Posts Tagged ‘10k’

San Francisco FrontRunners 30th Annual Pride Run

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

California has done it again.  They’re setting trends.  About two weeks ago California struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriages saying that, like race or gender, “does not constitute legitimate basis on which to deny or withhold legal rights.”  A trend that other states are sure to follow.  A friend of mine this weekend said she is finally getting married after 7 years of co-habitation in her opposite-sex relationship.  She had not gotten married because she did not want to support an institution that did not allow same-sex couples the same rights as opposite-sex couples.  Looks like she can’t use that excuse anymore.  Now everyone has the right to monogamy, shared financial burdens, and having to share a bathroom!  Finally, every person is treated equally!  However, not all races are equal, that’s why I want to tell you about the awesome San Francisco FrontRunners 30th Annual Pride Run.

Gay/Lesbian Pride Run

The 30th Annual Pride Run will be held on Saturday June 27th at 9am at the Golden Gate Polo Field South Entrance.  There is a race distance for every type of runner with a 5K walk, 5K run, and a 10K run.  The race winds around the polo fields in this beautiful San Fransisco park.  Awards will be handed out to the top female and male finishers in the 5K and 10K.  Also, awards will be given to the top finishers in each age division starting at >20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.  The awards ceremony is conducted after the race at the complimentary BBQ.  What a great way to end a race and enjoy your fellow runners over some cooked meats and sides!  But don’t just enjoy getting to know the other runners at the post-race festivities, plan to attend the pre-race social for $5 in advance and $10 at the door with light refreshments, drinks, and fun.  Hanging out with other runners is always fun!  That’s why you’re here isn’t it?

This years beneficiary of the Pride Run is the Gay-Straight Alliance.  The gsanetwork is a youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community resources.  Through peer support, leadership development, and training, GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSA’s and builds the capacity for them to create safe environments in schools to learn about homophobia and other oppressions, educate the community about sexual orientation issues, fight discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools.  Run the 30th Annual Pride Run this year and support this very important organization.

Go ahead and register for this awesome race supporting a great cause!  Race prices are steady from now until June 17th.  Online registration will be closed on June 24th at 8:00 am.  If you don’t trust the Internet then print out a paper registration and send it by regular mail.  Or you can register on race day from 7:30-8:30.  Options are always good.  Make the right choice and run the San Francisco FrontRunners 30th Annual Pride Run!

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Mayor Newsom’s 4th Annual Stadium to Stadium 10K Challenge

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

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As you take off your shirt at the lake or pool this Memorial Day weekend and realize you are behind in your “getting into summer shape” plan, think about making a goal for the next race you want to run.  May I suggest considering running the 4th Annual Stadium to Stadium 10K Challenge – AT&T Park to Candlestick Park?  Thanks.  Join Dean Karnazes on June 20th to support Mayor Newsom’s race running from AT&T Park to Candlestick Park in San Francisco.  You get two stadiums for the price of one!  This race’s net proceeds benefits Communities of Opportunity which is an initiative to improve the quality of life in public housing developments in the Southeast sector of San Francisco.  What a great way to improve the community you live in by running.

If you’ve run the Stadium to Stadium 10K Challenge before then you already know this is a fun event on a great race course; however, just like us as runners, this race is constantly improving.  For instance, there will be 5 additional aid stations at the start, Justin Case.  Also, additional buses are slated for transportation to start line from Candlestick park.  I know, you would rather run to the start line and turn around and run the race, but in case you get tired there will be a seat empty and ready for you on the bus.  Stadium to Stadium has also taken a green initiative this year to reduce the impact on the environment using biodegradable cups, plates, sporks (the name of my first garage band), and race bags.  This not enough to entice you to run the Stadium to Stadium 10k Challenge again?  How about $5 off fee to last year’s participants?  I thought that would motivate a bit.  Want more motivation to train hard and run your best?  How about mad prize money?  Cash awards of $100, $75, and $50 dollars will be given to the top 3 Male and Females in each age group starting at 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 years and older.

