Welcome Yankee Runners

My Name is Spero Speropoulos I am a 57 year old male who loves to run. I ran my first race on July 4th 1983. I challenged my then, brother in law to a race around the block. I was at the time smoking 2 packs of Lucky Strikes and had no training. I thought I was going to die. I may have and am still too stubborn to lie down.

The following spring I quit smoking and started running. That lasted almost 3 years. Cigarettes had me in a vise grip. I went back to them. My dad was dying of Lung Cancer (of all things) and I used the cigarettes to ease the pain. He died in 1988. About 1 year later I quit again and started running again. I ran without any particular training until 1992 when I bought a book and started training for the 1992 "Beatrice Foods Chicago Marathon".

I hated the marathon. Why would anybody subject themselves to that kind of anguish and pain? At about mile 20 I realized that I wasn't going to twist my ankle and get out of the race with some dignity. So I made a deal with myself. If I finished the race surely I could have 1 cigarette. Well it took me ten years to find that one particular cigarette.

I finally quit smoking on March 18th 2002. I started running and cycling again. I did a header on my bike in July of that year. I spent some time in a wheelchair. That is when I decided I was going to run another marathon even if it killed me. I ran a modest 15 miles per week until 2005 when I signed up for CARA'S Shamrock Shuffle training. That is where I was introduced to this wonderful group of runners. I did the marathon in 2005 and 2006. I missed last year do to illness but am stronger than ever.

I asked the group leaders to send me something about themselves and those that I have received so far I like very much. I did this so we could learn something about them that they thought was important. It was my hope and after this it is still my intention to add nothing to what they send in. You are about to read a short bio about "The Ricster" wrote by him. What I find so interesting, but knowing Ric as I do not surprising, is he speaks very little about himself. Ric is overall the fastest runner we have, seldom does he NOT win a trophy. He never talks about his success, instead he talks about others.

Fredric Nielsen, Scorpio, A.K.A Ricster by my comrades! 15 marathons completed to date:Word of caution, marathons are addictive. My older sister Meg ran her first marathon in 1999. I marveled at her intense determination, overall work ethic, but most importantly the quality people she met along the way. To make a long story short, she truly inspired me to begin my first marathon in 2001. May God watch over you during your 18 week journey, go get em!!!

Week 3

When Tommy’s name was brought up at our meeting I thought how could I object because he is too qualified. I was worried that no other runners would be nominated because few can equal up to what Tom has accomplished this year. After running a race not up to the standards he has set for himself in April of 2007, he went on a mission. I am not sure what motivated him or if he made a deal with the devil. In October of 2007 when most were fading and many stopped he not only survived the Marathon but also ran great. He followed that up in March of 2008 with a PR in the Shamrock Shuffle. In April 2008 he set a PR in the Boston Marathon and followed that up with a PR in Mel’s ½ marathon two weeks later. I am looking forward to seeing what he runs in Tinley on Friday July 4, 2008. Of course I won’t really see him finish, he’ll be way ahead of me.
If you know Tom Wiora you know what a great guy he is. If you don’t know him you will learn what a great guy he is.

Week 4

This week many of us gathered with friends and loved ones to celebrate the birth of our country, I think it is fitting that; our runner of the week this week is not a runner but a group of runners. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to those who are serving and those who have served in our armed forces.

Many times in our nations history the call was sent out and many times from sea to shining sea the sons and daughters of America heard her cry have rallied to her aid. The sons and daughters of America always have and always will do what our country asked and what our world needs. America and the rest of the free world are free because of these brave men, those who went before them and the ones who will come after.

It was Saturday Sept 22, 2001 we were doing a long run. We just started running again after the second water stop we heard something that made us stop and cheer. What we heard was at one time so common we stopped noticing. But for 11 days the noise was absent. We heard jets flying overhead. We did not cheer because some tourist was going on vacation or some salesmen were on a trip to sell widgets. We cheered because those jets meant America was coming back. Those jets meant that the dastardly acts carried out by cowards on September 11 did not cripple America.

