A new week of fun!

The weekend offered all sorts of running weather! From near perfect, to a bit windy and even wet!

Let's wee what the next few days bring!

Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs are heading to LTS (Life's Too Short) for a group run and post run social! Join us! - LTS is located at 2001 32nd Ave NW Rochester -very near the RAC.
Tuesday 6pm: The Tuesday Trail Crew is hitting Whitewater State Park! Meet at the Nature store parking lot, and get out for a trail run or hike!
Wednesday 6pm:  No official track workout scheduled yet.. however, the Byron track is mostly clear of snow if you want to hop on it!
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is in Byron at the Bears Den.  Join us for a run or walk with routes in the ranges of 3, 4 or 6 miles! Of course, we'll end up at the cozy confines of the Den!  

Bring on the Weekend!

The warmth is heading our way! Enjoy the weekend!  

• Saturday 7:15am: Marathon & Half Marathon training long runs from the RAC.  The route is 10 Miles for the Full Marathon crew and 6 miles for you half marathoners. Remember,this run is staffed with volunteers offering Water/Gatorade along the course!  - Please bring $1 contribution. 
• Five West is the new gathering place post long run for coffee, breakfast, beer or bloody's... join the group after your miles!
• Sunday 8am: Off Season Striders is at Dunn Bros on Elton Hills.  This is a fun location to get on the trails and log the miles! Of course, always come back for the social coffee/breakfast. 
• Sunday 9am:  507 Running is gathering at Oxbow Park, 1st bridge.  (that's the 2nd parking lot on your left as you enter the park).  Get out on the trails and enjoy! 

Grandmas Lodging & Bibs for the Half!

As far as I have heard... everyone who has reserved lodging at the College of St Scholastica has filled their rooms. - With that said, I am also aware of a couple of people still trying to figure out the lodging. If there is anyone still trying to get connected let me know, and I'll get you connected with each other because there are still rooms available at the college!  Let's get everyone in!

Speaking of Grandmas - You can still get in! Several R.E.D. members joined Team Hope last year, and that opportunity exists again this year!  See the instructions from John Hogan below.. John is a great guy and father of the Hogan sisters we all enjoy so much! Your entry fee is not hiked up... yet it all goes to charity!

• Go to Grandmas webpage, find the Charity Partners, then the Pancreatic Cancer (Team Hope) and click on it. Find Hollys Entourage and then Join Team....
• The Half Marathon & 5K are still available to join
• Your entry goes to PanCan and you will get the entry pass word after you join the Team.
• It takes a week or so after joining the team (and paying) before you actually get the email from Pan Can and the password needed to register on Grandma's website. 

The USA Track & Field Series get's underway with the O'Gara's Irish Run 8K!  If you want to race for Team R.E.D. you can get started in March! A lot of people tell me they think they're too slow to race for Team R.E.D. and that's just nonsense.  This is a Team!  We carry each other! All paces are welcome to join the Team R.E.D. race team.  In order to race for Team R.E.D. you need to join USATF and associate yourself with club # 435 Team R.E.D.  http://usatfmn.org/membership

1st Race is ------    O'Gara's Irish Run 8K -  register online at http://www.ogarasirishrun.com/register/  - we typically carpool/caravan to this event and enjoy some post race social time in the cities.

Promo Code for USATF members to receive $5 off entry fee is USATF16. Note that there will be price increases for the entry fee as the race gets closer.

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For anyone interested in learning how to direct races, or events... I recommend the following training and it's free!

Rochester Track Club is once again sponsoring a Race Directors' Training Course on Sunday February 28, 2016.  

Training is free, open to the public and is full of vitally important information for anyone planning on hosting, sponsoring or directing a race in the next year or two.  Multiple race directors with years of experience will be on hand to share tips, tricks and lessons learned to everyone in attendance.  

The location for this Training is the EOC, an Olmsted County building located near the county fairgrounds, address: 

1421 3rd Ave SE

Rochester, MN

The training program is approximately 2 hours, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

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Coming up!

Quick Update!  Wonderful weather for a run or walk all week long!

I have got to get better at taking pics so members can see who is on the team!  

