VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
T H E
R U N N IN G
P SYC H OLO G I S T
A P UBLIC AT IO N O F DIV ISIO N 47, THE DIVI SIO N O F EX E RC ISE
AND SPO RT P SYCHOLO GY , O F T HE AME RIC AN P S YC HO LOGICAL
ASSO C IAT IO N
FALL 2007
RUNNING PSYCHOLOGISTS 29TH ANNUAL RAY’S RACE
5K RUN/WALK-BY SUANNE SHOCKET, PSY.D
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
2007 RAY’S RACE
1
NEW ORLEANS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
3
THE MAGIFICENT
MILE(S) MELTDOWN
4
A FUNNY THING
HAPPENED ON THE
WAY TO RAY’S RACE
5
THE TORONTO
MARATHON
PSYCHING TEAM:
MIND OVER MARATHON
6
MARINE CORPS
MARATHON
8
NEWS TO USE
9
EDITORS CORNER
10
2007 RAY’S RACE
FINISHERS AND
PICTURES
11
2008 RAY’S RACE
APPLICATION
14
DO YOU HAVE
RUNNING NEWS?
 We are always looking
for:
- Articles
- Tips
- Photos
- Personal insights
Please send information
to: Michael Sachs at
[email protected] or
Ray Fowler at
[email protected]
One hundred thirty runners and walkers lined up for the start of the 29th Annual
Ray’s Race 5K Run/Walk, which took place at 7 AM, Sunday, August 19th at
Crissy Field, located on the grounds of the former Presidio and just east of the
Golden Gate Bridge. The 58 degree temperature at starting time made for excellent racing conditions, despite a noticeable headwind which greeted the participants as they forged towards the finish line. Runners and walkers proceeded
along a flat, hard packed dirt/gravel out and back course which followed the Bay
shoreline, providing a picturesque view of San Francisco and the island of Alcatraz. James O’Donnell provided superb race management services. The only
glitches of which I was aware involved runners showing up on the wrong day or at
the wrong place and insufficient award categories for walkers (which was remedied at the award ceremony). Keith Cooke at Division Services has added email
addresses from all 2007 race applications to the RP list serve so that these individuals can receive updated information about next year’s race and hopefully
avoid any future confusion about location and date. Additionally, race information is listed in the APA convention program, on the Division 47 website and on
the race application that is both on the D47 website and included in each convention registrant’s packet.
In a repeat of last year’s results, the first 3 male finishers were 29 year old Gregory Benson in a time of 18:05, Mike Olson, age 36 in 18:09 and Michael Waldo,
age 53 in 19:37. The overall female winner was 27 year old Megan Call who finished in 18:51 and was the third runner to cross the finish line. Maribeth Horan,
age 43 was the second overall female in a time of 22:21, followed by 56 year old
Janet Cain whose time of 23:02 won third place. Bright blue RP hats served as
age group awards and were given out for places 1-3 M & F in 5 year age groups.
Awards were also given for Exhibitors, Walkers, Psi Chi and Div. 47 members.
The youngest runner was 19 year old Lauren Froehner, while the oldest runner
was 77 year old Irene Deitch, who not only finished the race with energy to spare,
but then sped to the airport where she caught a morning flight. In a display of
great efficiency, Division 47 Past President Kirsten Peterson ran to and from the
race site from her hotel, fitting in the race as part of her 16 mile Sunday run.
Ray’s Race founder and namesake Ray Fowler finished strong but, unfortunately,
Sandy Fowler and last year’s running protégé Cade Fowler could not attend.
(Article continued on p.2)
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 2
2007 RAY’S RACE (CONTINUED FROM P.1)
As race management and permit fees have increased rapidly over the past few years, a professionally managed and timed race would not be possible without the financial resources provided by our sponsors. New
this year as a sponsor is Blackwell Publishers, who graciously responded to Ray’s request for help. Additionally, Worth Books who has for many years provided raffle prizes, increased their financial support for this
year’s race. APA Trust once again provided financial support as did APA Convention Services and Psi Chi. Divisions 19 (Military Psychology), 20 (Adult Development), 50 (Addictions) and of course our parent Division 47
(Exercise and Sport) were 2007 race sponsors. Thank you sponsors!
Most race participants who stayed for the awards ceremony walked away with a raffle prize, thanks to exhibitors Worth Books, Human Kinetics, Rutledge Books and Impact publishing, all of whom donated books to our
raffle. Jacqui Seltzer of Worth books also ran the race and placed first in her age group.
In addition to the need for financial support, races also depend upon the work of volunteers to help with such
functions as registration, course direction, finish line, photography and organization of transportation. Keith
Cooke and his reliable and competent Division Services staff provided race registration services, sold t-shirts,
encouraged exhibitor raffle donations and calmed upset psyches. This year’s race required volunteer help on
the course and RP extends its thanks to annual volunteer Gabe Wrobel, son of regular Ray’s Race participant,
Tom Wrobel. Similar thanks go to Lara La Caille, Art Resnikof, Lidia Sanders, M. Smothers, Martha Wang and
Michael Monica. Volunteer bus monitors Keith Cooke, Art Aronson and Cindy Seares-Monica assured that race
participants arrived at the right spot. Much appreciation goes to Janet Cain who organized the pre-race pasta
party. Thanks also goes to my husband Noah Nason, who, for the past two years has organized bus monitors,
provided IT help and took charge whenever it was needed. Secretary/Treasurer Ethan Gologor, who was not
able to attend the conference, worked behind the scenes by inputting all of the race pre and post registration
data and worked with the accounting firm CBIZ to deposit race contributions and registration fees and to pay
the race bills.
