TheRunningRev.Com

ASICS won't support local running store!

Asics tells me right on their website that their desire is "to become the number one brand for the sports enthusiast." That's a highly commendable goal.

I only have one question for Asics and that is where do they think the real sports enthusiast goes to buy their equipment? As a running "enthusiast" I like to go to a running store to buy my shoes. The staff there understand the importance of a proper fit and have equipment to measure pronation and make sure you get the shoes that work best for your feet. Seems like a perfect place for Asics to sell their shoes. The problem is...ASICS WON'T GIVE A CONTRACT TO MY LOCAL STORE.

I wondered why not, so I decided to contact the company. I ended up receiving an email back from Jim Hoff, VP for Sales. In his reply he stated, "In the case of the store you mention in your e-mail, we feel we have adequate coverage in that area." Really, I live in densely populated Northern Virginia and its 20 miles to the nearest specialty running store that carries Asics.

Sorry Jim, but I have to disagree with you. If you think there's enough coverage in our area just go ask the folks at The Running Store (opened last fall) how many people they have come in looking for Asics!

I've always worn Asics but I will be supporting my local running store and that may mean I have to change brands. Come on Asics give them a contract!

The Right Time Is Now: "Carpe Diem"

It was perhaps the first day that really felt like summer, it was hot, it was humid, the dew point was high and it was hard to run! But run I did, just four miles, it took longer to stop sweating than it did to run the miles.

As I was running today I was reminded once again that you can't sit around waiting for ideal conditions to run, if you want to be a runner you have to run in spite of the conditions. Yes, there may be days when you don't run because the conditions are actually hazardous but those times are few and far between.

Hot, cold, rain, sleet, snow, wind we run on because we are runners and that's what we do.

As a pastor I here people all the time tell me they are waiting for the right time to share their faith, the right time to get involved in a particular ministry, the right time for this or the right time for that. The right time may never come, the time we have is the present.

If we wait for the ideal conditions in life to start something new we may never get started and we can be sure that we will miss out on much of the great adventure we know as life. Don't miss your opportunity to seize the moment, carpe deim!

The all in one run! Long, slow, fast, speedwork, fartlek

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever learn to train properly! Today was supposed to be a long run day, I was planning on running eight miles at 8:20 - 8:30 pace, some 40-50 seconds slower than BQ pace.

I set out in the blazing sun, not a cloud in the sky, temperatures in the mid-70's, hotter in the sun and for the first four miles maintained my 8:30 pace. I turned round and headed for home and picked up the pace, by mile 6.5 my average pace was now 8:08. I slowed for the next half mile and then did a half at 6:30 pace, jogging the last half mile back to my home.

On the way I ran past a flattened turtle and saw another one in the middle of the road waiting to be flattened. I also encountered two dead squirrels! Funny the things you remember from your run.

My Life on the Run: Review

I've just added Bart Yasso's new book "My Life on the Run" to my list of favorite books on running. This book grabbed and held my attention from cover to cover.

Whether you are a seasoned runner or an aspiring beginner this book is well worth the read. I found myself being  catapulted from moments of deep contemplation to gut level laughter within the course of a few sentences. Through this collection of stories Yasso takes us through the highs and lows of his life and the great joy of running (and biking). He offers salient advice for those who want to run better without making it sound like a "how to" section. Whether  you are a runner or simply a reader, I would encourage you to pick up this book of inspiration and enjoy it.

My foot hurt but all is well!

I went to the podiatrist this morning. I've had a slight pain in my foot for a couple of months now. It all started when I switched running shoes from Asics to Saucony and then back again to Asics. I didn't like the Saucony shoes and it turns out they have a slightly lower arch than the Asics I'd been wearing. The result was that my arch dropped a little and when I switched back to the Asics it put an added strain on my plantar fascia and caused a slight tear.

The good news is that time and stretching should take care of it and I haven't been told to cut back on my running, but I do need to stretch more! (I already knew this)

I learned my lesson, find a style of running shoe that works for you and stick with it!

Beautiful Run and a Great Idea

It was a beautiful day for running, the sky was a mix of blue and white and there was a pleasant breeze blowing. I decided that for once I would make my long run a slower run, so I consciously set out to run at an 8:30 pace. It was fabulous, not once did I even begin to think that this was to fast for the ten miles I ran. It gave me time to think and enjoy my environment.

