Competitor June 2017

competitor

competitor

JUNE 2017 |

JUNE 2017

COMPETITOR'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

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SUMMER TRAIL SHOE REVIEW

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CELEBRATING THE ROCK 'N' ROLL MARATHON

PLUS:

New Shoes for Summer

When & How to Run With a Group

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2010

The Brooks “Rocker Dude” makes his debut in Seattle, straddling the course and inspiring participants to rock out and “Run Happy”. The dude has spanned the streets at Rock ‘n’ Roll events throughout the country ever since.

2015 92-year-old cancer survivor, Harriette Thompson, inspires us all in San Diego by becoming the oldest woman to finish a marathon.

2013

Deena Kastor clocked 1:09:36 to finish third in Philadelphia and also set three more Masters world records at 15K (49:03), 10 miles (52:41) and 20K (1:05:52).

1998

The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon took place in San Diego, forever changing the sport of running.

2011

In order to see Las Vegas in its neon glory, the race was moved to the night and the experience of running the Las Vegas #StripatNight was born.

2001

We finished on the oceanfront at the first ever destination half marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach.

2016

Young and old raced to complete the ‘Sweet Georgia Pie Challenge’ in Savannah by running both the mile and 5K race on Sunday, earning their own personal sized pie.

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CELEBRATE 20 YEARS RUNNING M A R AT H O N | 1 / 2 M A R AT H O N | R E L AY | 1 0 K | 5 K | 1 M I L E

CREAT E YOU R M OM E N T IN 201 7 JUN 3-4

SAN DIEGO, CA

NOV 11-12

LAS VEGAS, NV

JUN 17-18

SEATTLE, WA

DEC 2-3

SAN ANTONIO, TX

JUL 15-16

CHICAGO, IL

201 8

AUG 12-13

DUBLIN, IRELAND

JAN 13-14

ARIZONA

SEP 2-3

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

MAR 3-4

NEW ORLEANS, LA

SEP 16-17

PHILADELPHIA, PA

MAR 10

WASHINGTON DC

SEP 23-24

MONTRÉAL, CANADA

MAR 18

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

OCT 7-8

SAN JOSE, CA

MAR 24-25

DALLAS, TX

OCT 14

BROOKLYN, NY

MAR 24-25

CARLSBAD 5000

OCT 14-15

DENVER, CO

APR 7-8

RALEIGH, NC

OCT 14-15

ST. LOUIS, MO

APR 8

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

OCT 15

LISBON, PORTUGAL

APR 22

MADRID, SPAIN

OCT 28

CHENGDU, CHINA

APR 28

NASHVILLE, TN

OCT 29

LOS ANGELES, CA

MAY 19-20

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

NOV 4

MÉRIDA, MEXICO

JUN 2-3

SAN DIEGO, CA

NOV 4-5

SAVANNAH, GA

REGISTER AT

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Captured 2

Picture Perfect The California coastline is the real star of the Big Sur International Marathon, as the incredible views of the Pacific Ocean make this one of running’s most iconic races. This year, the perfect weather made the sighting of gray whales possible from the racecourse.

On the men’s side, Chris Wardian won for the second time, this year with a winning time of 2:30:29. On the women’s side, Tegan Searle, of nearby Monterey, Calif., running in just her fourth ever marathon, won with a time of 3:01:47. Out of nearly 7,400 runners, 369 of them completed a rare and respected achievement known as the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, where runners finish both the Boston Marathon and the Big Sur International Marathon— which take place less than two weeks apart.

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Photo: ian higuera

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Contents

j un e 2 0 1 7

Features

Departments

24 Competitor’s 30th Anniversary

10 Starting Lines

We take a look back at Competitor magazine’s

We celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, look forward to the

early beginnings with its founder, Bob Babbitt,

TrackTown Summer Series, dig into gluten- and sugar-free foods, meet a seriously fast

plus the 30 biggest moments that have shaped

math teacher, and more.

running in the past 30 years.

By the Editors

Gear

Training

community

32 Ultra Tough Guy

18 Shoe Talk

44 First Lap

53 Run It

Forty-three-year-old New Yorker Chris Rice, a

The new

How and why to run with a

Our picks for a variety of early

banking technology manager by day, runs an

minimalism

group

summer races.

world’s most extreme races. All it takes is an

20 Wearable

46 Workout of the

astonishing tolerance to pain—and an occasional

Tech

Month

refusal to sleep.

Shoes that trans-

Leg Speed, Please

By Marc Bloom

mit real-time data

48 Coach Culpepper

ultra a month, and has completed many of the

to your device

How to beat race anxiety

Back Page 56 Last Lap Boston Marathon finisher (and viral sensation) Earl Granville shares what running means

38 Trail Tested:

22 Collective

50 Cross-Training

to him, and how to overcome

Summer 2017 Trail Shoe Review

Summer headwear

A run-specific boxing workout

mental and physical adversity.

This season’s trail shoes are ready to take you on any summer adventure—from short jaunts on your neighborhood trails to all-day mountain rambles. Find the best running partner to suit your foot shape, running style and taste for trails.

By Lisa Jhung

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ON THE COV E R : This month marks Competitor’s 30th anniversary. For more, including an interview with our founder and a look back at running in the past 30 years, see page 24.

B E LOW: Our summer trail shoe review starts on page 38.

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Š2017 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Westin and its logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates.

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No matter what obstacles travel puts between you and your well-being, our signature wellness programs are thoughtfully designed to help you soar above it all. Stay well at Westin Hotels & Resorts, a place where together we can rise.

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competitor.com 6

30 Ye a rs Run n in g For more on our 30th anniversary, check out Competitor.com/30yearsrunning

Connect With Us Join the conversation

Facebook.com/ competitor.running

Follow us

@runcompetitor

See what we share

@runcompetitor

Shoes & Gear

Yoga for Runners

Catch all the news and reviews of the latest

Instructional videos and tips of the best

Find the best places to travel for runners

running gear at Competitor.com/category/shoes-and-gear

yoga exercises for runners at Competitor.com/tag/yoga

and packing tips for your next runcation at Competitor.com/tag/travel

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Travel

5/11/17 3:17 PM

ADVERTORIAL

Triple Amputee Athlete Takes On His First 5K

Presented by

EVERY RUNNER KNOWS THE MANTRA “PUSH THROUGH THE PAIN.” It’s what gets us through the most challenging parts of our runs, workouts and races. But for lifelong athlete Mike Atherton, pushing through pain meant more than just finishing a 5K—it meant regaining his mobility, his confidence, and his life.

On May 9, 2009, Mike was with his family on his in-laws’ boat, enjoying what he thought would be a relaxing day off the Florida coast.Without warning, the boat exploded, and then was quickly engulfed in flames—and Mike and his family were jettisoned from the boat.

Mike was rushed to the hospital, where doctors were able to save his life—but not without amputating portions of both legs and his lower left arm. After a grueling surgery, Mike remembers lying in the hospital, not knowing what his future would hold. He had always been an active person; now he wondered if he would ever walk again.

His doubts quickly turned to determination: Mike committed himself to walking again, though he knew it wouldn’t be easy. After countless hours of physical therapy, and being fit with three prosthetic limbs, Mike was walking again, regaining a sense for the mobility he had always known.

But Mike wanted to run again, so a new goal was set: the 5K at Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas.

Through support from Toyota and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Mike received a new pair of running legs to help him achieve his goal.

With his new running legs, taking his first few steps was a significant victory, and it gave Mike a new lease on life:“I kept pushing myself more and more,” he said,“and I thought,‘I can keep going.’” Mike spent months training for his race, and found happiness and meaning in each small accomplishment.“It felt like I was getting my life back,” he said. Falling, though it might bruise his ego, wouldn’t take him down—he knew how to get up. And not finishing simply wasn’t an option.

Mike would be running alongside his 15-year-old daughter, Maddie, who, along with his family, had always been a source of strength and determination.“If he sets his mind on something, he’s going to do it,” Maddie said.

Leading up to the race, Mike shared his story at the Toyota Motors North America Headquarters in Plano, Texas, with a group of team members also running in the race. He spoke about his injury, recovery, newfound mobility, and the fortitude it took to find his place in sports again. Upon seeing the Toyota team’s reaction, Mike knew that this race was about more than just finishing; he could inspire people across the country reaching for new physical goals.

On race day, Mike knew that his determination and months of training would yield a victory. Under the hot Texas sun, Mike and Maddie took off at a vigorous pace. Soon, however, Mike was overcome with fatigue, forcing him to walk. Failure to finish seemed like a real possibility, but the survivor in him wouldn’t relent.

Through his strength of body and mind, Mike pushed through profound pain. Crossing the finish line wasn’t just a great accomplishment—it gave Mike a new sense of his future: no longer uncertain, but filled with opportunity.

“Because of my newfound mobility, I’ve been able to train, push myself and set more goals,” Mike said.“And it’s really been a huge part of getting my life back.”

Watch Mike’s journey online at Competitor.com/toyotaraceday

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Contributors

Writers, Designers & Photographers M a rc Blo o m In a career spanning 50 years, Marc has received more than 20 journalism and lifetime achievement awards for his work in The New York Times, Runner’s World, Running Times and many other publications and websites. He was editor of The Runner magazine in the 1970s and ’80s as well as editor of Runner’s World’s High School Runner, and editor of Nike Swoosh magazine in the 1990s

E d i t o r i a l + De s i g n

Adam Elder Emily Polachek senior graphic designer Valerie Brugos staff photographers Oliver Baker, Ryan Bethke managing editor web editor

senior contributing editors

Adam W. Chase, Alan Culpepper, Mark Eller, Mario Fraioli, Meb Keflezighi, Brian Metzler, Allison Pattillo, Sam Winebaum contributing writers

Jeff Banowetz, Jonathan Beverly, Marc Bloom, Lisa Jhung, Mackenzie L. Havey, Susan Lacke, Matt Fitzgerald, Kelly O’Mara, Toni Reavis, Dustin Renwick contributing photographers + artists

Matt Harbicht, Jeff Cohen, Sue Kwon, Fredrik Marmsater, Nick Nacca, Lynsey Noel, Victor Sailer, Michelle Schrantz, Aric Van Halen, Danny Weiss

covering Nike track and field athletes around the world. For 25 years, Marc also published Harrier cross-country magazine. Marc is currently working on his 10th book. He profiled prolific ultra runner Chris Rice in this month’s issue, on page 32.

Du st i n R e n w i ck

m e d i a & m a r k e t i n g o p e r at i o n s production manager

Meghan McElravy advertising production manager

Gia Hawkins director, public relations Dan Cruz

director, web development

of coffee. He competed for four years as a St.

Scott Kirkowski

Ambrose University Fighting Bee hurdler and

director, creative services

decathlete, and then raced as a triathlete for the

Matthew McAlexander

University of Missouri while earning his master’s

associate creative director

degree. He now sweats in Washington, D.C., with

Thomas Phan director, multimedia Steve Godwin

YMCA triathlon team. Renwick’s book, Beyond the Gray Leaf, is the biography of a forgotten Civil War poet, but this month for Competitor, he wrote about a runner who brings the sport into the classroom in our Everyday Runner column, on page 12.

