Publix Georgia Marathon Community Information Meeting

Also from The Decatur Minute blog…

The Publix Georgia Marathon (formerly the ING Marathon) will be coming through Decatur again this year on the morning of Sunday, March 20th. We are holding a Community Information Meeting on Thursday, February 3rd  at 7 pm at the Decatur Rec Center.

All members of the community are invited to attend the meeting. This is a great time to sign up to volunteer, get information about the cheering section and water stations, and have your questions answered by the Marathon staff.

The City of Decatur is once again competing for the best cheering section! We will be cheering all along the sidewalks at Ponce de Leon in front of the Old Courthouse. The City will also have  water stations as in the past and would love to have as many volunteers as possible.

If you would like to participate and cannot attend the meeting, please contact Katie Abel at 678-553-6573 or email katie.abel@decaturga.com

Read on here.

The 2nd annual Farm to School Dine Out - Monday, January 31st,, 2011

Scooped from The Decatur Minute blog…

The second annual Farm to School Dine Out is set for Monday, January 31st,, 2011!  This is a great night to bring the whole family out to dinner, or grab your friends for dinner to promote healthy foods in our schools.  Participating restaurants are Farm Burger, Iberian Pig, Watershed, Cakes & Ale, Brick Store Pub, Leon’s Full Service, Universal Joint, Steinbeck’s Ale House and Farmstead 303.  So come out, support our schools and enjoy Decatur’s restaurants!

The Farm to School Dine Out hopes to create more awareness of ongoing efforts, raise money and encourage parents and students to participate in the school lunch program.  Each restaurant will have a unique “Farm to School” menu or menu options and will donate 10% of sales to Decatur Farm to School.

The 2010 Farm to School Dine Out was a huge success and raised nearly $3,000 to help put healthy foods in the Decatur schools.   The funds were used to purchase kitchen equipment and knives for the employees to make some food items from scratch and helped to fund training and school gardens.

 Decatur Farm to School is a branch of the Oakhurst Community Garden.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 2-2-2011

Hello ORC,

February is upon us and the 2011 Oakhurst Wine Crawl is on the 26th.  Burnt Fork BBQ is opening up in the Jin Jin space on Church St.  For all our triathletes, Decatur is getting a tri-shop in the old Kaleidoscope space.  “Tri Your Best” is moving from Stone Mountain into Decatur.  Tonight, Monday night is the 2^nd annual Farm to school dine out.  On Thursday the 3^rd, Decatur is holding a community information meeting at the Decatur Rec Center for the Publix GA Marathon.

On the running side, there are a couple of trail races this weekend.  There is the Dirty Spokes 8.5 mile trail run in Watkinsville and the 11.5 mile Red Top Rumble in Cartersville.

Anything else going on?  Let me/us know.

This Wednesday you will be running the Winter route, route 12.  A bulk of it is along DeKalb Av and W Howard on the PATH.  But there are nice rolling hills getting there through MAK and Winnona.  It's still dark out there so wear your brightest, most reflective, most light flashing running wear.  The link to the route is at the bottom of this e-mail.  After the run it's off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks and trivia.

Enjoy your run Wednesday night.  Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

http://oakhurst-running-club.googlegroups.com/web/Route+12.pdf?gda=ctfyw

Races This Weekend

Saturday, February 5

Dirty Spokes Heritage Park 8.5 Mile Trail Running Race, Watkinsville

Run for the Son 5K & 10K, Powder Springs

Run for the Angels 5K/10K/Mile, Newnan

Norcross Blue Devils Run 5K & Mile, Norcross

Etowah Soccer Wonderful Winter 5K, Woodstock

Sunday, February 6

Red Top Rumble 11.5 Mile Trail Run, Cartersville

Why Masters Runners Should Stay Lean

From Running Times online…

Why Masters Runners Should Stay Lean

Plus a practical guide to determining how lean is lean enough

By Pete Magill

As featured in the JanFeb 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

Masters runners want to eat their cake and run with it too.

"I'm trying to decide if the 20 pounds I've gained in the last decade is muscle," says my friend Jonathan, "or if I need to lose it."

Jonathan's not alone. The average American male gains a pound a year from age 35 to age 60. Proportionally, women gain even more. We'd like to believe that this weight gain represents increased muscular strength. Or at least excuse it as a byproduct of decreased metabolism. But there's no denying its impact on our running performances.

