Oakhurst Running Club

The Marathon Effect

2012-02-15T14:20:00.000-05:00

From Flo Track online...

The Marathon Effect
Kevin Selby on February 15, 2012, 2:00am

Is the marathon hurting track and field both in the US and at the international level?

There is a slippery slope for top distance runners both in the US and worldwide, and it has the most skilled athletes headed for the marathon. This slippery slope occurs in the middle of a perfect storm in our sport, and the draw of the roads is too tough to resist. The track is being left behind to a degree. Just check your nearest marathon results sheet.

I wrote most of this article before my interview with Scott Bauhs<http://www.flotrack.org/article/10538-Scott-Bauhs-The-Free-Agent>. He demonstrates my point in saying that he may have helped his chances to resign with adidas if he had run a good marathon.

2012 is already off to a quick start in the marathon, and the event is so competitive and deep in talent it is hard to keep up with who is running these ridiculous performances. This flood of talent is not testing the waters of the track, at least not yet.

The appeal of the marathon may be detrimental in the long run for athletes. Kenya is unleashing 2:06 or faster marathoners as frequently as the US producers 6 foot 6 guys who can run the floor and jam it home. It makes the US marathon core look like my Golden State Warriors- a few studs, but only a single playoff appearance in 17 years.

Read on here<http://www.flotrack.org/article/10604-The-Marathon-Effect>.

Wednesday Night Run 2-15-2012

2012-02-15T10:35:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

Being on vacation makes me forget to send the route out in time. But I haven't forgotten. So for this weekend is the Decatur Old House Fair. There is a Story Telling Festival at Eddie's Attic. There is a Mandala exhibition at the Michael C Carlos museum at Emory. What else is going on this week/weekend? Anyone want to share?

Tis the weekend for half marathons, this weekend on Saturday, February 18, you can run the Berry Half Marathon in Rome. There are also races for a 10K and 5K. There is also the Run Clayton State 5K in Morrow, the Kennesaw 5K Classic, and the Run the Reagan 5K/10K/Mile/Half Marathon in Snellville. On Sunday, February 19, is the Locomotive Race Series Half Marathon & 5K in Kennesaw.

This Wednesday you will be running route 6. There are the challenging hills of Delano, the grind up Rogers, and of course climbing up McClendon. And of course since daylight is shrinking away, wear your lights and other reflective gear for the run. 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBOGNjYzcxMzMtNmI1ZC00MzVlLThkYjAtYzJhMjRlZWUzODYx&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-02-15T09:59:00.001-05:00

Saturday, February 18
Berry Half Marathon & 10K & 5K, Rome
Run Clayton State 5K, Morrow
Kennesaw 5K Classic, Kennesaw
Run the Reagan 5K/10K/Mile/Half Marathon, Snellville

Sunday, February 19
Locomotive Race Series Half Marathon & 5K, Kennesaw

Wednesday Night Run 2-8-2012

2012-02-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

For your Valentine's Day weekend, there is a pottery show at Mudfire. There is Valentines in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The Oakhurst Community Gardens programming continues to grow (pun intended). They have an Intro to Meadmaking class. Oysterfest is this weekend at the Park Tavern.

What else is going on this week and weekend?

Now on the running side, it's the weekend before Valentine's Day so run with your Valentine. On Saturday the 11th in Decatur is the Atlanta Track Club's Heart and Soles 5K. Further out are the 11th Annual Chattahoochee Challenge 10K in Roswell, the Mardi Gras 5K in Marietta, the Heart to Heart 5K in Peachtree City, the Where there's a Will, there's a Way 5K in Johns Creek, and the Your Pace or Mine 5K in Lawrenceville. On Sunday is the Rock Valentines Half Marathon/5K/10K in Lawrenceville.

It's dark out there during the run so please bring out the reflective vests, shirts, jackets, and lights for your safety. On Wednesday night you will be running route 13. The route goes up the hard flat of Oakview and hits the hills of Spence/McDonough. 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.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYjJmOWIyYzAtZjUzYi00ZWQ0LWExZmMtMTIyNWJlYmQ3YjZj&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-02-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 11
ATC Heart and Soles 5K, Decatur
11th Annual Chattahoochee Challenge 10K & Mile, Roswell
Mardi Gras 5K/1K/Tot Trot, Marietta
Heart to Heart 5K & Mile, Peachtree City
Where there's a Will, there's a Way 5K, Johns Creek
Your Pace or Mine 5K, Lawrenceville

Sunday, February 12
Rock Valentines Half Marathon/5K/10K, Lawrenceville

Strategies for Doubling

2012-02-06T10:29:00.000-05:00

Twice the runs in one day...

Strategies for Doubling
How two-a-days can benefit non-elites
By Steve Magness
As featured in the January 2012 issue of Running Times Magazine

When I started my coaching career I was forced into having athletes run twice a day during the school year because we were limited to running all mileage on a 1.25-mile loop. As my first athlete, a former 4:14 high school miler, Jeremy Warren likes to say, "We ran doubles because it is physically impossible to run more than five loops during one run without needing to see a psychiatrist afterwards." Given this situation, as a coach I quickly and almost accidently found the benefits of doubles, even for non-elite athletes. For most adult runners, however, doubles are a foreign concept, assumed to be the province only of those cranking out 100-mile weeks.

I would like to convince you to think otherwise. Intelligently adding some double days to your program can help advance your fitness, even if you wind up not significantly increasing your mileage.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24901>.

Snowshoe Racing 101

2012-02-06T10:28:00.001-05:00

Just in case it interests you...

Snowshoe Racing 101
Tips for racing in the snow
By Adam W. Chase
As featured in the January 2012 issue of Running Times Magazine

If you live in a climate with cold winters, snowshoe running and racing can help you keep up your fitness while throwing some zip into the chill and darkness of winter training. More than 100 snowshoe races are planned in 36 states and dozens more across Canada this winter. Here are a few tips before you go dashing through the snow:

Really, there's nothing to it. If you can run, you can run on snowshoes. However, if you haven't done a race or your fitness level isn't high, start with a 5K. Get familiar with the unique sensation of running on snowshoes before running longer distances.
Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24905>.

Commuter Spotlight: Anne Flinn and Erin Vilines

2012-02-06T10:08:00.000-05:00

I receive the Mobility Matters monthly publication from Midtown Transportation Solutions and found this interesting article<http://www.midtownalliance.org/Documents/Mobility%20Matters%20February%202012.pdf> about run commuting...

Commuter Spotlight: Anne Flinn and Erin Vilines

Coworkers Anne Flinn and Erin Vilines love to multitask on their commutes. A couple of times a week these Nature Conservancy employees get some exercise during their commute: they run one leg of their 7-mile commute from Decatur and catch MARTA for the other leg. Erin started running to work two years ago when she moved to Decatur from Marietta, and Anne joined her six months later. Anne and Erin say there are multiple benefits to their run commute. Anne : "We can get a good work out in and sleep longer. To run that distance, take a shower at home, and then drive or take MARTA to work you would have to get up way too early." Erin: "Because we run together we can talk about work stuff and catch up, or plan our next big race. It's nice to have company."

Their advice to anyone considering running to work is to plan, plan, and plan. Here are some tips from Erin and Anne:
* Run the route on the weekend and know it well.
* Create a transportation plan for each week to figure out which days running will be part of your commute.
* Leave work clothes at work before run days so that you can run with just your phone, MARTA card and keys.

While Anne and Erin have a rather unique commute, many Atlanta office Nature Conservancy employees are also clean commuters. Based on a recent employee survey, twenty-nice percent of their commute days are clean commutes, making The Nature Conservancy an MTS platinum partner. To learn more about clean commuting or platinum partnership contact MTS<mailto:mts@midtownalliance.org>.

Wednesday Night Run 2-1-2012

2012-01-31T11:41:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

January has come and gone with very nice weather overall; are you still on your New Year's resolution? It feels like Spring and the Oakhurst Community gardens are having classes for everything from beeswax candle making to tree pruning. And the City of Decatur also has some classes for adult beginner's photography. 'Jamaica, Farewell' is playing at the Academy Theatre. Family Storytelling continues at Callanwolde. The Bach Bowl is at Emory. This is not to be confused with a super something ball game going on this weekend. Is it groundhog day this weekend because there is the Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival at the Yaarab Shrine Center auditorium.

What else is going on this week/weekend?

On the local and not so local racing scene this weekend is a couple of road races that one will have to travel to. On Saturday are the Owls Making Strides 5K in Kennesaw, the Norcross Blue Devils 5K Run & Mile Fun Run in Norcross, the Mardi Gras 10K in Athens, and the Run for the Son 5K and 10K in Powder Springs. On Sunday is the 1st Annual GPS 5K in Douglasville. And if trail races peak your interest there is the Dirty Spokes Heritage Park 8.0 Mile Trail Running Race in Watkinsville on Saturday and the 5th Annual Red Top Rumble 11.5 Mile Trail Run & Kids Trail Trot in Cartersville on Sunday.

This Wednesday you will be running route 10. Please wear your lights and other reflective gear. This run seems to have a lot of car traffic at the main intersections the route crosses so please watch out for drivers who may not be paying attention. The run hits Rockyford, Hosea, Tupelo, and the rolling hills of Spence/McDonough. You can see the map through the link below. I think this is the link that has the most trouble with, sometimes it works, other times it doesn't, but if not, run route 10. After this 5 miler it is off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks, and trivia.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBNzBhOGUzZjgtNDFjOC00MmEwLWE1MjItMjczMzU5MTk4OGVk&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-01-31T11:01:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 4
Dirty Spokes Heritage Park 8.0 Mile Trail Running Race, Watkinsville
Owls Making Strides 5K, Kennesaw
Norcross Blue Devils 5K Run & Mile Fun Run, Norcross
Mardi Gras 10K, Athens
Run for the Son 5K and 10K, Powder Springs

Sunday, February 5
5th Annual Red Top Rumble 11.5 Mile Trail Run & Kids Trail Trot, Cartersville
1st Annual GPS 5K, Douglasville

Runner pounds the pavement to drop the pounds

2012-01-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

A feel good story from USA Today online...

Runner pounds the pavement to drop the pounds
By Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

Ken Chuney knows all too well the gut-busting hard work involved in losing a significant amount of weight and keeping it off for years.

At 5-foot-8, Chuney weighed 335 pounds when he was 20 years old. He slimmed down between his sophomore and junior years in college by cutting back on portions and eliminating whole milk and 100% juice.

"I lost about 65 pounds in 3½ months. It was pretty amazing. When I went back to college, I lost another 35 pounds the first semester."

He took up running several miles a day. "I felt stronger. I felt more confident."

Read on here<http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/story/2012-01-29/Runner-pounds-the-pavement-to-drop-the-pounds/52876514/1>.

Wednesday Night Run 1-25-2011

2012-01-24T11:28:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

What's going on locally? The Decatur Library is having a book sale this Saturday. The Atlanta Experience of the ABA will be playing at Agnes Scott. There is an indoor flea market at Climatized Self Storage. Several classes are going on at the Oakhurst Community Garden Project including organic pest control and an intro to keeping chickens. At the Georgia Dome is the battle of the marching bands.

What else is going on this week/weekend? Want to share?

A couple of local runs this weekend to peak your interest. There is the Atlanta Mission 5K and the Frosty Run 5K both in Atlanta. If you want something longer, the Callaway Gardens Half Marathon is being run in Pine Mountain. Looks like a great weekend to run so get out on the road.

This Wednesday you will be running route 8, the East Lake Golf Course run. The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. After getting out of the hill on Garland, the route runs downhill until climbing Oakview Rd. Then the route continues to climb Howard to a quick downhill on College. Then it's the climb on Wisteria, and a finishing uphill at the shop. And as always, please wear your flashing, reflective safety gear for the run 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZGQwMWNkNTAtMTIyMi00MjNiLWI5MTgtZDkwNDNmNWRlMmEw&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-01-24T10:36:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 28
Tartan Trot 5K/10K & 1 Mile/Tot Trot, Dunwoody
Atlanta Mission 5K, Atlanta
Polar Bear Run 5K/2K/Cub Runs, Marietta
Frosty Run 5K, Atlanta

Sunday, January 29
Callaway Gardens Half Marathon & 5K, Pine Mountain

Indoor Marathon Gold Medal Challenge

2012-01-23T13:08:00.001-05:00

I didn't realize there were several indoor marathons to speak of. Articles are here<http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/137666713.html> and here<http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/137863048.html> for the Icebreaker Marathon Gold Medal Challenge.

Icebreaker Marathon runners set to hibernate at race pace
By Tom Held, Special to the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 19, 2012

Call it a form of active hibernation.

More than 800 runners from 21 states will tuck themselves into the Pettit National Ice Center and race this weekend in the fourth annual Icebreaker Indoor Marathon.

In the cool confines of the ice center, dashers and plodders will turn thousands of laps in a 5K, half marathon, marathon and marathon relay. The truly committed will compete in the Slendertone Gold Medal Challenge, combining the half-marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday.

