Achilles Heel
February 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

From a running perspective, February placed us in a unique position - never have there been so many below-freezing days, making it uncomfortable to workout, especially with a hand crank wheelchair. Snow on the ground made it impossible to move. The upside is, it provided me with a "vacation."
As March arrives and the promise of spring - just think, only a few more weeks to go! -- I will once again take out my sturdy hand crank and join you all during our workouts.

It makes me realize, it is not so terrible to fall somewhat out of shape. It gives us an opportunity to go out there and see improvements each week. That's the optimistic way of dealing with some of the worst weather we have ever seen in February!


See you in March!

 


Achilles Love Run 


It was a cold and wintry morning but that didn't stop over 40 Achilles athletes and guides from participating in the second annual Achilles NYC Valentine's Day Love Run. While some dressed in festive shades of red and pink, and others donned the usual Achilles neon yellow, everyone gathered at the entrance of Central Park at 90th St. and 5th Ave. ready for a race. Together they ran, walked, and jogged for 4 brisk miles in Central Park. Although the race was timed (congratulations to Charles Catherine for being the first male athlete to finish with a time of 29:11 and to Eleanor Chapman for being the first female athlete to finish with a time of 41:50!) everyone was rewarded with hot chocolate and special Valentine's Day treats back at New York Road Runners after the race. Thank you to everyone who participated with a warm spirit on this bitterly cold day. It was a very lovely Valentine's Day for the Achilles NYC Chapter. 


A special shout-out to Janet Cupo for her generosity in allowing us use the NYRR library on such a freezing cold morning!
RECOGNIZING OUR VOLUNTEERS
MARY CROUCH 

 

Mary has been with Achilles since 2012. Like many New Yorkers, she moved from her hometown (Arkansas) to the city with the intention of only staying a few months. But, she quickly got hooked on New York and Achilles in particular. She has subsequently guided many of our athletes through several full and half-marathons.

"Achilles has taught me that people can achieve goals they never thought possible if they set their mind to it."


To nominate a volunteer to be featured in our newsletter, please contact Fiona.

Looking Ahead...

 

On March 15th, we have over 25 athletes and 40 guides planning to participate in the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon.

CHAPTER HAPPENINGS:

Achilles Freedom Team and Achilles handcyclists in California will be participating in the LA Marathon on March 15th. Bergen County JCC has the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon on March 21st.

Achilles Canada hosts its 16th Annual Achilles St. Patrick's Day 5K Run in Toronto on March 15th. Once again, they expect a sell-out of 1,500-plus and expect to raise over $50K to support Achilles Canada. The event is the largest race in Canada that integrates abled-bodied runners and our Achilles athletes to compete as one while celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

The UNESCO Cities Marathon and Achilles Udine (near Venice, Italy) have invited Achilles Houston to participate in the marathon on March 29th. This is the kick-off of the Udine Chapter of Achilles and Achilles International will be in the spotlight for the race! 

Achilles CT is having a Pub Night Fundraiser on Saturday, April 4th from 6 to 9 pm at Thomas Hooker Brewery, 16 Tobey Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002. Tours, drinks and light dinner fare. Get your tickets now!

ACHILLES CHARITY ENTRANT PROGRAM IN 2015

We have slots available for:
- NYC Triathlon
- Bank of American Chicago Marathon
- TCS NYC Marathon

If anyone is interested in knowing more details, they can email Sarah.

POTENTIAL NYC MARATHON GUIDES:

Mark your calendar if you are applying to guide an Achilles athlete in the NYC Marathon on November 1, 2015. The specific NYC Marathon Guide Application will go up on our website under the volunteer section beginning July 15th through August 14th. 

Achilles Chapter Leaders: If you have chapter members participating in the marathon who plan on running with guides from your chapter, please have them submit their guide application between July 1st and July 14th. Eleanor Cox and Gerle Shagdar will send you the specific link for the application to give to your guides on July 1st.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

Our 13th Annual Hope & Possibility 5-Mile Run is Sunday, June 28th in New York!!!!

DATES FOR OTHER HOPE & POSSIBILITY RACES:

Apr 11: Pittsburgh PA  http://www.achillespghrace.com/


Jun 28  New York City http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2015     

  

Date TBD Auckland & Wellington, New Zealand 

http://www.achillesnewzealand.org/annual-events.html 


Click here and Help Achilles New Zealand get 1,000 likes!! 

 
Achilles South Florida participates in the embRACE race every year with
Stand Among Friends. Their founder, Shawn Friedkin, is an Achilles athlete and handcycled the NYCM in 2014 as a charity entrant with us. Please see photos at the link below!