THE ROADRUNNER A Publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club www. memphisrunners. com
September 2020 • Vol. 40, No. 7
How do you beat Covid-19? Just ask Christy Brewer. See page 19.
THE ROADRUNNER
In This Issue From the Editor’s Desk
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Message from the President (by Steve Spakes) Book It 5K Turns 10 A publication of the Memphis Runners Track Club August 2020 Vol. 40, No. 7
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They’re still hooked on running (by Brent Manley)
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Endurance test (by Brian Williams)
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Outrunning Covid-19
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Happy Reading (book review by Happy Skywalker)
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Running with an Opportunity (by Rob Rayder)
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What Runners Need to Know (by Joel Lyons)
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Group runs
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Christy Brewer, a Memphis runner doing what she did to defeat Covid-19A. Her story starts on page 19.
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Book It (Virtual) 5K/10K
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Zaka Bowl
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Sprouts Farmers Market
On the cover
OrthoSouth
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901PT
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Blair Parker Design
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Grivet Outdoors
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Fleet Feet
Inside Front Cover
Find out about the latest race events at www.memphisrunners.com
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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.
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MRTC Board of Directors 2019-2020 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 901-246-6477 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 Watch out for Joah potential. Joah, she said, ran his first 5K at age 6 in the Pumpkin Run 5K last October. His time was a respectable 31:47. Not content with that achievement, he entered a 5K organized by Bon Lin Elementary School, where he is a student, and improved his time by more than two minutes at 29:34. One day during my treatment at Select Physical Therapy, Neysa asked if I would do her a favor. She told me that Joah Joah Torrisi just after he completed had entered the the MRTC mini road race series 2020 mini road 5K in July at the Bartlett Recreation race series – for Center. younger runners – and she was hoping I would run with him on the virtual 5K and keep up with his time on my Garmin watch so that he would have a time to report. On a Sunday in July, I drove to the Bartlett Recreation Center and met the entire Torrisi family: Jeremy, Joah’s dad; Neysa, his mom, and Jake, Joah’s brother. According to his mom, Joah’s interest in running was sparked by 10-year-old Jake, who runs to burn off some of the extra energy children of his age often have. The run started shortly after I arrived. I ran beside Joah and was impressed with his running form. It
The other day, I was telling Donna, my wife, about a new friend I made in the running community. He is Joah Torrisi, a 7-year-old who lives in Bartlett. I found out about Joah through his mother, Neysa Torrisi, an occupational therapist who worked wonders on my left shoulder after I somehow injured the rotator cuff. Over about a month of treatments, Neysa put me through a series of exercises and stretches that I never would have dreamed would be the way to come back from an injury that really hurt at times. I now feel completely recovered from the injury. During one of the sessions with Neysa, I mentioned that I am a runner, which interested her because Joah has taken an interest in the sport and has shown
I now feel completely recovered...
The Torrisi family: back, Jeremy and Neysa; front, Jake and Joah. 1
seems he is a natural. He showed no signs of fatigue, but he did have a problem with a bit of chafing on Joah Torrisi shows one of his legs that came from too much fun on a off his mini RRS water slide the day before. Jeremy, Joah’s dad, was bib and medal right behind us on a bicycle from start to finish – we for completing his ran on an asphalt walking path around the rec center virtual 5K. – and Jake was right there, too. I found Joah and Jake to be a very bright young men. They expressed themselves well and seemed to be enjoying the day. Neysa told me after the run that Joah seems to like the atmosphere at local 5Ks put on the normal way instead of being virtual. As we were getting close to the goal of 3.1 miles, I started giving Joah a countdown of sorts, but I let him keep a steady pace if that suited him. That was how we finished. Everyone was happy when the run was concluded. Joah didn’t set any records, but it was a hot, humid day – just what you get Auto Home Life when you go outside in July in this part of the world. After I told Donna about my new running friend, she had one comment: “Ah, the next Chris Rayder.” That’s a tall order, considering that young Mr. Rayder, whose exploits have been chronicled in this magazine more than a few times, is one of those athletes who come along once in a generation. Perhaps Joah will enjoy reading about and being inspired by Chris. I would love to be there if the two of them ever meet at a start line somewhere. It could happen. ServIng Tn for 18 yeArS.
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A Message from the President By Steve Spakes than ever. The marathon weekend is St. Jude’s largest single-day fundraiser and with so many fundraising events being cancelled, I’m sure they need our support. So sign up and become a Hero! In the 1950s, polio was the biggest threat to children. When a vaccine was developed, many teens and adults, thinking they were immune, did not get the vaccine. Of course, everyone was susceptible, as we know with Franklin D. Roosevelt. Public health officials asked Elvis if he would get the vaccine on live TV. He did, then performed. All of this took place at CBS Studio 50. Vaccinations in teens went from 0.6% to over 80%. MRTC is truly thankful for the incredible support of our virtual Road Race Series. Just under 900 have registered. You can still sign up for single races. Obviously, an MRTC party won’t happen in January, but we are hopeful for later in the year. I am pleased to announce that former MRTC Board member Peter Mecredi has rejoined the Board. Peter was a scientist at St. Jude when the U.S. Navy offered him a commission as a lieutenant still working in science. Welcome back! So, in the meantime, wear a mask, keep safe distance, avoid crowds and practice hand hygiene. Run safe!
I recently read that St. Jude Legend, Robert Webster, M.D., a world-respected virologist, is optimistic that science will have solutions for Covid-19 by the end of the year. We’re certainly all hoping he’s correct. St. Jude did develop their own testing with employees getting tested every four days. Also, St. Jude will be seeking 500 volunteers for vaccine Phase 3 trials. I hope I am chosen, and with the marathon weekend going virtual, St. Jude needs our help more
So sign up and become a Hero!
Elvis gets a polio vaccination.
Did you know?
in your body to fuel your running, but it’s important to replenish your stores, so chow down on the carbs post-run. Fauja Singh is the oldest person to ever complete a full marathon, finishing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 at the age of 100. So no, you’re probably not too old to run.’ On the other end of the spectrum, the world’s youngest marathoner is Bhudia Singh, who completed 48 marathons before age 5.
