2011 Race Schedule
Here is what I am planning so far. Trying to find a full to run later in the year.
1/22 Greenville News 5k (Corporate Shield) – DONE!!
2/12 Green Valley 10 mile (Run-In Series)
3/5 Reedy River 10k (RIS)
3/19 Milliken 5k (CS)
4/9 Greer Earth Day Half (RIS)
5/6 GHS 5k (CS)
6/11 Sunrise 8k (RIS & CS)
7/2 Red, White, & Blue 5k (RIS & CS))
8/20 Michelin 5k (RIS & CS)
9/9 BMW 2 miler (RIS & CS)
10/15 GE 6k (CS)
10/29 Spinx Half (RIS)
12/4 Paris Mtn 20k (RIS)
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Running Update
It has been some time since I posted an update here. Graduation is 3 weeks away and things have been crazy.
Excited to run the Greer Earth Day Half Marathon next weekend.
Also, Heidi will be running her first 5k at the Spring Fling 5k at Standing Springs Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC.
My last 4 races:
2/20/2010 Green Valley 10 mile – 1:41:59
3/6/2010 Reedy River 10k – 56:50
3/20/2010 Milliken Earth Run 5k – 25:53
4/10/2010 Furman GTC 5k – 28:15
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The Language of Running
THE LANGUAGE OF RUNNING
By Saucony
Hang around the finish line of any road race on any Sunday morning and you’re bound to hear it: the language of running. As runners chew on energy bars and guzzle down sports drinks, the conversation revolves around “splits,” “kicks” and “chips” – just a few of the cryptic terms runners use to describe their race.
In the interest of busting through the language barrier, the following is a translation guide to some of the most common terms thrown around the inner circle of the aerobic elite.
Let’s start with “PB” – personal best – as in: “I ran a PB in my “BQ” – Boston qualifier. The Boston Marathon requires that a certain time standard be run, based on gender and age, in order to qualify for an official number. To increase your chance of qualifying, runners swear by “fartleks” – a funny word but a great workout that combines faster sprints with slower jogs. For runners who choose to skip the fartleks, well, they just might “hit the wall” – run out of energy – or become (ouch!) “road kill” ? left behind by the faster runners. But hey, if that’s the case, accept a “PW” – personal worst – and enjoy a “cold one” (no translation needed here!) after the race.
Here are a few more terms that might come in handy next time you’re hangin’ at the finish line. If you have some of your own to add, please use the comments section below.
- AR: American Record
- Aerobic: An activity that requires oxygen. Aerobic exercise like running, swimming, and cycling improve the body’s use of oxygen.
- Aid Station: A stop in a race with water, sports drinks and other aid.
- Anaerobic: An activity that does not require oxygen. Sprinting, for example, requires a rate of energy production greater than that supplied by aerobic respiration (breathing).
- Bandit: A person who runs in a race without an official number.
- Base: Mileage accumulated per week.
- Bib: Race number usually pinned to the front of your shirt or shorts.
- Bonk: To run out of energy or “hit the wall” in a race or workout.
- BQ: Boston Qualify. The Boston Marathon requires that a certain time standard be run, based on gender and age, in order to qualify for an official number.
- CR: Course record.
- Carbo Load: Maximize glycogen storage in muscles before a race by eating foods high in carbohydrates like pasta.
- Chip: A lightweight chip that a runner ties on their shoelace to uniquely identify and time them as they cross an electronic mat at the start and finish lines.
- Chip Time: In chip-timed races, the time elapsed between when a runner crosses the start and finish lines.
- Chute: A roped off area at the finish of a race where the officials collect the tear off part of a bib (race number) to use for determining the time/place of a runner.
- Cross training: Activities that complement running, such as swimming, biking or weight lifting. Also referred to as XT.
- DNF: Did not finish.
- DNS: Did not start.
- Draft: Running behind another runner to let them break the wind resistance.
- Fartlek: A Swedish word that means “speed play.” In a fartlek workout, you vary your pace throughout the run with recovery jogs in between faster efforts.
- Flats: Light weight shoes used for speed training or racing.
- Hill repeats: Running repeats up a hill fast with a walk or slow jog downhill to recover.
- Hit the Wall: To run out of energy, or bonk, during a race, especially around mile 20 of the marathon.
- Intervals: A workout that consists of running a set distance at a fast pace, usually on a track. Between the intervals, recover by either jogging slowly or walking.
- Junk miles: Easy paced runs done in order to reach a weekly mileage total rather than for any specific training effect.
- Kick: The final sprint toward the finish line.
- LSD: Long slow (steady) distance.
- MP: Marathon pace.