"Adding weight for running is normally counterproductive," says coach and exercise scientist Tom Schwartz. "A 45-year-old male who adds 10 pounds to his 142-pound frame will lose about 1 minute on a 17:30 5K time."

But don't take Schwartz's word for it. Just watch the finish line of any masters championship race.

Read on here.

Maintaining Fitness When Life Gets in the Way

From Running Times online…

Maintaining Fitness When Life Gets in the Way

Life is short, don't let it disrupt your running goals

By Tim Gargiulo

As featured in the JanFeb 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

It's happened to everyone: Just when your running really starts to click, life intervenes. Work unexpectedly gets crazy, there's a family crisis, or something else suddenly surfaces that means your running is going to be significantly compromised for the next however many weeks or months. How are you going to maintain adequate, although likely reduced, fitness so that when things return to normal you're not back to square one with your running?

Fortunately, it can be done. A temporary reduction in your training doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have to scrap whatever goals you were working towards. The length of time that your training is going to be limited will determine the best way to preserve your fitness. Studies have shown that endurance athletes can reduce their training volume by as much as 50 percent of their average normal weekly total and still maintain roughly the same level of fitness for up to three weeks. This is what allows you to taper before a key competition yet still be in peak condition on race day. So if your interruption will last three weeks or less, you should be able to reduce your mileage even in half and still not see a noticeable drop in your level of fitness if you include the right types of workouts.

Read on here.

NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up

Van Cortlandt Park in NYC

I’ve read much about Van Cortlandt Park from its races to the rich history, article from the NY Times online…

January 27, 2011, 7:47 am

For Generations of Runners, the Ultimate Test

By DAVID GONZALEZ

Mary DiBiase Blaich for The New York Times

Matt Centrowitz, of Power Memorial High School, won the St. John’s University high school cross country race in 1972 in Van Cortlandt Park, in the Bronx.

The snow blanketing the Parade Grounds at Van Cortlandt Park lends the landscape a tone of pastoral tranquillity, even if generations of schoolboy runners know better. To them, the scene is more like a battlefield temporarily stilled by nature.

The park’s cross-country course is legendary — a grueling stretch of wide flats and twisting trails that has tested up-and-coming high school and college runners for nearly a century.

“Van Cortlandt was the ultimate,” said Matt Centrowitz, an Olympian who began as a standout at his Manhattan high school in the early 1970s. “Kids would come from Massachusetts and Maryland. The point was, if you were a star in any state, you came to Vannie like a gunslinger. Guys came ready for war.”

Read on here.

Improve Running Economy with Plyometrics

From Running Times online…

Improve Running Economy with Plyometrics

These short bursts encourage optimal muscle recruitment

By Mackenzie Lobby

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

In an effort to improve performance, serious distance runners tend to keep their ears close to the beat of the latest in exercise physiology research. Most recently, running economy and muscle recruitment have become buzz phrases in the research world. The inextricable link between the two provides an important key for those who want to run faster and more efficiently. The good news is that running economy can be achieved through optimal muscle recruitment, which can be trained through plyometric exercises. The studies have shown that even less than two months of this type of training will translate into tangible improvements in the efficiency of a runner. With that fact in mind, it seems worth putting in that little bit of extra work.

Read on here.

A Runner's Guide to Becoming a Vegetarian

From Running Times online…

A Runner’s Guide to Becoming a Vegetarian

Runner-specific tips to ensure a healthy transition

By Jackie Dikos, R.D.

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

The start of the new year prompts many goal-setting opportunities. If your goals include improving performance and longevity in the sport, thinking about the best ways to fuel your training can’t be far behind. Consuming wholesome foods like fruit, vegetables and whole grains should be a part of every runner’s diet; however, if you’ve considered taking things to the next level and becoming a vegetarian, it’s only natural to wonder: Can a vegetarian diet supply distance runners with the proper nutrition, protein and calories necessary to fuel training and racing goals?

Being a vegetarian can mean many things. Formally speaking, a lacto-ovo vegetarian is one who avoids eating meat, fish and poultry, but will eat dairy and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians avoid eggs, but tend to eat dairy products. Vegans prefer to take it a step further by omitting all forms of animal products, including eggs, dairy products and even honey. Some choose to eat fish and still others won’t eat red meat or fish but will eat chicken from time to time.    

Read on here.

