Rest of the week!

Whew... it's been a fast moving weekend, time to look at the rest of this week!

Monday 6pm:  Tonight the Maniacs are meeting at Brothers Bar & Grill.  Be sure to park in the back lot, as that's where you'll find the others!  Come back for the social after your run or walk - the social is the best!
Tuesday 6:15pm: Chatfield's Lost Creek Trail is the scene of the Tuesday Trail Crew. This has become one of the favorite spots! Come enjoy, and stay for the afters!
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls have found a wonderful home in Beetles Bar & Grill.  This location gives them great options for the run, and the post run fun! Join the crew!
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. brings the show to Byron.  Join us at the Bears Den for routes of 3, 4 or 6 miles and let's hang out after! - Remember, with all events you can run or walk!  We're all starting and finishing at the same space.


This past Sunday's Snow Shoe gathering was a lot of fun.  about 1 hr 45 minutes of traversing the landscape of Oxbow! One thing I would caution is this:  Just because your friend are walking on the ice, doesn't mean you have too!  -- if the snow sticks around, we'll plan another outing on Superbowl Sunday!

The crew getting ready.. and one young one being lazy! 

Justin.. making his first Team R.E.D. appearance since joining us at the Beer Mile! 

Dave finding his way 'off trail' - which of course is very fun! 

Mike reminding us it's nearly spring based on his winter gear! 

Emily giggling at the banter of the ladies behind her! 

Diane, Meg, Wendy and Elaine always have it going on! 

Meagan and Gregg coming on strong over he hill. 

Lorelei showing Brain how it's done - this was Brians first day ever on snowshoes! 

Brian and Megan making sure the snow is cold enough to walk on! 

a time to climb... 

a time to take a break.. 

Steve, Mike, Don, Dan, Mike all seem to enjoy breaks! 

As do Meagan, Brian, Elaine, Gregg, Meg and Dave!

 And the much talked about River Crossing - it was going so well until those last couple of strides...

Almost there!

Oh $%&* ! 

Monday!

Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are at Brothers Bar & Grill! - remember at this location, we park in the back to save that prime parking for people who aren't planning to leave for an hour or so! - Join the fun and back for the social!

All the rest of the week's details will follow...

Snow Shoe Sunday!

We've added an group event for Sunday.  It's a Snow Shoe day at Oxbow park!

Sunday 1:30pm - 1st Bridge of Oxbow. The first bridge is the 2nd parking lot on your left as you enter the park area.  Never tried snowshoeing?  Here's a chance! - It's a lot like walking, and a heck of a good workout - oh, and it's fun! - Don't have snowshoes? Some members have extras, consider posting something on Facebook saying "anyone have a pair of snowshoes I can borrow".. or visit he Oxbow park office, they rent quality snowshoes for a fair price, I believe it's $5.

Veterans of the SnowShoe Crew know to bring a flask of their favorite beverage, whether that be hot cocoa, coffee or something stronger...   often members wrap up the snow shoe with a trip to the Bears Den - that can be a group discussion on Sunday.

Thursdays Plan - and some great opportunities!

Thursday 6pm: Beetles Bar & Grill is the sight of Team R.E.D. - we'll either find some plowed trails around Cascade Lake, or head downtown to where we know it's clear! - Either way, we'll get some miles running or walking and come back for a great social!
Saturday 7:15am:  Off Season Striders is sure to be out, and I fully suspect the location is from the Dan Abrahams Healthy Living Center.  If you want an early start to get a few more miles, some are starting between the times of 6:19-6:22am.
Saturday 6:30pm:  The Rochester Track Club holds their Annual Banquet.  We have several cross over members who participate in both the RTC and Team R.E.D.  - a couple of those members that support both clubs are likely in the running for Runner of the Year!  - Check it out if you have a chance, there's always a great speaker, along with your dinner.
Sunday 8am: Off Season Striders is certain to be out again - I'll update the location when I see it.
Sunday 1:30pm:  Snow Shoe at Oxbow Park - Meet at the first bridge parking lot (2nd parking on your left as you enter the park).  Snowshoeing is a fun way to get fit in the snow and see the park in a whole new way as you are not restricted to the trails, you can go anyplace! Join us for the fun!

Opportunities! 

