And They're Off!

Good luck to you all tomorrow (even though luck has nothing to do with it). It's all about the training and that's behind you now. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing tomorrow. Run your own race.

Someone once told me this and I'll never forget it. They said: "the person that starts the race is not the same person that finishes the race." I really think there's some truth to that. Especially if you're running your very first race.

I can't wait to hear all of your stories that will follow. I want to encourage you to write your story down. I would love to know your thoughts about this whole experience. Maybe Priscialla could even include those in the scrapbook, but for now...

You are ready.

Go get 'em!

Team Photo

So here are the photos taken by a professional photographer with a cheap camera (mine). Still good photos, but I'll bet the ones he took with his camera are WAY better! We will find out soon enough...















Hey - thank you all for coming out today on a moment's notice. I don't know how we pulled that off, but we did. The only person missing, sadly, is Ellen. But, I did talk to her about it and there was just no way she could make it. She's okay with that.

That's it for now. Just wanted to get these pictures out there for you to see. Isn't this exciting???

4:00 Photo - TODAY

In case you haven't heard the very exciting news...the Times Union is going to do a little piece about our running group. Diane submitted something to them and they want to use it in the paper this weekend.

They would like a group photo so we're planning on meeting at the church today at 4:00 dressed in our running clothes - including the pink shirt from Diane.

I'm sorry for the late notice, but I just found out myself last night. So far the only person that can't make it (unfortunately) is Ellen. I've heard from Kathy, Evelyn, Linda, Priscilla, Diane. I believe Anne-Marie and Nicole will be there, too.

I need to hear from the rest of you. Please contact me asap. I'll be working at the church today.

The Big Day

I can't believe the race is just a few days away. These past 9 weeks have flown by, haven't they?

One piece of advice this week...if you're going to be running, do it early in the week. I know it's almost Wednesday now so I would say run either Wednesday or Thursday, but I would advise against running on Friday. By now, you are ready for Saturday. Give your body a day or two to rest.

If anyone would like to meet up with me on Friday to drive down to get their race packets, here is my idea. Since I will be working, we could meet at the church at 1:30 and drive downtown to get our race packets. Maybe take a walk through the expo if we have time. I'd be up for that so let me know if anyone is interested. I wouldn't be able to stay too long since I'll have to be back home in time for the school bus.

In your packet you will get your bib (race #), safety pins (to pin your bib into place - on the front of your shirt) and your timing chip. There will probably be instructions about strapping your chip to your shoe laces. (They sent an email out about that). You'll also get your t-shirt and a bunch of other random things.

The day of the race we are meeting at the top of the stairs leading up to the plaza on the right hand side. It's the second set of stairs (going up Madison). We'll meet at 9:45 on the right hand side of the stairs.

So, I want to take this chance to wish you all the best of luck on Saturday. The work (in my opinion) is done. The race is simply the icing on the cake. It is the reward for 9 weeks of training. You will never forget your first race so make sure you enjoy every moment of it!

Memorial Day Run

After some discussion, we decided not to run the Freihofer's course prior to the race. Instead, we are going back to the Crossings tomorrow morning (Monday) at 9:00. We just love it there! In case you're thinking it's too far or whatever, let me assure you that it's totally worth the drive!

We had a great run on Saturday morning. I think you're all ready for the race on Saturday and it's going to be a lot of fun.

We also now have team shirts thanks to Diane. Woohoo!

Here are some pics from Saturday:

GHI Challenge & Freihofer's Trial Run

I want to wish Diane good luck tonight. She's running in the GHI Challenge in Albany. Larry is also running it. I'm sure you'll both do great! Have fun!

For anyone interested in running the Freihofer's course ahead of time, I think Monday morning might be a good time to do that. Since it's a holiday, it should be relatively quiet in Albany. I think it would be easier doing that rather than going after work during the week. The only thing that we'll have find out about is parades. I'm not sure if those will be on Saturday or Monday. I'll try to find out.

Would you guys be available to do that on Monday? Think about it and we can talk on Saturday...