RP’s new President Cindy Seares-Monica along with the RP Executive Board is planning a special race for RP’s
30th anniversary in Boston in 2008, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 17th. RP’s 2007-2009 Secretary/
Treasurer, Janet Cain, will be handling pre-registration and treasury functions for the Boston race. Best
wishes for a healthy year of running and walking and I hope to see all of you in Boston in 2008.
Suanne Shocket, Psy.D., is the Past President of the Running Psychologists.
Do you have some news, photos, reviews, or information to
submit to The Running Psychologist? The submission
deadline for the Spring newsletter is March 1, 2008.
Send your information to:
Michael Sachs– [email protected]
Ray Fowler– [email protected]
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 3
RUNNING PSYCHOLOGISTS LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS AREA HABITAT
FOR HUMANITY
September 4, 2007
Running Psychologists
Suanne Shocket, PsyD
Dear Suanne:
Alana Harris stood with her sons Earl and Jonathan in front of the front wall of what will be there new
home. With tears and wonder she told volunteers who had helped her raise that wall, ―I am standing here
dreaming with my eyes wide open. I cannot say thank you enough.‖
Thanks to your generous support and that of people like you, this is a scene that has happened over 100
times since December of 2005, and will happen hundreds of times in the future. Habitat wall raisings
and dedications are landmarks in a Habitat partner family’s journey to home ownership. Some of our
partners laugh, some cry and many do both, but all say ―Thank you!‖ and ―Bless you!‖ over and over.
These words are meant for you as much as for those who are physically present. We hope you know in
some small measure the life-changing impact of your support to individuals, families, neighborhoods and
our entire city.
The staff, volunteers, and Board of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity join with all our partner families in again saying thank you for your gift of $100.00. Thanks to your help we are well on our way to
reaching our goal of 200 new homes in 2007. As a NOAHH partner you have made an investment that
will pay dividends for years to come as lives and neighborhoods are transformed. To see more of what is
happening, please visit our website at www.habitat-nola.org.
Sincerely,
Angel Scott
Development Associate
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 4
THE MAGNIFICENT MILE(S) MELTDOWN- THE 2007 LASALLE BANK
CHICAGO MARATHON BY ELIZABETH LOUGHREN
I was highly disappointed in myself for missing the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon registration cutoff. I really had
no excuses, especially since the marathon was celebrating its 30 th Anniversary and they added an additional 5,000 slots
to its normal capped field of 40,000 runners. Two of my friends, Andy and Chad, were able to register, and my envy
loomed. In August, as I scanned through the marathon website, a thought came to me-I could register as a media person
under the Running Psychologists. On a whim I applied and figured they would never even respond. Sure enough, about
three weeks later I received an email telling me, ―Congratulations‖ I had been issued media credentials. My quest from
running in the marathon now turned to media coverage of the race, and it was an event I will never soon forget.
In the week leading up to the marathon, the race director, Carey Pinowski, and his staff sent out a mass email reminding
participants of the high temperatures that were expected for race day, and to prepare accordingly for the added demands the weather would cause on one’s body. I even noticed at the runner’s expo, fliers were given to each participant
as they picked up their race packet reminding them to properly hydrate pre-race, to slow down to adjust to the warm
weather, and signs to look for in terms of dehydration and heat stroke. At the expo they also spoke of adding more water, misters, and wet sponges along the course.
On the morning of the race I walked to Grant Park with Chad. Even at 7 am it was already warm and exceptionally humid. I helped him sort out
the start area, find the port a potties, and showed him where Buckingham Fountain was located so we could meet there post finishing. After
wishing him good luck and offering a few last minute tips and reminders, I headed to the media room located in a hotel across from the park.
The race started as scheduled at 8 am with 35, 867 participants. The temperature was 77 degrees with 86 percent humidity, and an oddity for
Chicago, no wind. The elite runners started off their first mile exceptionally fast and then continued to slow throughout the race due to the
weather conditions. Around 1:35 into the race, the media bike following the elite runners reported a 10 degree increase in the temperature to 87
degrees. By 10 am, the temps rose another degree and everyone watching the race could tell the participants were all laboring due to the heat
and horrible running conditions. The elite runners’ times still continued to remain consistent, but even they were beginning to sacrifice better
finish times for longer cut lines in order to run in the shade. Since I was indoors, I didn’t have a real grasp of how much the weather had drastically changed from the start of the race. It took last year’s winner, Robert Cheruiyot, comments at the post race elite’s press conference to really
open my eyes to the seriousness of the weather situation. He said the water bottles they had turned in the night before to be refrigerated were
already warm at the beginning of the race, and that he did not deal well with the heat, causing him to have stomach cramps at the 5K point and
vomiting around mile 18. The negative heat impact was echoed by many of the other elite runners.