• Monday 6pm  The Monday Maniacs are heading to Brothers Bar & Grill...and as you now, let's park in back and gather there. Then get out for the fun!  
• Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew  is heading to the Lost Creek Trail in Chatfield.   If the wooded terrain held enough snow, you can snowshoe, but if not, plan to run or hike!   Meet at Groen Park and we'll carpool up to where the trail enters the woods. See here for directions to Groen Park... http://www.bluffcountryhikingclub.org/the-trail/lost-creek-trail-map/
• Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is heading to Wildwood Bar & Grill in Rochester.  A great spot for us to get out on the paved trails and return for the social!  

If you're looking for lodging for Grandmas Marathon -  Rick still has a room available.  Email me at byron.teamred@gmail.com  and I'll get you connected!  If anyone else has space they are trying to fill, let us know that too!  

----- Some great events coming up! ----

Team R.E.D. is hosting a Color Me Now! event in Byron on April 30th!  You can run or walk the 5K or 1 Mile course, and have a blast with music and color!  Color Me Now! registration is open at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/8140/color-me-now-runwalk

Our friends Triton Events are Hosting the Rockin' Robin on May 7th!  Check it out... a 5K, 10K, Half & 20 Miler! - Don't forget a full lineup of live post race music, including Kasey with her Nite Shift!

Chester Woods Mason Runs are set for June 4th.  We'd love to see more of you on the roster!  You can register for the 5K, 10 Mile or 50K at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7570/chester-woods-trail-races -  This race will have the quality of the traditional trail races we've come to love at Chester Woods, with the additional of Free Beer & Brats at the Finish Line!  Get your customized Mason Jar and have some fun! 

Donut Run:  Date still TBD - Likely Late May or Early June... stay tuned!

The Weekend is Here!

Wow... the warmer temps are nice in many regards, however, snowshoeing is likely on the back burner for a bit, at this point I would not anticipate a Sunday Snowshoe Crew.

• Saturday 7:15am:  The Saturday Morning Marathon Training Runs are starting up again! Meet at the Rochester Athletic Club on 19th St in Rochester. The run is supported by volunteers with water, Gatorade and sometimes additional treats.  -  Bring $1 to participate (and sign a waiver).  You do not need to be a member of the RAC or any local running club to participate.  
• Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders keep it rolling from Brothers Bar & Grill on Broadway in Rochester.  Park in back and get some miles! 
• Sunday 9am:   The 507 Running crew is heading to Quarry Hill for some miles.  Meet at the parking lot near the nature center.  This group has been getting out regularly on Sundays!
• Monday 6pm  The Monday Maniacs are heading to Brothers Bar & Grill...and as you now, let's park in back and gather there. Then get out for the fun!  

If you're looking for lodging for Grandmas Marathon - Two members have a room available in their St Scholastica Suites.  Drop me an email at byron.teamred@gmail.com and I'll get you connected with Rick or Sonja to find you a resting place at a great price!

Team R.E.D. and Rochester Track Club are in the news again! - I can't recall who shared this link with me.. but here it is!  http://m.postbulletin.com/sports/localsports/eric-atherton-cancer-couldn-t-stop-world-record-runner/article_f2c449e4-6acc-5701-87c4-29bf06892e57.html?mode=jqm

----- Some great events coming up! ----

Team R.E.D. is hosting a Color Me Now! event in Byron on April 30th!  You can run or walk the 5K or 1 Mile course, and have a blast with music and color!  Color Me Now! registration is open at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/8140/color-me-now-runwalk

Our friends Triton Events are Hosting the Rockin' Robin on May 7th!  Check it out... a 5K, 10K, Half & 20 Miler! - Don't forget a full lineup of live post race music, including Kasey with her Nite Shift!

Chester Woods Mason Runs are set for June 4th.  We'd love to see more of you on the roster!  You can register for the 5K, 10 Mile or 50K at https://raceroster.com/events/2016/7570/chester-woods-trail-races -  This race will have the quality of the traditional trail races we've come to love at Chester Woods, with the additional of Free Beer & Brats at the Finish Line!  Get your customized Mason Jar and have some fun!

Donut Run:  Date still TBD - Likely Late May or Early June... stay tuned!

Grandmas Marathon Weekend Lodging

The online registration for dorm rooms at the College of St Scholastic is now open!  Many thanks to Gwen for getting us the low down!  Remember, this year you'll need to book a room, and collect from your own roommates.   If anyone is struggling to find roommates, I would suggest Facebook as a great spot to seek people still seeking roommates!

