Friday, June 30, 2017

Long weekend for many!

Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the opportunity to stay active!  Here's a look at the weekend, the upcoming weekend and the TerraLoco Summer Challenge!

2017 TerraLoco Summer Challenge starts Tomorrow! Only $30 to sign up. Includes limited edition baseball tee, custom medal for those who earn 100 points, prize opportunities each week, and age group prizes! Fun & friendly competition is a fundraiser for Operation Welcome Home. Five-week competition starts July 1st! SIGN UP TODAY!
www.runterraloco.com/summer-challenge
#runterraloco #tlsummerchallenge #runnersgiveback


  • Saturday 7am:  The Marathon & Half Marathon training runs continue from the Rochester Athletic Club.  Join the crew as they offer routes of 13 and 7 miles this week, of course, supported by wonderful volunteers staffing aid stations! 
  • Sunday 7am:  The Off Season Striders are getting some miles from Brothers Bar & Grill.  Gather near the back entrance of the joint and let's go! 
  • Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to a favorite for many - Join us at LTS for some great miles, and a bit of time socializing! 
  • Tuesday 8am:  The Summerfest Races in Stewartville.  There's a 3 mile and 5 mile (and you can do both if you like!) More information at http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=978&TM=41100.64
  • Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Trail Crew is heading to Quarry Hill for about 5 miles of fun, followed by a parking lot party, and if you're interested in Fireworks, it should be a great location to watch the Silver Lake Display.  
  • Wednesday 6pm:  Speed work on the track in Byron.  Be ready to go fast at 6pm, so if you need some time to warm up, allow yourself that time with an early arrival.  
  • Wednesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are offering a Wednesday night special due to the 4th of July holiday.  Meet at the trail head of Douglas Trail - located along Valley High in Rochester (next to IBM). 
  • Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. hits the Bears Den once again for a run/walk/social!  Join us and let's have a great time getting some miles and getting to know each other even better! 
Saturday July 8th is the Go For the Gold 5K & 3K - this is a very well run event, and it raises great funds for Brighter Tomorrows! - http://rochestertrackclub.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=977&TM=41100.64


Friday, June 23, 2017

It's the weekend!

The Gabrielsons rolled out the red carpet for Team R.E.D. on Thursday night! - Great to hear everyone had a great night!

Here's the plan for the next several days...


  • Saturday 7am: The marathon and half marathon training runs are stepping up to week two from the Rochester Athletic Club - The long route is 10 miles with aid stations at 3 & 8 miles.  The shorter route is a 5 miler.  Bring $1 to contribute to the aid station goodies.
  • Saturday 2pm:  The Rochesterfest One Mile in support of YMCA Camp Olson! - This event is also part of the Rochester Track Club Grand Prix series.  
    • The Race Director, Shaun Palmer, is a member of both the Rochester Track Club and Team R.E.D.  The race takes place at 2pm, just prior to the start of the Rochesterfest parade.  It's a Certified, Flat course and Team R.E.D. members get a $15 discount - making the race just a $10 bill!  - It's also great training for the Beer Mile! 
  • Sunday 7am:  Off Season Striders have a plan.. and I can't find it! - If you send it to me, I'll update for others... 
  • Monday 6pm: Monday Maniacs is taking part in TerraLoco's $5 5K... this week's cause is important to Sarah and it supports Brains Together For a Cure. -  Join us! Bring a $5 donation, or any amount.. and participate in a non-competitive 5K. TerraLoco always has great post run celebration too, with prizes and all.  Team R.E.D. will provide the beer for anyone who is interested in taking part! 
  • Tuesday 6:15pm:  Tuesday's Trail Crew is hitting Oxbow Park. Meet at the 1st Bridge (2nd parking lot on your left as you enter the park).  We'll get around the trails while running or hiking, whatever fits your style.. then we'll spend a social together! 
  • Tuesday 9pm: The Night Owls are heading to the Douglas Trail! - Meet us at the trail head along Valley High Rd near IBM and let's have some fun!
  • Wednesday 5:30pm:  Speed work has to be earlier if you want to get it in at the track in Byron.  The kids take the track for the all-comers meet at 6:30pm. 
  • Wednesday 6:30pm:  All-comers meet for the kids.. bring them! It's a free event and they get to try out so many great things!
  • Wednesday 6:30pm:  Volunteers needed for the Byron All-Comers Meet.  We'll volunteer to hand out ribbons, measure stuff and cheer on kids! - Then after the event, you'll have a chance to try out some events such as Shot Put, Long Jump and even Pole Vault! 
  • Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is at the Bears Den in Byron this week... we'll get out for 3, 4 or 6 miles and come back for some fun at the Den! - Join us! 


