Happy Memorial Day Weekend Running
Here are some local and not so local races this weekend. The calendar is light on Memorial Day Weekend races.
Friday, May 28
Run For The Heroes - The Georgia Deca-Marathon & Relay, Columbus, GA
Saturday, May 29
Save Our Skin - Skin Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk, Atlanta - Perimeter
All American 5K, Peachtree City, 8:00 a.m.; www.ptcrc.com.
Monday, May 31
Celebrate America 5K/10K, Alpharetta, 7:30 a.m.
Chattanooga Chase 8K, Chattanooga, TN, 8:00 a.m.
The Friends of Decatur Library are having a book sale this weekend.
Saturday, May 29 2010, 9:00AM—3:00PM
Come and support the Friends of Decatur Library book sale. Front lawn of the library, rain or shine.
From the ajc.com here…
Study: Atlanta fittest city in Southeast
By Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You wouldn't know it by visiting one of our city's many fine buffets, but Atlanta is the Southeast's healthiest metropolis.
The annual American College of Sports Medicine's fitness index considers 30 factors in compiling its list of the country's healthiest cities. They include: disease rates, mortality, physical attributes and even how many veggies and fruits the population eats.
Atlanta finished 16th overall, dropping one notch from a year ago. For the third year in a row, Washington, D.C., ranked first, followed by Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle and Portland.
Oklahoma City brought up the rear, finishing behind Birmingham and Memphis.
Friends of Candler Park - Screen on the Green
Begins shortly after sunset in front of the pool house
Movie: Up (more info here)
Saturday, May 22
· Janeen's Run 5K at Georgia Tech
· ATC Peachtree Jr. 3K (kids 7-12), Atlanta
· Dirty Spokes (Race #4) - Silver Comet Trail Running Race 6.2 Miles, Hiram
· Uptown Rhodes Race 5K, Ansley Park, 8:00 a.m.
· Race for Champions 5K benefiting Special Olympics Georgia, Atlanta, Lullwater Park
· GeneRACEtion 2010 10K/2K, Atlanta, Grant Park, 8:15 a.m.
· 10th Annual Race for Champions 5K, Atlanta, Emory, 7:30 a.m.
I found this online, the craziness of running, right up there with Roberto Madrazo and Rosie Ruiz. But I have heard this happen with runners carrying/wearing 2 timing chips so both can make it into the Boston Marathon. Or another example is Jean’s Marines at the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC.
Marathon medal stripped after ringer revealed
By Liu Zhen and Nick Mulvenney
Beijing, China - The winner of a women's half marathon in Shandong, China last weekend has been stripped of her title when she was discovered to have brought in someone else to run for her.
Liu Shuling was initially awarded victory in the race at the Yellow River Estuary International Marathon but video footage later revealed her to be Wang Xueqin, the People's Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Wang and Liu were both banned from the marathon for two years and will face further punishment from the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA).
This is not the first case of identity fraud at a Chinese long distance race in 2010.
In January, more than 30 competitors at the Xiamen International Marathon had their results cancelled after they were discovered to have been carrying time-recording microchips for other high school students.
Chinese students get extra credits for the highly competitive college entrance exams with good performances at international sporting events.
- Reuters
I had found a guide to the 2010 Trail Championship Races. Found from runningtimes.com here. Different distances are represented, I’ll find something more SE specific.
LA SPORTIVA MOUNTAIN CUP
Now in its third season, the Mountain Cup is a 10-race national mountain running series between April and late August with a $25,000 prize purse. Races range from 3.6 miles to 25K and scoring combines a runner's top five race finishes.
MONTRAIL ULTRA CUP
The 11-race 2009-2010 Montrail Ultra Cup wraps up with the Miwok 100K on May 1 north of San Francisco, the Ice Age Trail 50 on May 8 in southern Wisconsin and, for those who got in, the Western States 100 on June 26 near Squaw Valley, Calif. Series winners are determined by a points system in 50K, 50-mile, 100K and 100-mile races, but those who place highly at series races longer than 50K can earn an automatic entry to Western States.
THE NORTH FACE ENDURANCE CHALLENGE
Now in its fourth season, this series is composed of three regional race weekends -- May 8-9 in Bear Mountain, N.Y., June 5-6 in Washington, D.C., and Sept. 18-19 in Madison, Wis. -- plus a championship event Dec. 4-5 in the San Francisco Bay area. Race distances include 10K, half marathon, marathon, 50K and 50 miles (the latter distance once again serves up a $10,000 first prize for men and women), plus a ma rathon relay and a kids 5K.
USA MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 50th anniversary of the Mount Washington Road Race on June 19 in Gorham, N.H., will play host to the USA Mountain Running Championships. The 10 members of the 2010 U.S. Mountain Running Team -- the top six men and the top four women who are American citizens and card-carrying USATF members -- will compete on an uphill course of the 26th World Mountain Running Championship in Slovenia in September.
