Recap for group placement~

What happens tomorrow?

The first night, the privates will run, run/walk, or walk two small loops in Lincoln park. Each loop is approximately 8/10 of a mile (1.6 miles total). The first loop is to get you warmed up so don't go out to fast (save some for the next loop). After the first loop, we will regroup and do it again. When you finish the second loop, you must enter the finish line shoot and receive a numbered, color coded, Popsicle stick. Stay in line in the shoot so that you are assigned into the correct group. Once you receive your Popsicle stick, look for the sergeant/ leader that is holding a sign that has your correct number/color. There will be 10 privates per group with 2-4 leaders.



Anyone that does not enter the finish line shoot or can not complete the second loop will be entered into the last/slowest assigned group.



If you want to run with your friends/family, You MUST enter the finish line TOGETHER. This means that the faster runner/walker must stay with the slower runner/walker.



The corporals will meet and run 3.1 miles as an organized large group at the fairgrounds.

Week One Training Plan~

Tuesday: 5/27/08
P-2 small loops around Lincoln Park (1.6 miles)for group placement.
C-3.1 mile run at Fairgrounds

Wednesday: 5/28/08
P-15 min walk/run
C-3.5-4 miles(Speed work or hills)

Track workout at Sacred Heart Griffin's Track-5:30 PM- All welcome! You run at your own pace. There will be someone that also runs your pace!

Thursday: 5/29/08
P-Run/Walk 15 min (1.5-2 miles)
C-Run easy 4 miles

Friday: 5/30/08
P-Cross train
C-Cross train

Saturday: 5/31/08
P-Run/walk 1.5-2 miles
C-4-5 mile run

Passavant PowerAde 5K and 10K
Jacksonville, Il.

Sunday: 6/1/08
P-Run/walk 2 miles
C-3 miles easy

*Avoid the State fairgrounds when training May 30th-June 1st (Hot-Rod Super Nationals).

Sergeant Assignments

For all Sergeants that did not receive this email from Linda.

Please click on link to view sergeant assignments.

Sergeant's Assignments

Well, Sergeants, it's almost here - our first night of training.

For those that did not receive this email from Jan~

Please add my cell number to your phone list. Remember, you can call
me if you need first aide. I'll be on my bike somewhere in the vicity
of the park and fair grounds. It's 414-8858.

Bruce Bennett, director of the Shoreline Classic in Decatur, has asked
if we could encourage our Abe's Army folks to participate in their race
on Sunday, September 21. The Shoreline Classic is a 5 and 15K race.
If we were to have and "Advanced Abe's" we could get our folks prepared
to do the 15K. It could encourage them to do a race out of town with
a group. I can see "Advanced Abe's" being like the Frostoes and the
Halfwits. Not really formal, but a group that gets together three times
a week for runs. It will need to be headed up by someone to plan
routes, etc. That's where you come in. Is there one or two folks out there
that would like to head this program? I'll give you any help you
need. Remember, the power of the group is fun and motivating!! Let me
know if you can help out. I'm twolazybums@mwii.net.

And please remember, a Sergeant in the front and a Sergeant in the back
- always. Even if that slow person tells you to "go ahead", please
stay. You can take turns leading and bringing up the rear if you wish.
Also, watch for shoe tags - let's have only registered folks in the
program so that we're covered by insurance.

See you Tuesday night!! Let's have FUN!!

Something to read~

In the May issue of Runner’s World, there is a great article for new runners. The article covers all the basics: shoes, eating, clothing, injury, etc. Following is a link to the article: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380---12595-0,00.html .

Introducing our new privates and corporals~

Wow! What a great turnout tonight. Looks like we are going to have a fabulous summer!

Please be sure and post any questions or comments.

Any feedback regarding the orientation would be greatly appreciated. Example~length of orientation, material covered, etc...

PLEASE REVIEW THE ABE'S ARMY FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)LINK!

Located at the right side of this page.

Please let us know if you have additional questions that you could not find in this section.

DON'T FORGET PRIVATE AND CORPORAL ORIENTATION THIS TUESDAY, MAY 20TH AT 6:00 PM~

Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. – Orientation and Packet Pick Up for Privates and Corporals at Dove Conference Center. Included in the packets will be your Abe’s Army t-shirt, Smart ID tag and running log. Meet your leaders and get your questions answered in this session. Topics included will be running safety and etiquette, running apparel and shoes, communication, injury prevention and stretching, nutrition.

Leaders it would be great if you could also attend the Private/Corporal orientation session. Extensive information will be provided and packets will be distributed.

Meeting should last approximately 1 1/2 hours and is MANDATORY.

The Dove Conference Center is located in the Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason Street. Parking is available across the street in the Mason Street parking ramp at Prairie Heart Institute and on nearby streets.

