Tag Archives: Half Marathon Training

Marathon Minute

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May 20, 2012 by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

Photos by Lizette Militar Byers

Ready, Set, Go! WOW women are more than ready to take on the See Jane Half Marathon!

We all owe Coach Stephanie our gratitude for marking the course for us. We now have the psychological edge of knowing the course. THANK YOU, COACH STEPHANIE!

And our heartiest thank you goes to Lizette who kindly kept a water station for us. We wish her well on her 100 mile bike ride on June 3! Go, Lizette, go! We are cheering you on!

Christie and Kathy going strong on their first 13.1 mile practice run.

Do you remember how you celebrated your 30th birthday? Bravo to Christie A. who celebrated her 30th birthday by running 13.1 miles for the very first time! And Bravo to Kathy W who also ran 13.1 miles for the first time! Way to go ladies, and you looked strong as you came to the finish line.

Brave Evelyn joined us and ran the 5K course. Ellen also ran, and Vera, Pat, Rebecca, Beth, Lauren, and Coach Stephanie all completed 13.1 miles.

Next week we will be in taper mode, running 10 miles.

Go WOW Women!

Jump Start Your Summer and Fall Training with WOW!

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50 in 100

The WOW Team is adding 50 new members in the next 100 days and we want YOU!

A run like no other through the Napa Valley

Here is what the WOW Team Offers Every Day:

Professional Coaching with personalized training and goal setting

More than 7 neighborhood workouts (walking, running, speed work, and tempo runs) each week throughout the greater Bay Area. You may attend one or all!

Support online and through mentors (don't live in the area? Train with WOW through our virtual support and coaching)

Ongoing enrollment. Join ANY time!

Best of the Best

The WOW Team was voted Best Bay Area Women's Run Club for 2012 by an ABC7 Poll.
Join the BEST. Be Your BEST!

Go WOW Team at See Jane Run Half Marathon 2011!


Summer Specials

May
Sports Nutrition Clinic every Saturday, online
Free at meetup.com/gowowteam
June
Power Walking Clinics

  Intermediate Running Clinics

    Starts June 6 in Walnut Creek, 5 Weeks $89. Here is the link
    Starts June 13 in Oakland/Piedmont, 5 Weeks $99. Here is the link
Hill and Pacing Clinics

Free to Members or Join Specific Event on Meetup

July
Start to train for

San Jose Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon Oct 4

  Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon Oct 21


 

Special Prices

Sign up with a buddy and split the initial membership fee 50/50
Sign up in May for a $20 rebate*
Sign up in June for a $10 rebate*
Sign up by July 16, just in time to start training for fall 5K Walks through Full Marathons and get a $5 rebate
*(once we get all your paperwork)

Register Now

What better time to start your new lifetime of fitness?


Getting started: Details for you to join the WOW Team, as a full subscriber, or a drop-in are available on our website at Go WOW Team
 

Go WOW Team!



Not quite sure what to do next?
Take a free fitness survey
Find us on Facebook
Follow us @gowowteam on twitter
RSVP for our workouts on meetup

You are always welcome with the WOW Team!


Marathon Minute

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“The Marathon Cycle”
by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

Go Oakland! We did it! 2011 - Aisling F, Lauren G, Robbi C, Jeanetta M, Coach Stephanie

We had a great turnout of women at Walden Park on Sunday with the intertwining of marathon training: some women were tapering for the Oakland Half Marathon or relay, next Sunday, March 25, while other women were just beginning their training for the See Jane Run Half Marathon Sunday, June 3. It was exciting to meet new members, and gratifying to hear veteran women describe their experiences of being part of our WOW Team.

In future weeks I will focus on the training for the See Jane Run Half Marathon; however this week it is important to focus on the final week of training for the Oakland Half Marathon.

My non-running sister just asked me what I would be doing this week to prepare for Sunday. I answered, drink plenty of water, eat healthy meals filled with protein and complex carbohydrates. She also knew that I wouldn’t be running as fast or as long as I had in training when I run this week.

This is the week to appreciate the fact that you have trained well and you are ready to race on Sunday. If you are able, this is a good time to get a little extra sleep, and know that resting is important for strong running.

Make sure you have your clothes, (shirt, pants/shorts, underwear, socks, shoes, hat), bib, gels, and fluids laid out and ready to go before you go to sleep Saturday night. Don’t worry if you can’t sleep, the adrenaline of the race will carry you.

There will be 8 aid stations for the Half Marathon. They will be providing water, Gatorade and Gu. So you don’t need to carry as much as you did on a training run. It’s a good idea to have some liquid with you.

Half Marathoners will be meeting at the WOW Tent in Snow Park at 8:30. Our race begins at 9:15. Again, remember that you have trained for this, and you can do it. Be proud of yourself, and stick to your plan, remembering your breathing, legs and arms.

We look forward to celebrating our success at the WOW Tent with all WOW members after the race and at the party afterward at Michaela’s.

THANK YOU COACH STEPHANIE FOR DOING AN AWESOME JOB OF PREPARING US FOR THE OAKLAND HALF MARATHON

Hydrate, Fuel and Run strong! GO WOW TEAM!

The Weekly Pep Talk - Less than 2 Weeks to Oakland and 12 Weeks for See Jane Run

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The Weekly Pep Talk #185
Start March 12, 2012

Words to live by:  "Do the thing and you will have the power." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Woman of the Week: Pam Skiles – as humble as they come. Soooo much improvement!  
 
Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Time to focus on the other aspects of racing and tapering beyond the physical training.

  • Plan your water and snack stops based on the actual course. How will you handle them?
  • Determine what you will wear and why
  • Take time to visualize yourself on the course, running effortlessly and with confidence.  Go over this scenario several times in the next period before your race
  • Be mentally and physically prepared for a wonderful, exciting (maybe a bit scary) day! 

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,
 
Our longest training day is now out of the way. Whether it was 14 miles (woo hoo!) or a shorter, faster practice for the relay or 5K you ladies rocked it!

The focus for most of us is the upcoming Oakland Run Fest. That said I want us all to remember that WOW is here for us FOREVER (I hope)!  Wherever you are in your training, let’s do it together, have fun, push ourselves, and be assured that this is what the WOW Team is truly about - lifetime fitness, friendship and fun.

Can you feel the fitness vibes? Go WOW Team!
 
We had more than 20 women show up last Sunday at Point Isabel.  This included 4 new (or almost new) women. Janette, Emily, Gloria and new WOW Member Vera ran with us and those women were MOVING!
 
It was good to see Christie, Pat and Lauren again after their being away. Laura, I loved seeing you out there again and love your positive attitude.
 
Kudos to all of you “regulars” who showed up on Saturday or Sunday. Elaine, Mary Sue, Eileen, Michaela, Amanda, Iris, Lizette, Ann, Kyoung, Julie, Pam, Kathy W, Robbi, and Rowena who made the daylight savings time adjustment. Lesley and Lily showed up too, just about an hour after starting time! Good that you did the workout ladies, all of you!
 
We also missed a couple of you who were out sick. Get well Ellen, Colleen and Christy.
 
If I missed your name, and you were present this week, please forgive me. I try to mention everyone and rely heavily on our sign-in sheet to help my recall. Each of you matters so much! Accept my apology if I ever skip your name. It is not intentional, believe me…
 
And, for those of you reading this, who have not attended recently, please join us soon! We miss you!
 
To women everywhere and especially you wonderful WOW Members; you make my dream of bringing fitness to all women, more of a reality, every time you participate. Thank you! You are amazing!