USA HALF MARATHON TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Held in conjunction with the 9th annual Dirty Half on June 13 in Bend, Ore., this championship is run on a fast course of fire roads and singletrack trails through the dense pine forest on the outskirts of town.
USA 100-MILE TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
This July 31 event coincides with the fourth annual Burning River 100-Mile Endurance Run, a pointto-point race from Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, to Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls.
USA 15K TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
This first-year event on July 31 in Spokane, Wash., will be organized by the same group that put on the U.S. cross country championships in February. The three-loop course is adjacent to the Spokane River and includes a mixture of wide dirt paths and singletrack trails.
USA 50M TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The White River 50-miler, on July 31 at Crystal Mountain, Wash., hosts the U.S. championship race for the ninth straight year. The course features rolling terrain, ridge tops, thick forests, technical singletrack and 17,400 feet of elevation change.
USA 10K TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
This Aug. 28 race in Laurel Springs, N.C., returns to the Foot RX Continental Divide Trail Run, which boasts a rugged two-loop course in the heart of the Appalachians in northwestern North Carolina.
USA 50K TRAIL CHAMPIONSHIPS
After a two-year hiatus, this race returns to the calendar on Sept. 25 in Bend, Ore. It's an ideal distance for a championship race, if for no other reason than it's one of the few places ultrarunners get to test their mettle against sub-2:30 marathoners.
I have seen several articles come out on barefoot running within the last couple of weeks. Here’s one about ‘Barefoot Striders.’ There is The Running Barefoot site. And then there is barefootrunner.com. Then there is Barefoot Ted. From the Vibram Five Fingers Classic to the Nike Free which is made to simulate barefoot running, articles brag about the benefits. Here’s one article, and another, and there is a barefoot running craze in Portland. And the debate continues, from runnersworld.com…
Running Debate
BAREFOOT RUNNING
Two sides of a very hot topic.
By Amby Burfoot
From the February 2010 issue of Runner's World
In 1960, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila won the Olympic Marathon in bare feet. In 1966, Robert Parker recorded his hit song "Barefootin'." And in 1969, Paul McCartney walked barefoot across Abbey Road. No one noticed a trend; people in the '60s had other concerns. Three decades later, Ken Bob Saxton completed his first barefoot marathon in 4:12. Still, it wasn't until 2009 that barefoot running became a hot topic. The biggest impetus was Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run. While ostensibly the story of Mexico's Tarahumara Indians—who run barefoot or in tire-tread huaraches—controversial chapters in the book conclude that running shoes have done little to prevent injuries. The popularity of minimal shoes, such as the Nike Free and Vibram FiveFingers, has fueled the fire. "Barefoot Ken Bob" Saxton, founder of runningbarefoot.org, and sports podiatrist-biomechanist Kevin Kirby, D.P.M., a runner for nearly 40 years, agreed to discuss the merits—and drawbacks—of running barefoot. (McDougall declined.)
Read the whole article here.
The Winnona Park Neighborhood Association would like to invite you a to the Winnona Park Community-wide Yard Sale on this coming Saturday. Over 25 families are participating, so there will be lots of great finds.
Start at 140 Winnona Drive, 30030. We will have maps available while they last, directing you to the sales we know about. Please
forward all this information to your mailing lists, if appropriate.
Join us from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, May 15th.
First Christian Church of Decatur Spring Carnival
Saturday, May 15, 2010
10am – 3pm
The First Christian Church of Decatur will host its annual Spring Carnival on the church playground. There will be great food, fun, and fellowship for the entire family! Bring your kids for a fun-filled day of games and other activities! Proceeds from the Spring Carnival are used to support the church, local community ministries, and the park.
Volunteers are needed. Contact the Laura Andrew, lwandrew@att.net or 404-378-2310, or Valerie Alexander, valexander2@bellsouth.net or 770-469-1443.
The first annual 5K Kirkwood Spring Fling Road Race will be held on May 15 at 9am. The race starts at the Kirkwood Public House, which is on Hosea Williams Drive at Howard Street NE. The course is fast and runs through a historic neighborhood.
From here, running in Atlanta during the summer is all about heat and humidity.
Dr. Pribut's Top Ten Summer Running Tips
The Do's and Dont's of Summer
1. Wear socks made of synthetic fibers that wick moisture away from your skin to help prevent blisters and athlete’s foot. For long distance running and long duration exercise, cotton is rotten.
2. Fit your running shoes or other sports shoes with the type of sock you intend to wear them with. Get fit each time you buy new shoes.
3. Don’t wear sandals when playing sports! Shoes (or barefoot where appropriate and safe) is a better bet. Barefoot beach volleyball, beach or groomed, safe, outdoor surface Frisbee, and some light running is just fine. In general though, be careful when running or walking barefoot outside. Cuts and bee stings are not fun for your feet.
