A new year, a new decade, time for some new goals. As you plan your long distance races for the spring, consider joining us for your training runs. Check out th “About” link at the top of the right hand column of this blog for more details. Note that this season costs have gone up just a bit. For the shorter distance runners it’s still $1/week, but for the longer distance runners its $2 per week. This should help cover the cost of all the Gatorade, water, and snacks we have along the road. And as always, if you think you use more or less of the supplies than others feel free to adjust your contributions accordingly.
Volunteering during the training session is crucial for the success of the program. A place to refuel, both physically and mentally, these little havens along the route don’t happen without the help of participants in the run. It means you have to wake up a little earlier in morning, have to catch a ride back to your car, and maybe meet up with me the day before… but is that a lot to ask once or twice over the next 15 weeks? Remember volunteering doesn’t mean you’ll miss the run that week, you can still support a stop and run the whole route. So please watch the blog each week (normally a roll call post will be sent out on a Thursday) and rush in to help when help is needed. Thanks in advance to all that contribute to make this work.
This is not just for marathoners. Although most of the talk that goes on focuses on the marathons, these runs are for anyone running long. Routes can be altered to fit your needs. You can even jump in along the way if you like. The more the merrier. You can even jump in along the way.
If you looked at the plan, this is week 0 of the plan. Why week 0? That’s because as Boston moves year to year my program tries to figure out when Boston actually is. I put an extra week in here just in case Boston comes early and we run out of time. Sort of a spare Week 1.
There will be other things to learn along the way. Bring your own map. Carry it in a baggy so it doesn’t get wet. If you get lost you’re on your own, I’ve learned I can’t find you once you’re off the route. Watch for changes in the route when it snows, Breakheart doesn’t get plowed. Be careful in the snow.
So this is where I ask what your plans are for this winter/spring. Although the plan is geared towards Boston, not all of us will be running that race. Let us know what marathon, half marathon, any race 10 or more miles really, that you’re training for. This will help me understand the needs of the runners, where water stops need extra food for extra miles, and any other factors that need consideration. Also it gives people who haven’t made their plans some food for thought. So offer up your plans, at the moment I’m planning on possibly the Martha’s Vineyard 20 Miler, and if that goes good maybe a surprise marathon in the spring.
Post any other questions you have and I’ll try to answer them.
Happy New Year, and see you Sunday, 8AM Brueggers!
Looking forward to another training season. I am doing the MV 20, but who knows what else I might set my sights on once I get moving.
I’m paying all my money in advance this season. I don’t do well remembering to bring dollar bills.
See you all on Sunday morn!
Lois
Thank heavens for the long runs…I believe they may save me from super-slugdom! Jim, I can do the water stop. It’s in the Wakefield HS parking lot, correct? If so, I won’t need a ride…Dean can drop me off and pick me up after the run. My car is a white Ford Escape and supplies will be in the unlocked hatchback. If you want to pass off the official green container to me, you can put it inside our front door which is unlocked (1073 Main Street…house w/orange shutters) or I can get it from you on Friday/Saturday. Let me know. I could purchase supplies as well if you don’t have time…I don’t have any plans so am glad to do. I will be running Boston again this year so the long runs work well for my schedule. Happy New Year and see you Sunday…if not before to xfer supplies. Jen
YAY, SLR’s! I’ll be there.. Planning on doing MV20, my first race of that distance, so looking forward to everyone’s help.
Hooray for group long runs! It’s been a lonely couple of months. I’ll be training for Boston with some other races along the way. See you all on Sunday. 🙂
My goal for 2010 is to perhaps have a goal one day. In the meantime, I would like to continue to enjoy the Sunday runs on a “whatever” type basis. I’ll continue to be one of the people jumping in along the way or doing part of the routes. I’ll try to help more with the water stops, but if I don’t manage that, I promise to contribute lots of mini snickers to the supply bins!
Jim!
Well said! I hope more MRC club members take advantage of the SLR program. Since I have no set goals for 2010 but to enjoy my running more & get back in running shape I am looking forward to enjoying the Sunday long runs this season & helping out. This Sunday might be problematic for me with the snow storm forecast for Sunday AM which will complicate my travel distance time. Looks like it might be a treadmill run for me this weekend.
