Austin Duathletes to host blood drive

The Austin Duathletes are partnering with The Blood Center of Central Texas in the coming weeks to honor the Boston Marathon victims.  Please join us.

In honor of the victims and our friends and family who ran the Boston Marathon this past Monday, April 15th, 2013 on “Patriots Day,” we are asking for the Austin Community to donate  blood over the coming weeks to give back to those in  need.  You don’t have to be a runner to be a helper!

“We are all shocked at the idea of such a horrible deed on such a day that is meant to be a celebration of achieving a goal” We are calling out to all our fellow Austinites to donate blood.
“We are runners, spectators, and volunteers. Everyone in Austin was affected by the Boston marathon tragedy in one shape or form.  We may not be able to run to the aid of the victims in Boston, but we can donate our blood to people who need it.”   Alicia Hawley – VP of the Austin Duathletes

The Blood Center of Central Texas is establishing an account for donors to credit their blood donations toward the Boston Marathon tragedy. Any donor that visits one of our fixed sites or mobile drives over the coming weeks and wishes to credit their donation to victims of the Boston tragedy should mention the C225 Austin All In For Boston Blood Drive group code at the time of registration.

Join us:  Starting Saturday, April 20, 2013
Where: All Blood Center of Central Texas Fixed Site and Mobile Locations (See website www.inyourhands.org for locations/hours.)

We’d like to encourage you all to make your 
http://inyourhandsonline.org/donor/auth/signin
appointment online.

TEXAS STARS Support the blood drive too!
For making a blood donation over the next few weeks the Texas Stars would like to reward you with a complimentary ticket voucher that is good for two free tickets to any first round home game for the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs.   The playoffs will begin within the next few weeks.  Please check TexasStarsHockey.com for the playoff schedule when it is determined.  Playoff vouchers will be on a first come first serve basis.
Texas Stars vouchers will be given to donors April 20 through April 25 at the Blood Center Of Central Texas fixed site donor centers ONLY.  (Vouchers not available on mobile drives)

*While supplies last*

Video about the Blood and Tissue Center of Texas needing blood to help others:  

Related article ” Just Keep Running” that discusses how the runnners kept running to the Boston Area Hospitals to donate blood to the victims.

http://www.psmag.com/culture/just-keep-running-55353/

Rogue D’Vine: A Run For Wine Experience

by coach Bobby Garcia

The Rogue DVine Marathon/Half Marathon Program is the latest in a long line of running programs offered by Rogue Running.

My name is Bobby Garcia and I’m the coach of the Rogue Team SOLE SURVIVORS. In the 2012 I completed my 20th marathon and my 9th year as a marathon coach for Rogue Running.  Truly, I am a blessed man. I get to come to Rogue Running every week and spend time with some truly special, outstanding individuals who happen to love running. We in Austin are very fortunate that Rogue Running offers a multiplicity of running programs for our community, and all of the programs are led by some equally special, outstanding coaches who love to teach, share, and run. I am so fortunate to be a member of a coaching fraternity who has helped Rogue Running establish itself as THE BEST RUNNING ORGANIZATION IN AUSTIN, TEXAS!

Rogue is introducing a new program. It is the latest of many excellent programs offered for our athletes and is truly unique.  It represents the apex of two activities – running with your fellow Rogue Running friends and drinking wine. That’s right, the Rogue D’Vine Marathon/Half Marathon Program will involve running…lots of running, AND learning about and drinking wine. The Rogue D’Vine Marathon/Half Marathon SOLE SURVIVORS will meet on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings for the long run.  As we do with all Rogue Running programs, you will have miles to run other days of the week and will be held accountable whether your focus is the marathon, the half or “just training.” Athletes who have trained with Rogue will reconnect with familiar training lexicon like Marshes, fartleks, straights and curves, Ruth’s Ladder, easy runs, tempo runs, in/outs, The LAB, and the Run From Hell. In addition, we will have monthly wine related events and activities where we learn about the notes, tannins, and versatility of Malbec, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and other wines.