For them, the weekend will be spent turning left, through 143.1 laps on the 443-meter track that circles the ice oval.

Inspired by the Zoom! Yah! Yah! Indoor marathon at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., Chris Ponteri created the Icebreaker in 2009.

It took off.

Wednesday Night Run 1-18-2012

2012-01-17T10:33:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

If you are interested, the City of Decatur is offering a free CPR training course on Saturday morning. In Clarkston, there is the International Community School Benefit Concert to support the soccer program at Clarkston Community Center. That's free also. I also keep seeing ads for the Buckhead Beer fest this weekend. If you have ever watched the movie The King's Speech, the film is showing at Emory followed by a discussion by Susan Harte. Happy Chinese New Year! It is the year of the dragon. Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Anything else is going on this week/weekend?

On the running side, there is not much in local races this weekend. You can still find a race if you drive. A highlight would be the Hogpen Hillclimb 17K and its companion event the Piglet 5K in Helen. If you like hills, this one is for you. The Atlanta Track Club also continues their race series in Peachtree City with a fun run, a 5K, and a 10K.

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 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYzc4Y2E4OGUtMWI0NS00N2JhLThhZjktZGZhODZjMTg4NmU5&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-01-16T15:20:00.001-05:00

Saturday, January 21
Run Road Atlanta 5K / 10K / Fun Run, Braselton
ATC Peachtree City 5K / 10K / Mile, Peachtree City
33rd Annual Hogpen Hillclimb 17K and Piglet 5K, Helen
Reaching Argentina through Compassionate Evangelism 5K, Gainesville

Sunday, January 22
Lakeview Academy New Year's Resolution 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run, Gainesville

Go Meb

2012-01-16T10:43:00.001-05:00

From Athletes In Court online...

Somebody ought to lose their job at Nike, Meb Keflezigh wins Olympic Marathon trials
By Lee Davis on January 14th, 2012

Meb Keflezighi won today's Men's Olympic Marathon trials in Houston. Meb, 36-years old, ran a personal best to win the race and qualify for the 2012 Men's Olympic Marathon Team. Keflezighi's time of 2:09:07 was just shy of an American Olympic trials record, with Ryan Hall, the race favorite, coming in second and finishing just under the 2:10 mark.

Meb was representing Skechers as Nike dropped him as an athlete in 2011. That is why I say someone at Nike should lose their job. Previously he had been a Nike athlete, and most in the sport associated him with Nike. Can you imagine the conversation in Beaverton, OR, next week? Eric Sprunk, Global Vice President of Merchandising and Product for Nike is going to call in John Capriotti, Director of Global Marketing, on Monday to explain how in the world Nike got scooped by Sketchers in the most important running event to be held every four years on American soil, the Olympic Marathon Trials.

Read on here<http://www.athletesincourt.com/2012/01/somebody-ought-to-lose-their-job-at-nike-meb-keflezigh-wins-olympic-marathon-trials/>.

Relishing Relays

2012-01-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

From Running Times online…

Relishing Relays
Running from Miami to Key West with a bunch of like-minded runners
By Adam W. Chase
As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

I was never a real Dead Head and didn't even count as a legitimate Phish Head because I was already devoted enough to running that inhalation wasn't going to happen, despite my attending some awesome Dead and Phish concerts. I can always recall my experiences at those shows as one of awe. "Wow" – which is a mandatory expression for Dead and Phish Heads, I affirm – I thought to myself, "there are people like me." Until then I had always thought of myself as somewhat of an odd anomaly.  

At the Ragnar Relay 2012 kick-off event on Jan. 6-7 in the beautiful Florida Keys, I got to witness thousands of people who had flocked there to experience that same initiation, that same compelling sense of belonging and almost addictive emotional attachment of like-minded runners who were embracing their passion in zany yet athletic ways. Many came from cities, suburbs and towns where running is considered abnormal behavior and so being surrounded by so many runners and in a team setting was almost overwhelming, as evidenced by the elated expressions and permanent smiles they wore.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=25028>.

Racing With No Chance of Winning

2012-01-11T12:35:00.000-05:00

From the Wall Street Journal online...

Racing With No Chance of Winning
Simply Appearing in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Is Victory Enough For These N.Y. Runners

By SCOTT CACCIOLA

Kelly Chin is a realist. When she lines up Saturday for the start of the 2012 U.S. Olympic marathon trials in Houston, Chin will be aware that she has approximately zero chance of finishing among the top three women, which would earn her a trip to the Olympics in London this summer.

Chin, a 31-year-old information-technologies analyst from Brooklyn, has even done the math. She would need to lop about 20 minutes from her personal-best result of 2 hours, 44 minutes to even have a shot of contending. "There's no way," she said.

Read on here<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577153182542374636.html>.

Wednesday Night Run 1-11-2012

2012-01-10T13:43:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

For January, I think we are having some great weather, minus the rain of course. But think back to last year and we were snowed/iced in. This Friday Decatur High School is having a fashion show called Eco-Threads. There are several MLK day celebrations going on this weekend. Look around and you will find something.

What else is going on this week/weekend?

This is pretty amazing to see that there are no local runs this weekend. Or maybe I didn't look hard enough. I do see a full and half marathon in Warner Robbins, the 16th Annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K.

As a continuing friendly reminder please wear your lights, reflective vests, etc. so you can be seen during your run. Run safely.

This Wednesday you are running through the Winnona neighborhood on Route 1. The run goes through Kirkwood, through McKoy Park, around Winnona, through Agnes Scott, and a long finishing straight on Ansley. This run has a lot of turns but it's all in the neighborhood, you can run your way out. The link to Route 1 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZDQwNzI3NTQtZGY4My00MWNjLWE2YWItNmUzNzIxNDNhOGE3&hl=en

Rescue ‘App’ Locates Lost Mountain Runner

2012-01-09T09:55:00.001-05:00

There is an app for almost everything, from 98FM online…

It seems like there really is an 'App' for everything…

Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue last night found a long-distance runner lost in the mountains… by texting him a link for software that tracked him down using his smartphone.

Read on here<http://www.98fm.com/2012/category-news-sport/rescue-app/>.

Rent Space on Nick Symmonds on eBay

2012-01-05T10:13:00.001-05:00

I found this on Runners World online and it shows the challenges of being an elite runner where your fulltime job is being a runner. Not all elites are sponsored and I can only guess at the dollars that are provided to them if they are sponsored.

You Can Rent Space on Nick Symmonds on eBay
The four-time USA 800-meter titleist and 2008 Olympian is the most vocal and visible presence in the movement to enable elite athletes to wear additional sponsor logos on their running (or jumping or throwing) uniforms. Now Symmonds takes his case to eBay, where he is offering space on his left shoulder; throughout 2012, he'll wear a temporary tattoo of the Twitter name of the highest bidder of his auction at eBay. The price was north of $1,000 when we posted this - it's probably higher now, and you have until January 14 to bid.

"Should the winner of this auction be a corporation, I will wear its Twitter name on my left shoulder when allowed to do so by governing bodies and, after reviewing the quality of the corporation's products, endorse them entirely provided my endorsement does not conflict with any of my current sponsors," Nike and Melaleuca, Nick Symmonds explains on eBay. "Along with this valuable advertising space (4.7 billion viewers during 2008 Olympic Games), I will tweet a message of support for the auction winner on the first of every month during 2012 from my personal Twitter account, @nsymm800, which currently has over 4500 followers." Symmonds does make clear "I will be forced to cover up the temporary tattoo with tape at all IAAF governed meetings. I will, however, have the tattoo on under the tape and will remove the tape as soon as the rules permit. In all interviews conducted before and after the event I will mention the sponsor's Twitter name and why it has been covered during competition."

A bold stratagem. This fellow Symmonds has True Grit, and audacity. "This is something I've discussed on runs with athletes for a long time. This is one of the '7 different types of smoke' I said I am going to throw at this problem (sponsorship issues). It's a way that corporations and fans can take action in this fight. I hope that a fan wins, and it's his Twitter handle on my arm," Symmonds told our colleague Jon Gugala. "I'm excited to see what a couple square inches on my shoulder is worth." Symmonds adds "the purpose is to bring awareness to athletes' sponsorship issues. The money will be used to continue training toward my goal of the 2012 Olympics. My goal is to eat only organic food for the year, and I've got a half-gallon milk habit per day - it's more expensive than gas. But I'm doing this (organic food) so that people can see my commitment to medal in 2012." Isn't there at least a reality TV show for this guy? (photo of Nick Symmonds by Victah Sailer) More<http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180789582037>

Read on here<http://racingnews.runnersworld.com/2012/01/january-5-you-can-rent-space-on-nick-symmonds-the-ones-to-watch-at-olympic-marathon-trials-a-208-marathon-for-fernando-cabada-lisa-dobriskeys-sheer-embarrassment-san-antonio-l.html>.

Free running shoes for all could get Britain back on its feet again

2012-01-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

From The Telegraph online...

Free running shoes for all could get Britain back on its feet again

Goodbye gluttony, hello January. There were a lot of us about on New Year's Day, Christmas-pudding legs jogging through the mud of Sale Water Park with birdsong and the low cry of the M60 as companions.

By Tanya Aldred
7:00AM GMT 04 Jan 2012

The footpath was squelchy and my trainers schlepped past jaunty dogs, empty Coke cans and a bunch of fading flowers left on a bench in memoriam.

The Mersey swept past, swollen and fast, and even as a man 20 years older overtook and vanished into the distance, the year ahead seemed suddenly full of promise.

What were we doing out here, red-faced and out of breath? Fulfilling our resolutions or escaping the house? Or have we at last bought into the Olympic dream that was supposed to have inspired us on to the open road back in 2005?

This seems unlikely. The Blair, Brown and Cameron governments have been desperate to increase participation in sport. Yet despite the money, the inspiration of the Olympics, the health threats, we remain a ballooning nation with a diabetes problem and an unwavering addiction to the sofa.

Read on here<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8990370/Free-running-shoes-for-all-could-get-Britain-back-on-its-feet-again.html>.

Indoor marathon wins over Northfield runners

2012-01-05T10:01:00.001-05:00

From the Star Tribune online...

Indoor marathon wins over Northfield runners
Article by: SHANNON PRATHER , Special to the Star Tribune Updated: January 3, 2012 - 3:59 PM

Despite the monotony, participants say the 7th annual "Zoom! Yah! Yah!" marathon is a blast -- all 150 laps of it.

It's one of those eccentric little trends in the world of long-distance running, but a small band of marathon runners seems to be lapping it up.

On Sunday, 44 competitors will gather at St. Olaf College in Northfield to run the "Zoom! Yah! Yah!" Indoor Marathon. It takes 150 laps on an elevated, indoor track to complete the 26.2-mile race.

Sound a bit monotonous? Might the scenery get a tad lackluster?

Organizers and runners say what the race lacks in terms of majestic backdrops, it makes up for in camaraderie and sideline revelry. Rub elbows with the same runners for several hours and you get to know a thing or two about each other.

Race cofounder Dick Daymont merrily boasts of the benefits of racing indoors in Minnesota at the apex of winter's wrath.

"We don't have traffic. We don't have to close streets," said Daymont, of Northfield. "It's flat. It's going to be nice weather. The running conditions are ideal."

Read on here<http://www.startribune.com/local/south/136398263.html>.

My job is to run: 100-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh

2012-01-04T10:27:00.001-05:00

From the India Times...

4 Jan, 2012, 01.31PM IST, IANS

My job is to run: 100-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh

CHANDIGARH: His marathons at the ripe old age of 100 may not have been recognised by Guinness World Records on technical grounds, but Punjab-born British citizen Fauja Singh says the only thing he cares about is to keep running.

In fact Fauja, who will turn 101 April 1 this year, says he has not even heard of Guinness.

Read on here<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/my-job-is-to-run-100-year-old-marathoner-fauja-singh/articleshow/11362182.cms>.

The interesting part is not being recognized by Guinness because according to the article...

Guinness had refused to recognise Fauja Singh as the world's oldest marathoner in October last year after he successfully completed the Toronto Marathon (42.195 km) in just over eight hours. Though Guinness officials came to witness his feat in Toronto, they refused to acknowledge him as the oldest man running marathons as he could not produce a birth certificate.

Chandigarh-based author Khushwant Singh, who wrote Fauja Singh's biography, "Turbaned Tornado" (Rupa Publications, price Rs.250) last year, says Guinness not recognizing Fauja Singh as the oldest marathoner showed a definite bias.

"In 1911, when Fauja Singh was born in a Punjab village, there was nothing like birth certificates. I feel that rules of Guinness book and other agencies in western countries are quite biased towards achievers from Asian countries. Would they question the British government, which ruled India at that time (1911), why it didn't have birth certificates at that time," Khushwant asked.

