Thursday, October 02, 2008

Last post for a while

This is the last post on this blog for a while.

I've created a new blog at http://cvillerunningpals.blogspot.com/. The new one is not affiliated with any group or program. It's just a place where we list where we're running and when. We can all comment on our runs. I'll also try and update dates and places for local races.

This has been fun and I've enjoyed reading all your comments (even the critiques).

Good luck in your running and walking.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Congratulations!

You did it!! You beat the humidity and made it to the finish line! I saw a lot of happy faces at the finish and know a lot of you hit your goals. We are so proud of all that you have accomplished this summer. We can't wait to do this all again next summer!

A great, big, huge thank you to Cynthia Lorenzoni and all her volunteers for putting on a great event. And thanks to Alison and Claire from the UVA Breast Care Center for all the help!

To celebrate and share stories, we're having a run and party Saturday at 8 at the track. Here's what you can bring:

If your last name starts with:
A-F: Gatorade, juice or water
G-M: Pastries, bagels or muffins
N-Z: Fruit, candy or goodies

Starbucks will provide the coffee!

Check out the link to the track club in the right margin. You can see what's coming up. Some of you may want to try the new 10k race in October or the Run for Shelter 5k in November. You may want to try 10-miler training too!

And for the guys, they start training for the Men's 4-miler on October 4th at the track. Let's here it for the boys.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Take a deep breath

Tomorrow is the big day. You may have pre-race jitters and that's normal. This is my 5th 4-miler and I still get jitters. Just take a deep breath and try to relax.

Packet pickup is today from 5-8 at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Fontaine Ave. It's a lot easier to get your packet today than to try and get it in the morning.

Carpool to Foxfield if you can. The volunteers do a great job of getting everyone in an parked. Let's help them out by reducing the number of cars.

Get lots of water today and stay off your feet as much as you can.

Try and get a good night's sleep. I know that can be hard.

Put your race number on your shirt and your chip on your shoe tonight. Don't wait until the morning for that. Lay out your clothes tonight too.

During the race, make your first mile your slowest. You'll want to have something left for the finish.

When you're done---Celebrate! Get a bagel and a drink and cheer on the women still out on the course.

If you have family and friends coming, make sure they have a snack and drinks packed for them to enjoy. We want to make sure there is enough for all the participants first. You might also want a chair or plastic-coated blanket to sit on.

Stick around for awards.

You're prepared for this. You are ready. We've had a wonderful time helping you get to this point so try and take a moment tomorrow to enjoy this. You are why we come back each year.

Have a great race!
Deb

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Thanks and Congratulations!

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for a great summer! It has been so great to run/walk with you all and watch you achieve your goals in this rewarding program. We are all so proud of you! Good luck Saturday if you will be in the race! I hope to see you on the road in the coming weeks and months. Looking forward to next summer!!!!
PL Amy

Monday, August 25, 2008

What's next?

The race, of course. Make sure you go to packet pick-up on Friday. It takes a lot of the stress out of race morning.

There will be mile markers and people calling out times at those markers. Remember to look at the clock above the start line when you start so you can see how long it took to get to the start (and subtract that time from your splits).

We love it when participants decide to continue running. There are some races and programs in the near future. I'll try and post info on some of them soon.

I have two bits of race advice for you....hydrate all week long, and make your first mile your slowest.

We'll have an easy run and celebration party on Septemeber 6th at 8am at the track. If it rains, we'll move it to the Park at the end of Massie Rd. Coffee will be provided by Starbucks and here is what you can bring:

If your last name starts with:
A-F: Gatorade, juice or water
G-M: Pastries, bagels or muffins
N-Z: Fruit, candy or goodies

We're glad to have shared the journey with you.

Friday, August 22, 2008

The last Saturday

This is our last Saturday before the race. Some things to be aware of:

It's move-in weekend at UVA.

We're going to run first and then have our speakers--Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni will share important information about the race. You'll definitely want to stay for that.

Parking shouldn't be a problem at U-Hall.

Traffic will be heavy so it's crucial that you stick to the sidewalks and stop at EVERY intersection. Anxious parents and nervous 1st years will be abundant.

There will be a post run party the week after the race (Sept 6th). We'll have handouts for that so you'll know what to bring.

Make sure you pick up a gold ribbon to wear on race day. It's your diploma and it's also how spectators and other runners will know you took part in the training program. They will be available at the track on Saturday and at the rookie runs.

We've so enjoyed being a part of your journey. Thanks for your comments, suggestions, and success stories. Congratulations, we're so proud of you!

Friday, August 15, 2008

The fun run!!

