Melissa’s Newsletter 10/2/02

Hello to my favorite people in the world! It's Wednesday! And we're into October, which should mean cooler weather and more comfortable running…. so, where the heck is it???

Cooler for practice tonight, or so they say… and the workout, you ask? We're doing 2 sets of 6 X 400M, jog 200M between after each 400M and 400M between each set. That means we start on opposite sides of the track, I think. And, it's PIZZA NIGHT!!! Yippee! And speaking of pizza there's a little newsflash: cost of pizza has gone up, which means after all this time we may need to pay a buck more, in alternate months, or any month with an R in it, no that's about oysters, well, I'll let him explain…

Please send your BIGGEST and BEST wishes to our dear friend Mike Odea, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery. He had the new hip installed at St. Francis Hospital on September 27th, and he busted out of there today. He's got built-in physical therapy because he has to negotiate 45 stairs up to his apartment - pretty good planning on his part, don'tcha think? Mike hopes to be back with us in December, walking the track. And, his meal for the last night in the hospital? Pizza from Barnaby's - gotta love it.

Congratulations to Nancy Rollins, who competed in the Twin Cities Marathon this past Sunday, posting a 3:20 finish, placing her 2nd in her age group. Nancy found out the hard way that Minneapolis has very respectable hills, but she gutted it out. Look for a super marathon from her at Chicago on October 13th!

Niles West Oakton Runners were well-represented at the Park Ridge 5K on Saturday past - it seemed like every other person on the starting line was from the club! And thanks to those who came out to cheer us on - it means so much. Another glorious day for running on that super-fast course, with 4 age-group winners for NWORC, and lots of PR's for individuals - CONGRATS TO ALL.

This Saturday, October 5th, is the 32nd Annual Savage Cross-Country Invitational at Niles West High School. There is a 2-mile open race at 9:00AM. We also need LOTS of volunteers to help with registration, timing and course marshalling. PLEASE HELP if you can. See Coach Savage if you want to volunteer.

And speaking of volunteers, the next BIG event: LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on October 13th. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS at the aid station. And if you worked at the aid station in past years make sure you know our location because it's changed a little. We'll email you with all the details. And good luck to all the athletes participating in the marathon - it's going to be a very exciting day for all! And thanks to all who came out for the Marathon Training Day on Sunday - despite the early rain we had a good crowd, and some great training.

That's it for now - see you on the track tomorrow night, I'll bring the bug spray!