Sightings abound!

LUCKY 13 5K and 10K tonight at Running Room at 6:30 PM. No frills. No fee. No awards. But hey, it's free! And a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of your fellow runners running their FIRST 5K or 10K. We were all new to the sport at some time as well. ;-) You can also still join the half marathon clinic which meets at 6:00 PM. They're training for the Rochester Half Marathon, a premiere event in SE MN!! Just in at Running Room, lemonade flavored Ultima, which will be the beverage at Grandma's marathon. The Garmin 405 is in at Running Room. There's one left.

Another Brookings marathon update: Paul and Deb Thomford also ran Brookings, missed a turn and ended up running an extra half mile. :-(

I've got leads on a few newsletter stories for July, but am always looking for more. Doesn't have to be literary genius! Anything having to do with running is just great with me. Race reports don't have to be about marathons. You get the picture. Your photos and stories are ALL welcome! Color newsletters for 2007 and 2008 have been posted in the members only section of the RTC website.

I just heard on the radio that Thursday is 'Commuter Choice' day. I guess the whole week is commuter choice week from what google turned up. You can register for a drawing at this website. Don't have much more information, but do choose alternate transportation whenever it's feasible. Your body and your pocketbook will thank you for it.

I haven't mentioned an RTC unsung hero for a while, but at this time of year, the RTC treasurer Jean Murray deserves mention. Every check for every one of our events passes through her hands, gets stamped 'for deposit only', gets taken to the bank and is recorded in our books. That's a lot of checks, let me tell you. Thank you, Jean!

I have had a light work schedule for a couple of days so today I baked some cookies and headed down to the Y for the noon run. Dan (take my picture PLEASE!) Edwards, Jim (I just ran Ice Age 50-miler on Saturday) Benike and Gary (I LOVE COOKIES!) Malat are pictured above. Jim Martinson joined us shortly after. We just ran 2.7 miles around Soldier's Field. I checked the trash situation. There wasn't much, even with the south winds. Not worth scheduling a pick-up. It just so happens that a Med-City water stop meeting was happening at noon, so I got a few more photo ops.

Let's meet Bob Miller:

Family - Married with a lovely wife & 2 daughters (7 & 9)

Hobbies - Triathlons & making home movies (8mm -> DVD conversions)

Languages you speak - English and broken spanish

How did you get started in running - 15 year lapse since high school. Friend requested I train with him for a triathlon for 4 weeks.

Miles per week on average - marathon season (50-60), triathlon season (25-30)

Your defacto, comfortable as a broken-in shoe training route? Long (Century HS, down 37th, up West River Parkway, around East Circle Drive, up/down Bamber Valley, back on running trail past Running Room up to Silver Lake, then County Road 2 back up to Century ... makes right at a 20 mile run). Short (Century High School to Churchhill Elementary down Broadway, around Silver Lake Park, back to CR 2, up hill to Century High ... makes a perfect 5 mile run)

How often do you run it? Long - 3x per 16 week marathon training Short - 1-2 times a week

Favorite carbo loading food? Spaghetti along with a side of Lipton's Pasta

Favorite indulgence food? Starbursts (ice cream if I don't want to run for a couple of days)

Next race? Med City Marathon

Running goals? Sub 3 marathon (not this year), Finish Ironman Wisconsin

Running dream? Run competitively with Rob Mitchell, Mark Carey, Chris Chen, Chris Koch, (it could go on and on) Compete & finish Ironman Hawaii (Ford Championship)

Spreading Joy. Changing Lives. --Bob Bardwell

Wow, there's lots going on!

Hope all you moms had a special day yesterday and are now ready to face a new week head on!

Thank you to Steve Shepard of the Houston Striders, a fellow newsletter editor that I've gotten to know at the two RRCA conventions I've attended, for the photo above. I'm giving my 'acceptance speech' at the banquet. Pictured behind me are Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director, and Jessica Sleight, RRCA office. I can't remember saying anything that was funny, but something must have slipped out ... Steve and his wife Barb are going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and go on a safari this summer. Wouldn't that be a trip...

