RUN RSVP: Saturday 02/28

Many of you doing a three week taper for Shamrock will have a 20+ mile run this weekend. Unfortunately they are calling for rain to start tonight and continue through the entire weekend. The temperatures will be mild on Saturday, so if you throw on a hat and don't mind getting wet you can still run. Sunday will be more rain, and much colder.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes - at the tracks
• Weather: Forecast (54F and Rain @ 7:00)
• Routes: 6.67 Miles - Triple Loop

Knowing it will be bad weather, and people may cut their runs short, I went with an "old standby" route. This is the route we have used many times for people doing their last 20 milers dating all the way back to our early Richmond Marathon training days. It gives you frequent aid, has pretty good hills, and has an out-and-back section on Woodstock, keeping everyone close together.

I have a conflict tomorrow morning, so I need someone to put out fluids at the train tracks. Please post a comment if you can do this so everyone does not bring it. Save your receipt for reimbursement. Also, remember to use the table by the driveway to put our cups, gels, Gatorade, etc.

RSVP with your pace and distance if you are coming. EVERYONE is welcome. . . new people included!

What Are Your next Two Races?

The RMEC is more active then it has ever been. Group runs are typically pulling in 20 runners every Saturday, and this is when the temperatures are below freezing! I can't wait to see the size of the group once Spring arrives. This post is for four reasons:

1) Get the blog active with member's feedback
2) Let your teammates know what you are training for
3) Encourage others to join you
4) Let me know when to look for your race results

With 50 club members, I expect we will be racing all over the place. So take a minute and post a reply with your next two races and the date of the event. I would love to see 50 replies to this post!

Wanna Boogie with Frank?

How about joining me at the best marathon I ran last year . . . the Boogie Marathon and 50 miler.

This year's race will be on Saturday, June 13th and STARTS at 5 PM!! The whole course is run on roads, but you only pass four houses!! I'm fairly certain I can promise you will not find a single spectator on the course to cheer you on . . . but you will pass all the other marathoners and 50 milers many times and they will support you (and you'll support them too!)

The Boogie is a very different sort of race. Not easy but ton's of fun and VERY unique! To get an idea of how unique, just read the waiver:

WAIVER AND RELEASE:
I realize June in North Carolina is hot and humid. Most people and doctors advise against running in heat and humidity. Also, running at night presents special problems such as seeing where you are stepping and watching out for cars. I understand that this area has specific hazards such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, polecats, wildcats, and rednecks who like to drink and drive and throw things. I know that 26 miles can be tough under any conditions but with the possible conditions in this event 26 miles could turn out to be much more of a challenge than I expected. Nevertheless, I like to struggle and really, really want to participate regardless of the expected pain or risk. Therefore, I want everyone to know that I am not being forced to do this event and that I agree for myself and any survivors or possible claimants that I may leave behind, to save, release, and keep harmless the Mangum Track Club, its members, the Runners From Hell and any volunteers or sponsors or any other helpers that may be involved with this event from all liability, claims, or demands for damages incurred by participation in this event or any of its parts. I assume all responsibility for my participation and certify that I am properly trained, mentally fit, and medically able to participate in this hot, hilly, and possibly night marathon. I agree to use a light after dark. I will not litter. I will not kill snakes. I am aware that this event is limited to the no more than 75 entrants and that registration may close abruptly at the race director's discretion. I realize that the race director's {or his delegate} authority is all encompassing and will abide by anything he tells me. Knowing everything in this waiver has not deterred me from entering this event and my signature below indicates that I have read and agree to all this stuff and still intend to participate. I also promise to have fun.

The race director is none other than Doug Dawkins, the guy who just finished running across America. Doug also gave us a lot of great advice as we planned the Medoc Trail Races. Runners agree this is one of the best organized races anywhere. Last year had a GREAT shirt. No medal though. Doug gives finishers a hand-made mug (guess it will be the same this year too!)