Visit the following link and make a reservation for your group to stay at the Team R.E.D. preferred lodging!

https://www3.css.edu/reslife/GM/

Important Notes Below:

The prices you see are before taxes and the reservation fee.

If you want four separate bedrooms (these units are four separate bedrooms with a single dorm room bed, living room, and kitchen) be sure you select the Apartment for $570. This rate is a two night rate (whether you stay one night or two). Divided by four = $142.50 per person (bedroom) for the two night Friday/Saturday stay. One person will need to go online and book using a credit card and then collect from your roommates.

There is a place to make a note on the reservation. Add a note as follows: “Please reserve my room in a block/same building with other Team RED reservations”.

Check-in time is usually around 3 p.m. on Friday, June 17th. The reservation link will provide additional information on what is included with the apartment.

Please feel free to contact Gwen Jacobson (507-254-0529, gwenjacobson@charter.net) if you have questions but please note she is not making reservations for the group this year, each apartment is responsible for making their own reservation.

Congratulations!

Congratulations are in order for Gwen Jacobson as she was recognized by the Rochester Track Club for her incredible service to the running community!  She received the Dwight Pearson Award! - Gwen is very amazing, not only as a runner, but also with her ability to give her time as a volunteer!  Thanks so much for all you do Gwen... and Congratulations on the award!

Gwen recognized for her service with the Dwight Pearson Award.  Nice work Gwen!

The celebration was great with lots of cross over of RTC and Team R.E.D.... very fun to see! 

Helene was the guest speaker, here she is with some of our Team R.E.D. crew.
Front Row: Jen, Kasey, Helene, Angela, Gwen, Lorelei, Erin, Tom
Back Row:  Andy, Megan, Sonja, Brian 

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• Saturday 7:30am:  Off Season Striders are meeting at the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center downtown. The group will chat up a run, and then figure the post workout social!  
• Some are starting from the same location at 7am and plan to connect with the 7:30am group. 
• Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders hit Dunn Bros North for this one. Another great place to catch a run and coffee!  
• Sunday 10am:  Some are off to a later start, and longer run.  If you want 10-17 miles join the group at Beetles Bar & Grill at 10am and get after it.  
• Sunday 1pm: Snowshoe is on again! 1st Bridge at Oxbow park (2nd parking lot on your left as you enter the park).   If you don't have snowshoes you can sometimes find a loaner via Team R.E.D. Facebook, or you can rent them for just $3 at Oxbow Park. 
• Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs are heading downtown to Grand Rounds.  A fun place with great beer & food!  Oh, we should run first! 
• Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew is snow shoeing at Carly State Park! What a fun park for tromping through the snow! 
• Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. heads to the Bears Den in Byron.  3, 4 and 6 miles are the norm... join us! 

A fun opportunity!

Below you'll find details of some group run opportunities, as well as a special invite from Active PT to try out something that sounds awesome!

Tuesday 6pm:  Every Tuesday you can join TerraLoco for a run! Someof the runs are social, yet more often it's a charity event, so keep $5 in your pocket and help out! - Also note, TerraLoco is having a sale on winter gear throughout the end of the month. Check them out!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew is back at it with the snowshoe! They are heading back to the Root River park, as last weeks storm sort of kabashed it!  Here's a link to Root River https://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/pw/parks/rootriverpark/Pages/default.aspx
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is gathering at Billotti's on Civic Center Drive. Prepareyourself for 3, 4 or 6 miles and come back for the social!

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Wednesday Feb 17th:   Active PT has a special invite for us!  See the information provided by them below... call to book your time slot.  I know I'm planning to give it a try.  Did I mention it's FREE!?

• ActivePT would love to invite Team RED out for a night of fun and exercise on the HydroWorx (underwater treadmill). We will be running participants through running analysis, interval training in water treadmill, strengthening options, ideas on training through injuries on water treadmill and more.
• When: Wednesday, February 17th
• Sign up:  Call ActivePT @ 507-322-3460 to reserve a 10-15 minute slot. We can have 1-2 people on the treadmill at one time.  (Time slots from 5pm-7pm)
• Location: Shorewood Senior Campus 2115 2nd St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
• Feel free to come and watch as well. Afterwards, we can head to Beatles for beers.
• What is the hydroworx?  The Hydroworx is an underwater treadmill with video analysis.  It provides runners distinct rehabilitation and training advantages over dry-land physical therapy and training.  Clinical case studies and customer testimonials show that HydroWorx pools works.
• Feel free to contact me with more questions.    Brian 612-799-7776

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Check back for updates on the Rochester Track Club Banquet... all accounts have the event rated as a success! And several Team R.E.D. members had active roles and celebrations in the event!  - That update should appear her Tuesday!  