M i ch e l l e S ch ra n tz

development Nicole Christenson Marketing Coordinator Natalie Hanson media operations coordinator

Hannah Sebahar

d i g i ta l s e r v i c e s

Dustin is a freelance journalist and an avid avoider

Pacers, November Project and Capital YTri, the

director, media marketing and

web developers Joseph Hernandez, Miguel A. Estrada, Rachel Blades interactive creative director

James A. Longhini junior web designers

Sean Marshall, Eddie Villanueva

Advertising chicago

Joe Wholley, jwholley@competitorgroup.com Mark Baba, mbaba@competitorgroup.com los angeles

Mark Cosby, mcosby@competitorgroup.com Xochilt Llamas, xllamas@competitorgroup.com Joy Lona, jlona@competitorgroup.com

Michelle is an artist, designer and illustrator who

new york

recently went against the flow of traffic and relo-

Kristina Larson, klarson@competitorgroup.com

cated from Boulder, Colo., to Southern California.

As a former art director in the action sports industry as well as an amateur fitness pupil, she enjoyed illustrating this month’s Rant column on page 14 about the strong, self-confident runner.

As a devoted and proud old-school drawer and painter, she loves telling stories visually.

Da nny W e i s s

Ac c o u n t s e r v i c e s managers Renee Kerouac,

Kat Keivens ad operations Luke Schoenenberger

branded content and media strategy Nicole Carriker,

Emily Nolen

CGI M E DIA vice president, media Jessica Sebor

a publication of

After a 10-year run as a professional actor, Danny switched to a career in photography. For a lifelong swimmer/triathlete, sports photography was a natural pursuit. Recent athletic achievements include

president Josh Furlow chief marketing officer Keith S. Kendrick

a couple of Ironmans, and he is eyeing an English

senior vice president, global events Patrick Byerly

Channel swim. Danny lives on Long Island with his

senior vice president, finance Elizabeth O’Brien

wife and kids (who all hate getting their picture

senior vice president, sales John Smith

taken). Spending an hour with ultra-endurance athlete Chris Rice and photographing him for

6420 Sequence Dr., 2nd Floor San Diego, CA 92121 For distribution inquiries: 858-768-6493 Digital Issue support: support@zinio.com Distribution management: TGS Media Inc. • tgsmedia.com, 877-847-4621

No part of this issue may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Competitor is a registered trademark of Competitor Group Inc.

a feature story on page 32 was as fun as it was inspirational, a collision of Danny’s two highs.

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official magazine

5/11/17 4:30 PM

On Running is the official footwear sponsor of the sportstyle mile.

Runner’s Depot is the official presenter of the sportstyle mile.

Compete on A1A in the heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach!

Race Start: Saturday, June 17, 6:30 am

Sign up: sportstylemile.com

Start Line: Windamar Street and A1A / Finish Line and Post Race Expo: DC Alexander Park Straightaway Mile - No Turns - Super Fast!

This event is open to both Elite and Amateur Runners.

Elite Runners will compete for a prize purse over $6,000!

Awards for Non-Elite Runners, Top Corporate Teams and Top High School Runners Registration Fees: $20-$30. Register Early!

Entry fee includes: admission to sportstyle consumer expo, tee shirts.

Advance race packet pick-up: sportstyle Consumer Expo: June 16, 10:30am-7:00pm

Ready, Set, Style!

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Friday, June, 16, 2017, Ft. Lauderdale-Broward County Convention Center. 10:30am - 7:00pm Shop 60+ apparel, footwear and accessory brands to complete your running lifestyle.

Experience our fashion show with the latest running brands.

Get the right fit at our bra fitting salon.

Participate in a Spartan obstacle race course.

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buzz 10

s ta r t i n g l i n e s

Keep on Rock ing We look back 20 years ago to the beginning of the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon San Diego, the race that changed running.

Tim Murphy was hating life as he slogged through the final miles of the old Heart of San Diego Marathon at some point in the late 1980s, marathon’s infamous wall having just jumped in front of him. “I was hurting so bad,” he says.

“These two girls did everything they could to keep me going,” says Murphy, who was the race director of the Carlsbad 5000. “They sang to me. They talked to me. They talked nasty to me. And they were two hot babes from La Jolla.”

It was the last marathon he ran. But the experience made him wonder what a race organizer could do to fight the tedium of a marathon—particularly at races where there were so few spectators on the course.

Years later, in 1995, the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland, and Murphy thought, “If I were in Cleveland, I’d put on the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, with bands all over and concerts.”

Murphy paused for a moment. “Then I wondered, ‘Who wants to go to Cleveland?’”

His next thought was, what about rock ’n’ roll and his hometown, San Diego?

With the help of investors, he created the Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, with bands performing for runners all along the course.

More than a year before the first race on June 21, 1998, Murphy and his team showed up at the 100th Boston Marathon, proudly displaying their slogan at the expo: “You missed the

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first Boston Marathon. Don’t miss the first Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon.”

“That was an absolutely genius marketing ploy,” says road racing historian Toni Reavis.

The Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon, now sponsored by Synchrony Financial, celebrates its 20th running on June 4, and Murphy is the man credited for thinking outside the box.

“Tim changed the paradigm,” says Reavis.

“The marathon was no longer a competition.

It was an experience.”

“That event, from my perspective, was a turning point,” says Ryan Lamppa, a distance-running statistician and historian, and founder of Bring Back the Mile. “I truly believe, from demographics to finishing numbers, [that] Rock ’n’ Roll should get the most credit for creating running’s second boom.”

While the inaugural Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon broke the record for most participants in a firsttime marathon with nearly 20,000 runners and walkers, it wasn’t a seamless production. The start of the first race was delayed 38 minutes because of a car on the back half of the course.

Water shortages forced spectators to break out hoses and fill trash cans to help runners. And some restaurateurs complained about slow business because of the difficulty accessing their eateries.

Murphy, though, sent a letter to the

first-year participants, guaranteeing the problems would be fixed. Blessed with early June gloom in 1999, there were no water issues, the bands were more prominent, cheerleaders dotted the course and Kenya’s Philip Taurus won in 2:08:33—then the fastest marathon time west of the Mississippi River.

The success of the Rock ’n’ Roll San Diego Marathon coincided with running’s second boom: In 1995, there were 293,000 marathon finishers at U.S. races. By 2015, that figure jumped to 509,000, a 73 percent increase.

Half marathon figures climbed even more sharply. From 1995 to 2015, finishers increased from 658,000 to nearly 2 million.

Nearly a third of the first year’s entrants wore purple singlets, running for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Those runners and walkers raised more than $15 million that year, and have gone on to raise nearly $180 million.

The brand boomed. Today, the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series features 20 U.S. stops and eight internationally.

“In America, who doesn’t understand rock ’n’ roll?” says Lamppa. “Rock ’n’ roll means fun and enjoying yourself.”

Twenty years after his dream took off, Murphy, who sold his business nearly 10 years ago, says, “I’m very proud. By far, it’s the biggest thing I ever accomplished.”

Photo: ryan bethke

By Don Norcros s

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BUZZ S TA R T I N G L I N E S

11

ROCK ’N’ ROLL SAN DIEGO

BY THE NUMBERS

84

Legacy runners have run all 19 marathons

$180 MILLION Raised by Team In Training since 1998

28,000 Bananas on race morning

22,000 Cartons of chocolate milk at the finish line Countries represented

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55,000 Road closure brochures

24

Music stages along the course

6:15 AM PHOTO: TRACKTOWN USA

Start time

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events in 2017

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30

READY FOR THE BIG LEAGUES The TrackTown Summer Series aims to make track a major-league sport.

B Y J ON ATH A N B EV ER LY

American track and field is aiming to become a big sport more than once every Olympic year. But to be a big sport, first it needs a big league. TrackTownUSA is building just that; the second year of its TrackTown Summer Series starts in June.

The first meet will be held on June 29 in San Francisco, the second July 2 in Portland, Oregon, and the championship July 6 in New York City, which will be televised by ESPN. What’s unique about the Summer Series, though, is the team format: Just like in other team sports, teams representing four U.S. cities will compete against each other (the three host cities mentioned above, plus Philadelphia).

According to founder and current USA Track and Field President Vin Lananna, four well-known athletes serve as general managers and select their teams of 36 athletes in a pro-style draft. (The GMs are Allyson Felix for New York City, Bernard Lagat for Portland, Sanya Richards-Ross for Philadelphia and Nick Symmonds for San Francisco.)

Athletes receive contracts based on the round in which they are drafted, and can earn bonuses for winning or placing in each event, with a large bonus for the winning team.

Last year, the title was still up for grabs going into the final event—a co-ed 4x400m relay—which produced a

dramatic finale, with fans and the other athletes on the infield cheering on their teammates. “Think of having a big party and plopping a track meet in the center of it,” Lananna says.

The co-ed relay isn’t the only alteration from a traditional track schedule. The list of events has been trimmed to keep the evening quick, with no races longer than the 3,000m steeplechase on the track. A 5K road race will precede the championship meet in New York City, and will also be open to the public. Amateur participants will get randomly assigned team jerseys to wear while cheering in the stands.

That arbitrary affiliation highlights the lack of any tradition or connection between the teams and their cities or the fans—as if the crowd at a Red Sox-Yankees game were randomly assigned a side to cheer for. The series has a long way to go to feel like a major-league sport, but you have to start somewhere. This is a chance to watch top athletes on the track in the United States, not the other side of the world. Team loyalty, rivalries and hometown pride will eventually come.

For more, including streaming info for the first two meets or 5K road race entry, visit Gotracktownusa.com.

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e v e r y day r u n n e r 12

s ta r t i n g l i n e s

Numbers Game When he’s not racing and winning, Erik Reitinger teaches junior high mathematics.

by Dust in Renwick

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“The people who are running and the people who are teaching — you know that both of those groups genuinely love what they’re doing.”

up as an actual person who has real-life activities outside of being their teacher, and on some level, gets them excited to do these things on their own.”

Reitinger moved into a hands-on role to stoke that motivation this past spring in his first season as the Brownsville track coach.

Students who don’t consider themselves athletes still receive a dose of running in his class though. For instance, a graph for a math problem might show Reitinger’s splits from recent races.

With homeroom in the morning plus plentiful afternoon activities and meetings, Reitinger says he typically stays at school from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. That means he spends his nights on the streets of New York, particularly after a difficult week. Happy hour

at the bar doesn’t hold as much appeal on a Friday night as the winding route to the Queensboro Bridge.

“It’s a way of recentering myself after that long week of being in front of adolescents — all the challenges and joys,” Reitinger says.

“That’s my reset: 15, 18, 20 miles.”

As for any overlaps between his two passions, Reitinger sidesteps the easy analogy of homework as the practice and tests as the race. Running and teaching share a more visceral bond.

“Both of those things require so much emotional and physical investment,” he says. “The people who are running and the people who are teaching — you know that both of those groups genuinely love what they’re doing.”

photo: Zandy mangold

Algebra enjoys an uncomplicated relationship with running.

For example, Erik Reitinger averages a mile pace of 6:38, and he runs for three hours, 18 minutes and 49 seconds. Solve for x, the amount of miles he covered during his win in March’s unsanctioned race around Manhattan’s perimeter organized

by Orchard Street Runners.

Answer: 30.

The back-to-back OSR30 champion teaches algebra at Brownsville Collegiate Charter School in Brooklyn, where he brings a competitive record to the front of the classroom.

In 2013, Reitinger swam, biked and ran at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, the most famous triathlon event. He stood on the podium at Ironman Lake Placid the following year with a third-place overall finish, aided by a 7:23 pace during the marathon portion.

He devotes more of his time these days to the whiteboard.

“Before, that drive and that determination was specifically targeted at racing and training, and Ironmans,” he says. “Now, it’s targeted really toward my kids, the commitment to becoming the best educator I can be.”