2011 Run Wild 5K & Kids Fun Run

The 3rd annual Publix Run Wild 5K & Kids Fun Run will take place Saturday, March 19, 2011 in Grant Park. Historic Grant Park is the home of Zoo Atlanta and the Cyclorama Civil War Museum.  The 5K and Kids Fun Run are part of our Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon Weekend.

4th Annual Vision Trek 10K Trail Run

4th Annual Vision Trek 10K Trail Run, scheduled for Saturday, March 5th in Cartersville.  All proceeds benefit Georgia Eye Bank

Here are some more details:

What: 10K Trail Run

When: Saturday, March 5, 2011

Start Time: 9:00am (Check-in starts at 8:00am)

Location: US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Allatoona*, Lake Allatoona, Riverside Pavilion, 513 Allatoona Dam Road, Cartersville, GA  30121 (*Note: The event is NOT at Red Top Mountain State Park.  This is on the dam side of Red Top Mountain. )

Trail: Yellow Vineyard Mountain Trail

Why: All proceeds benefit Georgia Eye Bank

Event Website: http://www.peachtreetriclub.com/geb.html

Laws Against Distracted Runners

From the NY Times online…

States’ Lawmakers Turn Attention to the Dangers of Distracted Pedestrians

By SUSAN SAULNY and MATT RICHTEL

Published: January 25, 2011

Many joggers don earbuds and listen to music to distract themselves from the rigors of running. But might the Black Eyed Peas or Rihanna distract them so much that they jog into traffic? 

 Richard Perry/The New York Times

That is the theory of several lawmakers pushing the latest generation of legislation dealing with how devices like iPods and cellphones affect traffic safety. The ubiquity of interactive devices has propelled the science of distraction — and now efforts to legislate against it — out of the car and into the exercise routine.

In New York, a bill is pending in the legislature’s transportation committee that would ban the use of mobile phones, iPods or other electronic devices while crossing streets — runners and other exercisers included. Legislation pending in Oregon would restrict bicyclists from using mobile phones and music players, and a Virginia bill would keep such riders from using a “hand-held communication device.”

In California, State Senator Joe Simitian, who led a successful fight to ban motorists from sending text messages and using hand-held phones, has reintroduced a bill that failed last year to fine bicyclists $20 for similar multitasking.

“The big thing has been distracted driving, but now it’s moving into other ways technology can distract you, into everyday things,” said Anne Teigen, a policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures, which tracks legislative developments.

Read on here.

Try and Try Again

From the Sun Sentinel online…

Miami Marathon: Alboucrek, 43, still chasing Olympic dream

2004 Miami women's champ overcomes injuries, family obligations to regain top form

January 25, 2011|By Craig Davis, Sun Sentinel

Stacie Alboucrek has never had trouble running fast times.

Photo from the Sun Sentinel
Timing has been her nemesis.

When she qualified for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon, pregnancy kept her out of the race. She qualified again in 2004, and a freak injury slowed her in the Trials. The birth of her second child ruled out a try for 2008.

The Fort Lauderdale resident is nothing if not patient in chasing her Olympic dream. At 43, Alboucrek is regaining the form she showed as the women's winner of the 2004 Miami Marathon. She will run Sunday's ING Miami Marathon for the first time since 2005 with the same objective.

Read on here.

Earbuds in Arkansas

From the Arkansas News online…

Senator pulls plug on bill banning earbuds

Posted on 25 January 2011

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Less than a week after filing a bill to bar the use of earbuds while jogging or walking, a state senator has pulled the plug.

Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett, said he filed Senate Bill 80 because he believes listening to audio in isolation while jogging or walking is a hazard and makes pedestrians more prone to accidents.

The senator says all he wanted to do was get lawmakers talking about the issue.

“I just wanted to get a good dialogue on it and I was successful beyond my wildest dreams, but it wasn’t what I intended,” he said today.

Jeffress said that since filing the bill on Jan. 19, he has received media requests for interviews from news outlets across the United States and some in Europe.

“I got e-mails from people in Arkansas who were opposed to it,” he said. “I wanted to get it in committee and talk about it but I think we’ve had enough of a dialogue … I’m ready for the e-mails to stop.”

He withdrew the bill today.

Read it here.

Wednesday Night Run 1-26-2011

Hello ORC,

It’s a little on the cold side but it makes for great running weather.  The cold weather running gear is getting a good workout this season.  Wet weather may be on the way, so the wet weather gear is going to get a workout too.  By the way, if you haven’t discovered Pine Street Market in Avondale, it just won a Good Food award.  On the topic of food, do you know that you can get a back of house tour of the Decatur Chick-Fil-A?  On Saturday the 29^th, Friends School of Atlanta is hosting a dialogue on international human rights with Juanita Abernathy and Kasim Reed among the participants.