4. Build up to your longer distance training slowly. Consider running your long distance runs earlier than usual to avoid midday heat and pollution.
6. Break in new sport shoes before racing or using them for a long run or workout.
7. Use sunscreen to prevent solar injury to your skin. Don't forget your feet at the beach. Try to avoid mid-day exposure between the hours of 10am-2pm.
8. Don't forget to replace your fluids on long runs, but avoid overhydration on events over 4 hours.
9. Do wear sport specific running shoes. Running shoes do not have the lateral support needed for tennis. Help yourself avoid ankle sprains and other injuries and do fit your running shoes or other sports shoes with the type of sock you intend to wear them with. Do replace your running shoes often. Replace them at least every 350 - 450 miles run.
10. Be careful running in low light conditions both because of road traffic, uneven pavement and also be aware of increased balance problems.
Avoiding Heat Stress Injury
Hydration: Drink adequate fluid 30 - 45 minutes before exercise and then a cupful every 10 - 15 minutes while exercising. After exercise drink more fluid than you think you need. Especially if you are over 40. Your thirst mechanism, does not appear to be as effective a gauge of your water needs as you age. Drinking fluid, while exercising and after completion will help speed your recovery. Sport replacement drinks are superior to water at longer distances and times (over 60 - 90 minutes). The electrolytes and carbohydrates in them will also help speed your recovery from the stress of fluid loss and your long distance run. Somehow they do seem to taste great in the heat and the good taste encourages you to drink more and replace your fluids.
Avoid Overhydration: Hyponatremia or low sodium is a danger on very long runs and slow marathons. Make sure you do not weigh more at the end of the race or run than you did before, or you have over hydrated.
Acclimatization: Gradually build up your tolerance for running in warmer weather.
Stay Fit and don't overestimate your level of fitness: Individuals with a higher VO2 Max are more tolerant of heat tolerance than those with a lower level of fitness.
Watch your health: Make sure you are aware of both medical conditions that you have and medications that can affect your tolerance of exercise in the heat. Medical conditions affecting your heat tolerance include diabetes, high blood pressure, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, obesity and fever.
Dress Cool: Wear light weight shorts and a singlet rather than a tea shirt, to permit evaporation of perspiration.
How does your time compare, here’s the article.
P. Diddy, 2003 NYC Marathon, 4 hours, 14 minutes, 54 seconds
Katie Holmes, 2007 NYC Marathon, 5 hours, 29 minutes, 58 seconds
President George W. Bush, 1993 Houston Marathon, 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds
Oprah Winfrey, Marine Corps Marathon, 4 hours, 29 minutes, 20 seconds
Freddie Prinze, Jr., 2006 Los Angeles Marathon, 5 hours, 50 minutes, and 49 seconds
Will Ferrell, 2003 Boston Marathon, 3 hours, 56 minutes, 12 seconds
Lance Armstrong, 2007 NYC Marathon, 2 hours, 46 minutes, 43 seconds
Mario Lopez, 2003 Boston Marathon, 5 hours, 41 minutes, 41 seconds
Ryan Reynolds, 2008 NYC Marathon, 3 hours, 50 minutes, 22 seconds
Gordon Ramsey, 2006 London Marathon, 3 hours, 46 minutes, 10
From many sources but this one from salon.com and the Associated Press.
Pittsburgh Marathon course altered by bomb scare
By Associated Press
Police say they have found an explosive device near the course of the Pittsburgh Marathon, forcing them to detour the final part of the race.
Police say the device was found in a small microwave oven on the sidewalk after the leaders had finished the course Sunday morning. Several blocks were cordoned off near the original finish line for the marathon and half-marathon.
The bomb squad used a robot to disable the device. The all-clear was given for the area shortly before 11 a.m. About 5,000 people took part in the full marathon.
The disruption comes a day after a car-bomb scare in New York emptied Times Square.
This is something interesting that I found, Pave the Path.
The 3rd Annual Pave the Path Run and Metric Century Ride will be held on May 22, 2010 in Olde Town Conyers, Georgia.
The Run & Ride are intended to raise awareness in our community about transportation alternatives. The proceeds will benefit The Olde Town Trail, along with other key trail development projects, will continue to lengthen what is already the longest paved bike path in the nation. For a time, Conyers will be the eastern terminus of this path which will reach from Conyers to Anniston, AL.
The benefit of the Olde Town Trail to our community in terms of personal fitness, green space, transportation alternatives, economic development and tourism is clear. This is one of several projects of the Olde Town Bike Committee; others include initiating the monthly Sunday Bike Ride in Olde Town, working to obtain Bicycle Friendly Community status for Conyers, and working closely with community leaders to represent the interests of cyclists and pedestrians.
