MARATHON SEASON IS STARTING SOON!

Now is the time to start considering your next marathon for this spring.

Yes, already.

Your resolutions are behind you and now we need act on them. Whether it is to complete your first marathon or your twentieth or you're looking at improving your time this spring you have more choices than ever for runs.

The races to keep in mind:

• Get Into Gear in April - getingear10k.com. This annual spring tradition is now offering a half-marathon option. The inaugural half-marathon is on 25 April 2009.
• Fargo's popular marathon (www.fargomarathon.com) is on 9 May 2009 in North Dakota. This early spring marathon is relatively new, but popular for Twin City runners.
• The new Minneapolis Marathon by Team Ortho is right in our backyard. Limited to 1500 participants so you need to register soon. Check it out at teamortho.us/minneapolis_marathon.
• Also new this season is the Stillwater Marathon (stillwatermarathon.com) on the 24th of May will challenge participants with a hilly course in the quaint town of Stillwater.
• Right over the border is the new Eau Claire, Wisconsin Marathon on 3rd May 2009. It is also promised to be a good course with varied terrain and good support - eauclairemarathon.com.
• On 20th June, the tradition continues with Grandma's Marathon in Duluth. Registration is open so don't miss signing up for this popular Minnesota tradition.
• The Green Bay Marathon is becoming extremely popular for the Highland group promising a good course and typically great weather. Who can resist a brat and beer in Lambeau Field as a finish? Check it out at www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com.

Also, don't forget to start considering your fall marathons. Many of the popular runs open early in the year and fill quickly, for example:

• Chicago, the fast marathon sponsored by Bank of America, is opening on 1 February. Don't miss the opportunity to participate in one of the world's largest marathons. A good qualifier from many Highland runners.
• The New York City lotto will be open in mid-February. If you want to try out your chances at the Big Apple race, don't forget to visit their website and register.

Training will be starting early February and will accommodate many of the different races. 

Keep checking back for more information on costs and times for training. 

Jeff

WINTER 'OFF SEASON' WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Life Time Fitness All Club Group Runs
2009 Winter Season

WHO: All Are Welcome!!

HOW TO GET THERE: Directions to the locale are listed at the bottom of the posting.

WHAT: "All Club Group Runs" are designed to bring our Minnesota Teams together, our nearly 20 groups in the metro area, for a larger group run. Throughout the winter, these runs carry us through a time that for many of us, is known as the "off season" and allows us to keep our "base in place" as we culminate to the Spring Long Distance Training and Marathon Class Kick-offs.

WHERE: All runs meet at, and begin from, The Lake Calhoun Executive Center, which is located "kitty-corner" from the Calhoun Beach Club and across from the Caribou Coffee shop. It is the 4-story business building with the big parking lot and a "sail boat" figure on the roof:-)

WHEN:
January 3, 2009
Lake Calhoun Executive Center--All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements & Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Eagan and Team Roseville
Breakfast to follow at Calhoun Grill (a toast to 2008 by Coach Paulette from Lakeville)

Be on the lookout for Team Boston Training Class-- they'll be coming toward us from SLP circling Isles and Calhoun clock-wise....Give them some Hi-5 as our paths cross.

January 10, 2009
This is the weekend of the Run Club Winter Retreat at Rainbow Resort in Detroit Lakes
All Runners are encouraged to register for and attend the retreat. Contact Coach Amy Xu for more details: xu.amy@dorsey.com
For those remaining in town, there is the option of the regular All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements and then: Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Highland and Team Coon Rapids
Breakfast to follow at Calhoun Grill

January 17, 2009
Lake Calhoun Executive Center--All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements and then: Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Coon Rapids and Team Lakeville
Breakfast to follow at Calhoun Grill

January 24, 2009
No All Club Group Run Today

All Clubs are supporting and promoting the Securian Frozen 5K and Half Marathon
This event is part of the Winter Carnival Festival

January 31, 2009
Lake Calhoun Executive Center--All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements and then: Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Bloomington and Team St. Louis Park
Breakfast to follow at the Calhoun Grill

February 7, 2009
Lake Calhoun Executive Center--All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements and then: Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Moore Lake and Team Chanhassen
Breakfast to follow at Calhoun Grill

February 14, 2009
No All Club Group RunToday
Join us instead over at Lake Harriet at 10:00am
All Club are promoting the Marathon Sports Valentine's Day 5K

February 21, 2009
Lake Calhoun Executive Center--All Club Group Run

7:45 AM Gather in the parking lot for Meet-n-Greet
8:00 AM Announcements and then: Team Run Begins

Host Coaches: Team Woodbury and Team Savage
Breakfast to follow at Calhoun Grill

February 28, 2009
Back to individual clubs- No All Club Group Run Today
Tentative "Start Date" of Spring Long Distance Training & Marathon Class


Directions to Lake Calhoun Executive Center:

From Downtown Minneapolis: Follow Hennepin Avenue (south) to Uptown. Take a right just past the YWCA (one-way street - name???) it is the cross street just one block before Lake Street. Follow this to Lake Calhoun - it blends in with Lake Street. Lake Calhoun will be on your left. Go past the Calhoun Beach Club (straight through Dean Parkway) to the next stop light. Turn Left into the Calhoun Executive Center parking lot. We meet by the office building on the lake side.
From East: Follow I-94 towards the Lowry Tunnel - take the Hennepin Avenue (south) exit and go towards Uptown. Take a right just past the YWCA (one-way street - name???) it is the cross street just one block before Lake Street. Follow this to Lake Calhoun - it blends in with Lake Street. Lake Calhoun will be on your left. Go past the Calhoun Beach Club (straight through Dean Parkway) to the next stop light. Turn Left into the Calhoun Executive Center parking lot. We meet by the office building on the lake side.

From South: Take Hwy 100 (North) past 62 Crosstown to Excelsior Blvd - turn Right and follow to Calhoun Executive Center - turn Right into the parking lot at the light right by the Caribou Coffee. We meet by the office building on the lake side.

From North: Take Hwy 100 (South) past I-394 to Excelsior Blvd - turn Right and follow to Calhoun Executive Center - turn Right into the parking lot at the light right by the Caribou Coffee. We meet by the office building on the lake side.