Hey Whippets!

It's amazing to see how far this team has come in the past year. In last year's Team Championships, we had 2 men and 3 women compete. Not bad for a team that was only 3 months old at the time. Of course, since we didn't have the requisite 10 men and 5 women competing, we weren't even able to score a single point. However, this year will be much, much different!

I'm excited to say that tomorrow is probably be one of the most exciting NYRR team points races, not only because there will be 35+ of us competing, but we will be competing against an extremely fast field. There will be about ~800 runners in each the men's and women's races and these are runners who usually already finish in the top 10% of the regular NYRR races. Keep an eye out for Van Cortlandt, Iron Runners, West Side Y, and Taconic -- we are neck-and-neck with these teams in the standings, so if you see one of them, kick it!

Tomorrow looks to be a spectacular day with a forecast of 70°F and sunny at 8:00am for the men's start, and 72°F at 9:00am for the women's start. This is the best weather we could hope for in the middle of August. Don't forget your Whippets jersey if you have one.

Because the races are split, we will be able to cheer each other on. We will have cheering sections at mile one and mile four and near the finish. If you'd like to cheer, please show up 30 minutes before each race and meet near baggage (7:30am/8:30am). Also, please show up so we can break into our pacing groups. We'll meet at baggage after the women's race at 10:00am if you'd like to recap race moments and head to brunch.

Here are some tips from Matt for running this race:
"... run a smart race. Don't go out too hard the first mile since it's so hilly and try to be on your goal pace through two miles since the second mile is downhill. Try to be a little faster than your goal pace in mile three, work cat hill in mile 4, and really kick it in mile 5."

Also, I hope Megan doesn't mind I'm stealing a quote from her from Henry Ford:
"As Henry Ford once said, whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right. Believe we can and support each other in this race and push each other along! Running is not just about being better than those around you or those who came before you, it's about being better than yourself."

Hopefully you'll see some Whippets along the course who will push you along to the finish and a PR.

Thanks to Alejandra, we have reservations at Uptown Lounge (3rd Ave between 88th/89th Sts) at 11am:
http://www.yelp.com/b...

If you can't find us, you can call me at 781-367-8244.

Also, if you haven't RSVP'd for Sunday's BBQ in Prospect Park, you may do so here. It'll be a great way to chill out after a race and after a long run! Thanks to Joe, we'll have a lot of food in store for you all:
http://www.dashingwhi...

See you all tomorrow!

-rich (off to buy racing flats)

Man, I got so caught up with racing that I totally neglected to mention logistics!

The race starts on the 102nd transverse. If you're taking public transportation, be sure to check HopStop before you head out on Saturday morning (set the departure time to Saturday morning):
http://www.hopstop.co...

Men can pick up their bib until 7:45am at the registration tent near the start. Women can do so until 8:45am.

Info on the NYRR site:
http://www.nyrr.org/r...

Map of the race:
http://www.nyrr.org/r...

Also, the standings!
http://www.nyrr.org/r...

Good luck everyone. Really bummed I can't make this one and/or cheer everyone on. I'll be thinking of you guys while I'm stuck in traffic. GO WHIPPETS!