April 10, 2012
WOW!!! I have really dropped the ball on keeping up on this site. So much has happened since the first of the year.
Our numbers are down for students staying to run, but that is typical with the “cold” weather, and students just don’t get back into it, plus spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, etc) happen and they get busy.
Those that are still running with us are continuing to do wonderfully. There is a small group that go almost 4.5 miles every week, which is pushing me to my limits right now, however I am doing it. I have back up now though thanks to a couple high school cross country runners coming over to run with us. THANK YOU!!!
We are wrapping up our “running season” with 5k’s as we only have a couple left that we will participate in as a “group”. Congratulations to those of you who participate and are earning some medals along the way. Keep it up.
We, as WIS RUNNING CLUB will be hosting the 7th ANNUAL CONQUER CANCER 5k on THURSDAY, MAY 10TH AT 7:00 pm. Yes, that is correct, it will be an evening run. This will be the last run of the year as a club, and we would love to have our group make a large showing. If students do not want to run, they can still participate as we need volunteers and could use a few donations as well. We will need water and snacks for the participants when they finish the race. If you could bring in a case of water or a box or two of granola bars, that would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Students and parents can also volunteer to stand at an intersection the evening of the race and “Hold” traffic for runners to cross. I (Mr. Hayes) will be at the big 4-way stop, but there are other “intersections” that we need volunteers at. Please contact me if you are interested in helping out.
If you want to run/walk in the 5K, the registration form will be coming home soon, or you can go to the Willard District website at willard.k12.mo.us and print off a form to mail/send back into me or Mrs. Skaggs.
KEEP RUNINING!!
January 17, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I am so bad about updating our Running Club blog. I don’t know why I don’t just do it when I update my classroom blog. Absent minded I guess and don’t think about it.
Thank you to all the parents and students for a wonderful turn out for the first semester of Running Club. I have seen great growth and dedication from several students, parents, and staff! Keep it up guys and gals.
We are putting together a list of runs we may be participating in this Spring. That will be coming home in the near future. Please remember, these are totally voluntary and are not required to participate in Running Club. We are just trying to help students find a release, life changing event that they can continue into later years.
As this crazy weather continues to confuse us on what it is going to do, remember to:
Please send long pants/sweats for students to run in. We WILL BE RUNNING OUTSIDE some this winter when staff is available and the weather permits. Again, as long as the temperature AND wind chill are both not below freezing (32 degrees) we will try to run outside, otherwise we will do a workout in the gym. Usually plyometrics (jump training) or other workout videos we have acquired and found to be beneficial.
Parents are still welcomed and encouraged to attend us when they can/ if they want. The more the merrier.
Let’s get running folks..
November 21, 2011
Last week was an interesting week for running club. I was talking to our running club students about being prepared to run in all types of weather as we are outside as much as possible. This includes running in light rain, when there is snow/ice on the ground or falling (providing it is light and safe of course) and then if the temperature AND wind chill are above freezing.
We then began our stretching routine, assigned/picked adults to run with, and took off. The weather was a little cool, but nothing to serious, however in the 45 minutes we gone and getting all runners back, we experience light rain turning into light sleet, then snow. This proved my case and talk to the students.
Please send long pants/sweats for students to run in. We WILL BE RUNNING OUTSIDE some this winter when staff is available and the weather permits. Again, as long as the temperature AND wind chill are both not below freezing (32 degrees) we will try to run outside, otherwise we will do a workout in the gym. Usually plyometrics (jump training)
Thank you for all the runners that are continuing to run in our 5K races, especially to those that are placing and making personal best records. That is our overall goal, to do better than our last time.
We have 2 more runs before the first of January. The Turkey Trot this Thursday morning at 8 (Meeting at Springfield Expo Center) and the Jingle Bell Run on December 10th meeting at the Media Com Skate Rink.
There are several other opportunities to run after the first of the year, but we usually take time off and prepare for our Conquer Cancer 5K run that we sponsor (usually in March/April)
Keep Running and Thank you again!!
November 7, 2011
Our Running Events are rapidly coming to a close as the colder weather looms in the horizon. Just because Running Club does not participate in runs after the first of the year, don’t feel you have to stop. There are 5k runs taking place ever weekend around the area. If you are interested and want to check out local events, log on to www.omrr.org. They have a list of local runs that you can participate, most have the registration form on that site you can fill out and send in.
