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 Testimonials |
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Judy
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Hey Sherri
I can't believe I did it! My time was better than I ever dreamed.
I finished in 5:29:08 with a pace of 12:34
The Lord really worked a miracle.
I started running with Carol and Vicky and Carol had us going at a great pace but at mile 9, I had to stop and walk because of my knee hurting. I took pain medication and said lots of prayers and at mile 13, I was able to start running again. I was so pumped up because I didn't have any pain---I think that is what drove me to run like I did.
I was hoping to come in at around 6 so coming in at 5:29 was so incredible!
Judy
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Dianne
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Hi Sherri, Okay, I know it really doesn't matter a whole lot but my time was misprinted in your last e-mail. I felt pretty good about my time especially being that at one point in the week I doubted doing the race due to an IT Band injury.
My actual time was 6:24:22. Not a PR but...it was a time I will always remember best!
I was thrilled that I was walking the 1/2 (which I enjoyed sharing with Sharon Johnson, just coming back from a stress fracture.) I was surprised when I actually had a choice of which side of the road to take at the split. I assumed I would automatically be directed to the 1/2 due to a time limit. (After all, I was just walking)
I chose to continue walking the full marathon route. What a walk to remember!
It was tough mentally as well as emotionally. I came upon some walkers who needed to hear a voice helping them thru...to be honest, I needed them too!
I came across a young lady sick to her stomach. We hung together as I shared gummies, peanuts, apple slices and stories.
I met "Mama Jean" with roses in her hair. She was on her 21st marathon towards completing all 50 states!
I walked with a man holding the flag the entire way! Then I was there....just walking... alone...almost to the end.
I saw the Galloway group! I knew I almost completed this long, long, long walk...I saw Carol smiling, both legs wrapped in ice! I saw Pat, she was still there even though she finished hours before! I saw Jean jumping into the course to give me a high five! I saw Sherri, our cheerleader who had been in that heat thru the entire race with camera in hand!
My shoe reached the carpet, I had finished! I stood there, tears on my cheeks. I was just walking! It was an emotional moment as I completed one of the most memorable, toughest challenges!
There is no such thing as "Just Walking!"
The Galloway group is there clapping, smiling, and helping us to shine as we reach for our goal. No matter the chip time we all have stories and memories of our best time...and it truly is more successful than any clock time would show!
Diane
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Lynn, November 2005
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Thank you all for awarding me the Rick Willison Spirit Award, it was a great surprise and I'm very proud of it. My new watch will be put to good use beginning with my run tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. Thank you so much.
Thank you Jeff for making the trip to Nashville, everyone was thrilled to get a chance to talk with you and get photos. I hope you had a safe trip back to Atlanta. Becky, we're grateful to you as well for all you do for our group. You have a huge job and yet you manage to keep us all in the loop and remind us we are a part of the bigger Galloway team.
Sherri, you are the best! The Nashville group is so lucky to have you leading us -our group has never been in such good hands as now. I know it takes a lot of time to keep us all organized and you really go out of your way to keep us posted on everything going on with our group as well as races and runs in the area. You're a great friend and I'm so glad you're our leader - you really did a good job today.
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Connie
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March 04,
Hi Sherri,
I am soooo pumped! I had so much fun. I had a clock time of 2:29:something and can't wait to find out my chip time. I had a goal of 2:30 and I beat it! I had a wedding shower/party to attend tonight. After the race I went to eat, did some shopping and then showered and was off to the party. I am finally home and it is 11PM. I think I am OK but I will know more tomorrow.
I am so impressed with our group. I would have been so stressed with the "unknown" of my first race but with all of you guys I knew I was doing what I was supposed to and was where I needed to be. That helped me be relaxed enough to enjoy my excitement about the race. What an awesome experience it was. I can hardly believe this 48 year old grandmother just ran a 1/2 marathon. Well, I can hardly believe I am a grandmother either...
Thank you so much for asking about me. Another example of how wonderful you are.
