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

Count down for the Achilles 6

Keep on training - breath in, breath out! go Achilles!

Just a few weeks until the NYC Marathon. These 6 have been training hard:

Kathy D., Jim C., Dawn Z., Brad D., Monica KR., and Pete G.

Coming Fun Activities

1. Brain Injury Assoc of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Zoo Walk, Oct 4^th
2. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) walk Sunday, October 5 at Olin-Turville Park
3. Brad C's Bowl-A-Vard Sunday October 26
4. Post Marathon Achilles Party - November 8 or 9

October Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the October Babes:

• Linda R. 10/1
• Stav S. 10/8
• Char L. 10/9
• Katy D. 10/10
• Molly J. 10/20
• Tom B. 10/29
• Phil K. 10/31

Congrats to Lynn for Marathon Finish

A big round of applause and shouts galore to Lynn who finished the Communities First Fox Cities Marathon

NAMI Walk/Run

Lauri B. and Mary C. are going on the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) walk Sunday, October 5 at Olin-Turville Park.

For more information, they can call 249-7188 or e-mail: namiwalksdane@yahoo.com

• This walk has no registration fee, but everyone must register.
• The Fun walk is 3.1 miles (5k).
• The walk route takes the bike path that goes along Lake Monona from Olin Park to Monona Terrace and back.
  
• It's about 1.5 miles each way, totaling the 3.1 miles.
• There will be a water station near the turn-around point at Monona Terrace.
• Walkers can turn around whenever they want.
  

Mary C. is the "team lead" on this activity.
Contact Mary and register as "Team Achilles"
Put Mary C. as the Team Captain

Kim's Cigna Race

Job well done!

"Congratulations on completing the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race! It was an honor to run alongside so many people dedicated to achieving their own personal best. CIGNA is proud to be the title sponsor of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race, and we applaud your accomplishment.

It's inspiring to see people of all backgrounds and abilities come together to participate in this event. We appreciate the hard work of the race organizers and volunteers, and the many runners who raise money and awareness for community groups that do so much to help people in need."

Click here or Click here

Thank you Adi

August 15, 2008

For the wonderful dinner at Casa de Sol. Thank you so much Adi for treating everyone to dinner and drinks.

You are wonderful!

Condences for one of ours

Deepest condolences to family and friends of "AJ" Andrew Zdeblick of Middleton, WI. who passed away unexpectedly September 4.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent (c/o Cross Funeral Home 3610 Speedway Rd. Madison WI 53705) to the Edgewood College Cutting Edge Program for the disabled.




Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

September Birthdays

Warm Autumn Wishes to our Achilles September Babes:

• Pat B. 9/13
• Mary S. 9/14
  
• Bradley C. 9/17
  
• Adi S. 9/20
• Jenny B. 9/27

DawnZ , Stephanie W. and the half-marathon!

DawnZ. competing in the "Full Moon " Half-Marathon, in Sheboygan, WI on Aug 16th. StephanieW, her trusty and faithfull Achilles Guide was there for her during the race and took these wonderful shots. They finished in 3 hr 29 min. BIG Congrats to them both.

Carl Agnelly Donating to Achilles

Carl Agnelly donating his time on Saturday morning to work at the Steep n Brew coffee tent to raise money for Achilles of Madison. He's such a sweetie to do this for us :)

Monica KamalRossa –

Madison Achilles athlete competes in the Ms. Wheelchair USA competition in Cuyahoga Falls, OH last week.

• She received the “Press Award” for the following video:

• She received the Ms. Photogenic award for the following photo:
  www.mswheelchairwi.org

• And was awarded 3rd runner up overall. (Ms. Virginia won with her breast cancer platform)

• Click for the recent news article in the Capital Times

Kimmer on TV

Falmouth road race

The fearless leader Kimmers and her sidekick - the fantastic Renee' at Falmouth.

Ran what I was hoping for 9 min/miles – so finishing time was 1:03:33 (top 1/3) There were 10,000 runners and I finished just at# 2843

Our Newest Member

Karma, is a Duck-Destroyer