That’s not to say he’s abandoned a win-first mentality, as the OSR30 proves. But Reitinger says the act of running has shifted slightly and perceptibly — a stride or two away from strict competition and toward building a community and connections.

“It’s brought a lot more meaning to my everyday life, being able to run around the city I live in and really get to know New York City on a ground-up basis.”

That renewal finds an application in school as well.

“I always try to bring something of my personal life to the classroom,” he says.

“Kids are aware that, oh this guy used to run Ironmans. I find that it builds their teacher

5/11/17 3:27 PM

Protect Your Heart

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“[The authors]…do a good job of looking at all the angles.”

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S P E E D A N D D I S TA N C E FROM THE WRIST

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5/10/17 8:06 AM

RANT 14

S TA R T I N G L I N E S

SKIN DEEP Don’t let body shamers stop you from feeling comfortable in your own skin.

KK

During my commute the other day, I saw a woman running up a steep incline near the local university campus. She was pushing a jogging stroller containing a kid that was more toddler than infant. The sun was scorching, the sidewalk pavement was uneven, and this lady was effortlessly moving what was easily an extra 50 pounds up the hill.

What a boss.

The guy next to me on the train was less impressed: “Ugh,” he groaned, with a look of disgust.

“She needs to put a shirt on.”

Were we looking at the same woman? I saw toughness personified, and all he could see was unappealing post-baby flesh in a sports bra. Granted, I live in conservative Utah, where a bare shoulder, much less an exposed midriff, is considered obscene.

But make no mistake—these comments happen everywhere.

In Texas, a friend of mine was heckled about his weight while waiting at a crosswalk mid-run.

On Facebook, an acquaintance’s race photo was turned into a scathing meme without her consent—apparently, when skin ripples and jiggles while running, it’s hilarious! (Note: It was not hilarious.) A sneering clerk at a running store in California once suggested I might want to wear tights, not shorts, to cover my cellulite. Until that moment, I didn’t even know I had cellulite.

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It’s really no one’s place to judge someone’s body, and yet it happens again and again.

We’ve become a culture where any so-called body imperfection brings on the scorn of society: If you have love handles or bingo wings or even a smidgen of body fat, you best cover that up. If you’re too skinny, you need to eat a sandwich. You don’t have the body type to wear split shorts (or leggings, or tank tops, or anything but this very large potato sack.) Never mind that it’s a hot summer day, or that you have the audacity to love the skin you’re in. Put a shirt on! No

one needs to see that.

Those words echo in my brain sometimes while I’m wishing away my newly discovered cellulite.

But then I think, why do I care so much? I can’t change the way people view my body—or anyone else’s, for that matter—but I can choose not to let it get under my skin. My dimply, bouncing, awesome, amazing skin. You see, if there’s anything running has taught me, it’s that I’m strong and healthy. Toughness personified, like the lady with the stroller. Like a boss.

So this summer, I’m donning

my split shorts on my run, cellulite be damned. While I’m at it, I’m going to try to counteract the bodyshaming of others by being more vocal about the awesome things the body can do, like pushing giant babies up hills at an eight-minute mile pace. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from that moment on the train, it’s this: Every body is pretty amazing.

Susan Lacke’s first book, Life’s Too Short to Go So F*cking Slow (2017, VeloPress), will be released in November.

ILLUSTRATION: MICHELLE SCHRANTZ

BY SUSAN LACKE

5/11/17 3:35 PM

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5/10/17 8:09 AM

FUEL 16

S TA R T I N G L I N E S

CLEAN FUELING Yummy options for gluten- and sugarfree snacking

BY A LLIS ON PAT T ILLO

It can be disheartening to realize your go-to energy food is basically a candy bar disguised in a healthy-looking wrapper. If you opt to cut sugar and gluten from your diet, it becomes even more challenging to find tasty, on-the-go fueling solutions. Sure, nuts, dates and baked sweet potatoes do the trick, but grab-and-go options are nice too. We’ve rounded up five delicious ones for clean fueling wherever your run takes you.

ARTISANA ALMOND BUTTER SQUEEZE PACKS, $2.30

For sensitive stomachs, keep it simple with almond butter made from organic, raw almonds. Knead the packet before opening to make easier to eat. Eat as is, enjoy with a banana or use to make a quick sandwich for a more filling treat. Each packet has 169 calories, 15 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein.

RXBAR MIXED BERRY, $2.50

Strawberries, raspberries and cranberries add a refreshing burst to protein-rich egg whites, chewy dates, plus cashews and almonds for healthy fats. The bar’s texture makes it easy to take bites on the run. One 210-calorie bar has 7 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein.

PHAT FUDGE, $4.50

Not only is this chocolaty goodness Paleo-friendly, it tastes like brownie dough when chilled! At room temperature it has the consistency of a gel. One packet has 200 calories, 20 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein from power-packed ingredients like grass-fed butter, cacao, ground coffee, tahini and maca.

CHOMPS SNACK STICKS, ORIGINAL FLAVOR, $2.25

If you love regular meat sticks but not their questionable ingredient list, these grass-fed, naturally cured beef sticks are for you. Easy to transport and full of flavor, each 100-calorie stick has 6 grams of fat and 9 grams of protein.

There’s no need to skip breakfast or lunch when you have one of these clean eating bars handy. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy, onion and garlic replicate the flavors of a fan favorite everything bagel, with additional protein and flavor from pork rinds and eggs. One bar has 330 calories, 24 grams of fat and 16 grams of protein.

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PHOTO: OLIVER BAKER

STEVE’S PALEOGOODS EVERYTHING BAGEL PROTEINKRUNCH BAR, $2.95

5/11/17 3:38 PM

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5/10/17 8:12 AM

S h o e Ta l k 18

Gear

B o rn-Ag a in Mini ma lis m B y A dam W. C hase

[1] Vivobarefoot Stealth II, $135 Heel-to-Toe Offset: 0mm

For the authentic Minimalist experience, the Stealth II is raw enough for a naked feeling with Vivobarefoot’s patented, ultra-thin, puncture-resistant layer that keeps you close to the ground without getting jabbed by it. The breathable mesh upper is heat fused to avoid any abrasive stitching—meaning no socks are necessary, should you want to take your minimalism one step further.

[2] Merrell Bare Access Flex, $90 Heel-to-Toe Offset: 0mm

Possibly because Minimalists tend to enjoy running barefoot, Merrell has integrated antimicrobial technology into the Bare Access Flex. This hybrid shoe is versatile for most any surface and it has the lug pattern, slip-resistant traction, integrated EVA footbed and flexibility to pull off performance on and off the road. The heel of the Bare Access Flex is built for snug security on ascents and descents alike.

[3] New Balance Minimus Trail 10v1, $115 Heel-to-Toe Offset: 4mm

New Balance resurrected what feels like the original Minimus Trail yet with fresh, antimicrobial upper materials, a Vibram outsole for rugged traction and functional flex grooves for sock-like movement with the foot. The toe box is wide enough for full forefoot splay, but the midfoot stays secure with a great hold.

photo: oliver Baker

For those needing a brief history lesson, before the era of overblown, puff-shoed “Maximalism” running footwear, we were mired in a period ruled by people who went by monikers that started with “Barefoot.” There was palpable hostility toward those who ran in shoes with more than a 4mm heel-to-toe differential. Runners who landed on the back side of their feet were practically discriminated against, and those who landed on their forefeet called it “natural running.” Minimalists pontificated with religious fervor, and the movement gained cult-like followers.

And then the Minimalists got injured.

Nowadays, we understand that there is value in each extreme, and that a runner may benefit from having shoes with little and big stack heights, using them throughout their training cycle to stimulate and excite the feet and lower legs or, alternatively, allow for easy recovery.

The following three companies have kept a steady hand when it comes to Minimalism, and have new shoes that carry on the devotion to a low drop, a wide toe box and minimal underfoot cushioning and protection to embrace forefoot running.

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5/11/17 10:58 AM

INSTEAD OF SEARCHING FOR THINGS TO DO, YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF ROAMING THROUGH HISTORY. On some vacations, the closest you’ll get to historic trails and diverse ecosystems is the local museum. But in San Antonio, you can spend a day hiking Texas’ only World Heritage Site, kayaking the same waterways our settlers did or navigating ancient cave systems. Then if you want to wander local museums, we’ve got plenty of those to explore too.

©2017 Visit San Antonio

Plan your unforgettable adventure at VisitSanAntonio.com.

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5/10/17 8:14 AM

WEARABLE TECH 20

GEAR

SMART RUNNING SHOES B Y SA M W I N EB AU M

ALTRA RUNNING TORIN IQ, $220

UNDER ARMOUR SPEEDFORM GEMINI 3 RE, $160

Weights: 9.3 oz. (men), 7.4 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 0mm; 28mm (heel), 28mm (forefoot)

Weights: 9.9 oz. (men), 8.3 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 27mm (heel), 19mm (forefoot)

The Torin IQ is based on Altra’s best-selling Torrin shoe, but adds a sophisticated biomechanics sensing and coaching system. Embedded in the midsole of each shoe are three razor thin G-force sensors, accelerometers and capture pods that feed data in real time to the Altra IQ app. The pods have replaceable coin batteries that Altra says should last up for to 400 miles at 10-minute pace. The Torin IQ is an outstanding, beautifully crafted daily trainer but given its cost runners may want to use it more occasionally as a tool to establish and keep good form habits, especially during uptempo and speed runs where form can go south. The system continuously measures and transmits landing zone, cadence, impact rate and ground contact time for both feet to your phone, which must be with you as you run. Perching your phone or a tablet on a treadmill is the ideal way to get real time visual indication of landing zone locations and all the metrics. The audio form coaching tips tend to emphasize upper body and arm carriage, as research has shown that getting this right improves cadence, reduces ground contact time and leads to softer landings with less over-striding. For example, you could hear: “It looks like you are over-striding. To fix this, try popping your elbows back and don’t let them extend forward past your hips.”

You can choose to receive general running tips or get more reactive form correction coaching based on the sensor data.

While the Torin IQ is a sophisticated form coaching system, the Gemini 3 RE keeps things simple. A single sensor pod is embedded in the right shoe. The battery is not replaceable and is designed to last the life of the shoe. The Gemini works in conjunction with UA’s MapMyRun app for data storage and sharing, and if you run with your phone, it’ll additionally give you cadence. You don’t need to run with your phone for the shoe to record what we found are accurate distances and paces vs. high-end GPS watches. That makes this shoe great for treadmill running, or city running where buildings can interfere with GPS signals. There is no way yet to pause or auto pause a run when without a phone. The shoe will detect you have stopped for good after 3 minutes of easy walking or standing around. An unusual feature of the Gemini 3 RE system is its Jump Test: six vertical jumps done in rapid succession. It assesses muscle fatigue and recovery pre-workout. The app then advises an appropriate intensity for your run. We found it a useful complement to heart rate and sleep-based recovery scores, which don’t directly consider potential muscle fatigue. The Gemini itself is a superb daily trainer with a softer, energetic ride from its Charged Cushioning midsole and a supportive and comfortable upper. UA also offers the 8-ounce Record-Equipped Velociti performance trainer/racer ($140), and the 10.4-ounce Europa RE stability trainer ($160).

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PHOTO: OLIVER BAKER

For the past several years, watches, trackers and phone apps have allowed runners to keep track of their pace, distance, time and heart rate. Now, running shoes have emerged that seek to provide “built-in” sensing of biomechanics with companion apps that provide views of the data plus coaching.

