Bruce Pollard grew up just outside of Mt. Vernon, South Dakota and has been part of the Race Crew for three years now. He heard about it from friends while going to the 605 Running Company’s weekly group runs. He was curious and it’s part of his personality to not want to be left out of things, so he applied, got in, and has been enjoying it ever since. Bruce never did organized running. In high school he was busy farming and later he was in the military and did plenty of running there. After the military, he didn’t do any running for years. Later in 2012, a college buddy asked Bruce to run the Turkey Trot 10k in Worthington, MN and he said sure, despite not even knowing what a 10k was at the time. According to Bruce, he about died during that 10k. He had no experience in racing and wasn’t ready to go that fast, but it wasn’t enough to deter him from running. So a few years later another friend said he was going to run the Sioux Falls Half Marathon and Bruce asked if he could do it with him. His friend said of course and Bruce has been running them ever since. Nowadays he runs up to seven of them in a year. Every runner runs for a different reason. So why does Bruce like to run? It keeps him in condition. He likes to stay in shape even at 58 years old and running is his way of doing just that. Bruce remarked that running probably saved him, becoming an avenue away from bad habits. Additionally, he travels a lot and one of his favorite ways to experience a new place is by going on a 5-8 mile run on a trail that he’s never been on. The best race Bruce ever had was the Fargo Half Marathon in the fall of 2021 where he ran a lifetime PR time. It was a fun race. He felt amazing afterwards, not trashed as would often happen, going to show how his hard work paid off. Bruce’s favorite part of being on the Race Crew is the friendship that they all share between one another as they help each other and push each other to be better. He loves being a part of the Race Crew, volunteering at St. Francis House, participating in Saturday morning group runs (he’d come to more if he lived closer and wasn’t so busy), volunteering for other things for 605 Running Company, and doing everything he can to be involved. Bruce’s advice to other runners out there: “Keep it real, man.” This blog submitted by 605 Running Company Tier II Team Member: Morgan Sauer
1 Comment
“I have Dad at the hospital. They are admitting him with internal bleeding. I’m going to need help contacting people who have orders for today. I’ll keep you posted on Dad.” This is the text message I received at 4:13am on January 4th from my Mom. Not exactly how any of us wanted to start the year out. For the next three weeks my Dad was in the hospital. He dealt with anemia, pneumonia, and had surgery to remove 25% of his colon. This closed my parents business The Cookie Jar, excluding their standing wholesale orders, which my mom and I were able to fulfill with help from their two employees at their bakery. January is a slower time for business at 605 Running Company. Yes, Downtown sells a lot of burgers in the month of January, but the retail business is traditionally not great. We have been in business long enough to know this. So for 2022 my team and I made some big plans. Really big plans; that included a store remodel, new point of sale system, new online store and the addition of a brand new Run605 app that offers tons of dynamic features. This was all a very ambitious plan for the month. Life in 2022 has moved at the speed of light for me personally. I did the best I could to spend as much time with my Dad at the hospital as possible. The situation was scary, especially as COVID once again surged (more on that later). Nothing really prepares you to see a parent in the hospital. I’m unendingly thankful to the nurses, techs, doctors and aids at Avera. My Dad had exceptional care, was treated with dignity and is alive today because of these great professionals. There is another team that I cannot praise enough. That is the great team I’ve assembled at 605 Running Company. In short I’ve been the boss from afar. Remember when I said we’d chat more about COVID. Well, after my Dad made it home from the hospital to begin his recovery my daughter Violet tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, the two were not in close contact so my Dad was spared. Chelsea and I on the other hand were not. Violet had a fever, chills and body aches for a couple of days. I was the first parent to test positive as for some reason for the first time in her life Violet decided it was funny to lick my face. My symptoms included chills, accelerated heart rate, fatigue and congestion. Chelsea tested positive last for us and COVID combined with her asthma she had the hardest time and actually had