It’s the last weekend in January for races.  On Saturday is the Tartan Trot 10K/5K in Dunwoody as well as the Jacob Farm Family Fun 5K in Lawrenceville.  Also on Saturday is the rescheduled Hogpen Hill Climb.  It’s only 1 hill.  On Sunday is the Callaway gardens Half Marathon in Pine Mountain.  It’s the beginning of a new year and the 10K Peachtree Road Race Qualifier races are in full swing.

What else is going on?  What would you like to share?

It’s back to running through Winnona.  It is Route 1.  The run goes through Kirkwood, through McKoy Park, around Winnona, through Agnes Scott, and a long finishing straight on Ansley.  The link to Route 1 is at the bottom of this e-mail.

Remember to wear reflective clothing and lights for running in the dark.  After the run it's off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks and trivia.

Enjoy your run Wednesday night.  Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

http://oakhurst-running-club.googlegroups.com/web/Route+1.pdf?gda=v86xvD4AAABqzyFQS_VQE_gNE3GeP4nxTCoFaKuNR15epf-5d-otp2v7dPWcnjtuhEcg5BkrC6bjsKXVs-X7bdXZc5buSfmx&gsc=VTmkIgsAAAD_JbEi9fDtyxVDYaMQtz1A

Races This Weekend

Saturday, January 29

Tartan Trot 5K/10K & 1 Mile/Tot Trot, Dunwoody

Jacobs Farm Family Fun 5K, Lawrenceville

Hogpen Hill Climb 5K &17K, Helen

Sunday, January 30

Callaway Gardens Half Marathon, Pine Mountain

Downhill Running

I’m better on uphill running than I am running downhill, from Running Times online, even if this is about downhill running on trails, any tips can work…

Tips for Excelling on Declines

Reinforcing the necessity of proper downhill running form and core strength

By Mackenzie Lobby

As featured in the March 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

Lift your knees, drive your arms, and don’t let up until you reach the hill’s crest. We are oftentimes so preoccupied with training on the uphill, we end up ignoring its better half: the downhill. Just as uphill running is a skill, so is downhill running. Demonstrating the importance of developing an aptitude for running on the declines, a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning showed that sprinters increased speeds and foot turnover when they trained on uphills and downhills, rather than just uphills and flats alone.

Head coach at the Vail Trail Running Camps and national trail running champion Ellen Miller says a course’s declines are just as difficult as its inclines. “Sometimes it’s actually more challenging because a lot of people have biomechanical issues with hips and ankles,” she explains. “It’s a question of quickness, agility, balance, but also that ability to focus 10–12 feet ahead and anticipate what’s coming rather than focusing on what is directly underfoot.” As a trail runner gains experience, along with improved form and confidence, she will surely be able to handle the most technical downhills with power and precision. All it takes is a little practice.

Read on here.

Team Decatur Grand Slam Fitness Challenge

Picked out the info from the Decatur Focus…

Run Four Races in 2011 and Hit a ‘Grand Slam’!

The City of Decatur formed Team Decatur to participate in the annual KP Corporate Run/Walk last September, and received the award for Most Fit City. Decatur Active Living wants to keep the city fit and has offered a new challenge to both runners and walkers.

Register for and participate in four out of six upcoming Decatur-based races in 2011, and you’ll hit a “Grand Slam.” Run or walk in four of the following races between January and November 2011:

• Run with the Dogs – Frostbite 5K in January

• Tour deCatur in March

• DeKalb Rape Crisis Center Take Back the Night in April

• KP Corporate Run/Walk in September

• Oakhurst Arts Run in October

• Run for Justice in November

Register the four races with Active Living by Nov. 30, 2011, and you will be recognized in early 2012 with a special award and be a part of the Grand Slam feature in the Decatur Focus. Other incentives are also being planned so watch for updates on the www.beactivedecatur blog.

If you did not participate in Team Decatur and you want to join the team now, a limited number of Team Decatur T-shirts are available for a small donation of $10. Wear your shirt proudly

while participating in the Grand Slam Challenge.

For more information contact Cheryl Burnette, 678-553-6541, cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com. Visit the Active Living blog at www.beactivedecatur.com.

