RUN RSVP: Saturday 8:00 am @ Medoc

There is NOT a group run from the Teeter tomorrow.  Jump in the car and come join us at Medoc for the Great Medoc Rerun on 2010!  This is a fun fall run with over 40 people already planning to run.


Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 8:00 am @ Medoc Mountain State Park
• Supported: Kind of
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes: 5k loop, 10M loop, or 26.2 Mile (or anything in between)

We will have a cooler at the main shelter, and also have GUs, pretzels, and jelly beans.  Bring your own water bottle, because you will be away from the shelter on the first 6+ mile loop.  Even though it is cool, you still need to hydrate.


If you are coming, please register online.  It is FREE.  We just want to know who is coming so we can plan properly.  This is open to EVERYONE, so bring friends.  It is a great way to be introduced to trail running.  With some leaves still on the tree, it will be "raining leaves" the entire run.  Don't miss out!  If you want to carpool from the Teeter, post a comment.  Medoc is only 20-25 minutes away.

REMINDERS:

TOBACCO ROAD MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON:  Register today with the code

trm_black_friday2010 and save 10% off your race entry.  This only works until midnight.  THIS WILL BE THE BIG SPRING RACE FOR THE RMEC.  Sign up now, and get committed to a new goal.  We will have training runs that build everyone up for a successful race.  Sign up today!  I expect over 20 RMEC members will be racing.  It will be a blast!

DASH FOR CASH:  Please register today for the Dash for Cash if you plan to run.  At one point we were going to have six teams for the race, but people are backing out.  Right now we only have two that I know are running the 10 miler.  There are still about a dozen racing, but most are in the 5k.  Would like to so see the RMEC put together a 5-person coed team.  Please let me know if you have registered so I can tell them about our teams ASAP.

A few runners from the Rocky Mount Endurance Club went to Wilson this weekend to compete in the Nash Street Mile 10k. This shady and scenic course has several turns throughout some of Wilson's prettiest neighborhoods.

John Batchelor took 3rd overall in the race with a time of 38:00. A 6:07 pace would be quick enough to win most races in our area, but the small race had two other strong runners to compete against. John's other half Jeanette also ran posting a 57:51 and taking 7th in her age group.

Larry McKeel took 22nd overall and 8th in his age group with a 49:41. Tom Thurman had another strong performance taking 1st in his age group with a 54:11. Right on the heels of Tom was Jon Shingleton finishing in 54:53. Arthur Bennett also took on the 10k challenge and posted a 58:03 finishing time.

Complete results are available online.  You can also view age groups awards.  Great job everyone!  Please keep supporting local racing.  As always, we welcome any race reports.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 7:00 am @ Teeter

Looks like most of the fall marathoning is done for the RMEC after a big weekend of racing.  I am hoping you will all want to come out to the group run and share your stories on the road with your fellow runners.
Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: TBD
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes: 4 Mile Candlewood;  6.67 Loop Route

It will be cold once again.  Please dress in layers.  I have family in town this weekend, and am doubtful for the group run, so please post a comment if you can bring fluids this week to the tracks.  New runners are welcome!

REMINDERS:

NASH STREET MILE 10K:  If you are interested in racing, please make the short drive to Wilson and race in the Nash Street Mile 10k.  Kind of an odd name, but it is a 6.2 mile race.  They have had limited registrations, and they have ordered custom medals as awards.  This is a great chance to take how some age group "bling".  The race starts at 8:30 am.  You can register from 7:30 - 8:15 race morning.

GREAT MEDOC RERUN:  We currently have over 30 people participating in the Medoc Rerun next Saturday, and are expecting 40-50 to show up.  This is a FREE event.  You only pay if you plan to take home some extra swag.  Even if you are just doing the run, please sign up online so we can plan accordingly.  This is open to everyone, so please tell your friends, and help us get rid of extra merchandise.

DASH FOR CASH:  Please register today for the Dash for Cash if you plan to run.  Price goes up this weekend.  Once you register, comment on the post below so we can put you on a team.

Dash for Cash Team Updates

As a reminder, The RMEC is putting together multiple teams for the 2010 Reindeer Dash for Cash in Greenville.  Hard to believe, but the race is just around the corner.  After this weekend, it is Thanksgiving, and the next weekend is the race!

Remember, the is a 5k and 10M option.  The race is held on 12/5, which is a Sunday afternoon.  I need to know ASAP who is running so I can put you on a team, and increase your chances of winning a prize.  Each team is made up of 3-5 runners, and will run the race independently.  The three fastest times from your team will be used to determine your teams place.

