June 2014

Official Publication of

JUNE 2014

T unes by tt Jimmy Buffe Tribute Band

No Winner Runs Alone. No Brother Fights Alone.

Join Rahr in support of your Local Heroes

A Better Father’s Day Celebrating the Sound of Pittar-Pattering Feet

Sun! Fun! Run! Done!

Joe’s Run 5K/10K rises above the summer temps!

Here We Grow Again!

Volunteer!

Join Our Mail L ist Saturday, June 7 Register Now!

Introducing Manager of Running with Ideas, Brentney Hamilton!

DOC IN THE BOX June Rx: Celebrate National Trails Day

By Holly Johnson, M.D.

Letter from the Editor Chief Running Officer, Eric Lindberg

FROM RESOLUTIONS TO RIVALRIES Where did May go? Was it even here? I can’t believe how fast 2014 is going by. It seems like just last week Brandon and I were running all over DFW for our #ResolutionRevolution. Running with the Road Runners Club of Little Elm was as cool as January, but has Father Time been replaced with Usain Bolt?

And the first half of the year isn’t even our busiest half!

To quickly recap last month, we ignited the grilling season with the Central Market Thrill of the Grill and the Greek God Dean Karnazes, raised our pint glasses at two Rahr Oktoberfest social runs, had another round with the Pub Run Series and our friends at Dallas Sport and Social, jetted off to Chicago for the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, wrapped tortillas around the Cinco De Miler and jousted our way through the Mother’s Day Mudfest that is the Gladiator Rock’N Run. To top it off we hired two new staff in Elizabeth Jones and Brentney Hamilton, plus we also locked in two new active lifestyle clients, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department and IMG College!

This world record pace will continue to be of the essence as we launch the 4th of July themed and creative distances for the Dallas Park & Recreation Department’s Dallas 7/4. As you can already tell, the numbers 7 and 4 will play a unique role in the race which will take place on 7/4 each year. Equally unique are the 7K and 4K distance and the 7:40 AM start time. We are even kicking around the idea of separating the age group categories

“Plus, with all the options available, it helps to make us a fitter Dallas.”

All our unique events are listed at dfwruns.com/events. Call on our awesome staff to put your ideas into motion 214-339-7867.

OWNERS & EDITORS IN CHIEF into 7 year increments and offering awards to the top 4 in each category. Make sure to mark the new race on your calendar and register at www.Dallas74.com.

Speeding down the gridiron, we are also very happy to announce that OYL will be producing the OFFICIAL 5K of the annual Red River Showdown between the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma. The Red River Showdown 5K will be hosted at one of the most historic country western dance halls in the metroplex and will kick off the weekend party on Friday, October 10. Yes we said Friday! The race will start at 6:00 PM with the tailgate party starting promptly at 6:01 PM. Of course you will be able to choose your team (or just run and party) and lay it all on the line to either Hook’Em Horns or Boomer Sooner. And we are in talks to refuel each of you with an Earl Campbell Hot Link and a side of Billy Sims BBQ sauce.

Now if that doesn’t say Red River Showdown I don’t know what does! Details and registration will open very soon at www.RivalryRuns.com.

Did I miss anything? Probably, but at this rate June 2015 will be here faster than Meb in Boston! The overall growth of active lifestyle events (not just ours) in DFW has been tremendous. That is a great thing for you in that competition creates quality and our customers are the ones who benefit. Plus, with all the options available it helps to make us a fitter Dallas. Keep up the great work everyone!

– Eric Lindberg

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 Brentney Hamilton brentneyh@oylmarketing.com

CATCH US! (IF YOU CAN)

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

WHO’S SHOUTING “On Your Left!”?

No Winner Runs Alone. No Brother Fights Alone.

Join Rahr & Sons Brewery in Support of Your Local Heroes

R

ing the alarms early on September 27 because No Brother Fights Alone foundation is this year’s beneficiary of the Rahr Oktoberfest 5K. NBFA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to financially assisting Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding area firefighters who become severely sick or injured outside of the line of duty.

Unfortunately, if an injury occurs while off duty, firefighters are left to fight alone. Who rescues the 15 year veteran of the fire service, married with two children, when he is diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma cancer? No Brother Fights Alone provides financial assistance on a case by case basis in effort to make sure the brotherhood of the fire service stays strong. You can help just by registering to do what fuels your fire —RUN!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Register for the Rahr Oktoberfest 5K and visit the NBFA FACEBOOK page to learn more and other ways you can help.