Here's another photo from Steve. A better photo of Dick Beardsley than I got. I sent off an email for the fun of it to see how much it would cost to have him come speak (at the annual banquet). Needless to say, it's WAY out of our budget. I was just curious ...

The TriRochester club holds weekly track workouts and any and all runners are welcome to join them. Meet at Running Room at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, run around the golf course for a 2-mile warmup, then it's off to the track for speedwork (although occasionally they do hills instead). You can join them in their workout or do your own workout.

From my son, Matt: Texas team claims state track title — with 1 girl on the team!!

Unfortunate news regarding Chris Koch's first marathon: He crossed the finish line first in 2:45, but was told 30 minutes later that he'd missed 1.25 miles of the course and was DQ'd. The second finisher came in at 2:57 so if he'd kept pace he'd easily have won. (Apparently the course was poorly marked and the lead biker disappeared at 5 miles and reappeared at 24). Chris said he'd write an article for the July RTC News. Chris and his fiance Tabitha are new RTC members.
From Jessica Jirele: I am running Grandma’s this June and I have an extra hotel room on my hands. I was hoping you could pass the word around your group to see if anyone is in need of lodging for the weekend – June 20th and 21st, Days Inn - $205 + tax/night.

I've found another RTC member who has a blog: Lionel Cheng. He does a great job as well.

Want to preview the Chester Woods course? Come out to the park at 4:00 pm on Sunday, May 18. Meet at parking lot 1. Jim Mason says that the plum trees are coming in to bloom.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Roll & Stroll will take place on Sunday, May 18 at Soldier's Field. Registration is at noon. The walk begins at 1:00 pm. Questions? Contact Wendy O'Leary . Let's cure juvenile diabetes!

From Michael O'Connor (Rochester Active Sports Club):

Renee,
We are about to sign a legal agreement with the City of Rochester that will allow us to develop a trail system in Essex Park similar to what we have at Quarry Hill. Hopefully this agreement will be completed in the next 2 weeks. We plan to start work on this project this summer - how much we will have completed by winter is hard to day, but I think it would be an ideal venue for a trail run/race this fall if sufficient trail is ready. FYI - there is one monster hill on this trail which will be a real attention getter for running and ski races. We will also have access to an old barn that has heating (part of the agreement), so I think we will have a place for registration for races and a warming hut for winter skiing.

I will post full details of the agreement once the city has agreement to it.

Thanks
Michael

I found out yesterday at church that Wallie's Gardens, my favorite nursery, south of Oronoco, has closed. Jerry, the owner, passed away over the winter. They had an absolutely fantastic selection of flowers and vegetables at very reasonable prices. I'm not sure where I'll be taking my business... ;-(

Went for a run yesterday. 3 runs in 3 days. That's been a LONG time in coming. Today it was back on the Stairmaster for an hour so my thighs get even bigger. Sightings yesterday:

K.C. Reed ...

and Conner Reed ...

and the progress on Hadley Valley School at the History Center.

Then I saw John Dinusson heading out for a bike ride ...

And then I met Paula and Shayna. They ran in from Byron ... A good day for sightings!

Last night, I was sitting on the couch at about 8:00 reading Marathon & Beyond ...

and I just couldn't stay awake. Matt said, 'Why don't you just sleep? That's what I do when I'm tired.' Did we raise a genius or what?? So ... I laid down on the couch and slept! Finally went upstairs just before 10 and turned on the Twins' game on the radio. What an exciting finish (vs. the Bo Sox). But the Twinkies pulled out a 9-8 win. It was a bit questionable in the top of the 9th however.

I've only got two more profiles to post. I'd welcome them from any of you readers! Today, let's meet Mike Willard:

Family? Married 35 years to Barbara, 3 daughters Heather, Heidi, and Tracey… (2 in Rochester and one in Phoenix, AZ) and 3 grandchildren. (I'm sorry ... but Mike does not look old enough to be a grandfather of three!)

Hobbies? Running, landscaping, reading

Languages you speak? Wish I were bi-lingual… but alas.

How did you get started in running? 20+ years ago, to reduce stress.

