Grand Prix wrap-up, the buzz about whole-grains, good fats vs. bad fats, Libbie Hickman, and race-start etiquette.
Track is over now, or so they say. Gabriela Szabo and Bernard Barmasai took overall Grand Prix titles at the Grand Prix Final in Munich last weekend, with Szabo becoming the first track athlete, male or female, to earn over $1 million in prize money in one year. But even past the "Final" was one more meet, the International Super in Tokyo, highlighted by Maurice Greene’s win at 100m... in 10.35, more than half a second slower than his world record set earlier this year.
And with most of the "99" meets out of the way, we're hearing more and more about 2000, particularly Sydney. After a long-running spat between the IAAF and the Sydney Organizing Committee, the Olympic track schedule has finally been set, starting Friday, September 22nd, and ending Sunday, October 1.
If you are doing only 25 to 30 miles per week, a long run may be 10 miles. For most runners, building up to 15 to 20 miles for the long run in sufficient. And you don't have to include long runs every week. Make sure you've recovered from the last one. -- from Ken Sparks and Dave Kuehls, The Runners Book of Training Secrets, p. 173. You can buy this book at: http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/Unity/UrlView/7/10/28/2/4141
Look for the "whole" label: Products now can claim "rich in whole grains" on the label if they contain 51 percent whole grains and are also low in fat. Regular consumption of whole-grain breads, cereals, rice and other products can reduce heart disease by 30 percent.
Eat the right fats: The monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, olives, soy and avocados are much better for your health than the saturated fats found in butter and animal products. Limit your total fat intake to 30 percent of your calories, but try to make at least 20 to 22 percent of it unsaturated or polyunsaturated.
Attention women runners! Join your fellow females in a forum designed just for you. You can talk mileage, pregnancy, husbands, managing time, training, racing or whatever topic is on your mind. There's always room for chatting on our forums. Stop by for a visit and discover what its all about: <http://proxicom.rodalestore.com:8080/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login_rw>.
The results of the women's 10,000 meters at the World Championships last month list the U.S.'s Libbie Hickman as a DNF (did not finish). On September 4, Hickman bounced back to win a local 10-K in Fort Collins, Colo. (at 5000 feet), in 32:48. Two days later, she won the Park Forest 10-Mile in 54:27, a personal best. Runner’s World spoke with Hickman: < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/September/990913.html#chat >.
Saturday, Bar Harbor Half-Marathon, Bar Harbor, Maine: Nine miles on carriage road through scenic Acadia National Park; limited to 500 runners.
Saturday, Dick Lugar 5-K and 10-K, Indianapolis, Indiana: A chance to run with the senator from Indiana. Scenic course on Butler University campus. Web site: http://www.tuxbro.com >.
Saturday, Great Cow Harbor 10-K, Northport, New York: RRCA national championships; course winds along Long Island's north shore.
Saturday and Sunday, Olander Park 24 Hour Run, Sylvania, Ohio: The USATF men's and women's national championships; more than $1650 in prize money. Race coverage on < http://www.rrca.org >.
Sunday, Harvard Pilgrim Downtown 5-K, Providence, R.I. One of the fastest 5-K road courses in the world, the site of previous women's world record. Web site: < http://www.coolrunning.com/hp5k >.
Sunday, Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run Half-Marathon, Philadelphia, Pa. Fast certified course, mostly through park alongside Schuykill River. Two-day race expo. Web site: < www.philadistancerun.org >.
Use common courtesy at the starting line: If you know you can’t run 5:30 pace and everyone around you can, move back a few feet. Starting with the hares may be exciting, but if you’re a tortoise you’ll only be an obstacle when the gun goes off. - Adam Bean, RW managing editor
Before warming up, I find a patch of grass in the shade and lie down. I try to clear all the clutter out of my system. I am silent, still. At that moment, I'm inanimate. I don't exist. After fifteen minutes, I rise, jog, stretch, take my strideouts, strip off my sweats, pin on my number, lace up my spikes and take some deep breaths. I am ready to race. - Steve Scott, whose 3:47.69 mile in 1982 still stands as the American record.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:32 PM