Friday, December 28, 2012

Road Racing for the beginning of 2013

For those of you looking for some extra running motivation and competition over the winter months, here are some of the local races available to get out and test your legs before the track season starts:

Commitment Day 5k - Metrodome in Minneapolis at 10:00am - Tuesday, January 1st:
http://www.commitmentday.com/content/minneapolis

Polar Dash 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon at Shriners Hospital along the Mississippi River in St. Paul at 9:00am - Tuesday, January 1st:
http://www.polardash.org

Resolution Solution 5k - White Bear Lake at 9:00am - Tuesday, January 1st:
http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/resolution-solution-5k-run-and-walk

Charities Challenge Series Resoultion Challenge Indoor Track Races - Bethel University in Arden Hills at 11:00am - Tuesday, January 1st:
http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_year_resolutions_challenge.html

Kick Your Resolution 5k - St. Louis Park at 5:00pm (with bonfire to follow) - Saturday, January 12th:
http://www/finalstretch.com/running-events/kick-your-resolution/info

Meet of Miles - University of Minnesota Fieldhouse Indoor Track at 6:00pm - Monday, January 14th:
no information online...$5 to run, arrive early to get into the proper heat for your 1-mile race

Securian Winter Run 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon - downtown St. Paul at 9:00am - Saturday, January 26th:
http://www.andersonraces.com/events/events-detail.php?intResourceID=30

Freeze Your Buns Run 5k - Hamel Community Center at 9:45am - Saturday, February 2nd:
http://www.hamellions.org/04_run.html

Charities Challenge Valentines Run 5k - Como Lake in St. Paul at 9:00am - Saturday, February 9th:
http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/valentines_5k.html

Sweetheart Runs 5k, 10k, and 10-mile - Mahtomedi at St. Andrews Church at 9:00am - Saturday, February 9th:
http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/sweetheart-runs-5k-10k-10-mile-and-kids-run

Charities Challenge Series Challenge Hearts Indoor Track Races - Bethel University in Arden Hills at 9:00am - Sunday, February 17th:
http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_hearts.html

White Bear Winter Frolic 5k - White Bear Lake Marina at 9:00am - Saturday, March 2nd:
http://www.frontrunnerusa.com/event/white-bear-winter-frolic-5k

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Road Racing for the end of 2012

For those of you still looking to run and race yet through Thanksgiving and Christmas, here are some good upcoming options. The Reindeer Run is fun one to compare to the Monster Dash with costumes and a crazy setting.

Fun Races for the Holidays-

Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k - Thursday, November 22nd
Target Center - Downtown Minneapolis
http://www.turkeyday-5k.com/page/show/370479-minneapolis
Thousands of runners...run with the crowd

Reindeer Run 5k - Saturday, December 1st
Lake Harriet - Minneapolis, MN
http://www.reindeerrun.com
Lots of Christmas-related costumes...a fun event

Challenge Series races at Como Lake-

GivingThanks 5k - Thursday, November 22nd
Como Lake - St. Paul, MN
http://charitieschallenge.org/html/thanksgiving_day_5k.html

Joyful 5k - December 25th
Como Lake - St. Paul, MN
http://charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

Indoor Track Races-

Challenge Track Races
Bethel University - 5k, 1500m, 800, and more...
Sunday, December 2nd
http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_depression.html
Sunday, December 16th
http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_courage.html

MDRA Race Schedule-
http://www.raceberryjam.com/mdraschedule.php

Nike Heartland Regional Results

Teneo XC Club Runners did a great job of running in the cold and wind on Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The effort was outstanding and it was fun to see such a large group of Teneo runners participating in the event.

