Alright all you ladies out there! It's time to lace up your running shoes and head to the H.E.B. in Lincoln Heights. No -it is not a supermarket shopping game--it's the San Antonio Road Runners Women's 5K run/walk. Celebrating 30 years of women running in the SARR, the event takes place Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 a.m. and is open to women of all ages. Registration fees range from $18 to $25 and early walk-in registration will take place until June 15 at Fleet Feet Sports on New Braunfels, all three Soler's Sports locations, Run.Gear.Run at Stone Oak and Run Wild Sport on Broadway. Packet pick-up and additional early registration will take place Friday, July 17 from noon until 7 p.m. at Lincoln Heights H.E.B. Participants can also register the day of the race from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Heights H.E.B. parking lot. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. For information visit www.saroadrunners.com.
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Alright all you ladies out there! It's time to lace up your running shoes and head to the H.E.B. in Lincoln Heights. No -it is not a supermarket shopping game--it's the San Antonio Road Runners Women's 5K run/walk. Celebrating 30 years of women running in the SARR, the event takes place Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 a.m. and is open to women of all ages. Registration fees range from $18 to $25 and early walk-in registration will take place until June 15 at Fleet Feet Sports on New Braunfels, all three Soler's Sports locations, Run.Gear.Run at Stone Oak and Run Wild Sport on Broadway. Packet pick-up and additional early registration will take place Friday, July 17 from noon until 7 p.m. at Lincoln Heights H.E.B. Participants can also register the day of the race from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Heights H.E.B. parking lot. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. For information visit www.saroadrunners.com.
National Running Day - June 3By Bonny Osterhage
Did you know that June 3 is National Running Day? People all across the country are lacing up their running shoes to hit the road to better health.
According to the Web site www.runningday.org, the mission of National Running Day is to "designate one national day to promote running as a healthy, easy and accessible form of exercise."
If you've never tried running as a form of exercise, June 3 is an excellent day to start. The Running Day Web site offers the following tips for beginners and novice runners:
• Relax
• Think positively
• Buy quality gear
• Train with a plan
• Run at "conversation" pace
• Include cross training if possible
• Aim for a race
The site also points out that it is OK to begin with walking until you are able to build up to a comfortable running pace.
If you are still daunted by the idea of beginning a running routine, simply wear your running shoes to work on June 3. Not only are you showing support for this grassroots cause, but who knows? That simple act alone might prove to be just the motivation you need to get you on track.
For the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon in Corpus ChristiBy Bonny Osterhage
It's that time of year again! On Saturday, May 16, at 7 a.m., thousand of runners will take their marks at Nueces County Park on the beach in Corpus Christi for the 34th annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon.
Each team of six runners begins the first leg of the race on North Padre Island along the sandy beach. The remaining three legs take place on pavement and wind runners through the Naval Air Station before ending at Cole Park in downtown Corpus Christi.
Steeped in tradition, the Beach to Bay Marathon is always held on the third Saturday in May, which is Armed Forces Day. This event began in 1976 as a way to honor those brave men and women who serve in the military.
The cost to participate is $185 per team. For information call (361) 881-6166 or visit the Web site at www.beachtobayrelay.com
Join this 2.6 mile fun runBy Bonny Osterhage
If you've had too many gorditas, flautas and funnel cakes during the 10-day Fiesta celebration, here's your chance to burn some calories. The San Antonio Road Runners annual Fiesta Fandango Run will take place April 25 and it promises to be so much fun you might not even realize it's exercise.
This year's theme? Viva Las Vegas, baby!
Buses will take runners from Sunken Gardens to the starting line from 5 PM to 6:20 PM. The race kicks off at 6:40 PM, just before the famous Fiesta Flambeau night parade.
Participants, many of whom will don colorful costumes, will run past thousands of people who will be cheering them along the 2.6 mile path that travels the parade route before ending at Columbus Park. Following the race, a Fiesta-worthy party will commence complete with music, food, fun and costume awards.
Registration packets may be picked up April 23 from noon to 6 PM at Run Wild Sports, or April 24 from noon to 6 PM. at Roger Soler's Sports on Broadway. Packets will also be available at the Sunken Gardens from 4 PM to 6:15 p.m. on race day.
What better way to enjoy the nation's largest nighttime parade and do something healthy during the Alamo City's biggest party?
Registration fees from $16-$25. For more information call (210) 240-8164, or visit the Web site at www.iaapweb.com.
Learning to RunBy Bonny Osterhage
You know you need a coach for baseball, basketball or soccer, but did you know that you can also benefit from a running coach? Sure it might sound a little strange at first -- after all, you have probably been running since you were a child. But the truth is that whether you are training for a marathon or simply looking to lose a few pounds, a running coach can get you moving in the right direction and significantly lower your risk of injury.
"People are so enthusiastic to start, and then they get injured, get discouraged and get back on the couch," explains local running coach Rudy Acevedo who works with both individuals and groups.
A coach can help prevent this from happening by addressing the basics of running, including such elements as form, nutrition and hydration, and proper shoes and gear. For those runners interested in marathon training, a coach can help monitor intensity and make sure that the body is functioning in an aerobic capacity.
"Marathon runners want to run too fast," Acevedo cautions. "They can't hold that pace for an entire marathon."
Acevedo also points out that one of the most common mistakes that must be corrected in runners of all levels is the dreaded "heel strike" that occurs when the runner tries to take a stride that is too big.
"A hard heel strike is like driving with your parking break on," he describes. "It slows you down."
Proper form means landing in mid-foot, which propels you forward and reduces risk of injury.
"With the heel strike, whatever impact the shoe doesn't absorb goes from the ankle to the knee, hip, and lower back," Acevedo warns.
An avid runner in high school, Acevedo became a self-described "couch potato" later in life. He understands firsthand the excitement associated with beginning an exercise program but he advises people to start slow and work their way up.
"We are an instant gratification society," he says. "But you didn't get out of shape instantly and you aren't going to get back in shape instantly. Be patient."
Join the Breath San Antonio 5K Run/Walk By Bonny Osterhage We all know exercise is good for your heart and lungs but this 5K is good for the American Lung Association too! Now in its 13th year, Breathe San Antonio will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 14, at SeaWorld San Antonio. It is the premiere event for the ALA mission to "prevent lung disease and promote lung health." The event is open to families, individuals and corporations, and the goal is to raise $120,000. "As of right now we have 951 participants," says James Martinez, regional vice president for the ALA. "That is doubled from last year, and we have already raised approximately $95,000." Participants will check in from 8 to 9:45 a.m. and enjoy a light healthy snack courtesy of H.E.B. The walk/run will take place in and outside of the SeaWorld park, and following the event participants will be treated to a private Shamu show. More than 35 million Americans suffer from some form of lung disease. So why not do your part to help them by participating in this enjoyable event? This year's Breathe San Antonio 5K promises to be a whale of a good time!