Go for it!
Coach Stephanie

This Week with WOW:

Come to our kick-offs and orientations this week:

  • March 14 – Wednesday, Track in SF, 6:15 AM, Walnut Creek, 6:30 PM, Tempo run or walk at Lake Merritt, 6:30 PM
  • March 15 – Virtual Orientation, Call-in on Thursday, 6:30 PM. Learn about WOW. Learn about training for See Jane Run Half Marathon or 5K.
  • March 17 – Neighborhood Kick-off to train for See Jane Run, Saturday, 8:30 AM
  • March 17 – Virtual Orientation, Call-in on Saturday, 2:30 PM. Learn about WOW. Learn about training for See Jane Run Half Marathon or 5K
  • March 18 – First Neighborhood Training for See Jane Run. Taper run for Oakland. Celebration for All! 8 AM 

Details and RSVP on http://meetup.com/gowowteam

15 Minute Quickies

As part of my continued efforts to get quality information to each and every one of you, in a convenient and current format, here is a link to the first of my series of15 Minute Quickies. TheseMP3 format downloads can be listened to at your convenience and have invaluable information on all aspects of training. This first one is titled Tapering, and is geared to all of you who will be racing in less than 2 weeks. Please let me know what you think. Here is the link http://www.mediafire.com/file/uoofrln3r81e1qr/Tapering.mp3  The information should be very helpful and the entire presentation is less than 15 minutes!
 
Next Title - Week 1 of 12 - Start Training for a Half Marathon. What to do each day of your first week.
 
Please let me know your thoughts and, if you have any topics you would like me to speak about. Enter your comments on our public Facebook page at http://facebook.com/gowowteam  or the Winners’ Circle – for members only.

Congratulations to Kelly Woodard who ran a super marathon in Napa, two weeks ago. Go Kelly!

Train for See Jane Run, March 14, 17, 18th
Join our virtual community on March 14th or 17th to learn about WOW and training for See Jane Run or come to our neighborhood Lake Merritt Kick-off and meet Coach Stephanie in person. Actual training starts March 18…

Intermediate to Advanced Training Strategy for your Next Race
Ready to kick up the training a notch? This series of calls, offered by Coach Stephanie, will enhance your training when you are ready to talk “pace, distance, speed, and calculated strategies“for improving what you’ve already started.  If you are able to train at a sustained heart rate of 80% or higher for 30 - 60 minutes, three times a week (or more), you will benefit from what your Coach can offer you in this training. Starting Saturday, April 7, Coach Stephanie will record a series of calls from members submitting questions ahead of time. These calls will start at 3:00 and the topic will be discussed for 15 minutes with questions and dialog following. Post your questions on Ask Coach Stephanie on Facebook, please
  • Intermediate to Advanced Level Training
  • Starts Saturday, April 7 at 3:00 PM, PST
  • These calls will also be recorded for later listening
  • A neighborhood clinic will be added soon to enhance your training. Stay tuned
March 18 is a Taper Workout or Starting point for See Jane Run
Finally, you get to taper! Half Marathoners do 10 miles or 90 minutes, whichever comes first. Relay, 5K, and new SJR Trainees will do 75 minutes or 7 miles, whichever comes first.

Bring snack food to Walden Park and, in addition to our workout, we will add a little pre-race “getting psyched up “celebration, education, and race details session. For new recruits or women continuing on with training for See Jane Run, I will also go through the 12 week training plan and other details for newcomers. Should be a fun day.

On Sunday we have scheduled guest speaker, Dr. Sandy Baird, from Inner Sport in Berkeley. Sandy will be talking to us about preventing and managing knee pain in runners. She can be reached at drsandy@innersport.com. Sandy will be talking at about 10:00 and will also offer one on one consultation. Her bio is very impressive and is listed in full on the meetup site at http://www.meetup.com/GoWOWTeam/events/44872112/
March 25 – Post Race Pasta Feed at Michaela’s!
Wonderful WOW Member Michaela R. and husband Tony have offered to host a post-race pasta feed for WOW Members and their families. You Must RSVP so we know who is attending. Starting between 4 – 5 on Sunday, March 25, Michaela and Tony will provide killer home-made pasta sauce (vegetarian, I believe) with meatballs on the side. Each of us is asked to bring a side salad or other side dish and a beverage of choice. RSVP on meetup please. We’ll send directions to all who RSVP.
 
Welcome Saturday Power Walkers! We have a new group of women who are POWER Walkers training every Saturday with coaching from me, every other week. Welcome to Dawn P, Michelle S, Willie, and Donna R. These ladies walk fast! They start at 7AM then stay to walk with the WOW Fitness Walkers at 8:30. The goal is probably Nike Women’s or San Jose Rock’n’Roll in October. Ready to start training with the WOW Team Power Walkers? Info on meetup…
 
Don’t forget! Training for See Jane Run 5K and Half Marathon starts This Week
  • Virtual Kickoff on March 15 and March 17
  • Neighborhood Kickoff on March 17
  • Practice starts March 18
Details are on Meetup at http://meetup.com/gowowteam
Success Teams are Forming! Join us!
 
If you are interested in learning more, in general about Success Team Calls, you can look at a brief slide presentation at https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddqwb8vg_17jkmw8c9 and let us know that you would like to attend. These Success Calls are really fun and uplifting. Try to participate if you can. All WOW Members are eligible.
Still Needed! - Oakland Expo Volunteers Needed – The WOW Team needs volunteers to help at the Oakland Run Fest Expo. We can use members or friends and family. Here is what we need:
 
Friday, March 23 – Setup. 2 volunteers plus Coach Stephanie
 
Saturday, March 24 – Expo opens about 8AM. We’ll do 2 hour shifts until closing time (need to check times) so need 10 – 15 volunteers (this is the day you have to pick up your race bib so you’ll be coming anyway). This day it is best to have WOW Members at our booth if possible because you will be talking with the public and handing out postcards, etc. about the WOW Team.
 
Sunday, March 25 – The WOW Team has a booth at the race pavilion where we can leave stuff and meet and so on. We need non-participants so this is a good one to recruit family and friends.
 Details to follow. Times needed are from 45 minutes before race time to about 1:00. We will also need some clean-up here, after the race.  
 
ORF Helpers: Thanks to the ladies below. I need more!
Iris T – Friday
Ellen G – as needed
Lauren G – as needed
Colleen B – expo
Eileen K – expo
Pam S – Race Day Tent
Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – Contact Lizette if you are interested in participating. Facebook is best for starters…
Post your love for the WOW Team on Yelp.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-wow-team-oakland
 
Recap from prior weeks:
Coaching calls are now happening on Saturday at 2:30 PM. The phone number has changed. Please RSVP on the Winners’ Circle for this week. Thanks!
 
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources
 
Post on Winners Circle every week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830/
 
Arrive early; win a prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing while I have goodies to give away.
 
Upcoming random races and opportunities:
March 25, 2012 – Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 14th - Redwood City, Sequoia Stampede, http://www.seqstampede.com/Stampede.html
April 22, 2012 – Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 5, http://www.ocmarathon.com/ The OC Marathon and Half Marathon
May 5-6, 2012 - Gather your friends, co-workers or families (12 member teams).  Decorate 2 vans.  Dress your best (costumes optional).  Walk 128 miles or run 199 miles (3 times each, 5 miles in rotation) from the Wine Country, across the Golden Gate Bridge at midnight, to Santa Cruz.  Join California’s Longest Party on 650.508.9700 or email run@therelay.com.
May 6, 2012 - Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco Bay - http://www.runlikeadiva.com
May 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com
May 20 - The 101st Running of Zazzle Bay to Breakers – Discount Code for WOW Members on our website at gowowteam.com
June 3, 2012 See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K in Alameda – http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-registration.aspx
July 29, 2012 - Sept 21, 2012 7th Annual Run at Work Day http://www.thesfmarathon.com
Aug 26, 2012 - Santa Rosa Marathon / Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run – thesantarosamarathon.com
Sept 21, 2012 7th Annual Run at Work Day
November 18, 2012 - The Lady Speed Stick® Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe
 

Please VOTE!

