Latest Articles from Dallas Running Journalists

 

Friday, September 18, 2009
Debbie Fetterman, Dallas Morning News:
Runner trades sneakers for in-line skates to benefit cancer stricken

Tanya Menoni, Dallas Examiner:  Best hydration packs for running

 

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Marathon Training Season Begins!

For most Texans, September means the beginning of football season.  Teams at every level, from PeeWees to the NFL, “break camp” and begin playing games with meaning.  While I watched a little football action on television last weekend, the real meaning of September for me is ramping up the training miles in preparation for a winter marathon.

Many runners’ Fall marathon training regimens have similarities to the NFL calendar. 

During the mid-summer heat of July and August, they begin to run more often and slightly farther.  Just like an NFL training camp, they are laying the groundwork for the upcoming season.  Runners are also putting together a training plan for the rest of the year and orienting their lives and minds for the demands of marathon training.  A good place to start with the development of a marathon training plan is Marathon Pal – Marathon Training FAQ’s .

When it comes to “race training” element of a marathon plan, the North Texas Race Calendar is set up to support runners training for the December 13 MetroPCS White Rock Marathon.  The calendar features incrementally longer races (15K, 20K, half marathon, 30K and 20-miles), fitting well into marathon training programs.

In the NFL, teams build momentum through the regular season in an effort to make the playoffs, and then try to peak at the right time to win playoff games.  Likewise, runners training for a marathon participate in these incrementally longer races, and increase the distance of their weekend long “easy-does-it” runs to build stamina and endurance for peak performance on marathon day.

Marathon race weekend is like a personal Super Bowl for runners.  The race expo and pre-race pasta dinner are big celebrations and a time for camaraderie with fellow runners.  For many runners, especially those who traveled to the marathon race city, there are also logistical issues to deal with leading up to the start of the race.  All this adds up to anxiety and some sleepless pre-race nights.

Of course, when the starting gun sounds and the marathon begins, runners’ emotions reach a crescendo.  Just like the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl, when the game begins, no one can predict the outcome.  At that point it’s “game on” and time to let the chips fall where they may, and hope that all the training pays off.

The marathon race progresses much like a Super Bowl game.  Runners enjoy a halftime celebration at 13.1 miles, experienced marathoners know the real race begins in the fourth quarter (last 10K), and the hardest part comes during the two-minute drill (last 2 miles).

However, the biggest difference between the NFL’s Super Bowl and the finish line of a marathon, is everyone gets an award.  After completing 26.2 miles, everyone is a winner!

Best wishes to everyone training for a winter marathon. 

Whether it’s your 1st or 51st, train smart and run well!

 

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North Texas Long Race Calendar – Fall 2009

Saturday, September 19, 7:30 AM   Tour des Fleurs 10K/20K – Dallas Arboretum
Saturday, September 26, 7:30 AM   Autumn Equinox 15K – Stone Tables , White Rock Lake
Sunday, September 27, 7:30 AM   Heels and Hills and Him Half Marathon – Irving
Saturday, October 3, 8:00 AM   DRC The Loop 15K – Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake
Sunday, October 11, 7:30 AM   Lost Dog 20K – Bath House, White Rock Lake
Saturday, October 24, 7:00 AM   Frankenthon Monster Marathon – Cedar Park, TX  (New Event)
(Alright, it’s Central Texas, and an early Fall marathon.  However, you gotta love the name!)

Sunday, November 1, 8:00 AM   DRC Half Marathon – Norbuck Park, Dallas
Sunday, November 8, 7:30 AM   Fort Worth Marathon, Half Marathon, 20-Mile – Ft. Worth
(Maybe still a bit early in the marathon training season for some runners.  However, as Steve Looney, Executive Director,  says, “If you’re going to endure a long run, you might as well get a medal for your effort!”)