We still have:
Frisco Trail run – November 19th
Turkey Trot – November 24th
Jingle Bell Run – December 10th
Thank you for all your support and Keep Running 
October 17, 2011
I again want to say thank you to all the staff, teachers and parents that join us each week at running club. I know the students enjoy seeing you all out there, and I greatly appreciate the assistance. Without you, we would not be able to have such a large and awesome group.
As it starts getting cooler and the season takes a drastic change, Students are going to start asking questions about what happens during the colder months of running club. Well, as long as the wind chill and outside temperature do not drop below freezing, we will be running outside, so dress accordingly. Our numbers tend to drop during these months. Please be bringing hats, gloves, sweat pants, sweatshirts, etc. to run outside in. On days that we are unable to go outside, we have a few videos we work out to, as well as different activities that we will be doing inside to keep us improving on our goals.
Here are the remaining runs that we have “scheduled” and decided to promote for WIS Running Club.
OCTOBER 22ND – WOHE (ORCHARD HILLS) WOHE – 8:00 AM
NOVEMBER 19 – FRISCO ON THE TRAIL – WILLARD HIGH SCHOOL – 8:00 AM
NOVEMBER 24TH – TURKEY TROT (THANKSGIVING DAY) – EXPO CENTER – 8:00 AM
DECEMBER 10TH – JINGLE BELL RUN – EXPO CENTER – 8:00 AM
There are several other runs that we will mention, but do not expect students to participate in all of them. It is costly at times, especially if you do several runs. Runs are typically 20.00 to enter and includes a free t-shirt.
Thank you so much for letting your child participate in the health changing, and addicting activity. Feel free to come walk/run with us Wednesdays at 3:45.
Mr. Hayes – Running Club Co-Sponsor
October 11, 2011
Our adventures in Running Club are off and running quite well. We ordered over 110 WIS Running Club t-shirts the first time we ordered and had several requests for a second order, so we have passed out forms for a second round of t-shirts and will be getting them sent in this week.
We had over 55 participants join us in the 32 Annual Sunshine Run on Ocotober 8, 2011. We had Students, Parents, and Teachers participate and all did very well. We brought home 4 medals. Makenna Ortlieb, (a futre WIS Running Clubber) took 2nd for girls ages 5-9, Hannah Bird and Rebekah Nicholls took first and second in girls ages 10 – 14, and Jacob Shackelford brought home 3rd place in boys ages 10-14. I am so proud of them, as well as ALL OF OUR RUNNERS. Mrs. Salman’s (the originator of WIS Running Club) joined us as well and took home 3rd place for her age group. I might add, this is her first race since having her baby 14 months ago…
Our next run we are promoting to participate in is the Willard Orchard Hills 5K on Saturday October 22nd at 8 AM… this is a fun run, but does have a hill to run up around mile 2 (on the way back to start line). This is also fun to watch as there is a toddler dash after the 5K, and 1 mile fun run.
Come on out and join us for a nice light/easy jog on Wednesday’s at 3:30. I want to personally say thank you to all the parents, teachers, and staff that do join us already! Without you, we could not have the club we do.. By the way, we are over 200 participants again this year!!
September 12, 2o11
Well, Running Club is off and Running - Literally. We had 182 students willing stay after school last Wednesday and attempt to run a full 5K (3.1 miles) I would say that well over half did that. Some exceeded that and pushed myself and a few of the teachers to run harder and faster in the process. I am very proud of our group of kids as well as the parents and teachers that came out to join us on the warm day.
This week appears to be a little cooler, but we will see what Mother Nature has in store for us. T-shirt orders are due this Wednesday, September 14, and will be sent off by the end of the week. We should have them back to us within a week or so.
Our first run is coming up this weekend if we can get some students to participate. This run benefits the American Diabetes Association and will take place at Panera Bread on South Campbell Saturday, September 17th at 8AM. After that we have the following runs coming up:
OCTOBER 8TH – ST. JOHNS SUNSHINE RUN – HAMMONS FIELD 7:30 AM
OCTOBER 22ND – WOHE (ORCHARD HILLS) WOHE – 8:00 AM
NOVEMBER 19 – FRISCO ON THE TRAIL – WILLARD HIGH SCHOOL – 8:00 AM
NOVEMBER 24TH – TURKEY TROT (THANKSGIVING DAY) – EXPO CENTER – 8:00 AM
DECEMBER 10TH – JINGLE BELL RUN – EXPO CENTER – 8:00 AM
There are several other runs that we will mention, but do not expect students to participate in all of them. It is costly at times, especially if you do several runs. Runs are typically 20.00 to enter and includes a free t-shirt.