Don’t forget to vote for WOW as Best Bay Area Running Club! Get friends and family, too! http://sf.cityvoter.com/the-wow-team-bay-area-women-s-run-walk-club/biz/282250 
Pictures
#1 - Pam Skiles herself, finishing her first ever 5K - photo by Mars Larsen
#2 - Coach Stephanie walking at Point Isabel - photo by Lauren G
#3 - Pam S, Kathy W, and Sarah at Popint Isabel - photo by Lauren G

Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!



The Weekly Pep Talk Only 20 Days...

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The Weekly Pep Talk #184
Start March 5, 2012

Words to live by: "One of the best things to do sometimes is simply to be." - Eric Butterworth
 
Woman of the Week:  Mary Sue W, who usually runs with us at Sawyer Camp, when we see her. It is always a real pleasure to have you join us!
 
Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Water, water. What an essential life element. Please remember to drink water on a regular basis for a healthy lifestyle. When you are training and sweating you want to add additional water to the mix. For workouts over an hour, you may want to add some electrolyte mix to that water because you are losing nutrients in your sweat and from evaporation. Small bits (2 oz. or less) on a regular basis is way better that big guzzles when you are excercising.
 
Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,
 
What fun last weekend watching the trainees starting from Snow Park and heading out on their chosen courses. Everyone did really well! I was, as usual, very proud to be a WOW Team Member!

For some of you this was a first 13.1 miles and you did it with such aplomb. Rowena, Kathrina, and Kyoung completed their first half marathon distance last Sunday. Hurrah! Lizette had a great run and ran most of the way with Ann R, and Robbi C. I ran with Colleen, Michaela, and Fiona, interspersed with Julie, Ellen and Christy. Lily and Kyoung disappeared early. Where did you ladies go? I had so much fun talking, getting to know you better, watching how you’ve improved. Then there was that one guy…never found out if he was single or not…

Beth W, Eileen, Ellen, Iris, and Lesley showed up at Snow Park then headed off to do their leg of the relay. Read some of their comments in The Winners' Circle.

BTW, 'loved those WOW t-shirts!

You should all feel good about where you are in your training and where you are going. For some of us, this race will not be our peak and there will be other races in the future. For those of you who are uninjured, well trained, psyched and confident, this is your time! How Exciting!

This weekend is our final long run, to be done at a moderate pace for 14 miles or 3 hours, whichever comes first. We’ll be at beautiful Point Isabel. Our relay participants will be doing 80 minutes, at a moderate to strong pace. Isn’t it great to be able to see the end so near?
 
If the day is nice and you have time, let’s meet for coffee after our workout this weekend.
 
March 17/18 is a taper weekend for ORF and also the start of training for See Jane Run. On Sunday we have scheduled guest speaker, Dr. Sandy Baird, from Inner Sport in Berkeley. Sandy will be talking to us about preventing and managing knee pain in runners. She can be reached at drsandy@innersport.com. Sandy will be talking at about 10:00 and will also offer one-on one consultations. Her bio is very impressive and is listed in full on the meetup site.
 
Also on Sunday, March 18, let’s bring snack food to Walden Park and do a little pre-race “getting psyched up“ celebration. With only 10 miles to run for the half marathoners and 90 minutes for the new See Jane Run Trainees, let’s celebrate with a little good food and casual conversation, along with the talk (and evaluations) from Dr Baird and a Q and A Session from your coach.

For new recruits or women continuing on with training for See Jane Run, I will also go through the 12 week training plan and other details for newcomers. Should be a fun day.
 

March 25 – Post Race Pasta Feed at Michaela’s!

Wonderful WOW Member Michalea R. and husband Tony have offered to host a post-race pasta feed for WOW Members and their families. You Must RSVP so we know who is attending. Starting between 4 – 5 on Sunday, March 25, Michaela and Tony will provide killer home-made pasta sauce (vegetarian, I believe) with meatballs on the side. Each of us is asked to bring a side salad or other side dish and a beverage of choice. RSVP on meetup please (It’s not posted yet) but will be soon. We’ll send directions to all who RSVP. Thanks Michaela and Tony!
 

Welcome Saturday Power Walkers!

We have a new group of women who are POWER Walkers training every Saturday with coaching from me, every other week. Welcome to Dawn P, Michelle S, Willie, and Donna R. These ladies walk fast! They start at 7AM then stay to walk with the WOW Fitness Walkers at 8:30. The goal is probably Nike Womens or San Jose Rock’n’Roll in October. Ready to start training with the WOW Team Power Walkers? Info on meetup…

Training for See Jane Run 5K and Half Marathon starts soon

ü  Virtual Kickoff on March 15,

ü  Neighborhood Kickoff on March 17

ü  Practice starts March 18

 Workout and Event Details are on Meetup at http://meetup.com/gowowteam

Here’s to Fitness, Friendship and Fun, the WOW Way!
Coach Stephanie
P.S. Lauren is back! Yahoo!!
 

WOW Has Been Demoted. Please VOTE!

Don’t forget to vote for WOW asBest Bay Area Running Club! We have descended fromfirst to second place and need YOUR VOTE! Get friends and family, too!http://sf.cityvoter.com/the-wow-team-bay-area-women-s-run-walk-club/biz/282250 Go WOW Team! As a heads up, if you look and WOW is already in first place, hold off on voting. We want to be strategic here. However, for us to stay even 1 vote ahead of the other teams is an excellent strategy and will keep us in first place (once we get there!)
Success Teams are Forming! Join us! 
March 8 - Mentor, Beth W will be holding another Success Team Call. Pam, Colleen, Beth, and Lizette have room for one more participant. If you are interested please tell us on facebook and we will invite you to Beth’s call or another group as it forms. Beth’s group meets on Thursday at 8PM. All WOW Members are invited to be in a Success Team. Each group only has 5 members but you are not limited to which group you can join.
 
Eileen K, also a mentor, will be offering a call on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM. If you are available at this time let us know (on facebook) and you will be invited.
 
I will also be offering a Success Team Call on Saturdays, at 4:00, starting on March 3, immediately before our regular coached call at 4:30.
 
Robbi C is also forming a group and details will be posted soon.
 
Thanks to all of the leaders for hosting these call. You may contact Beth, Robbi, Eileen, or me, to learn how to participate. Go to the Winners Circle to start the dialog, please. 

If you are interested in learning more, in general about Success Team Calls, you can look at a brief slide presentation at https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddqwb8vg_17jkmw8c9 and let us know that you would like to attend. These Success Calls are really fun and uplifting. Try to participate if you can.
Still Needed! - Oakland Expo Volunteers Needed – The WOW Team needs volunteers to help at the Oakland Run Fest Expo. We can use members or friends and family. Here is what we need:
 
Friday, March 23 – Setup. 2 volunteers plus Coach Stephanie
 
Saturday, March 24 – Expo opens about 8AM. We’ll do 2 hour shifts until closing time (need to check times) so need 10 – 15 volunteers (this is the day you have to pick up your race bib so you’ll be coming anyway). This day it is best to have WOW Members at our booth if possible because you will be talking with the public and handing out postcards, etc. about the WOW Team.
 
Sunday, March 25 – The WOW Team has a booth at the race pavilion where we can leave stuff and meet and so on. We need non-participants so this is a good one to recruit family and friends.Times needed are from 45 minutes before (half marathon) race time to about 1:00. We will also need some clean-up here, after the race.  
 
