Houston Running

One of the leading sources for the discussion of Houston-area (and Texas as well) road racing. Focus and attention will be given to Houston-area runners, specifically HARRA members, that compete in outside-of-the-area events as well as those who do interesting things that aren't captured in the various media outlets, such as Inside Texas Running, Runner Triathlete News and Roberta MacInnis' Running Notebook in the Houston Chronicle (all fine publications and columns but with limitations too).

About Me

Name:
Location: Spring, Texas, United States

I'm a mid-to-the back of the pack runner who probably enjoys promoting runners more than I do running myself ... I've completed 21 marathons (with a 4:47:32 PR! in Austin) and 52 half marathons (with a 2:09:58 PR! in Oregon) since November 2003 ... I've done a marathon in 12 states, half marathon in 23 and an event in 30 states and one Canadian province ... I have a 13-year-old daughter, Waverly Nicole, who completed her first half marathon in January 2006, made only two B's each of the last two years, was the only sixth grader to sing a solo (Carrie Underwood's Don't Forget To Remember Me) in their choir program (adding Taylor Swift's Tim McGraw in '08) and scored a 19 on the ACT in December 2007 as a seventh grader ... Waverly and I are members of the following clubs -- the Seven Hills Running Club, HARRA and The Woodlands Running Club ... I'm Marathon Maniac #308 ... I edit HARRA's Footprints in Inside Texas Running and write a column for Runner Triathlete News called, "Talking the Talk" ... I'm also the running columnist for the Courier of Montgomery County ... I'm a three-time winner of TAPPS' Sportswriter of the Year Award as well as TABC's Golden Hoops Award.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Two Running Community Updates

I'm breaking the dormancy for two important reasons -- the passing of Houston Striders member Ralph Collins and the illness of a child of a member of the Sugar Land running community.

1.) Dr. Bob Hoekman and Joan O'Connor both sent me e-mails containing the following message sent by the Houston Striders' Barbara Shepard to their membership:

Dear Striders,

I have some sad news to report. Our fellow Strider, Ralph Collins, passed away on Sunday morning, 3/18. All of our hearts go out to his dear wife, Yong. Ralph has been a member of the Houston Striders for many years - not only volunteering wherever he was needed, but he also served as a past Strider President and a PIM Coach.

In rememberance, Yong will be holding a party to celebrate Ralph's life. it will be this Friday, March 23rd at 6:00 pm at 6442 Rutgers, Houston, 77005, which is the home of Yong's dear friend, Clair Liu.

They will be serving Ralph's favorite drink, favorite food and playing his favorite music as well as just...remembering Ralph.

We hope to see you on Friday.

Barbara
Dr. Bob added the following: "For those of you who knew Ralph. He was a tireless volunteer for HARRA both in PIM and the CPR/AED team. He will be missed."

2.) Finish Line Sports member Nina Jannetti provided us with the following update:

One of the members of our running community, Bonnie Simmons, and her husband Brent, experienced a tragedy last weekend. Their youngest son Spencer, 14 years old, suffered a severe head injury, and is in critical condition at Memorial Herman Hospital in the Medical Center. The best way we can all help Bonnie, Brent and Spencer right now is to:

A.) Donate blood in honor of Spencer Simmons, Memorial Herman - Texas Medical Center, NeuroTrauma ICU.

The closest address is: 4949 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land 77479, Phone: 281-313-1122
http://www.giveblood.org/donorcenters/sugarland.htm
To schedule your appt online:
https://www.eblooddrive.org/index.cfm?group=op&bbsid=10&step=2

B.) Send Spencer an encouraging E-card which Bonnie will read to him:

Go to https://secure1.mhhs.org/egreeting/egreeting.html
Enter hospital: Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center
Enter room number: NTICU, Pod B, Bed 8

C.) Keep Spencer in your prayers.

posted by WalkSports.com | 5:12 PM

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