THE ROADRUNNER A Publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club www. memphisrunners. com
April 2020 • Vol. 40, No. 3
THE ROADRUNNER
In This Issue From the Editor’s Desk
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Message from the President (by Steve Spakes) Nutrition on the Run (by Ashley Ludlow) A publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club April 2020 Vol. 40, No. 3
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Holiday Party photos
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Youth Villages 5K & 10-Miler: another can’t-miss event
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Having a ball for fitness (by Joel Lyons)
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An “epic” event: Cory Adams returns to the Roadrunner
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Recognition - finally! (by Rob Rayder)
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Marathon Results (compiled by Millie Jackson)
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Book review – marathon training for the non-runner (by Happy Skywalker) Group runs
Race Calendar
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On the cover The 38th Youth Villages 5K & 10-Miler set for April 18. See page 8.
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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. You can join the MRTC or renew your membership online at www.memphisrunners.com.
Article Submission Guidelines
Submissions should be emailed to the editor as Microsoft Word or text attachments. Please include name and telephone number with submissions. Photographs should be labeled with names, dates, locations and any other pertinent information. For more information about guidelines and deadlines for submitting articles to the Roadrunner, contact the editor.
MRTC Board of Directors 2018-2019 OFFICERS President/ Sponsorship Director Steve Spakes stevemrtc@gmail.com Vice President Suzie Hicks-Hurt 901-496-1377 s_hickshurt@bellsouth.net Treasurer Charles Flanigan Jr. mrtc.treasurer@gmail.com DIRECTORS Past President / Special Projects/Results John Payne 901-494-8266 johncharlespayne@gmail.com
Past President/Special Projects/Legal Matters George F. Higgs 901-528-1111 ghiggs@stonehiggsdrexler.com Volunteer Director Nancy Brewton volunteeringwithnancy@ gmail.com 901-237-4758 Finish Line Director/ Equipment Lane Purser 901-483-8929 lpurser350@aol.com Timing/Results Rich Tutko 901-481-0498 rtutko@hotmail.com
Past President/ Roadrunner Editor Brent Manley 901-383-8782 brentmanley@yahoo.com
Women Run/Walk Memphis Director Allison Andrassy 901-409-6620 allison.mrtc@gmail.com
Past President/ Course Measurement Rob Hunter 901-246-1565 robhunter33@comcast.net
Director Kent Smith kent824@bellsouth.net
Past President/ New Race Coordinator Wain Rubenstein 901-278-1792 wrubenstei@aol.com
Director Dennese Black
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 The world is round so that friendship may encircle it.
several running buddies. Members of the group went separate ways a few years ago, but I still cherish the time I spent with different members running on the roads or trails. I can’t remember how many times Steve Parker and I met in the parking lot at the Chick fil-A on Germantown Parkway so we could run the Germantown Greenway, an out-and-back course of about 4.25 miles. We ran so early in the morning that it was always dark when we started, and that added a bit of adventure to each run. I really looked forward to getting out there with Steve. He was a much better runner than I was, so keeping up with him helped me improve as a runner. Another buddy I got from the group was Jackye Haas, who lives near Overton Park. We would meet at her house, run out to East Parkway and then cruise over to Madison, doing about a mile before turning right on Poplar and running to the park entrance. We usually did about six miles. Jackye and I talked all the way and got to know and appreciate each other, just as I had done with Steve and anyone else I ran with. I can also remember one winter when a lot of snow fell on Memphis. Undeterred by the weather, Bruce Harber and I went to one of our favorite places – the Yellow Trail, which runs alongside the Wolf River. We had fun just trying to stay upright as we went along in the trail’s deep snow. I have been coaching beginners in the WRWM program for more than 10 years. Whenever I have a chance to talk to one of the newcomers, I bring up the subject of running buddies. I tell them about accountability and easier training, but until now I had not thought of mentioning that most important other benefit – the friendships to be formed. Those are worth more than anything to me.
— Pierre Teilhard Chardin
My buddies
Some years ago, I wrote an article for the local newspaper about two MRTC members – Anne Forbus and Becky Elkins – who were involved in the Women Run/Walk Memphis program. The goal of the article was to promote the women’s series, and the focus of the essay was the importance of having a running buddy. I picked out Anne and Becky to interview for the article because they were running buddies. For a person just starting out in running, having someone to run with has several benefits. First, if you make a commitment to run with someone – say, early in the morning – you are more likely to get up and get out there instead of turning off the alarm and rolling over in bed. Second, most experienced runners will tell you that the perceived effort of running with others is much less than running on your own. I trained for my first marathon on my own. It was a major challenge. Before my second marathon, I took a class on marathon training led by Mark Higginbotham. We did all training as a group. It was a lot easier and I improved my finish time in the second marathon by more than 13 minutes. From that group, I found
... having someone to run with has several benefits.
