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Mood:  incredulous
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Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida: Reason Ten to Attend!
Mood:  cool
Reason #10 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
SHELLFISH! Including...

Blue Crab: Found along Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts, it is served in both its hard and (more commonly) soft shell state.

Florida lobster: known as the spiny lobster, it has no claws like the Maine variety. The tails are broiled and served with melted butter. Delicious!

Scallops: sweet, succulent meat that is actually the muscle between two shells. Scallops are found in Gulf waters and along the east coast of Florida. Scallops are served lightly breaded and sauteed, grilled, broiled, in soups and served on salads.

Gulf shrimp: About a third of a billion pounds of shrimp are caught by shrimpers across the nation each year. At $1.50 to two dollars a pound dockside, the nation?s annual shrimp harvest puts a half billion dollars in the pockets of U.S. fishermen. The nation?s most productive shrimp fishery is the Gulf of Mexico where fishermen from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida harvested 438 million pounds of brown, white and pink shrimp in 1995 and 1996 combined, worth over $838 million dockside according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Florida Hoppers: Hoppers are Pink Shrimp caught along the northern Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. As a species, Pink Shrimp are like chameleons- they change color to match their surroundings. Along the panhandle, and around Cape Canaveral, the sands are golden brown, and so are the hoppers.

Gulf Whites: Gulf Whites are the kings of the shrimp world, and are the standard against which all other shrimp are measured. In the days before farm-raised shrimp, when the big cities of the Northeast and the Midwest wanted shrimp, they wanted Gulf Whites. Chances are, if you fell in love with shrimp as a kid, you were eating Gulf Whites.

Crawdads. Beth Terry says: "I think Yankees may call them crayfish. We boil them, peel them, eat the tails, then suck the heads. Cold beer is the condiment of choice."

And not only is most shellfish tasty, it's also (depending on the preparation) high in protein, low in fat, and GOOD for you! :) Why not sample some while you're in Tampa?

* * * * * * * * * *
The fourth in a series of introductions to the members of the people who are taking the Penguin Winter Carnival from crackpot idea to reality:

The Penguin Winter Carnival Organizing Committee Members:
Meet Nancy Toby!

Nancy Toby started the new millenium as an overweight couch potato - and since becoming part of the penguin community, has been transformed to an active (albeit still overweight) adult-onset athlete. Formerly a university assistant professor and researcher, then a government employee, she had a solid decade of inactivity under her belt (literally) before learning of the penguins in January, 2000. They encouraged her in countless ways and demonstrated to her what "The Courage To Start" was really all about - the personal connections that helps one get out there each day despite feeling like you really don't want to. As an internet junkie for years, she was drawn naturally to the interactions taking place on the penguin email lists - and joined several of them.

She began walking down to the corner and back, and worked up to the 5K distance at the Shamrock Sportsfest in March 2000, alternately walking and jogging. Somehow, with the help of her fellow penguins, she stuck with it this time and worked up to doing the Kiawah Half Marathon by the end of the year.

She kept going. While she had run a bit in college, that was long ago. This "sticking to it" had never happened before.

The next year she completed four marathons: Myrtle Beach, Maui (two days after she got married), Marine Corps, and Kiawah.

In 2002 she concentrated on half marathons, completing them in 12 states, plus the Rock and Roll Half Marathon at the Penguin World Conference in Toronto, Canada. She even tried a couple of sprint triathlons. However, late in 2002 she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her foot, which put her in an air cast for 7 weeks. Then while beginning her walking rehabilitation, she got pregnant. With triplets. At age 45. Although the exercise of the past 3 years had put her in much better health than she otherwise would have been, this was a very high risk pregnancy.

She was hospitalized for a month in May of 2003 at week 26 of her pregnancy - and while totally confined to a hospital bed, still was helped along by communications with the penguin community via a laptop - and many kind cards and letters sent from caring penguins. Sadly, her daughter Anna only survived six months due to the complications of extreme prematurity. Another daughter, Elisabeth, required open heart surgery at five months of age. Her third daughter, Catherine, also had a slow start, but was fortunately in good health from the beginning.

In October 2004 Nancy is being joined by a number of fantastic penguin friends who are participating in the Chicago Marathon and "Waddling for Anna" in remembrance. Toddlers Catherine and Elisabeth will stay home with Dad, but are doing great. (Photos of the girls can be seen at http://home.comcast.net/~nancytoby/photos.htm).

She hopes to give back a small part of the support and good cheer the penguin community has freely given her through the years by working on the organization of the Penguin Winter Carnival - and hopes to see many old friends and make many new penguin friends in Tampa next February.

* * * * * * * * * *

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; or a relay of three members, with one each completing a 5K, 15K, and half marathon.

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

Online registration for the Penguin Winter Carnival is at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1163969

Calling all snowbirds! Fly south in 2005 to join the flock for fun, friends, and frolic! All are welcome!

* * * * * * * * * *

Penguin Athlete Summer Challenge 2004 RESULTS
Below is the summary of the accomplishments of the participants in the Penguin Athlete Summer Challenge, which ran from June 1, 2004 to September 1, 2004 for a period of 13 weeks. https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/summer_challenge.htm

We invite ALL PENGUINS to join us and follow up on these successes by taking on the Penguin Athlete Fall Challenge at the level they are comfortable pursuing.

It runs for 13 weeks, beginning September 15, 2004 and ending December 15, 2004. Full details of the Penguin Athlete Fall Challenge are provided at https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/fall_challenge.htm - EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN!

74 participants enrolled in the Penguin Athlete Summer Challenge.
48 participants (65%) reached Iron Level or better during the 13 week Challenge.

For those reporting running/walking/cycling/swimming distances, they averaged:
1.9 miles run or walked per day or 13.2 miles (over a half marathon) completed per week;
4.7 miles cycled per day or 32.6 miles cycled per week; and
222 yards swum per day or over 1550 yards swum per week.

In 13 weeks, participants had swum over 229 miles; biked over 10,600 miles; and run/walked over 9,250 miles.
This total distance of 20,079 miles is equivalent to 4/5 of the way around the world!!!

