In this section for our newsletter we are asking our readers and supporters of CMAK and the Race4Chase Program to submit stories of inspiration emanating from Chase and the programs that he has inspired. CMAK encourages everyone to submit their stories to be published in this section to Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org.. This month's story is provided by Nick Waaler who is dedicting his Ironman Lake Placid attempt to Chase and has been in full training mode:
Nick continues to pursue his Full Ironman for Chase ambition despite the uncertainties surrounding the staging of the Ironman Lake Placid which is now officially postponed. Here is Nick recounting his first attempt at completing the 2nd two legs of a Half Ironman.
"Ok. Mixed bag of feelings on today’s “Homemade No Swim Half Ironman 69.3 is nearly 70.3 One Man Race”
The first half of the bike ride was tough going - it was quite windy and I was riding into it most of the time. Also wanted to conserve energy as I knew I was going to be on the go for the next 6.5 hours.
The second half of the bike went great and managed to get a good pace going and managed to finish under my goal of a 4 minutes per mile pace or over 15 mph.
So onto the run!, The first five miles went amazing, but I will regret going out way too fast later on. It’s weird in triathlons that, when you get off the bike and start running, you think you are going real slow, but, in fact, you are crushing it ----- well I found that and it’s definitely something I need to work on !! Got to go out slower !!!
Also I got some cheers from a few people from their homes and cars that got me motivated.
Plus I had a very encouraging support group in my amazing family who followed me around and cheered me on for the first 8 miles.
The ball of my right foot started killing me on mile 6 and had to mentally get it out of my head and started to focus on the fact that I was getting to the halfway point.
It was getting hotter too and, obviously, most my training has been winter training and I wasn’t used to the heat and timing my drinking and I also forget my salt tabs to replenish my salt loss !! Oh well - this is what training runs are for.
And the hills..... Gotta love CT! Walked the uphills again to conserve energy, but my pace was slowing down and my goal was to get to 10 miles was another barrier because then it’s just a 5k to go.
The last 3 miles were a bit ugly - walking and running but eventually got it done. Not my fastest half marathon but definitely learnt a lot.
So 56.22 miles on bike in 3 hour 43 mins 47 secs and 13.12 in 2 hours 27 mins 12 secs. This is a total time of 6 hours 10 mins 59 secs. Plus I had about 12 min transition time between bike and run.
Love to my support crew. Neasa Waaler and the kids. Definitely kept me going. Plus loved my dip in Teagan’s home made pool afterwards - guess I could have gotten my swim in after all !!! "
Nick Waaler
Thanks Nick for the support that you have given to CMAK. The perseverance that you have shown in your training has been admirable and we hope that you will get your chance to stand at the line on raceday, whenever that may be.
2020 Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program
From the Ashes Rises the Phoenix!
CMAK Announces 2020 Race4Chase Triathlon Phoenix Program
After cancelling our traditional Race4Chase Kids Triathlon six week summer program for 2020 due to concerns surrounding the pandemic, CMAK has decided to offer grants to our 2020 Race4Chase sites for an amended Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Phoenix Program which will adhere to the guidelines set out by State authorities while offering youth so desperately in need of an outlet this summer an attempt to become triathletes. The program will consist of two consecutive weeks of Race4Chase triathlon training followed by a Finale event staged by the site at their location. The two week period will be chosen by the individual sites but must begin after July 1st and complete the Finale by August 22nd. The camp will consist of a maximum number of 20 athletes where no more than 10 athletes can be training together as per State mandates. There will be sufficient coaches to supervise the training (minimum 5 coaches for 20 athletes) under the new working environment. In addition to a $5,000 grant for each 20 athlete program, CMAK intends to continue its policy to provide bikes and helmets for any athletes that need one that can be taken home after the program ends.
The solicitation letter for the grant will be distributed to the Race4Chase sites early next week and applications for the grant must be submitted latest June 12th. CMAK will endeavor to expedite grant confirmations given the time restraints presented.
CMAK is excited to make this proposal to our 2020 sites and hope that many will accommodate the program within their summer offerings. We realize that this will be impossible for many of the candidates, but CMAK thought it was important to attempt to continue to fulfill our mission in 2020 despite the challenges and bring Chase's memory to as many youth as feasible especially when their need is the greatest.
