22nd Annual Elizabeth 8k: Big Success

Tim Long with the Final race instructions for the Elizabeth 8k (check out the bed head!)

22nd Annual Elizabeth 8k: Big Success
Tim Long

The 22nd edition of the Elizabeth 8k took place this past Saturday, March 29th, and by all accounts was a tremendous success. Even the prediction of rain held off until after the awards ceremony.

Registration continues its upward spurt that began last year with the terrific management of the Elizabeth Community Association along with the partnership of Racescapes Events. This year over 600 people registered for the 8k and 3k (in 2005 there were 162 and 2006 had 225).

With the increase in numbers, the speed of the competitors came out with Paul Manwaring winning in a very fast 27:12 (5:29 pace). The hottest thing on the Charlotte race scene has to be Megan Hepp. She continued her dominance of the Charlotte races with a new course record of 27:58 (5:38 pace). She's easily the fastest woman I've seen in the five years I've lived here.

Congratulations to the Elizabeth Community Association and all the participants. Thank you to the volunteers, who made everything go so smoothly, and a special thanks to the great sponsors (all listed on the event website along with results, www.elizabeth8k.com).

Let's break 1,000 registrants next year!

22nd Annual Elizabeth 8k

22nd Annual Elizabeth 8k
Road race for runners and a 3k for walkers.

22nd Annual Elizabeth 8k

Presented by:

Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital and Grubb Properties
March 29th at 8:00AM

Join us for the 22^nd running of the historic Elizabeth 8K Road Race presented by Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital and Grubb Properties and organized by the Elizabeth Community Association. This is the 22^nd annual edition making it the second oldest road race in Charlotte. Featured are a great USATF certified course, event T-shirt, food, beverages, music, overall and age group awards. Proceeds benefit the beautification of the Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood.

Proceeds benefit the beautification of the Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood

Independence Park
300 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte, NC 28204

Join us for Charlotte’s historic Elizabeth 8k
organized by the Elizabeth Community
Association.

This is the 22nd annual edition making it the
second oldest road race in Charlotte.
Featured are a great USATF certified course,
event t-shirt, food music, overall and age
group awards.

www.elizabeth8k.com

New Thursday Night Timed Fun Run

Weekly Group Runs and New Thursday Night Timed Fun Run

Trail Running

For the Native Trail Gods trail running group click HERE (www.nativetrailgods.com)

You'll have to join Facebook (you can join and keep your profile private)

This week join us for a mini trail run/hike adventure at Kings Mountain

New 4.44 Mile Thursday Night FREE Timed Run Beginning April 3rd

Great White Grand Prix New 16 week points series FOR ALL ABILITIES beginning April 3rd! New course HERE Timed fun run every Thursday night. Receive points just for participating, get more points for performance, get even more points for "special events" like team relay events, urban assault runs into downtown and back, themed runs, and the Mako Mile Run on a local track. Bring a change of clothes and a few bucks for beer and food and, of course, socializing after the run. Sharksbite is the first and only club to offer this Boston-style timed weekly fun run in Charlotte. We've had weekly crowds averaging 50 people before with one of our runs topping 100 people (St. Pats Day). There's a water stop at the halfway point, which happens to be Charlotte running and real estate icon, Brenny Thompson's house.

Series T-shirts to everyone who completes at least 12 of the 16 series events, so don't miss the first one on April 3rd at 6:30PM.

Meet at the Dilworth Gardens parking lot (where Charlotte Running Co. and Talley's Grocery reside).

Awards, giveaways, and more fun than a greased pigglet!

Regular Weekly Group Run Schedule

Mondays: 6:30pm: The Monday night run is back full force! The Wolfman Pizza Monday Night Run. This is the only regularly scheduled run through the beautiful Museum neighborhood in Myers Park. A challenging and invigorating 5.5 mile course through wide, tree-lined boulevards. The ringing of the half hour on the church bells across the street signify the start. Here is the course map. And Here are directions on the location.

Tuesdays (Yes, Every Tuesday) 6:30pm: Trail Run Group - 3 to 6 miles. Renaissance Park, 1536 W. Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC (2nd entrance on right heading west from Tryon St.)
**Drive to the back of the parking lot where the softball fields are on your left. Trailhead is located is located back off the right side of the parking lot...

Wednesday 6:00pm: Group run 6@6 group. Starts at Charlotte Running Co. Click here for course map.

Thursdays : Great White Grand Prix New weekly points series beginning April 3rd! New course. Timed fun run every Thursday night. Receive points just for participating, get more points for performance, get even more points for "special events" like team relay events, urban assault runs, themed runs, and the Mako Mile Run on a local track. Want more info? Then come to the first run on April 3rd.

Saturdays : Various locations and distances. Your best bet is to post on the message board Here with info on where you'd like to run and description, i.e. "McAlpine Creek Park for 4-8 miles", so you'll have some company. After the run we typically head out for some breakfast/brunch. Often we'll be doing some very long runs of 20+ miles... Check out Native Trail Gods for trail run/hike adventures

Sundays at 9am. : Various locations and distances. Your best bet is to post on the message board Here with info on where you'd like to run and description, i.e. "McAlpine Creek Park for 4-8 miles", so you'll have some company. After the run we typically head out for some breakfast/brunch.