Most importantly, the penguins participating supported each other magnificently every step, wheel crank, and stroke of the way!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

*** Penguin Triathlete Challengers: 12 of 17 original participants (70%) achieved at least IRON LEVEL.
Bari 58.1 miles run/walked; 29.1 miles cycled; 30,787 Starting level.
Beth in GA 176.4 miles run/walked; 336.5 miles cycled; 24,375 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
Chris in OH 309.2 miles run/walked; 479.9 miles cycled; 40,140 yards swum; SILVER LEVEL.
Coach Ken 46.5 miles run/walked; 166.6 miles cycled; 10,277 yards swum; IRON LEVEL.
David, friend of Lori 175.0 miles run/walked; 1270.0 miles cycled; 55,530 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
Ellie Hamilton 171.2 miles run/walked; 229.8 miles cycled; 10,248 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
Joyce - Indialantic, FL 60.2 miles run/walked; 154.5 miles cycled; Starting level.
Judi in FL 61.0 miles run/walked; 124.0 miles cycled; 6050 yards swum; IRON LEVEL.
Karen G. in WA 46.0 miles run/walked; 114.5 miles cycled; 16,600 yards swum; IRON LEVEL.
Katie in Dallas 266.6 miles run/walked; 1270.1 miles cycled; 46,112 yards swum; SILVER LEVEL.
Lauri in AZ 182.1 miles run/walked; 246.0 miles cycled; 14,200 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
Linae Boehme-Terrana 79.8 miles run/walked; 680.6 miles cycled; 7270 yards swum; IRON LEVEL.
Murray in SC 26.5 miles run/walked; 68.8 miles cycled; 1850 yards swum; Starting level.
Nancy Toby 249.6 miles run/walked; 51.0 miles cycled; 4350 yards swum; Starting level.
Peggy Martin-McGuire 199.0 miles run/walked; 238.0 miles cycled; 18,400 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
WrayJean in IN 228.0 miles run/walked; 1702.0 miles cycled; 14,000 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.

** Penguin Run-Cycle Duathlete Challengers: 8 of 15 original participants (53%) achieved at least IRON LEVEL.
Becky S. 318.8 miles run/walked; 755.7 miles cycled; GOLD LEVEL.
Dawn in Calgary 204.2 miles run/walked; 364.3 miles cycled; SILVER LEVEL.
Deb in WI 56.4 miles run/walked; 18.5 miles cycled; Starting level.
Glynis 439.0 miles run/walked; 811.5 miles cycled; PLATINUM LEVEL.
Harvey 190.1 miles run/walked; 1844 min cycled; SILVER LEVEL.
Heather Moyer 371.5 miles run/walked; 730.0 miles cycled; PLATINUM LEVEL.
Karen C. 211.8 miles run/walked; 182.8 miles cycled; IRON LEVEL.
Kelly @Isle 145.0 miles run/walked; 239.0 miles cycled; BRONZE LEVEL.
Kelly from Toronto 106.0 miles run/walked; 69.0 miles cycled; Starting level.
Pam Rhoades 178.0 miles run/walked; 268.0 miles cycled; BRONZE LEVEL.

** Penguin Run-Swim Duathlete Challengers 4 of 5 original participants (80%) achieved at least IRON LEVEL.
Barbara 376.8 miles run/walked; 64,755 yards swum; DIAMOND LEVEL.
Marie-Claude, Quebec City 39.1 miles run/walked; 5940 yards swum; IRON LEVEL.
Rachel Hilgeford in AZ 103.5 miles run/walked; 10,750 yards swum; BRONZE LEVEL.
Shanyn Money in AZ 234.8 miles run/walked; 22,500 yards swum; SILVER LEVEL.

* Penguin Runner/Walker Challengers: 24 of 39 original participants (61%) achieved at least IRON LEVEL.
Anna Gavrilis-Stran 140.1 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Bill Zulas 328.7 miles run/walked; GOLD LEVEL.
Dave Gegear 40.0 miles run/walked; IRON LEVEL.
Dudley Stadler 102.3 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Elizabeth Stran 149.3 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Erin Sherwood 119.0 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Giddy 39.6 miles run/walked; IRON LEVEL.
Jane Fraytet 144.2 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
*jeanne* 163.9 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Jill F. 128.6 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Julie 364.0 miles run/walked; PLATINUM LEVEL.
Kathy Flippo 206.5 miles run/walked; SILVER LEVEL.
Lani Teshima 216.0 miles run/walked; SILVER LEVEL.
Louise T. 91.5 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Mandy J. S. 92.3 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Michelle in OH 180.3 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Ohio Mike 124.7 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Pat in Eugene 364.2 miles run/walked; PLATINUM LEVEL.
Robert S. 97.3 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Shawn Walke 192.5 miles run/walked; SILVER LEVEL.
Steve Toby 126.5 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Sue L. 171.8 miles run/walked; BRONZE LEVEL.
Terri Jordan 70.4 miles run/walked; IRON LEVEL.
Txskatemom 292.7 miles run/walked; GOLD LEVEL.

Why not challenge yourself this fall along with us?
https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/fall_challenge.htm

Virtual Online Olympics Results
Mood:  celebratory
Virtual Online Olympics
July 15, 2004 - August 29, 2004
Preliminary Results

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS! WELL DONE!
We had 216 entries from Scotland, Canada, Israel, South Africa, Panama, and from California to New Hampshire in the USA!
The Olympic Creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part - just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well."

Preliminary results are tabulated below and are posted at https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/online_olympics.htm

Team Competition
1. Marathon Walkers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marathonwalkers/
2. Charlotte Area Penguins http://www.tricharlotte.com
3. Penguin Winter Carnival http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PenguinWinterCarnival/
4. Penguin Athletes http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/penguinathletes/
5. Team Penguin Calgary http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/tpcalgary/
6. Team Penguin Portland http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/teampenguin-portland/
7. Penguin Runners http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PenguinRunners/
8. TriCats http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/tricats/
9. Team Penguin Disney http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/teampenguin-disney/
10. Toronto Penguins http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/torontopenguins/
10. Running Turtles http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/runningturtles/
12. Indiana Connectors http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/indianaconnectors/
13. TRI-DRS http://www.tri-drs.org

Virtual Online Olympics
Performances
July 14, 2004 - August 29, 2004

Points last updated August 31, 2004; results to be final September 1, 2004.

