so it's a little chilly...

"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right."
-Henry Ford 

It was freezing this morning and our group was bigger than ever :) We even had three teenagers join us - in the cold - in the early morning. The sky couldn't have been much bluer. We were also honored to get to run with Prince Whatley and Ken Harkless - both amazing coaches and incredible people.

It's cold from here on out and our long runs are getting longer - and our friendships stronger - and we CAN do this. Today was our first 7 miles, more than halfway to our half marathon distance. Today I ran with Deneen (sp?) and her two wonderful daughters and they ran 7 miles for the first time ever - I hope they are still smiling because I am!

Remember to dress in layers - stay away from cotton. Get gloves. Get a hat. Get moving. You'll warm up :)

Next weekend there are two options: One is the Jingle Bell 5k for Arthritis, Saturday at Underwook Park. Two is a 7-miler beginning at Children's Hospital, heading up to Vulcan and back down into downtown. For the Children's Hospital run we'll need to stick together, we do some off road sneaking around. There are some great hills and a fantastic view of the city to be had.

To see the route check out http://runkeeper.com/user/samaru/route/211778 - we'll add two miles on once we are back downtown.

You guys are amazing! We missed you Felicia!
PEACE - Hilary

Our almost 10k Saturday

Hey runners!
we ran 6 miles, collected 7 cans of food, and were 10 in number. Not bad:) It was perfect running weather and we were blessed to have Charles McCalley, the founder of Sole Saints, join our group.

So we ran an almost 10k without thinking too much about it. That's pretty impressive. You probably didn't run into (no pun intended) too many other people this weekend who could say the same thing.

It's going to get colder, a lot colder, before we line up for Mercedes. We're going to have to help each other stay motivated to roll out of our cozy beds on freezing Saturday mornings. But it's worth it. Not just for the tech shirt and the medal. Not just to cross the finish line standing up. Not just for the crazy conversations that help us keep our feet moving but for something more personal. A sense of "I can do this" - I can get up. I can run 11 miles. I can run a half marathon. 

Here's a thought from the great runner Pre who overcame many obstacles to prove a lot of people wrong about what he could and couldn't do:

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
- Steve Prefontaine

I'm really blessed to get to run with you guys. Looking forward to our first 7-miler this Saturday. We'll meet at good old Brownell and run to Greensprings and back on the Greenway. Please remember to bring a can for our food drive and something to drink... in case I forget.


peace be with you my friends -
Hilary

New Faces

With a cool start and a warm finish it was a great morning with plenty of sunshine.  We had 4 new faces today - Jim, Ted, Cherry and Alexa.  Thanks to each of you for coming out and being a part of the solefullness! The funny thing is not a one of us remembered to bring a canned good.  Maybe we can bring 2 next week, if we remember ;-). 

This morning in our prayer I meant to say a special prayer for Hilary.  She is running her second marathon tomorrow.  She is such a inspiration to me, and I feel her energy just being around her.  So may she have a healthy, happy, and most importantly fun race tomorrow.  Knowing Hilary she will probably bounce her way through it!

So till we run again.
Peace,
Felicia

Together, we CAN do anything!

So Sole Saints, fellow runner, Jack Alvey, mentioned that the AllSaints food drive goes to the Firehouse Shelter this month. I vote we add our cans to the mix. 

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner

There are no standards and no possible victories except the joy you are living while dancing your run....you are not running for some future reward-the real reward is now!

Fred Rohe, author of The Zen of Running

The great Geb, Haile Gebrselassie, surprised everyone when he announced at the New York City marathon this past weekend that he was retiring from running. I watched the videos of his press conference, I heard the dead silence as it sunk in to the press around him - that was his last race and he stopped at mile 16 due to a knee injury.

Listening to him talk, trying to explain, he said a couple of times, "I don't want to complain anymore." To me, it sounded like running had lost its joy for him. I love my runs, they still bring me great joy. Some of the joy comes from watching the sun rise, running in the quiet of the early morning, crossing the finish line standing up - but most of my joy comes from the people I run with.

I hope more of our Sole Saints come out and join us. There is no pace we set and no one we leave behind. It's just us finding a little joy in the cold, early morning.

peace be with you -
Hilary

BRRRRRRRRRRRR

So it was Beautiful, Brusque, Bright and a little Below zero when the Sole Saints hit the road this morning. Thank goodness for warm hats, gloves and good friends to keep us cozy and smiling. Next weekend our fearless solesista, Felicia, will be heading up our first 6-miler. Right now it's scheduled from AllSaints but she may change it up so be sure to check back for location info. I'll be in Pensacola for the weekend but I will be running - no polar bear swims for me :)

I've got us scheduled for an 8k on November 20th but I'm thinking about changing it to a regular group fun, whoops, I mean, run. Save us a few sheckles in this season of holidays. Please holler loudly if you are opposed to changing the November 20th run to our second 6-miler.

Sometime in early December there will be an everyones-invited group run along the Mercedes route. As soon as I know an official date I'll get it on our calendar.

Here's to open minds, full hearts, strong bodies and fellowship -
peace,
Hilary