They will never cripple America, not while we have men and women like these on guard. The sacrifice is not only on those who serve but also on those who wait and pray. Each of these men and women either has served or has children currently serving in the military. They are our runners of the week.

Week 5

I need to apologize to Bev Lynch our runner of the week this week. With the rainy conditions I did not give her, her due. I am not sure if it were clear and sunny I could have given her, her proper due. I have watched her run for nearly three years; she is at all the runs. When her luck was bad due to injuries she would still show up and do what she could. Many times she was out with us walking because some injury would not allow her to run. Even at times in the winter when it was cold for us running she would be there walking. She is always one of the first to offer to help with whatever we have going on. Her support for our entire group is undeniable. She is currently running great and I look forward to hearing her describe what Boston is like from a runner’s perspective instead of that of a spectator. I knew even in the comfort of my office I could not give her, her due. Let me just say thanks Bev you are an inspiration to us all and we appreciate your support.

Week 6

Our runner of the week this week is again a group of runners. In late February 2007 I was challenged to a friendly competition between teams of runners. We were challenged to compete in the “Chicago Challenge” which was a series of three races that included The Shamrock Shuffle, the Distance Classic and the Marathon. Having the utmost confidence in your ability and wanting to bring respect to the south side running community I jumped at the challenge. The first race presented some great difficulties: it was already filled. We sent out the word we were looking for runners who were already signed up for the race. We had enough runners to form a male and female team. They ran their hearts out and made the whole south side proud. With time we added a few new runners to each of the next races and we did better. Our men finished 2nd in the Shuffle and won 1st Place in the Distance classic. They came in 4th out of nearly 200 teams in the Marathon. When the scores were finalized they were the second place Men’s team in the series of races.

After a rough start our Female team started to gel and improved with each race. They also finished 4th among the female teams in the marathon. When the score were finalized they were the 4th in the series. With trophies going 5 deep we were more then happy with our performances. After some confusion the officials combined the male and female teams into one category. This made our Men 4th and our Females 6th.

This year there is no series of races, each race stands alone. Once again we had a male and female team in the Shamrock Shuffle. Our Men ran great races with many PR’s but the competition was fierce this year and we did not trophy. Our Female team also ran great and came in 2nd behind only what is as close to a professional team as there is in Chicago.

What makes these runners the runners of the week is not because they won trophies. It is because they stepped up to represent all of us and did the best they could. I am proud just to train with them.

Ric Bruno

I've always loved running. For some reason, after running track for 3 years in high school, I stopped for 30 years. In 2002 I took up walking. At first I'd walk 3 miles a day, and I found that it relieved a lot of the stress that would build up at work. I never thought my knees would take the pounding again, but one day I thought I'd see if I could run a quarter mile.

Didn't make it. But each day I would increase my distance running just a little, and after a month I could run the whole 3 miles. I didn't stop. Eventually I stretched my daily runs to 6 miles. When a friend learned how much I was running, he suggested I train for a marathon. When he told me a) - the distance, and b) - what the training would involve, I thought he and anyone else who would do such a thing was out of their mind. (Turns out I was right.)

To make a long story short, I ended up running more than a few marathons. I'm not fast, but I am persistent. My most memorable marathon was last March when I ran the marathon in Rome. It was the culmination of all my loves: history, running, the Eternal City. What more can you ask for? (Hint: If you are in a hurry, do NOT ask me about Rome.)

CARA has given me the opportunity to make great new friends, to learn new stories, and to reach for new goals. I love marathon training season, and I cherish every day that I can run with my friends. My mantra is something I thought of during a lonely long run a few years ago: There will be a day when you can no longer do this. Today is NOT that day.

Seize the day, friends.