to be put on a steroid during her recovery. So with my Dad home recovering and my family now healthy and cleared to return to normal activity I was ready to return to the shop. Except on the first day that I could go back to work in-person I woke up with Pink Eye. Apparently a bi-product of COVID. I had to wait an additional 24 hrs. to return to work. After 7 weeks of 2022 I was finally ready and actually looking forward to a full, normal week of work. Unfortunately, on Wednesday of that week we got a call from daycare that Violet was running a fever. What now we thought. Chelsea grabbed the last available appointment at our pediatricians’ office and we raced over to try and figure things out. For the first time in her whole life Violet had an ear infection. Another health disruption and more time away from work for both Chelsea and I. We didn’t know it at the time, but the worst was yet to come. Week 8 of 2022 was like South Dakota false spring. You know the day it is 60 degrees outside and then the next day it snows. Well, week 8 was my first full week of work in 2022. Finally, I could contribute to our ambitious store projects. I could focus on making The Sioux Falls Skedaddle weekend the best it’s ever been. I could run with friends, participate at a group run and most importantly not worry about family health. Then came the flu. Long story short, the flu was the worst and I was wiped out from work for yet another week. So here we are 10 weeks into 2022 and I’m finally back. Unfortunately, I know that many parents have a similar story to mine this year. As we've gone through it I've reminded myself time and again that we are not alone. Today I'm happy to say that I’m back writing for our blog, I’m back to running on a regular basis and I’m back to regular hours at the shop. I know that everything I’ve written thus far has been fairly self-serving. To be honest I really just needed to get it out of me. This running community is incredible and I’ve felt the love for almost 8 years working here at 605 Running Company. My goal is to deliver a local running store experience that works for the folks in South Dakota. That includes hiring a staff that represents our community and shares a true passion for all running. Let me tell you, the individuals working here at every level of our operation are truly remarkable. As I return from my virus induced sabbatical I must acknowledge that our running community has changed. My team and I have worked hard to change our operations. Please check out the Run605 app available from your favorite app store. Recently we’ve added new product lines like Birkenstock and we have more surprises to come as we move into 2022. Our online store is updated with new search functions, better visuals and enhanced checkout options. Finally, we are now open 7 days a week, from 11am – 7pm. Visit us in Downtown Sioux Falls for shoe fitting, gear sales and see our newest items before they go online. Greg Koch is the Co-Owner and General Manager of 605 Running Company and Co-Produces the Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon. He serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown Sioux Falls, the 605 Race Crew and the Sioux Falls Area Running Club. When Greg isn’t with his family or working he enjoys being outside biking, kayaking, golfing or comping. Instagram: gregrun605 YouTube: 605 Running Company Facebook: facebook.com/greg.koch.583 The Sioux Falls Skedaddle is the place to be this spring. Not only is our event first time runner friendly, we will also have a blazing fast elite field of runners. 605 Running Company and the Sioux Falls Skedaddle are proud to welcome Tara McDonald to the 2022 Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon!
Tara McDonald is joining the Sioux Falls Skedaddle for the second year in a row. Last year she battled through the elements and finished with a strong third place showing. While in college, she won Nationals in the 800 meter. To this day, you'll still find her putting up impressive workouts on the track. But don't let that fool you, she has built an impressive resume on the roads as well - with the full intention of continuing to improve her personal best times. Tara has been a great friend of 605 Running Company, so we are very thankful for the opportunity to have her take to the streets with the rest of our amazing community here in Sioux Falls. Personal Bests: 5K: 17:45 10K: 36:55 Half Marathon: 1:22:48 Marathon: 2:53:41 The Sioux Falls Skedaddle is the place to be this spring. Not only is our event first time runner friendly, we will also have a blazing fast elite field of runners. 605 Running Company and the Sioux Falls Skedaddle are proud to welcome Megan Sauer to the 2022 Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon!
