Home > Fit City > Archives > 2009 > April
April 2009
Death knell for city’s foot races?
A marathon without live music? Fewer small foot races? So much paperwork due so far in advance that non-profits can’t afford to put on charity events?
That could happen under the proposed Street Events Closure ordinance, says one of the biggest players in the Austin running community.
“If approved and enacted in its current form, this ordinance will create an environment that is fundamentally hostile to running events and will make running events in Austin much more difficult and expensive, and in some cases impossible, to hold,” John Conley, director of Conley Sports, which puts on the Austin Marathon and Texas Round-Up 10K and 5K, wrote in an email to leaders in the running community this week.
Conley says he supports improved coordination of events that shut downtown streets, but the proposed ordinance goes too far. He’s encouraging members of the running community to call city council members and the mayor to register their concerns in advance of the Austin City Council meeting on Thursday, April 30.
The ordinance would give neighborhood associations the power to veto any race that runs within half a mile of their neighborhood, sending it to the city’s Transportation Commission, which would then make a recommendation to the council on whether or not to allow it.
“They could derail a race or force (organizers) to reroute. Then we end up with a Frankencourse — a zig here and zag there. It doesn’t make sense to runners and for access,” Conley says.
The ordinance also includes a propose timetable that requires race organizers to submit completed paperwork four months before an event. Large events like the Austin Marathon are planned years in advance and could comply, but small startup events put on by non-profits would be hurt, Conley says.
“It’s a very unwieldy process,” he says. “It creates an overwhelming paper log jam.”
The ordinance’s ban on amplified sound before 10 a.m. would create confusion at the start line of races, which typically start early in the day, he says. “You’ve got to be able to give your crowd instructions, be in a position to tell them where to go and what to do,” he says.
Eliminating amplified live music along the route and at the finish would put Austin races at a competitive disadvantage when compared to races like the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon in San Antonio.
Conley says he’s all for better communications, to avoid overlapping events and traffic nightmares, but calls the ordinance the way it is currently written a “scorched earth policy.” He says he hopes the city council amends the ordinance before approving it.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: running
Win Kristin Armstrong’s new book
I wrote in the paper a few days ago about Kristin Armstrong and her newest book, “Work in Progress, An Unfinished Woman’s Guide to Grace.”
Armstrong, who divorced cyclist Lance Armstrong in 2003 and has gone on to be a succesful writer, told me she’s working on becoming one of those confident, honest, spiritual women who brightens any room she enters — what she calls a graceful woman. (I think Kristin’s already there, but that’s beside the point.)
Each chapter of the 12-chapter book covers a different attribute of the graceful woman, from authenticity to wisdom. At the end are a list of study questions best discussed with your best girlfriends.
I’ve got a copy of the book here.
Want it? Do TWO things — post here why I should give it to you, then send your snail mail address to me at pleblanc@statesman.com.
Good luck!
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment Categories: general fitness
Why ride? Free breakfast and more!
May is Bike Month!
That means the city’s updated Bike Plan heads to the Austin City Council. It also means opportunities to ride with local cycling advocates, learn more about commuting to work on a bike, tons of group rides, and, best of all, free breakfast on Bike to Work Day, May 15.
Austin is one of 23 communities in the United States that has earned silver status in the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community rankings. Nine others have gold status, and three — Davis, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Boulder, Colo. — have platinum status.
What do we need to bump up to gold or platinum status? A lot.
More bike infrastructure, more cyclists, and more plans for the future, says Meghan Cahill, director of communications for the League. We’ve been making progress on that last one. The city has been working on a new Bike Plan, last updated in 1998, will be presented to the Austin City Council in the next few weeks.
Besides plans for new bike routes, it includes provisions for training the entire Austin Police Department on bicycle laws to ensure consistent enforcement.
The plan will be presented to the City Council for possible action on Thursday, May 21. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. To speak at the council meeting, you must sign up in advance in the lobby of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
For a full lineup of Bike Month activities, go to http://www.austincycling.org/bikemonth.
Here are some highlights:
- Political Pedal: 4:45 -7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, City Hall Plaza. Ride bikes with mayoral and city council candidates, Police Chief Art Acevedo and local cycling advocates. The basic ride starts at Austin City Hall and finishes at Uncle Billy’s Brew and Que, 1530 Barton Springs Road. Bikes and helmets are available, but you must call Scott Johnson at 389-2250 in advance to reserve one.
- Shiner Ride: Saturday, May 2. Cyclists depart from Austin and ride 100 miles through small towns and scenic byways on the way to the historic Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas. Rest Stops every 12-20 miles will be stocked with food, drink and cheering volunteers. The ride is rain or shine. For more info, http://www.shinerbash.com/index.php?page=rideinfo.
- Bike Commuting 101: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, REI Austin Downtown. Learn the basics of commuting in Austin, from what kind of bike works, what clothes and tools you need and how to find a route that works for you. Free. Instructor Preston Tyree doesn’t own a car and after 100,000 miles of urban commuting hasn’t ever been hit by a car.
- Bike to Work Day: 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 15. The best-known event of the month! Stop for free breakfast at the following locations: Whole Foods (6th Street and Lamar Boulevard); One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Road); City Hall Plaza; Bike Texas (1902 E. 6th St.); Mellow Johnny’s (4th and Nueces streets); Wheatsville Coop (3101 Guadalupe St.); Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar) Blvd.; Freewheeling Bicycles (24th and San Gabriel streets); Orange Bike Project and Longhorn Po-boys (Speedway between Dean Keeton and 21st Street); The Peddler and Texas Culinary Academy (119 E. North Loop Blvd.); Shoal Creek Boulevard at Far West right of way; Music City Cycles (6301 W. Parmer Lane, #504); and El Chilito (2219 Manor Road). Additional locations may be added.
Get on your bike! It saves gas money, keeps cars off the street, whips you into shape, and makes it fun to get around.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Austin cyclist wins Athens Twilight Crit
Austin-based cyclist Heath Blackgrove, a New Zealand native, won the 30th running of the Athens Twilight Criterium this weekend in downtown Athens, Ga. (Thanks for the photo, Brandon Andrews Photography!)
“It’s the biggest crit in America, and I’ve heard a lot of stories about it. So to win the first time doing it, with a crowd like this, is pretty special,” Blackgrove told VeloNews.
The race was part of a series of races held around Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina over nine days. Blackgrove, 28, was one of three cyclists in a breakaway late in the 80km race.
Weather was perfect and turnout was huge, according to the report.
Other Team Hotel San Jose cyclists finished well, too. Carlos Vargas Columbia was 12th, and Sean Sullivan was 39th. Barry Lee got caught behind a crash could not catch up.
