Happy New Year everyone!

We had a wonderful turnout for this mornings New Years Eve Run/Walk/Breakfast!  - we started with about 20 people and finished the morning with more than 30!  We were able to toast Jean & Randy, as for years they have coordinated the Holiday run but neither was able to join us today.  Cheers to all...  Be safe tonight, and have lots of fun!

A look at what's coming up!

Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders are running from Panera South - Southside today, north side tomorrow!  Join the fun!
Monday 8am:  Off Season Striders are running from Dunn Bros North... for those who have the day off, get out and log some miles with friends!
Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs are trying a new location.  Newts at Crossroads.. Join for the inaugural run from this spot, and stay for some great social time!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail crew are heading to Essex park in Rochester to kick off the New Year! - Snowshoe, run, hike? Again the weather and individual taste will determine the mode of propelling yourself thru the park. Meet at the main parking lot (entrance drive is off W Circle Drive/55th St NW). Thinking Binkies North for afters.
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are on again! - Beetles Bar and Grill for some evening miles of fitness and fun! - If you haven't joined this crew yet, you should consider it!
Thursday 6pm:  It's the Bears Den in Byron for a great night on the mean streets and of course another awesome social! - Join us for routes of 3, 4 or 6 miles!
Saturday 10am:  The Polar Bear Prediction 5K.  You do not need to be the fastest to win this one, simply predict your time, and be the closest to your prediction without going faster then predicted!  No watches, music, or anything that might help you track your pace.   This is a lot of fun... and this is my year to win a bear!    There are always lots of prizes and a free lunch too!  More details, including registration information, can be found at http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=920

Thursday Already!

The Holiday excitement helped me lose track!

• Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is at Wild Wood Bar & Grill in Rochester! We'll log some running or walking miles, whatever you prefer.. and back to the bar for a cold one and social! 
• Saturday 7:15am:  Team R.E.D. & Off Season Striders are joining for a celebration run or walk from the new location of Charlies Pub & Eatery at the Hillcrest Mall off Hwy 52 and the 19th St Exit (same mall that has Godfathers Pizza).   Meet at the Pub doors!   
• Theme: This is New Years Eve so we're thinking formal wear!  Dress for the occasion if you wish, Below I shared an old video of a previous formal night..  you never know what may happen on New Years Eve! 

Enjoy the Christmas Season! - Happy Holidays to all!

Team R.E.D. and Off Season Striders are coming together on the morning of New Years Eve for a Holiday Celebration run or walk from Charlies Pub & Eatery at his new location at 1654 Hwy 52 Frontage Road (in the strip mall that has Godfathers Pizza).  - the event is a festive one, plan to dress for the New Year and walk, run and back for fun! - More details to follow as the gathering approaches.

There is no Off Season Striders Run planned for Christmas morning...  there is one for Monday the 26th instead, here's a quick peek at the next couple of days.

Monday 8am:  OSS runs from Dunn Bros North at 120 Elton Hills Drive in Rochester.  Join the group for some morning miles, and come on back for some coffee and chatter!
Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs are heading to Glynners Pub at 1643 North Broadway in Rochester.  This group is always a lot of fun, and Glynners as a starting spot gives us a lot of options! Join us!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew is heading to Chester Woods Park for a great night out! Depending on the snow cover,  we may be running, hiking, snowshoeing, just about anything! Meet at the parking lot by the boat landing and enjoy the evening.  
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are out and about with a starting location of Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street in Rochester.  This location worked well last week, so it's a go again! All the best stuff happens after 9pm!

Warming up our vocals!

From here on out, it's getting warmer!  We're expecting a high of approx 21 degrees ABOVE zero tomorrow for our Caroling on the run fun!

Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs gather at Cowboy Jacks for Caroling on the Run!  Get dressed in some festive gear (santa hat, antlers, bright lights, jingle bells ect... )   We have two songs, with printed lyrics - 1 verse each! - even I can sing one verse! - Please bring a cash donation to help pay for some meals as we leave each establishment - that's a very fun thing to do!

We'll enter singing Jingle Bells.. and exit singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

Bells on bob tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

 We wish you a merry Christmas,

We wish you a merry Christmas,

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring

To you and your kin;

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year.

Then we hoot and hollar and wish everyone a Merry Christmas during our exit... and repeat... 

 We wish you a merry Christmas,

We wish you a merry Christmas,

We wish you a merry Christmas

Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew heads to Gamehaven... this is a great spot to get lost in the woods with friends! So lace up your running shoes (or boots and snowshoes) and join us for another adventure on the trails. Meet at the main parking lot off of 45th St. SE. Possible afters are Fat Willie's or Binkie's by the Lake. BTW it's supposed to be downright balmy by then with temps forecasted in the 20's!
Tuesday 9pm: The Night Owls are heading to a new starting location at Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street. Plan to get a great run in, and enjoy the social indoors afterwards!
Thursday 6pm: Brothers Bar & Grill is the site for Team R.E.D. - Remember, when we meet at Brothers we like to park in back so as to not take up all the prime parking in front before we leave for an hour! - We'll hit the trails and you'll be able to take your pick of 3, 4, 6 or whatever mileage you wish!

