Monday night run: 4/9

Lets meet at Old Plank Trail again at 6:30 pm...park by the Always Open Pantry on White Street.

We will run 8-10 miles followed by some plyo's.

Please post if you are joining us...thanks guys!

Sarah

Saturday Practice

Okay so practice tomorrow is at Pulaski Woods at 7:30. Take 95th street to Wolf Road then turn left and go down to Pulaski Woods - it's on your right hand side. I think it's the 2nd to last parking lot. Steve will host the practice. Happy Easter.

Good Luck to those racing tomorrow.

Congrats to Barry on his 50 second 5K PR.

Wednesday we'll be at Centential Park in Orland.

Wednesday Practice

Fatigue can turn anyone into a sissy - Join us Wednesday night where we'll put a little twist on familar workout to simulate what happens during a race. Meet at the Sports Authority (Route 30 & Wolf) at 6:30. We're going to warm-up into Laporte Woods this week. If you're running late. Meet us by the bridge at the bottom of the hill..

Monday night run: 4/2

Monday night run will be at Old Plank Trail...please meet at 6:30 pm in the parking lot of Always Open on White Street.

We will be running 8 miles with some plyo's after.

See you then!
Sarah

ps  You know the drill...please post if you are coming :)

Saturday Practice

This is the one you've all been waiting for!
The Lemont hill repeats. Meet at 8 am at the Park District building - 16028 West 127th in Lemont, it's just a few blocks east of 355. This one will catapult you to a higher level of fitness.

Wednesday Practice

Meet in the Sports Authority parking lot at (Route 30 & Wolf) at 6:30. Run a two mile warm-up. Then you'll run these x minute segments with a 1 minute slow jog recovery between each

3-5- 2-1-4 turnaround-3-2-4-1

The 4’s and 5’s should be at tempo pace and the 1-2-3s should be race pace.
Tip: print out the segments and bring them along or wtite on your hand so you'll know what to do.

Saturday = Lemont everyone should be there for this one!

Monday night run: 3/26

Sorry late notice...I will not be at the run tonight...however feel free to meet each other.

Centennial Park meet @ 6:30 pm at the pool parking lot.

Please post if you are meeting...so people know who is coming.

See you guys Wednesday night.

Sarah

Saturday Practice

Saturday Practice
Meet at Yankee Woods 165th & Central. We'll head out at 8 am for a long run.
Out & back - how far are you gonna go?

Wednesday Practice

Park in the Sports Authority Parking lot on Route 30 and Wolf Road. Be ready to warm-up at 6:30. We'll do a warm-up then a tempo run and a few hills.

Monday night run: 3/19

Still gets to dark to run at Swallow Cliff...lets meet at Centennial again at 6:30 pm.  We will run 8 miles...we can do Jerry favorite route :)

Please post if you are coming...see you guys tomorrow.

Sarah

Saturday Practice

Meet at Little Red Schoolhouse at 8am. We'll do the big 10 mile loop.
There are always shortcuts if you don't want to run that far.

I just wanted to reiterate how amazing your performances were last weekend. I think nearly every person either set a PR or won an age group or overall award. That's a testament to your hard work and willingness to do the stuff that most other runners (and people for that matter) are afraid to do because it's hard and it makes them uncomfortable. Continue to work hard by yourself and when you're with the team and improvements will continue. Don't forget to savor these moments too because what we're doing as a team right now is really cool and not every one gets this opportunity.

I'll be sending out a list of some other opportunities to race as a team for the rest of 2012.

Wednesday Night Practice

First outdoor practice of the year!
Meet at LW East H.S. by the main field house entrance - we'll do a warm-up then a mess of fun hills.

Wear light colored clothes and if you have a headlamp bring it - we'll finish up in the dark.
We'll depart for the warm-up promptly at 6:30.

Monday night run: 3/12

Great job today skulls...we all did very well and the workout are starting to pay off big time.

We will be meeting tomorrow for a ez 8-9 miler at Centennial Park.  The run will start at 6:30 pm.  Weather is continuing to look amazing these next few days so take advantage of it.

Also, in the next few week we will be relocating to Swallow Cliff...if weather stays good of course.  I would like to get off of some of this pavement running....so if you guys have any other suggestions on locations let me know.  Would like to stay between Palos area and no farther than Frankfort area.  Thanks!

Also, post if you are meeting tomor.

See you guys tomorrow :)
Sarah

Wednesday Practice

LW East High School. Might be a good day to warm-up outside. Be warmed up and ready to go by 7:00. We'll be doing quarters and a mile at race pace - check your mcmillan chart do the pace that says speed workout - long distance runners.

Are you racing the Running of the Green or Fleadh this weekend? All the cool kids are.

