I have been through many, many marathon experiences with Jackie. Some beyond incredible, and others not so much. But along the way, I have watched her mature and gain running and life wisdom from both the good and the bad runs. Jackie "retired" from full marathons at Boston in the Spring of 2011. Personally, I was glad. The four months of constant, grueling training that is required for each inevitably takes its toll. Although I've never run one, the necessary support work that goes into helping her get ready and get through a marathon culminates in a mental and physical let down/wind down for me that is semi-comparable to what Jackie herself experiences. In January of this year Jackie ran the half marathon in Naples, Fla. I can't explain why, but afterwards I heard myself telling her "I think you have another one in you." A few weeks later, we (our community) lost Maggie Elder. Jackie told me that she was going to let Maggie run through her the marathon that Maggie never got to run on her own. I have seen a lot from Jackie over the years, but never have I seen the level of dedication that she put into training for this run. I also noted the absence of the strain between us that builds during the course of her training. Jackie's preparedness rivalled anything that I had seen when she was hovering around the 3:00 mark in the mid-2000's. Just before we left on Friday for the Poconos, an urgent email came to all of the race participants telling them that they could defer their run to next year because of the unexpected 80+ degree heat that was predicted for Sunday's race. I asked Jackie what she thought, and she said "Maggie didn't get to choose her race day, let's go." Of couse the weather didn't disappoint on Sunday, it was ever sunnier and hotter than they had forcast. Jackie was trained to run 6:50 miles, but it was obvious by mid-race that such a pace was unsustainable in these conditions. At that point, the object became just to complete the race without visiting the hospital. Jackie finished in 3:15, with barely any fumes left in her tank. When I saw her, she said "I wanted to quit out there so many times, I have never hurt like that ever before." I asked her why she didn't, and she said "Maggie wouldn't let me." The true irony of this race is that Jackie's 3:15 was good enough for second place in the female Master's Division, but she was edged out by less than 10 seconds by a runner named "Maggie!" If I were going into battle and Jackie said that she had my back, I would never waste my time looking anywhere but straight ahead. With love and respect, Andy
I was never blessed with a child of my own, so Mother's Day has always been rather sad for me. That changed this year when I was asked by one of my young runners to be his "special friend" at Family and Friends Day at his school. This is what everyone heard about me from him: "A long time ago on a Saturday afternoon, I ran in a race for my dear friend, Maggie. During the race, I saw her out of the corner of my eye. She was Maggie's running coach, and I did not know that later that year she would become my running coach. Her name is Jackie Horvath, a/k/a Jackierabbit. She trained me in sometimes blistering cold weather, or in steaming hot weather. If I won a race, that's a gold medal to her. But to me, a gold medal is making her happy. She shares her running secrets with me because she believes in me. One time on the Ligonier track I ran a 5k, then dedicated the last lap to Maggie Elder. Jackie always believed in me, so she gave me the title---Supersonic! Now I consider her my running family, instead of just my coach." Aidan Gillespie Thank you Supersonic, I most certainly do believe in you, Jackierabbit
I want to congratulate all of our local runners who participated in the Pittsburgh relay, half and full marathons.The Ligonier Valley was represented very well from Tuscano's relay team, to all of my friends and clients. I helped train several runners this year, and their levels of accomplishment were incredibly gratifying to me. Last year, Julie and Deb were part of a relay team. After their legs of the race were done, they felt so good that they just kept running. That inspired them to train with me for the half this year, and both exceeded their expectations. As for Tuscano's relay team---Bravo! My good friend, Tom, came to me two months and 25 pounds ago with a half marathon goal time of 2:10. Mid-training and 15 pounds down, we revised our goal to breaking 2:00---which he did (1:59:28)! Alleluia! I received a frantic phone call one month before her first attempt at the marathon distance. What I heard in April's voice, I have felt before. She had a pulled muscle and needed my help/advice. After I met and ran with her, I realized that April had all of the training and heart needed to complete 26.2. I wrote her a one month plan that was enough to keep her focused, fresh and conditioned, without any "junk" miles that could only aggravate her injury. April completed her first marathon in 3:48! I have the feeling that she will be Boston bound in the not-too-distant future. The client who I feel that I helped the least, was the one I taught the most. Mike came to me three months ago with only one 10k