Renew your MRTC membership at www.memphisrunners.com 1
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A Message from the President By Steve Spakes I hope everyone had as much fun as I did at the Road Race Series Holiday Party. The banquet drew around 600 attendees. We tried a new approach for winner awards and recognition by producing a video with the goal of moving that segment of the ceremony along so that more time could be had for the dance floor. So far, we’ve received very good feedback. For those not able
Memphis Police Department Lt. JJ Smith, third from left, accepts a plaque from the Memphis Runners Track Club thanking the MPD for assisting with the 2019 road race series.With him are, from left, MRTC board members Rob Hunter and Suzie Hicks-Hurt and MPD Capt. Larry Wright (ret.). to attend, I would like to recognize and give the Board’s sincere thanks to Laurie Duncan for winning the Frank Horton Award for Volunteerism, Dave Branner for the Jack Rockett Award for Outstanding Running Performance and Outstanding Service to MRTC, and Steve Ballou the winner (Continued on page 21) This year’s RRS party featured video of winners and others who were recognized.Taking advantage of the video capability are MRTC President Steve Spakes, right, and former MRTC board member Jessica Suzore. 3
saturday, march 21st, 2020 935 farm rd. memphis, tn 38134
www.memphishumane.org contact kayla hill with questions at khill@memphishumane.org or 901.937.3917 4
Ashley Ludlow
MS, RD, CSG, ACE-CHC, LDN, FAND Good Nutrition Makes a Difference
I have had four surgeries so far, one major one, and three minor ones. I am guessing that you, too, have had some type of surgery. If you haven’t had surgery yet, chances are that you will at some point in your life. Fun times. If you or your loved one is going to be having surgery, good nutrition can make a major difference in how you do. Boosting your nutrition before surgery and consuming extra calories, protein and other nutrients after surgery can help you heal faster, fight infection and get home sooner. In conventional care, it was often believed that eating before surgery was not safe. We were told not to eat or drink prior to surgery (usually nothing to eat or drink after midnight) in order to prevent issues during surgery. We also were told that we should not eat after surgery until a doctor could hear bowel sounds and/or we were able to have a bowel movement. For some people, this took days! Over the last 10 years, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been adopted as the standard of care across the world. These guidelines, based on research, have led to major improvements in the care and recovery of patients having scheduled surgeries, When ERAS is used successfully, people go home after surgery 35-40% faster. The nutrition component of ERAS includes goals for the three phases of the program: 1. Before surgery – Boost a patient’s nutrition status 2. During surgery - Minimize the stress response of surgery 3. After surgery – Help the patient recover as soon as possible Surgery is a major stressor to your body and your immune system. That is why it is vital to optimize your nutrition status before surgery. Surprisingly, one out of three surgery patients is at high risk of
being malnourished. That is a lot of people. Is it your grandmother? Is it your dad? Or is it you? Malnourished doesn’t mean super skinny or emaciated. In a study of cancer patients who were malnourished, 79% of them were normal weight, overweight and/or obese. Both under and over consumption can cause malnutrition. Studies show that if you are malnourished before you have surgery you have significantly worse clinical outcomes. This includes an 3x higher risk of complications such as infections, a much longer stay in the hospital, an increased risk of be readmitted to the hospital, higher hospital costs, and you have an increased risk of dying. Yikes! Now that you know why it is so important to be well nourished before, during and after surgery, how does that look? The ERAS guidelines recommend that well-nourished people receive nutrition supplementation with highcalorie, high-protein oral nutrition supplements (such as Ensure) twice a day for one to two weeks prior to surgery. If you are at risk for malnutrition, it is recommended that you drink more oral nutrition supplements (three a day), for that same time period. Right before surgery, ERAS now recommends that you no longer have to go without food or beverages for so long before surgery. The guidelines say you can consume solid food up to six hours prior to surgery and clear liquids up to 2 hours before. ERAS patients are also recommended to be given 2 special carbohydrate beverages the night before surgery and one the morning of surgery to decrease insulin resistance, decrease risk of muscle loss, and improve your comfort. After surgery, the guidelines recommend that you eat or drink as soon as you feel ready, and you no longer have to wait for bowel sounds before you eat. Eating and drinking sooner rather than later helps
... good nutrition can make a major difference ...
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ERAS is still being implemented at hospitals and surgery centers across the United States, so not all surgery facilities have ERAS in place. Research shows that nutrition is often overlooked, with only one out of five malnourished people receiving nutrition supplementation before surgery. Next month we will talk about nutrition being a team sport if you are having surgery and how to powerup your nutrition before you have surgery.
boost your nutrition so you can heal faster. It is also recommended that you drink a high-calorie, highprotein shake (such as Ensure Surgery) with added antioxidants and ingredients that support immune function and reduce the risk of complications. It is recommended that you consume these for five to seven days after surgery and that you continue to consume high-calorie/high-protein oral supplements until you are a month out from surgery. Nutrition interventions like these reduce your risk of infections by 40% and decrease your stay in the hospital by two full days! Now that you know how good nutrition makes a difference in how well your surgery results are, here are some questions to ask your doctor before surgery: • Do you screen for malnutrition? • Should I consult with a Registered Dietitian? • Will my current weight impact the outcome of my surgery? • How can nutrition help me prepare for and heal from my surgery? • What role should exercise play as I prepare for and recover from surgery? Be sure to also tell your doctor if you have recently lost or gained weight, or if you have lost your appetite, or are having trouble eating.
This article was adapted from Abbott Nutrition Health Institute’s Surgery Toolkit (www.anhi.org).
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: brentmanley@yahoo.com or 901-246-6477. This is your publication. Be an active part of it. Brent Manley, Editor
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Series finishers have a well-deserved party
Six of the 221 Road Warriors from the 2019 RRS.
