#6 The Weekly Pep Talk - December 31, 2007 - January 6, 2008

Ask About Running
The Weekly Pep Talk
Volume 1, Number 6
This week is dedicated to Noel Y. (walker extraordinaire and great sister, too!)
Monday, December 31, 2007 – Sunday, January 6, 2008
Week 52 in 2007 - Happy New Year!
Send comments to: Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com


Happy New Year!

I’m writing this newsletter in the early morning on December 30. The sky outside is blue, bright blue without a single cloud! As a metaphor, could this portend what the New Year will be like? Oh, let’s hope so! With so much gloom and doom news out there, aren’t we incredibly blessed to have blue skies, sun, and fresh air?

When I run (or walk) by the Pacific Ocean I am always struck by the wonder and force of nature. This is one of the greatest gifts of running; taking in, and being a part of that glorious cycle of movement, rhythm, and flow…. Have you had this experience? I hope so. To be moving, in sync, with the globe, and participating in its cadence. What a marvelous sensation!

MAKE FITNESS A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
Next Sunday is the inauguration of the running club Ask About Running. If you haven’t already joined up, now’s the time. Exercise should be a part of our lives on a daily basis. You can be sure to get in one day’s worth by joining me and the other women who will be running (or walking) every Sunday. Remember, we offer locations in the East Bay and San Francisco. Full details are included in the invitation.

You are cordially invited
to join my Sunday running (and walking) group. I do hope to see you take advantage of this new venue called Ask About Running. Ask About Running offers running and walking programs, running tours, and information about individual athletics, specifically for women.

The goal, with the exercise/training program, is to provide on-going weekly runs and walks in both the East Bay and San Francisco (or surroundings) for women, any age, any size, any ability. Every Sunday, starting January 6, you will be able to join a 9:00 group in the East Bay or a 1:00 group in San Francisco to run or walk a measured 3 mile or 6 mile course. There will be mile markers and a finish line. This gives experienced runners and walkers the opportunity to push themselves to improve their competitive times. It gives novice women, or less competitive spirits, the chance to complete a significant distance in whatever fashion you wish. If you’ve never completed 3 miles before, finishing is a worthy goal. Ask About Running will support you to get there! If you’ve done lots of 3 mile runs, this can be used as a day for a few extra miles or for your tempo runs where you run HARD! The group atmosphere will make all of it more fun.

THE BUDDY SYSTEM – 2 PEOPLE SIGN UP TOGETHER FOR A 25% DISCOUNT.
I want you to run with a buddy, or at least, share the responsibility of getting up every Sunday. So, sign up with a buddy and each of you pays 25% less. You must sign up and pay together under one credit card or check.

BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS JOIN FOR FREE
It is documented that exercise and stress reduction both aid in the survival rate of cancer victims. What better way to get exercise and reduce stress than to join a women’s running/walking group? Ask About Running offers free membership to any woman who is a breast cancer (or other cancer) survivors. I am one of you and understand how cancer changes our lives. You will benefit from running/walking with us. We welcome you. Please join us! There will be a line on the application for you to indicate if you are a cancer victim and that’s all it takes for you to get into the group. Beyond that, there will be no sharing of information unless you wish to.

THE WEEKLY PEP TALK
Every week I send out an E- newsletter filled with news and encouragement. If you’d like to see samples, please ask. Once you join the group you are automatically entered into the mailing list through your E-mail.

SIGN UP NOW!!
The time is now! I look forward to starting the new year with you as a member. Just fill in the details on this form and E-mail it back. Full information will follow.
1 Person/1 Month Buddy System – 2 women sign up together
____$20 ____$30 Begins first Sunday of each month. Automatic recurring billing only. Must pay by credit card.
1 Person/6 Months Buddy System – 2 women sign up together
____$110 ____$165 6 months from date of sign-up
1 Person/12 Months Buddy System – 2 women sign up together
____$200 ____$300 12 months Best price!
Your name
Your buddy’s name
Copy this section, or attach and Email to Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com and you will be billed through PayPal or send check to ALTB International, Inc., 525 Crestlake Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132. (800) 457-4574

P.S. Drop ins are always welcome any Sunday. The fee is $6.

