1st Annual Speedsters Beef & Bowl is a Success!

“Had a blast...Loved Denise's game 2 change ups, even though my left arm is sore today!!!”  -Allyson

“We ate hot balls, smashed the walls and took a few falls.” –Dr. Mike

 "A great and fun time minus the silly bowl...." -Kevin

"I was just happy there were no hill repeats." -Steve

"It was fun to get together to a sport other than running."-Anthony

Blindfolded Bowling...

I have to admit that I stole the Beef & Bowl idea from Matt Hastings. Last summer, him and his lovely wife Lori (our Track Meet MC) invited Allyson and I to a Beef & Bowl to raise money for their daughters cheerleading squad.  That seemed like such a success that I thought we could give it a try to help raise money for our club.  The bowling alley (Pike Lanes) is a great little place!  Rachel and her family were very nice to us and easy going.  We had a great turnout of Speedsters, their families, and friends.  Our always pleasant Activities Director incorporated some silliness when she put together “Silly Bowling” for game number 2.  Each lane had a grab bag filled with wacky ways to bowl, each bowler got a chance to pick from the bags and follow the directions.  Some of the funnier ones were dance and bowl, bowl with your other hand, and blindfolded bowling which I thought was great until someone who was blindfolded completely missed their lane and almost put their bowling ball through a wall.  The food was delicious and I’m not saying that only because Allyson was the one who made the food, but because it was good stuff!  Allyson made Buffalo Balls: Turkey meatballs made with blue cheese and a spicy kick.  BBQ Pulled Pork: Mouthwatering pulled pork bathed in Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce.  Texas Caviar: A succulent, colorful, homemade salsa.  Denise added these awesome chocolate dipped Strawberries.  The Cohen’s brought some tasty donuts too.  As far as I could tell everyone that came out last night had a very enjoyable time, even those that didn’t bowl.  It was great to see everyone not sweating and panting for a change, instead everyone wore Kool-Aid smiles and laughed contagiously.  I can only see this event growing larger as our club continues to build.  I hope if you joined us last night you join us again at next years Beef & Bowl and if you didn’t make it out I hope you’re able to clear your schedule when it comes around again. 

We were able to raise $462!  Thanks to:

Allyson Thompson

Chris Thompson

Andrea Rinedollar

Glenn Cohen

Barb Cohen

Denise Coll

Jill Manley & Tom

Shannon Manley

Bill Manley

Charlotte Buglio

Jim Larson

Sue Larson

Harris Brenner

Vee Fox

Kevin Delaney

Renee Harnisfenger

Rich Kanak

Maggie Kanak

Euihwa Lee

John O'Brien

Michelle O'Brien

Mary Kirsch

Marie

Anthony Accardo

Steve Cickay

Mallory Walker

Jess Majer

Dr. Mike

Dawn Brenner

  Jay Ricco

Jog & Hog Becomes Latest Addition to Running Resume

All Done!

I can remember times in my life where I have felt saddened or defeated just by life itself, most of us have been in the situation I’m depicting at one time or another.  We’re told that the way we handle those moments will shape our characters that we even learn from them, and we grow stronger once on the other side of whatever that obstacle is.  Well, we all know that, we’ve been there, done that.  What do we do in the middle of all that?  I know I have either gone for a long run to get away and clear my mind or I would engulf a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.  I love me some ice cream and running’s up there too…

So, when it was brought to my attention that a new race was coming to town, one that had you running and eating ice cream well, let’s say it didn’t take me long to signup especially when the event was taking place just a few miles from home.  I was extremely confident that I would do well at this event and I wasn’t wrong.  I have to say that I felt out of place at a race for the first time in my running career this morning.  No one was warming up, no stretching, no striders at the start, nothing seemed familiar to me.  I didn’t know what to do!  Did I stick to what I have always done? Should I do what I preach to other runners…or do I become a lemming and go with the crowd.  I decided to meet in the middle and do some shaking of the legs and some nonchalant stretching.  Allyson, Charlotte, and Denise were having fun with me, telling me I was lost, that I needed to lighten up and just make this a fun run.  Fun run?  I couldn’t wrap my head around that and when the “run” went off, so to did my internal race switch. 

I went out in a 5:42 first mile (this was not a fast course, gravel and loose rock).  I was leading the charge to the ice cream station.  It was roughly a mile and a half out and back course, but the turnaround was not like any I had ever experienced.  Before you turn back you had to eat a quart of vanilla bean ice cream!  As I mentioned earlier I have had my fair share of ice cream experience.  All those times enjoying Gibby’s Belly Buster’s was about to pay off.  When I came into the station I was handed a bottle of water, a spoon, and my ice cream.  I made the mistake of sitting down at first, but caught on fast that it would be faster to stand while I destroyed this ice cream.  I came into the station tied for first place, but quickly fell to fifth.  It took me 7 mins and 30 secs to finish the ice cream (not a single brain freeze).  I only stopped for a quick picture and out the station I went.  I was slower going back now barely holding on to a 6:25 pace, but I was able to catch three of my competitors to take an off the record 3^rd place over all (they don’t give out places or awards).  Allyson said the guy that came in first was there 3 minutes before me!  I heard a rumor from Bill Manley that the guy was an out of town guy who did these type of events often.  All in all not a bad attempt at competitive eating by me.  The race took me a total of 26 minutes to complete 18:33 of it was the run the rest was the ice cream eating. 