DFWRUNS National Running Day Celebration Wednesday, June 4, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Joe’s Run Ft. Worth, TX Saturday, June 7, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Dad’s Day 5K Houston, TX Saturday, June 14, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Pub Run Social Run Dallas, TX Thursday, June 19, 2014 VIEW DETAILS

'MERICA! GET YOUR POPSICLES RUNNING FOR THE 4TH OF JULY SOCIAL RUN

HAVE FUN WHILE GETTING READY FOR RACE DAY

SEPTEMBER 27 TH

UGLY PUGS N’ PANCAKES SOCIAL RUN

Run. Party.

A Better Father's Day

Celebrating the Sound of Pittar-Pattering Feet

By Jason Jacobs

R

UPCOMING EVENTS

unning was never my thing.

I have been a personal trainer and yoga instructor.

I was a fairly decent practitioner of Jiu Jitsu. I have always been “athletic” but marriage and fatherhood had allowed me to become comfortable and inactive. Then the unimaginable happened. My son Caleb died.

I have four amazing kids and one unbelievable wife.

The kids are 17, 6, 4 and 2. Caleb would have been the four-year-old. He was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease which left his heart and lungs unable to function. He passed away September 19, 2012 at the age of 2 and a half. It was

a Wednesday and it has proven to be the toughest day I’ve had yet.

Fast forward to December 2013. I am 35 years old and I don’t think I am living with purpose. Caleb’s death rocked me to my foundation. I knew God was faithful and I knew I needed to be/do something different. Being the heaviest I had ever been, high blood pressure, and generally feeling run down had finally pushed me over the edge. I found a program

LOS ANGELES • 2014 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run Los Angeles, CA Saturday, June 21, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Dallas 7k/4k Dallas, TX Friday, July 4, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Rahr Oktoberfest Social Run Ft. Worth, TX Saturday, July 5, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Pub Run Social Run Dallas, TX Thursday, July 17, 2014 VIEW DETAILS

Rahr Oktoberfest Social Run Ft. Worth, TX Saturday, August 2, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

Pub Run Social Run Dallas, TX Thursday, August 14, 2014 VIEW DETAILS

COMPLIMENTS DEPARTMENT

Send us your compliments for our running events (or any other races) you’ve done recently.

CENTRAL MARKET THRILL OF THE GRILL 5K CITY: Plano, TX

COMPLIMENT: The event was very organized and enough lane closure and police presence that I felt safe running even on the George Bush road!

COMPLIMENT: Great course, great food, great event!

COMPLIMENT: Love the band, Love the sponsors — Really an Awesome 5K with fun at the finish line!

COMPLIMENT: Very well organized, and the breakfast & coffee provided by Central Market was outstanding. Kudos.

COMPLIMENT: Event was well coordinated!

Smooth course and awesome vendors!

COMPLIMENTS FORM

LOS ANGELES • 2014

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run Tampa, FL Saturday,September 6, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

LOS ANGELES • 2014

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run Napa, CA Sunday,September 7, 2014 RACE WEBSITE

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

online called SealFit based in California. In one of the programs, the founder Mark Divine, talked about pushing people to their physical limit in order to find those foundational motivations. I wanted that. I wanted a purpose. Funny thing is, the program is so intense Mark recommends either completing a marathon or half Ironman before attempting his program!

I now had a reason to get out of bed. A purpose.

I figured I could complete a marathon because the running could be completed in the early morning and not take time away from the family. The first task was simply to run two miles. In January I began training for my first race — a half marathon. My pace started out around 12 minutes per mile. I developed a training schedule that included some kettle bell and yoga. On March 23, 2014 I completed the half with a 2:08:13. Now my sights are set on a full marathon in December.

Since running on a regular basis, I know I am a better dad and husband. Before I started running I felt stuck. I had a hard time engaging with the kids, I had little patience and I don’t really think I was doing a good job processing Caleb’s death. Now I have the energy and desire to get down on the kids level and play restaurant or soccer. I have the clarity and headspace to continue in my journey of grief. Oh yeah, and I lost that 20 pounds. I am a better person when I run. I was definitely wrong. I am a runner.

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Rise e r i l y n W i l s o n K 0 1 5K/

By Ch

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ummer 2014 is beaming with SSaavvee brilliant ways to slow down a little, enjoy a Margaritaville pace, and keep your stamina intact through ‘til fall. With June 4th, being National Running Day, there’s no better time to pick from our many events and SAVE $5 on any or all of them! Use code “NRD” when registering online to automatically receive your $5 discount on adult registration now through the end of this month. It’s just one way we’re helping you melt the calories and keep fit through the summer.

