Santa Hustle

Congrats to Finish Strong's Jim Harrington aka Santa who ran his first 1/2 marathon in 1:36:10.   Jim reports, "I think I ate too many cookies on the course."  Ho ho ho!  Merry Christmas, all!

Jim runs the Santa Hustle appropriately dressed!

12K of Christmas

Congrats to Finish Strong's Katherine Powell who took 2nd in her AG at the 12K of Christmas race held on December 21st.  Her time was 1:13.

Katherine Powell rocked the 12K of Christmas taking 2nd in her AG!

Luke's Jingle Bell Run

Luke's Jingle Bell Run on 12-12-13 in the Woodlands, TX was a fun run on the Water Way.  Coach Dana ran with six of our young runners and our house guests from the Ukraine, Olesya and Dima.  Everyone enjoyed cocoa after the race!

Dima and Olesya after the Jingle Bell Run at Luke's Locker!

Dana and Gabby enjoy hot chocolate post-race!

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

Kim Bowden, Heather Lininger and dog Baxter run the Jingle Bell Run on Saturday, December 14  in elf costumes!

Sugarland 30K

Finish Strong's Skip Moschell, Nora Wilson, and Edson Jones took HARRA 30K run in Sugarland on December 15.  It was a chilly 37 degree morning, but that didn't stop Nora from winning her 55-59 AG in 2:32:51 (despite her feeling under the weather).  Skip won 2nd in his 55-59 AG (And this was 5 weeks after knee surgery for a torn meniscus.) 

Time will tell how Finish Strong athletes stack up in the age-graded HARRA "Runner of the Season" awards. Stay posted!

Christmas Sale at Swim Shops of the Southwest

Our sponsor, Swim Shops of the Southwest is having a 20% off everything in the store (including sale items), and an additional 5% off if you bring in a race number for our wall this week until Saturday, December 14th.

If you are looking for a present for a triathlete on your list, check out goggles or a swim suit -- (w/the discount, men's practice suits are $12+tx... - jammers are $18+tx).

Run Girl Half Marathon

Congratulations to Finish Strong gals who competed in the Run Girl Half Marathon on Sunday, December 8. 

Team Leaping Lollipops Sarah Batton and Hannah Barron, placed second in a half marathon relay. Team Sexy Beasts, Linda Batton and Carolyn Barron had a good race placing 13th overall. SUB 9 miles.  Suzanne Young and Katherine Powell also teamed up and came in 15th out of 119 teams for the marathon relay.

Aubrey Young placed 2nd in her age group with a time of 1:43:42 (a PR by 7 minutes)!  She came in 14th overall out of close to 900 runners!  

For more on results, go to:

http://trigirlsports.com/page4

 

BCS Marathon

Finish Strong's Aki Laine ran his first ever marathon (BCS Marathon) at College Park on December 9. Aki reports, "I have always wanted to run one and the Oilman gave me extra confidence boost to try it out. I didn't have any specific time target for the run and more than anything I wanted to get a feel for the distance. I kept a very easy and even pace throughout the whole distance, finished in 4:05 and felt great all the way to the end."

Way to go, Aki!

Wooly Mammoth Duathlon

Congratulations to Finish Strong's Dale Claudel who finished the Wooly Mammoth Duathlon in 1:32:39. This duathlon was a 5k run, 15.5 mile bike, 5k run. Dale came in 1st place Masters Division and 3rd place overall. Dale reports, "The race started out 800 ft inside the cave about 120 below the surface at 70 degrees and 100% humidity. Exited the cave at 27 degrees! 32 degrees at the finish!"  Julio Morales also competed and had a great race.

Dale Claudel wins Master's and 3rd overall at Wooly Mammoth Du!

Rudolph 5K

Finish Strong's Shannon Crowe pictured with her kids won the women's overall title at the Rudolph 5K race in 20:40!

Texas Trail Endurance 50K

Congrats to Finish Strong's Ronnie Delzer who braved the cold and won his first Ultra-marathon at the Texas Trail Endurance 50K finishing in 3:51.

Ronnie Delzer wins the Texas Trail 50K in 3:51.

Ken Page also finished my first 50 K Ultra Marathon this past weekend in Huntsville. Ken not only ran his first 50K, he also was a good Samaritan for an injured runner.  Ken reports, "It was a blast for me and the friends I ran with. However, I had to help render aid to a fellow trail runner who tripped on a  tree root and split their head wide open around the eye, he was going to need medical attention and we were concerned about his wellbeing."

Texas 10 Conroe

Cold weather did not scare Finish Strong runners from racing at the Texas 10 at Conroe - the last race in 2013 Texas 10 Championship. Kevin Baker posted a time of 1hr 5min, 2nd AG at Conroe and 1st overall AG for 2013 Texas 10 championship cup! (APR by 4min too!)  His wife, Katerina Savelieva, ran in the 5 mile distance and did great with 3rd place AG time (46min).