As for ice cream I could have eaten more and I have a carton of Turkey Hill Rocky Road in the freezer that just might get polished off tonight…

Pretzel Rod...

After all these years "Pretzel Rod" finally brought something to the table worth mentioning!  At last night's workout Rod waltzed up to the track with a box of Soft Pretzels for everyone, which would have been a nice gesture had it been the kind I like, but being it's Rod and he tends to come up short most times, I guess we can't be too tough on him, after all he meant well and many of you didn't hesitate to have one.  I guess I'm just a pretzel snob...Aside from Rod and his generous bribe, we had a big turnout last night!  It wasn't looking like that at first.  As some of us warmed up Paul said to me that it was a small turnout and I agreed, we both thought maybe everyone was on vacation, but you all started coming from every direction.  We ended up with 24 if you count Allyson who left after not feeling well.  It was like old times aside from Rod being nice, that was new. 

Running for pretzels:

Allyson, Tim, Jay, Paul, Eric, Rod (he had at least 8), Joe, Chris, Charlotte, John, Kevin, Jimbo, Brendan Johnson (Back from his Honeymoon!  Congratulations Again!), Rahim, Glenn, Matt (First Speed Workout of the season!), Pete (Thanks for pushing me.), Amy (breath easy), Anthony, Nick, Steve, Andrea, and Brian Gusz (First Speed workout!).

Nice job everyone!  Have a great weekend and I'll see some of you at the Beef & Bowl!

Speaking of Beef & Bowl...
Bowling starts sharply at 8PM and will end at 11PM!  We have room for 5 more bowlers, so if someone ask you what your doing tomorrow night ask them to join you.  Price is $25 most have paid, but there are a few that still need to pay.  Remember that it is BYOB and please come hungry Allyson is putting a lot of her free time tonight toward prepping for all the delicious food for all of us to devour.  There will be raffles tomorrow night as well: 50/50 a $1 a chance or $10 an arm length and a $5 raffle for a chance to win Phillies tickets, a pair of Flyers tickets for a future game next season, and a Sponsor envelope that is a combination of free stuff from our great sponsors and affiliates: Shanfeld Chiropractic, CP Sunoco, and Bill Manley.

Funny I would mention affiliates...
As many of you know I have a slight sponsorship with Brooks which started out as an athlete sponsorship, but now has become one because of Coaching all of you!  Well, one of the perks is I get a great discount for my own stuff, I am not allowed normally to expand it to anyone not even Allyson, but there will be a "Friends & Family Day" where I can order any Speedster Brooks Sneakers and clothing.  This is a great discount, but I have to order it for you and as one large order on July 22.  So, if there is anything on the Brooks site that you have been eying up let me know and I will tell you how much it will cost you.  I will only be order items for those that give me money, no IOU's (remember I am still a college student with two mortgages).

Till we run into each other again...

Lost Or Just Delaying The Inevitable

All was going as planned until for reasons unknown to even myself, I went off my original plan which took us off the beaten path literally.  Maybe I was prolonging running up and down my least favorite hill multiple times or maybe I planned the entire thing...Most likely the latter isn't entirely true.  I'm thinking the return of both Steve and Rod (who had a balloon attached to his buttocks, which was very creepy) on the same night threw me through such a loop that I ended up going the wrong way on the trails during what was suppose to be a one mile warm-up.  We ended up doing closer to a two mile warm-up, through sticker bushes, down steep rocky slopes, before making our way to the actual Covered Bridge.  During our little adventure I heard whispers of runners jumping ship, along with multiple references of doing other workouts instead of this one.  Being most of the negativity was coming from members of the "Orange" team I discounted them.  After we all gathered ourselves we did what we originally set out to do, Hill Repeats!  We did 4x600 (600) up the Covered Bridge Hill. 

Coming out tonight:

Allyson, Charlotte, Dawn, Rod (Happy Birthday!), Steve (Welcome Back!), Jimbo, Kevin, John, Eric, Glenn, Cory, and Brian Gusz (First Timer!  Welcome!).

Bowling Reminder:

It's not too late to sign up for the First Annual Speedster Beef & Bowling Bash.  BYOB! $25 per person and we're supplying all the food.  8PM-11PM.  Going to be a blast, so come on out!  Have your money in by Thursday.