Check out Native Trail Gods for trail run/hike adventures

Trail Running & Hiking

For the Native Trail Gods trail running group click HERE (www.nativetrailgods.com)

You'll have to join Facebook (you can join and keep your profile private)

This week join us for a mini trail run/hike adventure at Kings Mountain

Get a Lid - Counter Point

I received this lucid comment on the helmet issue from Darren Young from Nevada and felt it warranted its own article posting here.

Greetings Tim!

I'll bite on this topic. I starting racing road bikes about the same time you did (late '85, early '86) when helmet use was in it's infancy. First helmet I owned was a Bell V-1 Pro and, while it served as great protection, it was damed uncomfortable! It came out of the closet for races (required) and when my parents caught me leaving the house without it! Once I was 'on my own' helmet use was very sporadic, pretty much racing only. Stupid if I really think about it, safety aside; like training in racing flats and then toeing the line for a race in training shoes...I should have been trying to duplicate race conditions in training!

Sorry, I moved off topic a little, the issue you brought up wasn't safety or best practices but one of personal choice. I was often annoyed, like yourself and the cyclist in your post, when some 'fred' (a term I no longer like but would have used in the past) would 'tell' me MY business. It was a choice that affected ME and not them. While I agree with the previous statement in it's purist sense I've come to the personal conclusion that the 'ME' in that statement was exceedingly hard to define as just the singularity it so desperatly tried to be. Basically, most of the decisions I make have (or could have) effects on more than just me. My cranium gets hurt to the degree I'm a vegetable, someone has to take care of me. I pay the ultimate bill, death, and my daughter doesn't get to really know me and my wife would miss me (at least some of the time ;-). My choice, their consequence.

I'll take a shot at some of the other examples you gave on personal choice: Smoking, weight problems, chronic poor diet. These can have effects on the rest of us, at least the way our current health/insurance system operates, we all share the costs regardless if we've made the 'personal' choice.

This whole thing is hard for me to write because I still feel personal choice is sacred and seldom, if ever, tell someone else how to live their life. But, you asked so there you have it: MY OPINION.

Get a Lid

Get a Lid
Tim Long

I will likely catch some heat for this article from the publisher, since he's an avid cyclist and triathlete, but it's a holiday for many folks, so maybe he's not in the office today. Still, this is my personal opinion, not the magazine's.

Just after we started our Thursday night group run last night a cyclist not wearing a helmet came up the road toward us. One of the guys I was running with said, "Wear a helmet." The cyclist snapped back, "Go .... yourself!" My runner friend was a bit startled, but his concern about another person not wearing his helmet was falling on deaf ears where I'm concerned. This verbal cyclist crossing our paths was obviously an experienced veteran on the bike. Indications were his fitness, bike, cloths, and general comfort and control of the bike.

I know this article post will set some tempers on fire, but I'm tired of having people tell me what's best for me. What's next, will we be wearing helmets on our group runs too? I mean, some of us can run 10mph, which is almost as fast as recreational cyclists. People can trip, fall, hit their heads. So, what's the difference? I started seriously cycling in 1986. I wear a helmet when I ride in a group and/or know I'll be going down some long, steep descents. When I ride alone, I typically go hatless. It's my noggin, my ride, my decision, so mind your own business.

Regardless of what I think about people and how they put themselves into dangerous or unhealthy situations, I'm not going to tell them how they should live. "Stop smoking you black lung leper!" "Lose some of that fat, heart-stressing belly!" "Don't eat that preservatively chemical-rich Twinkie!" "Try reading a book, or exercise your mind, play-do brain!"

Tell me to wear a helmet and you'll get an ear full of how I think you should live too, and one of the suggestions will be to mind your own damn business.

Please feel free to comment... I can't wait to read them!

Give Moutain Biking a Try This Year

Give Moutain Biking a Try This Year
Tim Long

It looks intimidating, the cool clothes, the fancy bikes, trails, jumps, but that's just the face of a great sport for all abilities.

The best place to start to get information on everything from how to choose your first bike to which trail is perfect for beginners is the Tarheel Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club. They have trail reviews, links to bike-related information, photos, riding clinics, and, best of all, a message forum where information is shared by riders of all abilities ranging from first timers to the staunch veteran.

The Tarheel Trailblazers were founded in 1990 by a handful of local mountain bike enthusiasts. Over the years the club has grown to over 300, resourceful, energetic and active men and women of all ages. Our volunteers work directly with local land managers, building and assisting in the maintenance of what will soon approach 75 miles of carefully constructed, sustainable mountain bike trails, in the Metro - Charlotte region. We are the voice of advocacy for mountain bikers and our goal is to build and maintain trails for all mountain bikers to enjoy for generations to come. For more information visit them Tarheel Trailblazers

Charlotte MS Walk

Charlotte MS Walk

March 29, 2008

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, has set the dates for its spring 2008 MS Walks, and is seeking walkers and volunteers who are willing to take another step forward in the movement against multiple sclerosis.
The Mid-Atlantic Chapter will host MS Walks in 19 communities across North and South Carolina in the spring of 2008, including seven in the Charlotte metro area.