ORF Helpers: Thanks to the ladies below. I need more!
Iris T – Friday
Ellen G – as needed
Lauren G – as needed
Colleen B – expo
Eileen K - expo

Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – Lizette has offered to help with this. Laura did it last year. Could you two get together and, the rest of you let Lizette know if you want to enter? She needs your name soon to get us in the lottery. Thanks Lizette.
 
Post your love for the WOW Team on Yelp.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-wow-team-oakland
 
Recap from prior weeks:
Coaching calls are now happening on Saturday at 4:30 PM. The phone number has changed. Please RSVP on the Winners’ Circle for this week.. Thanks!
 
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources
 
Post on Winners Circle every week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830/
 
Register now for your chosen race at the Oakland Run Fest. WOW Members get a $5 discount. The code is on our web page under the Resources Tab “For Members Only”.
 
Arrive early; win a prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing when I have goodies to give away.
 
Upcoming random races and opportunities:
March 25, 2012– Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 14th - Redwood City, Sequoia Stampede, http://www.seqstampede.com/Stampede.html
April 22, 2012– Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 5,http://www.ocmarathon.com/The OC Marathon and Half Marathon
May 6, 2012- Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco Bay - http://www.runlikeadiva.com
Join California’s Longest Party on May 5-6, 2012! Gather your friends, co-workers or families (12 member teams).  Decorate 2 vans.  Dress your best (costumes optional).  Walk 128 miles or run 199 miles (3 times each, 5 miles in rotation) from the Wine Country, across the Golden Gate Bridge at midnight, to Santa Cruz.  Please view TheRelay.com, call 650.508.9700 or email run@therelay.com.
May 17 – 19 –Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com
May 20- The 101st Running of Zazzle Bay to Breakers – Discount Code for WOW Members on our website at gowowteam.com
June 3, 2012See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K in Alameda – http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-registration.aspx
July 29, 2012- Sept 21, 2012 7th Annual Run at Work Day http://www.thesfmarathon.com
Aug 26, 2012- Santa Rosa Marathon / Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run – thesantarosamarathon.com
Sept 21, 20127th Annual Run at Work Day
November 18, 2012- The Lady Speed Stick® Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe
 

Please VOTE!

Don’t forget to vote for WOW as Best Bay Area Running Club! Get friends and family, too! http://sf.cityvoter.com/the-wow-team-bay-area-women-s-run-walk-club/biz/282250 
Pictures
#1 - Go WOW Team - self portrait of WOW Cap by Coach Stephanie
#2 - Heidi H coming in to the finish of SF Half with a PR - photo by Lauren G
#3 - Kosheno M running the Oakland Half in 2011 - photographer unknown
#4 - Somd of the girls at the end of Oakland last year - Photographer Scott?



Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!


The Weekly Pep Talk

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5 weeks left. Are you getting excited? You are definitely getting more fit!



The Weekly Pep Talk #182

Start 2-20-2012


Words to live by: Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe that it's enough - Robert Heller

Woman of the Week:  Ann Ritzma is one of a kind. This woman wears so many hats and does a super job with all of them. We are so lucky to have you as a member and mentor, Ann. Thanks so much!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Don’t forget to vote for WOW as Best Bay Area Running Club! We have descended fromfirst to second place and need YOUR VOTE! Get friends and family, too!http://sf.cityvoter.com/the-wow-team-bay-area-women-s-run-walk-club/biz/282250 Go WOW Team!

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers:

I want to congratulate those women who are burning up the pavement every week in their training for the upcoming Oakland Run Fest. Whether it is the 5K, Relay, or Half Marathon, you ladies are sticking with the commitment you made to yourselves and to the WOW Team. Go for it!

For those of you who have drifted away… for a few weeks or a few months or even longer, WE WANT YOU BACK! It is one of the most distressing parts of my job, as coach and founder of the WOW Team, to meet women who want to partake and then leave, often without notification.YOU ARE MISSED!

The worst part for me is that I usually don’t know what happened…With some of you, we stay in touch, and often, it is family obligations. I truly understand how difficult it is to manage relationships (especially young families) and find time for yourself. That said, we all know how essential it is to have time to pursue your own fitness and to feel supported enough to justify that time.

The WOW Team understand both sides of this situation. However, I want you to feel supported by us and encouraged to talk to your families and loved ones about your needs. You are equal in importance to any member of your family – in terms of priorities, no more and no less (this is my opinion).

Now, I know that logistics can make a difference because we have a bond and obligation to family members. Some members in our family need our time in ways and places that conflict with our own needs. I understand this.

Here are some suggestions:
Talk to your family – even the young ones and ask them:
  • What do they think of you running and getting out exercising on a regular basis. (If you haven’t mentioned this to them before, they may never have thought of you wanting or needing this in your life).
  • Ask them how they can help you to be able to get out and exercise (this goes for the whole family, big and little folks).
  • Ask them if they would like to cheer you on if you entered a race (most folks will say yes).
These are just some thoughts for those of you who may just need a little support at home to come back to the WOW Team.

Whatever is keeping you away, please know that you are always welcome and ENCOURAGED to return. We miss you! You make our group better. Come back soon!
 
Best,
Coach Stephanie
Relay Members and 5K Members You’re upping the time just a little so, try for a few increments of faster running, somewhere in the middle of your workout. 1:1 maybe 10 – 20 minutes of harder/easy and 4:1 maybe 30 minutes or so of pushing the run part. You can do this!

Half Marathon Trainees, you are getting up there in time and distance! This weekend you’ll be putting in 160 minutes (2 hours and 40 minutes) or 12 miles, whichever comes first.  We’ll be at the Berkeley Marin so, eat beforehand, bring water or electrolyte for the run, and plan to snack (GU or some other fast energy) on the run. Again this weekend TRY something different. Just try one thing different so that you will know if it made things better or worse for you.
Success Team Calls –
Mentor, Beth W will be holding a Success Team Call on Thursday, February 23 at 8:00PM for 5 lucky women whom Beth has already invited.

Eileen K, also a mentor, will be offering a call on Tuesday night, February 28 at 8:00 PM.

I will also be offering a Success Team Call on Saturdays, at 4:00, starting on March 3, immediately before our regular coached call at 4:30.

You may contact either Beth or Eileen, or me, to learn how to participate. Go to the Winners Circle to start the dialog, please.

If you are interested in learning more, in general, you can look at a brief slide presentation at https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddqwb8vg_17jkmw8c9 and let us know that you would like to attend. These Success Calls are really fun and uplifting. Try to participate if you can.

Here’s to good training , friends and fitness. I would be less happy without all of you wonderful WOW Team women bringing me a warm smile every time I see you at one of our workouts.

Have a good week. See you soon.
Coach Stephanie

P.S. Mark your calendars for a 7:00 AM start time for practice on the ORF course! March 4 (I didn’t choose the time, ORF did). Please RSVP on the WOW Meetup site and also on the Oakland Run Fest Facebook page.

Online Coaching – Train Online - For All Levels of Women Runners and Walkers. Free Intro with Coach Stephanie this Saturday

Here's a webinar I highly recommend (attend for free, RSVP now)—
Train Online for Easy Access and Great Results!

