December 2014 by On Your Left! Marketing & Events

Official Publication of

DECEMBER 2014

One Extra Yard Empowering Great Teachers through College Football

Building Up Brick By Brick

Form Follows Fitness 5K and DCFAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foundation is Strong in 2015

Drag Racer

Racing Against the Alarm Clock

Sponsorship Highlight ASICS Rewards Loyal Pub Run Series Attendees

DOC IN THE BOX December Hibernation: Time for a Cat Nap By Holly Johnson, M.D.

Letter from the Editor Chief Running Officer, Eric Lindberg

BUCKLE UP! EN ROUTE TO 2015! Welcome aboard! Yep the captain has asked us to buckle our seat belts, sit back and enjoy the flight again! I think Cherilyn actually likes it when I am traveling because she knows that I will turn in my monthly OYL! article on time! This is not a work-planned trip, or fun-filled trip as in my recent letter from Cabo, but is instead for a funeral. As weird as it sounds, this has me thinking about the “end”. The end can mean a lot of different things to us, for example, the end of the race, the end of training (and the dreaded taper), the end of our busy season or in this case, the end of the year. As I sit back and reflect on the past year I am amazed once again at what we (you, me, the OYL! staff, our customers and vendors) accomplished in 2014. One thing to note as I write this is that OYL! is a for profit business. For those of you who have not followed us or do not know our story, Sharon and I started the company in our house with one client. We grew organically, meaning we didn’t add staff or expenses until we had revenue to justify it. We didn’t have investors. We didn’t have seed money. We didn’t take out a loan or anything like that. We put our own savings into starting the business and have risked it all to sustain it. Thank goodness we have been successful! And our success translates into employing several people, both full time and part time, supporting other small businesses by hiring vendors, paying taxes (lots of taxes) and helping to raise millions of dollars for a wide range of

“If you are interested in learning more about us and our clients’ events, we are always looking for volunteers to serve on race committees so don’t hesitate to reach out!”

End on a good note. Send a note describing your 2015 event needs to info@oylmarketing.com.

Form Follows Fitness 5K – $50,000 for the Dallas Center for Architecture Central Market Thrill of the Grill 5K – $7,500 for the Plano ISD Education Foundation Joe’s Run – $8,000 for Samaritan House Dad’s Day 5K – $5,000 for TexUs Too Dallas 7K/4K – $8,000 for the Dallas Parks Foundation Blue Cure Night Run – $5,500 for the Blue Cure Foundation Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 5K and 1K – $75,000 for the festival itself (it is nonprofit) which supports over 60 charities ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk Series – $1,750,000 for ZERO Prostate Cancer I do have to credit the White Rock Running Co-Op (WRRC) and their commitment to being a transparent organization because it inspired me to write this. It is important for you to know what a for profit company is doing in a nonprofit centric industry, while at the same time trying to provide for family. If you are interested in learning more about us and our clients’ events, we are always looking for volunteers to serve on race committees so don’t hesitate to reach out! Have a very Happy Holiday season and I hope your 2014 was as amazing as mine. THE END

WHO’S SHOUTING “On Your Left!”?

OWNERS & EDITORS IN CHIEF Eric Lindberg ericl@oylmarketing.com

Sharon Lindberg sharonl@oylmarketing.com

WRITING & EDITING

Cherilyn Wilson cherilynw@oylmarketing.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Brandon Gillingham brandong@oylmarketing.com Paul Hutzler paulh@oylmarketing.com Jessica Kane jessicak@oylmarketing.com Elizabeth Jones elizabethj@oylmarketing.com

CATCH US! (IF YOU CAN)

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

charities. Yes I said millions, I don’t even believe it! Like my top 10 list from last month here is full disclosure of funds raised through our clients’ events and the causes they supported:

One Extra Yard

Empowering Great Teachers Through College Football By Elizabeth Jones

UPCOMING EVENTS

ew charities are formed every day, vowing support for nearly all imaginable causes. The College Football Playoff Foundation focuses on one — the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative. The College Football Playoff website best describes its vision for Extra Yard, as “College football is the most readily-visible representation of students achieving their dreams of attending college. This road to college is often attributed to the support and commitment of gifted teachers. Teachers are often underpaid and under-appreciated, resulting in them incurring substantial out-of-pocket expenses and above-average turnover rates.” The College Football Playoff Foundation shared the following information on the Extra Yard for Teachers program. “The Extra Yard for Teachers initiative aims to honor, celebrate, inspire and empower great teachers. In total, the program components below will impact more than 23,000 teachers and 500,000 students.

Pub Run Social Run Dallas, TX Thursday, December 18, 2014 VIEW DETAILS

CFP Extra Yard 5K Dallas, TX Saturday,January 10, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

DIRECT PROVISION OF RESOURCES

K-12 teachers incurred $1.6B in out-of-pocket expenses in 2012-2013. Through a national partnership with DonorsChoose.org, an online charity allowing donors to give money to support public school teachers with classrooms project requests, Extra Yard for Teachers will fund classroom projects for an estimated 2,000 teachers regionally and nationally, impacting more than 130,000 students.

