Happy 80th Aunt Jean!!!

Last night, we had a great party at our house in New Territory for Aunt Jean's 80th birthday. Over 50 friends enjoyed fajitas from Pappasito's, lots of wine, and three fantastic cakes from Maureen's Bakery. Several friends warmly toasted Aunt Jean and her positive can-do nature. Dr. Dave Calvo, Sandy Lord, Terrie Gorney, Sandy Sessions, niece Lyn Stewart, and nephew Steve Stewart all told stories. It was a beautiful evening outside for the occassion.

Anut Jean was touched and said so many times. She briefly addressed the crowd. Generous gifts were showered on her as well. It was a night to remember! Thanks to all who came and honored this sweet lady who heads up refreshments at all FLS races.

We hope to have her around for many more years. My Grandma Ocie, Aunt Jean's Mom, lived to be 100 and was active at FLS races well into her 90's.

Love, Andy

Mardi Gras Marathon

Yesterday was the 44th Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans. The attendance was the best in many years, 5800 for the marathon, half, and 5k combined. The weather was gorgeous, 50's and clear. Everyone was excited about a new course and the great weather.

Autumn Ray of Galveston and FLS scored her first victory in a big race with a 2:58 marathon win among women. She won by over three minutes, after being in fourth at the halfway point. Autumn is a 28-year-old medical school student at UTMB. She wore her FLS tri top, giving our club some nice publicity. It was "one of the most exciting days" of her life. Ironwoman Karen Nelson of Katy was second in her age group of 45-49 with a strong 3:35.

In the half, Mandy Luna, age 26, ran an 11-minute PR of 1:36, placing 21st female overall. My brother Steve also ran the half, and ran a respectable 1:50, on very limited training, an 8:26 pace. Jay Stabler, 70, ran the 13.1 miles in 2:19, which was second in his age group. Jay is making a comeback!

The brand-new course included the French Quarter's Bourbon Street, up and down St Charles Ave, and a full loop around Audubon Park. It was beautiful. Start/finish is the Louisiana Superdome, as in past years. Generous time limits were four hours for the half and seven hours for the marathon, to be walker-friendly.

New Orleans is always a great place to be a tourist, one of the best. We ate at our favorite restaurant, Tony Angelo's, Saturday night. We also listened to jazz on Sunday afternoon in historic Jackson Square.

Next year's date is Sunday, Feb. 1.

Dandy Don Ruggles completes Rocky Raccoon 100-Miler

This past weekend, Dandy Don Ruggles, age 63, completed his first 100-miler at Rocky Raccoon in Huntsville. His time was 29 hours and 31 minutes. Wow!

Don overcame foot injuries which prevented his finish the past two years. The third time was the charm!

Congrats to Don on his perseverance. He is a teacher at Hightower High School and long-time FLS member. Audrey Christiansen, Nina Janetti, and Patti Muck of FLS were there to cheer and pace him.

Way to go!

2008 Chevron Houston Marathon beautiful!

Weather could not have been better for the 2008 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Half on Jan 13. Times reflected the 45 degrees with little humidity on a clear, glorious day. The winning Kenyan female broke her course record by over two minutes in the marathon. She won $25,000 with a $10,000 bonus.

In the Aramco Half, JP Machemehl, age 23, led the way for FLS with a 1:09 in his first attempt at the distance, a pace of 5:19 per mile. Those of us who run with him at Tuesday night track at Clements knew he would do great. I am trying to talk him into the marathon next January with a shot at 2:25. Ino Cantu, age 74, set another national age record with a fine 1:38. Ino is an amazing man.

Our fastest female in the Chevron Marathon was 2007 FLS Outstanding Runner Jana Yowell, a personal trainer, with a two-minute PR of 3:34. She will run Boston again. My wife Jean ran with heart and also qualified for Boston with a near-PR of 3:49. Her tough training podna Wanda Buxton of Pecan Grove was right there also with a 3:50.

For the FLS men, two broke three hours...Ed Sturdivant of Missouri City, age 41, ran a FANTASTIC ten-minute PR of 2:46!! Wow. Way to go Ed!!! Brett Cole, Sugar Land, another Masters runner, ran a fine 2:58, his best in many years. Congrats!

One of the most amazing performances for FLS was by newbie Walt Yarrow. He had struggled mightily in the Marathon Warmup Series. At 195 pounds, hot weather really slows him down. However, on Sunday he ran the race of his life. Walt, age 40, qualified for the Boston Marathon by one minute with a 24-minute PR of 3:19! Great to see.

Finish Line Sports manned the Mile 23 water station for the 18th time. Thanks to my sidekicks bro Steve, Brian Stud Watson, and Woody McAndrew. Twelve students from Dulles High were there. We had over 50 volunteers out there and had fun with Peter's sound system. BBQ Dinner for volunteers is in The Heights Jan 25.

