It’s Wednesday and time to run with NRC! At 6:15 tonight we will meet at Mama’s Java to run between 3 and 6 miles. Our group has been growing so much lately, the streets of Nolensville have been filled with the glow of head lamps! If you are new to the group there are plenty of different paces to choose from. Scott Alexander does a great job prior to the run making sure everyone has someone to run with! No excuses, lace up your shoes and meet us there! 🙂
Author Archives: Scott Alexander
January 2012 NRC Member of the Month – Kelli Alexander
We are happy to report that the NRC Member of the Month is back! Last year we got to know several fellow runners and we’re excited to continue this tradition in 2012. Now, my NRC siblings, as with any good clan, you know you’re one of the family when you get put to work… so I consider it an honor that Scott has passed on the opportunity to highlight one of our own for the monthly column to me. Each month, by the luck of the draw, we’ll all learn a little bit more about our fellow wandering, yet warmhearted, and of course, workout addicted running crew. So here it goes…(and don’t forget to click on each link for some extra entertainment!!)
JANUARY NRC Member of the Month
I’m so psyched to kick things off and although it is already “technically” like the last day of January, I hope you will allow me to introduce you to the January NRC Member of the Month. Okay, so you’ll never guess who I saw at Mama’s Java last Wednesday night. No, not Michelle Obama or Chrissy Haslam… nope, I got to sit and talk with none other than the First Lady of NRC – Kelli Alexander! With all the charm, poise, intelligence, and beauty worthy of this title, Kelli sat across from me in that buzzing coffee shop surrounded by the warm smells of
Paninis and peanut butter wraps, and opened up about her life pre-Nolensville, the joys of running and yes, even her bucket list!
Kelli was born and raised in southeast Nashville, a.k.a Brentioch. Her and her two sisters, who have also stayed in the middle TN area, are still close and have run 3 half marathons together. During her formative years at Apollo Junior High, Kelli met the love of her life, Scott Alexander (only she didn’t know it yet. It would be another six years of signing each other’s yearbooks before the two would become an item! So romantic, right?!)
After high school, Kelli became a Blue Raider and hit the books at Middle Tennessee State University. She graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice, which explains her love of mysteries. Kelli loves to read and when I asked her what types of books she read, Scott laughed and said she usually reads stories that involve people killing other people. I’m sure she’s usually solved the crime way before the last page, too!
Kelli works as a paralegal, managing a total of seven states and calling the shots on over 200 cases at any given time at Caterpillar Financial. Kelli is also an amazing mother to her sons, Ryne and Matthew. Both have followed in their parent’s footsteps, taking their journey for higher learning to the MTSU campus. (Don’t you know there are some great exchanges as they swap bragging rights with Scott on his other favorite team, the Black and Gold ‘Dores.)
As for running, it was only 5 years ago that Kelli tied up her Asics and started logging the miles. Since then, Kelli has done two full marathons, both in the windy city of Chicago in 2008 and 2011, NRC’s Ragnar Relay team in 2011 and too many half marathons to count. She can
often be seen running with her equally stylish, partner-in-crime, Shawn Berkau (see August ‘10 Mem of the Month). Her favorite race so far was the Women’s Half Marathon in St. Pete. I mean, how can you beat running alongthe beach with that beautiful Bay shore view!
Kelli loves to travel and could probably be an official tour guide in Vegas! In addition to her various trips to races and girl’s weekends away, she also takes a cruise with Scott every year. Still, there are a few things still on her bucket list. While Kelli exudes a quiet, calm that immediately puts you at ease, she is also one of the quickest wits I know. When asked about the limitless list of things she would like to do, she said, “Go on safari in Africa, take a tour of Italy, and NEVER do another marathon again!” Hilarious!!!
Of course, she was one of the original 4 NRC members back on that fateful March 2010 run and continues to support NRC by welcoming new runners, stashing water on routes for our summer runs, helping keep track of all our T-shirt orders, and so much more. She is currently training for the Mt. Carmel Half Marathon in April and will race “All Night Long” again with her Ragnar teammates in November. Thanks Kelli for the great interview and good luck with your training! I guess that’s a “wrap”… until next month!
Amy
Owsley
Saturday January 28th
Given that so many people are in training mode right now, we have several options for Saturday runs! Everyone hopefully can find a group that works with their individual needs. Scott has recently started asking for people to post their plans via the NRC Facebook page on Thursday’s so that I can consolidate it in a list here on the website. This is very helpful! Thank you!! Although we have several people running in different parts of town this week, I will focus on our Nolensville options on the website for any new individuals who are looking to begin running with our group. If you are interested in a “destination run” to change things up a little, check out the comments from Scott’s post on the Facebook page! Thanks!
And…here we go! All the following will start and finish from Mama’s Java.
6:15 a.m. Scott and I will begin his 2 hour run at a 10:00 pace for about 5 miles. We plan to be back at Mama’s Java at 7:00 to pick up others
6:30 a.m. Megan will be running 16 miles at an 8:30/9:00 pace
7:00 a.m. Scott will continue at a 10:00 pace and run for about 8 miles
7:00 a.m. I will continue at a 9:15/9:30 pace for an additional 9 miles
7:30 a.m. Kelli and Shawn will be running 6 miles at an 11:00/11:30 pace
As always…Run Happy! 🙂
NRC Wednesday! January 25th
Right now it appears that we may be dealing with some wet weather tonight for NRC Wednesday. We typically still gather at Mama’s Java and make the last minute decision to run or not right at 6:15 p.m. If the run is cancelled, we still eat!
