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.