(Click the link above now to RSVP for this free teleseminar training -- which will be on Saturday, February 25 at 2:00 Pacific Time and 5:00 Eastern Time.  RSVP now to secure your spot.)
http://getmoving.weebly.com
Recap from prior weeks:
Still Needed! - Oakland Expo Volunteers Needed – The WOW Team needs volunteers to help at the Oakland Run Fest Expo. We can use members or friends and family. Here is what we need:
Friday, March 23 – Setup. 2 volunteers plus Coach Stephanie
Saturday, March 24 – Expo opens about 8AM. We’ll do 2 hour shifts until closing time (need to check times) so need 10 – 15 volunteers (this is the day you have to pick up your race bib so you’ll be coming anyway). This day it is best to have WOW Members at our booth if possible because you will be talking with the public and handing out postcards, etc. about the WOW Team.
Sunday, March 25 – The WOW Team has a booth at the race pavilion where we can leave stuff and meet and so on. We need non-participants so this is a good one to recruit family and friends. Details to follow. Times needed are from 45 minutes before race time to about 1:00. We will also need some clean-up here, after the race.
ORF Helpers: Thanks to the ladies below. I need more!
Iris T – Friday
Ellen G – as needed
Lauren G – as needed
Colleen B - expo
Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – Lizette has offered to help with this. Laura did it last year. Could you two get together and, the rest of you let Lizette know if you want to enter? She needs your name soon to get us in the lottery. Thanks Lizette.
Post your love for the WOW Team on Yelp.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-wow-team-oakland
Coaching calls are now happening on Saturday at 4:30 PM. The phone number has changed. I will be sending it out to members only in a separate email.
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources
Post on Winners Circle every week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830/
Register now for your chosen race at the Oakland Run Fest. WOW Members get a $5 discount. The code is on our web page under the Resources Tab “For Members Only”.
Arrive early; win a prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing of Celliant sport socks and sweat bands, while they last. Everyone who arrives by 7:59 AM will be given a drawing ticket when they sign-in and we’ll handle the drawing right before we take off.
Upcoming random races and opportunities:
March 3, 2012 – Impact 5 and 10K in Walnut Creek – “I am on the Board of a local non-profit in Walnut Creek called the The Kiran Anjali Project (KAP), created to sponsor educational opportunities for disadvantaged girls in India. We are celebrating International Women’s Day by hosting a fundraiser 5/10K Walk/Run on March 3rd, 2012, sponsored by Sports Basement. It is called the IMPACT 5/10K and the theme is “Pound the Pavement and Change a Life”. The proceeds from the event will be donated to KAP’s sponsored school, Wings School for Girls, in Hyderabad, India.

We are hoping to inspire some local folks who want to have fun, support their fitness plans, and donate to a great cause at the same time! For more information, please visit us at www.kaproject.org. You are welcome to contact me with any questions at 415-710-8263.

March 25, 2012 – Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 22, 2012 – Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 5, http://www.ocmarathon.com/The OC Marathon and Half Marathon
May 6, 2012 - Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco Bay - http://www.runlikeadiva.com
May 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com
May 20 - The 101st Running of Zazzle Bay to Breakers – Discount Code for WOW Members on our website at gowowteam.com
June 3, 2012 See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K in Alameda – http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-registration.aspx
July 29, 2012 - Sept 21, 2012 7th Annual Run at Work Day http://www.thesfmarathon.com
Aug 26, 2012 - Santa Rosa Marathon / Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run – thesantarosamarathon.com
Sept 21, 2012 7th Annual Run at Work Day
November 18, 2012 - The Lady Speed Stick® Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe

Photos:
#1 - Ann R and Aisling F after finishing a fast half marathon. Photographer unknown
#2 - The WOW Team getting ready to run across the GG Bridge. May 2010 - Photographer, a passing runner
#3 -  Iris, Julie, Robbi, and Christina at the WOw Team Marathon Madness Clinic in Emeryville. L. Ganes, photographer
#4 - Kerry, Coach Stephanie, and Elise Q at the Walk-It 5K, May 2011. L Ganes, photographer
#5 - Mentor Eileen K at Emeryville Marina. Guess who took this photo?
Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!

Track!

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Stretch!

Track workout for the week of Feb. 20 - 28, 2012

Do 1 mile warm-up followed by dynamic stretches

10 X 400 with 400m RI (Active Recovery)

Cool down 1 -2 laps walking or jogging

Stretch

Don't know your tempo pace? Check with Coach Stephanie

If you are a novice to the track, don't worry about the pace. Try to finish 1/2 of each 400m (1 lap) going hard. Then rest until the experienced runners finish 2 laps. Repeat five times. This applies to runners or walkers.

Don't forget to breathe, use strong legs with soft foot landing, and pump those arms!

Please post your comments on our facebook page. Thanks!

The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk #180
Start February 6, 2012

Words to live by:  If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. – Doug Kaufmann

Woman of the Week:  Amanda Moynihan – Going strong and you have already come so far!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Take a moment, before the workout starts, to say hello to a Fit WOW Woman, someone whose name you don’t know yet. Isn’t it just common courtesy to get to know your teammates? And who knows? Something the two of you share may change your life!
----
Dear Ladies,
What a super workout week! On Wednesday, Michaela R helped me with the track workout in Walnut Creek. Christie, Jill, Michaela, and I warmed up at Las Lomas Track then the ladies ran and I timed. They did 8 400’s at a fast clip. And I mean FAST! This was Michaela’s first venture onto the track and she did a great job!

Mentor Robbi C led the Lake Merritt workout on Wednesday night. We had 3 new participants - Julie, Angela, and Tina. Welcome ladies! And thanks to Robbi for helping out. Did everyone have fun?

On Saturday, our Lake Merritt walking group, led by Mentor Christy G, had 7 women walk the lake at a brisk pace. Dawn, Willie, Michelle, Denise, Francina, Christy and I carried on a lively conversation along with a good pace. Francina and Denise, please come back! And Dawn, Michelle, and Willie, you ladies are amazing! They already did one lap before joining our group at 8:30!

Sunday was definitely the highlight of the week. Our run across the Golden Gate Bridge drew 25 women to Sports Basement at 8AM to head out and over! The weather was perfect! Read the comments on the Winners’ Circle to get a sense of the wonder of the day. Magical! Thanks, once again, to Lauren G for taking photos.

Training is picking up and I hope you all continue to train smart. This last weekend, some of you were out for 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Drinking and eating are an essential part of smart training and, as I have mentioned before, start adding energy at the beginning of your run and continue throughout. Do not wait until you feel tired because you then have a minimum of 20 minutes to fill before new nutrients get to work in your body.

Proper fueling is unique to each of us. However, you must try different things or you won’t know what works for you. My talk, this Saturday, for those of you who have access to the coaching calls, will be about training nutrition. Saturday, 4:30 PM, is the live call. I will send you a recording of it if you request and can’t be there for the live call. (These calls are available to Couch to Accomplished – Best of the Best, Mentors, and certain members). If you are not sure of your status, contact me through the Winners’ Circle.

This coming week, we are upping the ante a bit in the workouts. In other words, I am asking you to go a bit further or harder. Half marathoners will be doing the same distance as last week so I am asking you to run a bit harder (hills at Inspiration Point) or put in the additional 10 minutes (a full 2 hours and 20 minutes) if you are working from time, not miles.

Relay Team Trainees should be running 70 minutes this weekend. For best results you want to put in the time, if you are a novice, and not worry about speed. If you are experienced, you should be pushing the pace and working on technique.
Everyone please remember:

  1. Breathing
  2. Legs
  3. Arms

Get in the zone and work on those three pieces of your training, in that order. You will be a better runner if you do.

Whether you run Saturday or Sunday you will have hills to contend with. Remember what I have said about approaching hills. Be confident and you will do just fine!