Leverage your entry fee and take full advantage of the Health and Fitness Fair where they will have great entertainment for the kids and free services for you from local vendors.  You can go to Stanford Eye Laser Center who will provide LASIK and read the prescription on the glasses you bring.  Maybe you want to check out Chiro – Health so they can check you out; with spinal screenings, leg length check-stand, and provide ice packs.  Or just lay down and relax and get a massage and health survey from Darrow Chiropractic.  There will also be free food provided by Cafe Coo such as pasta salad, bagels with peanut butter, fresh fruit, PopChips, Agua Fresca, Nutrition Bars, and Joint Juice.  All the energy you need before the big race!  Bring the kids along to enjoy the pony rides, bouncy house, 100 yard dash on the 49ers’ home field, dunk Dwayne Jones, and climbing wall while you sit back and relax while listening to the music of Lolita Sweet.  Sounds pretty Sweet to me.

Register now, plan to have a great time, and make this race your reason to start back running for the summer!  You’re back baby!

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Teton Dam Marathon and Races – Rexburg, Idaho

Friday, May 8th, 2009

teton-dam-marathon

The Teton Dam Marathon and Races will be held on June 13th in Rexburg, Idaho this year.  Why June 13th?  Well, the event is scheduled every year around the anniversary of the Teton Dam breaking which caused over 500 million dollars in damage, 11 lives lost, and thousands to become homeless.  This horrible event was a very difficult challenge for the Rexburg community to overcome.  They worked together, built the community back up, and are stronger now because of it.  The Teton Dam Marathon and Races are a showing of a thousand runners who flood the streets for their own personal challenges!  What an inspirational reason to challenge yourself to participate in this great event!  Need another reason to feel good about yourself?  How about that a portion of the proceeds is also going to benefit Cysitic Fibrosis Fondation?  Still need another reason to feel good about yourself?  Well, you are helping me achieve me goals by reading this blog.  Thank you.  Need another reason?!  Um…ok, now you’re just being needy.

The Teton Dam Marathon and Races include a marathon (that’s why it is in the name of the event), 6 man marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile fun run for the kids.  See, there’s a race fit for everyone!  The marathon and relay will start at the Historical Teton Dam Site, outside of Rexburg. The half and 10K will start at the north-west corner of Smith Park. The 5K will start at the corner of Madison Ave. and 1st North, ½ a block from Smith Park. The fun run will start at the south-west corner of Smith Park.  Overall, all races will run the streets of beautiful Rexburg ending in the Southwest corner of Smith Park.  Party at the EXPO at the finish line with booths from sponsors and local businesses, crafts, food, and music!  Not to mention a large group of homestretch hereos, the citizens and volunteers of the Rexburg community!

So come and travel to this great race with a small town, community feel with an exciting large race atmosphere!  Early Registration ends May 31st.  From June 1st-10th all entries have an added $15 fee so get on it now.  The marathon is $40 dollars to $3 to the kids one mile fun run.  Check out the prices and find which race is best for you!  FYI The Potato Bake Dinner ticket is free only with the marathon, half-marathon, and relay entries.  Participate in the Potato Bake Dinner and meet other runners, pick-up your packet, listen to race information, and watch a video about the historic breaking of the Teton Dam.  What better way to get motivated to achieve your personal best than an inspirational film and plenty of carbs?!  Nothing.  Be Dam Proud!

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5th Ranger Training Battalion Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Have you always wanted to be an Army Ranger?  Then join the Army and go to Ranger school.  However, if you have other commitments that won’t allow you to join the Army then do the next best thing, participate in the 2009 Mountain Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon.

ranger-run

The 5th Ranger Training Battalion (5th RTB) in Dahlonega, GA is hosting a 5K and 15K run, duathlon, 34K mountain bike race, and children’s 1 mile fun run on May 30th, 2009 to benefit local charities.  The courses are the most challenging and scenic trails in North Georgia.  They are the trails that Army Rangers use to train on, did you think they would be easy?  Challenge yourself in any of these events.  If you want more of a challenge than just running then try the dualthalon which starts with the 5K runners, transitions into 34K mountain bike race, and ends with a 2 mile run.  Are you more of a team player?  Perfect.  So are Army Rangers.  Teams of six people will participate in the 15K and will be required to stay together through out the race.  Just like a Ranger.  Never leave your teammates behind and finish the race together.  Use this event to bring your organization, club,  or business closer together by accomplishing a difficult tasks as one unit.  The Army has been using this technique to build teams and teach leadership for years, it will work for your group too!

