Some of you reading this blog may actually know who Dean Karnazes is. For those of you who don't, he's a well known "ultra-marathoner." An ultramarathon is any race of greater distance than the standard 26.2 miles of a marathon. He's racked up all kinds of crazy accomplishments over the last 10 years or so. Things like winning the Western States 100 mile run, winning the Badwater Ultra (135 miles), running a marathon through the snow to the actual South Pole, running day and night for 350 miles with only short rest breaks, etc. You can get some more information from his site, and he's got a book he's written that is a really good read. I think Mary Rogers may have written a review of it in FootTrails.
Anyway, he has been nominated for an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) award in the category of Best Outdoor Athlete. On the site they mention his recent 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days challenge. You can vote for him from the ESPN site here.
Regardless of how you feel about him, perhaps you could find it in you to support a fellow runner, if only so he doesn't lose to a bass fisherman or musher. To vote, go to that site and choose to see all categories. Over on the right is a slim scroll bar you can use to get to the Outdoor athlete category.
Hope your training is going well and see you next week.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Announcements
Update on Tuesday Night's Emergency - Sadly, one of our runners suffered ill effects from the heat on Tuesday evening and was taken to the hospital. Jan Wilson reports that she visited with the lady that evening, and she is recuperating. At this time, it does appear that she was suffering from heat exhaustion.
Parking - Please remember to park in Lot 21 at the Fairgrounds!
Leaders' Shirts - The shirts are in! Check with Jan to pick your shirt up.
Log Books - There are additional log books for anyone who needs one.
Rain Policy - Abe's Army will meet if it is raining (sounds crazy, but it's really very refreshing!). Wear a hat or visor to keep the rain out of your eyes and have fun splashing through the puddles. However, we will not run if there is lightning.
Racing Opportunities - Try out a race before the big race in August! The Women's Distance Festival is a fun 2-mile race held at Washington Park on Saturday, July 14. The Sizzling Mile is a one mile race on Wednesday, July 25. Applications are in the newsletter Foot Trails, or you can pick an app up on Tuesday night.
Safety on the Road - Please remember to stay on the left side of the road and run against traffic. This is especially important as we venture out onto Third Street.
Parking - Please remember to park in Lot 21 at the Fairgrounds!
Leaders' Shirts - The shirts are in! Check with Jan to pick your shirt up.
Log Books - There are additional log books for anyone who needs one.
Rain Policy - Abe's Army will meet if it is raining (sounds crazy, but it's really very refreshing!). Wear a hat or visor to keep the rain out of your eyes and have fun splashing through the puddles. However, we will not run if there is lightning.
Racing Opportunities - Try out a race before the big race in August! The Women's Distance Festival is a fun 2-mile race held at Washington Park on Saturday, July 14. The Sizzling Mile is a one mile race on Wednesday, July 25. Applications are in the newsletter Foot Trails, or you can pick an app up on Tuesday night.
Safety on the Road - Please remember to stay on the left side of the road and run against traffic. This is especially important as we venture out onto Third Street.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Announcements
Applications
If you have not turned in a completed application, please do so asap. We need the info contained in the application to get you entered in the race.
Walkers
Walkers are meeting in Lincoln Park from now on.
Changing Groups
Need to speed up, slow down? If the group you're in is not the right fit for you, remember to ask about switching to a different group.
Women's Distance Festival - July 14
Consider entering this fun-filled 2 mile race. It's held in Washington Park and is a great first time race. Applications are in the newsletter, on the SRRC.net website, or pick one up from the "box" at Abe's Army each week.
Safety First
When you're out running, please stay to the left side of the road and run against traffic. If a car is coming through, call out "car back" and move out of the way quickly.
Other Announcements and Handouts
Check the box each week (on the bench where Jan gives the announcements). Jan has a variety of handouts, pamphlets and information sheets that may be of interest to you.
If you have not turned in a completed application, please do so asap. We need the info contained in the application to get you entered in the race.
Walkers
Walkers are meeting in Lincoln Park from now on.
