Jacksonville was Awesome !!!

The 5K in Jacksonville this past Saturday was wonderful !! I hope that our entire group can do it next year. At the first mile, my time was 12:17. At the second mile, it was 25 something. I finished at 41:28 ---- whoo hoo !!!!

In addition to a T shirt, we each received a goody bag with lanyards, blinking lights to wear on evening runs, sunglasses, Biofreeze ... The organizers did an amazing job of soliciting sponsors -- more than 100 door prizes. I won a $20 gift certificate to the Springfield Running Center !!! All this for an $18 entry fee -- unbelievable. The course was flat, the weather was perfect.

I will definitely go back next year !!!

Tuesday and Thursday Running times changed.

Look to the right. - - - - >

We will be meeting on Tuesday & Thursday nights at 5:30 because it is getting dark out earlier & we want to get our runs in. (for now.)

Still running with a group.

We are still going to try and meet 3 days a week.

Look to the right. - - - - >

I have updated our "Runs".

A couple of more events.....

I finally have information on the Sherman Sesquicentennial 5K. Registration & sign-in is at the Sherman Athletic Club.
The race begins at 9am & is non-competitive but they will be awarding prizes to the top over-all finishers. In addition, they will have a kids fun run, diaper dash, toddler trot & pre-school sprint @ 10 am. So, it sounds like a fun event for the whole family! The cost is $10 w/a t-shirt. Visit shermalil.org for details or to download the registration form. I am defiately doing this event since this is why I started Abe's to begin with this summer!! I know the route if anyone is interested & would like to practice before the event.

Also, my family is involved with Special Olympics & our local chapter is having a walk/run event on October 11th, 8am @ Lincoln Park. This is a fund-raising event for our area 17 group. Minimum pledge amount is $50.00. It is a 1-3 mile run/walk. Water, fruit, and other breakfast items will be available. If interested you can register online @ www.activeusa.com or contact our Area Director Darrin Burrnett @ 544-3023, email: dburnett@soill.org -

Hope to see you soon!

Running with the group.

I was just wanting to know if anyone is interested in keeping a scheduled run? Do you want to keep meeting on Tuesday evenings, Thursday evenings and/or Saturday morning? Please let me know what your thoughts are on this. I would like to still get together with you all (that want to). I need the group to keep me going.

Thank You Team M:P!

Well, you guys were awesome! Take a minute to look back at where you started and think of all you've accomplished in 13 short weeks. You should feel on top of the world!

It was an absolute joy and privilege to be a part of this team! I want to specifically thank Chris, Kellie, and Paul for being such awesome leaders -- what a fun group to experience leading with!

I hope you will continue running, either together or with other SRRC groups. I look forward to having the opportunity to meet up with you "on the roads" in January!

Even though I won't be able to run this Fall, I'll be checking in on the blog to see how you guys are doing. I'm granting administrative rights to both Tammy & Nancy so they are able to update all areas of the blog and keep the site fresh and new (feel free to call or email me if you have questions about updating other areas).

FYI - I added two new areas toward the bottom of the page. The first area lists all SRRC Races and the 2nd area lists all Springfield Area Races. I encourage you to participate. Also, in the upper right I added the Frost Toes blog address. They are a great group to train with and the Frostbite is a fantastic, challenging course...definitely something to think about. And from there...what's another 3.1 miles, right? Next thing you know, you'll be training with the Half Wits and running your first 13.1 in the Spring ! See? It becomes a vicious cycle that's hard to walk away from.....but hey, there are worse things : )

Please stay in touch! See you when it's cold : )

Thanks to all,
Tressa

Have you checked your packets ?

There are several good races in that packet from the Amble. I have already registered for the Shoreline Classic. In fact, the mailbox is just a 2.1 mile roundtrip from my house, so I jogged my entry over to it !!! My sister-in-law in Decatur is going to join me for the 5K.

I am also interested in the 5K in Jacksonville on August 30th. This could be a great road trip for TEAM MP !!!!!!!

Decatur

I'm sending in my entry for the 5K Run/Walk in the Decatur Shoreline Classic. Is anyone interested in training for that with me ?

Thanks For Encouragement!!

I can't tell you how much it helped to have the group come back and encourage me for the last 100 or so yards of the race. I'm not sure I could have pulled it together to jog those last steps, without your enthusiasm!

I also want to thank Nancy who tried to slow her pace to stay with me. It wasn't my day to improve. I would never visit that on anyone else. I'm glad you did as I asked and tried for your personal best!!

You All Rock!!

Love and Hugs to Everyone,
Nora

After the Amble .....

I am so psyched for the Amble but a little worried. What happens after the Amble ? I'll definitely need "wunning" buddies or I'll end up back on the couch !! Tressa, do the groups that meet on Panera's have any newbies like me, or are they all runners ? Will our little platoon keep together ? Help !!!