Not only is this a challenging race but it is also a great event for the entire family.  Even your young Rangers can compete and challenge themselves in the 1 mile fun run.  After your family is done being all that they can be, stick around for the other activities.  There will be static displays, awards ceremony, fallen Ranger Memorial Dedication, and a Rangers in Action Demo.  What a great way to see what the men (and not women, who are technically not allowed to be Army Rangers) who are defending the United States.  There will also be a open house which will have Army Ranger combat techniques, military mountaineering, hand-to-hand combat, as well as the static displays.  What a great opportunity to take a peek into what real United States Army Rangers do!

You can register for this awesome event online or by paper.  Register by May 25th to pay the lowest entry fee possible.  The 5K and 15K are currently $25, 34K is $30, duathalon $35, a team of 6 is $100, and the 1-mile fun run is $5.  See, although the Army is uniform they are still able to differentiate prices.  Pay for what you race and stay around for the free Army Ranger entertainment!

Be all that you can be, in the 5th RTeeeeee-B…2009 Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon!  What a great way to challenge yourself and see if you have what it takes to be a United States Army Ranger!

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Trim the Fat. Run a Cheap Local Race.

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

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I was talking to some friends last night about the economy and the fear of many individuals about losing their jobs.  I told them a penny saved is a penny earned (I came up with that).  If you aren’t earning as many pennies as before, then save the pennies you’ve got.  Don’t spend and you won’t need money.  Even Americans are saving!  This from a country that consumes probably about 110% of their income.  In last quarter disposable income dropped by 1.5% but people have increased their savings by 11%.  How can they do this?  By not spending.  However, if you must spend, buy running shoes or purchase a race entry.

Your local 5K and 10Ks should spend less to stay profitable as well.  Smaller, local races are a lot of fun for all participants.  They are a great way to bring a community together, try to run a PR, and keep you motivated, but they should stay in that niche.  People run these races for different reasons than they do larger races and marathons, so why try to offer the same product?  In order for small races to maintain their revenue stream in a poor economy they must lower their entry fees.  Lower entry fees?  Wouldn’t that decrease revenue?  Maybe, but these small races need to understand their demand is elastic.  As people decrease their discretionary spending, running a local 5k road race is one of the first things to go.  It makes sense.  Running a 5k really isn’t a necessity, even for the most avid runner, especially when there is an almost perfect substitute available, running 3.1 miles on the road…for free.  How do you compete with free?  Get as close to it as possible.  Cut costs and offer a cheaper product, Sam Walton.

T-shirt: Why does every race offer a ‘technical’ T-shirt these days?  I personally like to receive them but I can’t imagine these T-shirts being cost effective.  If your race relies on sponsorship logos on your T-shirts, then use the traditional cotton T-shirts.  They’ve sufficed as fine clothing for about 90 years.  If you don’t have sponsors donating to cover T-shirt costs then think about cutting out the T-shirts all together.  Trust me, runners have enough T-shirts.

Accurate Timing: I’m definitely into accuracy.  I like to know exactly what time I ran…plus or minus 5 seconds.  However, these smaller races don’t need chip timing.  I know it is more convenient for compiling and distributing race results, but you can do this manually like it has been done for 80 years.  The main benefit to chip timing is accounting for the difference in the race clock and your actual time.  In smaller races this is usually within 5-10 seconds if you are a serious runner.  It is already an unwritten rule, faster runners start close to the start line, slower runners line up in the back.  Look, your runners are already lining up in order of preference for an accurate time!  Without you saying or doing anything.  Now, that’s an efficient market!