The photo to the right was taken by Chunhui Song and emailed to MRTC President Steve Spakes. Salina Xu, who is in the photo, wrote the following: This picture has 4 of the 5 adult road warriors (one is out of town) and finishers, the kids who won the trophy and awards (they are the first-time RRS participants) and friends who would like to start the RRS this year (the first one on the right holding the trophy from the out-of-town person). 7
Youth Villages 5K & 10 Miler celebrates 38th Anniversary Register for the April 18 race at yvraces.org
Boys Town, started the race in 1982, organizing it from the trunk of her car with the help of a committee of Realtors from Memphis Area Association of Realtors. The early races supported the boys who were receiving help at the facility on Memphis-Arlington Road. Four years later, Youth Villages was formed with the merger of Memphis Boys Town and Dogwood Village – now known as the Bartlett and Dogwood campuses – and the race has continued to help the children of Youth Villages ever since. “It was very humble beginnings,” Linthicum has said. “Back then, the (Memphis Runners) Track Club had these big clocks, and you put one up on top of your car. At the finish line, you just put a piece of tape across the street, and the clock was ticking as people ran across the piece of tape. After the race was over, I went home and counted all of the money, I took the race results, called The Commercial Appeal – I basically just hauled everything around in the trunk of my car. Everybody teases me about it.” While the race holds the same name and has many of the same volunteers behind the scenes, it has grown quite a bit since it was run from Amy’s car. The race now includes both a 5K and a 10-mile course. There are activities for the entire family after the race, including a bounce house, a band, food and beer for
Youth Villages, a private nonprofit organization, will hold its 38th YV5K & 10-Miler on April 18. The 10-Miler starts at 8 a.m. The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. on the same course from last year. More than 1,100 participants are expected for the race, and all runners must be registered by 7:45 a.m. Amy Loyd Linthicum, then a volunteer at Memphis
Youth Villages 5K founder Amy Loyd Linthicum.
MRTC is proud to be a member of the American Trail Running Association.
Some Youth Villages kids who enjoyed the 2019 5K. 8
adult participants. A number of the runners at the race are children from Youth Villages Runners’ Club, which is managed by Paul “Spunky” Ireland. Volunteers from Memphis’ running community – many of whom are MRTC members – run and walk with the kids from Youth Villages on the Bartlett and Dogwood campuses and at local races. Last year, volunteers spent a total of 657 hours with Youth Villages’ young people. Ireland says, “At last year’s Youth Villages 5K, we had 94 kids run with 15 volunteers, and more runners are always appreciated.” You can find out more about the program by emailing paul.ireland@youthvillages.org. The Youth Villages 5K and 10 Miler is the oldest 5K in Memphis and has raised more than $2 million to help the children of Youth Villages. It also still draws incredible support from the real estate community. The race supports the Chris Crye Mentoring Program and the LifeSet and Spiritual Life programs.
You can still run a WORS race It’s too late to sign up for the entire Winter Off-Road Series, but you can still purchase a single entry to run in the 10K (Feb. 23 at Shelby Farms Park). Race time is 2 p.m. Purchase entries at the race venue. More information is available at memphisrunners.com
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About Youth Villages Youth Villages is one of the largest providers of services to children in Tennessee and a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health. This year, the organization will help more than 30,000 children, families and young people in 20 states. Youth Villages’ continuum of programs in Tennessee includes intensive in-home services; foster care and adoption; residential and intensive residential treatment campuses; LifeSet for transitionage youth; mentoring; and crisis services. The organization has been recognized by the Harvard Business School and U.S. News & World Report, and was identified by The White House as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented nonprofit organizations. Learn more at www.youthvillages.org.
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By Joel Lyons, PT, OCS Gym Ball Exercises By Joel Lyons A gym ball (also known as an exercise ball, stability ball, Swiss ball, or fitness ball) is a simple accessory that can help you with many exercises – at home or in the gym. This ball is the big one that is simply blown up with air. You can find them in most gyms or buy one of your own for $30 or less. You know it’s the right size if, after you blow it up then sit on it, your hips and knees are at a 90-degree angle. You see some people use a gym ball instead of a traditional chair while at work. The basis of how it helps is its instability. By simply sitting on one, you’ll immediately engage more core stabilizers. To sit properly, just avoid slumping. If you sit up straight and allow slight movements while you work, your postural stabilizers will kick in. Of course, there are hundreds of other exercises that you can do, but some of the best ones are those that work on the core. In the picture, you’ll find some straightforward exercises that may seem simple but when performed correctly and regularly will provide you with a challenging routine. (You’ll that notice #6,#7, and #10 don’t even use the ball.) In each picture you’ll see the starting position on the left and the ending position on the right. With each one of them, move slowly from the start to the end position. Take about 3 seconds to go to the end position then take another 3 seconds to return back to the start. To make it even more advanced, hold the ending position 3 to 5 seconds. Exercises 7 through 10 are advanced and
should be done only when the first 6 can be performed easily. I’m not a big fan of full sit ups because they can be hard on the low back. If you do number 7, make sure you come up to only about a 45-degree position. Start
This ball is the big one that is simply blown up with air.