Each month we will have a wine related event – wine tastings, wine pairing, and working on a fun wine dinner party idea, and we will partner with two fine and distinguished gentlemen. One is good friend and Team Rogue super stud, Edward Morgan, who blistered the 2012 Berlin Marathon with a 2:56 marathon finish. The guy is FAST and the guy knows wine. Boy, does he know wine! The other is a good friend, brainy corporate lawyer-turned-corporate leadership consultant and wine enthusiast, Kevin Leahy.  Kevin is the husband of Rogue Team SOLE SURVIVOR, Cory Leahy. I will coordinate with these two fine gentlemen to plan and offer a fun, very nice event each month.  It will be a blast! I already know of 7-8 athletes who will be renting a house in Napa Valley after the San Francisco Marathon/Half Marathon for an entire week. You too can do the same.

The Rogue Team SOLE SURVIVORS PHOTO STORY from last year embodies the essence of Rogue Running and the training we will experience in this program. We trained over the summer. We trained hard. We pushed each other. We lifted each other up when we needed it the most. We had Boston Qualifiers. We became the best friends. Some found true love in the process. We strengthened our bond and left indelible marks in each others lives. Check it out here and see what you are about to be part of.

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Friends, let’s live. Let’s enjoy the present, drink some fine wines, and run a race together. Join the Rogue DVine Marathon/Half Marathon Program.

Coach Bobby Garcia will offer an info session on Sunday, February 24 at 3pm at Rogue Downtown. Wine will of course be served.

Just what is the SeaWheeze?

    When I walked into lululemon at the Domain one early November morning in 2011 to train for my first 5k, I had no idea I would be running my first half-marathon 10 months later in Canada. I’ve never been an athlete or runner, but with the help and support of my amazing coaches, Jennifer Howard Brown and Stephanie Woodruff, and my fellow Rogue Lemon running community (shout out to Kelly, Donna and Christine), I crushed goals I never imagined were even possible.

It was really fate that I happened to see an ad for the inaugural SeaWheeze weekend on the lululemon website and somehow convinced my sister and best friend to join me for the adventure. In true lulu fashion, the event planners thought of every little detail to make sure their li’l SeaWheezers had a fabulous weekend. A training plan equipped with running form videos and pre- and post-run yoga stretching? Check. A SeaWheeze iPhone app for training which then communicated event news the weekend of the race? Check. Care packages in your hotel room? Check.

We drove into Vancouver from Seattle two days before the race so that we could explore the city. This city has something for everyone with its art scene, pubs, shopping, beaches, and mountains. Vancouver is designed for pedestrians and bikers with large, bike lanes and, unlike in Texas, cars actually yield to pedestrians. We didn’t need to hail a cab once during our entire trip.

 

Pre-race Activities: Friday morning we headed out to pick up our race packets. Instead of bibs we received race bracelets with our names. At first I was a bit disappointed because I knew this meant there wouldn’t be any race photos. But, who wants to use safety pins and cover up your fabulous lulu gear anyway? We also received flip flops from a local store that were designed exclusively for the race. They were perfect for post-race yoga and strolling around Vancouver.
Instead of a traditional race expo with various vendors, there was a SeaWheeze Showcase store which sold an exclusive line of lululemon clothing designed for the race. Think of Target . . . on Black Friday . . . on steroids . . . and you have the lululemon SeaWheeze Showcase store. People were going crazy hoarding clothes and grabbing whatever they could. I snagged a few items and hightailed it outta there to our next stop: The Luon Lounge. The Luon Lounge was a relaxation destination to hang out with other runners while receiving free manicures and massages.
The Race: This was by far the most well-dressed race I have ever seen. Almost everyone was wearing bright lulu gear. We stayed toward the back of the pack in the race corrals. My goal was just to finish the race and have fun. The course was truly breathtaking and took us through downtown Vancouver, across historic Burrard Bridge, past the very first lulu store, and around Stanley Park along the Sea Wall. In addition to views and great conversation with my bestie, there were plenty of cheer stations along the way to give us a burst of energy just when we needed it. I was so entertained during the entire race that I did not even turn on my music! I can’t say that for any other race I’ve participated in before or after SeaWheeze.

