The Roadrunner - December 2017

THE ROADRUNNER A Publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club www. memphisrunners. com

December 2017 • Vol. 37, No. 10

THE ROADRUNNER

A publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club December 2017 Vol. 37, No. 10

On the cover

In This Issue From the Editor’s Desk

1

Message from the President (by John Payne)

3

Nutrition on the Run (by Ashley Holloway)

5

Running for the kids of St. Jude

6

Chicago Hope (by Brent Manley)

8

Faces in the Crowd

11

My indoor marathon (by Brett Baddorf)

12

A Marathon Anniversary (by Rob Rayder)

15

Welcome new members

17

Train faster (by Carolyn Mather)

18

What they said (by Bill Butler)

19

Running in low temps (by Joel Lyons)

20

2018 WORS preview (by Kevin Raney)

22

Adventures in Kentucky (by Anne Forbus)

26

Giving back to running (by Nancy Brewton)

30

Return on investment (by Evelyne Malone)

31

Big honor for Coach

32

Marathon results (compiled by Sherilyn Huey)

34

Group runs

36

Race Calendar

38

Advertisements

Coming soon: the 2018 Winter Off-Road Series Details on page 22.

PR Event Management

2

Turkey Trot

4

Starry 4K

17

MRC Recovery Run 5K

21

Nationwide

24

Andrew Jackson Marathon

25

Start2Finish Event Management

33

Fleet Feet Sports

Inside Front Cover

Scentsy

Inside Back Cover

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Brent Manley Roadrunner Editor brentmanley@yahoo.com 901-246-6477 The Roadrunner is published monthly except January/February and July/August, which are combined issues.

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MRTC Board of Directors 2016 OFFICERS President/ Special Projects/Results John Payne 901-494-8266 johncharlespayne@comcast.net

Past President/ New Race Coordinator Wain Rubenstein 901-278-1792 wrubenstei@aol.com

Vice President / Sponsorship Director Steve Spakes stevemrtc@gmail.com

Past President/Special Projects/Legal Matters George F. Higgs 901-528-1111 ghiggs@stonehiggsdrexler.com

Treasurer Brian Williams brianbwilliamsmrtc@gmail.com Secretary/ Club Photographer Jessica Suzore 901-409-9570 jessuzore@comcast.net

DIRECTORS Past President/ Roadrunner Editor Brent Manley 901-383-8782 brentmanley@yahoo.com

Volunteer Director Beverly Pickens 901-277-8950 pickensbg@aol.com Finish Line Director/ Equipment Lane Purser 901-483-8929 lpurser350@aol.com Timing/Results Rich Tutko 901-481-0498 rtutko@hotmail.com

Women Run/Walk Memphis Director Allison Andrassy Past President/ 901-409-6620 Special Projects/Photographer allison.mrtc@gmail.com John Bookas 901-488-2797 Director Jbookas@aol.com Kent Smith kent824@bellsouth.net Past President/ Course Measurement Director Rob Hunter Suzie Hicks-Hurt 901-246-1565 901-496-1377 robhunter33@comcast.net s_hickshurt@bellsouth.net

For information about MRTC or running in the Memphis area, contact any board member or visit www.memphisrunners.com Administrative Secretary/Scheduler April Flanigan 901-574-8908 aflanigan@memphisrunners.com Magazine Services Printing and mailing services provided by Paulsen Printing 901-363-5988

From the Editor’s Desk Brent Manley to nearly 95 despite not really taking care of himself for a long time.

I’m very fortunate to have met Donna at a time when I was smart enough to see what a catch she would be and then talk her into marrying me — the best move I ever made.

I’m thankful that I found the MRTC at a time when I had no idea what I was doing as a runner. I learned a lot and continue to learn even though my running results don’t necessarily reflect much progress. I’ve been relatively injury-free and I’m lucky to have professional friends — Darrel Croft and Joel Lyons, to name two — who have helped me return to fitness and health when I screwed up and got myself injured.

I’m thankful that I’ve been able to make some seriously good friends in the Memphis running community, and there’s nothing more worthy of celebration than friends. One of my running buddies, Bill Hecht, talked me into entering the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in Fort Oglethorpe GA less than a week from today as I write this.

I’ll be thankful if I survive the adventure — two loops around the battlefield — so I can return to write another column before this year is out. Going by my showing in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 8 (see page 8), finishing in one piece is not a sure thing. I’m thankful, however, that I usually recover from such long runs pretty quickly. That’s one of the benefits of going slow.

I trust you will have an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day with friends and — very important — family. If you don’t eat too much and the weather is okay, perhaps you will be able to run off some of the calories you had at the dinner table.

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.

— Willie Nelson

A time for thanks

As I have been doing every year for a nearly three decades, I will be traveling on Thanksgiving Day this year to go to work. Yes, I’m retired from the job that has kept me away on this holiday, but I still have a contract with my former employer to do the same work for them in November that I did for all those years.

One of my biggest regrets about this schedule is that it has kept me away from the St. Jude Memphis Marathon for several years. You see, I don’t get back from this job until the Monday after the Marathon Weekend.

That means I can’t run any of the St. Jude races, and I have to scramble to put coverage of the weekend together for the JanuaryFebruary issue.

I know these statements sound a lot like a pity party, but in general I’m a pretty positive person. I try not to dwell on the negatives. That kind of energy can eat away at you if you let it.

That said, I’m going to take a cue from Rob Rayder’s excellent essay in this issue (page 15) and focus on what I have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, even though I will be on my way to San Diego while many of you — along with friends and family — are enjoying turkey and dressing and all the other good stuff that comes on that special holiday.

To start with, I’m thankful for my health. I’ll be 70 by the time you read this, and I’m happy to report that I have avoided major illness, have been able to maintain a satisfactory level of fitness, thanks in large measure to running.

I have longevity in my family. My grandmother lived to age 103, and she had several siblings who lived into their mid-90s. My mother turned 98 two days after Thanksgiving and is still doing well, and my dad lived

... finishing in one piece is not a sure thing.

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Best wishes for the Holidays from a grateful person just like you — a runner.

4th Annual Ken Novotny Memorial Chilly Chili 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Run

TENNESSEERUNS.COM SHELBY FARMS KIDS DASH 8:45AM | 5K 9AM NOVEMBER 23 | 2017

benefitting Concord Academy

Saturday, November 18 | 9am | Memphis, TN $450 cash prizes top 3 female and male 5K runners, chip timing, custom awards, long sleeve tech tee Firehouse chili, live music by Evening Shade www.concord-academy.org

36th Annual Memphis in May Triathlon MAY 19 & 20, 2018 | REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1, 2017 MAY 19 MIM SPRINT TRI 1/3 SWIM | 12 MILE BIKE | 3 MILE RUN MAY 20 MIM OLYMPIC TRI .93 MILE SWIM | 24.9 MILE BIKE | 6.2 MILE RUN

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A Message from the President John Payne As is generally the case in late October/early November, fall has finally arrived, then left again, and then even winter seemed to show up for one or two nights. Depending on when you get this magazine, the RRS will finished or down to a half marathon. We want to thank everyone who participated in another great series, including everyone who volunteered throughout and, of course, our sponsors. All came together to make it a huge success. Whether you ran one race or all 10, thanks for coming out and supporting the series and MRTC. We hope you had a lot of fun and reached your goals.

As the RRS comes to an end, we have another fun series for you starting Jan. 14. The Winter Off- Road Series will kick off this year with the 3K in Overton Park. Race Director Kevin Raney is busy getting everything ready for the series (see page 22).

After the 3K, there is a 5K, 8K and 10K, all trail races and guaranteed to be a good time. New this year will be a different course for the 10K. Also, we will do a cross country-type start: one solid line of 600 all starting on the gun. It should be very exciting.

Be prepared for just about any weather as it can be freezing one week and hot the next. As always, we need plenty of volunteers, so if you aren’t planning to run, consider coming out to help and socialize.

Also just wrapped up is an event that many of you may not know about: the Memphis Youth Athletics cross-country season. MRTC has been a strong

supporter of this running program, started by Nick Dwyer, for elementary and middle-school athletes. We had around 1,700 kids from schools all across Memphis out running on Mondays or Wednesdays this year.

MRTC has been on board with this program from its inception and is proud to be support these kids, who we think of as the future of the running club.

At this time of year, runners are getting ready for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K or 5K. It also means there is a lot of fundraising going on.

As you may know, these races, especially the marathon, are major fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so if you know someone running, please donate a few dollars to help them reach their fundraising goals.

On Dec. 2, we will see approximately 25,000 runners downtown ready to start their races. With that many runners, you can guess that it takes a lot of volunteers. There are more than 1,000 volunteers out on the courses and another 1000-plus at the starts and finishes to support these races. St. Jude is always looking for volunteers, so if you aren’t running one of the races, head over to stjudemarathon.org and sign up for one of the many volunteer spots needed to make this race such an important event for the city of Memphis.

One last thing I will mention again: night-time safety. I can’t bring it up enough, and now that daylight saving time has ended, there is a good chance you are running in the dark.

Just remember to wear some bright clothing, some sort of lights to make yourself more visible. Stick to welllit areas if you can.

As always, stop by one of the local running stores to get advice and gear for your night-time running as well as cold-weather running gear. Remember to tell them thanks for what they do for the local running community.

I hope to see you out at a race, running or volunteering. Go over to memphisrunners.com, where you can find out what races are coming up and all the various groups you can run with.

... consider coming out to help.

3

2017

4

Ashley Holloway, MS, RD, LDN Healthy comfort foods

egg and two egg whites instead or even use an egg substitute.

• For tasty mashed potatoes, try adding fat-free chicken broth and bulbs of roasted garlic to Yukon gold potatoes. The consistency of Yukon gold potatoes provides more of a naturally buttery flavor and creamy texture than typical russet potato.

• For a great wintertime cream soup, try using a can of evaporated skim milk as a substitute for heavy cream.

• A tasty sub for white pasta is whole-wheat pasta, or if you don’t like the taste of whole-wheat pasta, be sure to try Barilla Plus® pasta that has added protein and fiber that is missing from traditional pasta.

For a great winter-time treat why not make a batch of creamy, chocolaty Double Chocolate pudding. It is a wonderful comfort food that tastes great warm or cold.

After a long 10-mile run on a cold, wet winter day, nothing beats sitting down to a warm, rich, comfort food to help warm you up. Some comfort foods are naturally healthier than others. Take oatmeal, for example. It is full of complex carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins, and contains little fat. To make it even healthier, try topping it with applesauce and walnuts or yogurt and mixed berries.

Other typical comfort foods — for example, macaroni and cheese, meat loaf, mashed potatoes and homemade chocolate pudding — are full of fat and calories. Luckily, there are healthier ways to prepare those favorite comfort foods without sacrificing any of the flavor or the comfort of the real thing.

To help you figure out how to lighten your recipe, the key is to eliminate, reduce or substitute. If an ingredient in the recipe isn’t essential, eliminate it!

For example, some recipes call for you to add oil to the boiling water to cook pasta, but it is not essential, so leave it out.

Next, reduce fattening ingredients when you can.

With most recipes, you can reduce both sugar and fat by one-quarter to one-third without noticing much of a difference in taste or texture. You can also use nonstick pans or fat-free nonstick sprays and reduce the oil in casserole and skillet dishes. Lastly, substitute healthier ingredients when you can. Try any of these easy substitutions: • Use skim or 1% milk in place of 2% or whole milk • Try using applesauce in place of ¼ of the oil in a baking recipe • If the recipe calls for two whole eggs, use one

Double Chocolate Pudding - 4 servings /3 cup sugar /4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons cornstarch 2 cups skim milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 /2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or try dark chocolate chips) 1 1

1. Combine the first three ingredients in a medium saucepan.

2. Stir in a small amount of the milk, stirring to dissolve the cornstarch, and then add the rest of the milk, stirring while you add.

