--------------
RUNNER'S NICHE
--------------
Vol. 3 No. 5 June, 1998
**********************
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
**********************
If God came down today and announced to you that you had a
decision to make, either give up your career or give up
running, which would you pick? Be honest, now. If you are
reading this at work, you don't have to answer out loud.
The fact is, it is fairly incredible how important running
can become in a person's life, and how much a person can
tie their identity to running.
Don't be too embarrassed if you catch yourself thinking
about your next workout during an important meeting at
work, or if you are more interested in saving money to get
a new pair of running shoes than to buy a new set of
curtains for the living room. All that says is that you
have a real passion in your life.
Don't be afraid to admit that running is more important to
you than many of the things that "normal" people consider
uppermost in their priorities. Instead, pity those folks
who just don't understand. They are the one's that will
never get it. When you are out running in the wet, cold
sleet and they are eating chips in front of the TV, who is
really living their life and experiencing everything it has
to offer? Are you really sacrificing when you go to bed
early, then get up an hour before the rest of the city to
do your morning run, or is everyone else just sleeping
their life away?
Face it, a running life is a better life!
- WG
********************************
FASTER THAN CARLSBAD CORRECTION
********************************
The Newport 5,000, a super-fast race described in last
month's NICHE has been canceled for this year. Sorry!
*************
THIS AND THAT
*************
;-) When asked recently how she enjoyed her first visit to
a World Championship Track Meet, 5,000 meter runner Melody
Fairchild had this to say about her trip to Athens last
year: "I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw-up
all over the place!"
<OK!> The Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, to be run on June
21 in San Diego, will have the largest field ever for a
debut marathon. No more entries were accepted once the
field reached 18,000!
:-o The Strapped Jock, a running specialty store in
Phoenix, Arizona blew up recently due to a gas leak.
Fortunately nobody was in the store at the time.
/#1\ An American best for four miles was set at the Michael
Forbes Trolley Run in Kansas City. Ryan Wilson, a senior at
Arkansas University, blazed a time of 17:27 and won by a
full 18 seconds.
**********************
SNOOZERS AREN'T LOSERS
**********************
By Woody Green
We often hear about how hard elite runners train. That is
an important key to success in running, of course, but
elite runners do something else that may be just as
important. They have learned how to rest and relax between
workouts. Most of the top Kenyan runners, for instance,
train two or even three times a day, but between workouts
they do little besides reading, rehydrating, eating and
sleeping.
Most top runners are just as serious and dedicated to their
rest as they are to their training. When she was doing
serious training, World Champion marathoner Rosa Mota had a
set time each afternoon for her nap. This downtime was
strictly adhered to each day and she reportedly even got
into her pajamas for this afternoon ritual.
Libbie Hickman says that she averages ten hours sleep a
night, and additionally she naps during the day. To do the
kind of training she does, and to stay healthy and injury
free, she has to have that kind of sleep. Frank Shorter
used to say the same thing. He slept a lot so that he could
train a lot.
You might be surprised at how much better you'd feel with
just a little more sleep. The little aches and pains in
your legs may actually get better or even disappear. Your
long runs might be easier and your legs might feel bouncy
and fresh for your track sessions. Remember, the body uses
sleep time to repair and rejuvenate itself. If you don't
get enough sleep, you can't expect to recover fully between
workouts.
Late running author George Sheehan used to relate that if
he felt overly run-down and tired, he would replace his
afternoon run with a nap. He found that this kept him in
better physical condition than pushing through the workout,
blind to his fatigue.
We all take a good deal of interest in our training. We
track our mileage, plan our interval workouts and long runs
carefully. We might add weight training or cross-training
as we feel necessary to reach our potential. We don't all
have time in our busy lives for a daily afternoon nap, but
maybe one of the best things we could do is remember to set
aside time to slow down and catch a few extra Zs when we
can!