Nora Wilson took 1st AG and 2013 Texas 10 Cup for AG. Kevin Baker took 2nd overall and won Texas 10 Cup for his AG.  As cup winners both Nora and Kevin received $200 and free entries to the 2014 races! 

Edson Jones and Lisa Hill both took 2nd in his AG in the 10 mile race.  

Heather Lininger and Kim Bowden both took 3rd in their AG in the 5 mile race.

Katerina took 3rd in her AG at the 5 mile race in 46 minutes also setting a PR!

Kevin took 2nd overall in the race and 1st in the series.

Kevin and Nora win Texas 10 Series Cup for their AGs!

For more race results, go to  https://www.nolimitstiming.com/results/default-mobile.aspx?event=24565

Shyla Stone - Wins 1 Mile GE Run Thru the Woods

Finish Strong Coaching's young runner, Shyla Stone, is racking up the medals.  She was the big winner of the GE Run Thru the Woods 1 mile race.  Shyla also took 3rd at the USAT XC Regional Championships for the 3000 meter distance race for 11-12 year old girls. She is headed to San Antonio for Nationals.

Shyla Stone wins the 1 mile GE Run Thru the Woods race on Thanksgiving day in The Woodlands.

Shyla takes 3rd in USATF 3000 meter race for 11-12 year old girls.  Next stop, Nationals!!

Fun Jingle Bell Run at Luke's Locker on December 12

Luke's Locker is having their annual Jingle Bell Run on December 12th at 6:30pm. It will be a 3 mile fun run along the Water Way in The Woodlands. There will be hot cocoa and cookies post run & a prize for the person who has the most festive outfit.  Come on out for the fun, Finish Strong runners!

Other Luke's Locker activities in December:

TXU Turkey Trot

Mother-daughter duo Heather Lininiger & Kim Bowden did the TXU Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. Kim reports, "It was fun. My goal was to run the whole thing and I did. A first for me : )"

Turkey Trot for Hope 5K

Suzanne Young's family went to Gulf Shores, Alabama for Thanksgiving.  While there they ran in the Turkey Trot for Hope (5K) in Mobile.  Aubrey placed first in her age group (10-14) with a time of 22:36--a PR for Aubrey!  After not running for 5 months due to her strained plantar fascia, Suzanne also placed first in her age group (50-54) with a time of 27:10.  Suzanne reports, "It is so good to be running again; God is so faithful!"

Aubrey and Suzanne Young with medals from Turkey Trot for Hope!

Houston Turkey Trot 10K

Finish Strong Coach Kim Mac Namee ran the Houston Turkey Trot 10k in 37:19 and was first female finisher.  Way to go, Kim!  Any pics?

Run Through the Woods

Congrats to the 40 Finish Strong athletes who ran the Thanksgiving Run Thru the Woods 5 Mile race!

Results for 2013 - Run thru the Woods - 5 Miler
The Woodlands, TX on Thursday, 11/28/2013

Female Finishers: 1100
Male Finishers: 980
Total Finishers: 2080

Runner's Name	Chip Time	Division Award
Rip Reynolds	31:10.8	1st Male 45 to 49
Skip Moschell	31:47.6	2nd Male 55 to 59
Chris Weir	31:51.6
Travys Townson	31:58.7	3rd Male 35 to 39
Tim Monk	32:01.6	3rd Male 40 to 44
Casey Clark	32:28.9
Paul Allan	33:50.3
Christelle Gigant	34:05.4	2nd Female 35 to 39
Pam Meaux	34:07.4	3rd Female Master Winners
Arran Keith	35:32.0
Edson Jones	35:50.0
Stephen Barrass	36:27.8
Nora Wilson	37:40.6	1st Female 55 to 59
Chantal Requier	37:47.9
Chris Normyle	38:01.1
Phillip Deprang	38:32.7
Andreas Grossmann	38:48.9
John Tortorici	39:02.9
Cesar Patino	41:05.6
Kristin Collins	42:06.9
Sarah Pietraszek-Mattner	42:19.0
Mitchell Hall	43:03.6
Randy Barron	44:57.0
Carolyn Barron	44:57.9
Kristen Gohlke	45:10.9
Michael Csikos	45:12.6
Shirley Santangelo	45:44.5
Sara Vanderford	46:52.1
Katherine Powell	47:26.8
Courtney Myers	49:49.4
Kathleen Crea	51:33.3
Pia Grossmann	1:01:24.2
Ed York	1:01:54.4
Xochitl Carias	1:05:28.8

Run Thru the Woods Race Website
Run Wild Race Results Website


Kudos to Russell Meyer for his race and for generating the race results report!

I heard Matt Horak and Mike Flake raced but could not find in the results.  Matt ran at 8:10 pace.
 Lane Barron who came in 3rd in his age group in a time of 17:52.9 in the 3 mile race.

Travys Townson, Arran Keith, and Steven Barrass - thumbs up after the 5 miler.

Christelle Gigant takes 2nd in her AG!

Nora Wilson wins her AG!

Vera, Christelle, and Pam show off their winning plaques!