Run for TEAM Crusade

By Kirby Adams

Every now and then I will open a book somewhere in my house and out drops an old photograph.  (I am someone desperately in need of a scrap-booking seminar.)  Recently, a few team pictures from one of the many running groups we've put together through the years, fluttered to the floor. As I looked at the fourteen faces waiting for the start of the (then) Vencor 10-Mile Race, I wondered how many are still runners. Two of the team members have moved to Ireland; another is now a TV producer in Miami; one has survived cancer; another has had two children since the picture was taken; at least four have gone on to run marathons; and one completely changed her health habits and now sells vitamin supplements. 

As for me, I just keep plugging along, putting teams together with my longtime friends Jerry Larmee, with Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center (BEM), and Barbara Day, a sports nutritionist and the publisher of this paper. Since 1996 we've trained over 300 people. We still keep in touch or at least run into (and I mean literally run into) many former members around town and at races.  The most rewarding times are when former team members introduce us to their kids who are now running.  Passing on our love of fitness and good health is why the three of us continue to form teams and train them for the Triple Crown.

Benefiting the Crusade

Last year we teamed up with the WHAS Crusade for Children. (If you are new in town the WHAS Crusade for Children is a charity that has raised more than $100 million for special-needs children in our area in 50 years.) Our team was able to raise close to $9,000 our first time out. 

This year we are back with the same plan in mind.  We are looking for 70 dedicated novice runners who want the help we can offer and who want to support the WHAS Crusade.  The WHAS Crusade will offer you support at each race, as well as pay for your entry fees into each of the three Triple Crown Races. 

Barbara Day will offer insightful nutritional advice and counseling, plus great articles in Kentuckiana HealthFitness magazine throughout the 3 ½- month training period. Part of Barbara's counseling includes calculating exactly how many calories, water and nutrients you need to properly prepare for these races.  

Jerry Larmee, who has over two decades of personal training expertise, will coach you and provide a membership to BEM for the duration of our training.  We meet to train each Saturday morning at The Wellness Center, located at 750 Cypress Station Drive in St. Matthews.  The facility is just behind the Mall St. Matthews. We usually have a 20-minute training lecture before our runs.  We've found that those who do best on the team are able to run at least 1-2 miles comfortably before they join the team.  In turn, each team member is asked to raise a minimum of $250 for the WHAS Crusade for Children.  In years past we've worn matching shirts and it's amazing how the spectators cheer for our team.  Thanks to all you spectators, by the way!

Sometimes former team members have come back to help as mentors. It's a wonderful way to keep in touch with the team.  The mentors like to give back, plus it helps them keep in shape or get back into racing after a break.  Jerry, Barbara and I welcome former team members.  If you are interested call Jerry at 896-3900, ext.150.

Running the Triple Crown this year will be a little easier than in the past.  While there is still a 13-mile miniMarathon (and a 26-mile marathon) the Saturday before the Derby, the new Triple Crown of Running now consists of the Anthem 5K Fitness Classic; the Rodes City Run, which is a 10K race; and the Papa John's 10-Miler. 

If you would like to be on the team for the first time, please send a one-page letter telling what you do now to keep in shape, how far you plan to be able to run by our first meeting on January 17 and anything else that is pertinent.  We have found that keeping the team down to 50 to 70 runners really helps to ensure no one gets left behind.   Please send your letter to:

Team Crusade
c/o Kirby Adams
WHAS -TV
520 West Chestnut St .
Louisville , Kentucky 40202

For more detailed information you can log onto www.WHAS11.COM and search for Team Crusade or the WHAS Crusade for Children.

Kirby Adams is the noon anchor and consumer reporter for Kentuckiana's News Channel WHAS-11 and a sports and fitness buff. You can e-mail Kirby at kirby.adams@whas11.com. Kirby is also a member of Kentuckiana HealthFitness' Editorial Advisory Board.

If you know of a little "GEM" or a story, you would like to share with our readers, drop me a note about it.

Kirby Adams
C/o WHAS-11 TV
P.O. Box 2588
Louisville , KY 40201