with about 20 repetitions of each of these exercises and work up to 50. As for #10, hold the position for 20 seconds if you can. Gradually work your way up to 60 seconds and repeat it 2 or 3 times. I wouldn’t recommend you do these immediately before or after a run. Choose another time of day or another day entirely. Shoot for doing them 3 to 4 times a week. Keep strong and your runs will go easier! 11
What does 'epic' mean to you? By Cory Adams
Sure, man can define epic, but do we really understand what it means? Man has been trying to figure this out since Gilgamesh was carved on stone tablets. A lot has changed in the last few thousand years and mankind is almost there. We’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re just starting to figure out how to get out of our own way. Along comes the increasing in popularity of running and other endurance sports and we start to realize how much untapped potential we really have. Somewhere along the way, we gave up on trying to relive the high school glory days and we started focusing on trying to find our Everest to climb. In trying to make sense out of all this, we max out our credit cards and spend all of our free time training for something we may or may not understand. Some might say that this is just the mid-life crisis kicking in, but sooner or later that goes away. Distance running is about more than just getting into shape, it’s about chasing our definition of epic. Maybe it’s that elusive time or maybe it’s finishing that race you never thought you would find yourself in, but whatever it is, there’s always something that keeps us going. What started with a 5K turned into training for a marathon. Upon crossing the marathon finish line for the first time and having that finisher medal placed around your neck, you may or may not be done. If you decide to stop after completing those 26.2 miles of pain, pleasure and euphoria, there’s nothing wrong with that because you’re part of that select few who have finished a marathon. If finishing a marathon wasn’t enough for you, though, what’s next? You could roll the dice trying to get a Boston qualifying time or you could veer off towards another challenge. The best piece of advice I ever got was to keep trying to find that new Everest to climb. Sometimes you find the new Everest and sometimes
that new Everest falls right into your lap, but when this happens, this is your chance to find out what epic really means. Nothing does a better job of helping you understand epic than the elements and the terrain. Finishing a marathon is a life-changing moment that can’t really be described, but when you do finish a marathon in bad weather or hilly terrain, it induces feelings of euphoria that last until you wake up the next morning. After the soreness wears off, though, it’s time to find that new Everest to climb because the sky is the limit but there are footprints on the moon. Finishing a run on top of a mountain with that medal around your neck is a life-changing experience, but after you get that medal, there’s always something bigger. Coming back down off that mountain makes you appreciate what you have accomplished and how much of your potential has been left untapped. Again, there’s a bigger mountain to run up and – out of breath with your heart beating out of your chest – you see just how much you’re really capable of. Chasing that sun down a sandy beach is the best form of therapy, but add wind to the mix and it creates a new challenge you never thought possible. A few miles in the sand feels like a marathon, and when you finish there’s sand in places you didn’t think you could get sand. After you get all the sand out, though, you’re left with the memories of how beautiful that sunset was as you stood there soaked in sweat. Horizons come in all shapes and sizes. Running through the Heartland is proof of that. Running down a dusty ranch road in the middle of nowhere is a real escape, and when you come to the top of a hill you can see how far you’ve come and you can see how far you have to go before you’re done. Seeing all this can do many things to your psyche, but when you cross that finish line there’s a real sense of connection with yourself.
A lot has changed in the last few thousand years ...
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Leaving Memphis is not a necessity to do epic things. You need not look any farther than the Mississippi River. Running along the Mississippi River as the sun goes down after a hard day at work is a great way to wash the stressors away, and running across the Mississippi River while the trucks and the trains go by is about as Memphis as it gets. Turning around and coming back once you get to Arkansas lets you see the skyline that is uniquely Memphis. Running across the Mississippi River and back is one thing, but to make it a life-changing experience, a trip to one of the local barbecue joints downtown is required. As you sit there taking in the local flavors of Memphis, washing it down with a cold local beverage, you can still get one step closer to understanding epic because epic is a state of mind.Â
2020 Roadrunner deadlines (subject to change)
May issue March 10 June issue May 5 July-August June 2 Sept. issue Aug. 4 Oct. issue Sept. 8 Nov. issue Oct. 6 Dec. issue Nov. 10 Jan.-Feb. 2021 Dec. 8 If you have questions about advertising or article contributions, write to the editor: brentmanley@yahoo.com
Thanks to Sprouts for supporting the 2019 Road Race Series and the 2020 Winter Off-Road Series.
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Running Repeatedly Down the Path of Failure… And Eventually It Led to Success! By Robert “the Lone Runner” Rayder
Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight elections, Twice failed in business, And suffered a nervous breakdown. He could have quit many times – BUT HE DIDN’T. And because he didn’t quit, He became one of The Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country.