Food and Beverage: This can be minimal.  Some bagels, bananas, Gatorade and water.  Try to find somewhere that sells older baked goods for cheaper priced bagels.  Runners don’t care, they are just trying to replenish their energy.  If you live on a tropical island, climb a tree and get some bananas for free.  Ok, so really I don’t know how to get cheap bananas other than by climbing ladders and jumping barrels, Donkey Kong.  However, you can also save money by making Gatorade in large coolers with the mix.  You can even make money on your refreshments by serving and charging for a recession proof product:  alcohol!  Everyone will remember your race as a good time for sure!  Well, hopefully they’ll remember.

It’s time to streamline.  Become more efficient.  Create value.  Trim the fat and run a cheap 5k.  You’ve got this runner’s support.

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3rd Annual Gator Run Simi Valley

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

gatorrun2smThe 3rd Annual Gator Run is on April 26th at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park at 0730 in Simi Valley, CA.  Register by mail or online.  Race distances are 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run/Walk, and brand new Healthy Kids 1-mile Fun Run!

Oh.  I’m sorry.  This race benefits deployed military personnel and I reverted back to my military writing style.  That first paragraph is your BLUF:  Bottom Line Up Front.  Military people are so busy.

So like I said, the 3rd Annual Gator Run benefits the non-profit organization For the Troops which makes care packages to send to troops deployed overseas.  After returning from a 15-month tour in Iraq I was asked, “What should we send deployed soldiers?”  I thought about all the things that were sent to my unit like food, toiletries, and books.  These were all very nice, but what really mattered to us was knowing that someone cared and was thinking about us back in the States; plus the excitement of getting and opening a box.  So I told her to send a huge box, filled with anything, even balloons, and a personal note.  The show of support is what really matters.  Participating in the 3rd Annual Gator Run and/or donating to For the Troops is a great way to support our military men and women currently deployed overseas.  Events like this let them know that their hard work is not forgotten.

But don’t run this race just to support America and its troops, do it because it is a great event!  These 5k and 10k races are made for all types of runners:  beginners, recreational athletes, local heroes, walkers, you name it.  It is also a great LA Marathon taper!  Run this race and attain a new 5k or 10k PR!  If you’d rather save your PR for the LA Marathon then run this race for the other great things it has to offer like the free commemorative pins to first 500 entrants.  Not to mention the free souvenir t-shirt, goodie bag, “Buy one, Get one Free” ticket to the 20th Annual Cajun Creole Music Festival and more with every registration.  There is a special military division with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  They also have prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female in each race and medals being awarded for each age group.  Leverage your marathon training and win a prize!

The registration fee is only $25 if you do it now.  You actually have two more days to do it before the entry fee goes up to $30 on April 10th.  It’s cool to be frugal these days.  Be cool and register now.  Save that $5 for when you go to packet pick up at Simi Valley Town Center Mall Food Court to buy your pre-race lunch filled with tons of carbohydrates and a bit of protein.  Hang out at the Health and Fitness Expo.  The 2-Day Health and Fitness Expo begins on Saturday, April 25th at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall with pre-registration, vendor booths, free samples and much more.  Saturday expo hours are 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

So support the troops, attain a PR, and have a beautiful Sunday morning by running the 3rd Annual Gator Run!  Your Uncle Sam wants you…to run this race.

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XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series: Chicopee Woods 10k

Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Courtesy Defiant Photography Atlanta

Courtesy Defiant Photography Atlanta

Don’t miss out on this awesome race in Gainsville, GA (not FL, sorry Tom Petty) on April 25th.  Chicopee Woods 10k is organized by Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC who have been organizing great mountain biking and trail running events all over North Georgia the past couple of years.  I’ve run a couple of trail running events with them and have been very impressed with how well organized the races are.  There is always plenty of food and water, easy registration and packet pick-up, and great awards ceremonies, but the best part is that they always pick the best trails in the area to race.  They take the guess work out of the equation for you!  How thoughtful.

