Another year, another group of recruits for Abe's Army gets running

They're in the army now - Abe's Army, that is.

This summer, about 470 people are taking part in a program designed to train new runners and walkers to complete the Abe's Amble 10K road race held on the last day of the Illinois State Fair, Aug. 22.

Melissa Xanders is a first-time Abe's Army participant and plans to use the 12 weeks of training as a way to lose weight.

"I would really like to shed 40 pounds or more," she said. "I think this is the best way to do it and get back on track and back into those jeans."

Diana Nevitt, program director of Abe's Army, first started the program when she was also new to running.

"I started training in the Abe's Army at 40," she said. "I had never run before."

Nevitt says Abe's Army is set up for people interested in running at many different levels - not just beginners.

Training is divided into walkers, runners, runners/walkers, race walkers and power walkers.

Each category has different techniques that participants learn as they train.

"Power walking is new, and it is for those that want to walk at a fast pace and do not want to learn the technique of race walking," she said.

Repeat participants

Nevitt said runners who continue Abe's Army training each year work to stay in shape. Some become leaders of the different training programs.

Merit Rebbe trained for the first time last year in Abe's Army and this year will be a group leader. 

"After the Abe's Amble, I went on to compete in the Shoreline Classic 15K in Decatur, Frostbite Festival 10-mile and the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon," she said. "I have also lost around 80 pounds."

Shelly Walter is also returning to the Abe's Army as a leader after her first year of training. By exercising consistently and following Weight Watchers, she has lost 73 pounds since she trained in the Abe's Army.

"As a leader, I can share my story of losing weight and encourage others to stick with it," she said.

Walter stressed the importance of working out with others.

"I have gained a lot of good friends in the Abe's Army," Walter said.

Greg Romang, a first-time participant, hopes that working out with others will encourage him to make it to race day on Aug. 22.

"People expecting you to work out is more motivation than just myself planning to do workouts on my own," he said.

Like other participants, he hopes he will lose weight.

"I would like to lose 10 to 15 pounds and be able to run, have more energy and be in better health overall," Romang said.

Some people make a significant lifestyle change through Abe's Army.

Since joining the organization 10 years ago, Nevitt has completed five marathons and has lost count of how many half-marathons she's finished.

"I run three times a week and have become hooked on running," Nevitt said. 

Running, running and more running

Registration is closed for this year's Abe's Army, but there are other training programs throughout the year. Go the Springfield Road Runners Club website at http://srrc.net/ for more information.

Also, Katie Tice McAfee leads the Springfield Road Runners Club training group, "Back on Track with KT Mac" on Tuesday nights at 5:30.  The group meets for speed-work at Washington Park through May 11 and then will move to the Sacred-Heart Griffin Track on May 18.  

To learn more read her column: Thinking of running competitively this summer -- Where should you start?

Behealthyspringfield.com coordinator joins Abe's Army

I will be training alongside these participants in the Abe's Army this summer. This will be my first foray into running. I will be giving weekly updates of what I learn from the training and will even tweet from the field at www.behealthyspringfield.com.