CC
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Rose Rodriguez, February 2005
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Congratulations to Rose. This past weekend, February 15, 2005, she made the trip south to Birmingham for the Mercedes Half Marathon where she had a PR! Here's what she had to say about it. "Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you about the Mercedes Birmingham Half Marathon today. The weatherman said rain/thunderstorms, but Birmingham was only overcast and 50 degrees most of the run, with a pleasant drizzle at the 2/3 point - perfect weather. The route for the half marathon was slightly more hilly than the Country Music Half, and just about as scenic, especially in the middle. I finished in 2:13 (10:12 minutes/mile), my personal best, and I anticipate only losing two toenails in the next several weeks. The medal is nice, but unfortunately, I did not walk away from the Mercedes (they had a random drawing for a new SUV). Maybe next year."
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Lynn Rotter & Kathy Allen, January 2005
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This is from Lynn and Kathy on their experience last weekend - The Miami Tropical Half Marathon started at 6am, temp about 60 degrees, near Bayside in the dark. The beginning miles were spent crossing over Biscayne Bay with only lights from the many cruise ships lined up waiting to depart, it was a beautiful start to the race. About mile 4 the sun was coming up and we could see downtown Miami all lit up in the early morning. We made a turn and went through South Beach about mile 7 and passed some really interesting sites and everyone was cheering and having fun with us. At mile 10 we went back over the Bay and again made a turn and headed for the finish line back at Bayside Park. It was a great race and Miami went all out for it. This was the 3rd year for the Miami Tropical Marathon and Half and I have to say it was the best organized race I've run. There was more than enough food and lots of variety.Traffic was handled so well, there were water stops every 1 to 2 miles, plenty potties along the route with no long lines, the weather even cooperated. When the sun came out about 8:30 a.m. I was really glad we weren't there for the full marathon. It had to be tough for the marathoners but we finished early enough that it didn't bother us too much.
I highly recommend the Miami Tropical to anyone looking for a mid-winter race - it's about the size of Country Music (15,000 runners/walkers). We saw lots of other Galloway'ers from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Atlanta and others, we could easily tell they were Galloway runners when someone's timer would go off and everyone nearby would look at their watch to see if it was them. The medals are unbelievable and we'll bring them Saturday to show you. By the way, we were having such a good time, we decided to run the 5K as well and got a cool medal for it too. See ya'all Saturday, Lynn and Kathy
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Charlene Alcorn, November 2004
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Well, here it is
I always thought that the hardest part of a marathon would be enduring the six months of training prior to the actual event. For me that was not just the weekday runs, cross training and the long and gradually longer Saturday morning runs with the great folks in Raleigh and eventually Nashville when we moved here in June, but it was running the weekday runs alone after moving to Nashville because I no longer had my network of running friends in Raleigh to run with.
The Saturday morning longs runs with the Nashville Galloway gang were great, when I didnt get lost driving to the starting point
Oh, I was given great directions, but being in a new town and often driving during the wee hours of the morning to our starting point proved somewhat challenging at times. My Nashville pace group can vouch for me though, even though I often arrived up to an hour late, I would grab a map of the route and take off by myself to complete the mornings miles. Often, Phil or Catherine would double back to run the last part of the route with me so I wouldnt be completely alone and I certainly appreciated that, even though that meant they were logging in a few extra miles.
At any rate, I think I knew I was serious about this marathon thing when I ran my first full ten miles back in June with my Raleigh pace group in the rain! Ive had many other rainy, wet, six inch puddle runs since then. Ive run through stretches of puddles that Im sure made me look like one of those funny long legged birds running across the water to take off in flight, only difference was I wasnt quite walking on the water.*****
Thank goodness my husband Skip came with me to DC. He drove. On the drive up to DC on Friday, my stomach was in knots. I think I experienced every emotion there was to feel; excitement, worry, joy, heart pounding anticipation, doubt
at one point I just had to take a deep breath and tell myself to just take a nap! Then even when I did get to dose off, I was dreaming of the race, the start, the sights I would see along the way, the people I would talk to and of course right before the end of the race I would wake up!
Saturday, Skip and I met up with Stan and Laura and headed down to the Expo. We were warned that the busiest time to pick up your packet was between 11 and 2 on Saturday. Guess what time we were down there? Yup. The line extended around a few blocks (thats DC blocks). I think the whole waiting in line, getting through security, getting your package, registering your chip, picking up the official t-shirt and briefly browsing the vender tables along the way took a good 2 and a half hours. We were very hungry at that point and as you know, runners are pretty much hungry all the time. We were way over due to refuel.
