March 2026
Run Towards Spring
Well, we are working our way out of winter and are almost there. Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th, and March 20th is the first day of SPRING!!
AND, our monthly 2026 Fun Runs kick off on Wednesday March 11 at 6:00 pm! We will be running from Fox West YMCA at W6931 School Rd, Greenville, with a 5k and 10k option ... route maps here. All run/walk paces welcome. Pizza will be provided after the run. Please help out by bringing a salad or dessert.
This also means more nearby races to choose from. Here are some for you to consider, *** indicates that Pacesetter members can apply for a discount when registering for these races. Login to this website as a member to access these discount codes.
- Point Bock Run 5 mile - Stevens Point, March 7
- *** Pettit Indoor Marathon/Half - Milwaukee, March 7-8
- Rocket Blast Off 5k - Neenah, March 14
- Pi Day 5k - Green Bay, March 14
- Luck of the Irish 10k/5k - Milwaukee, March 15
- Dick Lytie Classic Half/15k/3M - Green Bay, March 21
- Time to Paddy Half/10k/5k - Milwaukee, March 21
- Two Rivers 10 Mile - 10M/2M/Kids - Two Rivers, March 28-29
- South Shore Half - Milwaukee, April 4
- Run Away to the Bay 55M Relay - Oshkosh-Green Bay, April 11
- Milwaukee Marathon/Half - April 11
- *** Think Spring Half/5k - De Pere, April 18
- *** Brew City Marathon - Milwaukee, April 18
- Oshkosh Half Marathon Half/4M/Kids - Oshkosh, April 25
- Door County Half Marathon Half/5k - Peninsula State Park, May 2
- Fox Heritage Run 8k/Kids - Kaukauna, May 2
- NAMI Oshkosh 5k Mental Health/Suicide Awareness - Oshkosh, May 2
- Sole Burner 5k - Appleton, May 9
- Girls on the Run 5k - Neenah, May 9
- *** Milwaukee Mother's Day Half Marathon/10k/5k - Milwaukee, May 10
Gotta sing, gotta dance, GOTTA RUN!!
Fox Cities Marathon
One of the premier race events in our area is the Community First Fox Cities Marathon. This Pacesetters club hosts weekly training runs of increasing distances Saturday mornings at 7:00 am at Telulah Park starting after Memorial Day to help us prepare for this event. Then there is something for everyone on race weekend, September 18-20. Choose between the 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, Race Walk, Relay, Kids Runs, or sign up for multiple events. You can register here before prices increase. Also check out the great apparel you can order through their on line store, including winter pom pom hats, a Grab Bag for only $5, and some great gear for your spring/summer training.
**** LEGENDARY JEFF GALLOWAY PASSES AWAY ****
Jeff Galloway crossed his final finish line at age 80. Jeff was a veteran of many marathons, author of many books, creator of the popular Peachtree 10k in Atlanta, and an inspiration to millions of runners. He promoted a run/walk method that he taught to others, helping many people achieve their goal of completing a marathon, proving time and again that anyone can complete one. He believed that by taking frequent short walk breaks throughout a run that your body and mind remained stronger and better able to withstand the rigors of such an endurance event. He made believers out of doubters.
Some of you may have been fortunate enough to hear Jeff speak at one of the many marathon expos he spoke at. He came to Appleton to do just that a couple of times. One year we were honored to have him as the special guest speaker at an event organized by the Pacesetters, where he introduced his run/walk method to us. After that, he participated in a Pacesetters training run, providing instruction and answering questions about his method along the way. Then in 2016, he participated in the 25 year anniversary of our Fox Cities Marathon, where he did amazingly short run/walk intervals of 0:15 seconds, surrounded by others who committed to his method, for the duration of the event. What an inspiration he was!
Just For Laughs
80 Year Old Iron-Woman
An 80 year old grandmother from New Jersey became the oldest woman to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Natalie Grabow finished the grueling triathlon event, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride followed by a 26.2 marathon length run, in 16:45, on a day when more than 60 other (much younger) athletes failed to finish. She is the definition of grit and gratitude. Grateful to make it to the starting line, grateful to get to do something she loves every day, and grateful to inspire so many others.
She said that swimming in the choppy water was the hardest part. She knew that this can be a contact sport, where you're always getting hit in the head. Her goggles were getting knocked off a bit and she found herself swallowing sea water. She also knew the importance of constantly checking in with her body, to avoid overheating by constantly evaluating how she felt and what nutrition she needed.
When many other 80 year olds fall they break bones, or at least need help getting back up. But not Natalie. She stumbled and fell moments before finishing, after over 16 hours of efforts on a hot and humid day. But cheered on by her daughter and her coach, she was able to pull herself back up on her own feet and cross the finish line.
"I'm never close to giving up. I love the feeling of working hard and accomplishing a goal." Natalie says the key to staying fit in old age is to "keep moving. Whether you choose pickleball or dancing or whatever, it's just really important to move your body and stay strong. Especially as you get older, when you feel strong in the body, you feel strong in the head --- they go together and it gives you confidence."
Protein Ball Treats - March
March Mocha Madness recipe, from President Cyndi Faulkner:
Again, no baking is required. Ingredients:
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dates, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp instant coffee
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp honey
In a large bowl, first add 1 Tbsp coconut oil to walnuts and dates, then add and mix the remaining ingredients together.