelle came away with a 3:50:01 reward for her effort.

Pretty good when you consider that she chose it “because a big group of friends were doing it.”

And this year’s Boston will be no different.

“I look forward to sharing this experience with my friends and being there to cheer on the first timers,” she exclaimed.  “I’m so excited for them.”

Her advice for them – which she got from her coach, Volte founder Bill Dwyer - is to “enjoy every second as you did the work and now is the time to celebrate.”

Dwyer celebrates what McGill adds to Volte.

“Michelle is the heart of our group,” he said.  “She's steady in training and in her approach to running races.

“Her "bad day" is just a hand full of minutes off of what a good day would be; so she pretty much always has a good day.”

Michelle's way of affirming that she had a "good day" at Wineglass.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Other than a few minor aches, McGill admits that training has gone well that she appreciates “all (of my) running friends and family (who) have helped” to get ready.

While she’s not certain what the remainder of 2018 holds from a running perspective as she continues to work on a race schedule, one thing she did say that she was looking forward to:  “A bit of rest!”

53 Voltes Notch A Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon or ABB 5K Race Finish

The Chevron Houston Marathon and its two companion races – the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and the ABB 5K – are some of the most heavily participated in by Volte runners each year.

And 2018 was no exception.

Volte had 53 runners – including two overachievers, Mike Kuykendall and Leanne Rosser, who both ran the 5K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday – cross a unified finish line.

A half-dozen racers got things started on Saturday, January 13 in the ABB 5K.

Illustrating that it is not always about how fast you can go; Amanda Cruise paced her husband Jeff for most of the race and then joined Leanne Rosser down the stretch to aid her to a 24:44 finish.

Amanda’s time was 24:25 while Jeff stopped the clock in 28:31.

Mike enjoyed the morning with a time of 31:55 while Jimmy Baker paced Christine Falzon to a 36:26 finish.

In the marquee race, 29 Volte racers pinned a bib on and included eight PR’s, three debuts and two Boston Qualifiers.

Judith Albarran led us alphabetically with a 4:19:31 finish, which took 14 minutes and 22 seconds off of her previous best marathon finish of 4:33:53 at last September’s Tunnel Light Marathon.

Her debut marathon a stone’s throw from a Boston Qualifier, Keri Amador literally got some last-minute help from Volte’s first homegrown Ironman, Landa Wright.

Another day and Keri Amador will secure her Boston Qualifier.  So close!
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

“I gave it my all out there and couldn't have asked for a better first marathon,” Amador said of her 3:40:18 finish.  “I went into the race calm and cool – well, except for about one minute before the start when my watch failed.

“Without hesitation Landa pulled off her watch and gave it to me. She had her own race to run and her own PR to chase, but literally didn't even give me a chance to refuse, just took it off and gave it to me.

“Because of her, I was not totally blind to my paces, and could ensure I didn't go out too fast.”

We’re certain that there’ll be more days for Keri to pick up the pace even more.

Larry Batton was also quick to credit some Volte race day assistance in helping him slay the “one tough hombre” that was the Houston Marathon.

“A special thanks to Wil Cole for helping to motivate me the last few miles,” Larry said.  “My coach Mary Carter was also out there at mile 22.  Just two of all the wonderful people in Volte who push me and make it all a joy.”

He added that while the 3:55:52 wasn’t “the time I wanted” he added that he was happy to break four hours.

“(I) think the lingering impact of a flu, poor sleep, cold weather, and a shoe that was tied too tight -which irritated the nerve and tossed off my stride - all had a contributing impact,” he added.

Mike "Sunshine" Csikos gives a two Gig 'Em affirmation that all is well with his CHM effort.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Faith Craig and Mike Csikos crossed the finish line in 4:40:25 and 3:26:04, respectively.

Our second debut marathoner was Megan Eastin.