Blackgrove is a former Olympian and 12-time national champion in New Zealand. He started cycling in the United States in 2006, initially racing for Toyota-United. He discovered Austin while racing the Austin Downtown Criterium, where he met directors and management for Team Hotel San Jose. He joined Team Hotel San Jose in 2009. He and his girlfriend Sharyon Johns both now live and train here.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Lillie Doss logs another win
Talk about inspiring! Austin’s own Lillie Doss won the 80-84-year-old women’s group of the 2009 Texas Round-Up 10K this weekend.
That’s her above, just before the finish line.
She was the oldest female competitor. (Four men competed in the men’s 80-84-year-old group.)
Her time? A respectable 1 hour, 44 minutes and 53 seconds. Not bad, especially when you consider the humidity and the challenging new course.
Doss is no stranger to racing. She won eight gold medals at the Texas State Senior Games in Temple in September.
She is a breast cancer survivor and didn’t even start running until she was 64. During her career she has finished four marathons and three 50 K races.
During her relatively short running career, she’s put more than 700 awards in her trophy case, for distances from 50 meters to 50K.
Today, Doss runs an average of three times a week.
She’s got a great philosophy, too. She says everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner. She proves that every time she heads out for a run.
Next up on her agenda? The Brazos Valley Senior Games 10K at Lake Bryan next Saturday and the Schlotzsky’s Bun Run on Sunday.
Go Lillie!
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment
Update on cyclist injured on Loop 360
Anthony Kaim, the cyclist seriously injured in an accident on Loop 360 April 11, has been moved from intensive care to intermediate care at Brackenridge Hospital.
Kaim, 28, was riding across the Pennybacker Bridge when he hit something in the road, lost control of his bicycle, hit the curb and then ricochetted into traffic. A car ran over him.
Since the accident, Kaim has undergone surgery to repair five fractured vertebrae. He’s also had jaw surgery and hip/pelvis surgery. He had a tracheostomy, too.
He was on a respirator for a week and developed pneumonia and anxiety issues, according to his wife Heidi. But he has been able to talk a little. He’s even accepting a few visitors.
Heidi Kaim has been writing about his progress at an online site called Caring Bridge. You can read her daily updates at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/anthonykaim.
That’s Anthony and Heidi in the gorgeous photo above.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Weekend fitness events
Here’s your lineup of fitness-minded weekend events:
- The 11th annual Dragon Boat Festival and Races are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Festival Beach. Teams from Samsung, Dell, Freescale, IBM, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and more will battle it out in 40-foot boats on Lady Bird Lake, recreating a more than 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition. Admission is free. A Dotting of the Dragon’s Eye ceremony will precede the races. Music, dance, food, martial arts demonstrations and kids activities.
- It’s Champions Triathlon Weekend at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood! Saturday is a Women’s Only Super Sprint Distance Triathlon (300m swim/12mi bike/2mi run). Sunday is a Co-Ed Olympic Distance Triathlon and a Pro/Elite race (1500m swim/40k bike/10k run). Both organized by Red Licorice Events. Pro athletes will be available for autographs from 1-3 p.m. Saturday April 25 at Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar Blvd. For more information go to http://budurl.com/eaxa/d.
- The Texas Round-Up, the state’s biggest fitness festival, is scheduled for 8 a.m. until noon Saturday downtown. Activities include a 10K and 5K footrace, a family mile run/walk, interactive booths, face painting, healthy food and drink, and health screenings, all aimed at improving the health of Texans. Other than the footraces, iI’s all free and open to the public. Races start at 8 a.m. across from the Bob Bullock Museum, 18th Street and Congress Avenue. For more information go to www.texasroundup.org.
- The Rowing Dock, 2418 Stratford Dr., is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a family-friendly day Saturday, April 25. All rental boats are $10/hour from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Renters get a free T-shirt and a cupcake from Sugar Momma’s. For more information call 459-0999.
- PurpleStride, a 5K fund-raiser for the Austin Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, April 26 at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, 3005 County Road 175. Registration is $30 ($10 for children 12 and under; free for pancreatic cancer survivors) at http://pancan.kintera.org/austin09.
- Tri Zones will host a free training clinic, “Mastering the Fourth Sport in a TRI — Transitions!” at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the RunTex Riverside Annex, and 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at REI Gateway. Bring your race day gear (except your bike) for hands-on practice. An intermediate swim clinic, with videotaping, is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Circle C pool. Cost is $85. For more information, go to www.trizones.com.
What’s on YOUR agenda this weekend?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: fitness events
Unofficial mountain bike trails blocked
When Balcones Canyonland Preserve staffers discovered someone cutting down trees to make a new mountain bike path on preserve land last week, they ordered him off the property and installed cables to block access to the unauthorized trail.
Now Austin mountain bikers are worried that other unauthorized trails in the Scottish Woods area will be blocked. They’ve posted on local cycling chatrooms and peppered me with emails about the incident.
Access to BCP lands by cyclists has long been a contentious issue.
I was referred to Kevin Buchman, spokesman for the city of Austin Water Utility, to find out more. Buchman says unauthorized trail cutting has been an ongoing problem on BCP lands. The city of Austin Water Utility helps manage the property.
“What we’re seeing is bicyclists going out there and saying ‘We want a new trail.’ People are accessing the property at their discretion, cutting down trees and creating the trail themselves with saws,” he says.
It’s currently golden-cheeked warbler nesting season and the land is part of the birds’ nesting area. “They’re very sensitive animals and we have to make sure we are protecting that species and their nesting habitats,” Buchman says. “We’ve got to limit access.”
Last week, Balcones Canyonland Preserve staffers were checking property in the Scottish Woods area of the Barton Creek Greenbelt when they encountered someone with a saw in hand. They told the man to leave the property, but didn’t take any enforcement action against him. They also installed cables to block access to the unauthorized trail.
“We’d blocked it before with the brush they’d cut down, but they were going in there and removing it and continuing to cut down more trees,” Buchman says. “People are not allowed to go on BCP property and cut down trees. It’s against the law.”
Buchman says the agency could cable other unauthorized trails if problems persist. “If we have to, yes, we’ll definitely do that. But that’s not our goal,” Buchman says. “Our goal is not to limit access that’s currently available on the BCP property. Our primary mission for BCP property is to protect endangered species.”
Besides the golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo also lives on the BCP land.
Local mountain bikers say they worry that access to other unofficial trails in the area could be jeopardized.
“Those side trails are elemental to the Austin biking experience,” one said. “The side trails allow access to terrain you aren’t going to find on the main trail along the creek bed. It offers a place to hone your skill set. It also allows you to escape the crowds that come down to the Greenbelt. The mountain biking scene here is known for good back country technical riding and that’s exactly what exists on side trails.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Win running workout book!
You don’t have a running coach, but want some advice.
You think a “fartlek” happens when you eat too many beans, and “bricks” are what houses are built of.