Have you ever consider coaching?  Byron Community Education is seeking coaches for a Girls on the Run Program! - This is a national program with great results for young ladies.  Please see the details from Community Ed gem Jennifer Dole - If you're interested in being part of something great, let me know and I'll get you in touch with Jen! 

• It really targets girls and increasing their self-confidence and health.  There would be two practices a week after school for about 10 weeks.  It ends with the girls completing a 5K up in the Twin Cities this spring.  The coach doesn't have to be a runner at all, they just have to love kids and want to work towards health living, both physically and emotionally.

USA Track & Field Team Circuit races have been released! - It would be fun to field a Team R.E.D. Team more consistently.  I'll commit to getting those dang racing singlets done and you commit to joining USATF and taking part in as many of these races as you can... if you can do 2-3 that's great, if you can do more, even greater! - We often car pool to the events and it's always fun! 

The O'Gara's Irish Run kicks it off, we'll have our singlets for that one!  You get discounts for several of the races.  The discounts codes that are currently available are listed below. (more will come as the races approach).  These codes will get you $5 off each race but they do require you are a USATF member.  

O'Gara's Irish Run 8K

Code: USATF17

Get In Gear 10K

Code: USATF

Also, the TC 10 Mile and TC 1 Mile are typically tough to get into, but as USATF Members connected to a USATF Club, you will receive Guaranteed entry! 

Here is the 2017 Race Schedule - in these races we are scored as individuals and scored as a team, competing against other clubs from around the state.  

Saturday, March 25 - O'Gara's Irish Run 8K - USATF Minnesota Championship 

 Saturday, April 29 - Get In Gear 10K - USATF Minnesota Championship (Spring)
 Thursday, May 11  - Medtronic TC 1 Mile - USATF Minnesota Championship
 Monday, May 29 - Brian Kraft Memorial 5 km - USATF Minnesota Championship
 Saturday, June 17 - Grandma's Marathon - USATF Minnesota Championship
 Sunday, July TBD - Raspberry Festival 1 Mile
 Sunday, August 6 - MDRA 15K - USATF Minnesota Championship 

Monday, September 4 - Victory Labor Day Races 10K - USATF Minnesota Championship (Fall)
 Sunday, September 10 - Jeff Winter City of Lakes Half Marathon - USATF Minnesota Championship
 Sunday, October 1 - Medtronic TC 10 Mile - USATF Minnesota Championship

To register visit the following link... http://usatfmn.org/membership   and as you register, associate yourself with an existing club - #0435 Team R.E.D. (be careful not to select Minnesota RED, unless your intention is to join Minnesota RED, I'm sure they are great people too!)   

Ice Ice Go Away - hey... I think it is going away!

We've had some lighter turnouts on group runs and I think a piece of that has been the ice... now, it's going away! I hope...

Here's a look at what's coming up the next few day for group opportunity...

• Saturday 7:15am: Off Season Striders running from the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center.  Connect with this weekend group, it's fun! 
• Saturday 6:19-6:21am:  There are a few people planning to preload some miles prior to the OSS Run.  If you need/want more miles, here's a chance! - same location - just earlier!
• Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders do it again. This time from Panera South... get out for the run and come back for a coffee and chatter!
• Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are once again giving Newts at Crossroads a shot! The weather diced things up last time they hit this location, so this time, it'll be the Real Deal! - Join the Monday group and come back for the social! 
• Tuesday 6:15pm: Root River County Park is the home for this week's Tuesday Trail Crew! The worse thing that might happen to you here, is you have a party in the porta-potty!  - Don't understand that comment? Well, I guess you need to join a Tuesday Trail run! 
• Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls continue the momentum with a run from Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd St.  What do you do after the run?  Social, of course! 

New Members!

I'm excited to announce we had 8 shirt presentations on Thursday - They joined us at the TerraLoco Resolution night, which was a great success!

-- Remember, Team R.E.D. members shopping with TerraLoco receive a 10% discount AND earn points to drive an even deeper discount on purchases!  Points are earned in many ways, including but not limited to, shopping at TerraLoco and participating in group events!  ---

Please be sure to introduce yourself as you meet the following people at upcoming group runs / walks!  .. and hopefully, one day at a snowshoe event!

Please Welcome Jeanne Tung to Team R.E.D. - She registered online, and scored her shirt on Thursday!

Please Welcome Aditya - Many of you have met him already, as he is often connected to Meagan!