Polar Dash Arlington, TX Saturday, January 24, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

Form Follows Fitness 5K Dallas, TX Saturday,February 21, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

While teachers play one of the most important roles in the lives our children and in our communities, the profession is not viewed as aspirational by our nation’s best and brightest college students. Five award-winning area teachers will be honored on the video board during the Championship Game, receive complimentary tickets, and have the opportunity to join the championship head coaches at media day. On January 10, CFP will present the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit, inviting 1,000 teachers and educators to a free half-day of TED-inspired talks, performances, and exhibits at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The event will also be streamed live with the support of Region 10 Education Service Center.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING

Professional development is the 4th most important job attribute for college graduates, but novice teachers often do not have the tools and resources most professionals receive when entering the workforce. Extra Yard for Teachers will provide support for two programs, Teaching Trust’s EdFellows and Teach for America. Teaching Trust’s EdFellow is a year-long program designed to develop teacher leaders who have a desire to effect change beyond their own classrooms. Support for Teach for

Get Lucky Ft. Worth, TX Saturday, March 14, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

Spring Sprint Frisco, TX Saturday, March 21, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

America will focus on extending their professional development expertise to non-corps member teachers on strategically identified campuses. These two programs will combine to support 550 area teachers, impacting more than 10,000 students.

INSPIRING A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE

It is never too early to inspire students to prepare for, attend and graduate from the college or university of their choice. Extra Yard for Teachers will provide college banners for every classroom across 500 area elementary schools in an effort to reinforce a college-going expectation and atmosphere. In addition, 7,000 high school students will experience visits to area colleges and universities. These two programs will support more than 20,000 teachers, impacting more than 330,000 students.” On Your Left! Marketing & Events is proud to work with the College Football Playoff Foundation and raise funds for the Extra Yard for Teacher program through the Extra Yard 5K on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park. Register now to make a difference — by REGISTER NOW! going that extra yard!

Women Rock Arlington, TX Saturday, April 25, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

Saint Arnold Santo De Mayo 5K Houston, TX Sunday, May 3, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

TEACHER RECOGNITION

Jaunt Junkie ROCK SOME ALTITUDE IN 2015 By Paul Hutzler

UPCOMING EVENTS

f you are itching for a neat place to go for a Jaunt, might I suggest catching a flight out to Denver, Colorado and going for a run or hike about 15 miles west of the city, from Red Rocks Amphitheater. Not only is this a unique and famous concert venue but it’s a wonderful place to get out and enjoy a fall afternoon, experience the beauty of Colorado and really rock some altitude training. I recently took a visit out to Red Rocks and was blown away by the incredible mountain views and the Denver skyline tucked back against the horizon. I’d suggest a visit in late October just before winter strikes, with the leaves turning and perfect temperatures — you will be in for a

Central Market Thrill of the Grill Plano, TX Saturday, May 16, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

Tiki Run Plano, TX Saturday, May 16, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

beyond beautiful run. The facility is open year round from 9am-4pm daily, you may choose to run the stairs of the venue or do some trail running around the venue’s 1 mile loop. The Amphitheater’s altitude of 6,400 feet offers a very challenging work out. Training like this really beautifully forces you to slow down and catch your breath, and pushes you to your limits. The venue will play host to a Yoga on the Rocks fitness series fixing to kick off in 2015 as well as a Red Rocks Fitness Challenge. Whether you are looking to just enjoy a new place to get in a work out or looking to experience running at altitude for the first time, resolve to book a destination jaunt in the new year!

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run Chicago, IL Saturday, May 30, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

Joe’s Run Fort Worth, TX Saturday, June 6, 2015 RACE WEBSITE

BUILDING UP BRICK BY BRICK Form Follows Fitness 5K and DCFA’s Foundation is Strong in 2015

By Cherilyn Wilson

nnouncing Blackson Brick Co. as premier sponsor of the 4th annual Form Follows Fitness 5K. Blackson’s slogan chimes; “Build Better with Blackson Brick” and we couldn’t agree more because just as any structure must be built up brick by brick, a runner needs a strong foundation to build upon step by step. We worked with Alma Darensburg, YMCA Fitness Trainer and Specialist for Endurance Athletes, on how to improve running form.

SHE’S A BRICK HOUSE!

Better running form follows fitness, so starting at the base and building from the ground up makes sense even to the nonarchitectural minded. “Improve your running economy by building your legs and core through sports-specific exercises for runners. Two must-do’s are Glute Bridges and Walking Lunges with high knees.”

GLUTE BRIDGE

Lie on back with knees at a 90 degree angle. Lift push hips through the floor with the heels. 15-20 reps. Benefits: Strengthens posterior chain (improves posture and avoid low back pain). As you get stronger add variations, keep challenging yourself.

WALKING LUNGES WITH HIGH KNEES Start with feet shoulder with apart. Lift the heel to the hamstring and glute (start simple by keeping hands on waist). Extend your leg forward and fall forward to a split position. Try to keep your trail knee from touching the ground. Push off your back foot and swing that back leg through and lift heel to the starting position. Keep your shoulders back and chest open. 10-15 reps, Benefits: Improves dynamic stability, torso strength, and lower body. Keep challenging yourself add weights, change hand position to behind head.