Those include the Charlotte and Gaston County MS Walks on March 29, the Cabarrus County, Union County, and Shelby MS Walks on April 5, and the Salisbury and Tri-County (York, Lancaster, & Chester) MS Walks on April 12.

The Charlotte MS Walk will take place on March 29 at Symphony Park near SouthPark Mall at 9:00am, and walkers can opt for a 2.5 or 5 mile route.

Corporate sponsorships are available for all walks, and the chapter is seeking volunteers to help with festivities, food, route marking, and medic stations. There is no cost to walk, but participants are encouraged to raise money prior to the event. All monies raised go to support programs for local clients living with MS, and MS research.

For details on registration, walking, or volunteering, contact Janet Coggins at mailto:janet.coggins@nmss.org or (704) 525-5906. Dogs are allowed at the walk. For more information, visit http://walkncp.nationalmssociety.org.

When
Saturday, March 29, 2008
9:00 AM

Where
Symphony Park
South Park Mall Behind Dick's Sporting Goods

Choosing a New Bike

Choosing a New Bike

Wasn't life easy when your parents made all the decisions for you, including which bicycle you owned? Well, now you want to regain that sense of freedom, zipping along on a new bike again. Unfortunately, your parents may think it odd if you, a 30-something year old man/woman, called them for their advice on about a new bike for their little boy/girl. It's not that difficult, but you will want to invest some time into the decision, or that new bike will soon be hanging lifelessly from the rafters of your garage. Here are some guidelines:

What is the Right Kind of Bike for Me?

Your first decision comes in determining what type of bike you are after. There are basically four main styles of bikes to choose from, and your selection should really depend on what you anticipate your main type of riding to be.

Road Bikes are designed for riding on paved streets and going fast.

Featuring skinny tires, a lightweight frame and a riding position that puts you bent over the handlebars, you might choose this type of bike if traveling longer distances at higher speeds is important to you.

The frames of most road bikes are not particularly beefy in construction and generally won’t stand up well for extended periods under heavy loads or on really rough surfaces. They are about as well-suited for a path in the woods as you would be when wearing high heels.

* All About Road Bikes

Mountain Bikes have exploded in popularity over the past twenty years. These bikes have wide tires, usually with knobby treads and a stout frame, and are designed to handle the rugged trails without disintegrating.

Mountain bikes do not go as fast as road bikes, which is a trade-off for their durability along with a more comfortable riding position. You sit higher on these bikes, more upright with the straight handlebars, which is often a happier choice for people with back problems than being hunched over as you are on a road bike.

Warning: sometimes mountain bikes are the default choice of salespeople at the bike shop because they are easy to sell and usually less expensive than road bikes. Too many times though, new mountain bikes with lots of impressive features for climbing a steep mountain trail end up like those four-wheel drive SUVs that never actually go off the pavement. If you are going to buy a mountain bike, make sure you are doing so intentionally because you know that you will in fact be riding off-road. Otherwise, you will be paying for unnecessary features, and probably missing out on a bike that would be a better choice for you.

* All about mountain bikes

Hybrid bikes are compromise between road and mountain bikes and offer the best features of both if most of your riding will be shorter trips on pavement. With skinnier, smooth tires, they typically can go faster than mountain bikes, yet feature the upright seat and handlebar position that many people favor.

Hybrids are a good choice for most city riding, and offer speed, durability and comfort.

Cruisers are bikes that have wide tires, wide seats, upright handlebars and sometimes even just a single gear. These are the bikes that you’ll often see at the beach. More simple mechanically, they are easy to maintain but work best with flat terrain and a rider whose main interest is more about being comfortable than with going fast.

Outside the Realm

If after you’ve checked out these styles, still none of these bikes offers you what you need, check out these other kinds of bikes. Tandems, recumbents, and tricycles are all unique types of bikes that you likely won’t see very often, either out on the trail or on the showroom floor at your local bike shop. But each offers specific features and functions that may be just what you are looking for. Read more about these alternatives to the mainstream styles of bicycles.

Smart Shopping for Bikes

Once you’ve figured out the best style of bike for you, it’s time to start shopping. Here are tips to help you out

* Borrow a bike and try it out

When you've figured out the right style of bike for you, to make double sure that you're making the right choice, borrow a bike from a friend and try it out. Be sure to go on a ride longer than a lap around the parking lot, too. Twenty minutes should be enough to know if you are comfortable with the way you sit on a particular type of bike, and if the pace is right for you, or if it will be something that ultimately disappoints you.

An example – I thought I’d get a hybrid bike for commuting. I thought that the upright posture and a sturdier frame would be just what I needed.

But just a few minutes on the bike and I could tell that I wasn’t able to go fast enough to suit me, and that I wasn’t going to be happy with that type of bike for the long run.

