Sole Survivors “Paying It Forward”

by Coach Bobby Garcia

You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you (Anonymous)

Greetings, fellow Rogues

I am writing to ask if you can help me and my team, the Rogue Team Sole Survivors, raise money for Team Rogue Elite. With your help we feel that our fundraising efforts will be very successful.  While this fundraising effort has been in the planning for several weeks the launching of it could not be more timely following the outstanding races at this past weekend’s Olympic Trials by two of our Team Rogue Elites, Allison Macsas and Scott MacPherson. Their performances and that of the other world class athletes filled our hearts with reverence at the highest level.

The concept of “Paying It Forward” means having an appreciation for something you have received and expressing that appreciation by doing something positive for someone else. I don’t know about you but I have received so much from Rogue Running and it has come in the form of learning to live a healthy lifestyle, developing physically, mentally, and spiritually, and giving birth to new friendships and relationships. I personally have received much from Rogue Running and now I want to play a role in “paying it forward.”

One of the true hallmarks of Rogue Running and a distinguishing characteristic amongst running organizations in Austin is the importance of community. I have been a member of Rogue Running both as a marathoner and as a coach since its inception. From the outset of this association I have realized Rogue Running understands the significance of investing in the Austin community and acts on it. In years past Rogue Running was the official marathon training partner of the Austin Marathon’s philanthropy program, 26 Miles for 26 Charities. The philanthropy program provided nonprofits in Central Texas the opportunity to increase community awareness while raising money to support their missions. Members of my team ran on behalf of and raised money for several nonprofit organizations in past years. The Rogue Team Sole Survivors have supported and helped raise money for Colin’s Hope, Marathon Kids, Girls on the Run of Austin, Blue Dog Rescue, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Hill Country Conservancy, Dell’s Children Medical Center of Central Texas, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Austin Children’s Shelter, Live Strong Foundation, Glimmer of Hope Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, and Team Asha.

This year I have made the decision that our fundraising efforts will be for one of our own, Team Rogue Elite.

Why are we doing this? Why are we helping raise money for this team? For several reasons and I will share a few with you.

1. We Have Received Help and Support From Others – Each and every one of            us in our life long journey has had someone do something that lifted us up. A simple act of kindness and selflessness. We have benefited from an authentic, genuine act of doing by others. From that experience we have learned and grown.
2. Strengthens our Rogue Running Community – I see it every time I am at Rogue. I read it on Facebook. Our Rogue Running community is one BIG LOVE AFFAIR. Yes,  we work hard and train hard. We push each other. And, we love to celebrate, socialize, have dinner, party, travel, and spend non-running time together.
3. I Have A Dream – With all due respect to Martin Luther King, Jr. I would  like to borrow his famous line. Each of these professional athletes has a dream to accomplish the goal of making and competing in the Olympics. They approach their training purposefully and with strong conviction in order to get closer to realizing their dream. They run their path with faith, love and purpose, and for that we all admire them.

On a Personal Note – I have had the pleasure and the privilege of getting to know each of the members of Rogue Team Elite. They are truly special in that they embody the essence of what is good. They are humble. They are giving of their time, their gifts, and their talents. You don’t hear a lot about them because they don’t make it a point to broadcast their accomplishments. They let their hard work and efforts speak volumes for themselves. And, we hear it loud and clear without their having to boast about them. A mark of a confident, secure, and humble athlete. They work hard to try and make ends meet in order to live, play, and train for their respective races.

How can we help raise money?

Soon we will begin selling raffle tickets at $10 per ticket. Buy one. Buy ten. Buy twenty. Buy more. Buy them for a fellow Rogue as a gift.

We are still working on a few other gifts but this is what we have so far:

1. Rogue Running Survival Bag of goodies
2. Rogue Outfitter – shirt, shorts, shoes, and socks
3. Rogue Running program of your choice
4. Six infared sauna sessions with Dr. Noah Moos, DC (TRE’s official team doctor)
5. Six hyberbaric chamber sessions with Dr. Noah Moos, DC (TRE’s official team doctor)
6. Photoshoot with Juliane Masciana (TRE member and professional photographer)
7. One week of lunches from Mel’s Meals
8. One hour massage with Doug Consiglio (TRE’s official team massage therapist)
9. Haircuts from Birds Barbershop, 2 winners for 2 cuts each
10. Kindle “like” reader
11. 3-hours of fun in the sun aboard a beautiful NAUTIQUE boat on Lake Travis with Sail & Ski Center. The Captain will pilot the boat, providing sight seeing, swimming, wake surfing and tubing. One winner plus five guests.
12. Wellness Starter Program (valued at $195) by Nutritional Wisdom
13. Wine Tasting and Appetizers for 10 – Margaret & Bobby Garcia (fellow Rogue and Sommelier, Edward Morgan, will be our guest) – 5 winners for two people each.
14. Dinner Party for 6 – Margaret and Bobby Garcia (fabulous 4 course meal with fine wines and champagnes) – 3 winners for two people each.