Week 7

I received high praise from a couple different places concerning this week’s runner of the week Theresa Pratt. She first started running with us over the winter getting ready for a ½. She finished that race but was just getting started. She went from there to the San Diego Marathon, which she finished on June 1, 2008. All of us know what it takes to commit to a structured program. Theresa is committed to this program and she is also committed to her job and to her daughter Haley. So she can spend more time with Haley you may find her running anytime of the day. She may run on her lunch or at 4:30am whenever she can get her miles in. We see her at speed work on Wednesdays. It is because of her dedication to speed work and to this program that we expect to see her set an impressive PR come October. It is because she is described as “one of the most genuine people I have ever met and a real pleasure to have in our group” that she is the runner of the week.

Week 8

Our runners of the week are two guys who have been with us for several years. Each in their own way has impacted our group in a positive way. I recall a couple years ago doing speed work with the group after some negative comments came to light about the length or subject matter of my talks. Mike was there and he had some kind things to say. I thought if a man like Mike felt as he did I would not worry about what some others might think. I guess you can all thank or curse Mike for my continuing to tell stories.

Again a few years ago I asked for some volunteers to help with a race I was directing. Donald was right with several others who were willing to do whatever needed to be done. That is the kind of guy Donald is. I remember arriving at the marathon warehouse one year to stuff packets and the first person I saw was Donald. That’s the kind of guy he is.

When their names were mentioned separately I remembered seeing them running together on that rainy day. I inquired about how they were doing and the answer came “we’re pulling each other”. It didn’t matter who would get there first. What mattered was two runners helping each other. It did not surprise me. That’s the way Mike and Donald are that’s why they are our runners of the week.

My name is Jen Ondrejka and, along with my group, proudly represent the “caboose” of the training group. In addition to working and running, I am also getting my master’s degree in elementary education. Hopefully that will allow me to have more time for running (and sleeping!) next year. Last year was my first marathon and after the race I thought it would be my last. After several days of sulking and feeling sorry for myself I started thinking about the challenges others faced that year. I thought of our runners in Boston who, after months of preparation and racing just to qualify, faced conditions that were the extreme opposite of what we faced at last year’s marathon. But they didn’t quit. I realized that if everyone gave up when things got tough no one would ever finish a marathon and many would never even make it past that first mile. I decided to get more serious about my training, hoping to stay just one step ahead of whatever obstacles would come my way this year. This year, I am not afraid of running 26.2 miles. Instead, I am anxiously awaiting October 12 when I confront my enemy and win the battle once and for all.

Week 9

I have known this weeks runner of the week for more years then either of us care to think about. Time sure flies when your having fun. I have ran some awful hard miles with Larry but you can't run with Larry without having fun. He is very knowledgeable about what is going on in our world and in our country. He is a historian. He makes his opinions known and though they often differ from mine I respect them. They are well thought out. He has a strong love for this country even with her flaws, which he hope the next election will fix. I will let that one be for now.

He is also a great family man. He has raised three daughters and is
proud of each of them as he should be. His daughter Stacey joined us last year for her first marathon and this year has stepped up to be
group leader. You can check out her profile a few weeks back. To our good fortune he has seven grandchildren. I believe if not for his
grandkids Larry and his lovely wife Judy (he married up, of course with him it would be hard to do anything else) may have relocated to Arizona. I hope they has many more reasons to stay in our area. I know how much he loves each of them.

Besides everything else he is a great runner. He was running marathons before some of you were born. He has a PR of 3:19. He qualified for Boston in 2002 and ran it in 2003. While he has not completely given up on returning to Boston he runs today mostly for the love of the race.

I am proud to have logged many miles with, and even prouder to call Larry Mirous not only our runner of the week but my friend.

Week 10

We have so much heart at our training site that often we need to have not a runner of the week but a group of runners. That is the case again today. I asked on Saturday that anybody who was qualified but has not yet run Boston or anybody who plans on training at a level that will give them a chance to qualify this year to step forward. It took a tremendous amount of courage to step forward and tell the world that I will do what I can, I will pay the extra price just for the opportunity to qualify for Boston.