Athletics

100 m
Men
12.7: Jeffry Buechler for TriCats, Mattoon, IL, August 22
15.3: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
17.5: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 22
17.7: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
20:0: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 14
22.5: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
25.2: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 27
39.0: Dudley Stadler for Running Turtles, Lafourche, LA, August 22
Women
16.3: Cheryl Urmacher for Penguin Runners, Lincoln, NE, July 17
17.8: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
18.0: Krista Slor for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
19.0: Erin Hardison for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
20.0: Karen Cooksley for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
22.0: Joyce Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
22.0: Dianne Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
22.0: Nancy Coffin for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
24.0: Lani Teshima for Team Penguin Disney, Dublin, CA, August 24
24.7: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, July 24
24.8: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 21
27.2: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers, Apache Junction, AZ, August 29
29.0: Dawn Henry for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
42.0: Nikayla (3 years old) for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21

200 m
Men
33.0: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
33.1: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
43.0: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
43:7: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 14
45.6: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 23
1:00.9: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 11
1:03.0: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
1:18.0: Dudley Stadler for Running Turtles, Lafourche, LA, August 26
Women
35.2: Cheryl Urmacher for Penguin Runners, Lincoln, NE, July 17
40.5: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
41.0: Krista Slor for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
43.0: Erin Hardison for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
44.0: Karen Cooksley for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
44.9: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers, Apache Junction, AZ, August 29
47.0: Lani Teshima for Team Penguin Disney, Dublin, CA, August 24
53.5: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, July 24
55.6: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 5
1:07: Joyce Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:07: Dianne Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:07: Nancy Coffin for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:09 Dawn Henry for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:16.0: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, August 12

400 m
Men
1:12.3: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
1:15.7: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
1:31.2: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 23
1:36.5: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
2:10.2: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 27
2:10.9: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 14
2:15.7: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
2:57.0: Dudley Stadler for Running Turtles, Lafourche, LA, August 23
Women
1:27.2: Cheryl Urmacher for Penguin Runners, Lincoln, NE, July 17
1:36.0: Krista Slor for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:37.0: Erin Hardison for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
1:42.1: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
1:43: Karen Cooksley for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:07: Dianne Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:07: Nancy Coffin for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
1:47.9: Kecia LiCausi for Penguin Runners, Webster Groves, MO, August 17
1:55.0: Lani Teshima for Team Penguin Disney, Dublin, CA, August 24
1:59.6: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 24
2:02.0: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, August 12
2:04.0: Peggy Martin McGuire for Penguin Athletes, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 24
2:11.1: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 7
2:43: Joyce Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
2:43: Dianne Wilkinson for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
2:43: Nancy Coffin for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
3:09.5: Belynda Warner for Marathon Walkers, Grapevine, TX, August 27

800 m
Men
2:20.9: Jeffry Buechler for TriCats, Boulder, CO, August 28
2:35.9: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
2:58.1: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
3:16.5: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 28
3:36.4: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
4:25.5: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 14
4:32.9: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 27
4:50.6: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
5:58.0: Dudley Stadler for Running Turtles, Lafourche, LA, August 28
Women
3:36.0: Erin Hardison for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
3:51.2: Kecia LiCausi for Penguin Runners, Webster Groves, MO, August 17
4:00.6: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
4:22.0: Lani Teshima for Team Penguin Disney, Dublin, CA, August 24
4:29.0: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 5
4:36.7: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 7
4:51.0: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, August 12
4:52.2: Shawn Walke for Indiana Connectors, Greenwood, IN, August 28
6:33.0: Belynda Warner for Marathon Walkers, Grapevine, TX, August 27

1500 m
Men
4:38.0: Jeffry Buechler for TriCats, Boulder, CO, August 25
5:08.4: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
5:53.0: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
6:03.5: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 28
6:54.0: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
7:49.7: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 24
8:42.0: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 14
9:20.0: Colin Weir for Team Penguin Disney, Glasgow, Scotland, August 22
9:52.3: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
9:58.5: Jay Diener for Marathon Walkers, Granite State Senior Games, Manchester, NH, August 7
Women
6:54.0: Erin Hardison for Charlotte Area Penguins, August 25
7:22.8: Kecia LiCausi for Penguin Runners, Webster Groves, MO, August 17
7:33.9: Jeanne Larrison for Penguin Athletes, College Park, MD, Aug 28
8:13.7: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
8:35.0: Lani Teshima for Team Penguin Disney, Dublin, CA, August 24
8:40.1: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, Georgia, August 28
9:06.6: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, Arlington, VA, August 13
9:15.5: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, McLean, VA, August 21
10:12.7: Shawn Walke for Indiana Connectors, Greenwood, IN, August 28
10:16.8: Kathy Collins for Marathon Walkers, McLean, VA, July 24
13:31: Belynda Warner for Marathon Walkers, Grapevine, TX, August 27