Post-race Activities: After the race there was a free brunch and more massages. I was in desperate need of a celebratory beer (like most Rogues) so we chose to have an early lunch at a pub near the finish line. Later that evening there was a concert with the band FUN and yoga on the beach. I heard really great things about both events, but we chose to do a little shopping, sunset watching, and celebrate our sweet victory instead.
When I look back on the weekend half a year later, what I remember most about that weekend was the air of excitement and positivity that permeated the entire weekend. I think we all knew we were fortunate enough to be a part of the start of something big. And spending a weekend with two of the most wonderful women in my life exploring a fantastic city? It was an epic weekend indeed. I signed up for SeaWheeze 2013 the day registration opened.

Whether you’re challenging yourself to your first half-marathon or shooting for a new PR, the SeaWheeze isn’t just another race. It’s an unforgettable weekend filled with ocean-side yoga, the chance to explore the amazing city of Vancouver, and memory-making to last a lifetime. So why don’t you join us this summer in Vancouver? I promise you won’t regret it.

If you’d like to be part of our mission to take 150 Austinites to SeaWheeze, please email chris@roguerunning.com ASAP. The race is expected to sell out very soon and we want to take you with us!

– Alyssa Sparks started running with the Rogue Lemons in Oct. 2011 building up to her first 5k, 10k and half marathon. She just set a new PR at the 3M Half Marathon.

BHAG!

by coach Chris McClung

What’s a BHAG? We’ll get to that. We’ll also get to the epic, life-changing experience of a particular half marathon in Vancouver that I’d like you to join me for.

But first, a story. It’s a story about my journey in following sport over the last 4 months.

I love sport, and I love the purity of it. To me, sport provides the perfect crucible to test, experience, and prove the power of the human condition, to see what can be done when extremely hard work meets sweat, talent, and pressure and pain. And, when I follow a sport, I follow it all. I read every article, blog, and results sheet. I follow every tweet and post from the top-tier athletes to those looking for a break-through. I have glorified these athletes and made them gods in my own mind, looking for lessons and inspiration from them to apply in my own journey.

On October 10^th, this mental construct all came crashing down. That is the day that the US Anti-Doping Administration released its evidence against Lance Armstrong. That information was since validated in last week’s Oprah interview. By now, I am sure you are tired of hearing about Lance, but this isn’t about him. It is about the subsequent mental crisis that has caused me to question my belief in all of sport.

If this could happen in cycling, where less money is at stake and the doping penalties are steeper than in other major sports, then what is happening elsewhere? What other major athlete-idols of mine are doing it? What am I really watching when I tune in with anticipation and awe to see the outcomes of any track race, marathon, or MLB/NFL/NBA game? If cyclists can’t really climb that fast up mountains without pharmaceutical help, then can that 300lb lineman really run that fast for 40 meters? Can that many marathoners really break 2:05 for the marathon? Can that many sprinters break 9.9 seconds for 100m? Is any of it real?

With this newfound cynicism in professional sports, I became more aware of the sources of inspiration all around me. To be clear, these sources of inspiration have always been there there, but I had never placed them at the top of the pedestal like I now know they deserve.

There is the story of Carey Harris. She started training in my group 5K/10K group two years ago with a desire to become more active and more consistent with her running. At the time, she told me that she didn’t really think a marathon or even a half marathon was for her. Somewhere along the way, she got hooked and has been training with Rogue ever since. About a year ago, she set a goal to run a half marathon under 2 hours. At the time, we talked about what needed to be done to make that happen. She committed to all it. For the last 12+ months, she has been doing all of the work to get there with no fanfare and no glory, just doing the work. On January 13^th at the 3M Half Marathon, she did it. And, she not only did it, but she smashed it, finishing in 1 hours and 53 minutes. Carey is an inspiration because somewhere along the way she realized that her previous, self-imposed limits weren’t real and then went about obliterating them with hard work and commitment.

