Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Ultra Class, Brains Part II, Strides for Hope, Energy Drinks Revealed



How To Ultra
Looking to learn more about trails and ultra running?  Then head over to Fleet Feet Running Store in North Wales on January 16 at 7:00 PM.  Our own Bob Bodkin will be taking part in a panel discussion on this very subject to enlighten and entertain.  The panelist, all experienced ultra runners will describe how to train, fuel and otherwise prepare to go long.  for more information and to register, go to http://www.facebook.com/events/118068268357347/

Are Runners Smarter- II
Here is an article that Herb Townsend wrote for Runner's Gazette confirming that at the very least, running made him smarter.

"About 42 years ago, a third-year engineering student hurried to take a major exam in mechanics with little time to spare.  Mechanics, mind you was a compulsory subject that was intended to try the patience and dedication of would-be engineers, and weed out the unfit.  Just before reaching the test room, he realized he had left his slide rule in his locker which was down several flights of stairs at the far end of the building. 

In case you are too young to remember, a slide rule is a 12-in long wooden stick which served as an analog computer for 1960s engineers.  It was the evolutionary link in technology between the abacus and the hand-held electronic calculator.  You could always tell the engineers from the other students by the slide rule hanging from the belt in a scabbard like a Roman soldiers sword. 

At any rate, the slide rule was an essential piece of equipment for a mechanics test, so the student ran as hard as possible to the locker and back to retrieve it.  Breathing heavily and sweating, he was able to make it back in time for the test. 

When the graded test booklets were returned several days later, the student was astonished to learn that not only did he have the highest grade; his was a perfect score, something almost unheard of in the demanding and competitive environment of those times.  This was his first clue that running did something to help the mental process.

Fast forward 20 years, and the student is now a research engineer for a large corporation.  He takes up running as a recreational pastime, and rediscovers that some of his most difficult problems become much clearer running.  Ironically, bosses fail to appreciate that while he would rather run rather play golf with them, some of his best work and most creative ideas occur while running.  Whereas others like to sleep on it, he learns to run on it before making critical choices.

As you have probably guessed, that student was me, and I definitely think running makes us smarter.  Maybe its the endorphins, or simply more blood and oxygen being transported to the brain.  But by whatever means, Im convinced that something happens to boost thought processes while running.  Granted, the effect is only temporary within an hour or so after cooling down, I am back to my usual dull-witted self.  Moreover, there are definitely limits for example, when hitting the wall about 20 miles into a marathon, I can barely think about anything except finishing, let alone calculate the remaining splits. 

All of this makes you wonder, has anyone ever conducted an experiment to compare runners IQ scores in the running and still conditions?  If the results were to turn out the way I expect, would it be possible to compel our corporate and government leaders to run while making important decisions?"

Strides For Hope
Strides for Hope is an organization dedicated to supporting families afflicted by cancer.  As part of their fund-raising efforts they are sponsoring teams in the St. Luke's Half Marathon and 5K and providing training support.  Here are the details:

Looking for a running partner or a reason to run? Join the Cancer Support Communitys charity team, Strides for Hope.
Train with professional coaches every Saturday morning starting January 26 for 12 weeks.  Help us raise money so we can offer programs for people and families affected by cancerat no cost to them.
For info: www.cancersupportglv.org; 610-861-7555 or info@cancersupportglv.org   Were another critical part of cancer care. You can be, too

No Surprise On Energy Drinks
Ever tempted to down one of the multiple energy drinks on the market before a race to give yourself a boost?  Well, no surprise that the evidence shows that you'd do just as well stopping at Starbuck's (or WaWa if you're old school) to get a cup of coffee because the caffeine in the coffee is as effective a stimulant as the energy drink.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/health/scant-proof-is-found-to-back-up-claims-by-energy-drinks.html

Club Races    
The Ugly Mudder has switched spots with the Chilly Cheeks.  Maybe they'll combine to be the Ugly Cheeks?  That doesn't make either any less challenging so harden up and get out there.

