Sunday, December 28, 2014

December 27, 2014

Today's Last Sunday of the Year Run

We had a light turnout today as people are recovering from the holiday schedule or out of town like Dylan.  It was a mild, murky morning for most of the run. Rose is off to a wonderful extended cruise all the way to Tahiti and was breaking in a new pair of shoes.

 

Scrubbing our running roster

The first 24 responses are in and with one exception, are all positive about staying on our roster.  It's interesting to note that they came from a wide geographical swath including Australia, Vermont, Washington D.C.,  Colorado and Illinois.  All were positive about staying on the list. Here are the messages from our out-of- towners:

 

Paul in Australia

Jack, I would love to keep receiving your emails!

 

Colorado Jack

"We are planning to return to sunny Florida in mid February, so I would appreciate it if you would leave my name on the mail list. Thanks for your effort in keeping us informed every week, I read each mail religiously! I look forward to seeing all of the group again for a Sunday run.

 

Leslie in Colorado

"I like your emails, it's like hearing from home!"

 

Bob in Vermont

"I am definitely absent, hopefully relevant and expect to be back, albeit however briefly.  If you are missing your birds, we have them!" 

 

 

Lytle (and Brian) in Chicago

"I want to be kept on FOREVER!". Lynne from D.C.

Please keep me on your e-mail list.  Thanks & Merry Christmas!

 

News from Idanny

"I ran the Starlight half marathon at Palm Coast on Saturday night."

Congratulations to you Idanny!  Keep it up!!

 

Happy New Year to all and hope to see you next Sunday to start 2015 on the right foot!

 

Jack

Sunday, December 21, 2014

December 21 Run

Today's Run
Park Avenue was alive with over 50 runners this morning.  Our group was the smallest one, with a turnout of a dozen or so people. We had Paul from Pittsburgh show up looking to put in 15 miles at a fast pace.  We teamed him up with our faster friends starting at Morse Blvd. We also had a large group of Lake Monroe runners in town for their annual December trek to Winter Park.
 
 
Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and Happy Chanukah holiday season!  Please try to make it out next Sunday for the last run in 2014!  Have a great week.
 
Jack

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Follow-on Info

News from Christie

"Hi Jack. I know I STILL haven't made it out- but I'm jogging a little here and there.

I hope you are doing great. I love still getting the Sunday emails."

 

Christie, our recent runner turned Mother, has re-affirmed that she is still in the game. (She's on the left) The evidence appears below—she has run what looks to be an unidentified 5K.

 

I love the outfit, Christie, and hope that you, the outfit and baby will join us real soon!  Thanks for keeping us posted.  Not that I am keeping the pressure on you, but I have sent your message to the group.

 

 

News from Rose

"I ran the Bulow Woods half marathon yesterday.  It was a trail run with lots of tree roots and mud"

 

Congratulations to Rose!

December 14 Run

Before I forget it, I want acknowledge an omission in my last e-mail thanking the participants in our blanket collection outreach.  A special thanks to Laura Williams and Kirsty Walker of the Galloway group for both collecting and delivering blankets. I failed to mention their presence last Sunday.  Shame on me!!

 

Today's Run

Barely a dozen people turned out this glorious morning, a day which was made for running (a 43 degree start, low humidity and lots of sunshine). Jen had to do her ten miler alone on the back side.  She will be doing Boston next spring!

 

Last Week follow-up

My I-phone failed me last Sunday.  Here's a shot of Lynne, Sean and Gina:  Also a picture of Dave's load of blankets before they were delivered to the Coalition:

 

 

 

 

News from Bronte

A year or so ago, we had a husband-wife team join us from AustraliaBronte and Luke.  They did not get to run with us very often, but were on our mailing list. This week I heard from Bronte, reporting that Luke had already returned home and that she is following him this weekend.

 

In her own words:  "Luke went back to Australia a few months ago, and actually completed the Melbourne marathon in October (his first marathon) - clocked a healthy sub-3hr time too! I'm flying off this Saturday. My running has slowed to a halt for a bit, as we're expecting an addition to the family in April".

 

Please join me in congratulating Bronte and Luke and wishing them every success.  Wow, a sub-three hour marathon for Luke!!

