Triathlon Events May 31, 2007

The triathlon season sure is flying by with the Buster Britton/XTERRA weekend coming up soon!  We wanted to take a quick moment and highlight a few of the upcoming events that Vulcan Triathletes is proud to support and be a part of year.

-       Buster Britton Triathlon – Saturday, June 9, 2007 (Oak Mountain State Park)

-       XTERRA Southeast Championship Weekend – Friday, June 8, 2007 through Sunday, June 10, 2007 (Oak Mountain State Park)

-       Alabama Sports Festival Triathlon – Saturday, June 30, 2007 (Camp Cosby)

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Buster Britton Triathlon
June 9, 2007

We are looking for volunteers to help at the Buster Britton triathlon which will be held Saturday June 9th at Oak Mountain State Park.  Team Magic, one of our club sponsors, as well as all of the Buster Britton racers need all of the volunteers we can get to make this a great race!

You can sign up to volunteer for Buster Britton by doing the following:
Go to http://www.team-magic.com/
Click on “Volunteer for an Event” from the main home page
Click on the clipboard icon next to the Buster Britton Triathlon

OR just go to the direct link at http://team-magic.rd20.com/Volunteers/RegistertoHelp/tabid/144/EventID/33/Default.aspx

You will have the ability to select the specific area/duty for which you wish to volunteer.  Make sure that you note that your group affiliation is Vulcan Triathletes.  For volunteering, you will receive a race t-shirt as well as a Vulcan Tri volunteer t-shirt.  So sign up on the Team Magic web site soon.  See you there!

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XTERRA Southeast Championship Weekend

June 8-10, 2007

BACK IN ‘BAMA:  Last year the new course at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County (half-hour outside of Birmingham), located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, was praised by competitors as being one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult on the XTERRA schedule.

 

It starts with a swim in the warm water of Double Oak Lake – two 750-meter laps separated by a short beach shuffle in-between. From there the long, single-loop mountain bike course starts at about 500 feet elevation, twists, turns, and rolls through the forest for seven miles then begins a gradual 700-foot climb to the summit.  The descent is a fast, wild ride highlighted by the notorious “blood rock” section – a series of tricky to maneuver, uneven and jagged rocks.

 

“I think this is the best race venue ever,” said XTERRA Pro Jamie Whitmore after last year’s race.  “It mixes East Coast mountain biking with tight turns, roots and rocks with a fast descent and rock garden area that’s totally West Coast.  It’s just a blast!” The run is simply punishing, with four major climbs – each progressively steeper than the one before.  In between the climbs are a series of weaving off-road trails that meander through forested sections that provide shade, if not relief, from the heat. Oak Mountain State Park is also home to the BUMP and Grind mountain bike race, one of the best mountain bike events in the Southeast now in its 13th year (this Sunday, June 3), as well as the popular Buster Britton Memorial road triathlon – which is part of the Best of the U.S. triathlon series (June 9).

 

XTERRA has teamed up with Buster Britton to provide special recognition for those athletes brave enough to do both races – aptly named the Bama Slamma Double Competition.  A trophy will be given to the racer with the best combined time in the XTERRA Southeast Championship and the Buster Britton.  Last year Craig Evans (who has since turned pro) won the Buster Britton then finished 9th overall (top amateur) in XTERRA to win the men’s double. 

 

The XTERRA Southeast Championship race weekend (June 8-10) also includes a Friday night trail run, GU Charity Ride on Saturday, and a Sunday morning Duathlon to go with the full and half-distance XTERRA’s.

 

Learn more about the weekend at…………  http://www.xterraplanet.com/races/race.cfm?race_id=533

 

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Alabama Sports Festival Triathlon

June 30, 2007

The Alabama Sports Festival Triathlon is a fun family-oriented, grass roots race managed by Vulcan Triathletes being held on Saturday June 30, 2007 at YMCA Camp Cosby in Alpine, Alabama. This year’s race features race for both adult and youth participants. Many VT club members including Sherry Colgin, Amy Tate and Casey Fannin, as well as the VT Board, have contributed to develop this new race in this part of Alabama in conjunction with the Alabama Sports Festival.