Megan following Mike's Gig 'Em lead, but that's only natural for the Aggie grad finishing her first marathon.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

“For the longest time I have wanted to run a marathon, but it has always been one of those ‘one day’ ‘bucket list’ type goals,” said the recent Texas A&M graduate.  “After hundreds of training miles, many early Saturday mornings, and much preparation, I finally accomplished that goal in a slow and steady 4:50.37. This is an indescribable amazing feeling, and I feel truly blessed for the ability to run.”

Laura Godfrey was ecstatic over her 3:37:59, which bettered her initial Tunnel Light Marathon effort in September 2016 by a minute and 36 seconds.

Laura Godfrey made Houston her best marathon effort ever and will head back to Boston yet another time next March.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

“PR and a 2019 Boston Qualifying Time!” she exclaimed.  “Thanks to my amazing coach Bill Dwyer and a special thanks to my running bestie Sandra Tezino for a great training cycle.”

A year ago, Randy Harris, by virtue of finishing under four hours (3:54:23) was in the pool to be selected for the Chevron Houston Marathon’s giveaway of a free trip to one male and one female runner to the 2017 Athens Classic Marathon in Greece.

This January, Randy was two minutes and 39 seconds shy of lightning possibly striking twice by completing his fifth consecutive Houston Marathon in 4:02:39.

Writing about the Hanyzewskis is always fun.

We always envision Laura and Brian battling out each race against each other till death do they part.

Last year, Laura ran with Brian every step of the way for his 5:26:54 marathon debut.

Brian Hanyzewski puts the hammer down on a 50-minute PR with his 4:36:21 finish.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

And while Laura covered the distance four minutes faster than Brian did this year, he dropped more than 50 minutes off last year’s time with a showing of 4:36:21.

How does it happen that two people next to each other alphabetically – Yaya Herrera and Todd Hunter – both had to recover from the flu to make it to the starting line?

Todd completed the course in 3:55:26 while Yaya did in 3:59:32.

Each time out, Monse Louimeus keeps chipping away at her marathon time – with a little help from her friends.

“The Houston Marathon is a beast, but we did it,” she said alluding the to total teamwork of her Volte teammates, coach and family.  “A special thanks to my family for being so supportive and keeping up with the cold weather this morning.

“It really made a difference seeing each of you and it really helped me push through the pain with a smile.”

Of course, a smile that has seen Monse go from a .8-mile shortened time of 4:29:20 at last March’s The Woodlands Marathon to 4:23:25 at the Tunnel Light Marathon this past September to a nice even 4:09.

Michelle McGill led our three pack of M&M’s – including Mack Miller and Monica Moreno – with her 12th consecutive Chevron Houston Marathon finish.

She finished in 3:52:03 – her seventh sub-4 at Houston in the last eight years.

Mack and Monica came in at 4:42:02 and 5:33:35, respectively.

In baseball, they call it a walk-off home run.

Greg Nettleton may be calling the marathon a done deal with a walk-off PR perhaps?

“Marathon two is in the books with a respectable 4:05:29.  Room for improvement, but I score it as a win,” he said after bettering his 4:50:02 marathon debut last year at the Chicago Marathon.  “That makes it Marathon 1 - Greg 1.”

“Not sure if there will be a rubber match,” he added.  “To be honest I love the journey - my running group Volte Endurance Training -is awesome, but not too fond of the race.”

Jerritt Park and Tim Russell both completed their second Houston Marathon in respective times of 4:15:16 and 4:20:33.

Brian Schultz notched his best time of five straight Houston Marathon finishes with a 3:53:12 showing.

Andrew Smith finished his first Houston in 4:38:40 while Jen Smith returned from England to complete her fifth Houston in the last six years in 4:04:34.  (Jen had also complete Aramco Houston half marathons in 2011 and 2012.)

The only “Juliee” ever to post a finish at Houston – in either the half or the marathon – had the curve of food poisoning thrown at her, Juliee Sparks finished her third Houston Marathon in five years in 4:23:38.

Amber Speers, who shares the same hometown (Groves) as Sparks, stopped the clock in her fourth Houston Marathon (and 11th overall) in 4:40:04.