In 1990, only 25% of road race finishers in the U.S. were women. Now the ladies make up more than half of road race finishers in the US. The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970, when 127 runners paid one dollar each to run a few loops through Central Park. Fewer than half of the entrants finished. You can store about 2,000 calories’ worth of glycogen 3
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Fun races for kids on the track at Holy Communion.
The Book It 5K Turns 10 By Tricia Dewey
Our race committee at Church of the Holy Communion was gearing up to celebrate the 10th Book It 5K this year, scheduled for Sept. 19, 2020. Would we put together a special balloon arch or even finally get our dream visit from Dolly Parton promoting her nonprofit Books from Birth, one of our race beneficiaries? Unfortunately, as all runners know, for safety reasons, in-person festivities will have to wait for another year. This year the Book It 5K will be a virtual event complete with silver linings, including additional distance options like a 1-mile fun run and a 10K, and prizes for most creative, hilliest and other courses. We hope the virtual aspect of the race will inspire many more racers from near and far to join the cause. For the past nine years, this race has been a fun community event and successful fundraiser that helps raise awareness for two great local community groups, Books from Birth and The Emmanuel Center. After
weathering a couple years of construction adjustments, we were ready to return this race to the beautiful spaces we used so well for the first seven years of this event. Normally the race weaves through the leafy East Memphis neighborhood adjacent to Holy Communion and ends with a party in the church parking lot at the corner of Perkins and Walnut Grove with barbecue from Germantown Commissary and pizza from Marco’s Pizza, plus after-party deejay, David Pickens. An added bonus on race day is the arrival of the bus from The Emmanuel Center with children, youth and leaders (sometimes just barely in time) ready to run. We will miss Michael Tucker, our masterful balloonologist, who passed away this summer. He always stayed late to make extra balloon animals for kids and adults and was a delight to work with. While many aspects of our daily lives have scaled back, the work of Books from Birth and The Emmanuel 5
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Center has become more critical. Since the pandemic, Angie Johnson, development director at The Emmanuel Center and a race organizer, says while its after-school program has been put on hold, its service to its community continues. After conducting a Family Needs Assessment, The Emmanuel Center has been delivering food boxes, books, educational activities and art supplies to its students. This summer they teamed up with Literacy Mid-South to deliver books, worksheets and journal prompts to participating K-5th grade students, along The author with two of her kids – John Hudson and Joe Hudson (running) in 2012. with providing incentives for completion. Books from Birth (now part of Porter Leath) makes of working from home and home-schooling, making its mission to advance childhood literacy by delivering the time to read with children is even more important. a book a month to every child in the area from birth Porter Leath has also worked to provide additional to 5 years old. More than 46,000 children in Shelby literacy tips and tools to parents, and its staff has even County receive age-appropriate books in their homes at provided virtual online reading sessions. no charge to these families. Porter Leath’s Books from It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since a Holy Birth program, in partnership with the Dolly Parton Communion parishioner had the idea for the 5K race. Imagination Library and Governor’s Books from Birth From the beginning, the Book It committee wanted Foundation, ensure that the books are mailed to each to offer a fun event for the community, involve the child every month. According to Darren Thomas, Books children from The Emmanuel Center in the race, and from Birth development director, during these times raise money and awareness for The Emmanuel Center and Books from Birth. Steve Maury, sponsorship chairman, said the race sells itself. “I tell the stories of The Emmanuel Center and Books from Birth, and people and companies sign on to be a sponsor. Paragon Bank, a longtime major sponsor of the race, pays the entry fee for Paragon employees and families to participate.” Many sponsors are stepping up again for the virtual race but there’s always room for more.
The start of the Book It 5K in 2016. 7
Julie Fike, director of recreation and wellness for Holy Communion, leads the race committee. “Over nine years, we have raised more than $230,000 divided evenly between the two groups. We were thrilled that our sponsors continued to support the race through the two years of construction.” Race sponsors are continuing to step up this year and our two beneficiaries put the race proceeds directly to use. Take this opportunity to join us for this fun and meaningful 5K/10K. You can find race details and sign up at bookit5k.raceroster.com. Sponsorships are also still available. Every year at the end of the race, we have some great line dancing. This year, at your own personal finish line, bust out a few dance moves and post them to our race page on Facebook. Do the Book It!
The Line Dancing party at the 2014 Book It 5K
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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FUELING RUNNERS TO P.R.ʼS ONE BOWL AT A TIME
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They just keep on keeping on
By Brent Manley
John Bookas took up running 30 years ago and spent more than 20 years as a member of the MRTC Board of Directors, including a term as president. He left the board in February 2018 but has maintained his connection to the sport he loves, now running about 20 miles a week with his wife, Debi, who has been running 10 years longer than John. Bookas took up running when he was encouraged to do so by a friend he made in the U.S. Air Force Running friends Holly Trowbridge, Debi Bookas and John Bookas pause for a photo Reserve. Bookas at a park in Bartlett. has been a pilot for FedEx for who gather for social running once a week. After that, many years but will retire in February of next year, Bookas started volunteering at MRTC events, joining when he turns 65. When his job takes him on the road, the board in the late 1990s. He became president he finds time to run no matter where he is. He has of the club in 2009, serving in that capacity for two written about many running adventures in a variety of years. John and Debi still run with the Bartlett group. countries for this magazine. Besides his leadership as MRTC president and After Bookas started running, it wasn’t long work as a volunteer, Bookas used his expertise in video before former MRTC President Paul “Spunky” Ireland presentations to enhance the experience for members introduced John and Debi to the Bartlett Runners, at the annual Holiday Party where runners congregate 9
to celebrate the road race series. A video Bookas put together about running activities in Memphis is considered a key factor in the city’s being named a “Runner Friendly City” by the Road Runners Club of America in 2017. The effort was spearheaded by Sara Estabrook and Tom Bandler. Bookas notes that he and Debi have been running four miles a day in their Davies Plantation neighborhood “for as long as I can remember,” and they kept it up even after the Covid-19 virus brought
change to the lives of many runners. “During the first month of the lockdown,” Bookas says, “we ran four miles every morning and walked three in the afternoon.” Despite the changes in their routine, John and Debi still find pleasure in their daily runs, which regularly include Holly Trowbridge, one of their many running friends. When he flies for FedEx, John says, he still gets in runs wherever the job takes him. “I’ve been flying to San Juan of late and have a five-mile route that I run pretty religiously.” John and Debi have also done some virtual races this year, including the Bad Dog 10K and the Rylee’s Run 5K. “We are enjoying it maybe more now,” John says. “We plan on running as long as we can.”
