Friday, May 31, 2013

The HARRA Summer Celebration: An event not to be missed


A special invitation from HARRA President and BCRR member Joe Carey to attend the HARRA Summer Celebration:

On June 9th, the guest speaker at the HARRA celebration will be Brant Kotch, the Race Director and President of the Houston Marathon Committee.   

Brant is sure to touch on a lot of items of great interest to the running community, including status of the new course, his experience in Boston, impact of the Boston tragedy on major marathons, the future aspirations for the signature running event in Houston - it's size, the potential to get the Olympic Trials again, and more, and the positive impact the marathon has on the community.    You will have a chance to give feedback and ask questions - we know you have them!

The event takes place on June 9 at 6pm at the Cadillac Bar on Shepherd.  If you register online before midnight tomorrow (June 1), you will get your Tex Mex meal and two beverages all for $22.  On Sunday the price goes up to $30.   Don't wait, space is limited.     

Register at 

See you there and best regards,

Joe Carey

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Candidates running for reelection to the BCRR Board of Directors 2013-2014

Voting for next year's Board of Directors will take place at the BCRR Annual Awards Banquet Wednesday, May 29th at St. Arnold's Brewery. Details see Here.

The following board members are seeking reelection for the 2013-2014 term after serving the last year in these positions. Below are their candidate statements from 2012 (view candidate statements for open Member-at-Large positions here) :

President   

Rosie    Rosie Schmandt

I am honored to be nominated for the position of BCRR president this year. I previously served on the BCRR board for 5 years, as an ad hoc member during David Gaughn's presidency, as an at-large member for two years during Mark Fraser's presidency, and finally as VP during April Murphy's presidency. Since then, I've been happy to work behind the scenes as a BCRR booster. I love this club!

BCRR has had fantastic leadership over the years. If elected, I hope to follow in the footsteps of our past boards, all of who have been very inclusive in the management of our club. Any and all help will be gratefully accepted. The coordination of BCRR running and social events within the framework of a busy HARRA race schedule requires a real team effort, not only from the elected board members, need the participation of all of our members in the HARRA fall and spring series to make the 2012-13 running season a successful one!

Just to change things up, I would like to revive some of our older social events in addition to our regular happy hours. We need get the "Why I run instead of bowl" trophy out of mothballs and back into circulation (ask around about the origins of this coveted trophy). Scrabble and poker runs, and softball challenges have been a fun way to mix and mingle with other running clubs. Volleyball and a new favorite, croquet, are also great happy hour events that I hope to continue.

As a newcomer to Houston, I joined BCRR as a way to get in shape and make new friends outside of work. I got more than that. I was welcomed as a member of an extended family ... one that runs. BCRR got me through my first marathon, 17 more after that, and hopefully many more to come. Believe me, this is not something I could have done on my own. I've never seen a group of people who support each other, in good times and in bad, both on and off the road, like the members of the Bayou City Road Runners. I am a proud member of this great club, and will try my best to serve our membership. I appreciate your support.


Vice  President

Bob Robert (Bob) Thompson

It is an honor to have been nominated for the vice president position for the new BCRR board. I have been a recreational runner for over 25 years and a BCRR club member since 2005. BCRR has not only made me a better runner but also a better person. I have met and become friends with a number of great BCRR members. During that time I have gone from running mostly alone to hardly ever running alone because of these friendships.

What I like most about our club is that we are a very diverse group. We have serious runners, casual runners and members from many different cultures and backgrounds. The club has a lot of social activities, which has allowed me to gain many new friends.

I feel I am a good candidate for the board because I have a great deal of prior experience serving on committees for scouting (both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) as well as school activities for both of my children. I have developed management and problem solving skills from starting and running a small business.

During my seven years with the club I have volunteered and/or participated in many races for the club. Very importantly, I am a good team member. Rosie has been a good friend of mine for many years. I will do everything I can to help her succeed as the new president and to help BCRR continue to be the best and most fun running club in Houston.

  



Secretary  
Sam    Samantha (Sam) McMurtrey


Years in BCRR: 3.5 years
Favorite Running Event: All of them


Hello BCRR: Most of you already know who I am but to confirm, I am British, mother of two girls, and a dog named Max. I have been a member of BCRR for about 2.5 years and this will be my second year to be nominated for a Member At Large position. I have had a lot of fun working on the board this past year and hope to continue the service by giving back to the club as much as I have received.





Treasurer
Susan    Susan Cita

I am very grateful to be nominated for BCRR Board for 2012-2013. When I started exercising in 2005, I never thought I would join a running club, any more than I thought of running numerous marathons, half marathons and 5Ks, but I surprisingly have.