The event features distances for adults and youth as list below.

Adult triathlon: 400m swim / 25k bike / 5k run
Youth Triathlon: 100m swim / 5k bike / 2k run

We are looking for club members to come out and support this new event at YMCA Camp Cosby as both race participants and volunteers. The adult race is a USAT sanctioned event. Additionally, we are looking at the possibility of having a club social after the race at a nearby lake house.

Below is a link to more detailed information on the Vulcan Tri website concerning the ASF triathlon including registration information.
http://www.vulcantri.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=581&Itemid=104

If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please E-mail Russ at president@vulcantri.com.

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BTC Volunteers needed for the Buster Britton Triathlon – June 9th – Oak
Mountain State Park

The BTC is looking for 12 -14 Volunteers to  “Man” the Canoes for the Buster Britton Triathlon, Saturday, June 9th at Oak Mountain State Park.

There will be 6 – 7 canoes, with each canoe having 2 people.  The Canoes will be in the lake to assist swimmers if they get into trouble, and keep the swimmers on course. 
As a volunteer your entry in to Oak Mountain is free.   No skills required, just need to paddle a canoe.  If you have your own canoe, let us know and we can see if Oak Moutain will waive the canoe fee.

We would like to have volunteers at Oak Mountain Marina by 6:45am, and into the water at 7am.  Race starts at 7:30am, and the volunteers for the canoe would be done by 9:30am at the latest.  The Team Leader for BTC at the Caones will be Jim Taylor.

If you can help, please email Trish at runtrish@bellsouth.netPlease provide me your Volunteer T-shirt size and we will have that ready for you at the Canoe Launch are race morning.

The Buster Britton Triathlon is put on by Team Magic, and the BTC is a Sponsor of the Buster Britton Triathlon.
 
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Training for a Triathlon?  Or just want to Cross Train?

Part 1 of the “So You Want to Tri” program has been a huge success! 
Now it’s time for Part 2!
Part 2 of the So you Want to Tri program is beginning Thursday, May 31st.  This program will have you ready for the upcoming Buster Britton Triathlon Saturday, June 9th and lead you right into the Mountain Lakes Triathlon on Saturday August 11th.  We will focus on open water
swimming, more advanced transition tips, running and biking tips. We will be training on the Buster Britton course at Oak Mountain for the majority of our workouts.  Again, cost is only $25!!!

Please email les@coachles.com for more information and to register. 
More details at:   http://www.coachles.com/

Runaway Bride, Fireman’s 5K, YTRI, & Memorial Day Ride /Picnic May 24, 2007

Information, courtesy of Birmingham Track Club……

Runaway Bride (& Groom) Celebration Run – Friday, May 25

Two of our very own BTC runners are getting’ hitched!! Therefore, we are having a “Runaway Bride (& Groom) Celebration Run” on Friday evening to celebrate their soon-to-be wedding.

Bride: Susan Henley
Groom: Burt Chandler

DETAILS:
- When: 6 p.m., Friday night (May 25th, 2007)

- Where: Runs starts at Trak Shak in Homewood. We’ll have a water break at the top of Red Mountain (Vulcan Park). Run will be between 3.5 and 4 miles.
ALL runners are welcomed!!

- Afterwards: We’ll meet up at Salsarita’s (in SoHo square, around the corner from Trak Shak) to celebrate! For those not running, you are welcome to come to Salsarita’s around 6:30 p.m. to join in the fun. ALL are welcome!
(Salsarita’s will be offering us specials: $2 beers, $11 margarita pitchers).

Both Susan and Burt will be in attendance to lead this special run. Make plans now to come celebrate the soon-to-be nuptuals of Susan and Burt!!

Questions: Meredith Farrell at tmcmeredith@bellsouth.net

 

If you are not volunteering or participating in the YTRI on Saturday, please come join the fun at the Vestavia Fireman 5K for MDA!  It begins at the Pizza Hut on Highway 31 in Vestavia at 8 am!  I had my personal record on that course…it’s a fantastic race! (USATF Certified)

  

Volunteer @ YTRI Triathlon – Saturday, May 26

Volunteers are needed for Team Magic’s next event ~ the YTRI Triathlon on Sat., May 26.