From Pink Debby (the tall blond)

We're having a fun run to get you race ready.

Next Tuesday (August 19th) evening - gather at 6:00 p.m. at the Track.

The route is very scenic tour of the UVA Grounds and the Lewis Mtn Road neighborhood. There will be water stops, timers calling out "splits" (your time) at each of the Miles, prizes (including door prizes), and prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places, food, music and fun.

If you plan on running the fun run, don't run Tuesday morning.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Remembering why we're here

This Saturday is going to be very special. We call it 'Survivor Saturday' and it is a celebration. We celebrate women who have survived the fight against breast cancer and we celebrate women who are still fighting the battle. It's also a great reminder as to why we are here.

Our program starts at 7:45 and will feature a great speaker, a lot of inspiration, and some 'pink perks'. Special thanks to Althea from Avon and her team for the help!

If you've been skipping the program, this is a great week to come back. We hope to see you there.

I've been reading the comments you've been posting and I'm so happy that you're making your milestones. I can't wait to see you after you cross the finish line!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

I'm just so proud of you

This week and last, some of you have told me that you just ran longer than you ever have in your life. When you say it, you're all smiling. I am so proud of you.

Just showing up sometimes can be the hardest part. You all are showing up. You're doing the long runs, you're doing the rookie runs, you're making friends and accomplishing goals every week.

YOU are the reason I show up each week. Thank you for sharing your successes. We'll make it all the way to the race together, and hopefully you'll keep running/walking into the fall and beyond.

See you on the road,
Deb

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A great article on the heat index

Pink Debby sent me a link to the wikipedia.com article on the heat index. It explains how the index is determined as well as the effects on people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_index

Keep drinking water all week long, even on days when you don't have a run or walk planned.

We hope you're enjoying the journey and please let us know if you have questions, concerns or comments. Also, tell us about your achievements. I had the pleasure of running with three ladies on Saturday who had never run two miles before. I was thrilled to be there to share that moment with them.

Our speaker this week is nutritionist Robin Schroyer. She'll be offering up great information on how the best fuel for your body. And stick around for the stretching after the run. Who knows, you may leave with a door prize!

See you on the road,
Deb

Thursday, July 17, 2008

This week

I hope you're all drinking lots of water and getting ready for Saturday. We'll have two speakers this week, Harvey Finkel from UVA police will discuss safety and Podiatrist Dr. Heather Snyder will talk about shoes. Also, the shoe stores will be back to assess your gait and suggest the proper type shoe for you.

Everyone will be going off the track this week. If you do NOT feel comfortable with that, there will be Pinks staying at the track as well. We're not going to pressure you into hitting the road if you're not ready.

It's looking like it's going to be hot again. Some of you may want to take water with you on the run. Our friends at Beck-Cohen will have water at the track.

The big bleachers are gone, so you may want to bring a chair or towel to sit on.

We had some confusion last week with the door prizes. Joan will give away one big prize during the talk, but don't throw out your ticket. We have LOTS of other prizes that we'll draw for while you're doing your run. Just check the dry erase boards when you're done with your stretching. And we stop giving out the tickets at 7:45.

At Virginia Beach, a runner was killed when she was struck by lightning. From what I understand, she had on headphones and didn't hear the thunder. Be careful out there. If you hear thunder, don't go out for a run. If you're out when you hear it, get to the nearest shelter. Don't wear both headphones when you run, and don't run alone. I hate to sound like your mother, but we don't want to lose any of you.

I hope you're enjoying the journey. If you have questions or comments, you can post them here or email me at w4mtpblog@gmail.com.

See you Saturday.

Monday, July 14, 2008

This Wednesday for Walkers

Marty Roddy of the Charlottesville Running Company will be at the Track this Wednesday, July 16th at 6:00 p.m. to talk to our walkers about any issues they may have. He is excellent and has wonderful ideas about walking form, pace, how to increase your distances in an easy-to-remember manner, etc.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

A message from Joan

We are sorry about the storms this past Saturday and having to cancel. Our concern is always for your safety and well being. Since Z-95 (our radio station of choice) was off the air due to a power outage, we had no way of reaching many of you earlier.

We will try hard to reschedule our "Happy Feet" presentation along with the surprise the Pinks had in store for you! This Saturday, July 12th), we will have all our favorite shoe folks here (at the track) who will be happy to meet with you individually and discuss the best shoe for your foot and make it happy.


***Also, the big, green bleachers are gone. Make sure you bring a chair or towel or blanket to sit on.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

This week

Yes, it's a long holiday weekend, but we'll still be running on Saturday. This is the week that we will time you so you can get a feel for your pace group.