We all met up again about 8pm that night. I needed a glass of wine to help me sleep if I was to sleep at all that night. So we all met for a nightcap.
Sunday morning Al, Stan, Laura and I met at 5:45am in the hotel lobby to walk down to the metro together. My first subway experience provided quite a story to tell, but thats one for another time. Lets just say it was a close resemblance to an over packed sardine can.
As we made our way down to the baggage trucks, Id never seen so many port potties lined up for as far as I could see, nor so many of the male gender choosing not to use them. It was quite comical. There were long lines at the port potties and long lines of backs of guys standing at the edge of the tree line. The guys clearly had an advantage in that area
There were lots of runners standing around putting on Glide and Vaseline in an effort to prevent chaffing later on. Al, Stan, Laura, Kim, Christy, Clarissa and I met up at our assigned baggage truck and hung out there for a while since we were early. We all took group pictures of each other then made our way down to our pace coral. I began to see a sampling of the costumes I would see later on in the morning. One guy painted his entire body red and wore a devil costume. Kermit the Frog was there. I understand hes been coming for several years and always hands out little frog toys to the kids as he runs along the route. He wears a green long sleeve and long pants and a full face hood that looks like Kermit. Some people were wearing beat the frog shirts too. I saw a couple of superwomen, pink tutus worn by men as well as women, a male Snow White. One guy wore nothing but black shorts and a leather strap around his ankle to hold the chip on. Yep, he ran the whole thing barefoot! I heard one guy ran it backwards, though I never saw him.
I barely heard the gun go off for the start of the race, but I heard everyone yelling and cheering as we crossed over the start line a few minutes later. I was so nervous and excited at the same time. I tried to see everything as I ran, but that made it hard to concentrate on my pace. I wore a 4:15 pace band on my arm that I could check at each mile marker to see how I was doing. I knew I didnt want to start out too fast and I knew I had to take those walk breaks no matter how good I felt. The first seven miles seemed effortless. Stan and I kept up with each other and chatted at times. I really enjoyed running through Georgetown. Rock Creek Parkway was so beautiful and cooled from the shade of the tree lined street.
They passed out banana halves around mile 6 which were great, but made for some slippery running if you happen to hit one of the discarded peels with your foot, especially on a sewer drain grate, just ask Stan! My 10K split was 1:01 and I was still cruzing right along. We passed by the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The barefoot guy ran by me a few times. Near as I can figure I think Stan lost me around the Smithsonian Institution, mile 11 or so.
My half split time was 2:13. I was thinking, This was pretty good as I ran by the Capitol Building. I would be more than pleased with a sub 4:30 time at this rate, but then we started in on four miles of the very windy East Potomac Park. There were hardly any spectators there to cheer us on for those four miles and the runners became really quiet. There were lots of sailboats on the Potomac River and some spectators cheering from a boat, but that part of the run was mostly lonely and quiet. At one point I heard an ambulance and couldnt help but wonder if there was a runner somewhere being taken to a hospital. I saw a few runners sprawled out in pain along the side of the route being attended to by marathon personnel on walkie talkies.
By the time we hit the 14th street bridge at mile 20, it was hot, my feet hurt, the wind stopped, my clothing had completely dried out and I had ripped off that 4:15 pace band on my wrist because it became too depressing to read that thing at every mile marker and realize that I was slipping further and further from that 4:15 finishing time. I needed to finish, just FINISH. OK, under five hours would be nice, I thought as I chugged up and over the 14th Street Bridge and into Crystal City. My stride was definitely slowing to the point where I knew if I took one more walk break, my legs may not want to go again. I remember experiencing this in my last long training run a month ago when I ended up just skipping the last five miles of walk breaks. It became a mind over legs thing. I found myself talking to my legs and telling them to GO! Go legs, go! Move
I saw my husband at mile 22! Yeah! Finally someone yelling my name and reaching out for my hand! Talk about a little motivation to kick it in gear and finish that last four miles! According to the splits, I passed our fearless Lost Souls leader, Stan between mile 22 and 23! It was at that point that I realized why Christy and so many others had their names written across their shirts. So the spectators would give you encouragement by name. Oh what a great idea! I thought
for next time
Lord, let me get through this one first
I puttered along passed the Pentagon at mile 24. I saw Kermit the Frog pass me about that time.
