Hi everyone!  It's Jenny.  I'm a wife, mom and a grandmom.  I really enjoy going for a run.  It gets me out of the house, to breathe fresh
air and move my body.  Most of the work I do involves sitting in front of a computer, so the activity is much needed!

I started running almost 10 years ago when this guy named Mel asked if I wanted to join in his beginner running program.  I accepted his offer and am so glad I did!  Never did it enter my mind at the time that running a marathon would be in my future.  This year will be my third. They are so addicting - kinda like chocolate.

My favorite distance is the 1/2 marathon.  It's a great workout, doesn't consume the whole day, and you can justify taking a mini vacation around one in another state!

So I really look forward to getting together and logging the miles with everyone!  See you in the parking lot...

My name is Christina Chapan and I am one of the twelve mile pace group leaders.  I have been running since 2003 and have completed six marathons and twenty-two half marathons.  This will be my fifth Chicago Marathon. I also love the Chicago 50K.  I have completed four of those as well. I am excited coaching this year because I hope to positively influence others to complete their first half or whole marathon.  Recently this spring I completed a personal challenge of running a whole and half marathon back to back within a 26 hour period.  I may be a slow runner but I can go long time.  When I am not running I am married to a wonderful and very understanding husband named Michael and have two pet bunnies. I also swim, bike, do yoga and weight train.  I am a  primary special education teacher, a certified trainer and fitness instructor who writes articles on fitness for middle aged athletes and elementary children .  I also enjoy singing at my church in the choir, small groups and solos.   My favorite distance in races are half marathons.

First, I want to start by saying that I am truly honored to be a pace group leader for this marathon training season.  I have been so fortunate to have amazing group leaders this past year when I got back into running.  I started running in high school and kept up with it off and on thru college and grad school but it wasn’t until I broke my foot that I realized just how much running meant to me.  when I was told I had to have surgery to correct a severe break, I asked my surgeon 2 things:  1. Would I ever be able to wear stilettos again?  (and if you know me, you know this is all too much on point with my character!) and 2. Would I ever be able to run a marathon?

It wasn’t until last February that I really became addicted to running, I am forever grateful to Spero for introducing me to some of the most amazing and inspiring people I have ever met.  I am honored to be a Yankee Runner and with that, in the presence of some of the best runners out there! I look forward to building friendships, making memories and sharing with my group my FAVE Gu flavors.  Whether this is your first marathon or 15th, I feel each and every year is a new journey and I am thrilled to be your guide! 

Hi, my name is Rita Ayers and I will be one of the group leaders for the 11:00 minute pace group.  I am a veteran of 12 marathons and many half marathons and other races. I really look forward to Saturday mornings and the long runs. It's my chance to go out and run and play with my friends. And I have made so many life-long friends through the CARA marathon training program. 

I am a legal secretary at a loop law firm and have been married to my husband, Terry, for almost 35 years.  We have one grown son, Mark. See you out on the trail! 

I began running on the trails of Yankee Woods ten years ago with a good friend and fellow Yankee runner, Steve Rienks.  We have seen a number of changes during the past decade, most notably Steve has gotten faster and I have gotten slower. Still, I have managed to complete 9 marathons and look forward to training for many more (I enjoy the training, not the marathon). Among the many interests that I have developed while marathon training is in endurance sports physiology. I am amazed at the adaptive changes that occur during the training process.  In a previous and brief period of my life, I was a carbohydrate chemist, so I particularly enjoy pestering our resident nutritionist and fellow 10:30 pace leader, Jan Dowell, with questions about nutrition and carbohydrates. Jan seems to object to my use of beer as a primary source of carbohydrate loading. Clearly Jan didn’t go to Notre Dame. Maybe this is why Steve and I have seen opposite trends in our marathon times. I also have interests in sudden death and neurotoxins but haven’t seen any overlap yet with marathon training. My motivation this year is simply to improve. Along with a hard core group of like-minded runners, most notably, Sally Mikuta and 2010 GROUP LEADER OF THE YEAR Peachy Benson, we got together and regularly ran the Palos hills on Saturday mornings during the cold and snowy winter months. So we paid our dues over the winter and we are ready and eager to begin another year of marathon training. Steve, you had better be watching over your shoulder for us, because unlike some, we didn’t take the winter off.