Having an elite athlete describe how poor the conditions were made me highly concerned about the welfare of the other participants, as well as
my two friends who were running. Although both Andy and Chad are strong runners, they definitely would not be finishing as quickly as the elites.
I had been following them via a runner tracking program that text messaged me their times when they crossed certain mile markers on the
course. Both seemed to be doing well based upon the times that I had been receiving. Around 11:45 am Chad called and wanted to know if the
race had been cancelled. He had been told to stop running and that he was now participating in a fun run/walk. I told him I was in the midst of
the press conference and would call him back when I had more information. Sure enough, about five minutes later, the race director came in to
tell us the race had indeed been cancelled. The medical director and he decided, due to the mass number of participants needing medical attention, they would call the race. There were simply too many participants collapsing and suffering from heat related issues to have them continue
on throughout the course. The runners who had not yet hit the half marathon mark would not be allowed to continue on. Rather, they were told to
walk back to the Grant Park finish line via a two mile stretch directing them back to the start area, to find a cooling bus for relief from the heat, or
board a bus to be taken back to the finish line. Andy and Chad were both well past the 13.1 mile marker, but both had been given different instructions. Chad was told that he could continue on with the original course layout or be directed back to the park. He chose to continue on with
the full course option. Even though Chad did continue on, he said around mile 22 police officers were stopping all runners and making participants walk the remainder of the miles or board a bus. Andy consequently was only told that he could go back to the park and around mile 20 was
redirected to the finish line in what he called ―pure craziness.‖ He said that hundreds of people were walking down the street filled with traffic
and having to wait for stop lights in route back to the park. Once they reconnected with the last mile of the race, they were able to jog right into
the finish.
I ended up leaving the press conference around 1 pm and headed to the finish line to see Andy and Chad complete their incredible marathon
experience. Upon finishing, both were able to tell me about their uncanny marathons. Andy said that he knew it had gotten really bad when he
saw a bank and the temperature reading showed 92 degrees. He also noted that he had never before seen medical tents overflowing with people just shaking, and witnessed a fellow runner having a seizure. In terms of fluids I asked him how well the course was stocked. He said that he
skipped the first aid station because he figured there would be water at the second aid station. By the time he got there, everything was gone. It
was not until the six mile marker that he was able to get some water. Chad also said that there was an immense variance of aid stations along
the course. Some stations were well organized and some did not have any water. He did note that the aid stations on the back half of the course
were better stocked with water versus the front half. He mentioned how the people of Chicago really stepped up and came to the aid of the thousands of runners. Many residents who live along the course were willing to set up their own mini-aid stations for the runners, supplying much
needed water and cooling stations by spraying runners with hoses and sprinklers.
All in all 24,933 participants did cross the finish line (10,934 of those who started did not finish) and they can now say they were a part of the
hottest Chicago Marathon in its history, and I am sure will never forget the experience.
Elizabeth Loughren is a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology, College of Health Professions, with an emphasis in exercise and
sport psychology, at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. She has run many races including the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, The Indianapolis Mini-Marathon, The Quad City Times Bix 7, The Philadelphia Distance Run, and her most memorable, The Gaelic Gallop in Dyersville, IA.
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 5
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO RAY’S RACE 2007 -BY IRENE DEITCH,
PH.D.
Blood, sweat and tears from running? No, but let me share some history.
There's nothing like an organized psychologist. Plan ahead! We runners do it before a race. Check out the terrain,
weather, transportation, the schedule and ah so did I. I was led to believe that Saturday morning was the day of
Ray's Race. I promptly made airline reservations set to leave San Francisco early Sunday morning, like 7:30 am
early.
It wasn't until three weeks prior to the convention that I learned the race was to be held on Sunday. What's a retiree
to do? New reservations came as a financial assault. New airport came with "agita". Available seating was a 10 am
deal, requiring at least an hour earlier arrival. Now when it comes to our annual 5K it's a "quais religious commitment." From the beginning when Ray organized the runs, I NEVER missed a race.
Well, after much self-study and checkbook review, the deliberation ended in giving myself the gift of running. Yes,
but how realistic was getting to the airport in time? Scarlett O'Hara had it right... I'd think about it tomorrow. Tomorrow came in the form of "panic." Later planes were booked even if I chose to stay on.
The race course was inconvenient for cabs. I became "The Ancient Marina". I stoppeth people, told them of my
tales of woe. Keith commiserated; Sarah Jordan, sympathized; Noah gave me a bagel to console my anguish. Could
I run THAT fast to do it all?
Once again, I used my positive powers (thanks, Marty Seligman). I did the best I could with what I was doing, bringing luggage to the race; running as fast as possible (right). Fortunately it was the kindness of ―strangers" that made
for a happy ending.
Thanks to the efforts of Suanne and Noah, arrangements were made with the bus driver, who would take me to the
airport after the first (serious) group of runners were returned to their hotels.
