Chuckit e-News

Hey,

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to send out an update. You'll also notice that I'm doing it in a blog fashion. This will give me the ability to ramble easily and whenever I want as many things come through my brain that I want ramble about but when I get around to it I forget.

Many of you have run races (updated marathon and half times list)and a lot of hard work has been put in. We are now getting to the time when we will be getting as lot of new members in. As most of you know I also lead the Seattle Marathon training program which will begin officially next week. Although there are several people who have been running with us over the last few weeks, getting an early start. We will see a lot more before it's done I'm sure. Also something that does my heart good is the return of former members and I'm seeing a few of those coming back out to take on new challenges.

With this heavy influx of new people I've spoken to a few of you about taking on more of a role in the group leader department. What I would like to do it have the people who sign in members on Saturday morning also lead those groups especially those training for the Seattle Marathon. Since a lot of you have been with the group for awhile you would be very helpful in this since you know the ups and downs of the training and well as the many routes that we use and about many of the workouts that they will do over the summer and fall. Since you've been there done that I think the newer people would look to you for advice maybe even more than me as you have been in their shoes.

What I propose: We have 6 groups 8:00, 9:00, 10:00: 11:00, 12:00 (walk/run) and walk. There would be 1 group leader for each group. Group leaders would sign everyone in on Saturday mornings, be there by 7:20. If you can't make a Saturday find someone to cover for you or let me know so that I can find someone. I would want the leaders to lead the groups at the paces that they usually train at so that they get something out of it and are comfortable with the pace. As much as possible (train) follow along with the Seattle Marathon training program. (If you are training for another race we can work around that). I would also think it would helpful if you were to come on Tuesday nights and do the workouts in groups which I think would make things a little less crazy. So pretty simple you'll just train as usual but have a group that'll follow along. I would think that the first 2 months of leading the groups would be the hardest but after that I think everyone would have a pretty good idea of what's going on.

In return for this I will give each leader free 6-months membership. A pair of shoes and a vest or jacket and any other sweet things I can squeeze out of vendors as well as first choice for pacing Seafair and Seattle. Also if you want to run the Seattle Marathon or half I'll get you free entry. If you're interested please let me know ASAP as I would like to have this in place by next weekend’s run.

Seafair Pacing:

I will have a mechanism set up by Monday for those who are interested to submit their names and paces they want to lead. We'll do a selections from a hat next Saturday morning, that way everything is above board and who knows it might be kind of fun. Brooks Shoes and t-shirt will be the reward for your efforts.