There is the story of coach Jennifer Howard-Brown. She trained for six months for her “A race” – the California International Marathon in December. Her goal was to qualify for Boston in a time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. On race day, she was faced with weather conditions that would have forced me to skip it altogether – sideways-rain and 30 mph winds. Many decided to race anyway, but with much lower race and time expectations. Jenn didn’t back down. She went for it anyway, leaving EVERYTHING on the course but finishing an agonizing 37 seconds short of her goal. Jenn didn’t hit her goal, but she did discover new depths of her soul. A discovery that will soon prove 3:45 to be a “slow” time for her. Jenn is an inspiration because she didn’t let external forces or self-doubt put boundaries on what she could accomplish on that day, and because even now she is still relentlessly pursuing the goal that she so narrowly missed.

There is also the story of Daniel West, whose story is better documented in his own words here.  Just over 18 months ago, his doctor said he was overweight, pre-diabetic, and had hypertension, needing medication to prevent further deterioration of his health. Instead of medication, Daniel made a decision to change his life. He did a 180 and had the courage to start working with a trainer and ultimately joined a running group – the Rogue Lemons. Daniel has lost 50 pounds, completed his first 10K, and now can do something he never thought he could do: call himself a runner. Daniel is an inspiration because he had the courage to change the trajectory of his life by stepping outside his comfort zone. Changing your life is incredibly hard work, and he hasn’t let that be an excuse.

I could write about countless others that have given me inspiration in the past six months, renewed my faith in the purity of sport and given me new, unsung heroes. Not only did these athletes dream big and set Big, Hairy, and Audacious Goals (BHAGs), but they also had the courage, commitment, and determination to pursue them without worrying about the outcome. Every one of us has a story like this inside of us, if we can dare to dream.

I have a BHAG for 2013. I want to take a journey of inspiration with 150 of you.

I am looking for people of all levels who want to set big goals (like Carey, Jenn and David) and then challenge each other to achieve them, culminating in a fun, inspiring, life-changing adventure to the SeaWheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver on August 10, 2013. I want to see what happens when 150 people from Austin dream together, train together, travel together, and then descend like a life-force on a city to run together and have fun together. I want people in Vancouver to wonder what’s going on in Austin, TX and to be changed by the stories, inspiration, and community that we bring. And, I want us all to fly up together on a chartered Boeing 737, because why not?!?

If you are interested in joining me on this journey (whether you decide to train with Rogue or on your own), e-mail me at chris@roguerunning.com and I will keep you updated on the latest developments, including training options through Rogue and through our Rogue Lemons group at Lululemon.

Also, I would highly encourage you to sign-up for the race NOW as it will sell out quickly. Stop thinking. Just register. We will help provide travel options and information later, including details on the charter if we can make it happen. You can register here.

Did I mention that the average temperature for Vancouver in August is 63 degrees?!?

If you’re still on the fence, watch this video:

Chris is currently coaching a group training for the Austin Marathon and will begin coaching a group to train for summer half marathons on March 2nd (including SeaWheeze). If you are interested in that program, click here.

 

Do you Run for the Rovers?

by Marilyn Faulkner

There are many ways to support our local community through running, but have you ever Run for the Rovers?  If not, this weekend is a great chance to support an amazing local rescue organization Blue Dog Rescue at their annual Run for the Rovers 5K at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Blue Dog Rescue reduces the number of homeless dogs euthanized in Central Texas through adoption, education, outreach and advocacy.  Founded in 2000, Blue Dog Rescue is a 501(c)3 organization that has saved the lives of approximately 1,900 dogs by first fostering then placing them in permanent, loving homes.  Blue Dog operates 100% on fundraising and NONE of their amazing foster families earn a dime for their work.  All are volunteers so every penny raised for this group goes directly to the dogs.

I happen to have two rescues that came from Blue Dog Rescue, Rosie and Keith.  These two blonde terriers are everything from wrestlemania champions, top-notch chewers, cuddlebugs, backyard assassins, to general fluff balls of fun.  Rosie and Keith wouldn’t have had a chance at life, however, had it not been for the angles at Blue Dog Rescue that saved them from certain death at the Bastrop shelter.

