Alexandria Turkey Trot:  Strong showing by NOVA-Congrats!

Derik Thomas 27:50

Antonio Epplolito 28:31

Bob Koeppen 28:58

Jerry Doyle 29:58

Dan Wallace 32:59

Erin Masterson 33:27

Betty Blank 38:20

Maher Itani 47:01

Caroline Wertz 47:41

NOVA is Thankful For...

By Erin Masterson

Fellow NOVA Team members, on behalf of the NOVA Board, on this Thanksgiving Eve I want to extend my heartfelt THANKS to you for your ongoing and consistent support of the NOVA Running Club. We would not have the great club we do without your dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for the sport and each other.

Over the year I have served on the NOVA Board, I have come to understand that what we offer as a club is more than just a group of running partners. Yes - NOVA IS a running club, and the benefit of having Coach Jerry and a group of fellow serious runners to meet with at the track each week cannot be understated as one of our core values. But what I believe makes NOVA stand out from a lot of other clubs in the area is the personal connections, the friendships, the overwhelmingly positive camaraderie, and the unflagging enthusiasm we all hold for each other to succeed.

From my perspective, given my three years of experience with NOVA (far less time than many here, I'll acknowledge), the team is undergoing a transformation. We may be a smaller crew than years (and decades) past, but those members that do show up each week are the stalwarts, the lifeblood, the future of the team. I see more positive spirit now than I have for a long time, and I believe this is a shared acknowledgement by the other board members (who have been around longer than me).

To that end - we need you all to keep showing up each week, and we need to keep growing the team with more folks like you. So bring your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers...anyone who is looking for a club and family to help them meet their fitness goals. And you never know when you'll meet a potential club member - sometimes the best connections are those forged by accident! I feel fortunate to have met NOVA team member Christina Elgin when I was buying a cupcake from her at Buzz Bakery. She mentioned she was looking for a running club to join, and the rest is history. (Note to self - frequent more cupcake shops!)

On a personal note, I'm thankful for NOVA and for what you all have given me. Thanks for allowing me to be part of your Board, along with fellow intrepid leaders Justin Buenaflor, Amanda Williams, Katie Tomlinson, and Bob Koeppen. It's been an honor.

Happy Turkey Day. See you out there!

What a great story on the NYC Marathon--what running is all about

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2013/11/time-life/?fb_action_ids=10151996451333216&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151996451333216%22:584544704934541%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151996451333216%22:%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D