Dear WRR'ers
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Michael West
Mar 23, 2020, 1:46:48 AM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners
Dear West Ridge Runners.
The WRR email list was created one decade ago on March 23, 2010. The group was conceived by Glenn Thompson and codified by the creation of a Google Group that he named, quite matter-of-factly, west-ridg...@googlegroups.com. The earliest post, on March 24, states simply:
The WRR email list was created one decade ago on March 23, 2010. The group was conceived by Glenn Thompson and codified by the creation of a Google Group that he named, quite matter-of-factly, west-ridg...@googlegroups.com. The earliest post, on March 24, states simply:
There will be a run at noon. Meet IARC front lobby.
A March 26 post hints at the origins of our unusual, but now canonical, 11:30 start time:
Two people have asked if we can schedule lunchtime runs for 11.30am rather than noon. How about we try that next week? Would that inconvenience anybody?
Through the years, many dozens of people have cycled through the group (there are 50 on the email list today). For many of us, this simple email list has had a far bigger impact on our lives than we could have imagined—physically, mentally, socially.
It is sadly ironic that most of us are on self-imposed hiatus at the moment. However, I have not the slightest doubt that as soon as conditions allow, west ridge runs will be the venue where we debrief the tribulations and lessons of today. We have been there at 40 below and at 90 above (perhaps more insufferable). West ridge runs have been through mosquitoes, ice fog, cold rain, off-the-chart PM2.5, spring breakup, and ice storms. The camaraderie has been a sounding board through elections, wars, terrorist attacks, budgets, layoffs, new jobs, retirements, births, breakups, and at least one marriage—not to mention injuries, recoveries, marathons, ultra-runs, and all manner of PRs, measured differently for each of us. The levity and humor with which I approach most lunch runs belie the importance of this group to me. It has been an incredible decade together and I am eager for the next.
So until we are together again, I suggest raising a glass to Glenn’s 2010 inspiration, pausing to appreciate all of the people who have identified at one time as a WRR’er, celebrating that dirt trails are just a month or two away (no, really!), and acknowledging the incredible power of that understated, thrice-weekly, lowercase, never varying “run today at 11:30” email. But above all, get outside and stay active. We’ll all be here when you come back.
It is sadly ironic that most of us are on self-imposed hiatus at the moment. However, I have not the slightest doubt that as soon as conditions allow, west ridge runs will be the venue where we debrief the tribulations and lessons of today. We have been there at 40 below and at 90 above (perhaps more insufferable). West ridge runs have been through mosquitoes, ice fog, cold rain, off-the-chart PM2.5, spring breakup, and ice storms. The camaraderie has been a sounding board through elections, wars, terrorist attacks, budgets, layoffs, new jobs, retirements, births, breakups, and at least one marriage—not to mention injuries, recoveries, marathons, ultra-runs, and all manner of PRs, measured differently for each of us. The levity and humor with which I approach most lunch runs belie the importance of this group to me. It has been an incredible decade together and I am eager for the next.
So until we are together again, I suggest raising a glass to Glenn’s 2010 inspiration, pausing to appreciate all of the people who have identified at one time as a WRR’er, celebrating that dirt trails are just a month or two away (no, really!), and acknowledging the incredible power of that understated, thrice-weekly, lowercase, never varying “run today at 11:30” email. But above all, get outside and stay active. We’ll all be here when you come back.
Happy trails - Mike
Chris Iceman
Mar 23, 2020, 8:35:56 AM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners
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Taryn Lopez
Mar 23, 2020, 12:54:47 PM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners, christoph...@gmail.com
One decade of WRR, Wow! Congratulations everyone! And thanks to Glenn for getting this all started! Mike, thank you for your beautiful description of our group and history! Your email made me cry! Thank you everyone for the therapy, camaraderie and support over the years. It's been a blast!
I have missed running with all of you this past week, but have still been trying to make it out at 11:30 M, W & F for neighborhood jogs. We'll run together virtually for the time being, but I look forward to catching up with you all in person when we can!
I'm sharing a handful of WRR photos that I've accumulated over the years in my "WWR" folder :) Thanks for all the happy memories.
Happy WRR Anniversary, everyone!