5,000 m
Men
22:27: Dave McGovern for Marathon Walkers, Mobile, AL, August 3
25:27: Alvaro Moreno for Team Penguin Disney, Panama, Republic of Panama, August 15
26:38: Steve Mahood for Toronto Penguins, Toronto, Canada, August 8
28:16: Glenn Gabriel for Toronto Penguins, Chicago, IL, August 1
29:54: Allen Albert for Marathon Walkers, USATF Masters Outdoor Championships, Decatur, IL, August 6
33:15: Jay Diener for Marathon Walkers, Manchester, NH, August 7
35:32: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 7
Women
26:00: Nadine for Team Penguin Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 21
26:08: Kecia LiCausi for Penguin Runners, St. Louis, MO, July 17
26:27: Becky Sayre for Penguin Athletes, Tonitown, AR, August 14
27:13: Jeanne Larrison for Penguin Athletes, Annapolis, MD, July 17
29:57: Eileen Akers for Marathon Walkers, Lisbon, IA
30:20: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Hayward Field, Eugene, OR, August 23
30:24: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 23
33:00: Joanne Holmes for Toronto Penguins, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
34:05: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola Beach, FL, August 15
35:00: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, July 20
35:15: Bari Nirenberg for Penguin Athletes, Levahim, Israel, August 28
35:21: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, Alexandria, VA July 20
35:35: Mandy Suwienski for Penguin Athletes, Flint, MI, July 24
36:37: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers, Mesa, AZ, August 26
36:42: Jane Fraytet for Penguin Athletes, Mooresville, NC, July 17
37:10: Kathy Collins for Marathon Walkers, Silver Spring, MD, August 10
40:46: Shawn Walke for Indiana Connectors, Franklin, IN, August 19
45:06: Belynda Warner for Marathon Walkers, Grapevine, TX, August 29

10,000 m
Men
35:59.4: Jeffry Buechler for TriCats, Boulder, CO, August 20
48:13: Dave McGovern for Marathon Walkers, Wilkes-Barre, PA, August 21
49:48: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 23
59:53: Allan Albert for Marathon Walkers, Fort Wayne, IN, August 20
1:00:25: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
1:01:00: Colin Weir for Team Penguin Disney, Glasgow, Scotland, August 22
1:01:14: Steve Mahood for Toronto Penguins, August 17
1:14:10: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 6
1:19:00: Jay Diener for Marathon Walkers, Hampton, NH, August 13
Women
1:00:33: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, MA, August 22
1:02:58: Jeanne Larrison for Penguin Athletes, Columbia, MD, August 11
1:06:19: Chris Hale for Penguin Athletes, Portsmouth, OH, July 14
1:11:00: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, July 17
1:14:26: Louise Dizon for Toronto Penguins, New York, NY, July 22
1:14:26: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 27
1:15:04: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, Leesburg, VA, August 8
1:15:48: Kathy Collins for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, August 10
1:17:33: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers, Mesa, AZ, August 15
1:18:22: Shawn Walke for Indiana Connectors, Franklin, IN, August 27
1:30:40: Missy Ruud for Marathon Walkers, Muskegon, MI, August 2

20 km walk
Men
1:41:59: Dave McGovern for Marathon Walkers, US Olympic Trials 20K, Sacramento, CA, July 17
2:27:11: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers, Houston, TX, August 6
Women
2:25:00: Deborah Van Dover for Marathon Walkers, Washington, DC, July 23
2:25:00: Cindy Mayhak for Marathon Walkers, Portland, OR, August 8
2:27:54: Kathy Collins for Marathon Walkers, Leesburg, VA, August 8
2:35:02: Dorothy Suding for Marathon Walkers, Monon Trail, IN, August 14
2:56:27: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers, Mesa, AZ, August 8
3:06.53: Missy Ruud for Marathon Walkers, Muskegon, MI, August 14
3:14.37: Belynda Warner for Marathon Walkers, Grapevine, TX, August 14

Marathon
Men
5:47: Gerhard Fourie for Marathon Walkers, Johannesburg, South Africa, July 25
Women
7:15:20: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Atlanta, GA, August 7

Cycling

Men's individual time trial, 40 km (24.85 miles)
1:11:00: Joe Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 18
1:25:48: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16

Women's individual time trial, 20 km (12.43 miles)
36:16:12: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 18
40:58:05: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 14
52:00: Peggy Martin McGuire for Penguin Athletes, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 11

Swimming

100 m Freestyle
Men
1:13: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
1:27: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:05: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:16: Steve Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28
Women
1:34.0: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Eugene, OR, August 24
1:51.5: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 9
2:11.3: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 4
2:12.3: Bari Nirenberg for Penguin Athletes, Lehavim, Israel, July 22
3:03.0: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 7
3:06.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, August 1
3:08.7: Murray Richards for Penguin Athletes, Spartanburg, SC, August 14

400 m Freestyle
Men
5:51: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
7:24: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
10:25: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
Women
7:30.5: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Eugene, OR, August 24
8:46.2: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 14
9:55.7: Bari Nirenberg for Penguin Athletes, Lehavim, Israel, August 3
11:04.2: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 15
12:41.0: Peggy Martin-McGuire for Penguin Athletes, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 11
13:08.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, July 28

1500 m Freestyle
Men
24:30: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 17
31:14: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 17
47:00: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 17
Women
33:07.8: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 12
43:56.1: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 20
54:70.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, July 25

100 m Backstroke
Men
1:45: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:09: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:32: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
Women
1:52.3: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Eugene, OR, August 24
2:00.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, August 1
2:18.3: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 20
2:26.6: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 16
3:35.0: Peggy Martin-McGuire for Penguin Athletes, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, August 11
3:58.2: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 28

100 m Breaststroke
Men
1:55: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:12: Jeff Whitmire for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
2:09: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
Women
2:10.4: Liane Richardson for Team Penguin Portland, Eugene, OR, August 24
2:16.7: Vicky Sue Merry for Marathon Walkers, Pensacola, FL, August 16
2:48.5: Nancy Toby for Penguin Winter Carnival, St. Michaels, MD, August 7
3:18.4: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 4
4:39: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, August 1

100 m Butterfly
Men
1:37: Josh Saak for Charlotte Area Penguins, Charlotte, NC, August 16
Women
4:12.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, August 1

400 m Individual Medley
Women
14:13.0: Barbara Grandberg for Penguin Athletes, Somerville, MA, July 28

Triathlon
Swim 1500 m, cycle 40 km, run 10 km
Men
3:06:12: Paul Tevis for TRI-DRS, Camp Pendleton, CA, July 17
Women
3:24:11: Chris Hale for Penguin Athletes, Portsmouth, OH, July 16
3:41:38: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival, Valdosta, GA, August 27

Special Awards

Special Sportsmanship Award: Steve Kimmel for Marathon Walkers

Special Award for Inspiring Others: Ron Horton for Charlotte Area Penguins

Special Combativity Award: Beth Terry for Penguin Winter Carnival

Special Award for Inspiring Others: Lauri Berger for Marathon Walkers

* * * * * * * *

Please report any errors to nancytoby@comcast.net

UPCOMING EVENTS!!