Saying it wasn’t her best time, Sandra Tezino still could have used her Houston effort to qualify – and be able to sign up too – for the Boston Marathon if she hadn’t already off her Tunnel Light performance.

“It wasn’t the time I desired but it was the race I ran,” she said of her 3:50:01 time.  “Sometimes finishing has to be enough for me … and it was today.”

Four marathoners left – three PR’s and a debut.

Richard Tong beat last year’s Houston Marathon time by just more than 20 minutes as he punched out a 4:14:32 finish, bettering his 4:34:55 showing from 2017.

Jill Tresaugue made her fourth career Houston Marathon finish her best marathon time ever as she crossed in 3:51:44.  It is her third straight sub-4 at Houston.

She and her husband Matthew have combined 10 marathon and six half marathon finishes since 2007.

For the most of her father’s nine Houston Marathon finishes, Waverly Walk would run him in the last one to three miles – just depending on the year.

And Dad ran along with her every step in 2006 when she completed her first half marathon at Houston in 2:54:06 as a 10-year-old.

A smile and an effort even Sparky - #goflames - would approve of as Waverly Walk challenged Dad's family PR in her marathon debut.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Now 22, with her four years at Liberty University behind her, she decided to make real a dream that she had by completing his first marathon in 4:51:23.

“It was tough, but God was so faithful to give me strength and place people perfectly throughout the course to give me the extra ounce of encouragement I needed in that moment,” she said.  “Two of those people were my Mom, who saw me along the course, and Dad, who ran part of the race with me.

“I couldn't have asked for a better coach, Bill Dwyer, to train me and running partner, Megan Eastin, to complete the long runs with. Thank you to every person who encouraged me and prayed for me on race day and throughout the training process.”

The final PR of the group came from Gabby Westbrook.

And like Waverly, she echoed the hard work.

“The marathon is a beast,” she said.  “Bill Dwyer reminds us to respect the marathon for what it is.

“So many miles are spent on the road training, many hours running, but the best part is building relationships at crazy early hours in the morning.”

Those crazy hours almost turned into an 11 a.m. celebration at the finish line.

“I tried to beat sub 4, but came one minute over at 4:01,” she exclaimed of her official 4:01:44 time – 12 minutes better than last year’s 4:13:51 at Houston.  “(It was a) personal best for this momma and I am happy considering the foot cramps that came and went and those hills at the end.

“Thank you to my Coach who has faith in me, to Todd Hunter who helped me with my nutrition plan, and to my running peeps who make this journey fun and teach me so much.”

Our Volte friends finished this year’s Chevron Houston Marathon as follows: 

Chris Weir - 2:46:32, James Reed - 3:05:22, Tim Griepp - 3:09:25, Ronnie Delzer - 3:10:39, Sarah Tyler - 3:34:06, Brandi Herrera - 3:41:09, Tina Saims - 3:41:24, Juan Murillo - 3:43:27, Sabina Lorca - 3:47:27, Griselda Borrero - 3:49:16, Mandi Fowlkes - 3:51:22, Reggie Bruhn - 4:04:34, Susan Rouse - 4:25:31, Gary Kroll - 4:26:31, Allyssa Smith - 4:26:34, Tom Tomson - 4:40:25, Vincent Attanucci - 4:43:50, Hector Lopez - 5:21:29.

In the half marathon, our team of 20 had two debuts at the distance, five personal bests and a sixth sacrificed their race to help another break two hours for another PR.

Derek Bailey led the way in 1:25:38, bettering his best by a minute and 33 seconds from his Aramco Houston Half three years ago of 1:27:11.

Rip Reynolds followed with a 1:30:14 while our top two females were Kimberly Simmons and Landa Wright, who finished in 1:43:42 and 1:45:28, respectively.

Randy Smith completed his seventh consecutive Aramco Houston Half in 1:52:16.

Eight seconds.  Tammy Grado might call her running career as wild as an eight-second ride in that her debut Aramco Houston Half Marathon came in 2006 when she ran a 2:33:28.