Marathon History:  Training for my 6th Chicago Marathon

Boston Marathon plans:  I should qualify when I'm 80 if keep my current pace

Why I run:  Completed a triathlon (it wasn't pretty)

Favorite Gatorade Flavor:  Purple Rain

Favorite Running Music on my I-Pod:  Santana, The Who and Sugarland

After a long run or race I like to:  drink iced tea or coffee

When I'm not running:  I'm a wife, mom, sports nutritionist, website owner and professor

Best way to reach me:  website (www.everyday-sports-nutrition.com) or email:  nutritioncoach@comcast.net

My name is Peachy Benson and I live in Oak Lawn with my husband, two toddler daughters, and Labrador retriever.  I have been running shorter races since about 2001 and marathons since 2007.  My running resume is not too extensive or impressive so I will tell you why I run…

When I first started training with the Yankee Runners, I found it very interesting to hear how many of the runners had run multiple or even countless marathons.  I thought they were crazy to say the least – I just wanted to run one to say that I did it!  Well, in the infamous Chicago Marathon of 2007, I was stopped at mile 16.  So I signed up again since I had unfinished business.  And the year after that.  And the year after that… 

But there are three main reasons why I keep running after I completed my first marathon: 
First, I love training with this group.  Running with the Yankee Runners saves my sanity and the quality of people you meet is absolutely unbeatable. 
Second, I love food.  Eating it, shopping for it, eating it, cooking it, eating it, talking about it, you name it! 
Last but not least, because I GET TO.  I can’t take credit for vocalizing this way of thinking when it pertains to running but I really do believe it.  Once you start thinking about running (or any physical activity for that matter) as a privilege and not a chore, it becomes that much more enjoyable.  So many people out there don’t have the physical means to run.  Get out there and shake what your mama gave you!

My name is Jim Flanagan and I have been a Yankee runner since 2007. Yes I have been known to have a beer or two after my long runs! I remember my first time at Yankee Woods listening to our leader Joe Werner give one of his inspiring speeches and I knew I had found a home to train for my first marathon.

When Joe asked for volunteers to be group leaders, I did not hesitate to lend a hand to the best leader in the Chicago area. I have met some wonderful people in my marathon journey with the Yankee runners. I now can call many of them my friends and feel honored to know them.

Hi Runners. My name is Bill Gray. I don't like to brag, but I honestly believe that I am the third best 10:00 minute per mile marathon pace group leader at the Oak Forest site this summer. There, I said it!  I've been running since 1994. My first marathon was in 1996. I've been running with the group for about 10 years and this is my third year as a group leader. I'm not a big fan of the marathon,( I'm 7 and 3, or 8 and 3, im not sure , I am positive about the 3 though),  I am, however a big fan of this program, and helping  people achieve thier goals or lowering thier expectations, whatever it takes. My special gift that I bring to first time marathoners is that when they meet me and they find out that I've done a marathon, they believe that anyone can do a marathon. I believe this is true, (you have to do the work (he mumbled under his breath) though), but I believe anyone can do a marathon. My other gift is that I use the same mentoring skills that I used as a parent.  "The Bad Example". Everything you can do wrong in training, I've probably done, and I'm willing to share. See you for the next 17 Saturdays.

P.S.  The girl in the picture is the current love of my life. My daughter at age 2. She turned 4 yesterday and her boundless energy is litterly killing me. I also have 2 more daughters, a son, a wife, and a grandson who I also love. They say they love me too and I believe them, my 10 month old grandson has yet to voice his indifference.

Hello ! This will be my third year as a pace leader with the Yankee Runners. When someone asks me why I keep doing this I tell them it’s because of the people (well, that and I like food).  

I credit my pace leader from this program for teaching me what I needed to successfully complete my first Chicago Marathon in 2007. After lining up on Columbus Drive with 35,000 other runners, I knew I would be back! Two more Chicago Marathons followed.  Last year I was privileged to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. in memory of my father-in-law and in honor of my dad. 

This year I will complete my 5th marathon and look forward to lining up with you on October 9th !

Hi!  I’m Maureen, or call me Mo!  I’m really excited to begin my ninth year as a pace leader for the Cara Marathon Training Program at Yankee Woods.   We have a great group of runners here with a nice mix of first timers and well experienced marathoners.   Personally, I was never much of an athlete in school, and when I first started running I remember I was so excited to be able to run around the block without stopping!  One block went to one mile, then two, then 5k’s and on to longer distances. I’ve found running to be a great way to stay in shape, meet new people and visit new places, most recently completing the Disney Goofy Challenge in Orlando last January with fellow Yankee Runners Lisa Gordon and Sue Wiora.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out at Yankee Woods for a new marathon training season!

Hi, I’m Lisa Gordon this is my third year as one of the 9:30 pace group leaders.  While I’ve been running since high school, I didn’t get the ‘marathon bug’ until 2002 when I did my first Chicago Marathon.  Four marathons later, I found the Yankee Runners and can’t imagine how I ever trained alone!  

Last year’s Chicago Marathon was my 10th marathon, on 10-10-10.  In addition to Chicago, I’ve run Champaign (U of I), Disney (1 marathon +2  Goofy Challenges – ½  marathon on Saturday + marathon on Sunday), San Francisco and Nashville.  I love traveling to run races and this year I plan on running the Marine Corp Marathon with several other Yankee runners.  I’ve also completed a triathlon (a swimmer I am not!) a couple duathlons, numerous 1/2s, River to River (an 8-person, 80-mile relay from the Mississippi River to the Ohio River) and all of the Soldier Field 10 milers (my favorite local race!).

I wish everyone the best in training, health and luck as we take this journey to conquer the enemy in October!