While you are reviewing the results, be sure to take a look at our FALL CHALLENGE, for which you might like to sign up before September 15: https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/fall_challenge.htm

Also BE SURE to look through our information on this website concerning the fantastic Penguin Winter Carnival gathering being planned for Tampa, Florida in February 2005 which includes workshops, social gatherings, fun outings, a gala banquet, as well as 5K, 15K, half marathon, and marathon race options! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join us!!!
https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/index.html

* * * * * * * *

Come to Penguin Winter Carnival, Feb. 2005: Reason Eleven
Mood:  celebratory
Reason #11 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
PENGUIN SUPPORT throughout your training all the way through the finish line!

Want to tackle your first 5K? First half marathon? First marathon? First weekend of multiple races?
We will support you every step of the way! There's still 5 1/2 months to train - why not start the journey NOW!?

From our email support and information groups such as the Penguin Winter Carnival group at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PenguinWinterCarnival/ you can get regular help and your questions answered along the way.
Training plans such as https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/training.htm provide helpful ideas on formulating your own approach to training your body for the task.
Fun group activities such as our Virtual Online Olympics at https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/online_olympics.htm (entries are still open until August 29th) and our 13-week Penguin Athlete Fall Challenge https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/fall_challenge.htm (September 15 - December 15, 2004) help you with motivation and goal-setting along the way, and help keep it FUN!
And on race weekend in Tampa, we'll have informative seminars and workshops for you on Friday to help with your final preparations.
During the races on Saturday and Sunday we will have fellow penguins along the route making sure you get to the finish line okay and cheering you on as you cross it!

* * * * * * * * * *

Online registration for the Penguin Winter Carnival is now OPEN at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1163969
Mail-in registration is not yet available. Online registration ends January 28, 2005. There will be NO on-site registration in Tampa.

Your registration fee for the Penguin Winter Carnival 2005 is:
- $35 for one person
- $60 for two family members
- $80 for three family members
- $95 for four family members
and it gets you the following:

* Friday morning speakers and workshops
* Registration packet with local information
* Special keepsake items (must register by Dec. 1, 2004)
* Penguin recognition insignia to wear around Tampa and at the races
* Meeting space
* Hospitality suite access
* Table Talk sessions & refreshments
* Group pizza/pasta party on Friday night
* Fun, well-organized encounters with penguin friends old and new
* Website, publicity, and organizational efforts by the Committee
* Pre-race gatherings and group photo ops
* Giveaways and the chance to win amazing penguin door prizes!
* Optional/fee: Some of the Friday outings have additional fees
* Optional/fee: Penguin Gala Banquet on Sunday ($40 adults, $16 youth 12 & under)


* * * * * * * * * *

Below is one in a series of letters which we will share from our good friend Ellie Hamilton as she begins a new life in the months leading up to the Penguin Winter Carnival. Thank you, Ellie, for taking the time to keep us up to date! Check in on her continuing adventures and see her pictures at https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/news.htm

On the Road #3
by Ellie Hamilton

May I have a doggie bag, please?

This is my new philosophy. It started with adopting the practice of eating only until I'd had enough.... the rest going either into a doggie bag, or into the dog's dish directly, or into the garbage.

I have lost about 20 pounds since sometime late this winter or early this spring. I didn't have a specific decision-day or event (joining Weight Watchers or something) that was the Start Day... I just gradually stopped eating so much, along with downsizing the number of personal possessions I considered essential when we went on the road, and found my clothes getting loose. I weighed myself at a YMCA a month or so ago when I went there to swim, somewhere in North Dakota, and was down 19.5. I think I gained back a little, but I think I've lost it again. I haven't weighed myself since then... no scales.

The doggie-bag system came about thus: When I sense that I'm getting full, I look at what's left on my plate and ask myself: If my plate were empty now, would I want more, enough that I'd order (or cook) a serving the size of what I have left? If the answer is "yes," I eat. If "no," doggie-bag time.

This has spread into the rest of my life. When we first retired, I thought, finally I have time to run all I want, train for marathons and ultras; bike all I want, swim whenever I can find a place,train for an Ironman; take all the pictures I want, print, mat, frame and sell them all I want, get famous; train my dog all I want, have an Agility Dog or a Companion Dog; read all I want, crochet all I want, write/journal/e-mail all I want, watch TV all I want; learn to play the violin; get practiced back up on the guitar; then after we got a piano keyboard, learn all the classical music I want and fill our space with accomplishment and culture out the wazoo, plus doing everything with my husband, including hiking, sightseeing, going out to dinner and movies, visiting with campground neighbors.....

I got really bogged down doing all I wanted of all this stuff. I had more than I could swallow.

I was out for a 14-mile run one day in July and felt crappy. It was hot and I was lost in an unfamiliar area and when I got directions and found my way back I had done about 10, and thought, no way am I going another 4 miles. Can I have a doggie bag and save the rest for tomorrow?

So I put the dangling ends of the unfinished planned run into a metaphorical doggie bag, and saw its aptness for my life.

I started getting real about taking so many pictures even though I have no current venue for displaying or marketing them and thought, geez, if I'm taking snaps for our travel albums, as I go to all these national landmarks etc. with my husband, do need to edit them and re-do them and make every single one a work of art at the expense of running and biking and crocheting and reading and training the dog and playing the piano etc. etc. etc.? Maybe I don't have room on my plate right now to switch from being an advanced hobbyist to being a pro photographer. Can I have a doggie bag please?

And if I'm playing the piano, which I haven't done in 5 years because I haven't had time, do I also have to be playing the guitar and learning the violin, especially since I'm training for a marathon and also a Triple Challenge Marathon Weekend? Can I put some of the music in a doggie bag?