under his belt. His goal was to run a half marathon when he turned 50. After I ran a couple of times with him, I realized that he could run a full marathon at 50! So I geared/trained him for the Pittsburgh half, with the idea of possibly doing a full in the fall. Mike has the physical and mental ability to run any distance he chooses. The only thing Mike lacked, was belief in himself. Four months after quitting smoking, losing 20 pounds, and turning 50, Mike chose to believe in himself by running a splendid half marathon. Success would not be recognized as such, if there wasn't disappointment as well. Patty was my all-star throughout training. She did every workout, and hit or surpassed all of her splits. Our goal was to run the half in under 2:00, but she was trained where 1:45 was not out of the question. The night before the race, and out of the blue, her beloved doggie got deathly ill and needed her constant attention. As a result, she did not run. In the next life, I want to be Patty's doggie, because I know how incredibly big her heart is. For all of the times I ran with, tweaked, trained or rode my bike alongside all of you, I thank you for making me feel like a winner so many times over. Also, quick congratulations to Ben Meade for a great first half marathon, and more so to his dad, Jim. Jim ran for all the kids who can't, and raised $2,400 for Children's Hospital. My recognition would not be complete without mentioning Dennis Cutrell completing his first full marathon in a little over four hours. Dennis is one of those rare people who can just make up their mind to do something, and go about getting it done. Unfortunately, most of us need more help than that! Congratulations again, you all had a great run, Jackierabbit
We had our second Youth Workshop on Saturday, May 12. I was very impressed by how well all of my young runners maintained their good form from last week. I re-worked with each of my runners, but there was little to change as all were running smoothly. It is so much easier to work with younger people than it is with adults when it comes to running. When you show these youngsters proper form, they just gravitate to it so easily and naturally. It truly is fun to watch. Next we worked on running some distance. A couple of our kids were able to go a mile and a quarter without a break, while others made it almost as far. Everyone learned the importance of picking a pace that you can maintain for a long time rather than going out too fast and dying. We are going to have one more Youth Workshop at 9:00 am on Saturday, May 26. However, between now and then, it is extremely important that my young runners do their homework to increase the distance they can run without stopping. I would like my kids to run 3 days during the week of May 13, and 2 days during the week of May 20 before I see them again on May 26. During those homework sessions, I want you to do the following: May 14th, On a marked (1-mile) course, I would like my young runners to try and run 1-mile, then turn and try to run at least half the way back to their starting point. If you need to stop and catch your breath it's ok, but then start running again to finish were you started. If you can make it back to your starting point without stopping, BRAVO! This will total 2-miles. If you are running this workout at the track, try to run 6 laps without stopping. If you need to stop at this point, walk a little, then complete 2-more laps. May 15th rest from running! May 16th... Repeat Tuesday's workout, if you were not able to run 2-miles or 8 laps without stopping, try to do this today....If you were able to complete the total 2-miles on Tuesday...just do the same 2-miles again...no more...we want to feel and get stronger at the 2-miles before we add any more distance. May 17th & 18th rest from running May 19th... Today is when we try to add just a little more distance....we have only 9-more days until our race, we have to be able to run at least 2 3/4 miles to have the confidence to be able to cover the needed distance for our 5k. So, today we are going to try and go a little further...on a marked (1 mile) course, run to the 1-mile mark, turn and run back to the start, then turn and try to make it back 1/2 way without stopping. This will make 2.5 miles...if you can make it all the way back to the start...congratulations, you have covered the distance that you will need to cover on race day... If you are running this workout on the track...try to run 10-laps...and again, if you can run 12-laps...congratulation, you have just covered the amount of distance need for race day... May 20-21 rest from running May 22nd Repeat Saturday's workout...if you were not able to complete the workout, then really try to do it today...It is important to have confidence knowing you have covered the distance needed at least once before your race,,, May 23 Rest from running May 24th do the warm-up drills I taught you...knee-ups, striders and heals up in back.... May 25 Rest from running May 26th final pre-race youth clinic workshop...bring you race face!!!!! * Remember, always warm-up with the stretches I taught you, before you run and most of all...don't forget your jackierabbit ears on your shoes!!!!