* Resist the temptation to go cheap.

With bikes, like most everything else, you get what you pay for. Chances are you won’t be happy over the long run with a cheapie bike from a big box discounter, even if it was a deal. They are heavy and the components won’t last like they would in a quality model. Ultimately, you’ll be frustrated, and end up spending the money to get that better bike you should have bought in the first place.

* Spend some time at your local bike shop.

The people who run your LBS are your best resource on bike buying. These folks are knowledgeable, and can offer tips, advice and service that you can never get over the internet.

Check out the directory for local bike shops on Charlotte Health & Fitness' website.

Run Together - You'll Never Want To Run Alone Again

Run Together - You'll Never Want To Run Alone Again

Tim Long

Now that it's light out in the evenings, come join a group of nice people for a run!

Sharksbite Road Runners Weekly Run Schedule

For the trail run message board click HERE

Mondays: 6:30pm: The Monday night run that one person just wouldn't let slip away is back full force! The Wolfman Pizza Monday Night Run. This is the only scheduled run through the beautiful Museum neighborhood in Myers Park. A challenging and invigorating 5.5 mile course through wide, tree-lined boulevards. The ringing of the half hour on the church bells across the street signify the start.

Tuesdays (Yes, Every Tuesday) 6:30pm: Trail Run Group - 3 to 6 miles. Renaissance Park, 1536 W. Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC (2nd entrance on right heading west from Tryon St.)
**Drive to the back of the parking lot where the softball fields are on your left. Trailhead is located is located back off the right side of the parking lot...

Wednesday 6:00pm: Group run 6@6 group. Starts at Charlotte Running Co.

Thursdays : Great White Grand Prix New weekly points series beginning April 3rd! New course. Timed fun run every Thursday night. Receive points just for participating, get more points for performance, get even more points for "special events" like team relay events, urban assault runs, themed runs, and Mako Mile Runs. Want more info? Sign up for email updates on the home page at http://www.sharksbite.com

Saturdays : Various locations and distances. Your best bet is to post on the message board Here with info on where you'd like to run and description, i.e. "McAlpine Creek Park for 4-8 miles", so you'll have some company. After the run we typically head out for some breakfast/brunch. Often we'll be doing some very long runs of 20+ miles... Check out Native Trail Gods for trail run/hike adventures.

Sundays at 9am. : Various locations and distances. Your best bet is to post on the message board Here with info on where you'd like to run and description, i.e. "McAlpine Creek Park for 4-8 miles", so you'll have some company. After the run we typically head out for some breakfast/brunch.
Check out Native Trail Gods for trail run/hike adventures on weekends.

Are We In Kansas Yet?

Are We In Kansas Yet?
Tim Long

Windy conditions make for an interesting time at the 2008 Corporate Cup Half Marathon in Charlotte, NC.

I arrived at the event at an early 6:50AM, parked the truck and walked to the registration area. It was breezy, but not alarmingly too windy at that point. After picking up my timing chip, I went back outside where it was like someone had flipped the wind machine switch. It must have been blowing at a solid 30mph with gusts bursting at 70mph. The volunteers were having trouble setting up the food. The timing crew, like most seasoned timers, just went about their business of setting up the equipment and staging area as though nothing was amiss.

The temperature was surprisingly close to 60, so I opted for just a singlet, shorts and light gloves to wear and headed back over to the indoor registration area. After chatting with a few people, we made our way to the start. There were probably 2,000 people. I stood off to the side of the start line since the baby joggers were starting first. Once they started moving, I slipped into position with my left toe on the start line and waited. I enjoy race starts. Everything gets very narrow in the focus of what's coming up. The noise faded, the chill on my arms warmed, the wind even dissolved for that instant. And we're off!

Like most everyone I spoke with before the race, I already knew the goal time I set for myself was likely not going to happen in the conditions we had, but I settled into a good pace anyway. The Corporate Cup is one of those annoying events in which the half marathon and 5k begin at the same time, so you have a stampede of kids and others weaving in and out around you, and surging then fading. It's a little aggravating when you're trying to get into a rhythm to find your pace.

Finally, we get through the three mile mark and the 5k runners are gone. Now, I begin to notice the wind. It was like the tornadoes I grew up enjoying. Except this was everything but enjoyable. I slowed the pace, shutting everything down between mile 7 and 8, and just relaxed for the rest of the run, which allowed me to enjoy it more. Coming up the final long hill and then the straight 1/4 mile to the finish was atrocious. The wind swirled and changed directions with heavy gusts. You'd be fighting a head-on wind, leaning into it, then it would stop for an instant and gust from the side throwing you off balance. I felt like a drunk sailor coming up the final straight.

After crossing the line, I found a little shelter in view of the finish. The heavy metal barricades were falling over with loud, clanging crashes. At one point the wind found purchase under a tiny gap in the timing mats, that weigh 50lbs each, and flipped them up in the air. I had never seen that particular style of mats swept up like that before. I was surprised and relieved that nobody got injured (that I know of) that morning.