Thanks Sergeants~

Thanks everyone who attended the leader orientation meeting last night. We had a great turn out! Feel free to post any additional questions.

Attention Sergeants/Leaders~

It's official!! You're a Sergeant in the 2008 Abe's Army. We
have over 400 Privates and Corporals registered and anxious to go!!

Sergeant orientation, which is mandatory, will be held Thursday, May
15, 6:00, in the Dove Converence Center at Prairie Heart Institute. It
will be informative and fast paced. Refreshments will be served. Group
assignments and t-shirts will also be distributed at this meeting.

You're in the ARMY now!

Welcome to the 2008 Abe's Army! We are very excited to meet all of you and we can't wait to take this journey with you.

Important Dates to remember as these meetings are mandatory:

• Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m. - Orientation for Sergeants (leaders) at Dove Conference Center. Meeting should last approximately 1 hour. Lots of information will be reviewed. Refreshments will be provided.

• Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. – Orientation and Packet Pick Up for Privates and Corporals at Dove Conference Center. Included in the packets will be your Abe’s Army t-shirt, Smart ID tag and running log. Meet your leaders and get your questions answered in this session. Topics included will be running safety and etiquette, running apparel and shoes, communication, injury prevention and stretching, nutrition.

Leaders it would be great if you could also attend the Private/Corporal orientation session. Extensive information will be provided and packets will be distributed.

Meeting should last approximately 1 1/2 hours.

The Dove Conference Center is located in the Prairie Heart Institute, 619 E. Mason Street. Parking is available across the street in the Mason Street parking ramp at Prairie Heart Institute and on nearby streets.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!

How do I register?

Online registration will be available soon! A printable registration brochure is available at http://srrc.net/media/Abes_Army_2008.pdf

Abe's Army 2008 Wants you!!

Calling all runners and walkers! It is time to start thinking about Abe’s Army. Abe’s Army is a 13 week training program to train beginning runners to run, walk, or speed walk Abe’s Amble, a local 10K road race (6.2 miles) held on the final day of the Illinois State Fair. Training is held on Tuesday nights starting on May 27, 2008 at 5:45 p.m.

Anyone with running experience and a desire to lead others especially someone who is an Abe’s Army graduate would be a perfect candidate to be a leader.

Abe’s Army will have a few changes this year. Instead of recruits, runners will be broken down into groups of Privates and Corporals. Privates are new runners and Corporals are more experienced runners who can complete more than 3 miles. Privates will meet at Lincoln Park and Corporals will meet from the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Tuesday evenings.

We will still have the walking groups but will also have race walker!
Race walking is not the same as “speed walking” or “power walking.” This new group will learn the technique as defined by USA Track & Field (USATF). Race walking is a low impact, but highly aerobic, sport that has been an Olympic event for 100 years. Many race walkers are former runners who took up race walking because of injury or aging joints. Beginning race walkers should focus on technique first and allow speed to develop later. For a good introduction see the various examples of the stick-figure animation in Race walking 101 on the following Web site: http://www.philsport.com/narf/


Each group will be lead by a team of Sergeants – experienced runners helping you to meet your goals. New this year is the use of Smart ID tags that are to be worn on running shoes by all runners and walkers. Runners will follow a training plan including a long run on Saturdays and shorter runs during the week, one of which is on Tuesday night with the groups. Also, due to the Flag lowering ceremony at Lincoln’s Tomb on Tuesday Nights at 7:00 p.m., runners will experience new routes this year.

Register by April 30, 2008 to take part in this annual training event. Save a stamp and register online at www.getmeregistered.com.

Important Dates to remember:

• April 30th – registration deadline for runners and leaders

• Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m. - Orientation and Fun Run for Sergeants (leaders) at Dove Conference Center

• Tuesday, May 20th at 6:00 p.m. – Orientation and Packet Pick Up for Privates and Corporals at Dove Conference Center. Included in the packets will be your Abe’s Army t-shirt, Smart ID tag and running log. Meet your leaders and get your questions answered in this session. Topics included will be running safety and etiquette, running apparel and shoes, communication, injury prevention and stretching, nutrition.

Abe’s Army is a wonderful way to train to run/walk 6.2 miles and meet new friends. Come out and join us for the best Abe’s Army yet.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to Abe's Army - 2008!

New to Running? Abe's Army Wants YOU!
A Seasoned Runner? Abe's Army Needs YOU!

Whether you are completely new to running or whether you are a seasoned runner, it's time to lace up those running shoes!

Abe's Army is a 12 weeek training program that will get you ready to run the Abe's Amble 10K race on August 17th, 2008, the last day of the Illinois State Fair. A 10K race is 6.2 miles and we know that you can do it.

Check back soon for further information.