Please welcome Jill & Amber! - They are ready to roll with us! 

Please welcome Craig - he must be a natural fit, because a bit of photo bombing went on during his shirt presentation! 

Please welcoe Rick and Gretchen - They know what they're getting into and joined anyway! 

Please welcome Greg - Many of you have met Greg, mostly likely during a Trail run - and I see, we have an active photo bomber on the loose!

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Let's look at the week ahead

Sunday 8am:  Off Season Striders are heading out from Charlies at Hillcrest Plaza. This is the same location we ran from on New Years Eve... Charlie has a lot of space, and the options on that end of town are very wide open.
Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to Brothers Bar & Grill on Broadway.  We'll be able to hit the trails or streets from there!  Join the fun - and as always, park in the parking lot behind Brothers and if people are not gathered outside for the route talk, zip in that back entrance and you'll find them!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  Whitewater State park is the site of this weeks' Trail crew! - Bring your headlamp and enjoy the snow (hoping for more!).. as always, on Tuesdays Trails you can plan to run, hike or snowshoe!  Meet at the Nature Store parking lot along Hwy 74.
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are burning the 9pm oil! Join the crew at Beetles Bar & Grill on 2nd Street.  This group is excited to welcome new runners - and end with a great social!
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is at the original home of Team R.E.D. - Join us at the Bears Den in Byron for routes of 3, 4 or 6 miles (or as always, however far you choose to go!)  We'll get in the run or walk, and come back for another great social!

Storms... cancellations... and fun!

So sorry to hear about our friends in Mississippi not being able to run the Marathon due to the ice storms.  Gwen, Kasey and Sean are making the best of the situation and reporting to have some fun! - that's a good plan...

Local Entertainment!

The Half marathon in Disney was cancelled as well, I think it was thunderstorms! The crew in the happiest place on earth is also making the best of it...  Dan is on his way to another Dopey success and  Disney will be the location for Wendy Taylors first marathon! - Enjoy! 

Dan Feeling Dopey ... but not in a bad way

The Polar Bear Prediction 5K was another great success! - Kudos to Sonja and her cast of volunteers for putting on the race.  A nice lunch was provided by the Rochester Track Club.  Also strong representation by Team R.E.D. both participating and volunteering at this event, nice work!

If your name is Randy Price, you will have to leg wrestle me for this trophy! - You finished 10th place!  Other Team R.E.D. members in the top 10 include Ben Zhang and Dave Copeland. Woo was close, but on the outside at 12th place

I must have mistakenly registered as Randy.. so I win! 

The Week ahead....

Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to LTS - not only quality beverages post run, but also the temperatures appear to be on the rise!  Join the group and enjoy the social after the workout!
Tuesday 6:15pm:  Tuesday Trail Crew is heading to Willow Creek Reservoir in Rochester.  This is always a fun place to gather! The crew will run, hike or snowshoe depending on conditions!
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are liking Beetles for a location - turns out the post workout social is warmer in there compared to the parking lot at the trailhead! - Join the run and fun!

Thursday's information is below... please read carefully as it has some moving pieces and plenty of options.  Participate in any piece of Thursdays events that fit what you enjoy..

Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. Sponsor, TerraLoco, is hosting a Customer Appreciation Night. Team R.E.D. and other running groups, race directors will have tables set up with information for people.  TerraLoco is planning on giving away a bunch of prizes! -  There's a guest speaker, Mike Buenting - coach, marathoner and triathlete who will start speaking at 7pm - if you want to check that out it could be fun!

• Note: TerraLoco is restructuring their discount program  - you can learn more about that on Thursday and receive double points and a chance to win $100 gift car by shopping on Thursday! 
• Note II:  See the Group Run below to see how you can possibly get your miles in and participate in the appreciation night. 

Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. group run/walk is starting from WildWood Bar and Grill.  This location provides a chance to hit some well lit trails, or duck into the woods.  It's also near TerraLoco - so my suggestion is from WildWood - run up and over the bridge and make a stop into TerraLoco to check things out - stay as long as you want, before continuing on the rest of your run or walk! - or finish the run coming past TerraLoco, and grab a free beer from the Team R.E.D. Cooler! 

• Note  I will join our crew at Wildwood when we wrap up at TerraLoco!  If anyone is interested in hosting the booth with me at TerraLoco, just drop me an email at byron.teamred@gmail.com