The overall organization of the event left a lot to be desired. I stood around for two hours after I finished and never did see the results posted. It wasn't announced where exactly the awards ceremony was being held. The race bags were weak with the normal Charlotte race event, cheap t-shirt, a plastic cup, and an old bottle of vinegary-flavored sports drink. I've come not to expect much more, but at least spare the environment a little and don't bother with the the plastic bags.

Hats off to the timing crew. The start, splits, and finish were accurate. Working under those conditions is very difficult, and they did a good job keeping everything together.

Congratulations to everyone who participated. Results are HERE.

Eating To Run Your Best

Eating To Run Your Best
Tim Long

With the Corporate Cup Half Marathon taking place here in Charlotte tomorrow morning, I thought I would touch on some of my favorite topics: eating before an event and final preparations before the big day.

Workout the day before the event?

You bet. Some may argue to take off from running the day before a big race. I believe you'll show up to the start line feeling flat with "thick legs". What I do the day before a race depends on the distance of the event. If it's over 30 miles, I don't let my feet touch the ground the day before. Well, maybe just a 15 minute walk, but that's it. For shorter distances, like a half marathon, I'll head out for 5 or 6 miles and do 4 strides where I pick up the pace to get fast leg turnover for 200-400 meters. I'm not fatigued, and I'm keeping my body sharp.

Eating - the night before and on race morning

Eat or drink the wrong thing the night before a race and you'll be in for an unpleasant (to say the least) experience. The key is to not try anything new the night before the event. If your girlfriend wants to try out that new authentic Yemeni restaurant tonight, tell her it's an awesome idea, but how about the night after the race, so you can relax and enjoy more quality time with her. You just killed two birds: made your girl feel special and saved yourself from memorizing the inside of a porta-pottie.

Pre-race dinners should be, as already pointed out, familiar, comprised mostly (75%) of complex carbohydrates for energy, and a reasonable size. If you want to squeeze in over 1,000 calories that night, then break it into a meal and a couple snacks spread out over a few hours. Choose things like whole grain bread, pasta, lean chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, etc. Stay away from high fats or greasy food. I don't eat high fiber foods either, so no salad, no bran muffins, or oatmeal. Drink plenty of water as well. One or two beers or glasses of wine are fine, but make sure you follow them up with at least 12 ounces of water, since alcohol will dehydrate you.

Morning meals are where everyone gets very specialized. You have to play around with it to get this right. Shorter races make morning fueling not so crucial, so just make sure you get in easily digestible carbohydrates, things like yogurt, white bagel, banana, and nutrition bars. I stick with Clif Bars for a couple reasons: 1) I eat them every day like tic-tacs, so I'm used to them. 2) There's no question as to the quality and make up of the nutrients and fuel I'm taking in. For tomorrow morning's half marathon I'll probably wake up around 5:30 (race start is at 8:00), eat one Clif Bar with 20 ounces of water, then get ready with shower, clothes (won't get to wear my new racing shoes due to rain....hey, they're new, give me a break!), and then eat another Clif Bar with water at 6:30, and head off to the race. About 30 minutes before start time I'll begin my warm ups, and then eat an energy gel about 15 minutes before the start. I base this off the fact that I won't take in any nutrients, or likely water either, during the event. At the 13 mile distance, you can't really digest anything you take in during the race, so it's pointless to risk the potential tummy aches, and waste the time at the aid stations.

Have a great event, wherever you're racing!

Upcoming Cycling Events

Upcoming Cycling Events

March 8th and 9th
Come Compete in the first TBRA event weekend of the Year: the "SwimandTri.com" Spring Forward Time Trial in Rutledge, TN on March 8 and the"Tomato Head" Downtown Maryville Crit in Maryville, TN on March 9.

For more event info (scroll to bottom of page):
southerncycling.com

Out Like a Lion Race Weekend
March 15 Remax Town and Country Road Race
March 16 Food Lion City Park Criterium
Albemarle and Salisbury, NC

Registration is open!
Online registration is open for the most exciting event of the early racing season, the Out Like a Lion Race Weekend. The race weekend will feature the Remax Town and Country Road Race on Saturday in Albemarle, NC and on Sunday the Food Lion City Park Criterium in Salisbury, NC. The inaugural event in 2007 saw over 300 racers each day battling for the early season prize money. While the course for the criterium is the same exciting race course around beautiful City Park in Downtown Salisbury, the road race course for Saturday is new. The course will be a challenging 6.5 mile circuit with little traffic just north of Albemarle.

For more info on the event or to preregister, visit http://www.charlottesportscycling.com/OutLikeALion.htm

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Saturday, March 15
Brandon's ELAM-N8 Cancer Birthday Bash:
Pre-registration $20 on www.ActiveZach.com
Touring Ride Distances: 8 mile, 20 mile, 40 mile, 60 mile
10 K Fun Run, 5K Walk and 5K Bicycle Parade for Kids
Event Starts at 9:00 AM
Porter Ridge High School, Indian Land, NC
More info at: www.Elam-N8Cancer.com
Live Bands and lots of entertainment for the family
Proceeds benefit Hometown Heroes, 24 Hours of Booty, Porter Ridge Garden Memorial fund.