7 Weeks to Blastoff! Go WOW Team!
Coach Stephanie

February Birthdays and Special Occasions

  • Kathleen G
  • Jana C
  • Lindsay J-E
  • Kristen B
  • Eileen K
Still on the Roster:
Oakland Expo Volunteers Needed – The WOW Team needs volunteers to help at the Oakland Run Fest Expo. We can use members or friends and family. Here is what we need:
Friday, March 23 – Setup. 2 volunteers plus Coach Stephanie
Saturday, March 24 – Expo opens about 8AM. We’ll do 2 hour shifts until closing time (need to check times) so need 10 – 15 volunteers (this is the day you have to pick up your race bib so you’ll be coming anyway). This day it is best to have WOW Members at our booth if possible because you will be talking with the public and handing out postcards, etc. about the WOW Team.
Sunday, March 25 – The WOW Team has a booth at the race pavilion where we can leave stuff and meet and so on. We need non-participants so this is a good one to recruit family and friends. Details to follow. Times needed are from 45 minutes before race time to about 1:00. We will also need some clean-up here, after the race.
Shoe Clinic, Walk and Walk/Run Clinic at See Jane Run – Sunday, Feb 12, after our workout at Inspiration Point, I will be talking about the walk and walk/run clinic on Feb 18 and See Jane Run is offering a shoe clinic (and 20% discount if you buy).
Starting time: 11:00 it’s free to everyone to attend
February 18 – Walk and Walk/Run Clinic, geared to new walkers and aspiring run/walkers who want to race the 5K in Oakland or See Jane Run. 4 hour clinic at the Emeryville Marina. WOW Team Members discount price is $29, Best of the Best Members are Free. Retail price $59. Details on meetup.
Starting time: 8:00 at Emeryville Marina
Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – I know there is interest in doing this. You may also know that it is a lottery! Therefore, we need to enter our team soon (we will be notified) and I need SOMEONE to volunteer to handle the details. It’s just stuff on the internet and emails. Who wants to step up? No experience necessary!
Say something nice about the WOW Team on Yelp, send me the link, and you will receive a gift from your loving Coach http://www.yelp.com/biz/go-wow-team-oakland
Coaching calls are now happening on Saturday at 4:30 PM. The phone number has not changed. I hope to hear from you.
Be sure to look over the Resources Page on the WOW Team website to realize ALL the VALUE of your WOW Membership. Here is the link http://gowowteam.com/resources
Post on Winners' Circle Every Week – From Eileen’s great idea of starting a living WOW journal I am requesting that each of us post a training entry of some sort each week, on the Winners Circle. I will start today and encourage everyone to follow suit. This is a way for you to be accountable to each other and to share your thoughts and feelings about your training – ANY ASPECT! Let’s see where we can go with this. http://www.facebook.com/groups/244142088969843/295132213870830/
Relay Teams – Could I get an update from Iris on team 2, please? Are we starting a third team?
Register now for your chosen race at the Oakland Run Fest. WOW Members get a $5 discount. The code is on our web page under the Resources Tab “For Members Only”.
Arrive Early. Win a Prize – WOW Sunday workouts start at 8:00. Please try to be at the meeting area, ready to rock and roll at that time or sooner.  To reward those of you who follow through with this I’m offering a drawing of Celliant sport socks and sweat bands, while they last. Everyone who arrives by 7:59 AM will be given a drawing ticket when they sign-in and we’ll handle the drawing right before we take off.
Upcoming Random Races and Opportunities:
Feb. 19, 2012 – The Arizona Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, and 5K, http://www.thearizonamarathon.com
March 25, 2012 – Oakland Running Festival, http://www.oaklandmarathon.com
April 22, 2012 – Auburn Endurance Capital Marathon, http://www.endurancemarathon.org
May 6, 2012 - Divas Half Marathon in San Francisco Bay - http://www.runlikeadiva.com
May 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com
June 3, 2012 See Jane Run Half Marathon and 5K in Alameda – http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-registration.aspx
Aug 26, 2012 - Santa Rosa Marathon / Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run – thesantarosamarathon.com
November 18, 2012 - The Lady Speed Stick® Women’s Half Marathon Scottsdale-Tempe
www.womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe
Photos:
#1 - Coach Stephanie prosthelytizing once again (prosthelytizing - the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action)
#2 - A meetup point on Sunday's Golden Gate Bridge run
#3 - About to cross the bridge on Sunday's run
#4 - One last hill before reaching the bridge
#5 - Pam S from last year's run on the bridge - Photos 1 - 5 taken by Lauren Ganes
#6 - Lauren G and Robbi C after 2011 Oakland Half Marathon. Photographer Unknown

If you want to make a comment, please do so on facebook. Thanks!
Note: If you have a question and are not yet a member of the WOW Team, post it on our Go WOW Team public facebook page and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Members can post on The Winners Circle, our private facebook page. I'll check in on both. Go WOW Team!


Track!

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Track Workouts for the week of January 9 - 15, 2012 written by Coach Stephanie

Intermediate to Advanced Runners
Warmup 10 - 20 minutes
8 - 10 X 400m at max speed with 2 min rest. Focus on breathing and quick turnover.
Cool down jog or walk 5 - 10 minutes
Stretch

Novice to Intermediate (less experienced runners and walkers)
Warmup 10 - 20 minutes
8 - 10 X 400m at steady speed with 2 min rest. Focus on breathing and light, mid-foot strike. May want to shorten stride and see if the foot strike gets "lighter".
Cool down jog or walk 5 - 10 minutes
Stretch

Marathon Minute

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by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator
January 10, 2012

It was so exciting to see so many women participating on Sunday at the WOW Team January 8 “kick-off” to the 2012 season.

A number of women will be running the half marathon in Oakland on Sunday, March 25. There are now 11 more weeks to go before race day. This Sunday the long run will be 80 minutes of running, running and walking, or walking; or 8 miles—whichever comes first. This is a slight variation form what the training program says, as we increase our mileage gradually. We will also be practicing hills while training at Lafayette Reservoir.

Photo by Lauren Ganes

Oakland is great about letting us know that there will be 8 aide stations along the Half Marathon course. There will be water and lemon-lime Gatorade at each station. Some stations will also have various flavored Gu gels. It is a good idea to try both the Gatorade and the Gu during your training. If either of these do not agree with you, you’ll know to bring your own supplies on race day.

On your mark, get set, run! GO WOW TEAM!

The Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk
January 4, 2012

"It's not my job to motivate players. They bring extraordinary motivation to our program. It's my job not to de-motivate them." - Lou Holtz

Woman of the Week:  Kiera Newton, winner of the free registration for upcoming Oakland Half Marathon. Go Kiera! (Kiera is third from the left with team mates Filomena, Lauren, Kiera, and Kosheno)

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  Steady as she goes. Jump into 2012 full of vim and vigor but temper that energy with a bit of patience. Good things come in fitness through time and dedication. You will reach your goals if you are patient and realistic, along with getting TOTALLY PSYCHED about the great things in store for you in 2012!

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,
I am EXCITED about 2012! We have an incredible year ahead and it starts this week! As our first week of training for the Oakland Run Fest I want to encourage each of you to push your limits. In other words, I encourage you to dream big and train hard.

This, as most of you know, does not mean to train for too much too soon. What I mean is that I want you to set a goal and put your heart and soul behind accomplishing it. I will help you with being realistic about distance and speed and how to improve. Your team mates will provide the encouragement and moral support. You need to bring the motivation. I don’t want you sabotaging your goals by not allowing time or not truly committing to the task at hand.

We are going to have a lot of fun! There is nothing better than training with others, making new friends, and learning a new skill while working toward a substantial goal. I want you to leave each workout feeling psyched about the next one! I want you to be tired and proud of what you’ve accomplished. I want you to work hard and know that you are making progress, with each step!