Yes, I ran up that last .2 mile hill to the Iwo Jima Monument and yes, I ran across that finish line and nearly fell into the arms of a very handsome Marine as he put that wonderful piece of hardware around my neck! I finished! I was done! I did it! And I did it in less than five hours! (4:58)
There are many emotions associated with running a marathon, but none so gratifying as those first tears of joy when you realize that youve just accomplished something that less than one tenth of one percent of the population ever attempts to do. Jeff Galloway was right when he wrote in his book, to finish a marathon will leave you feeling like a champion. I certainly feel empowered, perhaps to do another marathon? Mmm. The Country Music Marathon here in Nashville is April 30, 2005, only six months away. Thats enough time to train. Anyone want to join me? Thank you!
Raleigh Galloway Program: Ron, Stan, Gerard and The Lost SoulsNashville Galloway Program: Pat, Sherri, Phil and Catherine I couldnt have done it without you all!
Charlene Alcorn
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Brian McKinney, April 2004
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By the way, I did all of my walk breaks after mile two like a good little Gallowayite and Im glad I did. I even beat the two friends who were running with me (at least the first 7 miles or so) who did not use walk breaks. They didnt buy into the whole walking every 5 minutes thing for the actual race. I ran the first half at an 11:00+ minute pace and the second much faster around 10:00 when everyone else was running out of steam. Passing people can be quite motivating. I finished with a 10:20 pace for a 2:15:35 time and still had energy left. I actually could have pushed myself harder but I didnt. On an amusing note, I did keep getting funny looks from the crowd when I would stop and walk. I didnt notice any other people walk/running. One lady in a twangy voice said, Oh honey, dont stop now! when I had reached the James Robertson/Capital area and with a sarcastic smile I quipped Its OK honey, its all part of the plan.
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Brian Reid, April 2004
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Thanks for running with me the last few yards yesterday. I don't know if you saw me after I crossed the finish line but I was upset at my stomach. I knew I had reached the limit because I had pushed it pretty hard down the hill after that last turn-around (before you get to the Channel 5 building) and also as I came down the bridge.
I finished with a pretty good time - 2' 41". I did the Tom King in 2' 39" (or something like that) so if you include the hills, I think I had pretty good improvement.
I hooked up with a young girl, her name was Elizabeth, who was 27 y/o and running in her first half. She said she had a broken bone in her foot and didn't even know if she could run but we got together and encouraged each other. That's probably why I had the good pace.
I know my times are not going to win anything by a long shot but it is fun to see improvement.
I had a great time with the Galloway group. I made some new friends. Tell everyone that I enjoyed their company. after Tri season is over I'll consider re-joining to improve my skills even more.
See you at a Tri sometime.
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Pat Wilkins, March 2004
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From Pat
I have been running on and off since the mid 1980's. I lived in Connecticut and running was very popular in that area. I had friends who ran in the Boston Marathon and I was truly envious. I enjoyed running but never thought I would be able to go the distance of a full marathon. I moved to
Tennessee in 1994 in my 40's. I stopped exercising regularly, put on weight and generally began to feel out of shape. Along came 2002 and I turned 50. I was not happy about this milestone and decided if I had to turn 50, I would do it in the best shape of my life. I began running with a group of
friends from work and using Jeff Galloway's training book and the walk/run method, we completed a half marathon in Indianapolis in October, 2002. We then learned that Galloway actually had a training group here in Nashville. I decided I already had a good base and it was now or never, so I signed up in November, 2002 to train for the April, 2003 Country Music Marathon. The
experience was great from the first Saturday I started training. Everyone was so friendly and nice. I was very lucky in that there were 3 other people in the 12 minute pace group training for the full marathon. We not only trained with the whole group on Saturdays but we began meeting with some other Galloway folks on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get our midweek runs in together. That was a great help during the cold dark winter months. Just knowing I had the support of a group of people made me want to get out of my warm bed and begin to run before the sun came up. All my other
friends thought I was nuts! We ran together in the Tom King Half Marathon and then in the CMM in April, 2003. It was a fabulous experience. The 3 of us vowed to stay together and we did. We each suffered at different times during the 26.2 miles but we stayed together nonetheless. I know I couldn't have done it without their support and the constant support and encouragement of the whole Galloway group. Our time was slower than we anticipated but our friends stayed until the bitter end to see us cross the finish line. Thank you Nina and Brian, I could never have accomplished this goal without you. Thank you also Michele and Pat for your constant encouragement, advice and support. You were great co-directors and I really enjoyed the program. I am now training for the 2004 CMM half marathon and
I still appreciate being able to train with such a great group of people. I have made many friends and will always be grateful I had the opportunity to be part of the Galloway experience.