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Included in this National Running Day deal is the Fort Worth favorite, Joe’s Run 5K/10K. Though many come for the speedy, flat course along the Trinity River with the beautifully heavy, hand-carved parrot trophy in their sights, this race is for all ages, sizes and shapes. Flocks of runners and walkers fly south each summer wearing brightly colored sunglasses, grass skirts and decorated hats. Tropical shirts and vibrant lays light the horizon on race morning.

Everyone who toes the line brings a boisterous appetite for either the hot competition or cool treats & cold brews. Either way, it’s a win win!

Serves Up Dude!

Taste-tempting island fare will be served — Burgers, Padrinos tamales, and samplings from Corner Bakery, to name only a few. Joe’s Run has again partnered with Rahr & Sons Brewery to serve up cold Rahr beer at the finisher’s beach bash! Chow Volunteer! down, gulp down and get down to this year’s band, Island Daze ­— anchored by Join Our Mail L ist the Caribbean sound of Sue’s steel pans, The trio performs tropical songs, Register Now! including Jimmy Buffett’s music and other familiar island tunes.

Even if You Wear C Nothin’ ontact Us but Sunscreen & Shades!

Get ‘em at Walgreen’s (on the corner of Summer & Parrot-Dise)! Grab all your running needs like water, sunglasses and sunblock before heading down to Panther Island Pavilion June 7th. Wear your leis and coconut brazier to the run because all participants will receive a ‘Cheezeburgerz ‘N Parrot-Dise shirt and beach ball to complete the look!

ANSWER THESE THREE HEATED QUESTIONS

If you logged onto any Texas race event calendar last month, you likely overused your scrollbar scanning multiple pages of May 5K, 10K and Half Marathon choices. Return to the same calendar sites this month, however, and you may view all of the summer’s race listings without moving your screen. Why is it that you don’t, so often, beat your feet on the street in the heat?

TAKE SURVEY

SUN. FUN. RUN. DONE!, CONT.

REGISTER TODAY and support the Fort Worth community along with local businesses like Colonial Savings who are dedicated to your success.

The event benefits Samaritan House which provides much needed housing and resources in the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other special needs.

Samaritan House, located in Fort Worth is a Texas nonprofit, 501(c) 3 agency providing valuable services for people in the area for more than 20 years.

Cock-a-Doodle Do this Race!

Rise and sh-Wine! The Joe’s Run 5K begins early at 8am but Rex Goliath Wines will be there as the sun is coming up because they’re one of the big sponsors who’ll be onsite with all kinds of free stuff, including samples! Speaking of “big”, do you know the story behind the rooster on their bottles?

“At the turn of the 20th century, HRM (His Royal Majesty) Rex Goliath, was the treasured attraction of a Texas circus. People came from far and

wide to behold the 47 lb. bird, billed as the “World’s Largest Rooster.” (47 lbs??

That’s the same as an average 6 year old child!

Or two bicycles!) The Rex Goliath wine label replicates Volunteer! the one-of-a-kind vintage artwork from the circus banner that hung above Rex’s roost, and proudly honors Join Our Mail L ist Rex with premium varietal wines. These wines are a tribute to Rex’s larger-thanlife personality, with bold, Register Now! fruit-forward flavors that are sure to please. In essence, Rex is all about letting BOLD fruit flavors express themselves in an easy-to-drink, worry-free fashion.” Bold Wines. Fun Times! tact Us Con

Two Tickets to Parrot-Dise!

Experience Cheeseburgerz in Parrot-Dise beyond race day!

You are automatically entered to win a pair of tickets to see Jimmy Buffett live when you sign up!

“I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes, a big kosher pickle and a cold draught beer. Well, good God Almighty! Which way do I steer?”

Steer your curser right over to joesrunfw.com before that big, orange ball sinks in the water because Online Registration closes Friday June 6, 2014 at 12:00 Noon!

GIMME JIMMY!

Here We Grow Again!

Introducing Manager of Running with Ideas, Brentney Hamilton

L

ike lots of weird kids growing up in strangelynamed small Texas towns, Brentney Hamilton felt out-ofplace in Telephone, Texas (Pop: 199). So the millisecond she could, she jetted out for the bright lights of Big D, earning a creative writing degree from Southern Methodist University along the way. While that was surely enough to secure her “eternally unemployable” status, she further lashed herself with another degree in the humanities — a master’s in religious studies from Harvard University — for good measure.