Rosie had puppies in the shelter.  After all had been adopted out, she was left in her cage alone to be euthanized, at the tender age of two.  Keith had been a country dog in and out of the shelter twice and had reached his bust-out limit.  He was on death row as well.  Enter Blue Dog to save them both, and the rest is happily ever after.  There are countless stories just like mine, many of which are stories that fellow Rogues have… just ask Kim Theel, Emily Phillips, Nedra Bray, and many others!

This weekend I hope you’ll go out for your Sunday recovery run for a great cause – to Run for the Rovers that can’t speak for themselves!

Running the Austin Half or Full?  Run on behalf of Blue Dog’s Rescue’s Blue Team or read about my personal experience on the Blue Team for last year’s Austin Marathon!

Waffles, fuel, & L-O-V-E

by Mariko Neveu

Mmmmm, waffles….funny how just the word waffles (or donuts) can turn almost anyone into Homer Simpson. Yet if you throw waffles at the end of a long run, suddenly you can claim to be exercise physiologist, “of course, I’m having waffles. Carb loading is very important to an endurance athlete.” So we here at Rogue Athletic Club (RAC) would like to offer the opportunity to be a Homer Simpson or an exercise physiologist…or both if you prefer.

We are going to be hosting Waffle Week once a month after Rogue DT Saturday long runs. Why? Well, partly because we love waffles, maybe a little bit because we love the chance to make a connection between Homer Simpson and exercise physiologists, but also because, just as endurance athletes needs carbohydrates to fuel their muscles further, we at RAC need your generosity to fuel our dreams.

Too cheesy?…maybe, but follow with me. Donations received for waffles help us travel to meets in California or Oregon or Kentucky or elsewhere in Texas, wherever the best competition may be. Competing among the best gives us a chance to show how we stack up…that we are part of the best. But even more than that, it makes us better. Because when you race in a large group of people who are just as strong and just as fast as you, you have to challenge your body and mind more than you can ever re-create in any practice. And whatever the outcome of the race, you come out sharper. The next race, you can react faster and know that you can push your body even further. The more opportunities we get to do this, the closer we get to that racing sweet spot, that point when you’ve got the strength, the speed, and the intuition to respond when everything breaks right and have the race that qualifies you for Nationals…or wins it.

Plus getting to do these events reminds us what a great community we are part of, to be Rogue, to gather for waffles, and to just enjoy being with so many people who get the joy of running…it makes recovery from a long run easier, getting up for an early workout not so creaky, and generally gives a big ole sense of feeling the L-O-V-E.

The first Waffle Week is happening on Saturday, November 3. A $10 donation gets you a plate full of fresh-made waffles, fruit, OJ, coffee and a warm fuzzy feeling. Details here!

Walk with me!

from Easter Seals Central Texas:

Think, for a moment, about how much you love running and being active in your community.  Now, imagine that you’ve just been informed that you’ll never be able to do it again.

For many of us, the thought of not being able to do what we love is extremely scary and often heartbreaking.  Well, it’s the same for people with disabilities.  Whether they are born with a disability or injured in an accident, people with disabilities do not want to hear that they can’t do something.  Time and time again you’ll hear storied about how these people are still living their lives the way they want without accepting that someone said, “You can’t do that.”  No disability will ever define the heart of a person or the desire to participate in the community.

At Easter Seals Central Texas, we visit with adults and children everyday who will light up your world and change the way you look at life with a disability.  Our clients exude such strength, motivation and perseverance that you can’t help but provide all the support you can muster to help them succeed and follow their dreams.  Those dreams may be physical things such as: to walk without aid, to run for the first time or to participate in sports.