Changing Groups
Need to speed up, slow down? If the group you're in is not the right fit for you, remember to ask about switching to a different group.
Women's Distance Festival - July 14
Consider entering this fun-filled 2 mile race. It's held in Washington Park and is a great first time race. Applications are in the newsletter, on the SRRC.net website, or pick one up from the "box" at Abe's Army each week.
Safety First
When you're out running, please stay to the left side of the road and run against traffic. If a car is coming through, call out "car back" and move out of the way quickly.
Other Announcements and Handouts
Check the box each week (on the bench where Jan gives the announcements). Jan has a variety of handouts, pamphlets and information sheets that may be of interest to you.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Heading Into Week Three
So how does it feel so far? You should all feel empowered that you are doing something so great for yourselves! It doesn’t matter what your speed is; it matters that you’re out there working to get more fit and enjoying the path to success!
This week we’ll work to get everyone to a pace that will work for training. The STARTERS will be doing a timed run to find a pace for a 1-1/2 mile to 2 mile run and will get organized into groups with leaders. The goal is to run YOUR PACE—even if this means doing a walk/run. We’ll organize at the Grandstand and have timers on the course and a stopping point. At the stopping point we’ll get organized into groups and then do a short cool down. We’ll explain all this before the evening run starts.
Anyone who wishes to run with the STARTERS to check your pace or look to get assigned in a different pace group is welcome to do so. Usually we’ve started the first night with a timed run, but this year we decided to give recruits some time to build conditioning and get used to pacing themselves before doing the timed run. The decision to stay with your assigned group or try the timed run is entirely yours. If you think you need a faster or slower group, don’t be shy in telling your current platoon leaders that you want to try a different pace!
The closer you are to a pace you find manageable but edgy (my word for challenging!) the more likely you will be able to complete the run. It also is immensely helpful to have others your same pace and leaders to help you through the run. Remember, that over the 12 weeks, your speed may change a lot so you might find it difficult to find the exact group to pace with—but don’t give up! There’s lots of runners out there trying to find a group and we have over 125 leaders to help you! If you are having second doubts and wonder if you can do this, please send me an email and give us a chance to help you! I’m confident we can fit you in a group that meets your needs!
Linda (jones.linda@mhsil.com)
This week we’ll work to get everyone to a pace that will work for training. The STARTERS will be doing a timed run to find a pace for a 1-1/2 mile to 2 mile run and will get organized into groups with leaders. The goal is to run YOUR PACE—even if this means doing a walk/run. We’ll organize at the Grandstand and have timers on the course and a stopping point. At the stopping point we’ll get organized into groups and then do a short cool down. We’ll explain all this before the evening run starts.
Anyone who wishes to run with the STARTERS to check your pace or look to get assigned in a different pace group is welcome to do so. Usually we’ve started the first night with a timed run, but this year we decided to give recruits some time to build conditioning and get used to pacing themselves before doing the timed run. The decision to stay with your assigned group or try the timed run is entirely yours. If you think you need a faster or slower group, don’t be shy in telling your current platoon leaders that you want to try a different pace!
The closer you are to a pace you find manageable but edgy (my word for challenging!) the more likely you will be able to complete the run. It also is immensely helpful to have others your same pace and leaders to help you through the run. Remember, that over the 12 weeks, your speed may change a lot so you might find it difficult to find the exact group to pace with—but don’t give up! There’s lots of runners out there trying to find a group and we have over 125 leaders to help you! If you are having second doubts and wonder if you can do this, please send me an email and give us a chance to help you! I’m confident we can fit you in a group that meets your needs!