The first step is to come out and get moving with WOW! We have our veteran WOW Members returning Jan 4. Yahoo!

New participants are encouraged to come to our Pre-Season Race Introduction Clinic on Saturday, Jan 7 and/or our Training Kickoff on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Details for the many wonderful things that happen with the WOW Team can be explored, initially, by going to our website and clicking on the Resources Tab. The WOW Web Address is http://GoWOWTeam.com.

2012 has so much potential. Let’s jump in with our eyes wide open, ready for the wonders of fitness, friends, and fun, all in one package…The WOW Team!

Go For It! and Set that Bar High!
Coach Stephanie
And the winner is! Kiera Newton is the lucky winner of our Oakland Run Fest Drawing. OK Kiera, time to get serious about your training…
Happy January Birthdays - Laura Lance, Coach Stephanie, Iris Torres, Pamela Brenman
Oakland Relay Teams – If you are interested in this topic, please contact Eileen by posting on the Winners Circle to let her know of your interest. I believe she was forming a team.
Questions, Comments? – Start at the Resources Tab on our website and take it from there

Set your goal. Take action. Get Moving! Go WOW Team!

Go WOW Team is an all women's, year-round training group. The kick-offs are open to EVERYONE. We hope to meet you soon!



Note: If you have a question but cannot attend please post your question on the WOW Team facebook page  and I'll do my best to post a response there within 1 business day. Go WOW Team!

Marathon Minute

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MARATHON MINUTE October 30, 2011
by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

BRAV0! To Coach Stephanie! Our fearless coach continues to train for her full marathon in December in the midst of moving. We all know how stressful moving is, and training for a marathon on top of that is a huge commitment with its own stresses. We are so lucky that Coach Stephanie can do all this and still coach the rest of us with her unfailing support. Thank you Coach Stephanie for providing all of us with great training and keeping us motivated and moving.

Sometimes you are so busy with races and keeping track of mileage and pace, that you forget to just enjoy the feeling of running and being outside in nature. I was delighted to see that although Coach Stephanie is in training, she just took off for a second part of her run this morning, without her Garmin.

Don’t get me wrong, knowing your pace and mileage is important, especially when training for a race, but it’s also important to let your body follow its rhythm. In recent weeks, while not training for a specific race, I have been trying to focus on form. Here are a few things I’ve focused on: leaning forward, keeping my arms close to my body, lifting my knees and rolling forward on the balls of my feet.

Let’s keep on running and enjoying the camaraderie of the wonderful women of the WOW Team.

A Word from the Coach

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August 2, 2011 - from Coach Stephanie

July was a very good month for the WOW Team. The weather cooperated; we added several new members; we had some super workouts; and we finished out the month with a great performance at the SF Marathon, Half Marathon, and Progressive Marathon!

Whether you were out there on race day or not, I hope you benefit from the way we set a team goal, follow through with the training, go for it on race day, then move on ahead to something new. The importance of the WOW Team, in my mind, is not to race all the time. The WOW Team is about the cycles and the traditions that we honor.

The tradition of setting race goals is essential to staying motivated. The WOW training cycle means that, not all women will always train for the same things. When we are not training for our own race, we can be out there helping other women go for their goal while, at the same time, keeping our base steady and ready to pick up the pace when our next goal is set.

The women who worked so hard for the July 31 SF Marathon deserve a lot of credit and a little rest. Burnout and injury can result from too much too soon so give yourselves a little down time. That said, setting the next milestone and looking ahead is essential to staying motivated and finding purpose.

I love coaching you, helping you set goals, and supporting you in reaching them. Here’s to the completion of one cycle and the beginning of another! The WOW Team has set races for 5K, 10K, 13.1 miles, and 26.2 for the fall and winter. Choose your distance and let’s get training together!

To Success!
Coach Stephanie

Congratulations to all SFM Participants Aisling Forbes, Kelly Woodard, Merilee Fahlman, Kosheno Moore, Christy Gerren, Pam Skiles, Kathrina Weekes, Beth Robb, Chelsea Deming, Heidi Harrison, Iris Torres, Julie Yokoyama, Maria Kristianti, Kerry Sullivan, Stephanie Atwood, and pacers Simone Adair and Jeanetta Mack who paced us to victory!

Thanks to Lauren Ganes and Filomena Bettencourt who cheered us on.

Half Marathon Training

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Photo of WOW Member Mayra M at Point Isabel taken by WOW Marathon Coordinator Lauren Ganes

If you are a novice to intermediate level runner or run/walker wanting to successfully complete a half marathon, this training program will get you going!

Follow the link for a day to day training program. If you can't do the same days progression, no worries. Just tweak the schedule to fit your own with the goal to include three running workouts a week, rest in between, and cross training as you can handle it.

Now, the final component of a good training program is a great group to train with and the best coach you can find. ENTER The WOW TEAM! Join us soon. We'd love to run with you and help you reach your full potential.

Follow the link for a day to day training program. Good luck!

Marathon Minute - Tapering

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MARATHON MINUTE May 30, 2011
by Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

Photo of Gina H at training run on the actual course taken by J. Garcia

Helpful Hint: East Bay skin doctor and half marathoner, Tomi Wall, recommends using a sunscreen lip balm around each eye to keep the sweat from irritating your eyes during your run. We should all be wearing sunscreen on our bodies when we are outside.

Hooray for the See Jane Run Half Marathoners, you are in full taper mode! You have trained hard, and in this final week it is time to relax, rest, fuel your body, and rely on your training to get you through the race. It’s normal to be anxious, and it’s o.k. if you can’t sleep the night before the race, your adrenaline will pull you through to the finish line.

On Sunday after a beautiful sunny run, we had coffee and shared past successes and “learned from experiences” from on our past half marathon experiences.

Here are a few tips:
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (eat well, and stay hydrated this week)
• Don’t go out too fast
• It’s o.k. to be cold the first mile, you won’t want that extra layer at miles 2-13
• It’s a good idea to have a small amount of water, or electrolyte with you, in case they run out on the course before you reach that aid station

Have a fabulous race; we look forward to celebrating with you at the WOW Tent after you cross the finish line!

Go For It!

Update from Coach Jen

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4-16-2011
It was a beautiful day in the Outer East Bay! I had a great birthday run with Raymie, Gina, Maura, Monica, Yael, Janice G., and our two newest members, Jane and Janice B.!

The ladies ran for 60 or 105 minutes along the Contra Costa Canal Trail in Walnut Creek/Concord, and a few of us went 10 miles! We are approaching the halfway point in training for the See Jane Run Half Marathon and everyone is looking strong! Keep up the great work, ladies!

See Jane Run Half Marathon Training SF

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Welcome to the WOW Team special training page for the San Francisco See Jane Run Half Marathon Training Program. Thank you for your interest in training with us.

For the SF Program, you need to be an experienced runner. (Not sure? Please call Coach Stephanie at 415 682-8819 to go over the details.)

Look at our meetup details for our morning track, SF, and Sawyer Camp weekend workouts and get a sense of what we mean by experienced. We are by no means elite.

Price for the entire training is $199 and includes:

  • 10 weeks of training starts Thursday, March 31 with boot camp orientation at Kezar Stadium and Saturday April 2 for our first long run from the See Jane Run Store in SF.
    SF track workouts are on Wednesday morning at 6:30am, runners boot camp Thursday evening at 6:30pm and Saturday long runs are at 8am through the race on June 5.
  • Practice run on the actual course on Saturday May 7, 8am
  • WOW Team tech t-shirt and water bottle
  • Free daily training program for 1/2 marathon
  • Coaching by Stephanie Atwood and staff. Coach Stephanie has more than 30 years of experience and is certified through USATF, RRCA, and the National Association of Sports Medicine as a trainer and coach.
  • The Weekly Pep Talk Newsletter and Weekly Pep Talk Live Call
  • Discounted shopping at See Jane Run Stores
  • And more

    • If you haven't already paid, please do so now by clicking on the link below.