I hope you agree with me that for $10 per ticket these are pretty good prizes. Winners of the raffle will be announced at Rogue’s pre-Austin Marathon talk on February 10 (winners do not have to present to win). Details on when and where to purchase raffle tickets will be announced soon.

Rogue Running has shown Central Texas that it lives here, runs here, and gives here. I hope you will join me in doing something for someone who can never repay you.

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa

50% off training: four ways to get it!

Want to get half-price training for the 2012 Austin Marathon or Half Marathon along with a huge sense of fulfillment? You’ve come to right place!

Rogue is offering half-price training to any runner who commits to raising a minimum of $500 for the following charities:

 

• Team Rogue Elite
• Marathon Kids
• LIVESTRONG
• Blue Dog Rescue

The requirements are minimal and rewards are great! Beyond the huge discount on training and that warm fuzzy feeling, the charities have their own added perks:

• Team Rogue Elite: Participants will be coached by professional runners (members of Team Rogue Elite), receive customized training schedules, individual mentors, special Thursday runs and other exclusive perks.  The more you raise, the more you get: full race kits, free race entry, VIP start area and even a trip to the US Track Olympic Trials next summer are incentives for surpassing the minimum! *note: you are not required to join this specific training group – you can still fundraise and receive the same benefits while training with a different coach/group!* Get full details and sign up here, or contact ruth@roguerunning.com with questions!

• Marathon Kids: Participants will receive a personal fundraising page, a Team Marathon Kids tech tee, fundraising support and incentives for surpassing the $500 minimum such as free future training programs and full race kits (hat, socks, singlet, shorts, shoes, watch)! Get full details and sign up here, or contact chris@roguerunning.com to get involved and receive your training discount code!

• LIVESTRONG: Participants will receive guaranteed race registration, Team LIVESTRONG shirts/hat, a personalized fundraising webpage, one-on-one support from LIVESTRONG staff and a celebration post-race party! Contact tom.whiteside@livestrong.org to get involved and receive your training discount code!

• Blue Dog Rescue: Contact kathy@bluedogrescue.com to get involved and receive your training discount code!

Austin Marathon training begins on September 3 and Austin Half Marathon training begins on September 10 – this is your chance to be part of a great cause while reaching your running goals!

New athlete joins TeamROGUE Elite

Kara June is the latest runner to join TeamROGUE Elite, Rogue Running’s elite team coached by Steve Sisson. She also joins Rogue Running as a coach and will coach Rogue’s first online training program for runners who want to be a Rogue but may not live in the Austin area. This training program/community will train runners for the San Antonio full and half marathons, providing virtual access to Kara and Rogue’s training resources. The group will then meet their coach, training group, and other friends live at the race. Full details are here!

Kara began running at the age of 7 where she fell in love with competing.  Kara was a 4-time Western Athletic Champion in the 3,000m steeplechase.   She still holds her college record of 10:15 in the steeple and 4:56 in the indoor mile.  After graduation from college, where she achieved her teaching credential, she started working full-time at a local running store and training under Joe Rubio, eventually joining the Asics Aggies in the summer of 2006.  In June of 2008 she competed at the US Olympic Trials where she finished 6th with a PR of 9:49:56 in the steeplechase. Her current goal is to qualify for the upcoming US Championships this summer and eventually the 2012 Olympics.

Kara’s full bio:

Event(s): 3000m steeplechase, 5000m

Education: California State University at Fresno, BA in Liberal Studies, 2005

Personal bests: 1500m- 4:21:1 (2007); 3000m- 9:21 (2008); 3000m steeplechase- 9:49:56 (2008); 5000m- 16:18 (2007); Half marathon- 1:16:28 (2008); 10K road- 34:40 (2010)

Career highlights: 2008 US Olympic Trials, 6^th place (3000m steeplechase); 4-time Western Athletic Conference (WAC) champion in the 3000m steeplechase; 2001 USATF Junior Champion in the 2000m steeplechase- 6:51 (world record at the time); WAC record holder in the steeple at 10:15.4

Personal information:

Why TeamROGUE? I heard all the cool kids were doing it. Oh, and I wanted a change of atmosphere and a fresh start.

