Mood:
lazyReason #14 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
FLAT FLAT FLAT TERRAIN!
Florida is well known to be the lowest and flattest state in the United States. Florida's highest point is only 345 feet above sea level.
http://www.sunnyfloridavacationrentals.com/florida-facts.htm
The Tampa area is even lower and flatter than most other areas of Florida. The official elevation of Tampa is 48 feet above sea level, while the airport lies at 26 feet above sea level. A digital elevation map of the entire Tampa Bay region's elevation is at http://gulfsci.usgs.gov/maps/dem/ which ranges from a depth of 94 feet below sea level (underwater) at the mouth of Tampa Bay up to a towering height of 105 feet above sea level in Clearwater.
The race courses for the RUN TAMPA 2005 events run directly adjacent to Tampa Bay. They run just a few feet above sea level the entire route.
Hops Tampa Bay Marathon course map:
http://www.tampabayrun.com/hops/HOPS%20MAP%20NEW%20B.JPG
Hops Tampa Bay Half Marathon course map:
http://www.tampabayrun.com/hops/half%20marathon%20map.JPG
Why is this important?
YOU WON'T FIND ANY FLATTER MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON COURSES THAN THESE!!
What does this mean to YOU?
You've got over 6 months to train for a MASSIVE PERSONAL RECORD in Tampa next February!!
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The second in a series of introductions to the members of the people who are taking this from crackpot idea to reality:
The Penguin Winter Carnival Organizing Committee Members:
Meet Shawn Walke!
"My running life started like many other people?s: In the quest to drop a few pounds, I bought a pair of cheap shoes from a department store and started what is commonly thought to be the most effective and convenient exercise. In January 2000, I started walking as yet another New Year?s resolution to get fit and lose weight. I soon got bored and realized that I needed a goal, so I signed up for the Indianapolis Race for the Cure in April 2000. I finished and had a great time; I loved the energy of thousands of people gathered for a common goal. I did some online investigating, and found that there were tons of races held all over the city year-round. I was a little afraid of signing up right away; I was still really slow and couldn?t go much over 5K, so I decided to work on my endurance, and maybe even try to get a little faster. I started adding short bursts of jogging into my walks until I was jogging more than walking. A monster had been created!
"In early 2001, I found an article on the Runner?s World web site about a woman named Tawni Gomes who had lost over 100 pounds and straightened out her life through running and online support. She started up some regional and state groups called the Connectors so that others could benefit from the kind of support she had. I found the Indiana site and met a wonderful group of friends (and I found the Penguins through one of them!). I ran-walked my first race, a 5-miler, in February 2001 in a pair of sweatpants and a cotton T-shirt. It wasn?t pretty, but I finished and I was thrilled. After that race, I signed up for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon and several smaller local races. I finished my first marathon in October 2002, also here in Indy. I am now training for my fourth marathon in Chicago (and, of course, Hops in Tampa will be my fifth!), and I?ve run six half-marathons as well as countless shorter-distance races.
"When I?m not running, I work full-time for the State of Indiana, in the Emergency Management Agency Operations Center. I go to school part-time to study court reporting, I read a LOT, harass my evil kitty Dixie and hang out with my hubby and personal cheerleader John (he also cheers for my friends, so look for him on the side of the road with a camera in February!) We are also busy planning our permanent move to the Tampa area in November.
"Throughout the past four and a half years, I?ve struggled with lack of motivation, fluctuating weight, depression and injury, but I keep coming back to the roads. Hey, it?s cheaper than therapy!"
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This is one of a series of newsletters about the PENGUIN WINTER CARNIVAL, FEBRUARY 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida.
Penguin Winter Carnival is a fun social meeting of runners, walkers, friends, and family attending the Run Tampa 2005 events, and will include special Friday morning workshops and get-togethers throughout the weekend. We welcome participants of all speeds! Race options include your selection of 5K, 15K, half marathon, and marathon distances over two days, plus special challenge awards for those intrepid (i.e., crazy) folks who would like to tackle a 5K, a 15K, *and* a half-marathon or marathon within two days.
For complete details and periodic updates, bookmark these websites:
Penguin Winter Carnival website:
https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/
Penguin Winter Carnival news:
Join the Penguin Winter Carnival email discussion group:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PenguinWinterCarnival/?yguid=103428986
Calling all snowbirds! Fly south in 2005 to join the flock for fun, friends, and frolic! All are welcome!
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* Nancy Toby, Arlington, Virginia * nancytoby@comcast.net
* Participate in our Virtual Online Olympics:
* https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/online_olympics.htm