Running Room Presentation

I had a great time tonight presenting at the Running Room's Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Clinic.  I spoke for about an hour and then went for a run with the group, doing repeats on a popular, nearby hill.  It was great meeting new and experienced runners who are looking to do something extraordinary.  They inspired me tonight, as I am sure they have inspired others with what they are attempting.  Nice job Mike on organizing such a great clinic!

What Would You Do?

Slightly New Route for 2011

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=F9D1DF5A-C505-BC0E-C01B2778DEDB5A4D&success=1

Here is the slightly new course for Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge 2011.  I will be running this loop 5 times/day from May 23-28, then will be finishing up with the Med City Marathon on May 29th.

2 In A Row

Got out early this morning to help get Mickie through a 15 mile run. 18 for me...40 between yesterday and today. Today was much easier for me, as my "all day" pace kept the plantar from protesting.

4 more miles late this afternoon with Jack on the track at a very easy pace.  Jordan walked and ran a few laps himself  Wore the Brooks Mach 12s...no pain at all, but the slow pace kept my plantar calmed down.  22 miles for the day and 44 miles for the weekend.

March 26th Long Run

Got out early to do some extra miles before meeting up with several different groups of Stewie Striders runners this morning.  Hopefully this will be the last of the cold weather!  10 runners were there this morning.  I got in 22 miles, without any real problems...other than my left plantar screaming at me for the final 10 miles.  No GU today...and no energy crash either...that is good news!

Jim Mason is the race director for the Chester Woods Trail Run and is adding a 50K to the events this year.  He gave me a formal invitation to run on Thursday night while I was visiting Byron Team R.E.D.  I will need to recover quickly from 7 Marathons in 7 Days, as the 50K is the next Saturday.  Take a look at his write-up about my challenge on the blog for his race.  http://chesterwoodstrailrun.blogspot.com/2011/03/7-marathons-in-7-daysand-50k.html?spref=fb

Byron Team R.E.D.

I had the chance to go speak to and run with the Byron Team R.E.D. runners the other night at the Bear's Den.  Tom O'Leary sure knows how to get others out to have some fun running!  I spoke for about 30-40 minutes and then joined them for a run.  After 6 miles of conversation I spent the rest of the evening visiting with many on the team about Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge, Brooks Running shoes, training, races, and "bucket-list" runs we all wish to do.  I looked at my watch at 9:30 and couldn't believe I had been there 4 hours already!  Thank you Tom for making me an honorary member of the team...I will have to show up for more of the fun when I can.  I am honored to have been invited and left inspired by those that I met!
http://byronteamred.blogspot.com/

I also got a chance to visit with Jim Mason a bit about the Chester Woods Trail Run 50K to be held the weekend after my 7 Marathons in 7 Days.  He gave me a formal invitation, so looks like I will need to recover quickly!  From his race blog:
http://chesterwoodstrailrun.blogspot.com/2011/03/7-marathons-in-7-daysand-50k.html?spref=fb

Brooks Prize Drawing Items

I received a shipment of prize drawing items from Brooks Running yesterday. They sent me a box of Run Happy water bottles and drawstring bags. They will be given away at the Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge events this spring. Thanks Brooks!

Thanks Brooks!

Speaking

I will be speaking to a couple of groups over the next week or so. This Thursday night I will be traveling to Byron, MN to speak to the runners of Byron Team RED. We will be meeting at the Bear's Den. The presentation begins at 5:30, with a 6 mile run to follow. http://byronteamred.blogspot.com/


Next Thursday I will be speaking at the Rochester Running Room's new marathon runner clinic.

Both presentations will include the following key points:

1. Do something extraordinary.
2. How to motivate yourself and others.
3. What to do when things get really tough.
4. Don't set your limits...go out and find them.
5. Success and failure - why they are both good for you.

4 Miles With Jack

Ran 4 miles with Jack tonight in the hallways at school. Nice, easy pace in Brooks Mach 12s. Warm with wind-pants on, so it will be nice when it finally warms up a bit more outside and turns into shorts and t-shirt weather.

March 19th Long Run

Got in 30 miles this morning, part of it with the Stewie Striders and then the last 4 with Jack and Jordan. Overall felt good, but my left heel was still sore. 6 weeks of this...hope this goes away soon. Glad that the effort seemed easy though, as I completely forgot to bring GU with me and only had 2 quick water stops at the school.

Questions for Runners

Please take the time to answer the questions below for my 6th grade students.  They are curious to get others' viewpoints about running!  Choose to answer any or all of the following.  Please include at least your first name and city/state, so we can see where the responses come from.

1.  Why do you run?  Who encouraged you to start?
2.  What is the longest run you have ever done?
3.  How many races would you estimate you have done?
4.  Do you have any connections with Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge?  Comments about it?
5.  Any advice about running?
6.  Other - shoes you wear, nutrition during runs, any sponsors?

Thank you!

Jim

Rochester Y Strong Kids Campaign 16 Hour Treadmill Run April 22, 2011

Just added...I will again be doing a 16 hour treadmill run to benefit the Rochester Area Family Y Strong Kids Campaign.  My run will be on April 22nd this year and will be held from 5am - 9pm in the lobby of the Y.  The plan is to again have 2 other treadmills set up on either side of me for others to run on.  Stop by, give a little, and run with me for a while if you are able.  The Strong Kids Campaign provides scholarships to kids whose families can not afford to let them attend Y camps and activities.  My family used these scholarships a couple of years when I was youg...we never would have been able to participate in Y camps because of our finances.  Last year's run was a huge success, with just under $1600 being raised!  My goal is to raise at least $2500 this year. See my earlier blog post for a post-run write-up from last year's fundraising run.
A Letter For Help
My name is Jim Parry and on April 22nd, I will again be running on a treadmill in the lobby of the Rochester Area Family Y for 16 hours to raise funds for the Strong Kids Campaign.  Last year I ran 67.5 miles, completing the same challenge on a treadmill.  We had a lot of runners and walkers join me on one of the other treadmills and raised just under $1600, but I know we can do better!  My goal this year is to raise at least $2500.

My family was able to take part in Y programs when I was a child because of this scholarship program. We would never have been able to afford those opportunities without the generosity of others. This event is called Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA and is one way I feel I can give back.  I take the responsibility of being a positive role model for children seriously and running is an easy way for me to do that. I also know that sometimes this just is not enough for some. The Strong Kids Campaign provides the resources to participate in Y programs for those who would not otherwise be able to afford to.

The idea for Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge came to me soon after I started teaching in my hometown of Stewartville and, before I knew it, became a reality with the first event happening in 2009. I ran/walked 96 miles during those 24 hours…in 2010, I ran and walked 100.68 miles over 24 hours from April 29-30. I have heard many stories about how individuals made big changes in their lives because of Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge. Those stories motivate and inspire me.

I need your help to fulfill this challenge. The Y is providing a 2 other treadmills for people to run or walk on with me. You can sign up for 15 minutes or an hour. It’s up to you.  My run is from 5am – 9pm on Friday, April 22. It makes a HUGE difference for me to know that people are supporting me and this wonderful cause.

Please consider signing up on the bulletin board in the Y lobby. You do not need to be a member of the Y to join me that day. You can also call the Y at 287-2260 to sign up. Thank you!

Jim

To find out more about Jim Parry’s Endurance Run for the Y, talk to a fitness center staff today. You can also make a pledge to support Mr. Parry online at http://www.ymcastrongkids.org. More information about Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA can be found at http://www.rochfamy.org/ and http://mrparrysendurancechallenge.blogspot.com/.