5/11/17 3:13 PM

Voted

“ Greatest Midwest Town�

-Midwest Living Magazine

4 seasons of outdoor recreation| shopping microbreweries | wine tasting | dining Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

TraverseCity.com | 800-TRAVERSE

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5/10/17 8:15 AM

Collective 22

Gear

cooler heads prevail B y A l l i son Patti l lo

Summer running, how sweet it is. At least until you get sweat in your eyes and a sunburned face. Don’t worry though, this array of lids has you covered.

[2] New Balance five-panel performance hat, $22 This classic silhouette comes in bright safety-yellow, and wicks sweat while reducing fatigue on your peepers with a low-glare underbrim.

[5] Dr. Cool Chillband Studio headband, $14 Cute enough to wear on the daily, this 4-inch headband has hidden superpowers. It’s made to keep you cool as you crank out the miles and BTUs. And it does so through a special technology that’s both chemical-free and hypoallergenic.

[6] Under Armour Shadow 4.0 Run Visor, $20 Stay cool as you go fast with quick drying, wicking fabric and mesh insets. An unstructured and adjustable fit, as well as a four-way stretch design means everyone gets their own just-right fit.

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[3] Spony Convertible Cap, $25 Buns, side ponytails and hats weren’t a winning combination—until now.

The convertible design means you can tailor the hat to meet your hairstyle, not the other way around.

[7] Mother Trucker & co.

Hustle trucker, $25 Created by two moms from California who wanted “the perfect hat,” this trucker delivers with comfort, breathability and a bit of inspirational sass.

[4] Buff Pack Run Cap, $32 Sop up sweat and block UV rays with this lightweight and packable cap—yes, even the brim—that’s there when you need it and gone when you don’t.

[8] Salomon S-Lab Speed Bob, $50 Make a smart statement at your next race! Made of Cocona to dry fast and fight odors, this stretch mesh lid has a plush cotton headband. There’s even a place to hold ice, for cool running on hot days.

photo: oliver baker

[1] Headsweats Sport Trucker National Parks Edition, $26 Sure, this cardio-friendly, five-panel trucker is breathable, wicking and has sweet graphics. But it also helps a good cause—Headsweats will donate 20 percent of sales to the National Park Foundation.

5/11/17 10:53 AM

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SPRINT TRIATHLON and team relay

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5/10/17 8:17 AM

24

30 Moments

in 30 Years That Have Changed Running

Look at a few photos from 1987, and you’ll realize how far running has come in 30 years. But what led to all those changes? In celebration of Competitor magazine’s 30th anniversary this month, we take a look at the biggest moments in the sport and the industry of running, and their impacts on the sport we love.

By The Ed i tor s

1987 –

Jackie Joyner-Kersee becomes the first female runner to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. The three-time Olympic gold medalist in the heptathlon and long jump was voted the greatest female athlete of all-time, becoming an icon in women’s running history.

The cover line next to her photo read “Super Woman.”

Nike releases the Air Max 1. This running shoe with the visible Air Sole became one of the Swoosh’s signature shoes. While its giant heel-toe drop eventually got passed by running design, the shoe is arguably the biggest crossover running shoe of all time; 30 years later it’s as popular as ever, as Nike releases new colorways and limited editions of the Air Max 1 every season.

1988 –

Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson tests positive for steroids in the Seoul Olympics. Many athletes in the Olympics, dating back to at least the 1970s, were suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs. But Ben Johnson’s bust, several days after a convincing gold-medal win over Carl Lewis, was the biggest bust ever. Other big busts have followed, but doping has been closely associated with running ever since.

CM0617_FEAT_30YEARS.indd 24

Team in Training is founded when runner Bruce Cleland gathered a team to run the New York City Marathon to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the name of his daughter, a leukemia survivor.

Today, participants can train for several major marathons and receive coaching advice if they pledge to raise a certain amount of money. It launched a whole movement of charity training, which serves as a gateway for thousands of people into the sport of running.

5/11/17 5:13 PM

25

Next Decade

1990 –

Playtex purchases Jogbra, the original sports bra. The move not only signified women’s increasing participation in sports and fitness—it showed that corporate America increasingly viewed women as runners.

1991 –

Reebok releases its Pump technology in a running shoe. It had an air chamber inside, that, when pumped up higher up on the outside of the shoe, was said to provide a customized fit. Reebok’s Pump might represent the height of the golden age of gimmickry in shoes, when every company seemed forced to invent its own signature doodad that claimed to improve performance. Reebok’s Pump was probably the most novel of them all.

1994 –

Oprah finishes her first marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon in 4:29:15. For decades—and especially in 1994—when Oprah spoke, the nation listened. When Oprah recommended something, people purchased it. And when Oprah ran, many other people took up running too.

REEBOK: SCOTT DRAPER, NIKE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

GU energy gel was first released. The packet of gel was a portable size perfect for pockets, easy on the stomach and fast-acting. Beyond sports drinks, it led to a boom in sports fueling of all shapes and sizes, and has driven nutritional and exercise science.

1996 –

Michael Johnson wins two gold medals at Atlanta Olympics in Nike’s gold spikes. Johnson’s unprecedented takeaway from the Olympics was made more memorable by his can’t-miss spikes. Nowadays, shoe brands put eye-catching shoes on their best athletes for every big event.

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5/11/17 5:29 PM

26

1997 –

The first Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is held in San Diego. What began as a revolutionary idea—make running a race fun—was realized by having bands and musicians along a 26.2-mile racecourse.

Rock ‘n’ Roll grew a bit since then: There are races all over the world, and its parent company owns this magazine. More importantly, the race and Rock ‘n’ Roll events in other cities ushered in a new era for running that promoted inclusion, fun, and a party-style event.

Next Decade

2003 –

Britain’s Paula Radcliffe sets the current women’s marathon world record (2:15:25) at the London Marathon. Fourteen years later, the women’s world marathon record still stands, unbroken.

After retiring in 2015, Radcliffe is considered one of the greatest female marathoners of all-time, having won both the London and New York City marathons three times.

Garmin introduces the first GPS watch. It’s hard to remember the days when running watches only told you how long you’ve been running. Although watches today can monitor your heart rate, track your sleep and play music, GPS was a big game-changer that ushered in all of the subsequent technology. GPS told runners how far they ran, and how fast they were running. It ushered in a boom where the average runner, for the price of a watch or an app, has access to more data than the world’s elite runners did even 20 years ago.

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2005 – 2006 – Vibram releases its FiveFingers shoe.

They took a few years to catch on, but when they started catching fire (particularly when the book Born to Run is realeased a few years later), they were part of an overwhelming but fairly short-lived minimalism trend in running.

Many runners flocked to them, and lots re p o r t e d g e t t i n g injured, as the shoes offered very little support or cushioning (which was the whole appeal). Later, Vibram settled a lawsuit in 2014 over dubious health benefits the company claimed its shoes provided. Even now, you’ll still find them on runners’ feet at races or around the park.

Ultrarunner Dean Karnazes runs 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days, and Anton Krupicka introduces himself to the world. Even though handfuls of dedicated people had been running 50- or 100-mile races for years, in 2006, two stars of this fringe activity achieved fame—and ever since, the sport of ultrarunning has grown at a furious pace. Karnazes, the sport’s first crossover star, completed an audacious seven-week running stunt around America.

And the bearded, long-haired, shirtless, minimalist-shoe-wearing Anton Krupicka, 22 years old at the time, captured athletes and fans’ hearts and minds as he came out of nowhere and stormed to two Leadville wins that year.

5/11/17 5:15 PM

27

2009 –

Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run becomes a bestseller. If there was a single catalyst that started the minimalist running movement, it was this book that warned about the dangers of modern running shoes, and advocated for running with less shoe—even actually running barefoot. New runners might have missed this trend, but earlier this decade, it was all anyone wanted to talk about when running shoes came up. It’s why you still see people running with Vibram shoes or even barefoot, and it’s why shoe companies and publications like this one list the heel-to-toe offset for every shoe mentioned.

Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud release Hoka One One shoes. After years of a minimalist running trend that sold plenty of new models of shoes and left a lot of runners injured or with sore Achilles tendons, Hoka went the other direction in a big way. A Hoka shoe’s midsole looked comically enormous at the time—but the brand has been a runaway success, in part to their shoes allowing those with knee pain to run more comfortably. It all led to a trend referred to as Maximalism.

Strava’s app is released. Everyone knows runners love to share info about their run. Strava allowed them to fully join in the social media revolution and literally share the exact details about their run, and view everyone else’s athletic endeavors.

It not only brought running into the social media age, it also instantly became a useful training tool for data geeks, those in search of new routes and workouts, or people looking for some friendly competition.

2012 –

2011 –

The Color Run was founded, which added a whole new idea of racing: It was truly about the journey, because the events weren’t the least bit competitive. Participants simply ran from station to station to get blasted with bright, chalky colors that gave each participant a head-to-toe tie-dye look, and pose for a lot of pictures with their friends. The event’s nationwide popularity left older generations of runners scratching their heads, wondering why anyone would run a race that wasn’t timed, and lamenting today’s youth and their love of selfies. The Color Run is credited for bringing thousands of non-runners into the sport.

CM0617_FEAT_30YEARS.indd 27

Nike introduces Flyknit uppers. While most shoes for years utilized cut-andsew construction to fit the vamp, quarter and heelcap of a shoe t o g e t h e r, N i ke ’s Flyknit was a single, seamless piece of stretchy textile. It was an instant hit, and nowadays, most shoe brands have figured out one-piece knit uppers.

5/11/17 5:15 PM

28

2013 –

Terrorists detonate bombs at the Boston Marathon.

Distance running and its grandest race were thrust into the spotlight once again, but this time for horrifying reasons.

The sibling culprits, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, were brought to justice after a fiveday citywide manhunt, but the fact that terrorism came to running—and an event that is a celebration not only of the sport itself, but also of each runner’s personal triumph—shocked many people. However, it galvanized runners everywhere, the Boston Marathon’s popularity surged, and its rich history of being run on Patriot’s Day took on greater meaning.

The New York City Marathon surpasses 50,000 entrants.

What’s often called the world’s greatest city is also home to the world’s largest race: For the past several years, the New York City Mrathon has hovered around the 50,000-person mark, an astonishing number of people for one race. Also in 2013, the New York City Marathon had its 1 millionth starter toe the start line since the race’s founding in 1970.

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2014 –

Meb Keflezighi becomes the first American man since 1983 to win the Boston Marathon.

To say that the 2014 Boston Marathon took on an added significance is an enormous understatement. It was the first edition following the terrorist bombings near the finish line in 2013.

Runners all around the world wanted to run in it. And Bostonians needed the catharsis of another edition of the race to help heal the city and honor the victims. When American Meb Keflezighi, who wore the names of victims on his race bib, unexpectedly won, it was an amazing moment for American running—but it was also far bigger than that.

Kenyan Dennis Kimetto sets the official marathon world record (2:02:57) at the Berlin Marathon. He beat former record-holder Wilson Kipsang’s year-old mark by 26 seconds.

More importantly, though, it has sparked a conversation on whether or not it’s possible to break the 2-hour marathon barrier, and has inspired gear innovations (like Nike’s Zoom Vaporfly Elite) designed to help run the next world record.

Record year of U.S. half-marathon finishers.

2,046,600 people ran a half marathon in 2014.

In fact, it’s been the fastest-growing distance for more than a decade, and the most popular run distance. Lots of people find it a bit like Goldilocks does: Neither too long nor too short—just right.

It’s an intimidating but approachable challenge, and a good training distance for marathoners.

In other words, the half marathon checks a lot of boxes for a lot of people—and nowadays, you can find these races most everywhere.