When Rosalinda Reazola’s son, Matthew, was only 11 months old when she was told that he would likely never walk on his own or be able to take care of himself.  She refused to believe that and immediately sought out the therapy that her son would need.  This landed her at Easter Seals Central Texas.  Matthew received speech, occupational and physical therapy for the first few years of his life.  He began to thrive and improve and despite what doctors said, he wound up running varsity track and cross country at Vandergrift High School and has recently joined the United States Marine Corps.

Rohan Murphy, an honorary ambassador for Easter Seals Central Texas, had his legs amputated at age 4 because of a birth defect.  Just like most young boys, he grew up loving sports but was always on the sidelines.  Then, one day, someone gave him the encouragement that he needed and he gave wrestling a try.  Rohan surprised everyone and ended up competing at the collegiate level, for Penn State, and became an international power lifting competitor.  Rohan now travels the country speaking to kids and adults about how anything is possible and is currently training for the 2016 Paralympics.  He will be a guest speaker at this year’s Walk With Me event.

Most of us know someone who is currently living with a disability and in the blink of an eye could find ourselves in that same demographic.  We all know that accidents happen and that makes it even more important to show our support for our friends and neighbors living with disabilities.  Join Easter Seals Central Texas at Walk With Me Austin, November 11, 2012 for an exciting day of running, walking and family fun.

www.centraltx.easterseals.com/events
Event Manager – Angelica Reyes, 512-615-6817
Volunteer Manager – Lindsay Mason, 512-615-6818

Dream!

by Allison Macsas

In the 3.5 years that I’ve worked at Rogue, I’ve heard countless reasons as to why people began running, and even more reasons as to why people keep running. For some people, weight-loss is the big motivator. Others want a social outlet, to improve their overall health, check off that bucket-list race, set PRs. Everyone, whether they admit it or not, wants to see how fast they can get. The rewards go well beyond these initial motivators, however – runners who join us develop incredible levels of self-confidence, achieve goals that they’d only dreamed of,  become fitter and healthier than they’d ever thought possible and make lifelong friends.

I watch running have these effects on adults every single day. Can you imagine what the effect would be on young girls?

Girls on the Run is an organization that does just that – gets young girls running, achieving and developing into confident, motivated, healthy members of society. GOTR combines training for a 5K with healthy living education, instilling self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training.

GOTR is doing really, really great things. Really important things! And, like any non-profit, relies on community support. If there is anything that Rogue has to offer, it’s community, and we feel that it’s a no-brainer to support what Girls on the Run is doing. However, we like to keep things fun, and this is where you come in!

On Thursday, September 20, we are hosting Running Down a Dream, an event that will be a ton of fun for you, and a ton of help for GOTR.

Get ready for:

Music

Food

Beer

Wine

Brownies

Cupcakes

Nutrition talk

PRIZES!!

ALL of this is FREE for you. We will be taking voluntary $10 donations, which will get you three raffle tickets – additional tickets can also be purchased. All proceeds go directly to Girls on the Run, and the prizes are HUGE. We’ll be releasing sneak peeks each day on our Facebook page (including the GRAND PRIZE), but expect the winners to walk out with clothing, gear, wellness, entertainment and fitness dreams fulfilled!

So, come help us pass along the gift of running to the next generation and walk out fulfilled, inside and out.

Running Down a Dream

Thursday, September 20

6:30pm @ Rogue Running Downtown (500 San Marcos St. 78702)

FREE & OPEN TO EVERYONE, though RSVPs are appreciated!

Find out more about Girls on the Run here.

Get behind it.

At Rogue, we are all about running and runners, no matter the reason behind it. Whether the motivation is weight-loss, PR-setting, meeting new friends or simply a love of getting outside and moving, we are behind it.  We are also behind the idea of organized races and other running events, as it takes these personal motivations to the next level by providing a goal and, ultimately, an unbeatable sense of accomplishment once you attain it.