Miles per week on average? 25-30

Your defacto, comfortable as a broken-in shoe training route? Mayowood trails and Silver Lake trails

How often do you run it? Weekly and sometimes daily during good weather

Favorite carbo loading food? Pasta! Spaghetti

Favorite indulgence food? Chocolate

Next race? Likely Spring Classic

Running goals? Staying healthy. Regrettably staying healthy and quick recovery is not as easy as it used to be!

Running dream? Successfully run Grandma’s Half for the next 10 years!

Thought for the day: "The highest wisdom is kindness." --Talmud

Mother's 5K Slideshow--May 10

Since I'm posting again before Sunday, I guess I have another chance to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms! We don't have any plans. It's too busy at the restaurants, so I don't like to go out to eat on Mother's Day. I did buy myself a cake at Sam's Club the other day. I will share it with my family, however. ;-) I also will be making Shaun Palmer his cookies of the month, which will also be monster cookies. He's always so very appreciative when he gets his cookie delivery for the month.

Jessica Schmitt and (s0n) Benjamin Schmitt were going to do a water stop for the marathon training class. Jessica is training for her first half marathon (Green Bay). She ran her first 9.3 miles at Spring Classic. I'm very proud of her. ;-) YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Chris Koch, new RTC member, and TriRochester co-leader, is running his first marathon today. We got an update from his fiance Tabitha via cell phone during the Mother's 5K this morning. He had just passed the 19.5 mile mark. Hope all goes well for him. There's nothing like your first marathon. If the weather was anything like it was here this morning, it should have been perfect weather (Brookings, SD).

The TriRochester guys did a terrific job on their first event--Mother's 5K. It was very low key, but well done and lots of fun to help at. I wished I was running it! I ran out to Eastwood and then ran home when I was done volunteering (10 miles) to get my run in. I was overdressed, but had to have enough warm clothes to also keep warm while volunteering. I'm still having trouble with accessing Photobucket, but Charter still is having problems in our area (can't send email), so that may be part of the problem. I'll post a few photos here and hope to get a slideshow going soon.

Oscar and Olivia are 7-year old twins and they both ran the 5K. Oscar's time was 31-something. I think they're just precious and I cheered wildly for them out on the course. When I yelled "Girls rule" to Olivia out on the course, she burst into a big smile and sped up a bit. I can't tell you how these two little kids brightened my day. Cute or what???

At 9 bells, they were off to tackle the Eastwood (golf course) course. Andrew Shulha (right, orange shoes) won in just over 18 minutes.

Andrew leads them into the woods ... and toward THE hill.

Oscar just nipped (new RTC member) Cathy Torgerson at the finish. Sweet. Cathy finished as second master's. Way to go, Cathy!

Olivia and her dad are happy to arrive at the finish line. Olivia didn't even run in running shoes--they were pink KEEN-type shoes.

Chris O'Brien is all smiles as she finishes up her race. Nice (Spring Classic) shirt! There were a couple of them out on the course. They're terrific.

From an email from Alexander Tsatsoulis of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation : We are recruiting participants (and hunting for a Rochester coach!) for the Rock ‘N’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon on November 16th, 2008. We do cover the travel costs and hotel for the coach, who travels with the team to San Antonio. We have some basic training plans, which the coach can adjust based on his/her preferences, or just create their own plan for people to follow. We will have runners of all different skill levels, so our run coach in the Twin Cities has three basic plans for people to follow along with based on where they are – depending on how many participants we recruit in Rochester the coach can figure out how they want to set up trainings. Finally, there is reimbursement for the coach, based on how many participants finish the program (fundraise and run the half marathon).

My left little toe STILL looks just lovely after the blood blistering at Boston on April 21. Among so many other things that fell apart that day, this was relatively minor but is the most obvious and visible outward reminder of a marathon to forget.

Nine friends and I are going to the Power of the Purse luncheon on June 10 and purchased a table for 10. Individual tickest are also available. Guest speaker is Jeannette Wells, author of The Glass Castle, a terrific read. I look forward to it.