Megan joins us from the town of Lismore, Minnesota. After competing collegiately for Bethany Lutheran College, she transitioned to racing on the roads. With a handful of marathons on her resume, she finished 2nd at the Pandamit Marathon in Chesterton, Indiana. She credits her success on the road to a variety of workouts, but especially the 1,000 meter repeat. Having company from her dog and refueling with pizza are just added bonuses! On Megan's occasional visit to Sioux Falls, she is sure to spend some time on the Greenway Trail System or checking out the Downtown Sculpture Walk. Career Highlights: '20 Pandamit Marathon: Runner Up '17 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference 3,000 Meter Steeple: Champion Swimming Around Town: How Swimming Improves Running Performance and Where to Swim in Sioux Falls2/22/2022 Your fingers sluice through the clear, still surface, your movements practiced and your breaths measured. The sounds of the open space boom above you, muted like a faraway thunderstorm just past the horizon. Your entire body moving as one, every muscle activated, powering you through the resistant water. Your thoughts are yours alone as the water streams past you. Swimming, like running, is a time that only you can create. It’s a time to work those well-placed muscles and take time away from the flurry of daily life. It’s a time for your mind to drift, to solve problems, and to create new ones. But swimming can be beneficial where running falls short. The no-impact of swimming can reduce common running injuries. Not only can swimming enhance recovery from injuries, swimming can actually make a runner faster. With water’s ability to counteract gravity, any strain on muscles and ligaments is diminished. The alternate movement patterns used in swimming will give some of those neglected muscles some love while still practicing active recovery. The extra 800% density of water compared to air will strengthen your legs and provide the driving power that’ll get you to your next PR. If you’re looking for a place to start, keep in mind everyone starts at a different ability level so do as much as you're comfortable with. The easiest way to start is swimming steady lengths for an allotted time period. The increase in distance and time will soon follow as you get stronger and more confident in the water. And for those of you out there who aren’t as keen about swimming, pool running could be your solution. It will give you a cardio workout and give your joints a break from the continuous pounding of running. With water’s thicker density and increased resistance, it will give you ample time to focus on your form as you push through in slow motion. This will allow you to train your body to run more efficiently outside the water. Without further adieu I present to you potential swimming locations in Sioux Falls: MIDCO Aquatic Center: As Sioux Falls’ first indoor aquatic center, their facility features three pools, meeting rooms, lockers/changing rooms, mezzanine, concessions, and much more. The 50-meter Olympic sized pool is ready and equipped for your needs and open year round. Visit their website for hours and daily rates. https://midcoaquaticcenter.org/ 1601 South Western Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 367-7665 GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness Club: GreatLIFE has three pools ready for your convenience. Woodlake (20-yards), Willow Run (hotel sized), and EmBe (25-yards) though not at a GreatLIFE location, GreatLIFE members have access. Check the website for more information and pool schedules. https://joingreatlife.com/pool-swimming-lessons/ GreatLIFE Woodlake Athletic Club 4600 S Tennis Ln, Sioux Falls, SD 57106 605-361-0445 Willow Run Fitness 8000 E Arrowhead Parkway, Sioux Falls, SD 57110 605-335-5900 EmBe Fitness and Aquatics Downtown 300 West 11th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-275-0997 Avera McKennan Fitness Center: The Avera facility offers an exclusive aquatic area with various aquatic programs for members to enjoy. The pool spans 25-yards with two lanes designated for lap swim at all times. Also available is a warm water therapy pool heated to 94° F. More information found on their website. https://www.averamckennanfitness.org/ 3400 S. Southeastern Ave. Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103 605-322-5300 Sanford Wellness Center: Their Oxbow location (address below) features two saline-based pools. One 25-yard pool and a warm water pool (92° F), as well as a saline-based spa and dry sauna. Programs and open swim available year-round.. For more information and pool schedules, see the website below. https://www.sanfordhealth.org/wellness-center/fitness/aquatics 4201 S. Oxbow Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57106 605-328-1600 This blog submitted by 605 Running Company Tier II Team Member: Morgan Sauer |
|