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Coastside Running Club

Friendly runners getting together from Half Moon Bay, CA to Pacifica, CA.

Welcome

Welcome to the Coastside Running Club! Our members live mostly in the beautiful coastal communities south of San Francisco, from Pacifica to Half Moon Bay.

Crystal Springs Watershed Run 2009.

Weekly Run

Please join us every Saturday morning at 8am at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (map, info) in Moss Beach, CA. From Highway 1, take California Ave. west for a few blocks until it ends and park in the parking lot on your right.

This is a fun social run, to stay in shape and talk about upcoming races, training, life, etc. Our usual route is to head south through the forest, through the Moss Beach Distillery, and along the bluffs to Pillar Point Harbor (near Mavericks waves) and then back. We take 50 minutes to an hour to complete the 5 miles.

No fees, no dues, just bring a smile and your running shoes!

Upcoming Events

Half Moon Bay International Marathon - September 25, 2011. Our running club is playing a major role in putting on this inaugural coastal marathon. Official site.

Thank-you note from Sammy Hamilton

Sammy was one of the two recipients of a scholarship award and this was her wonderful thank-you note:

To all members of the Coastside Running Club,

   First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the tardiness of this note. Notwithstanding, your generous scholarship toward my higher education has never once gone unappreciated. That said, I would FINALLY like to express my gratitude and thanks as a collegiate student-athlete by addressing a question.

In the spirit of the Talking Heads, “You may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?”

   Before setting foot on Cunha’s dirt track in my brand new New Balance running shoes from Kids“R”Us, I had no idea what it meant to be a runner. Running meant chasing down forwards and being first to the ball on the soccer field. Running meant fast breaks and steals on the basketball court. Running also meant a ten-minute loop in P.E. However, before it became about achieving a school record or beating the boys, I would walk when Ms. Fulp wasn’t looking. Yes, I remember doing so in fifth grade at El Granada Elementary. If my memory serves me correctly, this only occurred once or twice, yet it is something I have never chosen to acknowledge in my nascent years as a runner.
   In sixth grade, I joined the cross country and track teams with the naivety of a child. Although my potential was not clearly realized, my drive to succeed would emerge in the form of maturation as a runner and student. I enjoy reminiscing in my running log from an eleven-year-old’s point of view: an intensely detailed account of the weather, terrain, diet, thoughts, and how I felt on that day. On race days, my friends would decree my state of being as “Sammyland”; I would not speak to anyone in nervous mental preparation for the race that afternoon. It became a matter of serious, yet unfair proportions, and I would be a nervous, panicky wreck until the starting gun would finally sound.
   High school running required a more realistic approach. I pushed myself to transcend levels of physical, mental, and emotional stress that I had never breached before in order to feel confident performing at higher levels of competition. It was difficult for me to grasp that bad days were necessary to appreciate and illuminate the good ones. With the right attitude, the preparation would meet the outcome, the ultimate goal of personal satisfaction, be it in the form of a personal best, beating a hard-fought competitor, contributing points to a team title, winning a race, or just feeling at peace with yourself, as a runner, and more importantly, as a whole.
   There are several people that have contributed to who I have become, and why I am now waking up at 6am for tempo runs before dawn breaks in beautiful Las Cruces, New Mexico. My grandfather, a former marathon runner, helped me to solidify my breathing techniques, ultimately instilling knowledge in me at an early age. My parents would guide my questioning confidence before races to transcend over any doubt in myself. My competitors have taught me lessons in attitude, dignity, and grace. Lastly, I would cease to be where I am today without my coach, my mentor, my teacher, and very close friend Paul Farnsworth, and my second-family and best of friends that is the Half Moon Bay High School Cross Country team.
   Running means a social get-together with your friends and family. Running means opening your stride and looking down at your watch, only to smile at the end and know you’ve met an accomplishment, any accomplishment. Running means being free when you’re stressed, hopping over barricades in near-hurdle form, and stopping however long to collect sea glass. Running means getting out of bed when you’re having a bad day, yet feeling one hundred percent better when you return home, having fought against yourself and won. Running is personal, yet shared; it is embedded in the core and genetic code of our very being. Running is a lifestyle, and I am so very thankful to have shared few, yet very noteworthy experiences with you, including the Crystal Springs Watershed Run, a night run to Mavericks, and volunteering at the Miwok 100k Trail Race.
   Again, I offer my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the support and generosity. Thank you, and I wish you the best of luck in upcoming training runs and races!