Twelve years later, she shaved eight seconds off her previous 13.1 personal best – set at Aramco in 2016 – with a 1:52:39 effort.

Grado has now completed the half marathon or marathon at Houston 11 of the last 13 years (six marathons and five halves).

Sally Buckelew finished her third consecutive race at Houston with a 1:53:08 half marathon – ten minutes and two seconds better than last year following a 4:15:28 marathon in 2016.

Pacing Volte friend Cristina Gray, Leanne Rosser helped her break two hours with a 1:59:37 time that was a 4-min, 28-second PR for Cristina.

Completing his fifth Aramco Houston Half in the last six years – and with a new best time to boot, Mike Kuykendall lowered his PR by three minutes and 42 seconds to 2:02:16, shedding the time from his effort two years ago.

Lauren Hoffart ran her first Aramco Half ever in 2:08:37 while Tiffanie Haidar completed her first half marathon ever in 2:11:49.

Paul Vita completed his third straight Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2:19:58, extending his streak of half or marathon finishes at Houston to eight (five marathons from 2011-2015 and half marathons the last three years.)

One finish shy of 20 between the marathon and the half, coach Rich Cooper made it a 2:24:25 finish for his eighth half marathon to going along with 11 Chevron Houston Marathon finishes.

Marta Mixa and Naika Vargas ran their second and fourth consecutive Aramco Houston Half Marathons in 2:28:49 and 2:30:25, respectively.

Posting a 14-minute, 22-second PR from her The Woodlands Half Marathon time two years ago, Julie Spain used a 2:31:09 for her second straight Aramco Houston Half finish.

Nilay Dinc debuted at the half marathon distance in 2:32:57, while Jeanine Price’s 2:44:22 was a minute and 19 seconds better than last year’s Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.

Lisa Johnson’s first Aramco Houston Half Marathon was executed in 3:10:44 as Alfredo Gonzalez finished his fifth straight Aramco Houston Half – and seventh since 2009 – with a time of 3:20:23.

Our Volte friends did it this way in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon: 

Kate Looney - 1:27:04, Tiffanie Hauerwas - 1:32:41, Rob Rodriguez - 1:38:52, Sonia Dhodapkar - 1:44:52, Pam Owens - 1:54:25, Kim Hamilton - 1:56:47, Dan Jordan - 2:07:49, Jamie Kuder - 2:15:43, Fran Blanton - 2:28:10, Barry Blanton - 2:32:47

Volte's January Efforts Still Noteworthy In May

Writing well sometimes takes a little longer as well as gathering all of the right material that goes into it.

So, yes, that’s our excuse for writing in May about January.

Pulling out Volte’s efforts at the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Aramco Houston Half Marathon and the ABB 5K, we still opened the first month of 2018 with some stellar efforts.

There’s really no other way to kickoff the New Year than to run one of Steve and Paula Boone’s races at the Metal Sawing Technology Texas Marathon in Kingwood on New Year’s Day.

Our own Waverly Walk for years – since middle school – has sung the National Anthem right before the race, except for this year when participants agreed upon a group sing as our soon-to-be debut marathoner was visiting friends from college in Virginia.

Dana Formon navigated the equidistant four-loop course on Kingwood’s Greenbelt Trails to drop her marathon personal best by more than six minutes with a time of 4:52:06.

Dana Formon can fry eggs on that medal this summer in Texas' heat after finishing the Texas Marathon on New Year's Day
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

She had previously run 4:58:12 a bit more than two years before at the 2015 Honolulu Marathon.

Volte friend Erika Park finished the marathon in 3:37:18 – a Boston qualifier, even with missing a turn on one of the loops – and the venerable Ken Johnson completed his 1,001st race, his 95th half marathon and had run on his 2,997th consecutive day of running with his time of 3:21:14.

You think that’s something?

Cassandra Roschen and her father, Len, completed Disney’s Dopey Challenge between Thursday, January 4 and Sunday, January 7 when they ran a 5K on Thursday, 10K on Friday, a half marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday.