Wednesday Night Run 1-4-2012

2012-01-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Hello ORC,

Happy New Year, this week will be the first Wednesday night run of 2012 and so you will be hearing from me 51 more times this year. Most of you have probably already run your first runs of the year. Congrats to you and keep on running. There is not much happening this weekend but I did find that Kingsized is playing this weekend at Variety Playhouse. I guess the new year has to pick up and Kingsized is the way to do it.

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

This weekend you can Run with the Dogs in Decatur for the RWTD/Frostbite 5K on Saturday. You can also head farther out to Marietta and Peachtree City for their respective 5K's and mile runs. On Sunday is the Rock The New Year Half, 5K, and 10K in Stone Mountain.

This Wednesday you will be running route 6. There are the challenging hills of Delano, the grind up Rogers, and of course climbing up McClendon. By the way, if it is getting too dark for this route to be run, let me know and I will shelve it for a while. And of course since daylight is shrinking away, wear your lights and other reflective gear for the run. 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBOGNjYzcxMzMtNmI1ZC00MzVlLThkYjAtYzJhMjRlZWUzODYx&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2012-01-03T10:46:00.001-05:00

Saturday, January 7
Run with the Dogs - Frostbite 5K, Decatur
Wonderful Days of Winter 5K/Mile, Marietta
Frostbite 5K and Mile Family Fun Run, Peachtree City

Sunday, January 8
Rock the New Year Half Marathon/5K/10K, Stone Mountain

113 Marathons In 2011

2012-01-03T09:20:00.000-05:00

From mysanantonio.com...

Macon breaks own marathon record again
Published 10:58 p.m., Saturday, December 31, 2011

San Antonio attorney Larry Macon, whose running exploits have made him a nationwide sensation, broke his own Guinness world marathon record for the third time when he completed the New Year's Eve Marathon on Saturday in Allen. The competition marks his 113th marathon of 2011, breaking his own mark set last year.

Heading into Saturday's race, Macon, who turned 67 that day, had amassed almost 3,000 miles running in 2011, gone through a dozen pairs of shoes and logged roughly 200,000 miles in flying. He now has run 823 marathons during his lifetime.

- Richard Oliver

Read on here<http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/article/Macon-breaks-own-marathon-record-again-2435367.php>

Local Runs This Weekend

2011-12-27T12:43:00.001-05:00

Saturday, December 31
Flashlight 5K, Lawrenceville

Sunday, January 1
Resolution Run 5K & 10K Road Race, Norcross
ATC PT Solutions Resolution Run 5K / 10K / Mile, Kennesaw
Happy New Year Half Marathon & 5K, Lawrenceville
2012 New Year's Resolution Run 5K/10K, Stockbridge

Wednesday Night Run 12-28-2011

2011-12-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

Hello ORC,

Southern Living magazine selected Decatur as one of the "Tastiest Towns in the South." All that running you have done should be rewarded with some great food in one of Decatur's local restaurants. And yes you can find a local restaurant to ring in the New Years. Happy New Year, be safe, and ready to run in 2012!

What else is going on this week and weekend?

Let the resolution runs begin! On Saturday is the Flashlight 5K and it is run in the dark at 5pm. Well not too dark. On Sunday is the Resolution Run 5K and 10K in Norcross which is part of the GA Cup Running Series. The ATC has their PT Solutions Resolution Run 5K/10K/Mile in Kennesaw. In Lawrenceville is the Happy New Year Half and 5K. In Stockbridge is the 2012 New Year's Resolution Run 5K and 10K.

It gets dark earlier so please bring out the reflective vests, shirts, jackets, and lights for your safety. On Wednesday night you will be running route 13. The route goes up the hard flat of Oakview and hits the hills of Spence/McDonough. 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.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYjJmOWIyYzAtZjUzYi00ZWQ0LWExZmMtMTIyNWJlYmQ3YjZj&hl=en

How's Your Running Body?

2011-12-21T10:28:00.000-05:00

From Running Times online...

How's Your Running Body?
Phil Wharton's recommended self-tests can determine if your body is holding you back
By Phil Wharton
As featured in the January 2012 issue of Running Times Magazine

Good running form plays a large role in remaining injury-free, and remaining injury-free plays a large role in being able to run farther and faster. Let's start by looking at five basic elements of good running form. Then we'll get into some tests to see if your body has the structural integrity to maintain those elements of good form.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24809>.

Self-Massage the Runner's Way

2011-12-21T10:27:00.001-05:00

From Running Times online...

Self-Massage the Runner's Way
Tend to your aches yourself with this guide
By Caitlin Chock
As featured in the January 2012 issue of Running Times Magazine

Who doesn't love a massage? And who doesn't think, "I wish I could get massages more often"? Enter self-massage.

If you do it right, self-massage can serve as a form of maintenance between massages given by a trained therapist. Self-massage can "take care of the tightness that comes up with day-to-day training," says Julia Kirtland, the 1997 national marathon champion who's now a massage therapist in Portland, Maine. It can "break up adhesions before they cause problems."

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24811>.

Wednesday Night Run 12-21-2011

2011-12-21T07:15:00.002-05:00

Hello ORC,

The close of the year is almost here and the holidays are upon us. Things are busy. There's a run tonight and its drizzling outside. Its not a cold drizzle, temps are still in the 50's. Forecast is for wet shoes and warm smiles or suffer faces if you are running really hard. I have copied the term suffer faces from another blog but you have probably seen them while running on the road. There is a lot and almost nothing going on this weekend, just depends on what you are looking for.

What else is going on this week/weekend? I know I am on a search for the best Al Pastor taco in metro Atlanta. The old place we use to go to closed down, El Norteno on Buford Hwy. The meat was cooked on an upright spit like gyro meat. And there is a taste difference when cooked on a spit versus any other way. Any suggestions?

I checked a couple of running calendars for this week and weekend; and there doesn't seem to be anything planned. So enjoy your runs and be safe. Stay tuned for those upcoming resolution runs to start off 2012.

This Wednesday you will be running route 10. It's getting dark earlier so for safety's sake, please wear your lights and other reflective gear. And while I am on my safety soapbox, this run seems to have a lot of car traffic at the main intersections the route crosses so please watch out for drivers who may not be paying attention. The run hits Rockyford, Hosea, Tupelo, and the rolling hills of Spence/McDonough. You can see the map through the link below. Hopefully I have the link correct but if not, run route 10. After this 5 miler it is off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks, and trivia.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBNzBhOGUzZjgtNDFjOC00MmEwLWE1MjItMjczMzU5MTk4OGVk&hl=en&pli=1

How the Atlanta Track Club Won 'Club Cross' Masters

2011-12-16T09:40:00.001-05:00

From Running Times online...

How the Atlanta Track Club Won 'Club Cross' Masters
This year's USATF club XC championships drew a record 1,110 runners from 162 clubs
By John A. Kissane
As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

Most middle-aged runners know how it goes: the last few years of your 30s bring the depressing reality that personal bests are all in the past and that 'The Big Slow Down' is right around the corner. But for some, the way to mitigate the unavoidable is to focus on opportunities to compete as a master; to accept that while no one escapes the aging process it absolutely does not have to mean an end to serious, even elite-level, training and competition.

The Atlanta Track Club's Malcolm Campbell, who turned 40 last January, has had an outstanding 41st year, although coming into the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships on Dec. 10 he had a monkey on his back. Campbell had finished runner-up in four USATF national championship events beginning with the U.S. 50K in March of 2010, while he was still an open athlete. The other three were all in 2011, the most recent being the U.S. masters marathon championships on Oct. 2 in Minneapolis, where Campbell ran 2:25.58 to winner Tracy Lokken's 2:24.44.

Though pleased to again be healthy after a spring knee ailment that quashed his Boston Marathon plans, Campbell absolutely savored the thought of victory in Seattle. Plus, his Atlanta Track Club teammates had a score to settle.
When many runners hear "Atlanta Track Club" they immediately think of the Peachtree Road Race. No great surprise there, given that Peachtree is the largest - and certainly one of the best - 10K races in the world. But the ATC, founded in 1964 and currently the nation's second-largest running organization, has always counted national and even world class athletes among its membership. And at the national club cross country championships, that fact was brought home quite emphatically.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24750&PageNum=1>.

Wednesday Night Run 12-14-2011

2011-12-13T11:48:00.000-05:00

Hello ORC,

Wrapping up the year here and there is always stuff to do. At Agnes Scott is the 19th annual Atlanta Celtic Christmas concert. The Decatur Market and Gallery holiday open house and reception is this Friday. There is also the Restaurants and Markets of Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta Culinary Tours. Scandal is playing at Dad's Garage.

I feel like there is a lot more going on this weekend that I am missing. What else is going on this week/weekend? Want to share?

Not much on the running scene this weekend or next weekend but then it picks back up with the January resolution runs. On Saturday is the Christmas 5K in the Highland which is sold out and the Peachtree Corners Christmas 10K & 5K in Norcross. On Sunday is the Rockin' with Santa Half Marathon & 5K in Snellville and my favorite that I keep wishing I could run one day Brasstown Bald Buster 5K in Blairsville. Well maybe a half or full marathon so the drive up will be worth it.

This Wednesday you will be running route 8, the East Lake Golf Course run. The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. The last time I sent this run out I had mistakenly put the wrong link. Regardless, have fun on route 8 and the Golf Course run. After getting out of the hill on Garland, the route runs downhill until climbing Oakview Rd. Then the route continues to climb Howard to a quick downhill on College. Then it's the climb on Wisteria, and a finishing uphill at the shop. And as always, please wear your flashing, reflective safety gear for the run 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZGQwMWNkNTAtMTIyMi00MjNiLWI5MTgtZDkwNDNmNWRlMmEw&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-12-13T11:21:00.001-05:00

Saturday, December 17
Christmas 5K in Virginia Highland, Virginia Highland
Peachtree Corners Christmas 10K & 5K Road Races, Norcross

Sunday, December 18
Rockin' with Santa Half Marathon & 5K, Snellville
Brasstown Bald Buster 5K, Blairsville

Barefoot Debate

2011-12-09T08:51:00.001-05:00

I saw a runner on the PATH by the Carter Center running barefoot. It's been pretty cold. He was bundled up but his feet were bare. No Vibram's, no socks, just near feet. From Reuters online...

Scientists kick off debate over barefoot running
By Kate Kelland, Health and Science Correspondent

LONDON | Thu Dec 8, 2011 4:18pm GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Despite the cold and many other potential hazards, naked from the ankle down is the way Anna Toombs likes it, and she gets plenty of catcalls in the street as a result.

The 35-year-old co-founder of the personal training company Barefoot Running UK says she's lost count of the times people yell "where are your shoes?" as she and partner David Robinson negotiate London's parks and pavements to indulge their passion and train their clients.

"People give you a lot of weird looks," says Robinson.

They are also getting a lot of inquiries.

A surge of interest in "natural," or barefoot, training has seen runners around the world kick off their arch-supporting, motion-controlling, heel-cushioning shoes and try to feel the ground beneath their feet.

Top scientists -- from sports physicians to podiatrists to evolutionary biologists -- are jumping in too.

At a recent sports science conference in London, hundreds of participants, many of them shod but a few daringly barefooted, flocked to a two-hour long discussion about the merits or otherwise of running without shoes.

"It's a really polarised debate -- there are what you might call the barefoot evangelicals on one side and the aggressive anti-barefoots on the other," says Ross Tucker, an expert in exercise physiology at South Africa's University of Cape Town and a middle- and long-distance running coach.

Read on here<http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/08/oukoe-uk-science-running-barefoot-idUKTRE7B71J020111208>.

Mastering Hill Workouts

2011-12-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

I guess running in a hilly area like Atlanta counts. From Running Times online....

Mastering Hill Workouts
Hill training, demystified
By Pete Magill
As featured in the December 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

It's the worst-kept secret in running: If you want to improve strength and speed, run hills.

Recently, I did a trail run in Seattle with Tony Young, the world record-holder in the mile for men age 45-49 (4:16.09). Tony stopped at a point where the trail split, and he pointed up one fork, a 300m woodchip incline.

"See this hill?" said Tony. "If I beat you for the masters cross country title in December, this hill will be the reason why."

Tony's faith in the power of hills has precedent. In the 1960s, New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard used hill training to propel his country's distance runners to international acclaim. Sebastian Coe relied on hills for the strength that netted him 11 indoor and outdoor world records in the late '70s and early '80s. And the slopes of the Great Rift Valley have lifted Kenyans to domination of the world distance scene for decades.

So why don't more runners make hills a centerpiece of their training?

Simply put, most runners don't understand how to train on hills. We pick hills that are too long or too steep. We run them too fast. We allow too little time afterward to recover. The result is a poor training effect at best, injury and burnout at worst.

Before we charge willy-nilly up the nearest mountain trail, we need to understand the training adaptations we're after and the best way to achieve them.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24629>.

Radcliffe seeks Olympic revenge

2011-12-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

From EuroSport online...

Radcliffe seeks Olympic revenge

Paula Radcliffe is hoping for a change of fortune and that London streets will be paved with gold not pain next summer.