3. Stir in the vanilla extract and chocolate chips.

4. Heat the mixture over medium heat for approximately five minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and is smooth.

5. Pour mixture into four custard cups. Serve warm or chill about two hours until cold.

Ashley is on vacation. This column is 10 years old but still relevant.

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Runners on a mission This year on Saturday, Dec. 2, the streets of Memphis will be filled with more than 40,000 people watching and cheering on runners in the 16th annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend.

With a variety of ways to volunteer, a free health & fitness expo, marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Marathon and more, there are countless opportunities for people of all ages and fitness levels to get involved in the race weekend experience.

This year’s event is expected to draw more than 25,000 runners to the Bluff City, and many of them will fundraise for St. Jude while they train for their respective races. These fundraisers, called St. Jude Heroes, help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

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Last year’s event raised more than $10 million, and the hospital aims to surpass that benchmark this year. This can be done only with the generous support of our partners, volunteers, St. Jude Heroes and more.

One such St. Jude Hero is Kent Stoneking.

This father of three lost his leg after a motorcycle accident in 2011, but that has not stopped him from helping others and pursing his dreams. Kent was walking in less than 30 days after receiving his prosthetic limb, and he was running less than 90 days after that.

Not long after Kent started running, his brother suggested they both participate in the next St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. Although hesitant at first, Kent committed to running the marathon that December.

Having participated in a 30-day rotation in the St. Jude pharmacy when he was in pharmacy school and seeing what a treasured place the hospital is for the patients and families, it was a no-brainer for Kent to start fundraising through his running as a St. Jude Hero.

Kent and his brother’s participation in this one-of-akind race inspired his father to train for the half marathon and fundraise as a St. Jude Hero for the past four years. His father celebrated placing eighth in his age bracket last year.

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend means even more for Kent this year, because he will run the half

marathon as a St. Jude Hero with all three of his kids and his father. For the Stoneking family, it is about crossing the finish line together, not setting a personal record.

best of both worlds as he does something healing for himself and for the families who might not otherwise receive such world-class care. He may still have challenges, but it is more important for him to give every child a fighting chance and help inspire others along the way.

Crossing the finish line after more than 13 miles is a cathartic experience for anyone, but it is even more special when runners race for something bigger than themselves. This year, the family of St. Jude Heroes looks forward to continuing their tradition of joining hands at the 13-mile marker to cross the finish line as one and celebrate what they have accomplished for the kids of St. Jude.

Kent says “St. Jude has provided families with a context to dream the impossible� and he won’t stop doing everything in his power to support them.

To register, volunteer, support a St. Jude Hero or learn more about St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, visit stjude.org/marathon2017.

For Kent, running as a St. Jude Hero brings the

Kent Stoneking, right, with his father,Virgil, and son, Bradley.

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To L and back

By Brent Manley

About 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, I found myself standing I can’t take a lot of credit for Glenn’s excellent in a crowd in Chicago’s Grant Park, waiting to start training. He did everything right, with regular short the 2017 Chicago Marathon. I was with my friend runs and races plus long runs of 19, 20 and 21 miles.

Glenn Eisenstein, who was about to start running his He was ready. All I did was answer a few questions first marathon. Glenn had never been a runner before now and then and offer a plan for how we would start deciding to try a 26.2-miler, but he spent a year getting the marathon to make sure we had some gas in our ready for this moment. We exchanged dozens of emails tanks as we got close to the finish line. as he did his training, and I gave him some advice and More than 40,000 runners signed up for the answered his questions as he diligently and intelligently marathon, so the field was divided into corrals based prepared for this moment.

Glenn is a friend I made through bridge. We have known each other for a long time. He’s a good man and a fine friend, and when he told me of his plans, I was delighted to welcome another runner into the fold.

Glenn says he got the idea running a marathon from me, sort of. My interest in the sport and my determination to run a marathon in every state (accomplished in 2014) are known to most of my bridge friends.

Glenn wrote: “As my 70th birthday neared, I felt like doing something different. Some new kind of challenge. Under Brent’s tutelage I entered the lottery for the Chicago Marathon, and once I received notification that I was in, I spent a year getting myself ready, or as ready as someone who never ran before in his life could be. I ran the hills and trails of New York’s Central Park, close to home. I ran the Toronto waterfront during the summer national bridge tournament and I ran the trails around the Swan and Dolphin in Orlando during the Fall Nationals.

“Why? That’s a long story. The short version is that I decided it was time to do something special to honor my daughter, Samantha Eisenstein Watson, a two-time cancer survivor who has spent the last 15 years running her non-profit charity, The Samfund, and helping other young cancer survivors who need a little assistance to get their lives back on track.

“As the year of preparation continued, I made Glenn Eisenstein and the author on race day in Chicago. plans to combine my training with a fundraiser, and on estimated finish times. Glenn and I were assigned dedicated the run to some young friends of ours to Corral L along with several hundred other runners. who had lost their cancer battles during the years of Someone said L stood for “last,” and indeed we were Samantha’s treatment. Their names were emblazoned the final corral to start — after a two-hour wait. on my shirt, along with Samantha’s. It wasn’t going It was chilly that morning, which was a good thing, to be hard to find a dose of inspiration whenever and certainly for me. I do not do well in hot weather. Glenn wherever it was needed.”

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Glenn Eisenstein with his daughter, Samantha.

had also been scanning the weather forecasts, and he didn’t like what he saw.

“In the weeks leading up to the date,” he wrote, “I grew increasingly depressed by the weather forecast, as temperatures were predicted in the mid-70s, and I would have preferred light snow flurries. Maybe we would get lucky.

“We didn’t. And as Mike Tyson said, ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.’”

Finally, we got started, and for a significant stretch we were virtually elbow to elbow with our corral mates.

When the field started to thin out, I spotted a young woman wearing a St. Jude Hero singlet. I left Glenn and ran over to her. I had signed up as a Hero and raised funds for St. Jude as a way of guaranteeing entry in the Chicago Marathon, so I wanted to say hi to a fellow Hero. She told me her Oscar Molina, Brent Manley and Amber Eggli finish the 2017 name was Amber, and I wished her luck in the rest Chicago Marathon of the race. We still had a long way to go, so I went back to Glenn. I found out later that there were 400 Glenn’s training had been so much better than mine.

St. Jude Heroes running the Chicago Marathon.

Glenn wrote: “Seeing my family at the halfway Glenn and I kept up our slow pace with walk point was a big boost, although the next seven or eight breaks and were doing fairly well, but trouble was on miles are a distant memory. I remember that my walk the horizon. breaks got longer, my running time slowed down, and “Somewhere along the course,” Glenn wrote, “I I eagerly searched for each mile marker. Any hopes knew that my wife Abbie, Samantha, and her husband for a five- to six-hour time went by the wayside, and my two grandchildren, Alex and Emmy, were and I now simply wanted to finish upright. Hearing waiting to cheer me along. The first 9 or 10 miles went Samantha and Alex calling my name at mile 25, and well, and then, despite the fact that the course basically seeing my son-in-law with a sleeping Emmy in his had no hills, it still went downhill from there. arms helped me get through the 1.2 miles, and when I “At mile 13, the halfway point, my ankle was saw the finish line approaching I was nearly overcome hurting and the temperature had reached close to 80 with emotion. degrees. There was little shade, and I had ‘lost’ Brent “As I crossed the finish line and heard my name during the past few miles. I had put my headphones called out, I knew that I had done something special. on for a little while, hoping my music would help, and For over a year I had gotten up early to do my miles from that point on I was alone, or as alone as a runner in the park, or along the East River, in all kinds of can be with 45,000 other runners.” weather.

Glenn and I did get separated, in part because the “For over a year my days began at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. temperatures had climbed into the 80s, affecting us and I could feel, and see, the changes in my body as I both, but me more than him. That was surely because 9

became something I had never dreamed of becoming: a runner. A marathon runner.”

I was disappointed that Glenn and I did not finish together, but I knew he was going to make it.

As it happened, I ended up with a memorable finish anyway.

As I was shuffling along in the heat, I was surprised to hear someone to my right say, ‘Hi, Brent.” It was Amber Eggli, the St. Jude Hero I had greeted earlier in the race. She caught me despite the heat and her back trouble, which tells you how slow I was going.

After we ran together for a couple of miles, I suggested to Amber that we should try to finish together. She accepted and we tried to breathe some life into our marathon run. We talked as we went along, and I found out that Amber, 25, is a nurse in the Los Angeles area. In 2012, she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke. She underwent a six-hour procedure on her heart to correct the problem.

When she told her cardiologist she wanted to run a marathon, he told her she couldn’t do it. “When he said that, I decided right then that I was going to.” She was finally given “permission” to run a marathon — but only one and only if she went slow enough to keep her heart rate normal. She ran Chicago with a heart rate monitor and stayed well under the maximum of 180 beats per minute.

Amber was introduced to running in 2009 when her mother signed her up for a half marathon despite the fact that Amber had never run. “It was just really bad,” she said. The experience did, however, spark a love of running, and Amber ran several races for charities before signing up to run her first marathon in Chicago as a St. Jude Hero.

She picked Chicago “because it was supposed to be cool and flat.” She signed up as a Hero to be sure she would get into the race.

Amber showed up in Chicago with her spirits low.

She had friends who were injured in the mass shooting in Las Vegas one week earlier “and I just couldn’t shake myself from the funk. At the same time, I promised myself I would raise money for kids that are going through something I once faced: not being able to run, play, or have fun with friends because of an illness. I did not have cancer but I did know how it felt to be too weak to run and do things for myself. “ Amber said she was inspired by the children of

St. Jude. “We signed up for the marathon and the pain in our feet and our knees . . . and to finish. The kids at St. Jude didn’t sign up for cancer, and that pushed me when the going got tougher.”

I don’t remember exactly where we were when Oscar Molina caught up to us, but the 37-year-old Chicago resident and St. Jude Hero had one big thing in common with Amber and me besides the Hero singlet: he was suffering, too, as he ran his first marathon.

Oscar, who looks like the natural athlete that he is, confessed that his problems on race day were caused by a “rookie mistake.” He said he started the marathon slower than he had intended to, “then I tried to catch up by zigging and zagging among the other runners.”

By mile 9, his left knee was hurting so much that he had to walk.

The three of us got to know each other as we went along. Oscar, who drives a truck for the U.S. Postal Service, related that he went through a “dark period” after the death of his father three years ago.

When he had a chance to run for the children of St. Jude, he jumped at the opportunity, seeing it as a way to leave the darkness. “Everything felt right to pick St. Jude,” he said. “It is just amazing what they do.”

The three of us talked a lot as we went along, stopping occasionally so Amber could stretch her back. At one point, Oscar and I thought we had lost Amber, but it turned out she had stopped at a medical tent to get some ibuprofen for her back pain. Amber and I had a similar experience with Oscar, but we learned that he had stopped at a medical tent to get an ice pack for his knee.

The marathon organizers had announced that runners had six and a half hours to finish the marathon, and the three of us knew we were not going to make that deadline, but when we spotted the finish line, we held hands and raised them together as we got to the end. It was a good feeling. There were hugs all around. I didn’t even think about my sorry finish time.

I would like to have finished with Glenn so I could claim a little credit for his accomplishment. It was karma, I guess, that I got to finish with two first-timers instead of just one.

I have made many friends in my travels to experience marathons. I’m lucky to have made two in Chicago, in the same race. I will never forget Amber and Oscar.

... we tried to breathe some life into our marathon run.

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My name: Anitha Balakrishnan My age: 38.

My occupation: Homemaker.

Why I like running/walking: It relieves stress, helps me sleep better and I like making running friends. Also, running relaxes me and it can be challenging.

My favorite race(s): I want to sign up for a race.

My name: Jill Thelen My age: 43.

My occupation: Registered nurse.

