Boston Womens Race Recap

From Runner’s World online Boston coverage (look at the picture, it’s so close)…

Kilel Kills Boston Course, American Davila 2nd

2011/04/18 5:50 pm

 by Susan Rinkunas

As has been the case the last three years in Boston, the women’s race was decided by mere seconds in a sprint down Boylston Street. Caroline Kilel of Kenya, a relative unknown, outdueled Desiree Davila of the United States to win the 115th Boston Marathon by 2 seconds in 2:22:36. Sharon Cherop of Kenya, who won September’s Toronto Marathon, took third in 2:22:42.

Read on here.

Boston Men's Race Recap

From Runner’s World online coverage of Boston…

Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai Runs 2:03:02 Marathon, Fastest Ever; Ryan Hall Fourth In American Fastest 2:04:58

2011/04/18 5:52 pm

By Amby Burfoot

On the world’s most hallowed annual-marathon course, on a spiffy, cool day, in a race full of world-class marathoners, Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai, 29, sprinted down a pulsating Boylston Street to break the Boston Marathon finish tape in 2:03:02, by far the fastest marathon ever run. His countryman Moses Mosop, 25, running his first marathon, crossed the line just 4 seconds later.

Both easily surpassed the current 2:03:59 marathon world record of Haile Gebrselassie. However, today’s Boston times will receive an asterisk in the record books, due to the point-to-point nature of the historic Hopkinton-to-Copley Square Boston course. (See this story to fully understand the issues involved.)

American marathon star Ryan Hall led through most of the first 10 miles, and eventually finished fourth in 2:03:58, five seconds behind third-place finisher Gebre Gebremariam, who won last fall’s New York City Marathon. Hall’s time is the fastest ever run by an American marathoner, eclipsing the former mark of Khalid Khannouchi, 2:05:38. Hall’s time will also get an asterisk in the books.

Read on here.

Interesting Grete Waitz Fact

From the AJC’s online article here…

Waitz first won the hearts of Atlantans in 1983. At the start of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race, she was pushed to the ground. Her brother scooped her up, and with a large, bleeding bruise on her thigh, Waitz won in then-record time, 32:00.2. She went on to win the race three more times.

Wednesday Night Run 4-20-2011

Hello ORC,

Not meaning to start on a negative note but safety warrants it.  Please be careful around the neighborhood.  Even though it is Oakhurst and Decatur, take care of your safety and be aware of your surroundings.  After my PSA, at the Academy Theatre, this Saturday is the Think Global/Act Local: A Benefit for Japan & Actor’s Express.  And I only realized this but the Art Institute in Downtown Decatur has a gallery.  Currently they are showing Extraordinary Things: 2011 Chattahoochee Biennial of Textiles.  The Dogwood Festival has passed and the same for the Sweetwater 420 Fest.

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

On the local race scene, there are 2 that are a warm-up run distance.  In the morning is the Beat The Street For Little Feet 5K at Coan Park and later on that Saturday is the Take back The Night 5K and Mile.  A little further out is the Magic of Life 5K in the Highlands, the Laurel Ridge Elementary 5K, Run For Success 5K at Georgia Tech, and the Chamblee Run & Rotary Roll.  Lots going on locally watch out for traffic and blocked streets.

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.  The link to the route is at the bottom of this e- mail. After the run it's off to Mojo's Pizza for food, drinks and trivia.

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

Corny

http://oakhurstrunningclub.blogspot.com/

http://oakhurst-running-club.googlegroups.com/web/Route+6.pdf?gda=VFOSQEAAAABX1J9qhvqHbbbNJKzo8aYdx2ayATu3Cg1bzWPokcZa6XPNLSJDWxDtttThEJZz0tZtxVPdW1gYotyj7-X7wDON

Marathon Great Waitz Dies

The most interesting tidbit of marathon greatness was that she ran the NYC Marathon as a rabbit, an early pacesetter, and to celebrate her retirement from competitive running so she can focus on her job as a teacher and start a family.  She ended up winning, quit her job teaching, and never had kids.  Marathon greatness from the NY Times…

Grete Waitz, Norwegian Marathon Runner, Dies

By MARK McDONALD

Published: April 19, 2011

Grete Waitz, the splendid Norwegian runner who set a world mark in her first marathon, in New York City in 1978, died of cancer on Tuesday in Oslo. She was 57.

