ahhh! Running late on a post for the week ahead!

Tonight 6pm... Monday Maniacs is at the Bears Den in Byron.  After the run or walk you can have an opportunity to meet & greet Sheriff Candidate Kevin Torgerson!
Tuesday 5:30pm... The speed sessions continue at the RCTC indoor track. Get your speed on!
Tuesday 6pm...  Join Terraloco for their weekly fundraising 5K!
Tuesday 6:15pm...  Great River Ridge Trail Run... meet near the church in Viola!  https://maps.google.com/maps?q=44.063567,-92.266855&num=1&t=h&z=17
Thursday 5:30am...   Progressive run.. 7.5 mile workout starting from the front doors of the DAHLC.  Try it, you may like it!
Thursday 6pm.... Team RED meets at the Bears Den in Byron. Routes of 3, 4 or 6 miles available!

Thank You!

I just realized I never posted a Thank You message regarding the Pancake Breakfast run and fun! It was awesome to see so many turn out, especially given that brutal cold wind!

You are all amazing, generous and supportive... Thanks for all your participation, contributions, well wishes and volunteerism!  With that last item, volunteerism, I'd like to offer a few specific thank you's to some of our Team R.E.D. volunteers...  

• Randy Q for his continued support at the water stop on the side of a wide open, cold hill!  Randy has been at that location for 5 consecutive years!  Randy also helps create the route that you all love to run so much.. blame him! blame him! 
• Paul C spent the entire morning in the kitchen washing dishes!  (well, not the entire morning, around 10:45 he could be spotted belly up to the bar!)  Now that Annette knows he knows how, things will likely be different around that household! 
• Diane P was our greeter and money taker (you can't raise funds without a quality money taker!)
• Wendy O... Wendy is the brains behind this event... She's there start to finish, year after year!  She's also my favorite Team R.E.D. member!   
• Several others helped shuttle people back into Rochester, that too was fantastic! 
• Additionally, we had support from several non - red members who may not see this post.  So we'll thank them seperately. 
• Don't forget the Bears Den!  Awesome support for the JDRF Fundraiser!  

All the money collected goes directly to JDRF, the leading source of funding for Type-1 Diabetes Research.   This event feeds into the May 18th Roll & Stroll at Soldiers Field.  Last year we raised more than $114,000 at the Roll & Stroll!   If you're around, consider joining us for the 3 mile walk, run, bike, roller-blade, scooter.. whatever you like!  It's not a race, but an event filled with games, prizes, music and fun. 

2013 Roll & Stroll

Also.. in the weekend events of the post below.. I forgot to add the newly created Sunday Morning Oxbow Trail Run.   Meet at the 1st Bridge of Oxbow at 9am to log some miles on the trail fun!  (the first bridge is the 2nd parking lot on your left as you drive the gravel road to the park). 

Team RED, Local Races, RAC Run, OSS and Meet & Greet!

Thursday 6pm:  Team RED is in Rochester, meeting at Brothers Bar & Grill.   Park in the back and gather for the route talk, then hippity hoppity down the trail we go!
Saturday 7:15am:  The Marathon & Half Marathon training long run rolls out of the RAC for a 15 miler.  (Half Marathoners, roughly half of that).   A handful of members are meeting at 6:15am to frontload a few miles and hit a total of 20 miles for the morning.
Saturday 9am:  Race for Research is at Soldiers Field in Rochester. All proceeds support the Foundation for Physical Therapy.   More details can be found at http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=407
Satuday 9:30am:   Return of the Robin 5K is at the Rec Center in Rochester. This is a big event, and the race ends with a bloody mary bar!   More details at  http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=444
Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders are at Panera South for a warm weather run!  Get out for the run and settle in for some coffee and chatter.
Monday 6pm:   Monday Maniacs are running or walking from the Bears Den in Byron.  We'll be able to take part in a Meet & Greet with Sheriff Candidate Kevin Torgerson.  Come out, get some exercise and meet Kevin (if you already know Kevin, this is a good chance to show your support.)

This Just In!

Wednesday 6pm:   A progressive run is set from 805 1st Ave NW in Byron (O'Leary's house).   It's a great workout, and challenges you both physically and mentally.

