The job at hand this morning was to get our 6-8 miles in before the cold front hit. A few who have upcoming marathons met at 6:00 and ran 10-12 mikes before the masses arrived at RunnersWorld at 8:00. Despite a gray chilly morning with worse weather imminent, and with Christmas just 5 days away, the store was packed like sardines with runners eager to begin their training.
It is AWESOME to have my buddy Allen back in town for a few days. He did say something about behaving and trying to not get me into trouble. (Sorry, Allen, I am ALWAYS in trouble!)
I had ran the bulk of my miles earlier so I took the time to bounce around and do the paparazzi thing. Before the run, I met a few of the newbie group.
Mukash(to the left) has his game face on before the run. I had the pleasure of running with him last Tuesday. He's a strong runner, and a great guy. To the right is LeeAnne. Now I realize there are about 42 different ways to spell her name so stay tuned for some editing if I spelled it wrong. (EDIT: LeeAnne did in fact correct me on the spelling of her name. And darnit, there are 43 ways to spell it!
Three ladies, (from left to right) Connie, Stephanie, and Nancy have joined our newbies group. They were good sports with the obnoxious camera dude.
I headed north on Peoria and finally caught up with the marathon group at a water stop.
Here, I met Ryan (in the black jacket) and Michael (in the green.) Jason and Lisa either already knew hem, or had done a great job of getting acquainted. We do try to be a friendly bunch.
CincinnatiAvenue north to 31st, and then across the bridge to the river trails. At the drinking fountain by the pedestrian bridge, I met the rest of the group. 
To the left is Denise, top right is another Stephanie (we now have at least 3 Stephanies, but I think there might be some different spellings.)
Bottom left is Ashley, and bottom right is Cheryl.
As always on this blog, you can click on any of the pictures to enlarge them.
Did not get the name of this runner, but I don't think he was too happy about being out today.
We turned around at the parking area at 21st and Riverside and returned to the store. 
It was about this time that the wind also turned around. The cold front was making it's way through, and the temps dropped all day. Should make for a frosty run for anyone going out tomorrow morning.
It was great to meet all of you, and I have many more new friends to meet. It's gonna be fun!!!
Thursday night we ran around in some of the older neighborhoods in midtown Tulsa. It was the Marvellite Run, named (I think) after Marvelous Marvin who at one time lived just down the street from the All Souls church where we met. The idea is, get a 3-6 mile run in with friends, see some Christmas lights along the way, and eat pizza and deserts to offset all the calories you burned off.
Darryl and Tom were among the first to show up. Friends began filtering in at 5:45, and by 6:00, the church was packed. Guessing there was a hundred or so runners.
Was good to see Rick. Rick is back to running after taking a little down time. (I'm betting his golf handicap dropped a few strokes during his running sabbatical!)
Kathy models the latest Race Into the New Year shirt. There are red tech shirts for those who sign up early, and comfy long sleeved white cotton tees for those who sign up later.
Always smiling, future runner-babe Lexie comes along for a ride this chilly winter evening. Lexie is Candice's niece, and this was my 1st time to meet her.
Brian leads the pack out the door.
And the masses follow.
Many sported festive attire. Patty gives a Kodak smile, while Dave hopes the Santa hat will keep people from noticing the huge zit on his nose.
RunnersWorld runners everywhere you looked! :)
A heavy fog blanketed midtown, and gave a certain eeriness to an otherwise festive evening. No, this is not snow, but reflections from a steady mist.
I managed a few good Christmas light pictures along the way.
I started out with the 6 mile group, got confused and ran with the 3 milers for a while, and then took off to try to find the 6-ers, but never did. By the time I made it back to the church, the festivities were under way.
There was plenty of pizza, cake, cookies, and other goodies as well as sodas and brewskies. Put this event on your calender for next year. It's a cool way get a run, see some lights, see your friends, and feed your face.
See you all Saturday!!
This morning was the kick-off of the spring marathon/half marathon training group. This paparazzi blogger has short and long term memory issues (as well as a host of other issues) and wonders how he'll EVER remember everyone's name. So, for those who are stumbling upon this page for the first time, WELCOME, and please be patient with a occasional camera shot here and there, and if I post a wrong name or spell it wrong, let me know.
Sometime the best way to convey the masses is just start out with some pics! 
How to cram 150 people into a small retail running shoe store? Make it 45 degrees and crank the wind up to 45 mph!
After a few announcements, we headed out and divided up into 4 groups. The intermediate marathoners were quick learners and headed off for their 7-8 miles fairly quick. Not far behind them was the beginning marathoners and half marathoners. I stayed with the newer runners. I also wanted to take a few Jingle Bell Run pics and the newbies and I hung out until 34th street where they turned and ran to the river.
I met a few of the newest newbie runners. Top left is Johna, to the right is Heidi, then bottom left is Jennifer, and bottom right is Andrea. We're glad you came out to train with us!!
Increasinglystrong winds pushed us down Peoria. In a very short time, we reached the intersection where the Jingle Bell 5K was to start. 
Sandra and Ronit take advantage of a brisk south wind to display some serious speed!
I mingled around, taking a few doggie pics, while the rest of the group went on to Riverside.
Mingling around at the sign-up area, I noticed a familiar face. 
Robert is all grins, and usually is when he gets to race.
The Divine Miss M has sprouted antlers!!!
Well, Santa told me to give it a rest. I've already been way too naughty for the year for him to visit my house.
My favorite tree?
Meg and Ruth getting ready for the 5K.
A host of new runners head back toward the store.
I ran further north looking for good pictures of the race, then headed back south into some gale force winds. Felt like I have my hill training out of the way now.
Upon returning, Cassy and Glenn were having a family reunion.
And I was out the door to find someplace where the wind was not blowing so hard!
Great job on your running! Have a great weekend everyone!!
The job at hand this morning was to get our 6-8 miles in before the cold front hit. A few who have upcoming marathons met at 6:00 and ran 10-12 mikes before the masses arrived at RunnersWorld at 8:00. Despite a gray chilly morning with worse weather imminent, and with Christmas just 5 days away, the store was packed like sardines with runners eager to begin their training.
It is AWESOME to have my buddy Allen back in town for a few days. He did say something about behaving and trying to not get me into trouble. (Sorry, Allen, I am ALWAYS in trouble!) 
Mukash(to the left) has his game face on before the run. I had the pleasure of running with him last Tuesday. He's a strong runner, and a great guy. To the right is LeeAnne. Now I realize there are about 42 different ways to spell her name so stay tuned for some editing if I spelled it wrong. (EDIT: LeeAnne did in fact correct me on the spelling of her name. And darnit, there are 43 ways to spell it!
Three ladies, (from left to right) Connie, Stephanie, and Nancy have joined our newbies group. They were good sports with the obnoxious camera dude.
Here, I met Ryan (in the black jacket) and Michael (in the green.) Jason and Lisa either already knew hem, or had done a great job of getting acquainted. We do try to be a friendly bunch.
CincinnatiAvenue north to 31st, and then across the bridge to the river trails. At the drinking fountain by the pedestrian bridge, I met the rest of the group. 
Did not get the name of this runner, but I don't think he was too happy about being out today.
It was about this time that the wind also turned around. The cold front was making it's way through, and the temps dropped all day. Should make for a frosty run for anyone going out tomorrow morning.