If you can help out, Please go to this Web Link and sign up:
http://team-magic.rd20.com/Volunteers/RegistertoHelp/tabid/144/EventID/4…

Using the above web link will let you pick out what times and area best works for your schedule.

If you have questions, please feel free to email Trish at runtrish@bellsouth.net

 Information below, courtesy of email sent from Dirt Dog “Dan Watson” – cycling news!

Event: Ride and a Picnic

Date: 5/28/2007
Time: 8 AM
Category: Road Rides
Location: Leeds Memorial Park – the one with the flags
Description:
55 or 35 miles, Ride rolls at 8 AM, we will meet at the Leeds Memorial Park but will park our cars on the OTHER side of the creek from where we normally do. That will put us close to the shaded pavilion and picnic tables and also keep us out of the way of those coming to pay their respects at the memorial erected for the three Medal of Honor recipients who at one time lived in Leeds. Hence the “City of Valor”. You may want to read about Red Erwin- it is humbling. http://www.af.mil/history/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006484The ride will go thru the northwest passage which has now been sort of paved. Up to Odenville. Will do Correctional Facility Road (Prison Road to those less PC than myself) . and then the 174 climb just to honor B. Garrett. Will make our way back via Kelly Creek, pay our respects to the goat guarding Great Pyrenees and make our way back. Laura Bass has graciously offered to ride a sweep of the course if need be. Map and Q sheet provided. The ride can be readily shorted to about 35 miles by turning around at the rest stop in Odenville.

The food. Because I am lazy, have limited imagination and most importantly have first choice, I will supply paper plates, cups, some plastic forks and knives and maybe a roll of paper towels. The guys will typically most likely show up with some combination of chips, soft drinks, beer and buckets of day or two old fried chicken. Remember, you can’t buy a bucket of fried chicken at 7:30 am. So ladies unfair as it is, the reality of the situation is that if you want real food you probably need to bring some. I didn’t ask her, but whatever grub coordinating that gets coordinated, will be coordinated by Laura Bass, This was all her idea anyway. lbass@oxmoor.com No good deed goes unpunished.

If you want to come to the picnic without doing the ride, my guess is that about noon will be a good time.

To get to Leeds Memorial Park from downtown B’ham, I-20 East to Leeds, take the first Leeds exit, right on 78 and take a right at the first traffic light onto President’s Street, Go left on 119 and the park is immediately on the right. From N. Shelby Co. Take 119 to Leeds and the park is on the right about a mile before downtown.
Sponsor:
Contact Name: Ed Carmack
eMail: ewcarmac@windstream.net
Phone: h 205 702 4876 / c 334 520 1349

Verse and Message (Wednesday, May 23, 2007) May 23, 2007

I will have limited access to my email while I am on vacation from May 25 – May 30.  Therefore, the next verse and message will be sent at the end of next week or the beginning of the following week. 

Have a spectacular Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

  

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of participating in the 2nd Annual Cahaba River Ramble.  This year was different, because Shane Hulsey could not be with his wife, Alison, to direct the event.  Although his life was taken from us last year due to a tragic accident, Shane Hulsey’s spirit was definitely present on Saturday to mark his legacy.  Shane is remembered for his faithful commitment to the environment and the Cahaba River Society. This year the race proceeds supported The Shane Hulsey CLEAN Field Environmental Education Program of the Cahaba River Society. 

The Cahaba River Ramble offers two race route options. Runners select to 

participate in the 5K trail race or the 10 mile trail race. After the start of the race, I realized that I was the female leader in the 10 mile race.  

The route was marked with orange ribbons displayed periodically on the course, and long orange tape marked the boundaries to keep runners on track.  I was not familiar with the course, so I had to pay attention to these markers. At the completion of mile four, there was a point known as the “lollipop”….what appeared to be a fork in the trail.  The orange tape had fallen, but was clearly marked on one trail straight across, so I stayed right since the boundary was marked to direct runners away from the other trail. 

