As a follow-up to the article about Power Walking in August’s issue of FootTrails, Springfield Power Walkers is now on Facebook. Springfield Power Walker is a new group that is making it’s debut this year with Abe’s Army.  Springfield Power Walkers are NOT Race Walkers. They are a group, for whatever reasons, whose bodies/joints will no longer tolerate the “pounding” associated with running. Springfield Power Walkers can be a support group for runners with injuries who want to be out there doing something while they heal.  This can also be a great place to start for individuals wanting to become runners during the year when Abe’s Army isn’t in session.

Stop by and check out Springfield Power Walkers on Facebook. You’ll be glad you did!

[Check Out the Blog]
During April and about half of May, we will meet at the Washington Park pavilion at 5:30 pm. Then in May, we will switch to having track work-outs at the Sacred Heart-Griffin Track.

The purpose of the Wednesday night work-outs is to get faster. This doesn’t mean that you need to be a fast runner to come. Our group is made up of runners who run anywhere from a 5:00 mile to a 13:00 mile. Everyone just comes and runs the work-out at the pace that is right for him/her. It is really a fun, friendly group. Plus, it is so much easier to finish a tough work-out if you’re part of a group!!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a great year!! Check the blog frequently for additional information.

#1- July 17- SRRC Golf Outing @ Long Bridge Golf Course with a shotgun start @ 3:00 PM

#2- August 14- Cubs v Cards bus trip to St. Louis @ 3:10 PM

#3- October 2- SRRC Picnic @ Tom Madonia Park East with time TBD

For additional information, please visit the SRRC Social blog or you can e-mail Patty at pmschaef23@hotmail.com.

What is Summer Wits you ask? Basically, it’s a spin-off from the HalfWits group, organized by Kimee Armour, Jessica Larson, and Linda Castor. It is for anyone who needs to train for a fall 2010 Marathon. We decided to follow Hal Higdon’s 18-week comprehensive Novice 2 Guide, tweaked with advice from our local top athletes and sprinkled with a wish-desire on our part to have at least a couple of 20 or 20+ mileage runs in before attempting our first Marathon in Chicago on 10-10-10. Our schedule accommodates leaders in Abe’s Army, so one of the rest days is Tuesday, instead of Monday.

For more information, check out the Summer Wits blog.

Throughout the summer Springfield Road Runners Club members will provide a wide array of advice at  Behealthyspringfield.com on running from what you need to wear to what is involved in training for a race.

Along with their advice, Todd Smith, behealthyspringfield.com coordinator, will train in Abe’s Army for the Abe’s Amble and will give a weekly update of what he learns from the training. He will even tweet from the field. Also, look for added insights in a community blog from others training in Abe’s Army. Look for it all at http://www.behealthyspringfield.com/ in the Abe’s Army section.