Renew your MRTC membership at www.memphisrunners.com
Thanks to Sprouts for supporting the 2019 Road Race Series and the 2020 Winter Off-Road Series.
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The Rub By Brian Williams
Beaverhead 100K — July 11, 2020
miles faster than what is safe to prevent injury but if I did not take that chance I might as well drop from the race. My Garmin for the month of February had “It is easy to go down into hell … ; but to climb me walking 24 miles and March was only slightly back again, to retrace one’s steps to the upper air – better with a combination walk/running of 83 miles. there is the rub … ” — Virgil Aeneid During the month of April, Covid-19 started really shutting things down, giving me more free time than I have ever had. I got my miles up to 179 for the In January this year, I found myself in a bit of a month. I also started running hole. Literally, I stepped in a stairs for elevation training. hole during the Village Creek Once a week I would enter the 25K and severely sprained tallest building in Memphis my upper and lower ankle. To and run/hike to the top floor compound my injury, I kept and back down two times and running and finished the last then go outside and run two 12 miles of the race on a bad miles. Then I would go back foot. By the end of February inside and repeat that first set I was out of shape, heavy, two more times. It worked out even for me, still injured, and to be 204 flights of stairs and facing the problem of how and 6 miles every Thursday. On if I would be able to right the May 1, I joined 19,000 other ship. You see, in December a people in the Great Virtual few friends and I had signed Race Across Tennessee 1000K. up for the Beaverhead 100K I do not like virtual races, but on the Continental Divide I figured that I had to get the Trail (CDT) on the Montana/ miles anyway, and this might Idaho state line. This race had give me motivation since I over 11,000 feet of climbing knew a bunch of friends were 17,000 feet of descent and involved. It worked. In May I was known for a 3 mile-longran 250 miles in the middle of scree field. The scree field The author at the finish line of the Beaverhead the day and hiked another 100 was between miles 51 and 100K. in the afternoons. Then June 56 at the highest point of the hit and I got kidney stones. There is a lot that goes race. It also ran alongside a 1,000-foot drop down to into that story but I eventually had to have surgery a lake formed from snow melt. I wanted to go on this and training was uncomfortable for the entire month. “racecation” and run more than anything. It was time to I still got 175 miles of running in the midday heat buckle down and make a plan. and 100 miles of hiking in the evening. I finished the 1000K in 66 days and it was now time to taper I had been going to the foot doctor already but I for the race. I didn’t know if I had done enough, added some physical therapy. The second thing I did but I had done what I could and was ready for the was start working on my core while I could not run. Continental Divide Trail. I also changed my diet and almost went completely vegetarian and put away my peanut M&Ms. As Sean Hilsdon, Graham Benson, Stephen Whatley the days progressed, I slowly started gaining core and I flew into Spokane WA the Wednesday before strength, range of motion in my foot, and the pounds started coming off. I slowly started hiking and adding the race. We traveled east a few hours each day and eventually made it to the prerace meeting in Salmon short runs back into the routine. I knew I had to build 12
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ID on Friday. There we met the rules to the best of his/ three other friends from the her abilities. The race director area: Manny Geno, Andy concluded the meeting with Jones-Wilkins and Tracy King. the statement that the race Almost every running event would be on the hottest day in the United States has been of the year, and that the cuts canceled this year so we were would be extended by 15 all excited to be there. The minutes, because there was prerace meeting was Covid-19 more snow on the course than style but nobody cared about any previous year. the extra hoops we had to jump through to get to run. The race The alarm went off at directors took your temperature 2:15 a.m. We had to be on a before they even allowed you bus at 3:15 a.m. to be shuttled Five runners from the Mid-South who ran the into the park. From there, to the start for a 5 a.m. start Beaverhead 100K: Sean Hilsdon, Brian Williams, you had to wear a mask and time. When we got off the Graham Benson, Manny Geno and Stephen social distance. When the race bus, everyone took care of Whatley. director started speaking, the business and got prepared first thing he did was read the approved Covid-19 race to run. It was still dark, so everyone put on their plan. We would be asked to wear a mask until the race headlamps and spread out for some social distancing. spread out over the trail, wear one as we came into an After the race director played the national anthem we aid station, use antibacterial gel on our hands before were off. That lasted for 100 yards, at which point we entered the aid station, use only single-serving when everyone logjammed trying to cross a very food choices, grab what we needed and move away large Montana-style cattle grate before the trail. Once from the table. Finally, crews were asked to help their across the grate we ran for a half mile or so before we runners outside the area considered normal aid station turned right onto the CDT. It was dark for the first 30 space. Everyone I saw was willing to and did follow minutes of running and we got to watch the sun come up over the range and mountains. The rough plan for the day for the Midsouth contingent was to try to stay together as long as possible until the race naturally pulled us apart. Over the next few hours we ran and spread out naturally until all of a sudden I found myself alone on the trail. For the first 27 miles, the race was mostly single-track trail with some ranger jeep road mixed in at the connecting pieces of the CDT. There
A shot of the trail about 47 miles in.The trail goes between the tree line and the drop of about 9,500 feet of elevation. At this point, it is about four miles before runners get to the scree field. Scree is a collection of broken rock fragments at the base of crags, mountain cliffs, volcanoes or valley shoulders that has accumulated through periodic rockfall from adjacent cliff faces. 14
The mountains at this point seemed to be like running on a turned-over soup bowls covered in lose rocks. You would run up and over, and back down the other side. The trail cut right through the middle of the mountain and you had trees on both sides of you. Down the middle of the trail, every quarter mile or so, there was a metal spike driven into the earth with what looked like a metal mushroom cap on top. The cap had a line down the middle and one side had an M and an I on the other to indicate the Montana/Idaho state line. Each mountain you ran over had a different feel to it. Some were scorched earth from previous fires, some were beautiful pine forest, and a few had a combination of woods with scarred trees where the fires had not been so bad. In one of the healthier mountaintops, I was running along and startled an elk. He was about 20 yards away from me when I first noticed him. He had a huge rack on his head and went across the trail in front of me. I was all alone at that moment and it was very surreal. The massive elk was close enough and big enough that I could feel the concussions of his hooves hitting the ground. I actually stopped for a second to take in what just happened.