This is my theme song for this week:

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

When your heart's heavy

I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up

Because you want to be heard

If silence keeps you

I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up

Because you are loved

Don't give up

It's just the hurt that you hide

When you're lost inside

I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up

Because you want to burn bright

If darkness blinds you

I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up

Because you are loved.

"You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)"--Josh Groban

Thank you to my husband, Ted, for being such a good listener. ;-)

Have a wonderful day.

T.G.I.F.

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers who are moms. You deserve your special day. Hope you are able to enjoy your day surrounded with those you love, and those that love you.

I'm trashmeister for May. I've been keeping an eye on it. There's been a little, but not enough to schedule a pick-up session. If one becomes necessary, you'll all be the first to know and the first to be invited to help clean it up! ;-)

Our Charter service has been down all day. Email still isn't working (can receive but not send--everything stays in our Outboxes) and hasn't been since 1:45 am. I know ... I was up. (Someone at Charter must be working long hours 'til this gets fixed. Reminds me of my many years as a software developer at IBM and being involved in a crit sit--Enterprise Rent-A-Car--definitely not fun. You have to stay with it until the customer is back up. Everytime I hear 'Enterprise' I cringe ...) But today's given me an opportunity to catch up on other things, which is a good thing. Also gave me a chance to take a long nap this afternoon. I got about 3 hours sleep last night, and about 2 the night before. I have a good friend who doesn't eat when she's all stressed out. I'm just the opposite. I eat when I'm stressed. Hence, I've put on weight the last year. I wish I were her ... I'd be skin and bones right now... Let's move on. I'm living up to my "Ramblin' Renee" handle...

Yesterday, I sent a color version of the May RTC News to the webmaster for posting in the Members Only (remember when those jackets were popular?? 80s) section of the website, so hopefully that will be posted in the near future. The pictures look so much better in color, especially Carlo's photos from Antarctica.

Mike Schmitt had a great idea for the RTC. A scholarship to be awarded to a student in the RTC running community. Details and funding are to be worked out. If you are interested in helping in this endeavor, please contact Mike.

Jim Mason has crafted pencil holders to hold the handmade walnut pens to be awarded to age group winners at Chester Woods . They're very nice.

Member spottings yesterday: The lovely Lorraine Benike at the Y. She said she was working off the monster cookies that Jim brought home on Monday. (They were the cookies of the month auctioned off last December on the RTC website ). Also spotted ... the ever cheerful Angie Macken running west on 6th St SW.

Nice Post-Bulletin story about RTC member Larry Pederson and his trail run series and club. He's the race director for the RTC event In Yan Teopa which is a 10-mile trail race. BTW ... we have two Larry Pedersons. The other Larry does not have a beard and is our membership chair and co-director of the All Comers' meets.

Speaking of All Comers. Volunteers are needed. It takes at least 12 volunteers to staff the meets each week. They begin at 6:00 pm on Tuesday evenings beginning June 3. Not all volunteers need to stay 'til the end. The first hour is the busiest. Please contact Fred Woolman or Larry Pederson if you are able to help out on any of the evenings. A fresh layer of cinders has been applied to the track. This is a VERY good thing. Congratulations to Larry (and Janie) who are grandparents once again ... two granddaughters. ;-)

The RTC is looking for a graphic artist who might be willing to do some work for us for our membership materials. Contact a board member if you know of, or are, such a person.

Assistance is also needed for Med-City packet pickup at the following times/locations:
Fri at Running Room from 4:00 pm-9 pm (3:45-6:30 and 6:30-9:00)
Sat at Running Room from 9:30 am-6 pm (9:30 - 12:30, 12:30 – 3:00 and 3:00 - 6:00)
Sun at Byron city hall from 5 am-6:15 am.
Please contact Lin Gentling if you are able to volunteer.