Since she had nothing better going on, on account of the above, she took up an old passion: Distance running. But, she soon realized that the socially anxious kid who came in dead last at more than a few high school Cross Country meets was now not only among other weirdos in Dallas’ running community, but also pretty competitive on a local level. A wall full of age group awards and half marathon medals later, she took over as

Social Run Coordinator at Run On! and expanded her Egg-Head tendencies to include a meticulous fluency in running shoe tech. Add that to a scoop on the burgeoning DFW craft beer scene (honed by stints at the Dallas Observer and the Dallas Morning News), and you’ve got B to a T. These days, she lives under a pile of books and articles of running gear with an Italian Greyhound, Shelby, who is more of a sprinter than a marathoner. Brentney joins the On Your Left! team with a closet full of holiday-themed social run costumes; a passion for elegantly-placed semicolons; and, unconventional brainstorms that are way too big for a small town girl’s britches.

That’s why you can call her Little Big Time, Manager of Running with Ideas.

Call Brentney at 214-339-7867 to run your outrageous ideas past her and she’ll make sure your event makes it big time.

July 4th * Independence * Freedom * Celebration * Music * Tradition * Red, White & Blue * Stars and Stripes * Statue of Liberty * Fireworks * Flags * Star Spangled Banner

UNIQUE 7K 4K DISTANCES AND

RACE START AT 7:40 AM

REGISTER

NOW! DALLAS74.COM /DALLAS7K4K

WWW.

COMMEMORATIVE T-SHIRT COURTESY OF DALLAS PARKS FOUNDATION

INCLUDES ADMISSION TICKET TO THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS MIDWAY

Fist Bumps and High Fives BEHIND THE GREAT OUTDOORS

By Cherilyn Wilson

CHET: Look around you, Roman, for God’s sake.

This is beautiful country here. Take a good look.

ROMAN: I’ll tell you what I see when I look out there… I see a syndicated development consortium exploiting over a billion and a half dollars in forest products. I see a paper mill and, if the strategic metals are there, a mining operation. A green belt between the condos on the lake and a waste management facility, focusing on the newest rage in toxic waste, medical refuse: infected bandages, body parts, IV tubing, contaminated glassware, entrails, syringes, fluid, blood, low-grade radioactive waste. All How about that word, safely contained, sunk into the lake and sealed “stewardship” — the activity for centuries. Now, I ask you, what do you see? or job of protecting and being CHET: I — I just see, uh, trees. responsible for something

T

he classic front porch dialogue from the 1988 movie starring Dan Aykroyd and John Candy, “The Great Outdoors,” was blockbuster enough to prompt even President Barack Obama and all 50 state governors to lead the proclamation of June as Great Outdoors Month — highlighting the value of recreation and conservation causes. Maybe that’s how it happened.

“I urge all Americans to explore the great outdoors and to uphold our Nation’s legacy of conserving our lands and waters for future generations. During Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate our long legacy of environmental stewardship and resolve to preserve clean and healthy outdoor spaces for generations to come.“ – Barack Obama

entrusted to one’s care. One of the pillars of Great Outdoors Month includes, National Trails Day (this Saturday, June 7th) and, as one who religiously runs on pavement takes an offroad turn into the wilderness for a little Rockledge Rumble along Grapevine Lake in lieu of said day, who does one thank for these well marked, sturdy-bridged, multiuse trails?

First up for fist-bumps is North Texas Trail Runner member and trail steward, Drew Meyer. “I, and some others in my club, realized that most of the trails we train on and enjoy are maintained by Dallas Off-Road Bike Association (DORBA) and

©

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© © ª ¡ ¡ CHOOSE YOUR TEAM RACE YOUR RIVAL

CLAIM BRAGGING RIGHTS PARTY ALL NIGHT

ª ª ª10.10.14 ª REGISTER

NOW!

m o c . s n u r y r l a riv

FIST BUMPS & HIGH FIVES, CONT.

Fort Worth Mountain Bike Association (FWMBA).”

Drew explained when asked how he began helping to organize trail cleanup and safety checks out on some of the Cedar Ridge trail system. “Sometimes a race we enter actually requires some such service work in order to register, and eventually, this triggered us to try to raise awareness in the ultra running community (at least our club) about doing our share.”

But fast as he might hammer his hardtail on a half-track hardcore like Henrik, Meyer swiftly diverted the credits and put us hot on the trail of “those who coordinate the mass amounts of work it takes to build and maintain the trails around here.” Please join us in high-fiving, Shadow Johns, (recent DORBA VP of Trails), DORBA’s 2014 VP of Trails, Cash (Christopher) Anglin, and David Michael of FWMBA. Over the course of last year, Shadow gave over 1,100 hours of his time to maintaining trails in Boulder Park and Oak Cliff Nature Preserve and is currently completing mile 24 of Big Cedar Wilderness Trail in South Dallas. Though Meyer’s Cedar Ridge tends to be geared slightly more toward riders, Shadow clarifies that runners and hikers are valid active elements and urges all to come out to experience all 200 miles of trails the Dallas area has to offer. This Big Cedar

Wilderness Trail system will be 50 miles when completed but already contains 86 bridges over creeks and crevices, a 120 yard tunnel under traffic complete with 6 led solar panels and 20 reflectors (high-five to Grady Pace at Trail LED!), and is praised as some of the best marked tracks you’ll experience.