Linda (jones.linda@mhsil.com)
Friday, June 08, 2007
June SRRC Club Social This Sunday
Each month the SRRC brings its members together in fun social events to enjoy other sports, each others company, and fun nights on the town. The June event is a fun family affair--a bike ride with our friends and supporters from Biketek. If you haven't met these talented and fun-loving road jocks, you can visit them at their specialty bike store at 957 Clocktower Drive or even come out and see them host a turn on the Womens' Distance Festival race course on July 14th at Washington Park. We're all looking forward to see if the Biketek folks can outdo last year's course regalia when the women runners were greated on the course by men in bicycle shorts and tuxedo jackets! Or join us this Sunday afternoon for the June social at 4:00 p.m. at Panera West. We'll meet in the parking lot. Bring your bicycle! After a short clinic with Tek's Bob Thompson on all the current bike news we'll head to the trails for a group ride. A ride means we'll work up an appetite so there's sure to be a plan to go somewhere afterwords for food and beverage! This is a fun event open to the whole family. So mark it down, and we hope you'll join us there!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Week 2 - No Need for Speed!
...and that's why we had to get out of the fairgrounds! Thank you to everyone for your patience as we switched gears tonight and moved over to Lincoln Park. The cooler weather, the trees, and running the loop at Lincoln Park was definitely a nice change of pace. Next week - we're back to the fairgrounds!
By now you should have a pretty good idea of whether you want to be in an all running group or a group that mixes running with walking. You should also start to have an idea of the pace at which you feel most comfortable. Maybe this is easier than you expected or you're beginning to wonder what you've signed on for! Stay with the program - you will be sucessful. The key to this type of training plan is consistency -stick to the routine as outlined in the log book/calendar, get in quality cross-training, and run at a pace at which you can talk. Increase your speed or mileage too soon, and you'll face overuse injuries - however challenge yourself. For new runners - you're developing healthy fitness habits. For more experienced runners, you are pushing past limits and seeing just how far you can go! If you have questions, concerns, complaints, etc. - voice them here and we'll help you the best we can.
There are no magic secrets we can give you - all we can do is to tell you how we did it and answer your questions. Leaders, veterans, and rookies alike all have tough days where it's simply hard to run. But other days (and these are the days I absolutely love) - finishing a training run, especially with other runners, is just pretty darn cool. The fear of the unknown should start to diminish over the next few weeks as you start logging more and more running and walking miles on your shoes.
As I ran around the park - I learned of many of your stories: what it took to get you out there, why you want to run, and how much you want to find your own strength.. Your stories are as unique as each of you - but you can bet that your stories have much in common with so many others, including your leaders. Here's your chance - tell us why you joined Abe's Army - post your story. We'd love to hear from you.
Good luck this week - stick to the training plan, stay hydrated, and stay motivated. And above all - enjoy all the experiences along the way.
Mary R. Group 17 Co-Leader
Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go. - T.S. Eliot
By now you should have a pretty good idea of whether you want to be in an all running group or a group that mixes running with walking. You should also start to have an idea of the pace at which you feel most comfortable. Maybe this is easier than you expected or you're beginning to wonder what you've signed on for! Stay with the program - you will be sucessful. The key to this type of training plan is consistency -stick to the routine as outlined in the log book/calendar, get in quality cross-training, and run at a pace at which you can talk. Increase your speed or mileage too soon, and you'll face overuse injuries - however challenge yourself. For new runners - you're developing healthy fitness habits. For more experienced runners, you are pushing past limits and seeing just how far you can go! If you have questions, concerns, complaints, etc. - voice them here and we'll help you the best we can.
There are no magic secrets we can give you - all we can do is to tell you how we did it and answer your questions. Leaders, veterans, and rookies alike all have tough days where it's simply hard to run. But other days (and these are the days I absolutely love) - finishing a training run, especially with other runners, is just pretty darn cool. The fear of the unknown should start to diminish over the next few weeks as you start logging more and more running and walking miles on your shoes.
As I ran around the park - I learned of many of your stories: what it took to get you out there, why you want to run, and how much you want to find your own strength.. Your stories are as unique as each of you - but you can bet that your stories have much in common with so many others, including your leaders. Here's your chance - tell us why you joined Abe's Army - post your story. We'd love to hear from you.
Good luck this week - stick to the training plan, stay hydrated, and stay motivated. And above all - enjoy all the experiences along the way.
Mary R. Group 17 Co-Leader
Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go. - T.S. Eliot
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