This is a hard update to write because I hate to see our journey end.  I take solace in the fact that for many of us the journey will continue.  Our journey together has gone on for years and will undoubtedly move forward.  I guess if our journey was a book we would just be moving to another chapter.

If you have any issues let me know.  Remember you will need shoe tag to get into the Congress Hotel’s Gold room before the race.  This will be great place to stay out of the weather and see friends before the race.   We will gather there also after the race.

Write Yankee Runner on the back of your gear check tag in case you get back late.  I will check every bag before I leave the hotel to make sure ALL our runners are in.  We never left one runner out all year we won’t do it on race day.  Take my cell number with you and give it to your loved ones, let me know if you are having trouble on the course and we will make arrangements to get your gear to you.  708-297-7733

There will be bus on race morning.  It will leave 7130 W. 127th street at 4:45am (Spero’s  Remax office.)  It will proceed to 1901 W. Monterey (111th street) this is the 22nd precinct of the Chicago Police department.  There will be bathrooms and free parking at both locations.  The Rock Island Train is one block from the 22nd precinct. If you have any issues with this part of the trip, Mike Casey has stepped up and will answer any questions you may have.  His phone number is 773-820-1032.  Remember you will be on your own for the ride home.  The bus is paid for except for a $20.00 tip to the driver.  Mike Casey will collect during the ride to the hotel.  Make a donation to him, take into consideration the bus cost me $200.00.  I have no idea how many of our runners will use this service.  If it is used by many runners and there is extra money it will be put to use for our “Hot Chocolate Run” and breakfast in Jan- Feb. 

I would love to hear from all of you about your experience during this year’s training and the race.  I want to hear about what you went through to get here today.  You can keep it simple, a paragraph or two would be appreciated.  At this time I am not looking for a critique of the program or our site, that will come later.

Don’t forget to watch Runner’s Ultimate Network Monday Oct 12 on Comcast SportsNet at 7:00pm.  It will be all about your marathon.

I never claim to be smart but I was smart enough to know I could not compete with Paul or Ric on Saturday.  I taped my remarks and Jen will somehow put my words on the web site listen to it if you choose. It is about 3 minutes long.  She also will link to the work of art she posted at the end of last year’s race.  I will certainly look at it a couple times before race day. If you were not with us last year check it out.  It is several minutes long.

I have much more to say, too much to put here, so I will save some of it for our awards banquet.  It will take place on Friday October 23 at Micadoons.  All the information is on the web site.  I must admit I am disappointed in the response I have received.  Each year attendance at this event normally runs on the high side of 80.  This year we are around 40.  I guess I did not get the message out in a timely fashion .If you want to attend I want you there.  I need hard numbers; the cost is $19.00 per person (spouse’s or significant others welcome).  Since I won’t collect money on race day my only other option to make up for my mistake is to give you my home address and accept checks.  Send me a check for $19.00 per person along with your name and your ticket will be waiting at the door.  Envelopes need to be post marked by Friday October 16.  If this works out maybe next year we will handle it all through the mail.

      Joseph Werner
     8600 w. Raintree Road
     Tinley Park, IL 60487-4229

If you are pacing with me 3:45 out of corral D, I will see you race day before the start. I learned in 2007 NOTHING is guaranteed.  All I can promise is I will do my best and should I falter before I break pace I will put you with the strongest pacer that is left. 

If I have anything to add I will post it on the Google Discussion Board.  I can’t ask Jen to do anymore, she has already gone above what I could have expected.

Lord thank you for giving us these weeks to run, thank you for the lessons of yesterday and the challenges of tomorrow.  Mostly Lord thank you for the company to journey with.  For many months you have given us the heart and the support to take this journey.  Look down on the Yankee Runners and on all runners, as we near the end of our journey. Lord run with us, protect us from harm and give us the strength to finish like we have planned and the wisdom to accept what you have planned.  Amen.


Click here to listen to Joe's final words of wisdom.

Click here to listen to Paul's prayer.

Click here to listen to more words of wisdom from the Ricster.