Off Season Sriders

There are no Off Season Striders runs scheduled for this weekend.  I will update the upcoming week on Saturday -- in the meantime, remember, Monday is Caroling on the Run!  You don't have to be a great singer and we keep the songs pretty simple, with printed lyrics if you need them!

See you soon!

Quick!

We had a nice turnout at Team R.E.D. tonight... remember, we are just entering winter now.  Let's get bundled up, and suck it up! - Also remember 2 out of 3 ain't bad, so if you want to join post run or run on your own earlier or indoors - you are always welcome to join the Eat. Drink.! - some people made that choice tonight and it added nicely to the social!

The Off Season Striders are not planning runs this weekend due to the projected weather.  If anyone would like to plan a group snowshoe opportunity or group run opportunity, please share it with me at byron.teamred@gmail.com and I'll share your plans.. or feel free to post your plans on the Team R.E.D. Facebook page.

We'll post the upcoming week opportunities on Friday evening...

These opportunities include a very fun Monday Night Christmas Caroling night! -  You do not need to be a good singer, or to know many songs as we'll provide the lyrics, we'll practice a couple of times before we get in public.. additionally, we limit ourselves to two songs that you already know well...    We will enter each establishment singing Jingle Bells - and exit singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas. ---- and of course, as we exit, we'll buy some meals for some families!

The week ahead!

What a great time we had at the Ugly Sweater Bowling contest! - I'm struggling to get pictures off my phone tonight, so I'll either get that done, or steal from others via Facebook

Here's one pic I already lifted...  Congrats to Tod for his 2nd Championship in three years.  He earned the title again, that ever elusive title for me!

Many thanks to Adam & Jill for all the legwork to make that evening happen!  They do a great job with planning and making sure we all have a great night! The leg wrestling was new!

• Monday 6pm:  The Monday Maniacs are heading to Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street in Rochester.  Join the fun... I'm sure all the sidewalks and trails will be clear and happy to have us running and/or walking on them! 
• Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail Crew are visiting Quarry Hill for about 5 miles of fun! - There just might be enough snow for you to consider snowshoeing if you prefer!  Meet at the parking lot near the tennis courts on the West side of the park. The parking lot is at the dead end of 9th St NE - Likely to hit up Glynner's Pub for afters and to celebrate a birthday!
• Tuesday 9pm: The Night Owls head to the trail head of Douglas Trail, along Valley High near IBM.  It's an out and back with friends! This time-slot may appear unusual, but hey, unusual is ok! 
• Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. at the Bears Den for the last time of 2016! - Join us for the walk, run and fun! 3, 4 or 6 miles - or of course, whatever you prefer! 

 December 19th's Caroling on the Run from Cowboy Jacks!!  What is caroling on the run? - it's a fun way to spread holiday cheer while we sing out loud for all to hear. 

• We ask that you bring a cash donation of any amount you are comfortable with.  In the past most donations have been in the range of 10-30 dollars.  
• Do not worry about how much you can donate... it's a general pot, we are not asking for a minimum donation, nor are we tracking what any one individual contributed.  Your generosity and spirit of giving already shows by putting yourself into such a unique situation... singing to strangers and doing something nice! 
• We''ll run to 2-3 restaurants, surprise the customers and staff with 2 songs and then before we leave, we'll buy some meals for some of the customers in the restaurant.  - super fun... then off to the next stop! 
• Do not worry about how fast you are... we make sure we all arrive before we go in.  Walkers take an alternate route from runners, and we all arrive roughly the same time and go in as a team. 

Snow just in time for Santas on the Run!

A small but hardy group participated in Thursday Team R.E.D. walk or run... it wasn't until I was uploading this picture that I realized, Brian is wearing Jammies - he must have the the Jammie mile was on a Thursday night!

Claire, Brian, Mike, Brian, Bear, Don, Adam, Wendy pushing Grant, Cindy pushing Quinn - there were a couple of people hiding inside and skipping the walk/run portion! 

Sweet Hoodie and pants for Quinn! - hand crafted by the ever talented Claire - for claire-ih-fi-kay-shun (see what I did there?)  that's not Claire in the picture, that's the wonderful Wendy! 