Radcliffe has been formally selected for her fifth Games and is hopeful she can write a fairytale ending to an Olympic story that has seen more than its share of tragedy.

Despite holding the world marathon record, winning the London Marathon three times in three appearances and claiming the world title in 2005, many still associate the 37-year old with her tearful exit from the Olympic marathon in Athens, which she started as a red-hot favourite.

Illness and injury conspired against her then and again four years later in Beijing, when she battled to the finish, albeit in a distant 23rd. In her Games debut over 5,000m at Atlanta 1996 she came home fifth while at the next attempt in Sydney she upgraded to an agonising fourth over 10,000m.

However, she insists exorcising her Olympic demons is not the sole motivating factor for next summer - where the technical loop course around central London, which is not expected to produce fast times, is expected to benefit her.

Read on here<http://au.eurosport.com/olympicgames/london-2012/2012/radcliffe-seeks-revenge_sto3055372/story.shtml>.

Marathon runners say they were sickened

2011-12-08T10:09:00.001-05:00

From the Las Vegas Review Journal online...

Marathon runners say they were sickened
Jessica Ebelhar/Las Vegas Review-Journal
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Posted: Dec. 8, 2011 | 2:00 a.m.

The water tasted metallic and stale, but runner Charlene Ragsdale needed to replenish her fluids if she were to finish Sunday's half-marathon at the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon.

Nerves twisted up her stomach, at least, that's what she thought.

Suddenly, it wasn't just the taste that didn't seem right, it was the way her body was reacting once she was done drinking.

Rock 'n' Roll had taken on a whole new meaning.

Read on here<http://www.lvrj.com/news/marathon-runners-say-they-were-sickened-135233493.html>.

Former 4:08 Marathoner Qualifies for Trials

2011-12-07T11:49:00.001-05:00

From Michigan Live online...

Rapid improvement has earned Goodrich High grad Erin O'Mara berth in U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon Trials
Published: Monday, December 05, 2011, 2:22 PM Updated: Monday, December 05, 2011, 2:23 PM
By Bill Khan | Flint Journal The Flint Journal

At first, Erin O'Mara's motivation for running faster marathons had nothing to do with qualifying for major events or winning races.

After taking 4 hours, 8 minutes and 8 seconds to complete the 2006 Detroit Free Press Marathon, the 2002 Goodrich High graduate knew she never wanted to take that long to endure 26.2 miles of running again.

"When I finished that race, one of the first things I said to my family was I was definitely going to do it again, but I was going to run a lot faster, because that was too long to be out there," O'Mara said. "At that point, I remembered thinking I'd trained a lot and done all the work. The more you run, the more you realize you probably didn't train that much for it, which is why I ran well over an hour of what I run now."

Read on here<http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/runners/2011/12/erin-omara-120511.html>.

Roger on Running: Fall Marathon Insights

2011-12-06T09:11:00.001-05:00

From Running Times online...

Roger on Running: Fall Marathon Insights
What the ordinary runner can learn from the extraordinary fall marathon season
By Roger Robinson
As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

The 2011 fall marathon season has been like a series of fantasy movies. Patrick Makau, Ed Whitlock, Geoffrey Mutai and company ventured time and again beyond the limits of human capability. Digitized wizards and magic rings could not match them. The regular runners I talk to at race expos struggled to relate to it all, regarding the elites at the front of their races with awe and incomprehension, like invaders from outer space.

But wait - they are runners, too. To achieve what they do, they need supreme inherited talent, sure, but also dedicated training, proper nutrition, skillful race tactics and a lot of guts, just like the rest of us. So to summarize this historic fall marathon season, instead of analyzing the superlatives, the records, the impact on world all-time rankings, etc., I want to ask simply, what can every ordinary runner learn from these extraordinary races? Here is a selection of six lessons to be learned from six weeks of miracles.

Read on here<http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=24605>.

Wednesday Night Run 12-7-2011

2011-12-05T13:53:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

I read somewhere that there is an ugly sweater party this Saturday at The Marlay in support of Toys for Tots. It made me smile at all the ugly sweaters gathered together. I remember we did an ugly jacket run but that was many runs ago. Pink Palooza holiday bazaar is this Friday. There is a handmade gift fair at Oakhurst Church on Saturday. Healing gifts from the heart will be at the Oakhurst Gardens. Druid Hills Baptists has their Christmas Fair Trade/Alternative Gift Fair and Open House. There seems to be a theme in these first couple of events. Avondale is hosting their Christmas Tour of Homes. DHS is showing The Nutcracker as performed by the Callanwolde Dance Ensemble. The holidays are such a busy time of the year.

Anything else is going on this week/weekend?

On the running side, there is not much in local races this weekend. There is a Jingle Jog in Atlanta and Sleighbells on the Square in Marietta. Other than that, the runs are farther off. The weekend end after has more stuff going on but the running event that is the Va-Hi jingle job is closed out. It amazes me that Va-Hi has a lot of runs in that neighborhood and they usually sell out. And its not like the sell outs are for a limited number that makes for a small attended race. The starting lines are usually crowded. Good for them that they have putting on races down to a successful science.

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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYzc4Y2E4OGUtMWI0NS00N2JhLThhZjktZGZhODZjMTg4NmU5&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-12-05T12:37:00.001-05:00

Saturday, December 10

Jingle Jog 5K / Jr / Elf Run, Atlanta
Sleighbells on the Square 5K/1K/Tot Trot, Marietta
Frozen Rope 5K/Mile/Tot Trot, Locust Grove

Wednesday Night Run 11-30-2011

2011-11-29T16:24:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

On Thursday night above the Little Shop of Stories, Decatur will be lighting up the Christmas Tree at 7pm. If you are around the area, it would be cool to see. Also watch out for traffic. This weekend will be the 29th Annual Decatur Holiday Candlelight Tour of Homes. I can’t believe it is almost 30 years running strong. There is a Wicca 101 Class at Trilogy in Avondale Estates. Do you have a Beard? Well then join the Battle of the Beards at the Highland Inn Ballroom on Saturday night. Also on Saturday night is Roxie Watson at Eddie’s Attic. At Criminal Records is A-Hole Santa and Crappy Jesus. They will be posing for pictures on Saturday at 3pm. On Friday is the Stacks Lofts and Artist Tour which sounds really interesting to go to.

What else is going on this week/weekend?

The Decatur races continue on, the closest one being at Medlock Park for the One Love, One Heart CdLS Awareness 5K. If you are interested in a trail run there is the XTERRA Georgia Victoria Bryant State Park Trail Race in Royston. The Beltline is also running a 10K on the east side of the loop. And there are several races in Stone Mountain all this weekend. There is something for everyone.

As a continuing friendly reminder please wear your lights, reflective vests, etc. so you can be seen during your run. Run safely.

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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZDQwNzI3NTQtZGY4My00MWNjLWE2YWItNmUzNzIxNDNhOGE3&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-11-29T15:48:00.001-05:00

Saturday, December 3

One Love, One Heart CdLS Awareness 5K, Decatur

XTERRA Georgia Victoria Bryant State Park 10K / 5K Trail Running Race, Royston

2011 Jingle Bell Run/Walk, Stone Mountain

Faith Cline Elf Trot 5K, Kennesaw

The Arthrities Foundation Jingle Bell Run 5K, Stone Mountain

15th Annual Jingle Bell Trail 5K/1Mi Race and Fun Run, Peachtree City

Atlanta Beltline East Side 10K, Atlanta

Sunday, December 4

Season's Greetings Half Marathon & 5K, Stone Mountain

Watch Out For Dogs!

2011-11-29T15:45:00.000-05:00

I found this on the AJC online. It reminds us as runners to be cautious.

4 pit bulls destroyed for mauling 2 Calif. runners

The Associated Press

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. — A San Diego County runner who said he had chunks torn from his legs by pit bulls said he thought he would die during the mauling.

"I was dripping blood from all over — my shirt, socks, shoes," Richard Garritson, 21, told the San Diego Union-Tribune (http://bit.ly/vLBHLf ) on Monday after undergoing surgery.

Garritson and his brother were attacked by a pack of pit bulls as they jogged on a trail late Sunday afternoon about a mile from their home.

Gifts For Runners

2011-11-29T11:03:00.001-05:00

I found this on Runners World online; you can look at unique gifts for your fellow runners or standard runners gifts.

Standard running fair: http://www.runnersworld.com/photo/gear-of-the-year-2011/

Unique gifts: http://www.runnersworld.com/photo/unique-gifts/

Zombies to hasten runners in Georgia 5K

2011-11-23T12:55:00.001-05:00

From the AJC online…

Zombies to hasten runners in Georgia 5K

By George Mathis

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Need encouragement to finish a race in record time?

How about being pursued by a pack of ravenous zombies?

The Run for Your Lives 5K adventure race is expanding to several new cities in 2012, including one in north Georgia, promoters announced Tuesday. The race will take hardy souls through a series of obstacles over a 3.1-mile course. The Georgia race will be held March 3 and begin in Durhamtown Plantation Sports Complex in Union Point -- about an hour and a half east of Atlanta near I-20.

Racers will wear a flag football-like belt with three flags. Zombies will attempt to pull the flags and disqualify the runner. The runner to cross the finish line with at least one flag will be a "survivor."

An after-race party will be open to runners and zombies, and will feature live music and vendors.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 11-23-2011

2011-11-22T09:38:00.000-05:00

Hello ORC,

Today’s temps will be in the 70’s, seriously the 70’s, but there is a cold weather front is moving in bringing rain and cooler temps. It’s not so bad with temps in the 50’s tomorrow night. Your run on Wednesday night will build up your appetite for Thanksgiving. The Garden Lights/Holiday Lights are coming out at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Scandal is at Dad’s Garage. There are some good shows at Eddie’s Attic, The variety Playhouse, and others all across town. Ice skating is starting up also from Centennial to St Regis. Anyone want to buy the Plaza Theatre? Watch out for those coyotes!

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

It’s Thanksgiving week so the Turkey races are all lined up starting on Thursday with the ATC Half Marathon. If you want to double up on half’s, the ZOOMA Women’s Half Marathon is at Chateau Elan. Want a 3^rd half, well there is the Run Off the Turkey Half Marathon at Stone Mountain. There are plenty of opportunities here and there to run off Thanksgiving.

This Wednesday you will be running route 6. It's the elephant run as named by Gail. There are the challenging hills of Delano, the grind up Rogers, and of course climbing up McClendon. By the way, if it is getting too dark for this route to be run, let me know and I will shelve it for the winter. And of course since daylight is shrinking away, wear your lights and other reflective gear for the run. 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBOGNjYzcxMzMtNmI1ZC00MzVlLThkYjAtYzJhMjRlZWUzODYx&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-11-22T09:23:00.001-05:00

Thursday, November 24

ATC Atlanta Half Marathon & Thanksgiving 5K, Atlanta

Turkey Day 5K & Mile & Tot Trot, McDonough

MDJ Gobble Jog 10K/5K/1K/Tot Trot, Marietta

Saturday, November 26

ZOOMA Women's Half Marathon & 5K, Chateau Elan

Noble Heroes Foundation Hero Run 5K and Fun Run, Lawrenceville

Aubrae Gunderson Memorial Scholarship 5K Walk & Run & High Heel Hustle, Conyers

Sunday, November 27

Run Off the Turkey Half Marathon & 5K, Stone Mountain

The Right Reasons to Stretch Before Exercise

2011-11-18T12:57:00.000-05:00

From the NY Times…

November 16, 2011, 12:01 am

The Right Reasons to Stretch Before Exercise

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

For an article being published in next month’s issue of The British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia reviewed dozens of recent studies of stretching, hoping to determine whether the practice prevents people from getting sore after they exercise. The authors found 12 studies completed in the past 25 years that looked directly at that issue. Most were small and short-term. But each produced essentially the same result, the review authors write, showing that “stretching does not produce important reductions in muscle soreness in the days following exercise.”

That does not mean that you shouldn’t stretch, the study’s authors add, but it does indicate that stretching may not provide the benefits that many of us expect.

Read on here.

The case against antioxidant vitamin supplements

2011-11-18T09:46:00.000-05:00

From Sweat Science…

The case against antioxidant vitamin supplements

November 17th, 2011

The December issue of Sports Medicine has an enormous, detailed review of research on the effect of antioxidant (i.e. vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzymeQ10, etc.) supplements on training. To most people, this seems like a no-brainer: what could be smarter than popping a multivitamin as “insurance” in case your diet isn’t giving you all the vitamins you need? But (as I’ve blogged about before) there’s an emerging school of thought arguing that taking antioxidants can actually block some of the gains you’d otherwise get from training. Here’s how I explained the debate back in April:

Read on here.

Tips for Training Through the Winter

2011-11-18T09:42:00.001-05:00

From Running Times online, regardless if this article is meant for High School runners, the idea is the same among all runners.