T-SHIRT DRAFTING & DESIGN CONTEST

Even if you’re not a future architect, maybe you are a little artistic! Last year’s contest was a great success so put your best foot forward and give it a go! Individuals may submit up to three designs (along with a separate entry form for each design). Designs must include the following: Race Name – “Form Follows Fitness 5K” Year – “2015” Dallas Center for Architecture Foundation (DCFA) Logo And lastly, create your t-shirt with a design reflective of the race’s identity…a run that stresses the importance of our local architecture in our daily lives.

THE PRIZE Dress to the 9’s! Run for FREE with 9 of your friends or coworkers all in your winning design! One winner will be selected to win the prize of free entry for a team of up to ten (10) runners, including up to ten (10) technical shirts featuring their winning design. The winning design will be used for DCFA’s 2015 Form Follows Fitness 5K participant technical shirt and/or other promotional items. Follow us on facebook for official rules coming soon.

BUILDING UP BRICK BY BRICK, CONT. “Most important is to always keep challenging your strength.” Darensburg coaches, “Keep your neuromuscular system stimulated by changing things up. Keep it guessing and it will work more efficiently.”

NOW YOU KNOW HOW YOUR STRUCTURE IS SUPPORTED BEFORE YOU RUN, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS 5K EVENT SUPPORTS?

The Form Follows Fitness 5K benefits the Dallas Center for Architecture who’s Foundation proudly supports our next generation of architects. Last year, the 5K event raised over $50,000 for the DCFA’s youth and scholarship programs while promoting health and the importance of urban life in the Dallas community. Since its founding more than five years ago, the DCFA has hosted more than 3,000 events and welcomed more than 30,000 people to its programs. The organization has also created a robust series of public programs to fulfill its mission of fostering the conversation about why architecture matters. The Form Follows Fitness 5K in particular brought together over 1,400 participants from all over the Dallas metro area in 2014, including families, children and competitive athletes and we’re already building on those numbers for 2015!

Race start is at 9:00 AM at Klyde Warren Park and the course is constructed to take participants on a tour of some of the most architecturally inspiring structures that have been built in Dallas over the last quarter century. Runners and walkers alike will pass the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, Fountain Place, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Hall, Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, Nasher Sculpture Garden, The Crescent and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. In addition to live music and a little physical exercise, attendees will enjoy food and drinks offered at many of the sponsors’ tents, as well as at the Dallas food trucks stationed around 2014 Urban Open Space Award Winning, Klyde Warren Park. Cool medals await all finishers and special awards will be given to: Fastest Team Largest Team and Highest Fundraising Team Best Dressed Team Male Overall Winner Female Overall Winner

Organized Social Runs, sponsored by La Fuess, are coming up quick! Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook for details!

Make like a skyscraper and reach for the stars! Start designing your race schedule for 2015. REGISTRATION is open!

4TH ANNUAL

February

Klyde Warren Park PRESENTED BY

RUN THROUGH THE FINEST ARCHITECTURE IN THE WORLD The Dallas Center for Architecture has designed one of Dallas’ best 5K events to showcase some of the city’s most impressive architectural icons. Sign up today! The 5K includes a fantastic dry fit shirt (one you will actually wear that looks slick), food and local craft brew.

FormFollowsFitness.com /FormFollowsFitness THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPON-

Craft Brew // Iconic Dallas Architecture Live Music, Food Trucks & More!

Get your Conference Group on the Road to Good Health A Trending Approach to Corporate Wellness

he convention run is coming! Lately, many Shortly after the first conference’s group national conferences are adding elements social run, the Design-Build Institute of America’s of fitness Design-Build Conference and health to their & Expo paired with event, allowing Captain Hope’s Kids to attendees to sign up put on a 5K race to start for extra activities the conference with a to get moving. A bang — of the starting recent conference gun, that is. Conference in the Dallas area attendees could register gave all attendees to race, and received a Fitbit device, a custom designed DBIA attendees braved the rain at the 4th annual Fun/Run. technical t-shirt, a race and challenged $3,000 was raised in support of Captain Hope’s Kids. each conference bib, and a finisher medal participant to when they crossed the reach at least 10,000 steps per day. In an attempt finish line. After a morning of severe weather, which to help get attendees moving, the conference nearly caused a race delay, over 60 participants provided a 5K group social run that all attendees rode a shuttle bus to Reverchon Park to do a quick could join, with groups for walkers, joggers, and group warm-up and run the 5K race on Dallas’ runners paced by local running gurus supplied well-known Katy Trail. Want to get in on the race at by DFWRUNS. At 6:00am, conference attendees the DBIA Conference & Expo in 2015 in beautiful started gathering sleepily in the host hotel lobby. San Antonio, Texas? Check out the Design-Build After a quick Zumba warm-up, hosted by Addison Institute of America at dbia.org or visit the 2015 Recreational and Athletic Club’s Zumba instructor Conference & Expo info page here. For more Jessica Kane, groups broke up and met their pace information about Captain Hope’s Kids, visit the leaders for a tour of downtown Dallas. For 3.1 website at captainhope.org. miles, participants ran or walked by the American This new trend of convention runs is really Airlines Center, through the Dallas Arts District, taking off. Conference attendees want to keep up past all the major downtown buildings, sites, and their healthy routines and are looking for ways to hotels, including the Joule’s “The EYE” sculpture, see more of the host cities, not remain stuck in and then headed back to the host hotel to shower breakout rooms. What a better way to give them and prep for a day of sessions. both a tour and exercise than a run event?