  • July 8th - Go for the Gold 5K, 3K and kids race!  This race is annually a great one and has strong support in the planning from Team R.E.D. members Jess & Dan Feda.. the event supports Brighter Tomorrow's mission to support families dealing with childhood cancer.
  • July 15-16 - The Minnesota Nut House Challenge led by our great friend Brock!  The event consists of a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon! You can participate in 1, 2 or 3!  This year Brock is offering far more prizes compared to the past, and several ways to earn a discount code!  Check out the ways below... and note, all of these discounts are of equal value, and can not be combined.  There's an honor system here..  so let's honor that! - If you meet any of the categories below, email Brock at brock@stateofrun.com to let hi know which category you fit and he'll send you a discount code! 
  • July 19th - All-Comers meet in Byron.  - Kids can come for free and enjoy themselves in multiple events!  
  • July 19th - The Torchlight 5K has been a great tradition of Team R.E.D. - we've bused, carpooled, caravan-ed and even rode the Rochester Trolley to this one.  If you're interested in a bus, we need at least 15-20 people willing to pay $20-$25 before we can consider. 
    • Please email me at byron.teamred@gmail.com if you are willing to commit to the event. I will arrange the transportation if we hit a number that makes sense.  
    • Let's keep the Mo-Jo Go-Going!  
  • July 20th - Team R.E.D. Beer Mile!  A great, annual fundraiser, where all you need to do is have fun and we'll send the money to goodness!  This years recipient is the Byron Lions Club in support of their mission of an Accessible Park. 
  • July 22nd - Byron Good Neighbor Days 5K and 2.5K - this is a wonderful race filled with lots of prizes!  
  • July 22nd - The Rochester Track Club's Women's 4 Mile.  This is a great race aimed at women, and the prizes are geared that way too. 
  • July 23rd - Team R.E.D. FREE Kids Mile along the parade route.  More details will follow regarding this event.. but the fact is it's free! - Also, Team R.E.D. will march in the parade and toss out some goodies! -- we'll make sure we have a party to celebrate as well.  
  • Aug 5th - The Douglas Trail Run - this race will be in memory of and renamed in Honor of Reggie Oeltjen.  Join the fun! We'll enjoy the Douglas Trail, run and have some watermelon!


Monday, June 19, 2017

Home Host Thursday!

Thursday 6pm:  The details are available for this Thursday's Home Hosted Team R.E.D!  Thanks to Don and Sharon Gabrielson for hosting us! Their home is located at 2323 Wilshire Lane NE in Rochester.  Join us for a downhill run or walk and come back for a great backyard social.

Our hosts are providing Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches and Hamburgers, along with Chips and Water... BYOB and an optional dish to share if you wish.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

The Week....

Looking forward to the stories of the action at Grandmas Marathon and from the Mayors Marathon!

Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to the Thirsty Belgian located at 2650 South Broadway #600.  Join this great crew for some miles and lots of smiles! - see what I did there?
Tuesday 6:15pm:  Tuesdays Trail crew is celebrating the Almost Summer Solstice at the Lost Creek Trail in Chatfield. Meet at Groen Park and then caravan to the start of the trail - it's a point to point run for fun!
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls are also Almost Solsticing! They're at the Douglas Trail, trailhead located along Valley High Rd near IBM. Join the crew for an out and back and some laughs along the way!
Wednesday 6pm:  Speedwork at the Track in Byron, located behind the middle school at 601 4th St NW.  I will not be there for the music, but the track is open!  Get out and go fast!
Thursday 6pm:  --  TBD ---

Friday, June 16, 2017

Here comes the fun! - Wait.. it's always fun!

We had a nice crew at the Thursday run and walk in Byron - Nice seeing so many smiling faces and good job picking up trash at the park.  I'm still surprised that we found 4 bags of dog doo, near the trash cans.  Somebody found it important enough to bag the goods, but not important enough put them in the trash can... seems odd to me (maybe there's more to the story).