I exchanged pleasantries with the gentleman running with me (Tom Riser) who also veered right with me.  So onward we ran.  A few minutes later, things begin to seem a little too quiet.  There were not any orange ribbons marking the course, and no sign of a volunteer or liquid refreshment were in sight.  Making our way about two miles along this path, Tom and I starting analyzing our options and second-guessing our decision to run on this path. Our insecurities increased as we continued on ahead.  Being of the same sentiment, we were too hard-headed to turn around just yet; we thought we could continue down the fairly obvious wrong path in hopes that a short-cut to the correct path or some form of life would appear (at this point, hoping that the desired life to appear wouldn’t be some hungry mountain lion or other wild animal). In addition, I was grateful that I was running with a person who clearly wasn’t a serial killer either, although we joked about it. 

Finally, with frustration and dry mouth, we turned around to head back to where we came from since it was clear this trail wasn’t heading in the direction to the finish line.  With 1st place out of sight, and for that matter volunteers out of sight, it was a relief to know that at least we knew how to find our way home or at least to the lollipop intersection that deceived us. Once we turned around, we were almost deceived again — a slew of approximately 25 runners were heading our way…..half-way confident, I communicated that they also were heading down the wrong path. Now, we had others following us back to the place of the intersection of critical decision, so if indeed we were incorrect in our choice, we would have a lot of angry folks to add to the dilemma as well. The rest of the story is that we made it back to the mile-four lollipop and headed down the correct path.  After running in the woods for 2 hours and 25 minutes, I made it home. The 10 mile trail race, turned into a 16 mile journey.  I finally made it to the finish line…whew…what a relief!  No cares in the world about a missed award…I was home…that was my reward….and just running for this beautiful cause in memory of Shane Hulsey. 

The reason for my story is that God spoke to me in the midst of the journey.  He reminded me that no matter how far and how long we travel down the wrong road, it’s never too late to return home to our Lord.  Our Lord is waiting with open arms and refreshment for us, and He yearns for our return.  We may be deceived by the Enemy or we may make wrong choices out of our stubborn free will….but His Grace will always take us back! I didn’t have a difficult time making the decision to run down the wrong path, because I was too consumed to consider that a four wheeler had driven through the marker and the marker had blown to the other course…..the course had deceived me.  No matter how strong or smart we think we may be in this life….the Enemy is there to pounce… to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  That’s why it is crucial that we stay focused on our Savior and do everything we can to protect ourselves from the Enemy’s deception.  To be safe from the darts of deception, we have to know our Enemy, and we have to be confident with our course.  If I had known the race course, I would have realized that something had occurred to cause the confusion of the markers at mile four.  If I know the Enemy, I will be aware that he will attack when I am am vulnerable, consumed, or oblivious to his tactics. I need to be alert to any confusion that he tries to throw in the mix. I won’t always know which direction to turn, but I have a Partner who will provide the answer if I will listen. 

The beauty of taking the wrong path is that there is always a way home….

It just takes longer to get home, you will be worn out and weary, and you may not have the blessing or reward that belong to you if you had listened to the Shepherd’s call in the first place.  So why delay God’s best plan? We must know our Enemy and be braced with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). 

To conclude I wanted to share a point expressed in When the Enemy Strikes by Charles Stanley:

“The Devil attempts to deceive us by convincing us that right is wrong and wrong is right.  To be deceived is to believe a lie.  The Devil has absolutely no capacity to tell the truth about anything.”

DON’T BE DECEIVED….STAY ON TRACK WITH THE MASTER!

  

LET CHRIST BE YOUR COMPASS….

HIS DIRECTION IS THE BEST MAP TO FOLLOW!

  

HE’S YOUR LEADER…..HE WILL GUIDE YOU TO THE FINISH LINE!!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Friday, May 18, 2007) May 18, 2007

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.

  

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.

A sister in Christ, Leslie Allen, sent me the following devotion written in April by William Vanderbloemen. I have been saving it for a time like this…..my son has spring fever (and so do I)–We have been doing the mundane for so long it seems!  Well, God wants us to embrace each day and snap out of our rut!  He wants us to live the way He designed us to live–out of the tank–out of our comfort zone (ditch the routine) and jump into the world of adventure–living on purpose to glorify and honor His Majesty! According to Max Lucado–If we find our “sweet spot” we would never consider “settling” inside the tank.  Step out of the box friends…….

