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What Was Your Best Race of 2021 and 2022 Goals?

by Runners Like You
A question was sent out to our members about their favorite races and their goals for 2022. Find out immediately which races our runners loved! Amazingly over 50 people responded!! Enjoy reading this survey and if you want to participate in our next one, let the editor know! For full article, click here

2021 On The Run

by Brina Seguine
Every runner wondered before the year was done Would we be able to get together and run? The beginning of the year was looking bleak. No in-person races any runner could seek... For full article, click here

Confessions of a Lazy Geezer: My Very Modest Running Goal for 2022

by Stephanie Mumford Brown
In 2022, I’m going to run for fun. This means I will run at the frequency, distance, and pace that make me happy — WHILE I am doing it, not just when it’s over. I’m going to be a lazy geezer … For full article, click here

The True Road Warriors

by Christine Bishop
On New Year's Day an annual HMRRC event occurs: the Hangover Half Marathon and the 3.5 miler. This is incredible since the races happen after New Year's Eve celebrations and the weather on January 1 can be horrendous. For full article, click here

Bill Shrader, Sr. Memorial Scholarships – Apply Now

As part of the community outreach programs of the HMRRC, scholarships are given to worthy students who excel in scholastics and running. They are awarded as part of the Club’s mission to encourage and support young runners in their efforts to make running a lifelong part of a healthy lifestyle.… For full article, click here

Adventure Race Metamorphosis: The Juxtaposition

by Josh Merlis
Josh relates how the Adventure Race began in 2006 and how it has changed in the years since. The race was a high point of the weekend at Dippikill for over a decade, but this year was different. For full article, click here

Depression Hates a Moving Target by Nita Sweeney

reviewed by Tom O’Grady
On the surface, Nita seemed wildly successful, but underneath she was very unhappy. She needed help but as Tom points out more people show concern for those with cancer than those with mental illness. Not knowing what to do, she turned to running in desperation. For full article, click here

Recipes for Runners: Anouk's Top 2021 Cookbooks and Blogs

by Anouk Booneman
Anouk is an expert chef who advocates for plant-based diets. Throughout the year she has furnished us with healthy dishes, provided sources where we can get exotic ingredients and has recommended local CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture groups). This is her end-of-year roundup. For full article, click here

Books to Read After Running: Top Ten Lists of 2021

by Sally Drake and Mark Mindel
Athletes and reviewers, Sally Drake and Mark Mindel recommend books for us to read after running when we want to drink mulled apple cider and relax by a fire. These are their top picks of the 2021. For full article, click here

Pace Setter Best Articles of 2021

For the January issue, it is appropriate to review the articles from the previous year to get a better idea of the major topics and concerns covered. We hope they bring back pleasant memories. In addition, there are instructions on how you can browse The Pace Setter yourself from 2021 to 2008!

Christine Bishop, Pace Setter Editor

HMRRC Annual Report 2021

by HMRRC President Jessica Northan
This is the most important article of 2021 and should be read by all who are concerned about the HMRRC. Jessica's report summarizes the whole year and the impact of the pandemic. She methodically covers HMRRC's strong points and weak points, the financial situation, and the difficulties the club faces in the path ahead. For full article, click here

February Survey Question re: Covid and Exercising

by HMRRC Members
In February, a survey question was sent to our members asking them how they were coping with the Covid closure of gym and fitness centers. The camaraderie of the gym had been replaced by the isolation of the home. Surprisingly, many found creative ways to deal with this problem. For full article, click here

The Inaugural Electric City Five Miler

The inaugural Electric City Five Miler created by Josh Merlis and run on March 13 was called a "breath of fresh air" by the Daily Gazette sports columnist Mike MacAdam and has been listed as the favorite race of 2021 by many of our runners. For full article, click here

The Road to Running Shoes

by Christine Bishop
The rubber running shoes called sneakers, because of their silence when walking, proliferated wildly during the 1800s. Factory and business owners became concerned with how their workers should spend their leisure time positively… For full article, click here

Off The Road – Training v. Rehabilitation

by Russ Ebbets
We live in a world of dichotomies. Training and rehabilitation are also a dichotomy. For some, they are essentially the same thing but the big difference is intent. For full article, click here

Josh Merlis: June 2004 Profile of a Runner

by Jess Spaetz
This profile was done when Josh Merlis was 22 years old, written by Jess Sapetz, will give you a wonderful background and understanding of what makes one of the top leaders of running in the Greater Albany region run. For full article, click here

50 Is the New 30!

by Deb Valois
I am an adult-onset runner who started on this adventure on a challenge. It turned out to be exactly what I needed in my life! After a difficult divorce ... For full article, click here

Big Losses, Small Wins

by Stephanie Mumford Brown
I don’t just run for my body, I run for my brain. That may explain why, in the seventh decade of life, I continue to pursue plastic trophies and fake-bronze medals with the avidity of an 8-year-old. For full article, click here

The Endurance Society Presents: The Frigus Challenge

by Laura Clark
This emblem is probably all you need to know to get the rough idea: a wasted skeleton, still clinging to his sword (or in this case, trekking pole) crawling to the summit of the Staircase of Death. Speaking of which, I did not make that up. For full article, click here

Does Running Keep You Awake?

by Benita Zahn
A crazy thing happens to me when I run long ... anything 8 miles and over. I don’t sleep well. You’d think I would sleep like a baby, but just the opposite happens. Turns out I’ve got plenty of company and if you’re among my pals in tossing …. For full article, click here

43 and Looking Good: Freihofer's Run for Women

by Kristen Hislop
How does the Freihofer’s Run for Women empower you? It is a personal question and for each of us we answer differently. For full article, click here

Nothing Is More Predictable Than the Unpredictable

by Stephen Hallgren
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about running races, it is that nothing is guaranteed. Races can be extremely unpredictable, with a plethora of variables that can quickly make a race go from good to bad in a matter of minutes. For full article, click here

Christine Bishop, Editor

Mary Claire Walker, Editorial Advisor
Daniele Cherniak & Cathy Sliwinski, Editorial Assistants

Click here to contact the Editor