Nothing is guaranteed. All you need to do is look at what
happened to Dena Kastor in the Olympics in China. 26.2 miles can be and often is a humbling experience. Yet there is something special about standing in the starting corrals in Hopkinton and running into Boston.

If it was just desire on race day we all could qualify. It takes desire
every time you lace up your shoes. It is my hope that each of these
runners and those who worried about jinxing themselves and did not step up are successful in their pursuit. When you see these runners encourge
them. I have been there and the encouragement of many of you helped.

I started running in 1990, just to see if I could run one mile. I never did anything athletic in school, so I was thrilled the first time I realized I could actually go that distance without stopping!   From there, one mile led to two, and then three. Over the next few years I went on to 5k’s followed by 8k’s and 10k’s.   But I always knew back then that I would NEVER want to run a marathon!

So what changed? At that time long distance races like the Chicago Distance Classic and the Chicago Marathon would also sponsor a 5k Run. I would do the 5K. Soon I started to stay around after the 5k to watch the finish of the longer races and began thinking “I bet I could do that too.” On a whim, the night before 1997 Chicago Distance Classic, I decided to run the 20K, not the 5k. Even though it was the warmest, muggiest, most difficult race I had ever run, I was hooked.   In 1998 signed up with the CARA Marathon Training Program and finished my first marathon on Oct 11, 1998.

Since then, marathon training has become part of my summer routine.   Throughout I’ve gotten great support from my family, especially my husband who has also completed several marathons. We’ve even turned running into a way to ‘see the world’, including the New York, Berlin, Dublin, and Hawaii.

Running is now a way of life for me and I’m delighted to have found such a great group of runners here in the Southwest Suburbs.

Week 11

Our runner of the week this week is another group of runners. Each of these runners knows what it feels like to line up in a starting corral in Hopkinton. Each of these runners know the temptation of the biker bar where they are enticed with the offer of free drinks. Each of these runners learned to start out easy as the first few miles are down hill. Each of these runners have heard the girls screams at Wellesley. More then a few have kissed a willing coed there. They have all faced the hills of Newton leading up to Heartbreak. Most of them know what it is to come up over heartbreak and have a cheering section from home waiting for you. Running Boston is great thrill to any marathoner, but the bigger thrill is qualifying. I have logged many miles with each of these runners and sometimes as we watch them run we may think it is easy for them. Yes there is some God given talent in this picture. Mostly it is God given heart. I have seen them work for years sometimes to achieve this goal. Even the fastest and most talented work extremely hard. I am proud to stand with them. I know that they are proud to stand with you.

Hello to all! My name is Steve Rice. This is my 4th year as a group leader. I originally started marathoning to pick up chicks but instead I’ve met friends I will know forever.

This will be my 7th marathon & like several in our group I will attempt to achieve that lofty goal to Boston. 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 Joe & Larry are talking politics!

Along with my steady goal of marathons I also enjoy playing drums in a band (Defining Silence), assist in producing Runners Ultimate Network & run a painting company (Southwest Painting & Decorating, Inc.) which has been my only source of income for the last 17years (to bad running doesn't pay, we'd all be millionaires!!). My life is pretty fulfilling & I really enjoy spending most of it with all of you.

Week 12

Each year in our group I am amazed at the caliber of people and the size of their heart. We have Dr's, Lawyers, Nurses and Teachers. We have businessmen and tradesmen. We have people from every walk of life. What many of you have accomplished makes me proud to just be in your group. What our runner of the week has accomplished takes a back seat to nobody.

With the love and support of her family (make sure to say hi to her
parents as they work the 7 mile water stop 7:45-8:30) she is a proud graduate of Mother McCauley where she ran track and played volleyball. She has completed three 1/2 marathons. She did what we are all taught to do, she had her life all in order. Last October Tracy was challenged, that was not new to her she faced many challenges as she grew. This challenge was not to see who was fastest or smartest. This challenge was no friendly competition. This challenge would require all her heart and strength. She was diagnosed with colon cancer. After her first surgery
she barely could walk across the room. After enduring several more surgeries and having her small intestine reconstructed she was on her way to a full recovery. Tracy is a great runner described as strong and quiet. In this training I have often referred to the miles as our enemy, this enemy has no chance against Tracy she has beaten much worse enemies. I have been blessed with many heroes in my life, Tracy is not only our runner of the week, she is a survivor and one of my heroes.

