Easy Street!

It's tapering time -- we're running 3 miles tomorrow, in preparation for the race. Saturday marks the last time we, as the 2005 Women's 4-Miler Training Program participants, will run together before the race. Let me tell you, it's been a delight, and I can't wait to join a lot of you at Foxfield next Saturday. Remember, no matter how many people pass you, you're a champion because of what you've achieved in the program. You can make it 4 miles!! Bet you never thought that would happen back in June.

The First Couple of Charlottesville running, Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni, will talk about the race before we run tomorrow. Here's a preview: Don't do anything different before the race than you've done throughout the training. Including wearing a pink flamingo suit, Joan! Mark will give you further details. Then there's picking up your race packets, getting a good dinner and a good night's sleep (maybe), and finally, The Race!

We'll have more details later, but there will be a celebration with a quick run and some delightful food and company on Sept. 10 at the track. It's creatively called the Post-Run Party. And then, well, it'll be bye-bye to some folks, but all of us Pink Ladies want to remind all of you runners that there will be ample opportunities to run during the off-season. The 6:30 a.m. crowd will still be out there Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the Greenbelt group is hardcore through the fall and winter! Plus, there's always people out there on Saturday morning at the track. And of course there is the 10-miler training beginning this fall. So don't give up running because you think you won't have company out there on the streets of C'ville. We're there -- even if you spot us only by our reflective vests one early morning! And you're always welcome.

UPDATE: The Post-Run, excuse me, Celebration Brunch (we are getting fancy, aren't we?) is set for 8 a.m. Sept. 10 at the track, or Law School park in case of rain. We'll take an easy 2-mile run, with food and drink to follow. We'll celebrate, share success stories, eat, drink and recognize and thank everyone. Here's what you'll have to bring:

A-F: Drinks (juice, water, Gatorade)
G-M: Bagels, muffins, other bread products
N-Z: Fruit, whatever.