I Won't Run on the Sidewalk!

Interesting snippet about a runner who was asked/told to not run on the road and move to the sidewalk...
(article)
I  can relate to getting a bit worked up when cars honk while running (to just be annoying) or cutting you off or yelling "Run Forest" - it all goes with logging the miles. But, when an officer is trying to communicate with you while running - taking the # You attitude needs to be put on the back burner. Was the officer correct to tell her to not run on the road? That is not the point.

In this ever-increasing age of online communication, actual one-on-one interactions are becoming more awkward, less personal, but more like a tweet, facebook post and more ofter an anonymous negative review that is done to just be hurtful.

So... when an officer asks you to stop mid-run, don't just treat it like clicking the "un-like" button. Drop the attitude and get with the program.

Jim Micheels Back With You

Hi Again,

Jim Micheels back with you here - It has been some time but now I'm out on the other side from store ownership. I wanted to still share thoughts, observations and such about running.
So- how do you feel about contact (or even intended contact) at the end of a race that impedes another runner. When I was coaching it was an automatic DQ from the race.
Our friends at Letsrun.com recently covered such a case recently at the end of the women's race at the NYC Half Marathon.

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2016/03/molly-huddle-wins-2016-nyc-half-controversial-fashion-6741-cr-stephen-sambu-rolls-6116/

This one was a close call. Second place didn't break her stride so I'm thinking no contact, but still...
Like the article said - keep your hands down when finishing.

Run fast - take chances!

Natural Running = Good Form

Seems like the "natural running" craze has gone the way of the Nike Shocks, fat shoe laces and tie dyed half tights. You remember them and see them still now and then and say wow, "they are still wearing that".
So what are some of the take aways from the Born To Run period of US distance running? 

• Talk of heel drops - GOOD -  but really over emphasized. 

• What I'll call Maximal shoes - those that give you the ability to run over lava without feeling the burn. (Jury still out on these for me)

• Attention to running form - GREAT!

When a runner's form is "on" it is a thing of beauty- aka: Geoffrey Mutai.

When a runner's form is different, the NY Times writes about it. One of my running heroes, 2:10 US marathoner Pat Petersen.

An authority on Natural Running is Dr. Mark Cucuzzella. He has been so kind to share his insight on great running form And, although he is quite gifted that he can tread ever-so-gracefully unshod, the point is not to run without shoes but to be in-tune with what your entire body is doing as each foot plant pops off the ground and through the gait cycle.

-Jim

We're Back...

After a dry spell from writing and sharing here, we're back. Keep visiting and - as we encounter good, crazy or interesting running related stuff we will share it.
Visit our Facebook pages too for more store specific goings on and product info.
-Jim

Jeff Galloway at RRO

Jeff Galloway was kind enough to stop by the shop on May 22nd to spend some time with customers and the staff. Earlier in the day we both presented at REX Healthcare's City of Oaks Marathon kickoff event. A true legend of running, super nice guy and advocate of easy running, I noted his particular emphasis on doing long runs EASY - like 3 minutes slower than marathon race pace. Now this may sound like it is way too slow, but the more I read many top coached are advocating some long runs at a real easy pace. The value is the extended time-on-feet, -vs- miles. Get the body used to being out there for an extended time so it becomes efficient at using fat as a source of fuel. Great info - thanks Jeff.

Jeff gave me the atached sheet. (1) Jeff Galloway, Steve Prefontaine & Jack Bachelor before the 1972 Olympics (2) Steve Pre leading Jeff in an indoor track race (3) Pre's business card - Jeff said Pre had just got these from Nike only days earlier and he was so proud to have them to give out. Pre gave this to Jeff just a week prior to his death.

Less shoes - less injury

After reading a good article by Matt Fitzgerald in Triathlete magazine about injury prevention associated with running in more minimal shoes - I have taken to a quest to give it a try. I've been messing around with a pair of the adidas adizero Mana for a few weeks now. I've had some really great training runs in them. There is a psychological angle to a lesser shoe too, it just makes you feel quicker with a lower profile, more flexible shoe underfoot.

So I'm going to give the lesser shoe thing a try full tilt. Since I'm on my feet all day (well for 7 to 8 hours), I'm going to do the minimal thing during the day too. I grabbed a pair of adidas adizero RC to wear around the store.

I need to see if Nike has any more of the free 3.0 left as this is something I'd like to get back into for some runs. When they first came out I did some runs in them, but the footbed slid out the back of the shoe while running - pretty annoying - so I cut them out of the rotation as a trainer.

So - today 6 miles easy with the Manas and RCs all day in the shop. The lags are feeling fine - or as well is expected.

Run Fast!

2009 City of Oaks Marathon & Rex Healthcare Half Marathon Registration Open

Registration for the 2009 races is now open. You can sign up by folllowing the links at cityofoaksmarathon.com.