Cheers,
Taryn
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/1583B403-F3D5-479E-98EF-C3C6A54F1A8F%40gmail.com.
Taryn M. Lopez Research Assistant Professor
Geophysical Institute Alaska Volcano Observatory University of Alaska Fairbanks 903 Koyukuk Drive Fairbanks, AK 99775 tmlo...@alaska.edu 907.474.7389 (Office) 907.978.4300 (Cell) https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/tarynlopez/
Taryn M. Lopez Research Assistant Professor
Geophysical Institute Alaska Volcano Observatory University of Alaska Fairbanks 903 Koyukuk Drive Fairbanks, AK 99775 tmlo...@alaska.edu 907.474.7389 (Office) 907.978.4300 (Cell) https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/tarynlopez/
Carl Tape
Mar 23, 2020, 1:09:38 PM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners
Here's to 10 more years -- and hoping for the running longevity of Robert and Dave!
Thanks for the pre-history (to me) and photos, Mike and Taryn! I arrived at UAF Aug 2010 but didn't get off my butt until only a few years ago.
Carl
Dave Leonard
Mar 23, 2020, 1:47:37 PM3/23/20
to mew...@alaska.edu, Westridge Runners
Thanks Mike and well said. Reading the “Run at 11:30. See you there!” email message over the years has been an incredible motivator for me. And thanks to the runners over the decade, those who have cycled through and the regulars. As Mike so eloquently said, we’ve run through a lot together. See you next time ...
--
Alida van Almelo
Mar 23, 2020, 1:55:08 PM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners
Thank you so much for sending this out, Mike!
I can't believe that it has been a decade... which means that we're approaching that many years since my run with you all (pun intended). This August will be my 10-year anniversary in Alaska, and it was that following spring after I moved to Fairbanks that Ed invited me to join him and some friends for a lunch time run on West Ridge. We miss Fairbanks and often imagine when and what will bring us back up there. When people ask why I love Fairbanks, the answer always lies in the community, which for me is represented perfectly by the West Ridge Runners, for everything that Mike made note of: the community, camaraderie and conversation as well as the less tangible sense of being a part of something special.
Thank you to everyone for keeping the WRR alive--I look forward to joining you for a run again one day!
And thank you Glenn, for starting this all up. I will happily raise a glass to you today (and you know it's going to be a gin martini ;)
Miss you all--even those with whom I've never run. Be well, stay safe and healthy.
Alida
I can't believe that it has been a decade... which means that we're approaching that many years since my run with you all (pun intended). This August will be my 10-year anniversary in Alaska, and it was that following spring after I moved to Fairbanks that Ed invited me to join him and some friends for a lunch time run on West Ridge. We miss Fairbanks and often imagine when and what will bring us back up there. When people ask why I love Fairbanks, the answer always lies in the community, which for me is represented perfectly by the West Ridge Runners, for everything that Mike made note of: the community, camaraderie and conversation as well as the less tangible sense of being a part of something special.
Thank you to everyone for keeping the WRR alive--I look forward to joining you for a run again one day!
And thank you Glenn, for starting this all up. I will happily raise a glass to you today (and you know it's going to be a gin martini ;)
Miss you all--even those with whom I've never run. Be well, stay safe and healthy.
Alida
--
Jane Lanford
Mar 23, 2020, 2:15:36 PM3/23/20
to Westridge Runners
I even got in a Taryn photo on my one and only actual run with you! Been stalking you all this years ... now that I'm retired, hope to actually run with you (or lag behind, as the case may be, unless you're slowing down as much as I am) in the not-too-distant future!
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAPrXLk6zUHRQ-HwX%3DQKFc58ZFqf3oO8BpODnOUGvW840MzyWtw%40mail.gmail.com.
Max Kaufman
Mar 23, 2020, 2:15:57 PM3/23/20
to yakr...@gmail.com, Michael West, Westridge Runners
Might have to switch over to snowshoes this week.
I've enjoyed all my runs with this group.
I've only participated sporadically this winter, but it has been one of the best ski seasons on record.
(see how quickly I have forgotten the miserable cold spell?)