Sunday, November 15, 7:00 AM   Big D 30K – Winfrey Point , White Rock Lake
Sunday, December 13, 8:00 AM   MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon – Dallas

 

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Coffee and The New York Times

Our society’s “information overload” applies to running just like everything else.  While I soak up running advice and information from a wide variety of sources, there’s no doubt I’m just scratching the surface.  One of my objectives for “Running in the Pack”, is to introduce runners to new, interesting sources of running information.  “New”, doesn’t necessarily mean, “brand new.”  It also refers to sources North Texas runners may not be aware exist.

I came across one of these new running sources while contemplating something very ordinary, coffee.  Coffee itself is new addition to my morning routine.  Somehow I had survived college, graduate school and 25 years in my career without the artificial stimulation of a morning cup of coffee.  However, this past winter my morning grogginess led to me to create a special, 20 ounce blend of coffee.  Since I have never liked coffee’s bitter taste, I add just enough milk and chocolate powder to make an acceptable flavor.

My new morning beverage worked, as expected, more energy in the morning.  However, I noticed another impact of drinking coffee before my morning runs.  I ran faster and with more endurance!  Coincidence?  Maybe not.

I Googled “coffee and running”, and found this article, “It’s Time to Make a Coffee Run”, in The New York Times.  It turns out my coffee-enhanced performance is real, backed by research and legal.  A side benefit of my search is the discovery of The New York Times, Run Well blog, listed prominently on the right hand sidebar of Running in the Pack’s home page.

So there you have it…a confirmed, legal, performance-enhancing beverage and a new source for running information.

Enjoy!

 

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2010 Boston Marathon Registration Opens September 9, 2009

Greetings Runners!

Registration for the 2010 Boston Marathon opens on Wednesday, September 9, 2009.

Next year’s race, the 114th Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 19, 2010.  Entries are subject to approval based upon the Age Group Qualifying Standards listed below.  BAA officials have stated that registration for the 2010 race will capped at 25,000 runners.  The entry fee for the Boston Marathon is $130 if you register before February 1, 2010; $175 after February 1, 2010. 

Register online here:  https://registration.baa.org/2010/cf/RegAthlete/pg_WebApp.cfm .

Boston qualifying times for the 2010 race must be ran on a USATF certified course between September 25, 2008 and the date registration for the 2010 race closes. The 2009 Boston Marathon closed for registration in January, 2009.

2010 QUALIFYING STANDARDS
Age Group:   Men – Women
18-34:   3hrs 10min – 3hrs 40min
35-39:   3hrs 15min – 3hrs 45min
40-44:   3hrs 20min – 3hrs 50min
45-49:   3hrs 30min – 4hrs 00min
50-54:   3hrs 35min – 4hrs 05min
55-59:   3hrs 45min – 4hrs 15min
60-64:   4hrs 00min – 4hrs 30min
65-69:   4hrs 15min – 4hrs 45min
70-74:  4hrs 30min – 5hrs 00min
75-79:  4hrs 45min – 5hrs 15min
80 and older:   5hrs 00min – 5hrs 30min

Congratulations to all runners already qualified for the 2010 Boston Marathon.

To the rest of you, may the Fall marathon season be a good one for you.  Best wishes in pursuing personal records and achieving your dream of qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon.

 

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Here we go….!

After running thousands of miles, spending years accumulating running stories and filling up boxes with running journals, I’m launching the “Running in the Pack with Jeff Sandene” website and blog!

My initial goal for this website is to create a resource for the North Texas running community.  To start things up, I’ve included links to many running resources: training & advice, race calendars & results, retailers, news & entertainment, and other running blogs.

Over time, my vision is to create a forum for runners to share stories and ideas.  Maybe “Running in the Pack” can become a social website where runners can speak to other runners about things we take for granted, that are foreign or incomprehensible to non-runners. 

This is a part-time, evening and weekend venture for me.  However, I will try to keep “Running in the Pack” timely, interesting and entertaining.

 

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