Are you interested in getting your group out to run? Call us today to get going! 214-339-7867

Live from the Streets IT’S BARE AS YOU DARE! By Brentney Hamilton

EDITORS NOTE: If you’re like most runners, chances are you fall into a route routine. You find a trail that just works, and your subsequent, obsessive repetition of it may bear its many splendored; the kid on rollerskates, dancing daily by the water stop outside the Katy Trail Ice House, the elderly lady you see all over the city, run-walking more miles than you’ll ever cover in a lifetime. What’s his story? What’s her deal? Welcome to “Live from the Streets,” a monthly sketch profiling characters that permeate the running community. With their day-glo colors and tenacious grimace, runners are the ultimate modern-day wild bunch. Maybe you’ll recognize a friend here. Perhaps you’ll even see yourself. Here, we salute the weird, wondrous men and women of the running community, those with the thrill of it deep down in their bones. Because, at the end of the day, don’t we all run to be wild?

he quiet and courteous tech-guy next door has a secret, and it ain’t a small one. That’s why he doesn’t mind letting it fly now and again when he leaves behind his more uptight road runner friends for the great outdoors… of a Naturist Society. Beneath the Oxford shirts and pleated dress pants he dons in everyday life, resides a wild runner man, with pieces of metal and/or ink delicately adorning his body canvas. With that much attention to the finer details of a runner’s sculpted physique, sometimes you’ve got to let it shine through for all the world to see. Oh, and the rumor about that one piercing? Well, you’d see for yourself if you followed him out of urban dreck into one of the region’s lovely Naturist preserves — they’re not just a rumor you heard at sleep away camp; there are actually four within driving distance! And, here’s a schedule of their quarterly 5K, 10K, and half trail races. Just, where do you pin the bib…? Ask your friend Bare As You Dare because this runner is confident, cool, and happy to let it all hang out when he jaunts through the hills and spills of an all-nude race. “I’d worry about chafing,” you say over civilized coffee when he returns. “And, bouncing?! Everything must bounce! Do the race packets include Calamine Lotion? Where do you stash your Gu?!” Bare As You Dare laughs gently and kindly pities you who will never know the joys of running like Mother Nature intended. He proudly flashes a few scratches on his derrière, the bragging rights of the bold. Not to be pinned in by the strictures of societal constructs — or shorts, for that matter — this runner knows that life’s a little sweeter when he’s living it on his terms.

15 Mile, 10K, 5K, 1500 Meter & Yeti Challenge GEAR

JANUARY 24, 2015 ARLINGTON, TX

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1500

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15 MILE

YETI

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Drag Racer

Racing Against the Alarm Clock By Ross Dwulet

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* mmediately the only thing I want in the world is to go back to sleep. The only obstacle in the way of my pure morning happiness… The Girlfriend. She has decided, once again, that it is a necessity for us to wake up at some ridiculous hour to run. That’s right I said it… run! When all my body wants to do is not move, she wants me to run farther then I will probably drive all day.

-WaitWhat just happened… she turned the alarm off? Is today my lucky day? Am I going to be able to go back to sleep? I watch her closely as she plays with my emotions, “pretending” to sleep. She is a sly one. No way has she really gone back to sleep. Just as I think everything is safe and am drifting back to sleep…

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* … I open my eyes and… BAM!! It’s her da… I mean… beautiful face in mine. She looks as excited as I was to see her turn off the alarm. The rest of the morning is kind of a blur. Sometimes I’m surprised to see that I was able to dress myself correctly. By correctly, I mean two socks (not always the same), some sort of shirt and of course shoes. Calm down… I’m wearing pants as well. But it is finally time. Time for the race. The moment I have been waiting for before I even knew I was waiting. The announcer is doing the best he can to pump me up, but little does he know I AM IN THE ZONE! Nothing can stop me! Until that is… the race starts, and everybody passes me. But do not fear! I am a beast… not that beasts run….but none the less I am one. Finally I start to feel the fatigue. This is the point at the race when I feel like I must have run 10 miles (*note: we are only running a 10k). I turn to The Girlfriend and ask in the most encouraging and manly

voice possible, “we must be more than half way right?” She turns to me and says (with a confused look on her face), “we haven’t even made it a mile yet.” OH NO! Can she be right? Not a chance, I think as I pass the 1 mile marker completely unaware. Luckily here is where my body kicks in to survival mode, because I know and you know that I did not train for this race (even though I may have told her I did). As I am thinking of complete nothingness, because yes it hurts to think, she turns to me and says “almost there”. HUH? There it is. At this point, I catch my second… no dare I say it… my third wind. I take off in a full blown sprint (which amazingly somehow she is keeping up with me. Oh well). Success. Even though the morning started out rough, it’s at this moment that I turn to her with a feeling of accomplishment and all I can do is smile. That is the reason why I let her “drag” me to these races. Set your 2015 goals. Set your alarm. Get up, get at it and why not drag someone out with you this year? Not only will you look cute in new, matching t-shirts, but they’ll love you for it. *Disclaimer: I obviously beat her to the finish line and if she says different you will know she is lying.