LET’S TRAIN FOR THE BAY TO BREAKERS
I want to encourage all of my readers to enter the Bay to Breakers Race on May 18, 2008. This is the kind of event that encourages everyone to participate. Walkers are welcome. Runners are seeded so they have a chance to run at their own pace. Anyone who wants to cross the beautiful city of San Francisco, by foot, can participate. With more than 100,000 participants it is a real party atmosphere.

The race itself was started in 1912, a few years after the devastating 1906 earthquake, showing the resilience and strength of character in the people of San Francisco. With less than 200 participants that first year, Robert Jackson Vlught crossed the finish line first with a time of 44’10”. Since then, the numbers have grown and finishing times have decreased. In 2007, more than 100,000 people participated and, with race organizers instituting an “equalizer” starting the elite women athletes ahead of the men, Edna Kiplagat became the first female elite runner in Breakers history to cross the finish line ahead of the men with a time of 38’55”!

The distance from the start to the finish is 12 kilometers or, just over 7 miles. If you start training now, even if you’ve never gone that distance before, YOU CAN DO IT!! I will continue to give you training suggestions and encouragement. A 16 week beginner training schedule will be coming out on January 28. A total novice can do this! GO FOR IT! wherever you are in your level of training. It’s one of the events of the year!

http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/race_information/generalinformation.html


JOIN ME IN HONOLULU IN DECEMBER!
Another “not to be missed” event is the Honolulu Marathon and 10K fun run on December 14, 2008. I am organizing a tour to Hawaii that will include running the marathon or the 10K (6 mile) fun run with some other sightseeing and fun in the sun in Hawaii. Race sign-ups start in April so, start planning now! This is going to be a lot of fun for everyone who participates.

THE BOSTON MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDUELE IS POSTED
For those of you who qualified to run the Boston Marathon this year, CONGRATULATIONS!! I finished the training schedule and will attach it to this newsletter. I will also post it on the group site at AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com. Look for it under files. Your 16 week training begins tomorrow…



UPCOMING RACES
The Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon & 5K February 3, 2008
xnet.kp.org/sanfrancisco/index.html
The London Marathon April 13, 2008
www.london-marathon.co.uk
16 week training begins December 24
The Boston Marathon April 21, 2008 http://www.bostonmarathon.org
16 week training begins December 31
The Bay to Breakers/San Francisco May 18, 2008
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main.html
See Jane Run Women’s Half Marathon & 5K May 31, 2008
http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx
The San Francisco Half & Full Marathon & 5K August 3, 2008 http://www.runsfm.com/home.html
The Disneyland Half Marathon and 5K August 30/31, 2008 www.disneylandhalfmarathon.com
The Chicago Marathon October 12, 2008 http://www.chicagomarathon.com
The Nike Women’s Half and Full Marathon October? (couldn’t find)
www.nike.com
The New York City Marathon November 2008?
www.ingnycmarathon.org
The Honolulu Marathon December 14, 2008
www.honolulumarathon.org


Send me your stories, comments, and questions about life and running. My E-mail is Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com.

If you haven’t already joined the group website, please go to AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com and join! I would love to have you as a part of this group of active, interesting women, who live a life style that includes giving themselves time for activity. The site offers articles, tools, and encouragement to keep up the good work!

The Sunday walking/running program will launch on January 6, 2008 in the East Bay and San Francisco. Meeting sites for this week are:
9:00 at the Sea Breeze Market, University and Frontage Road, Berkeley
1:00 at the East Beach Parking Area, Presidio, San Francisco, off Marina at Mason, Crissy Field

Happy New Year! I hope I see you next Sunday!
Stephanie Atwood

If you wish to be removed please E-mail Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com and you will be promptly taken off the mailing list. Thank you!

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