Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Group #22 has a Blogspot

http://www.abesarmy10301100.blogspot.com/

Group #22 and its fearless leaders are off to a smashing start! You can view their running banter on their own blogspot. Select the link above to see what they are up to!

Join us Saturday on the Abe's Amble course

We will meet SATURDAY to run/walk the Abe's Amble course. I think the training logs say we will meet on Sunday, but whoever wants to meet on Saturday is more than welcome.

You don't have to run the whole thing, just do what you feel comfortable doing...a half mile, one mile, two miles...whatever. The Saturday runs are not nearly as formal as the Tuesday group runs, but it is a great way to get used to the Abe's course and have a group to help you get through it!

So come on out if you want. We will meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Grandstand area.

If you have any questions, just put up a post and we'll get back to you.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan

Visitation Update: The visitation for Jan's mother will be Friday, June 2, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Staab Funeral Home, 1109 S. 5th Street in Springfield. A private, graveside service is scheduled for the funeral.

I just wanted to share with the Army that Jan Wilson's mother passed away early this morning.

One just never knows the twists life will take...Jan was up there in front of everyone last night going on and on like she does, and just a few hours later her mother is gone. Life is precious, folks, that's why we have to live it as best we can.

Many of us have lost parents, and many of us still have them around. Speaking from experience, there are certainly better things in life then having a parent pass away, but I know Jan can take comfort in the long life her mother lived and that Jan was able to spend so many wonderful years with her.

I don't have any details on arrangements yet, but will certainly let everyone know when they are made.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jan. It is so obvious that your mother was a great person because she raised such a wonderful daughter!

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Organized Chaos

Just a few thoughts as the seventh edition of Abe's Army kicks off tonight....

With over 500 recruits registered for the Army (a record!) and over 100 platoon leaders (a record!), there will be a lot of people at Lincoln Park tonight. Too many people probably.

At times it might seem a little overwhelming this evening, but stick with us! Other than just randomly dividing people into groups, there really is no easy way to get 500 people divided into groups of 10-15 people. As the title of this post suggests...it might look like organized chaos tonight, but we have done this before and it always works in the end.

The first night can be the most overwhelming and intimidating, but this is a proven program and it is an excellent way to get to your ultimate goal...running Abe's Amble 10k! The most important thing for ALL the recruits to do is to show up...show up this week and show up again next week. If you keep doing that for 12 weeks then you will tackle the Abe's course without a problem!

So, for those of you who are new to the Army, just bear with us tonight. We'll get you organized.

And with this sudden spike in temperature, make sure to take it easy tonight!

See ya there. It will be fun!

Tim Butler

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Registration re-opens

ABE'S ARMY REGISTRATION RE-OPENS!!!

That's right! Due to the HUGE response last week, the decision has been made to re-open registration immediately. If you or anyone you know wants to join, just follow the link to the Springfield Road Runner's website and download the application. Bring it and your check to Lincoln Park on Tuesday night and we'll get you going! Thanks to our wonderful leaders for their support in this decision. It's going to be pretty confusing getting the large number of recruits organized, but please bear with us. We have a plan, even if it doesn't appear so.

The SPRINGFIELD RUNNING CENTER has agreed to continue to honor the 15% off coupons. If you didn't get a chance to go in last Tuesday night you still can use your coupons until June 6. Derrick and Matt (both board members of our club) are extremely cooperative and for that we are thankful.

Leaders - it's been suggested that you park outside of the park and run yourself in. Frees up a little more space and increase your distance. We're going to try having about half of the "Army" start from the Grandstand after this Tuesday night. This will be permanent - no switching back and forth. We're hoping that some of the faster groups will be willing to move to the Fairgrounds since they'll probably be increasing their distance quicker. Again, please bear with us as we work to accommodate as many recruits as possible. Suggestions are always welcome. For that matter, they're NEEDED.

Friday, May 26, 2006


Leaders help recruits get enlisted
Recruits lined up to get enlisted

Abe's Army Recruits

A record number of recruits showed up on Tuesday to enlist in Abe's Army. The twelve week training program is designed to let runners and walkers of all skill levels have a successful finish in Abe's Amble, the 10K on the last day of the State Fair, August 20, 2006.

Our Army Platoon Leaders were out in force, to help the recruits get enlisted and answer questions about the training program and how to get started. The first training session happens this coming Tuesday, May 30 at 5:45 p.m. at Lincoln Park adjacent to the Nelson Center. Thanks to AthletiCare/St. John's Hospital for sponsoring our enlistment session, and to the Springfield Running Center, which provided a 15% off coupon on the night of the enlistment so recruits could purchase discounted running gear. We plan to get everyone out on the road to break in those new shoes!

To date, with the Platoon Leaders and Recruits, we have over 500 "grunts" ready to run the training course. The leaders are excited to share their knowledge and experiences about what makes running so much fun and how being part of Springfield Road Runners Club gives you the best advantages to make running part of your life. We're excited to help you succeed in your goal to run Abe's Amble!