• Saturday 7:15am: Off Season Striders are rolling from the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center in downtown Rochester. It's a fun group to run with!
• Saturday 8am:  Santas On The Run from A Childs Kingdom.  - This is a great event and several members have taken part in this previously! Check ou the link for more details on registration and packet pickup!  http://www.medcityevents.com/santas-on-the-run.html
• Saturday 7pm:  Team R.E.D. Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling Championship - held at Sandbaggers in Byron - 501 Frontage Rd NE  -- Details from the Facebook posted shared below - if you are not on Facebook and want to RSVP, please send us an email at byron.teamred@gmail.com 
• Note: There are some planning to pre-load a beverage or two starting at 5:45pm at the Bears Den. All are welcome for pre-loading. 

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  • It's that time again for a little bowling & beer! 
  • Put on that ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to challenge for the Best TEAM RED BOWLER!
  • A nice little prize for the Champion Bowler will be awarded.
  • COST WILL BE $10.00 AT THE DOOR!!!
  • The set-up will be just a bit different this year as Sandbaggers is still in the construction phase with the kitchen. The cost this year is just for the bowling at $10. All beer, wine, mixed drinks, soda and frozen pizzas will be available for you to purchase. We may also bring in some small snacks, chips, etc. (no drinks) since their kitchen is not complete. If you plan on bringing some snacks etc, please provide any plates, bowls and utensils too for your snack. 
  • We will draw for lane assignments and winners will keep advancing to a final 4 and one wild card....Winner take all!
• Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders hit it again, this time from Brothers Bar & Grill. Remember, when we gather at Brothers we park in the back, and gather outside for the route talk if it's nice, and we scoot in the back entrance if it's not so nice.   Enjoy the run, come back for the fun! 

Be sure to mark your calendar for December 19th's Caroling on the Run from Cowboy Jacks!!  What is caroling on the run? - it's a fun way to spread holiday cheer while we get some running and walking fitness! 

• We ask that you bring a cash donation of any amount you are comfortable with.  In the past most donations have been in the range of 10-30 dollars.  
• Do not worry about how much you can donate... it's a general pot, we are not asking for a minimum donation, nor are we tracking what any one individual contributed.  Your generosity and spirit of giving already shows by putting yourself into such a unique situation... singing to strangers and doing something nice! 
• We''ll run to 2-3 restaurants, surprise the customers and staff with 2 songs and then before we leave, we'll buy some meals for some of the customers in the restaurant.  - super fun... then off to the next stop! 
• Do not worry about how fast you are... we make sure we all arrive before we go in.  Walkers take an alternate route from runners, and we all arrive roughly the same time and go in as a team. 

Here's a quick peek at the rest of the week!

Tonight 6pm:  LTS is the spot! Can't make it by 6? Join around 7pm for a beverage and social!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  Eastwood park in Rochester is the location for the Trail Running Crew!  Join the fun! Park at the main lot along Hwy 14 - and prepare for the Wicked Moose and taco's afterwards!
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls continue to impress along the Douglas Trail. Meet at the trail-head on Valley High Road in Rochester, next to IBM and get your miles before you dream your smiles!
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is heading to the Bears Den for a fun run, walk and/or social!  Join us for routes of 3, 4 or 6 miles - or really whatever you prefer, and come back to chit chat and meet some people!

The Weekend has fun too! - I'm sure Off Season Striders will have morning group runs, but I haven't seen them yet.  - I'll update that when available.  

• Saturday 8am:  Santas On the Run takes place at A Childs Kingdom! - This is a fun event that many Team R.E.D. members participated in the past. Get your santa costume and have a blast! For more information follow this link.  http://www.medcityevents.com/santas-on-the-run.html
• Saturday 7-9pm:  It's Ugly Sweater Bowling! Not our first rodeo either!   Get decked out for the holidays and join us in Byron for a fun night at Sandbaggers (under new ownership). 
• Notes regarding bowling: 
• Straight Cash Homie - Randy Moss  
• Sandbaggers is currently a cash only business as they are still setting up! 
• The set-up will be just a bit different this year due to the new construction phase with the kitchen. The cost this year is just for the bowling at $10. All beer, wine, mixed drinks, soda and frozen pizzas will be available for you to purchase. 
• We may also bring in some small snacks, chips, etc. (no drinks) since their kitchen is not complete. If you plan on bringing some snacks etc, please provide any plates, bowls and utensils too for your snack. 
• If you won a trophy last year, remember, these are traveling, we need it back!  - Hopefully you'll be here to defend your title! 
• A nice little prize for the Champion Bowler will be awarded.
• Reminder: the cost is $10.00 at the door plus whatever you want to spend. 
• We will draw for lane assignments and winners will keep advancing to a final 4 and one wild card....Winner take all!