Nike Heartland Regional 2012 race results:
http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?event_id=300&do=news&news_id=62268

Girls Open Race - Teneo XC Club Results:
23:27.18 - Katie Michalak (7:20, 7:45, 7:34, :48) - 126th place
24:02.07 - Ahna Neil (7:23, 8:02, 7:47, :50) - 138th place
24:04.65 - Claire Mealey (7:20, 8:04, 7:50, :50) - 139th place
24:15.69 - Madeleine Brylski (7:34, 8:07, 7:44, :50) - 148th place
24:33.07 - Bizzy Stephenson (7:39, 8:09, 7:54, :51) - 159th place
25:05.54 - Marcella Brylski (7:35, 8:14, 8:23, :53) - 173rd place
(217 total girls open race runners)

Boys Open Green Race - Teneo XC Club Results:
18:16.64 - Joe Berchem (5:38, 5:53, 6:06, :39) - 59th place
18:37.61 - Henry Croll (5:51, 6:08, 5:59, :39) - 87th place
19:11.23 - John Michael Berns (5:56, 6:19, 6:16, :40) - 122nd place
19:13.97 - Henry Leighton (6:03, 6:20, 6:10, :40) - 125th place
19:32.24 - Henry Brink (6:05, 6:20, 6:26, :41) - 135th place
19:38.27 - Ryan Schumacher (6:04, 6:25, 6:28, :41) - 144th place
21:12.69 - Josiah Sommer (6:35, 7:02, 6:51, :44) - 207th place
21:18.39 - Tyler Husaby (6:35, 7:01, 6:58, :44) - 210th place
21:44.93 - Thomas Wilkin (6:35, 7:12, 7:12, :45) - 215th place
27:15.50 - Cameron Huntington (8:02, 9:23, 8:54, :56) - 236th place
(237 total boys open green race runners)

Girls Championship Race - Teneo XC Club Results:
19:44.80 - Theresa Mueller (6:20, 6:30, 6:13, :41) - 72nd place
19:46.21 - Lucy Leighton (6:18, 6:32, 6:15, :41)- 76th place
20:24.75 - Mary Ennis (6:19, 6:42, 6:41, :42) - 130th place
20:39.11 - Lotus Schifsky (6:25, 6:44, 6:47, :43) - 150th place
20:43.76 - Becca Wilkin (6:31, 6:46, 6:43, :43) - 155th place
20:44.28 - Grace Ennis (6:32, 6:49, 6:40, :43) - 157th place
23:00.26 - Maria Stephenson (7:03, 7:43, 7:27, :47) - 239th place
(260 total girls championship race runners)

The girls looked really comfortable at the 5k distance. Take a look at how they stacked up against the other top competition in the Heartland Region.

Nike Heartland Regional Girls Race Team Results:
– listed is points, place, school, state, division, and their finish at either State or Sections:
122 - 1 – Wayzata XC (Wayzata) – Minnesota, Class AA – 1st
206 - 2 – Eagan (Eagan) – Minnesota, Class AA – 2nd
217 - 3 – Ultimate Warriors (Dowling Catholic) – Iowa, Class 4A – 5th
227 - 4 – Hartland CC (Arrowhead) – Wisconsin, Division 1 – 1st
235 - 5 – Neenah XC Club (Neenah) – Wisconsin, Division 1 – 2nd
243 – 6 – East Ridge XC Club (East Ridge) – Minnesota, Class AA – 5th
250 – 7 – DemonXC (Bismarck) – North Dakota, Class A – 1st
254 – 8 – Linn-Mar RC (Linn-Mar) – Iowa, Class 4A – 2nd
269 – 9 – PVGXC (Pleasant Valley) – Iowa, Class 4A – 1st
279 – 10 – Run Club (Eden Prairie) – Minnesota, Class AA – 3rd in Section 6AA
321 – 11 – Hopkins (Hopkins) – Minnesota, Class AA – 4th in Section 6AA
324 – 12 – Edina XC Club (Edina) – Minnesota, Class AA – 3rd
330 – 13 – 7AA Rockstars (Forest Lake) – Minnesota, Class AA – 4th
345 – 14 – Southside Runners (Lakeville South) – Minnesota, Class AA – 6th
379 – 15 – Storm XC Club (Chanhassen) – Minnesota, Class AA – 9th
389 – 16 – Blue Streaks (St. Thomas Aquinas) – Kansas, Class 5A – 1st
394 – 17 – Johnston Dragoons XC Club (Johnston) – Iowa, Class 4A – 3rd
415 – 18 – Rapid City Distance Project (Rapid City) – South Dakota, Class AA – 3rd
432 – 19 – Teneo XC Club (Trinity) – Minnesota – Class A – 3rd in Section 4A
476 – 20 – Monticello XC Club (Monticello) – Minnesota – Class AA – 3rd in Section 8AA
479 – 21 – Alexandria CC Club (Alexandria) – Minneota – Class AA – 4th in Section 8AA
488 – 22 – Willmar Winged Foot RC (Willmar) – Minnesota – Class AA – 10th
508 – 23 – Arden Hills CC Club (Mounds View) – Minnesota – Class AA – 14th
521 – 24 – Forty Thirty-One (Olathe East) – Kansas, Class 6A – 1st
535 – 25 – Valkyrie RC (Shawnee Mission West) – Kansas, Class 6A – 3rd
757 – 26 – Sartell XC (Sartell) – Minnesota, Class AA – 6th in Section 8AA
760 – 27 – Missouri Valley XC (Gayville-Volin) – South Dakota, Class B – 2nd
791 – 28 – Laughing Waters (Minnehaha Academy) – Minnesota, Class A – 3rd
825 – 29 – Ankeny Road Runners (Ankeny) – Iowa, Class 4A – 15th