However, there are events out there that use these motivations for something much bigger, and those are the events that we can really get behind. The CASA Superhero Run is one of these events – beyond serving as a goal, a venue for a potential PR and a really fun Sunday morning, it serves as a support system for those who truly need it most – abused and neglected children. CASA is doing great, great things, and all you have to do to help them continue is to go have a great, great time at the Superhero Run.

from the CASA Superhero Run organizers:

Superman was adopted. Spiderman was raised by his aunt and uncle. Batman grew up with his butler, Alfred, and later took in Robin to raise as his ward. Thor was kicked out of Asgard by his dad but eventually reunified with his family. Few superheroes grew up in a typical family situation raised by their own parents, yet they all accomplished great things as adults. CASA, a nonprofit that advocates for children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect, believes all children deserve the chance to grow up happy and healthy and become superhero adults themselves.

That’s why the CASA programs of Travis and Williamson counties are hosting the CASA Superhero Run. This run raises funds and awareness to provide children who’ve been abused or neglected with the powerful voice of their very own CASA volunteer. Children with CASA volunteers are more likely to receive therapy, health care and education, more likely to do better in school, less likely to be bounced from one place to another, less likely to get stuck in long-term foster care and significantly more likely to reach safe, permanent homes than children without CASA

Who: CASA programs of Travis and Williamson Counties and more than 1,500 local superheroes, runners, families and super dogs.

What: CASA Superhero Run – Superhero-themed 5K and Kids 1K with superhero costume contest, bounce-houses, photo booth, superhero appearances, free food & drink, and more!

When: Sunday, September 30^th, 2012

7 am – Registration, Check-In and Superhero Costume Contest
8 am – 5K Race Starts
8:45 am – Kids 1K Starts
9:15 am (approx) – Costume Contest and Race Awards Ceremony after Kids 1K

Where: Mueller Lake Park & Hangar, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Why: To raise funds and awareness in support of children who’ve been abused or neglected. Or, as one boy told us: “If abused kids see that other kids are superheroes, then they’ll know that they can be superheroes too.”

More Info: Find out more about the run and register or donate at www.casasuperherorun.com

Sponsored By: KLRU-TV, Univision 62, KASE 101, AM 1300 The ZONE

About CASA:

CASA speaks up for children who’ve been abused or neglected by empowering our community to volunteer as advocates for them in the court system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety, a judge appoints a trained CASA volunteer to make independent and informed recommendations in the child’s best interest. After 30 hours of intensive training, background checks and being sworn-in by a judge, volunteers are appointed to a child or family of children and spend an average of 15-20 hours a month advocating for these children for at least a year. CASA of Travis County was founded in 1985 and supports more than 550 volunteers who advocate for at least 1,400 children a year. CASA of Williamson County was founded in 2009 and supports 40 volunteers who advocate for 75 children a year.

Learn more about CASA of Travis County at www.casatravis.org and CASA of Williamson County at www.casawctx.com.

Chapter One: There were bears.

by John Schrup

You will not believe what a harrowing week it was!  There, for few brief moments, I thought we would not make it out alive.  Forty something years passed in front of my mind’s eye in an instant.  And from that very second, my life was forever changed and I vowed never again to take for granted each breath, each sunrise, each child’s smile.  I thought I would never see my family again.  It was like that painting, The Scream, except running.

You see, there were bears.

Well, I never actually saw them, but I know people who did.  I talked to them.  The people, not the bears.  And they said it was really scary.  Like, change your pants scary.  Probably, though, we were safe, because Ian was in town.  If you don’t know who Ian Adamson is, he’s this Australian guy who works for Newton.  Super fit dude.  The kind of fit that makes Chuck Norris primp.  Because Ian was in town, we were totally safe, even if we had corned some bear’s cubs and heckled them or some shit.  Not that Ian would have killed the bears had he needed to confront them.  He is more confident than that.   The need to kill one of these bears—or all of them, if they were in a bear gang—wouldn’t even have shown up on his radar.  Not even if they were grizzlies.  Not even if it was grizzlies and sharks.  With bazookas.  Mr. Norris would have been looking in the bushes for some pull ups, but not Ian.  He would have communicated with them.  In their own language.  In their own dialect.   After talking to Ian, the bears would have let us pass.  They would have probably offered to time our workout, if Ian had brought it up.