***************************************
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION RUNNING CLUB
***************************************
A club well worth joining just to get their informative
newsletter, the American Lung Association Running Club also
sponsors group trips to marathons such as Grandma's, New
York and across the pond to London. Based in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, you can contact the club at: 4220 Old Shakopee
Road, #101, Minneapolis, MN 55437-2974.
Thanks to club officer Ted Esau for sending me back issues
of the newsletter and club information! (You can contact
Ted via e-mail at <tedesau@hotmail.com>.)
*********************************************
RUNNING IS THE CANVAS, WRITING IS THE COLORS
*********************************************
By Michael Selman
Who has ever been able to adequately answer the question of
why a runner runs? A singular answer cannot do the query
justice, because everybody runs for different reasons.
Even the same individual runs for different reasons
throughout his or her running career, if, indeed, running
is to endure.
I first started to run primarily for the T-shirts. That's
the honest truth. I was always an avid T-shirt collector to
begin with, and earning the coveted cloak, as opposed to
buying it, added an emotional element to this passion. The
race name, distance and date prominently displayed amongst
the sponsors screamed of a personal victory by its very
proclamation.
Although the connection is still there, a T-shirt alone has
not been enough to endure through these past 15 years on
the roads. The next passion element to this running life
was to better my times. PR's were easily achieved when I
was a rookie. In fact, I could count on lowering the bar
just about every time I raced, for the first few months.
After a few years, PR's faded into memories of faster
times. There still had to be a passion to drive me to
continue. Running had to take on a new meaning for me.
Running became my canvas. A sacred time for me and me
alone, to think about whatever I wanted to think about. I
also discovered, at about the same time, that I could write
about my running thoughts and people would appreciate the
thoughts I was thinking. If running was my canvas, then
the written words that followed must then be my colors.
Funny how I never thought myself the artist, but there was
one, fighting to break out of a linear mold.
A couple of weeks ago, I took a week off from work, so I
could spend time with my daughter, who had flown down from
her home in North Carolina for a visit. She was once
Daddy's little girl, but now, she has grown into quite the
beautiful young woman of 13. As she has matured, we have
grown more distant, which, I suppose is to be expected.
The things that go through a 13-year old girl's mind are
not easily shared with her father.
We planned several things for the week she was here. We
went shopping, which is a passion of hers right now, but we
didn't talk too much. Neither one of us knew quite what
our common ground was any more. We went to Stone Mountain,
and checked out a rock where everybody sticks their gum on
the way up or down the granite trail. Her name, which had
been scrawled with a piece of Juicy Fruit last year when
she was living with me, was still etched in the rock, for
all to see. We laughed at its endurance, but we didn't
talk about anything too important that day. After about
five minutes of walking around the top of the mountain, she
was ready to go. She had seen what she had come for, and
the trip to Stone Mountain was complete. As we drove home,
I was thinking that we should have spent more time there,
and was a little frustrated. We didn't talk much on the
way home.
The next day was opening day for Six Flags, so we went.
Everyone else in the Southeastern United States went, too.
It took us an hour and a half to get off the exit to the
park, another half-hour to park the car, and about 45
minutes to purchase our tickets.
Up until the incident I'm about to tell you about, I used
to have a couple of other passions. Waiting in traffic and
waiting in lines. I hated them both with a similar
passion. My daughter and I had already waited in one or
the other for three hours this day, just for the privilege
of entering the park. My daughter, who was bored after five
minutes at Stone Mountain, seemed to be pretty accepting of
this chain of events. I was already fit to be tied.
One inside the park, we got in the first line we saw, which
was for the "Scream Machine." Just as we nudged to the end
of the line an official from the park stated that the wait
from this point in the line was approximately three hours.
Even having already forked over the money, I would have
left in an instant. But I looked at my daughter, and her
eyes told me she wanted to wait. I smiled, and asked her
the one question, which created the most meaningful dialog
that took place between us that week. It was an exchange
which has impacted me greatly since then I asked a simple
question, she gave a simple answer, and my life has
somewhat changed as a result.