“Been Out of the Tank Lately?” – by William Vanderbloemen

  

Yesterday, my six year old and I spent some time walking through a pet store looking around. She has a tremendous heart for animals and loves to browse (pray that we only “browse” when we go!). When we got to the fish section, she asked a great question, “Daddy, don’t the fish get bored swimming in that little tank?” Part of me was proud of her for being so concerned for other creatures. But a much larger part of me was anxiously searching for a good answer….Then I remembered what a friend of mine told me.

When their son was little, he said, “Mom, do you know why it’s not cruel to keep fish in a tank?” Mom said no, and the little boy went on, “I think it’s not cruel because fish don’t have very good memories. I think that by the time they swim from one side of the tank to the other, they forget where they are and start all over. I think they probably believe the tank is the ocean.”

Pretty good wisdom. I told that to my six year old and have thought about it ever since. Fish probably do think that their little tank is actually the big ocean. The truth is, we’re a whole lot like fish. Far too often, we settle for a life in a tank, when God wants us to swim in the whole ocean. Far too often we settle into a rut when God wants us to break into a bigger life than we have imagined.

The Bible claims that humans are different from all other creatures because we were made in God’s image. Something in us bears a mark of the Divine. There have been countless theories about what that mark is. It’s probably many things, but I would leave you with one facet of that mark today. Unlike any other creature, we have the ability to imagine. To dream. To look outside the tank. The first we hear of God, we hear of Him making something out of nothing. We hear of a God who dreams beyond the fish tank.

Have you been outside of the tank lately?

If you’re like me, you find it easy to stay in the tank. If you’re like me, you find yourself on autopilot; – driving in the same traffic ruts and ending up at work when you weren’t really going there, or at home when you were on your way somewhere else. And far too often, that propensity for the tank leads to potential that is never realized. Adventures that are never discovered. Life that is never lived. Some of you know exactly what I mean. Your life has become a drone. You’ve lost a sense of excitement. And you’re dying to know if there’s more to this world than the tank you’re in.

I believe there is. I believe there’s more out there than you’ve thought possible. And I believe God has a word for all of us today; – I believe He’s saying: “Get out of the tank!”

All of the great moments in history have happened when people have humbly decided to get out of their rut. What would have happened if Moses had settled for living as a prince of Egypt? What would have happened if David would have settled for tending sheep? What would life be like if the old Easter joke was true, and Easter was the day when Jesus stuck his head out of the tomb, saw his shadow, and went back in for another six weeks?

God wants people who are willing to dream. He wants you to bear the mark of an ocean swimmer and not a tank dweller. He wants people who will humbly ask for an expanded vision of life and follow where it leads.

If you ask Him to expand your world, he will. Get out of the tank. Take time to ask God to help you expand your vision and expand your life. He always, always answers that prayer. Ask him today. He will give you a life with ocean depths of blessing that you never knew possible.

Don’t settle friends…….find your SWEET SPOT and swim the distance, not just to the other side of the tank!  DREAM BIG….

To sum up this message, Stacy Crumpton gave me a beautiful picture inscribed with the following words that you may recognize:

DANCE like no one is watching!

  

SING like no one is listening!

  

LOVE like you’ve never been hurt before!

  

LIVE like Heaven begins tomorrow!

  

WOW…now that’s some fine advice! 

Don’t settle friends!  Find your SWEET SPOT and swim the distance…not just to the other side of the tank!  DREAM BIG…..LIVE LIFE as GOD DESIGNED!

Happy Swimming!!

SUSIE MC

Day of Ascension (Thursday, May 17, 2007) May 18, 2007

Here’s a timely message that I know most of you will appreciate…….

Last year my co-worker, Fran Walls, reminded me of the Day of Ascension, and I was pleased to be reminded of this special day again – now in 2007 -by my buddy in Anniston, Chris Hagan.  Hence, I was moved to send this inspiration to you today. 