pat.wilkins@cigna.com
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Liz Winkler, March 2004
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This message was from Liz Winkler, 11:00 - 11:30 pace group. Congratulations Liz! It sounds like you had a wonderful experience.
"Last week, I was thrilled to experience one of life's firsts - my first half marathon (Tom King). Last Thanksgiving, my friend Brian Reid, asked me to run the Habitrot 10K. My reply was, "I can't run no stinkin' 6 miles". He ran the 10K and I ran the 5K. We both ran the Resolution Run 5K on January 1st and that became a turning point for me. Brian picked up a flier for the Galloway training program that day and presented it to me with "you interested?". My reply was "yeah, I'm interested". I made a resolution to break through my distance phobia and Brian made his resolution to improve his times.
In the Galloway program, I have found kind and gracious people who are as committed to my goals as I am. While I have learned a great deal about running, I have most importantly gained the confidence I need to achieve my goals.
As with all of life's special first experiences, I will long remember my first half marathon and I will remember the people who crossed the finish line with me - Russ, Pat and Tonya from my 11:00-11:30 pace group. They not only got me to the finish line but they and many others - Laura Lee, Brian Reid, Pat and Lynn and the rest of my pace group - got me to the starting line as well. I know that as long as I run, I'll run with Galloway.
Thanks to everyone that contributes so much to the success of the program and especially thanks for helping us achieve our successes."
Liz Winkler
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Caroline Carns,. October 2003
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There is simply no substitute for the Galloway program. The camaraderie and
motivation the group provides and the importance of being able to train at
the proper pace all go toward being able to reach one's goal successfully.
Accepting the challenge to work towards competing in a full or half
marathon is a project of several months. It only makes sense to have some
fun along the way, which we do, combine that with all the running and
nutrition tips, thoughtfully planned and varying routes, plus the safety
that a group provides for a long run and we've got ourselves a winning
program!
Caroline Carns
10:00-10:30 pgl
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Sherry Dukes, October 2003
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"When I started with the Galloway group almost 2 years ago, I could barely
run one lap around the track without stopping. I was athletic in other ways
but had never been a good runner. I trained for 2 months before joining the
group just to work up to the initial 3 miles because I was so worried about
not being able to keep up. The walk/run system made it easy to keep up,
feel good, and most important...socialize! I am now one of the 12 minute
pace group leaders, have 5 half marathons under my belt, and am training for
my first full marathon in Hawaii! Finishing my first half marathon made me
feel like I could accomplish anything. Best of all, through the group I
have met three of my best friends and has made life in Nashville much more
fun!"
Sherry Dukes
Age 30
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Chuck Gribosky, October 2003
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Finishing a marathon had always been something I never thought that I would
be able to do. I remember as a kid watching the 1976 Olympics and
picturing myself winning gold medals in every event. But when it came to
the marathon I couldn't even imagine running it. The Galloway program
provided the training that allowed me to complete the 2003 in Nashville by
running, believe it or not, only on Saturday. I came into the program with
injuries from having trained incorrectly on my own. I ran only the long
runs with the group on Saturday morning and rested the remainder of the
week. Over the course of the six month program I ran with every pace group
from the front to the back and benefited from the advice and training help
from each pace group leader. The training was hard for me and I even had to
take three weeks off. But, gradually, the injuries subsided and the
distance increased. Walking for a minute between running intervals sure
does work. When the Tom King Half Marathon came around I found that the
Galloway pace group leaders had helped me shave 34 minutes off of my half
marathon time from the previous year. Overall, I wound up finishing the
marathon in 4:39. Couldn't run another step - but finished.
