Bridge to Bridge - RRCA 5K State Championship

After my previous weekend in Sarasota for the ITU Triathlon World Cup Sarasota-Bradenton, I would be lying if I didn't say I was worried about weather conditions - especially heat - for this event. The relative drop in temperatures on the morning of the run - breeze out of the southeast and strong cloud cover until the last finishers - gave race day participants (462 run and walk finishers) conditions conducive to a good run.

RD Adam Guess decided at the last possible moment to pull me in to hold one end of the finish tape for the overall male and female winners, Dewayne Riley (finish time of 16:25) and Virraliz Trinidad (finish time of 18:53).

RRCA State 5K Champions crowned at Bridge to Bridge included...
Masters' Female ----------------- Helen Cain ---------- 25:11

Master's Male -------------------- Steven Fair --------- 20:57

Grandmasters' Female ---------- Mindi Straw -------- 26:16

Grandmasters' Male ------------- Ron Renfroe ------- 23:35

Senior Grandmasters' Female -- Candace Gibson -- 26:41

Senior Grandmasters' Male ----- Mark Gibson ------ 25:53

Photos of the winners, finishers, pre- and post-race festivities can be found at http://stacybizjak.zenfolio.com/bridgetobridge2017



Southern Region Level II Coaching Certification Session, New Orleans

Space is available for the Southern Region RRCA Level II Coaching Certification In-Person Session in New Orleans, LA, Saturday August 19 from 8am to 5pm.

The cost of the session is $225. Any Level I Certified Coach in good standing may enroll in the Level II In-Person Session to further their understanding of Level I concepts; however, participants must complete all requirements to earn the title of RRCA Level II Certified Coach:

• 18 years of age or older, no less than a high school diploma
• Up-to-date CPR and First Aid Certifications
• 12 months as an RRCA Level I Coach
• Proof of coaching experience

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

More information can be obtained by contacting the RRCA Coaching Director at coaching@rrca.org.

From Our Sponsor: Level II Coaching Certification

RRCA has created an official tiered Coaching Certification program, adding on to the original (now officially designated) RRCA Level I Coaching Certification. The new curriculum enables RRCA Level I coaches to become officially designated as an RRCA Level II Certified Coach.

Level II will mark a sophisticated understanding of the scientific, psychological, competitive, and managerial aspects of community-based running and working with individual clients. This program is open to RRCA Certified Coaches, and anyone seeking to enhance their knowledge or reinforce concepts learned in Level I are encouraged to pursue the Level II program.

Minimum Prerequisites:
RRCA Certified Coach Level I (includes up-to-date CPR/First Aid certification)
18 years of age or older with no less than a high school diploma
12 months as a Level I RRCA Certified Coach.
     Coaches can start taking Level II modules but won't be fully certified until 12 full months
     following their Level I certification date
Proof of coaching experience - provide a 150-word essay outlining experience and/or URL of coaching business, etc.

Program Methodology:
The Level II course will be delivered in a combination of two formats: online self-study modules with online assessments and an in-person classroom requirement.

Go to RRCA.org for detailed descriptions of the program requirements, associated costs, and more.

RRCA Level I Coaching Course, November 4-5

Since 1998, the RRCA Coaching Certification ​Program ​has provided a baseline of education for individuals seeking to become an RRCA Certified Coach. The goal of the program is to create a national community of knowledgeable and ethical distance running coaches to work with runners at all​ ages and abilities.

RRCA Certified Coaches:

- Volunteer with their local running clubs, coach clients one-on-one, and coach training programs for groups of runners working towards a common goal such, as completing a 5k, half marathon, or marathon.

- Work with runners and emphasize the use of intelligent training plans that are based on a scientific body of knowledge and designed to help a runner achieve their goals, while minimizing the risks of injuries.

The RRCA Coaching Certification Level I Course is an in-person ​course designed to accomplish​ our ​goal of educating coaches so they may direct training programs for their RRCA member running clubs.

The course meets the criteria for 16.0 credit hours of American College of Sports Medicine Continuing Education Credit, or 1.4 CEU of American Council on Exercise Continuing Education Credit.

Registration for the course, which will be held in Orange Park (near Jacksonville), can be completed through RunSignUp.com.

More information about RRCA Coaching Certification can be found on the RRCA website, or by contacting coachingdir@rrca.org.

How Much Do You Know About The RRCA?

RRCA 101 Pre-Test - How Much Do You Really Know About RRCA?

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the single most-correct answer to these eight questions about RRCA's mission, vision, goals & programming.

1. The RRCA is NOT:

a. an educational & programming resource.
b. a national organization of running clubs, events, & individuals.
c. dedicated to develop & grow running, events, & recreational runners.
d. strictly an insurance provider.