Visit www.MonsterSeries.org to register!

Sponsorship Highlight

ASICS REWARDS LOYAL PUB RUN SERIES ATTENDEES

angle the promise of a “major award” before most runners, and there’s no doubt you’ll cultivate a little friendly competition. That was precisely our plan when we devised the Pub Run Series Loyalty Program. Throughout 2014, we’d offer regular awards to those who attended 1, 3, 6, 9, and all 12 Pub Run events. We knew that the year-ending prize — available only to those who’d made to every single Pub Run — had to be epic. That’s where our friends at ASICS stepped in. We’ve made it to December, we’re tallying up the results, and the boldest, most-dedicated Pub Runners will run away with a brand new pair of ASICS shoes on their feet. But, that’s just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to a relationship that just “gels,” which is exactly what you’d expect with ASICS’ signature gel cushioning system. The company’s local rep joined us throughout the year with a branded tent onsite and fun giveaways, like pint glasses and sack packs, to

get the ASICS name out there. The company also provided branded tech shirts that were customprinted and awarded to 9-time loyalty program participants who can show off their flair in a shirt by an industry leader. By design, Pub Run Series appeals to a range of runners, and during any given month, Pub Runners include everyone from Boston-qualifying marathon machines to newbies still clocking in their first few weeks of run/walking. Guess pretty much everyone likes running when there’s beer involved! ASICS’ presence at Pub Runs meant the company could regularly offer free wear-tests. That meant getting the product off the shelves and onto the feet of those about to embark on an easy, low-key run. This is, of course, a great way to show off a substantial running shoe to those who maybe haven’t yet tried higher-level running shoe technology or who haven’t yet ventured into a specialty running store. But, when the flagship stability shoe, the GT 2000, updated in November, the rep also got to get the newest, flashiest, sweetest version on those who already know and love the brand.

SOCIAL RUN & WALK • BEERS & TASTY GRUB

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

GADGETS, GEAR AND UNSOLICITED ADVICE

YOU CAN’T REWRITE THE PAST, BUT YOU CAN REVISION!

n a flight to my home state, California, I November and looked forward to one of my favorite copiously wrote my monthly article for On authors Adam Pitluck. His November article titled Your Left!; the due “I’ll be on Your Side”, really date was upon me. The hit home as he eloquently original premise of the opened up about keeping article was to promote his deadline for his monthly getting a jump start on article and how the original 2015 fitness goals. It one he wrote for that very was going to get you space was not very good pumped up for the New so he re-wrote it. “When a Year. (So, do that, and column isn’t right for your start today; you’ll be the readership and for the better for it, and no need mindset of said readership, to wait until January 1st then what you have is bad to start a new training or writing, plain and simple. running program. Get a And bad writing needs to jump start before the rush An old family photo of Sharon’s grandmother; be cast out of the garden, Alice Banda Ortiz (2nd from right), with her mother, forced forever to walk the of the New Year; you’ll sisters and cousins. thank yourself!) land of Nod.” The article Five days prior to that goes on to give ‘Thanks’ to writing goal, however, my grandmother passed the Thanksgiving holiday this month which is his away. favorite because he is a 2nd generation grandson to It was not unexpected, but as it is when you holocaust survivors and he swells with American lose someone dear to you; still rushes upon pride and living in the USA. you suddenly. Nobody can ever plan for how I too had an ok article but it wasn’t right for the ‘quickly’ the circle of life progresses in an instant. season — everyone knows or at least is aware of Suddenly, I was forced to stop, everything. Time how important fitness is and starting new goals was suspended so I could be present for my family at the beginning of the year is really nothing new. during this difficult time. At the heart of goalkeeping is to stay fit yearMy plan complete the original article on the round and, furthermore, that fitness goes beyond two hour fight and check another task off my physical. In order to be truly ‘fit’, a person should professional list faded. Honestly, the article topic also be mentally, spiritually and emotionally fit in soon seemed trite in light of all the emotions so order to focus properly on the physical. I closed my iPad, landed in LA and never looked It’s important to stop during the holidays, to back at what was written. spend time with family. But in lieu of the recent On the flight home four days later, I eagerly Thanksgiving holiday, have you ever considered the opened up the American Way inflight magazine for importance diving into the history of your families

