As many of you may know, Razor Performance Sports (RPS), provides coaching and training services for beginner and advanced runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes. You may have seen (or heard!) RPS members preparing for this year's races. Most commonly, you'll see them with their coach prescribed workouts at the side of the pool, paying strict attention to the day's tasks.

In 2009, RPS athletes took it to a new level. Competing in local and national races in running, cycling, swimming and triathlon, RPS coaches and resident athletes were asked to train athletes in longer and more competitive events. Including, one 200 mile cycling endurance ride! Yes, 200 miles in one day!

This is the month when we express thanks for our families, parents, children, grandchildren, our homes, and all the good fortunes we are blessed to experience and enjoy daily. It is the time of year when we give thought to all these wonderful things in our lives and express our gratitude for them. It is also a time when we give thanks for our good health.

There are many people who are not in good health though. They wake each morning feeling stiff, sore, not rested and unable to get out of bed easily, sometimes spending their days in pain. Some people exercise and find it very helpful but if you get no relief, even with exercise, then you should try acupuncture.

On the second Saturday of each month, from now through April, Razor Sharp is hosting a Zumba Jam in the gymnasium! The time is from 10:00am until 11:30am, and features the area's best Zumba instructors!

This event is FREE for members, and non-members pay only $10. Doors open at 9:30am, and there is a limit of 200 participants so participation is on a first come, first serve basis. We'll see you there!

The holiday season is once again upon us, and with it comes family, fun, and FOOD! We will be open from 7- noon on Thanksgiving, but please be aware that there will be no childcare available. Gordy and Rita will be co-teaching a special 8:00am Indoor Cycling class and Tenille will teach Cardiokick at 9:00am. No other classes will be held. Come in, get your workout in, and raise your metabolism for the day before you go and eat your Thanksgiving meal! Enjoy!!

Get ready for the Mt. Pleasant Half Marathon, or any other marathon you are considering for 2010 with Razor Sharp's training program. The program will be led by personal trainer and resident running coach Valerie Hubbard. Valerie has been running competitively in cross country and track for twelve years. In high school she led her team to a state title in Division III cross country, and as a scholarship athlete at UW-Parkside, Valerie qualified for Division II nationals seven times and was twice an All-American while running cross country and track.

Currently, Valerie is running for Badgerland Running Company's elite woman's team. She recently completed her first marathon, finishing with a time of 2:53:16. For her next running event, Valerie is racing in Lexington at the USATF Cross County Team Championships, with the rest of the Badgerland women.

You have the choice of participating in a 4 month or 5 month program and it includes:

• 2 group workouts per week (either 2 run workouts, or one run and one core workout)
• A weekly personalized training plan
• 30 minutes of one-on-one time with Valerie to review plan and answer your questions
• Monthly informational presentations

The 4 month plan costs $350 and the 5 month plan costs $400. For more information contact Valerie directly at valerie.razorsharp@yahoo.com. To register, please stop by the front desk.

Razor Sharp is putting together a team for the 5K run/walk to raise money for arthritis. Join us at 9:30am on Saturday, December 5th at Lutheran High School. Registration is $17.00 for adults , but Razor Sharp will pay $5.00 of the fee so your cost is only $12.00

Registration includes an official event long -sleeved t- shirt, jingle bells, gloves and goody bag! The deadline to sign up is Tuesday November 17th. Please see Laurie Swanson or personal trainer Valerie with any questions you may have, or stop by the front desk to sign-up.

In our efforts to enhance our amenities to our members, we've also been able to "go green" and help the environment by replacing our residential washers and dryers with commercial appliances. By doing this, Razor Sharp will reduce its annual carbon footprint by 53,734 lbs and use 302,950 gallons less of hot water each year! In addition to going greener though, the towels are actually cleaner. The washer uses an ozone system that is clinically proven to kill E. Coli, MRSA, C. Diff, and all strands of Hepatitis and HIV at a rate of 99.999%!

We'd like to thank all of our members for bearing with us during the installation of these machines. We had a fairly smooth transition and your cooperation was greatly appreciated! Enjoy!