A shot of the first 27 miles of the Beaverhead 100K course. Runners can see at that point why Montana is known by many to be in “Big Sky Country.”
The race cuts were something I was worried about before the race. I always am and stay worried. I am constantly doing math in my head until I am officially past the last one. Beaverhead had what I think are aggressive cuts at 3 different aid stations. I call them aggressive because they were tighter than the Walking Tall 50K and the elevation was higher in general and it
were miles and miles of open areas filled with grass and wild flowers. On the horizon: the Beaverhead Mountain range. As we ran, we slowly climbed in elevation to where we would spend most of the day between 8,500 and the high point of 10,200 feet. Everyone had been warned that this first marathon would be the easiest running of the day. We all tried not to go out too fast but it was so hard not to live in the moment and enjoy the epic scenery. At mile 27, I got to Lemhi Pass aid station. It was the only point on the course where anyone was allowed a drop bag. At that point I did not need anything in the bag, but I grabbed my comfort food and some tape. I was way ahead of where I thought I should be, so I took time to tape my toes on my right foot. The last few races I have had blister problems and I was hoping an “ouch” of prevention was worth a pound of “suffering”. The race course was about to change. From mile 27 to the finish line was going to be hard running. It was supposed to be nothing but single-track trail, rocks, climbing, ridge lines, and a monster 4-mile descent off the mountains. I stepped out of the aid station and had an immediate climb. At this point on the trail, runners could see the three peaks of the scree field. 15
had more overall elevation change. You had to maintain a 16:34 pace until mile 38, then it dropped to 16:57 to mile 46, and then it dropped to a 17:13 pace until mile 51. From there you were free to get to the finish line without worrying about time unless you wanted a ticket into Western States 100 which had a 19-hour limit.
That 3-mile section of trail averaged a 30-minute mile and I was moving to the best of my ability the entire time. I climbed the first peak on the scree field and yelled “Top of the World” then I looked to the right and I could see another peak farther along and higher up. At the top of peak number 2, I was ready to be finished with the rocks and wanted to get away from the edge. It was not to be. I could look right again and see another peak and small people working their way up to the highest point on the course. At the tippy top, I was so ready to be away from the edge, and off the rocks. I did not even look around. I just moved on and tried to find my way down the mountain.
The reason the cuts were tight was because of the scree field. The race director wanted you to have the ability to be off the scree field before it got dark. There is no way to describe it unless you were out there. The scree field was a 3 mile-section that was 100% rock climbing and straight up and down. To add insult to injury, it was the highest point on the course and ran just feet away from a 1000-foot drop. There was some snow on the edge of the scree field that the race director warned us not to run on. He said “The snow is faster running but it might or might not have ground under it so it is better to stay away.” One guy next to me must not have been at the prerace meeting because he was on a big section of snow and passing me. He hollered at me, “Come down here, it is much easier.” I hollered back “yes, but is it safe?” He looked around and said “Oh, shit” and scrambled back on the rocks.
“ ... but it might or might not have ground under it ...”
The first 2 miles down the mountain were nothing more than a goat path. It was a fresh-cut narrow trail that had switchbacks, loose rock, big drops and yet easy to follow. There was very little running fast here. It was more of a controlled fall using trees and the side of the mountain to slow your descent. There was also some snow closer to the top that was difficult to navigate and more than once I found myself sitting down and sliding to the next section of dirt. After that, we had a few miles of a more controlled downhill. If you could manage the rocks, you could make some time. I got my legs back and started picking up steam for the next 2 miles. I was starting to check my watch again, realizing that not only was I going to make it to the finish in the daylight but also had a chance of coming in under 16 hours. As the elevation got lower and the finish line got closer, I started really moving again. I was back to running like the beginning of the race. There is something magical that can happen at different points in an ultra. Once your brain believes you can do it, your body starts to act like it agrees. I was cruising around the giant scrub bushes. You could not see more than a few feet of trail around you. Plus, you had no idea which way was the next turn would be, but it did not matter. I was running. I could hear the finish a half mile More trail deep into the race. 16
before I could see it. I kept checking my watch and running like my feet were on fire. I had no idea the real distance to the finish but I was feeling amazing, so I ran faster and faster. My body felt better and better. I had to be on some kind of runner’s high. All of a sudden, I burst out of the scrub oaks and I could see the tent and the finish. I ran like I was winning a local 5k and crossed the line. I was all smiles with a time of 15:58:50 and with a feeling of bliss, I collected my finisher items.
Other Things of Note • In the last mile, I saw more cows in one place than I have ever seen in my life and they were all mooing at each other. That made me smile. • When asked if the oxygen in the air thins at a constant rate as your altitude increases, Sean Hilsdon answered, “well, gravity is a constant” and
The edge of the trail with a lake at the bottom.
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stopped talking. • Like a Southern driver in snow, I am horrible at running in snow. • If the race director had not told us to wipe away the top layer of snow and then fill our bottles with the snow on the mountain, I might have run out of water. • Mad props to Sean Hilsdon who put the trip together. Race Director Hizzy is one heck of an RD and travel agent. • To me, the Beaverhead race directors and the ultra running community proved we can run trail races
safely even in the Covid-19 era. • If they did not before, every single friend who went on this adventure should now consider themselves a mountain runner. • I am a social runner, but found myself alone most of the day, which turned out to be amazing. • The Air Idaho Rescue team (helicopter included) was there to help if needed. • To me feeling amazing and getting faster for the last 3 miles of a 100K still only looks like a 12, 10, and 9 minute mile lol.
