Tag Archives: Women’s Run Club

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!

Mini Marathon Minute

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Robbi, Pat, Coach, Laura, Lauren, and Ellen at Point Isabel. Go WOW Team!

from Lauren Ganes, Marathon Coordinator

BRAVO and CONGRATULATIONS to Beth W. on an outstanding performance at the Divas Half Marathon May 6! Her dedication and perseverance led to a successful race!

The See Jane Run Half Marathon is just a month away, and WOW women were strong, out in the heat at Pt. Isabel. Christie and Eileen ran their longest distances ever! Laura, Robbi, Ellen, Vera, Iris, Yesenia, Pat, and Jeanetta joined in as well.

Training is so important, because we learn from experience; and a few members learned that they need to carry enough water, or know where water is located along the course. We certainly need to drink more water/electrolytes in the hot weather.

Please remember after long distance runs to refuel within 30 minutes by eating or drinking some food with protein to help rebuild the small tears in your muscles.

Fuel, Run and Hydrate, Refuel

Go WOW Women!

Weekly Pep Talk

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The Weekly Pep Talk #181

Start 2-13-2012

Words to live by: In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends. - John Churton Collins

Woman of the Week:  Dawn Paser is creating a dynamic Saturday group of walkers. With Christy G’s leadership and Dawn’s enthusiasm they are creating fitness, friendship, and fun for the women at Lake Merritt on Saturday morning. Go for it Dawn!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip: Please, joinThe Winner’s Circle if you are a WOW Team Member. To do so, contact me at facebook.com/StephanieAtwoodPersonal and I will invite you to join our private, members only group. For non-members, our public site at facebook.com/GoWOWTeam is full of news, photos, and updates on the wonderful WOW Team. Go WOW Team!

Lauren’s Marathon Minute: Our Marathon Coordinator, Lauren Ganes (and resident photographer) has written a very informative piece about nutrition for athletes. Don’t miss it!http://gowowteam.com/marathon-minute-14

Dear Amazing WOW Women and Interested Readers,

We are half way through our training for the upcoming Oakland Run Fest! WOW!You ladies are awesome!

Ann R led the Saturday run workout at Sawyer Camp. Thanks Ann. Iris T, Beth W, and Beth R also ran on Saturday, in a bit of a mist, but with no dampening of spirit. Beth W, who is training for a half marathon, ran farther than she has in years. Good job Beth!

Christy G, with stalwart participant Dawn P, led the Saturday walk group at Lake Merritt. 7 power walkers cruised around Lake Merritt with laughing and talking as an essential part of the mix. Denise, Michelle, Willie, Francina, and Donna accompanied Christy and Dawn. Go Super Walkers!

I will be at Lake Merritt this Saturday and will be starting a 30 minute Coaching Session every other week, immediately following our walk. Highlighting different aspects of a successful fitness program, this week’s topic will be – Walk for the rest of your life.  The training will begin immediately after our walk around the lake (at approximately 9:30 AM and will be offered with a“Suggested Contribution of $5 - $10”.  Our Saturday walks are FREE!

Our Sunday run at Inspiration Point was cool, hilly, and beautiful! Even the cows were out enjoying the great view on the ridge! Almost 20 women joined us for anything from 70 minutes to 11 miles. I want to thank WOW Mentor and wonderful woman Michaela R for creating a car pool for women from Walnut Creek. Christie A, Michaela, Miriam, and Fiona came together. Also from the Walnut Creek Area was Amanda M who is doing amazing things with her training.

I want to welcome new member Vera C who also ran with us last week at Inspiration Point. Vera will be joining Iris, Lesley,  and ? to complete the second WOW Relay Team. Go WOW Team!
It was great to see Kiera N last weekend. We have missed her so much! Welcome back Kiera. You are still looking and running strong.

Relay Members and 5K Members should be training a bit faster these days since you have been out there now for 6 weeks, many of you. We are increasing length of time very slightly giving you the opportunity to test you speed a bit. I encourage you to look at the training program and try to follow it by upping your speed when you aren’t also increasing the amount of time you are moving.

Half Marathon Trainees, you are getting up there in time and distance! This weekend you’ll be putting in 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) or 11 miles, whichever comes first. We’ll be at Walden Park so, eat beforehand, bring water or electrolyte for the run, and plan to snack (GU or some other fast energy) on the run. Now is the time to try things. SO, TRY something different this weekend, please? Just try one thing different so that you will know if it made things better or worse for you.
The WOW Team Challenge rewards WOW Team Members when they reach 10 hours of working out with us! So, if you have completed 10 hours, please tell us on the Winner’s Circle where you put in your time and you will receive congratulations and a Challenge Bag (with goodies in it) from Coach Stephanie. I know we’ve got several women who are eligible!

Success Team Calls – Ace 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.

I will be offering a practice call for any of you who want to learn about these calls on Saturday, February 18 at 4:00, immediately before our regular coached call at 4:30. If you are interested in learning more you can look at a brief slide presentation at https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=ddqwb8vg_17jkmw8c9 or let me know that you would like to attend on Saturday and I will send call-in information.

These Success Calls are really fun and uplifiting. Try to participate if you can.