Tips for Training Through the Winter

It might be your offseason, but use the winter to improve your fitness for the spring

By Jonathan Beverly

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

After following detailed plans during the fall, many runners take a more relaxed approach to winter. Just getting in miles now and then, however, won’t make you ready to start an aggressive training program in the spring — you’ll have to train to be able to train, delaying and limiting your spring goals. You need not, however, follow a rigid plan all winter. Just make sure you get in key elements regularly, elements that will build fitness, flexibility and strength and, perhaps, make training more fun than just logging easy miles day after day.

Below is a summary I sent to high school kids I help coach. It will work equally well for older runners looking to maintain fitness and build toward more audacious goals in the spring. This is essentially how I train when I am not working toward a specific race.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 11-16-2011

2011-11-15T11:25:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

This weekend is the annual chili cook off at Steinbeck’s. Check it out and challenge others with your chili. There are a couple of things going on at the Oakhurst Community Gardens from the Garden jam to building your own chicken coop; or make your own cheese. Mugs For Jugs continues at Mudfire. The Emory Dance Company Fall Concert is this weekend. Paideia Art Visions is also this weekend. The Super Villain Monologues is at Dad’s Garage. The Firehouse Guitars AMP Student Showcase is at Eddie’s Attic. At the Trolley Barn is the 27th Annual Auction & Holiday Sale for the Inman Park Cooperative Preschool.

What else is going on this week and weekend?

As for local races this weekend on Saturday, November 19, is the Race 2 Recycle 5K at Piedmont Park. For something different is the 13th Annual 5K Cross Country Turkey Trot in Conyers . At Lenox Mall is the Run! Foster! Run! 5K while at Centennial Olympic Park is the PurpleStride 5K. Farther out is the One Step Forward 5K Run for ALS in Marietta and closer in is the Viking 5K & Mile in Decatur. On Sunday, November 20, is the Elliott's Run 5K & Fun Run at the Galloway School and the Running Thanksgiving Half Marathon & 5K in Snellville.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYjJmOWIyYzAtZjUzYi00ZWQ0LWExZmMtMTIyNWJlYmQ3YjZj&hl=en

NYC Marathoner Loses Car For Two Days

2011-11-15T10:07:00.001-05:00

From Fox Sports online…

Marathon runner loses car for two days

Updated Nov 13, 2011 9:51 AM ET

Charles Petraske completed last Sunday’s New York City Marathon in a respectable three hours and 16 minutes -- and then suffered every motorist’s worst nightmare.

He could not remember where he parked his car. For two days.

Petraske, 34, a sales rep who lives near Albany, drove his hybrid Hyundai Sonata to Midtown early Sunday morning for the race.

He parked his car in a garage and left his ticket on the dashboard. In a small pocket of his running shorts, he stuffed $40 and a key before boarding a charter bus to the Staten Island start line.

After finishing the grueling course, he hailed a cab to take him back to Bryant Park. But when Petraske, still sweating, looked around, nothing looked familiar.

“I was completely disoriented,” he said. “I had no idea where the heck I was, or where my car is parked, and I had no phone and no money.”

The only thing he remembered was parking near a scrolling billboard displaying ads for Coke Mini, New York State Lottery and MasterCard.

Read on here.

Seven Safety Tips For Running In The Dark

2011-11-11T09:43:00.001-05:00

From Running Competitor online…

Seven Safety Tips For Running In The Dark

Updated: Nov 3rd 2011 2:08 PM UTC

by Linzay Logan

Use these suggestions to stay safe when the sun goes down.

Daylight savings is ending soon and before we know it the sun will be setting long before we got off work to get in an evening run. If you are more scared of running on the treadmill than running in the dark make sure you follow these seven safety tips to stay safe when the boogieman is out.

Read on here.

Back On My Feet

2011-11-11T08:59:00.000-05:00

I originally found this article in Creative Loafing about Back On My Feet, a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running. You can read the article here and was written by Eric Celeste. Here’s a little bit of what Eric had written:

Well, Back on My Feet Atlanta kicks off tomorrow with a 5:30 am run at St Luke's Episcopal Church on Peachtree Street NE, and I'll be there. Because I've seen first-hand how much this uplifting, structured program helps give folks a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Fact is, I nearly cried every time she came home and told me how her homeless friends would cheer and encourage her when she was tiring at the end of a run, or how one of her running partners was no longer there because he'd finally gotten a job and was moving into his own place. And every one of the participants credited BOMF with helping them achieve these goals.

This is a pretty cool program. I agree with the structured program and if running is the way, then let there be more runners. And the following is from the BOMF press release:

Back on My Feet (BoMF), a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running, will launch their Atlanta chapter on November 11. Thirty men and women experiencing homelessness will begin their journey with BoMF by participating in the group’s inaugural Atlanta run beginning at 5:30 a.m. Atlanta will be the eighth city to gain a BoMF chapter, joining Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.

About Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet, which launched in Philadelphia in 2007, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of people experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running to build strength, confidence and self-esteem. The organization has chapters in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, Dallas-Ft. Worth and now Atlanta. The Back on My Feet New York City launch is scheduled for April 2012. The organization has received media support, including attention from NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, CNN and The Today Show for its ingenuity in tackling this difficult social issue. More information can be found at backonmyfeet.org.

Good Luck! This is a great start in both running and life.

Sports Science Update: Did Meb's Socks Help Him PR?

2011-11-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

I have not bought into the compression socks yet, from Competitor online…

Sports Science Update: Did Meb’s Socks Help Him PR?

Published: Nov 8th 2011 11:55 AM UTC by Matt Fitzgerald

New study adds little clarity to our understanding of the benefits of compression socks.

Written by: Matt Fitzgerald

Did Meb's compression socks help him to a 2-second personal best at the New York City Marathon?

If you watched live television or online video coverage of the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, you probably saw the 2009 champion, Meb Keflezighi, sporting a pair of white compression socks that rose to just below his knees. Although compression socks are primarily associated with recovery benefits, Meb obviously wasn’t wearing them during the most important race of the year to recover from the previous day’s shakeout jog. Nor is it likely that he wore them so that he’d have an easier time walking down stairs the next day. Instead, surely, he wore them for the same reason he did everything else that day: to enhance his performance in the race itself.

While Meb managed a sixth-place finish on a day that saw three men break the decade-old course New York City Marathon record, the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist did set a personal best for the marathon distance–and at 36 years of age, no less. Does Meb have his compression socks to thank for his new PR?

Wednesday Night Run 11-9-2011

2011-11-08T10:56:00.001-05:00

Hello ORC,

WalMarts are surrounding Decatur. The only escape is West towards downtown Atlanta. I bring this up because I keep reading about the possible or confirmed WalMart at Suburban Plaza which by the way will be pedestrian friendly. Junktique will be at The Solarium this weekend. Mugs for Jugs a potters benefit for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is at MudFire. At Agnes Scott is the Four Year Art Exhibition. Or share some soup at the Oakhurst Community Gardens. At the Historic 4^th Ward Park is the BeltLine Lantern Parade. The Waldorf School of Atlanta is having their Holiday Fair. Also at Agnes Scott is the WRFG benefit concert. As always there is the Decatur Ghost Tour. And I don’t know how you celebrate 11-11-11. Is there a card for that?

What else is going on this week/weekend?

The closest run you can have in Oakhurst is the Run for Justice 5K which is being run in the neighborhood this time around. You can find a race just as easily by looking at Atlanta’s map because they are in a lot of neighborhoods this weekend. Starting on Friday is the Atlanta Veterans Day Run 11K & Mile. On Saturday are the Uptown Rhodes Race 5K in Atlanta, the Breathe Deep Atlanta 5K at GA Tech, the MMRF Race for Research 5K at Piedmont Park, and the Dog Dash 5K at Historic 4^th Ward Park. And that’s just the Atlanta races. For those running the Hill Country Trail Race at Serenbe in Palmetto and the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon; good luck to you this weekend. On Sunday is the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K in Atlanta.

This Wednesday you will be running route 10. It’s getting dark earlier so for safety’s sake, please wear your lights and other reflective gear. And while I am on my safety soapbox, this run seems to have a lot of car traffic at the main intersections the route crosses so please watch out for drivers who may not be paying attention. The run hits Rockyford, Hosea, Tupelo, and the rolling hills of Spence/McDonough. You can see the map through the link below. Hopefully I have the link correct but if not, run route 10. After this 5 miler it is off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks, and trivia.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBNzBhOGUzZjgtNDFjOC00MmEwLWE1MjItMjczMzU5MTk4OGVk&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-11-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Friday, November 11

Atlanta Veterans Day Run 11K & Mile, Atlanta

Saturday, November 12

Run for Justice 5K, Decatur (Oakhurst)

Undy Run 5000, Marietta

Hill Country Trail Race at Serenbe - 15K & 5K, Palmetto

Flap Jack Dash 5K & Fun Run, Johns Creek

Uptown Rhodes Race 5K, Atlanta

Run for Shelter 5K & Mile, Lawrenceville

Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon, Chickamauga Battlefield Park

Breathe Deep Atlanta 5K, Georgia Tech

Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5K, Roswell

Spartan Sprint 5K, Smyrna

Fuller Center 5K/Mile/Tot Trot, McDonough

4th Annual North Cobb High School Warrior Way 5K & 1K, Kennesaw

MMRF Race for Research 5K, Piedmont Park

Run For Relief 5K, Conyers

Dog Dash 5K, Historic 4th Ward Park

The Reindeer Run 5K & Mile, Conyers

Sunday, November 13

New Balance Girls on the Run 5K, Atlanta

Running As Therapy For Former Troubled Teen

2011-11-08T08:57:00.000-05:00

From the NY Daily News online…

Running As Therapy For Former Troubled Teen

Updated: Nov 1st 2011 10:30 AM UTC by News

He will run his first marathon on Sunday.

“The world is my gym,” says 24-year-old Tyric Cuff.

This statement couldn’t be more true. As a child, Cuff was relocated from state to state. As a teenager, he was put into foster care and shifted between numerous families. He’s always been on the move.

In order to cope with his problems, Cuff has turned to exercise–specifically, walking and running.

“I had these moments when I would get upset, and while I would get upset I would feel really, really angry,” Cuff said. “I would want to punch walls and stuff. Instead of doing that, I took my music and walked and ran. Sometimes I would bring a basketball, or a backpack full of CDs with my Walkman and just walk.”

Now 24, Cuff is doing more than just walking; he’s going to take on one of the hardest running events: the marathon. Next Sunday, he will run the ING New York City Marathon.

Cuff’s mentor is David Kamnitzer. They are running the race together.

“It’s not about keeping up with him, or him keeping up with me,” Kamnitzer said. “Whether I do one mile, or he does ten, it’s just the fact that we are thinking about doing it together. It’s really about the process. We both hope to cross the finish line.”

Read on here.

Runner finds two-year-old boy in Michigan woods

2011-11-04T09:21:00.001-04:00

From the AP and The Globe and Mail…

Runner finds two-year-old boy in Michigan woods

JOHN FLESHER

Traverse City, Mich— The Associated Press

Published Thursday, Nov. 03, 2011 4:41PM EDT

Trevor Vetort said he felt an urge to take a run, even though the weather was gloomy and it was supposed to be his day off.

As the 18-year-old college student headed down a pathway through thick, swampy woods near his home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, he heard what sounded like crying. Then he saw a two-year-old boy sitting on the ground beside the trail, alone and frightened.

“I was just weirded out — what in the world is he doing out here?” Mr. Vetort said by phone Thursday.

The sobbing child held out his arms, repeatedly saying, “Mama, mama.” Mr. Vetort picked up him up and carried him about 1.5 miles to an office at J.W. Wells State Park.

Read on here.

Ready for Redemption

2011-11-04T09:14:00.001-04:00

Ready for Redemption

I watched this happen and felt for her, she was running so well. I wish her luck in NYC. From Running Times online…

Ready for Redemption

Kim Smith hopes to put Boston misery behind her at this weekend's NYC Marathon

By Jim Gerweck

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

After struggling in Boston, Kim Smith is ready to run a solid race in New York.

As Kim Smith readies for her third run in Sunday's ING New York City Marathon, she hopes to forge a new image, one that will replace the one so deeply ingrained in the minds of running fans the world over.

The current edition is one that has joined the pantheon that illustrate the unpredictability and potential cruelty of the 26.2-mile distance, right up there with Geoff Smith collapsing to the pavement after being nipped at the line by Rod Dixon in New York in 1983, or Gabrielle Andersen staggering down the final yards of the inaugural Olympic women's marathon in 1984. 

Smith's vignette was sketched this April in Boston, where in the space of a few strides she went from cruising to what could have been a wire-to-wire runaway victory in the marathon to hobbling along as painfully as any mid-packer suddenly struck with a cramp in the closing miles of the race. 

Read on here.