Take a moment to reflect…..

Message provided by Chris Hagan of Anniston, Alabama:

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since, then, we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens. JESUS, the Son of GOD, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.

What a glorious day this is and yet most of us do not even know what it is. I must admit I would not had it not been the topic of my devotional for today. For it is on this day that Jesus the Christ left his disciples, forty days after conquering the grave, and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father. The last portion of HIS first segment here on earth was complete.

HE suffered through thirty-three years of humiliation and scorn and ridicule that we could never begin to imagine. HE allowed HIMSELF to hang on a cross to fulfill the prophecies of the coming MESSIAH. As HE had prophesied HIMSELF, HE stepped out of the grave. HE then spent forty days with HIS closest companions instructing them to go to all corners of the earth to tell of HIS glory. And then HE went to be with our DADDY.

HE did all of these things for one reason. YOU. HE lived his life, and HE died so that YOU may conquer the grave – so that YOU may ascend into Heaven. Your path has been laid out for you. All you must do is believe and confess and come before HIM with boldness saying how much you need HIS grace and mercy. And at some point, you will ascend too.

Thank you Chris for this remarkable reminder-The reason for our Savior’s sacrifice!

YOU ALL ARE BLESSED!

SUSIE MC 

Reminder…Ride of Silence Wednesday Night May 14, 2007

May 16, 2007

7:00 pm

Homewood Cycling Parking Lot

Birmingham, Alabama

The Ride of Silence is a free ride with cyclists riding

no faster than 12 mph, two abreast,

and remaining silent during the ride.  

All cyclists are encouraged to attend.

The Ride of Silence will take place on the same evening, at the same time, in over 160 cities around the world.

If you are not in the Birmingham, Alabama area, please visit http://rideofsilence.org/main.php to find your local Ride of Silence.

Our Purpose:

To honor those cyclists who have been injured or killed while riding on public roads, raise awareness that we are here, and to ask that we all share the road.

Please take a moment and visit http://rideofsilence.org/main.php to learn the History of the Ride of Silence, read the Ride of Silence Poem, and to view the Photos and Memoriam of some of the cyclists who were killed in bicycle/motorcycle accidents and are being remembered and honored by our participation in this event.

FABULOUS NEW RUNNING WEBSITE! May 12, 2007

HEY GUYS…..

  

YOU MUST GO TO A NEW WEBSITE THAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

CHECK OUT DANNY HARALSON’S NEW WEBSITE:

www.rununiversity.com

  

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FORWARD HIS WEBSITE TO ALL CURRENT RUNNERS IN ADDITION TO– ALMOST RUNNERS, WANT-TO-BE RUNNERS, AND OUT OF THE LOOP WANT-TO-GET-BACK-TO-RUNNING RUNNERS!!!!

I truly feel that anyone can benefit from taking a peak at this incredible new website!

  

It’s AWESOME!!

On the last “running news” I listed an assortment of May birthdays.  Well, one huge birthday I failed to mention was the 12 Year Birthday for the Trak Shak!  Happy Birthday Trak Shak!  Actually, Scott Strand and the Trak Shak Gang threw a semi-surprise birthday party this past Wednesday evening for Valerie McLean (owner) and all who frequent the Trak Shak!  Compliments and rave reviews were also credited to Jeff Harris of OUT TAKES and his lovely wife Donna!  What a delicious spread! It wasn’t announced on my distribution, because it was a surprise to me too! While eating, I discovered some other May birthdays that were overlooked in the last ”running news.” Jeff Harris (May 25), Donna Harris (May 5), Jeff Ray (May 9-you were actually listed, but I had forgotten it was that night!), and Brent Chambers (May 8).  The other May Birthdays were listed in the previous running news that can be found at the entry dated May 2 at my blog.  Just scroll down….