Arriving at the airport in my shorts and t-shirt draped by a trench coat, shlepping luggage, and with a banana in
hand, I could be easily identified as a homeless woman or a flasher. But, most importantly, I reached the security
line by 9:08, changed in the washroom, and ran (again) to the appropriate gate.
Yes, RPers IT WAS WORTH IT! The race, the friends, the struggle, the victory!!!! And yes, I did manage to finish first
(in my age group).
There will always be a Ray's Race in my life. A special thanks to those who made this possible:
Keith Cooke -my liaison
Cindy Monica- my support and guide
Art Aaronson, David Dorlen, Michael Monica- my photographers
Rosalind Dorlen- who provided my nourishment, a banana at the finish line
Roberta Vogel- my running mate forever
Ray Fowler- my running mentor & model
Irene Deitch PhD is Professor Emerita of Psychology, City University of NY, College of Staten Island; New York State Licensed
Psychologist, Psychotherapist Producer/Host of Cable TV program, “Making Connections.” Irene is an APA Fellow and served
on several APA Committees. She currently is on the Board of Directors for Division of Psychotherapy, Media Psychology & Ad
Hoc APA Committee on Films & Media. Irene Deitch is the mother of a son & daughter and 2 grandchildren and still married to
her first husband.
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 6
THE TORONTO MARATHON PSYCHING TEAM: MIND OVER MARATHON BY
KATE F. HAYES
On a mid-October morning, as the light is just lifting, runners gather for the Toronto Marathon, a sanctioned event and Boston marathon
qualifier. And so, also, a group gathers, with their distinctive red caps with ―Psyching Team‖ stitched on and red vests, sporting a new logo: a
runner leaping over a wall, graffiti’d: ―Mind over Marathon.‖ It’s the Psyching Team, come out in force not just to cheer on the runners—
though we do that as well—but to provide them with some specific mental skills so that they can run their race optimally—at least from the
perspective of mental preparation.
Or picture one of our ―Psychs on Bikes,‖ riding alongside a struggling marathoner. Imagine handing out a Mylar blanket at the finish line to a
triumphant, weary runner. Consider being in the medical tent at the finish line, assessing a runner’s mental status or reassuring a worried
friend.
The Psyching Team is all of that—and more. This year, we even heard from a runner who benefited merely from reading literature on mental
skills for runners. She had been in marked mental distress prior to the race, but had decided to postpone killing herself—at least until after
the marathon. She stopped at our booth at the Race Expo a few days before the race. She picked up handouts we prepared on best mental
skills techniques and made use of them to prepare herself carefully and systematically for the race. We won’t take credit for saving her life—
but we sure helped her run a mentally healthy race—and perhaps re-consider that her life might be worth living.
The concept of a team to help with the mental side of this exhilarating, grueling activity, was first developed at the New York City Marathon,
more than 20 years ago, by a psychologist-psychiatrist couple, Drs. Mary Ellyn Duane (an early member of RP!) and Harold Selman. Hearing
about the Psyching Team in 1986, I eagerly joined in: I enjoyed running, was at the time intrigued by sport psychology, New York was my
home town (and my mother’s birthday fell right at the same time as the NYC Marathon).
Nothing seemed more obvious, when I moved to Toronto in 1997, than to see if it would be possible to replicate what I had experienced in
New York. The race director here needed a bit of persuading—as did the medical director. Now, having just completed our 9th year, we are
perceived as valuable, and at times, invaluable, to the good functioning of this race. We have been featured in the Toronto Star, on CBC Radio 1, even documentaried by Daily Planet. A more formal description of services and value in terms of primary prevention and demystification of psychology is available at:
Hays, K. F., & Katchen, K. (2006). Reaching out, reaching in: Two examples of public education. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37, 119-124.
Team members self-select, based on their academic credentials and capabilities in at least two of the following criteria: brief psychological
interventions, psychological skills training, and running or competitive sports and complete a registration form, based on these criteria. Typically, there are about 30 Psyching Team members; usually about half have been involved on the Team before. This year, we had an influx of
grad students—as well as two carefully selected undergraduate trainees. Most Team members come from Toronto and around the province
of Ontario—although each year we have Team members from across the U.S., whether out of their own interest or interest in potentially creating a similar team in their area.
For the past few years, the Toronto Marathon Director has willingly paid for the administrative assistance of one of the Team members. The
rest of what we do is voluntary. In the week before the marathon, Team members are gifted with many hand outs, including training and logistical materials, as well as information that will be available to runners about mental skills and newspaper articles about the Psyching
Team.
The Psyching Team weekend feels like a marathon in and of itself. For me, there is always a magic moment, just before Team training begins: we are in a room separate from the runners, who are registering and checking out the booths and wares at the Expo. I look around this
room, seeing both familiar faces and those of strangers, meeting, chatting, cutting up ribbon, taking on new and unexpected tasks, readying
for this weekend-long marathon of our own.