CMAK Events
2020 RIDE4CHASE MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN:
JUNE 7TH 2020
CANCELLED
from Rebecca
We has been so grateful for the support of the Ride4Chase event committee and volunteers for the past 6 amazing years that we worked together hosting the Crazy8's Ride4Chase. You have all put your heart and soul into making the event grow organically and even when we had to make changes you were always there to support it every step of the way. We love you all for the awesome days we shared together. Sadly as we navigate "our new normal" the CMAK board has decided it is in the best interest of the foundation, our Ride4Chase committee, the volunteers and supporters to CANCEL the June 7th event. This breaks my heart as this is our favorite event. I look to God and Chase for my spiritual guidance and find great peace thinking they are gifting us a mandatory pause to reflect on all of your hard work for the past 6 years and allowing us a motorcycle season to celebrate and Ride4Chase in our own special way. I hope you can consider this as a pause and hope that you will return to this committee and this awesome celebration of Chase and the CMAK Foundation for an EPIC return of our Crazy8's Ride4Chase in 2021
Please support our end of ride sponsor by choosing them for your order out destination.
Pies & Pub Restaurant
Bistro 143
Chase Kowalski Memorial Golf Tournament
Nippo Golf Club
Barrington, NH
August 8th, 2020
CANCELLED
As always we are so very grateful to the supporters of these events and to the event coordinators for all of their time dedication and hard work putting together these amazing fundraising events.
CMAKFoundation.org
Gets Extreme Makeover!
Check out our new website at www.cmakfoundation.org.
We would like to have all of our CMAK family comment on the new website to see if we can make further improvements. Please send comments to kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org
Note Change of Address for CMAK
CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation
2 Washington Square
Newtown, CT 06482
We would like to remind you of the DOT Generation Charity Partnership Program for which CMAK is a member. You can express your support of CMAK through contracting for your printing needs with DOT Generation of Connecticut who will in turn contribute 5% of gross sales to CMAK. For more details about the program and a full list of services, please contact our good friend and long supporter, David Stowe, at david@dotgeneration.com.
Race4Chase News
Dedicate Your Race to Chase!
Our six Race4Chase team members are busy following their training plans for the early November race and hoping for a return to racing prior to the big event. If you received an entry through the normal drawing for the race, there is still ample time to join the Race4Chase team and dedicate your expereince to Chase. You can join the Race4Chase team by emailing Kevin Grimes at kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org for more details. The Race4Chase team now consists of six athletes who have received entry in the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon through the charity; namely,
Suzanne Clemente,
Erin Flanagan,
Amanda Erickson Jacob,
Kelly Agosti,
Susie Johnson and Emily Carr . Each has started their fundraising campaigns which can be accessed at the following link:
2020 TCS New York City Marathon Race4Chase Team
Amanda Erickson Jacob coming down the home stretch at the Boston Marathon
Erin Flanagan finishing the Phoenix Marathon
Other Race4Chase Team Events:
2020 was expected to be a big year for the Race4Chase Team as we had multiple events for our supporters to participate as team members. Please see the status of these opportunities below and contact Kevin Grimes (kgrimes@cmakfoundation.org) for more details if interested.
Ironman Lake Placid (Full) (POSTPONED, date TBD!)
Sunday, July 26th , 2020
As Nick Waaler and Liz Sovern ramp up their training, Ironman Lake Placid announced that the race will be postponed to a yet to be determined date . Fingers crossed for both Nick and Liz that they will get their chance to compete at this event later this year. Please support these athletes as they raise funds for CMAK at
Race4Chase Team GoFundMe page.
Ironman Waco (Txs) (70.3) (Fingers Crossed)
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Join
Rebecca Kowalski as she trains and attempts to complete her first Half Ironman!
Baton Update
Baton # 14- Maurice Kelter
Ultra marathoner
Kevin Mulligan of Co. Longford, Ireland has passed the baton to a freshly minted Ultra athlete,
Maurice Kelter of Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland, who completed his first ultra effort on his own, making multiple loops over an 11k course close to his home and raising over $22,000 for his local hospice as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic. He was running his Ultra66 in memory of his late mother, 1k for each year of her life.
Read his story here:
ULTRA66
Congratulations to Maurice on completing his challenge and making an impact for others at the same time. He certainly captures the spirit of
Chase and the lessons of our Race4Chase programs.
A big thanks to RELAYBATONS.com for donating all the Race4Chase batons for this program and also for use in our Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program.
