August 1 Run

Just when I thought it couldn't get any warmer, it did. Today's start was at 82 degrees and last week was 81! That said, we had a "baker's dozen" of runners turn out, including some smiling faces we haven't seen in quite a while— Lytle, Leslie and Gary.

Good news: Following my e-mail last week, no one has asked to be deleted from our periodic updates. In fact, I received nice notes from Cheryl, Carolyne, Leslee and Paul that they enjoy keeping in touch with the group.

And Great News from Leslee. She is four months pregnant and still running 3-4 mile distances. Our congratulations and good wishes to you and hope to see you back later in the year! It has been years since we had a baby jogger in the group. The last time that happening, the baby passed me at mile 1.5 on lower Alabama!!!

HEARD FROM OUT OF TOWNER'S:

D.C.: Congratulations to Lynne and son Sean. Lynne (our gal at the Pentagon) and son Sean did very well in pursuing their avocation of competitive Irish Dancing. Sean qualified to compete at the Open Championship level--the highest level possible! Lynne place 2nd of 20 in the Reel in her group. Both Lynne and Sean try to join us when they are in town.

Stuttgart Germany: Heard from Air Force Capt. Chateau who ran with us a few weeks back. We compared notes on running in Prague (where I got lost a few weeks back while vacationing). She hopes to re-join us again when she next visits here parents here.

St. Louis: And a nice note from Doug Dean who ran with us last Sunday:

"Many thanks to you and the Track Club for your warm welcome on Sunday…. The course was scenic and interesting, and it was great to make new acquaintances. Please pass along my thanks and gratitude to the group, and please know that all are always welcome to join us for a run in St. Louis if business or pleasure ever brings anyone to the area."

NEW RECRUITS:

Expecting Sultana and Juliana to join us soon. Beth started a few weeks ago.

VISITORS CALENDAR:

Paul Kitson from the UK was supposed to join us this morning, but was a no show. Paul is training to run what is billed as the largest half marathon in the world. It's the Great North Run in the UK and draws over 50,000 entrants! I had never heard of it previously

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Grand Prix Series kicks off on August 14 with the Celebration of Running 5K. The full race schedule is attached. See the Track Shack website for more details.

Long Run Planning: As we approach the racing season, it's probably a good time to begin laying your training schedules for any long distance races you are planning. Once you do so, I suggest you pop it into an excel spread sheet and send it to me. I will try to lay out a master schedule so that we can have some company on our longer runs. Once again, I stress this for our female runners: We do not want you out on the road in the dark without company! I know that's Running 101, but it deserves to be highlighted

Jack