- Master: Runner 40 years of age plus.
- Negative splits: Running the second half of a race faster than the first.
- Out and back: A course you run out for a certain distance, then turn around and run back.
- PR and PB: Personal record or personal best.
- PW: Personal worst.
- Pack: A group of runners who run close together, feeding off each other’s energy.
- Point to Point: A course that starts at one point and finishes at another.
- Rabbit: A runner who purposely goes out to set a fast pace in a race, often dropping out before the finish.
- Road Kill: To be passed and left behind by the faster runners in a race.
- Runner’s High: The feeling of euphoria that often follows a run.
- Runner’s Trot: Stomach problems on the run that usually require a porta-potty or large hedge to duck behind.
- Singlet: Light weight tank top worn by runners.
- Splits: Times in a race at measured miles or kilometers.
- Stitch: Side cramp.
- Strides: Short bursts of controlled fast running to improve efficiency. Usually done at the end of a run or as part of a warm up for a race.
- Surge: To pick up the pace in a race for a short distance in order to try and drop a competitor.
- Taper: To cut back on mileage before a race in order to be rested.
- Triathlon: A race that combines swimming, biking, and running, usually in that order.
- Ultramarathon: A race that’s longer than the 26.2 mile marathon. Distances can include 50K, 50 miles and 100 miles, among others.
- WR: World Record.
- XC: Cross Country.
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It snowed in Myrtle Beach
You may ask “Kevin, how was your second half marathon?”
My answer would be, “The BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon have been cancelled”
MEDIA ADVISORY:
We regret to report that the BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon have been cancelled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 13. The city staff has monitored weather conditions and delayed making a decision as long as practical, in hope that the forecast would improve. Unfortunately, the forecast consistently calls for snow accumulations overnight, raising concerns about the safety of all involved in the marathon.
The marathon course is not completely closed, which means that runners and cars must safely co-exist on city streets. Given the potentially dangerous surface conditions which may exist tomorrow morning, that would not be the case. Safety is paramount for the runners, motorists and volunteers who assist, as well as for city employees who set up the course and monitor the intersections.
The BI-LO Myrtle Beach Marathon is valued by the entire community, and we do not make this decision lightly. We are disappointed by the cancellation, but believe this action is necessary to ensure the safety of our guests, volunteers and staff members.
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I am 1000!!!
A story in the Greenville News about my family and I becoming the 1000th member of the Greenville Track Club.
Track Club honors 1,000th member
Greenville group has become state’s largest
By Mike Foley • Staff writer • February 5, 2010
Milestones keep dropping like miles run during a marathon for the Greenville Track Club.
The GTC feted its 1,000th member at its meeting Monday night, and even before it could plan and implement that celebration, the club topped 1,100 members.
“We’re at 1,116 members right now,” said GTC Club Administrator Darrell Jennewine. “We’re by far the biggest club in the state. And as far as we can tell we’re the fastest growing club in the Southeast.
“We’re bigger than Charleston, Columbia and Charlotte for sure.”
The Glenn family from Simpsonville won the sort-of lottery as the family of four became the 1,000th member – actually members 1,000, 1001, 1002 and 1,003 – of the club in late 2009.
They and were showered with gifts during the Track Club’s monthly meeting.
“My husband started running last January,” Heidi Glenn said, in an effort to improve his health. “And he procrastinated and procrastinated about joining the club, and he finally procrastinated himself into being the 1,000th member.”
Heidi Glenn said becoming members has brought the family together because they often exercise as a group now.
“We’re doing our first family run together at the Reedy River Run,” she said. “It’s been great for the family.”
Jennewine said a concerted effort to attract more members led to the surge. At the end of 2005, the GTC only had 231 members. The club’s next goal is to grow to 1,500 members.
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13.1 miles = a half marathon.
On January 2, 2010 I ran my first half marathon. The race basically ran from Travelers Rest to Furman University and back to Travelers Rest.
Overall, I was pleased with the race. The folks at the GIT YMCA did a great job with the event. The weather was simply COLD – 24 degrees with 10-15 mph wind gusts with a windchill of 14.
I probably ran the first 6 miles a little faster than I had planned the last 7 miles a little slower than planned.
My goal was to complete the run in 2 hours 15 minutes. My finish time was 2:13 – 2 minutes under my goal. This race was a good test run for the Myrtle Beach Dasani Half that I will run on February 13, 2010.
At the start. 0.1 miles done - 13.0 miles to go!!
Headed uphill to the finish. Oh yeah, it ended up 13.25 miles in length. Goal was 2:15:00. Did it in 2:13:15!
My cheerleaders!!
