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Gearing Up for Thursdays on First & 3rd

Gearing Up for Thursdays on First & 3rd

This year marks the sixth year of Thursdays on first & 3rd Summer Market and Music Festival being branded as such, however a smaller scale market actually began two years prior from passionate volunteers and community members.  Thursdays on first & 3rd has become a truly authentic community gathering place with a variety of live music featured on two stages, a tasteful spread of outdoor food choices and a vibrant mix of market vendors showcasing art, craft and baked goods products.  Thursdays on first & 3rd begins June 7th and runs every Thursday through August 30th.

Free Trolley Rides

Free Trolley Rides

In celebration of national travel and tourism week, the Rochester Trolley and Tour Company is offering free trolley tours. Rides started Wednesday, May 9th and continue through Thursday, May 10th in Rochester. The tours feature some of Rochester's most famous sights including the Plummer House and Mayowood Mansion. Times and pick-up locations vary. For more information go to http://www.rochestermntours.com/.

 

 

 

 

Rochesterfest Button Sales

Rochesterfest Button Sales

The 30th annual Rochesterfest Button Kick-off will be held on Tuesday, May 8th at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.  Mayor Brede will be on hand to purchase the very first Buttons. This year there will be 5 "Button Bargains" which will be good from Memorial Day - Labor Day.  There are many more discounts and freebies during the week of Rochesterfest.  Buttons are $5.00. Any non-profit or other group selling the Buttons makes $1.25 per Button sold. Blair Harrington, the 2012 Button designer will be on hand to autograph the Buttons. For any other information, please contact Carole Brown at 285-8769 or go to http://www.facebook.com/Rochesterfest

"Bikes for Everybody" Event

"Bikes for Everybody" Event

The annual "Bikes for Everybody" event in Rochester is set for Monday, May 7th from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. at the Graham Arena located at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds. It will be an open house style event and those interested are invited to ride demonstration bikes, get fitted properly to a bike, and speak to representatives about specialized equipment needs. The event is for anyone with either has a mobility and/or cognitive impairment who would like to ride a bike, but requires special fittings, equipment, or specially designed bikes to be able to do so. There's a bike for everybody! If you have any questions, contact Karen Meyer with the Parks and Recreation Department of Rochester at 507-328-2539.

Red-Shirting Kids

Red-Shirting Kids

     The word is commonly associated with college athletics.

     An athlete is red-shirted when they are held out of their sport for a year allowing them to grow and perform at a higher level by gaining an extra year to compete.

     Now it’s become a trend with our children.

     A psychologist tells us the trend of holding kids back to give them a competitive edge in athletics has been on the rise.

     Dr. Jennifer White Baughan says the number of kids being held back has tripled since the 70s, "The question is what kind of balance. Do we have in this country on the actual value added that we are giving to our children when we are moving them ahead?"

     Research does show, if a child is to be held back, the ideal time is kindergarten or 1st grade.

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

A Reason to Run: Tackling my First Hill Run

Journal of a Distance Runner (Thursday April 26th 2012)

 

Hill Runs:

Have you ever tried to run up a hill? It’s not as easy as it looks.

At first, you think, “yeah, I can totally do this.”

After a few feet, you suddenly realize how steep you’re actually climbing.

I was surprised last week when my trainer told me to not only run up a 600 meter hill, but do it 7 times.

Let me tell you one things about hill runs, they stink. 

They’re terrible.

But everyone tells me their worth it.

At first I thought, “you guys are crazy. No way in heck can this be worth it.”

I soon realized how beneficial they can be.

Just a few days ago I was handed a map of the marathon route.

On race day I’m set to encounter a handful of nasty looking monoliths of destruction.

My knees are trembling already.

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

A Reason to Run: Only 37 Training Days Left!

Journal of a Marathon Runner: ( Friday April 20th)

 

After several weeks of training  I finally came to one scary realization, in only 37 days I will have to run 26.2 miles!

Even though I’ve logged over 300 miles so far, it’s still an intimidating task.

26.2 miles, 26.2 miles. WOW!

In my long runs I am currently up to 20 miles each Sunday, but it’s that extra 6.2 that still escapes me.

Surprisingly, 20 miles is the most I’ll run until the race itself!

My trainer has forbidden me from running any further than my training schedule will allow.

For some reason, that baffles me. I was always taught that if you’re doing something you’ve never done before, you should try it out alone first.

That way you know what to expect before you run a race in front of thousands of spectators.

I’m told it will all work out in the end. I hope it does.