GADGETS, GEAR AND UNSOLICITED ADVICE, CONT. ‘pilgrimage’? How did we all arrive here? I ask this question because my grandmother is a second generation California girl and because there’s been talk that we came from Spain, and other European countries, many of us in the family have often asked, “Where do we come from?” I’ve always been curious. Four years ago my grandmother gave me one of her favorite photos. It captures her alongside her mother, four sisters and two cousins, all dressed in their Sunday best. In the background, an old dusty field sets the tone of what could be any farm in Bakersfield I could’ve easily unknowingly passed at some point in my life. She’s told me the stories of their migrant farming life in Bakersfield, Porterville, and other Central Valley California locations. As soon as she was old enough to be on her own, she set off for Los Angeles with her sister and brother in hopes of finding a better “Take care of yourself. way of life. Though she talked fondly Mentally, spiritually of many vibrant and physically. memories of her early childhood, Surround yourself was also a with people who take she City girl and liked care of you as well.” to be where the – Mama Zara action was! She mentioned her parents originally landed in Texas and then set off for California, and I’ve always wondered, who are they, when did they get here, what is our lineage? Since my grandmother was the second youngest

and all of her siblings have passed before, the history of her immediate family rests with her now. Immediately upon arriving back in Dallas, I stayed up until 3am the following day searching the 1930 census, genealogy searches and other online records, scouring for any record I could find. As fortunate as many immigrants who went in search of gold in the early 1900’s, I came across gold too on a 1930 census site. I found my grandparents Crencencio & Maria’s record. One of the most interesting facts was sifted from their immigration information. They came here from Mexico in 1914, exactly 100 years this year. I am so thankful that they went in search for a better life, like my grandmother; they were adventurous and took a chance into the unknown. I am committed to learning more about my family’s pilgrimage and rich history of where we came from. My grandmother would be proud for me to pass this onto future family generations so that in another hundred years from now (2114), they’ll have two-hundred years of history to reflect back on! So while this article isn’t exactly about ‘running’ or fitness; I wanted to share with you the inspiration and unsolicited advice of spending time with your family this holiday. I encourage you to ask about your family history. Immerse yourself in your holiday traditions, pay attention to your needs and don’t get caught up in the ‘artificialness’ of the holiday that the stores push on us. Be spiritually fit and it will propel you in all other areas of your life. – Sharon Lindberg

THRILL OF THE GRILL 5K

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 REGISTER NOW

GRILL & CHILL! RUN OR WALK HOT BREAKFAST

Provided by Central Market

SWAG! Dry-Fit Technical Shirt Benefiting

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BACKYARD BBQ PARTY & LIVE JAMS

/thrillofthegrill

Doc in the Box DECEMBER HIBERNATION: TIME FOR A CAT NAP nd of daylight savings time. Five dark thirty o’clock. Polar vortex. Peppermint mocha and hot chocolate. It all makes me want to curl up in a ball under the covers for a long winter nap. The more I think about it, bears and other hibernators have the right idea to den up for the winter. Yellowstone National Park reports that the “denning” period for their grizzly bears averages about five months! Believe it or not though bears aren’t actually true hibernators — but woodchucks are! Their body temp drops to about half of the normal waking state and those little critters can’t be aroused when they slumber no matter how much you tickle them! Grizzly bears, on the other hand, only lose about 12 degrees from their body temperature during dormant times and are easily wakened by unsuspecting visitors to their dens. In his book, Grizzly Bears, Gary Turbak writes that some grizzlies wake periodically for a mid-winter snack or forgo hibernation altogether if food supplies are plentiful enough. Big animals tend to not need as much sleep. Bears in cold climates are actually awake for

almost twenty hours a day in summer and fall stocking up for their long winter hiatus. Giraffes can go for weeks without sleep. Cows, horses, and elephants sleep less than four hours a day! Smaller animals, on the other hand need more sleep. (See Exhibit A of kitty-cat nap.) Brown bats (ewww!) sleep nearly all day long. What about humans? (I’m small… maybe I really do need more sleep!) The National Sleep Foundation says there really is “no magic number” and that sleep needs vary from individual to individual depending on age and circumstance. As a general thought, newborns from 0-2 months sleep on average 12-18 hours a day, infants from 3-11 months close their eyes for 14-15 hours a day, toddlers from 1-3 years old konk out for 12-14 hours, preschoolers age 3-5 slumber 11-13 hours, school aged kiddos 5-10 years old hit the sack for 10-11 hours, teens age 11-17 only need 8.5-9.5 hours of the sandman, and adults over 18 hit the hay for their needed 7-9 hours. The Sleep Foundation experts say that there is first a “basal sleep need” which is the amount of sleep a body needs on a regular basis for optimal performance. The list of benefits of a

JOHNSON PHOTO BY: SPENCER FREEMAN

By Holly Johnson, M.D.

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PIck It and Flick It! By Holly Johnson, M.D.

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They say that doctors make the worst patients. In Pick It and Flick It, Holly Johnson, M.D. affirms that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be that way as she shares the emotional, spiritual, and physical reality of how she conquered a potentially devastating diagnosis and kept away the demons of hopelessness, uncertainty, and fear that commonly paralyze any person who is faced with a life-altering event. In this true story of doctor-turned-patient, she squashes her inner enemies with a hit of humor, a punch of grace, and a few temporary tattoos. Written just for you, Dr. Johnson shares her own prescription for healing that she wrote when her body staged a revolution so she could undergo an evolution.