Here's to wishing everyone the best this weekend, as several of our Teammates are venturing to Alaska to marathon, while others tackle Grandmas Marathon!  Go get 'em! - and enjoy your trips!

For those staying closer to home...

  • Saturday 7am: The marathon and half marathon training runs get started this weekend! - The Marathon route is 8 miles, with an aid station at Silver Lake, half marathoners would skip the loop around the lake. Please bring $1 to help off set the cost of Gatorade / Bananas.  
  • Saturday All Day: Paul Melby Memorial Volleyball Tournament.  They would love to see some engagement from Team R.E.D. whether it be putting together a volleyball team, buying raffle tickets, bidding on silent auction items, donating.. or overall participating!  For more information visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MelbyMemorialVolleyball/
  • Sunday 7am: The Off Season Striders have no off season! - They'll be running Sunday morning from Panera South in Rochester.  Join the fun, and stay for the social!  

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Upcoming Races, Events & Discounts!

Here are several upcoming events... there is plenty more going on too, if you want something specific included, please send me the details.

  • June 17th - Paul Melby Memorial Volleyball Tournament.  They would love to see some engagement from Team R.E.D. whether it be putting together a volleyball team, buying raffle tickets, bidding on silent auction items, donating.. or overall participating!  For more information visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MelbyMemorialVolleyball/
  • June 20th - The Solstice Stomp 5K is set for June 20, starting at 7 p.m., from 1887 Second Avenue NW, Byron.  You can register at https://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=1408
    • The race is only $25 with T-shirts and online sign-up before 06/06, $15 without T-shirt now till day of event! Post race treats, music, timing and age group and overall winner medals!! The race benefits the 2017 youth mission trip from Christ Lutheran Church.
  • June 24th - The Rochesterfest One Mile put on in support of YMCA Camp Olson.   The Race Director, Shaun Palmer, is a member of both the Rochester Track Club and Team R.E.D.  The race takes place at 2pm, just prior to the start of the Rochesterfest parade.  It's a Certified, Flat course and Team R.E.D. members get a $15 discount - making the race just a $10 bill!  - It's also great training for the Beer Mile! 
  • July 8th - Go for the Gold 5K, 3K and kids race!  This race is annually a great one and has strong support in the planning from Team R.E.D. members Jess & Dan Feda.. the event supports Brighter Tomorrow's mission to support families dealing with childhood cancer.
  • July 15-16 - The Minnesota Nut House Challenge led by our great friend Brock!  The event consists of a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon! You can participate in 1, 2 or 3!  This year Brock is offering far more prizes compared to the past, and several ways to earn a discount code!  Check out the ways below... and note, all of these discounts are of equal value, and can not be combined.  There's an honor system here..  so let's honor that! - If you meet any of the categories below, email Brock at brock@stateofrun.com to let hi know which category you fit and he'll send you a discount code! 
  • July 19th - The Torchlight 5K has been a great tradition of Team R.E.D. - we've bused, carpooled, caravan-ed and even rode the Rochester Trolley to this one.  If you're interested in a bus, we need at least 15-20 people willing to pay $20-$25 before we can consider. 
    • Please email me at byron.teamred@gmail.com if you are willing to commit to the event. I will arrange the transportation if we hit a number that makes sense.  
    • Let's keep the Mo-Jo Go-Going!  
  • July 20th - Team R.E.D. Beer Mile!  A great, annual fundraiser, where all you need to do is have fun and we'll send the money to goodness!  This years recipient is the Byron Lions Club in support of their mission of an Accessible Park. 
  • July 22nd - Byron Good Neighbor Days 5K and 2.5K - this is a wonderful race filled with lots of prizes!  
  • July 22nd - The Rochester Track Club's Women's 4 Mile.  This is a great race aimed at women, and the prizes are geared that way too. 
  • July 23rd - Team R.E.D. FREE Kids Mile along the parade route.  More details will follow regarding this event.. but the fact is it's free! - Also, Team R.E.D. will march in the parade and toss out some goodies! -- we'll make sure we have a party to celebrate as well.  
  • Aug 5th - The Douglas Trail Run - this race will be in memory of and renamed in Honor of Reggie Oeltjen.  Join the fun! We'll enjoy the Douglas Trail, run and have some watermelon!