  

**IF YOU MISSED OUT WEDNESDAY EVENING AT THE TRAK SHAK, PLEASE COME THIS UPCOMING WEDNESDAY AND RUN THE “TRAK SHAK BIRTHDAY RUN” WITH THE BIG GROUP.  ALL PACE GROUPS WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 PM FROM THE PRESENT TRAK SHAK AND RUN TO THE ORIGINALTRAK SHAK A COUPLE OF STREETS OVER AND REFLECT OF MEMORIES OF THE TRAK SHAK BEGINNINGS….. EACH PERSON WILL RUN AROUND THE MINI-TRACK (AL DIMICCO ACTUALLY RAN A MARATHON ON THIS CRAZY LOOP), AND THEN WE WILL CONTINUE THE STANDARD TRAK SHAK LOOP (5 OR 3 MILE OPTIONS).  THIS TRADITION HAS CONTINUED EACH YEAR AS WE CELEBRATE THE TRAK SHAK BIRTHDAY!!  DON’T MISS THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, AND IF YOU HAVE A BIKE, PLEASE HEAD OVER TO THE PARKING LOT OF HOMEWOOD CYCLE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE RIDE OF SILENCE AT 7 PM AFTER THE ANNUAL TRAK SHAK BIRTHDAY RUN!** 

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*UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST (Courtesy of Vulcan Triathletes)*

05/12/2007 - VTCLUB CLINIC/XTERRA PRE-RIDE & SOCIAL
05/12/2007 - Gulf Coast Triathlon (Panama City Beach)
05/16/2007 - RIDE OF SILENCE
05/18/2007 - Bike to Work Day
05/19/2007 -Cahaba River Ramble
05/20/2007 - Memphis in May Triathlon (Memphis, TN)
05/26/2007 -Y TRI TRIATHLON
05/26/2007 -Vestavia Fireman’s 5K for MDA
06/08/2007 -XTERRA SCAMBLE 5K & 10K TRAIL RUNS
06/09/2007 -BUSTER BRITTON TRIATHLON
06/10/2007 -XTERRA SOUTHEAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
06/30/2007 - ALABAMA SPORTS FESTIVAL TRIATHLON

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL YOU DEAR MOMS!!

  

KEEP RUNNING!!

SUSIE MC

The Cahaba River Ramble Run-May 19 May 9, 2007

Dear Friends, 

I admire Alison Hulsey in so many ways.  I admire that she is an incredible woman.  I admire that she is an amazing runner.  But, I believe I admire her most for the strength she has maintained due to the loss her dear husband Shane. It takes great character to invest in ways to pursue the effort to continue the legacy of such a wonderful person as Shane Hulsey. Shane is remembered for his faithful commitment to the environment and the Cahaba River Society. Last year, the couple directed a race to support the Cahaba River Society.  That is a huge responsibility.  Although she has the support of close friends, she needs more support as she moves forward to the 2nd Annual Cahaba River Ramble Trail Run taking place May 19 at 8 am in West Blocton. This year the race benefits The Shane Hulsey CLEAN Field Environmental Education Program of the Cahaba River Society. If you would like to participate or volunteer, please contact Alison Hulsey at cahabariverramble@hotmail.com

Thank you Alison, for your inspiration to keep Shane’s memory alive and well! 

WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU SHANE!

SUSIE MC

ZOO RUN this FRIDAY! May 8, 2007

 The 2nd Annual Zoo Run is THIS Friday May 11 at The
Birmingham Zoo. Unlike last year, the Elephant Stampede will be a 5K
(not a 10K) which should work better for the course. 

Bring out the family and join in the fun!

See below for complete schedule of races:

5:30 p.m. ­ Turtle Trot (0-2 yrs)
6:00 p.m. ­ 5K Elephant Stampede (all ages)

   
6:45 p.m. ­ You Can Toucan (3-6 yrs)

7:00 p.m. ­ Cheetah Challenge (7-12 yrs)

Online registration is available on www.Active.com 

More info: 205-879-0409

Email: aazk@birminghamzoo.com

Web: www.birminghamzoo.com

Waiting for God’s Green Light to GO May 7, 2007

James 4:13-15 (The Message)And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year…….You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”

  

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

Yesterday at Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris shared with the congregation some profound thoughts to wrap up the four-week series, “What’s God’s Will?”  I wanted to touch on some of his words in this series and combine it with an edited version of an archive verse and message that I wrote in May of 2005 that came to mind while pondering this message.