Why I like running/walking: I love the post-race parties and race bling. It’s an escape from life’s problems. After breaking my ankle in three places in May 2016 during an obstacle course race, I was determined to not let the break slow me down after I healed. While I was laid up on the couch off work, I was busy signing up for races.

My favorite race(s): St. Jude 10K.

My name: Harold Hill Jr. My age: 54.

My occupation: College professor, information systems.

Why I like running: Running is a great source of exercise, stress-reduction and

My name: Patricia Gallegos My age: 36.

My occupation: Planner/buyer for Smith & Nephew Orthopedics.

Why I like running/walking: It is my therapy, stress reliever and a wonderful way to spend healthy time with my family. I got into running in 2011 after I was going through a divorce.

I weighed 236 pounds after having two children. My sister, Alex, introduced me to the Women Run/Walk Memphis program and I began running and walking in 5Ks. I ran the series and lots of other races. Running helped me get back to 135 pounds. I am so grateful for my sister’s support and for our MRTC friends. MRTC is wonderful. I constantly brag about what an asset the club is for our community.

My favorite race(s): The Elvis Presley 5K, the first 5K I ever ran and the most fun.

competition.

My favorite race(s) The 5K, 10K and marathon.

My name: Rachel Kannady (aka Mrs. K) My age: 34.

Occupation: Mommy, teacher, wife, coach.

Why I like running: Some days, it’s a stress reliever and others it makes me feel good being outside and enjoying our natural surroundings.

My favorite race: St. Jude Half Marathon, which I get to share it with my daughter. Very close second is the Bardog 5K! Breakaway puts on an amazing race!

My name: Anthony Webb My age: 30.

My occupation: Submarine logistics specialist, U.S. Navy.

Why I like running: Running allows me to take time to focus and reflect on issues, concerns, and the blessings God has given me.

It’s more like a therapy for my mind, body, and soul.

My favorite race: The road race series 10-Milers. They were the longest races I’ve ever run. I surprised myself and I intend to continuing to pursue longer runs.

My name: Rodger Aitken My age: 73.

My occupation: Engineer.

Why I like running/walking: I got into running to meet physical fitness standards for the U.S. Navy Reserve and I was hooked. I kept running after retiring in 1993, but my knees dictated that I walk, which I now do daily. I also volunteer at as many MRTC events as I can.

My favorite race(s): I helped Capt. Doug McGowen and Lt. Cdr. Isabelle Rico create the Navy Ten Nautical Miler, so it is my favorite.

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memphisrunners.com

The truly inside story of my Antarctic marathon

By Brett Baddorf

The author and his wife, Sarah, outside in Antarctica

I

was fully expecting to send a wonderful report back to Memphis of my Antarctic marathon on the treadmill. Everything in my preparation was set and primed for a successful run. I had done the mileage and my body was ready for the challenge. There was no running store to visit, so I made homemade running gels of honey, water, maple syrup and a dash of salt.

I had tested these gels out on a few runs to make sure they would be helpful. I lathered on the anti-chafing goop and was ready to run a marathon.

My brother and I have always thought of marathons differently from other races. After we both had completed three of them, there seemed to be one of two outcomes. We ran pretty much as expected and our runs seemed to go as planned, or at some point everything fell apart and the run went to crap. It has not mattered how many training runs we have successfully completed, or really even the experience we gained overall throughout our running careers. There is something unique to the marathon distance (and most

likely anything longer) that does not seem to be a factor in shorter races.

I believe it was Frank Shorter who described the marathon as the longest distance over which a runner can truly race. The distances longer than a marathon test different reserves of a runner’s abilities, but the marathon is the last distance over which a person can train to run at a blistering pace (or at their best before having to slow some for longer distances).

On the whole, this seems true to me as I watch professional runners. It certainly seems to have held true for me, but at slower paces. The marathon is a distance that demands everything a runner has to offer, often more than a runner can give on some days. This is one of the few reasons I believe this particular distance is such an interesting race to run.

Any person who lines up to run a marathon with the goal of running it as fast as he can will find himself (or herself) testing his limits to the edge of what he is capable of achieving.

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When we push these limits, sometimes the wheels fall off and the machine breaks down.

It would have been nice to have a few more long runs before attempting my Antarctic-treadmill marathon. For that matter, it would have been nice to have been capable of running it outside. All factors seemed to indicate I was ready to run the distance, and so I chose a particular date and I stuck to it. Just two weeks before, I had managed to complete just over 20 miles on the treadmill and I had felt great.

The run was good, recovery was quick, my body had reacted well to my homemade running gels, and my mental condition after having run that far on a stationary machine felt fine. The date was set and I was ready to test myself against the marathon distance in a way I never had before.

Everything started off well. I picked a pace that was slower than I have run for previous marathons (I still had not managed to bring my overall running pace to match what I have done in lower altitudes for some

reason), but slightly faster than I had run my 20 miles a few weeks before. I was disappointed to have to run to the bathroom in the first eight miles, but other than a small time addition, I was good to go.

The movies I had picked for the day were playing, or waiting in a queue, and my miles were slowly ticking away. It was around mile 10 that I knew I was in trouble.

Suddenly, the pace felt more difficult than it should have. My legs started to drag and my body felt more like it should have at mile 22 than at mile ten. “Oh no.” I managed to struggle on with my pace through the half-marathon, but it was a mental exercise to get my body to agree to this small feat. I began breaking down as much mentally as I was physically. Thoughts like, “Maybe I should just put this run off to another day,” or, “This was a stupid idea from the start,” were coming non-stop. I slowed down the pace and I tried to recalibrate.

Plans break down. The secondary goal of finishing my marathon in a certain time evaporated. I told myself everything was fine. The main task at hand was to finish a marathon on the continent. I could do that, right? I had done four marathons before and though those runs had been strewn with many rough moments, the finish line was always attainable. Just slow down

Maybe I should just put this run off ...

The author on his way to 26.2 miles on the treadmill.

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and allow the body to recuperate. Refocus! My pace slackened even more and I made sure to take in plenty of water along with some of my running gels. At that point, I was using every mental trick in my repertoire to keep my body running towards the finish line. The miles were becoming longer and longer and my efforts seemed quite useless.

If the wheels had come off between mile 10 and mile 13, I am not exactly sure how to describe mile 17 to mile 20. I suppose it would be apt to say I felt as if I had lost the course and was somehow adding miles onto my run in my attempts to find my way again.

That is a bizarre feeling to have when running on a treadmill. It should be literally impossible to get lost and run off of the trail.

And yet there I was, running at just over 11,000 feet and feeling as if the finish line was eluding my attempt to seek it out.

Determined to finish, I began walking short portions to rest with the hope of feeling a little bit better.

Even as I entered the last three miles of the run, I could not get my mind or body to accept the small act of endurance that remained. The rest was not helping, the water might as well have not existed, and my body was actively working against me.

I finished my Antarctic-treadmill marathon a good hour plus slower than what I was hoping to run. For the first three hours after the run, I was vomiting and incapable of keeping down any food or water. It took me three weeks before I could begin running on the treadmill again. My major goal of completing a marathon during my winter-over experience at the South Pole had been completed, but in a much different fashion than I had anticipated.

I am not quite sure why that particular day of running was so poor, or why my body reacted as though it had never been pushed over distances like the marathon before.

When Robert Falcon Scott achieved the South Pole in 1912, he discovered his British team of explorers had been bested by Roald Amundsen and his Norwegian team by about 30 days. He had just

managed an extraordinary feat of endurance — covering more than 800 miles on sleds with almost no help from animal power. It’s easy to imagine how crestfallen Scott and his team must have been to have lost the discovery of the South Pole. He is quoted as saying, “Yes, the South Pole, but under much different circumstances than we had imagined.”

As runners, we can identify somewhat with these comments. In a few moments, all of our years of training and preparing can go by the wayside. Bad races, injuries, cramps, dehydration and several other ailments are a plague to those of us who push our bodies beyond comfort in the attempt to reach a goal. It is at this point we can do one of two things. We can wallow in our failed attempts and misery, allowing such experiences to define us as runners and as humans. This is certainly an option I have spent way too much time entertaining from time to time. Or, as runners who have learned much on the trails of adversity we have run before, we can employ the deep wells of energy and knowledge we have stored deep down. We can draw from those reserves and do what we have done countless times as we attempt to look to that next mile, or next hill, or next step, when everything inside of us just wants to stop.

We runners look within so we can look forward.

There will be future marathons. I will learn from this experience and do what I can to adjust training and preparation. At the end of the day, however, I will also keep the belief that the marathon is a fickle beast. There are certainly moments when I will rejoice at the accomplishments of my own or others as we strive to race the marathon distance, but there will be others times when I sit and weep with a bewildered heart, knowing that I, or others, have done everything correctly only to have things blow up on race day.

Those of us who are marathoners will keep on running. We will run the marathon maybe because we know it will test our inner reserves and take everything from us. We will run the marathon because there is no promise of safety or success. Our goals might shift mile by mile, but we will keep on running.

The marathon might rear its ugly head, but we will keep on running.

If we are lucky, we might just find ourselves reaping the benefits of all our training on that special day when it all comes together. If not, we will do what we always do. We will dig deep and keep on running.

We runners look within so we can look forward.

I was using every mental trick in my repertoire ...

memphisrunners.com 14

The Marathon Anniversary

By Robert “the Lone Runner” Rayder

to find a way to salvage the fiasco they have placed themselves in. They look and feel miserable, and for the first time question why they signed up for this misery in the first place.

But for the majority, this is the time to get focused.

Most form themselves into packs of various sizes. A few coupled runners prefer to run together in solitude, sometimes by choice and sometimes by circumstance.

For those who choose to expand their numbers, there is a powerful new motivation to succeed, their obligation to those who are around them. They form a family, and like most families, they can be supportive and fun or stressful and demanding. Truth be told, they are often a little of both.

“Runners to your marks.”

“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I Do.” “Set.”…

“And do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I Do.” “GO!” “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Sure! It seems so easy during the first mile, except when you think of just how much farther the course stretches out before you. The energy is high, and the pace furious. There are lots of smiles, pats on the back, and more than a little, “I can’t believe we’re really doing this!” All that planning. All that anticipation.

And now the day has come at last.

But this is an endurance event. It requires planning and restraint. It’s so tempting to rush ahead fueled by the excitement and fanfare found at the starting line. But to spend all your resources on the here and now will result in certain disaster down the road.

Keep steady and enjoy these early miles. They are among the best there are, but mind the future or face the consequences. And don’t forget to smile for the camera and to hold hands. This is the best you’ll ever look!

Mile 12. A few people have started to drop out now.

For many, the idea of doing this thing could not stand up to the actual miles.

And it is hard, far harder than most imagined, and by now the idealism of the start line has simply faded away.

For those who remain, the miles start to blur together. There is a sameness to each mile marker.

Sometimes the course goes up, and everyone buckles down under the strain. Sometimes the course goes down, and everyone loosens up and coasts forward, often pulled ahead by sheer momentum.

Predictability and perseverance are the catchwords used by so many to survive these tough miles.

Maintaining focus leads to success. Stick to the plan, but don’t forget to refuel and refresh once in a while.

When needed, take a moment to catch your breath, look around and allow yourself to feel a little awe when taking in the grand vistas. There is no shortage of inspiration if you can just open your eyes and look.

Don’t get lost inside your head by focusing on the suffering and pain.

Then run on. Take each mile as it comes. Find something in each step to relish, even when things are

Keep steady and enjoy those early miles.

Mile 6. It’s time settle into your routine. All the horseplay is over and your carefully laid plan starts to take shape.

The first signs of strain appear. There are not so many smiles now. Things are starting to get serious.

For those who entered into this thing without proper preparation, or on a lark, it is here that the first signs of trouble appear. Conversation stops. Tempers flare. Everyone can see that things are not going so well, no matter how hard one might try to hide that fact, even from themselves. They struggle desperately

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not so great. It is here you realize that being happy here takes hard work. It’s a concentrated and continual effort. If you stick with it, however, the payoff is waiting for you just ahead.