Thank you so much for letting your child participate in the health changing, and addicting activity. Feel free to come walk/run with us Wednesdays at 3:45.
Mr. Hayes – Running Club Co-Sponsor
February 25, 2011
I have not been very good about keeping this updated this year. With the weather we have had though, we haven’t had a lot of running being done in our Running Club. We have been fortunate the last couple of weeks and gone outside to run. Please, Please, Please, send student to school on Running club days prepared to go outside. If the weather is even remotely close to decent, we will go out. Again, our policy is that if the regular temperature and the wind chill are above freezing, we will go out to run. A little rain will not prevent us from going out either. We did as you recall get caught in a down pour earlier this year, and I (we) joke about that here at school on “rainy” days.
The only real upcoming event is our Annual Conquer Cancer 5K run that we host at WIS. The date of this race is April 16th at 8:00 AM. We would love to have as many students run as possible, but if they can’t, we can always use help setting up/taking down and during the race. We always need people to cheer on runners/walkers throughout the event. Donations of water are always helpful too… The course is what we always run when we go outside, so our group is very familiar with the race course.
Thank you again for allowing your child to participate. We are having a good time and I am very happy with our weekly turn out. WIS parents are the most wonderful parents around!!!
December 15, 2010
We will not have Running Club – this will give our staff time to work on grades and get some early final touches done on classrooms before Break
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
December 8, 2010
We took the kids outside today as the weather was surprisingly warm for this time of year. This will not always be the case, so have student dress for conditions and be prepared to stay inside if temps are near freezing and Wind Chill is 25 or below. If this is the case, we will be doing work inside the gym. Either a workout with video or a list of excercises/stretches I have been given by running coaches.
Reminder of the Jingle Bell (Media Com Ice Park) and Pump it for Parkinsons (Ozark Community Center) 5k runs this weekend. Good luck to all and have fun.
December 1, 2010
We stayed inside today due to students not being really ready to go outside and run in the cold. We did inform students to dressed for cold weather as we will be going outside to run during the winter when weather does permit it. Again, conditions that would prevent us from going outside would be Wind Chills below 25 degrees and actual temperatures near freezing. We are asking that shorts no longer be worn during the Winter months of running club.
We also told students about upcoming runs – Jingle Bell Run at the Media Com Ice Park and the Soar with the Eagles Pump it for Parkinsons at the Ozark Community Center. These runs are on the same day and time. December 11th.
November 23, 2010
Last week we stayed indoors and did a workout to a video and several students reported the next day they want to go back outside. A lot more lunges and work was done inside. This is what we typically do when we are unable to to go outside. A different routine, and a little more focus on certain areas of muscles.
Well, the Turkey Trot is just days away. Several students/parents have turned in forms for this new “family tradition” I am pleased to see so much interest in fitness and family time.
I personally will be participating in the much smaller 2nd Annual Street Meet at Ridge Runner Sports on South Fremont. They offer Hot Cobbler and hot drinks after their race. Plus they have give aways and I enjoy running with a smaller number of people. Not that I don’t enjoy my running club kids, we have a few running this race as well, so Mrs. Skaggs and I split and went to both.
I want to wish you all a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Keep running and see you next week!!
November 11, 2010
I think we can say that our nice weather is pretty much over with and that our runs will not include the warm sun we have grown acustom to.
Please keep in mind, that although the weather outside is cooling off, we will still continue to run outdoors unless the windchill and temperature are too cold (typically below 33 degrees)
We will be participating in the Willard Frisco Trail Parade this Saturday. Details will be mentioned and passed out at Running Club this Wednesday.
We have a couple more runs we would like to participate in if possible. There is the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning as well as the Street Meet. The Turkey Trot takes place at the Expo Center near the Shrine Mosque, and the Street Meet takes place at Ridge Runner Sports on Fremont Street, just south of Battlefield Road. The only difference in these two races is the size. The Turkey Trot will have 5,000 people, where the Street Meet will have around 200 – 300 hundred. I personally will be doing the Street Meet. Mrs. Skaggs will be doing the Turkey Trot.