Wednesday run groups consist of several distance options ranging from 3 miles to 6 miles. Paces usually range in the 7’s up to 11:00/12:00 minute miles. There is a place for everyone! Hope to see you there!
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle
Saturday January 21st
Here we go!! The running plans that I know of so far are listed below….
Be sure to check back as I will add any additional or changes that I learn about throughout the day!
Looks like there is a chance of rain! Some people will run regardless, others may choose not to brave the elements. Whether you are running or not, remember that we still gather back at Mama’s Java for a bite to eat around 8:30 a.m.
Starting from Mama’s Java…..
Jeff is running 7 miles at a 9:15 pace starting at 7:30 a.m.
Travis and Danielle plan for 7-8 miles at a 10:00 pace starting at 7:00 a.m.
Scott and I are running 16 miles at a 10:00 pace beginning at 5:45 a.m. We plan on swinging by Mama’s Java at 7:00 to pick up Travis and Danielle for their 7-8 miles.
FYI…Megan is out of town so she will not be there to join the 7:00 a.m. “speedy” group.
Nicole and Marie are running 12 miles at a 9:30 pace from Music Row to Shelby Park if anyone would be interested in an option outside of Nolensville.
Rachel will be doing a long 20 mile training run at an 11:00 pace in Cool Springs on Sunday. She would welcome company along the way. If interested, please post a comment on the NRC facebook page to let her know. Good luck Rachel!
Best of luck to Terry Bickel and Kelly Dever (and anyone else) who are running in the Zoo Run 5k! I’m sure they will represent NRC well!
And last but definitely not least…. to our fearless leader, Scott Alexander!!!!
Wednesday January 18th
It’s Wednesday again and time to get a weekday run in with NRC! Our group run on Wednesdays has been growing by leaps and bounds. It’s great to see several new faces each week. If you are visiting our site for the first time and are thinking about joining us, we would love to see you! We were listed in an article in the Nolensville section of the Tennessean again which may spark some additional interest. Here is the link to check it out:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120118/WILLIAMSON0701/301180074/Nolensville-Connect-neighbors-local-online-sites?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Williamson County|s
We meet at 6:15 p.m. at Mama’s Java on Nolensville Road. There are several groups to choose from. Mileages typically range from 3 to 6 and paces range from 7:45 to 11:00. If you are new to the group and are unsure where you will fit in, no worries! Scott Alexander (who started NRC) does a great job at making sure you have a “home”! No runner left behind is our motto.
“Taking charge of your body can help you take charge of your life. And that power can help you go wherever you want to go, every single day” ~ Cheryl Bridges Treworgy, member of five U.S. World Cross-Country teams
Saturday January 14th
Welcome to another Saturday with several distance and pace options to choose from! Bundle up…it may be chilly!
Kelli plans on running 5 miles at an 11:00 to 11:30 pace starting from Mama’s Java at 7:30 a.m.
Scott has a 2 hour run scheduled starting at 6:30 a.m. from Mama’s Java but plans to be back at 7:30 a.m. to meet/greet/pick up anyone else who would want to join him for his final 6 miles. He will be running at about a 10:30 pace.
I have decided to run the Brentwood Greenways this week for a little change. I will start from Ravenwood High School at 6:45 a.m. and run through Crockett Park for 12-13 miles at a 9:15ish pace.
Megan plans on running 12-13 miles at a 8:30-9:00 pace starting at 7:00 a.m. from Mama’s Java
Check again later in case we find out any additional plans or any last minute changes….
Whatever your running plans, we would love to see you back at Mama’s Java by 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. for a group breakfast! Melissa’s Breakfast Roll-Ups can be very motivating to finish your run!
In case you did not see, NRC was mentioned by the Carmel Marathon race director via a Facebook post in which we were given kudos for the number of runners that will be representing Nolensville!! I think our count is up to around 30! Outstanding!
And just a reminder… our own Erin Pryor offers a free beginners yoga class (great cross-training option for runners!) every Sunday at the Nolensville United Methodist Church beginning at 4:00 p.m.! Get your “Om” on! 🙂
Wednesday, January 11th
Right now, the weather does not seem like it is going to cooperate for our Wednesday evening run this week. Typically if there is a drizzle many will still show up to run. If however there is a downpour, thunder, lightning, etc. we may not venture out. We do still meet as a group at 6:15 at Mama’s Java to make the last minute run decision and to at least talk about running while grabbing a bite to eat! Keep your fingers crossed that the weather will work to our benefit, allowing us to get in a few miles but if not… see you there anyway!
Hope everyone saw that article in the Tennessean yesterday about training for a marathon. NRC was listed with our website. Perhaps we will see some new faces this week from the adverting. If you are visiting our website for the first time and are thinking about joining in, we would love to have you! NRC welcomes all experience levels. We have a Facebook page as well… Check it out!
I received an email yesterday that registration for the 2012 Ragnar Relay Tennessee is now open! To say we had a great time this past November with our team would be an understatement! Consider forming your own team this year! Scott posted about this on our Facebook page last night to get an idea of the interest. I have a feeling NRC may have a number of teams this year. Fun times!
The Runner’s World quote of the day I found to be appropriate for our Wednesday night group run…”If we write our dreams and goals down, we dramatically increase our odds of realization. If we share them with others, they become potent and alive.” ~ Kristin Armstrong
Happy Running Wednesday!