Parents and runners seemed to agree that it was a worthwhile trip with some great team building and a fun course and race site.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Nike Heartland Regional Meet - Practice and Information

Dear Parents and Athletes,

This is a letter to let you know the details of the Nike Regional.

Total cost of trip will be $60.00 including food, gas and housing and registration. $30.00 for non-runners (no registration fee). Uniforms tops will be available for purchase for around $26.00, but no one needs to buy theirs if they do not want to.

Packing List:

Uniform bottoms will be black shorts and black tights for all. Please provide your own. They do not have to be identical. You may wear white under long sleeve under the uniform top. Please pack your high visibility t-shirt as well. Pack a swim suit if you like. One set of nice clothes for church. Spikes, socks, underwear, toothbrush and other toiletries. The sweats your wear to the meet you could wear home. I do not know that we will have the opportunity to shower following the meet. Bring clothing to stay warm and you may want a blanket and pillow for the van ride, we will be tightly packed in.

As we have so many travelers, please bring the minimum clothing in a duffel bag. No suitcases please.

I would like to collect the $60.00 Next week at practices. Make the check out to Kimberly Kelly-Sommer You make put Nike Regional in the memo line. I will cash the checks and distribute the gas money to the drivers. I have already charged the entry on my credit card.

I will hold each athletes Sunday dinner money until Sunday and hand it out before we eat on the way home. This way no one spends their eating money on t-shirts.

T-shirts from the Nike race will be available for $15.00

Other gear will also be available if kids want to bring their own spending money.

First we will depart from the Leightons house on Saturday morning at 9am sharp. Please be there by 8:45 to load. It will take us about 4 hours 20 minutes to travel to Sioux Falls SD.

We will stay at the Residence Inn in Sioux Falls near the Empire Mall and the Yankton Trails course.

Residence Inn Sioux Falls

4509 W. Empire Place · Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57106 USA

Tentative Room Arrangements:

1. Lucy, Lotus, Grace, Katie M., Gracie C. 5

2. Theresa, Mary, Maria, Claire, 4

3. Ahna, Bizzy, Marcella, Madeleine, Becca 5

4. Kim, Sally, Doris, James Henry 4

5. Thomas, Cam, Josiah, Minhyuk, Henry Brink 5

6. Joe, Tyler, Ryan, Henry L, John Michael, Henry C. 6

7. Tom L., Tim W ,Kurt N. 3

Tentative Van Assignments:

Van1 - Sally Ennis, Doris Schifsky, Theresa Mueller, Lucy Leighton, Mary Ennis, Becca Wilkin, Lotus Schifsky (7)

Van 2 - Kim Kelly-Sommer, Josiah Sommer, Minhyuk Park, James Sommer, Katie Michalak, Grace Ennis, Gracie Carlson (7)

Van 3 - Tim Wilkin, Thomas Wilkin, Henry Brink, Cam Huntington (4)

Van 4 - Kurt Neil, Ahna Neil, Bizzy Stephenson, Marcella Brylski, Madeleine Brylski, Maria Stephenson, Claire Mealey (7)

Van 5 - Tom Leighton, Henry Leighton, Joe Berchem, Tyler Husaby, Ryan Schumacher,

Henry Croll, John Michael Berns(7)

I would like to outline the expectations for the Nike Regional.

1. If you signed up you will come to the 4 practices scheduled the week before the meet. We will meet at the Leightons 249 Crestway Lane, West St. Paul MN. Practice will be from 3:30-5:00 at the latest. We will leave school by 3:15 and will need a parent or two to help shuttle kids to the Leightons. Please let me know if you could help. Pick up should be promptly at 5 please. We will depart from here on Saturday and pick up here as well on Sunday when we return.

My cell is 651.587.1636 you can text this number as well. Just make sure to ID yourself in the text.

2. Coaches will assign van assignments and rooms.

3. No boys in girls rooms, no girls in boys room. This is a hard rule and violation would mean you do not run. There will be plenty of common space for you to hang out in together.

4. No leaving your room or the hotel after curfew. Again violating this rule would result in you not running.

5. Do not leave the hotel grounds with out permission. Again penalty would be not to be able to run.

6. Always travel in pairs.

7 Wear your shoes.

8 Wear clothes to cover up when going to and from the pool.

9. TV is off at 10 pm, and make sure you are watching appropriate tv programing, if you are watching it.

10. Represent your group in a way that we can all be proud of so that we will do this again. I know this sounds preachy, but if all parents talk to their kids about what a privilege this is I am sure all will be fine.

Trip Details:

I would prefer that athletes pack a bag lunch to eat on the road.It will take 4 hours and 20 min. We will stop for a bathroom if necessary, but this will help to keep everyone's cost down.

We will go directly to the course so kids should dress in sweats and tennis shoes. We plan to arrive around 1:30pm. We will be at the course for around 2-2 1/2 hours. We will then go to the hotel and kids can shower and dress for church. We will have cooking facilities at the hotel and will have pasta, salad and Doris Schifsky may make some Chinese food as well. This too will help us to keep cost down. I know we have 3 gluten free athletes and we will have a gluten free pasta available as well.

We are looking into finding a 5 or 6pm Mass for our Catholic runners and a protestant church service for our non Catholic runners. We will then return to the hotel and have a meal together. The kids will then have some free time to swim or just relax at the hotel.

Athletes will return to their rooms by 9pm with lights out at 10pm.

Sunday Agenda:

We will get up at 7:30 am to eat breakfast. from 7:30-8:15

Check out of hotel. 8:45

Arrive at race site at 9 am

Our first Race is

Girls Open Green: 10:00am (Claire Mealey, Ahna Neil, Bizzy Stephenson, Madeleine Brylski, Marcella Brylski, Katie Michalak)

Boys Open Green: 11:30am (all boys)
Girls Championship Race: 1:15pm (Lucy Leighton, Maria Stephenson, Lotus Schifsky, Theresa Mueller, Mary Ennis, Becca Wilkin, Grace Ennis)

Eat lunch/dinner: 2:30-3:30 or 4pm in Sioux Falls following the race.

Leave Sioux Falls by 4 pm arrive back in the cities by 8pm-9pm at the Leightons. We will have cell phones in the vans so kids can call parents when we are about 45 minutes from the Leightons.

Sorry for the length of the email but there was a great deal to cover. If you have any questions please call or email me.

Thanks!