Here comes a new week!

There are several races approaching, with great discounts! I'll dedicate a separate post to that later tonight, but for now, I want to give you a peek at the upcoming week.

I've been seeing a lot of fun pictures on Facebook of the crew cruising around Iowa via Relay Iowa... looks like fun!  I've posted a couple of finisher pics below...


I spy three Team R.E.D. members in this picture with Tina, Kristine and Ron! 
Seven of this team are Team R.E.D. members in Shane, Mike, Claire, Beth, Brian, Brian and Sean!  Way to go with 339 Miles of fun! 

Congrats to everyone taking part in, or volunteering at Trinona this weekend!  The place was hopping!

Byron Track & Field had some fantastic performances at the State Track Meet, including an 800M runner who ran the fastest time of the tournament with a 2:13.35 during prelims.  She finished 2nd place in finals for both the 1600M and 800M... I'd call that a great state meet! Five other strong, point scoring performances came from 3 Pole Vaulters & and 2 Shot Put'ers!  We also had another teammate make it to State in three events!

Here we go looking ahead..

Monday 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to Wild Bills for a fun evening of running or walking, followed by a great social! Monday's happen to be $5.99 Burger & Fries night too!  -- Note: For some reason, a few people mix up Wild Bills with WildWood or Cowboy Jacks - They are all different... Wild Bills is located at 300 17th Ave NW Rochester.
Tuesday 6:20pm: Tuesday Trail crew are venturing to Winona for the Holzinger at 925 West Lake Blvd. Enjoy a 5 mile loop past the Quarry.  Afters at Lonna's with a fire and fun! - Bring a lawn chair if you can... directions to Lonna's place provided after the run.
Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls keep it rolling from the parking lot of the Douglas trailhead located along Valley High Road next to IBM.  This is a great group! - and if you have trouble getting our right after work, this is another great option! Join the fun..
Wednesday 6pm:  Get your speed on at the track in Byron. We'll crank up some music and we'll run a whole bunch of 300's!  We can also discuss other options for the workout, as everyone should gear their speed session to what they want to achieve.
Thursday 6pm:  Team R.E.D. is at the Bears Den in Byron... we'll get the route rolling past the Melby park so we can fulfill our duties as caretakers! - This is our adopted park.  Join us for a run or walk, and come back for the social!

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Change for Tonight!

Important Note:  Due to a combination of Volleyball and Bean Bags, the Freight Yard is not able to host Team R.E.D. - we are moving tonight's location to the Bears Den in Byron starting at 6pm.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Rest of the Week

We've got a bunch of Mason Run Limericks that have flown in... super fun to see them all!  - The entry deadline has indeed passed, but if you have one, you can still share it! - The current entries are being judged by Middle School Students, we'll share the winners by the end of the week!


  • Tuesday 6:15pm:  The Tuesday Trail crew is hitting the trails of Whitewater. Meet at the Beach Parcking Lot **NOTE** this is a different location from the past, the Beach Parking lot.  Plan for 4-6 miles and bring along some food to grill, and your favorite beverages.
  • Tuesday 9pm:  The Night Owls will meander down the Douglas Trail and back! - Meet at the parking lot along Valley High and join the fun! - Bring a beverage for the parking lot afters too!
  • Wednesday 6pm:  Let's get our speed on the track in Byron - located behind the Middle School at 601 4th St SW.   Remember, when you're on the track, you are never too far away from anyone in the group! - Push the pace that suits you!
  • Thursday 6pm: Team R.E.D. is finding our way to the Freight Yard in Rochester. This is a nice location to hit some or Rochester trail system for 4-6 miles... and come back forthe social.  Bonus: the service has been very nice at Freight Yard. 
  • Saturday 7am:  Off Season Striders are meeting at 5-West along West Circle Drive in Rochester. Stick around for coffee and/or breakfast after as it's fun! 
  • Sunday 7am:  Off Season Striders are gathering at Charlies at Hillcrest Shopping Plaza. This is also another great place for a bite and social post run! 



Monday, June 5, 2017

Monday at LTS - 6pm!

Real quick update for tonight...

Tonight 6pm:  Monday Maniacs are heading to LTS Brewing Company for a run and social! Join the fun!

The weekend flew by and the races were fun, lots of pictures to share, and updates to make regarding our locations this week, check back for more!