the Morning After

It's still hard to hear the news reports, see the photos or read the stories in the paper. It shouldn't have happened. But despite all of the 'wooda, shoulda, coulda's, the fact is that the Vikings lost, or gave away, the game and the Saints are the ones headed to Miami in a couple of weeks. What a stinger. Ouch. Double ouch. Time to move on to something a whole lot more fun.

Here is Tom O'Leary's very entertaining video about their romp over hill and dale (and haybales), through streams and mud during last fall's Living History Farms cross-country 8 mile race. He took the photos using his helmet cam. : )



More news from Tom: track workout at RCTC Tuesday at 5:30 PM. And Byron Team R.E.D. Thursday at 6:00 PM at Bear's Den.

From Andy Hemenway: Grandma's marathon is moving from Ultima (virtually, barely flavored water) to Powerade Mountain Berry Blast. As far as I know they will still be offering cheap-o short-sleeved cotton Ts finishers' shirts though.

The RRCA has extended their nomination period for national running awards until January 31. Here's the scoop:The RRCA has extended the deadline for the National Running Awards nominations. Due to the fact that we launched the new website near the original deadline for the awards nominations, we determined that an extension would allow members adequate time to submit nominations. Detailed information about the award categories along with selection criteria and the new online nomination form can be found at www.rrca.org/services/national-running-awards/ . To nominate a deserving individual simply follow the instructions on the online nomination form, print a copy for your records, and click the submit button. Email or mail newsletter copies as instructed in the online form.

The RRCA will provide a $400 travel stipend and one complementary ticket for each award winner to the 2010 RRCA Annual Banquet and National Running Awards Ceremony that will be held in Lakeland, FL on April 24, 2010. Additional banquet tickets are available for purchase for accompanying family members.

The extended nomination deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern on January 31, 2010. The period of performance for the individual being nominated is January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 for all awards except the Hall of Fame and Browning Ross awards, which are lifetime achievement awards. All nominations will be forwarded to the appropriate selection panels tasked with selecting the final award recipients. Individuals interested in serving on one of the award selection panels should contact Eve Mills at office@rrca.org.

RRCA: NATIONAL RUNNING AWARDS CATEGORIES

RRCA DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME: Inducts individuals that have dedicated themselves to the sport of distance running.

BROWNING ROSS SPIRIT OF THE RRCA: Honors a club member who is an unsung hero and champions the RRCA tirelessly and enthusiastically at the local and/or national level.

SCOTT HAMILTON OUTSTANDING RRCA CLUB PRESIDENT AWARD: Honors an outstanding RRCA club president.

ROAD RUNNER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Honors a male and female open and masters US runner with an outstanding record of distance racing performance during the year.

RRCA JERRY LITTLE EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM: 1. Club Newsletter Award honors two club newsletters that demonstrate a variety of content, good presentation, informative and creative, and inclusive of the RRCA logo. One award will be given to clubs with 499 or fewer members, and one award will be given for clubs with 500 or more members. 2. Club Writer Award honors a top club writer that is an unpaid running journalist. 3. Club/Event E-Newsletter recognizes the use of technology when communicating with members. It is open to any size club or event. The e-newsletter can be emailed to members or clearly posted on a website and should be in PDF, HTML, or another format such as Constant Contact e-newsletter. The e-newsletter should look like a newsletter and not simply be a page on a club website or a text email. 4. Journalistic Excellence honors a professional writer who has made a notable contribution to the literature of distance running for the year.

ROD STEELE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD: Honors an outstanding volunteer (excluding the president) of a local club or event.

OUTSTANDING RRCA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Honors the outstanding and superior service of an RRCA State Representative.

RRCA KURT STEINER OUTSTANDING YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR AWARD: Honors a local club member who is dedicated to either promoting children’s running and/or coordinating an outstanding children’s running program.

RRCA OUTSTANDING BEGINNING RUNNING PROGRAM AWARD: Honors beginning running programs hosted by RRCA clubs that engage new or returning runners to the sport, regardless of their gender.

RRCA ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Honors a volunteer-run, nonprofit race that is safe, well organized and enjoyable and promotes grassroots running and the mission of the RRCA.

WEBSITE AWARD: Honors two clubs with outstanding website design and content. Awards will be given to small (250 and fewer) and large (over 250) club websites.

It's very easy to submit a nomination and just takes a few minutes. It's now an online process. I've done it many times. Think about it. : )
 
I made my first batch of cookies for LUABC yesterday. They're m&m using Susan Komen pink m&ms and the Neiman Marcus recipe.
 

Thank you Chris Kujath for her donations for the LUABC silent auction donations: a big wing Red Wing 2-gallon crock from 1906-1909, and 2 Hull vases from the 1940s--the small one in the water lily pattern and the larger one the woodland pattern.

Chris opened a new antique mall called Old River Valley Antiques at 3727 Commercial Dr SW (near the old Fleet Farm building). It's open M-Sat 9:30 to 5:30 and Sunday noon to 5:30.

LUABC still needs...runners and volunteers. Runners: check in at http://www.luabc.org/. Volunteers: contact Sarah Shonyo. Thanks.

Enough for today. Stay warm. Winter is back.