Happy New Year Birthdays in January 2009

A warm and Happy Birthday wish to old and new Madison Achilles Members:

• Capt'n Kimmer - Jan 1
• Paula VE. - Jan 7
• Courtney C. - Jan 15
• Mary H. - Jan 16
• Monica R. - Jan 19
• Cecilia C. - Jan 20
• Judith R. - Jan 22
• Jennifer D. - Jan 25

You lucky January babies, here are some facts about January:

January Monthly Observances:

• Bath Safety Month
• Birth Defects Prevention Month
• Sponsored by The March of Dimes
  
• Blood Donor Month (National Volunteer)
• Sponsored by the American Association of Blood Bank
• January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
• Book Blitz Month (National)
• Business & Reference Books Month
• Careers in Cosmetology Month (National)
• Cervical Health Awareness Month (National)
• Sponsored by the National Cervical Cancer Coalition
• Clown Month
• Crime Stoppers Month
• Coffee Gourmet Month (International)
• Diet Month, Fat-Free Living Month, Lose Weight & Feel Great Month
• Eye Health Care Month (National)
  
• Fiber Focus Month (National)
• Glaucoma Awareness Month
• Sponsored by Prevent Blindness America
• Hobby Month (US National)
• Human Resource Month
• Letter Writing Month (US National)
• Oatmeal Month (US National)
• Poverty in America Month
• Prune Breakfast Month
• Radio Month (US National)
• Retail Bakers Month
• School Board Month (US National)
• Soup Month (US National)
• Stamp Collectors Month (US National)
• Tea Month (US National) - a/k/a Hot Tea Month
• Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

Holiday Party 2008

Halloween Rosie & Linda

2008 Holiday Party

Dec 13th, Saturday at 5pm

• Sign-up with Capt'n Kimmer
• At Wisconsin Trade Center located in Greenway Station, Middleton.
• Bring friends and/or family
  
• It's a potluck
• Examples:
  

• • Meat Dish (example: meatloaf, meat lasagna)
  • Vegetarian Dish (vegetarian lasagna, casserole)
  • Vegetable/Starch Dish (steamed carrots, potato casserole)
  • Dessert (anything with chocolate, pumpkin pie, cookies)
  • Drinks (12-pack of soda, bottle of wine)
  • Appetizer (cheese platter, chips n dip)

Congrats from Fleet Feet Madison

Congrats Achilles Marathoners!

A special group of athletes was among the 38,000 runners racing the New York City Marathon this past weekend on November 2nd. The Madison Chapter of the Achilles Track Club sent four handcyclists and two runners, all of whom finished the race. Monica Kamal Rossa, Peter Greenwood, Brad Dakan, Dawn Ziegler, Kathy Ducat, and Jim Cunningham proudly represented Madison Achilles. A national organization, Achilles aims to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, promote personal achievement, enhance self esteem, and lower barriers. As many of you know it is challenging to participate in a marathon, but these athletes face some additional obstacles, and we wanted to share their experiences.

Kathy Ducat, a visually impaired runner from Madison, had this to say about her marathon experience:



"It was 100% wonderful from the beginning of my training to the recovery of my aching legs! . . . The morning of the race was beautifully chilly. We caught a bus which took us an hour just to get to Staten Island. As we crossed the bridge, the sun rose above the skyline shining warmly on those who accepted this marathon challenge. . . . My team of guides decided to call us Kathy's Curds. Kim Virden, our Madison Achilles Chapter Founder, ran the first 8 miles with us. Jim, my partner, also outfitted in his Madison Achilles singlet, ran with us the first 5 miles. From that point on, it was Diane Pasquaretta of Falmouth, MA, and Lisa Sher of Boston, MA parting the sea of clothes, cups, and even runners in order to safely guide me down the roads. At most times one of the guides would hold one end of a rope and I would hold the other. The guide not holding the rope would run ahead and tell the crowd my name. By the time I approached, the fans were all shouting encouragement using my name "Go Kathy!!!". That was powerful. Lisa and Diane would tell me about the sites they could see along our route. It was fun to get an idea of just how much distance we were covering. . . . I've got to say, it was painful working my way through the miles. My guides were really doing a super job trying to keep me going forward. During the last half mile, they kept me running. 'No matter if you walk or run, everything hurts at this point, so you may as well go for it'."

Brad Dakan, a t-4 paraplegic handcyclist, also shared his race-day experience with us:



"The NY Marathon was a great experience for me. This was my first marathon and I plan on doing many more. New York is a big city with a lot of big hearted people and they created an atmosphere that made me feel welcome to their city. The beginning of the race was very cold and quiet going over the bridge, but once i crossed over it and heard their cheers of encouragement it brought a tear to my eye and it became a pleasure to ride through their city. Once I entered the Central Park area my arms finally warmed up and i couldn't stop smiling knowing i made it to the end. I only wish there was a way to say thanks to everyone in New York for their support."

Again, we want to extend congratulations to Brad, Kathy, and all of the Achilles athletes. To learn more about this great organization visit Achilles Track Club.

Madison Achilles at 2008 NYC Marathon

Wow - what can I say about our incredible Achilles athletes from Madison?

I'm so very, very proud of all of them!!! They all finished the marathon and did just an incredible job - what a day!!!

I wish the entire Madison Team could have been there to see them finish - but I know you all were from here - cheering them on, giving them strength and spirit to get thru the day.

Again - I am so very proud of each of our athletes, getting thru the cold morning, no crashes, no problems along the way but a few blisters.

Handcyclist:

• Monica KamalRossa Finishing Time: 3:07:56 (6th female overall for handcycle division)

• Peter Greenwood Finishing Time: 3:15 ish (sorry I didn't get his true time, something in this area)

• Brad Dakan Finishing Time 3:27:30

• Dawn Ziegler Finishing Time 8:46:41 (our incredible athlete of the race!)

Runners:

• Kathy Ducat Finishing Time 6:01:11
• Jim Cunningham Finishing Time 5:04:58

Each of these athletes were doing their very first marathon, and very first NYC Marathon, with the exception of Mr. Pete (he's our veteran marathoner with 7 races and his 4th NYC)!

Congrats to you all - and not enough thanks can go out to family members, guides and volunteers. Without you these great athletes couldn't of done it....you are so very appreciated for all your dedication, hard work and encouragement!!!

Thanks you to each: Stephanie W., Bob R., Jim D., Melissa and Ruth (Dawn's helpers) and Rene C. for helping us with misc task and "the dogs".

One last note - not enough thanks can go out to Achilles International members from New York City. They really helped us incredibly: Dick Traum, Mary Bryant, Gerle, Joe Traum, Russell, Janet, Anne and many more.



- Captain Kimmer

Happy Birthday December 2008 Babes

Happy Birthday December Achilles Babes:


Gene K. - Dec. 2
Dawn Z. - Dec.11
Mary C. - Dec. 21

November 2008 Birthdays

Happy, happy birthday to the November Achilles Babes:

Pete G. - Nov 16
Roni M. - Nov 12

Pizza Party

November 9th, Sunday
Time: 5 pm
Location: Rocky Rococo's on Mineral Point, next to Brothers Main and the Beltline
Cost: $10/person and $5/child
Fun, food, companionship, and celebration!
Feel free to invite family and friends

Please RSVP to Capt'n Kimmer

"Family" Photos of Fun

Dashboard