Mile 18. This is the cruelest mile. Exhaustion settles deep into every corner of your essence. There is an honest and often critical introspection about why you are doing this and what it was you expected to accomplish. The finish line is far away, and the toll of the miles on your body is heavy.

A great many people decide to end things here. The pain is too much, the rewards too abstract. For them, there is the overwhelming sense that there is a better way to spend their lives than suffering and sticking to contrived plans. Better to end it and salvage what is left of the day.

It is a destructive mile, where even seemingly stable packs break apart. Some of those who seemed most likely to succeed back at the start, shatter and fall apart here. Everyone is struggling, trying to make things work and not fall victim to their own despair.

Still, a surprising number of people push themselves through the darkness. I can’t tell you how or why. This mile forces us to face our mortality and our limitations.

We all evaluate what support we have around us, and, thank goodness, we often find whatever it is we need to succeed and stay on track. Whatever that precious thing is, be it big or small, it strengthens us against the cold and the darkness. If we survive, we are changed, and are made stronger.

Mile 25. This is the point we finally know we are going to finish. The packs have matured and evolved and changed over the long miles, just as each of us has individually. We are not the same as we were at the start. There are things to be proud of, and things best left behind us.

Either way, we all recognize what we really are. We are the survivors. We found our way through the darkness, and found success where others found only frustration and failure.

It is at this point that we Christina Rayder finally begin to feel happiness

again. The pain is still there, but it’s not the most important thing anymore. Those who dropped out never made it to realize this blissful redemption.

They escaped some of the pain, but never reaped the benefits of sticking it out.

Some may say we seem boastful and smug. After all, can anyone ever really put themselves into the shoes of another? So many things contribute to the success and failure of any endeavor of the human heart.

However, to those left standing, there is a shared sense of accomplishment and pride. That is something that transcends smugness or petty boasting.

It’s a shared experience.

We’ve accomplished something remarkable and lasting, and that’s not often seen in a world of easy conveniences and instant gratification. We few have taken a difficult and rocky path, and stayed with it. That is something almost anyone could be proud of.

Mile 26.2. I reached this mile marker on Oct., 2017.

That’s exactly 26.2 years after I started the most important endurance event of my life, as husband to Christina.

It’s not always been easy.

But we made it through, past every mile marker, over every hill and across every valley.

Unlike a marathon, 26.2 is not the end. It is only another marker along a road that spans the course of our lives. There are more challenges ahead to be faced, and more rewards to be reaped.

A 26.2 sticker hangs on our refrigerator in our kitchen.

I gave it to my wife to mark our Marathon Anniversary.

We both put on old race shirts from one of our favorite running events and went out to a nice dinner to celebrate a landmark that only a marathon runner (or the family of a marathon runner) could appreciate.

Either way, we all recognize what we really are.

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Attention: Fellow Runners!

Do you have some unusual experiences as a runner, or some thoughts about our sport you would like to share?

Don’t keep it to yourself — share with your fellow runners.

You can contact the editor at any time to discuss potential contributions: 901-246-6477 or brentmanley@ yahoo.com. This is your publication. Be an active part of it.

Brent Manley, Editor

The Marathon Anniversary It’s the kind of oddball thing Christina and I do that cements our relationship together, and makes the years of our lives both colorful and rich. It makes us stronger, together.

Anyway, I have to set the bar high in anticipation of our 31.1 (50K) anniversary. From this point forward, we’re running in an “ultra-distance” marriage. Maybe we’ll exchange shiny belt buckles with the number “31.1 years” stamped across it to celebrate the occasion.

If she can stay married to me that long, she earned a pretty big buckle, made of gold, with diamonds, and presented to her on some white sand tropical beach.

That’s what she tells me, anyway.

Teresa,Walter, Stanton, Claire, Kendall & Henry Allman Raza Askari Muhammad Bilal Halie Burgess Mark Christianson Christy, Reece & Jackson Conrad

Thomas Henry Teresa Henry Sean Hord Laura Mcgee Courtney Moser Christopher Mutrie Charlie Ogg Valerie Truhan

www.memphisrunners.com 17

AS

we leave the dog days of summer and begin preparing for a late fall/winter marathon or half marathon, try adding a little speed to your training runs. After all, you want to be at your best at a race that takes so much preparation.

Whether it is the mile or the marathon, you will run faster if you get stronger.

The stronger you are, the easier it is to work at a given sub-maximum level of stress loading. Marathoning is all about running sub-maximally for a long period.

The faster your sub-maximum pace, the quicker you finish.

Good milers spend lots of time in the weight room hoping to put on some muscle so that super-fast intervals seem easier and the risk of injury decreases. Milers have plenty of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles, and much of their training is devoted to a near-maximum-level effort to strengthen all of their muscle fibers. When they race, every muscle fiber is used to the maximum, as that is the name of their game and they run very quickly.

The secret of improving half marathon and marathon race times is to include two faster sessions a week in your training. One workout is race-pace training. Do a warmup, run a 20- minute run at race pace, then an easy mile, then 15 minutes at race pace, then a cool down. Even this minimal stimulus keeps those fast-twitch fibers actively trained to assist on race day. When I was doing hard training for the marathon, I would gradually increase my race pace training until three weeks out from my marathon, I could do three sets of 20 minutes at predicted marathon pace with 10 minutes jogging between each set.

You certainly do not have to go to that extreme, but it makes a difference.

There are, of course, obsessive runners who, if one aspirin will stop a headache in 20 minutes, will take 20 to stop it in 60 seconds. This is an exaggeration, of course, but too much of a good thing can be nasty and lead to injury. One additional speed-training session a week ought to include faster-than-race-pace surges and bursts of energy to provide a total-body approach to development. Try a free-flow fartlek session of accelerations to the next telephone pole, then rest and recovery to the next telephone pole and repeat as long as you are comfortable. Do 30 seconds fast and 30 slow for 30 minutes or, for those who prefer more organization, try a series of eight in-and-out miles (four of each), one being 10 seconds faster than your race pace and the next being 10 seconds slower. This will give you a wonderful sense of achievement and you can proceed to a massage, lots of water and a great meal. After you have gotten the adaptation of three such sessions in a six-week period you will be tougher than nails and your mental strength will have increased.

Adding a little speed will get you to the finish line faster. If you don’t favor any of these suggestions, make your own workouts. If you know your body, you will soon figure out what challenges you and what will work. As an aside, stay off the track. You are preparing for a long race, and as Joanie Samuelson stated as she prepared at age 60 to break three hours at the Chicago Marathon, “I have not been on the track in years as my body does not like all the turns.” Her solution is to “race cars” on the road. So whatever works for you, try some speed.

Tips for a faster marathon or half marathon

By Carolyn Mather

In a real sense, marathoners are not much different, at least in principle. After all, we are all runners. It is true that most marathoners do not spend hours in the weight room, although I must say that Jordan Hasay’s weight-training regimen and its frequency and intensity may have a bit to do with her incredible marathon debut. The average marathoner, however, does not need increased muscle mass and, with a higher percentage of slow-twitch muscle cells, they will not add much, if any, muscle anyway.

Training lots of slow miles means your races will be slow. You get what you train for. Slow training means that slow-twitch muscle cells are well trained and fast-twitch cells go unchallenged. On average, even fairly good marathoners have at least 20 to 30 percent (sometimes 40-50 percent) of their leg muscle mass in the form of fast-twitch cells. These fast-twitch cells do not get activated until at least your marathon race pace intensity of training. Not training at faster paces means not developing a sizable number of muscle cells that could be helpful in performance enhancement.

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Carolyn Mather, R.N., PhD. lives and runs in north Georgia and is a member of the Atlanta Track Club Elite. She can be reached at carolynmather@tds.net.

This article is reprinted from the October 2017 issue of Running Journal. To subscribe, visit www.running.net

An important project

By Bill Butler

I’m a co-conspirator in an epic undertaking the Memphis Public Library has graciously allowed us to attempt. The project is to make, for posterity, video recordings of interviews with local longtime runners, coaches and other notables. It’s a long list.

I am moderator and interviewer in coordination with local running legend Mike Cody, former U.S. Attorney, supporter of running and civil rights activist.

The final product, supported by scans of documents and photos related to running, will become part of the Memphis Room collection in the Benjamin Hooks Main Library on Poplar Avenue, available for viewing by anyone with interest in running in Memphis. I understand the MRTC may make a link to the final product, too, through the website.

The focus is on running here since the 1950s.

Recent interviews have included Mike, Coach Jack Moran, sprinters, track guys and early road warriors who didn’t make appearances until the late 1960s. We also plan to include early women runners, our AfricanAmerican athletes, Olympians and World Record holders, some of the characters who formed the terrific running scene here in the mid-1970s and into the 1980s, running store owners and founders, our women MRTC presidents, MRTC presidents who oversaw the surge in participation in running locally. These interviews, videotaped in the studios at the library, last about an hour each and have aroused my interest, as it should yours.

I’ve listened to stories of segregated school track meets and the “after-meet meets,” when black high school athletes would gather at old Hodges Field (where the Veterans Administration building now stands) or the old Fairgrounds track and informally challenge white athletes to compete.

I’ve heard the stories of cinder tracks, red-brick tracks, the “gardening” tools used to make a starting block hole, the old Fairgrounds indoor dirt track and, later, the wooden track through which dust and dirt would puff up in a cloud whenever someone’s spikes stuck the wood, coating athletes in dust. All these add

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such a flavorful base to our current running and racing.

I had considered writing such a history, but found this a better use of my time. Herding runners is almost as ineffectual as trying the exercise, proverbially, with cats. But there it is.

If you have some relics of the early days (pre 1977), old clippings, photographs and would like to have them added as part of this history, you can contact me through this magazine. The editor has my contact information. The materials will be scanned and returned to you. Please send only flat, photographable materials such as newspaper articles, brochures, race applications. Tee shirts cannot be used.

How does this information fit into my usual column?

It gives one a reflection, a backdrop in which to see our city’s running history and who those people were, thus enriching your own experience whether you be a jogger, race walker, runner, racer. As I’ve stated before, runners are all one family. Even in these less-than-perfect times, and in the unsettled areas of town in which we run (and mostly at night after work), we are family.

If someone needs a running partner, help of almost any sort, advice (of which there is a vast amount, and it’s still free), one need only to ask another runner.

I’ve helped change a flat tire (not very well) for a runner after a race. I’ve carried runners to local as well as out-of-town races. I’ve lent a few bucks to other runners, bought a convivial beer for runners and hosted running events.

Like most others, I did not do it for credit or selfaggrandizement, nor did anyone else I know who is part of this community, this family.

I hope you are as excited as I am, or will become excited to see the final product. It won’t be Hollywood or Ken Burns slick, but it will be real and local. If it doesn’t make you proud of your hometown and its rich history of running and runners, then give me a call. I’ll check your heart for serious deficiencies.

That’s all I have to say for now. Maybe I’ll get into another groove next time.

Until then, Happy Trails to you.

By Joel Lyons, PT, OCS The Basics of Cold Weather Running

What defines cold weather is definitely a matter of opinion. We all have different tolerances to falling temps, but there is always some point when we have to adjust our routines. Here are some old and new ideas to make your run a little more comfortable.

Most of you have heard of the practice of dressing as if it is 10 degrees warmer than the temperature you see on the thermometer. I believe this is a good practice at temperatures 50 degrees and lower.

The longer the distance, the more critical it is to dress appropriately. The problem with overdressing is sweating on the lower layers and staying wet, which makes you that much colder.

Of course, you could always take off the outer layer before you get too soaking wet.

You just have to consider whether you want to carry it, tie it around your waist (if possible), or just throw it away (or to a friend if you want to retrieve it later).

In shorter races, you might be able to get by with overdressing a little, but with longer ones you risk at best an uncomfortable finish — at worst, hypothermia.