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DOC IN THE BOX, CONT.

good night of sleep goes on forever. Who can argue that sleep improves our mood, alertness, and memory? We are less stressed and less grouchy when we sleep well. It is easier to maintain a healthy weight and we perform better in athletics (running included) when we are blessed with a great slumber. Then there is something called “sleep debt” which is an accumulation of sleep lost from poor sleeping habits, illness, and awakenings in the middle of the night. When sleep debt is added to our natural circadian rhythm, humans experience decreased alertness and increased sleepiness during certain times of the day. When we get too little sleep we risk driving while drowsy — not a good combination. We can get “What about too much chubbier when we aren’t sleeping sleep? Is that even well which possible? (God, I hope increases the risk not, because I love to of diabetes and heart problems. sleep!)” Too little sleep can depress us and increase the chance of substance abuse. Also, we don’t learn as well when we are tired because our brains scream for rest and can’t pay attention to store information. What about too much sleep? Is that even possible? (God, I hope not, because I love to sleep!) “Researchers caution that there is not a definite conclusion that getting more than nine 2 hours of sleep per night is consistently linked with health problems and/or mortality in adults,

while short sleep (4-5 hours) has been linked to both these consequences in numerous studies.” How can we all get a better night of shut eye? Set up a consistent sleep and wake time — yes, even on weekends! Use the bed only for sleep and… well, you know… not TV. Make the bedroom a sanctuary with a great mattress, comfy sheets, and pillows. A dark, cool, quiet bedroom is a must. Create a relaxing bedtime ritual with something like a bath, a good book, anything that relaxes you (again without screen time! No computer, no TV, no phone, no iPad.). Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. Exercise regularly. If you aren’t asleep within twenty minutes, get out of bed and try something else that relaxes you… hang tinsel, lay on the couch and turn on only the white lights on the tree while you count your merry blessings, play some Christmas music. I am getting sleepy just thinking and writing about sleep and rest. I wonder, what if I just sit down, indulge in some quiet time, and rest? Is that just as good as logging in an hour of sleep? Is rest any different than sleep? Do we need both? Before I answer that, I think I will first take a nap… To be continued… Please Note: The info in this article is not a substitute for medical advice from your own physician. Dr. Johnson and OYL! are not responsible for rubbing your head as part of your bedtime ritual, for getting you up if your alarm doesn’t wake you, or for determining how much sleep you really need. We just know you need it… you are getting grouchy. Now, go take a nap. Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

Race Director's Block

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES OF A RACE DIRECTOR: CASE 101814

By Jessica Kane

oin me for an intriguing edition of Unsolved Mysteries of a Race Director. Perhaps you can help solve a mystery. It was the October of 2014 and it was Jessica’s second year managing the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run in Austin. Things couldn’t be any greater for her event. No government shutdown this time. All appropriate arrangements for trash cleanup were made, so nothing exploded this time. More than enough volunteers had been recruited. This was going to be the ZERO – Austin event to top all events. Everything flowed smoothly on race morning. Around 600 runners, 20+ vendors, and an abundance of volunteers were onsite and on task. The sun was shining, music was bumpin, sounds of laughter and celebrating finishers spread across the Camp Mabry Parade Field. The Rahr & Sons kegs were tapped and Bloody Buddy’s Bloody Marys were chillin’. SUCCESS! It wasn’t until the morning after the race when Jessica received a call from their tent rental company with scandalous information. The company had collected all of the rental items from the event — the exact amount of chairs, tables, and meticulously matching tents, except for one. One of the tents was not actually the rental company’s property. It still had a white covering

and the same 10x10 dimensions as their other tents, but apparently a slightly different canopy shape. They requested Jessica verify who switched out the tent and to return the original tent. Jessica was slightly baffled by this occurrence. It seemed impossible that such a thing could happen. All of their vendors that had brought their own tent had colored canopies. Absurdly, if someone were to switch tents, they’d have to change the canopies under the observation of over 600 people in broad daylight. Regardless, Jessica spent hours reaching out to all volunteers, vendors, and sponsors asking if someone ended up with the wrong tent or if they saw anything out of the ordinary. After two weeks of questioning many people, there were still no answers or leads. The case was going cold. In the end, the rental company was financially reimbursed for the “wrong” tent. Jessica and her team remain muddled. Some speculate an alien abduction the night before the race. Others are wary of those women from the beach who are crafty to steal people’s tents. We just may never know. But for every mystery, there is someone, somewhere, who knows the truth. Perhaps that someone is reading this right now. Perhaps… it’s you. If you have any information on this case, write to us at Unsolved Mysteries of a Race Director… You need not give your name.

Fist Bumps and High Fives

LIVE FROM THE STREETS, IT’S MIRANDA HARPER!