Monday run: 3/5

Hope you all had a nice weekend.  We will be back at Centennial Park @ 6:30pm for our run.  Again please park in the pool parking lot.

The run will be 8-9 miles and we will do some plyo's after too :)

See you guys tomorrow.

Saturday Practice

It's time for some hills.
Join us at Little Red Schoolhouse - 99th & 104th Ave.
at 8 am Saturday. We'll do a long run with a healthy dose of hills

What are you doing Saturday?

Wednesday Practice

What will it be short intervals or long intervals?
Meet at LW East Track
Be warmed up and ready to go at 7 pm.

Have you signed up for Running of the Green in Tinley?

Monday night run: 2/27

Lets meet at the Bettenhausen Rec center parking lot in Tinley Park.  (The corner of 171st and 80th Ave).  We will meet at 6:30 and do a timed run...45-60 min. 

Please post who is coming so I know who is meeting.

See you tomorrow :)

Saturday Practice in Lemont

Saturday Practice for all Tinley Track & Trail Members - Join MJ and her Tri Smart team in Lemont

STARTING LOCATION: Meet at Safety Village which is located at 55 Stephen Street. There is parking both in front of and behind the building.
START TIME: 7:45am - sharp! Please plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can get started right on time. Safety Village will be LOCKED while we are out running.
REGISTER: The Quarryman Challenge is a 10 mile hilly race that takes place on May 12th. To register for the race, click HERE.
COURSE MAPS: The course loops around and you are able to cut the course to 6 miles, if needed. The course is marked, but you can find a map HERE. The course will also be marked.

This is a great opportunity for all of our group 2 runners to come out. There will be plenty of people to run with the course is marked. This is a perfect training run for those spring 1/2s. MJ can even give you swim stroke tips.

Wednesday Practice 2-22

Meet at LW East HS Indoor Track. Be warmed up and ready to go by 7.
We'll be doing 200s relay-style to get some leg turnover and then a mile.

Monday night run: 2/20

Hey guys lets meet again at Centennial...sorry to be boring but it seems we get the best turnout there.  I think it is 1/2 way point for most. 

We will meet and stretch in the pool parking lot...the run will start at 6:30 pm and we will be running the 6 mile route and if anyone wants to add we will add 1-2 miles on after.

Post if you are coming...thanks guys see you tomor :)

Saturday Run 2/18

Join us at beautiful Waterfall Glen (On Cass Ave. 1 block south of I-55). We'll depart at 8am for a 9.5 mile loop.

Wednesday Practice

LW East HS be warmed up and ready to go at 7. We'll do a 30 minute fartlek then lots of plyometrics. Happy Valentines Day - Skull style.

Monday night run: 2/13

Monday's night run will be at Centennial Park...meet in the pool parking lot.  Please be ready to go by 6:30.

Please post if you will be meeting so everyone knows who will be there....I will not be at the workout tomorrow.  Kevin and I will be going out for V-day since we can't on Tuesday night.

See you all on Wednesday night run ...and Happy Valentines Day!!

Saturday Practice Feb 11

Meet at 40 Acre Woods at 8 am. 119th - 1 block East of LaGrange Road. Depending on the weather conditions we can hit the trails or the roads. We'll do 8-10 miles.

Wednesday Practice 2/8

Meet at LW East Indoor Track. Be warmed up and ready to go by 7 pm. If you are doing the 3 mile warm-up outside we'll depart at 6:25.

We'll be doing 5 x 1000 meters at tempo pace. So plug your 2 mile time into the McMillan Running Calculator at www.mcmillanrunning.com to get your pace for 1000 meter cruise intervals.

Talk to Craig if you're interested in doing Madison to Chicago Relay.

It seems that the first team race of the year is the Running of the Green in Tinley Park.

Monday night run: 2/6

Tomorrow night we will be meeting at Centennial Park again...it will be nice and flat for a 7 mile run.

Meet at the usual 6:30 pm time in the pool parking lot. 

Hope to see some of you!

Saturday Morning Run

Let's meet in Lemont and do the 10 mile Quarryman course.

Meet here and be ready to go by 8am. There is parking.

This is where we met last year.

We had 31 people at the track let's try to get at least 10 for this one.

The Mystery of McMillan Will be Solved

Meet at LW East Indoor Track. Warm-up 6:30. Workout begins at 7:00. We'll do 4 x 400 then a 2 mile time trial. Everyone can use the 2 mile as their McMillan Baseline. Join us afterwards at Tommy Nevins bar.

Monday night run: 1/30

The run this week will be at Centennial Park...it will be a timed 45 minute run.  Park in the pool parking lot...the run will start at 6:30 pm.

I will not be there tomorrow night I have to close...so please post that you are coming so others know who they are meeting.