Sincerely,

Sammy

Thank-you note from Skyler Ferry

Skyler was one of the two recipients of a scholarship award and this was his wonderful thank-you note:

Dear Coastside Running Club,

I can't even begin to describe how much I appreciate the scholarship that you have so generously bestowed on me. I started running in 7th grade, when I joined the Cunha track team under the coaching of Mr. Farnzworth (Farnz), Mr. Clemente, and Ms. O'Connor. Back then I was thrilled when I finally broke the 7 minute barrier in the mile so I could finally be inducted into the "Sub-7 club." This past year I experienced something quite similar. I never thought I would be able to crack the 5 minute barrier, but when that moment finally happened at the Avis Kelly Invitational in Gilroy, I had reached a new level of joy and pride. I remember giving Farnz a huge hug after I crossed the line (who was probably reluctant since I was sweating buckets). I know I'm not the fastest, most talented runner, but my commitment to the sport has boosted my self esteem and physical health, while also presenting myself as a role model to the younger runners beneath me.

When I was chosen as a team captain for my senior year of cross country, I knew it was time to prove to myself that all the hard work I've done had paid off. I set a personal record on every course I ran that year. One of the biggest highlights was at Toro Park in Salinas where I ran the course 4 minutes and 11 seconds faster than I had the year before.

Running has also introduced me to some of the greatest people I've ever met. Without track, I wouldn't be best friends with Sammy Hamilton, the other recipient of this award. There are countless other friends I've made and will cheer on whenever I return from UCLA. Even though I don't have the talent that the coaches are looking for, my commitment to the sport and hobby of running will stay with me in college and hopefully prevent me from gaining the infamous "freshman 15".

I've already looked up on the UCLA sports site to find that they have a club running and club triathlon team, both of which I'm very interested in. Right now, my major at UCLA is undeclared engineering, but I feel like I could go in many different directions. Just like a good run, there are many different paths to take, and it's the one where you work the hardest to triumph the windy turns and switchbacks on overwhelming hills that fills you with pride and excitement for even harder trails when you finish.

Thank you so much again for this scholarship, I don't think I can express how much it honors me to be given money put toward my dream school for doing something that I love to do!

Thank you, and see you on the trails!

Skyler Ferry

Scholarship Awards Night

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Coastside Running Club handed out two $1300 scholarships to graduating seniors from Half Moon Bay High School who were on the cross-country team. This year's recipients were Sammy Hamilton and Skyler Ferry. Congratulations, you two!

Pillar Point Half Marathon and 10K

November 22, 2009

Congratulations to all of the club members who participated in the 6th annual Pillar Point Half Marathon and 10K, hosted by and benefiting the Coastside Child Development Center.

Our club pretty much swept the event this year. Amazing! In the half-marathon, Robin Martin was first place female. David Lara, Thomas Setser, Ron Little, and Franz Dill were 1st through 4th males. In the 10K, Jose Montoya was 1st place male and Mor Hirsh was 3rd. Lauren Schechtman was 3rd place female.

We also had, in the half marathon: David Buckley, Jenna Gilman.

And in the 10K: Margaret Branick.

HMB Review article can be found here.

Western States 100 Volunteering

June 27, 2009

Club members George Miller and Franz Dill spent the day helping the runners at an aid station of this arduous and famous ultramarathon, the Western States 100 mile race.

Franz Dill writes:

You don't need to be anything resembling a runner to appreciate the purity of emotion at Western States (or any other challenging race). Runner's beaten down by 100+ temps, steep mountain ascents and descents, and 62 miles of trail emerge with their emotions on their sleeves for the world to see -- a remarkable display of human essence. At Foresthill I saw:

A runner's entire being lift with excitement when he saw his 6 year old daughter
A crew member cry (seemingly for the reserved runner) when the reality set in that their day was over
A runner on the verge of berating Gordy Ainsleigh (race founder), professing that the next 38 miles would be run in his honor (Gordy just smiled)
A British runner proclaiming his intent to go directly to Denny's diner after the race (you know, to complete the "American" experience)
3/4 of a bottle of Newcastle ale knocking a Canadian runner out for a good hour :-P
An entire community rally around the WS runners, always with huge smiles
A doctor that flew in from Pittsburg, PA to donate his time to the race
The mere mention of chicken broth with no noodles bringing simultaneous smiles to two runners turned patients

The list truly goes on and on.

Huge barriers are broken down at these events while runners walk the fine line between success and survival. It's sooo inspirational to see.

Scholarship Awards Night

May 28, 2009

Congratulations to Bryce Williamson and Luke Arella, graduates and cross-country runners of Half Moon Bay High School and recipients of the club's first annual scholarship awards of $650 each. Plus goody bags!

