The following is a message from Kim Braschwitz regarding the public use of tracks in the Cary, NC area. If you can help out, we’d really appreciate the support!

Dear All:

This letter is going out to the community. Our first goal is to let the children of Raleigh RUN….let them get the same chance we did when we were kids. Our second goal is to open the gates for those of us who do not have access to a track to do our training.

Duane Ross is a 2004 Olympian, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country for Methodist College , Vice President for the North Carolina United States Track & Field Association (NC USATF) and is also a volunteer youth coach. Please read Bio for Duane Ross

Duane needs our support, please do what ever you can to get the word out we need to have our voice heard in record numbers over the next two weeks. If we are unable to come to a resolution please plan to attend the Wake County Board of Education on February 17, 2009 at 3pm.

Please feel free to send this to anyone who is willing to help out the kids.

Thank you,

Kim Braschwitz

January 28, 2009

LET OUR CHILDREN RUN

Dear Track Family:

There comes a time when one must stand up for what’s right. For our organization that time is now. If you’re not aware, most of our expenses as a club come from facility cost. Communities in Schools, an organization under the umbrella of the Wake County Board of Education, control the cost and access to all of the public track facilities in Wake County . Despite the fact that our tax dollars pay for these facilities, Communities in Schools still charges our club $50/hr to use them. In one season, we pay in excess of $4,000 just to have our kids enjoy themselves on a facility that our tax dollars have already paid for. In addition to the cost, we’re told that we cannot use a high school track with a much softer surface until the school year has ended, forcing us to pay the same excessive amount for a concrete track surface that limits our capabilities and ultimately leads in our children having minor injuries.

As an organization, we have spoken to several High School Principals and Athletic Directors about the usage of their facilities. Each one has granted access to their track and looks forward to a relationship with our club. Unfortunately, that is where the goodwill stops. These same Principals and Athletic Directors can grant us access, but ultimately they too must work with Communities in Schools and get their permission. So what do we do about it?

Below is a link to the Wake County Board of Education website where each one of us can send an email to all the board members at one time. We need to have our voice heard in record numbers over the next two weeks.

If there is no resolution to these issues by February 10th, 2009, our organization along with representatives of USATF-NC and other clubs in the area will meet with the Wake County Board of Education on February 17th, 2009 at 3pm to voice our concerns personally. We would like for as many of our children and parents possible to be available to show their support. Our theme for this occasion will be “Let our Children Run.”

Let’s work together to make sure our club remains the best in North Carolina ! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact myself or one of our club volunteers.

http://www.wcpss.net/Board/contact/

Thank you,

Duane Ross and Rodney Mathes

Runners are a totally different breed.

It never ceases to amaze me how I can pick out the difference between the two when I’m driving around. Runners are just a little bit dirtier, their shoes are just a little more worn in, their clothes look as if they’ve been worn a thousand times before….Joggers look as if they’re just breaking in their new running shoes, which they’re afraid of getting dirty. Their clothes are just a little too new- their pace just a little awkward- as if they’re afraid to break a sweat. Real runners don’t run with their ipods or pedometers; all they need is their wristwatch (if that). You’ll often find them out an about early in the morning before everyone else is awake, running along the empty streets so that they can avoid having to stop for traffic or methodically traversing a worn trail at a local park.

We can be seen plodding, mile after mile, muscles straining with each stride, sweat dripping down the small of our backs, silently traveling along.

Focused.

Determined.

Disciplined.

And you ask, “Why?”

It’s the drive to be better. To challenge yourself both mentally and physically. Runners don’t stop to ask themselves, “Are you tough enough?” They prove it. It’s what gets us up at the crack of dawn when normal people are sleeping. It’s about wanting to be better. It’s about knowing that for every day you don’t train, there is someone out there that is; and one day you’re both going to meet-only they’ll have an advantage over you.

We’re competitive. Inclement weather doesn’t bother us in the least. I guess you could say we’re just a little crazy, but it’s all a part of the thrill that comes with completing each mile.

In the ’70s, I was a school teacher and trained at 5am and 5pm. during wintertime, I never saw the sun. -Tom Fleming, marathoner

As an athlete, it is extremely important to make sure that you’re tuned into your body. That being said, there are three really important things that you need to make sure you’re getting plenty of:

1. Rest
2. Eating Properly
3. Staying Hydrated

If one of these three things is off, then you will find that it will be difficult to achieve positive fitness results. For example, recently, I have been having difficulty getting to sleep at night due to a slight schedule change. However, despite the fact that I wasn’t getting enough sleep, I still wanted to get up the next day and work out. After reasoning with myself, I realized that I was not going to get the maximum benefit out of working out because my body was already fatigued. Better just to leave it alone for the day and try to recoup my losses by getting a better night’s sleep. However, I didn’t sleep well for several days in a row, which made me cranky, irritable, unable to focus on my work- not to mention the fact that I was still tired.

That iss just one example of how incredibly important proper sleep is. In addition to getting a decent amount of rest, you also want to make sure that you’re eating properly as well as staying hydrated. Our bodies are mostly made up of water, and during the cold/dry winter seasons, it is just as important to make sure that we’re sucking down as much water as we can. Remember: you can survive for days without food, but you cannot survive days without water.

Making Healthy Choices

When you get up each morning, you have the ability to choose what kind of a day you want to have. This starts from the moment your feet hit the floor. Are you going to go to the gym right away and work out? Perhaps go for a run outside? Are you going to have breakfast that morning? If so, what are your food options? What will you decide to eat? Later that evening, you can choose to stay up late to cram more work in, OR you can figure out other alternative ways to relax and “wind down” your evening.

The choices we make today affect how we will feel and look tomorrow.

I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing. -Marsha Doble

It’s funny when you look back at how much sports have changed over the years. While some things remain the same, other things have most certainly changed. Nowadays, when you think of athletes- especially runners- your mind tends to wander towards thoughts of doping and other illegal drug use. But whatever happened to competing in sports because of the pure love and adrenaline rush that you got from it? The crowd anxiously cheering you on, pushing you through yet another lap- your body about to give out because you’re expending every last ounce of energy you have to edge out the person who’s rapidly sneaking up on your shoulder?

My favorite runner of all time is Mary Decker Slaney, and recently, I came across two famous video clips of her running. The clips are of her running both the 1500m as well as the 3000m at the 1983 World Championships. In the second clip of her running the 1500m, Mary was coming off of having just won the 3000m. She was being challenged by three Soviet women, and towards the end of the race, one of these Soviets (Zamira Zajtseva), passed her, making it look as if Mary wasn’t going to win the race. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Mary managed to dig down and muster up the energy to sprint past Zajtseva, winning the race in the last 30 meters.

This double win earned the races the nickname of the “Double Decker”. If you haven’t seen the footage before, I highly encourage watching it. I’ve seen it several times now, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a runner or an athlete or what- but each time, I can feel my heart pounding as if I’m there- actually running the race.

I’ve always got such high expectations for myself. I’m aware of them, but I can’t relax them. -Mary Decker Slaney-