I want to thank those of you who found the time to attend our banquet on Friday… ALL 92 of you.  That was our biggest crowd for any marathon award ceremony.  It was the perfect way to top off, not a 26.2-mile race, but an eighteen-week journey.  I witnessed many great performances this year.  More and more of our runners are taking their running to a new level.  Each year many of our runners want to improve their running and this year many of you did.  Many PR’s were set and many qualifying times were met.  Each year, as we see runners like Ricster, Sarah, Tommy and Shannon playing on a different field then us and we want to play on their field. Personally I will NEVER be able to play on their field but that does not stop me from striving to be the best runner I can be.  Some of you will never play on that field, but like myself I have seen you also work hard to be the best you can be.  It shows in your times and your attitudes.  It shows in the fact that we are going to Boston 30 strong.  That is just runners, we will roll with 50 total people.  We may not be able to play on their field but we can run in their race!!!!

This update is devoted mostly to our banquet but before I get to that I hope you all appreciate the tremendous group we had assembled.  We have very talented people not just in running but also in all walks of life.  As one runner put it “Yankee Runners are stand up people.”

We started the banquet recognizing all our loved ones, without whose support running a marathon would not be possible. We gave a shout out to our friends who came out and cheered and to those who ran in with friends. We mentioned those of you who volunteered.  Chris Bartolini, Lisa Patterson, Jim Flanagan, Kristi Finn, John Mikulski Lisa Gordon and Thea Hickey.  Those were only the ones I saw I know there we many more of you.

Ric had asked several days before the banquet if he could say a few words.  Never being one to stand in the way of greatness I yielded the floor to him.  As he always does he inspired us.  Then he mentioned a few people who inspire him and even had trophies for them.  He mentioned Rob Held who is an incredible athlete.  Rob met him at mile 20 ready with his racing shoes on to run Ric to the finish.  He mentioned Bev Lynch who has inspired many of us over the years.  When faced with injuries year after year she never gave up and was always there to support us.  Ric finished with some very kind even if untrue words about me.  I don’t see how it is possible for a guy like me to help a runner of Ric’s caliber.  I will say this in my racing career if I get lucky and win an age award I display them for about one year.  I will have the trophy Ric presented me with on display a little longer then that.  Ric you’re too kind.

We have too many PR’s and qualifying times to mention by name, we did have a list hung on the wall.  Then we went into our awards presentation.

Fastest Female:  Sarah Graybek 2:59:03       Fastest Male: Ric Nielsen 2:49:05
Runner Up:  Shannon Javaras 3:08:47           Runner Up:  Tommy Wiora 3:08:19
Fastest First Marathon Female: Angela Crotty 3:39:49
Fastest First Marathon Male:  Brian Charest 4:04:58
Most Improved Runner:  Dan Lavin
Group Leaders of the Year:  Steve Rice & Jeanne Dolan
Spirit Award:  Jean Reppa
Runner of the Years: Mike Casey & Beverly Lynch
Pacer of the Year: Jimmy P.

Steve Rice then presented me with a couple very generous gift cards.  I will put then to very good use, (Can you say Boston?).  I want to thank all of you who donated and signed the cards.  YOU GUYS are why I do this.

With all the awards handed out we got kicked out of the banquet hall and moved into the bar where we laughed until 1:00am.  A couple of us made it out to the run on Saturday morning.  Next Saturday we will run at 8:00am then with the changing of the clock we will go back to 7:00am, unless I can talk you into making 8:00 the permanent time.  That is something I have not been able to do in many years and don’t hold out too much hope to do it this year.  There will be many local races coming up.  I will list the ones that are close.

We like to have a strong presence at Mel’s Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning.  He does much for us it would be nice to show support even if you run and don’t race it.

With many of OUR runners involved with the 1st Beverly Hills 5k on Saturday November 28 it would be nice to have a nice turnout of Yankee Runners there also.

On December 5 there is the Jingle bell 5k put on by the Lockport Park District.  This is a fun event and we normally get a large turnout. 

There are other opportunities to race a couple that are close:
Tinley Turkey Trot on Sunday November 8
Orland Hills Turkey Trot November 21

I will send Jen my opinion of these races to put on the events page.

Updates to our site will not be as frequent as during the season.  Mostly I will update you where and when we are running or racing.  If you want me to include your times from races let me know.  I look at result but it is not possible for me to see everybody.  Last minute stuff will be put on the discussion board.  If you are not signed up you should contact Jen and she will be happy to get you set up to take part.

Jen is working on a slideshow of our journey and needs your help.  Please send her pictures of your part of our journey.  She needs them ASAP.  Trust me with very little effort on our part Jen will create a masterpiece. 

Remember: running is a hobby
Racing is a sport
Marathoning is a way of life:  Life goes on year round.

I’ll be looking for you on the trails
Peace out my brothers