The use of throw-away apparel at the beginnings of marathons is so common that most of the organizers have plans for picking up the clothing, and many donate what’s collected to charities. Whether it is an old sweatshirt or a plastic bag, remember this routine.

In fact, you can burn a lot of calories just shivering at the starting line. Stay as warm as possible (short of sweating profusely) while standing in your corral.

These days, tech clothing is amazing, especially compared to what was available in the past. Wearing a good wicking material next to your skin makes all the difference. A looser outer garment can many times be

all that you need in most Memphis conditions.

It could even be a short-sleeved shirt. Make sure it’s breathable, and if it’s windy, use a windbreaker or something similar. Make sure it has air holes or even those zippered openings for ventilation. I like a windbreaker vest on top of a long-sleeved garment. It’s easy to control my body temp by unzipping it when I get a little warm.

So how about keeping that head warm? Do you really lose 50 to 80% of your heat through the head?

My quick perusal of the web seems to say it’s just a myth. Regardless, you will lose heat from your head if it’s not covered. A common problem, though, is using a hat that is just too warm. You’ll sweat too much with a hat that is too thick. A thin hat that covers your ears really helps, but sometimes only a ball cap made of technical fabric really works.

Cotton gloves in Memphis do a great job for most of the winter in our area. They breathe well and the sweat seems to evaporate quickly. If it’s very cold and windy, mittens are great at keeping you warm. Having your fingers touching each other keeps them warmer than the separation that gloves create.

For your face, a common technique is using a thin layer of Vaseline. It can really help on the tip of your nose and cheeks. I found something made by Chapstick called Facestick. It’s used just like Chapstick on your lips, but this can be spread easily all over the front of your face. Remember to use some kind of balm on your lips to prevent chapping and irritation.

Another important strategy to remember when it’s cold is staying hydrated. It’s easy to forget to drink as much when it’s cold, but it is very important.

... don’t let the colder weather keep you from running.

(continued on page 24

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Do your best in the

2018 WORS

By Kevin Raney

A year of firsts

2017 has been a year of firsts for me. It began with my first year as race director of the Winter OffRoad Series. It was followed by both of my daughters graduating on the same day, one from high school and the other from college. Next came the embarkation on the empty-nest journey with my wife when our youngest went off to college and most recently with the wedding of my older daughter in October.

Finally, I’m writing this while waiting on what my wife and I are calling Freedom Tour Part I (freedom from kid’s trips — we love them dearly but…). I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m looking forward to 2018 and, I hope, a calmer year.

As noted above, the WORS earlier this year was my first as solo race director. I was fortunate to follow Michele Weir as RD and once again, let me express my eternal gratitude to Michele for the fine job she did and all the great notes and directions she provided.

It has made the transition so much easier. The role of RD has also been made easier by all of the people who regularly volunteer to work at the races. If you want to get involved — a great way to give back to the running community — contact Beverly Pickens (pickensbg@aol.com) and she’ll find a spot for you to volunteer.

year and you can find the course maps for all races at: (https://wintercc.racesonline.com/race-course-maps).

We are excited to offer a new 10K course (still at Shelby Farms but in a different part of the park).

The previous 10K, or the Tour de Wolf, as the mountain bikers know it, has seen several great upgrades over the last few years but with the popularity of the off-leash dog park and the increased usage of the TDW by the bikers, I felt that we could do better.

Runners take off at a Winter Off-Road Series race at Nesbit Park in Bartlett.

The format for the upcoming series will be the same (all races start at 2 p.m.)

Jan. 14: Jan. 28: Feb. 18: Feb. 25:

If you are the parent of a cross-country runner at the elementary, middle or high school level you will be familiar with parts of the new course.

If you ran the old multiple loop 10K course when this series was referred to as the Horton Cross Country series, you’ll be familiar with some parts of the new course.

If you ran cross country in the 1980s or 1990s, you’ll be familiar with some parts of the new course.

Finally, if you participated in the Police and Fire 10K, you’ll be familiar with some parts of the new course.

This new course promises to be challenging and nostalgic. No, it’s not a multiple loop; you will,

3K at Overton Park 5K at Nesbit Park (Stanky Creek) 8K at Nesbit Park (Stanky Creek) 10K at Shelby Farms Park

Series awards will take place after the last runner finishes the 10K. You can register at: https://wintercc.racesonline. com/register). The scoring for the series will remain the same as last year and can be found online at: (https://wintercc.racesonline.com/points-scoringexplained). The first three races will be the same as last 22

however, retrace the first park was difficult at best. mile and a half in reverse.

There is an initiative in We start and finish about Shelby County to put 50 meters from the parking GPS location signs on area between gates 9 area trails for exactly and 10. The course is this purpose. I’m proud open, even in the wooded to say that Bartlett, with sections, and there should support from the MRTC, be no problems passing has placed these sign anywhere along the path. posts at Stanky Creek.

Look for a course preview Another item of from Kevin Leathers with concern that I heard Can’t Stop Endurance in from the runners/medical the near future. Kevin got a personnel was they preview of the course and didn’t know Joe’s name threatened with me with at the time of the incident public humiliation in social because he didn’t have media if we didn’t race this identification on him. new course.

This year, we will have Last year at the 8K, we all names preprinted on lost a fellow runner, Joe bibs or we’ll write the Buckner from Brandon runner’s name in a slot MS. He was participating on the bib. If you register in the race with his before Dec. 11,your name granddaughter Sarah when will be preprinted and he passed away. Lane your chip and bib will be Purser and Rob Hunter mailed to you. were able to attend his Lastly, there was WORS Race Director Kevin Raney (right) with Joy Royer, funeral services and were some confusion about owner of Outdoors, Inc, main sponsor of the series.With touched by the number of who to contact in case of them is Royer’s daughter, Mary Royer Hays. Royer donated people who were impacted $2000 to the 2018 WORS. an emergency. The first

by Joe’s life. thing to remember is to During that race I was extremely awed by the determine if medical attention is needed, then dial 911. number of people who were willing and able to stop If it is not an emergency, there will be a number printed and attend to Joe on that most grievous occasion. on every bib to call in case assistance is needed or if Among those who stopped and lent support or medical race administration needs to be made aware of some attention were Mary Royer, Cassandra Glover, Jillian issue on the course during the race.

Payne NP, Katie Barger MD and Ravpreet Gill MD. After that race, I learned several things of which There were other runners who stopped and gave I was not aware and I’m pretty sure that most MRTC medical assistance, but we didn’t get all of their members aren’t aware of either. Any time there is an names. Thank you to everyone who offered their incident that requires medical attention, an incident assistance and prayers. form is filled out by an MRTC representative. This Several things became apparent from that applies to something as simple as a turned ankle tragic occasion. It became obvious to all of the first that is treated by our on-site ambulance service or if responders that locating someone in distress in the emergency personnel are called for help. Additionally,

The 2017 WORS sponsored by:

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the MRTC has invested in emergency defibrillators that are kept in our equipment vans and are ready for use at any of the races that MRTC services.

Our title sponsor in the upcoming series will once again be Outdoors, Inc. We are also proud to announce that Sprouts Farmers Market will again provide after-race snacks. Racesonline and Bluff City Sports continue to support our efforts to bring you an enjoyable race series with top-notch online service, graphics development and shirt printing. I mentioned Kevin Leathers earlier, and if you didn’t catch his course previews last year, look for updated versions for the upcoming series on his blog. We’ll be posting links of those to our Facebook page. Check it out on our Facebook page MRTC Winter Off Road Race Series. Kevin has also agreed to put on a trail running primer if you are new to this niche of our sport or if you are an experienced runner and would like to get some updates from a knowledgeable trail runner. It is currently planned for the second week of December. We’ll have a firm date, time and location posted to the Facebook page and website soon.

We will again be offering two opportunities to pick up your race packet (bib, chip and shirt) at Outdoors, Inc. The first will be at the Outdoors Midtown location on Union, Thursday, Jan. 11 from 4–6 p.m. The second will be at the Outdoors Cordova location on Germantown Parkway, Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. While at the packet pickup, you are encouraged to browse and enjoy the warmth of the store while supporting a local business. Or you can come out before the 3K, stand in the cold, in a long line (hope it doesn’t rain … or snow), and rush to the start line.

I’m looking forward to another great series with some awesome performances by all of our participants. Please register as early as possible so we can mail your bib and chip to you.

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What Runners Need To Know (continued from page 20

It keeps your body systems working normally, including your cardiovascular system, which works to help you stay warm.

After the run, get dry clothes on as quick as possible. You’ll warm up much quicker. Drink something warm and even try to take in a little food. Your system will return to normal that much quicker if you do so.

Finally, don’t let the colder weather keep you from running.

Once you are out there, you always warm up and feel better.

Also, you usually get to see sights that others don’t. The crisp air is energizing and soon you’ll acclimate to the temperatures and have no problem getting out the front door. Enjoy the season!

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Nationwide, Nationwide is On Your Side, and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2016 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. NPR-0784AO (08/16) ##

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25

Ragnar ‘virgins’ and the Bourbon Chase

By Anne Forbus 45 minutes. I would love to say that it was my amazing, mad skills on leg assignments. The truth is that it was pure, dumb luck.

The second unpleasant discovery was that there is no drinking allowed. What?!? Who organizes a race with stops at multiple bourbon distilleries offering samples and dictates that “alcohol consumption will not be tolerated” during the running of the Bourbon Chase?

Finally, race weekend was upon us. A lot had happened in our little group of 14, (12 runners and two drivers) during the months after we had started this crazy talk. We had to replace one of our runners five weeks before race day because of an injury, and another runner lost her mom a week before the race and also had to pull out.

Thankfully, we were able to find replacement runners who fit in with our group, and we didn’t have to pick up a complete stranger to fill out our team. One of our runners found out that her fiancé was being deployed, so the Bourbon Chase Anne Forbus was to double as her bachelorette weekend.

We were all excited and a little nervous when we headed out of town. As we talked on the drive, some of us began to question our sanity. Am I crazy? What if I get lost? Will the roads be clearly marked? Will I be able to read the map I have wadded up in my belt?

The majority of us were nervous about how the events of Bourbon Chase would play out. Would we stay on pace? Would we get attacked by bears, dogs or any other creatures of the night? Would we be running all by ourselves on roads we weren’t familiar with?

I’d heard “friends” telling tales of being lost at midnight, running across dark bridges over water that

This article is a compilation of reports from six of the 12 women who participated as the Beer Drinking Bourbon Babes in the Bourbon Chase Ragnar, a 200mile relay race from Clermont KY to Lexington KY.The reporters, including me, are Christy Brewer, Alex Gallegos, Gretchen Deathrage, Allison Andrassy and Terri Clarke.

It all started with a Facebook post: “Someone I know has a Bourbon Chase entry, but she can’t captain the team or participate.

Contact me if you are interested and I’ll put you in touch.” My only thought was, “Running, drinking . . . sounds like a good time.” So I messaged and before I knew it I was the proud owner of a Bourbon Chase Ragnar entry.

Pretty soon I had nine of 12 slots filled with women, and decided that the logistics would be much easier with an all-female team. I had never done an overnight relay and quite frankly had no idea what I was doing.

Thank goodness I was able to recruit very organized runners — and two drivers: Nikki Fowler and Cori Sackett. Before I knew it, they had printed out the Bourbon Chase Guide for me and began coaching me on what we needed to do, even though not a single solitary one of us had ever done the Bourbon Chase or any overnight relay.

The very best advice I got from a Ragnar veteran was to get a room near the halfway mark. Even if you have to drive ahead or backwards, a shower and nap will make you feel like a whole new person. We had several team meetings to collect information, decide what to pack, where to stay and what to wear. These are all-important things for a team of women.

The first unpleasant discovery was that the 36hour time limit translates to an average pace of 10:30 minutes per mile. Hmmm. I can run that on a good day, but what if the weather is hot? How hilly will the course be?