Click here for more info.

Decatur 101 Classes Begin In March

Decatur 101

A Great Way to Get to Know Your City

New Classes Begin In March

Decatur 101 is a program designed to educate the community about city government. If you want to learn more about how the City of Decatur works, who is responsible for what, and what steps you can take to make a difference, sign up for Decatur 101.

Classes are held for five consecutive Thursdays beginning the first Thursday in March. The morning classes are 10 a.m. to noon with optional tours of various city buildings at 9:30 a.m. Evening classes are 7 to 9 p.m. with tours at 6:30 p.m.

A special Smart Growth Walking Tour for both classes will be conducted on the first Saturday in March. Classes are held in different city buildings and cover such topics as history, development, budget, boards and commissions, and volunteer opportunities.

Classes are free and open to the first 40 applicants. There is usually a waiting list so sign up early! For more information or to register, email Linda Harris or call 404-371-8386.

Info here.

Publix Marathon Community Meeting February 3rd

From the Be Active Decatur blog...

January 20, 2011 by Cheryl Burnette Leave a Comment

It’s time again to start preparing for the Publix Georgia Marathon (formerly the ING Marathon) which is being held the morning of March 20 and will be coming through Decatur!
The City of Decatur has a great history of participating in the Neighborhood Challenge and since it has started, we have won over $15,000 in prize money that went towards fitness initiatives in Decatur. Start collecting your noise makers to cheer the runners on!
We are hosting a Community Meeting at the Decatur Recreation Center on Thursday, Feb. 3^rd at 7:00pm. Please join us and find out information on the route as well as how you can become a part of the Cheering Section or Water Station. Free Parking is available in the Decatur Library Parking Deck.
For more information on the race, please visit www.georgiamarathon.com. For questions about the Neighborhood Challenge, please contact Katie Abel katie.abel@decaturga.com or 678-553-6573.

New Balance Donates 1,000 Pairs of Shoes to Boston Scholar Athlete Program

Today has been a New Balance day because this is another one with New Balance in the news, from Cool Running online…

New Balance Donates 1,000 Pairs of Shoes to Boston Scholar Athlete Program

Boston public schools' track athletes start year with new footwear

Posted Thursday, 20 January, 2011

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

BOSTON - (January 17, 2011) - The Boston Scholar Athlete Program announced that Boston-based New Balance has generously donated one thousand pairs of athletic shoes to Boston Public School track athletes. The footwear arrived on Thursday, January 13 and will be distributed to 14 Boston track programs throughout the next week. The remaining shoes will be distributed to athletes that participate in the Spring Outdoor Track Program.

"It's great to have business leaders in our city that understand the needs of our community and respond with the resources needed to help achieve a better Boston for all of our residents," Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said. "The Boston Scholar Athlete program and New Balance make a fantastic team for our student athletes on and off the field."

Read on here.

Brains and Brawn

From the NY Times…

Phys Ed: Brains and Brawn

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

It has long been a cliché that muscle bulk doesn’t equate to intelligence. In fact, most of the science to date about activity and brain health has focused on the role of endurance exercise in improving our brain functioning. Aerobic exercise causes a steep spike in blood movement to the brain, an action that some researchers have speculated might be necessary for the creation of new brain cells, or neurogenesis. Running and other forms of aerobic exercise have been shown, in mice and men, to lead to neurogenesis in those portions of the brain associated with memory and thinking, providing another compelling reason to get out at lunchtime and run.

Read on here.

Bill Rodgers on Dealing with Getting Slower

A podcast from Running Times online, listen to running legend Bill Rodgers he describes how he stays motivated and upbeat despite getting slower with the years.

Podcast here and click here to play.

Phantom Jogger

A jogging ghost in Missouri, from the Examiner online…

Offutt: Neighbors avoid road with phantom jogger, mysterious fog

From the Shadows

Jason Offutt teaches journalism at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.

Maryville, MO — The first members of John’s family who noticed something wrong were the twins.

John and his three sons, the 17-year-old twins and their 12-year-old brother, moved into the house in Washington state with John’s new wife, but not until the twins started running track in high school did any of them notice the darkness in the neighborhood.

“They were putting in practice time running the roads around our house, and they soon discovered that this area has some eccentricities,” John said. “The area of strangeness seems to parallel a road, now called a street, that runs not far from our house. It appears to be a typical ’20s-era farm road that is fairly common in these parts.”