— Alexandria Levit
Eleven years it’s been since that first rambling rendition. Eleven years ago, the Obama administration had just come into power after replacing George W. Bush, the first new president of the 21st century. The California’s supreme court upheld its ban on samesex marriage. The unemployment rate reached 8.1%, the highest rate since 1983. The new generation of young people, which would ultimately be called the “Millennials,” had no agreed-upon term to describe the youthful demographic (although “Generation Y” was popular.) They would face a brutal job market that would hinder their professional progress for many years. Those frustrated millions, seemingly denied the American dream promised by their parents and grandparents, would thus reshape the U.S. pollical and social landscape. It was the beginning of a revolution that would ultimately replace the “Baby Boom” generation as the most significant political and social force of the time. I was raising two teenage girls and a pre-teen boy while doing my best to balance the demands of my professional and personal lives. I’d stared the ominous age-40 barrier square in the face and came out the other side of that frightening encounter with a brand-new obsession called “distance running.” 15
My new hobby consumed me. I was possessed. I would ultimately run 16 separate marathons in that first 12-month period. It still stands as my record for the most running I’ve ever done in a single year. The reasons for the birth of that obsession were not hard to find. They are the familiar themes of those entering middle age, the infamous “mid-life crisis.” Today I accept the term “old” when a young person describes me as such. Back then, I raged against it. “I am NOT old!” I told myself. “I’m still the same “young man” I’ve always been.” I fought the inevitable march of the years to prove to myself that time could somehow be halted, or at least slowed. Life was going by way too fast. “I can still do extraordinary things,” I would defiantly proclaim. “Just watch me!” So, I found something extraordinary in the long miles and recklessly dove in head first. Thus began the grand adventures of my “middle years.” It is a phase that has led to some of the greatest experiences of my life. I’ve run to the top of Pike’s Peak, up the oxygen-starved miles of the Barr Trail, and back down again. My madness has taken me across the moon-like Lava fields of Kona, Hawaii, and to the lofty crater of Mauna Loa, the largest mountain of Earth (as measured from the Sea Floor) from which those rocky fields were born. My battle against the ravages of time has taken me to run in the famous marathons of Boston, New York, Chicago, Disney, Honolulu, Napa Valley, Little Rock, Big Sur, Nashville, Highway 66, San Francisco and Stockholm. It has led me to tiny places like Grand Island in Michigan, Sylamore in Arkansas, Mount Desert Island in Maine, Seabrook in Texas, Huntington Beach in California, the Superstitious Mountains in Nevada, Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, Tacoma in Washington, the New Jersey Shores in … well … New Jersey, and even to tiny Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. The adventures found in all of these places, and
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so many others not listed here, have been meticulously recorded in the pages of a magazine known as the Roadrunner. For me, the Roadrunner has been a special blessing. It has served as a chronicle for many of the pivotal years of my life. My children grew to adulthood in those pages. My wife faced, and ultimately conquered, the horrors of breast cancer in those pages. Tributes have been written to my parents, my wife, my kids, my mother-in-law, and even my dog, in those same pages. I have grown tremendously over the years, often due to the reflections I’ve seen of myself through the lens of the articles I write. I’ve ultimately come to better recognize my own madness and have even accepted my ultimate mortality in part thanks to those pages in the Roadrunner. (Not that I plan to make it that easy for the Grim Reaper to end my adventures prematurely. Running should help delay that eventual meeting for a while longer yet … at least I hope so.) All of those tales, and so much more, stand as a proxy for my life over the last 11 years. A handful of you have shared all those adventures with me, year after year. A small number of these stories have touched
other runners and has created a spark that spawned brand new adventures of their own. Those folks became the new protagonist in their own new tales. A few of them have even shared their stories in the pages of the Roadrunner and have added new life and new faces to the already sizable legacy of the magazine. When our current editor took over so many years ago, the focus of the magazine turned to individual runners. Readers were treated to a new generation of writers. These were people with stories to tell, like Bill Butler, Rachel Regan, Cory Adams and the Badorff family. Nutritional advice was expertly summarized by Ashley Ludlow with an entertaining edge, and physical therapy advice was expertly doled out by Joel Lyons. To be honest, there are so many more names of talented authors who stepped forward during that time than I can mention here. The writing abilities of the runners of Memphis runs deep. My involvement with the magazine is a story
For me, the Roadrunner has been a special blessing.
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that began those 11 years ago. The spark that started the fire was inspired by two men. My co- worker Gil Heren encouraged me to take up running as a way to stay healthy, and Bill Butler, through his artistic prose, encouraged me to write about my adventures and submit them to the magazine. I guess I was never really asked to write anything. I just kept submitting articles month after month, which, to my amazement, appeared in the magazine. At some point, I became a “regular contributor.” I’ve now written over 100 stories with the “Lone Runner” Moniker, a name I playfully added to my first article as a spoof on the name of the “Lone Ranger,” a storied legacy from 1950s old Western TV lore. The name was also a testament to the ever-changing work schedule that made training with other runners nearly impossible. Generally, I run alone (unless you count my dog. Maybe I should have named her “Silver,” after the Lone Ranger’s loyal horse.) My stories were always told from a first-person perspective. My goal was to have the reader share the ride inside my head as I did these crazy things. I wanted to paint a picture of the peculiar world of distance running as told by an apostle of the sport, and also shine a spotlight on the equally insane cast of characters I’ve met in these adventures. My obsessions and running journeys have always made sense, at least to me, and if the reader could just let go of the madness of it all, they might be able appreciate the greater purpose behind the story. There were things more substantial than just me running in a particular crazy race. There was a second, deeper meaning to everything. There ran themes like the hopeless struggle, the unlikely victory, the unexpected defeat, the conquest of self-doubt, the value of doing something much bigger than yourself, and the growth that comes from hard-won experience earned over countless miles. I faced my fears, opened my eyes to a wider world, and learned to accept myself for who I am, even if it isn’t always who I want to be. All that, and so much more of my soul have been poured out into my various tales. Yet something was missing from all that. You see, there is this award … OK, OK… I know it’s shallow. But before you condemn me for being a superficial hack interested only in the most public of validations for my work, know that I have suppressed that urge for 11 years. Every year during the MRTC’s annual awards banquet, where
the award for that year’s best stories get announced, I’ve sat in the shadows trying to be supportive. I tried to be encouraging of some of the very best pieces of art submitted to the magazine by numerous talented writers. Truth be told, all of them deserved the awards more than I did. Still, a small part of me had to wonder. “Why can’t I write like that? Maybe next year I’ll finally be good enough to be included on the list.” Yet my stories were never included. Some years I served as a judge for the contest and was not eligible to win. Other years I was simply passed up. Truth is, no one ever tells you why some articles are judged better than others. You’re simply not listed in the top three names (or some years the top five.) You can’t help but wonder why, especially if it happens year after year. I have contributed up to 10 separate articles in one year. Not one of them was deemed worthy – for 10 years in a row. I wondered if my articles were really that terrible. Should I continue to write them knowing that they were not really being enjoyed or appreciated? Why waste my time if the best I could do was force the readers to endure another work of uninspired drudgery? Yet some readers did respond to my work. Every so often, someone would recognize me and comment on my most recent article. It didn’t happen every month, for sure, but when it did, it was so rewarding to hear that some other runner found something relatable in one of my articles. It made me feel like maybe this endeavor was worthwhile after all. After a while, I stopped hoping to win. The editor kept asking for another article, and I seem to have a unique talent to come up with some sort of new subject matter to write about month after month. Things sort of settled into a familiar cadence. Then one day, Christina, my wife, said something that shook me out of my complacency. She always reads my articles before I send them in for publication. We’ve always had a policy of total honesty when it comes to my writing. She never pulls any punches. “You know, many of your articles are starting to sound very similar these days,” she gently criticized. “Maybe you should try something different.” That threw me for a loop. It’s true that most of my stories are about running adventures, or about running challenges. It’s also true that my writing style is easily recognizable, although, to be fair, it has evolved a lot
I just kept submitting articles month after month ...