Our speaker will be Podiatrist Dr. Heather Snyder from Albemarle Family Foot and Ankle discussing how to keep our feet healthy. Melissa Whittaker from Gold's Gym will be leading our stretching sessions.

Pink Debby says Marty Roddy of the Charlottesville Running Company will be at the Track on Wednesday, July 9th and July 16th at 6:00 p.m. to talk to our walkers about any issues they may have. He is excellent and has wonderful ideas about walking form, pace, how to increase your distances in an easy-to-remember manner, etc.

Rocket tells me the Monday and Wednesday Rookie Runs at the Greenbelt are going great. The morning runs are also doing well. Remember, all the Rookie Runs are for all levels. Feel free to move back and forth between runs and groups. This program is for you and we enjoy helping you achieve your goals.

Someone asked me to post summaries of the speakers. I'll try and do that soon.

Happy Running/Walking
Deb

Thursday, June 26, 2008

This week

Our speaker this week is Kay Monroe and she'll be talking about motivation. Jana Burnett will be back to lead the stretching. Yes, there will be two rounds of stretching, so you Advanced runners can participate.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Rookie Runs

Rookie Runs are a great way to get your two weekday runs in. We try to schedule them so you can make it to one or two a week. All the runs are for all fitness levels.

Due to popular demand (and rising gas prices), our pink Dena has organized Rookie Runs for the 29 North area. Greene Rookie Runs will be on Mondays 6:30pm at Ruckersville Elementary.

Here's the full list of Rookie Runs:

UVA Track--Tuesday and Thursday Morning at 6:30 (ah, sunrise over U-Hall).
Greenbelt at Riverview Park--Monday and Wednesday Evening at 6:00.
UVA Track--Wednesday evening at 6pm.
Lake Monticello--Tuesday and Thursday Morning at 6:15 at Bunker Ball Field
Lake Monticello--Monday and Wednesday Evening at 6:00 at Jefferson Centre parking lot (by the Turkey Sag gate).
Greene County--Monday Evening at 6:30 at Ruckersville Elementary School.
Madison County--They start this weekend--Kick off June 28 at 7: 00 am will be at Madison County High school.

Remember, all of the Rookie Runs are for ALL levels. Please come to the time and place that best fits your schedule. We only ask that kids have a parent with them.

Deb

Sunday, June 22, 2008

running clothes

Some of you have been asking about cooler clothing and this stuff called wicking material. Wicking clothing is made of materials that do not absorb moisture. Instead, they are designed to transport sweat away from your skin and into the outermost surface of the garment. They have shirts, bras, shorts, shorts, pants, hats and socks in wicking material to name a few. You can buy these clothes at a running or sports store or if you like to bargain hunt there are a few other places that carry these clothes including: T. J. Max, Marshall’s, and Target.

If you find some place that has good stuff please feel free to post and let others know, as a lot of us love a good deal. Additionally, you will get a wick shirt at the packet pickup of the 4 miler race and if you continue to do races many races give out wick shirts at the packet pickup and so after about 6 races you have a nice selection of shirts to choose from.

Have a great week!! PL Heidi

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Starting out

Some of you have been writing saying that you get frustrated that you get winded quickly.

Here's what Bean said, "Okay I did my first run by myself today at a local school track. I was a little disappointed in myself. My goal is to RUN the 4 miler because I've dreamed of doing something like this for myself for wayyyyy too long now. So I walked one lap like we did at the UVA track and then I ran another lap and then I got too out of breath and had to walk a bit. I picked up the running after a quick cool down. I guess I'm just disappointed that I couldn't even run the two laps continuously and I'm feeling daunted looking ahead to what we'll move onto by Saturday. Is this normal? Will my body adjust? Ahhhhhhhh...I feel bummed. Just thought I'd post my thoughts in case anyone else had a similar experience."

Don't worry Bean. When I started running (in this very program back in 2004), I couldn't run a full lap either.

I LOVE the way you all are helping out each other. Someone else posted some really great advice, "Yes, sounds like me two years ago, and we have lots of company. Gradual and steady should get you to your goal--and it is more than just **OKAY** to walk. Enjoy walking guilt-free! By getting out and moving, you are well on your way to getting healthier. Try doing the walk/run for a certain number of minutes (start at 15-20 min and build on this). Don't count laps! and don't get discouraged or push too hard at first. Be patient and enjoy!

When you say "myself" do you mean alone? Boredom is common when running in circles on a track. If you are on a track it is super if you can find a friend to run/walk with you. This is someone to talk with so you'll forget to count laps. Also music from an ipod can help. Run/walk for a certain number of songs rather than counting laps. IMPORTANT, if you move off of the track to run on the road also remove the ipod for safety."