See  you guys on Wednesday :)

Saturday Practice

8am - Old Plank Trail. Park in the parking lot just east of the Grainery on White St.

Wednesday Practice 1/25

LW East High School - Indoor Track
La Grange Road & Colorado Ave.
Warm-up 6:30
Practice Starts at 7:00
Be sure to know your McMillan Cruise Interval pace for 800, 600 and 400 meters,

Monday night run: 1/23

We will be running at the Palos fire station again this week for a 6 mile run...the run will start at 6:30 pm. 

Once again please wear reflective gear.

Saturday 1/21 Snow run

Meet at 40 Acres (119th & 1 block east of LaGrange) at 8 am. If there is too much snow you can hit the streets around the Palos Fire Station.

If the parking lot is closed due to the snow then park on the other side of LaGrange in the big parking lot, which is usually open.

Regarding your McMillan pace. If you have not run a race since November you can plug in the pace from Wednesday's workout. Add the times of all 3 of your miles up. Then if the workout felt hard subtract 15 seconds. If it felt easy or you were talking during the intervals subtract 25 seconds Then plug that in for your 3 mile pace. Then write down your pace for Cruise Intervals. Bring that to the workouts.

2012 Training Season Starts This Week

Wednesday Jan 18..... Dreams are born and PRs are planted.

Meet at LW East High School (LaGrange Road & Colorado Ave) in Frankfort.
Arrive at 6:30 you can warm-up on the track or warm-up outside.
The workout starts at 7 pm we'll be doing 3 x 1 mile. Plus some speed stuff.
We'll be done by 8pm
Be sure to sign-in with the park district when you get there.

All paces will be tempo - be sure to print out your mcmillan pace calculator.
If you're not sure of your current fitness and you haven't raced for a while take your last 5k and add 30 seconds to 1 minute. You can use one of the miles we run on Wednesday as a baseline for future calculations.

http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/index.php/site/calculator

Monday practice: 1/16

It's are start up week again....:)

We will be meeting at the Palos Fire station (located on 123Rd) to run a hilly 6 mile run.  The run will start at 6:30...so once again wear reflective gear and its suppose to be pretty chilly so dress WARM!!

See you then!

Saturday Practice 1/14

Saturday Practice & Marathon Viewing Party
Carl & Craig have set-up a Olympic marathon Trials viewing party at Stoney Point Grill in Mokena from 2-4. It should be the most competivie race in decades. Both men & women.
How about we start practice at 12:30pm from LW East- run for an hour than go watch the race.
If you can't make the practice - try to stop by and watch the race

Monday night run: 1/9

If anyone is interested in joining Kim and I we will be running tomorrow night at Centennial Park (park at the usual pool parking lot)

The run will be a 6 mile run through the park and neighborhood...we will start at 6:30 pm. 

It is suppose to be another mild night so take advantage of this weather before it disappears.

Monday night run: 1/2/12

Happy New Year TT&T...

We will be meeting tomorrow night for an easy 6 mile run.  Lets meet at the Tinley Park Rec center on the corner of 171st and 80th Ave... in the parking lot at  6:30 pm.

Hope to see some of you :)

It's time for our Winter Break

It was a very successful year for our team in 2011.
Lots of individual and team success in a variety of races and events.
But now it's time for our annual winter break.

No official Wednesday or Saturday practices until Wednesday January 18 at LW East High school. Take this time to recover and rebuild for the 2012 season. Breaks in your training are a must for continued long-term success Cross train, do easy runs and start on the plyo and hip strengthening routines. As a whole our team was relatively injury free in 2011 which is a very good thing.

Sarah is resuming her Monday night run starting Jan 2.

Wednesday Run

Meet at Dick's Sporting Goods - Meet at the Entrance on the EAST Side of the Building at 6:30 for an easy run through the neighborhood. Wear your headlamps.

Monday night run 12/19

Hey everyone...we will be meeting at Centenial Park (pool parking lot) in Orland at 6:30 pm.  The run will be a 45-60 minute run through the neighborhood.

Hope to see all of you :)

Saturday Practice

Let's change it up a bit. Let's meet at Yankee Woods - 165th & Central Ave in Oak Forest. Parking lot is on the west side of Central. Meet at 8 am. We'll do an easy 6-7.

Just three more practices - Saturday, Wednesday and Christmas Eve, before we take our winter break. We'll start back on the track on January 18th. Take it easy for a few weeks, cross train and get ready for the 2012 season.

The Sombrero Run is Here

Sombrero Run Wednesday night 6:30 Human Race Sports on 152nd & LaGrange.
Join us afterwards for a feast of Burritos at Chipoltes.
Dress festively but do not outshine the Sombrero. You do not wish to anger the Sombrero.

Anyone can run a marathon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2QkfjHDYAM

Monday night run 12/12

Hey guys we will be meeting at the Palos fire station at 6:30 pm for some lovely hills...the run will be 4-7 miles.

