Oakwood’s early-bird runners

By Carol Enns

Oakwood’s early bird running gang.

Oakwood residents are accustomed to accommodating the runners who take advantage of the lovely tree-lined streets and 25 mph speed limit. The reflective clothing and blinking lights runners and cyclists wear alert the motorists and remind the homeowners that they are out there.  A group of early-bird runners however, run below the radar of detection and recognition because they wake well before dawn and the delivery of the newspapers.  These runners meet at the high school track at the ungodly hour of 4:15, prepared for a speed workout that is completed around 6 a.m.– in time to breeze into the workplace by 7:00 or complete a few tasks before their households stir.  

The early hour was first established by Janie Schul because of her early start at a Dayton City school – running early was much preferred over a late afternoon run when the roads, track and household schedule were overloaded. Several runners shared her preference for early workouts and now the group can number up to 14.

The group has its origins in the Bob Schul Racing Team which met for many years at the Oakwood track, preparing runners for the race circuit.  When Bob moved up to Fairborn, the group began its early week-day schedule (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 a.m. at the track and Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 a.m. on the roads), meeting for long runs and another track work-out on the week-ends – as late as 7:15 a.m.

Several runners have been with Janie for many years – Martin Schear, Carol Enns and Janie’s daughter Lauren Woessner recall tough workouts with Bob at the Kettering Rec Centre grounds, training cross country.  Rex Kern was drawn by the evident joy these runners had on the track and roads – and asked if he could join in.  

Like Rex, any runner who has a yearning to experience the challenge and joy of running, training and competing is WELCOME to join the group.  Debbie Alderton was happy to train with a group for her first marathon several years ago – she qualified for Boston this spring at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.  Tracy Morgan and Aaron Delidow will join Debbie in that thrilling event because of their successful training and racing this year. John Haviland and Phil Hanselman were seasoned runners whose running friends lived farther away than the track – so they come to the group for early runs and marathon training.

Julie Beyer will run her first marathon in Chicago, supported and encouraged by the team. Rose Eckerle and Maria Russell train early mornings in between maternity leaves. Ruth Kohstall and Marilouise Beeman thrive on the early hours, running several marathons a year. Newcomer Kenneth Seidl raced the Oakwood 5 km in spring, ran with the group on a few long runs and successfully completed his first marathon this past week-end.

Meredith O’Connor and Debbie Gorman are newcomers, eager to train and prepare for the racing circuit. Jocelyn Piccone combines rowing and running schedules and arrives at 5:00 – several runners opt for a later start, finishing by 6:30 a.m.

At all hours of the training schedule, runners find camaraderie, friendship and a guaranteed workout.  The options range from early morning track to week-end long runs, to travel and support at local and distant race events.  

We salute the group and invite others to consider joining.  Regular emails inform runners of times and workouts, training and racing tips and shared concerns.  Newcomers need only come to run on a Tuesday and/or Thursday to receive a welcome and a workout.

Thank You, Oakwood, for your generosity

Pictured are Oakwood Giving students who came out to participate in trick or treat for canned goods on Oct. 29.  The event was a huge success as seven barrels and four boxes were filled with canned goods.  The food will be used by Holiday Aid to feed the hungry in the Miami Valley.

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