Chuck Gribosky
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Erick Hagstrom, October 2003
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*******
Jeff Galloway saved my life!
Well, ok, maybe that's overstating the case just a little. He didn't drag me
from a burning building or shoot a hungry tiger that was about to pounce on
me or tell me not to play in traffic. But here's what the Galloway program
did for me:
My one and only New Years resolution for 2000 was to get in shape, i.e.
start exercising regularly and lose some weight. I had just turned 41 years
old. I figured I was about 20 pounds overweight and, worse, I was a complete
couch- (and computer-chair-) potato. So I started running and soon ran my
first 5K in over 20 years. I even set a goal to run the Country Music
Marathon in Nashville by 2005. But I started getting aches and pains here
and there, didn't really know what to do about them, and so I quit running
and walked-intermittently-for the next year and a half or so. And ended up
gaining another 25 pounds. (I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem during
this period, started on medication, developed a voracious appetite, and put
on weight quickly.)
I would have continued along that path indefinitely had it not been for my
son Sean. He was (and still is) a terrific young runner. One day, at a 5K
(late December 2001) he showed me a brochure advertising the Galloway
half-marathon program (the full marathon program was already underway) and
asked if he could join. I briefly thought about driving him to the group
runs, waiting for him to finish, then driving home. I figured it would take
4-5 hours every Saturday morning. I further figured that I would prefer it
if he waited for me, so I decided that we could both join. A marathon?
Forget it. But I could believe that I could stagger through a half-marathon,
given enough time and oxygen.
The Galloway program taught me how to train for a long run. In particular,
my pace group leader, Kevin O'Brien (M.D., but when he's running he just
goes by Kevin) taught me the value of patience and planning. And Jeff
Galloway's Marathon! book is terrific. I learned how to train and
successfully completed not just one but TWO half-marathons during the four
month training program. And yes, I signed up for the next session, this time
to train for six months for a marathon. I actually skipped the race that
fall, trained for another six months and ran my first and so-far-only
marathon last April.
I've been saying "run", but that may be a bit of an exaggeration. I
completed that marathon in 6 hours, 39 minutes and 24 seconds. There were
some very nice ladies who walked the distance and finished ahead of me. I
ran for two minutes and walked for two minutes, alternately, the entire
route. But the important thing is that I finished the marathon and beat my
goal by two years! So in my mind that was a pretty fast race.
The Galloway program didn't just teach me how to run far, it also taught me
how to run fast. So now that I've accomplished a marathon I'm focusing on
improving my speed. And I've set another five year goal-I will qualify for
the Boston Marathon by the end of 2008 and run it in 2009 or before. And to
do that, all I have to do is cut my original marathon time in half! With the
patience and the planning that I learned from the Galloway program I can do
it.
I've also set another goal: I'm in the process of losing all of those extra
pounds. I started the South Beach Diet two weeks ago, have so far lost ten
pounds, and will continue until I no longer qualify for Clydesdale class
(i.e. under 200 pounds). That's a loss of about 20 percent of my body
mass-I started at 253--so it'll take me some time. But I can do that, too.
Jeff Galloway tells people that you probably won't lose any weight while
training for your first marathon, so just run the marathon, be happy, and
start your diet afterwards. That's what I'm doing and it's working.
So let's see...
Galloway taught me how to get in shape and keep improving. The program
taught me how to set smart goals and how to create a sensible plan for
achieving them. I've completed one marathon, four half-marathons and
numerous shorter races. I'm getting faster, losing weight, and feeling
terrific.
Maybe Jeff Galloway saved my life after all!
Erick G. Hagstrom
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Sherri Martin-Newsletter Editor, October 2003
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What brought me to the Galloway Program? I started walking for exercise,
after losing over 100 pounds on Weight Watchers. Then I started thinking
about what else I might do to keep the weight off. My fear was that I would
gain the weight back.