Monday Update!

I got so caught up in the fun of the weekend, that I forgot to tell you where Monday Maniacs is.....

Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs is running from Wild Bills in Rochester. This is a great location to reach a series of paths.  Have fun and come back for a great social!

It's now 10pm  on Superbowl  Sunday... so further updates will need to take place on Monday.Good Night.

Updates to the weekend!

See the schedule below for a lot of opportunities this weekend.  I've added the location of the Off Season Striders run and information regarding the Frozen Goose Race.  

• Saturday 7:30am:  Off Season Striders is meeting at Hy-Vee Barlow Plaza. Get out for a fun run, and return for breakfast at the Market Grill.  
• Saturday 10am: The last 5K of the Triton Events Winter Series.  Remember the post race includes 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2 price beer!  If you haven't run in the series, but want to race a 5K you can still register at http://tritoneventsraces.com/winter-race-series/
• Saturday 1pm:  Optimist Clubs' Frozen Goose Runs...  this is an annual fundraiser and takes place at the University Center Rochester Atrium.  The 10K is a timed event, and the 5K is a fun run.  Race day registration is available starting at noon.  For more information visit http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=823
• Saturday 6pm:  The Rochester Track Club banquet.  There are options for you to attend.  You can join the social hour, dinner and speaker for just $20.  Or choose to attend for desert and speaker for just $10.  See the note from RTC below... 

• It was great to Mayo Clinic's recognition of our key note speaker, Helene Neville in last week's Newsletter (and her recognition of Team RED!)     We hope you will sign up for the annual banquet to hear her speak on Saturday.   
• The buffet dinner and cash bar are  hosted by Canadian Honker.  Awards and many door prizes!    
• 6pm Social Hour
• 6:30  Buffet dinner
• ~7:00  Helene's presentation. 
• Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders is at Panera South in Rochester.  Another great location to get out from, and return for some social time! 
• Sunday 1pm: The Snow Shoe crew is planning a Superbowl Snowshoe!  Join us at the 1st Bride of Oxbow Park at 1pm. Bring your favorite portable beverage for the hike!  

The calm after the storm...

Congrats to some of you school employees for enjoying a day or two off!  I also know many of you took the opportunity to run in the snow! Or snowshoe in the snow!  Nice work all!

Reminder:  Tonight we're at the Bears Den in Byron at 6pm!  - The trails have been 'cleared' but have some snow pack, so you might still consider yak trax / spikes if you have them.  We'll go 3, 4 or 6 miles ... your choice!

• Saturday 7:30am:  Off Season Striders will be out and about... I haven't see the location yet, so check back!
• Saturday 10am:  The last 5K of the Triton Events Winter Series.  Remember the post race includes 1/2 price appetizers and 1/2 price beer!  If you haven't run in the series, but want to race a 5K you can still register at http://tritoneventsraces.com/winter-race-series/
• Saturday 6pm:  The Rochester Track Club banquet.  There are options for you to attend.  You can join the social hour, dinner and speaker for just $20.  Or choose to attend for desert and speaker for just $10.  See the note from RTC below... 
• It was great to Mayo Clinic's recognition of our key note speaker, Helene Neville in last week's Newsletter (and her recognition of Team RED!)     We hope you will sign up for the annual banquet to hear her speak on Saturday.   
• The buffet dinner and cash bar are  hosted by Canadian Honker.  Awards and many door prizes!    
• 6pm Social Hour
• 6:30  Buffet dinner
• ~7:00  Helene's presentation. 
• Sunday 8am:  The Off Season striders are sure to be out again!  - When I know the location I'll post it here. 
• Sunday 1pm: The Snow Shoe crew is planning a Superbowl Snowshoe!  Join us at the 1st Bride of Oxbow Park at 1pm. Bring your favorite portable beverage for the hike!