The author’s foot immediately after he completed the Village Creek 25K.
The author’s foot the day after the Village Creek 25K.
2020 Roadrunner deadlines (subject to change)
Oct. issue Nov. issue Dec. issue Jan.-Feb. 2021
Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Nov. 10 Dec. 8
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Outrunning Covid-19 By Christy Brewer “You’ve got to be kidding. Are you sure you have the right person?” I reply with a laugh. I’m sitting in my Jeep filling my water bottle, about to step off for a late morning trail run when my phone lights up with an incoming call. Upon confirming my identity, the voice on the other end responds, “Ms. Brewer we received your
runner; I’ve been careful and taken precautions. How could this happen? I’ve barely seen anyone since everything closed down. I’m literally the first person I know with a confirmed positive. The last few weeks have been filled with cancellations, disappointments and unknowns. I haven’t encountered anyone who isn’t a little stressed or struggling to adjust to the “new normal.” My running has become infrequent and erratic with races cancelled and not much to train for. While running less and feeling more stressed, I find myself feeling under the weather with spring allergies and sinus congestion. It’s the same cold I get every year when the weather first turns nice, or so I thought. Day 1-2: I wake up feeling a little worn down and fatigued, nothing alarming since I’ve put in back-toback long runs a few days before and haven’t been sleeping well. My nose is all stuffed up and I have some pressure in my ears. I have a mild yet lingering headache that never really goes away despite taking Tylenol / Advil. I go for a short run, but have trouble maintaining a tempo pace, even in cooler temps. Day 3: I wake up with the same symptoms except the pressure in my ear has increased and my bones and muscles ache like crazy. I’m lightheaded and experiencing mild vertigo, but probably just due to the earache. Am I coming down with something? I book an appointment with my PCP to be seen later in the day. Upon arrival, I find out I’m running a low-grade fever, just over 100. I’ve also lost my sense of smell, which I thought was just the sinus congestion. My doctor treats me for an ear infection, but also refers
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
The author at Big River Crossing after finishing the Yeti Ultra 24-hour Challenge in May 2020. coronavirus test results back and it’s positive.” “Are you sure? I really don’t feel that sick,” I say. The next few minutes are a blur as my doctor discusses quarantine procedures while quizzing me on my symptoms and telling me what complications to watch out for. I’m in my 30s, healthy, a long-distance 19
me for Covid-19 testing as a precaution. Day 4: I question whether I should even get tested. There’s a shortage of tests right now and certainly is dangerous for people out there with higher risk than me. I know it’s going to come back negative anyway, since it’s just a cold; the fever is nothing more than my body fighting off the ear infection. I’m not coughing nor do I have a sore throat and no difficulty breathing; none of the major symptoms they’re talking about on the news. Reluctantly, I go to my drive-thru testing appointment and experience what felt like my brain being scraped with an extra-long Q-tip. I head home to take a nap with plans to run later, but end up waking up even more exhausted than before, even after a threehour nap. I order takeout and sleep the rest The author enjoys a run near the sunflower fields on the Arkansas of the evening, but I wake up around 2 a.m. side of the Mississippi River. drenched with night sweats then having chills. Day 5: I wake up early, running a fever of 102. fever today, but notice a small amount of wheezing I’m too exhausted to get up and take a shower or even and still have dizziness when I stand up. I get up and make anything to eat. I take acetaminophen and try to make breakfast and do some strength training and drink plenty of water while sleeping on and off until PT exercises before heading to the trails for a short almost 5 p.m. run. After hearing the unfortunate news from my A friend stops by to drop off some dinner and cold doctor, I drive home in silence. I send texts to work, medicine and asks how I’m feeling. “I feel like I’m a few friends and my family to break the news. I try going to die”, I respond. I do feel slightly better after to occupy my mind and come to terms with being eating and end up sleeping all night after taking the quarantined for the next 14 days. I still can’t believe cold medicine. my test is positive because I really don’t feel that bad. I go to bed feeling pretty powerless and end up not sleeping well, waking up every few hours with shortness of breath.
I am strong, ... I will get through this.
Day 8: I feel about the same as yesterday. No fever, but shortness of breath and wheezing has increased a bit since yesterday. I’m still experiencing a lot of dizziness and my feet are terribly cold and numb. Today, I decide I’m not going to take this lying down. I am strong, I am healthy, and I will get through this. I do almost 30 minutes of strength and PT work, addressing lingering weaknesses and muscle imbalances. I wait until there’s very little foot traffic in my neighborhood before masking up and heading out for a run. I’m not able to run for long before getting out of breath and my heart rate spikes. Still, I manage about 2 miles of run / walk intervals. This leaves me pretty exhausted despite the short distance.
Day 6: I feel about 50% better when I wake up, just a low-grade fever and a little fatigue; not nearly as bad as last night. I work from home most of the day and get up to do some yoga / light mobility work in the afternoon. I even go out for a run that evening, but it quickly turns into a walk. I’m getting winded and out of breath, even running my easy pace. I can’t believe how out of shape I’ve become after barely running this week!
Day 9: I wake up and my fever has spiked again, this time around 102-103. It becomes increasingly more difficult to breathe, even at rest. I’m also nauseated and struggling to eat. I call my doctor and
Day 7: I wake up feeling much better than yesterday. I feel slightly “under the weather”; no
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he explains that I’m likely experiencing a “second wave.” He calls in an inhaler to help me breath, but other than that, all I can do is take Tylenol and drink plenty of water, trying to bring the fever down. Despite feeling so bad, I get up in the evening and do some light yoga w/focus on breathing exercises, but am completely exhausted afterwards. Still, I know movement is medicine and I won’t feel better if I continue to lie around. Day 10-11: I’m still pretty tired and running a low-grade fever, but able to breathe a little better with the inhaler. My appetite is back, but even after eating, I don’t feel like doing more than some hip mobility and light yoga with breathing exercises. I go for a short 1.5-mile run / walk at an easy pace on the 11th day. Day 12-13: No fever today finally, but still struggling to breathe a little. I run 3-4 miles each day with fewer walk breaks and not completely exhausted after; I can run only as fast as my lungs will allow. I add strength training and mobility work morning and evening and continue to work on the breathing exercises every day.
