James River 8-Miler Offers Change of Pace for Running Couple
Trail run enthusiasts Mike and Connie Glueck will take part in their third James River Loop 8-Miler at the Maymont X-Country Festival on Sept. 28.
By: Ali Crissman
Full of rocks, roots, mud, sand, and countless natural obstacles, the James River Loop 8-Miler, part of the Maymont X-Country Festival, isn’t your average trail run. Throughout the event, runners tackle the unique trails in the James River Park System in a race designed to test their physical and mental fortitude.
As a result, Mike and Connie Glueck run it differently than your typical road race.
“We love the course because it’s very technical and mentally challenging…it breaks up the monotony of a road race,” said Mike Glueck.
Glueck’s wife, Connie, echoed his thoughts.
“It’s challenging, but fun,” she said. “You have to think to run it…and it always amazes me that people bike this trail throughout the year,” she said.
Connie went on to say that each year the Gluecks have competed in the 8-Miler has been a unique and positive experience.
“The first year I did it, I encountered bees on the course, and the second year was better because I figured out that you don’t need to run around people during the race,” she said. “It’s a great day and a great experience. It doesn’t seem like eight miles once it starts.”
The Williamsburg couple has competed in the event each of the past two years and plans to run in 2013 as well. This year, the Gluecks said, they even convinced some of their friends to enter the race.
Mike and Connie aren’t the only members of the family who compete at the Maymont festival, which takes place September 27-28. They initially began competing because they were able to run and then watch their daughters, Gaylin and Gaphne, race for Jamestown High School in the high school invitational portion of the festival.
“It works out great because…we could do our race and then stay after and watch them run,” Connie said.
The Glueck’s older daughter, Gaylin, has since graduated and is running cross-country at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., so in 2013, they will be cheering on Gaphne at Maymont.
Running and competing in endurance events has been a part of the couple’s lives for many years. Connie ran her first 5k at age 38, and Mike began running while serving in the Air Force. Between the two of them, they have done numerous full and half Ironman Triathlons and both are involved in running clubs in their area. As a result, training together is an important part of their relationship.
Mike and Connie Glueck, after a recent triathlon
“I never pass up the chance to go train with her,” Mike said. “Her training pace is a little faster than mine, but she keeps me motivated.”
With five kids total, the Gluecks have become very skilled at time management when it comes to training for events.
“We try to work around our kids’ schedules, and we’ve managed to trade off and balance schedules to keep up with training,” Mike said.
In addition to the 8-Miler, Mike and Connie participated in the HCA Virginia 8k in 2012, which is also organized by Sports Backers.
“We’ve talked about getting away from doing so many of the peninsula-area events,” Mike said. “We’ve been very pleased with the Sports Backers events that we’ve done.”
Both Connie and Mike said that their positive experiences will keep them coming back to events like the James River Loop 8-Miler for years to come.
“We’ll continue to do it as long as we can run down the rocks,” they said, laughing. “You’ve got to respect this course.”
The 2013 James River Loop 8-Miler will be held on Sept. 28, 2013, as part of the two-day Maymont X-Country Festival. For more information about the event and how you can be a part of it, visit www.sportsbackers.org.