A Celebration…not the end of the journey but a milestone- October 16th

Thunder Road Racing has reserved the “The Alley” and urban beer garden for an 11 am (or immediately following race) get together on Saturday, 10/16.  The brewery is located just west of 75^th and Wornall, for additional deets http://75thstreet.com/

The reason we are getting together is to celebrate the accomplishment of completing the Kansas City Half Marathon.  Thunder Road Racing team members scheduled to run: Scott Lee, Brad Fanning, Suzy Hay, and Chris “Russ” Thomas.

Not only will you get the chance to have a cold beer but once you hear all the stories (about runners crying, peeing themselves, and horrific injuries) you will probably want to join TRR. 

Any questions you can contact me at chrisrussthomas@hotmail.com  

Support Party Shindig

October 16, 2010 is the KC Marathon date. Russ, Brad, and Scott have been working very hard, on a strict training schedule, to gear up for the race.

I'd like to welcome everyone interested to join me for a "Support Party, Party"
The day of the race, we'll want to have signs for our cheering sections. So the purpose of the "Support Party, Party" will be to make our signs.

Who:     You
What:    Decorating Poster board to support runners
When:    Friday, Oct. 8th at 7pm (flexible, depending on feedback)
Where:  TBD, depending on number coming (somewhere near Prairie Village)
Why:     Show support for runners, some you know, others you don't
How:     Bring your creativity, a few craft supplies, and a smile

Contact: Jaimeiam@msn.com or @Facebook

Poster boards and some craft supplies will be provided, but if you have some things you want to use... have at!  You don't have to come to the race day festivities to help, but we'd love to have you there!!

Adventure Race (Updated Photos)

Got some sweet photos of Scott and Brad on Adventure Race...not too shabby.

Gator Bait

So in FL this week for work, trying to stay on a running program and had 5 miles planned this morning.  At dinner last night my boss, a local, asked where I was running.  I told her the canal path near the hotel.  She said it is mating season DO NOT go down to the water, alligators are out. I laughed and said that is funny, then realized it was no joke (poops pants).

So I go out at 5:45 am, it is dark and I am on the canal.  All I can think is what a way to die...some poor aligator dicking with the wrong guy.  Seriously, I was running scared, every noise was an aligator.  I paced at 9.5 min/miles which is much faster than I run, but I am usually not chased by imaginary alligators.

Sunrise in FL

Then I met a new coworker/friend, Maureen, who met me for two additional miles.  It was fun running with Maureen, it always makes time go quicker when running with someone.  And on our run we got to see cute ducklings not alligators :)

Duck and Ducklings 

Join Thunder Road Racing

Want to get started? Already an experienced athlete? Join our team!

Thunder Road Racing is just a group of fun peeps who are focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise. We've figured out that "old and fat is just not working" for us!

There are lots of benefits of being a part of the Thunder Road Racing team:
- We're fun
- We're positive and supportive
- You can order a cool TRR athletic tee-shirt
- We'll challenge you
- Who knows where this thing will take us!

So here's what you have to do:
- send us an email, let us know you're interested
- Pick a race, sign up, run it with one of the current team members
- Order your team shirt
- Keep us posted on how you're doing
- That's it... you're on the team!

Resources:
KC Metro Area Races in 2010
http://www.mararunning.org/Schedule2010.html

Contact the Team:
thunder_road_racing@yahoo.com

Zoo Run "Running with Hot Girls"

Had a awesome race this weekend with my pretty wife (Jaime) and our pretty friend (Jenn). It was a blast.

Jenn, Jaime, Russ


We ran a 4 mile Zoo Run at the KC Zoo.  It was a fund raiser for the new Polar Bear exhibit which was awesome.   The race was fun; running with new friends is very cool.  Especially as Jenn and Jaime are even newer to running than me.  I was a bit nervous Jaime and I might fight, mostly because I am a pain in the ass.  I was afraid I was going to want to run faster and we would exchange words and I would throw her in the tiger cage (awful active imagination, huh)?

But I was wrong, it was great.  Jaime is a warrior! She never stopped to walk and was out in front more than once.  Very Impressive.

Jenn was no different she told me she had never ran more than 1.5 miles, then proceeded to blow through the first 3 miles like a pro, we did slow on our last mile, but seriously, these two skipped 5K's and went right to a four miler to start their TRR career!

Also, a crazy story, 2 boys hopped in the tiger cage right in front of me.  Now keep in mind, I don't like kids but being a decent person I hopped in and saved them.  You will probably see this all over the news, no big deal... (bullshit story).

Anyway, Jaime now has the running bug; we are heading to a 10K next weekend.  Should be a blast.      

Tiger I had to save the kids from :)

    

Adventure Race in Lawrence

Scott and Brad participated in an adventure race in Lawrence. I was not available as I went to Council Grove for the weekend. I did get in an 11 mile run with friends.

Surprisingly, Scott and Brad did not fight during the race and actually ended on speaking terms.

The race consisted of 27 Miles of Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Canoeing Adventure Race on the river trails of Lawrence, KS.

Outside of some mechanical issues during the mountain biking portion, Brad and Scott posted a decent time, had a great time and got to share the finish with our good friend and racing inspiration, Mark Cameron.

Finish Line shot with Mark Cameron

Scott Lee is intense!

5K at the K

Beautiful Morning at
Royal's Kauffman Stadium

5k at the K
Sept. 4, 2010

Thunder Road Racing stepped out for the Royals/Autism Awareness 5k on Saturday 9/4.  Brad Fanning and Russ Thomas were in attendance.  It was a glorious day!  65 degrees and sunny at 8 am.  The run is very cool, you finish in Royals Stadium and they show you on the Jumbotron as you come in to finish.  Pretty sweet.  Brad has been great support on our half marathon mission.  While in Toledo Brad ran 2 half marathons and a full marathon...in one day (kidding).

Our goal was 30 minutes or less, keep in mind the last 5k I ran was 38 minutes.  So this was a huge step for me, moving from a pace of around 11 min miles to 9:30 min miles.  Felt good and as Brad said "stayed in second gear" the whole race, pushed but not too hard.  We ended up finishing in 31:20, which is still awesome, if I must say so myself.          

Below is a shot of Brad and I post race, we are already looking forward to going back next year and breaking 30!

Russ Thomas & Brad Fanning, Smiling afterward

THANK YOU

I would be remiss if I did not shout out to my good friend and running mentor (sounds important) Suzy (Baker) Hay.  I ran into Suzy a few months back at a class reunion, no need to tell you which one, and found that Suzy is a runner.  Working hard to live a healthy lifestyle I have worked out a lot but have always been intimidated by running.  Suzy has been great with advice, setting up the blog, and as a running partner.  

She is offically a member of Thunder Road Racing whether she likes it or not!