Each trail has a sign at its beginning that indicates its level of difficulty or those which are strictly reserved for walkers and joggers.

He urges, however, to courteously refer to the DORBA website for “Open/Closed” trail status. He reminds us of the old adages, “Pack it in, pack it out” and “Leave no trace” when explaining how even a light rain loosens the top soil and how simple footprints in such mud create dangerous bowls holding water which wreck the terrain.

While on the DORBA web page, consider the mere $30 (tax-deductable) annual membership. Even if you don’t have the time to perform physical trail work, that money still provides chainsaws, loppers, rakes and other equipment for the stewards who do and are keen to. “I love showing up to find the parking lot full and seeing them all coming out of the trail smiling.” Johns says. “That’s when I know I’ve helped them connect with nature and be active.”

Volunteer for the next “WORK DAY,” RUN AT NORTHSHORE, or DONATE HERE! LIKE DORBA FACEBOOK PAGE NOW!

everything you need for your

BEST RUN YET

Doc in the Box DESPITE THE TICKS & IVY

JUNE RX: CELEBRATE NATIONAL TRAILS DAY y favorite hiking memories growing up were with my Uncle Wayne and Aunt Cindy. Both were National Park rangers who could spit off the identification of every bird, wild flower, and animal scat we encountered. We traipsed along winding, uphill trails through the back woods of Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks to reach an eventual waterfall or lake haven.

Here we would spread out lunch, pass the water canteen, and laugh and share stories loud enough to scare any lurking bear. This is when I fell in love with biology, our National Parks, and the green of nature.

June 7 is the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day. (Trails Day is always the first Saturday in June.) Their mission statement is: “As the voice for America’s hikers, American Hiking Society promotes and protects foot trails, their surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience.”

National Trails Day includes hikes, biking, horseback riding, paddling, bird watching, geocaching, wilderness photography, and stewardship projects. Everyone is invited. You can find an event in your area here.

America has over 200,000 miles of trails. Getting outside off the treadmill and running away from the pavement has its physical and mental advantages.

Running on trails means running on a softer surface which means less impact on your body and its joints. That may translate over time to fewer injuries and fewer aches and pains. Running on an

“Getting outdoors into nature is very good medicine…”

uneven dirt, uphill/downhill surface, also will slow you down, but in a good way. This allows for “active recovery” from your hard workout days. Being on nature paths you will focus more on how your body feels and less on your pace time.

Taking your workout to the trails activates and conditions new muscle groups in your legs and core. This leads to improved balance, shortens and quickens your stride, and forces more forefoot running. All of these things cross train your running style, and therefore improve your technique, make you stronger, and improve foot-eye coordination.

There are mental and spiritual benefits to heading to the trails as well. Time alone with your thoughts with the fresh air in your lungs away from traffic is a perfect time for introspection, prayer, and problem solving. Being in the beauty of nature and relaxing through the green in the shade of the trees may be just what the doctor ordered.

On the National Parks Conservation Association’s website, Dr. Daphne Miller writes, “Hundreds of studies have documented the effect of green space

JOHNSON PHOTO BY: SPENCER FREEMAN

M

By Holly Johnson, M.D.

WORTHAM CENTER

550 PRAIRIE ST. HOUSTON, TX 77002

REGISTER TODAY & HELP TEX US TOO FIGHT PROSTATE CANCER

Register at DadsDay5K.org

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SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014

DOC IN THE BOX, CONT.

on health outcomes: In Copenhagen, living a short distance from a garden or park has been linked to less stress and a lower body mass index. In the United States, children diagnosed with attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder were more able to focus in a natural setting than in either a built outdoor environment or an indoor one.

Another study from the United States revealed that children in low-income households lowered their risk for asthma by living near areas with higher tree density. In Japan, greener neighborhoods and more parks were associated with greater longevity among the elderly...