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over the past decade. So, I began to think of a new way to tell a story. I wanted it to be very different from anything I’d written before. I wanted to keep the adventures but cast the tale anew. But how? Then it came to me. I would keep my first-person writing viewpoint, but I would introduce a whole new protagonist. The new perspective would relate a tale of becoming a runner and tell the familiar tale of the profound impact that a first-time race had upon them. And I would tell it through the eyes of my dog. At first, the idea seemed absurd. Who can really understand what another person is thinking, much less a member of another species? Still, a dog would have a novel perspective, and it would be easy to illustrate the quirkiness of our sport and the people who run in it, especially within my own family. I could keep things light because I think our dog has a very different view of her place in the family and her place in the wider world, than we humans do. A dog would no doubt see itself as the center of all things, and the potential for misunderstandings between humans
and canines would be great, and, I hoped, a little entertaining. Anyway, I find my dog hysterical. She has boundless enthusiasm for the sport (and almost everything else) and experiences nothing but sheer joy whenever she runs. Thus was born a story about my dog becoming a runner. The writing was easy, and I kept myself entertained paragraph after paragraph, often chuckling as I was writing. Whenever I needed inspiration, I just looked over at the dog and she generously supplied me with a fresh idea. When I was finally done, I showed my wife the finished product. She made a quick judgement “I’m not so sure about this one,” she proclaimed. “It’s really weird.” “Isn’t it different from everything else I’ve written? Isn’t that what you wanted?” I countered. “This is just soooo out there,” she continued. “Do you have time to write something else?”
“Do you have time to write something else?”
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I didn’t, and I didn’t want to. Maybe everyone would hate my story. Maybe it wouldn’t be published, but it was a running story about a freshly minted runner. I submitted the piece and half expected a notice informing me that it wouldn’t be used. I didn’t even submit photos with my article as I usually do. I didn’t want to waste the editor’s time on a piece he probably would never publish. The expected rejection notice never came and soon I saw my article in the pages of the Roadrunner with a photo of a bright-eyed dog that I assume is a stock shot of my dog’s mixed breed. I apologized to Mia (my dog) for ruining her 20 minutes of fame with a false photo, but she didn’t seem to mind. She just licked my face and begged to be let outside. She was handling things very well indeed. And I thought that was the end of it. One person did make a comment at a local race start line how much he enjoyed the dog article, but overall no one made any kind of fuss about the piece, good or bad. Months passed and the evening of the MRTC banquet arrived. Unfortunately, this year I was forced to work a night shift on the banquet night, so I knew I would miss the event. That was especially unfortunate because I knew Christopher, my speed-demon son, had won the road race series and was to be honored at the event for that. Chris was on the other side of the state, in college, with a test the following Monday he had to study for, so I did not expect him to attend the party. I felt terrible
that nobody would be there to collect his award, but it seemed unavoidable. As fate would have it, Chris’ test date was changed, and he came to Memphis to run in a few races over that weekend. It was an unexpected pleasure to see him, but by that time I had completely forgotten about the award ceremony. I heard it was a fantastic affair (as usual), but no one from the Rayder clan was in attendance. The next day I received a text from a friend congratulating me on winning the writing award. I was stunned. Could it be that I finally wrote something good enough to receive recognition as a top MRTC writer? If so, what article was it? I immediately texted Rachel Ragan (the tireless organizer of the award) and the editor to verify what I had heard. It was true. I had edged out the competition by the smallest of margins in the member voting and captured the first-place honor. The most amazing thing of all, however, was that the winning story was about my dog, the same story my wife had so many concerns over and didn’t even want me to submit. Who says life isn’t filled with irony? And remember, if at first you don’t succeed, just let things go to the dogs. You never know where they will take you.
It was an unexpected pleasure to see him ...