Jim ran his first marathon in 1981.  He has since run more than 20 marathons and ultra-marathons; including Chicago 10x, Boston 2x and the Ice Age Trail 50 2x.  Jim is also a former Illinois State Champion cyclist (1976) and represented the US in the World Intercollegiate Orienteering Championships in Finland  (1978).  He has also competed in Expedition length Adventure races on 4 continents and was a contributor and cited in The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing on training tips.

 My name is Karen and I am a group leader for the 8:30 group. This is my first year back as a group leader after taking a few years off. I have a great husband and two daughters, who usually volunteer to pass out water during our manned water stops. Last year, we added a puppy to the family so she’ll probably be on water duty too. I have completed sixteen marathons, numerous half marathons, and a few 50K races ‘just for fun’. When I’m not out running during the school year, I am a first-grade teacher in Palos Heights.

Hello to all! My name is Steve Rice. This is my 7th year as a group leader. I originally started “marathoning” to pick up chicks but instead I’ve met friends I will know forever. My 1st marathon was Chicago in 2003 & this will be my 12th. Chicago eight times, Boston twice & Arizona Rock N Roll once. For me the race is just the icing on the cake. It’s the social fun runs that are the true reason for doing it. It’s amazing how fast miles will fly by when talking about everything under the sun, solving the world’s problems! Along with my steady goal of marathons I also own a painting company (Southwest Painting & Decorating, Inc.) which has kept me “running” for the last 20 years. Too bad running doesn’t pay, we’d all be millionaires! I look forward you seeing you out there. Keep up the pace & good luck to everyone.

My name is Tom Wiora.  This year will be my 7th year with the CARA summer training program and 3rd as 8:00 group leader.

When it comes to running and life for that matter,  I've always listened to my wife. She is always right.  I trained on my own in 2004 for The Chicago Marathon. That race was quite an odyssey  for me. I first ran, then jogged, then walked, and almost had to crawl to the finish. I told myself "I'll never do that again."

Fast forward six months, my wife says,"I've found this wonderful group, you should come see for yourself."  Skeptical, I went to my first CARA training session, after all, my wife is always right.  Once there, before the run, there was this guy was standing on a picnic table. It was hard to hear what he was saying because many people were talking and few were paying attention (some things never change).  I think I heard him say something like," The enemy has many allies" and "Take a day off and the enemy smiles." This was some wild stuff to me. Still skeptical, on the way home my wife said, "Listen to Joe Werner, he is a good man and he knows what he's talking about."  

Many years of enjoyable and successful training sessions have come and gone with some of the most fun and interesting people I have ever met. Once again my wife was right. Then again, she is always right.                    

This morning, as I was heading out for our group run at Waterfall Glen, my wife said,"You're not wearing those!"  She was referring to a pair of 70's style running shorts she purchased for me last year. I said," You bought these for me last year!"  She said, "You can't wear them outside!"  Now I have a great pair of "household" indoor running shorts. On the run at Waterfall, "fit Steve" was wearing an almost identical pair of shorts that my wife had forbid me to wear. I think we all saw a little bit more of Steve than we had bargained for Saturday. I thought back to the exchange between my wife and I earlier that morning ... my wife is always right!

Carpe Diem! It may sound like an old cliché, but that’s what the Yankee Runners believe in. My name is Fredric Nielsen (AKA Ricster by my running comrades). I’ve been training with the CARA running club for ten years now and feel very fortunate to be part of such a phenomenal group of people. I will be leading the 7:30 group this year and will be assisted by a talented group of Kenyan runners. I would like to elaborate on this dynamic group.

I have a gentleman who recently ran a 2:49 Boston on his first attempt. I have three solid female runners who are going to kick down the three hour door. I have a gentleman named crazy Rob, who by his wisdom in multiple venues makes twenty mile runs effortless. With times and goals aside, the Yankee runners represent the TRUE spirit of running and what the human body can accomplish. Although tuff workouts and discomfort may lie ahead, take solace knowing that the Yankee runners will act as your ultimate stabilizer during the 18 week journey.

“What a man can be, he must be,” Abraham Maslow once said. Hunched over, on the verge of collapsing, I was completely fulfilled in knowing that I had been the best me that I could be. Leg muscles quivering, feet battered and bloodied, ears ringing, I couldn’t have been happier (Run Dean Karnazes). I agree with Dean in the previous line, in great pain, we find great joy and fulfillment. It may sound like an oxymoron at the moment, but when you cross the finish line on October 9th, you’ll know what I’m referring to.  Whether this is your first or 50th marathon, you will always learn a little bit more about yourself during this amazing adventure. When the morning mist subsides, and the morning dawn shines upon the many Yankee runners, I will find solace on the many warm embraces and continuous laughter that fills the air. As I take the first step of many on Yankee’s trail, a smile will emerge from my face because I’ll know I’m part of something great today and many years to come. May the Holy Spirit guide and protect you along your 18 week odyssey.