We had our first (of three) Youth Workshops on Saturday, May 5. We had a good group of highly motivated runners who paid close attention to everything I said and showed them. We started out with some one-on-one work, as I worked with each young runner to correct and streamline their form. After that, we ran as a group at a comfortable pace for a half mile. We took a short breather, and ran the half mile back as a group. Everybody was able to complete this, even our youngest runner (age 7). We then concluded the running with a 50 yard dash against similarly aged runners. Afterward, we discussed what we had learned, and where we have to go now to reach our goal of running in the Idlewild 5k on Memorial Day. I want my runners and their parents to do some homework this week to help our young runners reach their goal. Two days this week, maybe Tuesday and Thursday, or Wednesday and Friday, take your young runner down to the track after school, and have them run some laps at a comfortable (better slower than faster) pace. After loosening up (stretching and jogging a little to get the legs warm), try to have your young runner run three complete laps without stopping. Again, speed is not an issue, endurance and good form are. Take a three minute break, and have them run two more laps without stopping. On the second homework day, have them run three and three with a break in between. At next Saturday's workshop, we will again do one-on-one form checks. After that, we will jog as a group for a mile, take a breather, and do it again. Our goal at this workshop is not to set speed records, but to learn how to be able to run and breathe in a rythym that will allow you to reach 3.1 miles of running without stopping. Have a good run, Jackierabbit
Spring is sprung, and school is winding down. It is time to teach a fresh batch of youngsters how to run safely and properly. My goal is to instill the basics now, so they can enjoy a lifetime of what has truly been my passion---outdoor running. I plan to hold 3 Youth Workshops on Saturdays in May (5th, 12th and 26th), from 9:00-10:00 am. The plan is to start at the track and work on running form. From there we progress to distance, with the ultimate goal being able to complete a 5k run this spring. The cost of each workshop is $20, and if you sign up for all 3, the total cost is $50. Refreshments and snacks will be provided as well. If you have an interest in having a child attend, please let me know as soon as possible, as it helps greatly for planning purposes. Also, if you have friends who may have children who would be interested, please let them know and ask them to email me at jackie@jackieslocker.com, or call 724-238-5225. Finally, for those of you who have children that are past Youth Workshop graduates, I would urge you to contact me for a one or two session refresher with your child to get them back ready to run this spring's 5k's. Each session is one-on-one, and customized to your child. The cost of these refresher sessions are $20 each. I wish everyone a most Happy Easter, and have a great run, Jackierabbit
Jackie's Locker will have special Easter hours next week / weekend.
April 5 and 6th - closed.
Saturday April 7th, open 9:30-5:00
Easter Sunday and Monday - closed.
Spring is upon us at Jackie's Locker. I have Brooks "St. Patty's Day" running hats in white and black, and Mizuno "Breath-Thermo" shirts in stock (see photo). I recently tried the Breath-Thermo, and can honestly say that I like it more than Underarmour, and here is why-----as you begin to perspire, it actually heats up! We are still far from done with our cool to cold morning runs, and the Breath-Thermo cuts way down on what I have to wear on these chilly mornings to stay warm and comfortable. Don't wait for next fall's inevitable price increases when you can pick it up and use it now. Finally, if there are particular items or clothing that you would like added to Jackie's Locker stock, please let me know and I will arrange to bring them in. My goal is to be the best local athletic resource to the many wonderful athletes that we have in the Ligonier area. Thanks, and have a great run, Jackierabbit
In Biblical times, the penitents offered to God their purest and most innocent lamb in supplication for their sins, and in thanks for His blessings. On this past (Ash) Wednesday, the Ligonier community offered up its purest and most innocent lamb, 11 year-old Maggie Elder. Last fall we all gathered around her and her family, and we prayed for a "Miracle for Maggie." At the time, little did we know that it was Maggie who was indeed our "miracle," and that we now are all better people, individually and as a community, for having come to know her. The way she quietly and self-deprecatingly carried her heaviest of crosses for 8 months taught each and every one of us to get the most we can out of each and every day we have, and to freely express love and compassion to our family and community regardless of our circumstances. On Tuesday, February 28th, I attended Maggie's "graduation" mass at St. Vincent's cathedral. Although a large cathedral, it was standing room only for a truly beautiful service that was more about celebration and hope, than of loss. Everyone there walked out of church confident in Maggie's eternal reward, and more hopeful that some day each one of us can and will be good enough to follow her example. Please continue to be thankful and pray for this wonderful family that we are so blest to have live amongst us. Humbled, Jackie Horvath
Have you ever noticed that, occasionally, despite your best efforts, things still work out. Andy and I just finished up one of those experiences. For my birthday, I surprised Andy with a 6 day getaway to Naples and Key West. If I had waited for him to do it,......well you understand. Even though I have not been training seriously, I decided to do the Naples Half Marathon, so we started our getaway there. The weather was chilly for Naples, but perfect for me coming from Ligonier, and the course was absolutely beautiful. I turned in a respectable 1:30, which was good enough for 19th female out of 1600+ women, and 4th female masters runner. After that the fun began. Andy and I had a lox and bagels, bloody mary brunch at an outdoor cafe that was incredible. After that, we shared our traditional post-race bottle of champagne at poolside. That evening, we were the only two people (beside the pilot) flying on a Cape Air (Fear) twin engine prop from Ft. Myers to Key West. It was incredibly romantic, even with Andy. Key West is our version of Paris. This is our 5th time there, and there is something about the rhythm of that place that just suits us perfectly. Sunrises were viewed every morning from a high-rise balcony (not our own of course) with flavored coffees, and sunsets were cheered from Mallory Square. In between was a delicious blend of beach, bikes and bars (the 3 b's that equal balance when combined in the proper proportion). It is the first break in quite awhile that I can say was truly refreshing. This week, I will be focusing on the runners' workshops for February, and will get something out next week. In the meantime, any input or suggestions about what you would like to see covered is welcomed. Have a great run, Jackierabbit
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