KSBJ’s Houston Marathon Team 2009

In Flight running is the official training program of the KSBJ Marathon Team, as chosen by Liz Jordan, Jen Driskill, and Nikki Sparks. If you’d like to train with us, we’d love to have you! The second group of training starts June 28 and we encourage you to come to one of the info meetings to learn more about the training program!

“Want to learn more about our group marathon and half marathon training programs? Join us for an informational meeting this Spring at one of the following locations. All attendees can enjoy our free 30 minute presentation, “The Top 10 Things You Need To Know Before Training For A Marathon or Half Marathon”. After the presentation learn more about our programs, ask questions during our Q & A session, meet the head coaches and sign up for In Flight programs on the spot.”

Thursday June 5th - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Fleet Feet Sports - Rice Village
2408 Rice Blvd
Houston TX 77005
Google Map Link
713.520.6353
Rice Village Shopping Center - Rice @ Morningside Dr.

For more upcoming info meetings, click here!

Welcome to the team Jen Driskill!

Jen says: “I always thought people who ran marathons were crazy!!!  26.2 miles…ya gotta be kidding me!!  But I’ve actually been wanting to run a marathon since I got out of high school, and I figure now is as good a time as any to run one of these crazy races!  I’m excited about the training and getting into really good shape, as well as having lots of fun on our KSBJ team!”

I was so floored the other day when Nikki came into the studio and shared how she’d not only decided to run the Half Marathon, but that she’d also already registered! Nikki is an amazing mother, wife and incredible asset to the KSBJ family, serving as the Senior Director of Communications.

Nikki says: “Beyond catching Liz’s “marathon fever,” which is totally infectious, the word “discipline” has really hit me on multiple levels since the KSBJ 30 Day Challenge and Year of New Beginnings commitment. I have always lived a fitness lifestyle but I have never taken it to the level needed to complete something as demanding as a marathon. My hope is that the discipline it takes to train for this event will carry over into every aspect of my life that I feel needs more definition and concentration. This includes my spiritual life. I cannot make to the end of a thirteen mile run on my own strength, so depending on God to help me achieve this goal will resonate beyond the incredible physical journey for me. Not to mention I am truly jazzed about the weight that will be falling off with every step of every mile. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate turning 38! Thanks Liz for the extra push I needed to make the commitment. I can’t wait to meet the team!”

We want to see you there! These are GREAT for practicing and getting excited for the big race, January 18th, 2009.

::Mark Your calendars!::

Houston Heights Run 5K
Historic Houston Heights
Saturday June 7, 2008
Race Website & Sign Up
This race welcomes the dog days of summer with a nice steamy 5K run/walk down Heights Boulevard in the historic Houston Heights. Don’t miss this Houston running tradition and stick around for the classic children’s race afterwards. We will use this race as our first official time trial for our Fall marathon group. Proceeds benefit the Houston Heights Association.

Lazy Crazy Days of Summer 5K
Houston Downtown Aquarium
Saturday August 9, 2008
Race Website & Sign Up - Coming soon
An out and back course ran from the Downtown Aquarium on Memorial Drive. This is always a hot race run during the dog days of summer but a great first test of our runners 5K race times. We use this race as our first official time trial for our Fall Marathon training group.

For a complete list of all local 5k fun runs and upcoming half/full marathons around Texas, click here!

Want to learn more about our group marathon and half marathon training programs? Join us for an informational meeting this Spring at one of the following locations. All attendees can enjoy our free 30 minute presentation, “The Top 10 Things You Need To Know Before Training For A Marathon or Half Marathon”. After the presentation learn more about our programs, ask questions during our Q & A session, meet the head coaches and sign up for In Flight programs on the spot.

Thursday May 15th - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Spine & Sports Therapy
4295 San Felipe, Suite 230
Houston TX 77027
Google Map Link
713.629.9200
Inside the Prosperity Bank Building
Park in visitor parking garage - entrance on Bancroft Dr.