You’d print out workouts to take with you to the track, but they’d just blow away. Or get covered with sweat and disintegrate.
You’re looking for a training plan to get you through a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon, a marathon or a triathlon.
Clearly, you need a copy of “Run Workouts for Runners and Triathletes,” by Bobby McGee.
Here’s a sample page:
What makes this book cool is that it’s small, it’s printed on water-resistent pages, and you can easily flip through it and leave it opened to an appropriate page. There’s even a built in flap to mark your page. It includes fitness tests, and has different workouts for beginning, intermediate and advanced runners. It’s one in a series of “workouts in a binder” books by Velopress.
Tell me why you need this book!
Post your answer here AND email your snail mail address to pleblanc@statesman.com. The best answer gets the book. (I’ve only got one copy.)
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: running
Ironman answers
A few weeks ago I put out a call for questions for Joe Friel and Gordon Byrn, veteran triathletes and co-authors of “Going Long, Training for Ironman-Distance Triathlons.”
Friel and Byrn answer a selection of questions below.
Representatives of VeloNews have selected Nichole, Devon and Laura to receive free copies of the book. (Ladies, please email me at pleblanc@statesman.com with your snail mail address.)
Thanks for participating!
- Q: Is there an Ironman race without the time cutoffs? I’m so old (71) and slow that I would never be able to finish the swim in time to start the bike, or if I did pull it off, I’d never be able to finish the bike in time to start the run. — Jody
- Gordo: Jody, I happen to coach an athlete that is your age. I don’t know of any races without time cut offs.
- Q: What is the best advice for nutrition the day(s) before the IM and throughout the event itself? — Nichole
- Gordo: Hi Nichole. The best advice would be to keep your nutrition before the event as normal as possible. You want to reduce your stress going into the event, so don’t change anything. As you approach race day, you will be training less so you can reduce your overall food intake, specifically carbohydrates, up to the day before the event. For the day before, and during the event itself, you can check out my website for additional information (see Library/Nutrition on www.endurancecorner.com). The second edition of “Going Long” has extensive information on daily training and race nutrition. Joe did a fantastic job of updating the nutrition information to build in the key aspects from his book, “The Paleo Diet for Athletes.”
- Joe: The day before, eat pretty much as normal only cut back on fiber. If you eat a Paleo-style diet, then increase starch intake the day before the race. During the event it really comes down to what has worked for you in training. The possibilities are quite varied, depending in part on how long the race is likely to take (a 9-hour finisher eats far differently than a 15-hour finisher), how much carb the athlete burns at race intensity (discovered during early season testing), size (bigger athletes need more than smaller ones), and experience based on training and previous racing. Basically, I separate carbohydrate intake and fluid intake so the athlete is not trying to get all calories from a sports drink. Common race day carb sources are gels, blocks, bars and anything the athlete may have experimented with and found to work (such as peanut butter and jelly).
- Q: Since the distance for the swim is 2.4 mi, what distance do you recommend building up to (ie. how much farther than 2.4?) — Nichole
- Gordo: With the swim, the short answer is that you want to build your training so you can cover the race distance in a single workout (first benchmark). Next you want to build your endurance so you can swim the distance without stopping (second benchmark). These two goals should dominate your training before you ever worry about getting “fast” over shorter distances. In terms of overdistance, I like 5,000 meters as a benchmark for more experienced swimmers.
- Joe: You should be able to swim non-stop for as long as you think the swim will take you on race day.
- Q: How do you gauge “race pace” on the bike? Is it better to start steady and build speed toward the end, or just stay at a moderate pace the entire time? — Nichole
- Gordo: Race pace, great question! You don’t “race” an Ironman; you survive it. What I mean is that the greatest challenge you face in the first three hours is not going crazy! Our brains are not good at projecting into the future when we are under stress. So you start at what feels like an easy pace and wait, wait, wait … until the duration of the event makes it tougher. Don’t be in a hurry to make the race tough. It will get there on its own.
- Joe: The athlete should learn how to use a heart rate monitor or power meter to help gauge intensity. Even experienced athletes will do this. Is it better to build speed or maintain a moderate page? It depends on the race goal. If the goal is to finish, then the athlete needs to be quite conservative with pace/effort all the way through. What that pace/effort is depends, again, on how long he/she will be out there. Most athletes need to start quite slowly and warm up to see how they feel. But never should the novice attempt to see how fast they can go.
- Q: What is the best way to prepare for a marathon distance run after a swim and bike of those distances? — Nichole
- Gordo: The key to run training is quality long runs, making sure that your long runs are no sooner than 48 hours after your long rides, as well as running frequently. Frequent easy running is much more important than fast running. My good friend (and run coach) Bobby McGee says, “Ironman running is more like a hike than a marathon.” That’s very true advice. If you are able to run “easy pace” for the entire marathon, then you will likely have a great day.
- Joe: Complete a few runs of 2-3 hours duration in the last 12 weeks before the race.
- Q: As the biking distance rises in training I tend to get saddle sores. I’ve heard many differing theories on how to avert this: get better bike shorts, get a new seat, and/or obtain a good bike fit. What is your advice and/or experience with this pesky occurrence? — Mary Keith Trawick
- Gordo: A couple tips that have helped me: Get out of your shorts QUICK after training. Use an antibiotic wash after training. Find a saddle that keeps your sit-bones stable. Rocking on the saddle creates friction that can irritate the skin. To clear up saddle sores, dab them with tea tree oil after washing and before bed.
- Q: How do you maintain your focus during an Ironman distance race (e.g. some athletes count to 100 repeatedly, or have certain songs going through their head)? — Mary Keith Trawick
- Gordo: Build your capacity to focus just like your fitness. Start with shorter periods and use intervals of focus within your longer sessions. You are right, a capacity to maintain a relaxed focus is a key attribute of successful racing. It takes practise and time to build up.
- Q: Gordo - You have an impressive website and note that one of the most popular topics on your discussion board is anything linked to nutrition. Why do you think this is such a popular topic and how much do you think nutrition can affect Ironman training? — Mary Keith Trawick
- Gordo: Nutrition is HUGE. In “Going Long,” we call it the Fourth Discipline. For long distance events, you can give yourself a material edge from fueling using the tips that are contained in the book. As an athlete, I recommend that you place the majority of your focus on the quality of what you eat when you are not training. This is the area where I find you can get the most performance boost. The mechanics of training/racing nutrition, covered in the book, are straightforward. Great to hear that you’ve been enjoying the website. I recently updated all my “greatest hits” and pulled them into my new site at www.EnduranceCorner.com. You’ll find my most popular articles there in a new library. I also pulled my blog across, which covers a range of topics.