Here are the names that have show interest:

10-Miler:

1. Tim Shea (Registered)
2. John Batchelor (Registered)
3. Ashley Bass
4. Cliff Amos
5. Kevin Boudreau
6. Mike Barnhill
7. Dennis Crossen
8. Kinnie Pruden
9. Tracy Proctor

5k:

1. Zack Shea (Registered)
2. Jon Shingleton (Registered)
3. Amber Poole (Registered)
4. Margaret Bentley (Registered)
5. George Mount (Registered)
6. Alane Floyd (Registered)
7. Eric Ghiloni (Registered)
8. Brandie Ghiloni (Registered)
9. Mary Frances Bush

All ability levels are welcome. I know several of you have registered, please post a comment if a) you plan to run, b) you have already registered, or c) your name is above but you are not running.  I am turning in a list of our teams next week.  YOU NEED TO REGISTER ASAP so they have you in the database.  Thanks!

RACE REPORT: Richmond Marathon

Submitted By: Derek Hurdle

Below is a thank you note I received from an individual in my pace group. I think this note does a nice job summarizing my experience as a pace leader. I would say it ranks right up there with the feeling I had after the my first BQ. I was on cloud 9 on Sunday and then as so often happens you go back to work and get in a rut-and then I received this email out of the blue.

I had a fellow pace leader for the 3:45 group (those who stayed with him got behind pace) and then I was ahead of the pack. I can't tell you the feeling I got as I was running over the Lee Bridge to turn around and see nearly 100 people running behind me. I really wish I would have had a camera at that point.

I had individuals coming up to me before the race asking advice and begging me to help them reach their time goals. By mile 24 I told the other pacer to take the pack home I was going to stand and wait for a minute to try and "rally" all the runners I could. I suspect I got another 10 or so under 3:45 because I waited (albeit they had to pick up the pace and run 7:45 from mile 25-26 to get it).

Check out this letter as mentioned Ryan was my fellow pace leader . . .

Derek and Ryan:

I don't know if you'll remember me, but I asked Ron for your email addresses to THANK YOU for helping me through the Richmond Marathon.

I was the one who was asking all the questions before we started running! This was my first marathon and I was so nervous. You guys made it look too easy!

I got slightly ahead of you from about mile 6 to mile 21. I think I started running to fast. I was running with a guy named Steve and another named Matt and Steve's watch said we were running 8:19 minute miles, which was probably too quick for me. Steve had to slow down due to a muscle ache but Matt and I kept going. You came up beside us at about mile 21. Derek, thanks for trying to keep me motivated and going! I know you kept looking back to see where I was after mile 21, but I was really out of sorts. I had never run more than 20 and I think that, coupled with the fact that I didn't hydrate as well as I should have the day before, made my legs feel like rubber.

Also, at about mile 22 I took a big fall and landed on my face! I have a big bruise from it and I'm pretty scraped up. But I got back up, determined to finish. I found the course to have a lot of potholes and even in one place there was a missing manhole cover!

My time was 3:48:37 which was great for me. Matt, who you may remember because he was from Paris and had a strong French accent, ran right over with both of you and I was really happy for him. We got to know each other along the run.

It was great to see both of you at the finish line! I don't know if you were waiting on purpose for those of us who were trying to finish with you or not, but either way, it felt great to see you both there and get to give you a hug of thanks! I know you may not remember me, but I will never forget either of you. Thanks for making this marathon a great experience for me!

Thanks!

Many in our group were first time marathoners others trying to hit Boston, others just trying to PR. I heard so many stories, got to meet so many people that I felt vested into their success. The only downer was not being able to slow down and make sure every person hit their goal. While a good amount fell short of their time goal they were just as ecstatic as they crossed the finish. I got to stand and watch most of them finish at the finish line and get hugs, handshakes, and thank you's, The most rewarding running experience I have had yet.

RACE REPORT: OBX Half Marathon

Submitted By: Elizabeth Fuson

Ready to Race!

Exactly one year ago I began running. It has been a journey that has taken me to places that I could never have foreseen. I began the Couch To 5K Training program last November in an effort to reach my weight loss goal. I had been doing Weight Watchers for a few months and had lost a great deal of weight, but I knew that I needed to step-up my workouts to get through the weight loss plateau. I had never liked running...in fact, I loathed running! Looking back, this must have meant I was very serious about getting fit.