And if I'm running a lot more, late in marathon training, and preparing for these other running events, do I have to bike and swim as much, since I don't have any triathlons coming up now? Sometimes, when I have a meal, I don't want dessert; sometimes I want dessert but if I eat the meal I won't have room for the dessert but I'll eat it anyway and then have eaten twice what I should have, twice what I really wanted -- so I don't have a meal, I just have dessert. Or I get one to go. Can I put some of my biking and swimming in a doggie bag?

And although I've been cutting back on all these things, I've still been gone a lot or busy inside a lot and my dog has been cooped up in the trailer or tied outside and has gotten uptight and fidgety instead of well-trained. So I'm including her in everything I can from a trip to the store to a walk to the campground laundromat to check the dryer, and I've been running with her just about every day in place of some more of the biking and swimming.... definitely a doggie bag there.

I saw the parallel, this spring, between downsizing my food and body, and downsizing my possessions. Put the food in a doggie bag, sell the possessions at a yard sale. Now I find I need to pare down my activities as well. Funny to realize I need to downsize my life because now that we're retired I don't have time to do everything I want to do and have to put some of it in a doggie bag for another time.

The Chicago Marathon is October 10. I'm on for about a 16-miler sometime this weekend. Doing the math, if I had done 14 the day I planned back in July, I'd have peaked much too soon. I'm glad I put it in the doggie bag. I've been trying to make my life peak too soon, too.... as a marathoner I should realize the value of pacing myself, of saving some for later.

After Chicago, there are 4 months till Tampa and the Triple Challenge. During that time I plan to become able, somehow, to run a moderately long run one day and a "real" long run the next. I'm toying with doing this 50K in December too, maybe as part of all that. Maybe. In any case, I will need not only more miles on my calendar but more food on my plate, I suspect. That means less of my food, but more of my life, in the doggie bag.

Maybe I can go by "Years:" There can maybe be the Year of the Ultramarathon, the Year of the Ironman, Year of the Piano, Year of the Cross-Continent Bike Ride, Year of the Violin, Year of Getting My Photos Published....

I guess this year is The Year Of Getting Used To It. My mother-in-law said we'd soon become sooooo bored, retiring in our early 50's.

I think not.

Ellie on the road, this month in South Dakota
"If I am at these vines picking these berries, I can't be at those vines picking those. If my basket is full, does it matter?"

* * * * * * * * * *

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; or a relay of three members, with one each completing a 5K, 15K, and half marathon.

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

Online registration for the Penguin Winter Carnival is now OPEN at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1163969

Calling all snowbirds! Fly south in 2005 to join the flock for fun, friends, and frolic! All are welcome!

* * * * * * * * * *

SPARKY THE PENGUIN STUFF!!!
Mood:  incredulous
many of you have said how much you love our Official Mascot of the Penguin Winter Carnival, Sparky.

We now have an entire ONLINE SHOP of Sparky Merchandise!!

Go to http://www.cafeshops.com/penwincar and shop shop shop! Bookmark the site!!

The proceeds will all go to benefit the Penguin Winter Carnival and reduce costs for participants. Please let me know if you would like any particular
products added to the line. I can change the Graphics later on some items to include "Penguin Winter Carnival 2005", but right now I think just Sparky is way cool.

GO SHOP NOW!!! :)

Reason #13 to Come to Penguin Winter Carnival
Mood:  on fire
Reason #13 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
A TRIPLE CHALLENGE!

The Run Tampa 2005 events include races over 4 distances: 5K (3.1 miles), 15K (9.3 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), and marathon (26.2 miles).

At most race festivals, people are only be able to participate in one race distance. But in Tampa, if you wish, you will be able to participate in THREE races over two days - and score THREE medals and THREE tshirts for your efforts! Or, if you sensibly only want to complete one race, you can join with two other Penguin Winter Carnival attendees to form a THREE RACE RELAY and have a ready-made cheering squad working together with you!

The details are provided on the NEW, freshly updated Run Tampa 2005 website: http://www.tampabayrun.com/home.php

Chrysler PT Cruiser Challenge: The Challenge consists of running the 15K (Saturday), 5K (Saturday) *AND* Marathon (Sunday). Those runners
and walkers that complete the Challenge by participating and crossing the Finish Lines of all three events will receive a Chrysler PT Cruiser Challenge Finisher's Award and Finisher's Shirt to be mailed following race weekend.

Jeep Liberty Challenge: Just like the PT Cruiser Challenge, only with a half marathon on Sunday instead of a marathon. Those runners and walkers that complete the Challenge by participating and crossing the Finish Lines of the 15K, 5K and Half-Marathon will receive a Jeep Liberty Challenge Finisher's Award and Shirt to be mailed following Race Weekend.

New in 2005! Chick-fil-A Udder Team Relay: The Chick-fil-A Udder Half Marathon Team Relay is a team competition that will provide runners the opportunity to participate in the distance of their choice as individuals, but also enjoy the weekend with family members, co-workers or friends and compete as a team in the 15K, 5K and half marathon. A team will consist of three people and each team member will select one of the distances to run. The three finish times (15K, 5K & half marathon) of the individual team members will be combined for a team score. Team members will receive the same amenities as those participating as individuals and will also be given access to the catered and private Team Hospitality Tent on both the Bank of America 15K & 5K, and Bank of America Marathon & Half Marathon Race Days.

THREE NEW WAYS TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF and triple the fun of a regular race festival weekend! Advanced registration is required for both Challenges and the Relay, and neither online registration nor race weekend registration is available for these combined events, so please plan ahead and enter very early! For more information, call
(813) 254-RUNN (7866).

* * * * * * * * * *

The third in a series of introductions to the members of the people who are taking the Penguin Winter Carnival from crackpot idea to reality:

The Penguin Winter Carnival Organizing Committee Members:
Meet Linae Boehme-Terrana!

Greetings and salutations. I'm one of the locals on the steering committee, having lived in Florida for all but the first 6 weeks of my life. I live in Florida and I LOVE Florida. How many places can you run without jackets almost every day of the year next to beautiful bayous, palm trees, dolphins, and manatees? During the same run? I tell you, I love this place!