A Message from the President (continued from page 3)
of the Gerald Holbrook Spirit of MRTC Award. This recognition is awarded by the MRTC President to the MRTC member whose words and actions embody the spirit of the running club. Good job! We were so honored to present an award of thanks to the Memphis Police Department for their dedicated support of MRTC. There to receive the award was our friend
Lieutenant Joe Smith. Also, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the 2019 Road Race Series. We might, maybe, it could happen, have a little surprise for the 2020 RRS but more to come later. Finally, a big thanks to the participants and volunteers at the Winter Off-Road Series 5K. We had 527 muddy finishers and as many smiles. Finally, a big thanks to Outdoors, Inc. for continually being the title sponsor. A very good 2020 start for the Memphis Runners Track Club! See next month’s issue for 2019 RRS results.
Renew your MRTC membership at www.memphisrunners.com 21
MARATHON RESULTS FOR MEMPHIS-AREA RUNNERS Compiled by Millie Jackson
Jacksonville Marathon Jacksonville, FL January 5, 2020 Brandon McKinley Brighton, TN Cameron McKinley Brighton, TN
2:54:10 2:54:53
Charleston Marathon Charleston, SC January 11, 2020 Cynthia Lingenfelter Memphis, TN John Presson Collierville, TN
3:59:07 5:49:13
Mobile Marathon Mobile, AL January 12, 2020 Diana Wu Memphis, TN Houston Wolf Cordova, TN Anastasia Timpone Jackson, TN
3:52:49 5:05:11 5:40:40
Renew your MRTC membership at memphisrunners.com 22
Disney World Marathon Orlando, FL January 12, 2020 Sarah Harris Bartlett, TN Lucas Presley Jackson, TN James Robinson Memphis, TN Chris Hanson Memphis, TN Julie Landrum Nesbit, MS Tyler Meece Lakeland, TN Greta Bailey Oxford, MS Sarah Cathey Paris, TN Robert Rayder Collierville, TN Jason Anthony Tupelo, MS Tabitha Dahmen-Redd Jackson, MS Will Cockrell Tupelo, MS Aron Dykes Jackson, MS Mary Whittington Oxford, MS Karl Studtmann Jackson, TN Lawrence Raines Bartlett, TN Sid Hurt Cordova, TN Tolulope Akinbile Memphis, TN Linnea Hall Southaven, MS Kelley Lewin Collierville, TN Suzie Hicks-Hurt Cordova, TN Greg Brunson Memphis, TN Linda Hanson Memphis, TN Jaime Grammer Jackson, TN Elizabeth Parnell Jackson, TN Clara Goodin Bartlett, TN Angie Ziolkowski Memphis, TN Rachel Rosenfield Cordova, TN Kristen Smith Arlington, TN Tara Todd Cordova, TN Thomas Carroll Collierville, TN James Crittenden Olive Branch, MS Savannah Crittenden Olive Branch, MS Nicole Belflower Cordova, TN Emily Sigler Atoka, TN Catherine Barnes Byhalia, MS
4:00:27 4:30:12 4:34:50 4:37:48 5:00:00 5:04:46 5:13:28 5:32:53 5:42:55 5:56:56 5:57:56 6:01:13 6:02:41 6:04:31 6:06:53 6:10:15 6:15:42 6:15:57 6:18:45 6:28:03 6:33:30 6:33:32 6:37:45 6:43:36 6:43:37 6:43:46 6:44:05 6:44:37 6:44:39 6:50:16 6:55:14 6:56:12 6:56:12 6:56:28 6:58:08 7:01:52
Big Beach Marathon Gulf Shores, AL January 26, 2020 Karl Porter Olive Branch, MS Julie Landrum Nesbit, MS Dean Martin Bartlett, TN
3:52:56 4:40:26 5:06:10
Happy Reading with Happy Skywalker, NASM, CPT RRCA Running Coach The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer
your runs. The weekly lessons are both mental and physical. The authors teach mental toughness, tools for acting with self confidence, visualization, and dealing with “the wall.” Also picking out running clothes, physical form, nutrition and sleep. Seemingly all the bases are covered. But there’s still more! There are entries from other new runners going through the same program to reassure you, talk about their experiences and offer their wisdom. I found this to be affirming and supportive on hard weeks. Some of these can feel very personal and familiar. You’ll love this book if: you’re thinking of doing your first marathon, and you need a little guidance and support. And by “doing” I mean finishing, not running. You won’t love this book if: Your focus is speed, you literally are uninterested in marathon distance, or you’ve been running longer distances for a while.
By David A Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener, and Tanjala Mabon Kole Reviewed by Happy Skywalker “If you listen to what others say, you may not try at all. If you listen to your body, you may quit too soon. What your mind believes, your body believes. Your mind is the key.”
— David Whitsett, The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer
About the Book The first thing you may notice about this book is that it’s not a new release. In fact, it was originally published in 1998. I picked it to review not because it’s popular, but because it’s the book I used before completing my first marathon, in 2009. And I loved it. This guide delivers a specific training plan, working all the way from non-runner to marathon finisher. There’s one chapter of inspiration and information tailored to each week of training. This format is especially helpful in keeping new information manageable, timely and relevant to
About the Author David A Whitsett and Forrest A Dolegener taught a class together at the University of Northern Iowa called “Fitness and Mental Health”, that was commonly called “the marathon class.” Tanjala Mabon Kole was a student in one of their classes. Most students had never run 3 miles, but out of over 200 students who took the class, only one didn’t finish the distance on race day. The authors compiled the data taken from classes to learn insights as they went. This book is available in paperback or ebook.
www.memphisrunners.com 23
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 or Kalmac220@gmail.com Angie McCoy, 901-233-0168 or anggail09@gmail.com Run: Sea Isle Park Runners Time: 5:30 p.m. Place: McWherter Senior Center 1355 Estate Drive Distance: 1 mile-5K Contact: Sea Isle Park Runners Facebook group Notes: One mile loop around Sea Isle Park and two miles of hills in wooded neighborhood east of the park. Beautiful and safe course!