 

Luke and Bronte wish to be removed from our mailing list now. We still have Paul Yacobellis living north of Sydney.  He has asked to remain on the list to keep track of what is happening in his former hometown.  Hope you're doing well, Paul!

 

Have a great week!

 

Jack

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Blanket Collection Results

I want to share the outcome of our 2014 blanket collection with you.  The count was over 100 blankets and includes what we collected on Sunday, a generous contribution by Dave (I'm not supposed to tell you that!), and another bunch of blankets from Teresa Williams group (delivered to my house) plus blankets collected by Marathonfest and the Winter Park Dawgs.

 

It get's even better.  When Teresa dropped off the blankets, she also presented me with a $500 check for the Coalition.  The check is a gift from Teresa and twin sister Vonesa and their company (Home Care Connect). A very special thanks to Teresa and Vonesa!!

 

My sincere gratitude to all of the participating running groups for your generosity and concern for some of the neediest people in our community. You are helping a lot of people stay warm through our winter.

 

See you on the road!

 

Jack

Sunday, December 7, 2014

December 7 Run

December 7 Run
Our first run in December drew about 18 people, many of them bringing blankets for our seventh annual collection for the Coalition for the Homeless.  Dave Berry was once again there with his truck and will be delivering some 50 or more blankets to the shelter tomorrow.  Contributing to this effort were our ORC Sunday group, Teresa Williams Sunday group, Galloway, Marthonfest and St. Margaret Mary Church.  Sincere thanks to all who contributed, and special kudos to Dave for his key role in this effort!
 
Joining us for the run were visitors Lynne, son Sean and husband Bob from D.C. and Gina who works out of both D.C. and Clermont.
 
Chris & I had to pass on today's run. Chris due to a knee issue and me to a foot blister!
 
Post run Gathering
Lynne and Sean competed in an Irish Dance Festival on Saturday and Sean came away with two wins!  The four of them joined us for breakfast at Paneras afterwards, along with Robert, Dylan and, believe it or not—Eamonn! (who is totally slammed with work and pursuing a Rollins MBA).
 
Yesterday's OUC Half Marathon
I have accounted for 22 of our group competing yesterday on a fairly hot day. A third of the group broke two hours!  In order of speed was Robert (1:43), Atif (1:48), Ralph (1:49), John (1:55), Mark (1:55), Mike (1:57), and Chris (1:59).
 
Chris took first place in umber of family members participating (five I believe)
 
As a consequence of running unopposed in my age group, I was able to rein in first place in the age 80 group!  My mantra is "If you can't outrun them, outlast them!"
 
Christine came down with the flu and was unable to fulfill her gig at the ORC water stop at mile 2.  Kirsty also volunteered for this gig and showed up with blankets this morning.  Geralynn and Helene had to scrap participating due to injuries.
 
By the way, this was the largest OUC Half on record, with over 3300 runners!
 
Have a great week!
 
Jack

Monday, December 1, 2014

Update for Space Coast and OUC Half

OUC Half Marathon next Saturday;

In addition to the eleven people reported in my earlier list, the following people also will be running:

 

Jennifer & Steve, Robert and Chris with his family entourage including wife Cindy, his two daughters and son-in-law. (Jennifer is squeezing the race in between flights to Scotland!)

 

That puts the wider group participation up to 17 runners!  What a great turnout this will be!!

 

I also failed to mention that Ben will be overseeing very convenient parking at St James School parking lot.  The fee is $10 and will give you hassle-free parking adjacent to the race start and finish lines.  The lot is at the corner of Robinson and Hillman and proceeds benefit St James School.

 

Reported Space Coast Results

Marathoners:

David: Completed his first marathon in a very respectable 4:19, despite an ailing right knee!

Seth:  Ran a 4:25 race.

Helene:  "Kicked the pants" off her prior PR by one hour and fourteen minutes"

Debbie:  Helene reports that Debbie was sick all week and still managed to pull off a survival marathon effort.

Kirsty:  Turned in a non-PR 5:03

 

Half Marathoners

Rose:  Ran a 2:21 race

Dylan: As previously reported, did a 2:08.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF YOU!  I believe that leaves only Cheryl unaccounted for.

 

See you at the start line on Saturday.

 

Jack