The other race (2 actually) is the Jingle Bell Run and the Soar with The Eagles Run for Parkinsons. These two races take place on December 11. One is at the Media Com Ice park (Jingle Bell Run) the Eagles Run for Parkinsons will take place in Ozark. Mrs. Skaggs will be running the Jingle Bell, and I will be Running with the Eagles.
Thank you again for participating or letting your child participate in Running Club. It is an honor to run with all of our kids.
October 21, 2010
Got to love the beautiful fall weather we have been able to run in. Nice cool mornings, warm, but nice afternoons. The WIS Running Club has been busy on courses all over. Our Sunshine Run results are in and we have around 65 Parents/Students/Staff/Teachers participate. GREAT TURNOUT and showing for our club. We had 2 students place and earn medals in the boys and girls age 10-14 age group. All of our students finished in less than an hour. We even had a parent run the 10K, as did I (after running the 5K as well) .
Five WIS Runners ran in the Rivendale 5 and 10K last Saturday October 16th. This was a very small run and we again did well. Medals were not given, but our students/parent and teachers did well.
This week we are having several run and participate in the Willard Orchard Hills 5k event. Good luck Runners!!
Thank you to all the parents that let so many students stay and run with us. I also have to personally thank the staff/parents that stay to run as well. Without them, we could not continue our program. YOU ALL ARE TRULY APPRECIATED!!!!!
Keep running and Good luck all!!
September 30, 2010
If only we could keep these temperatures year round!! What a beautiful day to run the trail with a great group of kids. Not exactly sure of the numbers, but rough estimates are around 120 kids ran with 12-15 adults (teachers and parents) today. Several are making it all the way past City Hall of Willard on the Frisco Trail, and are begging to go farther. I just have to get going and keep up with them. SEVERAL others are getting to the City Hall and heading back. Keep up the hard work all!!
Several runs are coming up and we are collecting registration forms at school and turning them in for our runners. If the “deadline” at school has passed, double check, you can probably still register through the event planner.
At last count, I believe we had 55 participants associated with WIS Running Club participating in the Sunshine Run on October 9th. Please dress for the weather and be ready to “shed” as the weather warms up. Layers are good to start with, but have someplace to put them.
I am so proud of ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS, and hope they continue running with us, even when the weather starts to get colder. As long as there are no severe storms or ice, we will run outside. Inclement weather (below freezing wind chills/rain/sleet/ice) can/will prevent us from running outside, but we have workouts and plans for inside Running Club as well. Students usually do not care for these as much, as it is intense and causes muscles to be sore the next day, but is beneficial.
KEEP RUNNING AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE SUNSHINE RUN!
September 23, 2010
Much better weather for running, although I would prefer a little cooler. I believe we have around 120 + kids and adults running the Willard Frisco Trail with us this week. It is truly amazing to me to see that number of kids and adults participating. I am truly blessed to be in what I think is the BEST SCHOOL DISTRICT around.
Sunshine Run forms are due Next WEDNESDAY to Mrs. Skaggs or Mr. Hayes. There are actually forms due every WEDNESDAY for runs for the next 3 weeks. DO NOT FEEL STUDENTS HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE RUNS. It does get costly, and other commitments arise. If students can and want to participate, we would love to have them join us. If not, we understand.
HAPPY RUNNING AND THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!!
September 8, 2010
My deepest apologies for students and adults getting soaked at running Club this week. Weather reports I viewed and people I spoke with said nothing about air to ground lightning and the storm moving in so quickly. I knew it was getting dark, and shortened our run to the Middle School and back with us finishing in the gym with Plyometrics.
I can assure you it will NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I have a video now in my room that we use regularly when we are unable to go out to run.
Our “standard” practice is that if it is a light rain, snow, or even cold weather (as long as no negative chill index) we will go outside as much as possible. Even if it is behind the school to the paved walking trail behind Willard North. As the weather starts to get cooler, please keep in mind that we will make every attempt to go outside. If ever in doubt, feel free to not attend Running Club that day.
September 3, 2010
GREAT turn out for our first Running Club of the year. To date, we have 175 students willingly staying after school on Wednesdays to run. I was also very excited to see so many staff members and parents join us. PARENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!