My support crew, cheerleader, and personal photographer!
First race bib and metal of 2010
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The Butterfly Effect: Runnersworld.com.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Small things we do add up to make us who we are as runners
By John Bingham
PUBLISHED 12/21/2009
Editor’s Note: After nearly 14 years at Runner’s World, John Bingham—perhaps better known as “the Penguin”—has decided to move on. We’re grateful for all he’s done for RW, and we salute him for inspiring countless runners. John personifies the idea that people can change their lives through running. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors. Below is the final “No Need For Speed” column John wrote for Runner’s World.
I am not a physicist. I am a writer, runner, and recovering bass trombonist. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking that I understand physics. I’ve read about a concept called “The Butterfly Effect.” The definition goes something like this: Small variations of the initial condition of a dynamic system may produce large variations in the long-term behavior of the system. It suggests that a butterfly flapping its wings in Hong Kong can eventually affect the weather in Kansas. Cool, huh?
It got me thinking about how small variations or changes in our lives can have unexpected long-term effects. I used to be an overweight smoker who didn’t exercise, but small decisions over the years—like going for that very first run—have produced large variations in my long-term behavior, helping me become the 45-time marathoner I am today.
That transformation didn’t happen overnight. It didn’t happen after one run, though many of us expect just that. We think that every run needs to produce some immediate benefit. Whether it’s supposed to make us faster or build our endurance, the effects of today’s run are supposed to take effect, well, today.
I think that’s why many of us like to sprint the last quarter mile of our daily run. We like the feeling that comes from a hard effort. It feels like we’re accomplishing something. (By the way, that final sprint at the end of a run is a good way to pull a hamstring. Trust me on this.)
What I didn’t know then was that there is a Butterfly Effect in running. It isn’t the grand gestures and epic achievements that make us runners. Sure, running for 30 minutes nonstop is great. Qualifying for Boston is great. But that’s not ultimately what makes you a runner.
It’s the little things we do every day adding up over time that matter. It’s not just running one morning; it’s getting up morning after morning and running. It’s not just eating better at one meal; it’s making better decisions at every meal. It’s the small decisions we make almost without thinking that make us runners.
The lesson from today’s run may not be important right away. Learning you’re more comfortable wearing a long-sleeve shirt even when it’s not that cold out may lead to the best race of your life years later. Learning that you shouldn’t have eaten the Firebrand Salsa on your nachos the night before a long run may mean a marathon PR somewhere down the road.
It may be a function of aging, or it may be a function of maturing as a runner, but knowing I don’t have to squeeze significance out of today’s run has made running much more satisfying. Today’s run might just be a run. I take it in as a point of data on an elaborate matrix. I don’t try to assign a meaning to it. I have faith that somewhere, sometime, it will matter.
I run now with enormous confidence that I am doing something good for myself. I run understanding that I may never know where the winds of some running epiphany started. And I run understanding that not understanding is all right.
This will be my final new column for Runner’s World. I’m not retiring, just moving on. I’d like to thank Amby Burfoot for giving me the first opportunity to write and David Willey for continuing that vision. I’d like to thank a series of wonderful editors for giving life to my words. Finally, I’d like to thank each of you for the privilege of entering your lives each month. You have given me a gift that I can never repay.
Waddle on, friends. Forever.
John Bingham
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7th Annual Resolution Run
I will be attempting my first half marathon on January 2, 2010 at 9 am.
The run will be at the George I. Theisen Family YMCA in Travelers Rest, SC.
Click here for a course map.
I am using this run as a trial for the Dasani Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC on February 13, 2010.
Here is the course map:
GIT TR Half Marathon Course Map
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Saucony ProGrid Ride
This is a new shoe that I will be wearing on long distant runs. I had been wearing the Saucony Triumph 6 but started developing some tenderness past 1 hour (6 miles). Love the Truimph for shorter runs but will be giving the Ride a try on the long runs. Enjoy!
From Runnersworld.com
We Say:
Saucony overhauled the heel of this update to make it more of a performance shoe. The outsole is more segmented to better isolate impact forces, yielding moderately softer heel cushioning than previous versions, according to our Lab tests. A side effect of this new design is less midsole foam. Also, the heel is one millimeter lower, all of which helps reduce the weight of the shoe by a half ounce. Recommended for biomechanically efficient runners with higher arches who don’t need a lot of support.
Wear-Testers Say:
“The cushioning, weight, breathability, and flexibility were all superb.” —Don Kuntzman, 51, Allentown
“It had a supple ride that was cushiony yet supportive at the same time.” –Paul Jozwiak, 23, East Lansing
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