Running to Remember

2011-11-04T09:11:00.001-04:00

From Running Times online…

Running to Remember

10 years later, the 2001 U.S. marathon champion reflects on running in the shadow of 9/11

By Scott Larson

As featured in the November 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

It was the second week of September. I was in Maine for my honeymoon. The air was crisp, the summer crowds were gone and the Twin Towers were burning. I was training for the New York City Marathon but more specifically for the U.S. marathon championships to be held in conjunction with the race. There was never a doubt in my mind that the race would take place. So I continued to run in silence among the lakes and the fall-tinged leaves--to dance around the track in what now seemed like a senseless endeavor. How could I go for a run when people were forced to jump from the 100th floor? "Can you imagine how bad it must have been for someone to do that?" I asked my wife, Robyn. She hesitated, searching for an answer. "You have to go on; you can't give in. What else are you going to do?" Her advice sounded trite and I had a hard time accepting it, but of course she was right.

Still, I felt guilty. A guilt born of an illogical reaction to an irrational act of misplaced hatred and fear. I was alive. I was safe. My friends and family were healthy. And of course I ran. It's what we runners do to cope with life's uncertainties, to make sense of the senseless--that somehow by taking that first stiff, lumbering, seemingly insignificant step, things will work out. Step by step until the cadence builds, breathing hard, legs begin to burn and the pain that comes is good because it means life and a willful sacrifice towards progress. And as lactic acid fills your legs and doubts assail you, the only way to continue is to forget.

Read on here.

Ageless Runners

2011-11-03T13:40:00.000-04:00

From USA Today online...

Behold the agelessness of these long-distance runners

By Janice Lloyd, USA TODAY

On the eve of the ING New York City Marathon, Joy Johnson is thinking about how to layer her clothes for the cool weather and her finishing time.

Normal everyday runner concerns, right?

Johnson, one of more than 45,000 entrants in Sunday's race, belongs to a growing group of runners: the senior set. She is 84 and looking forward to her 24th consecutive 26.2-mile run in the Big Apple.

"I want to keep running as long as I can and drop in my running shoes when the time comes, " says Johnson, a San Jose resident.

Read on here.

Expert Advice: How To PR At The ING NYC Marathon

2011-11-01T15:47:00.001-04:00

I should have read this beforehand…

Expert Advice: How To PR At The ING NYC Marathon

Published: Oct 28th 2011 10:48 AM UTC

by Sabrina Grotewold

Here are a few top tips from a local who’s clocked 2:15:05 on the bridge-heavy five borough course.

New Zealand Olympian and New York City resident John Henwood says, "Save your energy for the Bronx and for running along 5th Avenue when you're back in Manhattan." Photo: NYRR

Olympian John Henwood of New Zealand lives, trains and coaches runners in New York City. He finished 15th at the 2005 ING New York City Marathon and 21st in 2008. While he coaches athletes—from running to strength training—with a variety of abilities, he’s coached several sub-3:00 NYC marathon runners and Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers. His running team, Henwood’s Hounds, are currently ranked fifth in the 2011 New York Road Runners club points standings in the open women’s category.

If you’re gunning for a personal best at this year’s ING New York City Marathon, here’s some advice from a local who’s clocked 2:15:05 on the bridge-heavy five borough course. Here are coach Henwood’s tips:

Complete your final workout seven to 10 days before the race. Henwood’s favorite workout: 3 minutes at 10K race pace, 2 minutes recovery at normal running pace; repeat eight times.

In the seven to 10 days leading up to the event, run relaxed and easy to return the “bounce” to the legs. If you’re feeling antsy, Henwood may prescribe 10 minutes of 100-meter strides during race week.

Have a fueling strategy before the start. Learn where the fuel and fluid stations are along the course—they’re printed prominently on the course map. “Consistent fluid stops of water, Gatorade and GU (or another gel) are important to run a PR,” coach Henwood advises.

Dress appropriately for the weather. It’s preferable to be too warm rather than too cold—dress in layers and bring throwaway clothes. The winds can really whip around in the start area at Fort Wadsworth and while you’re waiting in the corrals on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

When you arrive at the start, sit down and keep your legs at rest until 40 minutes prior to moving to the start line.

Henwood’s suggested race day warm-up: 10-12 minutes of easy jogging followed by three or four 70-meter strides at race pace, then stretching, to be completed 40 minutes prior to moving to the start line.

Plan to run an evenly paced race. “I try to get runners to run an even pace throughout the whole marathon,” Henwood says. “It’s a very hard marathon [course] to negative split.”

Notes on the course:

“The first mile is mostly uphill, so runners need to take it very relaxed during the first mile, as their adrenaline could get the better of them. You don’t want to use up too much energy in mile 1. Also, be aware that coming off the Queensboro Bridge can be tricky. The crowds are going crazy and runners can easily get carried away, thinking they’re the six million dollar man on the downhill part of the bridge. Use the energy of the crowds to flow downhill. Save your energy for the Bronx and for running along 5th Avenue when you’re back in Manhattan. You’ll need it!”

Read here.

How To Stay Warm In A Cold-Weather Marathon

2011-11-01T15:42:00.000-04:00

I’ve run 20 miles in below freezing temps with snow and ice on the ground while training for a marathon. Luckily I have never run one in below freezing temps. This comes out just before the NYC marathon…

Tips for running in cold weather as New York City marathon approaches

Keeping warm before the race is a way to stay safe on race day

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Monday, October 31 2011, 1:07 PM

Dr. Maharam: This winter I plan on running races in Central Park put on by the New York Road Runners just about every weekend. I find myself shivering after the races, and am afraid I may eventually get hypothermic. As you have been at these races for years giving medical care, do you have any tips for us to stay healthy running in the cold? - Chad M., New York City

Thanks, Chad. I had been thinking about writing a cold-weather post since our Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas marathon and half-marathon are coming up the first weekend of December, bringing cooler, evening temperatures, not to mention Sunday’s New York City Marathon.

Your question now gives me the perfect set-up to go over cold weather running for this race and for the coming winter runs.

I do have some basic cold-weather tips. Please follow these guidelines for staying safe if race day is unusually cold and/or damp, and especially if there is wind. (All temperatures listed are Fahrenheit.)

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 11-2-2011

2011-11-01T12:11:00.005-04:00

Hello ORC,

On Sunday is the 2011 World Run Day, http://www.runday.com/, so go out for a run. Can you imagine with all the snow and bad weather the NE is having; folks will still line up and run the NYC Marathon. World Run Day lines up with the NYC Marathon as added motivation.

Yes, Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp is this weekend. The weather is cooler so a little chili will be nice. The event has grown and grown over the years. It use to be easy to come in a couple of hours after it starts and there would still be chili available. Now it’s wise to come early. At Kavarna is Singing Green, a fundraiser for Greening Forward. Also on Saturday is the Decatur Wine Festival. Atlantic Station celebrates the Day of the Dead. Inman Park hosts the Inman Park Beer Fest and of course its requisite 5K. The Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston has their Fall Festival this Saturday. It seems to be a busy weekend.

What else is going on this week/weekend? Want to share?

With cooler weather comes a bunch of local races. Starting on Thursday is the Parks and recreation 5K at Piedmont Park. I do not think it is based on the TV show of the same name. A couple of races in Inman Park. On Saturday is the Inman Middle School 5K while on Sunday is The Inman Park Beer Chase 5K. Other close races are the Strong Legs run at Turner Field on Saturday; the ATC Run Around the Rock at Stone Mountain; the Pass the Torch race at Grant Park; Georgia tech hosts the GT Econ Club 5K; and of course the Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5K, a favorite of mine just for the chili.

This Wednesday you will be running route 8, the East Lake Golf Course run. The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. The Lake Claire run was next in the line-up but it’s getting a bit too dark to run along McClendon and up East Lake Drive so it’s temporarily shelved for the winter. After getting out of the hill on Garland, the route runs downhill until climbing Oakview Rd. Then the route continues to climb Howard to a quick downhill on College. Then it's the climb on Wisteria, and a finishing uphill at the shop. 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/
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZGQwMWNkNTAtMTIyMi00MjNiLWI5MTgtZDkwNDNmNWRlMmEw&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-11-01T11:04:00.001-04:00

Thursday, November 3

2011 5K for Parks and Recreation, Piedmont Park

Saturday, November 5

Run for the River 10K & 5K Road Races, Marietta

3rd Annual Partners for Chare "what if?" 5K Run/Walk, Dunwoody

Inman Middle School 5K, Virginia Highland

Kids II Strong Legs 10K / 5K / 2K / Mascot Trot, Turner Field

XTERRA Georgia Battle At Big Creek 9.0 Mi / 5.0 Mi Trail Running Race, Roswell

ATC Run Around the Rock 5M/10M/15M, Stone Mountain

Gwinnett Parks Foundation 5K, Lawrenceville

Callaway Gardens Twilight 10K, Pine Mountain

Pass the Torch 5K/10K, Grant Park

GT Econ Club 5K, Atlanta, Georgia Tech

Transfiguration Mission Run 5K/Mile, Marietta

Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5K, Atlanta

Minter Trail Blazer 5K & Mile, Fayetteville

Habitat for Humanity 5K Pumpkin Chase, Conyers

Kincaid Fun Run & 3K, Marietta

Sunday, November 6

Anything is Possible 5K, Kennesaw

Kincaid Fun Run & 3K, Atlanta

The Inman Park Beer Chase 5K, Atlanta

Fall Back 5K/Mile/Tot Trot, Sandy Springs

Wednesday Night Run 10-26-2011

2011-10-25T10:25:00.001-04:00

Hello ORC,

It is the last weekend before Halloween so I guess you can call it Halloween weekend. So on Sunday is the 1st Annual HomeGrown Halloween Parade and Monsters' Ball. If you haven’t run (pun intended) through the neighborhoods, there is the Decorate Decatur Halloween Contest. There are many a yards that go all out to decorate for Halloween. Just at the corner of Hibernia and Adair are several yards filled with decorations. At Twain’s on Saturday is the 3rd Annual Moonshiner’s Ball. This is just a few of the local events this weekend.

What else is going on this week?

There are a couple of local races this weekend and some of you are busy training for your fall marathons. One of which could be this weekend, good luck to you. There is much more races going on this weekend and here are some local ones. On Saturday are the Big Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk in Roswell, the Race for Smiles 5K & 1K Fun Run in Johns Creek, and the Start! Heart Walk 5K at Turner Field. For a longer run in Mableton is the Silver Comet Half Marathon/Marathon. Meanwhile on Sunday is the 2011 Atlanta Dog Jog at Piedmont Park. Also on Sunday, watch out for traffic for the ATC Atlanta Marathon & Marathon Relay.

As a continuing friendly reminder from now until it gets lighter, wear your lights, reflective vests, etc. so you can be seen during your run. Please run safely.

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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZDQwNzI3NTQtZGY4My00MWNjLWE2YWItNmUzNzIxNDNhOGE3&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-10-25T09:30:00.001-04:00

Saturday, October 29

Big Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk, Roswell

Race for Smiles 5K & 1K Fun Run, Johns Creek

Silver Comet Half Marathon/Marathon & Fun Run, Mableton

Start! Heart Walk 5K, Turner Field

Sunday, October 30

2011 Atlanta Dog Jog, Piedmont Park

ATC Atlanta Marathon & Marathon Relay, Atlanta

Inman Park Beer Chase

2011-10-24T18:04:00.001-04:00

The secret of the world's oldest marathon runner

2011-10-20T10:21:00.001-04:00

From The Guardian online…

The secret of the world's oldest marathon runner

Fauja Singh, 100, who completed the Toronto race, says it's all down to avoiding stress

By: Nosheen Iqbal

guardian.co.uk

Wednesday 19 October 2011 15.30 EDT

'Anything worth doing is going to be difficult," says Fauja Singh, the 100-year-old runner who this week became the world's oldest person to complete a full-length marathon, crossing the line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront event in eight hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds. (And he didn't finish last: five came in after him.)

At five foot eight and weighing a little more than eight stone, Singh is a spindly figure under his heavy turban and wispy beard. "Girl, you tell me: has anything you wanted ever been easy?" he says. "I was so worried we [he ran with his trainer] might not make it that we didn't tell our relatives we were doing it. I just wanted to break that bloody record."

Read on here.

How quickly is water absorbed after you drink it?

2011-10-20T10:18:00.001-04:00

Interesting little article from Sweat Science…

How quickly is water absorbed after you drink it?

October 19th, 2011

I’ve always been curious about this. Sometimes, after drinking a big glass of water, it seems like I pee it all out literally just a few minutes later. Is this just in my head, or is ingested fluid really processed that quickly? A new study by researchers at the University of Montreal, published online in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, takes a very detailed look at the kinetics of water absorption and offers some answers.