Jan 20: Ugly Mudder 7M Trail, Reading PA
Feb 3: Super Bowl 10K, Allentown PA
Feb 24: Chilly Cheeks 7.2M Trail, Reading PA
Mar 2: Rotary Run For Youth 10M/4M, Quakertown PA
May 11: Dark & Dirty night 6.66 Trail, Reading PA
Jun 22: Bouncing Buns Clothing Optional Trail 7K, Palmerton PA
Jun 23: Deena 'Andrus Run For The Ages Age-Graded 10K, Reading PA

Race Results
Welcome to 2013 and the start of a new race season.  Nice Scranton New Year's double for Michael Womelsdorf.

1/6/13
Wild Card 5.7M (256)
Rob Hoy - 40:23, 26th
Matt Ryan - 47:39, 109th
Hilary Goodman - 49:39, 134th
Art Burger - 50:58, 156th
Stephen White - 52:22, 172nd

1/1/13
Resolution 10K (35)
Michael Womelsdorf - 45:50, 5th, AG3

Resolution 5K (41)
Michael Womelsdorf - 21:48, 5th, AG2

Cham-Pain 5K (341)
Rob Hoy - 21:33, 58th
Lou Coppens - 24:15, 134th
Stephen White - 26:35, 196th
Jim Higgins - 28:21, 239th

12/31/12
Peepfest 5K (472)
Rob Gallagher - 19:48, 21st, AG3
John Guth - 27:04, 183rd
Michele Litke - 28:48, 191st

12/30/12
Kris Kringle 5M(609)
Ted Andrus - 38:41, 104th
John Guth - 46:15, 261st
Denise Reamon - 47:05, 282nd
Brady Gallagher - 59:10, 511th
Rob Gallagher - 59:11, 513th

Benjamin Wheeler Memorial 5K (400)
Zach Smith - 17:43, 2nd
Nancy Smith - 21:57, 37th

Race Calendar (Club Races in Bold)
January
13: Polar Bear 8M, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info
13: Shiver by the River 10K/5K, Reading PA, www.pagodapacers.com
19: Abominable Slowman 5K, Wayne PA, www.actsportsmanagement.com
19: Virtual GLOBAR 5K/5M/8K/10K/10M/Marathon On-Line Race, www.sheasports.com
20: Ugly Mudder 7M Trail, Reading PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
20: Honest Abe 4.6M, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info
26: Chocolate Frosted Buns 5K, Robesonia PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
27: Terrible Tyler 15K, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info

February
3: Pick Your Way 5.3M, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info
3: Super Bowl 10K, Allentown PA  www.lvrr.org
9: Cupid's Chase 5K, Philadelphia PA, www.comop.org/cupidschase
9: Warm Hearts 5K, Nazareth PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
10: Eenie-Meanie-Miney-Moe Marathon, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info
10:Shiver by the River 10K/5K, Reading PA, www.pagodapacers.com
16: Horsham Tri and Duathlon, Horsham PA, http://trihorsham.com.au/trihorsham2013.html
16: Abominable Slowman 5K, Wayne PA, www.actsportsmanagement.com
16:  Frostbite 5Miler, Ambler PA, http://aarc.shuttlepod.org/
17: Staggered Start 4.6M, Tyler State Park PA, www.bcrr.info
24: Chilly Cheeks 7.2M Trail, Reading PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com

March
2: Rotary Run For Youth 10M/4M, Quakertown PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com, www.quakertownrotary.org
3: Horde Hero Zombie Run, Philadelphia PA
10: Groveland Great Grizzly 5K/1M, Plumsteadville PA
10: Shiver by the River 10K/5K, Reading PA, www.pagodapacers.com
16: Bordentown St. Patrick's 5K/2M, Bordentown NJ
17: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon, Wilmington DE
17: Abominable Slowman 5K, Wayne PA, www.actsportsmanagement.com
22: CB Family YMCA 5K, Doylestown PA, www.bucks5kseries.com
23: Goruck Challenge Adventure Race, Philadelphia PA, www.goruckchallenge.com
30: Wissahickon 12 Hour Trail Challenge, Philadelphia PA
30: Mt. Penn Mudfest Trail 15K, Reading PA, www.pagodapacers.com