Monday morning
Run: Salty Dogs of
Run: FIT4MOM Run Club Time: 9:30 a.m. Location: Visitor Center at Shelby Farms Park (6903 Great View Drive North) Distance: 5K training Contact: Amy Earnest amykearnest@gmail.com or visit www.memphis.fit4mom.com 8-wk session March 19th - May 12th
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: Miles Durfey 901-387-7475
Bardog Tavern
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: Shannon Chisenga, 215-834-4687 or shannon.chisenga@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
Wednesday afternoon
Run: Sea Isle Park Runners Time: 6 p.m. Place: McWherter Senior Center 1355 Estate Drive Distance: 1 mile-5K Contact: Sea Isle Park Runners Facebook group Notes: One mile loop around Sea Isle Park and two miles of hills in wooded neighborhood east of the park. Beautiful and safe course!
Run: Fleet Feet Run: Southaven Striders Time: 6 p.m. Time: 6 a.m. Fleet Feet hosts individualized Place: Central Park in Southaven speedwork sessions including track (Tchulahoma ent., east side of park) and tempo workouts for runners Distance: 3-5 miles (9- 12-minute miles) who want to get a little quicker. Contact: Kyle McCoy, 901-299-8630 or No fees. kalmac220@gmail.com Contact: Feb at 901-761-0078 or lovetorun@fleetfeetmemphis.com 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: Bartlett UMC Run: Breakaway Running Time: 6 p.m. Breakaway’s Marathon and Place: Bartlett United Methodist Church, Half Marathon Training Group 5676 Stage Road; group meets in meets each Saturday morning the gym lobby through December to help Distance: Varies prepare our friends for the Contact: Sam Thompson, St. Jude Memphis Marathon. 901-386-2724 or Check website or Facebook page sthompson@bartlettumc.org for location and time. Join us! 901-722-8797 for more info. Run: Bartlett Run Time: 6:30 p.m. Run: Black Men Run Memphis Place: W.J. Freeman Park, Time: 6 a.m. 2629 Bartlett Blvd. Place: Code Enforcement, Distance: 4-6 miles Farm Road at Mullins Station Contact: Paul “Spunky” Ireland Distance: Varies h. 901-388-5009 c. 901-826-7496 Contact: Shannon Chisenga, or paulireland@att.net 215-834-4687 or shannon.chisenga@blkmenrun.com
Thursday afternoon Run: Breakaway Running Time: 6 p.m. Beginners group Place: Breakaway Midtown 2109 Madison Contact: Barry, 901-722-8797 or 901-754-8254
Run: FIT4MOM Run Club Time and day of week: 8-week sessions. Location: Shelby Farms Park Distance: All distances Contact: Amy Earnest memphis@fit4mom.com or visit www.memphis.fit4mom.com 25
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.
Run: Run & Play Time and Place: meet the first Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. at various locations in town (see website for each month’s location) This group is geared for moms with strollers and/or toddlers. Info: www.seemommyrun.com/tn/ 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 651-1065 or Brandy Heckmann 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 Sat. a.m. 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: Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m. (10-Miler) at 8:30 a.m. Race name: Youth Villages 5K & 10-Miler Location: Ridgeway Center Contact: www.racesonline.com
Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. Race name: Frosty 5K Location: Overton Park Contact: www.racesonline.com Date & Time: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m. Race name: Winter Off-Road Series 10K Location: Shelby Farms Park Contact: www.memphisrunners.com
Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 7:30 a.m. Race name: The Bad Dog 5K and 10K Location: Overton Park Contact: www.racesonline.com
Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 29, 9 a.m. Race name: Brad Baker Race for Sight 5K Location: Shelby Farms Park Contact: www.racesonline.com
Date & Time: Race name: Location: Contact:
Date & Time: Saturday, March 7, 8.a.m. Race name: Margie Dowell Race for Unity in Our Community Location: Bellevue Middle School 575 S. Bellevue Contact: www.racesonline.com
Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m.
MRTC Kids Run & Spring Mile (Kids run at 2 p.m., Spring Mile shortly after Kids Run) Christian Brothers High School 5900 Walnut Grove Road memphisrunners.racesonline.com
Renew your MRTC membership at www.memphisrunners.com
Date & Time: Sunday, March 15, time TBA Race name: Ghost River St. Patrick’s 5K Location: TBA Contact: www.racesonline.com
MRTC bad-weather policy
Date & Time: Saturday, March 21, time TBA Race name: Fast and Furriest 5K Location: 935 Farm Road Contact: See ad on page 4) Date & Time: Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m. Race name: T.O. Fuller 7K and 14K Location: T.O. Fuller State Park 1500 W. Mitchell Road Contact: www.racesonline.com Date & Time: Saturday, April 4, Time TBA Race name: Grizzlies 5K Location: TBA Contact: www.racesonline.com 26
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.
Coming Soon ...
The T.O. Fuller State Park 7K and 14K Trail Race (one or two loops). Watch for notices from MRTC about the race, scheduled for March 28. For more information, see the facing page.
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Memphis Runners Track Club P.O. Box 17981 Memphis, TN 38187-0981
Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MEMPHIS, TN Permit No. 960