What I’ve noticed in my practice mirrors what has been observed in the studies: Inactive patients who initiate a new exercise regimen outdoors are more likely to stick with it than those who join a gym or work out in the confines of their basement. It seems that a number of things contribute to this “stickiness”: the constantly varying scenery, the camaraderie of the trail, the fact that monthly dues and expensive Spandex outfits aren’t required. And consistent with the research findings, my patients report a host of other benefits from their nature routine: less fatigue throughout the day, a sense of calm, better sleep, a drop in weight, and even lower blood pressure.”

Of course, being outside in the woods translates to ticks, spiders, mosquitoes, and poisonous plants.

Be vigilant and learn to recognize poisonous species so you can avoid them.

Ticks are small arachnids that are hematophagic ectoparasites. That means they live on blood. They are most active from April to September. When on the trails, try to avoid high grass and areas of leaf litter,

walk in the center of trails, and use bug spray with DEET (which will help protect you from mosquitoes and flies as well). When you return from the trail, take a shower, and do a full body check concentrating on your scalp and in the folds and creases of your body.

If you find a tick, don’t panic! Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as you can. Pull up with steady, even pressure. Do not twist the tick! Once the tick has been removed, clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Do not paint the tick with nail polish or cover with petroleum jelly, and never use heat on the tick to try to get it to “back out.”

Then there’s poison ivy, oak, and sumac. About 50% of people who come in contact with poisonous plants will get an itchy, blistering rash. The rash is caused by contact with a liquid in the sap in the plant leaves, stem, and roots called urushiol. The most dangerous form of contact with poison plants is inhalation through burning of the plant, so never burn it!

Poison ivy is not contagious: You can’t get it from someone else. Try over-the-counter cortisone, calamine, an antihistamine, and cool compresses.

If the rash is severe, on your face or groin, you see sign of infection, you have a fever over 100, or the rash lasts more than two or three weeks, see your doctor.

Despite the ticks and the ivy, getting outdoors into nature is good very medicine. According to this doc at least, a prescription for trail running may just be the next vital sign!

Please Note: The info in this article is not a substitute for medical advice from your own physician. Dr. Johnson and DFWRUNS/OYL! are not responsible for you not watching where you are running on the trail, removing ticks, or for your itchy rash. Happy trails, cowboy!

GET YOUR COPY NOW! WATCH VIDEO

PIck It and Flick It!

By Holly Johnson, M.D.

PURCHASE NOW LEARN MORE tatepublishing.com

BE INSPIRED

They say that doctors make the worst patients. In Pick It and Flick It, Holly Johnson, M.D. affirms that it doesn’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.

twittter.com/DrHollyJohnson

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Stretch, Strengthen & Strategize!

STRONG BRANDING IS THE CORE OF EVENT MARKETING

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t #OYLME we are the best at what we do because we are all athletes who not only live a healthy, active runner lifestyle, understanding every thought and feeling of our participants, but we also know what it’s like to be on the course hoping everything is flowing smoothly and safe. Participation in a race distance is the secondary component to us being there.

There is a reason and a fight for a cause for the many race events we participate in and reason many of the sponsors are on site as well. What strengthens a race event is the branding for the purpose of the event. Like strong branding of a race logo is the core of an event, we as the event managers are the strength at the core of each brand we work with. We do it for the family within the event and those participating for a friend or family member.

“Without a strong There are people’s stories behind that core, how will brand, and emotions you have strong, behind the work.

It takes a great positive results at deal of hard work the end of a race?” as event directors to not only put on a race, but to continue our practice “for love of the game” as I like to sometimes call it. I’ve found that if I want to stay in the game, I have to do more than just run. I have to

work my core to be a strong runner too. The core is so essential in running and training. Without a strong core, how will you have strong, positive results at the end of a race?

I’m sure we’ve all sat in that exercise class where the instructor has you doing sit-ups and shouting “Work the core!” I’m insisting you take my advice and do as I’m suggesting. Work it!

There are lots of sit-ups, but I have faith in the basic: cross your arms over your chest and perform a sit-up like you learned in elementary P.E. It’s not hard. You did these when you were 6! You got this!

Another core workout you can try is a plank. A plank is performed by simply laying on your floor with your forearms and toes leveraging your body.

See the image below. Hold this exercise routine for 15-30 seconds 2-3x a day.

With rest in between the plank sets and 25 sit-ups a day will only take you 5 minutes to do.

For 5 minutes of work a day, this could be the start of you being able to get to the next level.

Every minute counts! 5 is 150 minutes a month to have strengthened the core. To stretch this even further, imagine how many calories and how much you can benefit in 3 months time of just, for example, 5 minutes of core work a day! Try it out!

Let me know how it goes! Tweet us, or facebook us @oylme , or facebook.com/dfwruns.

