January 23 - KIPP Track

KIPP Academy

If you have ever read our mission, a big part of it is "to make running accessible to everyone in our community."   One way this manifests itself is through our support of East Nashville track teams.  Specifically, East Nasty been supporting the KIPP academy track team since it began in 2009.  KIPP track 2013 is about to start, and they need our help again.   Over the next two weeks, there are three specific ways that you can help.

1) Financially.  Like many schools around the country, KIPP has exactly $0 in the budget for sports.  We would like to raise $30 per KIPPster, which would be the money needed to outfit a runner with a training shirt and a pair of shorts, and would offset any additional costs associated with attending meets (buses, gatorade, entry fees, etc...)   We will be handing out pledge cards over the next two weeks.  Please consider supporting the KIPPsters.  (We're not sure exactly how many KIPPsters will run, but there will be a lot...)

2) Coaching.  KIPP's coach needs some help.  You do not need to be a track guru to help out.  You just need to have a willingness to spend a couple of hours a week with middle schools kids.  If you are interested, please email William Quin at wquin@kippacademynashville.org.

3) Clothes.  Over the next two weeks, bring any old / ill-fitting technical running apparel.  It will find a new home with the KIPPsters.

By the way, research is finding an undeniable link between exercise and academic performance.  John Ratey is not a great speaker, but has written a book called Spark where he highlights the benefits of exercise on education.  Here is his Ted talk.  I hope this sort of research leads schools to reintegrate PE into the school day...

Run #4

Wednesday, 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.

While you're enjoying this great map by Katie Turner, learn the route so that you can volunteer to be a pace leader!

Thursday workout

Also at 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.

More hills!  We are heading back to the pedestrian bridge for 6 or 8 more hill repeats.   Don't let the weather (or the hills) scare you off.  I know that running workouts can be intimidating, which is exactly why you should join up with us every week!

ENFL

Mark