Outside: The Marathoner's Achilles Heel

How to Strengthen Your Ankles and Run Faster 
Alex Hutchinson/Outside Online, Sep 13, 2018

New research zeroes in on an unlikely culprit for why running gets less efficient as you fatigue.

Anyone who has scrolled through their own marathon race photos knows that the keen-eyed high-stepper who shows up in the early photos bears little resemblance to the pathetic hobbler of the final miles. Fatigue changes your running form, and yet the vast majority of biomechanics studies involve a few minutes on a treadmill at a comfortable pace. There are some exceptions (like this recent field study of marathoners at the World Championships), but much of our knowledge about running form assumes that we never get tired...

(Link to article)

Bridge to Bridge - RRCA 5K State Championship

After my previous weekend in Sarasota for the ITU Triathlon World Cup Sarasota-Bradenton, I would be lying if I didn't say I was worried about weather conditions - especially heat - for this event. The relative drop in temperatures on the morning of the run - breeze out of the southeast and strong cloud cover until the last finishers - gave race day participants (462 run and walk finishers) conditions conducive to a good run.

RD Adam Guess decided at the last possible moment to pull me in to hold one end of the finish tape for the overall male and female winners, Dewayne Riley (finish time of 16:25) and Virraliz Trinidad (finish time of 18:53).

RRCA State 5K Champions crowned at Bridge to Bridge included...
Masters' Female ----------------- Helen Cain ---------- 25:11

Master's Male -------------------- Steven Fair --------- 20:57

Grandmasters' Female ---------- Mindi Straw -------- 26:16

Grandmasters' Male ------------- Ron Renfroe ------- 23:35

Senior Grandmasters' Female -- Candace Gibson -- 26:41

Senior Grandmasters' Male ----- Mark Gibson ------ 25:53

Photos of the winners, finishers, pre- and post-race festivities can be found at http://stacybizjak.zenfolio.com/bridgetobridge2017



From Our Sponsor: RRCA State/Regional Championship Bid Deadlines

Got an event that's in (at least) it's second year of operation? Does it have what it takes to be an RRCA State, Regional or National Championship? Is it produced by an RRCA member club or event?

Events selected to host an RRCA Championship agree to brand the event to RRCA expectations, and follow RRCA Guidelines for Safe Event Management. In return, RRCA provides:

- RRCA Championship Medals for top overall, master, grandmaster, and senior grandmaster male and female winners
- Free race numbers for event participants, with the RRCA Championship logo, the race name, and the race date, supplied by Rainbow Racing - or - deeply discounted pricing on bibs ordered directly through Rainbow Racing
- Gatorade Sponsorship to events of 10K and longer, with at least 400 participants
- Discounted advertising in Club Running magazine
- Promotion through RRCA's social media channels
- Championship status noted on the RRCA Event Calendar, and
- RRCA-branded finish line tape for select events.

Contact your State Rep for more details - deadline for Regional Championship bids are October 1, deadline for State Championship bids are November 1. More details can be found here.

Outside: Smartphone A Waste For Elite-Beater

This 13-Year-Old Girl Is Already Beating Elite Runners
Better learn Lanie Szuch's name, because you're about to start hearing it—a lot
Katie Arnold/Outside: May 26, 2017


When Alyana (aka Lanie) Szuch toes the line to defend her title at the GoPro Mountain Games 5K trail race on June 9, she’ll face more than the usual scrutiny. Szuch is 13. The trail running phenom’s victory wasn’t beginner’s luck: Szuch was third woman in the 10K at last year’s games, the second woman at the 2015 Xterra National Championship half marathon last September, and seventh at the U.S. Mountain Running Championships in 2015, when she was only 11...


(Link to Article)

I Run Far via Outside On-LineWhen Stopping After A Hundred Miles Is A Bad Day

Courtney Dauwalter breaks US 24-hour record at Riverbank One-Day
Riverbank, CA -- Race director Jon Olsen hosted the (Riverbank One-Day) event on a brand-new track with the promise of “on track for drama to unfold.”

Already assured a place on the U.S. 24-hour team that will compete at the IAU 24-Hour World Championships in Ireland in July, Courtney Dauwalter seemingly had little to gain here. Still, riding a recent hot streak, Dauwalter struck while the iron was hot and scored a new American record for 24 hours. Dauwalter ringed the track over and over to collect an even 250 kilometers, or 155.343 miles. The total haul was more than three miles better than Sabrina Little‘s previous American record, and only five kilometers back of Mami Kudo’s world best. With Katalin Nagy, Traci Falbo, Jenny Hoffman, and Pam Smith also on the U.S. 24-Hour Team, the Americans will be heavy heavy favorites in Ireland.

Second overall, Rich Riopel finished with 151.86 miles to run his way on to the U.S. men’s team. His qualifying mark currently ranks fourth. The qualifying window is set to close April 1. Already on the U.S. team, Bob Hearn was third overall with 144.41 miles.

The star of December’s Desert Solstice race, Gina Slaby totaled 132.72 miles. Pam Smith stopped after 100 miles.

How Much Do You Know About The RRCA?

RRCA 101 Pre-Test - How Much Do You Really Know About RRCA?

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the single most-correct answer to these eight questions about RRCA's mission, vision, goals & programming.

1. The RRCA is NOT:

a. an educational & programming resource.
b. a national organization of running clubs, events, & individuals.
c. dedicated to develop & grow running, events, & recreational runners.
d. strictly an insurance provider.

2. Persons with a passion for running & want to help individuals achieve personal fitness & athletic goals can become an RRCA-certified coach after they complete a two-day certification seminar, CPR & first-aid training.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

3. RRCA meets with member club reps, state reps & directors; hosting seminars to grow & strengthen individual club operations, improve event quality & motivate club volunteers. This year’s national convention is being held in:

a. Lake Geneva, WI
b. Lakeland, FL
c. Lake Tahoe, NV
d. Lakewood, CO

4. Which of these are NOT included in RRCA’s General Running Safety Tips?

a. Always stay alert & aware of what is going on around you.
b. Don’t wear headphones.
c. Look both ways before crossing.
d. Run the same course on a consistent basis.

5. Donations to RRCA for Kids Run The Nation, Road Scholars, & the State Representative Fund are tax deductible.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

6. Clubs can recognize volunteer workers with an RRCA National Volunteer Award when they accrue this number of service hours:

a. 1,500
b. 2,000
c. 2,500
d. 3,000

7. RRCA designates state, regional & national championship races to help clubs:

a. attract event sponsors.
b. improve civic/media support for the event.
c. recruit top-performing runners to participate in the event.
d. All of the above.

8. RRCA State Representatives are compensated for their services.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE

I'll post the answers after March 2nd...unless you e-mail me with your answers first.