Since joining BCRR in 2006, I have enjoyed being an active member, BCRR supported race volunteer, BCRR Relay Team Masters Women Captain (2008), recipient of Dale Holder Award (2009 & 2011), Alex's 5K Food Service Coordinator (2011 & 2012), and Houston Marathon 20-mile BCRR Hoopla Station Coordinator & Sponsor (2008-2012)

My experience, past and current, in other non-profit and community improvement organizations include volunteering for Keep Houston Beautiful, Trees for Houston, Habitat for Humanity, and The Houston Food Bank; past Treasurer for Friends of Piedmont Park and The Piedmont Park Conservancy in Atlanta; past Treasurer, Chairperson, and Texas State Conference Chair for the American Society of Landscape Architects Houston/Gulf Coast Section; and current City of Houston Clean City Commissioner.

BCRR is great running club that truly has a positive effect on Houston. I would be very honored to serve on BCRR's 2013-2013 Board and continue to support our club in any way I can.

Candidates for Member at Large Positions on the BCRR Board 2013-2014



The following members are candidates in the Member at Large Category. Voting will take place at the BCRR Annual Awards Banquet Wednesday, May 29th at St. Arnold's Brewery. Details see Here. (Read statements from board members seeking reelection here)


Andrew Kenworthy

I am Andrew Kenworthy. I was born and grew up in Scotland and first came to the US in 2001. I lived in New Orleans where I was a very active member of the running and Triathlon community. I moved to Houston in July 2010 and joined BCRR in fall after running with a primarily New Orleans based team competing in “ the Reach to the Beach relay” with 2 great BCRR runners Alonso Vargas and Simon Brabo

Alonso and Simon shamelessly sold BCRR as the best running club in Houston to my wife Tina Reynolds and myself on the trip. Simon and Alonso you were right!

Having run regularly with BCRR on both Wednesdays and Sundays over the last nearly 3 years I have got to know a great and fun group of runners and I have gained a tremendous amount from their selfless hard work that continues to make BCRR the great club that it is. Having benefited from others effort. I believe it is time I stand up and do my part for the club. 

Although it is a few years since I volunteered I do have some past experience helping run running/drinking organizations. I am a past Beijing hasher-master and was very active member of the Aberdeen hash. 

The primary reason I joined BCRR was I feel it is a great balance between a group of people who love to run, but also like to have fun as well. I hope to be able serve the club in the coming year and help continue this tradition. 


Andrew Young 

I am a chemist with the Dow Chemical Company. I grew up in Minneapolis and I most recently lived in Champaign, Illinois. I am 29 years old and I have been running for about 15 years now. I have been a member of BCRR since 2012, when I moved to Houston. For me, BCRR has been a phenomenal group of people for both running and socializing and it has done a lot to smooth my transition to a new city. I would like to serve on the board be cause I want to give back to the club and to help it become an even better organization than it already is.

Heidi Zimmerman

Heidi Zimmerman started distance running when she turned 12 and never slowed down. Aside from training and competing, she loves reading and baking. She has taught 3rd and 4th grade for the last six years and is hoping to find a school counseling job for the fall. Heidi joined BCRR when she first moved to Houston three years ago. She was looking for a group to help her fit in her long runs, but the friendship she has made within the club make being a member extra special. After her apartment caught on fire in 2011, people from the club rallied together to help her pack and move. With graduate school almost behind her, she is ready to pay it forward as an at large member for the club. 


Patrick Flaherty

I would like to serve the club as an At Large Member of the Board for the 2013 -2014 club year. 

I have been a BCRR member since returning to Houston from Dallas in December 2004. How time flies. I have always enjoyed running, socializing and associating myself with good people. I have found all three at BCRR. 

Running is our common bond. It is probably the thing that brought most of us to the club. But it is the friendship among members that keeps us part of the group. BCRR has been a successful organization for over 25 years. We are all part of that in one way or another. I count myself as a small link in a large chain and will continue to be a link in whatever roll I have with the club.

Quick tidbits about me: 
· Native Texan
· Texas Aggie
· CPA
· Serious but not that serious of a runner
Don’t claim to be an expert at anything but I do know a little about a lot.


Nicole Richardson Desai






Biography/statement not received in time for this posting.





BCRR This Week, May 27 through June 3, 2013


HELLO BAYOU CITY!

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Thanks to Bill Lindsey who hosted the tab at Valhalla on Wednesday.
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Welcome New Members: Ananya Srikanth, Jamie Varughese and Penny Martin
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BCRR Birthdays This Week: Sonja Longbotham (May 31), Lisa Fletcher Pace (June 1), Claire Greenberg (June 1), Joe Carey (June 2), Paul Cooley (June 3) and Bill Tommaney (June 3).  
Have a very happy birthday!
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BCRR Annual Awards Banquet tomorrow at 6:00pm at St. Arnold's Brewery located at 2000 Lyons Avenue (Directions below).
It's also a great time to renew your annual BCRR membership. Only $20 for HARRA Members and $25 for non-HARRA Members (but why would you not be a HARRA member?)    If you did not RSVP last week you will not be able to attend.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Eddie Rodriguez: Get Well Soon!!