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Maxxis Southern Classic MTB Series

http://www.southernclassicmtb.org/

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Sunday, March 30

Sally's Y Ride in Denver NC

Ride For Sally's Y March 30,2008

www.activezach.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=2416 or www.sallysy.org

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Start Date: Mar 30, 2008 1 p.m.

E-mail: bloodsweatgears@bellsouth.net

Distance: 15 - 30 - 50 mile

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Saturday, April 19

THE 6 HOUR GRIND ON THE GREENWAY

Presented by SouthPark Cycles and www.BlackDogBikes.com

Anne Close Springs Greenway will play host to a super exciting six hour mountain bike race on April 19.

Don’t let the name “Greenway” fool you, the race at Anne Close Springs Greenway is about 98% fast and challenging singletrack. The event will be held from 11AM to 5PM. The start and finish of the event will be at the Field Trial Barn. Categories, registration and all other pertinent info will be posted soon on

www.charlottemtnbike.com

This event is being held in conjunction with the Earth Day celebrations organized by the staff at Anne Springs Close Greenway. We have a local Girl Scout Troop providing breakfast at the event. We will have 12 different racing categories with great prizes and trophies going three deep in all categories.

Duo Male

Duo Female

Duo Single Speed

Duo Coed

Solo Male Open

Solo Female Open

Solo Single Speed

Solo Female Novice

Solo Junior

Solo Male 19 - 34

Solo Male 35 - 44

Solo Male 45+

We are working on entertainment for after event party. If we can land a sponsor, we are going to have Acoustic Syndicate play a show after the race. Its still in the works but we are feeling good about it. The plan is your entry into the race will include a ticket to the show. Stay tuned for more detail.

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Saturday, May 3

Dilworth Criterium - Charlotte, NC

This year, the 35th Annual Dilworth Criterium will be part of the USA Crit Speed Week and offer over $12k in CASH!

www.charlottesportscycling.com

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Sunday, May 4

Uwharrie Xterra

For more info, visit www.middleringcycles.com

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Dirty Spokes 12/6 Hour Mountain Bike Endurance Races

2008 - Points Series - Georgia! The Series will consist of 3 races!
Register On-Line: Active.com (keyword = Dirty Spokes)
RACE DATES:
March 15th, 2008 - Heritage Park, Farmington, Ga.- 6 Hour Race ONLY (1st Annual)
May 3rd, 2008 - Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga. (DOUBLE POINTS RACE - YES DOUBLE POINTS RACE!!!)
October 11th , 2008 - Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, Ga.

Over $25,000 in cash and prizes throughout the 3 race series!
Dirty Spokes Productions,LLC
Contact: tim@dirtyspokes.com
* For more race information check out: www.dirtyspokes.com

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May 24 & 25

The BURN 24 Hour Challenge is the Southeast's Premiere 24 Hour Mountain Bike Solo & Team Relay Race featuring an amazing trail system, electronic timing, kid's races, great prizes, the infamous Alien Abduction, and free BURN Energy Drinks throughout the event. This is your source for race details, registration options & race rules. While you are here please add your name to the mailing list. We hope you can join us in at Dark Mountain Trails in Wilkesboro, NC on May 24th & 25th, 2008. Details can be

found at http://burn24hour.com

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July 25 - August 3 - 9 DAYS OF RACING IN NORTH CAROLINA

Dates for the 8th Annual Crossroads Cycling Classic are posted.
Check out www.crossroadscycling.com

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August 15-17

FOOL'S GOLD 100/50 Mile Mountain Bike Race & Festival

"Thar's gold in them thar hills!"

August 15-17 2008 in the mountains of North Georgia

The Fool's Gold 100 is Georgia's first and only 100 mile mountain bike race, brought to you by the race director of the largest and most fun 24 hour mountain bike race in the Southeast, the BURN 24 Hour Challenge!

Fool's Gold 100 will be the 6th race of the 2008 National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Race Series. Expect lots of singletrack with a few gravel road grunts. Be prepared to ride hard..and drink a few brews. We promise, you won't be disappointed! With the low entry fee, great schwag, all of the essential amenities (i.e. food, lodging, beer) ALL WEEKEND!, and cash payout for the Open Men’s/Women’s class in the 100 miler, we think this one will be on your race calendar for good!

New York City Marathon Raises Entry Fee - "Holy Cow!"

New York City Marathon Raises Entry Fee - "Holy Cow!"
Tim Long

Organizing and promoting events for a living, I often get the question, "Can you make any money doing that?" "Enough to live," is typically my answer. Maybe if I started charging $166 entry and a $11 processing fee, I'd be able to buy that shiny new Mercedes S600 I've always wanted (NOT). Consider this: the $11 fee is paid by everyone who applies, and is non refundable. The organizers are making over $500,000.00 off people not even making it to the start line.