April
6: Tyler Arboretum 10K Trail, Media PA, www.tylertrailrun.com
6: Brave The Race 5K, Altglen PA
6: Garden Spot Marathon/Half Marathon, New Holland PA
7: New Hope-Solebury Spirit 5K, New Hope PA,  www.bucks5kseries.com
13: Yeungling Lager Jogger 5K, Pottsville PA, www.lagerjogger.com
14: Bucks Half Marathon, Newtown PA, www.buckscountymarathon.com
14: RACC 5K, Reading PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
14: Emmaus 4 Miler, Emmaus PA, www.lvrr.org
20: Run for SAAM, Norristown PA, www.victimservicescenter.wix.com
20: Make Every April Better 5K, Richboro PA
20: Bridge Valley 5K For Autism, Furlong PA,  www.bucks5kseries.com
21: Rutgers Unite Half Marathon/8K, Piscataway NJ, www.cgiracing.com
21: Stateliner Spring Classic 5K, Phillipsburg NJ, springclassic@hotmail.com
21: Yvette Palmer Purple Pinkie 5K, Center Valley PA
21: Art & Sole 5K, Jenkintown PA, www.abingtonartcenter.org
21: Valley Forge Revolutionary 5M, King of Prussia PA
27: Cornerstone Clubs 5K, Warrington PA, www.bucks5kseries.com
27: Kid's Peace 5K/1M Mud Run, Orefield PA, www.kidspeace.org/mudrun
27: Lenape Survival Challenge Multi-Sport Adventure Race,  Schwenksville PA, www.perkiomenwatershed.org
28: North-South Marathon, Gettysburg PA, www.signmeup.com
28: St. Luke's Half Marathon - Allentown PA, http://stlukeshalfmarathon.com/
28: Ironmaster's Challenge Trail 50K/20M/15M, Gardner PA, www.ironmasterschallenge.com

May
6: Broad Street 10M, Philadelphia PA, www.broadstreetrun.com
11:Dark & Dirty Nighttime 6.66M Trail, Reading PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
12: Delaware Marathon, Wilmington DE, www.delawaremarathon.com
17: Sertoma 5K, Doylestown PA, www.bucks5kseries.com
18: Dog Jog 5K/1M, Exton PA, www.dogjogrun.com
18: Movie Madness Half Marathon/5K, Grantville PA, www.moviemadnessraceseries.com
19: Victory 5K, Downingtown PA, www.runtheday.com
19: King of Prussia 10M/5K, King of Prussia PA, www.runtheday.com
19: Run for the Red Marathon/5K, Pocono Summit PA, www.poconomarathon.com
25: Doylestown 5K, Doylestown PA, www.bucks5kseries.com
26: Bob Potts Marathon, York PA, www.bobpottsrun.com
26: Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon, Plowville PA, www.pagodapacers.com

June
2: Panther Pounce 5K, Pocono Pines PA, www.pantherpounce.webs.com
8: Wissahickon Trail Classic 10K, Philadelphia PA
9: ODDyssey Half Marathon, Philadelphia PA, www.oddysseyhalfmarathon.com
17: Monacacy Way 5K, Bethlehem PA, www.car-free.org
22: Bouncing buns Clothing Optional 7K, Palmerton PA, www.pretzelcitysports.com
23: Deena Andrus Run For The Ages age-Graded 10K Race, Nolde Forest State Park,  Reading PA, www.pagoda pacers.com

Keep me posted on favorite races and your race results.
Bill

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