This morning we had 7 miles on tap for the running group, 6 miles for the walkers. I really hate that we have the walkers doing fewer miles than the runners as the distance increases. Ultimately they will be covering the same distance, so it just seems odd to me. But when there is an entire group and they’re trying to encourage group interaction plus wrapping up training at a decent time, I guess this is the only solution that everyone can agree upon. I’m curious how other Teams around the country handle these types of things.
There were both positive and negative things about our training location for this distance. We trained at the soccer park where I normally run with the Fleet Feet group on Tuesday nights.
The positives:
– The course is enclosed and off the streets
– We could set-up water at one spot and it was easily accessible to the group
– Plenty of bathrooms around the loop for pit stops as needed
– Water fountains around the path.
The negatives:
– In order to cover 7 miles, the group had to do 4 laps around the loop.
– The Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman was sponsoring some 1.5 mile walk at the same place, so we had to compete for space against that crowd. That crowd consisted of fairly slow walkers with dogs and strollers, it was a mess!
It was about 67 degrees when we started and it was 70 when we finished (according to my car thermometer). I was surprised it wasn’t hotter than that because it felt pretty warm. It wasn’t too bad, but I think the fact that the sun was out and there was no breeze just made it feel a little warmer than it might have been. But I actually enjoyed it, it was a beautiful morning.
After the run, a lot of the group headed down the road to Bagel Cafe for breakfast and to work on recommitment papers. We should have a fairly good sized group recommit. We need at least 24 to recommit in order for both coaches to be able to go to Napa for the race. Monday is the final day to submit the papers, so we’ll see after that!
We’re moving into a step back week now, good chance to let the Team rest up a little. Weekday mileage is slightly reduced and our weekend long run is only 5 miles next Saturday. But we’ll also have a lunchtime BBQ on Saturday too as a celebration for all those who have recommitted.
I am coaching a group of runners for the organization Team Challenge. They are fundraising for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America while training to run the Napa to Sonoma half marathon in July.
Jill Will Run 
If I lived in Vegas, I would TOTALLY be on your team! My bro has Crohns, and it’s such a terrible disease, so CCFA is important to me and my family. THere’s a western PA Team Challenge, but I don’t think they do anything….
I would love to have you on the Team! But honestly, I’m so inspired by the people on my team because they’re so dedicated to the cause. It’s great.
God that sucks about the charity walk (not that they had one, but that it took place at the same time as your team run.) That happened to me when I did my 20 miler a few years ago around the Charles River. Trying to get around walkers who were not payinG attention and walking, oh, I don’t know, maybe 10 deep, was ANNOYING.
So, where did you decide to go for the anniversary? I was going to tell you to go to Playa Del Carmen and that area, but now it’s too close, sorry!
I hope you get enough recommits that you can both go to the race!
Okay, the pathetic thing is that we’re now probably not going anywhere for the anniversary. I’ve got stuff to deal with at work and we’re too indecisive. I swear my husband’s job has sucked his soul away so he finds it very difficult to want to go anywhere. 😦
It sounds like you had a challenge with the walk, but I am sure everyone had a nice run. I hope that you get a good sized group to recommit!
We got exactly 24 recommits… a pretty good-sized group and enough for both Jimmy and me to go to Napa!