Program Director’s Update for 8/9/2008

How many legs have we got - quite a few - 38 x 2!  WOW!  Think how far you can go when you get all that leg power together!! 

This weekend we'll be needing all those legs out in TT for long miles for Chicago, 17-20; New York 15-17 and San Antonio 13-15 miles.  How did we get here so quickly?  I ask myself that question every time I look at the schedules...we've only been going since April and that doesn't seem that long ago. 

If you're running long this weekend, get everything lined up so that you will not be alone when you hit the parking lot.  Check www.tampa262.com for your group emails.  Pair up with your running buddies and make plans ahead of time.  It is so incredibly hot out that you'll want to get started early, not because it will be that much cooler, but because you can stay out of the sun by getting in your longest miles earlier.  Be prepared for the heat by eating and hydrating right all this week.  Be prepared for the humidity by hydrating and dressing right.  Carry water or electrolyte beverage if you're running long.  The coolers don't get out before 5 a.m.at the earliest, so be prepared to stay hydrated.  Use the golf course water fountains; and, if you need, bring a couple of dollars for the machines along the way.  The country club's bathrooms are never locked, and there is water and ice there if you need it.  Running really early, carry a light because it doesn't get light out until about 6:15 a.m., and have ID on you at all times.  Carry a cell phone.

Be aware of your surroundings out there.  We've had some problems with coolers being permanently borrowed.  And we've had a report of someone hanging around the parking lot that didn't belong.  Make sure your car is locked.  And err on the side of caution by staying in your car until the rest of the group arrives, or drive around the block until you see more cars there.

We have an opening on the highly regarded hydration team.  This will require that you come out early and set out coolers at least one weekend a month, and then retrieve them after the run; but, the Galloway fee will be waived as long as you are a hydration team member.  Think it over!  You are providing a truly valuable service to your team members and its sure a motivation to come on out and get your miles in.  Let Linda or I know if you're interested.  There is on the job, free training available for this very valuable position!

Get ready for August 16th: The Magic Mile will ride again!  And....drum roll.....8 a.m. be in the rec center parking lot for a watermelon party.  Yes.  The summer fruit will make its appearance so you must be there and partake.  Get together and compare notes with your run group.  See and hear who is doing what, when and where.  Relax.  Refresh.  The Magic Mile will start in the rec center parking lot (not the library) at 6 a.m.  There will be no one in the parking lot at the library.  You'll run 2 miles from the rec center to Fowler and then back (that's about 2 laps we figured the last time), and then the last 1 mile will be run on the track behind the school.  Yes, you do use your intervals, whatever they are, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, whatever they may be.  It will take 4 laps around the track to run a mile, and you will need to know your 1 mile time on the track.  Linda and assistants will have timing sheets to record your info.  Then we'll send you your time and you can extrapolate your half marathon and marathon times; or, just know that it takes you XX-number of minutes to run a mile.  This is NOT a competitive event.  This is for your own information and to help you judge how far and how fast you have come, and perhaps set some goals.

BE THERE.  You will be glad you were.

Prepare for your long run this weekend starting right now.  Get ready to get ready to get those miles in.  If you are not running long miles, be in the library parking lot at 5:50 a.m. for some quick announcements and group gathering.  Be sure you know where you are meeting your group as some groups meet at the 10-mile mark instead of hitting the parking lot and risking cool down.  Check www.tampa262.com for the latest and greatest, and if you don't find it there - shoot Linda and/or me an email.

Have fun when you run!

Iris and Linda