If you call Cassandra and her father, Len (pictured left), a little Dopey, they won't be offended at all after completing four races in four days at Walt Disney World.
(Photo courtesy of Cassandra Roschen)

And for Saturday’s half, they even got some additional family members involved.

The father-daughter team’s times were as follows:

Thursday, January 4 (5K) – Cassandra 53:31, Len 53:29
Friday, January 5 (10K) – Cassandra 1:50:13, Len 1:50:11
Saturday, January 6 (Half) – Cassandra 3:28:47, Len 3:28:49
Sunday, January 7 (Marathon) – Cassandra and Len, 5:48:50

She took more than an hour off of her previous marathon best from 2013 of 6:49:25, which was also at the Walt Disney World Marathon in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Cassandra’s mom, Jana, joined them for the 10K on Friday with a time of 1:58:13 and the half marathon on Saturday in 3:28:47.

Nephew Payton LaSota finished the half in 2:50:47 while her niece Alexis Alsesen covered the distance in 3:11:28.

Closer to home at The Woodlands Running Club Sunday Night 5K on Sunday, January 7, Brayden Park outlegged his father, Jerritt, by five seconds to lead all Volte runners with a time of 24:54.

Layton Gill posted a time of 26:32 while Katie Gill and Amanda Becker ran together, recording a 36:35 effort.

Layton Gill will a bit of Cajun swagger at the TWRC Sunday Night 5K finish line.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Volte friends who competed included Curtis Barton (26:07), Leah Koester (27:59), Vincent Attanucci (28:21) and Ken Johnson (41:07).

Just a couple of streakers -- running streakers, that is - in Ken Johnson and Vincent Attanucci.  Vincent's race at the TWRC Sunday Night 5K was wrapping up year 15 of running at least a mile every day.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Vincent was celebrating his 15th year of running at least a mile every single day.

One week after the Chevron Houston Marathon, Juan Flores and David Campbell took on the Downhill to Downtown 3M Half Marathon on Sunday, January 21.

One of Volte’s bad hombres – running hombres, that is -- led us with a time of 1:34:34, while David followed in a great time of 1:40:26.

Volte fanned out across Texas the following weekend.

Lauren Hoffart participated in the Lone Star Cystic Fibrosis Tower Climb in San Antonio on Saturday, January 27.

She was third in her age group in 18:32, which included a one-mile run of 7:31 and then running up 952 steps of the Tower of the Americas in 11:01.

The climbing was even more real within the confines of Tyler State Park, just north of Tyler.

That’s where a few Voltes and some friends took on the inaugural Running The Rose trail races.

The always tough Mayra Caamano led the way as the second overall female in the 33-mile sufferfest with a time of 6:17:02.

Our ultra-loving Bonnie Scholz had signed up for double the pleasure – yes, the 66-mile race.  She called it a day after 33 miles in an unofficial time of 7:37:26.

Yes Sir, that's Bill Dwyer's own medal for finishing the 7K at Running The Rose as he's joined by Bonnie Scholz (left) and Mayra Caamano (right).
(Photo courtesy of Random Athletic Supporter)

Pinning a bib on for the first time since a Bush was in the White House, our founder Bill Dwyer did the 7K in 2:25:22.

“Well, that didn’t go very well,” he said.  “Except that it was a finish and I didn’t die.”

Volte friend Jon Walk went that distance in 1:05:36 while the Murillo boys got in a little Trail Racing Over Texas action as Luis covered the 11-mile race in 1:25:14 while Juan did the 66-miler in 17:16:05.

Further west at the first race of the 2018 Texas 10 Series in Boerne on Sunday, January 28, Mike Csikos won his age group with a time of 1:11:01.  Jerritt Park was not far behind in 1:15:07.

Volte friend Ken Johnson finished in 2:20:42.

In the five-miler, Leanne Rosser dropped to the five-miler while running the 10 for an unofficial finishing time of 42:10.