Four hours of training is provided to everyone—a combination of training in brief mental skills, understanding of our roles throughout this
time period, simulations and role plays. Specific training is offered by Dr. Mario Faveri to those who are going to be on bicycles the next day,
riding alongside the runners, while Dr. Lynne Beal offers training to those who will be at the finish line and med. tent, on management of
crisis situations. (Meanwhile, at the pre-race Expo, a few returning Team members are already at our booth, engaging with runners.) Team
members are taught to conclude interventions by offering runners a small piece of orange plastic ribbon (plus safety pin). We encourage
runners to use this ―transitional object‖ to ―anchor‖ or re-connect with the advice, metaphors, and cue words that have been central to the
intervention.
(A brief sidebar on unintended consequences: Drs. Duane and Selman began using these small pieces of ribbon so that they could identify at
the finish of the NYC Marathon those runners who had had Psyching Team interventions before race start. As good scientists, they wanted to
know whether the interventions had had an impact on runners’ experience of the race, and this seemed a way to identify them. Years-worth
of data were collected—but never, to my knowledge, analyzed. But meanwhile: the runners glommed onto the little piece of ribbon. And we’ve
exploited its magic powers ever since.)
On Saturday afternoon, most of the Psyching Team members spend time at and around the Team table at the Expo. This allows an opportunity for further training: shadowing, observing, and trying out interventions with support from veterans, for new Team members. For runners,
the festive, help-offering Expo is an opportunity for in-depth problem-solving. (Article continued on p.7)
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 7
MIND OVER MARATHON (CONTINUED FROM P.6)
Here’s a description, from this year, of a typical intervention:
“A first time marathoner came to me plagued with doubt and anxiety. I talked with her for about 20 minutes, about her motivation, her family. We worked on accurate goal setting, mental strategies she could use during the race, and imagery. By the end of the conversation, she
appeared visibly more relaxed and excited about the prospect of finishing her first marathon. She asked my name and thanked me: she said
she now felt a lot more prepared and less alone—because of the ribbon.”
Plans are underway for a medical conference next year, focused on heart health—and we have been asked to present on depression, exercise, and heart health. On Saturday evening, at the traditional carbo dinner, the Psyching Team is featured, with an opportunity to share
mental skills information and invite people to use our services.
Then comes Sunday morning, the race itself: We arrive an hour before race start, as the runners begin arriving. We are in a prominentlypositioned booth and we also fan out in small clusters, meeting and chatting with the runners. Sometimes the interaction is only a brief
―Where do I leave my bag [with clothes for after the race]?‖ or ―Where’s the port-a-potty?‖ Right there—but runners are by then so internally
focused that their awareness of their surroundings has narrowed considerably. The significant encounters, though, are the brief but meaningful ones involving realistic goal setting or helping a person breathe out their tension. Runners often spend parts of the race thinking of
others. “One woman told me she was going to get through the tough spots by thinking of the homeless man she had passed on her way to
the race. She said that she was going to run for him, because she could run.” Another runner had already created for herself 50 small cue
cards, each with a positive affirmation, anecdote, funny situation, or a reminder of her family and friends.
The race is off! And as Psyching Team members gather for a bit of anecdote sharing prior to getting themselves down to the race finish line,
the Psychs on Bikes (PoB’s) get into full gear. Spread out along the race course, they each have a general territory and keep an eye out for
people who look like they need a helping hand or voice. As with the other interventions, most often those in need are first time marathoners,
those from out of town, slower runners. One PoB shared this description: ―On my way [to the finish line] I saw a young woman doing a kind of
limping run. She had a knee injury of some sort that forced her to stop and walk after every 20 steps. I asked her if she'd had the pain before, what
she'd done about it then, what she had tried today, etc. I also asked her whether her knee had had enough for the day, and whether she wanted to
save it for another run. She shook her head doggedly and said, 'I can finish if you stay with me.' She put her headphones on, turned up the music,
and soldiered on. I rode beside her from Queen St. right to the finish, staying in her peripheral vision. She stopped to walk occasionally, but never
said a word. I tried no further interventions, even when she displayed obvious pain. Her iPod was an intervention in itself. Beyond that, all she
seemed to want was not to be alone. We crossed the finish line just short of 4pm [5 hours after race start]. She cried with relief, and gave me a big
hug of thanks. I felt like a proud father!"
At the finish line, our tasks are variable: some of us are in or around the medical tent, available to speak with runners dealing with medical
consequences of their race, to locate family and friends, to act as an interpersonal bridge with the medical team. This year there was, fortunately, very little ―traffic‖ in the med. tent. (In other years, our knowledge of crisis intervention, families and systems consultation, and grief
work, has been seen as invaluable by the medical and marathon personnel, as we have assisted them through the difficult work of dealing
with family members of those who have died on the course. Similarly, one very cold year, as a result of hypothermia, a runner was amnesic
concerning the race end. In conjunction with the medical team, we assessed his gradually changing mental status and worked with his
friends, who hovered worriedly nearby).
We spend time as well, in the massage tent, where runners are receiving massage to their weary and aching bodies. And some of us provide
general volunteer activities, whether it’s direction-giving or placing a Mylar blanket around a tired runner, walking him toward water and food,
unobtrusively assessing how functional he is, reviewing the race with him, helping to re-frame his accomplishments.