The study gave 36 volunteers 300 mL of ordinary bottled water, “labelled” with deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen than contains a proton and a neutron instead of just a proton) to allow the researchers to track how much of that specific gulp of water was found at different places in the body. They found that the water started showing up in the bloodstream within five minutes; half of the water was absorbed in 11-13 minutes; and it was completely absorbed in 75-120 minutes.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 10-19-2011

2011-10-18T11:36:00.001-04:00

Hello ORC,

With a high in the 80’s on Monday and temps falling for the rest of the week; does 80 degrees count as Indian Summer even though it was just one day. This Saturday, Glenwood Estates is having a neighborhood yard sale. It will be Food Day at the Decatur Farmer’s Market. On Thursday October 20^th is a free self-defense class at the Beacon Hill Center. Garden Jams is going on Friday night at the Oakhurst Community Garden Project. Turn DecatuRED is doing a citywide fundraiser on Saturday. The taste Of Atlanta is at Spring and 5^th. There is a free screening of ‘FLOW’ on Friday night at Emory University. The Atlanta Indie Market and the festival on Ponce continue on. And finally the Little 5 Points Halloween parade and festival are this weekend.

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

Local races this weekend include the Run Like Hell 5K & Run Like Heck 1K for Kids at Oakland Cemetery. You can bet there will be a Halloween theme for races for the next week and a half. In Atlanta is the Road Race for Education 5K and in Piedmont Park is the 2011 Kids' Wheel & Run. On Sunday is the AKF/Partnerships in Action 5K & 1K & Kids Run in Centennial Olympic Park. For something longer or different are the Athens GA Half Marathon in Athens and the 2nd Annual Georgia State Championship Trail Running Race in Lawrenceville.

This Wednesday you will be running route 6. It's the elephant run as named by Gail. There are the challenging hills of Delano, the grind up Rogers, and of course climbing up McClendon. By the way, if it is getting too dark for this route to be run, let me know and I will shelve it for the winter. Last year a comment was made that the path/sidewalk along East Lake was too dark to see. And of course since daylight is shrinking away, wear your lights and other reflective gear for the run. 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/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBOGNjYzcxMzMtNmI1ZC00MzVlLThkYjAtYzJhMjRlZWUzODYx&hl=en

Play It Safe Before You Lace Up

2011-10-18T11:14:00.001-04:00

This is pretty cool and something I picked up from the Decatur-Avondale Estates Patch online…

Healthy Patch Living

By Kelly Marie George

Play It Safe Before You Lace Up

Decatur sports chiropractor gives tips on how to avoid injury by preparing properly for running.

As the cooler temperatures kick in, people are able to spend more time outside walking and running. Perhaps you are even getting your running shoes out now and getting ready for one of the many races coming up.

Whether you are a competitive runner or you just like to do fun runs, it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and avoiding injury.

Decatur sports chiropractor Dr. Alan Bragman agrees that running is a great way to stay fit. However, he also knows the repetitive nature of the sport is associated with injuries such as, sprains, strains, tendonitis, fascitis, fractures and other problems with lower extremities.

“Most running injuries and problems are related to improper preparation and over training,” says Bragman. “Runners need to prepare for this challenging high impact activity by stretching, properly warming up, having adequate core strength and cross training."

These principles apply to all runners. Many people ramp up their running routines for upcoming races. Here’s where Bragman says he sees problems.

Read on here.

A Marathon Runner Delivers a Baby

2011-10-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

From the Sun Times online…

Woman gives birth after running Chicago Marathon

BY DAN ROZEK Staff Reporter/drozek@suntimes.com October 10, 2011 12:12PM

Amber Miller will take running a marathon over labor pains any day — but on Sunday, she mastered both.

Despite being almost 39 weeks pregnant when she hit the starting line of the Chicago Marathon, Miller ran through labor contractions and the unusually warm 77-degree day to finish the race.

She delivered a healthy daughter about 7 1/2 hours later.

“The race was definitely easier than the labor,” Miller said Monday as she cradled her 7-pound, 13-ounce newborn, June Audra Miller.

Read on here.

Local Races This Weekend

2011-10-18T10:29:00.000-04:00

Saturday, October 22

Spooktacular 5K & 1K, Smyrna

Run Like Hell 5K & Run Like Heck 1K for Kids, Oakland Cemetery

Contact: Ed Williams (404) 327-7738.

Dyslexia Dash 5K, Roswell

Helping Hand 5K, Lawrenceville

Road Race for Education 5K, Atlanta

2011 Kids' Wheel & Run, Atlanta, Piedmont Park

Paws on Pavement 4 Mile Run & 2 Mile Walk, College Park

Sunday, October 23

Race to Rally Hope 5K - 10K - Fun Run, Alpharetta

Athens GA Half Marathon, Athens

AKF/Partnerships in Action 5K & 1K & Kids Run, Centennial Olympic Park

2nd Annual Georgia State Championship Trail Running Race, Lawrenceville

Transition to Trails

2011-10-18T10:26:00.001-04:00

From Running Times online…

Transition to Trails

What road elites turned trail champions can teach you about going off-road

By Ian Torrence

As featured in the October 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

Why don't the top percent, the best of the best, the Ryan Halls and Kara Gouchers, give off-road racing a try? James Howard, a longtime high school and college coach, Olympic trials marathoner and a two-time winner of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, identifies the elite runner's typical progression.

"Most competitive road and track runners have progressed through some type of youth or high school and college running program that offers cross country and track," Howard muses, reflecting many Running Times readers' experience. "Cross country offers the fast racer the experience of running over dirt and grass on wide trails at distances that range from 2 miles to 12K. So, most serious runners will progress to longer flat road racing distances such as the half marathon and marathon but will not transition to longer trail racing because they are more interested in personal records at established distances. When you transition to technical trail, personal records are slower and race-specific. Most serious road racers do not feel the need to race on trails longer than the distances offered in the sport of cross country and do not care about the challenge that technical trail running offers."

Read on here.

The Wrong Medal

2011-10-18T10:22:00.001-04:00

From Wales Online…

Cardiff Half Marathon runner awarded wrong medal

by Jessica Flynn, WalesOnline Oct 18 2011

AFTER running 13.1 miles in the Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday Anthony Bowen was relived to cross the finish line and receive his medal.

But it was only later on that the father of six and grandfather of two realised that he had been given the wrong medal.

Read on here.

Recover Right with Whole Foods

2011-10-18T10:19:00.001-04:00

From Running Times online…

Recover Right with Whole Foods

Try these meals and snacks to add variety to your recovery diet

By Jackie Dikos, R.D.

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

There are plenty of bars, shakes, drinks and other forms of supplements to purchase in an effort to promote recovery from demanding training. Such options can serve a purpose in filling gaps in meeting recovery nutrition needs. However, supplements aren’t necessary in promoting recovery. There are benefits to consuming whole foods as recovery fuel.

First of all, whole food is often less expensive than supplementation. Also keep in mind that consuming the same supplement day in and day out limits nutrients available to the body. Eating varied recovery snacks and meals supports a diet diverse in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. This is beneficial for overall health and potentially performance. The ideal recovery snack or meal will be rich in carbohydrates (roughly half your body weight in grams of carbohydrate) and include a source of protein (620g).

Consider including some of these recovery snacks and meals in your training.

Read on here.

Running With Your Cat

2011-10-18T10:17:00.001-04:00

From The Vancouver Sun online…

For jogging Vancouver cat, life’s a walk in the park

‘Doglike’ three-year-old Abyssinian has been trained to go for strolls on a leash and to sit on command

By Kim Pemberton, Vancouver Sun October 13, 2011

Jafari Jamison Underfoot, or JJ for short, loves to jog the Stanley Park trails, wade into the waves of English Bay and has learned to sit on command.

JJ happens to be a cat, but not just any cat.

This nearly three-year-old feline is an Abyssinian, which owner Christopher Weeks explained is a breed with many “doglike” qualities

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 10-12-2011

2011-10-11T11:06:00.000-04:00

Hello ORC,

A couple of Fall Fests are going on this weekend. Avondale is having their Autumn Fest this weekend. There is the North GA Mountain Style Fall festival at the United Methodist Children’s Home. At the Solarium on Thursday night is the Low Country Boil benefiting the Decatur Education Foundation. In Candler Park is the Candler Park Fall Fest at Candler Park (How many times can I write Candler Park in one sentence). It is Atlanta Beer Week this week and into the weekend. There are events all over town. Tuesday is City of Decatur Beer Week day. And this weekend at the Brick Store is the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. Decatur ghost tour starts at 8 at the Decatur bandstand.

What else is going on this weekend?

The Candler Park Fall Fest runs this Saturday. There is also the Grant Park Monster Dash 5K. On Sunday is the AIDS Walk/5K run at Piedmont Park. There are a lot of other runs in the metro Atlanta area. If you want something longer, there is the Norcross Half Marathon. If you want something dirtier, there is the Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run in Conyers. If you want something faster, there is the Morningside Mile.

It was supposed to be Katie Kerr based on the cycle but that route is getting dark to run so it’s shelved for the winter. Which means the winter route will be coming up sooner or later. Also since it is getting dark, please bring out the reflective vests, shirts, jackets, and lights for your safety. On Wednesday night you will be running route 13. The route goes up the hard flat of Oakview and hits the hills of Spence/McDonough. 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.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBYjJmOWIyYzAtZjUzYi00ZWQ0LWExZmMtMTIyNWJlYmQ3YjZj&hl=en

Local Races This Weekend

2011-10-10T12:41:00.001-04:00

Saturday, October 15

Candler Park Fall Fest 5K, Candler Park

BA 5K, Dunwoody

JA Autumn Dash 5K, Atlanta

Monster Dash 5K / Mile / Fun Run, Grant Park

Emory Winship 5K, Emory University Track

Peachtree City Classic 15K & 5K, Peachtree City

2011 Norcross Half Marathon & 5K, Norcross

Hilton Kort 5K & 1K Family Fun Run, Sandy Springs

Healthy Moves 5K, Marietta

Dravet Syndrome Foundation Family Fun Walk, Chastain Park

The Phoenix 5K & 1K Firebird Fun Run/Walk, Atlanta

J E Dunn Hammer Down 5K and 1K Fun Run, Sandy Springs

Sunday, October 16

Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run 5K & 10K, Conyers

The Morningside Mile, Virginia Highlands/Morningside

2011 AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run, Piedmont Park

Local Races This Weekend

2011-10-04T11:56:00.001-04:00

Saturday, October 8

Oakhurst Arts Run, Oakhurst, Decatur

Athletes Helping Athletes 5K Run/Mile Walk, Kennesaw

Remember Haiti 5K Run/1K Race for Hope, Jonesboro

Granite Grasshopper 5K & Fun Run, Stone Mountain

Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K, Marietta

Ron Clark Academy Parents 5K Run/Walk for Education, Grant Park

Sunday, October 9

Mystery Mountain Marathon & 12-Miler, Chatsworth

Makes A Difference Day Hawg Jog 5K, Marietta

Wednesday Night Run 10-5-2011

2011-10-04T11:52:00.001-04:00

Hello ORC,

It’s that time of the year again; it’s the Oakhurst Arts fest at Harmony Park. There will be the 5K race in the morning. And for the afternoon, you can stroll around Oakhurst, see the artist’s tents, and listen to some music. So come out and support the neighborhood and its all free. Atlanta Pride fest is also this weekend mostly by Piedmont Park. Parade is at 1pm on Sunday. At the brick Store Pub is the Annual Hop Harvest fest. Sweet Auburn Music Fest goes on this weekend. You can take the Decatur Ghost Tour starting at 8pm at the Bandstand on Friday night. The Friends School of Atlanta is having a yard sale/flea market.

What else is going on? Care to share?

The closest run you can have in Oakhurst is the Oakhurst Arts Run 5K. It’s this Saturday and runs in conjunction with the Oakhurst Arts fest. Other close runs are the Ron Clark Academy Parents 5K Run/Walk for Education in Grant Park and the Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K in Marietta. If you are up for a Sunday run there is the Mystery Mountain Marathon & 12-Miler in Chatsworth and the Makes A Difference Day Hawg Jog 5K in Marietta. I hope the temps stay like it is today because it makes for a nice run.

This Wednesday you will be running route 10. I call it the Tupelo run because of the challenging hill on Tupelo. The run hits Rockyford, Hosea, Tupelo, and the rolling hills of Spence/McDonough. You can see the map through the link below. After this 5 miler it is off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks, and trivia.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBNzBhOGUzZjgtNDFjOC00MmEwLWE1MjItMjczMzU5MTk4OGVk&hl=en

Oakhurst Arts 5K Run

2011-09-28T10:43:00.002-04:00

In time with the Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival, info from Run Georgia…

Oakhurst Arts 5K Run

Saturday, October 8, 2011, 8:00 a.m.

Oakhurst, Decatur, Ga.

Proceeds to benefit the S.D.C.D.C.

The Oakhurst Arts Run is a 5K held in conjunction with the Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival – www.oakhurstartsandmusicfestival.com. Plan to enjoy the festival after the run! Race starts and ends at One Step at a Time running store located in the heart of Oakhurst at 650 E. Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030. Proceeds from this event to benefit South Decatur Community Development - S.D.C.D.C

More info here and here.