My advice is to take it a little slower. I used to go out too quick and have nothing left. While you are running, say a sentence out loud. If you can't complete your sentence without taking a breath, you're going too fast.

We're only in the first week and you'll be amazed at your progress. Don't get discouraged. You have all of us to help you along the way.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Bad Weather

It's thundering outside and the radar shows rain in the city right now. The National Weather Service says severe storms are likely until 9. Needless to say, it's not safe to be outside. We don't run in severe weather. Ever.

An update from downtown says, "Even though the warning expires at 4:45 p.m. as of now, it looks like there are more storm cells headed this way from over the mountain." Be safe, stay out of the weather. Looks like we're cancelled at the Greenbelt.

The Lake is still on...see Kim's comment below.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Today was just the start

I hope you had fun this morning. I know that for some of you, the program can be a bit daunting. We're here for you every step of the way. We (the Pinks) are available for your questions, concerns, parties....

For the training program to truly work, you'll need to get in some runs/walks during the week. If you don't have anyone to do that with, well, now you do.

We call them Rookie Runs, but they are for all participants. We have a ton of times and places for your convenience. All of the rookie runs are for all levels. We only ask that kids be accompanied by an adult.

If you are an early bird (or work late), meet us at the UVA track on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30. Uh, yes, the sun is up at that time. I wasn't a morning person until I started running. Beat the heat, join us in the morning. Pink Pam, Frances and the early-bird Pinks will be happy to see you.

If you can't make the morning runs, no problem. Monday and Wednesday night at 6, meet at Riverview park. There is a map in your notebook if you're not familiar with the greenbelt area. Or you can email me, and I will get you connected with Rocket (who has more energy than anyone I know) and the Greenie Pinks.

If the track at UVA is easier for you get to, then meet Wednesday at 6. Park at U-Hall, just like on Saturday.

"But Deb, I live in Fluvanna or Madison and gas is expensive." We got you covered.

At Lake Monticello, Theresa (who has as much energy as Rocket) and a wonderful group of Pinks will be at Bunker Ball Field on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:15 . AND, they will be at Jefferson Centre parking lot (just outside of Turkey Sag gate) on Monday and Wednesday nights at 6.

Madison County, you all start on next Saturday, the 28th at Madison County High School at 7am.
Your runs will be posted on http://www.mapyrun.com/.

I know this is a lot, but you only have to run twice during the week and once on Saturday. If any of this is confusing, you have any questions, or want to get in touch with a group leader, post a comment here or email me at w4mtpblog@gmail.com

It's going to be a great summer.
Deb

Friday, June 13, 2008

Tomorrow is the big day!

We're ready to go. I hope you are too. We'll kick off another wonderful season of four-miler training tomorrow at the UVA track next to U-Hall.

Some things to remember:
Bring something to sit on (towel or chair)
Wear sunscreen
Bring water
Insect repellant is a good idea, too

The program starts at 7:45, so if you need to register, try and get there early. Parking is free at U-Hall. Overflow parking is available at JPJ arena.

Remember, we have different groups for different abilities. When I started running in 2004, I was starting from scratch. We'll be there for you every step of the way.

I'll post info on the different Rookie Runs as well as heat and rain guidelines this weekend.

If you have questions and want to send an email, we have a new email address.. w4mtpblog@gmail.com . No spam please.

Here's to having a safe and healthy season!

PL Deb

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Registration Form is now online

The registration form for the training program is now online. You can print it and mail it in or bring it with you to any of the packet pick-ups or the track. Remember, race registration is a separate form and fee.

http://www.dominiondigital.com/womens4miler/four_miler_2008_training_program_registration.pdf

There is a link to the official Race website on the right of this page as well as a link to the track club.

We strive to make the training program an enjoyable start on the road to fitness. I never thought I would be leading such an active lifestyle when I started in the program four years ago.

Can't wait to see you in June!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

It's springtime and we're getting ready

Mark you calendars for Saturday, June 14th. That's when the Women's 4-Miler Training Program kicks off its 15th year.

We're already planning a great season to get you ready for the women's 4-miler in August. Registration forms are starting to appear around town and should be online soon. The cost is only $15, for 12-weeks of training. Remember, race registration is separate.

Women and girls ages 10 and up are invited to participate. The sessions start at 7:45am and feature informative speakers and training programs for all levels of runners and walkers.

More information will follow, but feel free to post any questions here.

See you in June!
PL Deb