I see the Psyching Team as having three main purposes. Most visibly, we provide mental skills, support, and triage to runners—using welldeveloped principles, strategies, and techniques of sport psychology. Each year, we have direct contact with about 1,000-1,500 runners. In
doing so, we also are ―de-mystifying‖ psychology. And finally, through training and practical action, the volunteers themselves become more
proficient at the practice of sport psychology.
Sound interesting? Sound like fun? You needn’t wait until next fall to sign up. Drop me a note at [email protected] and I’ll
gladly put you on the mailing list for notification next September! Or if you wish, I’ll send you a pdf of the professional article mentioned
above.
Kate F. Hayes has her doctoral degree and a degree in counseling psychology. She currently owns and runs her own practice, The Performing Edge, which is based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She can be reached at [email protected].
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 8
MARINE CORPS MARATHON BY CINDY SEARES-MONICA
Hi Running Psychologist Friends! I want to share with you some memories of one of
the best parts of my year (2007). I decided early in the year that I wanted to run the
Marine Corps Marathon this year, after having a very positive experience with it last
year. I noticed a group of runners with the St. Jude Heroes last year, and that
sounded intriguing, so I got a brochure and sent it in early, back in March to sign up.
Just thinking about a plan to run the marathon kept me focused and positive all year.
There were many stresses going on in my life- I had to deal with the loss of my mom,
and help my husband struggle with his health problems and other challenges of life.
But just signing up with the St. Jude Heroes, and clocking up the miles for training,
especially with my running club buddies on Sunday morning, helped me to stay positive all year. I got a
shot in the arm when a friend of mine donated $1,000 for the cause. That brought tears to my eyes, that
she and her husband could be so generous. I was able to raise a total of $3,755 for the charity. Many of
you contributed to my team effort with your contributions to St. Jude Heroes, as well as your emotional
support. It meant everything to me!
It's not easy to fit marathon training into your life when you are age 62, getting a little slower, still working
at a private practice, teaching part-time at a university, and trying to have some personal time for family,
especially those precious grandkids. But I did it. I trained better than ever. And I arranged to have family
come to DC for the race weekend, and gave them assignments at various mileposts. Looking forward to
seeing them at different spots helped to make the run so much more manageable! I got a laugh out of my
daughter's statement that she was not able to keep up with me, chasing me around Washington, DC. She
and her husband and her friend were supposed to be waiting for me at Milepost 11, but they arrived five
minutes or so after me. So, they rushed over to milepost 19 to meet me (via the Metro) and they just
made it. It was so amazingly wonderful to spot them jumping up and down, cheering for me at mile 19.
My daughter jogged with me for a block or so, and commented that I looked so fresh and for having run
that far. My nieces had found me at mile four, and then again at the finish line. My husband helped get
me to the start on time (Thank you, Michael) and was faithfully there at the end. We had a wonderful celebration.
It was about the best thing I did all year. We were blessed to have perfect marathon weather (cool and
sunny, with just a bit of wind). I felt strong and happy through the race, and didn't feel bad at all at the
end. In fact, I am thinking of my next marathon, and how I can improve my time even more. By the way, I
had a PR for the marathon, 4:52, but I would like to do much better next time.
I hope to see you all at the Ray's Race APA 5K in Boston, 8/17/08. It will be our best race ever with Bill
Rodgers, marathon hero, there to start us off.
Lucinda Seares-Monica "Cindy" is the current President of the Running Psychologists. She recently
placed first in her age division (60-64) at this year’s Ray’s Race with a time of 28:42.
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 9
NEWS TO USE
A recent running study:
The Effects of Motivational and Instructional Self Talk on the Attentional Focus of High School Distance
Runners
Amber G. Burgess, M.S.
The University of Denver
The purposes of this study were to examine the (a) attentional focus strategies used by high school distance runners, (b) changes in attentional focus across four laps in three 1.6 km runs, and (c) effects of a
pre-performance intervention using motivational and instructional self talk on the attentional focus strategies used by and performance of high school distance runners. Participants (N = 42) completed the Cross
Country Attentional Focus Inventory (CCAFI) which measured current involvement in distance running, the
use of associative and dissociative attentional strategies during a 1.6 km run, and the effects of a preperformance intervention on attentional focus and performance. A series of one way ANOVAs revealed
significant differences in attentional strategies used by each group, as well as a fluctuation in use of each
strategy throughout the race. Participants who received the motivational and instructional statements
were better able to avoid task-irrelevant cues. The experimental group associated more during each of
the 1.6 km trials, whereas the control group dissociated more throughout each trial.
A R E R U N N ER S A N EN D A N G ER ED SP EC IES?
B Y R A Y FO W LER
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 10
EDITORS CORNER BY MICHAEL SACHS AND RAY FOWLER
Welcome to the fall 2007 issue of The Running Psychologist. Hope you had a great summer (and autumn
- it is almost over - yikes!). Hope, as well, that you were able to attend Ray’s Race this year in San Francisco. See elsewhere in this issue for results and pictures.