By Cherilyn Wilson

hroughout this year, we have brushed up against strokes of genius through a kaleidoscope of volunteers, generous professionals and committed promotional workers. For this, our last fist bump and high five of 2014, we proudly thank unique artist, Miranda Harper, for sharing her talents through OYL’s “Live from the Streets” column. Harper’s vibrant personality shines brightly through eccentric running characters from Mr. Shorty Shorts’ in his flashy swishswashies to the skin tones of smooth runner, Bare As_ You Dare. Harper’s watercolor and ink artwork fittingly painted the picture of our wild world of running. By profession, Miranda is a Graphic Designer. By design, she is exceedingly more colorful. Her pallet holds such an array hobbies in addition to her career that it’s almost comical. Dipping in cosplay, she boldly states, “Comi Con is my favorite thing ever.” When applied like a good coat of primer to a clean canvas, putting on a good trench coat like the Crimson Avenger can compliment any artists’ resumé. It’s nothing sketchy — her portmanteau diversion of costume play sets the stage for her role in the performing arts as costume maker and further illustrates her collage of aptitudes. Miranda enjoyed

outfitting some Renaissance Faire attendees this year and don’t even get her started on Halloween! Like to run in costume? We might know a gal. It didn’t take us long to recognize her talent, but when did Miranda realize she had a gift? In high school, her charcoal drawing of a great white shark was put on display in the library and within two days, it was stolen. “That’s when I knew,” she declares, “I had made it in the art world.” She has been the Alex Ross of our ezine, the young, hot little pony-tailed spirit of Jack Kirby to the column. Our “Live from the Streets” runners were not endowed with x-ray vision or superhuman flight, but Harper brought to life those running heroes among us — those who save us from the ordinary, from the masses corralled together in their Nike garanimals, and the tiresome trainers looping the lake, again. Her donated work supported their stories like Mid Riff Mama’s most crucial piece of race day ensemble, so join us in putting out a big Hulk fistbump and a give her Super high-five. It seems customary to pause at the end of each year and take a look back, so this is your cue to visit our archives at dfwruns.com/ezine and Marvel at some of her best work.

Share your talents with the world through our ezine (distributed to over 94K peope!) Write us at: info@oylmarketing.com

Abby Road

LOOKING BACK, BUT MOVING FORWARD! By Abigail Werner

y first column came out on May 8, 2012 — aka my 12.5 birthday. Last month, I turned 15. I’ve grown with this column. I started out as an exactly 12.5 year old writer excited to be starting something new. I was elated when Eric liked the idea that my Dad pitched to him about a young runner/writer for On Your Left! This column and the thrill of running pushed me to do track in intermediate school, and into cross country and track in middle school. This may seem really “I’ve missed having dumb, but whenever I sore muscles and was lapped in a track meet one of the things too many race that helped keep shirts to count… me positive was the thought that maybe {but mostly} I’ve me writing about missed meeting pushing through my failure would motivate all of the inc someone like me to redible people at do the same. The people I’ve met and the the races…” things I’ve experienced because of this column are all absolutely amazing. On Your Left! has been so kind to allow me to be extremely flexible in my columns and letting me continue even as I’ve gotten busier and busier. Now that I’m in high school, I’m already starting to think about college. Since my parents went to Austin College, a small private school, I’m pretty much impartial to all

Abby Werner at the Central Market Thrill of the Grill 5K in May of 2012. schools at the moment. All I know I know is that I want to stay in Texas and within a few hours of my family. This column will help “package” me and might help me get into whichever school I decide on. So, in honor of all On Your Left! has done for me, I’m going to try even harder to get back to why they wanted me to start writing in the first place. To run.

COMPLIMENTS DEPARTMENT

As you know DFWRUNS manages events in cities, both big and small, all over the country. Citizens and businesses complain about streets being closed or blocked because of an active lifestyle event. On the contrary, these events not only raise property values, drive customers and awareness of local business and increase the quality of life for all citizens, but rarely impact traffic or day-to-day business so early in the morning. There are many more positives too, and we need to continue to hear them from you because a lot of the cities are not listening. Help to shut down the COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT! Thank you for your continuous COMPLIMENTS throughout 2014. We want and need you to continue sending in this form after every race, even it if it is not one DFWRUNS markets or manages!

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Texas is known for many things. One of those things is its bipolar weather. Only in Texas is it snowing on Sunday and 70 degrees on Tuesday. On top of that, marching band is over for the year and my teachers haven’t been giving an insane amount of homework. If 70 degrees and not much homework isn’t a call to run, I don’t know what is! I’m trying my hardest to get back into shape, which means that in addition to running around my neighborhood and along some familiar trails, I’ve also included my arch nemesis, hills. There’s this semi-large hill at the nature park which connects to the trail I run on, so I’ve been hitting that hill more than my muscles would like. I’ve also been trying to run on grass some too in order to avoid injuries commonly related to running exclusively on concrete. I’ve yet to get shin-splints and really don’t want to break that streak! Due to the early darkness of winter, my parents’ rules are that I must run before 5 or go with my friend, Dawson. Like me, Dawson is a freshman and lives in the neighborhood. This is the first time I’ve ever consistently run with a buddy, and I like it. It’s nice to have someone to talk to and keep pace with. Though I think he sometimes gets annoyed by how slow I go, he might also be a little appreciative that I’m the one getting him out to run. I’ve noticed I also go farther when I run with him because he’s pushing me to run just that little bit more. I may not always like it at the time but I know in the long run it’s what is best. It feels fabulous to get back into the running swing again, and I’m hoping to catch a few 5ks at the beginning of the year. I’ve missed having sore muscles and too many race t-shirts to count. I think the things I’ve missed most though is meeting all of the incredible people at the races and expanding my running family. I hope everyone has very Happy Holidays and I look forward to seeing many of you at the 5ks to work off those holiday calories!

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