Tuesday is rolling on and I want to get this out to you by 4:45. Where does the time go?

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you all have a special valentine to share the day with. See you soon!
Coach Stephanie

February Birthdays and Special Occasions
Kathleen G, Jana C, Lindsay J-E, Kristen B, Eileen K
 
More 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 still need more!
Iris T – Friday
Ellen G – as needed
Lauren G – as needed

Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in October – Lizette has offered dto 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 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/

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 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
All photos are from our Inspiration Point Run. Taken by Lauren G and Coach Stephanie
#1 - Julie and Rowens
#2 - Coach Stephanie and Amanda
#3 -  Lauren and Kiera. Yahoo! Kiera is back!
#4 - Lauren, Lizette and others stetching. Great form Lizette. Look at that nice straight back!
#5 - Miriam and Ellen enjoying Larabars after the workout
#6 - Pam S stretching
#7 - Ellen G just finished her run

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 workout for the week of Jan 30 - Feb 4, 2012

Do 1 mile warm-up followed by dynamic stretches

1 mile at tempo pace with 2 min break

2 miles at tempo pace with 2 min break

800 meters at tempo pace with 2 min break

800 meters at tempo pace

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 segment of the workout going medium hard. Then rest until the others all finish and take their 2 minutes break. Everyone start the next segment together. 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 - Moving and Grooving and Finishing Week 3
Start January 23, 2012

Words to live by:  
I constantly remind myself that resting takes confidence. Anyone can train like a mad man but to embrace rest and to allow all the hard training to come out takes mental strength. – Ryan Hall

Woman of the Week:  This week goes to Eileen Killory. You are getting stronger and giving so much to your team mates. Thanks Eileen!

Coach Stephanie’s Tip:  The improvement phase comes from the recovery and rest portion of your training. So train hard and rest with conviction!

Dear WOW Women and Interested Readers,

It is Tuesday night and I am working hard to get this out to you. I am actually putting on a webinar tonight with Fit Approach. It is called 3 Essentials to Improved Running. If it goes well, I may do it again. Any interest?

On to training…We had another great week and I am seeing the determination in you getting even stronger as your bodies get stronger too.

Some of you are talking pain and we are getting these issues addressed right away. This is so smart! I’m really proud of you.

You are also listening to the purpose of each workout – tempo, endurance, and speed. I want you all to train smart and have amazing success. This will come from listening to your bodies and listening to what I offer in my coaching and learning modules.

And finally, be sure to follow the training programs for your specific distance and goal. This week I will not post them in this newsletter. Try to follow the entire week’s worth of training, all of which is available to you on the website.

I want to thank mentors Eileen K and Michaela R for helping out last Wednesday at our workouts at Lake Merritt and Walnut Creek. With a dark track at Las Lomas, participants Miriam, Anna, Amanda, Christie, Michaela and I still did a timed 2 mile after our warm-up. What good sports you all were!

Eileen led the workout at Lake Merrit since I was in Walnut Creek. From all reports she did a great job and no one was lost! Thanks Eileen.

Saturday, I met Christy G at Lake Merritt, for her morning walk group and we had Dawn, Willie, and Michelle join us. They are ready to train for Nike or the San Jose Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon. Who else wants to do one of these?

Sunday, we had a great turnout and the first 60 minutes of our workout was rain-free. Then, the rain came down pretty steady but did not dampen the spirits of the WOW Women. Everyone who had 100 minutes (or 9 miles) to do, finished the task. Marvelous!
The talking test, as opposed to using too many electronic devices worked quite well. You are a good group of women! All 22 of you who showed up on Sunday!

This week’s pep talk is going to be very short because I am short on time to get it out to you and the rest of the week is crazy.
Be sure to post your questions on the Winners Circle, our public facebook page, or meetup. I’m always interested in hearing from you.

Go WOW Team!
Coach Stpehanie
P.S. You are all awesome! Don't forget it!
 
Recap from prior weeks:
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.

This week details:
Look on meetup for locations and follow your training program for day to day details. Please RSVP.

Important! Our weekend workouts are not based on speed. The purpose is ENDURANCE. Each running workout has a reason. Please be aware of them.

Remember, we are in this for a lifetime! Build your base, get your strength, and remain uninjured so that you can run like a gazelle when the time is right, and for the rest of your life!
 

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 17 – 19 – Fargo Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, and Youth Run, http://www.fargomarathon.com

Your Membership includes:
*Several workouts throughout the week in various locations with our main workouts on Wednesday and Sunday
*Learning modules that take you from couch to accomplished. These webinars offer invaluable information that will make you a better runner and take you, step by step, through the entire running process from your first step to crossing the finish line in your chosen race.
*Online coaching with Coach Stephanie
*Training programs for 5K, 10K, and half marathon with daily instructions
*The Winners Circle
*Cross training is described in the modules and starts with Module 1.
** Power Walk/Recovery Walk description is available on Module 1, From Dream to Reality
***Workout Basics are described in Module 1 of the online learning modules.

Photo of WOW Team Mentors at opening day, Jan 8, 2012.  Julie Y, Lesley T, Elyse T (SF Sport and Spine), Robbi C, Ann R, and Eileen K. Taken by Lauren Ganes.


 



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!