- Q: What kind of advice would you give the athlete who wants to take triathlon to their highest level possible? For the athlete who has great potential, but because of work, scheduling, and finances, can’t afford it all. Can you recommend some simple steps to acquire assistance in these areas. Whether it be writing sponsorship letters, grant assistance, or tips from other accomplished athletes. — Ryan
- Gordo: Ryan, you’ll find the long answer to this question here: http://www.endurancecorner.com/gblog/desert_lessons_part_two My key advice if you want to achieve your highest level (in anything) is to understand that you must make choices and you cannot do it all. As a working athlete, focus on simplifying your life as much as possible and a stable routine. Then use “training vacations” to give yourself sport-specific overload. There’s more in the blog article but those are the key take-away points to remember.
- Q: I just completed my first half-Ironman, and at times I found myself feeling discouraged or even kind of bored. What kind of mental dialogue do successful triathletes use to keep going strong for all those hours? — Devon
- Gordo: You must train the way you want to race, especially in your key training sessions. Enter the event having practiced exactly how you want to move through the day. Manage your mood. When you notice that your mood has fallen, slow down a bit and eat something. Feeling discouraged or apathetic can be a sign of low blood sugar.
- Q: For 100-plus mile training rides out to the hinterlands (or Hill Country!) how do you balance carrying the extra weight of enough water and food vs. running out and not having water and snacks for many (LONG) miles? Remember it gets hot in South Texas in the summer … — Chris Summers
- Gordo: I used to train in Hong Kong, so I feel your pain about the heat! Food and water are “good weight.” I always bring tons of supplies with me and know my routes for resupply. I will also use loops where I leave an ice chest in my car for a parked aid-station. This is really important during long runs in the summer months. Even in Boulder, it gets very hot!
- Q: What would you say is the single most important element to make the transition between the bike and the run smoother? That’s always the hardest part for me — getting into a running groove after getting off the bike. — Laura
- Gordo: The single greatest element is practice! For one year I did at least a short, easy run after every single ride. Made a huge difference for me and is time efficient for working athletes (two sports, one shower). Another technique is to work on relaxation, using power-walking to get yourself into running mode. For an Ironman, especially, your first 5K should be the slowest of the entire marathon. Because you are moving so fast on the bike, any running speed is going to feel really slow. So expect that, relax and find your cadence. You’ll have plenty of time to pick it up later. Hope this helps you with your athletic journey - feel free to drop by my website (www.EnduranceCorner.com) or follow-up with an email via the contact page that you’ll find there.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
Texas Round-Up
If you’re running the Texas Round-Up 10K this weekend, you’ll be running a new route that takes you by a slew of Austin icons, from the State Capitol and Bob Bullock Museum to Memorial Stadium, the Drag, the Santa Rita No. 1 oil rig and the Texas State Cemetery.
Wooo hooo! It’s always fun to run new routes, and with this one you’ll be so distracted by the tourist sites you’ll forget you’re getting in a good workout.
“It’s a one-stop shop for a slice of Austin history. And it’s got a ton of nice downhill running, which isn’t easy to find downtown,” says race director John Conley.
The races start at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 25 across from the Bob Bullock Museum, 18th Street and Congress Avenue. Besides the races, a fitness festival and FitKids FunZone are planned from 8 a.m. until noon. A family mile run/walk begins at 10 a.m.
Online registration for the footrace is closed, but you can register in person at the fitness expo from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, April 24 at the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. Cost is $30 for the untimed 10K, $35 for the chip-timed 10K, $25 for the untimed 5K or $30 for the chip-timed 5K. The family mile is $10 per person. You can also register from 6 to 7:30 a.m. on race day morning near the starting line.
It’s all aimed at helping improve the health of all Texans. Interactive booths, face painting, healthy food and drink and health screenings are planned. Other than the races, iI’s free and open to the public.
For more information go to www.texasroundup.org.
Each year, Gov. Rick Perry names a Fit Texan winner. This year, it’s Denny Martin, who’s been obese since he was 10 years old. Martin weighed almost 400 pounds in October 2007. He’s since dropped 153 pounds (and aims to lose another 40) and plans to run the 10K.
Congrats Denny!
Click here to see the race course:
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment Categories: fitness events
Mayoral candidates talk about running
Want to know what our city’s mayoral candidates think about the future of running in Austin?
It’s a hot topic, with all the discussion lately about limiting road closures and how that will affect events including our city’s slate of road races.
Candidates Lee Leffingwell, Brewster McCracken and Carole Strayhorn will talk running in a forum from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. tonight (April 20) at RunTex Riverside, 422 Riverside Dr.
Lou Earle, publisher of Austin Fit and Austin Runner magazines, will moderate.
Runners encouraged to attend!
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: running
Backpacking in the Big (Skeeter) Thicket
I’m fresh out of the mosquito-infested jungle that is the Big Thicket of East Texas.
Whew! I should have dipped myself in DEET before that little excursion.
Not really fully thinking about the implications of backpacking in a swampy parcel of land near Beaumont, I set out with running buddy Marcy Stellfox this week to search for insect-eating plants in the Big Thicket National Preserve, where four species of carnivorous vegetation live. (That’s Marcy, above.)
We found the plants — slender, funnel-shaped stalks with red-veined throats and dainty little lids on top.
But we also found clouds and clouds of mosquitoes. Marcy and I are now calling the place The Big (Skeeter) Thicket National Preserve.
If you decide to go, I’ve got some advice:
First, bring some serious bug spray. We sprayed ourselves with some eco-friendly eucalyptus oil that was supposed to ward off biting bugs. We thought it smelled great. Apparently, so did the mosquitoes.
Get there early in the day. We spent an hour and a half hiking through a bramble-patch before the undergrowth cleared out enough that we could pitch a tent. Since we didn’t throw on our backpacks until 5:30 p.m., that was a problem. We had to set up camp at the first open area we came to — and that happened to be a crispy, partly toasted area that had been the site of a prescribed burn maybe a year ago.
Another reason to hike further in? We were serenaded by barking dogs most of the night. And we could hear the buzz of vehicles on the highway from inside our tent.
The Big Thicket is made up of a dozen or so separate parcels of land, and the parcel we were backpacking on (the Turkey Creek Unit) happens to be long and skinny. It’s bordered by private land. Where people own dogs. And cars.
But … as much as I’m grumbling here, the Thicket is a very cool place. Visions of Bigfoot and the Creature from the Black Lagoon danced in my head as we trudged down the pine needle-covered trail. The paths we explored were well maintained, with boardwalks over particularly swampy areas. I loved peering into the muckier parts, imagining that the cypress knees were tiny, caped people.
I have a good imagination.
I love to sleep in a tent, too. You could put me in a tent just about anywhere and I’d go giddy with happiness. And boiling water using my tiny camp stove? Heaven! Nothing like a foil pouch of dehydrated pasta, if you ask me.
