Runner's World Extr@

for Friday, May 12, 2000

==== In this issue ====

The Men’s Marathon Trials, young runners heat up the track scene , how to exercise your memory, blood pressure tips, and the latest buzz surrounding Uta Pippig.

==== News ====

Marathon fans love reruns of a good day - Grete Waitz won in New York so many times she was practically syndicated. But they got a bad-day rerun at Sunday's Men's Olympic Marathon Trials in Pittsburgh. Mother Nature brought back the unseasonably hot weather that stifled the Women's Trials in February, and saw the same result: one runner (third seed Rod DeHaven) persevered to win a spot on the Olympic team, and everyone else stays home. 

• DeHaven wins Marathon Trials, will be only U.S. marathoner in Sydney (May 7)< http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/mens_trials/news/0507_story.html  > 
• Complete Trials coverage < http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/mens_trials/  > 

We may feel let down by our marathoners, but our junior runners have put up some impressive numbers in the last few weekends. Alan Webb, Don Sage and Dathan Ritzenhein are running times not seen from high schoolers for twenty years, and college freshmen Jorge Torres and Louis Luchini are making marks on the Junior lists. 

• Terrific Teens making their mark (May 10) < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/May/000510.html  >

======= Training Tip ======

Even though you may not feel any symptoms, the area you hurt will be weaker than it was before your injury - and more susceptible to re-injury. If you stress your body too much too soon, the same symptoms are likely to reappear. - from Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Complete Book of Running, page 80.  http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/T/A7.10.62.2.4141  

======== Health and Fitness ========

Exercise your memory: The more physically and mentally active you are, the less likely you'll develop Alzheimer's disease later in life, according to a recent study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting. Those who exercised, played musical instruments, gardened, or played board games were three times less likely to develop the disease within the next five years than those who were less active. 

Under pressure: Your systolic blood pressure, the first or higher of the two numbers, may be the more important factor in deciding whether or not to take pressure-lowering medication. Your systolic pressure is the maximum force exerted by your heart against your blood vessels during pumping. Your blood pressure should be below 140/90. In some people, however, the second number is normal while the first is elevated. Those people should be just as vigilant about lowering their pressure, cautions the NIH

======== In our forums ========

General comments, questions, and even complaints are always welcome in the Runner's World Forum pages. We're here to help you with training, diet, racing, stretching, injuries, running shoes and anything else you're curious about. Simply jet on over to our Forum Pages and rant and rave in our Letters and Opinions section. < http://205.181.115.110/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login&s=rw  >

======== Interview ========

Uta Pippig, 34, finished a solid third (34:33) at the James Joyce Ramble 10-K in Dedham, Mass., on April 30. Pippig, a three-time Boston Marathon champion and course record holder (2:21:45), is on the comeback trail after a two-year suspension. Pippig plans a busy season on the roads and, perhaps, a fall marathon as well. Runner’s World spoke with Pippig: http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/May/000509.html#chat 

====== Coming this weekend =======

Saturday, Arts Fest River Run 12-K: Fast, point-to-point course through Evansville, Indiana, traffic free environment.

 Saturday, Ice Age Trail 50-Mile. The USATF mens' and womens' championships are hosted by this LaGrange, Wisconsin event. 

Saturday, Old Kent River Bank Run 25-K: Fast course in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Site of USATF championships. Friday expo and pasta dinner. Web site: http://www.okriverbankrun.com . 

Sunday, Flying Pig Marathon: Second edition of Cincinnati's top marathon. Post-race party, local weekend festivities, expo with clinics. Web site: http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com . 

Sunday, Running Room National Capital Marathon: Ottawa, Canada will be site of Canadian Masters Marathon Championships. Fast, flat course, celebrating its 256th anniversary. Web site: http://www.ncm.ca .

======= Editor's Advice =======

Do your speed sessions on a track, where you can check your splits every lap. Over time, you’ll learn to "feel" the difference between, say, 7-minute-per-mile pace and 7:30 pace. This will help you pace yourself in a race. - Parker Morse, RW electronic editor

====== Words to think about ======

As I stepped onto the track I felt my legs go rubbery. I saw over a 100,000 people in the stands, and before I knew it, I had collapsed onto the infield grass. 'Can it be,' I remembered thinking, as I lay there gazing up at the sky, 'that I'm so nervous I'm not going to be able to run?' Then I realized how ridiculous I'd look, flat on my back on the grass as they started the race. I guess the humor of that image made me lose my nervousness. I was able to recover, get up and jog to the starting line. - Tom Courtney, on the moments before he won the Olympic 800 gold in Melbourne in 1956 by one second.

====== Television Schedule  ======