Volte friends Dianna and Ray Sarno of Huntsville posted times of 1:05:02 and 1:05:04, respectively.

Brayden Park won the 5K race in 28:20 then later participated in the Lil’ Texas Kids’ 1-mile.

In downtown Houston, with Volte friend Jon Walk on the microphone, we had runners in the inaugural Hot Chocolate 15K and 5K.

Amanda Williams, Michelle McGill and Tammy Grado crossed the 15K finish line together in 1:30:46, 1:30:47 and 1:30:55, respectively.  Llana Bingham also did so in 1:41:29.

Volte friends Allison Urvan and Pam Owens completed the single loop course in 1:04:00 and 1:19:23, respectively.

In the 5K, Nilay Dinc and Cassidy Grado recorded times of 31:04 and 38:29, respectively, while Volte friends Barry and Fran Blanton stopped the clock in 33:04 and 34:34.

And we wrapped up January in a big way as Shelby Williams was the second overall female of the USA Fit Marathon in Sugar Land on Sunday, February 28.

She won her age group as well with an easy Boston qualifying time of 3:21:50.

Our own Erica Coleman was a former winner of the race in 2014 with a time of 3:24:52.

Volte friend Kim Mac Namee was the women’s top masters in the 5K with a showing of 21:01.

Volte's 2018 Road to Boston: Kristi Chen

For many runners, regardless if they ever qualify for the race themselves, the Boston Marathon is a Big.  Deal.

And even though she qualified for and ran the race two years ago, Kristi Chen has things in perspective – only worrying about the right “small stuff”.

Her training for this year’s race?

“It isn’t going bad, but I’ve not trained as fully as I would have liked,” she said.  “A newly adopted child has made it challenging to fit everything in.”

But all of that doesn’t surprise Volte founder Bill Dwyer.

“Kristi has the biggest heart for others,” he said, echoing the lives of many others in his Volte Endurance Training group.

And Chen said that she was “grateful I stumbled upon Volte when I moved here” to The Woodlands.

Boston will be her ninth marathon.

In the final miles of the Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon is Kristi Chen
(Photo courtesy of Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon)

Yet her qualifying race, the Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon just outside of Las Vegas, delivered one of her biggest surprises ever.

“I didn’t expect to do well,” Chen said.  “Friends were going and I didn’t want to miss the fun.”

And fun won.

“It was the most relaxed I’ve ever been for any distance race,” she said.  “I learned so much about leaving expectations and self-criticism behind.”

When asked what her time was, she said, “I had a PR of 3:46 something.”

Yep, don’t sweat the small stuff.

It was a sterling 3:46:14 – well under the four hours that she needed.

She had previously qualified for her first trip to the Boston Marathon three years ago at the Louisiana Marathon in January 2015 with a time of 3:47:21.

Kristi Chen digging deep in the finisher's chute at the Revel Mt. Charleston Marathon.
(Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer)

Chen said this year’s Boston Marathon is about enjoying the journey with great friends.

“I have the best training partners.  I really couldn’t do this without them,” she said.  “I’m so grateful for the support and friendship of them.”

And she said that it will also be a bit bittersweet too.

“It’s kind of a last hoorah for me, Tammy (Grado), Michelle (McGill), and Erica (Coleman) before Erica’s big move to Colorado,” Chen added.

But it’s her family that sets the table of support.

“I’m so thankful (that) my husband always makes himself free if at all possible to watch the three boys so I can run.  He believes in me when I don’t.”

Yet Chen, having learned from her run down the mountain, advises any first-time qualifiers to “leave (behind) all your doubts and worries about the race.”

“Take it all in.  This is Boston and it is beyond amazing,” she gushed.  “There is just nothing like it.  The energy in that city is like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

“Then, of course, the opportunity to be there with great friends.”

Nothing major, though, is on the horizon running-wise the remainder of 2018.

And that’s perfectly OK with Chen.

“I’m looking forward to running just because I love it – and to eat more French fries.”