Thanks again to Elizabeth Loughren, a doctoral student in exercise and sport psychology in the Department of Kinesiology at Temple University, for her expert assistance as Assistant Editor.
Please write and tell us what you do/don’t like about the newsletter, especially if you would like to write
something for a future issue! :-) Anyone run a summer/fall marathon or ultra they would like to tell us
about?
We look forward to seeing you in Boston!
Carpe diem et carpe viam,
Michael Sachs
Ray Fowler
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Running Psychologists Committee

President– Cindy Seares-Monica ([email protected])

Secretary/Treasurer– Janet Cain ([email protected])

Past President– Suanne Shocket ([email protected])

Student Representative– Holly Dannewitz ([email protected])

Newsletter Co-Editors– Michael Sachs ([email protected]) and Ray Fowler ([email protected])

Newsletter Associate Editor– Elizabeth Loughren ([email protected])
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Women’s
Place First Name
1
Megan
2
Maribeth
3
Janet
4
Chris
5
Suanne
6
Karen
7
Kirsten
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Jacqueline
Amanda
Lauren
Leah
Susan
Rosemary
Britney
Lori
Amy
Beth
Jackie
Dana
Megan
Caitlin
Jen
Lisa
Dana
Danielle
Lisa
Jennifer
Lauren
Barbara
Vanessa
Veronica
Lucinda
Amy
Elizabeth
Richelle
Melissa
Lauren
Laura
Ann
Erica
Adriana
Lynn
Norma
Page 11
Results
Last Name
Call
Horan
Cain
Morrison
Shocket
Cogan
Peterson
Time
18:51
22:21
23:02
23:50
24:31
24:34
24:43
Seltzer
Gregas
Kaiser
Wingeart
Bennett
Adam-Terem
Brinkman
Wensley
Carillo
Syndor
King
Born
Ferronato
Schultz
Carter
Schulman
Heerschop
Colborn
Fortuna
Walsh
Malthy
Hoyer
Scaringi
Dark
Seares-Monica
Wininger
Ramquist
Concepcion
Froehner
Froehner
Carter
Harms
Medlock
Lopez
Bartels
Poll
24:43
25:07
25:59
25:59
26:01
26:10
26:17
26:25
26:27
26:32
26:32
26:39
26:51
26:57
27:13
27:25
27:26
27:44
27:47
27:53
28:17
28:27
28:30
28:37
28:42
28:57
29:07
29:23
29:23
29:23
29:40
29:42
29:56
30:06
30:15
30:21
29th Annual Ray’s Race 5K Run/Walk Results
APA Conference-San Francisco
August 19, 2007
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
Jane
Kelly
Patricia
Nancy
Heather
Sonia
Jessica
Alicia
Allison
Terri
Michelle
Chana
Jessica
Krista
Caroline
Roz
Anne
Misty
Emily
Cari
Merissa
Debbie
Betsey
Roberta
Irene
Marie
Giulietta
Megan
Kirsten
Inka
Hellwig
Land
Pochet
Aiken
Lesser
Vajaria
Brumm
Schwerin
Rothman
Jashinsky
Porche
Akins
Richmond
Brittain
Williams
Dorlen
Cleary
Boyd
Yeagley
Cornish
Malacara
Wong-Okabe
Linneman
Vogel
Deitch
Mesidor
Swenson
Rogers
Petersen
Saldechi-Bleck
30:22
31:08
31:47
31:57
31:58
32:32
32:40
33:07
33:16
34:28
35:34
35:51
35:54
36:14
36:24
36:30
36:33
36:33
36:37
37:02
38:38
39:40
42:16
42:50
42:50
42:50
46:20
46:50
51:07
51:08
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Place
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Men's
First Name
Gregory
Mike
Michael
Scott
Lee
Steve
Rick
Chris
Noah
Dan
Richard
Scott
Chris
William
Roar
Thomas
Paul
John
Stephen
Kamiar
John
Jeffrey
Jod
Patrick
Brad
Michael
Will
Pierre
Jim
Noah
James
Gary
Jim
Jim
Henk
Jovan
Frank
Art
Elan
John
Shea
Dan
Sam
Ray
James
Michael
David
Scotty
Results
Last Name
Benson
Olson
Waldo
Romeika
Cohen
Wininger
LaCaille
Daoud
Adrians
Krauss
Bollinger
Whiteford
McCarthy
Reyes
Espeviy
Plante
Arbisi
O'Brien
Lally
Kouzekanani
Tassey
Sher
Taywaditep
Mattimore
Novak
Leiten
Heerschop
Ferronato
Sunbury
Nason
Bovaird
Brooks
Rogers
Meehan
Ruck
Hernandez
Webbe
Aaronson
Goldman
McDonald
Ramquist
van Ingen
Buser
Fowler
Shaw
Schwerin
Nolley
Hargrove
Page 12
Time
18:05
18:09
19:37
19:47
19:50
19:52
20:15
20:50
21:01
21:03
21:06
21:43
21:45
21:51
22:33
22:41
23:01
23:32
23:55
24:00
24:17
24:25
24:28
24:42
25:10
25:20
25:26
25:26
25:37
25:46
25:59
26:00
26:13
26:20
26:39
26:58
27:00
27:03
27:23
27:43
28:43
28:50
31:10
31:59
32:11
33:08
34:39
37:10
29th Annual Ray’s Race 5K Run/Walk
Results and Pictures
APA Conference-San Francisco
August 19, 2007
49
Jim
McCown
37:20
50
Charles
Corliss
37:20
51
Craig
Okabe
39:13
52
Sy
Gross
39:45
53
Gilbert
Sanders
39:45
54
Harry
Linneman
40:07
55
Unknown
Unknown
40:23
56
Uhlmann
Ludwig
41:50
57
Terry
Brinkman
42:08