If he hadn’t been there, that shit would’ve been messed up.  Scrawny runners all mangled and screaming, clinging to tree trunks, sobbing and gurgling and shit.  But who knows, it probably would’ve been ok still.  Ian would have heard the screams and ran—barefoot, with really good form—from wherever he was and stitched up the wounds and bites and scrapes with, I don’t know, twigs and yogurt or something.  So, either way, we were probably cool, no matter what.

So anyway, there were bears, and it was bad ass!

It really wasn’t anything like that, because we were in the St. Julien, which is the kind of hotel that if kings and queens were in town they would annex and make part of whatever country they were visiting from.  It’s super swank.  The shower in my bathroom was as big as the entire bathroom in my house.  And in the bathroom was this really nice robe—a really, really nice one.  I didn’t try it on though because it was so heavy I couldn’t lift it off of the pure solid gold thing it was resting on.  The sheets were, like, 9000 thread count.  I felt so guilty staying there I slept on top of the sheets.  On the counter of the kitchen in my room were all these fancy nuts and chocolates and spring waters and wines and shit.  I practically had a Whole Foods in my hotel room.  I made sure to wear my nicest tshirt when I walked through the lobby so people would think I lived there or something.  I wore the black socks so I’d look more, you know, classy.

So Newton put us—Amish James, Subtle Chuck and myself and then some people who were kinda like us from running shops that are nothing like Rogue—up in this fancy place for the three days we were there and when we weren’t living like Sultans and shit we were either on the trails, wrestling bears, or in the classroom, eating pizza and learning about Cuba.  And I’m sure that the number one question on your collective minds is, Did he drink the koolaid?  Ok, so your number one question is probably, Will this guy ever shut the **** up?  And the answer is no, but I’d like to think that you’re interested in shoes and our trip, so I’m gonna go with that.

Yeah, I drank the koolaid.  But I didn’t inhale.  It was served, yeah, but it wasn’t forced on us, we got to choose to drink or not.  Yes, my perceptions about Newton were changed.  Yes, I am more comfortable with their shoes on our wall.  And yes, I’ve been running in the shoes—the Distance.  But I’m probably not going to change my political or religious views.  I’m still making out with my Hagio and A5 and Adios and Kinvara.  But now the Distance is in the rotation.  I’m still getting the feel for them, and I’m not entirely comfortable in them yet, but they will get some air play for sure.

Before I give you all the goods on the trip, I’ll tell you what changed my mind and then you can sit around and chew on that for a while.  I’ve been to several of these things—these seminars, conventions, koolaid distribution meetings—that the shoe companies host each year.  And I’ve been to fancier ones.  Bigger events for sure.  But this was the first time in which I left feeling like I hadn’t been sold something.  Yeah, they wanted to change my mind on the shoes; they were selling something, to be sure.  But it wasn’t just the product.  Shit man, we didn’t even talk Newton shoes until the last hour or two of the trip.  They didn’t even give us the spiel on each shoe, present the different models and show us the new colors and all that other shit, until we were practically leaving.  No, we talked running.  Running.  Injuries.  Biomechanics.  Fitness.  Stretching.  Strengthening.  Form.  Running.  And it was glorious.

And, when all was said and done they were the first who said, you know, these might not be for everyone.  This ain’t the magic bullet.  You’ve got to be healthy, strong, flexible.  You’ve got to get strong so you can run with good form.  We talked running 95% of the time, and then we talked shoes.  And they were surprisingly honest about things that other companies haven’t been.  It was really eye opening.  I’ve been to these things where the hosts would bash other companies.  Where the hosts came across as almost arrogant in their presentations.  Where the hosts asked us to join an exclusive club—wink, wink, nudge, nudge—and then we find out that half the country got invited too.  This was the first time I left one of these things where I didn’t have a slightly bad taste in my mouth.  Or at least, I didn’t feel like I’d been to a koolaid party and all I got was this lousy hangover.

So, there you go.  You’ll get all the goods in the next few installments.  Until then, I’m going for a run in all this crazy oxygen we have here.