The start of my adult incarnation as an athlete began in 1999. Back then I still carried around an extra 30 pounds leftover from my bachelors degree. Graduate school was making it harder to live a healthy life. I wanted a change. Having been a pretty good runner as a youngster, I decided to head back out on the roads for weight loss. I started out too far, too fast and ended up with really bad shin splints. Looking for help with my injury, I found the Courage-to-Start email group. The rest was history. Through that group I met crazy people who talked about running a marathon. It didn't take long for me to take the bait.

In October 2000 I completed my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, to be followed by the Disney Marathon in January 2001. Along the way to MCM I allowed a crazed fellow penguin to talk me into a triathlon. She said training for a triathlon in the middle of my marathon training would help distract me.

And I believed her. I'm SO gullible. Never the less, when my mind and body burned out on marathons, the addictive lure of triathlon remained. 2002 marked my first full season of triathlon competition.

Right now I consider myself more of a triathlete than a pure runner. Usually I'll race 7 triathlons and 3 pure running races in a year. Each winter includes a marathon, a half marathon or (one time only!) an ultramarathon. My athletic goals have moved from marathons to Ironmans. I still have 20 of those extra pounds and I'm still trying to finish grad school but that's OK. Life is a journey and my athletics help me stay sane along the way.

I look forward to sharing my wonderful state with as many fellow athletes as possible for the Penguin Winter Carnival. Come to Florida in the winter. Run without a parka! I can almost guarantee no snow. :-)

Train smart!

Linae, from beautiful Florida

* * * * * * * * * *

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; or a relay of three members, with one each completing a 5K, 15K, and half marathon.

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!

* * * * * * * * * *

Come to the Penguin Winter Carnival! Reason fourteen to attend!
Mood:  lazy
Reason #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!!

* * * * * * * * * *

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!"

* * * * * * * * * *

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!

* * * * * * * * * *

* Nancy Toby, Arlington, Virginia * nancytoby@comcast.net
* Participate in our Virtual Online Olympics:
* https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/online_olympics.htm

Reason #15 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival
Mood:  special
Reason #15 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
FABULOUS BEACHES!
Three of the top ten beaches in the United States are within 70 miles! You've all heard of the annual beach ratings compiled by "Dr. Beach", Dr. Stephen Leatherman.
http://www.drbeach.org/drbeach/best_beach_list.htm
Criteria for the selections include physical factors such as sand softness, wave size and current strength; biological factors such as water color, water quality and prevalence of pests and human-use factors and impacts such as lifeguard protection, visual obstructions and amenities.

The #2 top-rated beach in the United States for 2004 is Fort DeSoto Park, in Florida (only 37 miles south of the Penguin Winter Carnival host hotel in Tampa).
http://news.fiu.edu/images/lores/fort_desoto_beach.jpg
http://news.fiu.edu/images/lores/fort_desoto_pier.jpg
http://www.fortdesoto.com/
http://beaches.tbo.com/beaches/guide/fortdesoto.htm
Fort De Soto is located in the southwest corner of Mullet Key, at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Fort DeSoto, named after the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto, was built in 1898 in an effort to provide protection to Tampa Bay during the Spanish-American War. The entire island is now Fort De Soto Park, a Pinellas county park which offers fine beaches, fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and much more. The park provides two piers for fishing that are outfitted with bait, tackle and food stores. There are four miles of paved bike trails, picnic, a boat ramp and swimming beaches with lifeguards during the season. It is also the home of the Escape From Fort DeSoto Triathlon. http://www.designsportsinc.com/

The #4 top-rated beach in the United States for 2004 is Caladesi Island State Park, in Florida (only 25 miles northwest of the Penguin Winter Carnival host hotel in Tampa).
http://news.fiu.edu/images/lores/caladesi_island.jpg
http://beaches.tbo.com/beaches/guide/caladesibeach.htm
You have to go by ferry or private boat to reach this 500-acre park. That's one of the beauties of visiting here. But then everything about this unpopulated island retreat is beautiful. "It's an island getaway," Leatherman says of the 3-mile beach. "You look out at the Gulf. You look around, you don't see anything but nature. It's a day adventure, a wonderful place to get away to." Leatherman praises the mangroves, the sand dunes, the egrets and blue herons - even the concession that sells ice cream. Caladesi, visited by 135,000 to 175,000 people a year, has a 99-slip marina where boaters can camp overnight if they register before sundown ($8 per night). Other amenities include picnic shelters and tables, a 3-mile nature trail and bathhouses with showers. And don't forget that concession with ice cream.

The #7 top-rated beach in the United States for 2004 is Crescent Beach, Siesta Key, in Florida (70 miles south of the Penguin Winter Carnival host hotel in Tampa).
http://news.fiu.edu/images/lores/seven.jpg
http://www.siestagetaways.com/siestakeysarasot.html
At the "Great International White Sand Beach Challenge" it was recognized as having the "whitest and finest sand in the world." Unlike beaches elsewhere that are made up mostly of coral, Siesta Beach's sand is 99% quartz. Even on the hottest days, the sand is so reflective that it feels cool under foot. It's estimated that the sand on Siesta Beach is millions of years old, and started in the Appalachians and flowed down the rivers and was eventually deposited on the shores of Siesta Key.

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Below is one in a series of letters which we will share from our good friend Ellie Hamilton as she begins a new life in the months leading up to the Penguin Winter Carnival. Thank you, Ellie, for taking the time to keep us up to date! Check in on her continuing adventures and see her pictures at https://www.angelfire.com/ult/pwc2005/news.htm

On the Road #2
by Ellie Hamilton

Gypsies, sojourners now in our "5th-wheel log cabin" (I've decorated it all rustic inside), we're venturing farther and farther north into Michigan and the countryside is actually starting to look more like "home," that is, western Maryland. I'm not supposed to refer to "back home...." home is wherever we are. Well, back where we came from, the terrain and vegetation look a lot like they do here. Northern, cool-climate trees, birch, aspen, heavy on the maples, lots of conifers.