Week 13

This weeks runner under normal circumstances would be on the other side of this page. She has been a great group leader and we look forward to next year when she returns to that role. This year after breaking her arm in a bike accident she was unable to run with us. This has not kept her from joining us from time to time and even offering to help anyway she could.

Last Monday at the Oak Brook 1/2 when the lines were too long with one arm she jumped in took control and got things moving. I was thankful. The race had already been moved from 7:00am to 7:15am and without her we might still be in line. She has overcome much in her life defeating cancer twice. Her broken arm will heal and she will be back better then ever.

It is still her intention to run in the Marine Corps
Marathon in late October. I have no doubt she will make it. I enjoyed sharing her birthday cake as she turns a youthful 50 on Tuesday. Our runner of the week this week is Sharon Passarella.

My name is Nancy Schoeneman and I am the proud group leader of the awesome 9 minute mile runners.

For those of you who know me, I talk a lot but not about myself, so my bio will be short and sweet. I am a young 45, with 3 wonderful children, a new grandchild and a husband who puts up with all my crazy endeavors.   They have been cheering me on for 13 marathons; my 14th will be in Grand Rapids, MI on October 19, 2008.

This is my first year as a group leader and I absolutely love it!! I can’t think of a better reason to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday and run with these people. I joined CARA 4 years ago and it was the best thing I did for my running career.   To think I trained all those years by myself. When I joined CARA, my only reason for it was to run with other runners and drink the water and gatorade legally (yes Joe, I was one of those runners that would drink the water and gatorade when no one was looking).

I never thought that I would meet life long friends, friends that I can’t go two days with out talking to.

I never thought I was good enough to qualify for Boston, but I never met runners like this before. Runners who train with you in the dead of winter with 30 mile/hr.winds, sleet hitting your face just so you can get your runs in. Runners who push you the day of the big race, who run at your side to make sure you keep your pace. Because of all the wonderful people I have met through this group I will be making my second trip to Boston in April of 09.

Thank you everyone for all you do to make my running what it is today, F-U-N!