Brooks Reminder:

For all you Brooks wearers, remember that if you ever buy from the BrooksRunning.com website go through the Ads or Brooks Icons on our Blog or Web site, if you do the Speedsters get a percentage of your total sales which is a great way to give back to the club.  Thanks to Jay and Cory (the only two members that I know that use this) we're very close to getting cut our first $100 Check that we sure could use right now, with the Track Meet coming up fast.

Thursday:

I will see all of you Thursday at Council Rock South for our daily Speed Workout!

Hot and Tired

The BLUE & ORANGE fun times have begun!  It didn’t take long for those participating in this event to get into their team colors and start some friendly trash talking.  This is an exciting time had by all and I am looking forward to all the festivities.  We will need plenty of volunteers to help the meet continue to be a success, so if you’re available on Saturday, August 25 from 7:30-1:30 and not already a participant please contact me.  Lunch will be supplied for all Volunteers! 

We will also be having an after party that will be hosted by the Speedsters the location has not been announced yet, but will be very soon.  The only difference to this year’s party is that we want it to follow the meet immediately (no break in between). 

Enough about Blue and Orange…

After a great turnout at the Rev Run Fourth of July Race and many award winners, several of you came out to continue working on your Speed on Thursday.  With dead legs and brutal heat the workout that was set was one that gave you the option to work it, but also gave you a decent break.  I saw a lot of walking and I tried not to say anything because of the heat, but I still don’t recommend it if you’re trying to get a proper workout in.  By walking you’re canceling out everything you just did.

Coming out:

Tim, Andrea, Paul, Glenn, Charlotte, Jay, Joe, Haydee, Kevin, Mary, Mike Gross (welcome back), Rahim, Dennis, Pete, Jimbo, Denise, and Rich

Thanks for coming out on tired legs in the heat!

Bowling:

Our Beef & Bowl Fundraiser will be taking place on Saturday, July 14^th from 8PM-11PM.  This event is a BYOB and the Speedsters will be supplying the food you just bring your favorite beverage.  All money raised will go towards the Track Meet.  We have roughly 20 people coming out to take part in this and even though I stated that the last day to sign up and have money is was this past Thursday, we have decided to extend it to Thursday 12^th so there is still time to join us.  We will also have a few raffles that night!

Enjoy your weekend and I will see all of you on Tuesday!

Tonights Recap

Tonight was as laid back as they come for a Speedster workout.  With the Revolutionary Run tomorrow, we didn't want to do anything too demanding and we didn't.  We did a 1 mile trail run warm-up where we ran in to trail running extraordinaire Euihwa, we followed the trail run up with roughly a 3 mile loop through Tyler nice and easy.  If your running tomorrow I will see you there, if your not enjoy your holiday!

Running tonight: 

Allyson, Tim, Glenn, Jimbo, Dan (welcome back!), Denise, Kevin, Haydee, John, Charlotte, and Rahim.

Bowling signup and payments have been extended until this Thursday.  So, if your not doing anything on Saturday, July 14th at 8PM please come out and join us for some good times bowling to raise money for the Track Meet. $25 per person BYOB we will be supplying the food.

Volunteers Needed:

We're in need of volunteers for the track meet on Saturday, August 25 8AM-1:00 PM.  If interested please contact me or one of the other officers.  Thank you!

Let The Games Begin

TEAM ORANGE

 -2011 Champions-

Allyson Thompson Captain

Pete Lederer Co-Captain

Rich Kanak Co-Captain

Anthony Accardo

Brendan Johnson

Brian Abrams

Charlotte Buglio

Cory Steiner

Greg Zesinger

Jim Larson

Maria Jimenez

Maggie Kanak

Nick Accardo

Reene Harnishfeger

Rod Messenger (Attendance Points Only)

Steve Iguchi

Tim Damiani

BLUE TEAM

 Chris Thompson Captain

Tom Beerbower Co-Captain

John O'Brien Co-Captain

Amy Accardo

Andrea Rinedollar

Bob Powell

Chris Evans

Dan Schaal

Denise Coll

Glenn Cohen

Harris Brenner

Haydee Lowry

Jackie Amato

Joe Haughey (Attendance Points Only)

Kevin Delaney

Luke Accardo

Matt Hastings

Paul Snyder

The 2nd Annual Blue & Orange Track & Field Day rosters are set so now the games may begin!  I would like to start this off by saying welcome back to those that participated last summer and welcome aboard to those that are new.  This competition is a friendly one that has been going on from the start of our very first workout back in April.  That's right!  Points are acquired during each workout (typically one point per workout).  The point of this is to give the most attendance active participants a chance to help their team to a handicap for the Track Meet.  This was in play along with the race series* last year.  The points will be added up and the team that has the most points (most active team) after the last workout before the meet receives a 10 point handicap.  That's all for now, more information will be sent out very soon.  Please be patient and work with your captains and co-captains it will make organizing each team a lot easier if you do.  Please have fun with this!