How does it work?  You decide what pace you think you want to finish a 7 mile run.  (or any distance).. but in our case, it's 7 miles.   Then pick a starting pace much slower compared to the pace you want to finish, and each mile you increase your pace by 30 seconds until you've arrived at your goal pace.... once you've reached your goal pace, test yourself again, can you go faster?  If so, do it!

Here's what's next!

Monday 6pm:  The Monday Maniacs are running and/or walking from Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street in Rochester.  Plan on 4-6 miles of fun, followed by a great social!
Tuesday 5:30pm:  The speed work is the key work!  Get on the indoor track of RCTC and work on getting faster.  The workouts always fly by, and when you're done, you know you've just improved yourself.
Tuesday 6pm:  There is no TerraLoco 5K tonight... the schedule will resume in April.
Tuesday 6:15pm: The trail crew Gettin' it Goin' at Gamehaven!  The group will head off for a Run!  Yes.. Run on the trails.. it might be a little tricky, but it can be done. Of course, plan on some fun post run too.
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is heading to Brothers Bar & Grill for a great downtown run.  Meet at the back door for the route talk.  Always options of various distances.  Oh, I'm sure we'll settle down inside the bar post workout.

• If you're looking for some extra miles on Thursday, Christina is front loading starting at 5:15pm - all are welcome to join her.  Same location, back of Brothers. 

The USATF Club Series got underway on Sunday at the Irish Run in St Paul.  Team R.E.D. was represented in the Men's Masters Division.  Congrats to Tom, Shaun & Tom on strong performances at the 8K.

Pre-Race at the 8K Minnesota Championship Race (Irish Run)

Seeking volunteers for a waterstop at Fetzer Run to End Hunger on April 12th!   We'll have a theme of Cowboy once again!  Our station will get hit twice on the new out and back course.  Come out, volunteer, meet other members and have some fun while supporting the Channel One Food Bank!   If interested in volunteering, please email Tom at byron.teamred@gmail.com

Let's do something good!

As you probably already know.. there's an opportunity to get some miles and help a charity the O'Leary's are particularly fond of!

Saturday 7:15am - Pancakes for Goodness Sakes, along with Beef Cakes (you'll know that's true if Randy takes his shirt off!)

On March 22nd the Bears Den is hosting a pancake breakfast to help raise money for Type-1 Diabetic Research.  You are all invited!  You can simply drive to the event.. or consider something below (or your own plan!)  Additionally, if you can't make it, and want to participate financially, you can make a check payable to JDRF and that money will go towards research!  -- Drop off your check at the Bears Den on Saturday, or feel free to mail it to me at 805 1st Ave NW, Byron, MN 55920

• March 22nd will be approx a 17 mile run for the marathon training people.. with half of it in Rochester, and the 2nd half will bring you to the Bears Den in Byron. Randy Q is again hosting the water stop midway from the RAC to Byron. Awesome! 
• If you want to participate in that run.. bring a change of clothes to the RAC, Randy and/or Tom will transfer your bags to the Bears Den.
• If you want to participate but not run 17 miles.. do it!  It's about 7.5 from the RAC to the Den.. show up, drop a dry clothing bag with us and run directly there. 
• Another group is meeting at the Bears Den in Byron at 7:15am... they will run to the RAC and turn around to come back with others in the longer group. 
• We will shuttle you back to your car at the RAC after your participate in the event. 
• It's just 7 bucks for all you can eat pancake breakfast (which is great post run!)
• I love the fact we have seen such great support of this event.. Thank You! 

Sunday 8am:  The Off Season Striders continue the fun by running from Newts North in Rochester. Come out and enjoy the morning with friends.  You can run any distance you like, most keep it to about 6 or so. 

Thursday 5:30am Progressive!

In the look at the week, I forgot to include the Progressive run... it is scheduled for 5:30am Thursday morning from the front doors of the DAHLC... come out and give it a go!  I'll help you figure out your start pace, and progressions if you want something different from what the group is currently doing (which starts at 10 min miles).

Also, re-posting something that matters to us...

One personal note I'd like to share (and I try not to do that often)... yet, many of you know our daughter was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at age 9.  Now, as a high school senior, she continues to be a superstar.. super student, super athlete and super daughter.   Since her diagnosis, Wendy and I have been very involved in fundraising for a cure for Type-1 Diabetes as there is no cure.   

