Congrats to all of the Rock'n Red Birds! We finished in first place in the city in the Get Fit Challenge - Extra Large Division. UTSA took home second; Trinity took home third.
Pictures and stories below. Send yours to rcsmith@uiwtx.edu and we'll add them to the blog!
STORIES OF SUCCESS:
Sylvia Kutschenreuter: "My good story is that I DID cross the finish line and I had NO injury."
Lisa Schultz: "I don't think we could have asked for better weather. The crowd of runners/walkers was phenomenal. The crowd of spectators was awesome. The run itself was inspirational. My 'sole sisters' Lisa and Heather were the best! I can't wait until the next one!" (below are some before and after photos)
David Allwein: "I ran the race with my daughter who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer and is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy (I was proudly wearing my Rock'n Red Birds hat!!!) Not only did she finish her first 1/2 marathon...but tied her dad's time! Nothing could have made me prouder!"
Lisa Wescott: (paraphrased) "The Rock and Roll ½ Marathon this year was an amazing experience from the beginning of training to the finish line. I was blessed to be surrounded by my loving and supportive family and a wonderful training team with the UIW alumni and staff.
We started training at the end of July, and I found Lisa Schultz and Heather Rodriguez running at around the same pace. Each Saturday morning (at training) I could count on running with Lisa, and I got so used to being right behind her – pacing and watching her hat and ponytail.
As we approached the starting line Sunday morning, I was thrilled to have Lisa and Heather in the same corral as we strived and encouraged each other throughout this journey. Unfortunately, somehow after the half-way point we lost Heather in the huge crowd, and I struggled to keep up with the back of Lisa’s head and ponytail swaying from side to side.
She kept looking back at me, slowing her pace, running side to side, and cheering me on with her words of encouragement. I kept telling her to keep going, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine, don’t let me hold you back…but she didn’t listen. Lisa kept looking back, encouraging me, and I was just waiting for her to slap me across the head to keep me going!
Lisa likely could have finished at least 20 minutes better, and I might have finished at least 20 minutes later, but we pulled through (well, she practically dragged me through!) the finish line. I was breathless and somewhat lightheaded at the end, and I could not have finished successfully without her. Lisa was truly my inspiration and I will always be grateful, appreciate her thoughtfulness, and remember her kindness. "
Rick Smith: "As I came closer to the finish line on Sunday, I text messaged my family and friends and said "Home stretch. I see the Alamodome finish. Pain is temporary (or maybe in my case a week) - achievement is forever." Well, my assessment may have been spot-on.
I was jogging and walking the first three miles, and slowed to a fast walk miles three through eight; and eventually to a severe limp the last five miles. My podiatrist said he was surprised I finished the race with my blisters the way they are - and he saw them two days after the race.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories, your time and your achievements with me. If it wasn't for the team support, especially knowing that I HAD to cross the finish line to represent the team I help lead, I would have bowed out of the race at mile three."
PICTURES:
Heather, Andrea & Lisa are ready to cross that finish line at the Expo!
(photo by Heather Rodriguez)
Who should Lisa, Heather & Andrea run into at the Expo? ...none other than world record holder and personal coach to the Rockin' Red Birds, Michael Hennessey! Thank you to you and your family for all of your support and dedication to your "extended family." We couldn't have done it without you!
(photo by Heather Rodriguez)
Crowd at the finish line (photo by Rick Smith)
Left to right: Keri (mutual friend) poses for a picture with Olga Herranz and Rick Smith, who were members of the Rock'n Red Birds. (photo by Rick Smith)
Rick Smith, Sylvia Kutschenreuter, Carmen Tristan, Gladys Delgado, Isabel Alvarez and others started in coral 34, which was the furthest back someone could start. This was their view when the race finally started. They were so far back - they couldn't see the actual starting line.(Photo by Rick Smith)
Lisa, Heather and Lisa before the Big Run in Corral #8. Sole Sisters all the way! What a blast we had training together for six months. The fun will not end with the Rock n' Roll marathon. (Photo by Lisa Schultz)
Lisa & Lisa at the finish line! A little tired, but a lot stronger in spirit.