    When you join the WOW Team you are able to run at any of the weekend locations in our club. Currently this includes Saturday in SF/San Mateo, or Contra Costa County, and Sunday in Oakland/Berkeley. You may also join our weekday track and tempo workouts for no extra charge - Tuesday at 6:30pm in Contra Costa County, Wednesday at 6:30 am in SF, 6:30pm in Oakland.

    For details and reminders on all workouts go to our main meetup site at this link and join that site. Thank you!

    Here are the next steps to get your training going:

    1. Enter your name in the info form to the right. This will put you on our members mailing list

    2. Go to Membership Packet and Application for the application and more details about the WOW Team. Scan and send the form back to us, please, especially the survey and application.

    3. Click SJR 2011 Int-Adv-Half Marathon for the intermediate/experienced half marathon training program

    4. Get ready to meet a great group of women and train for the experience of a lifetime.

    Welcome to the WOW Team!

    The WOW Week

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    Here are the times and locations for this week's workouts. Want more than a week's worth? Go to the calendar tab for dates into the future. Need directions? Go the the WOW locations/directions tab for information on how to drive to our workout sites.

    Here is what WOW is up to for January 10 - 16, 2011

    Join WOW - Fit Women of the World Today!

    Please RSVP for workouts at meetup or on our facebook facebook page. While there is no additional fee for current members, whether you are a member or a drop-in we ask that you RSVP.

    Not a member yet? Go to http://gowowteam.com/join-us to pay the drop-in fee or join long term. Thank you.

    Tuesday, January 11, Live Call Open to Members only. 8 - 9pm. Note the new time! - Live, Interactive Call About Women's Fitness. Join WOW Team Coach Stephanie this Tuesday
    Where: WOW's Virtual World Online
    What: Open dialogue about the world of women's fitness
    When: Tuesday 8 - 9pm
    Details: Members only. You will be sent an automatic invitation if you are a current, paying, subscriber to the WOW Team.

    Wednesday, January 12, 6:30am - SF Women Intermediate to Advanced Track Workouts
    Where: Kezar Stadium
    Map link: Click here
    What: Interval workouts for increased speed and performance
    When: 6:30am
    Details: Workouts change each week. Bring water and layers. Must be able to run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Meet on the track. Look for a group of women and the WOW white board. We usually meet on the north side of the track but, due to lighting, sometimes we meet on the south side in the middle of the straight.

    Wednesday, January 12, 6:30pm - Fitness Walk, Tempo Run and Strength Training, 6:30 PM. Join us!
    Where: Lake Merritt, El Embarcadero
    Map link: Click here
    What: Speed and strength training for overall improvement
    When: 6:30pm
    Details: Workouts for walkers and runners - beginners through experienced athletes.
    Saturday, January 15, 9:00am - Intermediate Runners Train for the Oakland Running Festival
    Where: Sawyer Camp, San Mateo
    Map link: Click here
    Sunday, January 16, 9:00am
    Where: Harbor Bay, Alameda
    Map link: Click here
    What: Weekend workout (long run or walk) for fitness maintenance and the races that WOW is currently training for.
    Details: We're training for the Oakland 1/2 marathon and 5K along with our 60 minute maintenance workout offered every weekend. Join us!

    Upcoming...
    Wednesday, January 19 6:30am - SF Women Intermediate to Advanced Track Workouts
    Where: Kezar Stadium
    Map link: Click here
    What: Interval workouts for increased speed and performance
    When: 6:30am
    Details: Workouts change each week. Bring water and layers. Must be able to run a mile in less than 10 minutes. Meet on the track. Look for a group of women and the WOW white board. We usually meet on the north side of the track but, due to lighting, sometimes we meet on the south side in the middle of the straight.
    Wednesday, January 19, 6:30pm - Fitness Walk, Tempo Run and Strength Training, 6:30 PM. Join us!
    Where: Lake Merritt, El Embarcadero
    Map link: Click here
    What: Speed and strength training for overall improvement
    When: 6:30pm
    Details: Workouts for walkers and runners - beginners through experienced athletes.

    Go Oakland - Train with WOW

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      The WOW Team is an official training club for the 2011 Oakland Running Festival offering training for all three events.

    The ORF includes 3 races - a 5K (3.1 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles flat and fast), and a full marathon (26.2 challenging miles).

    WOW Training starts soon and you can join any time for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K.

    Time to Get Started! Join Now and Train until March for $99.

    The WOW Team is a club that offers ongoing workouts in the East Bay on Wednesdays and Sundays, for women only, every week of the year and Saturday workouts in the Peninsula/SF Area. WOW chooses certain events to train for and the Oakland Running Festival - Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is one of those choices.

    You can sign up and start training anytime between now and December 31, 2010 for the same price. Training includes weekend workouts and weekday track (not mandatory but very helpful), online weekly news and training pep talks with certified running coach and personal trainer, Stephanie Atwood.

    You are also eligible for WOW Team discounts for the race itself, a post-race meeting area in the Celebration Village after the race, and more!

    If you are ready to go for it, sign up now! Sign up early! Start training now!

    Price goes up to $129.00 (plus one time application fee of $29) on January 1 for the Oakland Running Festival. Your membership allows you to 'roll over" into the SFM Training for $24.95/month and stay at that price for as long as you are a member.

    *Member Discounts on races, bootcamps and other special events

    For your racing success and injury prevention WOW requests that:

  • You have experience with a 5K or 10K race before trying a half marathon or marathon (you can fit in a 5K race while training with us if a half marathon is your goal)

  • You have experience with a half marathon before attempting a full marathon (start training now and you can fit in a half marathon between now and March if the Oakland Marathon is your goal.)

  • You have run for a minimum of a year or train in the walk/run technique for your first full marathon (the run/walk technique is a way to increase distance and minimize injury. An average pace of 9 minutes/mile is attainable with run/walk so you don't have to think SLOW! with this technique)

    • Come to a WOW Team potluck/orientation/get to know us meeting In Oakland on Saturday, October 9, co-hosted by Go WOW Team and Alive Chiropractic. Starts 5:30 and will include a meet and greet time, cheers and kudos for our current trainees in fall races (San Jose Rock'n'Roll, Nike Women's, Long Beach), and opportunity to participate in the upcoming relay or marathon at CIM on December 5, AND a chance to talk over the training program for the whole Oakland Running Festival - all 3 events - The Marathon, The Half Marathon, and The Twilight 5K.

    Join us! For more information, a free, daily, training program, or to register, please request more information in the form to the right. Get ready to get fit and have fun with the WOW Team!

    *All new members will be charged a one time processing fee of $29. Please look at our page for details. Click on this link

    The WOW Team encourages fitness, through running and walking, for all women, all sizes, all ages, all abilites, all year round. Join us!

    Training Tips

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    WOW Training Tip #1 - If you want to train well and injury-free, do it gradually. In other words, add distance and intensity a little bit at a time. Generally we say not more than 10% a week. This translates into a mile more next week if you did 10 miles this week.

    The real point is that you can't overdo it and not expect to get injured. It takes the body a while to adjust.

    More questions? Join us at the Weekly Pep Talk Live. Free, every other week. Your questions are welcome.

    Sign up at http://gowowteam.com/ at the information box. Thanks! Coach Stephanie

    J. Watters at Inspiration Point. Photo Credit/EA Gordon Designs

    Stephanie Atwood | Create Your Badge