We got lucky with those hungry plants, too. They bloom in April and May. After our night in the woods, we hiked back to our car, then drove around to the north end of the Turkey Creek Unit, where the plants grow by the thousands. (That’s one of the plants we found, below.) We didn’t see any eating bugs while we were there. They looked pretty well-fed, though.
Funny thing, too. The mosquitoes weren’t as thick there. I think the plants ate ‘em all.
Where do you like to camp? Ever been to the Big Thicket?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: backpacking
First day of BP MS 150 cancelled
The first day of the BP MS 150 is cancelled.
The Houston-to-Austin bike ride, which raises money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, was supposed to start Saturday. So far, Sunday’s ride from LaGrange to Austin is still on. About 13,000 bicyclists were registered for the event.
Here’s what’s posted on the BP MS150 web site:
“Due to unsafe conditions along the Day One route and in La Grange, we have decided to cancel the first day of the BP MS 150, Saturday, April 18, 2009. At this time we intend to ride as scheduled on Day 2, Sunday, April 19, from La Grange to Austin. We are currently assessing the logistics and route conditions from La Grange to Austin and will continue to update you as those details become available. Please continue to visit this site for updates.”
For updates, check the website at www.ms150.org.
UPDATE
At this time the Lone Star Chapter of the National MS Society plans to have the 25th Anniversary of the BP MS 150 take place on Sunday, April 19 from La Grange to Austin. Cyclists will start at the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange in the town square (151 N Washington St, La Grange, TX 78945). The ride will start at 8 a.m.
We ask that cyclists find their own transportation to La Grange on Sunday. Due to the minimal parking available we ask that cyclists either car pool or arrange to be dropped off in La Grange. We will be providing both rider and bike transportation back to La Grange from Austin on Sunday evening. We will also be providing transportation from Austin to Tully Stadium in Houston.
Drop Off Information A drop off area is available at Water and River Street in La Grange.
Parking Information
La Grange High School 820 S. Vail Street La Grange, Texas 78945 Map
La Grange Intermediate School 192 S. Vail Street La Grange, Texas 78945 Map
KC Hall 171 S. Main Street La Grange, Texas 78945
Cyclists will be able to park and then ride their bikes to the Court House.
Revisions to the route and new start will be posted shortly.
A customer service area will be available at the Omni Westside Hotel in Houston on Friday, April 17 from 2pm-12 Midnight and Saturday, April 18 from 8am-5pm.
Continue to check our website for the latest updates.
Due to the cancellation of Day One of the 2009 BP MS 150, all standard Day One support services — including rider support, transportation and breakpoints - will not be available. Because of existing conditions along the Day One route and in La Grange, the National MS Society strongly advises riders to adhere to the cancellation for their own safety. The safety of all participants - including riders, volunteers, their supporters and all personnel - is the priority this weekend and the National MS Society will continue to work in the best and safest interests of all our participants.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Weekend fitness events
I’ve got your lineup of weekend fitness activities.
- The BP MS 150 rolls into downtown Austin on Sunday, April 19. For more information, go to http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=10222.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: fitness events
Last minute MS150 notes
Four years ago I pedaled my bike from Houston to Austin as part of the BP MS 150. (They call it the “150,” by the way, but it’s actually 180 miles over two days. With plenty of hills in the mix.)
It’s a great ride, for a great cause — the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The tradition started in Minnesota as a way to raise money to fight the chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. An estimated 400,000 Americans have multiple sclerosis.
This weekend marks the 25th rendition of the Houston-to-Austin version of the ride, organized by the Lone Star Chapter. The ride will roll no matter the weather.
The final packet pick-up and Expo will take place at the Omni Houston Westside Hotel from 2-9 p.m. Friday, April 17. Bike inspections, mechanical services, cycling merchandise and commemorative merchandise will be available. You can also submit any pledges, pick-up your T-shirt, goody bag and meet with your Champion. A pasta buffet will be available for purchase as the “carb-loading” dinner.
The ride draws 13,000 cyclists, 3,000 volunteers and tons of supporters. Last year it raised more than $15 million to fight multiple sclerosis.
For more information, go to http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/index.aspx.
And let me know how the ride goes!
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Win free books!
Time again for some book giveaways.
Pay attention. To win, you must do TWO things: First, post your name here. Second, email your snail mail address to me at pleblanc@statesman.com.
The theme this week? Weight loss.
Here’s what I’ve got: “Skinny Bastard, A Kick-in-the-Ass for Real Men Who Want to Stop Being Fat and Start Getting Buff,” by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin; “Move into Live, The Nine Essentials for Lifelong Vitality,” by Anat Baniel; “Skinny Chicks Don’t Eat Salads,” by Christine Avanti; and “Hungry Girl, 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories,” by Lisa Lillien. Oh, and a copy of “LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout.”
One book to a person, please. First come, first served.
Ready, set … go!
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment
In search of bug-eating plants
I’m on a mission to find a bug-eating plant!
Wednesday, I’m driving east to the Big Thicket National Preserve near Beaumont. It’s home to four types of carnivorous plants — sundews, pitcher plants, bladderworts and butterworts. Sound pretty frightening, don’t they? Like something out of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Actually, it’s research for a story I’m working on about cool places to camp, now that none of us can afford actual hotel rooms. The story won’t run until fall, but I’m pitching my tent now, before it gets blazing hot.
My running buddy Marcy is coming with me. We’ll be backpacking in a few miles, staying the night, and soaking up some awesome spring air. I can’t wait!
M hasn’t had the pleasure of a dehydrated meal yet. We’ll be dining on just-add-water spaghetti and pasta primavera. (I prefer Mountain House brand’s Pro Packs, FYI. Learned that in Yellowstone last year.)
The Big Thicket covers 97,500 acres in 12 non-contiguous parcels. We’re planning on hiking in the Turkey Creek area, where some of those insect-munching plants are known to live.
I wonder what their favorite foods are? Perhaps I’ll bring a pocketful of beetles, larvae and fleas and run my own experiment.
I checked out the park’s website. Looks like they’ve got an alligator population, too. I bet the Creature from the Black Lagoon would be right at home there.
I need to visit a couple of other parks before I write the camping story.
Got any suggestions? What’s the best place to camp in Texas?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: hiking
Cyclist hit on Loop 360 in ICU
Anthony Kaim, the cyclist hit on Loop 360 at the Pennybacker Bridge Saturday morning, is scheduled for three surgeries this week but has no brain injuries, according to his wife.
Kaim broke several ribs and his left hip, shattered his pelvis, fractured his spine in four or five places and broke his jaw in three places, Heidi Kaim told me this morning. He’s in intensive care at University Medical Center at Brackenridge.
“I think it’s a miracle he’s as good as he is,” she says. “He’s actually conscious and talking and in his right mind. He’s asking a lot of questions because he is a lawyer.”