Day 14-15: All my symptoms have resolved other than still struggling to breathe while running. I continue to focus on keeping my runs easy and heart rate down and doing 30-60 minutes of strength and mobility per day. Day 16: My lungs feel 90% recovered today. I struggle much less to breathe and have increased mileage up to a 10K while still maintaining 30-60 minutes of strength and mobility training per day. In the following days, I continue to strength train daily and am able to consistently increase mileage up to a long run of 9 miles. On day 25-26, I run a 50k over the course of 24 hours (at least 5 miles every 4 hours – the Yeti Ultra 24-Hour Challenge). This ends up leaving me exhausted and somewhat immune compromised, but it forced me to really focus modifying my diet, adding more nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, while building up my immune system. Every run is easy effort and I continue to strength train almost daily. By far, my case was much milder than most people experience based on the stories you hear about on the news. In the last few weeks, my doctor has cleared me to return to training for my next ultramarathon. My heart
I won't feel better if I ... lie around.
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and lung imaging looks excellent with no scarring or damage and my immune system is finally back to 100%. During my battle with Covid, I think my commitment to staying active helped me recover faster. Many people suggested resting and sitting this out, but I have I always believed that weakness
is a choice, as is being strong. By focusing on my strengths and doing something to get stronger every day, I was able to return to high volume training faster and being injury free. I’m now back 100% and running stronger than I did before the diagnosis. First post Covid 100+ mile week.
Happy Reading with Happy Skywalker, NASM, CPT RRCA Running Coach Be Ready on Race Day:
and how to adjust when life gets in the way. The structure of the book has each topic clearly broken out with summaries following the chapters. The summaries are actually so detailed that they’re almost a rewording of the same concepts in equal detail. Which is great, because every idea and how to implement it is crystal clear as a result. There are also printable digital downloads available that accompany the book. Although not fancy, they’re useful.
How to Create a Custom Training Plan for Your Next Marathon or Half Marathon By Denny Krahe Reviewed by Happy Skywalker “There is no universally ‘right’ way of preparing for a race. Every runner is different. Every race is different.”
“And when it’s all said and done, remember that the creation of your training plan is a mixture of art and science.”
— Denny Krahe, Be Ready on Race Day: How to Create a Custom Training Plan for Your Next Marathon or Half Marathon
— Denny Krahe, Be Ready on Race Day: How to Create a Custom Training Plan for Your Next Marathon or Half Marathon
About the Book
You will love this book if: You like authors who sprinkle in humor, and sometimes dump a little extra in for flavor. Also, if you want the nitty gritty on program design.
Be Ready on Race Day is a relatively short book that can take the reader from no knowledge of how to prepare for a race to a competent designer of their own running plan. The focus is race training: as in the mileage and styles of workout, when and why to do them, assessing your current fitness, how to handle rest days, recovery, injury prevention,
You won’t love this book if: You’re hoping for a beginners guide to racing in general, with what to wear, what to eat, mindset tips and all that. What you’ll get here is specifically about creating your own race training plan (including for the beginner). No tips on footwear. 22
Running with an Opportunity By Robert “the Lone Runner” Rayder
advantage is that all runners compete on the same streets or trails under similar conditions (at least in terms of elevation, inclines and so forth.) It also allows the race director to put up funny or inspirational signs and give other types of unmanned support. My favorite virtual race innovation was the creation of a “virtual crowd” of spectators where the family and friends of runners posted photos of themselves at key sites cheering on their favorite participants. The race directors created a system where submissions by supporters could be dropped off and hung on trees (or whatever) by volunteers a day or two before the race. Some people were incredibly artistic and creative with the new support system. One ingenious spectator had three consecutive life-size portraits of himself separated by roughly 50 feet. In the first rendition he held a sign that read “Running is so stupid that …” The second rendering held a different sign (same picture) that read, “… I couldn’t even be bothered to support you in person.” The final portrait was a tip of the hat to Bill Engvall, one of my favorite comedians. He famously felt that all “idiots” should carry a sign warning the rest of humanity of their “condition.” The third picture of the guy with the now familiar smiling face held a placard that read, “HERE’S YOUR SIGN.” Another member of the virtual crowd pictured a woman dressed in a moo-moo night gown apparently sleeping in a bed. The sign read, “Guess what I’m doing while you folks are paying to do this grueling race?” Obviously, peoples’ humor and creativity are not limited by the pandemic. There are now hybrid races where runners are being socially distanced on prescribed markings in various corrals and told to arrive at different times depending on their corral assignments. Disposable masks are being handed out at the start and finish areas (it is impossible
It is often in the Darkest Skies that we see the Brightest Stars.
— Richard Paul Evans
It’s a dark time to be a runner. Signature races are being cancelled, some for the first time ever. Even when the odd race goes off, one has to wonder if the coronavirus is lurking quietly within someone in the crowd. A simple cough may be totally harmless, or it might harbor a killer. It seems absurd that one has to risk one’s own health just for the sake of running. Still, we have to play with the cards we are dealt. We can decide to live in denial and put ourselves or others at risk, or we can adapt to the new reality. It is my experience that runners are a pretty adaptable lot. Fortunately, there have been some intrepid races that have found a way to press on despite everything. By far, the most common solution to the pandemic problem has been driven by the information age and would have been totally impractical even a single generation ago. It is called virtual racing. In its simplest form, a virtual race can be run over any course and at any time of day or night during a predetermined race period. Races can be run on a particular day and at a certain time, or over a series of days, or even over several weeks. The runners are responsible for keeping their own race times. Sometimes these events are run on the honor system: People submit their times without any proof. Others require a photo from a GPS watch with a time and distance on it. There was even one race where someone other than the runner had to “certify” that the participant actually ran the race in the claimed time. Gosh! A couple of races have asked runners to complete a prescribed course, albeit at different times. The major
It is called virtual racing.