If that price sounds high, well, it is. Entry into the large marathons climbs every year. The problem is that people continue flocking to these events and paying these prices. My fear is that the big marathons will turn into what I call "Everest Castles", where only rich dummies are welcome. Everest used to be the test of the strongest and most courageous adventurers. Now, anyone with $40,000 and the right clothing can pay his way to the top. Is this where our big marathons are going? It'd be interesting to see whether the average finish times continue to get slower by perhaps weeding out sub 3 hour finishers who can't afford to participate. "Call the Science Journal! We got a study to conduct." I'm forking out $110 to run Chicago this year (only my second marathon). That's my limit. I won't ever do the NYC marathon, so I hope the 6 hour finisher who takes my place and can afford the entry enjoys the event.

Dutchmans Trail Delight Run - Report

Tim and Fred post run and no worse for the wear!

Dutchmans Trail Delight Run - Report

Tim Long

This is another installment of the fun runs/hikes the Native Trail Gods organize. There are mileage options to encourage all abilities from short hikes to strenuous long runs.

“Three and a half hours” was my answer when asked how long it would take me to run the 24 mile (out and back) Dutchman Trail in the Uwharrie National Forest. I had run 24 miles, and had run the Uwharrie trail, so I thought I knew what I was talking about. Little did I know that the Dutchman trail is a trail designed and built by the devil and it resides in Hell. Short story: I completely underestimated this run. The Dutchman Trail makes the Uwharrie Trail seem like a pathway in Central Park.

I showed up late at 10:15AM. Fred, Ernie, and Ronnie were there and said that Frank, Donna, and Shashi had already headed out for the run. After getting my shoes on and loading up the two water bottles and food, I was off. Ernie and Ronnie are of similar pace, so they settled in while Fred and I ran on ahead. The weather is worth pointing out. It was a perfect day with clear skies and highs in the low 60s.

The trail is runable for the first four miles. Then the climbs and descents begin. These would be fine except they are littered with rocks, roots, and leaves covering the ankle twisting obstacles. Fred’s not used to running really long distances, so he was trying to run up every incline, no matter the steepness. I pointed out that we were in the first hour of a multiple hour run and that he may want to save a little energy for later. Fred also seems to function solely on air. He can run far, run fast, and run hard without ever seeming to ingest water or nutrition. For example, on this particular run, water consumption should have been approximately 120 ounces (that’s six water bottles). Fred started off with these tiny containers, both of which added up to 14 ounces. I wasn’t much better, but my two handheld bottles at least added up to 40 ounces. I only hoped that we both had enough food. Can anyone say “Donner Party”?

We caught and passed Frank and Donna, both of whom I’d never met before. Then we caught Shashi, and were then on our own. We were taking turns at the front keeping the pace reasonable. The trail got so unbelievably difficult that I was thankful there were two of us to spot the right direction. Knowing myself, I’m certain I’d still be out there right now wandering around.

40 minutes after turning around and at about 16 miles, we caught Ernie and Ronnie, who had decided to turn around when we met them. They had taken three hours to cover eight miles, which is a testament to the difficulty of the trail.

Fred started fading from dehydration and fatigue, and told me to stop waiting for him. Feeling really good, I poured it on for the last hour, finishing in 4 hours 20 mins. I did a “cool down” run of two miles on the rugged dirt road there (mostly just to enjoy some level ground for a few minutes). By the time I got back, Fred had finished and was just sort of sitting there propped up against a tree at the end of the trail. We had some cookies, pretzels, Clif Bars, and drinks. It had been a full day and one of the best runs that I won’t forget.

Ernie called me later to let me know he and Ronnie finished and were safe. Frank and Donna had already returned to the cars before us and left (I bet they’re likely ticked off at me because the trail is so difficult to follow). Once again, I have no idea whether Shashi made it out alive.

My final stats:

26 miles / 4 hours 36 mins / on the trail, 2:15 going out and 2:05 on the return trip.

Only ate 430 calories during run (dumb) and drank 20 oz plain water, 20 oz with NUUN electrolytes.

As I walk the trail of life
in the fear of the wind and rain
grant O Great Spirit
that I may always walk like a man.

-Cherokee prayer

Frosty 5k (3rd of 3) Race Report

Frosty 5k (3rd of 3) Race Report

By Jim Payne

Yesterday was the third and final race of the Frosty 5k race series. The first race was held at Mallard Creek Greenway and the second race was held at McAlpine Creek Park. This race was held in Freedom Park close to Uptown Charlotte. This is a nice urban park. It has a neat little outdoor stage located on an island in the middle of a pond. There was ample parking for everyone running in the race and watching the 5k race. I had run on the outside of the park numerous times as one of Sharksbite's group runs used to run right past the backside of the park.

I have been fighting a cold for the past couple of days and considered not showing up. But I did not want to hear the ribbing I would have received from my friends Tim and Marcus if I stayed home. So I left my house shortly after 7:45am and showed up right at 8am. Of course Marcus pulled into the parking lot right as I turned my car off. We walked together to get our packets, bibs and chips. They had the tables setup on the island in the middle of the pond. While walking to the registration tables we were trying to figure out the course. We could see the start/finish being setup but really could not tell the rest of the course. As with the previous races, the registration was setup perfectly. Easy access and no wait. The turn out was great with many people showing up at the race. Many families with dogs and strollers and lots of kids. This is the exact reason why I feel CHF should sponsor a race every month and not just these three. For me, running is about getting outside and exercising. With the Nation average for weight on a significant rise, it is great that CHF can get so many outside and exercising. Being a magazine centered on health and fitness, this seems to be right in alighment with their charter.

