+ Yahoo Groups Settings
+ First Timers
+ Early/Main group
+ Coop Babysitting
+ Other Days/Times
+ Driving tips from DTC
+ Time Trial
+ Weekend Outings/Runs
+ Socializing


I want to thank everyone who sent back surveys earlier this spring.
Thanks for being patient. I have had a very busy spring, but I have
read all of the responses. I have already implemented some of the
ideas. If there's something you really want to see happen, please let
me know. I also want to hear from you if you have any other
suggestions, comments, and criticisms.

++++++++++

Please do not use the "Daily Digest" setting for the DTR. DTR works
like a newsletter, not a discussion group. So, you will not be
bombarded with lots of e-mail from the group. If you want to get the
messages via e-mail, please use the "Individual Emails" setting (I
don't use Special Notices). Daily Digests are delayed, so you may miss
timely information. If you want to read the messages online instead of
via e-mail, then set it to "No Email."

If you use an automatic "out of office" message, please set it so that
it doesn't send a response to DTR messages.

If you don't get messages for a while, your ISP or company's firewall
may have begun filtering them out as spam. Please contact you
administrator to make sure the group messages are taken off the
blacklist.

++++++++++

When I say all abilities are welcome, I mean it. We really do have
slower runners in the group. We have tried to make the group less
intimidating to newcomers. For example:

The web site (dtr.runuphillracing.com) has very detailed route
descriptions and maps. If you are joining us for the first time, and
are new to the trail, please print them out and bring them with you.
Many of the trailheads have paper maps available.

The route descriptions list several options of different distances.
This is designed so that people can run at different paces, and still
start and finish together. Pick the route that's appropriate for you.

We have started using a "neutral" start, with everyone staying together
for the first 5-10 minutes.

There are regrouping points on the runs. If you let us know, some of
the more experienced runners, about your pace, will wait at key
intersections to make sure you know which way to go.

The runs are not intended to be races. Sure there are some people who
like to go hard and push each other. That is welcome, as is running
casually and chatting while you go. There is usually someone to run
with. Even if we spread out during the run, we always gather together
at the start and finish.

Please give us a try. If you don't find us welcoming, please let me
know. The only way we can address problems and improve is if we know
they exist.

++++++++++

Many people wonder about the differences between the early and main
groups.

The early group usually has anywhere from 2 to 10 people. They are
mostly older - 50s and 60s. They are mostly middle to back of the pack
runners. They usually meet at 5:30pm. If they know someone is coming,
they may wait before coming. The regulars include Scott, Connie, Ray,
Deb and Kim.

The main groups starts later, typically 6:15pm. The group is larger -
we may get 30-40 people over the summer. The group is more diverse,
both in age and speed. We have some very fast runners (low 30s 10k),
middle of the pack, and slow runners (60+ 10k); even people who walk
the trails.

If you are a slower runner, either group is appropriate. If you are a
faster runner, you'll want to join the later group.

The dynamics of the groups will change in the fall/winter. I'll send
out more information about that in September.

++++++++++

Ann Duenas has offered to coordinate cooperative baby sitting for the
Thursday night runs. In the past, we have had a few people with small
kids take turns running and watching each others' kids. Please contact
Ann if you are interested.
aduenas@...

++++++++++

A few of you asked if we could also run at other days/times. YES! We
need people to be willing to organize the runs. This just means picking
the location/time, and greeting people at the start. It doesn't mean
that you have to be the fastest runner. That's how the Tue/Wed morning
runs started. If you want to start another group, let me know and I
will include it in the weekly message.

Some other runs people have asked for include:
Later start on Thursdays for those who get off work later. See below
for driving tips.
Weekday mid-morning or mid-day runs

++++++++++

I know it can be difficult getting out to the runs in time with
traffic. I have worked in DTC in the past, made it to the runs in time,
and know some tricks around traffic.

1) Take Belleview west. Traffic usually flows fairly well on Belleview.
Continue to Santa Fe. It will back up a bit at Broadway. Go north,
right at Santa Fe to Hampden, hwy 285. Go west, left at Hampden.
Hampden usually opens up after the lights. Continue to C-470, then go N
or S, depending on the run location.

2) To avoid the back up on Hampden, from Santa Fe, go left at Oxford.
Continue west across Federal, past the hospital, to Lowell. Turn right
at the stop sign, then down the hill to Hampden/285. Lowell is the last
light on Hampden. Turn left on Hampden.

++++++++++

Thanks to everyone who responded to the Time Trial survey. I got 41
responses.

I think enough people wanted an alternate day or location that we will
try something different this year. We will do the time trial at Mt.
Falcon every other month - May (already happened), July and Sept. In
June and Aug, we will run a time trial at Green Mtn on Tue evenings. At
least, we'll try it at Green this month.

We will continue to use a handicap starting system. With this system,
slower people start first, and everyone finishing at about the same
time. This makes it more fun for most, and allows us to do a casual
group run after the time trial.

There will always be a non-time trial course available.

Results:
Should we have a time trial?
Y-41
N-0

How often should we have the time trial?
Monthly-24
Every 6 weeks-7
Every 2 months-6
Beginning/end of season-3

Where should we have the time trial?
Mt Falcon only-18
Green Mtn only-3
Alternate Green/Falcon-14
Other location-1

Should we handicap the starts?
Y-35
N-3

Should we have a non-time trail course available?
Y-29
N-10

What day should we have the time trial?
Thu-23
Other weeknight-11
Weekend-6

++++++++++

I hope to have more weekend outings this season. This includes long
runs and carpooling to races in the mountains. In the past, we've had a
group of people camp or share a condo before or after a race. I am
working to get some comp entries to one or more of the Vail/Teva series
races, and get a group to go up to the race(s) together.

Let me know if you are interested in carpooling to any mountain races.
We haven't done any carpooling in a couple of years, but it has worked
well in the past.

I will schedule a couple of long runs over the summer. These will be
further up in the mountains, as the snow pack allows. My schedule and
training doesn't allow me to do that every weekend. We need people to
offer to lead runs if you want them more frequently. "Leading" just
means picking the time/place, and explaining the route. You don't have
to be fast to lead a run. Let me know a week in advance so I have time
to get it into the weekly message.

++++++++++

Several people asked for more social activities, like a happy hour
gathering, to allow new people to meet other runners in a less
intimidating setting. We have potlucks once a month after the runs
(already two in May). There's almost always a group that goes to dinner
on the other Thursdays. Everyone is always invited. I think it's a
great idea if for a gathering at another time, if someone wants to
organize it. I already organize enough things. It can be at a
restaurant/bar or someone's house (Tim/Jen?). Let me know if you are
interested, pick a day/time, and I will send it out to the group.




__________________________________
Discover Yahoo!
Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing and more. Check it out!
http://discover.yahoo.com/stayintouch.html