My question was simply this. "Why were you ready to leave
Stone Mountain after five minutes, but you are willing to
tolerate traffic and lines for six hours just to ride a
roller coaster?" Her answer was simple, but poignant.
"Because," she said, "There is a reward at the end."
Wow, I thought. All of a sudden, I didn't mind the wait
any more. I was watching my daughter enjoying a passion.
A good, wholesome, gratifying passion. She loves roller
coasters. I always knew that, but I never understood the
passion behind it. From that point on, we talked, we
laughed, and we enjoyed each other's company for the rest
of the day. I could care less about the lines.
I have the same type of passion for running and writing. I
get up at ungodly hours on weekends to drive to places I
never even heard of, just so I can run a race. I plan each
day around when I am going to energize myself with my run.
And then, while I am out there, I absorb every element of
what is out there in the world through all of my senses. I
think about what I can learn from my run, and how I might
be able to look at something differently than I ever have
before. It is all there for me to absorb, every time out.
And then, I write about them.
I thought about my daughter's observation, about the reward
at the end of the line. When I tucked her in to bed that
night, exhausted from our day at Six Flags, she hugged my
neck and said "Dad, I had a great day. Thank you." Was
that my reward at the end of the line? It could have been,
but my reward came long before that. I want to share with
you what my 13-year-old taught me that day.
She taught me not to hate lines so much. Even a marathon
runner does not look at the medal around his or her neck as
the sole reward of a hard fought battle. The prize is
inclusive of so much more than that. The months of
training, and the sacrifices it entails are a big part of
the victory, in reflection. The race itself, from the
starting line to the carrot dangling 26.2 miles away, is,
in essence, " the line." But it's not just a vehicle to an
end. The line, any line, is something to be savored every
step of the way. It's camaraderie with others who are
struggling and hurting every bit as much as you are. Their
reasons for being in the line may be different, but the
pain is shared.
Oh, sweet daughter, I have something to tell you. That day
at Six Flags was much like a marathon. We were on the line
for different reasons. I would not have even been in the
line if not for you. But I got my reward before you did
that day. Just spending those six hours with you before we
ever hopped on the "Scream Machine" has changed the way I
look at lines. I came to understand one of your passions
that day. From that point on, for me, that line was my
whole reason for being there that day. When we finally got
on the roller coaster, you got your reward, too.
And when you hugged me that night, and slowly closed your
eyes with a look of complete contentment, you provided me
with another reward. You had given me the realization that
lines is only a bad thing if you view them that way.
Depending on the angle you choose to observe from, you can
find something positive in anything you encounter. Whether
the reward is at the end of the line, or somewhere within,
you will find it if you look hard enough. Why do I run
these days? Because I choose to view it as a time for
introspection. I take that time to find the positive
elements of a negative situation. I use it as a time to
think about how I can be a better husband, a better father,
a better friend, a better person. I find closure to things
in my running, and I also create new thoughts. I run
because there is always something to learn while you are
running, if you go in to it with an opened mind. I run
because it is a passion.
Why do I write? Because I have an ability to do so in a
way that people can relate to. I like to elaborate on my
thoughts through the words I create. I always learn
something about myself when I write. If I can touch and
enrich someone else with my writing, then I have been a
successful writer. I write because it is a passion.
My running is my canvas. The words I write are my colors.
I hope you enjoy the pictures I draw.
*******************
MARATHON AND BEYOND
*******************
Review by Woody Green
I know by the letters I get from readers that a very large
percentage of you are interested in running marathons, and
even ultras. Not surprisingly, people getting ready to run
a marathon are eager for information. Making a commitment
to do the kind of training necessary to complete a marathon
means investing a good deal of time and effort, so runners
naturally want to make sure they are preparing wisely.
MARATHON AND BEYOND is a bimonthly publication that is
dedicated to marathon and ultra runners. This may be the
information source many of you are looking for.