Max K
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/9CF81451-575A-41E2-92AA-E16709F730F3%40gmail.com.
roon grapenthin
Mar 23, 2020, 2:22:55 PM3/23/20
to alid...@gmail.com, Westridge Runners
This is phenomenal!
Alida - I just made it back up here, and one of the things I missed tremendously in the places I lived in between was that community! In fact, I make this a major selling point to attract graduate students. I didn't find anything remotely similar elsewhere, happy to be back!
This week I have been mostly skiing - with the hilarious mishaps always around the few people that are actually out.
Tonight, I will raise the glass to the group! See y'all soon!
ronni
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAPrXLk6zUHRQ-HwX%3DQKFc58ZFqf3oO8BpODnOUGvW840MzyWtw%40mail.gmail.com.
Edward Debevec
Mar 23, 2020, 6:57:57 PM3/23/20
to roon grapenthin, Alida van Almelo, Westridge Runners
A little late, but then I'm used to coming in last. Thanks Glen for getting this going so many years ago and inviting me to join that day. And thanks Mike for reminding us what it means to each of us. And thanks to all for being who you are. It's been a blast so far. Just to give you fair warning, I haven't given up yet and hope to try a couple short runs soon. Perhaps I'll make it for a run from time to time. And if not, there's always HooDoos. I think we're all part of it for life. One day the email will go out "Run today at 11:30. Meet in front of Pioneer Home." -Ed.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAK1r_gCu8UBH99s%2B1gXgkbfAPOarWdwe_aAioC%2BAwspAyrdVzg%40mail.gmail.com.
Glenn Thompson
Mar 24, 2020, 12:22:12 PM3/24/20
to Westridge Runners
Thanks for remembering West Ridge Runners 10th anniversary!
It's great to hear from so many dear friends that have been part of this community. And Taryn - thanks for sharing those pictures! Great memories! We all have to wear our WRR bling today then!
I was the instigator but I'm sure Taryn, Mike, David, Ed, Alida, Ronni and Chris ran more than I did that first year and really grew and sustained this community. They deserve the real credit.
The truth is Mike and I were working together on many interesting AVO projects back then, and Mike's brother Dave (great guy!) was working at the Earthquake Center.
When Dave left town, Mike lost his lunchtime running (and skiing) buddy. Meanwhile, in previous years I was doing plenty of races and track workouts, but zero longer, slower training runs.
And I was getting injured as a result. For me the spring equinox marked the real beginning of running season in Fairbanks (you guys are more hard core! FBD!), so this is why it all came together that week.
I began reaching out to people I knew up on West Ridge who ran, including many people who I knew from Running Club North circles.
It occurs to me that I certainly was not the first to do such a thing! When I was at the GI from 1998-2000, Dave Covey, Ned Rozell, Art Jolly, Jim Brader and I would often go on runs together. I recall Ned's dreaded hill workouts up from the gym to where the museum is today. Good practice for the first part of the Equinox! Dave, Ned and Jim were some of the people I reached out to in March 2010. There have undoubtedly been runners gathering on the West Ridge since the creation of the wonderful UAF trail system.
Fairbanks is such a special place. I fell in love with it immediately when I saw the aurora from the plane just before landing there in March 1998 and arrived in that winter wonderland. It still is the only place I would really choose to live if I couldn't be near family. The running community (wonderful RCN!) is a big part of what makes it so special - and makes me so keen to return again and again.
I'm so glad that West Ridge Runners took off and that all of you have made it such an uplifting and open group to be part of.
I wish every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 that I was there to run with you. Actually I just wish I was in Fairbanks all the time!
It was a real treat to run with Mike and Carl on the beaches near Melbourne, Florida recently.
This tradition must be upheld: Whenever there are 2+ West Ridge Runners in the same place, they must meet up for a run! If we had a constitution, this would be part of it :-)
Stay safe and keep moving everyone and when this is all over, I'm sure it won't be long before I visit and run with you again.
Best wishes,
Glenn
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAK1r_gCu8UBH99s%2B1gXgkbfAPOarWdwe_aAioC%2BAwspAyrdVzg%40mail.gmail.com.