When we are trying to decipher what the will of God entails, it’s crucial that we understand if what we are praying about is OUR WILL or GOD’s WILL.  I recently was wavering on whether I should participate in a mission trip this summer to Israel.  I took the immediate necessary steps to move forward beginning with placing a deposit on April 18 to secure my position. I then followed the process of applying for my passport. God favors our faith to take the first step, but He will also allow disruption of a decision if the timing is wrong.  My heart became restless as I seemed to run head-on into what I considered an unnatural amount of roadblocks.  I could not for the life of me be at peace with my decision. I learned from my pastor’s message last week, that when trying to discern the will of God, it is true that there will be “certain uncertainty” that will occur when proceeding in the direction that you feel that God has brought you to.  In addition, there will also be a portion of “predictable resistance” that the enemy will provide in order to create distractions or detours to follow God’s plan. We can’t always think that when resistance is present, that we are making a mistake.  But, that’s when it’s necessary to listen to His Spirit and measure the peace monitor within. 

I dismissed my plans for the upcoming Israel mission opportunity because of unresolved lack of peace — I determined that it was MY WILL to go to Israel NOW (as in eight weeks away) – not HIS WILL. If it had been His will, regardless of the resistance, I would have had complete peace, and the decision would have been easier to confirm.  There is no doubt in my mind, heart, soul, or spirit that I am supposed to go to Israel in the near future.  However, I have learned in the midst of this process that I must WAIT until the timing is right–God’s timing is always perfect!.  

In reference to my archive message, I always seem to get caught when the light is changing at intersections while driving or even cycling.  I am forced to make the quick decision to drive or ride through the intersection while the light is YELLOW and hope that I am not square under the light when it turns RED.  Sometimes when I know I have made the wrong decision to cross at the final moment of the YELLOW, I find the nature of my reflexes to look immediately into the rear-view mirror to check for the BLUE LIGHT special. My heart is beating fast, and there is not an ounce of peace. 

  

So many times we run the YELLOW LIGHTS in life.  The Lord prefers that we wait for the GREEN LIGHT before we move forward.  Sometimes when we run the YELLOW, we find ourselves suffering the consequences of the RED LIGHT.  If only we had been obedient to WAIT for HIM, we wouldn’t have to deal with the BLUE LIGHT   special of a corrupted plan.

We are anxious to move forward for what may be God’s will eventually, but we may not have reached the intersection of God’s perfect timing. If we select the option to SLOW DOWN, BE STILL, and WAIT for HIS GREEN LIGHT, we protect ourselves from any unforeseen collisions and/or undesired discipline.  When we give Him the wheel, put our trust in Him, and wait for His best designed plan for our lives, He will not only prepare us for His perfect timing, He will work in and through us so that His power of that beautiful plan will be revealed and recognized.  While we are waiting at the intersections of life, our Lord is working to prepare hearts and orchestrate situations to accomplish His best for us.  Waiting for the GREEN LIGHT strengthens our character and moves us to a posture of complete dependence on the Traffic Engineer so that we may avoid destruction and be blessed with His best, therefore, resulting in a smooth ride through the traffic lights of life.

In conclusion, it’s fine to make plans, but when we obsess over our own agenda, we won’t receive His BLESSED BEST, and we will be STRESSED from forcing our own agenda to rush ahead.  In order to stay on the right track, we have to ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS, we have to give our WHOLE HEART TO GOD, we have to TRUST HIM even when things don’t make sense, and most importantly….we must FOLLOW PEACE.  If we are in correct alignment with His perfect will, then PEACE WILL PREVAIL.  We must deny our will to control events, circumstances, people, or even our futile efforts to control God.  A novel idea would be to relinquish control, hand Him the keys, and let Him drive. 

He won’t get lost!

WAIT FOR THE GREEN LIGHT OF GOD’S PERFECT WILL!

DEVELOP A POSTURE TO PERSEVERE–

POUR YOURSELF INTO HIS PERFECT PLAN–PEACE WILL PREVAIL!!

      

STOP-LOOK-LISTEN–FOR HIS VOICE!!!

SUSIE MC