2. Persons with a passion for running & want to help individuals achieve personal fitness & athletic goals can become an RRCA-certified coach after they complete a two-day certification seminar, CPR & first-aid training.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

3. RRCA meets with member club reps, state reps & directors; hosting seminars to grow & strengthen individual club operations, improve event quality & motivate club volunteers. This year’s national convention is being held in:

a. Lake Geneva, WI
b. Lakeland, FL
c. Lake Tahoe, NV
d. Lakewood, CO

4. Which of these are NOT included in RRCA’s General Running Safety Tips?

a. Always stay alert & aware of what is going on around you.
b. Don’t wear headphones.
c. Look both ways before crossing.
d. Run the same course on a consistent basis.

5. Donations to RRCA for Kids Run The Nation, Road Scholars, & the State Representative Fund are tax deductible.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

6. Clubs can recognize volunteer workers with an RRCA National Volunteer Award when they accrue this number of service hours:

a. 1,500
b. 2,000
c. 2,500
d. 3,000

7. RRCA designates state, regional & national championship races to help clubs:

a. attract event sponsors.
b. improve civic/media support for the event.
c. recruit top-performing runners to participate in the event.
d. All of the above.

8. RRCA State Representatives are compensated for their services.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

I'll post the answers after March 2nd...unless you e-mail me with your answers first.

Why Be A Member Of A RRCA Club?

Local bulletin boards are lots of fun to read. Sometimes the letters are a teachable moment:

Having re-joined the local RRCA club after several years away from running due to health issues, I was looking forward to the newsletter. All the information for up-coming events and also information concerning other races (brochures) in the area was one of the big reasons for me re-joining the club. And now I have been a member for a couple of months and nothing. What is going on? What are the dues for? I have tried to get information from the website and it does not seem to be updated all that often. And when I sent emails to the race director listed for a race on a couple of occasions I never received any response. So I am wondering why I should be a member of the member club? - Chris

Chris - welcome back into the "running family." When you filled out your membership information, I'm certain you provided e-mail contact information. The club you mention has sent out the newsletter electronically for a few years, with the exception of a few members who do not use e-mail or have limited internet access.

In the past few months I've seen a few changes in key personnel, fresh perspectives, and a release of opportunity to willing active members. It's a time of challenge, but I have no doubt the new key personnel will excel. The newsletter staff has changed also, which might explain your non-receipt. An e-mail to the newsletter staff, with a courtesy copy to the club president should fix that issue.

Your dues help the local club to pay their membership in the Road Runners Club of America, as well as affordable event liability insurance RRCA provides to member clubs. The dues also support the operational (race cost!) expenses of local club, maintain or procure equipment, and pay for advertising/web presence.

The dues let RRCA give the local club:

- Access to RRCA FOOTNOTES magazine (pdf form)
- Quarterly INSIDE TRACK best practices newsletter (sent to club leadership)
- Nonprofit (tax!) status through RRCA's exemption
- Free event posting on the RRCA Race Calendar
- Gatorade Sponsorship for RRCA Championship Races (10K and beyond, 400+ participants)
- Link to RRCA syndicated news
- Authorized use of RRCA logo on the club or event website
- Invitation to the RRCA Annual Convention (Lakeland, FL this year!)
- Voting privileges at the RRCA Annual Meeting (club leadership)
- Email updates of RRCA activities
- Host State, Regional, or National Championship races
- Access publications & resources for running, races, & clubs (RRCA's site)
- Discounted membership to nonprofit governance resource
- Women's Distance Festival events & sponsorships
- Affordable Coaching Certification Program (usually 1x/year in FL)
- Local, State and National Advocacy for road running
- Product discounts from corporate supporters (FuelBelt, Crocs, K-Swiss, etc.)

Chris, I post every bit of event information on my blog, www.north-florida-rrca.blogspot.com. If it's from a local RRCA club it gets on right away. If it's from a club or race provider here in the state it gets on as soon as I can put it up. RRCA's event calendar for FL is on the blog, too.

As part of the change in key personnel within your local club, I know the board are taking a more direct role in directing races. So, it's probably better to send your questions to the club president.

So, why should you be a member of your local club? Well, you can support the runnning community without being a member. You can get back into running without being a member. BUT, you don't have a leg to stand on; a right to voice your opinion about how events are produced, where your race entry fees (after expenses are paid) should go.

(Personally, I would like to see support for RRCA's national level programs: Kids Run The Nation, Road Scholars, Women's Distance Festival, State Representative Program, and so on.)

For example, should money YOU pay for races pay for the out-of-town bus trips/beer/munchies for 20 people? Should there be more short events? More long events? Should there be more beer? Less? Do you want to see more youth running programs? More women's running programs? Maybe groups to help new runners become life-long runners?

That's why people join clubs; to enhance their running life. I hope your local club’s programs will enhance yours. If it doesn't, then you need to speak to leadership with your specific concerns; or step up and help run a program to enhance the running life of this community.

Warmest regards - don't hesitate to contact me for more on RRCA's programming.