JT's Who?

Do we need to rally the troops? Who are the Jack Turtles, really? Do we have a common bond of fitness activity? How committed are we really to this purpose? Speaking for someone who has been completely out of the loop for the last month, let me say... I'm BACK and yes I am ready to re-engage and make some progress. I did really well for the first week at Bryn Mawr. Set the alarm for 5:15am so I could get 3 miles in before breakfast at 7am. The leadership institute kept me completely scheduled from 7am - 9am on most days and as the weeks progressed, I slipped into embracing sleep and didn't maintain a consistent regime. But, I am back and worked out twice this weekend. I am assuming that Derek and I were the lone-turtles today. We ventured to Antrim only to find a triathlon occuring at the park with roads closures everywhere. So, we went to the Park of Roses instead and ran most of the way to Antrim completing a solid 5 miles. Coach D ran with me almost the entire time offering me encouragement and kicking my "a_s" when I needed it.

Is anyone interested in running on Thursday at the Park of Roses? Have a great week everyone! Missed you all!

Keeping the Turtles going...

Hey there everybody, I've been tasked as one of the individuals to keep the blog going while Mona has been away. Despite the lack of leadership and the busy summer weekends, a few of us JTs have been keeping up with Sunday runs the best we can. 2 weeks ago, Derek and I rocked the Antrim to Henderson trail and last week Derek, Concetta and I ran to the tennis courts...and noticed how much we looked like a secret service detail with Derek and I running side by side with Concetta running in the middle, slightly behind us (her seceret service nickname is yet to be determined). I didn't make it out this past 4th of July weekend, but ran around my old neighborhood both Friday and Saturday while out of town and even got Christine back out running Saturday morning. I will be out the next two weekends as well, so it is up to Derek, Concetta, Bill et al to keep the ball rolling. I will try to organize some mid week runs to help keep us on track. The marathon/half-marathon dates are fast approaching so now is the time to get those training schedules going! Keep up the great work everyone!

Mona needs MAIL!

Hello fellow JT's, I would LOVE tons of mail while I am away at Bryn Mawr college from Friday, June 19th through Wednesday, July 15th.

PLEASE send me mail the old fashioned way at the following address:

Mona Fitzer
Summer Institute, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion
Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.

Blacklick Noob

Concetta, Mona and I had a great run/walk at Blacklick today. It was my first visit to the park and I was impressed. Weather was great and it was my first run in about a month. I've been dealing with a pinched nerve in my shoulder. After completing our 4.2 we went to Blocks where we negated any calories burt running.

We're BACK! Are you?

Three mighty turtles were back on the trail yesterday. Jeff, Concetta and I completed 5 miles, running more than we walked. It was so nice of Concetta and Jeff to slow down their pace and hang with me. It really pushed me but as it always does but it feels GREAT when I am done!

So, Bill and Christine have really inspired me as they have already accomplished their fitness goals. (Congrats again, Bill and Christine! You both rock!!!) It made me start thinking about this wonderful opportunity to train with my friends, to feel purely exhausted and to be a better person physically and mentally. Yes, I am talking about training for the full 26.2 mile Columbus marathon with Concetta! This is my fitness goal for 2009. Then my mind shifted to the fact that I need to run more than walk to make this happen and drop some pounds so my body can handle all of this. Concetta was so kind to remind me yesterday that I asked for accountability last week which is why I said that we ran more than we walked yesterday. When the alarm clock went off this morning @ 5:30am, I thought to myself... "you need to exercise more than you need sleep." This was enough to get me dressed and out the door. But, when I started running, my mind shifted again thinking that I could still honor this mode of training if I shorten the distance. Right? Not exactly!!! Distance, pace and ability to breathe are all important milestones for me right now.

IMPORTANT JT NEWS:

• Mid-week runs are back! Every Thursday starting this week (June 4th) - Meet your fellow turtles at Whetstone/Park of Roses parking next to the shelter house @ 6pm.
• SUMMER HOURS are in effect for June, July, August. 8am start time every Sunday.
• This Sunday, June 7th - change of venue. Meet at Blacklick Woods to enjoy their newly paved and widen 4.2 miles trail. Doug, this is your chance to rejoin the group! To motivate us all, we will go to Blocks Bagels for breakfast.
• Next Sunday, June 13th we will be back at Antrim Park, 8am.

Have a GREAT week and focus on what you want for yourself and do something about it!

New JT Graphic

Thanks to Nick Major (Interactive Media student) for designing the awesome new spring JT header graphic!

Commit to be Fit - Christine accomplishes her first 5K

Another fine weekend of Columbus weather and a strong showing by the JT's at the Commit to be Fit run this past Saturday, May 2nd. The cool weather meant hot times for Jeff, Steve, Kristen, Christine, and myself, who were cheered on by Meg, Jen, and unofficial team mascot, Anna Robek. After the 1/2 marathon got underway the Turt's lined up at the starting line (not that we could even see it with the giant crowd of people!). Andrea Cambern announced the start and we were off (not fast, mind you, with all the traffic!) One minute later and we passed...the start line! With the disposable chip technology that time was not counted against us. As we ran past the arena Steve "Thunder Down Under" Smith and Jeff "5th Horseman of the Apocalypse" Robek pulled ahead, finishing in respectable times.

The real race was for Christine, who was there to compete in her first 5k. Kristen Stagner and I joined her every step of the way. Kristine provided inspiration and support; my job was photography, carrying water, motivating the crowds on the street to cheer her on, clear slower runners out of her way, and general tomfoolery. Her pace was steady, her gait was good, and her attitude was great. As we passed mile 2 and headed back towards downtown she even increased her pace. Her goal was to break 40 minutes. She and Kristen passed the finish line in 38:45!

Another race down for the turtes, another yearly goal accomplished. Will all the little turtles accomplish their goals for the year? Wait and see!

Posted by Bill (Sherpa) Plessinger