With that all said.. On March 22nd the Bears Den is hosting a pancake breakfast.  You are all invited!  You can simply drive to the event.. or consider something below (or your own plan!)  Additionally, if you can't make it, and want to participate financially, you can make a check payable to JDRF and that money will go towards research!

• March 22nd will be approx a 17 mile run for the marathon training people.. with half of it in Rochester, and the 2nd half will bring you to the Bears Den in Byron. Randy Q is again hosting the water stop midway from the RAC to Byron. Awesome! 
• If you want to participate in that run.. bring a change of clothes to the RAC, Randy and/or Tom will transfer your bags to the Bears Den.
• If you want to participate but not run 17 miles.. do it!  It's about 7.5 from the RAC to the Den.. show up, drop a dry clothing bag with us and run directly there. 
• We will shuttle you back to your car at the RAC after your participate in the event. 
• It's just 7 bucks for all you can eat pancake breakfast (which is great post run!)
• I love the fact we have seen such great support of this event.. Thank You! 

Thanks for considering! Finding a cure is a passion of the O'Leary family. 

Pancakes for Goodness Sake!

For anyone who missed Randy Q's pitch for the breakfast, I've attached the written version below.  It's to the theme of the Direct TV commercials you may be familiar with, you know the commercial that ends with "don't let your dad get punched in the stomach over a can of soup"

Without further delay... Randy!

Folks, next Saturday you have an option of running a different route where you will end up at the JDRF pancake feed in Byron.  This is the 5th year we have done this, where you leave a change of clothes at the RAC before you take off and your clothes will be waiting for you at the Bears Den in Byron, and we will shuttle you back to the RAC after the $7 pancake feed.

I want you to know that when you run the same route, you get bored.
When you get bored, you pick up hitch hikers.
When you pick up hitch hikers, you learn how to talk smart and dress inappropriately.
When you talk smart and dress inappropriately, you get arrested by undercover cops.
When you get arrested by undercover cops, you put shame on your mother.
Don't put shame on your mother, run the new JDRF route to Byron next Saturday and do some good for the kids in need.

Your mom would be proud!

Join us on St Patricks Day!

Monday Maniacs are at Dooley's Pub!  Join us at 6pm for a run.. come at 7pm to raise some noise!   I know many of you already have outfits prepared!

Whiskey in the Jar is fun... and this version beats the heck out of Metallica..

What's Up?

Saturday 7:15am:  The marathon and half marathon training runs continue from the RAC.   The full training is a 15.5 mile route.. you can check it out at http://runningrochester.blogspot.com

Sunday 8am:  The Off Season Striders take off from Panera South.  Typically 6ish miles.. with lots of room to make your own choices!   

Monday 6pm:  The Monday Maniacs are heading to Dooley's to celebrate St Pats!   Get out for a run, and come back to a mad house!   Who doesn't want to do that!
Tuesday 5:30pm:  Get on the indoor track at RCTC for some serious speed!  It's spring time, so it's time to put some spring in your step!  Be sure to wear one pair of shoes/boots in and change into dry shoes for the track workout.
Tuesday 6pm:  TerraLoco continues to serve the community with their weekly 5K for a local charity.  Great concept!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  The trail crew heads to Reggie's for some snowshoeing after dark!  - We'll be parking at Reggies and possibly exploring into Bill Barnacle Woodland from there.  Gather at the BP in Marion for a caravan to Reggie's place. (Note: this is the little town of Marion located on Hwy 52 south of Rochester, not on Marion road).
Wednesday 6pm:  It's Naked Wednesday at Beer Bellyz on Civic Center Drive.  Not to mention, it's Hump Day!
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is at the Bears Den in Byron. Come out for a walk or run, the trails are in really good shape!  

One personal note I'd like to share (and I try not to do that often)... yet, many of you know our daughter was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes at age 9.  Now, as a high school senior, she continues to be a superstar.. super student, super athlete and super daughter.   Since her diagnosis, Wendy and I have been very involved in fundraising for a cure for Type-1 Diabetes as there is no cure.   