Remember wear reflective clothes!

Palos fire station is on McCarthy Road (127th street)...right side of the street.

Saturday Run

Meet at Little Red School House at 8:15. We'll do an easy 6-7 miles. If you don't have any races planned it's time to shut it down. Cut back on your mileage, recover after a long season and let those nagging injuries heal. It's also a good time to start-up some cross training. Next year in addition to running races we will consider doing some adventure races and maybe even a triathlon as a team. More details coming soon.

Wednesd 12/7 Christmas Light Run

Tour the streets of Orland Park for 6-7 miles. Bring your headlamps.
We'll meet at the Human Race Running Store - for those that haven't been there it's in the strip mall on the west side of LaGrange 15148 S. LaGrange Road. - It's about 6-7 stores north of Chipoltes. Be ready to run at 6:30.

Monday night run 12/5

Hi guys...there will be no official practice tomorrow night.

I have to work...but you guys can always meet each other. 

Also, our big move was this weekend....so feel free to check out our new location.  Remember you guys get 15% off.

See you soon!!

This Weekend

Saturday - No official practice.

Sunday- If you are doing the cross country challenge:
We are going to car pool from Jerry Nelligan's house -13535 Tallgrass Trail, Orland Park. Be there by 7:15 am.
Bring an empty garbage bag(for your dirty clothes) and extra warm clothes for after the race.
Expect to get muddy - you won't be crawling through mud i.e. Warrior Dash but you may be running through it. During the race I would wear shorts even if it's cold - long pants will soak up water and mud and then you'll be lugging it around for 3 miles. You may want to bring an old, disposable t-shirt/sweat shirt that you can wear to the starting line and throw away (Marathon-style) at the start.
NO FUSCHIA.
e-mail me if you have any questions. richm259@comcast.net

Pub Crawl - Friday Dec. 2nd 7:30 PM!!!

We've had a lot of interest in the pub crawl, and we've worked feverishly to coordinate this around all these races to maximize the number of participants this year, so whether you’ve run with us once or every day this year, this is the time to come out! The pub crawl will start Friday December 2nd at 7:30 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Orland Park. If you’re planning on eating, get there earlier and order food right away, as we will depart at around 8PM sharp.

For first timers: This is not a race… we all participate together and move at a very comfortable/slow pace, so no one should feel they can’t keep up. Plus this year all places are within ¼ mile or so from the next one. Some women even did this in heels last year! (male or female, we are all tough skulls… no heels for the men though).

If you would like to join in but cannot make the start, you can call Carl’s cell: 630-854-6266 or Rich’s cell: 630-697-1499 during the evening to find out where we are going to be so you can meet up. Or if you can only make it to the last location, you can find us at Harrison's at approximately 10 PM. If I’ve missed anything or you have questions, just comment on the blog under this post. Hope to see you all there.

Wednesday Practice

Meet in the pool parking lot at Centential Park at 6:30. We'll do a run into Crystal Tree. If you have a head lamp bring it along.

Don't forget about the pub crawl this Friday -it starts off at Buffalo Wild Wings on 159th and LaGrange. Details to follow......

Monday practice: 11/28

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend!!!

We will be running from the New Balance store this week....we will meet at 6:30 pm and do 6 miles through the neighborhood.

Again wear reflective gear...see ya then :)

Saturday Practice

Meet at Little red School House at 8 am. We'll do a 7-8 mile run with some hills.

Wednesday Practice

If you're not racing on Thanksgiving. Meet at Centennial pool at 6:30pm. We'll do a warmup, a tempo run of 4 miles, some core work and a cooldown. Totaling 6-7 miles.

If you're looking to go out for Black Wednesday - post on the blog or on our FB page. If there is some interest Craig may try to organize.

If you're racing Thursday - good luck , wear black and take some photos.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Saturday - Meet at Little Red Schoolhouse at 8am.

Monday night run: 11/21

Happy.....Birthday Carl!!!!!!!

Please join us for the Monday night run and after get together for Carl's Birthday.

We will be meeting at Carl's hood....located in Orland Park @ 6:30 pm.  The run will be a 45-60 minute run through the neighborhood....and directly after we will be heading to Begger's Pizza to have a drink for Carl's Birthday. 

Carl's at 9800Avenida Del Norte Street, Orland Park 60462  (park on the side that allows parking please).

Also, once again wear reflective clothing...its more light but more traffic at this location.

Saturday Practice 11/19

Meet at 40 Acre Wood 119th st. (1 block east of LaGrange) at 8 am.
We'll do a run through the woods. Maybe a few hills for good measure.