Dec 19th 6pm:  Caroling on the Run from Cowboy Jacks! This is a Monday Night event and a highlight for many members! 
• We ask that you bring a cash donation of any amount you are comfortable with.  In the past most donations have been in the range of 10-30 dollars.  
• Do not worry about how much you can donate... it's a general pot, we are not asking for a minimum donation, nor are we tracking what any one individual contributed.  Your generosity and spirit of giving already shows by putting yourself into such a unique situation... singing to strangers and doing something nice! 
• We''ll run to 2-3 restaurants, surprise the customers and staff with 2 songs and then before we leave, we'll buy some meals for some of the customers in the restaurant.  - super fun... then off to the next stop! 
• Do not worry about how fast you are... we make sure we all arrive before we go in.  Walkers take an alternate route from runners, and we all arrive roughly the same time and go in as a team. 

Great weekend!

Thanks to all of you who joined us at the Underwear Mile and Pajama Mile - both were low key, yet fun events!  We'll get the food and clothing all donated early this week!

• Monday 12/05 @ 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to LTS (Life's Too Short) for a run, and social! - This location gives us lots of options and some great craft beer and soda! 
• Note: Monday 12/19 with be the Team R.E.D. Christmas Caroling on the Run! As we've done in the past, each participating member is suggested bring a cash donation of any kind and we'll use that money to pay for meals for customers in the restaurants we carol at! 

We're tied up with a busy Sunday, so an update regarding the rest of the week will follow this evening.

It's the weekend - Have some fun!

We had a great time at the Undie Mile tonight! - Congrats to one of our newest members Joachim as he won the Fastest Male Title in a time of 5:31 under the cover of darkness.   Congrats are also in order for Cassy as she defended her 2014 championship by finishing in 6:09!

Cassy trying to be a bit taller... no worries about your height Cassy, you can run when you're cold! 

Joachim & Cassy... Champions! 

In addition to declaring fastest cold weather runners, we had a competition for Best Undies! - We found an impartial set of judges and after our contestants made the rounds the judges gave great thought and selected the skimpiest! Winners are pictured below along with the judges who are all guilty of judging! How dare they!

Best Undies Award Winners and Judges - left to right, Rox, Joachim, Paula, Claire, Todd & Jerry - oh, Jerry has some stories! 

Everything we did tonight was fun! Yet there are more opportunities.. check out the rest of the weekend below, and look for updates on next week Monday - Thursday being posted soon!

Dec 3rd 7:15am:  Off Season Striders are hitting the road from the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center.  This is a great group that can connect you with others while getting miles through the winter!

Dec 3rd 10am:  Pajama Mile! Run one mile in your Jammies during Byron's BrrrFest! Cost is just $10 + a Food Item or Clothing Item for the Food & Clothing Drive ($25 Family Max cost!).  You can register race day starting at 9am! 

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Dec 4th 8am:  Off Season Striders are heading to a great spot to catch the trail system and that's Panera South.  Often a great coffee social post run! 

Dec 10th 8am:  Santas On the Run takes place at A Childs Kingdom! - This is a fun event that many Team R.E.D. members participated in the past. Get your santa costume and have a blast! For more information follow this link.  http://www.medcityevents.com/santas-on-the-run.html

Dec 10th 7-10pm:  Team R.E.D. Ugly Christmas Sweater Bowling Championship - held at Sandbaggers in Byron - 501 Frontage Rd NE  -- Details from the Facebook posted shared below - if you are not on Facebook and want to RSVP, please send us an email at byron.teamred@gmail.com 

• It's that time again for a little bowling & beer! 
• Put on that ugly Christmas sweater and get ready to challenge for the Best TEAM RED BOWLER!
• A nice little prize for the Champion Bowler will be awarded.
• COST WILL BE $10.00 AT THE DOOR!!!
• The set-up will be just a bit different this year as Sandbaggers is still in the construction phase with the kitchen. The cost this year is just for the bowling at $10. All beer, wine, mixed drinks, soda and frozen pizzas will be available for you to purchase. We may also bring in some small snacks, chips, etc. (no drinks) since their kitchen is not complete. If you plan on bringing some snacks etc, please provide any plates, bowls and utensils too for your snack. 
• We will draw for lane assignments and winners will keep advancing to a final 4 and one wild card....Winner take all!

Dec 19th 6pm:  Caroling on the Run! This is a Monday Night event and a highlight for many members! 

• We ask that you bring a cash donation of any amount you are comfortable with.  In the past most donations have been in the range of 10-30 dollars.  
• Do not worry about how much you can donate... it's a general pot, we are not asking for a minimum donation, nor are we tracking what any one individual contributed.  Your generosity and spirit of giving already shows by putting yourself into such a unique situation... singing to strangers and doing something nice! 
• We''ll run to 2-3 restaurants, surprise the customers and staff with 2 songs and then before we leave, we'll buy some meals for some of the customers in the restaurant.  - super fun... then off to the next stop! 
• Do not worry about how fast you are... we make sure we all arrive before we go in.  Walkers take an alternate route from runners, and we all arrive roughly the same time and go in as a team.