Friends from the American Diabetes Association were here to tell our group about the upcoming 5K run they are sponsoring on September 11 at Panera Bread on South Campbell. Several students have signed up, and I am hoping several more are able to. We passed out a flyer about other races we usually participate in. These are not required, but purely optional. The big one will be the St. John’s Sunshine Run Benefitting the Burn Unit. We run in honor of a former student several years ago. Information on that will be coming soon.
Come on out and join us and GET HEALTHY with WIS Running Club!
May 7, 2010
This past Wednesday was our last Running Club of the year. It saddens me as I will not be running with a GREAT group of kids. They have truly motivated me and kept me moving all year. Through a change in my personal diet and “exercise” habits, I have managed to lose 40 pounds since August of 2009.
In our last running club, we had a little fun and played kick ball outside with the OVERWHELMINGLY large group of 5th graders took on our 6th graders (I of course had to join the 6th graders as I am technically one of them) there were so many 5th graders, you could not kick the ball without hitting one of them, or them catching it. Can’t really say who won as we didn’t officially keep score, although you could probably ask one, and they would tell you.
Thank you parents for letting your child stay with us to run for a better healthier lifestyle. That is what we are trying to accomplish.
Running Club will continue next year, but may have a little different look. We may not be able to take over 200 students like we did this year due to a possible drop in staff participation, not quite sure how it will look.
MARCH 31, 2010
I am so embarrassed. I thought I had been updating my blog on running club all year, but apparently I have not. I am so sorry to all of you.
Our running club has been a great success this year. Several of teachers/parents/students have “competed” in the Sunshine run in October, the Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving Day), the Jingle Bell run in December (Brrr was it cold), the Pitter Patter Run in March. Several of our students have taken home medals from these events! Congratulations, we are proud of you all. We are hosting the Conquer Cancer Run on April 10th.
We have had over 200 kids sign up and participate throughout this school year. Although this is a very large number of students, it has been a very good time with very few problems. When weather has been bad, we continue our “workout” by staying inside and working with videos that increase strength, agility, and balance. Students have mixed feelings about this, but with the weather getting so nice, we are going outside as much as possible. Still plenty of time for you all to come join us. Especially with the upcoming Conquer Cancer Run April 10th. If you can not “Participate”, we can always use volunteers to help the day of the event.
Contact Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Salamans, or Mrs. Skaggs if you are interested in helping or participating.
Welcome to Willard Intermediate School
Running Club
What is the purpose of WIS Running Club
Our purpose is to HAVE FUN and promote a healthy, life-long, active lifestyle in the process.
What is expected of WIS Running Club members
We request students to participate as much as possible. We understand things come up and attending every week may not be possible. When you are at Running Club we ask that you follow some basic rules for the safety of yourself and others.
* Wear tennis shoes WITH SOCKS and appropraite clothing (shorts, sweats, and t-shirts) NO FLIP FLOPS – you will not be allowed to participate that day if you are not able to have tennis shoes
* Drink plenty of water throughout the day
* Listen and follow directions given by any teacher or adult helping with Running Club. TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME. Without them, there would be no Running Club.
* Stay alert while running. NO IPODS, CD PLAYERS, OR MP3 PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED. We do run through residential areas and students need to be aware of traffic. Students are not allowed to cross an intersection witout having a teacher!!! (We do not cross HWY 160)
* Be respectful of property while runing. Stay off the lawns, do not bother mailboxes, stop signs, pets, etc.
* Have your ride at the school to pick you up AT 4:30. Do not wait until the time Running Club starts to arrange your ride. Do this the night before and again before leaving home . Please understand that inappropriate behavior or problems with a ride being on time, could result in you not being able to participate in Running Club. A teacher must stay until the last child leaves Running Club.
What does it cost to participate in Running Club?
Running Club does not cost students/parents anything UNLESS you wish to purchase one of our neon yellow WIS Running Club shirts. We wear these on days we meet, and also on days that we participate in a 5k Run/Competition. These order slips are available from Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Skaggs, and Miss Ellis.
What else does WIS Running Club do?
We will be promoting participation in the St. John’s Sunshine Run on Oct. 10th, the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, the Jingle Bell Run, and the Conquer Cancer 5k in April/May. Students are not required as these do have entry fees, but we usually have a good number participate, especially the Sunshine Run. Last year 95 parents, teachers, and students participated in the Sunshine Run for WIS Running Club, and we took home 3 medals.