The Werner Family

If you read what I wrote about Tracy Lundy the week she was our runner of the week youu would have read that I have been blessed with many heroes in my life. Tracy is one of them for the courage she has shown in dealing with what life has given her. The picture above shows more of the heroes I have been blessed with. I would like to share a short story about those in this picture. The picture starts with my daughter Nicole. I ran my very first 5K with Nicole. All I was hoping for was that I would not embarrass myself. Nicole did well and I did not do too badly. . She helps each year with our astronaut egg breakfast as well as our 4th of July race. Next comes the love of my life, my wife Cookie. She has been through much in her life but never complains and has always supported me in whatever I have done. She missed my first marathon because she was going through medical treatments that day. She has been on the course of each of my marathons in Chicago so she never saw me finish. She was at the finish line when I crossed it in my first Boston marathon. She does more then you will ever know in helping with this program. Then comes Lisa my other daughter. She was the one who got me into running. In the summer between her first and second year of high school we logged 100’s of miles together. Some of my favorite races were relays we ran together. I don’t want to brag but we always got a trophy. Someday we may run a marathon together. My brother Jeff is next. It has become his job to get my support team from one stop to another on race day in time. He has been known to knowingly and unlawfully go through red lights, around barricades, and park in restricted areas. Maybe it was his influence that led me to my life of crime. Bruce is next. He came up with the idea of “the sign”. We had a hard time seeing each other in my first race. In my second race the sign made it easier. Many other people have copied his idea since. It may be his fault that I ran my second marathon. After finishing my first marathon we all went to my house to watch the Bears. When the game was over and my family was leaving Bruce looked down at me as I sat in my chair, my knees wrapped in ice my feet blistered and bloodied, he reached out his hand to shake mine and said “you did good you made us proud”. I thought how could I make HIM proud. He has been the answer to many questions and the solutions to many problems for as long as I remember. Then comes my brother-in-law Bob. In my first marathon after having missed my family at the first two rendezvous points I had given up on seeing them. Just past mile 11 a spot they were not supposed to be I heard a familiar voice. It was Bob yelling, “Joe they are just around the corner.” It was in my third marathon we had already used “the sign” so we knew where they would be and how to find them. A friend named Pete needed some Vaseline at my first personal aid station, which happened to be around mile 7. With Rocket man blaring out of a window on Belmont, Bob reaches into our supply bag and pulls out the Vaseline and is running down Belmont holding out the jar so Pete could get some. The last man is my brother Kevin or as he became known “The Orange Flash”. In my second marathon after some friends convinced me I had a chance to qualify for Boston we came up with four personal aid stations. We had everything planned out, where I would get water, Gatorade, gels and even some Swedish fish. After missing the hand off of the fish even though they were not his responsibility he dashed to the supply bag grabbed some fish and wearing a bright orange Shepard High School sweatshirt he was off like a flash to catch me and give me my fish. He never did catch me but he did not stop until he made himself physically sick. At the next stop I had more fish then I could carry. The two young boys at the top are two of my Nephews. They along with a few others in the picture we with me the day it was suggested the mountain won. The highest compliment I can give them is they are my Father’s grandsons. They know what it means to be family.

I could go on and on about my family but let me finish by saying in this program we have many great group leaders their pictures have been posted each week. I am fortunate because in life I also have many great group leaders their picture is up this week.

Week 16

Our runner of the week this week is another remarkable story. In January he decided he wanted to run the Chicago Marathon. That does not sound too remarkable until you realize this man has never ran before and he is carrying too much weight. His first goal was to run the 10K Ridge Run in May. With the support of his family he started training. He started like many of us started; run a little walk a lot. After he started training he came to realize running alone would not get him to where he wanted to be, he would need to change his life. To his credit he did.

He exercised daily and started eating the way we all know we should. Several weeks ago I thought one day he might be nominated for the award after a phone conversation I had with him. He phoned and we talked for awhile. He had some injury issues he was trying to work through. I gave him the best advice I could and before the conversation was over he said "if it doesn't get any worse I think I'll be okay". He did not say I hope it gets better, he said if it doesn't get any worse. This is coming from a guy who was going to Dr's, Therapist and anybody else who could help with the pain. He eventually found somebody who seemed to be able to help. Last week he ran 20 miles on October 12 he will run 26.2. Iwill be proud to be in his race. His family will be proud of him. All
the pride we have in him will pale in comparison to the pride he will
have in himself. This week's runner of the week is Dan.

Normally I have group leaders write their own story but occasionally I make exceptions, this is one of them times. I first met Mel Diab just over ten years ago. It did not take long for me to realize he is a good businessman. As years went by an I got to know him better I came to realize he also is a good man and certainly a friend to our group. He does more for us than many of you realize. He is our biggest sponsor. We have a few sponsors and I hope you take a few moments to check them all out on our web site. At some time we all need some painting done.
You know you are going to have some kind of a banquet some time. If you are in the market for some real estate we have you covered. Want to protect the estate you already have and need a law firm, one is there. I know some of you are using our massage therapist and I hope more join you. With the race so close don't forget to check out what our nutritionist has to say. As I said Mel is our biggest sponsor but he is also our biggest supporter. He supports every one of us in whatever it is we are trying to do. He will be as excited for somebody finishing their first race as one of you running a sub 3 hour marathon. Mel has been fighting his way through some injuries and knee surgery and this year he hopes to qualify for Boston. He wants to qualify so he can join you guys in April 2009. I am sure you join me in wishing him the very best.