Chicoppe Woods 10k is a single and double track trail race.  It has a large starting area so runners can get their spacing before going into the singletrack portions of the race course.  The trail travels over rolling hills, singletrack, doubletrack, technical sections, and creek crossings.  However, it is not too technical for novice trail runners.  This race is open to any type of runner who just wants to get out of the city on a Saturday morning and run some trails.  The only requirement is that you are able to complete the race at a 16 minutes per mile pace or less.  I’m sure you can walk faster than a 16 minute mile.  If not, then start working on your walking.  It’s ok, some people need a good walking base before they can start running seriously.  You can work out simply by parking your car at the far end of the parking lot!  This race isn’t an asphalt walk though, it’s a nature trail run, so practice walking in the woods to make sure you are fully prepared for the race.

If you are a fast runner you may be able to finish in the top 3 of your respective age group.  I was able to finish first in my age group at the last XTERRA Georgia Trail Run Series Race, Runnin the Rocks, and my life hasn’t been the same since.  I’ve already added it to my resume!  I impress people.  Even if you don’t finish in the top 3 of your age group you will still receive a Sorrel Dri Balance Shirt.  These are really nice, high performance T-shirts.  As soon as you put one on your productivity rises 27%!

You can register for this race online now.  If you are old school (you’re not that old school if you are reading this blog) then you can mail in your paper entry. Currently the entry fee is 30 dollars (the T-shirt alone is probably 25 bucks) but the price will go up after April 15th.  Why act like your not going to run it?  Save some cash for this weekend and register now!  Don’t be lame.

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How I Became A Serious Runner

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

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This is a post from my friend Tim Hatton who was inspired by this blog to begin running.  I’ve always said, ‘if we inspire at least one person to start running, then we’ve succeeded.’   I guess I can go home now.  From Hatton:

I am the first to admit that my first perception of running was “it’s boring” and “painful”. My approach to running was something like this: I have not run in a while let’s test how far I can go, as fast as I can go. After that distance is determined I’ll just try to go as hard and go a farther distance. So having done little to no running (or activity for that matter) I went out determined to run as fast a mile I could. The results: a 7 minute mile with a dash of right knee and shin pain, but overall decent results, I thought. Having gone basically to the end of the street and back in a flash, I felt active again. I told most of the people I saw over the next few days about how I was going to be running more often, change my lazy ways. I think we have all reached that point of feeling fat, dumb, and lazy – it is no way to go through life.

The reality: I went running maybe two to three more times before my knee started to seriously hurt and I called it quits. I just wasn’t cut out for running, I justified to myself and others that I had impress just weeks early with my new found (renewed) motivation. The sports I have been into – lacrosse and hockey (yes, just hockey, when you grow up in Connecticut you don’t have to call it ice hockey) – just hadn’t prepared my body for running longer distances consistently. And that is where I put running in my mind – maybe not so much as boring anymore as I enjoyed getting to know the neighborhood a little closer, at a slower speed than driving (more about that later) BUT definitely still painful.

Enter Amanda. Amanda is my cute, little girlfriend, who runs. And she runs quite well. She is capable of maintaining her speediness over long distances, quite impressive (3:52:12 Chicago Marathon). Distances in my mind never achievable for me because of my knee problems, probably the result of a slash I took during the Tennessee game my senior year at Georgia playing lacrosse, which sidelined me for the second half despite my self-medicating 5 Advil. Anyhow, back to how Amanda fits in. She was a cross country runner in high school and college and explains to me the pain I am experiencing is because I am not building up properly. What? In hockey and lacrosse you just sprint as fast as you can for short spurts, then as you feel needles in your lungs you go to the bench for subs. And while I did get shin splints during pre-season training they eventually subsided as we played more games and quit with the stupid two-mile lake runs, around UGA rec field.

Getting back to the build-up. The reason, she explained, was that I was going to hard, stressing muscles and joints that had not been properly trained. She explained it like this – if you want to bench press 250 pounds (pounds, baby! – Jerky Boys) you do not get on the bench and man up 250 lbs on your first, gym head-turning grunt, you build up slowly. First, try 150 ten times (pantzy) and then slowly add weight. Ok, that makes sense. Go slow, build up, slowly add more weight, ah, distance to your routine.

So I started to try that. I ran two miles, a couple of times the first week. Then I ran 3 miles the second and third, and completed a 5k in 24:36. A few months later of consistently adding miles and soon I will be running a 10K with a goal of 45 minutes.

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