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to actually run in a mask, at least for me). Water and fuel are in closed “touchless” containers at the water stops. The whole thing is electronically timed with mats and timing chips to properly account for racers’ staggered start times. Other hybrid races release runners one at a time while lined up at least 6 feet apart, and all participants are masked until they reach the front of the line to start running. I can’t help but make the comparison to many triathlons’ start lines, where such a staggered start and finish system has been in place for many years. The growth of this timing technology may well transform foot races to more closely mimic our multisport cousins. All of this innovation in the running world inspired me on a personal level to pursue a wild dream I’ve long had. It gave me an opportunity to do something new that I’ve always suspected I would be pretty good at. I wanted to be the organizer of my own race. Now don’t get me wrong. I had no intention of getting permits, setting up online registration,
organizing volunteers, or doing any of the hundreds of other minutely detailed tasks required to make a realworld race work. That kind of organizational skill and discipline is far beyond my skill set. What I wanted to do was just the fun part of planning an event. I know of thousands of streets and trails that are worthy of being race courses, and I have always dreamed that I could bring them to the wider running community’s attention. Therefore, I decided to create a marked course that anyone could run either in their training or in whatever virtual race they were participating. No GPS watches required. Best of all, someone could follow an out-and-back or loop course through a scenic area that they may not be familiar with. As long as they followed the markings, there would be no fear of getting lost or drifting into an area uncomfortable for runners. So, I started to think of ways to make all that happen. I decided to do my first test run while I happened to be in East Tennessee. I wanted to have my course ready pretty quickly since the dates for the first road race series 5K were already upon me and I didn’t have time to wait to get back home. Picking the right trail was easiest part. Most of East Tennessee is impressively hilly and not very conducive to fast running times, at least not for a flatlander like me. Hills are great for building strength and endurance, but if you are aiming for sustained speed, flat or rolling courses fit the bill best. Fortunately, there was just such a path not far from where we were staying called the 10-Mile Creek Trail. Interestingly, the paved pathway is nowhere near 10 miles long. I can only assume the tiny meandering waterway the pathway follows for a small portion of its course is called 10-Mile Creek and that it may be 10 miles long (who knows). The path, out and back, is more like 10K, but I think that the planners who came up with the name for the multiuse recreational suburban pathway felt that the “10K Creek Trail” (or the “5K Each Way Creek Trail”) don’t quite have the same ring to it. In any case, once the course was chosen, I had to turn my attention to the problem of The author’s wife, Christina, at the 5K turnaround. 24
how best to mark it. This was not as simple a task as it sounds. Marking the course in some permanent way was definitely out. Using painted markings would last for years and be simple, cheap and effective. The only problem was that without express permission from the city (or some other authority) a painted course would amount to vandalism. Some might feel I was defacing public property, and while my intentions were good, I could not bring myself to do anything illegal or that could not be easily removed if necessary. There was always the option of chalk markings, a longtime race staple. The material is easily noticeable, cheap, and disappears after a smattering of rain or a sprinkler dousing. For me, however, this option seemed a little too transient. Chalk smears and can become unreadable after it is passed
over by even a few runners. I needed something with a little more staying power. I considered signs made of paper or laminate, but paper signs are too easily smeared or ripped, while laminate signs are expensive and easily dislodged when workers are landscaping or by accidental collisions with bikes or legs. I even considered using colorful ties to be hung on branches and trees like many trail runs use, often dubbed “confidence builders.” I, however, wanted something that was a little more obvious and something that could point a runner in a particular direction without straining eyes to find the next tiny speck of pink or blue down one path or another. Then inspiration struck, and it came from a source that is almost a cliché for its ability to solve all manner of household problems. Duct Tape! It’s cheap, has a low profile, durable yet easily removed if needed, and is definitely easy to see. The stuff could be crafted into basic arrows or simple letters, numbers or words right onto the asphalt. Runners and bikers could pass right over it without any ill effects. Over weeks or months, it would slowly peel up or erode away and leave no sign that it had ever been there. Good, old fashioned duct tape stood as the perfect solution to my problem. Thus, early the next day I started down the chosen trail with my dog attached to a leash in one hand and a big roll of silver duct tape in the other. My mission was clear. I was to mark the way of the run. I didn’t bother to mark the obvious startfinish line at the trail head. I wanted to leave as little imprint as was physically possible and this trail had a pretty conspicuous starting point. At the junction of two paths, however, I would make a double-headed arrow to guide runners, outgoing and incoming, to the correct course. I would mark all the various turns and points of ambiguity using my fast-developing skills as a duct tape artisan until a clear path started to emerge. When I hit 1.55 miles on my GPS watch,
This was not as simple a task ...
