Weekly Message from Linda Francisco
Your Program Rep at Griffith Park (Saturday) and 
Manhattan Beach (Sunday)
August 9, 2000

18 miles?  Yahoo!  
You Are Awesome!  

Hello AIDS Marathoners!

The hot weather was a test!  But you passed! 
Slowing down and taking the 
walk breaks quicker sure helped.  But anyway you
look at it, 18 miles is 
still 18 miles.  YOU DID IT!  Lookin' Good!  Have I
told you lately, "You are 
marvelous!"  

I hope your confidence is growing as the group runs
get longer.  If you 
finished the last run feeling as though you could
have gone further (if you 
had to), then you're right on track to having a
great experience during the 
marathon.  If, on the other hand, you used
everything you had, then you were 
running too fast and you really need to SLOW DOWN
for the next long run -- 
even if it means changing to a different pace group.
(I know, I know - we've 
bondedâEUR|everyone will agreeâEUR|we want what is best
for you!  So think about 
itâEUR|only if you are struggling to keep up!) It's
not an exaggeration to say 
that the slower you do your long runs, the better
you'll do on marathon day.  
We all want to have a great MARATHON DAY!

RECOVERY

Now it's time to focus on recovery.  Please don't
let up on your two weekly 
maintenance runs.  They are more important than
ever. In fact you can 
increase them to 45 minutes (if you have only been
doing 30 minutes but do 
not exceed 50 minutes). And remember to take it easy
during this week's 
10-miler.  Nice and easy is the key!  Don't go out
fast - stick to your 
training pace.  You need to be fully recovered
before we get to the 20-miler. 
 Keep in mind that the group run this weekend will
begin at 7:00 AM.  So 
enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

FUNDRAISING DEADLINE

The deadline to turn in $2600 is August 15.  If you
won't be able to make the 
deadline, you can fax in your Fundraising
Recommitment Form.  Please get it 
in today so that we can get you registered for the
Chicago Marathon.  Our fax 
number is (323) 993-1499.  If you have any questions
about your fundraising, 
please give me a call or drop me an email.  ((323)
993-1400 x6008 or 
Lfrancisco@aidsmarathon.com or Lindaruns26@aol.com.

ROSH HASHANAH

The 26-mile training run scheduled for September
30/October 1 falls on Rosh 
Hashanah this year.  If you will be unable to run
with us that weekend, 
please give me a call so that we can develop a plan
to keep you on track.  
(We apologize for this inconvenience - but timing is
everything in marathon 
training.)

MISSED ANY LONG RUNS?

If for any reason you missed the last long run,
don't be discouraged. Don't 
Stress!  Give me a call and we can work out a
schedule to get you caught up.  
Even if you've been out longer than the last two
weeks, in most cases, we can 
get you back with the program.  It's not a good idea
to make up the missed 
miles all at once.  But you still have plenty of
time before the marathon to 
catch up gradually, especially if you train with a
slower group.  Please give 
me a call so we can get you back on track.

GOOD NEWS!

This is useful information to know!  The question
has come up about tax 
deductibility for postage stamps and printing. 
Think about itâEUR|it can amount 
to a nice little "chunk of change." Postage stamps
and printing costs that 
have no "residual value" can be deductible.  But
things like running shoes 
cannot.  But be on the safe side and check this out
with your own tax advisor 
to be sure.




OTHER STUFF:
Check-in:
Remember to check off your name each week.  If you
visit a different Run 
Site, print your name on the special sign-in sheet
for visitors.  If you 
won't be at the run site this weekend, send me an
email or give me a call to 
let me know you're OK.

Line-up by your pace groups signs:
As you gather for the run each weekend, be sure to
line up with your pace 
group by the pace group signs.  That way, visitors
from other run sites can 
find the group they like to run with.

Cheer in the next group:
Stick around after you finish the run and cheer in
the next group.  High 
Fives add to the fun and camaraderie.  And it
reminds each of us that this is 
an incredibly heroic endeavor.

See you this weekend.

Love and hugs,

Linda
xoxox