Wednesday Practice - Mixing it Up

We'll meet at Centenial Park by the pool in Orland again Wednesday at 6:30.
We'll do a warm-up. Then we're going to try something different. We're going to incorporate some plyometrics & strength building circuits into our run.
We'll be doing:
Hill Climbs
Lunges
Push-Ups
Bench Jumps
Mountain Climbers
Kettle Bells

The run will be based on time not on distance so everyone will start & finish at the same time. You can do as little or as many of the circuits as you would like depending on your goals. We have never done this before but it should be a good work-out.

Monday night run: 11/14

Wow...that's all I can say.  We really have a strong team...and I feel so lucky to be apart of  it.  Congrats to all the SKULLS that ran the Tinley Turkey Trot.

We will be revisiting Palos Hills for our Monday night run @ 6:30 pm.  Hills are a great way to keep up the endurance and keeps the legs strong.

Once again please....wear as much reflectability as possible.  As we know there is not much traffic there but it is pretty dark.

Please park at the Fire Station again on 123rd (McCarthy Rd)...the fire station is on the right side about 1/2 mile from LaGrange.

See you all then :)

This weekend

No practice Saturday - Taper for those Sunday races.

Sunday if you're doing the Tinley Turkey Trot. Meet at the swinging bridge by the baseball field/concession stand at 7:30 a.m. for a warm-up. You can even park on that street, it's only a short jog to the start.
We'll all jog over to the start together at 7:55. Wear black Tinley gear if you have it. If not any black and/or with a skull will do.


If you're doing the Red-Eye good luck.

Wednesday 11/9

Meet at Centential Park in Orland. Park in the pool parking lot roght off of Fun Dr. We'll warm-up at 6:30 and then do a tempo run run.

Tinley Turket Trot -Nov 13th - there are going to be a bunch of us so be sure to wear your black Tinley gear and jacket to the race. Let our competitors see the power of the skull.

Monday night run: 11/7

Hey everyone...this week we will be running in Frankfort.  Please meet at 6:30 pm in the Lincoln-way East parking lot (where we park when we do indoor speed).

The run will be about a 60 minute run through the neighborhood....so please were reflective gear.

After the run Craig and Carl would like all of you (if you can) to join them at Stoney Point its located (191st and LaGrange behind the White Castle) they thought it would be nice to watch the Monday night football game...also they have free half-time buffet.

Saturday Practice 11/5

Meet at Joe's Pond(10000 s. 104th ave. just south of Little Red School House) at 7:45 for a run. We may throw in a few bullfrog hill repeats.

Wednesday Practice 11/2

Meet at Centenial Park in Orland Park. Park in the pool parking lot off of Fun Dr.
We'll warm-up at 6:30. Then we will do a tempo run. Wear reflective clothing.

Have you signed up for the Tinley Turkey Trot yet?

Wednesday Practices on 11/16, 11/23 and 11/30 will be a little different. We'll be incorporating some hills, plyometrics and strength training within the run. This is to help get us ready for the Cross Country Challenge & Tough Mudder. I reccomend you start doing a couple sets of lunges, squats and push-ups in the next few weeks so you will be less sore after these workouts. These practices will all be at Centential Park in Orland.

Pub Crawl - 12/2

Starting 1/1/12 - I think we may go all Facebook posts for practice notices instead of the blog.

Monday night run: 10/31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN....come join us for a spoktacular run!!

We will be meeting at the Palos fire station and will be running through the neighborhood of Palos.  The run will be 4-6 miles and hilly. 

Palos fire station is easy to get to...it is down LaGrange heading North take a right at 123rd (McCarthy Rd) and the fire station is about 1/2 mile down on your right.

Please....wear reflective gear.  It is not a high traffic area, however it will be dark.

After the run we can head to McDiviots for some drinks and/or food.

Saturday Oct 29

No practice - everyone is racing. Good Luck

Although, we may have practice Sunday - watch FB for details.

Pub Crawl - December 2nd!

Monday night run: 10/24

Hey everyone...hope you all had a great weekend.  Congrats to anyone who raced this weekend.  I know Craig ran a great half...good job buddy :)

We will be running tomorrow night @ 6:30 pm from the store...we will be doing 6 miles.

I know some of you chatted about going out a bit after the runs on Monday night...I am game on some Monday's.  We can switch it up from week to week.  Craig you can be in charge of locations if you would like?? ;)

See you guys tomorrow night.

Wednesday Practice

Last practice on the track. Be warmed up and ready to go by 6:40.

Let's get a good turnout we have some new runners coming out.

Who is doing Race of the Dead?

Is anyone practicing tomorrow?

There is nothing official set-up. If you want to run with someone use the blog to set it up.

Squeezing out the last bit of speed

That's the goal in the next few weeks - whether you're doing the Red Eye, Hot Chocolate, Tinley Turkey Trot or others we'll see if we can shave a few more seconds per minute off your time.

