Week 6 - The Race

Chorus: Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle All the Way.

And that is exactly what happened on Sunday, December 9th. Along with 11,000 other participants, many of the running group walked and ran through the streets and highways of Seattle in the 23rd Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk. We joined the throngs of people to celebrate the season, sing holiday songs on the run, and enjoy an opportunity to dress up in holiday costumes. For our group, the attire ranged from bells on our feet to a Dr. Seuss hat, to even a full Santa outfit.

Despite cold temperatures and a few snow flakes along the route, the group marched on to complete the full course. With our goal complete, the group will set its sights on the next goal to keep those feet moving – possibly the St. Patrick’s Day run.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the running group this fall: Holly, Chris, Jeni, Marilyn, Neil, Don, Mary Jo, Dale, and Jody, as well as Dennis, Susan, and Jenny for joining us at the Jingle Bell Event. This was a very dedicated group to show up despite the harsh weather conditions and to work hard and have fun along the way. I look forward to the next group training program and the good times that we will have.

December Client of the Month - Marilyn

“There is NO way I would work out as hard as when I'm with a trainer at Fitness Together. They always find ways to push me to a higher level than I would have ever gone myself. I have also worked with all the trainers, and each one knows us, and is able to keep track of our needs and goals.”

I always look forward to working with Marilyn. She really knows how to get down to business and work. She's a strong woman and I admire her resolve to accomplish her goals. Keep up the good work and congratulations, Marilyn. You deserve it. - Duncan

Make sure you look for Marilyn at the 23rd annual Jingle Bell Run.

Week 5 - Dedication

We’ll take four for five, but I was hoping for a clean sweep. For the final training session, Mother Nature decided to catch up for giving us good training weather by throwing a little snow and freezing rain into the mix. Despite the elements, this dedicated group still hit the rubber for some laps around the track.

I was only expecting rain based on the weather forecasts from the previous evening, but 45 minutes before the start of practice, the white stuff started falling from the sky in an ever increasing fashion that made me wonder if we were going to need snowshoes for training today. Thirty minutes later, the track had a layer of snow that made everyone run in a tentative fashion. After a couple of warm-up laps making fresh tracks on the lanes, the group moved under cover to run bleacher steps and avoid twisting an ankle or straining a leg muscles sliding on the snow.

Despite the cold, everyone got warm from running the bleachers except the coach – who probably should have been running to keep warm as well. The group finished out the session at the Great Harvest Bakery for some hand warming drinks and to make plans for next week’s Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and provide dry weather for the race on Sunday. Thanks to all who participated in this training 5 week training program. See you at the start line on December 9th.

Week 4 - Trail running in Lincoln Park

Today was the best day of running with great weather and hard training! It was cool and crisp to start with a little fog hanging around the area; however, the sun came out to beat back the fog and provide some warmth after running in the shady areas. Four for four with no rain (knock on wood). Despite the long Thanksgiving Holiday, everyone showed up as planned. Whether it was guilt for the past few days of indulgence or running has become engrained in their routines, it was great to have everyone there for the training session.

We put it all together today: up hills, down hills, flats, mud, gravel, sidewalk, cement, and increased distance. After a warm-up session and small drills, the group was off to attack the trails at Lincoln Park. Starting cliff side, the group made its way from the south end to the north end then proceeded through a small residential area until reaching Lincoln Park Way. A steep descent gave welcome relief after the earlier hill portion. Finally, a long, flat scenic push around the park along side the Puget Sound capped off with a final sprint to the swing set to simulate the finish.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk is fast approaching, so the group will continue to increase their endurance with their weekly assignments. We will wrap up our last training session on Dec. 2nd. Then it’s time for the main event.

Week 3 – Olympic Backdrop

Today was a great day for a training run! The weather was cool with light overcast skies and nary a gust of wind nor drops of precipitation. The group met at the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive for warm-ups and drills. From there, the group went south for the training runs.

Dodging the sea gull droppings, we joined the other groups out for a morning run along this scenic road. In between the tempo runs and the introduction to rolling hills, members were able to take in scenic views across the sound of the snow capped Olympics as well as dream of home remodels from the exquisite beach side homes.