With that all said.. On March 22nd the Bears Den is hosting a pancake breakfast.  You are all invited!  You can simply drive to the event.. or consider something below (or your own plan!)  Additionally, if you can't make it, and want to participate financially, you can make a check payable to JDRF and that money will go towards research!

• March 22nd will be approx a 17 mile run for the marathon training people.. with half of it in Rochester, and the 2nd half will bring you to the Bears Den in Byron. Randy Q is again hosting the water stop midway from the RAC to Byron. Awesome! 
• If you want to participate in that run.. bring a change of clothes to the RAC, Randy and/or Tom will transfer your bags to the Bears Den.
• If you want to participate but not run 17 miles.. do it!  It's about 7.5 from the RAC to the Den.. show up, drop a dry clothing bag with us and run directly there. 
• We will shuttle you back to your car at the RAC after your participate in the event. 
• It's just 7 bucks for all you can eat pancake breakfast (which is great post run!)
• I love the fact we have seen such great support of this event.. Thank You! 

Thanks for considering! Finding a cure is a passion of the O'Leary family. 

Naked Wednesday is Back!

Gather tonight at 6pm at Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd for Naked Wednesday and we'll head downtown...  rockin' on with just our socks on!

Ok Ok.. maybe we'll have to wait for warmer weather, but I see our training at Oxbow changing this summer.     My favorite part of the clip below is about 1:10-1:20 mark...

)

Thursday 5:30am - Running the Progressive Run from the DAHLC .. meet at the front door.  The good news is we start sort of slow, the other good news is we finish sort of fast!
Thursday 6pm - We're getting together at Brothers Bar & Grill to get our fitness rolling.  See the note below from KC Reed... there's an opportunity to have your voice heard regarding the future of Soldiers Field (and the track)  I think it would be great if we can incorporate this into our gathering. We'll figure out how to best do it.. and post more details.  (of course you can provide input on your own too).

********* Email from KC Reed below **********

They are holding an informational meeting and gathering input from the community about the future of all of Soldiers Field on Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Soldiers Field Golf course clubhouse.

I know the folks supporting the veterans and emergency services museum are launching quite a push. I suspect the golfers will show up in mass too.

I feel the running community should rally and push to keep the only open public track in Rochester. It is a great resource not only for the All Comers Meets, but for the recreational runners from the surrounding neighborhoods, the Y and downtown workers.

Tuesday Trail - UPDATE

Due to anticipated icy roads this evening, the trail crew has decided to stay in Rochester.  The new location is Eastwood park with a 6:30pm start time.

Daylight for R.E.D.!

Bam! Pow!  This weeks evening runs will be in daylight! Ditch the headlamp and enjoy!

• Monday 6pm:  The Monday Maniacs are heading to Wildwood Bar & Grill... located on the backside of the Ramada near the TJ Max plaza.  This group typically gets about 6 miles (but you can go more or less if you like).  They always settle in for a fun social post run!
• Tuesday 5:30pm:  The Speed sessions continue.  Head to RCTC indoor track to really crank up the turnover.  It's fun to push yourself, and it pays off!  There is going to be some melting, so more important then ever to wear on pair of shoes in, and change into dry ones inside. 
• Tuesday 6:30pm:  The trail crew is meeting at the RCTC parking lot, and then creating a caravan to get to Whitewater park for a snowshoe night, Eastwood Park before the snow decides to leave us. Mase is calling it (and maybe prematurely), "Wave Goodbye to Winter, Hello Spring!"  If you'd rather drive directly to Whitewater, meet at 6:30pm. 
• Tuesday 6pm:  TerraLoco continues their full court press on helping local charities!  Join them for a 5K for just $5!  Brock does great work keeping his business community driven.  
• Wednesday 6pm:  Naked Wednesday is going to Beetles Bar & Grill!  Join for a fun run and a naked social! 
• Thursday 5:30am:   The progressive run is on like Donkey Kong!  Staring location is still to be determined. So far, not a lot of takers on this challenge.  If you have a GPS watch, and a desire to try, you can do this with any ending goal pace.  Before we start, we'll check what you want, and set the targets.  Give it a shot!
• Thursday 6pm:   Team R.E.D. heads to Brothers Bar & Grill.. park in the back of the bar, and step inside for the route talk.   (use the back door, it's a fancy entrance!).  We'll head out for 3, 4 or 6 miles of walking/running... and come back for another wonderful opportunity to enjoy each other!  This one with our clothes on... 