5/11/17 5:16 PM

29

2015 –

Women’s participation in running surpasses men’s. Nowadays, more women than men enter races and consider themselves runners, according to multiple statistics. This movement is all the more impressive when you consider that 50 years ago, women weren’t even allowed to enter and run in many races.

2016 –

American distance running is back in a big way in the Olympics. While Usain Bolt once again dominated the world’s attention at the Rio Olympics, the Americans took home more medals than ever in the distance events: There were gold and bronze medals in the men’s and women’s 1,500 meters (the first men’s gold since 1908), a silver in the men’s 5,000 meters, a men’s silver and women’s bronze in the steeplechase, and a men’s bronze medal in the marathon—many of which are events that Americans have long been shut out of the medal podium for.

The inaugural Global Running Day is held on June 1. The day evolved from National Running Day in the U.S., which was started in 2009 and has been held every year since. Runners around the world pledge to take part in a running activity to celebrate the joys of running, and inspire others to get moving.

The Clean Sport Collective launches. The nonprofit comprises of athletes, brands, events, fans, clubs and the public to support sport and athletics through the absence of performance enhancing drugs. Several world-class runners pledged never to use PEDs for the collective.

New Balance incorporates 3D printed midsoles in the Zante Generate. Although several other brands have been developing 3D printing for footwear, this running shoe became the first of its kind available to consumers. The first 44 pairs were sold for $400 each ahead of the Boston Marathon on April 15.

2017 –

Eliud Kipchoge runs the fastest recorded marathon time ever (2:00:25) as part of Nike’s Breaking2 Project. Although the goal of the project was to run a sub-2-hour marathon in a staged attempt, Kipchoge still unofficially beat the current world marathon record of 2:02:57, proving that breaking the 2-hour barrier is within reach.

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5/11/17 5:17 PM

30

In the Beginn i ng

Thirty years ago this month, Competitor magazine was created in a 200-square-foot storage shed in northern San Diego by Bob Babbitt and Lois Schwartz. In the beginning, it was a regional publication on newsprint that covered running, cycling, triathlon and every emerging fad sport you can imagine in Southern California in the 1980s. Babbitt was already a familiar face in endurance sports, having competed in the second ever Ironman triathlon in 1980 and being friendly with many star athletes. He handed out copies of his new magazine at local races in the region every single weekend, and distributed it at Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill and at Jamba Juice locations. In the ’90s and 2000s, Competitor expanded all over the nation—first by buying other regional endurance-sports magazines, and later launching Competitor editions in other parts of the country. Babbitt also expanded his duties—co-hosting the weekly Competitor Radio show, and Breakfast with Bob during the annual Ironman World Championship, and creating the Endurance Sports Awards and the Muddy Buddy Race Series, among many other things.

He stepped away from Competitor Group in 2014, but hasn’t slowed down one bit: He raced 40 times last year, and recently ran the Boston Marathon—dressed, as usual, in his Elvis costume.

CM0617_FEAT_30YEARS.indd 30

Photos: oliver baker

This month, Competitor magazine turns 30. Things have come a long way in those three decades—so we sat down with the creator of it all, endurance-sports legend Bob Babbitt, to hear how it all started.

5/11/17 5:18 PM

31

How did you end up in San Diego and covering endurance sports?

• I was living outside Chicago, working with emotionally disturbed kids at a residential treatment center. My sister was teaching school here, and I decided I was tired of 60 below zero and all that crap, so in 1978 I came out and got a couple different job offers, including running a PE program. The program was called Bob Time, and basically I’d play with kids. We had no athletic fields, just blacktop, but we had a volleyball net and a pool. One of the things I did was create a little kids’ triathlon, called Ironkids, in 1981. Then I called up a guy from Running News [Editor’s note: it was later changed to Running and Triathlon News] and said, ‘I’m putting on this thing, why don’t you come out and cover it?’ He says, ‘Why don’t you write it up?’ I thought, OK, how hard can it be? So I wrote it, and he liked it. That led to leaving teaching in 1984 and working fulltime as L.A. editor of that publication. Lois Schwartz, who was also a teacher, became the art photographer.

How did you go on to create Competitor?

• Running and Triathlon News was bought then immediately put out of business, so we were trying to figure out what to do with our lives. I talked to other regional-magazine publishers around the state, but no one was interested in having skinny runners on their covers, and they thought triathlon was a fad. So some friends called Lois and I into a meeting and gave us a check for $17,000 and said, go start your own magazine. For $200 a month we got 200 square feet under a guy’s bike racks in a shed in Del Mar. We didn’t pay ourselves for a year and a half, just lived on our savings and slept on people’s floors. But we loved what we were doing.

We loved the athletes we were meeting.

We loved telling the stories. The elite athletes are great, but it’s really the stories of perseverance and overcoming that are the hallmark of what Competitor is really about.

What were the early days like?

• Sometimes ignorance is bliss. We had no idea that 95 percent of all magazines go out of business in the first year. But we loved what we were doing—it never felt like I had a job. In the early days, we couldn’t pay our print bill. So I would drive to L.A. to supplement our dollars. This was when bodybuilding pants were big. I would buy these pants, and we’d get free booths in the race expos for Competitor, and I’d sell

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the pants then use the dollars from that to help pay our bills. There were some months we made more selling pants than from selling ads. And every once in awhile, a client couldn’t pay their bill with us so they’d give us a lot of their product—like sunglasses.

So we’d sell them at the expos too to help pay our bills.

What made Competitor successful?

• I’ve always been a firm believer that you can rely on social media all you want, but when you want to grow something, it’s got to be person to person. I prided myself on handing out magazines at the races. Our philosophy first and foremost was that for us to be successful, events have to be successful. And if they’re filling up, then the retailers would be busy—and everyone in the sport wins. So it was our job to convince race directors to put on events all year long, and we would be there promoting. Our race-ad prices were a third of our regular advertising prices, because Lois and I didn’t look at those as ads.

I looked at our editorial like a triangle. The tip of this triangle are elite athletes. Those were the stories that a lot of people wanted to read about: what made them tick. A lot of the elites started out as age groupers.

And their stories helped motivate our readers, the base of the triangle, to get into the sport. If those stories could keep our readers excited and touch the nerve of somebody who hadn’t done our sport before, and got new people in, that was huge.

What does the name Competitor mean to you?

• When I’d be handing out magazines at events, I’d have people come up to me and say, ‘That’s not for me, I’m not a competitor.’

I’d say, ‘What do you mean?’ They’d say, ‘I’m not an elite athlete.’ So I said, ‘The word “competitor” does not mean elite athlete.

What time did you get up in the morning?

What did you come out here to do? You’re competing with the course; you’re competing with yourself.’ To me, that’s what it’s all about: The masses.

What’s one thing that should never change about Competitor?

• The Competitor brand has always been about changing lives through endurance.

Even if it’s a color run, people are changing perceptions of themselves through that achievement. All it takes is to put a number on, and you can change everything.

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photo: Daniel weiss

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ULTRA

FORTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD NEW YORKER CHRIS RICE, A BANKING TECHNOLOGY MANAGER BY DAY, RUNS AN ULTRA A MONTH, AND HAS COMPLETED MANY OF THE WORLD’S MOST EXTREME RACES—WITHOUT MANTRAS, ELABORATE FUELING, BIBLICAL VERSES OR COACHING. HE’S AFTER WHAT HE CALLS “BEING OUT THERE.” ALL IT TAKES IS AN ASTONISHING TOLERANCE TO PAIN— AND AN OCCASIONAL REFUSAL TO SLEEP. B Y MAR C B LO O M

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might meet an ultra-running friend at midnight on a Friday (that is, Saturday morning) and run nonstop through the night until 5 a.m. on the Appalachian Trail with a headlamp and flashlight. How does that after-hours duty go down with Patty? “She’s fine with it,” says Chris.

Even the best ultra-runners need a break. How does Rice, who’s won a number of major events, deal with the body’s inevitable breakdown in a 100 miler when he’s got another 100, or maybe a 72-hour adventure contest, coming up only a month later?

Running five hours through the night adds to Rice’s reservoir of

“I ignore it,” Rice says of whatever cry emerges from

As usual, Rice will take the line at 5 a.m. with no elaborate fuel-replacement strategy, no tinkered-with running shoes, no mind-body practice to guide him, no coaching wisdom or biblical mantras, and feel quite chipper despite a serious lack of sleep.

Rice’s logistical weekday wizardry—he actually has two offices, one in Jersey City, and uses two gyms—involves multiple clothing changes, running through rush-hour traffic, bicycling, and CrossFit workouts along with swimming and full-court basketball, and an occasional subway ride for connections. Somewhere in that byzantine schedule, Rice does another 10 miles of running per week, so that from Monday to Friday, he logs about 60 miles, adding another 15 or so on weekends.

In mastering this system, Rice, 43, can usually be home for dinner with his wife, Patty, and their three sons— Peyton, 16 ; Teague, 14; and Asher,9—and try to be a regular dad who barbecues in the burbs on weekends.

“It goes family first, then work, then athletics,” says Rice. “If I have a conflict between work and running, work wins. But sleep might suffer.”

If work wins and Rice can’t get in all his weekday mileage, he

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Running Exposition, which starts and finishes in Times Square and travels through just about every park and ethnic neighborhood in the outer boroughs. Rice placed fourth in 2013 and fifth in 2014. Only a few competitors complete the route in less than 20 hours.

Rice hopes to better his time of 19:44:34 in 2014.

Rice relies on a high pain threshold, which he feels comes from his father, a West Point man who saw action in Vietnam.

“Success,” says Rice, “depends on two things—a high level of patience and high level of pain tolerance. The older I get, the more pain I can endure.”

In his adventures, Rice savors both the pain and rhapsody that he longs to experience again and again. “As soon as I finish one race,” he says, “it’s like an addiction. I need to have the next one coming up.”

toughness, which he considers his calling card. Since 1999, he has done almost 200 ultras and adventure events—averaging about one a month—specializing in events of 100 miles and up and multiday races. Rice’s prolific achievements fly in the face of recovery-time doctrine, defying what the body goes through when taken to the limit.

his ravaged body. He adds, in defense of the non-scientific method, “I don’t do V02 max.

I don’t pay attention to what I’m eating during races. I don’t carry fluids. Other people might out-science me, but I try to outtough them.”

Rice’s next opportunity to test his toughness will be on June 17 in the Great New York 100 Mile

Rice can’t let go because he feels there’s too much at stake: the opportunity to accomplish something few people can and, as he puts it, “cannot be taken away. I’ve done it. It’s mine.”

Just about anyone can run a marathon—these days it’s as much of a happening as a sport.

Why join the masses running 26 miles when you can link with like-minded people running

photos: Daniel weiss

hris Rice, 6’1” and 188 pounds, is the kind of guy you might meet sipping his morning coffee and reading The Wall Street Journal on the 6:22 commuter train from Suffern, N.Y., for the hour-plus trip to a banking institution in Manhattan, where he’s a development manager in technology.

But Rice doesn’t take the train.

Instead, he parks near the George Washington Bridge and runs 10 miles most mornings to his office—or, rather, to a gym, where he stores 10 business suits and gets his running laundry done.

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“IF I HAVE A CONFLICT BETWEEN WORK AND RUNNING, WORK WINS. BUT SLEEP MIGHT SUFFER.”

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“PEOPLE HAVE A MENTAL MAP THAT SETS BORDERS. EVERY TIME YOU DO SOMETHING YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD DO, YOU REDEFINE THAT BORDER.”

