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Herstory
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At one time or another, the Impalas seem to bring out that goal-oriented part of our member's natures. If you had a shred of goal-oriented nature and even the vaguest desire to run a marathon, chances are, it happened in 1995 and 1996. Why? The 100th Boston Marathon and the 1996 Olympic Trials.
First came the motivation. Qualifying standards were relaxed a bit for the 100th Boston. Adding 5-10min to the time for each age group opened possibilities many had never before dared to dream. Similarly, though at a different level, a "B" standard was introduced for the Olympic Trials. Instead of one 2:45 standard, all expenses would be paid if a qualifier ran 2:42 or better, but you could still toe the line if you made the "B" standard of 2:50.
Next came the coaching. Mike McManus led the team throughout these years and Mike was into marathons! With his guidance, skill, patience and inspiration, 25 Impalas made the trip to Boston in April '96, making us the largest represented all-women team. In addition to the travelers, many others made the times but didn't make the trip.
While the marathon was the dominating focus during these years, Impalas have never been exclusively anything, not even marathoners. A cross country squad dedicated their fall to the PA series each year and completed the season with strong finishes in the national championships in 1995 and 1996. Marathon training proved good for our team performance on the LDR Grand Prix circuit as well. Impalas dominated age-group competition, winning series titles for open, masters, and seniors.
And of course, high social standards were maintained during this period. Christmas parties became dressier. Impala picnics added fun triathlons and great raffle prizes. Potlucks continued their key role as carbohydrate replacement therapy and jolly good fun. And our water station at Hoy’s became THE reason to run the San Francisco Marathon in July.
In April of 1996, Coach McManus announced his departure from the Team for business and competing/racing purposes. Throughout the Summer, Chris Luckin, team member, filled in as Coach doing an excellent training job especially in the cross country area. In September, it was our good fortune to welcome Mike Fanelli back as Head Coach once again-- turns out the "Fanelli Finale" in 1993 wasn't really a "FINALE"!
As a team over these two years, we all got an extra dose of learning about what it means to be a teammate, what it means to compete and what it means to lose the ultimate race. Late in the spring of 1995, one of our top masters runners, Pat Falsone, started slowing down. Those who even noticed--Pat included--initially wrote it off to age and over-training catching up. What we all learned early that summer however, was that Pat was engaged in a battle for her life against that arbitrary killer, cancer. Pat’s strength, poise, and compassion as she struggled with, accepted, and eventually was consumed by this disease, are something those who knew her will long remember. Her memory eventually became a permanent part of the Impala and San Francisco landscape when a bench was dedicated to her in Golden Gate Park near our Saturday meeting place at Stow Lake. Stop by and stretch sometime.