I would love to see a huge RMEC turnout for this event. You'll be glad you did! I won't miss it!! -- Frank

5:45 am Running Group

I know you all see the 5:45 am Wednesday running group at the top of this blog. This group is still meeting outside of Cliff's house on Bell Drive, and everyone is welcome to join in. The group is now actually meeting Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

It is not always the same people, but typically Cliff, Tim, Derek, Dave, Jeff M., Ryan, and Michael can be found. Some are far more regulars than others (I am very irregular). This is traditionally a quicker paced group who does 5-7 miles. We normally do one of three loop routes. All paces are welcomed however. Because we run mostly in the dark, you should could with a partner if you will be over an 8:30 pace. This way you will not run alone.

I mainly want to encourage others to join us. Don't let the speed of the group keep you away. The only thing that makes it "fast" group is that they are the only people who have been running. We would love to have more people join in the fun.

Relay for Life Updates

Team Members: It is not too late to join the RMEC Relay for Life team! Right now we have seven RMEC members on the team. This is great to see, but our club has over 50 members. We can do better! Signing up is easy to do, and getting people to help raise money is even easier. Find four friends to give $25 a piece, and you just raised 100 bucks! Sign up online now. . . it only takes two minutes. Just click the "Join" button at the top of the page.

Fund Raising Updates: The RMEC Team has already raised $860.00. Frank has raised $495.00 on his own! He is actually ranked sixth right now out of all Rocky Mount participants. Way to go Frank!

Giving: If you can not join our team, please consider giving. Visit the RMEC Relay Page, and click the Donate Link at the top. This too only takes a minute to do. If you don't want to pick a person on the team, you can give a "Team Gift" instead. All of the proceeds still go to the American Cancer Society.

Walking/Running: On April 24th, the RMEC must have at least one relay team member on the track during the 24 hour event. Frank will obviously cover many of these hours on his own as he has a goal of 50 miles. It would be far better for us to have multiple runners on the track when we can. It would be especially nice to have extra support for Frank once he gets over 30 miles.

This will be a challenge to have RMEC runners on the track for 24 hours, but it is no where near the challenge that people face daily who are battling cancer. This is one day out of our busy lives. Please try to be a part of the team if you are able.

Please note, I understand that giving to any cause is a very personal decision. We would love to have you on the team, but understand if your time and money is given to other causes. No explanation is needed.

Colonial Half Results

Congrats to Elaine and Misty on their great race performances this weekend in Virginia! Both have been training for the Colonial Half Marathon in Williamsburg, and their hard work showed through in their results. In November Elaine and Misty clocked a solid 2:30:54 at the First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon. Just three months later, Misty ran a 2:21:05 and Elaine a 2:24:42. Great job ladies!

When looking up race results, I always seem to find something of interest unrelated to the RMEC. This time is has to do with the women's race winner. Buzunesh Deba from New York ran an amazing 1:15:13. She only missed the women's course record by 11 seconds! That is even more impressive when you consider this is a 30 year old race.

For complete race results click here.

IMPORTANT: Umstead Volunteer Reminder

I wanted to post a reminder to the Umstead Volunteers. Frank, Scott, Dave, and Michael are entered in the Umstead Trail Marathon located in Raleigh on March 7th. We are trying to encourage the RMEC to help volunteer, so we can 1) assist the Godiva Track club, and 2) promote Medoc by wearing Medoc shirts, hats, and medals.

We have been assigned the Trenton aid station that has fluids and food. It is at mile 10 and 19.5. You do not need to be there until 9:30 am, and there is easy parking. The first runners will arrive at mile 10 around 10:00 a.m. The last runner must be at mile 19.5 by 1:50 pm or they will miss the cut off. Although there are only 200 runners, you will have a steady stream the entire time you volunteer, so you will not be bored, and you will be very appreciated by the runners

Based on the last post, Ursula, Robin, Larry, Steve, and Ryan indicated they were going to volunteer. This is great, but more would be even better! If you have never volunteered at a race, this is a great chance to do it. You can make this as fun as you want it to be.

If you have not done so yet, please go to the Umstead site and fill out the volunteer request form. This is critical to their planning. Make sure you indicate the "Trenton aid station" on your request. If you do not already have a Medoc shirt and hat let me know. We want you to wear these at the event. Thanks!