TAKE FLIGHT! 1/2 MARATHON 5K RUN/WALK 1K FUN RUN/WALK

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Oak Point Park – Plano, Texas

$

5 OFF

TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL RUNNING DAY

USE CODE: “NRD”

Offer valid through June 30, 2014.

Any distance. Adult Registration Only

REGISTER NOW!

PlanoBalloonFest.org

We are celebrating four years so of course the half marathon finisher medal features 4 hot air balloons and a customized ribbon.

Wear it proudly after knocking out 13.1 scenic miles!

NEW FOR THE 1/2 MARATHON Custom designed ring for the half marathon champions!

NEW THIS YEAR Technical shirts for all adults in the half marathon, 5K and 1K. Plus capes for youth running the 1K!

Race Director's Block

LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL OF FAME

By Jessica Kane

S

omehow by the grace of the powers that be (or Sharon & Eric), I actually got a “free” weekend from working a race during our busiest time of year.

So, what did I do with that free time, I came to work and decided to play?

On Saturday, May 10, I grabbed my boyfriend and a few friends to conquer the Gladiator Rock N Run. Even though it wasn’t my first mud run, it was my first time to run a OYLME/DFWRUNS race. So, I was looking forward to seeing all our hard work from the runner perspective. Not gonna lie, it was awesome and quite entertaining compared to other mud runs I have been involved with in past years.

(Then again, I may be a bit biased.)

There were a ton of unique obstacles and challenges along the way. I’m usually used to a mud run having just obstacles that you climb, crawl under, or swim through. Except, Gladiator actually had tasks you had to complete. There were parts where you’re doing burpees with a cinder block or carrying someone on your back across a certain distance.

Like I said before, there were some entertaining obstacles as well. There was the slickest mud hill that caused people to slide back into a deep mud pit. I actually conquered it by using the “path less traveled.” But got ridiculed by my friends for

“cheating” or as I like to call it “The Smart Way.” One of the best obstacles was the last one where everyone had to scale a steep, mud covered wall about 20 feet high. Participants were grabbing whatever they could on someone to get them to the top or creating human ladders to get others up there from the mud pit at the bottom.

According to the boys, it is not balls friendly.

Overall it was a raucously fun event that allowed an entertaining bonding experience with my friends. It was also, a pleasure to get a chance to enjoy my coworkers’ hard work and to see how other enjoyed the event as well. Two Muddy Thumbs up to everyone involved in executing/ creating a great event!

Don’t be a stick in the mud. Get social at our next Pub Run from Bryan Street Tavern June 19 @ 6:30 PM. SIGN UP HERE

Jaunt Junkie REALITY CHECK VIA TIR

By Brentney Hamilton

This is the true story… of ten sweaty friends… who voluntarily decided to pack themselves into a fifteenpassenger van… and run together, relay-style, 200 miles across the state of Texas… to find out what happens… when a line is drawn in the sand… and runners start getting epic…

T

his is TIR, and it ain’t for the weak of heart.

Every spring, around 150 teams of 5-12 runners take on a 200 mile course from Gonzales, Texas, to the San Jacinto Monument in Houston. The race takes place over roughly 24 hours, with runners encountering blistering sun, dusty gravel, ghost trains (more on that later), and sleep deprivation. It’s called the Texas Independence Relay because the course roughly follows the route of the Texas’ rebels fight after the thenRepublic’s declaration of independence from Mexico.

Legend has it that the Mexican government closed in on Gonzales to retrieve a cannon it had given to the settlers there. True to oft-lauded cultural stereotype, the Texians said, “Come and take it.”

Being picked for a team — even a team that is running just “for fun,” rather than racing competitively — ­­ is a major compliment, and I didn’t take my offer lightly. I’d just finished my first full, and — to say the least — it had not gone as planned. I was wallowing in self-pity and had lost the fire. TIR was my chance not to make a comeback, but instead to remember why I even laced up in the first place.

Our team fell into place naturally. I already called them friends. After TIR, they are my people. Was it conceivable that close friends could remain so during 24 hours of non-stop sleeping, eating, breathing, farting, and living in a van? As it turns out, yes. Whatever white magic colluded to ensure raucous harmony and complimentary personalities meant that each of us came back stronger.

One of our biggest assets was our leader, Megan Smyth, who strikes a wild balance between meticulous organization and ultra-chill go-with-the-flowedness.

Megan divided up the course, choosing legs of varying difficulty that made the most sense for our relative strengths. Then, she handed us turn-byturn directions, which read more like a Willie Nelson song than race specs. To wit: Follow the deserted highway to Shiner, Texas, by Spoetzl Brewery, down a stretch of lonely asphalt flatter than a high school track, while the full moonlight illuminates your sullen face and a ghost train wails in the distance.