(Photo by Lisa Wescott)
Nikki Lee and her dad Victor pose for a picture after she completed the half-marathon. (Photo by Nikki Lee)
Sylvia Maddox and John Casanova before the start of the race (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Allison Hicks, Dawn Cunningham and John Casanova after the race (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Amy Soupiset (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Andrea Cyterski-Acosta and Bobby Acosta prior to the race (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Beachballs at the start line (Photo by Itza Casanova)
David Allwein (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Dr. Doyle and Dr. Light volunteered at the start village (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Feik School of Pharmacy students at the start line (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Gladys Delgado (center) at start line (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Itza and John Casanova at start line (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Karen De Mello (right) and her co-worker Aida Albair (left) at the start line (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Rick Smith before the race (Photo by Itza Casanova)
Rick approaching ramp to the Alamodome (Photo by Pamela Rodriguez)
For racing coral information, please see the blog entry below this one.
T-SHIRTS/JERSEYS
We will have jerseys ready for pickup on FRIDAY for those who have indicated they want to purchase a jersey. They are $20. Please bring check or cash. Our office will stay open until 6:30 p.m. to accommodate those who can’t get theirs until after work.
If other accommodations need to be made (i.e. Saturday pickup), please let me know. We need to avoid this at all cost, but will accommodate if necessary.
HATS
We also secured a donation from The Total Source for 50 hats. The hats are reserved for those who have been training with the group. Please pick those up on Friday as well. Thank you to Heather Rodriguez for her help with this.
TRAINING and RUNNING/WALKING
Tuesday – 6 a.m. at the UIW scoreboard (Michael Hennessey); 5:45 p.m. at the back trails (Scott LeBlanc)
Wednesday – 5:45 p.m. (Rick)
Thursday – 6 a.m. (Michael Hennessey)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO
$10 to park. It’s on Friday and Saturday at the Alamodome. Fewer people go on Friday, so that’s when Lisa, Gladys and I will be heading down there. We’ll depart campus around 2:30 p.m. in our own vehicles. You are more than welcome to follow us/meet us there.
QUESTIONS
Most questions can be answered at www.rnrsa.com. If you can’t find the answer, feel free to contact us and we’ll try to find it for you.
Less than a week to go! I'm getting a bit nervous, but excited at the same time.
RACING CORALS
Many of you have asked about changing your racing corals. The way we understand it from the RNRSA Web site is that if you want to move to a lower-number coral (from 34 to 23, for example) that would move you further toward the FRONT of the starting line, which would start you sooner than those in back of you. Ideally, moving forward would mean your estimated finish time has improved. If you want to move BACKWARDS, you can’t. To change corals, find the CHANGE CORAL booth at the Health and Wellness Expo.
Here are the corral numbers of our fellow Rock'n Red Bird team members. Look for them on race day! If you want to meet up with them prior to the race, contact me and I'll facilitate an e-mail among all of you.
--rick
Last update: Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.
| First Name |
Last Name |
Corral |
| Anthony |
Harpel |
3 |
| Kevin |
Rubel |
6 |
| Raul |
Moreno |
13 |
| Kristen |
Dicanna |
15 |
| Regina |
Galvan-Garcia |
21 |
| Leslie |
Ponce |
21 |
| Javier |
Rivera |
21 |
| Dawn |
Cunningham |
26 |
| Tracie |
Easton |
26 |
| Martha |
Flores |
27 |
| Rachel |
Guajardo |
27 |
| Olga |
Herranz |
27 |
| Veronica |
Whitacre |
27 |
| Itza |
Casanova |
28 |
| John |
Casanova |
28 |
| Tracy |
Garcia |
28 |
| Mia |
Martinez |
29 |
| David |
Allwein |
30 |
| Sharon |
Herbers |
30 |
| Nicole |
Jackson |
30 |
| Denise |
Staudt |
30 |
| Michelle |
Gove |
31 |
| Cory |
Kyle |
31 |
| Heather |
Rodriguez |
31 |
| Amy |
Soupiset |
31 |
| Aida |
Albiar |
32 |
| Andrea |
Cyterski |
32 |
| Karen |
DeMello |
32 |
| Lisa |
Schultz |
32 |
| Vanessa |
Garcia |
33 |
| Carmen |
Tristain |
33 |
| Isabel |
Alvarez |
34 |
| Allison |
Hicks |
34 |
| Terri |
O'Neill |
34 |
| Rick |
Smith |
34 |
Will we make it to 100 members?