There is a Med-City short-take on page 24 of the lastest 'rochester' magazine. On the same page, a blurb about Stay Out of the Sun Run. Speaking of that event, here's a photo of race director Tim Burris this noon at Running Room:

I'm always happy to share a cookie with a friend! Here's a few more (Dan Edwards, Jim Martinson, Mike Holmes):

Whoever showed up at the Y at noon was eligible to share in the bounty. I parked at the Y but must have missed the guys at noon. So I ran down to the library to get a reserved book for a friend who's on vacation and wanted her book (The Omnivore's Dilema) picked up so she wouldn't have to wait on the list again. I was happy to go green and do so on foot! Seen on the way to/from the library, Kevin Lund (on bicycle), LaRee Etter (looking, feeling and running great--she's told me to share her blog with anyone and everyone anywhere! She's a very talented writer) and Gloria Gunnon. In what's got to be a first, they greeted me (by name) first! I'm lucky if I get replies to my hellos most of the time, so this was a definite first. Ran back and there were the guys! So they were able to enjoy a couple of cookies before heading back to work. Then I drove to my garden and planted some cabbage. Then I drove over near the Fetzer finish line and ran west on the trail to take some photos of the bluebells. They're resplendent in their purplish blue glory. If you haven't seen them, you should. Hopefully the rains predicted for the weekend won't get the best of them.


After the bluebells, I went over to the History Center to check up on K.C. Reed and son Conner who were working on Conner's eagle scout project--building a deck and steps for the schoolhouse on the property. Photobucket isn't responding so I'll post the photos individually:

Conner working the palm nailer (?) something like that. It's loud. And fast.

K.C. Reed, chief supervisor of the project (and wearing a Douglas Trail T).

Conner dug these holes, several feet deep and flared at the bottom, by hand. There are MANY of them. Very impressive. They earned their cookies. :-) I left them all but 5.

Here's a photo of the original set of steps, circa 1910.

They also have to make it handicapped accessible, so a long ramp with a 5' landing is also to be built on the north side of the building.

Well, What Not To Wear will be starting momentarily, so I'll close for now. See you at the Mother's 5K (cross country) in the morning...I'll be working registration and then timing with Paula. Hopefully, there will be photos to post tomorrow.

Until then.

More This 'n That

Another May birthday to report: Pete Martin will be aging by one year this month as well. Give him grief. :-) Just a reminder ... if you haven't had to renew your membership yet this year, we don't have your birthday in our database yet.

Pictured in the Rochester Women magazine ad this month, just out on the newsstand (free): Pete Martin, Julie Yost, Tom Williamson, Sandra Prescher, myself.

Welcome new RTC members: Peg Dokken, Susan Hanson, Tony Poirier, Marc Schaub, Cathy Torgerson, Roxanne Bartsch/David Zimmerman. We're glad you've joined us!

Paula and I are going to score the Mother's 5K (cross country) on Saturday. Hope to see lots of you out there!

Running Room staff will be getting a Product Knowledge session on the new Garmin 405 system the end of next week. I'm interested to hear about it and see it.

Results from my Fetzer 20K post-race survey:
95% indicated the event was a positive experience
89% enjoyed the equalizer format
68% think the money should be divided between first male and female
59% favor keeping long-sleeved cotton tee (vs. short-sleeved technical shirt)
84% will definitely consider running it in the future (16% maybe, 0% no)

After thinking MORE about it, I'm toying with the idea of $150 to first overall winner, $150 to first master's finisher, $100 to each other gender first finisher both overall and masters. Hope that makes sense. But there's still plenty of time to change my mind.

They were to have shown Spirit of the Marathon (the movie) at Fountain Square (outdoors) in Cincinnati, but it got rained out. There are still screenings here and there in case you happen to be at one of those venues. There was a silent auction at the RRCA convention. There were two Spirit ... movie posters signed by Deena Kastor. I put in a bid (about $50 if I remember right) but the next time I checked the bidding was up around $150. Don't know what they finally sold for. During the live auction, someone bought a Peyton Manning signed jersey for either $400 or $500.

Today was a running day ... yippee!! So I set out about 6:00 and headed out toward West Circle Drive. First spotting: Amos (RTC member) and Barbara (cooking club, book club) Kermisch, on their way to the gym or to work at Mayo. I'd no sooner turned the corner when I spotted another RTC member ... Ed Creagan!

I headed north on West Circle Drive. There's a little bit of new paved path on the NE corner of 2nd St SW/West Circle Drive, connecting to the neighborhood back there.