VOLUME 2007, ISSUE 3
Page 13
SPECIAL AWARDS - WOMEN'S AND MEN'S
WOMEN
Exhibitor/Sponsor Award
First
Last
Place
Name
Name
1
Dana
Born
Division 47 Awards
First
Last
Place
Name
Name
1
Lisa
Schulman
Concep2
Richelle
cion
Psi Chi Awards
First
Place
Name
1
Ann
2
Sonia
3
Krista
Last
Name
Harms
Vajaria
Brittain
29th Annual Ray’s Race 5K Run/Walk
Results and Pictures
Time
26:39
APA Conference-San Francisco
August 19, 2007
Time
27:25
29:23
Time
29:42
32:32
36:14
MEN
Exhibitor/Sponsor Award
First
Last
Place
Name
Name
1
Henk
Ruck
Time
26:39
Division 47 Award
First
Place
Name
1
Frank
Last
Name
Webbe
Time
27:00
Psi Chi Award
First
Place
Name
1
James
Last
Name
Bovaird
Time
25:59
WALKER AWARDS - WOMEN'S AND MEN'S
WOMEN WALKERS
First
Place
Name
1
2
3
Debbie
Giulietta
Megan
Last
Name
WongOkabe
Swenson
Rogers
39:40
46:20
46:50
Last
Name
McCown
Gross
Sanders
Time
37:20
39:45
39:45
Time
MEN WALKERS
Place
1
2
3
First
Name
Jim
Sy
Gilbert
APA Division 47: Exercise and Sport Psychology
Presents
The 30th Annual Running Psychologists’
APA 5K RAY’S RACE
With Olympian Runner Bill Rodgers, Winner of Boston and New York Marathons
Artesani Park
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2008 AT 7:00 AM
Sponsors: American Psychological Association; APA Insurance Trust; Blackwell Publishing, Pearson Assessments; Worth Books; Psi Chi; Divisions 47, 19, 20, & 50
*************************************************************************************
The 30th annual APA ―Ray’s Race and Walk‖
Artesani Park, Boston, August 16, 2008, 7AM
APA Member ____ Student ____ Sponsor ____ Exhibitor ___ Psi Chi _____
NAME : ______________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________________
CITY: __________________________________
STATE: ____________________ ZIP: __________
EMAIL: ________________________________
Age on 8/16/08: ______
Shirt Size: S M L XL
TELEPHONE: ______________________________
Date of Birth: ___________
M__ F ___
Racewalker _____
Check here if first-time participant ____ if address has changed _____
Registration fee includes race entry, bus to and from race; t-shirt, refreshments, awards & raffle entry. Pre-Registration: Regular entry:
$25; Students or Division 47 members, $20. Convention site registration: $30.
If you are an APA member and wish to apply for Division 47 membership with this entry, check below. I wish to apply for Division 47 membership. ____You will
be entitled to the first year’s membership free. JOIN DIVISION 47: APA Status: Member ____ Fellow ____ Assoc______ Student Affiliate __ APA Membership
#_________
WAIVER: I assume all risks associated with running in this event including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including high heat
and/or humidity, traffic, and the conditions of the road, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of
your accepting my entry, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Running Psychologists, Division 47 and the American Psychological Association,
the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the city of Boston, and TRACS, Inc., subcontractors, sponsors, and volunteers, and their respective representatives and successors,
from any and all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in the APA 5k Ray’s Race and Walk event on Saturday, August 16. 2008 at Artesani Park, even though
that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver. I grant permission to all of the foregoing to use any photographs, motion
pictures and recording or any other record of this event for any legitimate purpose. I HAVE READ THE ABOVE RELEASE AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ENTERING THIS EVENT AT MY
OWN RISK.
Signature: ________________________________________________________
Date: ____________________
(Guardian must sign if applicant is under age 18)
Pre-registration is strongly recommended. T-shirts guaranteed only to pre-registrants.
Check, payable to Running Psychologists, must be received by August 11, 2008
Send to: Janet Cain, Ph. D., Treasurer, Running Psychologists; 935 Trancas St., 1-B, Napa, CA, 95476
Questions? Email: Lucinda Seares-Monica, Psy. D., [email protected] or Janet Cain, Ph. D. at [email protected].