These were all questions running through our minds. After our remaining three ladies were recruited, and all the paces were entered and the legs assigned, we had an estimated completion time of 35 hours and

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surely held trolls waiting to grab you by the ankles, WHERE’S MY (fill in the blank)?”. beasties howling. “Are you freaking nuts?” I wondered I ran through the lifting mist and fog, up hills, down quietly to myself. hills, up hills, up hills, up hills, and as I ran and walked, “Sure. Why not?” And with those three words I the sun peeked out, glistening on little valleys covered found myself crammed in a 15-passenger van (sounds in green fields and lovely little homesteads, happy dogs big and roomy, eh? Nope) with six other ladies, some of barking from the yards and I decided that Van 1, Runner whom I’d only recently met, bleary-eyed and severely 5 probably had the best leg of the entire event. sleep deprived, scrambling to find my Wonder Van 2 took over Woman tutu. at Makers Mark.

The first leg was 7.5 miles, starting at the The temperatures Jim Beam Distillery (south of Louisville) at were quite warm 6:30 a.m. Friday. It was pitch black when we (especially the arrived and we were not able to see much of daytime legs) and the the grounds. The first four miles of the leg paths we ran were were trails in the woods. The trail was clear, quite hilly, but we but it was very dark and all you could see was made the best of it the lighted path from your headlight and the and told ourselves blinking light from the runner in front of you. not to sweat it and do For runners who emerged from, the roads the best we could do. were rolling hills through a two-lane road that Christy: Leg 8. was absolutely beautiful. The only mileage In my two years of sign was one that indicated there was a mile running, my mantra left. I loved seeing those signs! Once I arrived has always been “I at the exchange, it was a rush to get to the next hate hills. Hills are exchange point to cheer our teammates. my kryptonite. I’ll Gretchen: As my first leg (No. 4) came just walk this hill around, I got very quiet, totally internalizing and catch up on the all of these fears. I felt almost sick, like I was decline.” My first Allison Andrassy with other members of the racing for the very first time. Before I knew it, Beer Drinking Bourbon Babes. leg started out easy my teammate was in sight and heading for the enough with a few exchange. We made the handoff, and there was no more rolling hills, but quickly transitioned to a steady climb time to think. For the first two miles, I was in panic that didn’t end for miles with no decline until about half mode. I had trouble breathing, and spent way too much a mile from the next exchange. After finishing a little time worrying about what might go wrong. Then I defeated, I decided it was time to change my strategy realized, it’s just another run, and I would be okay. One and finally overcome my mental hang-ups with hills. leg down!

Allison: Leg No. 11. I started my first leg around Terri: No. 5, here I was, somewhere in the 5 p.m. on Friday and endured a brutal 8.7-mile run Kentucky countryside, waiting for Gretchen to appear mostly uphill and in temperatures in the low 80s. When over the horizon of hill #467 and hand off the slapI finally saw a downhill stretch, I could barely control bracelet. The first four teammates had completed their my excitement. Unfortunately, by the time I got there, first legs in heavy-to-light fog and chilly mist. I was my legs started cramping so I could barely run. I met still required to wear the safety vest and lights, which Anne at the exchange point and I was saying some were borrowed as I’d already lost mine or left them in choice words. I swore I would never do this again. One Van 2 — which almost caused me to have to sing “I’m and done. I said, “What a lame place for a bachelorette A Little Teapot” — a discipline implemented by our weekend.” intrepid van driver, Nikki, who was, by 9 a.m., already Anne: Leg 12 was a fairly easy course: Three miles heartily tired of hearing “OHOOOMYGGGG . . . through the heart of Danville KY. After our first leg 27

was complete, our nerves subsided and we relaxed and allowed ourselves to have fun!

While Van 2 was active, Van 1 got some quick Subway, drove to the hotel for showers and naps until we had to wake up and start our portions again. Time flew. We handed off to the other van, and hours later the other van handed back off to us.

Alex: Leg 13 started about 7:50 p.m. on a two-lane highway. The winding Kentucky highways have lovely rolling hills that make it so enjoyable in the pitch black.

All the drivers were thoughtful and didn’t mind the runners taking the edge of the roads.

Gretchen: Leg 16 was in the late-night hours.

Again, I was nervous at the start. Running in darkness without the support of my running buddies was a totally new experience. It was actually quite peaceful. I thought I would be more afraid because I could not spot many runners in front of me. I ran on, up and down the hills, through road construction, across major thoroughfares and into the next small quaint Kentucky town.

Terri: Leg 17. Now it was moving toward midnight.

Gretchen appeared and slapped the bracelet on. Off into dark, through a small neighborhood with darkened windows and smart people sleeping in their own very comfy beds.

This morphed into a trail that turned onto a divided highway with a wide shoulder. Sirens were screaming from several directions and I wondered if I removed the reflective vest, could they still find me? Now, footsteps behind me, heavy breathing, Yes! Please find me, sirens! No, it’s fine, only another crazy runner.

Transition, another hop into the van and off to the next transition point, the last of that cycle, and we headed to the hotel for showers and three hours of sleep. I’d had illusions of Starbucks, leisurely drives to the next point, napping in the sun in the van.

“HAHAHAHA,” the gods of Ragnar laughed.

Allison: Leg 23. My second leg was a confidence booster. I began at 5 a.m. and the temperatures were in the 50s. Much better conditions and I actually beat my expected pace! I ran into Four Roses Distillery to the smell of doughnuts and coffee. I was able to get about a half hour of sleep — hardly enough — while in route to the next exchange spot.

Anne: Leg 24. At some point during van 1’s time

“on,” another team, 460, was late to an exchange by 10 minutes. By the time the relief runner showed up, the entire crowd was chanting “Four sixty.” From that point on, the possibility of leaving a teammate standing alone at the exchange with no one to take the wrist band loomed large and was referred to among our group as 460ing someone.

We had passed the bride to be in the van on our way to Four Roses, so I thought I had plenty of time. I didn’t. I’m running down the hill in the dark, banging myself up sliding under a metal fence to grab the bracelet in the dark to start running my hardest, longest leg. Running in the dark was actually a relief — from the heat and from the daunting vision of the long, hard climbs coming. The horizon was red with the sun coming up as I ran downhill into the Wild Turkey Distillery.

Alex: Leg 25 was over a bridge that was the highest railroad bridge in America when it was built. It was so foggy that it made the scene as scary as it sounds. I was crossed over it and found more rolling hills through farmland.

Gretchen: Leg 28. My third leg was my shortest run, but mentally it was the hardest. I was exhausted and ready for the relay to be completed. Something about spending all day and night in the van with only a short amount of time for sleep, not to mention poor eating habits, makes for a rough day.

I felt lucky because my final leg was mid-morning, but the sun was out and it was warming up quickly.

The roads traveled were teeming with local traffic. I’m sure they thought we were crazy. When I made it to the exchange, I was so relieved.

Terri: Leg 29. My longest leg. It was getting hot and yet I’m still convinced I have the three best legs of the entire event. It was sunny with bright, clearblue skies. I ran past huge estates with acres of green fields encircled with painted wooden-slat fences, trees hanging over the road, shady patches to run to.

Now the fast people who started 12, 13, 14 hours later than we did were passing us, cheering us on.

Around a corner and beginning uphill, I saw stackedstone fences with a stream gurgling alongside the road, water shining and shimmering in patches of sunlight, bouncing over rocks. Oh, I wanted so badly to sit in that water, to put out the burning in my legs. I flew up the hills, rounded the corner, saw the pass-off, I’m done.

One more runner from our van, and Van 2 will complete their final legs.

... I wanted so badly to sit in that water, to put out the burning in my legs.

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Christy: Leg 32. For my last and most difficult leg, I focused on slowing down and shortening my stride. I was determined to not only conquer but also learn to love running hills. As it got harder, I would simply slow down, evaluate my form, then ease back into it. As I focused more on enjoying the beauty of horse country and less on hating hills, the steady, seemingly unending climb got a little easier. I managed to finish almost twice as many miles as my first leg at a faster overall pace on more difficult terrain.

The scenery in Bourbon-country Kentucky was beautiful with the rolling hills and horse farms.

Allison: Leg 35. My final leg began at 5 p.m. on Saturday and was a beautiful route along a running/ biking path in Lexington. I talked to other runners and found we were all excited about reaching our finish line, which meant all we had to do was wait for one more runner to run their leg and then it was FINISH LINE! PARTY TIME! Our race entries allowed four shots of bourbon per person. We were all anticipating those.

Anne: Leg 36. Thank God! The Bourbon Chase guide says this 4.9 miles is “easy.” Well, not so much.

When I turned the corner and saw all my teammates from both vans lined up in our matching tanks with their “Rosie the Riveter” headbands, and the sweet bride to be with her sash and matching veil, I teared up a little.

I won’t say that I’ve learned to “love” hills, but I’ve definitely learned to stop hating and avoiding them. Our team, the Beer Drinking Bourbon Babes, was so much fun! Quality bonding time while stuck in a van for 36plus hours was something I will never forget!

After the race, while celebrating with our team, I decided I would venture on this Ragnar journey again!

The Bourbon Chase experience is difficult to put in to words. There were so many people running, driving, cheering, directing traffic, assisting van parking, coordinating legs, spotting, recording; leg after leg for 200 miles day and night. Our drivers said the job allowed them to feel the excitement of the race while also experiencing the mental, physical, and emotional stress of the event.

The magnitude of planning and preparation for the event is mind boggling. I’ve run farther, longer, harder, slower, better, worse, but nothing like this. The course support was great. It’s hard to fathom the man-hours put into an event this large, covering 200 miles — none of it repeated — towns full of friendly faces offering coffee and cookies, volunteers at 1 a.m. smiling and cheering as we ran into transition while they stood working in the dark and cold. I’ve made new friends and gotten to know others better. I’ve seen beautiful parts of the country that I would never have seen otherwise. And I got a free T-shirt. Overall, I loved this race and would do it again in a heartbeat. Next time, I’m mapping the Starbucks locations.

The horizon was red with the sun coming up as I ran ... into the Wild Turkey Distillery.

Photos courtesy www.bourbonchase.com 29

Running and volunteering

By Nancy Brewton I have been running off and on for over 40 years, more consistently for the last eight.

In 2009, I had a friend who I worked with and ran a lot of races. He was going to deploy to Afghanistan in November of that year, and asked if I wanted to run a race with him on Saturday, so I did. That was in June and we ended up running a race every Saturday from June until he left in November. He got a group of five of us to join MRTC and we were running with him.

This is how I found MRTC and volunteered at a few races from 2010 to 2012. During this time, I started running at Runners Club at Youth Villages. Every Monday at the Dogwood Campus in Arlington, I would run with the kids from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once a month, we would take them to a 5K somewhere in the community.

Fast forward to 2015. I was back in Memphis after being away for two years. I went back to Youth Villages but decided I was going to volunteer a lot more, along with racing, so I sent Beverly Pickens (MRTC Volunteer Coordinator) an email and started volunteering. I also got involved with the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. As you probably know, MRTC has big part in that event.

Volunteering gave me a whole new perspective on running.

For starters, I got to see how races are run. A lot goes on to make a successful race — from making sure the course is coned correctly, the timing mats and machines are good, the start and finish lines are up and the organizers are prepared to offer a printout of your finish time,

your pace and where you placed, overall and in your age group.

I get to see everyone start and finish. I know that may sound weird, but it’s nice to see people come through the finish line with a PR or running their first 5K. I have found that people recognize me away from the race venues.

Someone came up to me in Costco and said, “You volunteer for MRTC.” Some don’t realize I am a runner because they saw me only when I was volunteering.

I ran the St. Jude Half Marathon one year while I lived out of town. I had fun, and when I returned to Memphis I was asked if I would like to help with the St. Jude Marathon Weekend.

I said, “Sure,” not really knowing what I was getting myself into.