At the 5K turnaround with the 5-mile course continuance ahead. 25
my work became a little more complex. I was at the halfway point for the 5K (3.1 miles) and I had to make my first turnaround. My markings here took a lot more tape than before as I crafted an arch that looked like a horseshoe with an arrow on either end. I then crafted a silvery “5K” above it. I hoped that it would be obvious that this was the 5K turnaround. Just to be sure, a few feet down the road I put a large arrow pointing farther down the trail and put the duct-taped words “5- Mile” in front of it. This marking would hopefully warn 5K runners they had passed their mark while it would reassure 5-mile runners they were still on course. It was the best solution I could think of to avoid confusion. I then ran on, using up most of my large roll of duct tape along the way. Finally, my watch read 2.5 miles and I constructed my second pointed arch with the words “5 mile” above it. The second turn-around was finished in a flash. I considered going on to the area near the end of the trail and making a 10K turnaround at 3.1 miles, but the scarcity of the remaining tape told me to put those plans on hold for now. That project would have to wait for another time (and another roll of tape. “There!” I thought with a not-so-modest degree of pride. “My first course is marked.” I ran back to the start, making sure each marking made sense in both directions and made a few small adjustments here and there where necessary. I knew the next day would be my real test. Everything would need to be as perfect as possible. On the following morning, my wife, Christina, eldest daughter, Rebecca, and I made our way to the trailhead just a few minutes after the sun cleared the horizon. It was race day for our first virtual Road Race Series event, the unofficial “10-Mile Creek/Duct Taped 5K.” I thanked 3M, the makers of the duct tape I used
to mark the course for being our very unofficial sponsor and congratulated all our participants (the three of us, including me) for being there on this beautiful morning for this inaugural invitational event. I described the course to my wife and daughter, who looked at me with those “Why the heck are you doing this?” eyes, as we lined up at the start line. When we all had our watches at the ready, I yelled “Go!” and the race was on. I took the early lead with my dog Mia in tow. Despite a quick doggie potty break at mile one (and the required cleanup), I was able to hold the lead through the whole race and finished in first place. In retrospect, however, I think Mia actually was in front of me and may have squeezed out the victory instead. The whole situation is under appeal at this time. As for the second (or is it third) place finishers, Christina and Rebecca crossed the line together, as they almost always do. They ran and walked the course with only a passing interest in their times, but mostly chitchatted back and forth and enjoyed the pretty scenery of the shaded little trail. After much prompting from the race director (me) I was able to get them both to comment on how well the course was marked. I felt such a sense of pride that I could almost overlook their rolled eyes. At least no one got lost! I consider that a victory of sorts. In any case, we are going back to East Tennessee soon and we will get to try out my five-mile course provided any of the markings survive that long. If not, I know where there is more duct tape. So, if one day you come across a bunch of doublesided arrows on the pavement made of duct tape while you’re on the run, take a detour and follow the path for a while. You just discovered another route in my evergrowing “Virtual Duct Tape Series.” No matter what else you may think, I’m sure you’ll find the course very well marked.
I thanked 3M, our very unofficial sponsor ...
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By Joel Lyons, PT, OCS
Everybody knows that no one is perfect, but when is an imperfection a problem and when is it nothing to worry about? The simple answer: It all depends. Some imperfections can cause a cascade of problems when compensations lead to further ailments. Other imperfections can be mild enough to be completely ignored.
resolved. For example, an ankle sprain could leave the calf weaker if it doesn’t heal within two weeks. For this reason, one should not only care for the ligament, but pay attention to strengthening the calf. Another reason for side-to-side differences could simply be a more dominant side. For example, a soccer player who always uses his strong leg may get a stronger quadriceps on that side. This could lead to problems at the knee, hip or back. A common imbalance for many athletes, runners included, occurs when the quad and hamstring are significantly different in their strength. The quad is supposed to be stronger than the hamstring but only twice as much. The problem is usually because of the weak hamstring. I’ve observed that many people just do not like working on their hamstrings. For one thing, it is not that comfortable to do one of the most common hamstring workouts: a hamstring curl while lying on your stomach. It’s a simple exercise, but many just don’t like lying on their stomach. At the gym there are often seated ham curl machines that are more comfortable. Other ways to strengthen them is to do a dead lift. When performing this exercise you would hold a weight in your hands and lean forward at your hips, not your back. For that reason dead lifts can be dangerous. It is too easy to do it wrong and injure the back. Regardless, when a runner injures the hamstring, the recovery is usually much longer than they would expect.The imbalance was most likely at the root of the injury, but it could have been caused when someone tried to do a workout that they just weren’t ready for. Speed work when they weren’t ready probably caused it. My advice: Please do not avoid working the hams. It’s a tough injury to recover from. In the upper body a muscle imbalance often results from overworking the chest at the expense of the
Leg-length discrepancies
First, there are several reasons for an apparent leglength discrepancy. One could be that there is a true difference in length when measuring from the top of the femur to the floor. In that case, either the femur or the tibia is longer on one leg compared to the other. Usually, if the difference is ¼ inch or less, there may not be a problem. If it is greater, there may be a need to put a small lift in the shoe. Another reason for the difference could be from a pelvic asymmetry. When one side of the pelvis is rotated in a direction opposite to the other side, one leg will appear longer than the other. In this case, you will probably need to consult a physical therapist to help with realignment. He could help with muscle strengthening, stretching and/or manual mobilizations that can put the bones back where they are supposed to be and help them stay there.
Please do not avoid working the hams.
Muscle Imbalances
There are several types of muscle imbalances. One could simply be that a muscle on one extremity is significantly weaker than the same muscle on the opposite side. A common reason for this could be that the recovery from an injury hasn’t completely 27
upper back muscles. Especially in men, I will see an emphasis to develop the pectorals to get that “look”. The upper back is forgotten and this person will develop a forward head and shoulder posture. This can cause neck and shoulder problems. The solution is to do exercises like rowing and reverse flies. Activate the muscles that pull your shoulders together with dumbbells, resistance bands, or machines in the gym.
Gait Asymmetries
and still was the best marathoner in the world during his peak. Other people who tolerate an anomaly for too many months or years may develop problems. If you have persistent problems when running you may want to have a specialist take a look at your gait. Or you may not be having problems but want to look for ways to improve your performance. Breakaway Running and Fleet Feet will take a quick look at your gait when you are purchasing shoes. Local universities and some physical therapy clinics may also give you a gait analysis for a fee. Whatever area that you’re are having a problem with, first check to see if you might have a difference in strength or flexibility on that side. Try to correct it if you can. If not, seek some help before it gets out of hand.
... look for ways to improve your performance.
There are boatloads of gait anomalies that can cause problems: from arm swing differences to asymmetric stride lengths to foot strike problems. Many of these differences may not need correction. I often think of Bill Rodgers’ gait when looking for an example of a highly successful runner who has a very asymmetric gait. Among other things, he had a substantially different arm carriage from side to side. I don’t believe he ever worked on correcting it
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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 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 Run: Southaven Striders Time: 6 a.m. Place: Central Park in Southaven (Tchulahoma ent., east side of park) 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
Thursday afternoon
Run: Fleet Feet Time: 6 p.m. Fleet Feet hosts individualized speedwork sessions including track and tempo workouts for runners who want to get a little quicker. No fees. Contact: Feb at 901-761-0078 or lovetorun@fleetfeetmemphis.com 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!
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 30
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