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“In Badwater,” says Rice, “you’re basically racing foot pain. With the massive heat, your feet are constantly wet from sweat. You can see 30 miles in front of you. You have to calm your mind. You keep

asking yourself, ‘Can I make it to the end before my feet just give in?’” Rice completed the 2014 race in 34 hours and 21 minutes.

Before Badwater, Rice trained about 100 miles a week but did not do long runs of even 20 miles or more, standard for regular marathoners going a mere 26.2 miles. Rice uses his monthly ultra races as training, figuring that each long event functions as training for the next one. Admitting that his approach may seem counterintuitive, he says that constant activity aids recovery and prepares him for the next event all at once.

THIS PAGE: RICE COMPETED IN BADWATER IN 2014 (TOP) AND WORLD’S TOUGHEST MUDDER IN 2016 (BOTTOM).

Rice’s claim of increasing pain tolerance bears out in a string of recent victories. Last July in

OPPOSITE PAGE: THE KINDS OF RACES RICE RUNS IN SOMETIMES OFFER UNUSUAL AWARDS IN PLACE OF MEDALS: LIKE A SKULL FOR THE SPARTAN DEATH RACE, OR A SPIKE FOR THE VIADUCT TRAIL ULTRAMARATHON.

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PHOTOS: DANIEL WEISS

In the New York 100, Rice is anticipating the “surreal weirdness” of the 80-mile point when he emerges from the solitude of his internal rhythms and onto the splashy Coney Island boardwalk packed with Saturday night revelers and, as he says, “Brooklyn hipsters.”

While Rice finds the contrast jarring, it’s a moment he treasures: an elusive taste of a cultural touchpoint while he’s at his most vulnerable.

The revelry and smell of the sea carry Rice onward, but it’s not his most precious race experience of all. That one occurs hours from any drop of water, in Death Valley, Calif., in the struggle to complete the 135 miles of the notorious Badwater. Rice did Badwater—“the hardest race on the planet,” he says— in 2014, placing 25th out of 100 starters. And he did it one month after the New York 100, which followed three ultras, including the New Jersey 100, in the previous four months.

PHOTOS: CHRIS RICE

four times as long and experience the transcendence of what Rice calls “being out there” in a different world. He says that while racing hours upon hours in an ultra, “I’m blank and there’s clarity. It’s like meditating. There’s no stress. I have a singular focus of finishing.”

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extreme heat—temperatures in the 80s and humidity in the 90s—Rice won the Viaduct Trail 100 Miler in the northeast Pennsylvania wilderness by more than an hour. This past January, in a snowstorm, Rice won the Watchung 50K in New Jersey by more than 9 minutes. “I like adverse weather,” he says.

Rice’s first 100, in 2010, about a decade after his first ultra, came after adversity that would have overwhelmed lesser athletes. In 2009, as a result of back surgery, Rice contracted a rare, life-threatening staph infection in his spinal column that required a second emergency operation for spinal fusion. Within 24 hours following the second surgery, Rice was walking laps around the hospital corridors.

But he’d lost months of training, had 14 inches of staples in his back and had to be on antibiotics for a year.

photos: Daniel weiss

Once the staples were removed, Rice could run but would have a permanent “cage” in his lower back consisting of bolted titanium rods. Even in his weakened state, Rice chose a predicable route to get back in shape: By embarking on his first 100.

What about the contraption imbedded in his back? “I don’t even think about it,” he says.

Twelve months after the surgery, Rice did the New Jersey 100, now called the New Jersey Ultra Festival, and was on his way.

Rice has no residual back problems, but he also has a plate and ten screws in his right hand after falling during a 25-mile trail run

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event—the 72-hour Florida Sea to Sea race in March—Rice and a partner, Bruce Swanson, 53, took fourth in the overall two-man team competition.

Traveling via land, water and wheels from the state’s east coast near Daytona Beach to its west coast at Crystal Springs, the pair took 66 hours, 54 minutes to navigate the backwoods crossing. They did get a bit of sleep—there was a mandatory “dark zone.”

Rice holds that just about anyone can find his ultra “soul” by shedding perceived limits.

“People have a mental map that sets borders, that says, ‘This is the edge of your reality,’” Rice says. “Every time you do something you didn’t think you could do, you redefine that border.” near his home. “I try not to think about that either,” he says.

The episode weakened Rice’s right-hand grip, an impediment for him in Spartan and Tough Mudder events that require climbing ropes and walls. Rice also uses his hands in adventure races that typically include canoeing and mountain biking along with running (in a trekking or orienteering way) for 24, 48 or 72 hours, sleep be damned. Rice competes in these events individually or as part of

a team. (In team competition, each member must complete all disciplines.)

In one Spartan Death Race, a 48-hour event in Vermont, Rice’s four-man team was victorious.

The challenges included running up and down a mountain hauling a 70-pound sandbag in your backpack. And on virtually no sleep either, or the opposition would get ahead. “I popped caffeine pills,” Rice says.

One time, in a four-day, 250-mile event with the finish nearing, Rice almost had to alter the borders of the race course. In a contest of trekking, mountain biking, rappelling and navigating unmarked terrain in the Appalachian Extreme in Maine and New Hampshire, Rice and his teammates emerged from a night of racing through the woods and into the daylight when Rice encountered something that nearly scared the life out of him.

In his most recent adventure “A moose,” he says. “You don’t know how big a moose is until he’s right in front of you. The sun had just come up and he’s staring at me, with smoke coming out of his nose.”

But the moose must have seen something that impressed him.

Before Rice could find a way to retreat, the moose ran away.

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TRAIL SHOE REVIEW

2017

This season’s trail shoes are ready to take you on any summer adventure— from short jaunts on your neighborhood trails to all-day mountain rambles.

We tested an array of shoes and ran them on steep, rocky terrain, loose, slick trails, and smooth dirt (and even some paved sections). Read on to find the best running partner to suit your foot shape, running style and taste for trails.

BY LIS A J H U N G | PH OTOG R A PH S B Y OL I V ER B A K ER

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[MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK]

Salomon Sense Ride, $120 High-end features on a beginner-friendly shoe

Weights: 9.7 oz. (men), 8.1 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm; 27mm (heel), 19mm (forefoot)

Details you find on Salomon’s top-of-the-line trail shoes, like its Premium Wet Traction Contagrip outsole, and a seamless, welded upper, carry over into this wallet-friendlier shoe. (We realize $120 is still a lot to pay for a shoe, but it’s the current state of running shoes.) Testers enjoyed the classic Salomon quick-pull laces that help create a sock-like fit, along with the wide forefoot/narrow heel combination—the two help this shoe feel remarkably nimble. We also liked the “springiness” of the shoe’s midsole foam, and the proprioceptive feel this shoe affords— we could feel the trail beneath our feet enough to run in control, but not so much that our feet or legs experienced any pain.

Altra King MT, $140

Inspired by fell running, ready for slop Weights: 8.5 oz. (men), 7 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 0mm; 19mm (heel), 19mm (forefoot)

This shoe, with its 6mm lugs (big, in comparison to other shoes) made of Vibram MegaGrip, is ready to charge sloppy, muddy, slick terrain. The traction proved stellar over hill and dale and back again, and the silhouette of the shoe—its zero-drop platform and super-wide toe box in a lightweight package—made testers feel like they were running almost barefoot but with traction, foot protection and springy cushion.

The shoe’s Velcro midsole strap helped keep us from sliding around too much within the full-volume shoe, especially on off-camber trails. And the abundant but lightweight overlays on the upper protected feet from trail snags. Add a gaiter to the built-in gaiter strap, and the sloppiest conditions are no match for this shoe. Note: We advise easing into a zero-drop platform.

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[BEST TRACTION]

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Vasque TrailBender, $130 Lots of cush combined with solid traction

Weights: 11.4 oz. (men), 9.1 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 6mm; 28mm (heel), 22mm (forefoot)

The TrailBender stacks up a hearty amount on cushioning underfoot to soften the blow of step after step, aiming to support runners for miles on end. The cushioning feels softer than most shoes in this roundup, something that translates well to hardpacked trails. And the traction, dozens of very low-profile nubs underfoot, does a great job securing footing on even the steepest trails without clunking or sticking too much to pavement (adding to this shoe’s versatility over multiple surfaces). Added comfort comes from a mostly stitch-free upper, and a terry cloth-like material lining the interior of the shoe for sweat wicking and softness. This shoe is only available from REI until it hits specialty retail shops in the fall.

Under Armour VTT, $110

Comfortable, protective shoe good for running and hiking Weights: 10.6 oz. (men), 8.5 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 7mm; 18mm (heel), 11mm (forefoot)

For runners seeking stability and support, the VTT is a solid option. It’s comfortable upon first step-in, the footbed and slightly pronounced arch seeming to give flat feet some needed shape. The VTT offers plenty of cushioning for all but the longest runs, but the stiff outsole creates a firm ride; it’s not a very flexible shoe. Runners with weak foot muscles or who simply prefer a firmer shoe will enjoy the VTT. The polyurethane and textile upper offers durability (but doesn’t breathe great), and the molded foam around the heel collar adds all-day comfort.

Because of its relative stiffness, protection and resilience, this is a good crossover hiking shoe as well as a good runner.

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[BEST UPDATE]

Hoka Speedgoat 2, $140

A great update to the toothiest, grippiest Hoka One One Weights: 9.8 oz. (men), 8.2 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 4.5mm; 32mm (heel), 27.5mm (forefoot) (men); 31mm (heel), 26.5mm (forefoot) (women)

Hoka devotees should be excited about this update to the first iteration of the Speedgoat. The Speedgoat 2 achieves major grip on trail with Vibram sticky rubber in a toothy pattern underfoot; but the lugs don’t stick out nearly as much as they did on the first version, which means this shoe doesn’t make you feel like a shark out of water on smooth trail sections. This shoe’s upper wraps securely around the foot (but fits narrow and is too low-volume for some), and testers raved about how their feet felt well-situated within the major amount of cushioning—a combination that makes for confident runs on the gnarliest terrain, and the longest runs on all terrain.

Dynafit Alpine Pro, $160 Ready for mountain running

Weights: 10.6 oz. (men), 9.2 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 8mm*; 29.5mm (heel), 18.5mm (forefoot) *Dynafit claims its Alpine Rolling concept gives this shoe an 8mm drop

This shoe has an interesting fit and outsole shape: A very wide forefoot allows toes to fully splay naturally, and creates a wide outsole platform; but the very narrow heel, both in fit and tapered shape on the outsole, creates a bit of a “tippy” feeling on-trail. This shoe might prove better for runners who land on their mid- or forefoot with each step than for heel strikers. We liked the shoe’s overall rugged protection and cushioning that absorbed rocks well, and found the rockered shape—the shoe curls slightly upward from heel to toe—interesting: It helped promote a smooth stride. Sticky rubber in an aggressive tread pattern and quick-pull laces make this shoe feel ready for hard-charging mountain runs.

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Brooks PureGrit 6, $120

Natural feeling, comfortable ride

[MOST COMFORTABLE]

Weights: 9.6 oz. (men), 7.8 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 4mm; 19mm (heel), 15mm (forefoot)

Stepping into this shoe is like putting on a pair of comfy slippers: The knit upper envelops feet and the cushioning proves instantly comfortable. But, unlike a pair of slippers, the PureGrit 6 is well equipped for the trail. A lightweight rock plate is sandwiched between the lightweight cushioning and the outsole to block any jabs. Hex-shaped lugs do a good job grabbing hold of trail surfaces without clunking too loudly on sections of road. And the knit upper gets structure and durability from lightweight, screen-printed rubber overlays. This is a flexible shoe with a rounded heel and the combination translates to smooth running that makes road runners feel right at home. There’s not a ton of stability or support for those who need it, but the PureGrit 6 aims to feel natural, and achieves that goal.