I was a course director, a fancy name for making sure my part of the course was running smoothly. That was just a small part of what the St. Jude volunteer experience was for me.

I got to see all the hard work everyone — from the St. Jude staff to thousands of volunteers — does to put on four huge races.

It’s natural for me to really throw myself into the work of volunteering, so I helped fill the pallets for all the hydration stations (aka water stops) and got the medals ready for all the races. There were so many I thought we would never be finished.

Later in the day, I worked at the Expo for MRTC and the next day the big event.

As I write this, the 2017 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is still two months away.

We are already in planning meetings, and I am excited for this year. It is a great opportunity to volunteer, doing so many different jobs, from course monitors, hydrations stations, green team (making sure the course stays clean), food service and more!

Volunteering gave me a whole new perspective on running.

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Runners Club with Youth Villages (YV) really helped me learn more about myself and other runners. I run with kids who do not get to run every day. They usually get to run two miles a week, one mile on two different days.

When we take the kids to run/walk the 5Ks, it’s hard for me, as a competitive person, to hold back, but I learned patience and remember that it is not about me but about the child. Many of the kids are doing their first races. Seeing how happy they are when we finish makes the time I spend as a volunteer worth it.

At our last race, all the YV girl I ran with wanted was to finish under 35 minutes to get a PR, so being with her and seeing her determination — she beat her goal, finishing in 33:35 — made my week.

When Runners Club came around the following Monday, she was motivated and ran her heart out. I love it the most when other runners shout encouragement to the kids. It means a lot to them. There are several opportunities to run with the kids at the two different campuses. There is Runners Club in Bartlett (Tuesdays

3 p.m.–5 p.m.) and in Arlington (Mondays 3 p.m.– 5 p.m.) and at both on Saturdays 10 a.m.–noon. If you have an hour or two a week, come out and run with us.

The best thing about running and volunteering is that you meet the best people. Runners are teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, military, engineers, stay-athome parents, etc., but that doesn’t matter when you run because we all have one thing in common. What I like the best is if you are five-minute miler or a 16-minute miler, runners always cheer you on and appreciate your being out there.

If you are injured, don’t feel like running or just want to volunteer, try it! You might get hooked!

Volunteer coordinators:

MRTC — Contact Beverly Pickens: pickensbg@aol.com Youth Villages — Paul “Spunky” Ireland: paulireland@att.net St. Jude Marathon Weekend: www.stjude.org, scroll down to volunteer section.

What goes around ...

By Evelyne Malone June 27, 2017, is the day that I will always remember.

My patella had separated from my knee. I was scheduled for outpatient surgery, but was admitted to the hospital two days later. My doctor said that it would be a simple operation with an overnight stay. I packed for two days and ended up with an 18-day hospital stay with three months of rehab, with additional surgery on Nov. 15.

I remember being returned to my room, and the first nurse immediately said, “The water stop girl!”

The nurse said, “I appreciate you so much for all you do, so now I’m going to take care of you.”

My nurse made sure I was comfortable, and monitored my stats closely. The afternoon nurse at Methodist Germantown was another MRTC runner.

“You’re the finish line girl,” she said. “Sorry you

are here, but I am going to make you okay.”

When my stats dropped and I was rushed to Special Operations with a blood pressure of 85/53 and oxygen level 78, the specialist was another MRTC runner who recognized me and said, “Ms. E., we got you.” She informed me of the bad news: “You have two blood clots that are in your lungs and trying to travel to your heart. She informed me that a filter would be placed in my groin immediately and I would spend the next two days in ICU. These medical professionals / runners were in ICU and followed my progress until I was discharged.

I thought my little acts of kindness were just part of my responsibility as a volunteer. As you can see, I found out that the running community is filled with caring individuals who really appreciate what we do as volunteers. I am forever grateful for the love I received, plus calls, cards and encouragement from MRTC. I have made a recommitment as a volunteer and will encourage others to do so.

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Big honor for Coach Local running legend Frank Horton has been inducted to Rhodes College Hall of Fame. The following is the text from the written program.

Horton, an avid member of the Memphis Runners Track Club (MRTC) and known simply as Coach, has left his mark within the Memphis running community.

He not only volunteered his time at CBHS for more than 10 years, but he also ventured to the University of Memphis every Tuesday to offer insight for runners ranging from average community-goers to Olympiclevel athletes. Horton’s involvement within the community didn’t stop there. He was the individual primarily responsible for keeping the Memphis Marathon up and running, and when Memphis was selected as the site for the World Police and Fire Games, Horton designed and set up the cross country course at Shelby Farms Park. In fact, Coach certified all road races within Memphis up until his death, ensuring course accuracy and that they complied with the national body governing race course certification.

CBHS started the Frank Horton Invitational in his honor in 1988. The event runs in conjunction with the Rhodes College Invitational, where high school and college-aged runners coincide. Since 1988, the MRTC hands out the Frank Horton Award for Volunteerism each year to recognize exceptional volunteering within the running community. He is in the CBHS Hall of Fame and Hernando-DeSoto Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1990, Coach posthumously won the Runner’s World Magazine Golden Shoe Award, which recognizes service to the running community.

Frank Horton ’55 — Frank Horton was a member of four different sports at Southwestern (as Rhodes was known then) from 1951-1955, after which he became a notable serviceman within the Memphis community. He was a four-year basketball player, threeyear baseball player, played football his sophomore year and ran cross country his senior year. Horton was the organizer and captain of Rhodes’ first-ever cross country team in September of 1954. He was also involved in numerous activities while at Southwestern.

Horton was voted Outstanding Sophomore and voted Best All-Round Athlete his second year at the college.

He was also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE).

His senior year he was “S” Club Vice President, ODK President, named to Who’s Who Among Students and SAE Vice President. The Dean’s List was composed of the upper 10 percent of students carrying five or more academic courses, which Horton garnered in the spring of 1955.

After graduation, Horton, an economics major, became a member of Southwestern’s men’s basketball coaching staff, spearheading his long dedication to student-athletes. He also coached basketball at East High School, his alma-mater, as well as cross country at Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) where he guided the boys to Tennessee State Champions in 1982, the only title in CBHS cross country history. He was also the Exxon National Corporate team coach for several years. Horton eventually spent more than 20 years working at Exxon, but his love of coaching continued until his passing from Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 1989.

Seen on runners’ T-shirts • If you see me collapse, please pause my Garmin.

• If you can read this, I’m not last!

• I don’t run and if you see me running you should too because something is probably chasing me.

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MARATHON RESULTS

Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL • October 8, 2017

Chris McLelland George Taku Alan Smith Amy Stookey Adrian Hall Natanael Luna Elizabeth Hall Jenny Cowell David Johnson Erin Burke Blake Beckham Caroline Smithwick Melissa Quinn Tracy McKinney Marc Wildeman Matthew Wylie Cole Giovannetti Kescia Muhammad Jessica Wang Glen Okui Mary Griffin Erin Pratcher Edras Aguilar Bob Lloyd Kathie Walthall Alicia Juckett Joy Stark Kevin Lynch Torvia Young Tichina Hearn Ashley Barthol Joe Wakabi Christopher McDaniel Shannon Chisenga Sean Daggett Julie Cleary Dillon Debi Minnick Randy Lambert Daryl McMath Patience Whitten Katharine Carruthers Brian Rees Joseph Harrison Robert Griffin Naomi Bata Schaun Korff Gary Lacom Heather Griffin Shirley Kyles Celeste Pryor Craig Grossman Bryan Montgomery Monserrat Flores

FOR MEMPHIS-AREA RUNNERS Compiled by Sherilyn Huey

Rock ‘n’ Roll Country Music Marathon Nashville TN • April 29, 2017

Rebecca Wade

Germantown TN

4:26:04

Twin Cities Marathon Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN • October 1, 2017

Julie O’Day

Memphis, TN

Mo’ Cowbell Marathon St. Charles, MO • October 1, 2017

Tommy Bennett Sam Klyce Lynnette Stevens Marty Goodlett

Southaven, MS Memphis, TN Dyersburg, TN Dyersburg, TN

Maine Marathon Portland, ME • October 1, 2017

Brad Jones

Germantown, TN

St. George Marathon St. George, UT • October 7, 2017

Christopher J. Mutrie Kelly J. Doherty Jeremy L. Jessop

Memphis, TN Germantown, TN Collierville, TN

Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon Wichita, KS • October 8, 2017

Richard Pendell

Marion, AR

Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon Wichita, KS • October 8, 2017

Courtney Deviney Nitya Vittal

Memphis, TN Memphis, TN

5:59:25 3:51:58 3:26:52 4:15:04 5:05:00 5:38:17 3:11:54 3:40:30 3:53:36 5:36:02 3:50:23 7:26:34 34

Cordova, TN Marion, AR Corinth, MS Lakeland, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Lakeland, TN Jackson, TN Memphis, TN Jackson, TN Lakeland, TN Germantown, TN Memphis, TN Olive Branch, MS Jackson, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Germantown, TN Germantown, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Germantown, TN Corinth, MS Collierville, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Bartlett, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Collierville, TN Corinth, MS Olive Branch, MS Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Germantown, TN Arlington, TN Memphis, TN Collierville, TN Corinth, MS Arlington, TN Cordova, TN Germantown, TN Germantown, TN Memphis, TN Germantown, TN

3:22:04 3:24:13 3:32:58 3:42:00 3:45:40 3:50:31 3:52:21 3:54:37 3:56:24 4:04:17 4:06:00 4:15:30 4:15:46 4:16:40 4:18:19 4:21:39 4:22:13 4:22:18 4:23:05 4:27:25 4:37:03 4:37:52 4:39:41 4:40:23 4:40:56 4:43:41 4:45:08 4:46:49 4:46:51 4:47:09 4:48:25 4:50:20 4:54:46 4:54:48 4:57:20 5:00 5:03:11 5:09:07 5:12:07 5:12:00 5:12:00 5:12:23 5:14:20 5:15:15 5:18:33 5:20:24 5:24:35 5:25:14 5:25:37 5:32:21 5:45:40 5:45:52 5:50:09

Jeffrey Martindale Emilee Tollefson Esteban Romagni Michelle Lockett Leody Bautista Sonya Love Brent Manley

Collierville, TN Cordova, TN Collierville, TN Memphis, TN Tupelo, MS Bartlett, TN Arlington, TN

5:51:11 5:52:53 5:57:49 6:28:25 6:35:17 6:48:38 7:52:53

Dennis Prewitt Cordova, TN Benedict Arogyaswamy Collierville, TN

4:20:54 6:01:03

Julianne Purdy Mike Samuelson Jack Tucker William Nearn

Germantown, TN Lakeland, TN Eads, TN Memphis, TN

4:50:55 5:09:24 5:10:40 5:50:44

Bradley Roberts Erika Roberts

Memphis, TN Memphis, TN

3:54:21 5:20:22

David Jones

Memphis, TN

5:15:33

Jason Black Rhett Robinson Michael Wienandt Geoffrey Hicks Emily Wyonzek Sarah Thompson James Hilton TJ Grady Erin Burke Jessica Brouckaert Alisha Wilmoth Penney McCormick David Klemberer Dena Risley Edd Peyton Orlando Morales Richard Graham Sarah Harris Katrin Hartwig Jennifer Jones Kay Ryan Bryan Maxwell Marley Cassels Kathy McCracken Howard Avery Patrick Sandefer Jim Fowler Laura Graham Randi Carter

Millington, TN Corinth, MS Oxford, MS Lakeland, TN Memphis, TN Memphis, TN Lakeland, TN Arlington, TN Memphis, TN Oxford, MS Germantown, TN Nesbit, MS Memphis, TN Arlington, TN Southaven, MS Olive Branch, MS Marion, AR Bartlett, TN Arlington, TN Lakeland, TN Memphis, TN Senatobia, MS Memphis, TN Oakland, TN Memphis, TN Cordova, TN Memphis, TN Marion, AR Southaven, MS

2:59:55 3:14:31 3:28:20 3:46:41 3:58:22 3:59:33 4:01:56 4:02:31 4:05:46 4:17:47 4:28:44 4:58:38 5:01:39 5:12:17 5:12:05 5:21:32 5:48:00 5:46:32 5:46:33 6:03:08 6:09:52 6:25:36 6:38:27 6:43:46 6:51:53 6:43:45 7:01:25 7:01:25 7:02:29

Hartford Marathon Hartford, CT • October 14, 2017

Seven Bridges Marathon Chattanooga, TN • October 15, 2017

Mount Desert Island Marathon Bar Harbor, ME • October 15, 2017 Columbus Marathon Columbus OH • October 15, 2017

Did you know?