Wednesday meet at Tinley Park HS Track. Be warmed up and ready to go by 6:45.
We'll be doing 400's and a mile.

Dress warm it's gonna be chilly.

We also need to pick a day for the pub crawl.

Monday 10/17

Hey all....sorry no posting obviously we didn't meet last week because of the marathon and I came down with a wicked cold...yuck!

However, we will be running tomorrow night from the New Balance store...the run will be 4-6 miles.

As usual meet at 6:30 pm and we will stretch and leave shortly after.

Hope to see you all and hear about some of your marathon stories or non-marathon stories...haha!

Sarah

Saturday Practice

Meet at 40 Acres Saturday at 7:30 a.m.
Also come out to Indiana Dunes on Sunday at 7:30. Check FB for details.

Back to the track on Wednesday. just 2 more weeks.

Pub Crawl Update - Friday Nov 4th.

Wednesday Practice October 12

Congratulations to all marathoners. It looks like almost everyone ran pretty close to expectations despite another warm day. The gold star goes to Kim and Craig for their perfect pacing. Before you run another marathon get some tips from them because that is how you're supposed to do it.

We're going to meet at Tinley Park High school at 6:30. Then we're going to run over to 1/2 mile park which is about 1.5 miles away. We'll do repeat 800s on the roads. Marathoners should not do this workout but if you want to come out and jog to the park and back together you'll get a nice 4 mile run which will be perfect for your recovery. Please wear light colored clothes.

If you cannot get to Tinley H.S. on time - you can go directly to Nasebandt Park 174th and Odell. It's 2 blocks west of Harlem on 174th Street. Park on the east side of the park. Everyone should be there by 6:50.

Why you will succeed tomorrow....

You started training for the marathon in January not June
You have run 4-6 miles of speedwork for the past 6 months.
You get up early to run long sometimes before work and before your kids get up.
You run out in the elements not in a climate controlled envirnoment on a treadmill.
You have done dozens of Yassos
You have supported each other through tough workouts on long runs and in races.
You are not a team of mercenaries that run together because you get some free shoe store gear, but because you are friends.
You will run a smart pace because you have done that dozens of time in practice.

You will finish this long journey on Balboa & Columbus.

You will be passing hundreds of others competitors who have not paid this price.

You are skulls

Saturday Practice

Meet at Joe's Pond at 7:45 for a 10 miler.

Marathoners - don't run the first half of the race like an idiot. Don't run the 2nd half like a sissy. Good luck.

Wednesday Practice

It's marathon week!

Meet at Tinley Park High School- Be warmed up and ready to go at 6:40.
We will stay on the track.
Marathoners will do 3 miles at MRP.
Everyone else will do 500s

Marathoners - take it easy this week. Take a day or two off- stretch, stay hydrated. Start upping the carbs starting tomorrow.Stay off your feet when you can.
Visualize the race every night before you go to sleep - a smart controlled start, a smooth middle and a strong steady finish where you feel good and you're passing a lot of people doing the skeleton dance.

If you run the race right you DO NOT have to hit the wall.

Monday night run 10/3

It's marathon week....Yippy!! :)

We will meet at the New Balance store for an ez 4 mile run in the neighborhood....at 6:30 pm.

Please wear reflective gear.

Saturday Practice

7:45 Old Plank Trail we'll do 8-10 miles. Good last long run for marathoners.

Meet in the parking lot just west of the grainery tower.

Remember run at least half of this run at your marathon goal pace - embrace the pace!

Wednesday Practice

Here's the plan. Everyone will do a 4 mile tempo run. We will depart from Tinley Park High School Track at 6:30. Be warmed up and ready to go at 6:30. Since we are hitting the roads I want to be off them before it gets too dark.

The entire practice should be done by 7:30 so let's hit Baileys on Oak Park Ave afterwards. We can toast our successful racing weekend as well as have a spirited send-off for our marathoners.

Great job racing this weekend - I think everyone that raced-placed!

Monday night run 9/26

Hey guys we will be running tomorrow night at 6:30 pm.  The run will start from the store since it is dark now...we will do an ez 4-6 mile run through the neighborhood and finish at the store.

Also, if anyone was interested I thought we could go across the street for some drinks/food at Houlihan's :)

Meet at:  New Balance
              16131 LaGrange Road
              Orland Park, IL 60467
              (we are located behind the Houlihan's restaurante)

What marathoners should be doing the next 2 weeks

This week M-7 W-4/tempo F-6 Sat-9 Sun-5
next week M-6 W-5 F-3 Sat-1 Sun-Race

We'll do a 4 mile tempo run at practice this wednesday. Half of your miles should be at marathon race pace - embrace the pace!