Arc’Teryx Norvan VT, $170

Super-breathable and quick-drying, high-end shoe Weights: 10.6 oz. (men), 9.9 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 9mm; 26mm (heel), 17mm (forefoot)

The Norvan VT has tons of bells and whistles, and at $170, it better.

An interior, gaiter-like liner keeps trail debris from sneaking into your socks, or between your socks and shoes and irritating feet. Super-breathable, quick-drying upper materials shed water and dry quickly. The traction underfoot, a combination of two types of Vibram rubber, makes this shoe grip rocks “better than any other shoe,” according to one tester. And the complex lacing system is meant to alternate from a looser (but secure enough) running mode to a super-snug, rock-climbing mode.

Yes, this shoe is capable of low-angle rock climbs and scrambles.

We also liked the feel of the very responsive cushioning; it made us want to extend our runs.

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Mizuno Wave Daichi 2, $130

Low-volume fit, ideal for smooth trails Weights: 10.4 oz. (men), 9.0 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 12mm; 29mm (heel), 17mm (forefoot)

The Daichi 2 merges ruggedness with nimbleness—a great combination. The Daichi 2 feels lighter on the foot than the scale reads (a good thing!). We chalk that up to the lively cushioning and protective, yet not overbuilt upper.

Despite a somewhat stiff outsole, the shoe runs smoothly and is very at home on moderately technical terrain. The X-shaped, Michelin rubber tread on the outsole does a decent job on rougher trails, but the traction isn’t as aggressive as some in this review. It’s a low-volume shoe, meaning narrow feet and those preferring a secure feel from the top of their feet to the bottom will enjoy the fit more than those with wide, full-volume feet. Bonus: This shoe is notably breathable.

La Sportiva Akyra, $140

This shoe is like a good SUV, ready to charge off-road Weights: 11.4 oz. (men), 9.8 oz. (women) Heel-to-Toe Offset: 9mm; 25mm (heel), 16mm (forefoot)

Like a four-wheel drive, soupedup SUV, the Akyra is ready to tackle rugged mountain terrain.

Its aggressive tread provides great traction uphill and especially down—smartly patterned traction under the heel provides solid braking downhill. The rubber toe cap protects you up front. But like a premium-model SUV, the interior comfort of this shoe and its ability to fit a range of foot types securely gives the “driver” solid control.

Testers raved about the heel cup making them feel stable, and the secure-fitting upper allowing them to feel “one” with the shoe.

The outcome is a confidence-inspiring ride on everything from rocky, technical trails to steep, slippery slosh.

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[MOST MOUNTAINREADY]

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first lap 44

Training

H ow and Why to Run wi th a Group

By Ke lly O ’Ma ra

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Have some fun

As the cliché goes, being a long-distance runner can get lonely at times. A group makes it more fun, especially if you’re a busy runner.

“You don’t have time for work, exercise and a social life,” says Kevin Jermyn, executive director of the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA). Group runs allow your exercise time to double as your social time—as long as you make friends with the people involved! “We’ve had a ridiculous number of people who have gotten engaged or married [after meeting in the running group.]”

Be accountable

Meeting a group (or even just another person) also makes you accountable to actually getting the workout done. For most of us, that forces us to stick to our training plan.

“If someone’s waiting for me, I’m not going to quit,” Tuhabonye says. That’s particularly true for early morning workouts and hard runs.

Push yourself

Most runners, said Jermyn, have no problem with their regular easy runs, but to go long or to go fast, “they have to have other people for that,” he says.

We might not even know what we’re capable of until we push ourselves in a faster pace group or try to keep up with our fast friends.

Get guidance and advice:

Those friends can also be a good source of advice. More than half the people who join CARA’s marathon training program are first-timers. For someone running their first marathon, there can be a lot of information for them to absorb. The way the groups are structured means they don’t have to learn it all at once.

Instead, Jermyn says, they can pick up tips and advice from the experienced runners and coaches along the way.

This is especially true for coached groups following a consistent training plan.

Photos: istockphoto.com

Fifteen years ago, Gilbert Tuhabonye started a running group in Austin, Texas, “to create a community,” he says.

To d a y , t h e B u r u n d i genocide survivor’s group, Gilbert’s Gazelles, is one of the biggest and most popular in the area. And his runners, he says, inspire him as much as he inspires them. The weekly workouts give them all a chance to add some “joy” to their training—a Tuhabonye principle.

But group workouts can come in all shapes and sizes— from elite performance squads to casual get-togethers. If you’re ready to start running with a group, there are some pros and cons, and things to know before you go.

The Benefits

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first lap Training

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The Downsides You can push yourself too hard

“There are pros and cons,” Jermyn says.

“Certainly, competitive people can risk pushing themselves too hard.”

That’s especially true if you show up for a group run not quite ready for what you’re getting into or you try to keep up with people you have no business keeping up with. That’s why Tuhabonye has people fill out questionnaires about their fitness and recent results, and even do a test to find out where they’re at with it.

One size doesn’t fit all

Both CARA’s programs and Gilbert ’s Gazelles workouts are coached in-person, with many of the athletes training for the same race. That means the plan is both created by a certified coach and structured for the specific race, with the ability to make adaptations for an individual’s paces or needs.

But not every running group has a coach; many are simply informal collections of

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friends. And even if there is a coach, it doesn’t necessarily mean the workout or the plan is the best one for you. (Although it’s still better than no workout and no plan.)

Plus, by definition, along with doing a certain workout, a group meets at a certain time and place. All those things might be convenient or right for you, or they might not.

You won’t learn to suffer alone

Training with a group is fun and pushes you, but when it comes time to race, you have to race on your own. There’s a school of thought that sometimes you need to get out there on your own and learn what it takes to battle through the tough days.

All those issues are real, but Jermyn points out that most elite athletes train in squads precisely because they want the support and company. The day-in, day-out grind can be hard, and a group makes it easier.

“The best marathoners in the world all train in a group,” Jermyn says.

Getting Started Before you lace up your shoes and set your alarm clock, “do your homework,” Tuhabonye advises, to figure out what group is right for you and what is expected.

You can search for groups on the websites of Road Runners Club of America or USA Track and Field. You can also ask at a running shop, talk to other runners, or check out local race and expos.

Then you’ll want to talk to the person in charge to make sure you know what to expect—where will the route go, do you need to bring food or water, what kind of gear is necessary for this workout.

And it may take a couple tries to find the group culture that’s right for you: some are more performance oriented, some are more laid-back.

If you do it right, “joining a group is like joining a family,” Tuhabonye says.

That comes with all the good and bad of a family.

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workout of the month 46

Training

LEG SPEED, PLEASE

By M icha el Jacques

No sport benefits from leg speed like running does. Regular leg speedwork not only improves your basic speed but also actively stretches muscles and tendons in a specific manner, which means in the long term you’re much less likely to sustain running injuries. But it gets better: Leg speedwork can also improve your basic ability!

Think about it: If you can improve your stride length by 2 centimeters (approximately 16 meters per mile) and your cadence by two strides per minute (approximately 23 meters per mile), a runner with a 10K personal best of 40 minutes could improve by close to a minute.

That can be achieved not by training harder, but simply by implementing leg speedwork.

If this sounds like you—and why wouldn’t it?— then use this workout to pick up more leg speed.

Description

10 min.

Easy running RPE 1

6–10 × 20–30 sec.

Run easy for 5 min. between reps

10 min.

Easy running RPE 1

Sprints at 90% effort RPE 4–5

These sprints can be 20–30 seconds across a park, or they can be 100–200 m on a running track. They are fast, but not 100 percent, about the pace you would race 400 m. But this is not an effort session; it’s a technique session. You will huff and puff a bit at the end of each sprint, but the 5 minutes of easy running between reps should help you to recover fully so you can get through the session without undue effort. This is crucial because any fatigue will undermine your ability to run fast with good technique. To promote speed without undue effort, this workout is best done with a tailwind or on a slight downhill.

It’s the kind of workout you can do year-round because as well as building leg speed and helping avoid injury, it’s a great final speed workout in the five days before a race and for maintaining speed between races.

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H o w Fast Is To o Fast ?

There is a fine line between a leg speed workout and an anaerobic workout. To avoid a crossover you need to do this workout just under maximum sprint speed and with 5 minutes between each sprint. Ideally the pace is around the speed you would race a 400m sprint. You could establish this pace by doing a 400m time trial or use the following table to estimate legspeed pace per 100m based on your 5K personal best.

PACING GUIDE

5K PB

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

Leg-speed pace/100m

15–17 sec.

16–18 sec.

17–19 sec.

18–20 sec.

19–21 sec.

5K PB

22:00

23:00

24:00

25:00

Leg-speed pace/100m

20–22 sec.

21–23 sec.

22–24 sec.

23–25 sec.

Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale Scale

Effort

Race Pace

RPE 1

Easy

Slower than normal training pace

RPE 2

Moderate

Normal training pace

RPE 3

Moderately Hard

Marathon pace

RPE 4

Hard

10K race pace

RPE 5

Very Hard

5K race pace and faster

Excerpted with permission from One Hour Workouts: 50 Swim, Bike & Run Workouts for Busy Athletes by Scott Molina, Mark Newton and Michael Jacques (VeloPress, 2010).

PHOTO: istockphoto.com

Time/ Distance

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COACH CULPEPPER 48

TRAINING

OVERCOME PRE-RACE ANXIETY FOR GOOD First things first: Pre-race jitters or nervousness are normal, and should be expected. It means that you are invested, have a level of expectation, and that the race is important to you.

Nerves help raise adrenaline, which also help elevate performance level.

However, there is a tipping point where nervousness can reach an unhealthy level and lead to anxiety over reaching the desired results or fear of discomfort or failure. At that point, the benefits are negated and it instead becomes detrimental to performance. More often than not, this is due to focusing disproportionately on the outcome rather than on the execution. Here are a few strategies to help keep your emotions in check, and keep it beneficial.

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H AV E A P LA N

FOCUS O N THE M UN DA N E

KE E P YO UR E M OTIO N S IN CHECK

Having a race plan is an import-

It’s also essential to keep your mind

Allowing your emotions to run wild the days

ant part of keeping your emotions

focused on mundane, ordinary or

or hours leading into the event will be bur-

at a healthy level. Framing the

even trivial tasks that are part of your

densome and lead to anxiety. You do not need

experience and giving your mind

pre-race routine. Where you want to

to rely on your emotions the days or hours

parameters to hold onto create

eat the night before, an errand to the

leading into the event—this is the time to

focus and comfort. This does not

store to pick up your favorite sports

shift to the points mentioned above and turn

mean it will go exactly according

bar or drink, ensuring your bag is

off your emotions as best you can. As you go

to the plan—but the key is having a

packed with the essentials you need,

through your pre-race routine you should

plan to help center your thoughts.

and thinking through what you want

be conscious of keeping a calm mind and

The longer the distance, the more

to wear on race morning are all good

not allowing the desired results or fears to

critical a race plan becomes due

examples of the small tasks that you

clutter your thoughts. Force yourself to be

to the added time for the mind

should focus on. Simple tasks keep

relaxed—and, in many ways, numb to what

to wander and emotions to get

the mind distracted from the larger

is going on around you. Calling on all that

involved. Shorter races require a

objective. The few days leading into

motivation and emotions is very effective

pacing and course strategy plan,

the race are not the time to contin-

and important in training, but not right up

while longer events should also

ually revisit your goals or what you

to the event. Execution should be the mantra

factor in hydration and fuel man-

set out to accomplish. That should be

until three-quarters of the way through the

agement. For a marathon or longer

done in training ahead of time. As the

event. Once you get to the final quarter of

event, the race plan should also

event approaches, the simpler your

the race, then allow your emotions to kick

include race weekend. Planning

thoughts should become, and basic

in, and call on all that motivation to push you

out the days prior to the race plus

tasks are a healthy area to emphasize.

through the finish.

parking, packet pickup, meals, downtime, etc. are all important to consider and will help immensely with pre-race anxiety.