All right, that’s a paraphrase. But, it’s not too far off. I recall reading my leg descriptions, one of which lauded the potential for meeting a train. But who the hell would care?

At 3 AM, hounded by memories of a not-so-great marathon biting at me like a mosquito on my neck, the smell of freshly-squashed skunk in the air, and a roaring train bearing down tracks parallel to the very road I was desperately trying to keep pace on, I realized that maybe one bad race was nothing when there were miles and miles of adventure ahead of me. And, nine friends waiting on my arrival, just five miles up the road.

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TRINITY GROVES WEST DALLAS

Abby Road AS LIFE TAKES ITS COURSE

By Abigail Werner

F

riends are the family we can choose.

Nearly three years ago, the summer before I began sixth grade, my family moved. We only moved to the next town over, but I switched schools. That was actually why we moved, so my brother and I would be able to go to a better school. Even though I was thrilled that I had the opportunity to go to a better school where I would be challenged, I wouldn’t have to drive so far to get to school or swim practice, and we would be moving in to a bigger house, I was still upset that I had to leave my two best friends, Cheyenne and Caitlynne. Granted, we could still get together on the weekends, but it wouldn’t be the same.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but at my old school, we ran every day in PE. We never dressed out, however, so I would usually wear flats while we ran. Because of “ We are all at that, I practically different schools hated running. On the other hand, now, pursuing Caitlynne absolutely different interests loved it. Her whole family was always and we all have doing 5ks and I new best friends.” think her dad might have run in a few marathons. If you had asked me then who I thought out of the three of us would be writing a monthly column about running in a year’s time, I would have said her. Cheyenne was in dance and didn’t have much interest in running

either. Now, nearly three years have passed and we’re no longer close. I still follow them on Instagram, and if I find a picture of us from back then, I’ll find a way to send it to them but it’s nowhere near the same. We’re all at different schools now pursuing different interests and we all have new best friends.

A few weeks ago, I ran in the NKF Kidney Walk. My mother is a social worker at a dialysis center, so she had to be there for work.

Coincidentally, Cheyenne’s step mom works for the same company my mother works for so she was there as well. We talked for a bit before the 5k but she was planning on walking it like

Fun for the whole family!

4TH ANNUAL

February

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

ICONIC DALLAS ARCHITECTURE // TEAM AWARDS

Klyde Warren Park

21 WE HAVE ARCHITECTED A GREAT RACE! Just as the iconic Dallas skyline represents some of the world’s best architecture, the Dallas Center for Architecture has designed one of Dallas’ best 5K events to showcase some of the city’s most impressive architectural icons.

FormFollowsFitness.com /FormFollowsFitness

AL LIFE TAKES ITS COURSE, CONT.

most of the people there. After a little bit of I’m sure you might be wondering what the begging I finally convinced her to jog it with me point of this column might be. I’ll be honest and so we could catch say I had a difficult up more. She agreed time putting what even though she was I wanted to say in wearing jean shorts words. But what I and claimed to be out was going for was of shape. this; all three of us The race had a thought Caitlynne weird start, everyone would be the runner just started walking in our group. As without an official it turns out, she’s go time, but since now really involved we were running, in theater, and I’m we got out in front the one who enjoys of everybody. Only running. You really about five percent of never know where everyone there was your life may lead Cheyenne, Caitlynne and I back in 5th grade, 2011. running it, so until you, so you just have the turn around point, the path was clear. We to see where it takes you and enjoy the ride. talked about what we’ve been doing and how Take Eric Lindberg for example. He once we’re getting ready for high school, how she’s never thought he’d be a runner, let alone he doing drill team and I’m doing marching band. would someday be running… for Mayor of It was kinda weird though — we were running Dallas! Quite frankly, I have no interest in a 5k together, politics, but I do recognize a good leader when something we I see one. I think “I know you probably never dreamed he would make don’t care what a 14 of doing in the a FANTASTIC year old girl has to say, fifth grade. mayor. I know you We didn’t start probably don’t but I thought I would FOR walk until care what a 14 throw this out there — to about half way year old girl has to If I could vote, I would through, since say, but I thought definitely vote for him.” we were both I would just put out of shape. this out there — if I could vote, I would definitely That was fine with me. I was more interested vote for him. I’m sure Eric didn’t know that his in catching up with an old friend than getting a life would lead him up to this, but I think the city personal best. of Dallas is pretty lucky it did.

ERIC MAYOR

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