RunTex, The Runner's Store – Heard Around The Lake: News, Notes and Idle Gossip

ATLANTA—Been here a couple of days, running every morning on the beautiful Chattahootchee River Trail. I think this is the “Deliverance” river and its trail is a mecca for runners, walkers and cyclists here in urban Atlanta. We’re not far from downtown, but while running on the trail, you feel like you’re a million miles away. This isn’t my favorite running town, but it does have some terrific places to run and the Hootch is one of the best.

Funny though, this morning while standing in the buffet line at the hotel, some guy looked at my skinny butt and said: “You guys must eat like birds.”

Birds? More like horses. I can eat just about anybody under the table, even though I never seem to gain an ounce.

Credit running with that. We can eat—more or less—to our hearts content and running gives us some form of protection against weight gain.

But when we stop? Look out. Runners (and swimmers) can pack on the pounds pretty quickly once we stop our favorite activity. Happens all the time. You see an injured (or retired) runner and before you know it he/she looks just like any other sedentary person.

Guess the word is: Don’t stop.

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Tomorrow night begins the first of six summer All Comers Meets at St. Michael’s Academy (3000 Barton Creek Blvd.). The meets, sponsored by Luke’s Locker, will start at 6 p.m. and will be held on May 25, June 6, June 21, July 12 and July 26 and have a full schedule of sprints, field events and two distance races (mile and 2-mile). The meets need volunteers and if you’re interested, contact jenniferharney@lukeslocker.com.
Running icon Jeff Galloway is moving slowly these days. Galloway was filming a new reality show (seriously) when he fell down some stairs at a hotel near Atlanta and tore muscles in his hip. Although he hasn’t been able to run for three months, that didn’t prevent Galloway from fulfilling all his speaking and coaching engagements.
The Livestrong Austin Marathon is hosting one of its trash runs on May 22^nd, starting at 6 p.m. at Threadgill’s on Riverside. “We run around the neighborhood,, pick up trash, pick up compost, recycling, landfill, then circle back to Threadgill’s and celebrate with local business. It’s a great way to give back to the community and have fun with some with great people,” says Ari Witkin of the Livestrong Austin Marathon.
Hard to believe, but registration has opened already for the 3M Half Marathon. The first 500 runners who register get an early bird pricing of $75. Also, the 3M cap has increased to 7000.Next year’s date is January 13^th which will give runners a little more “breathing” room between 3M and the Livestrong Austin Marathon on February 17^th.
On June 2, the various CrossFit locations are offering a workout/fund raiser for the family of APD officer Jaimes Padron who was killed last month while on duty. Sponsored by Fit and Fearless, APD and Cops 4 Charities, participants are asked to pledge a minimum of $50 with all donations going to Officer Padron’s family and his two daughters. More for info go to www.fitandfearless.com.
Then, on June 30^th, there will be the Couch to 5-K at Anytime Fitness in Liberty Hill which will also be a fundraiser for Officer Padron’s family. There will be a kids K at 7:45 and the 5-K will begin at 8:15. Go to www.racesonline.com to register.
Sorry I missed this last week when I reported on Austin finishers at the Vancouver Marathon, but Allison Macsas finished second by 19 seconds in the half marathon in 1:15:31.
Congrats to UT women’s coach Bev Kearney who was named Big 12 Outdoor Coach of the year for the seventh time. She has been named Big 12 coach of the year more than any other UT coach. Kearney led UT to its seventh Big 12 team title last weekend ahead of Kansas and A&M. Next up for the UT men (who finished second in the Big 12 Champs) is the NCAA West Prelims in Austin May 24-26.
Another big setback for 2010 Houston Half Marathon (and USA Champ) Antonio Vega. The Minnesotan had started racing again when his hip injury reoccurred and he had yet another surgery and is now in rehab.
What I’m listening to this morning: “Thunderbird” by John Hiatt.