Local Races This Weekend

2011-09-28T10:39:00.001-04:00

Saturday, October 1

A Future, Not a Past 5K, Candler Park

Firefly Run 5K (Illuminated Night Run), Piedmont Park

The Vibha Dream Mile 5K, Georgia Tech

Racing for Grace 5K/10K, Tucker

Georgia Race for Autism 10K/5K/Mile/Tot Trot, Lawrenceville

See Now. Hear Now. Run Now. 5K & Mile, Chamblee

XTERRA Georgia Fall Fitness 5K Trail Running Race, Buford

6th Annual Ginny Jog 5K, Roswell

Techie 5K & 10K Run/Walk, Norcross

Habitat for Humanity Framing the Future Road Race 5K and Mile, Marietta

The Arts in Motion 5K & Mile Fun Run, Conyers

Angel Dash 5K, McDonough

Battle of the Burgers 5K, Atlanta, Virginia Highland

3rd Annual 5Kell and 1 Mile Fun Run, Marietta

Tour de Pink 5K Run/Walk, Alpharetta

21st Annual Kids Chance Fun Run, Roswell

Sunday, October 2

13.1 Atlanta Half Marathon & 5K, Atlanta

Jones Bridge Animal Hospital Stray Dog Strut 5K, Alpharetta

Race to Read 5K, McDonough

How to Recover Efficiently After a Marathon

2011-09-28T10:20:00.001-04:00

Found this on Runner’s World online…

How to Recover Efficiently After a Marathon

September 22, 2011 10:00 am

I just finished my first marathon Sunday, and I'm wondering what to do for recovery. How much should I be running in the next few weeks, and how long before I can schedule marathon number two? –Jamie D.

Congratulations on your new marathoner status! The recovery process varies every bit as much as the marathon experience itself. Sometimes the post-race healing happens very efficiently and you are back to running 100% in a matter of weeks, while other times it can take much longer. Some variables that affect the length of recovery time needed include the quality of the training season, lingering aches and pains, how you navigate the return to running, nutrition, stress in your life, sleep, how hard you pushed on race day, the course and terrain, the weather, your age, your marathon experience, and more.

Wednesday Night Run 9-28-2011

2011-09-27T11:32:00.001-04:00

Hello ORC,

It was the last minute till I remembered that the 4^th of July fireworks were rescheduled for last weekend. I heard them though. Cakes & Ale will be grilling up at the Oakhurst Community Garden Project for a fundraiser for the gardens. The Decatur Fitness Festival is at Decatur HS Stadium on Saturday. The Sweet Auburn fest is this weekend. Avondale is hosting Kidsfest. Hotoberfest is at Glenwood Park. At the Atlanta Friends Meeting House is the Atlanta Pagan Pride Day. The Atlanta Greek Fest is at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral; awesome food. At Emory Presbyterian is Bluegrass and BBQ. Battle of the Burgers is at John Howell Park. The Lake Claire Home and Garden tours are this weekend. And I thought there wasn’t much this weekend.

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

This weekend will be the first day of October; it is officially Fall and hopefully the temps will follow. Some local runs this weekend are the A Future, Not a Past 5K in Candler Park; the Firefly Run 5K an illuminated night run at Piedmont Park; the Vibha Dream Mile 5K at Georgia Tech; Battle of the Burgers 5K in the Highlands; and an Xterra race in Buford, not local but a cool trail race nonetheless. There are a lot of other runs around the Metro Atlanta area, check out the Run Georgia calendar. On Sunday are the 13.1 Atlanta Half Marathon & 5K so watch out for traffic.

Interesting note, the City of Decatur website now has a running page and has posted some routes on the site. All the routes start from the front of the Old Decatur Courthouse. If the route format looks familiar, there is good reason for that, http://www.decaturga.com/index.aspx?page=623.

This Wednesday you will be running route 8, the East Lake Golf Course run. The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. I fixed up the link and now the routes are in Google docs. I can access it from my phone but I can’t test it from my work computer. Let me know if it works. After getting out of the hill on Garland, the route runs downhill until climbing Oakview Rd. Then the route continues to climb Howard to a quick downhill on College. Then it's the climb on Wisteria, and a finishing uphill at the shop. After the run, it's off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks and trivia.

Thanks for making the Oakhurst Running Club one of the friendliest running club in Atlanta.

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9kfg7f38KdBZGQwMWNkNTAtMTIyMi00MjNiLWI5MTgtZDkwNDNmNWRlMmEw&hl=en

Running In Decatur

2011-09-23T13:50:00.001-04:00

Several running maps have been posted to the City of Decatur site. You can click here to get to the site. From the site and some routes that have been posted…

The City of Decatur offers a number of running maps, all beginning at the Old Courthouse Square in downtown Decatur. Maps include turn by turn directions as well as elevations. Enjoy your run in Decatur!

Clairemont Heights 1 Mile Run

Clairemont Heights 3 Mile Run

Glenlake 2 MIle Run

Glenlake 5 Mile Run

PATH/Rocky Ford 4 Mile Run

Adair 2 Mile Run

The Talk Test

2011-09-21T10:16:00.001-04:00

From the NY Times online…

Rethinking the Exercise ‘Talk Test’

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

Many of us rely on the so-called talk test to gauge a workout’s intensity. It is such a simple measure, consisting of only one question: Can you speak aloud while working out? If so, conventional wisdom says, you are exercising at the right intensity to improve both your health and fitness.

But a new study by researchers at the University of New Hampshire suggests that we may need to refine our thinking about the talk test. For some of us, it seems, gabbing easily with a partner could be shortchanging our training.

For the study, the researchers recruited 15 healthy and active men and women ranging in age from 18 to 35. The volunteers were not competitive athletes, but most possessed above-average fitness. They were not new to exercise.

All of the participants began the experiment with testing to quantify how hard they could exercise. The researchers looked at measures like maximum heart rate and oxygen-carrying capacity, or VO2 max, a measure of how efficiently oxygen is delivered to muscles. They also looked at something called lactate threshold, the point at which the muscles tend to give out. As the intensity of your workout increases, you move closer to your particular physiological ceiling, the moment at which your body can no longer keep moving.

In a separate session, each volunteer then recited the Pledge of Allegiance aloud while jogging on a treadmill at an increasingly brisk pace. Every three minutes, he or she would repeat the pledge and tell the scientists whether speaking now was easy, difficult or close to impossible (amounting to a gasped “can’t talk”). Throughout the session, the researchers tracked each volunteer’s heart rate and other measures of exertion.

What they discovered was that people who are already fit start to have considerable difficulty talking when they approach their lactate threshold.

If that finding sounds abstruse, you probably are among the many of us who have been blissfully unaware of the significance of our lactate thresholds.

Read on here.

Local Races This Weekend

2011-09-21T10:11:00.001-04:00

Saturday, September 24

Be The One Run 5K / 1K / Tot Trot, Atlantic Station

5th Annual Walk of HEROes 5K & Tot Trot, Decatur

JPNA's Autumn Rush 5K, East

5K 2 KO Cancer,

XTERRA Georgia Harbins Park 10K Trail Running Race, Grayson

ATC Singleton 5M & 10M, Tucker

Chase A Cop 5K & Mile, Lawrenceville

Fight Against Childhood Obesity 5K Run/Walk, Tucker

Silver Lake Centennial 5K, Atlanta

LAMA 5K Run/Walk for Literacy, Decatur

Carbo Loading

2011-09-21T10:09:00.001-04:00

From Running Times online…

Carbo–loading Rules to Run By

Learn when and how to effectively carbo-load

By Jackie Dikos, R.D.

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

“Am I eating enough or too much?” It can be nerve-wracking wondering if effective carbohydrate loading is being applied before a major race. Just because the belly is full doesn’t mean it’s full of beneficial carbohydrates that will support successful racing. Consider these basic rules in understanding where carbohydrates enter the diet, what the best carbohydrates are leading up to a race, and how to effectively carbohydrate load.

Read on here.

Simple and Effective

2011-09-21T10:06:00.001-04:00

From Running Times online…

Think Tall for Good Running Form

The simplest, most effective running form cue

By Greg McMillan, M.S.

As featured in the October 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

I was lucky to run at a high school where the coach and the upperclassmen focused on proper running form. It was something we worked on frequently. As a result, nearly every runner leaving the program had very good form. Notice that I didn't say "the same form." We all had differences in our body structure and function, so we had variations in our form. We all, however, looked good running.

The first lesson that our coach taught us was to "run tall." It's the easiest cue to use for runners and will clear up about 90 percent of form issues. It's a simple idea that when consistently implemented results in significant improvements in running form.

Here's the idea: Your head should be balanced over your shoulders. Your shoulders should be balanced over your hips, and your hips should be balanced over your legs. No slouching your shoulders (a common problem since most of us are hunched over a computer all day). No head in front of your body (more thanks to the computer). No butt sticking out. Since I've coached high-schoolers up to senior citizens, I know that just by telling them to run tall, their running technique improves greatly no matter how experienced of a runner they are.

We can debate footwear (from "normal" shoes to minimal shoes and even to bare feet), foot plant (heel strike, midfoot strike and toe strike) as well as any of the other biomechanical theories/opinions that are gaining popularity. But if you focus just on running tall, you'll run better. You'll have better technique. You'll create less stress on your body. And you'll counteract the gradual return to a hunched-over caveman that our everyday lives encourage.

Your task, then, isn't to spend hours reading opinions on running form and footwear. Your task is just to think about running tall over the next week. This doesn't mean running stiff. It means simply holding your body in a relaxed yet balanced position. Once you achieve this relaxed, balanced position with your body, then the rest of good form is pretty easy to correct.

Read on here.

What Mud on Your Calves Means for Your Form

2011-09-21T10:05:00.001-04:00

I found this very interesting from Running Times online…

What Mud on Your Calves Means for Your Form

Four form flaws you can recognize by yourself

By Jennifer Hughes

As featured in the October 2011 issue of Running Times Magazine

Sometimes, problems with your running form are obvious. For example, if after an hour of running your neck and shoulders get increasingly tight, then you have undeniable evidence of something that needs fixing.

Sometimes, though, things aren't so obvious, either because you don't notice anything untoward happening while you're running, or what you do notice doesn't seem like it matters. Here are four common "hidden" quirks that are likely signs of a weakness or imbalance. Fix them, and you'll run faster and be less susceptible to injury.

Read on here.

Wednesday Night Run 9-21-2011

2011-09-21T09:46:00.001-04:00

Hello ORC,

It is Car Free Day today in Decatur and you are doing your job running
around Decatur.

Darwin is at Fernbank. Music Midtown is back. It's Inman Park restaurant
week. Doria Roberts (former neighbor) is playing tomorrow night at the
East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market. There is the Atlanta Music
Festival at Emory. Garden Hills is having an Ice Cream Social that is
open to the public. The PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club
should be here anytime.

What else is going on? Want to share?

Looking at the calendar on Run Georgia there are a whole lot of runs on
the calendar this weekend. Let me focus on some local runs and an
xterra. The 5th Annual Walk of HEROes 5K & Tot Trot will be in Decatur.
The JPNA's Autumn Rush 5K is in East Point. By the way that's Jefferson
Park Neighborhood Association. The XTERRA Georgia Harbins Park 10K Trail
Running Race is in Grayson. The ATC Singleton 5M & 10M is in Tucker. And
finally the LAMA 5K Run/Walk for Literacy is in Decatur. There are a
whole lot more and you can check it out here,
http://rungeorgia.com/calendar.html.

Tonight, Wednesday you will be running Route 9, the Lake Claire run.
It's not getting too dark for ths run is it? It's a nice run starting
with the short hills going out and then the long hard flat coming back
into Decatur and Oakhurst, along Ponce and East Lake Rd. The link 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+9.pdf?gda=wfstek
AAAABX1J9qhvqHbbbNJKzo8aYdt2n4KBlxvMzkzEmFtpwLv5TvMIATZsyqg5akgzruj0RtxV
PdW1gYotyj7-X7wDON

90 Days In The 90s

2011-09-14T10:13:00.001-04:00

From the AJC online…

High in the 90s on Wednesday would tie record

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday’s high temperature is expected to reach the 90s for a record-tying 90th time this year, but forecasters are promising cooler weather, along with a slight chance of showers, beginning on Thursday.

So far in 2011, Atlanta’s official thermometer at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has registered temperatures in the 90s on 89 days, a number surpassed only by the 90 days in the 90s recorded in 1980.

Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton is predicting a high Wednesday of 91, but said temperatures will take a “big drop” when a cold front arrives Wednesday night.

Read on here.

Team Decatur Wins Most Fit City!

2011-09-14T07:13:00.002-04:00

Great news for the City of Decatur, Congratulations! From the Be Active Decatur site, read the post here.

Go Team Decatur! Team Decatur took home the “Most Fit City” award for the second year in a row at the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5K. We had 256 members ranging in ages from 10 to 81 who enjoyed the cool evening event. Thanks to everyone who came out and participated.

A special thanks goes to Active Living Board Member Michael Harbin who did a fabulous job rallying the Decatur community and businesses.

Commissioner Patti Garrett accepted the award from Olympian Jeff Galloway.
(Picture from the Be Active Decatur site)