Good luck Diane & Larry!

Last Training Run

I want to encourage everyone to try to make it to the Crossings on Saturday for our last training run together. Of course, the following Saturday is the BIG day! I can't believe it's almost here already. You guys have been amazing and should be incredibly proud of the hard work you've done. Just think of how far you could run 8 weeks ago and how far you can run now. It's something, isn't it? I'm psyched for you all and hope you have an awesome race next week!

Until Saturday...

Cindy

The-oh-so-fabulous-hot-pink-shirts

Our official t-shirts will be ready on Saturday and the cost is just $4 each! Diane will bring them to the Crossings and you can either give her cash or a check. For anyone that can't make it Saturday, she will bring them to church on Sunday, too. A BIG thanks to Diane for doing this for us!

Can't wait to see you all in those hot pink shirts!

Another Saturday Run

We met over at the Crossings today for our 2.5 mile run. The weather was beautiful. I wasn't sure if I'd be running myself since I'm still "on the mend". I have to say that it felt really good going through my familiar routine as I prepared to get myself ready. Just putting on my running clothes felt great even if I ended up not running!

The line up today was: Anne-Marie, Diane, Nicole, Evelyn, Linda and myself. I know the others were there in spirit :-) Everyone's kids are doing their sports and it's a busy time of year with the school year end fast approaching.

Anyway, it was a great run. Everyone did the 2.5 without walking. I am so impressed with you all. Anne-Marie, I am especially in awe of you! When we ran together 2 weeks ago (2 miles) you were saying, "I can't do it" and today I saw a completely different Anne-Marie. When we were finished, Diane said to you, "If you can do 2.5, you can definitely do 3." I loved your response. You said, "I know I can." That was the best! I see a confidence in you that I didn't see before and that makes me so happy! You are going to do great in the race!

Well, we liked the Crossings so much that I think we'll meet back there again next Saturday. We talked about running the Freihofer's course during the week leading up to the race (for anyone that is interested).

Once again, you are all doing FANTASTIC! I am so happy that you are meeting your goal. Doesn't it feel great?

Here are today's pics....notice Evelyn's influence :-)

On Second Thought....

Since Kathy can't make it Saturday morning, I'm thinking we should skip her place and maybe give the Crossings a try? What does everyone think of that idea? Let me know...enjoy this beautiful weather!

It's Getting Close!!

I can't believe it, but the big day is only about 2.5 weeks away! I hope you guys are excited. I think you're doing GREAT!!

I'm sorry I missed last Saturday. As you heard, I've been sick. I am happy to say that I am getting better on my own without any further antibiotics or drugs. I do still have a long way to go though.

As far as this Saturday, I have asked Kathy for directions to the place that she suggested 2 weeks ago. Does anyone else have any suggestions? If so, let me know.

Diane sent me some pics of the shirts. What do you think? Aren't they great?





Well, if you have suggestions about this Saturday, let me know. I think we should be up to 2.5 miles, right? I want to hear from you guys...let me know what you're thinking!

Saturday, May 9

Since I didn't have time to follow up about the alternate meeting places, I think we'll meet again at the Rensselaer Tech Park again tomorrow (@ 9:00). Hope you can make it. The goal tomorrow is to run 2.25 miles. I've talked to a few of you and it sounds like you're doing awesome! Keep up the good work.

Week #5 - You Guys Rock!!

Here we are....more than halfway to our goal. It's hard to believe! Today was the day to run 2 miles straight without walking.










I'll tell you what...you guys are awesome! Not only are you sticking to the plan, but you're having fun doing it and that I love! I hope you are taking some time this afternoon to bask in the glory of the accomplishments you've made. Some of you are a little down because maybe you couldn't run the whole entire way. Don't be! Don't take anything away from the progress you've made. Think about where you were 5 weeks ago. That is why I wanted you to keep a log - so you could look back and see how far you've come. Let me tell you, it's a long way, baby! Consider this your high five, pat on the back, and way to go...really, you guys are doing GREAT!! Keep up the good work!