Build Cycle 3, Week 2
The last two weeks started warm and turn to hot, with an extra helping of gross humidity. Even last year, it was hot and humid this week. Do any of us remember how to run in (dare I say) nice weather?!
Look out for Bandits🕵️
One of our sites has reports of bandits joining training without registering as a participant, CARA is currently working with the site coordinators to resolve the issue. If they find bandits running in your group, please tell them to register and report them to me. I’ll keep an eye out and if that individual continues to show up without registering CARA and I will handle removing them from training.
CARA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit - we're not getting rich on registration dollars - but they are necessary for the continued existence of CARA Training. Additionally, unregistered runners threaten our insurance through RRCA; no insurance means no CARA. We can't allow a handful of unregistered runners to threaten all of CARA which reaches 10,000 unique participants each year.
Montrose Group Leader & Runner Appreciation
Group Leader Appreciation - September 27th, 6:30pm (location TBD). Jacob (6:30 site coordinator) and I are planning a Thank You outing for your dedication this summer and, for many of you, your years/decades long service to CARA. We are looking at a couple of places on the north side, but in order to know how fancy we can go, we need to know whether you’ll probably be able to attend - please RSVP by September 15th.
Invite link: https://evite.me/513n9rf49B
Montrose Site Post-Run Party - August 30th, we’ll be doing our annual Watermelon, Beer, Spritzers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Pop it on your calendars, so you can get a hall pass to stay a little later than usual.
Notable Path Events
Get Your Rear In Gear Chicago 5K - event starts at 9:00am from the Montrose Grove 16; the course goes north, so we’ll have to watch out for set-up before the run and runners/walkers at the end of our run.
Dim Sum & Then Some 5k & 10k - they start at 8:00am from Foster; we’ll also have to look out for them on our way back.
Lollapalooza - this weekend, Grant Park is going to be a little crazy. Keep a look out for the various people stumbling about recovering from the night before.
Weather, Water Stops, & Turnarounds
⛅Partly cloudy, 64°-71°F, reasonable humidity, slight breeze
🔥Canadian wildfires are again causing poor air quality. While CARA doesn’t (yet) have an official air quality policy, we have put in place an advisory when it goes above 100 (which is about where we are at). If it goes above 200, then we will debate cancellation as that reaches levels that are declared unhealthy for everyone.
🚰 Water stops: Waveland, Diversey, North Ave, Monroe, Waldron, and Montrose
🏃Novice: 13 miles (water fountain after Chicago River bridge🌉)
🏃Intermediate: 15 (just after Monroe water stop🚰)
🏃Advanced: 17 (Waldron water stop🚰, which will make the run ~1/4 mile longer)
Other Items
Group Pictures - several of the groups take pictures on their runs. If you take any that are particularly good, please feel free to reply to these weekly emails and attach them. I’ll forward them onto the CARA social media team to include in their promotions. We’re sexy and we know it, so let’s show it!
Chicago Marathon Guaranteed Entry for group leaders is a perk that you all are eligible for. If you haven’t receive an email with a link to register, contact James Diamond (james@cararuns.org) to receive your entry. Entries need to be submitted by August 15th, so don’t delay.
Ready2Run Registration is open. There’s no charge for group leaders or training program participants, but you do need to register. Check your email for information. There are separate forms for GLs and for participants, so please make sure you use the correct one.
RushPT continues to be on-site; please remind runners that Katie is available for questions and evals as part of CARA’s partnership with them.
And that’s all I have for this week. See you, tomorrow!
David
812-760-1258