Anthony Kaim was riding southbound on Loop 360 when he apparently ran over debris or hit a bump, which caused him to lose control of his handlebars and hit the cement barrier on the right side of the road. He bounced back into traffic on the left and was hit by a car.
“It wasn’t like anybody was at fault, it was just a freak accident,” Heidi Kaim says.
Anthony Kaim is a Category 3 cyclist who rode on the University of Texas cycling team and now competes with the Gulf Coast Cycling Association team. He had recently finished law school and works as a clerk for a Fifth Circuit Judge in Austin.
He is scheduled for two surgeries Tuesday and another on Wednesday.
“He would just want to thank everybody for keeping him in their thoughts and prayers,” she says. “He’s touched by everybody rallying around.”
She’s sure he’ll be back on the bike as soon as he can. “It’ll take physical therapy for a long time. They’re thinking in six months he can be slightly active again. It’ll be maybe a year before he’s able to ride.”
Joseph LaFico was in a group of cyclists about 15 minutes behind Kaim’s pack. When he arrived at the accident scene, emergency crews had closed the roadway.
He describes Kaim as a “very experienced cyclist, definitely not a newbie. Just a good, solid guy who rides under the radar.”
Permalink | Comments (43) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Riding with Team In Training
I headed to the hills of southwest Austin Saturday morning to join Team in Training for a tuneup before they’re off to Tahoe for America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride.
We pedaled past wildflowers and barking dogs, up and down rolling hills, and through neighborhoods I’ve never even seen with one of the group’s leaders, Maggie Caldwell, and about 20 other cyclists. A few of us peeled off after 25 miles; the rest pushed on to finish twice that distance.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training offers group programs that will get you ready for a marathon, triathlon or 100-mile bike ride.
TNT, as they call it, isn’t just about fitness. It’s about raising money for a great cause.
Everyone who joins the cycling program, for example, must raise $4,200. Part of that money pays their expenses to get to Tahoe and register for the ride. But 75 percent of the funds go toward research to find a cure for blood cancers.
And don’t worry. They help you raise the money by setting you up with a website.
The group I rode with Saturday included several cancer survivors determined to give back.
Want to get involved? Team in Training is organizing training groups for The Austin Triathlon on Sept. 7, the Big Kahuna Triathlon in Santa Cruz, Ca., on Oct. 25; the Sea Gull Century in Salisbury, Md., on Oct. 10; the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco on Oct. 18; and the Rock ‘n Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon on Nov. 15.
A slew of informational meetings for future TNT events are planned during April and May:
- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 at Serrano’s, 1111 Red River Dr.
- 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at REI, 601 N. Lamar Blvd.
- 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, REI, 9901 N. Capital of Texas Highway
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, Mellow Johnny’s, 400 Nueces St.
- 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, BettySport, 916 W. 12th St.
- 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, REI, 201 University Blvd., Round Rock
- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, Triumphant Love Lutehran Church, 9508 Great Hills Tr.
- Kickoff party 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, Triumphant LLove Lutheran Church, 9508 Great Hills Tr.
For more information go to www.teamintraining.org
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment
Upcoming fitness events
Planning your fitness calendar? Keep these events in mind:
- Red Licorice Events’ triathlon series kicks off at 8 a.m. April 25 with the Champions Women’s Only Super Sprint Triathlon at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood. The event consists of a 300-meter swim, 12-mile bike and 2-mile run. Registration is $75 at www.redlicoriceevents.com. The Champions Co-ed and Pro/Elite triathlon is set for 8 a.m. Sunday, April 26 at Pace Bend. It consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run. Registration is $125. Other triathlons in the series are the Sweet & Twisted Tri on Aug. 16 and the Dude Girl Tri on Sept. 20. Those who complete all three races in the series get a custom bike jersey.
- The Jewish Community Association of Austin is hosting a Largest Loser Contest from April 13 to June 7. Three teams of 10 will compete to lose the largest percentage of weight. Contestants will meet for group workout sessions three times a week, weigh in once a week and complete two other individual workouts a week. They’ll receive guidance in cardiovascular, strength, core and flexibility training. The winning team wins a prize, and the participant who loses the most wins a free year’s membership to the Jewish Community Center. Registration is $300 for JCC members or $375 for non-members. For more information go to www.shalomaustin.org/sportsfitness or call DJ Olsson at 735-8224.
- The Senior K Walk is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 18 at the South Congress Athletic Club, 1109-B S. Congress Ave. Last year about 30 people participated. Up to 100 are expected for the 2009 version. Many are members of the senior exercise class at the Senior Activity Center, 2874 Shoal Crest Ave. For more information call Jody Kelly at 589-1717
- The second annual ‘Bent Event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 19 at Easy Street Recumbents, 5555 N. Lamar Blvd., behind Goodwill. Activities include group rides in the central city, various mad scientists and their wheeled creations, and all kinds of recumbent bicycles and enthusiasts. For more information, or to get on Easy Street’s mailing list, email service@easystreetrecumbents.com.
- Recycle your gently worn shoes for the Soles4Soles charity at Bettysport, 916 A West 12th St. Nashville-based Soles4Souls has distributed more than 4 million pairs of shoes to needy people in more than 70 countries. For more information go to www.giveshoes.org.
- The Armadillo Hill Country Classic bike ride is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at Liberty Hill High School, 13125 W. Highway 29. Registration is $30 until May 2, when it goes up to $40. Riders choose from distances between 14 and 105 miles. All routes are fully supported with rest stops that offer water, sports drinks and high carbohydrate solid foods, and sag vehicles. Proceeds help the Austin Cycling Association purchases helmets for Central Texas children.
Have another event? Post it here.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: fitness events
Running nude
Think you can run faster without the burden of clothing? You can find out at the Bare Buns 5K Run at Star Ranch in McDade.
The nude race kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Typically, it attracts between 80 and 125 runners.
“The majority of them run in the nude,” says Debra Leverington, office manager at the family-oriented nudist park, which opened in 1957. “Usually all the men do. The heavier-chested women usually wear a sports bra. Some run barefoot, but most wear tennis shoes.”
Wondering where to put your race number? On your hat if you’re wearing one, on a string around your neck if you’re not, or directly on your shoulder, with a marker.
The cross-country course runs through the Star Ranch grounds in Bastrop County, east of Austin. There’s also a 1K fun run for kids 17 and under. Registration is $25 and includes gate fees and a race T-shirt. You can sign up between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. race day on site.
Not everyone who does the race is a year-round nudist. “For some, it’s the one time of the year they get nude,” Leverington says.
Star Ranch is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation. It’s got swimming pools, tennis and volleyball courts and playgrounds. You can dance, hike, play shuffleboard, darts, billiards or bingo, all sans apparel. Cabins are available for rental.
“It’s not a swingers club, it’s not an alternative lifestyle club,” Leverington says. “We are a family-oriented clothing-free club … We do encourage people to be nude, because we don’t want to encourage voyeurism.”