As most of you know by now, longtime BCRR member Eddie Rodriguez was injured in an automobile accident while driving from Austin to Houston on Saturday April 27th. Another driver crossed the median and hit his truck head on. He was trapped inside the vehicle crushing his feet and fracturing his ribs and sternum. He lost skin on one foot due to a fire inside the vehicle. He has already had many operations and is still hospitalized at the Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.

April Murphy shares her special recovery drink with Eddie
Not only was Eddie a past president of BCRR, he is one of HARRA's most active members, a PIM coach, and has volunteered on numerous race committees and in the running community for many years. Lisa Foronda has been raising money to help with Eddie's medical expenses and to cover travel expenses for his mother and brother in Austin while he recovers. So far she has raised over $12,000. You can send a PayPal donation to https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online and use the recipient email of edrod.fund@gmail.com

There is also a special Facebook page, "Let's Brighten Eddie's Day", dedicated to news and well-wishes for and about Eddie. BCRR and the Houston running community have really reached out to Eddie and his family during this difficult time and many have made the trip to Austin to visit him. Recently, BCRR members came together at Valhalla to send Eddie our collective virtual expression of love and support from afar.


Jen McKay and Loris Fusi-Goldberg went to visit Eddie in Austin to special deliver a poster-sized get well banner from all of us (thank you June Harris, for creating the banner).
Jen, Loris and Eddie
We are looking forward to Eddie's return to Houston and know that this won't keep him down for long!

BCRR This Week, May 20 through 27, 2013

HELLO BAYOU CITY!
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Thanks to Chris Harris who hosted the tab at Valhalla on Wednesday.
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BCRR Birthdays This Week: Jonathan Miller (May 22), John (Bill) Lindsey (May 23), Surena Matin * (May 24), Nancy Bounds (May 26), Ed Fry (May 26), Allison Brayton (May 27) and June Harris (May 27).   * = New Age Group
Have a very happy birthday!
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Please join us for the BCRR Annual Awards Banquet NEXT WEDNESDAY May 29, 2013, 6:00pm at St. Arnold's Brewery located at 2000 Lyons Ave.

YOU MUST RSVP BEFORE THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK TO ATTEND. To RSVP please contact Susan Cita (susancita.bcrr@gmail.com) or Sam McMurtrey (sammack1967@gmail.com).  


If you volunteered for the Rhythm and Blues Half-Marathon admission is free.   If you volunteered for the Rockets Run, Jingle Bell Run or Darling Dash admission is $10.   All others including guests $15.  This year no online payment. Just pay Susan or Sam at Valhalla this Wednesday night or pay at the door next Wednesday night.

Friday, May 17, 2013

BCRR This Week May 13 through 20, 2013


HELLO BAYOU CITY!

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Thanks to Loris Fusi-Goldberg who hosted the tab at Valhalla on Wednesday.  This week the tab will be hosted up by Chris Harris.  Thank Loris and Chris.
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BCRR Birthdays This Week: Milan Jamrich (May 14), Terry Robinson (May 14), Miriam Werner (May 14), Joe DeVay (May 15) and Chris Harris* (May 18) . * = New Age Group
Have a very happy birthday!
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Eddie Rodriguez is still in at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin recovering from an automobile accident.   BCRR and the Houston running community have really reached out to Eddie and his family during this difficult time and many have made the trip to Austin to visit him.   Lisa Foronda has been raising money to help with Eddie's medical expenses and to cover travel expenses for his mother and brother in Austin while he recovers.  So far she has raised nearly $12,000.    You can send a PayPal donation to https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/send-money-online and use the recipient email of edrod.fund@gmail.com.

Monday, May 13, 2013

BCRR This Week, April 30 to May 12, 2013


HELLO BAYOU CITY!
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Sue Leone and Alan Svoboda once again hosted a very generous beer tab last week for the crowd gathered for Neeraj's return visit to Valhalla.

Loris Fusi-Goldberg and Chris Harris had also wanted to host the tab but since it never ran out Loris agreed to pick up the tab this week and Chris will be hosting the following week. We really appreciate Sue and Alan's generosity and thanks in advance to Loris and Chris.
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BCRR Birthdays This Week: Joe Conway (May 7), Cristi Gore (May 7), Ivy Martino (May 7), Gloria Mahoney (May 10), and Dani Carbone (May 11) * =New Age Group

Have a very happy birthday!
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As most of you know by now, Eddie Rodriguez was injured in an automobile accident while driving from Austin to Houston on Saturday April 27th. Another driver crossed the median and hit his truck head on. He was trapped inside the vehicle crushing his feet and fracturing his ribs and sternum. He lost skin on one foot due to a fire inside the vehicle. He has already had five operations and is still hospitalized in Austin.

Not only was Eddie a past president of BCRR he was one of the most HARRAs most active members, a PIM coach and has volunteered on numerous race committees and in the running community for many years. If you'd like to contribute to help raise money to help with his medical expenses and house his mother and brother in Austin you can send a PayPal donation to http://edrod.fund@gmail.com.
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