I hear Sleigh-bells Jingling!

The Sunday Snowshoe crew may have an opportunity for a sleigh ride!  In order to accommodate that possibility, we're moving the event to the Nepstad Homested.

You can still meet at the 1st bridge of Oxbow at 12:30, but don't put on your shoes yet.. Mike will meet you there, and lead a caravan to the new location (about 1 mile north of Oxbow along the gravel road that you take as you enter the park).

In summary....

• Meet at the 1st Bridge of Oxbow at 12:30pm on Sunday
• Join the caravan to the Nepstads
• Enjoy an afternoon snowshoe is much warmer weather!  
• Bring your favorite recovery drink!  
• If elements allow, also enjoy a sleigh ride!    

Weekend of Fun!

Everybody's working for the weekend!  It's finally here, and the temperatures seem favorable!

Thursday night was fun at the Den!  A good turnout of runners and eaters, drinkers!   Wind was a little brutal, but all seemed to navigate without trouble!   Below you'll see Aaron and Sam are the winners of the Rock, Paper, Scissors tourney... clearly they are not the winners of the "lucky for us O'Leary is a great photographer" award, because that would be an award impossible to create!  

Aaron & Sam with their Bears Den Gift Cards! 

Satuday 7:15am:  The Marathon & Half Marathon Training run starts from the RAC.   The marathon Route is officially 14 miles.  You can easily add miles by looping Silver Lake.  I would estimate the Half Marathon route is roughly half of that... and same thing applies, you can loop silver lake for an extra 1.8 miles per loop.   

• Some members are gathering at the RAC at 5:30am to preload miles (will circle back to connect with the next group). 
• Some members are gathering at the RAC at 6am to preload miles (will circle back to connect with the 7:15 group). 

Sunday 8am:  Off Season striders will be out for a run.. usually 6ish miles.   Gather at Brothers Bar & Grill - park in the back lot, and come inside to hear the route talk.   Additionally, some members are starting at 7am for a little extra mileage and will connect with the 8am runners. 

Sunday 12:30pm:  The Snowshoe crew is heading to the 1st bridge of Oxbow once again!  This may prove to be the nicest day of the weekend!   Get out and enjoy!  

More to come regarding the week ahead... but you can anticipate a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday set of opportunities!  

Get Dressed Everyone!

Naked Wednesday is cancelled for this evening, so go ahead and put your clothes back on.   Sorry for the late notice.   It will resume next Wednesday.

Another Full Week!

We had a great time at Team R.E.D. Prom on Thursday Night!  Themes are going to have to come back on a more regular basis, always so fun!

Now that's a good looking bunch! 

Prom Queen Wendy with Prom King Paul...   I watched to make sure Pauls hands never wandered! 

Monday 6pm:  The Maniacs go to Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street in Rochester.   Sidewalks are pretty good... but it wouldn't hurt you to wear some yak trax to be on the safe side.
Tuesday 5:30pm:  The indoor track workout moves back to Tuesdays this week.  Get your speed on at RCTC indoor track!
Tuesday 6pm:  TerraLoco continues the 5K races for charity. This week's charity is one Team R.E.D.'s Erin H is heavily involved with.   Soldiers Wings SE Minnesota... this group, in collaboration with Chaplains Wings, send much needed supplies and blankets to our Military troops who are deployed. It's a great effort!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  The trail crew is seeking out a mystery trail via snowshoe at Chester Woods.  Alsways fun to snowshoe at night!
Wednesday Cancelled:   Naked Wednesday is at Beer Bellyz!   It's located at 821 Civic Center Drive in Rochester... Plan on a run.. and come back for some fun...  and according to our naked host, they have cheap drinks!
Thursday 5:30am:  The Progressive run is on the schedule again!  Meet at the RAC and we'll hit the roads for a run that progresses in speed each mile over a 7 mile route.
Thursday 6pm:   Team RED returns to the Bears Den! Last time we were there, only two of the toughest showed up!  Adam and Tom set the bar for stick-with-it-ness... and of course, about 8 hours later.. Adam found himself driving Jill to the hospital as she was ready to deliver Finn!