Big, Exciting Stuff

OK, I have two bits of extremely exciting news.

The first is that the folks at Conley Sports, the group that organizes the AT&T Austin Marathon, are sponsoring a guest speaker for Team Spiridon: Dick Beardsley, one of the greatest marathoners ever, American or otherwise.

He'd like to come speak to us, and take a short run with us, not necessarily in that order. His weekends are packed, so a weeknight would be ideal. I really want everyone to attend - this is a fantastic opportunity for each of us, and for this group. I'll be figuring out a way to consult everyone on scheduling so we can get the best turnout.

The other big news is still in progress, but we're working on getting a fantastic new movie, "Spirit of the Marathon", to Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse for Marathon Weekend, possibly in conjunction with the Dick Beardsley Foundation. I'm hoping that Team Spiridon will be able to play a very visible role as a sponsor of the event.

Just the trailer is an incredibly inspiring work of art. I've been waiting over a year, and stayed in touch with the filmmakers, anxious to see the finished product. The name has changed (the trailer below still has the original, very cool title, "Land of the Gods"). It's being premiered at the Chicago Marathon in October, which is appropriate because that's the marathon the movie centers around. As much as I want to run a couple of new marathons next year, watching this so makes me want to go back to Chicago...

If this trailer alone doesn't stir something in you, then something is very, very wrong with you, and you should seek help before you start torturing small animals. Oh, and, I want to mention - watch this (at least) once for effect, then watch it again to observe the runners. All except for one exhibit the proper arm motion, particularly Deena Kastor. Watch how her arms pull back, then glide forward. Look how relaxed and smooth the motion is...

Announcements!

Yes, there are important announcements, but I'm going to send you here to get them. I want to make sure everyone's in the habit of checking the run, drink, repeat site. Of course, I'm not sure people are checking this site...

What the...? Explaining Our Transitional Schedule...

I'm sorry if I was baffled by all the "What? When? Huh?" regarding our schedule last night. Looking at the schedule, there's a little reason for confusion.

Ideally, I would have started the beginners' group a couple of weeks earlier. Nevertheless, yesterday's workout pretty well demonstrated that everyone is pretty much where they need to be for the training they want to be in. I don't know how many of you did the math, but you ran three miles yesterday, the middle mile and a half consisting of speedwork, at that! Congratulations!

For the half marathoners, the structure of the early weeks of the training programs will be a little different for us, because everyone's been running. So, rather than starting from scratch this weekend, I'm working the schedule out as a continuation of the progress you've already made.

So, here's the breakdown:

• Half marathoners will meet on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm, and Saturday mornings at 7am.
• Marathoners will meet on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm, and Saturday mornings at 7am.
• The beginners, who I think I'll call "The Upstarts", will train with the half marathoners on Tuesdays at 6:30pm, and with everyone on Saturday mornings at 7am, but with modified workouts and lower-mileage schedules. I have no doubt that some of you will be able to transition into the half marathon program. We'll just keep tabs as we go.

Obviously, the half marathon/marathon runners have a goal race in February. The Upstarts are welcome to run with us for as long as they like. If you get to a point where you're running what the half marathoners are, I'll expect you to run the damned half marathon, and to pay what the other half marathoners have paid ($150). Otherwise, you'll be required to buy a shirt, pay $50 and/or help support the half marathoners and marathoners on a long run or two.

For everyone, the cost is $150, and again, your participation and commitment are more important to me than the money. If you need to, you can pay the fee out over a period of time. I don't want to do that with everyone, because it makes it too easy for people to bail out on their training, and it'll reduce the funds available to buy all the shirts, and fund things for the group. No, it doesn't have anything to do with my desire for a Mini Cooper or an XBox 360 coinciding with the release of Halo 3 later this month. My day job will pay for those things at some point.

I also will be encouraging you to do some external good with your running, by raising money for a cause. We'll be talking about some options and how to go about it in the next few weeks.

Any questions? This blog is far too quiet. Make some noise!

Bettysport Gives Love!

It's a week of hip-hop phrases and exclamation marks! Sorry, I'll stop eventually. But it's been a fun week - we're growing, and things are coming together nicely.

Big thanks to Bettysport and its co-owner, Stephanie Terrell - they're offering Team Spiridon members a 15% discount. Stephanie is, if you'll pardon the term, a bad-ass. She coaches for Rogue, and for Team In Training. In the course of a marathon, she'll run about twice the distance, going back for her trainees and encouraging them in. That's a good coach.

They can provide us with discount cards, or we'll have member cards. I'm waiting to see what happens with RunTex - if we have a regular discount there, then I'll probably print up and issue cards for Spiridon members. I'll have one or the other ready by next Tuesday. If you need to do some shopping before then, let me know...

Any good artists out there? I've got this logo thing in my head, and I can't get it out with my meager abilities...

My Adidas!

OK, I just got word that Team Spiridon has the mad, phat hook-up with Adidas for our o-fficial team shirts - we'll get wholesale pricing, which is about 50% off retail!

The plan is to have shirts printed up with our still-nonexistent team logo. Someone had a great idea involving a moustache last night, but after the margaritas wore off, I was skeptical about making it our regular logo. If you have ideas, let us see 'em.

The half marathon and marathon groups starting up in September will be getting shirts - probably these. There are separate women's varieties, too. It's hard to think about sleeves in this weather, but these will be nice this winter, and people will hopefully race in them.

But I'd like for the group we have right now to have shirts, too, especially since you are the Brave Vanguard for Team Spiridon, which I think sounds better than "the guinea pigs". Perhaps this model or this one? Again, for women, there are different options.

So, please let me know ASAP if you're interested in a shirt. I'm still checking on printing, but total cost would probably be in the $20-25 range. Think of it as your payment for training, because you guys have been great, and I'd love to have you representin' the team out there on the trails and at races.

Team Spee - goin' platinum any day. For real.