FARNUNG-KRAUSE HEADING TOWARD FIFTY STATES MARATHONS
There is more than one anomaly about Jan Farnung-Krause, 50, of Dunellen. While she ranks 11 th for most grand prix races run by a woman in 2004 with 28, she does some of her racing outside of New Jersey and some of that racing is marathon distance.
What is even more remarkable is that she only trains on two weekdays and the two days of the weekend. Even more surprising is that she does those two weekdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Central Park, New York City, after putting in a long day in the garment district.
“I run after work,” said Farnung-Krause. “Nike has a club and we meet at the store on 57 th street between Madison 5 th.”
After changing into running clothes at the store, the group heads out to the park to run for an hour.
“We train with our pacing partners,” explained Farnung-Krause. “I train with two different partners and we run identical paces.”
“When the days get longer we can go on the bridle trails,” she said. “You can break it up and really make it interesting because there is so many different areas of the park. As long as it’s light out, there are plenty of other people in the park.”
“If I did a little more mileage it would help quite a bit,” she said. “But I enjoy doing the swimming, weight training and cycling. In the winter I ski and snow shoe.”
Farnung-Krause likes to train on the Delaware and Raritan canal towpath, often with her husband Bob who is frequently on his bike in order to keep up with his swifter wife. Sometimes their Norwegian Elkhound Sonya is brought along.
“I have two stretches that are favorites,” said Farnung-Krause. “We go out 202 to Bulls Island, to Stockton, to Lambertville. Before the Delaware flooded we used to do the whole loop around and go over to the Pennsylvania side.”
“When time is short we go to Millstone to Griggstown to Rocky Hill. That’s a nice stretch.”
Farnung-Krause has always been active and engaged in sports. She was raised with two brothers.
“Being the only girl I had no choice,” she said. “If you’re going to be part of the gang you’re going to do sports.”
In high school and college Farnung-Krause played on the intramural teams including track but never competed beyond that. About ten years ago Farnung-Krause visited family in Texas and her sister-in-law, who is an avid runner, took her out running.
“She and I would go running in the evening and one day she said, “we’re going to train for a race”,” said Farnung-Krause. “So we trained and we did it and it was fun.”
Back in New York, working for Anne Klein, she was invited to join their running team and ran in the Corporate Challenge races. From there she soon found herself visiting the New York Road Runners and joined that organization.
“I did several races, and started to meet people, and I liked it.”
When Farnung-Krause joined the Team in Training program with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Farnung-Krause met Dean and Betty Shonts who operate the Sneaker Factory store in Millburn and who have a team carrying that name. Farnung-Krause ran in the first Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego with the Team in Training group. She also began to run in New Jersey races and discovered the USATF-NJ grand prix series.
“I didn’t do the whole grand prix circuit until about four years ago,” she said. “It’s fun. It takes you places that you would never think of going to for a race.”
“One race that I love, that is coming up, is the Cherry Blossom race in Branch Brook Park,” said Farnung-Krause. “That’s one of my favorite races.”
“The cherry blossoms are in bloom,” she said. “It’s a rolling course. Those are the kind of courses that I like.”
Her most recent marathon was in Little Rock, Arkansas with plenty of rolling hills. Oh, and that is the other thing about Farnung-Krause. She is attempting to do the Fifty States and has eighteen so far. Counting the repeat races she has done 22 marathons so far.
She has Alaska in her book, but not Hawaii yet. She can claim Seattle, Washington but not the other Pacific Northwest states like Idaho and Montana.
Her favorite races here at home are not surprisingly distance races.
“I like the Hamilton Half,” said Farnung-Krause. “It’ really nice, very well run and the foliage at that time of the year is beautiful.”
“An old favorite is the Swamp Devil,” she said. “It’s a nice course. It has the trees and foliage. I like the fact of being out there. You have a plan and go out and see how it happens. I enjoy the distance and like having a marathon season sitting out there as a goal.”
She’s happy that the Cherry Blossom is seven days before the Boston Marathon, as she will have fresh legs for the 10K. Last year the Boston race was marred by a heat wave, but that won’t keep Farnung-Krause away. Weather permitting she may beat her New York best time of 3:45. If not at Boston, there are the other 32 yet to be run.
First published in the Home News Tribune of Middlesex Co, New Jersey on Thursday, March 24, 2005
Copyright 2005 Madeline Bost