When John’s family moved into the area, they heard stories about that road, stories of a local “peeper, which was creepy, but probably just kids right?” John said.

It wasn’t just kids. Kids wouldn’t go anywhere near that road.

“An area on the road perhaps two short blocks from our home was simply unpleasant,” John said. “Everyone avoided that stretch of road except for car use. Hell, blackberry vines were out in the road, and kids used a detour through a field to bypass the place.”

When the twins took that road on their evening running route, they sensed a phantom jogger ran behind them.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 1-19-2011

Hello ORC,

Decatur has made it through a week of ice and snow.  Things are starting to melt but there are still some out there.  The Path along DeKalb/Howard has still not been cleaned up.  The Marta trains kept running and there was a bit of cabin fever.  Hope you did some running.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, there are Iranian movies being shown at the Richard H. Rich Theatre downtown.  The films are actually banned in its home country.  Ice skating continues for 1 more month at the Park Tavern.  Platinum Championship Wrestling also continues at the Academy Theatre.  If you have documents to shred, there is a free community Shredfest at the Toco Hills Shopping Center in celebration of National Get Organized month.  Decatur Drums has a free drum session the 3^rd Friday of every month, bring your own drum or percussion instrument.

What else is going on this weekend?  Anyone want to share?

There are a couple of non-local races this weekend.  Non-local to me is I can’t run to the race from my home.  On Saturday there is the Polar Bear 5K in Marietta.  There is also the ABAC Fitness 5K in Tifton.  Tifton is really far to travel for a 5K but seeing the ABAC from the highway I always wonder what ABAC stands for?  On Sunday is the Run For Cover 5K in Milton.

This Wednesday you will be running route 6 (I double checked and I have the correct link this time).  Gail has named this route the elephant run because the map route is shaped like an elephant.  Think of the hill on Delano, the grind up Rogers, and of course climbing up McClendon.  The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. After the run it's off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks and trivia.

It’s dark out there; please wear reflective clothing and flashing lights.  Most of the snow and ice has melted off but there still maybe leftover patches.  Run safe.

Enjoy your run Wednesday night.  Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

http://oakhurst-running-club.googlegroups.com/web/Route+6.pdf?gda=q_9s7T4AAABqzyFQS_VQE_gNE3GeP4nxaSlH42jmdYv7Kg0x39k1gdMImx3ORxXp74CsI4Q8ExPjsKXVs-X7bdXZc5buSfmx

Races This Weekend

Saturday, January 22

Dog Gone Cold 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run, Augusta

4th Annual Cool Shark 5K & Dorsal Fin Dash, Brunswick

ABAC Fitness 5K & Mile, Tifton

Polar Bear 5K/2K/Cub Runs, Marietta

ATC Peachtree City 5K & 10K, Peachtree City

Sunday, January 23

Run for Cover 5K & Mile Fun Run, Milton

A Group Effort: The Pros and Cons of Crewing and Pacing for Ultras

I almost crewed, maybe in the future; from Running Times online…

A Group Effort: The Pros and Cons of Crewing and Pacing for Ultras

Tips and best practices for both runners and support members

By Ian Torrence

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

In 1999, at the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run’s Gap Creek aid station, my mother, my biggest fan and supporter, handed me a peanut butter and jelly bagel.  According to my race plan, I was supposed to eat the whole thing there, but I couldn’t stomach it, so I took half and ate it as I ran. It sat well and filled an energy void. Over the next few miles, I began to crave the second half. My mind and heart became fixated on it.  Roughly 10 miles later, at the visitor center aid station and nearly 50 miles into the race, I asked my mom for the second half. She stared at me blankly and announced that she had eaten it because she was hungry. I stomped off down the trail fueled by anger rather than the second half of the bagel.

Today, we both look back on this incident and laugh. My mother would continue to crew for me for years to come and now, with some pre-race planning and levelheaded thinking, we both know how to avoid such race-day mishaps.

Read on here.

Fast Food vs. Healthy Food

As seen and received floating around the net…

FOOD for Thought!  Resourceful and informative.  Enjoy!

Budget constraints prevent many people from eating right.

"I can't afford to buy healthy food."
"Fruits and vegetables are too expensive."
"Grocery store prices are astronomical."
"It's cheaper to eat fast food."

We hear these "excuses" every day--and they're good ones. But we don't give up that easily and believe any excuse can be overcome. Today we're setting out to prove that healthy eating is possible on any budget.

