It is that time of year once again when the cold weather drives the 6 Amers out for a run. After a summer of high temperatures and few participants the boys are ready to train for our spring marathon. Do not forget the 6Am Christmas Runners Party is Sat Dec 5 at 6 pm at Skipper’s House. So if you have gotten up at that ungodly hour of 5 am and hit the trails with the boys, then you are invited.

In saying all that I expect to see some old and familiar faces creeping out of the wood work over the next few weeks. One would Be George F who will no doubt show up one morning before the 5 Dec and provide us with his infinite knowledge of running so he can attend. Yes George if you do not make it out by 5 Dec you can come and receive your gift especially if it means we skip the tips on how to prepare for a marathon.

We are in mourning for a fellow runner, not that he passed away, but he lost his socks and has not been out for a while. Rumour has it he has been working elsewhere, and can not make it out for the run. Like George he will be out just to meet the deadline for the party. Maybe he will walk the walk instead of talking the walk.

Who is this new guy anyway? I heard through the grape vine that he was testing the market to find the best running in Freddy. News flash if you stick with us you bound to crash, and there is no stimulus package here to bail you out. May your nickname could be Joker because any info on the current stock market would be a good laugh…. Or the Green Hornet ( that has nothing to do with your current running pace by the way) because any investment in the market is bound to sting you where it hurts. Welcome to the club.

If you have been out lately you might have noticed a refreshing face on the run. It has been so long since Mr Sherlywood has run. We were lucky he even remembered where we meet. He grand disappearance from the Ottawa trip was noted. It must have been the rigorous training regime for the marathon that those that attended maintained that wore him out.

Speaking of things not to do before you run a half marathon

1. travel to Ottawa with the four amigos
2. eat lemons before the run
3. drink lots of liquids
4. run the fast 10k you have ever run the day before
5. follow directions from Hector
6. Let Sean drive. No worries about backseat drivers, there to busy saying prayers for their safety
7. run more Kms in two days then you have run in a month.

Steve

Whether David likes it or not he’s been adopted by the 6AM Runners. Out 3 times in his first week David Gorveatte is in! Showing great attitude and a willingness to tolerate the “silliness” of the 6AMers. Dave has already started “gearing up”. In fact an unnamed source tells 6amrunners.com that he is considering purchasing some spandex. Dave… please don’t go down that road – we’ve lost so many runners already.

Well after after being one of the strongest runners of 2008, boasting a great attendance record for 2009, and recently having a tremendous showing at the Mirimachi Half-Marathon – it looks like there’s now a crack in the Johnny Otteson Armour.

With only weeks before the big Army run, John – who was to be one of the 6AM Runners representatives has now “unofficially” placed himself on the DL. One can only wonder what impact this will have for the morale of the group heading to Ottawa.

Some (anonymous) sources suggest that Otteson may have other motives for pulling out of the run. One source even went as far as to say “he’s a faker!”.

A lot of stuff happened at the Mirimachi Half Marathon. Here’s the quick summary:

2 – Vomits
1 – low blood sugar
1 – Ambulance visit
1 – sore back
4 – achy knees
and….
1 Runners Euphoria (see video below)

A veteran half-marathoner shares some tips with the Rookie Runners for the upcoming race…

In preparation for the Half Marathon in the Miramichi on July 5th – the 6AM Runners tackle a run taking them around much of the city (way to much of it!)

The debate that lead up to the 2009 Superbowl  – CLICK HERE to listen now

Why we Run by Joel Lapointe

I run because…

1. I hate getting out of bed at 4:50AM “or so” but love why I am doing it.

2. I love starting the day this way.

3. I hate it when I oversleep.

4. I love it when I’m there on time and can run with everyone.

5. I hate -28C° (I was too chicken to be there when it was -34 C°).

6. I love that we can run in those kind of conditions.

7. I hate it when someone has to move away.

8. I love it that we feel the loss and miss this person.

9. Like Pat (not to pick out any one particular person and exclude everyone else), I have a love/hate relationship with running.

10. I truly love the freedom we have when we get out and run. Doesn’t it take you back to when you were a kid?

11. I am thankful for health to get out and do this and realize “we may never pass this way again”.

12. I am thankful for each one of you and your friendship (I’m tearing up J).

13. I am thankful for what running means to you and what we mean to each other.

14. I’m thankful for Karl (I’m picking out one particular person and excluding everyone else) and his “vision” and stamina in keeping this group together for 28 years+/-.

15. I love Friday runs (and Monday, and Tuesday and so on…).

16. I love it that I can’t wait until the next time I can get out to run.

17. I never envisioned myself standing in the coffee line in spandex with construction workers but I’d take on one or all of them if they started making fun of us.

18. Running is an addiction and I know it. Admitting it is the first step to recovery.

19. I love doing the “Mercy Loop” and “The Bridges”.

20. I love it that I’ve run with my three sons.

See you in the morning.

1.

IT’S A TIE!!

Here at 6AMRunners.com we have undergone an exhaustive process in selecting the 2008 6AM Runner of the Year.  After much analysis, calculation, re-calculation, and discussion the conclusion was reached that there would be a tie.    And so… Joel Lapointe and Layton Ford have both won the prestigious title of 6AM Runner of the Year.

We took into account many factors including:

• Consistency
• Overall Attitude
• Running Ability
• Coffee Attendance
• Running Knowledge

There were other runners that were close to this ultimate prize, but fell just short.   Please join me in congratulating 2 of our finest runners!

Patrick, VP Communication 6AMRunners

A number of you have asked that I post a generalized training schedule for the half marathon. The following is such a schedule, but I would like to make a few points.

First of all, if you do embark on this program you will note that under the heading Yazoo Training I indicated that you run 800 meters at a “designated pace with a one minute break” (and it must be EXACTLY one minute). I am willing to work with you to establish the pace, but generally speaking the pace is the same as your anticipated marathon time. in other words if you hope to do a marathon in 3 and a half hours your pace for 800 meters will be 3 minutes and 30 seconds. To determine this pace, you can take your anticipated half marathon time, double it and add 10 to 15%.

Next, the Hill repeats is based upon the use of a treadmill. In fact, during the winter I would recommend a treadmill, but ONLY for the purposes of Hill training. This avoids the possibility of sustaining injuries due to slippage. However, when the weather improves you can move outside and there you do the same number of repeats as levels. Remember, a repeat is running up a 6 to 8% hill for 2 minutes and 15 seconds and then returning to the bottom of the hill for a repeat. In Fredericton, Hanson Street is one of the best hills to practice this on.