While nudity is encouraged, it’s not required. “We’re nudists, but we’re common-sense nudists. If it’s cold, by all means wear clothes. Or if you have medical reasons, like skin cancer, wear clothes.”
The park does sexual predator and criminal background checks on everyone who walks through the gate, she says.
For more information, call 866-705-5978 or go to www.starranch.net.
Would you run nude?
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment Categories: running
Running across Europe…
Russell Secker is packing his running shoes — all six pairs, mind you — and heading for Europe in a few days. A little running is on the agenda.
Secker has signed on for the TransEurope Footrace. He’s going to run an average of 45 miles a day for 64 days in a row.
He’ll cross six countries _ Italy, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Norway — and cover nearly 3,000 miles.
Nuts, you say? Well, he seems pretty normal.
I ran 11.5 miles with him Wednesday morning. That was a quick jog for him, a long run for me. I made him promise to keep the pace at 10-minute miles. That worked out fine, since that’s the pace he’ll set as he runs across the European continent.
This ultra running is nothing new to Secker. In 2005, he ran 750 miles across France in 18 days during the Transe Gaule. Then, in 2007, he ran 800 miles aross Germany in 17 days during the Deutschlandlauf. Here in Austin, he kept in shape by running the 12 miles each way to work and back.
The race begins April 19 in Italy and finishes June 21 inside the Arctic Circle. Of the 68 runners who have qualified, Secker is the only one from the United States.
For the next few months, he’ll wake up at 4 a.m. each day, hit the road by 6 a.m. and run for 7 to 14 hours. To fuel that exertion, he’ll eat at least 8,000 calories a day, including plenty of carbs.
He took some time this week to cut the toe boxes out of those six pairs of New Balance sneakers to help prevent blisters. Each pair should carry him 500 miles.
What about injuries, you ask? He’ll get them, no doubt. But if things go according to his plan, he’ll keep running through the discomfort.
He paid about $6,000 for the opportunity. To Secker, this is fun. It’s the glory of running through a multitude of cultures, of seeing the countryside and small towns like most never do, and of pushing his body to its limit.
Want to follow his adventure? Go to www.secker.blogspot.com.
What do you think about Secker’s upcoming adventure?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: running
Follow me on Twitter
I’m learning to Tweet. As in Twitter.
I registered and got my Twitter name (@fitcityleblanc) nearly a month ago. I had great visions of Tweeting about water-skiing conditions on Lake Austin and deadlines to register for upcoming races.
But the account sat silent for several weeks. I had Twitter stage fright, and technology, frankly, sometimes overwhelms me.
This week, I pestered a couple of co-workers about it, and they’ve helped me get started. I’m now live on Twitter!
Follow me and I’ll keep you informed about local fitness events, conditions at our parks and on our trails, and interesting news articles. (Today I Tweeted about a study that shows that one in five American 4-year-olds is obese. Shocking!)
Soon, I hope to go mobile, taking pictures with my cell phone and posting those on Twitter. That way when I tell you the lake is like glass and perfect for a slalom run, you’ll know I’m not making it up.
Be patient. And help me out — I need all your Twitter tips! Post ‘em here…
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: general fitness
Register for Capital of Texas Triathlon
Speaking of triathlons, the Capital of Texas Triathlon is coming up Monday, May 25. It’s a cool race, centered around downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake. I’ve done it a couple of times and always had fun. Tons of spectators come out to cheer on the athletes.
Pick your distance. Registration costs increase May 22. Add $10 for non-USAT members:
- First Tri Triathlon: 400-meter swim, 10K bike and 5K run. Registration $70. Starts 9:30 a.m.
- Sprint Triathlon: 750-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run. Registration is $100; $135 for relay. Starts 9 a.m.
- Olympic Triathlon: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run. Registration is $120; $164 for relay. Starts 7 a.m.
Race organizers have chosen the Wounded Warrior Project as the primary beneficiary. The non-profit organization, which provides adaptive equipment and sports training to combat veterans who are injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, will enter about 20 athletes, and other disabled military triathletes are expected to race. The CapTexTri is designated as the Triathlon Physically Challenged Military Championship.
“Our initial goal was to raise $10,000 for them, but the more I see of their work, I don’t want to stop at that,” says triathlon producer Rick Margiotta.
The CapTexTri, as it’s called, has been around since 1991. New in 2009 is an Olympic-style event, featuring professional and National Team triathletes racing in a multiple lap format. The CapTexTri Pro Cup will follow the age group triathlon events.
For more information or to register, go to www.captextri.com.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
Triathletes: Ask the experts, win a book!
Got a question about training for an Ironman-distance triathlon?
I’ve arranged for Joe Friel and Gordon Byrn, co-authors of the book “Going Long, Training for Ironman-Distance Triathlons,” to field questions from readers of this blog.
Post your questions here and I’ll make sure Friel and Byrn get them. We’ll pick the best ones and I’ll publish them, along with the authors’ answers, in a future blog entry.
And get this — we’ll give away a copy of the book to whoever asks the best question. (If we get enough good questions, we’ll give away more than one copy, so fire away!)
Friel and Byrn are top triathlon experts. Friel, a certified USA Triathlon and USA Cycling coach, has worked with the top endurance athletes since the 1980s. He’s the author of “The Triathlete’s Training Bible,” “Your First Triathlon” and “The Cyclist’s Training Bible,” and writes for Inside Triathlon and VeloNews magazines. He’s got a master’s degree in exercise science.
Byrn has raced Ironman competitions in Hawaii, Australia, Canada (where he posted a time of 8 hours and 29 minutes) and New Zealand. He won the 2002 Ultraman Hawaii, a three-day ultra-endurance triathlon. He’s also certified by USA Triathlon, Triathlon Australia, and the American Swim Coaches Association as a coach.
For “Going Long,” Friel offers the coaching framework and Byrn offers the athlete perspective. The book includes sport-specific drills, workouts, strength training tips and information on wellness and recovery. I like the section about training the mind, which is packed with sound advice about reassuring yourself when the pre-race jitters strike, avoiding broken goggles and what to do if your appetite evaporates on the course.
When the authors answer the questions, I’ll post the names of the book winners. Those folks will then have to email me their snail mail addresses so I can get them the book. So check back often.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
Do the Mighty Texas Dog Walk
Sure, you’ve done lots of foot races around town — and you’ve got the finishers’ medals to prove it. But what about your dog?
He can earn his own gold medal at the 11th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk, a 3-mile non-competitive stroll scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 11 starting at the Ann Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. There will be six water stops for humans and canines along the way.
But there’s another goal — to win back the Guinness World Record for largest dog walk, currently held by England with 10,272 four-footed friends. We can beat that!