Favorite running work-out? 9 by in and out miles. ( 5:30, 6:30, 5:30, 6:30…)

Your go-to, pre-race meal? Coffee and a bagel

Your favorite post-run recovery food? A big, fat burrito! Half chicken, half steak with black beans, rice, cheese, cilantro, and salsa. Don’t forget the large orange soda (the only time I really drink soda). If it’s late in the day, an ice cold Heff, Blue Moon or Shock Top does the trick!

What athlete (past or present) most inspires your running? Why? Anna Willard Pierce. She’s an animal and leaves it on the track. Every. Single. Time. Plus she has a bad ass personality.

Hobbies/interests outside of running? I love wine tasting. Wine and food pairings are awesomely fun. My three sisters are my best friends, so I love, love, love time with them. I also enjoy playing Scrabble with them and our mom.  The beach has been part of my life since I was a little June. Everything that has to do with the beach is an interest.

Dream job for after your running career? When I grow up and after I’m done competing at an elite level, my dream job is to be a kick-ass policewoman.

Favorite Austin restaurant? Tough question. I have only just visited Austin, so there’s a ton of restaurants to explore! Anybody wanna take me around?

French toast, pancakes or waffles? Depends on where they’re being served. Waffles if we’re talking about Belgium!

Favorite breakfast taco ingredients? What’s a breakfast taco? ; )

Favorite movie? The Princess Bride

Favorite TV show? Americas Next Top Model (Did I just say that??) and Grey’s Anatomy.

Do you have a pet? What kind? A big boned cat named Spinks. He’s a polydactyl, meaning he has extra large thumbs. Seriously.

We’re Famous!

Team Rogue Elite’s partnership with Under Armour has been officially announced on FloTrack – check it out!

Cap10K Interviews: Team Rogue Elite

Erik Stanley and Allison Macsas, both of Team Rogue Elite, were the second male and female at the 2010 Cap10K. Watch their interviews and hear about what they thought, and what they have coming up next:

Joe Thorne in the Statesman!

According to the Statesman (and we agree), “Thorne is a genuine threat in the Capitol 10K.”

Read it here!

Texas Relays and you

Tomorrow, March 31, marks the beginning of the 2010 Texas Relays, the huge annual track meet that takes place at the University of Texas. Unless you are a former college runner or have kids that participate in track & field, there is a good chance that you don’t think much about the event (until you get stuck in the resulting traffic jams on I35, of course).

As a runner, the Texas Relays should be of interest to you and as a Rogue it should be an event that you make a point to attend!

The Relays are free to the public on Wednesday and Thursday, and the runners – everyone from the 100m runners to the 5K guys – are sure to put on awe-inspiring and motivating performances. This year is extra special for Rogue, as several of our Team Rogue Elite runners will be making their 2010 outdoor track season debut and the UT women, coached by Rogue founder Steve Sission, will also be competing.

You can find the event schedule here, making it easy to make plans to attend and cheer on our runners. Team Rogue Elite will send Darren Brown, paced by Kyle Miller and Adam Perkins, to the 5,000m race on Wednesday evening and the three will also compete in the mile on Saturday. The UT women will compete in a variety of events – bridge the gap between road runners and college track athletes and get out there to support them!

Team Rogue Elite in The Statesman

The Austin-American Statesman published a great article today on Team Rogue Elite and the direction that we are trying to go in establishing a post-collegiate development team – check it out!

Handling the heat in San Antonio

The San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon got off to a rather warm start yesterday – much warmer, and much more humid than anyone had expected, much less hoped for!

Despite the unfavorable circumstances, over 200 Rogues lined up at the starting line with months of hot, humid summer training behind them. If anyone could handle the heat, it was a Rogue! Luckily the sun stayed hidden and we turned out a slew of great performances and PRs, helped not only by the training and incredible Rogue presence, but also by the great crowd support and music performances along the flat course.

Team Rogue Elite made a great showing as Allison Macsas finished third overall in the women’s half marathon with 1:18:58 while Kyle Miller and Darren Brown finished 3rd and 4th with identical times of 1:09:11.

There are plenty of photos from the day – please find yourself and tag yourself! – and so many results that I wouldn’t know where to start. If you have a PR or a story or a photo that you want to share (and I’d love to share it!), send it to allison@roguerunning.com.

Congrats to everyone out there, it was amazing to see what an impact Rogue made in that sea of runners!