On the west side of the bike path, there were a couple of tulips blooming in the midst of what looked to be 95% dandelions, 4% thistles (big as a dinner plate) and .5% tulips, .5% grass. ;-)

As I got up by highway 14 west, I was greeted by the trill of the dreaded red-winged blackbirds. Whenever I hear them I have a tendency to hunch my back and wave my hands over my head ...

I then continued west toward Valley High Drive. The cows were just laying there, watching the world go by.

Went over 52, down Assissi Drive, over to Broadway, on the south side of the lake, under 7th St to the bike path south to the 0.0 trail marker, over the footbridge to the Civic Center, south to 6th St SW, and west to home. About 10.7 miles. Good enough!

Thought for the day: Friendship is a shelter from life's rainy days.

Happy Tuesday!

It was really nice to have some moderate temps today. Matt and I planted: potatoes, onions (yellow and red), shallots, leeks, broccoli and peas. Just finished before we got a short shower.

Lots of this 'n that going on around the running community. Let's dig in:

Pick up a copy of the newest Rochester Women magazine. There's an ad for the RTC inside as well as a triathlon feature which includes RTC member Wendy Nevala. Thank you to Dave Phillips for pulling this ad together for us. He did a great job!

Spring Classic 5K results at Wayzata Results (The results link on the RTC website wasn't working).

Our favorite Norwegian RTC members, Espen and Ann-Kristin will be back in Rochester for a couple of weeks beginning June 1. ;-)

Half marathon clinic starts tonight @ Running Room. As always, group run at Running Room Wednesday at 6:00 pm. Instructors still needed for the 10K clinic (starts May 29), and walking clinic (starts June 2). You get the employee discount for being an instructor. Mileages for Wed:
Walking- 45 minutes
Learn to Run- walk 1, run 8- 23 minutes
5K- walk 1, run 10- 32 minutes
10K- 3 miles
Marathon – 6 miles fartlek
½ Marathon- 2.5 miles fartlek

Here's a link to the latest Running Room emagazine. It includes a 20% off coupon, a recipe from me and low and beyond I just discovered it includes a race recap for the Fetzer 20K, written by Sarah Chapman, a store manager from the cities. I didn't know that was coming! There's also a nice photo of some TriRochester club members. Cathy Torgerson's 'My First Marathon' article from May RTC News is also included. I'd say Rochester was well represented in this issue!

RTC board meeting Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 pm in the community room at the RAC. All RTC members are welcome to attend.

From Jean Murray: Beer night/run is next Thursday, May 15th. Lets plan to meet and run from Dos Amigos on 4th St SE at 5:30pm Hopefully it will be nice enough to have a beer on the deck afterward…

From Rochester Active Sports Club : Essex Park Trail DevelopmentBruce Walk has put a lot of work into a proposal for a new trail system in Essex Park that was recently submitted on behalf of RASC to the Park and Recreation Department. This would be a 4-season trail that would support Nordic skiing in winter and walking / running events the rest of the season. This trail development would be somewhat similar to that in Quarry Hill with the plan to provide similar grooming to that in Quarry Hill. The advantages of Essex Park are a) the ability to hold running / skiing events (something which is not possible in Quarry Hill), b) the availability of a warming hut in wintertime and c) storage capacity for much of our equipment. Essex Park has a similar mix of trail and bike paths to Quarry Hill, along with one monster hill which will be a challenge for skiers and runners alike. The proposal is for development of the trail system over the next 3-4 years and will be discussed at an upcoming Board meeting. We will provide more details of the plans and ideas for this once we get feedback from the Park and Recreation Department on this initial proposal.

Bob Bardwell is looking for someone to time a 10K (Wheels 'n Heels) race on June 14 from Pizza Ranch in Stewartville out to Ironwood Springs. If you're interested, contact Bob.

Run @ Work day is September 19 and I'd like to arrange something(s) for runners/walkers to participate in. If you already run @ work during your lunch and would be willing to have others join you, or are otherwise interested in helping organize some way to get people active, please email me.

That's it for today! Talk to you later.