Taking your dog for a walk, by the way, is an easy way to grab some exercise. It gets you (and your pup) outside, burns some calories, stretches those muscles and has an overall pleasant effect on your health.
Just ask Sheri Soltes, founder and president of Texas Hearing & Service Dogs.
“I got started exercising for real at 35 by just walking my dog. It got both of us out of the house and I felt much less stressed after a 30-minute walk looking at the neighbors’ gardens,” Soltes says.
Those quick jaunts progressed to walking — and eventually running — excursions to Lady Bird Lake, Soltes says.
“I hit 50 in May and still wear college size clothes and enjoy excellent health. Plus, my border collie gets her jets burned five times a week and I haven’t strangled anyone in years,” she says.
See what I mean?
Registration is $25 per dog in advance or $30 the day of the event. Sign up online until 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at www.servicedogs.org, or in person from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, April 8-10, at Petco, 9828 Great Hills Trail. Packet pickup is April 8-10 at Petco or at the registration tent on walk day.
Proceeds benefit Texas Hearing & Service Dogs, in its 21st year of training adopted shelter dogs as working partners for disabled Texans free of charge.
Does your dog like to exercise with you? Tell me about it!
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: fitness events
Doing the Zooma
Hills, humidity and some seriously yummy egg and cheese breakfast tacos at the finish line. What more could a girl want?
The inaugural Austin Zooma Half Marathon and 5K, which started and finished at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort near Bastrop, made a grand debut on Saturday.
I ran the 13.2-mile course in a hair over two hours - pretty good for me, especially considering the route dipped and climbed like the stock market.. Whew!
Thick clouds and New Orleans-like humidity made it a challenging race.
Things I liked most about the race:
- Horses galloping in pastures alongside the race course.
- Gorgeous, scenic terrain.
- My friend Nell Carroll hosting a breakfast party in her front yard, right on the most daunting hill of the entire course.
- Girls, girls, girls! Except for a handful of guys (including one wearing a green floral dress and a long, blonde, Rapunzel-like wig) this race was all about women.
- Quotes posted along the route, including this one by Eleanor Roosevelt: “A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.”
- Tiny cupcakes at the finish line!
- Giant blue towels spread on a hillside amphitheatre, so exhausted runners could collapse and listen to live music.
- The finishers’ party, with the Colorado River as a backdrop.
- A dainty silver necklace instead of a finishers’ medal.
- The shuttle system from Airport Fast Park, which worked like a charm. No lines, no problems (except when our driver overshot the resort by a few miles on the way in.)
- The towel service costs the YMCA about $50,000 per year. Half of that expense is for towels. The other half is for staff, utilities and soap. That cost is expected to rise with an increase in membership.
- The YMCA would rather spend that money on equipment and staffing.
- The YMCA now provides more classes and services that members previously had to pay for.
- The YMCA cannot continue to keep up new equipment, provide classes at no extra charge or keep repairing facilities if it keeps investing in a service that depletes so rapidly.
- Membership dues at the YMCA have not increased for many years.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: running
Engine 2 pot luck
Rip Esselstyn, Austin’s favorite plant-powered fire fighter, hosted a pot luck dinner recently.
I didn’t make the party, but watch this video to check out some of the food that people on the Engine 2 Diet have been eating:
Esselstyn promotes the no meat, no dairy, no oil diet in his recently released book, “The Engine 2 Diet, The Texas Firefighter’s 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds.”
I’m first-hand proof that it works. My husband and I did the diet for 28 days. We had our cholesterol checked when we started, two weeks in and four weeks in. My cholesterol dropped 40 points in the first two weeks.
Cutting meat and dairy out weren’t so hard. Cutting out oil? Now that was tough.
We’re no longer on a strict Engine 2 program, but we eat a lot healthier now. Lots of plants, not much meat and less oil than we used to.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: nutrition
Death by triathlon vs. marathon
How would you rather go?
Weekend warriors are twice as likely to die while doing a triathlon as they are to die during a marathon, according to a study by Dr. Kevin Harris, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute. And the greatest risk during a triathlon is caused by heart problems during the swim portion of the event, when cold water constricts blood vessels, making the heart work harder.
Harris presented the study at an American College of Cardiology conference in Florida last week. Read more about it here.
The risk of death during a triathlon is about 15 deaths per million participants, according to the study. The risk of death during a marathon is about 4 to 8 per million.
Don’t hang up your amateur athletic career just yet. That’s a pretty low risk, don’t you think?
I’m happy to say I’ve survived both. But it always pays to have your heart health checked before doing either.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
Should gyms provide towels?
Let’s talk towels. Should fitness clubs supply them to members?
The topic comes up because the Townlake YMCA sent a message to its members this week, letting them know that it would discontinue towel service as of April 15. It’s getting too expensive.
Staff members have been considering the move the past few years, according to the message from branch executive Dave Fulscher. They determined:
Sounds reasonable to me. I always bring my own towel to my gym anyway. (Something about those scratchy white institutional towels has always turned me off.) Many gyms have never provided a towel service.
Does your gym provide towels? If you are a YMCA member, how do you feel about the change?
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: gyms
Are strollers at races a hazard?
Here’s a good topic for discussion: Strollers at foot races.
I got an email from a woman annoyed because, even though she had registered for the timed version of the Statesman Capitol 10,000, she had to start at the back of the pack.
“Since I was running with a stroller, I got pushed back to the very end, which meant I had to try and negotiate through the untimed participants,” she wrote. “I did have a chip, but that didn’t seem to make a difference when getting to the starting line.”
She had her worst race ever, finishing 28 minutes slower than her target.
I pointed out that the rules clearly state that strollers are allowed in the Cap10K, but only in the Fun Run/Walk category of the event. Anyone with a stroller has to start in the very last wave. No one with a stroller is allowed in the timed run.
“I don’t mind starting at the end of the timed group, but I have a problem with starting at the very end of the untimed if I have paid for a timing chip and am trying to go for a time,” she said.
“I’m not sure I will participate in the Cap 10k in the future,” she wrote.
I asked Cap10K Race Director Jann Girard for her thoughts, and she stands by the rule banning strollers from the timed category. “It is dangerous (and frustrating) for both runners and baby jogger pushers,” Girard said.
While I worry about runners getting tripped up by baby strollers, or baby strollers getting tipped over by over-exuberant runners, I also wonder if putting strollers behind the slowest walkers is a good idea. Isn’t it hazardous to have strollers work their way through the slowest folks?
Maybe strollers shouldn’t be allowed at all. Or maybe there’s a compromise.
Stroller woman likes the way things are done at the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. “Since I always register for a chip, I am able to start with the timed runners (in the back of the pack) but am a ways out before the untimed group hits,” she says.
What do you think? Should strollers be allowed in races? Or should parents leave babies at home for competitive races? What do runners do during races that bugs you?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment Categories: running