Hope to make it to club Tuesday night since your buying! Happy New Year!
Is Barry our snow curse? Why did we ever give him a number? The MV 20 miler is on my radar, not sure after that.
Happy New Year
Looking forward to starting the long runs. I have been sticking with my
running but enjoy the company. I will be doing Boston for the first time.
Are we still running in the snow storm? I usually run in all weather
conditions. Jim, I’ll be sure to take a map. Were is the holiday party?
See you all on sunday.
Hooray for SLR. I did enjoy the break, but now it’s time to get back in gear! Think we’ll have to strap on the yaks for the first one. No definitive goals in mind just yet, although possibly a late season marathon (even though I said I’d wait until next fall for my next one). So for now, I’d like to maintain and be ready for any spontaneous, rash decisions. Looking forward to see everyone!
I’m in for a couple of weeks anyway. Was planning to sign up for the Hyannis half until Sue and Nancy talked me out of it 🙂
Ill be around for water stop support!!
Will be there on Sunday hopefully, what’s a little snow? See you then!
I’ll be there I need to come out of hibernation.
I take it back… i’m not in. climbing back into hibernation.
I’ll be there for the full, hopefully preparing for the Providence Cox Marathon on May 2. I could do a water stop the week after next.
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Will do my best to be there in the morning for the short route, but all depends on the weather. Looking to start up again with the weekend runs in the new year – no set plans for races, but I do have to fit into a wedding dress on March 20th, so that is my short-term running motivation 🙂
The supplies are with Jennifer and as of right now the plans are still to get our run in. It’ll be up to each of you whether you want to run in whatever conditions greet us in the morning, and how far you want to go. Be smart and be safe!
I may be a few minutes late tomorrow morning, I have to drop James off for a bus to a track meet in the morning at 8AM. If someone else could bring a copy of the route maps and get things organized for me, I would appreciate it. When I get there we’ll hurry out into the winter weather.
Thanks,
See you in the morning,
8AM(ish) at Brueggers,
Jim
I’m out for the next couple of weeks with a foot injury. I have no race plans for the spring, but am open to being talked into something if I can manage to get back in shape. I can do a water stop while I’m resting. Hopefully I’ll be back out there with you soon. Good luck tomorrow!
Will be a while before I am back running but cant wait to run with you guys.Best of luck and enjoy the your running 🙂
Sorry, will have to back out, it seems like the roads will be dangerous as they haven’t plowed here yet. Be careful and hope to see everyone soon!
Sorry, cannot make it. Still waiting for a plow. I ran yesteday on untreated roads it can be dangerous.
Be very careful in the street. Hope to see you soon.
Where and what time is the party!
Sorry I couldn’t make it. The roads were horrible, so I turned around
Michelle, the party info is on the home page on the right. Next Sat nite at the KofC
I will be joining for some of the longer ones. Plan on either Providence or VCM, haven’t decided yet. Before that I’ll be doing Derry 16m and Stu’s 30k, and maybe easter states. I’m still running in the woods for as long as it is snow and not ice.
Sue,
Thank you for the info. What time and I would guess the KofC in melrose.
Are spouses invited and what is the cost. This info is not on the home page. Also, I have been trying to get a message to Lois. So, Lois if you
see this, I wanted to give you my results. I did the baystate marathon
10/18/09 and qualified for boston–time 3:55.
I’m really out of the “loop”!
Again, thanks for the info.
Hope to see you sat. or sun am.
Michele
Hi Michele,
Yep, KofC in Melrose, 7pm to ??? whenever the dancing stops 🙂 and yes spouses are included. I think the long run will be on Sat morning this weekend so everyone can enjoy themselves Sat nite. I hope to see you there.
Sue
Hey Michele!
Thanks for reminding me. I think you emailed me a while back. I apologize for not responding. Your BayState result is now posted – GREAT RUN for you!!!!
See you Saturday everyone! For running AND dancing!
Hi everyone,
I am snooping here after hearing about SLR’s from someone at the library today. I did my first half in Nov. and am registered for the Vermont City Marathon May 30th. I tend run solo, but that feeling may change when I am running more than 12 miles at a time. I have been looking at training schedules online, am getting overwhelmed with the choices, and thinking maybe now is the time to join the MRC?