Around this time every year, folks gather in the auditorium at Placer High School in Auburn to watch names get pulled out of a Gatorade jug.
The “prize” is an entry into the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, held on June 24-25.
Did you go? Did you get in?
Here’s the list so-far.
Hitchings nearing the finish at the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville
This morning, Sacramento’s Jenny Hitchings won the Huntsville, Alabama Rocket City Marathon.
After a near miss earlier this year in Eugene (2:46:10), Hitchings was aiming for an Olympic Trials qualifying time at last weekend’s CIM.
Fairly early in the race, she was off pace and knew it was not going to happen, so she dropped at the half-marathon point. Later that day, she joked a bit with me about finding another marathon to run the following weekend, before the qualifying window closes.
Nice place to visit, but don't drink the water!
I have heard it said that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Is this still true?
Last weekend’s Las Vegas Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is getting a lot of press and discussion on the boards this week, but it’s probably not the kind of news they were hoping for.
There were complaints of mayhem and confusion at the finish line, runners possibly getting sick from the aid station water, and my favorite, allegations of cheating in the half-marathon by the CEO of Competitor Group (the race management/promotion company).
Sounds like good times!
The place to be on the Friday afternoon before CIM is the Convention Center. There is something magical about being at the Expo when it is only filled with volunteers and vendors. It’s fun seeing the booths decorated, and bib numbers and goody bags being set out in expectation of the crush of nervous runners that will begin pouring in when the doors open.
Good luck everyone! It looks like its going to be a perfect day.
Vendors get ready for the big rush.
A hardworking Expo staffer.
Could this be a threat to your running career?
Many years ago, a co-worker of mine was seriously mauled during a run by two dogs. He survived, but suffered serious injuries and endured a couple weeks in the hospital and a long recovery.
After that experience, he recommended that his running friends always carry pepper spray, and insurance information. And for a long time, I did.
I never needed the insurance information, but I did use pepper spray a couple of times and I was glad to have it. I’ve been more slack lately, but after reading this story about a dog attack in Southern California, I might get more serious about being prepared again.
They were running on a dirt road that ran parallel to Lake Wohlford Road just south of the middle school when the dogs —- five of them, possibly pit bulls —- appeared. They dragged Richard to the ground and he started screaming, she said.
It looks like the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is taking a closer look at masters athletes, having suspended nine already in 2011.
The Associated Press has a story on the USADA’s new focus on masters athletes. As a masters athlete myself, I am personally pleased to see this new scrutiny of my fellow competitors.
Obviously, there are other opinions. Some athletes feel that it doesn’t matter what masters athletes do because there isn’t any money in masters athletics.
All the same, if I’m out there busting my butt in the hunt for an age group placing, I’d like to assume the other guys I’m racing against are all playing from the same rule book.
Since I’m not above naming names, I took a peek at the USADA’s press releases for 2011 and extracted the following list of master track and field athletes who were sanctioned for some doping violation. (more…)
The website for Sacramento’s Mix96 (Soft Rock!) today includes a short post on 10 Tips for Staying Motivated to Exercise During the Holidays.
They say:
The average weight gain during the holiday season is 8 – 12 pounds. Yikes! That’s probably not the gift you want to give yourself this year. If you’re getting to the point where you’d rather nap than exercise maybe these tips can help.
I especially like tip #2: “Sign up for a fun-run with your family. For a list of events check out SacramentoRunning.com.”
Great advice! Now, if we can just get all those race directors to update their websites for 2012!
Your last chance for an OT qualifying time
Next weekend’s California International Marathon is pretty much the last chance for runners to earn an Olympic Trials Qualifying time.
Today’s Bee includes some pretty decent coverage of local marathoners gunning for this magic time at next weekend’s CIM.
Dec. 11 is the last day to qualify for the 2012 Trials – scheduled for Jan. 14 in Houston – which means those attempting to qualify at the CIM most likely will be taking their final shot. The men’s standard is 2:19; the women’s is 2:46.
Check out the article, it’s definitely worth the read. In the Sports Section, no less!
Time to plan for 2012!
Dear Race Director,
I know it’s still 2011, but based on the traffic I’m getting to the Race Calendar on this site, people are already planning their races for next year.
If you can’t get around to a complete update of your website for the 2012 race, please put a note on the old page about the date. Or you can always send me an email.
Happy Holidays!
John
Kevin Pool at the 2010 San Diego Half (Photo courtesy of Kevin Pool)
Local speedster Kevin Pool stormed Philadelphia this weekend and wound up taking 2nd overall in the Philadelphia Marathon–just 6-seconds behind Ethiopia’s Folisho Tuko.
Tuko’s winning time was 2:19:16.
The winning woman was Mariska Kramer, of the Netherlands, in 2:35:46.