Alida van Almelo
Mar 24, 2020, 8:36:41 PM3/24/20
to Westridge Runners, Glenn Thompson
Per Glenn's suggestion... (photo attached) :)
Thanks for all of that background, Glenn. Something was inevitably going to start--sure glad that it was the West Ridge Runners!
On our lunch time run today, I told Chris about the 10-year anniversary of WRR (at one time, the WWR ;), and we reminisced about the notorious Chancellor's Challenge of 2012. (This challenge was also the initiation of the West Ridge Runners logo and shirts). What began as a fairly innocent way to pursue a prize for our already dedicated group, we automatically were in the top teams throughout the competition. This ended up spurring a competitive drive in some of us...
Chris and I had just met, and he was on another one of those top teams, thus instigating a 1:1 mini challenge between the two of us. We both ended up exercising to the final minute of the Chancellor's Challenge, and by an incredibly small margin, I managed to beat him. Luckily, he wasn't deterred, as we are now married (secretly, last November).
With that win came the West Ridge Runners' as well, earning gift cards that spurred the development of the WRR Logo (Thanks to Ed!) as well as the swag. I find that I don't wear my hoodie very often--for the sole purpose of trying to preserve its quality. When I do wear it, I know it's going to be a good day.
Thanks for humoring me on this trip down memory lane... I can't even count the number of stories that keep coming to mind. In some ways, it feels like ages ago and in others like it couldn't possibly be in the 10 year range.
Alida
Thanks for all of that background, Glenn. Something was inevitably going to start--sure glad that it was the West Ridge Runners!
On our lunch time run today, I told Chris about the 10-year anniversary of WRR (at one time, the WWR ;), and we reminisced about the notorious Chancellor's Challenge of 2012. (This challenge was also the initiation of the West Ridge Runners logo and shirts). What began as a fairly innocent way to pursue a prize for our already dedicated group, we automatically were in the top teams throughout the competition. This ended up spurring a competitive drive in some of us...
Chris and I had just met, and he was on another one of those top teams, thus instigating a 1:1 mini challenge between the two of us. We both ended up exercising to the final minute of the Chancellor's Challenge, and by an incredibly small margin, I managed to beat him. Luckily, he wasn't deterred, as we are now married (secretly, last November).
With that win came the West Ridge Runners' as well, earning gift cards that spurred the development of the WRR Logo (Thanks to Ed!) as well as the swag. I find that I don't wear my hoodie very often--for the sole purpose of trying to preserve its quality. When I do wear it, I know it's going to be a good day.
Thanks for humoring me on this trip down memory lane... I can't even count the number of stories that keep coming to mind. In some ways, it feels like ages ago and in others like it couldn't possibly be in the 10 year range.
Alida
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAMQuMh3_tTji4ZNGudaWnPfe1StVb3KV8Xp1Xg%3DvpVizZmK0Cw%40mail.gmail.com.
Glenn Thompson
Mar 25, 2020, 12:52:14 PM3/25/20
to Alida van Almelo, Westridge Runners
Ah yes, the Chancellor's Challenge was epic and insane.
I remember Taryn and I travelling down through Bolivia to do fieldwork with Doug Christensen & many others. Each gas station stop we would walk laps around the forecourt, or Taryn would start leading a yoga session. Minutes were everything! I think that final week a few of us logged over 30 hours! Madness! But we won! Amazing team effort!
Great photo! Congratulations on getting married!
Erik Schoen
Mar 25, 2020, 4:25:19 PM3/25/20
to glenntho...@gmail.com, Alida van Almelo, Westridge Runners
Congrats on your marriage, Chris and Alida! Great to hear from everyone and learn some of this history. Thanks for the eloquent and moving conversation starter, Mike. We are so fortunate that our sport is still doable right now. Pity the basketball players and ballroom dancers and gym rats.
Hope to see you all soon. Stay healthy and keep getting outside. I probably won’t make it back to WRR for the duration of the school closure. I push this 100+ pound item on my brief runs these days...
Erik
On Mar 25, 2020, at 8:52 AM, Glenn Thompson <glenntho...@gmail.com> wrote:
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/west-ridge-runners/CAMQuMh1JcUoPSGp21WhZptmN7RcreZf%2BvBAZoG-8_B1HFut18w%40mail.gmail.com.
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