We compared the cost of unhealthy foods from the drive-thru, freezer section and snack foods aisle to the cost of healthy foods. By making even one of these swaps, you can make room in your grocery budget for a few new healthy foods.

The photos below aim to show the diversity in healthy foods available. Prices may vary in your area (some items were on sale when we shopped), but we think you'll be shocked at how far you can stretch a buck at the supermarket when you buy healthy foods!



If you bought all that junk food in one month, you would spend $115.64. The healthy food would cost $111.83 but feed you and your family for far more meals.

It might take a bit more time and planning to put these foods on the dinner table each night, but at least now you know you can afford to try!

Foods are store brand unless noted.

(Grocery prices from Wal-Mart and Meijer in Noblesville , Indiana , and Cincinnati , Ohio ; fast food prices from the greater Indianapolis and Cincinnati areas, 2010)

Volunteer Registration is Open for the 2011 Publix GA Marathon

From the Publix GA Marathon, site here and volunteer site here.

The Publix Georgia Marathon (formerly the ING Georgia Marathon) returns March 20, 2011.  We'll be celebrating the 5th year Anniversary of a "true Southern Tradition" with a fun filled weekend!

Be a Part of the Tradition Without Running A Step!
Sign up Today    Whether you want to be on the front lines or behind the scenes, we have a job for you! All volunteers receive: ·         Custom Volunteer Shirt ·         Entry into a "Race Crew Only" Prize Drawing ·         Souvenir Goodie Bag Already signed up to run the race?  Congratulations!  We have pre-race and race day openings as well.

ARE YOU a MEMBER of a GROUP (6 or more) ?
Volunteer Together - you'll receive all of the benefits listed above and more: ·         Teambuilding ·         Community Service Hours ·         A chance to raise money for your favorite charity ·         Publicity ·         Cheer your teammates on as they run the  race    Contact Jayne Nickell, Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Publix Georgia Marathon to Host Georgia's 2011 RRCA Championship

From Cool Running online…

Publix Georgia Marathon to Host Georgia's 2011 RRCA Championship

2011 marks fourth consecutive championship honor

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA

ATLANTA - (December 22, 2010) - The Publix Georgia Marathon is on a streak. US Road Sports, owners and operators of the race, have announced that the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) has named the Publix Georgia Marathon as the state of Georgia's 2011 Championship Marathon Race. 2011 marks the fourth consecutive year that the Atlanta event has held state or southern regional championship honors. The race received RRCA Georgia Marathon Championship honors in 2008 and 2010, and RRCA Southern Regional Marathon Championship honors in 2009. The Publix Georgia Marathon will take place at 7:00am on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Centennial Olympic Park located in downtown Atlanta.

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Races on Monday January 17

Races celebrating Martin Luther King Day

Monday, January 17

ML5K, Athens

7th Annual Dirty Runs the City in Memory of MLK 10K , Macon

More HTC

From Running Times online…

Hood To Coast: 197 Miles, 1,000 12-runner Teams, Unforgettable Stories

Documentary showcases grace and grit of the storied event

By Jim Gerweck

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

Movie theaters around the country may want to replace their soda and JuJuBees with Gatorade and PowerBars Tuesday night as runners descend for the one-day national screening of Hood To Coast, a documentary about the epic 197-mile relay race in Oregon that has spawned an entire industry of similar events nationwide.  

HTC was conceived in 1982 by U of Oregon grad Bob Foote as something to break up the monotony of everyday 5K and 10K races. In the ensuing years, it has grown to 1,000 12-person teams, some very competitive and competent, others a bit less so.

In the course of just under two hours, the film follows a half dozen of these teams in the 2008 race, focusing not just on the actual running from the start at Mt. Hood to the finish at the Pacific Ocean in Seaside, but on the personalities and interaction of the dozen runners on each of the highlighted squads.

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Hood To Coast

From the LA Times online, the Hood To Coast documentary is opening…

Experience the intensity of running Hood to Coast, with none of the blisters

January 10, 2011 |  2:39 pm

Photo from the LA Times online

To an outsider, nothing about the Hood to Coast relay makes sense. Starting with 12,000 runners -- a mixture of seasoned vets and flabby novices -- the world's largest relay stretches through 197 miles of hellish roller-coaster terrain, tree-lined mountain passes, dark valleys and a crowded city, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Sleeping is a luxury. Comfort is virtually nonexistent. Prize money for winning? Nope, nada.

Read on here.