Feel free to change your off days to meet your schedule.
Stay healthy - wash your hands a lot, get plenty of sleep.

Saturday Practice

Meet at Joe's Pond 9900 S. 104th Ave - Just south of Little Red School House at 7:45.

This weekend -All marathoners should do 12-14 miles as their long run with 6-8 miles at marathon pace. In fact,from now until the Wednesday before the marathon - as you taper - 25%-50% of each run should be at Marathon pace. E.g. -If you do 5 miles - 2 at marathon pace. You should get as familar and comfortable with that pace as an old pair of socks.

Wednesday Practice

Marathoners – I think this workout will really put the finishing touches on your marathon training.

It’s a set of tempo intervals 4 x 1.5 miles on the Tinley Turkey Trot course. Pace 20-30 seconds slower than your goal marathon pace. 2-3 minute rest. Meet at Tinley Track and be ready to start your warm-up to Vogt Woods by 6:20. I'll be there to give you final instructions. I'm starting early so you can complete the workout before it gets too dark. If you cannot be there by 6:20 drive directly to Vogt Woods (171st 2 blocks east of Oak park Ave) and the workout will start at 6:35. Wear light color clothes for maximum visibility.

Everyone else will be on the track for some shorter intervals

No Monday Practice 9/19

Hey everyone...I will not be able to meet you guys for our Monday night run this week.  However, feel free to meet each other @ 6:30 pm.

As far as next Monday 9/26 we will be meeting at a new location.  I will let you guys know as the date approaches.

See you all on Wednesday!

Saturday Practice

40 Acres 7:30 a.m Please blog in if you are coming so people will know others will be there.
Good luck to racers.

Marathoners this should be your last long run - run at least 8-10 of the miles at goal race pace.

"The workout" -Wed

Each Spring and Fall there is usually one workout that makes the difference. The one that gets you through mile 24. The one that let's you run the 3rd mile of your 5K faster than your previous 2. This workout will be Wednesday.

We're meeting at the Tinley H.S. Parking lot at 6:30. We will leave promptly for mile park at 6:30 it's getting dark earlier so be ready. If you're running late meet us at Vogt Woods about 6:40.

We'll be doing mile repeats- marathoners about 10 seconds slower than Yasso pace.
5Kers - 5k effort

Monday night run 9/12

Congratulation to everyone who ran races this weekend!! I know some of you gals were running the Naperville 1/2....And Michelle ran her first Iron man this weekend. Hope you all are recovering.

We will be running tomorrow at Swallow Cliff at 6:30 pm. It maybe our last time there...I will give you guys an update on the new location next week...but for now we can squeeze in one last time at Swallow.

Please arrive at 6:30 because we will depart shortly after 6:30 to get 6-8 mi in...you guys who races this weekend should do an ez 4 mi but please join us if you feel up to it.

Look forward to seeing all of you :)

Saturday Practice ?

A bunch of us are running the Shorewood Scoot on Saturday.

Marathoners please post where you are doing your long run so others can join in.

ANOTHER PARTY SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Carlos V is having the team over Sunday, on 9/11 at 3:00 p.m. His address is 8118 Stonegate Drive, Tinley Park. He plans to have some of that famous skirt steak, guacamole, Mexican rice, and re fried beans. He'll have is pool open and families are invited. Please RSVP to Carlos if you're coming and what you may bring. Wings26.2@comcast.net

Wednesday Sept. 7 Practice & BBQ

Meet at Carl's place at 9800 Avenida Del Norte St in Orland Park 60462 between 6:15 and 6:30 (note parking is only allowed on one side of the street). At 6:30 we will depart for a short warm-up including the Yasso course that we will be doing during the workout. The workout will be specific to your racing needs whether you are a marathoner or not.

The BBQ will follow the run at Carl's place. He will handle the burgers, dogs, and chicken, so bringing a side would be quite helpful, or, if you prefer a specific drink, that would be great too.

If you care to swim and cool off after the run, bring a suit and towel. Note the pool will be quite 'refreshing' this time of the year. I look forward to seeing everyone, and hope we have a good turnout for this one as we close out the summer.

Saturday Practice 9/3

Saturday - Meet at 40 Acre Woods(119th 1 block east of LaGrange) at 7:30 am.

Don't forget we're meeting at Carl's house in Orland Park on 9/7 for practice. We'll do Yassos on the roads and then have a post workout BBQ in Carl's backyard afterwards. Carl will post more details.

Monday night run 8/30

We will be meeting again tomorrow at 6:30 pm at Swallow Cliff. Monday night runs are ez 6-10 mile runs...these runs are great to run with some great people and enjoy the runs. Also, in the upcoming weeks we can grab a beer and some food after if everyone is down for that. McDiviots is always a good place for a recovery beer :)

Hope to see you guys tomorrow!