Her death was confirmed by her husband, Jack.

Ms. Waitz was just 18 when she competed in the women’s 1,500-meter race at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. She was eliminated in the first round in Munich but her career as a competitive runner and pioneering athlete was just getting started.

Grete Waitz crossing the finish line of the New York Marathon in 1983.

Photo from AP

Local Races This Weekend

Saturday, April 23

·       Magic of Life 5K, Virginia Highland

·       Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K, Coan Park

·       Dirty Spokes GSC 5.5 Mile Trail Running Race, Gainesville

·       Laurel Ridge Elementary Romp Thru the Woods 5K/Fun Run, Decatur

·       Run for Success 5K, Georgia Tech

·       Chamblee Run & Rotary Roll: 5K Run and 1K Walk and Roll, Chamblee

·       Take back the Night 5K and Mile, Decatur

Publix GA Marathon Photos

Full album here.

Trail Running 101 at REI Atlanta

Maybe its not trail running 101 but the REI Atlanta store is offering an introduction to trail running on May 1st and May 6th.  Here's an intro from REI...

If you've been pounding pavement and need a new challenge or if you want to learn more about improving your off-road skills while exploring some excellent trails, this outing is for you.

When Is It Time To Replace Your Running Shoes?

I’ve been looking for this article, from Running Competitor online…

When Is It Time To Replace Your Running Shoes?

Updated: Apr 5th 2011 10:43 AM UTC by Linzay Logan

With so many different factors that go into determining how long a pair of running shoes last it is difficult to know when exactly it is necessary to replace them. I have heard every number from every six months to every 300 to 500 miles. And then I have read books that say you can run for hundreds of miles on a single pair of shoes if your feet are acclimated to less stability and cushioning. So what gives? When should I get a new pair of kicks?

There is good reason as to why criteria is spread all over for when shoes need to be replaced and that is because it is different for everyone. There is no magic number of months or miles where your shoes just fall apart when you go to put them on.

The amount of time you have had them is probably the worst way to decide when a pair of shoes needs retiring because the amount I run in six months is probably different from the amount you run in six months and it is definitely different than the amount Ryan Hall runs in six months. Instead, mileage is a better factor in determining when your shoes need replacement and 300 to 500 miles is the ideal range. For smaller runners who weigh less they can go for a bit longer on one pair and for heavier runners who weigh more they should look at the lower end of the spectrum. Another factor that determines when the best time is to replace shoes is treading wear. If you over pronate a lot and your shoes are showing wear on the tread it is definitely time for a new pair.

Yesterday, I realized what the single best factor is in determining when it is time to replace running shoes—when everything hurts.  If you can feel the lack of support and cushioning in your shoes, that is the telltale sign you need a new pair. I went for a 17-mile run and felt the impact of the pavement on my feet and every joint in my body every step I took. With over eight months of training, three half-marathons and one marathon for probably close to 1000 miles on my shoes I guess I should take my own advice and go out and get a new pair.  Clearly I know which shoes I like; now I just need to decide what color to get!

Read it here.

Owning the Aid Station

From Running Times online…

Owning the Aid Station

What to accomplish and how to get it done

By Jackie Dikos, R.D.

As featured in the Web Only issue of Running Times Magazine

Knowing when to drink, how to drink, and how much to drink can leave questions. Should I drink during a 10K race or leave drinking for the half marathon and longer? How do I make sure I’m getting enough fluid? Am I drinking too much or too little? Such questions can be remedied by knowing a few simple guidelines and following through with a few basic principles.

Read on here.

Kenyan dominance par for the course

Kenyan dominance par for the course

Boston has always run in cycles

By John Connolly

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Marathon running, like life, can be one big circle. What goes around often comes back around. It’s why the sport of marathoning carries cyclical overtones with regard to domination by a particular country. The issue comes to the forefront when considering the 18 titles won at the Boston Marathon by Kenya in the men’s open division, all since 1988 when Ibrahim Hussein outkicked Tanzania’s Juma Ikangaa by one second in a magnificent stretch run to begin the trend.

Now, the question begs: Is the domination by the Kenyans unique?

A cursory glance at the history of the 115-year-old Hopkinton-to-Boston footrace would indicate the answer is no. There have been other countries which at various times have shown superiority, albeit not to the extent of the deep Kenyan running machine.