In April of 2002 I volunteered to work in the expo for the Country Music
Marathon and met many people from such a variety of backgrounds. I started
thinking, "If they can do this so can I!". So I talked with some of my
coworkers and soon had a group of people that wanted to train for a half
marathon. We used the book Running, by Jeff Galloway, that summer and went
to Indianapolis for our first half in October of that year. Shortly
thereafter we discovered a "true" Galloway training program in Nashville and
decided to join the group and train for the 2003 Country Music Half
Marathon. That was 10 months and 3 half marathons ago!
Without the support and advice of the directors and the other runners in the
Galloway training program, I would have never stuck with it. When I cross
the finish line I have such a feeling of accomplishment! I've overcome so
many things in my life and know now that I can do anything, once I set my
mind to it.
Thanks to everyone!
Sherri
15+ pgl
Sherri1062@aol.com
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Donna, May 2001
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I had a similar experience with
learning the value of the walk breaks. About a year ago I ran the Kroger
to Kroger run (21 miles). I ran it all the way but I kept noticing this
group of people who kept taking a walk break every 8 or 9 minutes. They
finished at the same time I did but they got all of these little rest and
drinking breaks (walk breaks) along the run. I WAS SOLD on the program
then.
Last week I ran the CMM and my average per mile pace was 8:46 per mile. I
took walk breaks every nine minutes until I got to mile 21 and it was
scorching hot . At that point I started taking walk breaks about every
five minutes.
The walk breaks give your muscles time to "catch up". During the walk
breaks your muscles get time to catch up on oxygen which reduces the amount
of lactic acid build up in your legs. The walk breaks also give you time
to get a few good swallows of fluid into your body. You stay hydrated and
naturally feel better running when you are properly hydrated.
IT WORKS! I look forward to meeting you Saturday.
Donna
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Lynn Rotter, October 2003
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I've just returned from the '03 Half Marathon in VA Beach and it is because
of the Galloway Training program that I had the confidence and ability to
participate and finish! The Galloway program is one where you can begin as a
novice and through consistent weekly training runs improve to the point of
running a half or full marathon. After receiving my first medal at the
Country Music Marathon I was hooked! In the Galloway program, you have the
option of maintaining a comfortable pace with others of your ability or
moving up to a faster group as you progress. There is always someone
running or walking at your pace so you are not alone on the route. It is
also comforting to know that the Group Leaders carry cell phones and make
sure all runners and walkers complete the mileage safely.
I really look forward to Saturday morning and knowing there is a familiar
group of people meeting in a safe location, anxious to run and enjoy the
morning together. The clinics during the program have also been helpful.
Our weekly email newsletter always gives us good tips for the week and lets
us know how to plan for the run as well as highlights from races our members
are involved with. Thank you to Pat and Michelle, our Directors, for
keeping us hydrated with water stops and snacks each week and for all you've
done. The Nashville Galloway Program is very fortunate to have such a great
team of Directors and Pace Group Leaders. The Nashville Galloway Group is a
super group of people to hang out with on Saturday mornings!
Lynn Rotter
Co-Director
LSrotter@aol.com
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Emmy, May 2001
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Thank you so much for all you did for us this winter- It was so much fun! I would have never believed I would be able to run a marathon!!! You made it possible THANK YOU!
Emmy
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Fran, May 2001
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Greetings from Jeff's "oh-so-slow and definitely not a morning person"
sister Fran. Wanted all of you know how much I respected you getting
up every Saturday morning these past 6 months and braving the freezing
winter mornings while I slept in and trained later! You might have seen
me rolling in while you guys were finishing up. Tracey Boman was
always the positive one, and would just laugh and encourage me to keep
on truckin' no matter what time I started.
I kept up with the training as best I could--but much later in the day.
Well--miracles of miracles---Jeff's program works for even the
training-challenged like me. I actually finished!
All of you totally Rock! I'll be back for the program that starts in
November. If any of you have any slowpoke friends, tell them to sign up
and walk with me!
Congrats!
Fran
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Houston, May 2001
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Tracey:
Thanks for the email and the good news about Nadine and Robyn. They did a great job. You have done a great job as group leader for the past 26 weeks. I appreciate what you have done for us. I could not have stayed with the training program or even attempted the marathon without the Galloway group.
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