A nice monthly feature is an overview of one particular
race. All vital information about the course, weather,
local accommodations and the "highs" and "lows" of the race
are covered.
Other stories cover everything from training techniques to
the history of the sport. The authors range from scientists
to coaches to athletes, and the writing is always top
notch.
The May / June issue was particularly interesting to
Western States Endurance Run fans, since there was a
twenty-fifth anniversary special feature. Several articles
covered every aspect of the race from history to personal
accounts of completing the race.
Afraid of another glossy magazine promising your fastest
times ever with a new training program each month? There is
none of that here. In fact, there are fewer photos and much
less color than you might expect. The publication comes in
a sort of paperback book format, as well. I find these to
be attractive features; some people might miss the glitz.
I highly recommend MARATHON AND BEYOND to anyone interested
in the long end of the sport. They are published by Human
Kinetics, and you can contact them by phone at 1-800-747-
4457. Their web site is :
http://www.marathonandbeyond.com/
RUNNER'S NICHE MAGAZINE RATING: 4 and one-half out of a
possible five winged feet.
*****************
YANKTON RIVERRUN
*****************
This year, the Yankton Riverrun 3-mile and 5-mile races
will be held on June 20. A new dimension to this year's
race - all profit will go to the local chapter of the
American Cancer Society.
More Info:
The Riverrun Directors:
Dave Carlson (riverrun@hotmail.com)
Jake Stewart (runn@hotmail.com)
*********************
WEB SITES OF INTEREST
*********************
---On Line Running Log---
Track your training:
http://www.i-run.com
---Joe Henderson's Running Commentary---
A great site by running author Joe Henderson with info on
his newsletter, his books, and his travels. Each month
there is a new "sample" column from his newsletter, and
there are plans for a links section in the future.
http://www.joehenderson.com/
---Peak Running Performance---
A great journal with scientific information on training:
http://www.peakrun.com
---Western New York Running---
Info on Western NY running scene:
http://www.wnyrunner.com
---Sacramento Running---
Regional Info:
http://www.jps.net/runinfo/welcome.html
AND AS ALWAYS:
RUNNER’S NICHE at:
Home.netone.com/~woodyg3/runiche.html
********************************
I'M TREADMILL MAN, HEAR THE HUM
********************************
By Robert Schwartz
I've run in the Rocky Mountains as the blue skies welcomed
a radiant orange sunrise. I've felt the misty water from
the Oregon coast as I ran along the beach. I've enjoyed
leaf-laden paths through the woods of northern Michigan and
snow packed cross-country ski trails.
I shunned indoor running even through frigid winter winds
and ice storms. I saw myself as a running purist. An
elitist, I needed to breathe the fresh air, experience the
natural ground beneath my feet, feel the light snow
flurries upon my face. But now I must confess. I've
defected.
I've broken my daily rendezvous with Mother Nature and now
have a regular tryst with my basement. I've become a
treadmill junkie. I'm slave to the revolving belt,
mesmerized by the flashing numbers and beeps, enchanted by
the random hill profile program. I've traded the sweet
smell of spring for the stagnant cellar air; the great
outdoors for the great four walls; the warm feel of
sunshine for Oprah on my television.
You can have your golden mountain majesties. Just let me
run viewing ESPN Sportscenter with my remote control giving
me quick musical visits to VH1 in a climate controlled
environment. Blasphemous? I say sensible. I've even got
immediate bathroom access. No more racing my bladder to the
nearest gas station.
My old running buddies implore me to join them outdoors for
a leisurely seven miler. I stick my head beyond the screen
door and see the lovely autumn colors and hear the sounds
of birds chirping. I'm not swayed. The beep, beep of my
electronic treadmill beckons me with a loving call. I must
go. The sunlight is beginning to hurt my eyes. My manual
speed program waits. I warn my running friends not to trip
on uneven sidewalk as I retreat inside. When I was one
of the many who actually left their house for a run, I
could only estimate the distance I had traveled. Now if I'm
asked how far I ran I can conclusively say, "Nine point six
miles in total with three miles at a 6:25 pace with a 1%
grade followed by two miles at a six minute pace with no
grade concluding with four miles at 6:50 on a 2% grade and
a cool down of .30 miles at 8:00." My inquisitor will look
at me with no real recollection of the question they had
previously asked while I'm just about to give my caloric
expenditure per hour.