Two-time U.S. Olympian Alan Culpepper won national titles from the 5K to the marathon. His first book, Run Like a Champion, is available at VeloPress.com.

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

BY ALAN CULPEP P ER

5/11/17 11:05 AM

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C R O S S -T R A I N I N G 50

Training

By Macke nzie L. Havey

You don’t have to be the fighting type to get a kick out of an at-home boxing routine. This workout packs a powerful punch, enhancing dynamic flexibility, balance, coordination, strength and power. Best of all, you don’t need a partner to spar with or even a pair of fancy red boxing gloves.

Research on boxingrelated interval training demonstrates that this sport’s workouts burn body fat and improve blood pressure numbers above and beyond traditional moderate cardio. Similar to other interval-type workouts, this circuit calls you to stick with each move for one minute before moving on to the next. After you finish all five, take a one-minute rest and repeat the circuit three to five times.

Warm up with 10 minutes of easy jump roping. If you don’t have a jump rope on hand, simply mimic the jumping motion to get your muscles moving and blood pumping.

Straight Punches First, get into fighting stance.

Stand with your left foot out in front of your body and your knees slightly bent (you can lead with the right foot if you’re more comfortable with that).

Bring your fists up close to your body with palms facing each other under your chin. As you punch your right fist forward, keep your arm in line with your shoulder, rotate your hips and pick up your right heel off the ground. Your fist should rotate during this motion so that your fingernails face down toward the floor when you reach the end of the punch. Bring the fist back in and alternate sides.

Speed up as you get comfortable with the motion to get your heart rate elevated.

Push-ups Start in full plank position and lower your body down. When your chest reaches close to the ground, push yourself back up. If you want a tougher variation, bring your hands into fists and repeat the same motion.

Photos: oliver baker

At-Home Boxing Routine

Boxer bicycle crunch Lie on your back with your feet off the ground and knees bent as if you were going to do traditional crunches. Bring your head and shoulders up off the ground, keep your arms bent and fists drawn into your body. Begin to bicycle your legs as you rotate your right shoulder in the direction of your left knee. Simultaneously, straighten your right leg out. Then bend the right leg and bring the right knee toward your left shoulder as you straighten the left leg.

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C R O S S -T R A I N I N G Training

51

Uppercut Get into fighting stance as you did for straight punches. As you get ready to throw the first punch, envision hitting up and under an opponent’s chin. If your left foot is forward, twist your hips to the left as you bring your right fist up and forward.

Immediately bring your fist back and do the same on the left.

Jumping Jacks Stand with your feet together and arms hanging at your sides.

In one motion, jump your legs out and bring your arms up over your head. Jump back to starting position and repeat.

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5/11/17 11:01 AM

MARATHON | HALF MARATHON | 10K | 5K

NOV 11-12

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RUN THROUGH WEDDING

RUN THE L AS VEGAS STRIP AT NIGHT REGISTER AT

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RunRocknRoll.com/las-vegas

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RUN IT community

53

Where and When to Race Summer racing season is here, giving most runners lots of opportunities to put their training to the test. While the heat of the summer can make running difficult in some parts of the country, you’ll find plenty of races with early or late starts to take advantage of those long summer days.

Here are some of our favorite events in the months ahead.

B y J eff B a n ow etz

M a r at h o n s / H a l f M a r at h o n s Humana Rock ’n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon July 16, Chicago Runrocknroll.com/chicago

Aspen Valley Marathon and Half Marathon July 15, Aspen, Colo.

Aspenvalleymarathon.com

Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon July 9, Missoula, Mont.

Missoulamarathon.org

This summer marks the ninth running of the Rock ’n’ Roll series event in the Chicago, and the half marathon has grown to one of the city’s most popular events. The loop course starts downtown in Grant Park and takes runners on a tour of the near north and near west sides of the city. The course then heads south to Burnham Park before hitting the Lakefront for a final 3 miles north with one of the best views of the city skyline.

Take to the trails of Colorado for this scenic race that offers incredible views of the Aspen Valley.

Yes, those traveling from outside Colorado have the added element of altitude, but the mostly downhill, point-to-point course is surprisingly fast. The course is on the Rio Grande Trail, a mix of about 80 percent paved trail and 20 percent hard-packed dirt, that follows the Roaring Fork River for much of the route.

Head to Big Sky Country for this summer marathon and half marathon that highlights the area around this beautiful town on the Clark Fork River where five mountain ranges converge, earning it the nickname “hub of the five valleys.” But while you’ll see the mountains in the distance, the pointto-point course is fairly flat. The marathon starts in Frenchtown, Mont., and winds its way to a finish in downtown Missoula.

photo: Gameface Media

Missoula Marathon

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RUN IT 54

COMMUNITY

5K TO 15K CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR 4 TH OF JULY 5K/10K July 4, Oxnard, Calif.

Harborrun.com Celebrate the nation’s independence at this 5K and 10K run along one of California’s scenic stretches of beach. The race doesn’t take place on the Channel Islands, but it does benefit the Channel Islands Harbor Foundation, and runners will get a view of the islands from the flat course that includes Hollywood Beach, Oxnard State Beach Park and Mandalay Shores.

HARVARD PILGRIM FINISH AT THE 50 July 3, Foxborough, Mass.

Finishatthe50.com

REVOLUTIONARY RUN July 4, Washington Crossing, Pa. Revrunpa.com

New England Patriots fans have lots to celebrate coming off of a come-from-behind Super Bowl victory. There may be no better place to do so this summer than at this annual 5K, 10K and kids run that features a finish on the 50-yard line of Gillette Stadium. The event includes all-day exhibits and kids activities at the stadium, followed by the races in the evening and a fireworks celebration at 9 p.m.

Washington Crossing, Pa., may be better known for the winter exploits of the Continental Army when they crossed the Delaware River early on Christmas Day, but it’s certainly a great place to celebrate the country’s Declaration of Independence as well. The 37th annual 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run features a course that’s mostly in Washington Crossing Historic Park and along the Delaware River.

TRAIL XTERRA BEAVER CREEK TRAIL RUNS July 16, Avon, Colo.

Xterraplanet.com/trailrun/Beavercreek

SEWARD SIZZLER July 25, Seattle Nwtrailruns.com

SQUAW MOUNTAIN RUN July 29, Truckee, Calif.

Auburnskiclub.com

Are you up for a challenge? The Beaver Creek Resort hosts this annual 20K, 10K and 5K that’s sure to put your fitness to the test. Runners of the 20K race can expect 2,400 feet of climbing, and the other two distances are challenging as well (in fact, the course is a 10K loop, with the 20K runners completing two laps).

But all runners will enjoy running through the aspen glades and the amazing singletrack at the resort. At least when they think about the experience afterward.

This 4.2-mile and 10K run takes place in Seattle’s Seward Park, which is on a peninsula in Lake Washington filled with old-growth forest. The loop course is almost entirely tree-covered, and the race features a little bit of everything that trail runners love, from scenic views to challenging singletrack.

The course features mostly rolling hills, with a few more technical sections. This evening race is a great challenge for beginning trail runners.

This 37th annual 3.6-mile race takes place at Squaw Valley Resort in the Lake Tahoe region of California.

Runners (and hikers) start at the base of the resort and make the trek to High Camp at 8,200 feet. It’s a tough run uphill the entire route, but participants are rewarded with a post-race party at the top featuring awards, raffle prizes, music, refreshments and beer from the local Fiftyfifty brewery. Plus, you’ll have earned amazing views of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierras.

PHOTO: DAVID SILVERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Finish at the 50

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Last Lap 56

Soldiering O n Earl Granville, 33, Scranton, Pa. Inte rv i e w by All is on Pat ti llo

A former staff sergeant in the Army, Earl Granville now works for two nonprofits that help disabled veterans live an active lifestyle: Operation Enduring Warrior and Oscar Mike. He’s also a public speaker, helping others find their purpose in life and those who are battling mental adversity. Granville races with the Achilles Freedom Team as an athlete—because the four-time Boston Marathon finisher lost his leg in 2008 from an IED blast in Afghanistan. He credits Achilles Freedom Team with making it possible for him to run, and it’s also how he met his guide, Andi Piscopo, in 2014. After almost nine hours on course during the 2017 Boston Marathon, Granville inadvertently created the enduring viral image of the race when he carried Piscopo and the American flag across the finish line.

There was a little chatter and joking about carrying her across the line during the race. I had to stop at a few medical tents because I kept cramping. I told her I didn’t want to quit even if it meant walking.

Once we turned onto Boylston Street, I knew I had to run despite the pain. In the heat of the moment, I picked her up and carried her across the line.

What’s all the attention been like since you finished?

Overwhelming. I had no idea the race was still being televised. I’ve decided to use the attention to spread my voice and ideas of battling mental adversity and bring awareness the best I can. I hope people see it and get inspired and spread the inspiration to others.

Why have you turned to running as an amputee?

Some of it was for me to find my purpose again.

Another thing that motivated me was hearing that my brother was proud of me. I decided to challenge myself more. I hand-biked the New York City Marathon in 2010 and Boston in 2014, 2015 and 2016. I’ve done 5Ks, 10Ks and a half marathon.

After I hand-biked Boston in 2016, I waited at the finish line for two of my buddies on the Achilles Freedom Team. They both ran and are both amputees. I never thought I could run a marathon.

Watching them was my inspiration to do it.

What’s it like learning to run with a prosthetic leg?

There’s a lot of trial and error. My other leg is full of hardware due to the blast too. It was salvaged,

CM0617_BOB_LAST.indd 56

but will never be 100 percent. You have to figure out what the best prosthetic is for you. You get nervous. You fall. But what do you do when you fall? You keep on going. You master it.

What role has exercise played in helping you battle your demons?

I feel like what I was struggling with wasn’t just traumatic stress; it was mental adversity. Two and a half years after I lost my leg, my twin brother, Joe, who was also in the Army, committed suicide.

That’s when my downward spiral hit. I learned that Joe was very proud of how active I’d been since my injury with things like snowboarding and ice sled hockey. So I started doing more physical challenges in honor of my brother. I eventually realized I wasn’t doing them for Joe. I was doing them for me. I found my new purpose in life.

Mental recovery can be as challenging, if not more so, than physical recovery.

What was your experience like?

In our life we’re going to deal with adversity, loss of loved ones, broken hearts, stress, anxiety, depression. That heavy weight can hold us down.

When I left the military, I lost my purpose. I found a new one as a public speaker and helping others find their purpose. Once you find it, make that purpose your passion. Your purpose may be your employment to pay bills and provide for your family; your passion is what you wake up to do for you. The two shifts people have to make to go down a more positive path are changing their attitude and stepping out of their comfort zone.

photo: lynsey noel photography

Was the dramatic finish at the Boston Marathon something you planned?

For the complete interview, go to Competitor.com/lastlapearl

5/11/17 10:44 AM

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