Hi all! Hope you are all doing well. Please check in to update us all. I'm anxious to hear how you're doing. I've been working on tweaks to the program; that's what I mean by 'change,' but it won't be too different. The next class will begin January 7th, and I have people on the waiting list for that, but you all will automatically be in it, veterans; you can still participate in all the Beginner Dinners. Plus, your experience will be appreciated by the new members. You'll see new podcast episodes pop up soon. I'm headed up to North Carolina for a five-week vacation, and that will be podcast production time. It's been a tough year, so far. I've lost three close friends, members of Run Tampa, one in February, one in April, and another in June. Running has helped, of course, but my heart aches. They were all wonderful people and longtime friends. Then, in April, I tripped, while running, and broke my arm. I'm all recovered and was able to run the whole time it was healing. I have graduated from physical therapy and am training for the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half in September, the club's 2026 destination race. Speaking of destination races, you are all invited - encouraged - to join us for any destination race. I don't make any travel arrangements, but I do plan a dinner for the group, and I take a lot of pics. So, it's easy for people from out of the area to join us, and they often do. In 2027, we're doing the Cincinnati Flying Pig, which offers a full marathon, half, and 5K. Please consider joining us, and don't think that it's not worth the trip to just do the 5K. Connie will tell you that our trips are wonderful, no matter what distance you do. She did the 5K when our destination race was the Corning Wine Glass Marathon/Half/5K in upstate New York last October. I'll attach a pic of Connie at the finish line with our friend, Denise, who now lives out of state. I'll also add a pic of the group dinner, also a pic of Run Tampa at a 4th of July race. Please update us and post some pics.

I’m trying to get a final count for some beginner runner T-shirts. If you’ve put it in the chat before or let me know before I’m sorry to ask you to put it in this message box again I just want to be accurate. Please let me know if you want a shirt and what size I’ll reach out when they’re ready for your address to mail them out. Thank you so much.

Last week we discussed destination races, and I strongly encouraged you to join Run Tampa for a destination race, this year or any future year. Don't think you need to know people in the group, although you already know me. And you know Connie. Our destination races always include a half marathon and usually a 5K, sometimes a marathon. Our members are always encouraged to bring friends and family members, and those people usually have never met anyone in the group. Often, they are family members from another state. We have a blast. Our destination race this year is the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half and 5K, September 12th, and last year we did the Wineglass Marathon/Half/5K in Corning, New York. I'll post a variety of pics in the hope that you'll want to join us at some point. Also, to keep in touch, you are all welcome to join Run Tampa. It's $60 for a year and $45 for over 60. We have members that live out of town, and some who live out of state.

Today I did my 250th ParkRun. This is a recognised significant milestone in the ParkRun world. It's taken my about 12 years. 1,250km. 777miles. Feeling proud.