Oh, I'd experienced the elusive runner's high churning
through a ten-mile trail run with the lovely sights of
autumn decorating the landscape. Now, however, it's a
magical feeling to be finishing twenty miles on the
treadmill, George Sheehan quotes decorating the walls, a
refreshment stand within reach and the VCR showing Rocky
knocking down Apollo Creed and earning victory. I'm the
king of the revolving terrain. I am treadmill man, hear the
hum.
Previously, when planning a vacation, I'd make certain
there were plenty of scenic running routes available. Now
my inquiries center on "Does the hotel have treadmills?
Incline abilities? Can you send me a picture of it?" I'll
take a stay at home vacation with treadmill access over
Jamaica without it.
My t- shirt collection has diminished as I've missed the
last year of 10K races and marathons. However, my PR's have
improved. If only anyone knew. I can't seem to get the
local running store to post my times.
I know my obsession is going a bit too far. I'm just one
power outage or motor malfunction away from being forced
back to the roads. I've actually come up with some gradual
steps to get me reintroduced to running outside again.
First, I figure I'll bring the treadmill and TV up to the
garage. I'll turn on a sunlamp. Eventually I'll even open
the garage door to let some of that exterior air in.
Ultimately, I'll intersperse some quick jaunts around the
block within the treadmill workout. Perhaps I can even
coordinate them with the commercials on Regis and Kathy
Lee.
One step at a time to literally find the road to recovery.
I'm suddenly feeling nostalgic for open space. I hear James
Taylor singing, "I guess my feet know where to take
me...down a country road." I think maybe, but then I pause.
What's the temperature outside?
*************************
LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
*************************
---More on the Nike / Tiger Cortez---
Dear RUNNER'S NICHE,
BRS (Blue Ribbon Sports), Phil Knight's Company, and
Onitsuka Tiger once had a partnership. BRS became Nike,
Inc. in 1978 and Onitsuka Tiger became ASICS Corporation
Japan in 1977 with its U.S. subsidiary being ASICS TIGER
Corporation. Incidentally, ASICS stands for "Anima Sana In
Corpore Sano" which means "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body" in
Latin.
BRS actually sold Tiger shoes as early as December of 1963.
Bill Bowerman designed the shoes for Tiger. The Marathon,
Cortez and Boston are all his designs -- the Marathon in
'67 and the Boston in '68. Later on they all became Nike
models as well.
So actually, BRS had the "Nike Cortez" in 1972 and Onitsuka
Tiger had the "Tiger Cortez" in 1968. The name Nike was
not used until 1971, the same year the swoosh came out.
That is why you saw the Tiger logo on the Tiger Cortez and
the Swoosh on the Nike Cortez. I'm not sure what happened
in '69,'70 and '71 but I'm sure Tiger made the Cortez,
Marathon and Boston. They were all made in Japan and sent
here to be sold at BRS stores.
-John Wallace
ED: Interested in shoe trivia? For more on the Cortez, and
all Nike shoes, see John's Swoosh web site at:
http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~jhwiii/nike.html
********************************
LEGAL STUFF / SUBSCRIPTION INFO.
********************************
"Runner's Niche" is free, but its contents are copyrighted.
Nobody may use the content without permission of the author
and "Runner's Niche."
SUBSCRIPTION IS FREE. Just write via e-mail to:
woodyg3@netone.com.
Include your e-mail address. We'll send you an issue via e-
mail every month or so.
If you don't want to continue receiving "Runner's Niche",
simply mail with your e-mail address and ask that your
subscription be stopped.