Just Added!
Thursday May 22nd - 7:00 - 8:00 PM
KSBJ 89.3 FM Studios
1722 Treble Drive
Humble TX 77338
Google Map Link
832.644.5725
Radio station auditorium

Click here for many more informative meetings with Coach Michael Merlino and In Flight Running!

If you sign up to train for the Aramco Half Marathon or Chevron Houston Marathon with In Flight Running by May 23rd, you’ll automatically be entered to win a brand new pair of Puma running shoes!
To register and learn more about In Flight Running, CLICK HERE.

Many thanks to our sponsors Puma and Fleet Feet!

Join us at the KSBJ Studios on May 22nd at 7 p.m. for the KSBJ Marathon Team Kickoff Party! We want to meet you and give you a chance to fellowship with other runners!

We’ll have giveaways, food and drinks… bring some friends and family!

You’ll also meet coaches Michael Merlino and Duval Ruiz from InFlight Running, the official training program of the KSBJ Marathon Team.

We’ll learn about the benefits of running with the team and how we’ll be raising money for some excellent causes. Michael and Duval will cover everything from the training program details to how to buy the right type of shoes for your feet!

Maybe you haven’t decided yet whether or not to run the half or the full. Come hang with us and we can talk and pray about it with you, ya?

I can’t wait to meet with you and get excited together about working towards this incredible goal!

Click here for a map to KSBJ Studios.

These are the names of those who’ve decided to run the Houston Half and Whole Marathon so far. Will you read these name and begin praying for them all?

Pray for strength, focus, determination, belief in themselves and especially for safety and health! Thank you!

Julie Hufstetler
Yessica Wences
Jennifer Wilson
Rebecca Mousa
Lindsey Pereira
Shannon Langerud
Julie Schultz
Barbara Pestinger
Rose Flores
Stephanie Toth
Christine Reichert
Julie Mustard
Dennis Wotipka
Julie Lorino
Mark and Laurie Moreno
Liz Jordan
Liz Byers
David Anderson
Jonathan Sterbanz

“My name is Dennis Wotipka and I have desired for a long time to complete a marathon.  I was a football lineman in college and I don’t have the typical build for running long distances.  At 47 years of age I questioned whether my knees could withstand the cumulative pounding necessary to train for such an event.  But I felt challenged in my spirit by your program and when I heard that the training session with In Flight Running starts on June 28th, my birth date, I knew that it was now or never concerning this life goal.

I have two sons.  My youngest son, David Paul was born with severe spina bifida in December of 2000.  He requires 24 hour monitoring as he has a tracheostomy and periodically requires suctioning when his tracheostomy becomes blocked.  During David’s first years of life it was a great struggle for my wife and I to care for him as he frequently required hospitalization.  During this time I came to the point in my life where I almost gave up. I was not feeling sorry for myself, I was just weary and had lost hope.

I recently saw on the internet a video about a man older than myself who competes in triathlons with his special needs son.  When I saw this man carry his son out of the dinghy in the swimming portion of the event and the look of elation that was on his son’s face, I broke down and wept.  I decided that it was time for me to be an overcomer instead of one who was overcome. 

1 Kings 18:46 states, “And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”  I am ready to gird up and get busy.  I may not be able to outrun a chariot as Elijah did, but I feel that with God’s help I will be able to finish the race set before me.”

Welcome to the team, Dennis!!

She’s my roommate, dearest friend and confidant. She is the type of friend every woman needs in life because she shoots me straight, shows me grace and loves me for who I am. I can’t imagine the KSBJ/In Flight Marathon team without her presence and it’s actually because of her that I met Coach Michael Merlino!

As of today, she is officially registered to run Houston’09! Welcome to the team Lindsey! 

Lindsey says: “I am so excited to train and run the 2009 Houston Marathon. For me this is a personal goal that I’ve had for some time and was very discouraged 2 years ago when I was injured during training and could not accomplish my goal. But this year is different, I am so excited! Not only do I have a great training program that I will be joining, but I will be running alongside (well maybe a few minuites behind), my roomate and best friend, Liz. I know that everyone on the KSBJ team has personal goals that they are wanting to accomplish this marathon season, and I feel priviledged to be a part of it all. Hope to see you all out there!!”