It was an inspiring day. Perfect weather. Exciting event.

Congrats to all!

FLS Christmas Party a blast!

FLS Annual Christmas Party was a blast last night. Cold and clear weather was brisk out front where we help the party. Wes brought a nice gas fire, and we had plenty of blankets. Hot cider was extremely popular.

Speakers were Dale, President of East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry in Stafford and Darrell from The Rainbow Room in Rosenberg, two excellent local causes our FLS races give to.

Caitlin Leach, age 8, did a Jumprope For The Needy she had been working on for months. A total of $301 was raised from FLSers attending and given to our two race causes.

Peter from Other Brother played Christmas music and provided a p.a.

Pot Luck Dinner was delicious. Chili, spaghetti, meatballs, pizza, lasagna...on and on...it was great! Thanks to all the cooks.

2007 FLS Awards were given out, and the winners were: Outstanding Runner Jana Yowell, Most Improved Runner John Thiem, Outstanding Triathlete Dave Depinet, Outstanding Service Lajuan Ellis-Thayer, and Remembering Irma Award Kevin Kline. Jana ran 3:36 PR at Houston, and John has PR'ed at all distances and has lost 25 pounds. Kevin Kline even surprised me with a philantropist award.

The party was one of our best ever. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

-Andy

22nd Annual Sugar Land Surgical Hospital Turkey Trot

22nd Annual Sugar Land Surgcal Turkey Trot was a HUGE success. We had a record 1,073 entrants, an increase of 31%!!! A cold, clear morning of 47 degrees welcomed the runners and walkers.

At 8am, we had the Sean Scroggins Kids Mile. Victors were Chandler Heikkila, age 11, in 6:23 for the boys and Madeliene Buxton, age 12, in 7:04 for the girls. Runnerups were Parker Smith, age 12, in 6:30 and Elaine Eberhardt, age 11, in 7:20. We had about 150 kids in the race.

At 8:30am, 730 runners took off in the chip-timed, loop 5-miler. JP Machemehl of Sugar Land, A+M-ex, won for the third time in 25:50, winning by over a minute. Peggy Yetman of Beaumont, age 39, an All-American triathlete, won the women's title by over two minutes in a fine 29:03. Each won a $200 FLS certificate. Former Sugar Land Mayor Lee Duggan, age 79, was our oldest finisher.

At 9am, over 200 Family Walk participants took off, many with strollers. The Family Walk is in its third year and has really grown.

Fantastic Trot sponsors included: Sugar Land Surgical Hospital, Fort Bend Toyota in Sugar Land, ASICS, Aramco Services, Texans Insurance, Green Mountain Energy, American Laser Center, and Finish Line Sports.

Checks have been sent to: MD Anderson Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund, East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry in Stafford, Cenikor.org, Snowdrop Foundation, and Cenicle Retreat House in Houston.

As always, thanks to all our volunteers. We had our hands full with such a large increase. Volunteers are the key to any race. I have a great race team.

We hope to have another record-setting year in 2008. Planning is already underway with the race committee.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

FLS team strong at Chevron Houston Marathon Jan 14

Finish Line Sports had many strong performances at the 35th Chevron Houston Marathon yesterday. Many qualified for Boston. The weather was overcast and humid. Temp was 55 degrees.

Fastest times for the FLS women were: Ironman triathlete and med student Autumn Ray of Galveston in 3:05, masters triathlete Karen Nelson of Katy in 3:26, Cyndy Hetrick of Sugar Land, in training for her first Ironman at Arizona, in 3:28, and Jana Yowell, a personal trainer at Houstonian Lite, with a HUGE PR of 30 minutes, in 3:36! Great job ladies.

FLS men also ran STRONG. Fastest were Big Ed Sturdivant of Mo. City in a fine 2:56 PR, Brett Cole of Sugar Land, running on his 40th birthday, run his first marathon in many years in a fine 3:01, Dave Depinet, age 43, of Sugar Land and Fort Bend Fit, with a five-minute PR of 3:07, and Darwin Williamson, age 48, of Sugar Land and a FBF coach, with a great PR of 3:10. In fact, all are masters.

Many other fine performances by FLS members as well. Please go to Forums and post your time. Tell us about your experience.

I was proud of our runners and also of our volunteers at Mile 23 water station. Special thanks to leaders Brian Watson and Keith Fickel for making the water station happen. In all, we had about 30 volunteers. This number was smaller than usual due to dire weather forecasts. I truly appreciate those who volunteer irregardless of the forecast. Mile 23 FLS water station was great, with bagpiper, sound system, tent, and nine flags.