I stuck with the C25K Program and pretty soon I was challenging myself to run faster and farther. I had officially been bitten by the "Running Bug." Along the way, I began to meet other runners, including many RMEC members. Every time that I had a question about running, an RMEC member was around to answer it, encourage me, give me advice, and even invite me to runs. You guys will never know how much your encouragement has meant to me, and I appreciate every person who took the time to answer my "dumb questions."

Staying Warm.

A few weeks ago, I ran my very first Half Marathon in Greensboro. Although it was a hilly course, I finished with a 2:08 finishing time and felt good about the race. After all, I had just hoped to finish! It was really just a practice run for the OBX race coming up.

This past weekend I ran the OBX Half Marathon with the obvious goal of beating my previous time of 2:08. The day prior I drove the course. For some reason, I still have a hard time believing that I can run that far. After all, I still don't consider myself a "runner."

Running the 13.1

The race itself was so exciting! It was such a fun experience to be among so many runners and in such a charged atmosphere. I ran with a friend of mine and was so worried that I would hold him back. We had a great race and we ran faster than we thought we would. At mile 12, I knew I had to "give it all that I had" and told him that I would see him at the Finish Line. Silly me, I thought he would leave me and now here I am leaving him behind! At this point, I knew I was going to finish right around the 2:00 mark and could not believe that was even possible! The excitement of that challenge drove me to a dead sprint the last half mile. I finished strong with a time of 2:01:18. I was very pleased with my time and I knew that I had given my best that day.



Proud finisher





I am still riding the high of the race, but I am not only celebrating that race day result. This week I celebrate my 1 year Anniversary of running. I cannot even tell you how running has changed my life for the better. Not only have I lost the weight that I wanted to lose and have become a healthier person, but I have also been transformed within.

Running has helped me regain the confidence that I had lost somewhere down the road, and now I am ready for anything that life may throw my way!

American Odyssey Relay Teams

Okay RMEC, it is time to try to bait you all into some more crazy race ideas. Life is about stepping out of your comfort zone, and trying something you never thought you would do. . . now is your chance!

I am realy excited about this race. Many of you have read about the RMEC team that completed the Blue Ridge Mountain Relay in September. It was a 200+ mile scenic adventure that took about 28 hours. It was tough, it was frustrating, but once the exhaustion was finally gone, I realized it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Five of the original six-man team from the RMEC are putting together another effort this Spring. We want to see more RMEC teams on the race course.

THE RACE: The American Odyssey Relay is another 200+ mile race that travels from Gettysburg, PA to Washington DC. The course is far less hilly than the Blue Ridge race, but equally as scenic. Runners will go through State Parks, Civil War battle grounds, country roads, national forests, beside rivers, and ultimately finish running into Washington DC. . . sounds pretty cool doesn't it?

THE DATE:  The relay starts on Friday 04/29 and finishes on Saturday 04/30.

THE TEAMS: Relay teams are made up of 6-12 members, and run a total of 36 legs. The shortest leg is 3.5 miles, and the longest is 8.8 miles. If you have a 6-man ultra team, each runner would run six times and total an average of about 33 miles. A 12-man team would run three times each and total about 17 miles. It is a challenge, but worth it.

THE OASIS: The Odyssey Relay has something that is pretty unique. They have included what they call the "Odyssey Oasis Festival" in Boonsboro. Leg 16, 17, and 18 are a variety of out-and-back loops. This allows for the van to stay parked for a short while. They have food, showers, music, and massages available. It allows for both vans (if you are a 12-man team) to hang out. It also allows a chance to meet the other teams. It is a chance to recharge before heading out for the second half of the race.

THE LOGISTICS: It is really not the hard to do a relay as long as you a) have directions, and b) follow those directions. 6-man teams rent (or borrow) a van. Runner A starts to run, and the van drives to the next exchange zone. When Runner A arrives, Runner B leaves, and the van drives off again. You repeat this another 34 times. 12-man teams use two vans so one van is a "racing-van" and the other is a "resting-van".

THE START TIMES: Teams start at various times on the first day of the relay. The faster the predicted time, the later your start. This way teams stay as closely grouped together as possible. So if you are concerned about being the last team on the course all by yourself, there is no need to worry. With well over 200 teams of all ability levels you will be in good company.

LEARN MORE: This is lots of information on the American Odyssey Relay website. You can learn about the course, check out each relay leg, and check out the FAQs.

If anyone is interested, please post a comment. This is not just an event for fast runners, or marathoners. Remember that at no time will you run more than nine miles unless you make a wrong turn, which never happens :-). Don't wait for someone else to take charge. If you are interested in running the relay SPEAK UP! You will not regret doing this!