CGTC Running the Globe

The Carolina Godiva Track Club set off on January 1, 2016, to run around the globe of our Mother Earth.  The CGTC is a local running club of which I and my daughter Katie Biasi are members.  This running club is based in the area of Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  The club's membership is fairly large.  We are a group of people of all ages who love to run.  Katie introduced me to this running club several years ago.

If or when the club finishes its circling of the globe, we all will have run a total of 33,000+ miles.  Our initial target date was January 31, 2016.  Well, today is 1-31-2016 and we have not finished.  Our target date is now set for February 29, 2016.  As of yesterday, we had run 7167.4 miles.  Yes, we have a huge number of miles to run yet.

This has been a lot of fun.  It is amazing to see the number of people engaged in this circuit of the globe.  There are also challenge and motivation built into this endeavor.  Obviously, we are not literally running around the globe; however, we all are recording the number of miles we are running every day or every other day or whatever frequency in a computer program titled Racery.  Participants are adding their amusing comments as side notes.  We just finished "swimming" across the Sea of Okhotsk along the coast of Russia.  We are now back on dry land as we are nearing China.  We are avoiding North Korea.  We don't want to be "detained" there.

Leaving North Carolina, our miles have taken us through Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota in the USA; Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Colombia, and Yukon Territory in Canada; then across Alaska to the Bering Strait; from there into Russia.  Remember Gov. Sarah Palin's remark during the 2008 presidential campaign that she could see Russia from Alaska.  I discovered that one can see Big Diomede Island (Russia) from Little Diomede Island (USA).

We have individual goals as well as our club goal.  Whether someone runs 31 miles or walks 1 mile, each is contributing to the club goal.  My individual goal is to run the Kentucky Derby Half-Marathon in Louisville, KY, on April 30.  Katie plans to run the full marathon there.

So, on we run!  We appreciate your support!

Class Reunion

Our Joss Class of 1968 will be gathering on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for our 2016 class reunion.  This four-day event will take place on October 19-23, 2016.  Chris and I completed our letter and invitation regarding plans, activities, points of interest, lodging, etc., last week and we successfully placed this informational letter in the mail this past Friday, January 29.  I sent this letter/invitation to all of our classmates for whom I have reliable addresses.  These number 59.

The Hampton Inn and Suites, a few miles south of Corolla, NC, will be home base for our reunion.  I have booked and have on hold 20 rooms at this hotel.  Class members are to call this hotel directly at 1-252-453-6565 to make reservations.  To be assured of a room at our special group rate, you must call the hotel before September 21, 2016.  The Hampton Inn and Suites is a lovely, well appointed, oceanfront property.

Our reunion will feature the sandy beaches and shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, the striking ecology of the area, a thrilling safari in search of the wild horses living on the Outer Banks, the unique stories of the Currituck and the Hatteras light houses, enticing points of interest such as Wright Brothers Memorial and Jockey Ridge State Park, delicious food and drink for all tastes, and, of course, renewed friendships and camaraderie.

I am hoping that, when we all return to home our separate ways, each of us will be feeling joy and relaxation.  If you have any questions regarding our planned reunion, please call me at 1-919-475-9675 or email me at tmeyer@nc.rr.com.  Chris and I are looking forward to seeing you.