We have 92 on roster with us right now. The last day to sign up is this Thursday, Oct. 15.
--rick
The October and November training has been e-mailed to the team members. If you didn't get it, please let me know.
How's everyone's training going? I'm surprised all of us have made it this far. I thought for sure I would have stopped by now. Thanks for continuing to encourage me!
--rick
Time flies when you are having fun!
The San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is almost here! It's never to early to start planning how you are going to get there.
There is a premium parking package that seems to allow you to park close. But for the majority of us, we'll be taking a shuttle.
The starting line isn't too far from UIW, so we are trying to find out if a UIW shuttle can take us to the starting line in the morning. But then that would leave everyone without a ride on the way back to get their cars.
So...more to come. But if we were to organize it, would you be interested in being transported with your fellow teammates?
--rick
Although I didn't stay to enjoy the wine at the wine tasting on Monday, I heard nothing but good things about it. But who needs wine when you can have shots!!!!!
Not the kind you are thinking of, though. Sorry. Shots of Cortisone...into each of my feet.
I've been having problems with my feet that at least one other team member has described a similar problem. Like clockwork, after one-and-a-half miles, my feet start to feel like they are falling asleep. They start to tingle and go numb, and I start to feel like I have small blocks of wood attached to my feet. The feeling is weird and it's as if I am clunking around instead of gracefully running and walking (not that I was graceful to start, but you get the picture). Eventually I stop, sit down, wiggle my feet for a few seconds, get back up and run. But that breaks my momentum. So on Monday, I didn't do that (dumb move) until the pain started to get into my knee.
So, off to the podiatrist.
I love my podiatrist. He's honest, down-to-earth, funny and loves to talk college football. :) Although, when I sprained my ankle last year and saw him for the first time, the first line I dropped was a famous line from Seinfeld. Remember this one: "Podiatrists aren't real doctors." LOL. He has a good sense of humor.
Anyway, here's the conversation we had:
Rick: "If I get the shot, will it fix the problem? I have an 11-mile run this weekend."
Dr. Castillo: "If you run and still get the same pain/numbness, then it's not fixed, and you'll have to call me Monday and it could be something else."
He mentioned that he doesn't think its Tarcal Tunnel Syndrome, but that it could be. Apparently that wouldn't be too good.
When my mom was .... well being a mom... she told me "Don't overdue it Rick. Don't be stupid. Take it easy. You'll end up breaking your ankle and ending up in a wheelchair on raceday." And my response was "they have a wheelchair race, too. No matter what, I'm crossing that finish line." LOL.
She wasn't to happy with that response. She through in a few colorful remarks that I'll leave off this PG blog. But it was hilarious. LOL.
The best part of the entire procedure was having to evacuate due to the fire alarm going off. My feet were up, my shoes were off and I was playing Brickbreaker on my BlackBerry. The fire alarm goes off and we all have to evacuate. This was before he gave me the shots, though.
Anyway, here are the pictures of my shots.
I won't be at training on Thursday. My first run/walk will be on Friday night as a "test" my feet and then Saturday for the 11-mile run.
Ahh - the sweet sound of Labor Day. For months, I've been looking forward to a day off from work, relaxing by the pool and enjoying some BBQ and adult icey beverages.
That was until last week when peer pressure entered my life.
Somehow, someway, I was persuaded to run in the Five Mile Whine Run at the Dry Comal Winery yesterday. There was about eight of us out there. I couldn't tell you the exact number because some of the team members didn't meet with us before or after the race. After all, there were 1,200 people there! It was like finding a runner in a marathon.... or a needle in a haystack. :)
After the run the Dry Comal Winery hosted a wine tasting. I didn't partake, but Lisa S. and Heather R. did. Ladies - any thoughts on the wine tasting?
I hope to see everyone this weekend for our 11-mile run!
--rick
Pictures
Wednesday, September 02 2009 03:23:54 PM
Our original goal was 50 members. We passed that and set a new goal of 75. We've shattered the first and surpassed the second. We are at 78 members.
Can we reach 100???
Great job team!
--rick