Wednesday Practice

Meet at Tinley Park High School Track.
Be warmed up and ready to go by 6:45.
We're doing 4 x 1200s and a then a mile

Are you ready? It's almost Fall racing season!

Practice Saturday Aug 27

Carlos' party has been postponed. It will not be tomorrow. More details to follow.


Meet at WaterFall Glen at 7:30 am for a progressive paced long run.
Park at the trailhead on Cass Ave 2 blocks south of I-55.

Marathoners - this is a good chance to get a long one in.

Wednesday Practice 8-24

Meet at Tinley Park High School Track. Be warmed up and ready to go at 6:45.
We'll be doing 16 x 400 with a 1 minute recovery. Group 2 is doing 14.

Marathoners won't do too many intervals this short in the next 7 weeks but even these 400s will target your VO2 max and boost your threshold. Plus, it makes marathon race pace seem easier.

Use your Mcmillian Chart to get your 400 pace.

Monday Night Runs

Monday night runs will be starting tomorrow night at 6:30 pm....the runs will vary based on what you are training for but will virtually be anywhere from 6-10 miles.

Tomorrow we will be meeting at Swallow Cliff...the west side entrance on LaGrange (please park there).

Also, everyone on the team gets a 15% off discount at the New Balance Store so please mention you are on the team to receive the discount.  (Just ask for me)

Hope to see you all tomorrow night :)

Sarah

Saturday Practice 8-20

Meet at Joe's Pond (9900 South 104th Ave.) at 7:30 a.m. We'll do a long run (10 miles) with a 4 mile tempo incorporated in the middle. Marathoners are welcome - throwing downing a little up-tempo in the middle of a long run is a great way to get ready for race day.

Marathoning tip - During your long runs - I reccomend running 15-30 seconds slower per mile than your Marathon goal pace. You can start out a little slower than that and build into it. I know some of the marathon programs say you should do your long runs a minute slower than Marathon pace. I strongly disagree - if you don't replicate race pace a little closer in practice you won't be able to do it on race day.

Middle Distance runners - add in some strides at the end of one of your workouts each week.

Wednesday Track work

Yassos for the Marathoners
800s for everyone else.

Meet at Tinley Park High School Track - be spiked up and psyched up by 6:45. Then it's go time.

Who ran the rock & roll half?

Saturday Practice 8/13

Thanks to the Nelligans - especially Sue for the cool post-practice party.
Next one is mid Septemeber at Carl's house.

Saturday meet at Joe's Pond (3 blocks south of Little Red School House)at 7:30.
Non Marathoners will probably do 10.
I encourage all Marathoners to take advantage of the cooler temps and get a long run in. Group 2 had a great showing last week - hopefully they can repeat.

Next Wednesday we're back on the track.

Thought this link was pretty good.

Wednesday Practice

Jerry Nelligan graciously agreed to host the team after practice on Wednesday. He lives at 13535 TallGrass Trail in Orland Park.

Meet at Jerry's house at 6:30. The workout will be a progressive 4 mile run with each mile a little quicker than the last. Do not start out too fast.

Jerry will post the details about food & logistics.

Marathoners - To achieve your marathon goal you need to run your long runs at 10-30 seconds per mile slower than your goal race pace. As well as some of the miles during these long runs at Marathon Pace. I also believe you need 5-6 runs at 18-21 miles to run a strong marathon. This has been challenging this summer due to the heat. However, there are no shortcuts or miracles in running. If you are not doing this in practice you will be unable to do it on race day. So you have 2 options - 1)lower your race goal. 2) try to get your long runs in very early or late or even on a treadmill(but not too many) so you don't have to fight the heat. If you have any training questions let me know.

Saturday Practice -8/6 Marathon training

It looks like we finally got a nice-sized amount of Group 2ers coming out on Saturday.

Let's meet at the I&M canal bike path -in Willow Springs at 7:30. It's nearly impossible to get lost here so come no matter what your pace.

The route has an 8 mile loop and a 3 mile loop - so it's really easy to do an
8,11,14 or 18 mile run with a good chance to get fluids after each loop.

I attached a map - but easy directions coming from the South - take 104th avenue North to Arher Ave. Turn left on Archer and then make the first right on Colonel Street and head for the train station parking lot. It's kind of right behind a 7/11-gas station. Call my cell 630-697-1499 if you can't find it.
http://users.rcn.com/clonk/CCFPD/MINI/IMCanalBike.gif
Look at the enlargement on the map for a better view

Time to get serious...

The Chicago Marathon is 9 weeks away and the Fall racing season is just 5.

Meet at Centential Park in Orland Park on Wednesday at 6:30.
Park in the pool parking lot on Fun Dr., just West of West Ave.

Bring plenty of water.