The announcement was made to get to the start line and get ready to race. Marcus as usual went to the front. He is very fast and today was in the perfect mood to have a good run. Me, well, I am pretty slow. I have ran these events around a 9 min pace. I expected to be a bit slower today as I was not feeling very well. Still, I lined up where I thought I would place. About 3/4 of the way back from the start. Although this start turned out to be much different from the last. The race director did not line everyone up and this proved to be a big issue. The last race start went so smoothly for everyone. I have no idea why it was not done this time. But, I also understand how crazy things can get for race directors at the start. I am sure he was putting out numerous "fires" such as "I lost my chip..." and "We switched bibs...". At least, this is what I hope. So the race started and of course there was a big bottle neck right at the start. We started the race from the chute that would be at the finish. This caused everyone to bunch up. Especially with the baby joggers and dogs. Once we got past the start area we were running on a paved path. With so many runners this proved to be a continual bottleneck. About a quarter of the mile into the run we actually had to run on a city sidewalk. This was a bad decision. With so many walkers, baby joggers and dogs that started up front this proved to be an even bigger bottle neck than the start. I actually stopped running for a bit and then had to walk for a bit just to stay on course. I NEVER cheat so I just sucked it up and put this down to bad course planning. After the side walk we were still running on pavement but through a little side section of trees in the park. This was a nice area that I enjoyed running through. But just as we were getting into a groove we were out of that area and onto a parking lot. Yep, I said parking lot. I thought the sidewalk was bad but this was just plain boring. After the parking lot there was a little section of sidewalk again and then the turn around point. The course was an out and back so I knew this was the halfway point.

At the halfway point was a water stop manned by a group of cub scouts. They were all very nice and eager to get us our water. I made sure I told them thanks and took my water. Not feeling well I needed it. I also took a sec to look at my watch. I was way off my normal pace. Even being sick I was off the pace I thought I would run. In fact, I was running a slower pace than I have ever ran. I just chalked this up to me maybe being a little more sick that I thought. Still, it was a nice sunny day and I was outside running. This is still better than not running. I have always said, "A bad running day always beats a day without running." I had pasted numerous people and things were pretty spread out at this point in the race. I was able to stretch out my legs and get into a good rhythm. I still had to run through the parking lot and traverse the sidewalk again but with little people around me this was not an issue. Still completely boring but no longer a roadblock to a decent time.

I crossed the finish line around 31:49. This was not happening. Sick or not, Tim would lay down the guilt trip on me. He knows my running goals and he knows my ability. There had to be something other than me wrong. I immediately began thinking the course had to have been marked incorrectly. I guess I should say configured incorrectly as there were no mile markers on the course. At least, none that I saw. Maybe the course layout was not followed prior to the start of the race. Maybe we should have turned around before the parking lot instead of running through it and turning around afterwards. Anyway I sat down in the stands of the little theater with Marcus to await the awards. The first thing he said to me was, "Do you think the race course was long?" Yep. It had to be. That course distance and the layout was the big topic of conversation amongst the participants. Everyone was comparing their GPS running devices. I heard everything from 3.5 miles to 3.75 miles. But not a single GPS device had anything close to 3.1 miles. A 3.5 mile run makes sense for me to finish at a time of 31:49 with a average pace around 9 min. This is how I felt I ran so this is what I am going with.

The awards ceremony afterwards was great. The race director had some clever things to say for the award winners. Everyone was sitting on a hill and on the benches for the theater. It was a good setting to hand out the awards. Marcus came in first in his age group so he completed his set of three CHF mugs. I did find it slightly funny that they gave the winning kids coffee mugs as well. Because of the big give-aways pretty much all the race participants stayed for the awards. I did not win either the treadmill nor the Elliptical Trainer. Oh well, that is not why I signed up for these events. It was nice to see how large the bin was for the people who had signed up for all three races.

This race was just OK. My advice (and they have not asked for it) would be to not have another event at Freedom Park. It is just not conducive to a decent 5k race. Of the three races I would rank them as McAlpine Creek Park first, Mallard Creek Greenway second and Freedom Park a very distant third. I would also set the participants at the race start exactly as was done at the McAlpine Creek. This allowed for a very smooth race start. And lastly, I would get different awards for the kids. They don't need coffee cups.

These three races were a great idea and overall, were put on well. Sure, there are things that can be learned from all the races. Some more than others (say Freedom Park race). But the overall idea was well worth it. Enough people showed up to make them viable from a economic standpoint. Lots of families got outside and exercised. This is the most important point. Getting outside and improving health and fitness for the Charlotte community. I enjoyed the series and hope they do more.