Our club was represented on stage by George Miller, Eric Vaughan and Ron Little. Photo courtesy of club member Margaret Branick.

Scholarship Fundraiser

December 13, 2008

CRC members...

I have submitted paperwork to the Half Moon Bay High School (HMBHS) to offer a scholarship to a senior boy and girl cross country runner. Here's some information:

* The HMBHS Scholarship Committee and the cross country coach will be in charge of awarding the scholarship to a senior going to college or trade school: in financial need, who might not be eligible for other scholarships, has good academic standing at HMBHS, ran on the cross country team this year, and has a record of good citizenship.

* Candidates will provide the CRC with a short essay on "What running means to me" for review.

* Girls are equally eligible for the scholarship, however, there are currently only 3 seniors on the team and they are all boys. If the collection is large enough, it may be split between two runners.

* HMBHS is not a 501c3 organization (non-profit/tax exempt). MY accountant told me that donations to a public school for this purpose would still be deductable but please check with YOUR accountant as well.

* If you would like to make a donation in someone else's name as a gift, please let me know that person's name and address and I will take it upon myself to send a card from the CRC acknowledging your gift.

* Donation checks should be made out to: "HMBHS Scholarship Committee" with a memo in the lower left saying, "Coastside Running Club." I will collect and hold the checks and turn them all in to the HS in March.

* We are currently working on getting a "thermometer" on our web page to show the amount of donations that have come in.

* No donation is too small or large! If your company has a "matching donation" program, please let them know!

Thank you for your support and if you have any questions, please holler.

(~: George Miller

Charity Shoe Drive a Success

November 18, 2008

The CRC conducted a used shoedrive from September 2008 through November 2008. During this time, over 1500 pair of shoes were donated and delivered to the Sujaro Direct Action Project (http://www.sujaro.com/antipoverty.shtml). They are being sent to the country of Burkina Faso (used to be Upper Volta) in northwest Africa and will be distributed throughout 20 different villages.

Headlands 50 Mile

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Congratulations to the four of us Coastside Running Club members who successfully completed the Headlands 50 Mile race! The results are in:
http://www.pctrailruns.com/Headlands_Hundred.htm

Eric -- 9 hours 16 minutes
Ron -- 9 hours 47 minutes
Franz -- 10 hours 37 minutes
Mike -- 13 hours 13 minutes

This was the first 50 miler for Ron, Franz, and Mike.

Eric and Franz had terrific execution, staying hydrated and finishing strong. Eric had an especially fast time, taking an hour and 21 minutes off of his 10:37 in the same race last year. Ron had hydration and electrolyte problems and had a difficult time towards the end, but finished happy and uninjured. Mike stuck to his planned slow run/walk and finished strong and healthy.

Miwok 100K Aid Station

Saturday, May 3, 2008

The Coastside Running Club becomes the first official club sponsor of an aid station at the prestigious Miwok 100K trail race (62.4 miles). What a beautiful day it was and very inspiring to see the runners coming through twice, once at mile 28.4 and again at mile 42.8, here at the Bolinas Ridge Aid Station.

Thank you, Eric (aid station captain), Denise, Tamara, Ron, Franz, Dave, Michelle, and various friends, for putting in a long day and lots of smiles.

Congratulations to our friend, Prudence L'Heureux of Bend, Oregon, on her incredible performance of 9 hours 47 minutes, and finishing 3rd place female. Ron was her pacer for roughly 12 of her last miles.

California International Marathon

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Four of us enter and complete the California International Marathon in Sacramento -- Ben, Eric, Ron, and Janine. Eric achieves his goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon! Ron achieves his goal of running a marathon in faster than 3 hours and will also be going to Boston in April.

Nighttime Run

Thursday, September 27, 2007

This event was a real hit -- 17 runners! We're going to start doing one or two of these nighttime runs a month.

Pillar Point Half Marathon

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Congratulations to everyone who ran either the half-marathon or 10K this morning. We need to give a huge thanks to George for creating the fliers, the picture montage, and for being there representing the Coastside Running Club. Oh, and thanks George for taking photos! Here's a nice group shot after the races.

Email List

We use Google Groups to manage our email list. Request to join our Google Group to participate in email discussions and to receive notices of upcoming races, group runs, get-togethers, etc. Enter your email into the form and you will receive an invitation in your inbox. Google Groups allows you to manage your subscription, like having a daily digest or to not receive emails or to remove yourself from the group.