Steve and I are getting to know each other in a way that we never have before. We married young -- 20 and 21 -- and within 4 months I was pregnant. A baby after a year of marriage and then 25 years of at least one child at home, officially 3, plus their friends.... I often had 8 or 10 people of various sizes and ages at the dinner table. I still haven't learned to cook for 2. After the kids embarked on their own lives and there were just the 2 of us for 5 years, we had different work schedules and usually ate separately and, figuratively and somewhat literally, actually lived separately. Now we have no schedule except our own, day and night are the same for both of us, our living space is 31 (29 if you don't count the closet), we spend 3 or 4 hours together in the cab of a 3/4 ton truck looking at maps and making plans.... who is this man? I like him! I wonder if he's available? Oh.... he's married --- to ME!!!

I feel a bit as though I left my marathon training somewhere in Ohio.... with a triathlon 3 out of the last 4 weekends, I haven't concentrated on increasing my running distance. I did reach 10 miles the week before last; the next week I did a 6-miler; so after resting from yesterday's tri I should be able to inch it up to an 11- or 12-miler in the coming week. We have nothing planned except a travel day, and then we'll be living near Mackinaw Island for a while.

I like thinking of inching my training distance up a little more and a little more as we slowly move north a little more and a little more.

My update essay in May was full of decisions and dilemmas, what to take, what to store, what to abandon. I likened it to my personal change in eating habits, the same choices (take, store, abandon) applicable to what goes into my body. As with our "things," with my food I have learned to live with less and not really miss it. We can't carry around 10# bags of potatoes, 5# bags of sugar and flour, 4 boxes of cereal, his-and-her peanut butter (crunchy and creamy),12-packs of beer his-and her beer (light and regular, his being the light!), half a dozen assorted bottles of "spirits." We don't have the room and we have a weight limit. Just like me. So if we want potatoes, I buy 2 potatoes. Before, if I cooked potatoes, I'd cook 2 extra in case we wanted seconds, and of course we ate them. Deferring to my man, we have one jar of peanut butter, and if I want PB, I eat crunchy, or I eat something else. I haven't eaten spoonful after spoonful, as I would in the house, since we went on the road. The fridge holds a limited amount and one six-pack of beer looks pretty small, so I ration it (at the house it was more like "rationalizing" it.) I rarely eat cold cereal.... at the house I'd eat 3 bowls of it in the evening. Less clutter in general in our home encompasses less food in the cupboards, and, like the clutter, I don't really miss it. I haven't missed a single thing we didn't bring, except our darling youngest granddaughter Abbie, whose picture I will post in my album at the group homepage next time I can connect. And my beautiful shaggy German Shepherd, I do miss her; our son has her.

I have lost weight but I don't know how much. Clothes that had form-fit me are loose and easy now. Bike shorts that were snug don't stay in place now when I ride... they twist all around my legs and hips (etc.) so that I'm miserable in the saddle. The bike saddle. You clowns stop that..... They're nice shorts. Maybe I'll sell them on e-Bay. Or... does anyone want to buy a nice pair of hardly-used women's bike shorts, size large? Geez, am I going to have to have another garage sale, only this time a "camper" sale, a "closet sale," as I downsize my clothes again?

I was going to do a long run today (Wednesday, July 30) but our daughter brought her 2 kids to our new campsite on Lake Huron, so I guess I'll do a short run today and move my long one to Saturday after they go back to Ohio. I'll post them on the homepage, too. I'm going to try for 11 or 12 on Saturday. Now watch it rain. I have counted ahead and at my current level, if I add 2 miles every 2 weeks, I will still make a 20-miler a couple weeks before the Chicago Marathon, which is my usual pattern and which I have found works for me. But there's no way I'm going to run a 4:05 Boston qualifier this year. This is my re-entry year, after a year of alternating injuries and illnesses. I think the illnesses were brought on by the injuries.... I get sick whenever I suddenly stop training for more than a week or two. Maybe my body gets hooked on that regular couple-degree raising of body temperature to ward off marauding microbes. OTOH, now that I don't work with sick people every day, I might not need that regular anti-whatever boost. I better keep running just in case!

Ellie in Mackinaw City, Michigan

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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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Reason #16 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival
Mood:  energetic
Reason #16 to come to Penguin Winter Carnival, February 4-6, 2005 in Tampa, Florida:
THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM
http://www.flaquarium.org

On your visit to Tampa, be sure to experience The Florida Aquarium and see why it's among the top aquariums in the world.

With over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and beyond, The Florida Aquarium features 152,000 square-feet of air-conditioned fun. See something new all the time: new animals, new exhibits, new reasons to visit! Discover an expanded shark collection, dive in the shark tank, see ocean predators and spineless wonders from around the world, rare leafy sea dragons from Australia, an invasive species exhibit with games for kids of all ages, plus playful river otters, American alligators, free-flying birds, a giant Pacific octopus, more! Enjoy dive shows daily including one with a diver in our shark tank, close-up animal encounters, two touch tanks, and more - all free with Aquarium admission. Explore the Bay on the DolphinQuest Eco-Tours aboard a 64-foot catamaran!

Aquarium personnel are actively involved in research projects in these priority areas:
* island restoration of a small island in Hillsborough Bay
* coral conservation and propagation
* seahorse conservation and propagation
* spinal deformities in captive sand tiger shark populations
* sea turtle rehabilitation
* North American river otter reproduction

The Florida Aquarium is located less than 1.4 miles from the host hotel for Penguin Winter Carnival, an easy ride on the Tampa streetcars. Visitors to the Aquarium can take advantage of all there is to do in the Channel district. Channelside has every kind of entertainment from an IMAX Theatre, dance clubs, piano bar, and unique shops and restaurants. Take a stroll on the waterfront and watch the Port of Tampa at work, see a concert, watch a fast paced hockey game, or relax over a quiet dinner.

The Penguin Winter Carnival Organizing Committee is investigating the possibility of having one of our group meals at the Florida Aquarium. Stay tuned for details!

* * * * * * * * * *

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!

* * * * * * * * * *