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Thanks to Tim Butler - again.

Thanks to Tim Butler for bearing with me as I became more aquainted with the 21st century. I CAN NOW EDIT, PUBLISH, POST, AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF LIKE THAT!! Thanks, Tim.

Jan
STILL ROOM IN ABE'S ARMY

REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK-UP IS TUESAY, MAY 23

If you haven't sent your registration in for Abe's Army 2006, be sure to be at Athleticare, 3631 S. 6th (next to FitClub South) between 5:00 and 6:30 P.M. We still have space for new runners, runners/walkers, and walkers. We have over 100 Platoon Leaders ready and willing to work with this year's recruits. Get up, get out, get in.

"IT'S NOT ABOUT THE RUNNING; IT'S ABOUT SETTING GOALS, THE CHARACTER THAT IS BUILT, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE FORMED ALONG THE WAY."

Joe Thiel 2006
Springfield

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Abe's Army

Abe's Army Platoon Leaders

Wow, leaders! That was a great turnout last night to learn more about the upcoming program and plan to work with our recruits. You're all "in the Army now" and new 2nd lieutenants! In one week we'll see the recruits coming to "boot camp" wondering how we are ever going to whip them in shape enough to run 6.2 miles. No fear, this will definitely happen!

We have over 100 leaders committed to working with Abe's Army! Our Army is already strong and getting stronger every day! I am amazed and very proud of your willingness to help lead the running groups. If you are available to help with the Meet the Leader/Registration/Packet Pick-up next Tuesday, May 23, the event will be 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at AthletiCare/Fit Club South on 6th Street.

Until then, keep running!

Monday, May 15, 2006

Abe's Army

Abe's Army

Welcome, runners! We hope you saw today's announcement in the State Journal Register. But it didn't tell how to enroll as an Abe's Army Running Recruit! Whether you are an experienced runner or a true novice wondering if you can run a block, Abe's Army is for you! Come join us for our weekly runs at Lincoln Park with the goal to finish Abe's Amble on August 20, 2006. I guarantee that working with the Springfield Road Runners Club, you will be well prepared to finish the 10k (6.2 miles)!

Abe's Army applications for runners are available at the following locations:

Springfield Road Runners website: www.srrc.net (see link at right)
Fit Club--All three locations
Springfield Running Center
AthletiCare
Fitness Together
YMCA
Gold's Gym
Springfield Racquet and Fitness Center

Registration is also available on Tuesday, May 23 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at AthletiCare, 3631 S. 6th Street in Springfield at the registration, packet pick-up and Meet the Platoon Leaders event. The Springfield Running Center will be offering a 15% discount to all participants on registration night.

Do you need extra assistance or have questions? Email Jan Wilson at twolazybums@sbcglobal.net or myself, Linda Jones, at jones.linda@mhsil.com.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Abe's Army

Abe's Army

The time has finally arrived to get the platoon leaders together and plan for how we’ll train our 2006 recruits! Thanks to all of you for your willingness to get involved! The following dates are when events will be happening:

Tuesday, May 16, 5:45 p.m., Platoon Leaders Orientation, Fit Club South
Tuesday, May 23, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Abes Army Recruits Registration and Packet Pick-up, Fit Club South
Tuesday, May 30, 5:45 p.m., First Training Run, Lincoln Park (by Nelson Center)
Weekly runs each Tuesday, May 30 to August 15
Abe’s Amble, August 20, 7:30 a.m., State Fairgrounds

I am excited by the number of you who have already agreed to participate as a group leader. 70 runners are receiving this email and we still have more leaders signing up. The success of Abes Army rests totally with you! Its your enthusiasm, willingness to give time and share your insights and passion for running that will convince Army recruits that running is an enjoyable sport that everyone can succeed at. Connie Clark and I will be coordinating the leader activities this year, and like last year, Brigitte Cutler and Jan Wilson have agreed to be our fearless leaders who lead us sweating and panting around Lincoln Park the cemetery, and ultimately to the finish line at the state fairgrounds. You’ll be seeing a lot of these areas in the next few months. We will hold our packet pick up at Fit Club South, but all weekly runs will meet at Lincoln Park and the fairgrounds.

We’re working on several changes that should make the runs more enjoyable for the groups and to support your efforts as group leaders. Connie, Jan, Brigitte and I will be sharing these with you at the leader orientation next week. PLEASE make every effort to attend! We’ve carefully reviewed the runners’ feedback from last year and we would like to have all leaders know about the changes and plans to make our training program top notch.

Food and beverage will be provided next Tuesday. At 7 pm Brigitte has arranged a CPR refresher session for anyone who would like to participate.

I’ve attached the leader recruitment form and the runners recruit form to this email. Please feel free to share these forms with others and urge them to get involved. If you haven’t already submitted your leader form through email or the mail, plan to bring it to the orientation next week.