With each step, the runners are gaining new found confidence in their abilities and setting new goals for themselves. Only two more training sessions before we join others at the annual Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk. Enjoy the training runs this week and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 2 - City Views

For this second training session, the group ventured away from the track to experience another part of West Seattle – Jack Block Park. With a fierce wind blowing from the south, everyone was anxious to get the blood moving upon arrival at the park. After a few quick words from the coach, the group took its warm-up run following the road to the end of the park, finishing out at the overlook to Elliot Bay.

After a quick group photo with Seattle in the background, the team was off to run some drills on the shores of the park. Upon completing the high knees and butt kickers, and a final stop at the loo, it was off to run intervals on the path to Alki in two different groups. Lucky for everyone, the wind either went into hiding or was sheltered by the hillside as it was comfortable for running.

All of the team members shared their smiles with others on the path as they passed by and enjoyed watching folks suit up for their early morning dives in the bay. Just as both groups finished up back at the parking lot, the wind decided to whip itself up into a frenzy again. The group ducked in behind the cars to share their stories and for a final stretching of the muscles before heading off to the Farmer’s Market. Next week will bring the beginning of the hills.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk

The date is fast approaching for the 23rd Annual Jingle Bell Run & Walk for the Arthritis Foundation. The event will be held on December 9th in downtown Seattle.

There are three ways to register:
Sign up online at: http://www.seattlejinglebellrun.org/ until 11/30
Via mail
Or by visiting in person Super Jock-n-Jill or Sound Sports until 12/7

Cost: $25 per person / $35 day of the event
We will post a car pool sheet for those that register so we can make a caravan of it down to the event. Come join the fun or come support your local runners.

THE FITNESS TOGETHER RUNNING PROGRAM BEGINS

Week 1 – First Steps
Under cloudy skies, the inaugural Fitness Together Running Program took it first steps on Sunday. A group of 8 dedicated individuals came out to face the elements and improve their cardio conditioning.

Fighting off the smells coming from the KFC across the street and the bakery en route, the running group tackled their first challenge – the Track! Amidst other runners who were all going in opposite directions, this gutsy group were challenged from the get go with running drills like butt kickers and high knees all the while asking themselves what they had gotten themselves into. The drills quickly gave way to the main order of business: a one mile time test.

Dodging runners along the way, everyone finished the time trial proudly noting that they had just completed 1/3 of the distance for the Jingle Bell Run. Four more weeks of training with many more adventures ahead. Not to mention a little homework in between to keep them on their toes.

November Client of the Month: Ce Ce Justice

"I'm a person who likes routine. In fact, I can get stuck in a routine very easily. For the past 30 years I have stayed active, from jazzercise to step areobics. I come to Fitness Together, because they keep me accountable for my work outs but they also mix up the routines, so I don't fall into a rut. The trainers push me to go further than I would push myself and correct my form so I can do the exercises safely. I'm in the best shape I've been in for a long time." Ce Ce Justice

Ce Ce Justice has been a client of West Seattle Fitness Together since January and was one our first clients when we opened. We're so happy to have her and her husband Verne as our clients. Ce Ce is a great client to train because she gives 110% every workout, and it shows. We think she looks great! Keep up the good work Ce Ce!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Jim Gahagan takes 2nd place in the Cardio Club Challenge

Jim Gahagan, a client of FT West Seattle since the studio opened in January 2007, has reached the top of our Mt. Rainier painting, taking second place in the Cardio Club Challenge.

The challenge started back in July as a fun way for our clients to get in their much needed cardio. A large painting of Mt. Rainier hangs on the wall in our studio. The painting contains a velcro trail with 60 tick marks representing the distance from our studio to the top of Mt. Rainier. For every 1/2 hour of cardio done in the studio, the client would move their 'ice axe' along the trail to the top of the mountain. When a client reaches the top they will have completed 30 hours of cardio. That's a lot of calories burned.

As a prize for his hard work Jim has chosen to train the trainer, wherein Jim gets to bring the pain to the trainer of his choice. It should be a good show.