What I spent most of my time thinking about was organizing a 10k race in our area with the main charity being World Vision. I've had this thought on and off for a number of months but the reality is that I have no idea how to even begin thinking about organizing a race or what sort of budget it would require to make this happen. But I do love the idea of a race where all the funds are directed to Third World relief, particularly for the AIDS orphans.

I'm not sure what to do with this thought next but I know I have to do something.

From the Associated Press: Amputee runner wins right to try for Olympic spot

The Associated Press reports...

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius won his appeal Friday and can compete for a place in the Beijing Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the 21-year-old South African is eligible to race against able-bodied athletes, overturning a ban imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

CAS said the unanimous ruling goes into effect immediately.

"I am ecstatic," Pistorius told reporters in Milan, Italy. "When I found out, I cried. It is a battle that has been going on for far too long. It's a great day for sport. I think this day is going to go down in history for the equality of disabled people."

Pistorius still must reach a qualifying time to run in the individual 400 meters at the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Games. However, he can be picked for the South African relay squad without qualifying. That relay squad has not yet qualified for the Olympics. (read on)

I'd love to know what you think about this.

My wife, 25:40, Marine Corps Marathon

The Marine Corps Marathon is still months away but the race is now full. Unless, that is, you decide you want to run with one of the charity partners. That is exactly what my wife, Jenny, has decided to do. Yesterday she signed up to run with team 25:40, an organization dedicated to the AIDS orphans of South Africa and taking its name from Matthew 25:40 which reads, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (TNIV).

I couldn't be more excited for her, it's been 13 years since her last race over 26.2 miles and it's about time she had a chance to run this distance again. I'm also delighted that she's running, not just for herself but to make a difference in this world of ours.

If you would like to sponsor her you can go to her site and click on the "sponsor Jennifer now" button.

Battle of the Boulevard: My Race Today

It was a cool, damp morning as a steady mist filled the air. I waited near the front of the pack for the start of the race, a mere ten feet from Michael Wardian, the US 100k champion, you have to love road racing were the best in the world run at the  same time as the rest of us!

The gun sounded and we were off, I ran my fastest ever first mile in a race, passing the one mile mark in 6:30, then came the second mile mark and I looked down at my watch and I had run close to a 6:35 for the second mile, I was going strong, passing the 5k mark in 21 minutes I was really feeling good. Then came the second half...

The first half of the race was straight downhill (that explains the great splits) and some of those downhills were very much downhill. The problem was this was an out and back course, now I had to tackle the uphill half (some of it very much uphill). My goal was to make it to mile four with a good pace and then stumble through the fifth mile and then run for the finish. It didn't quite happen like that, I certainly stumbled through the fifth mile having to take a short break on one of the hills to make sure I didn't lose my breakfast.

I hit the last mile and...  once again felt my breakfast trying to escape, so I took a short walk break until I was tapped on the elbow by a fellow competitor who urged me to run on. Her words of encouragement are now the bane of my day, "If I can do it seven months pregnant so can you." Great words for about a quarter mile until I slowed and she disappeared into the distance, I was left behind by a pregnant woman!

As I reached the last quarter mile I took note of my time, I could still get in in under 45 minutes but I'd have to run hard... gag reflex... swallow... gag reflex... swallow. Decision time, run hard and barf on the run or slow down and finish with my dignity and breakfast intact? Slow down.

I ran the last quarter mile very conservatively and finished in 45:15 at 7:17 pace. I met my goal and mostly enjoyed the race although I was a little disappointed that I couldn't finish strong.

First 10k in 22 Years

I can hardly believe that it's been 22 years since I last ran a 10k race. It was May 25, 1986 when I took to the streets of Belfast and pounded out 10k with some 20 million other people around the world as we participated in Sport Aid to save lives in famine stricken Ethiopia. That was my one and only foray into 10k running until now.

Next Saturday I will run in the Battle of the Boulevard in Arlington, VA. How will I do? I have no idea as to what a realistic goal would be for me at this distance. I'm going to aim for a 7:15 - 7:20 pace and see how that feels. I'm working on my speed a little so hopefully I can set benchmark from which I can build.