Race Day Goal

The Abe's Amble blog says that the awards ceremony starts at 9:30. My new goal: get in before the awards ceremony starts! ;o)

Race Shirt Etiquette

I found this interesting & thought i would share it.

Should I wear the shirt at the race? Race tradition has it that you do not wear the race shirt during the race. If you want to change into a dry shirt afterwards, that's acceptable. (ok, so it's a bizarre rite of passage --- I can only guess that the idea is that you have to earn the right to wear the shirt.). For next year's race, wear your shirt from this year. People will know you are a veteran.

You ARE Ready!

Great Job Tonight Ladies! You are soooo ready for the "Big Kahuna"!

Chris & Nancy...We missed you!
Cat...Take it easy and we hope to see you Sunday!

WE WILL MEET AT 6:30 a.m. at the entrance to the Bud Tent (this is where the race officials are and same day sign-up will be held). Parking is free to the the Abe's participants. Check your packets for the gate # for entry (I think it's the Westside entrance). Also, since I will not be running (boo hoo) I will be happy to hold on to any items you guys may want to carry with you until race time. I will also be "with camera" so plan on pictures, pictures, pictures!

Reminders for Sunday
-Packet pick-up is Saturday at Athleticare - Check the Abe's Blog for times.
-Drink, Drink, Drink on Saturday even into the evening.
-Lay your clothes out the night before. Pin your bib on your shirt and put your chip on your shoe. If you have questions on how to attach, we can do it Sunday morning.
-Think about the course prior to race day. Know where your turns are and during the race gradually move to that side of the road to cut back on time. The fewer the steps the faster your time.
-Eat carbs the night before. Pasta is always a good one.
-Eat a light breakfast. Banana, Bagel, Peanut Butter & Honey, Oatmeal, or whatever works for you.
-Don't start off too fast. Remember, it takes your body 15-20 minutes to run efficiently. If the energy of the day seems to carry you faster (and it usually does), hold off until mile 2 or 3 to pick up the pace. The last thing you want to do is poop out before the finish!
-Refuel 45 minutes into your run. Gu packets are great sources of fuel and come with caffeine or caffeine free. You can buy these at Dicks (near the checkout) or the Running Center. Sport beans or other candies can help wet your whistle when you are dry.
-Take advantage of the water stops along the way.
-PICTURES! Don't shy away from the photographers! Smile, wave, give a thumbs up, run closer to them...whatever! It will make for a great shot!
-RUN AT YOUR PACE! The "Power of the Group" got us to this point through encouragement, support, friendships, accountability etc. Most runners rely on "the group" to get through the training and to be there to share the rewards of their hard work and dedication, but RACE DAY IS YOUR DAY! Give it all you got! There will be plenty of support along the way for everyone in our group and those finishing early will be your biggest cheerleaders at the the finish!

I can't wait to see you guys on race day! I remember how exciting it was for me the first time! The energy out there is amazing! Team M:P is gonna ROCK!

See you Sunday Ladies!

Tuesday August 12, 2008

Hi all,
I will be home on the treadmill tomorrow evening. Dave is out of town and I don't have a sitter beyond 5:30. Good luck to all!!!
Chris

We Really Are Team Mission:Possible

Thanks Paul and Kellie for guiding us through our last "long" run before Abe's Amble. I plotted our course for this morning and it came up to 5.2 miles. I also checked the mileage from the parking lot at Washington Park and Paul had an extra 2.4 mile run (round trip) to and from his home.

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Tuesday!

Wouldn't it be great if we had the same fantastic weather for the race as we did for this morning?

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday....

Tuesday Rain Out!
A couple of us didn't get the message until late, so we were there and were able to get in a 30 minute workout. Great job!

Thursday Parade Run
Good luck to those of you running the parade run. Drink a ton of fluid that day as it will be HOT, HOT, HOT! Enjoy the crowds and have fun! Anyone not participating in the race may want to meet at the Wabash Trail at 6:30. Double check with Nora or Nancy to see if a group is still meeting.

Saturday Route
We will return to Washington Park 7:30a.m. for a 4 miler (see lower right section of blog for updates). Paul Green will definitely be there to help lead, but there is a good chance I will not. This will be your last "Long Run/Walk" before the Amble...Have Fun!

Not much longer now...You guys are gonna rock your 1st Amble!

Athens Heritage Days 4 mile Road Race

A couple friends of mine put on this race. This is the second year, so they are trying to recruit more runners/walkers. The date is September 27th. The cost is $13 and that includes a tee shirt to the first 100 registrants. They asked me to tell my running group. (Who would have thought that I would ever have a running group!) If you are interested, you can download an application at www.athens-il.net.

August 5th

Hello everybody. Where is the run this Tuesday?