• Regular running training is good for improving the long-term stability of bones. Researchers at the University of Michigan came to the conclusion that 12-20 minutes of running three times a week can increase bone mineral density.

• French ultramarathon runner Serge Girard holds the world record for the longest distance run in 365 days. He ran every day for a year, crossed a total of 25 countries and covered a total distance of 27,011 kilometers (16,783 miles).

• Researchers have found that the majority of runners will straighten up when an attractive runner of the opposite sex is coming towards them.

• The German Achim Aretz holds the marathon world record in backward running. At the 2010 Frankfurt Marathon, he crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 42 minutes and 41 seconds.

Marine Corps Marathon Washington, D.C. • October 22, 2017

• In contrast to men, women usually run the second half of a marathon faster than the first.

They tend to hang back more than men at the start but continue to increase speed and finish strong in the second half of the race. This is what Professor Eric Allen and Patricia Dechow found when they analyzed 300,000 results from the Chicago Marathon.

• Atlanta Peachtree 10 K road race has the largest number of finishers in U.S. at 54,752 (2015).

The New York City Marathon is next at just over 50,000.

• The oldest marathon finisher comes from India and his name is Fauja Singh. At the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in Canada, the 100-yearold finished the race in a time of 8 hours, 25 minutes and 16 seconds.

• According to a study by the University of Arkansas with 408 participants, running makes you more desirable. 80% of men and 60% of women actually felt more attractive due to regular running.

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Run with a Group Do you need some help in finding a running group or are you interested in starting your own group? Contact MRTC Coordinator of Running Groups, DJ Watson: djw@virtualmvp.com.

Sunday morning

Monday afternoon

Tuesday morning

Run: Germantown

Run: Fleet Feet Coed Fun Run Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Fleet Feet, 4530 Poplar Ave. (Laurelwood Shopping Center) Distance: 3, 5 and 7 miles Contact: Eric Flanders, 901-761-0078

Run: Fitness Plus Lunch Run Time: 11:45 a.m.

Place: Fitness Plus, 2598 Corporate Ave. off Nonconnah between Millbranch and Democrat Distance: 7 miles Contact: Rick Ellis, 901-345-1036 Showers and extras available. Access to Fitness Plus facilities free to runners on group run day

Thoroughbreds

Time: 6:30 a.m. - (June thru Sept.); 7 a.m. - (Oct. thru May) Place: Panera Bread 7850 Poplar Avenue, Germantown Distance: 4, 7, 12.5 (or more) miles Contact: Charles Hurst 901-491-2096 or churst9676@gmail.com Water stops provided on the course.

Big fun group with all paces.

Run: Cool Runnings Time: 7 a.m.

Place: Shelby Farms Visitor Center, lower parking lot Distance: 10+ miles Contact: bostonbear13@gmail.com Run: iMARG: Indian Memphis

Association Runners Group

Time: 7 a.m. on weekends (mostly Sunday) Place: Johnson Park, Collierville Distance: 3.1 to 20 miles Contact: Sheshu Belde 901-413-4456 Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/indianmemphis.runnersgroup

Run: Southaven Striders Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Central Park (Tchulahoma entrance, east side of park) Distance: 3-5 mi. (9- to 12-min. miles) Contact: Kyle McCoy, 901-299-8630 Kalmac220@gmail.com Angie McCoy, 901-233-0168 anggail09@gmail.com Run: Salty Dogs of

Bardog Tavern

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Bardog Tavern, 73 Monroe Ave., downtown Distance: 3-5 miles run through historic downtown Memphis and afterward enjoy food, drink and camaraderie.

Contact: Jessica Grammer 901-734-5731 or jessgrammer@gmail.com

Note: This information is provided as a courtesy in an effort to help MRTC members enhance their running experiences. MRTC encourages members to run with groups of their choice, but the listed running groups/group runs are independent and not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the MRTC. The club makes no representation that the information provided is accurate. Persons who wish to participate in activities with these groups should contact the individuals listed for further information and participate at their own risk.

Tuesday afternoon Run: Track House Workout Time: 6 p.m.

Place: U of M Old Field House Track Distance: Various workouts Contact: Paul Sax, 901-276-5758 Run: Black Men Run Memphis Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Varies. Check https:// www.facebook.com/ groups/425282507588975/ for location Distance: Usually five miles Contact: Roland Woodson: roland@blkmenrun.com

LifeGreen Checking 1.800.regions | regions.com/green © 2009 Regions Bank.

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6/9/09 2:06:05 PM

Wednesday morning

Thursday afternoon

Run: Cordova Early Birds Time: 5:30 a.m.

Place: Breakaway Running store on Germantown Parkway and St. Philip Church at Davies Plantation (alternating weeks) Distance: 5 miles Details: Meets year-round if road conditions permit Contact: cordovaearlybirds@gmail.com

Run: Breakaway Running Time: 6 p.m. Beginners group Place: Breakaway Midtown 2109 Madison Contact: Barry, 901-722-8797 or 901-754-8254

Run: Fleet Feet Time: 6 p.m.

Fleet Feet hosts individualized speedwork sessions including track and tempo workouts for runners Run: Southaven Striders Time: 6 a.m. who want to get a little quicker.

Place: Central Park in Southaven No fees.

(Tchulahoma ent., east side of park) Contact: Feb at 761-0078 or lovetorun@fleetfeetmemphis.com Distance: 3-5 miles (9- 12-minute miles) Contact: Kyle McCoy, 901-299-8630 or kalmac220@gmail.com

Wednesday afternoon Run: Breakaway Running Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Wolf River Store 1223 Germantown Pkwy.

Contact: Barry, 901-722-8797 or 901-754-8254 Run: Midtown Run Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Corner of Madison and Tucker, across from Huey’s Distance: 6 miles

Saturday morning

Run: Breakaway Running Breakaway’s Marathon and Half Marathon Training Group meets each Saturday morning through December to help prepare our friends for the St. Jude Marathon.

Check website or Facebook page for location and time. Join us!

722-8797 for more info.

Run: Fleet Feet Time: 7 a.m.

Place: 4530 Poplar (Laurelwood Center) Fleet Feet hosts long runs on Saturday Run: Bartlett UMC mornings geared toward upcoming Time: 6 p.m. races. Many distance options are Place: Bartlett United Methodist Church, available.

5676 Stage Road; group meets in Call 761-0078 or email the gym lobby lovetorun@fleetfeetmemphis.com for more information.

Distance: Varies Contact: Sam Thompson, Run: Run & Play 901-386-2724 or Time and Place: meet the first Saturday sthompson@bartlettumc.org of the month at 9 a.m. at various locations in town (see website for Run: Bartlett Run each month’s location) Time: 6:30 p.m.

This group is geared for moms with Place: W.J. Freeman Park, strollers and/or toddlers.

2629 Bartlett Blvd.

For more information: Distance: 4-6 miles http://www.seemommyrun.com/tn/ Contact: Paul “Spunky” Ireland h. 901-388-5009 c. 901-826-7496 or paulireland@att.net

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MRTC bad-weather policy MRTC contracts to provide finish-line services at local races.

When there is inclement weather, the race director has the option to postpone or cancel the race and is responsible for notifying the MRTC and participants.

In the event of a cancellation, rescheduling is unlikely because of the number of races already on the MRTC calendar.

For MRTC races (the Road Race Series, the Winter Cross Country Race Series and the Hill & Dale 8-miler), the policy is that the race will go on, rain or shine. The start of a race may be delayed to let bad weather pass, but scheduled races will be run.

Run: Mommies on the Move Time: 9 a.m.

Place: Shelby Farms Visitors Center Details: For mothers with strollers and toddlers Contact: www.seemommyrun.com/tn Run: DAC Fitness Collierville Time: 9:30 a.m.

Distance: from 5K beginner to half marathon training at various paces Contact: Heather Nichols at 651-1065 or Brandy Heckmann at 443-653-0385

Various Days Run: Tipton County Road Dawgs Time: Friend us on Facebook under Road Dawgs and check posting of upcoming runs, usually on Saturday mornings Place: Check Facebook Distance: All distances, all ages, all paces. Runs are in Tipton County and north Shelby County Contact: djroaddawg@yahoo.com

Race Calendar Date & Time: Sunday, Nov. 19, 7 a.m.

Race name: E.J. Goldsmith Jr. Memorial

Road Race Series 2nd Half Marathon Location: Singleton Parkway at Austin Peay Hwy. Contact: www.memphisrunners.com Date & Time: Race name: Location: Contact:

Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m.

Race name: Mike Cody 4-Miler Location: Rhodes College Contact: www.racesonline.com Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m.

Race name: Valentine 10K and 5K Location: Bartlett Baptist Church

3465 Kirby Whitten Road Contact: www.racesonline.com

Saturday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m.

MRC Recovery Run 5K Overton Park See ad on page 21.

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 2 7 a.m.

Race name: St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Weekend (Marathon, Half Marathon,

10K, 5K, Kids Marathon) Location: Downtown Memphis Contact: www.stjude.org Date & Time: Race name: Location: Contact:

Date & Time: Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

Race name: Winter Off-Road Series 8+K Location: Nesbit Park (Stanky Creek) Contact: www.memphisrunners.com Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 24, 9 a.m.

Race name: Frosty 5K Location: Overton Park Contact: www.racesonline.com

Saturday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m.

Starry 4K Shelby Farms Park See ad on page 17.

Date & Time: Sunday, Feb. 25, 2 p.m.

Race name: Winter Off-Road Series 10K Location: Shelby Farms Park Contact: www.memphisrunners.com

Date & Time: Saturday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m.

Race name: Hill and Dale 8-Miler Location: Meeman-Shelby Forest Contact: www.racesonline.com Date & Time: Race name: Location: Contact:

Date & Time: Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m.

Race name: Love Well 5K Location: Semmes Murphey Clinic

6325 Humphreys Blvd.

Contact: www.racesonline.com

Sunday, Jan. 14, 2 p.m.

Winter Off-Road Series 3K Overton Park See page 22.

Date & Time: Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m.

Race name: Daffodil Dash 3 Miler Location: Memphis Botanic Garden Contact: www.racesonline.com

Date & Time: Saturday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m.

Race name: Lisa Lassandrello 5K Location: St. Agnes Academy

4830 Walnut Grove Road Contact: www.racesonline.com Date & Time: Sunday, Jan. 28, 2 p.m.

Race name: Winter Off-Road Series 5K Location: Nesbit Park (Stanky Creek), Bartlett Contact: www.memphisrunners.com

Date & Time: Saturday, March 24, 8 a.m.

Race name: In His Steps 5K Location: Christ United Methodist Church

4488 Poplar Contact: www.racesonline.com 38

Come Shop Scentsy after the St. Jude Marathon!

Holiday Sale Open House Saturday, December 2nd from 1-4 1304 Trail Ridge Ln. Cordova

Anne Forbus

Nicki Spillman

stinkyrunningclothes.com anneforbus@bellsouth.net 901-603-3097

nickiscents.com nickispillman@gmail.com 901-503-9816

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Memphis Runners Track Club P.O. Box 17981 Memphis, TN 38187-0981

Thanks to Sprouts for supporting the 2017 Road Race Series and the 2018 Winter Off-Road Series

Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MEMPHIS, TN Permit No. 960