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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Team USA Stars to Meet and Greet Junior Olympians

Posted December 4th, 2007 at 2:58 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

Two of America’s outstanding distance runners, American record holder Dan Lincoln and national champion Katie McGregor (Pictured), will be special guests at the 2007 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships presented by Finish Line this weekend in Lawrence, Kansas. The duo will be on hand to sign autographs, cheer the runners on, and participate in the commencement awards ceremonies.

More than 3,000 athletes will compete at the event, to be held December 8 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

The American record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lincoln is a three-time national champion in the event. He was a three-time NCAA champion in the steeplechase and won the 2003 NCAA 10,000m title. While at the University of Arkansas, he was a 12-time All-American, including earning the honors in cross country.
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VIDEO: High Schooler Crawls to Cross Country Finish Line After Breaking Leg

Posted November 16th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, High School

A high schooler in Ohio, Claire Markwardt, sustained multiple broken bones in her leg in the final few meters of the Ohio State cross country meet two weeks ago. Not to let down her team, she crawled to the finish line.

Read the incredible story at ESPN.com and/or watch the video below.

WARNING: Please be advised that the video accompanying this story of Claire Markwardt’s fall might be unsettling for some viewers.

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Runners Take Strides to Lighten Environmental Impact of NYC Marathon

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 5:57 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Runners at this year’s ING New York City Marathon are taking strides to lighten the environmental footprint of the event — by participating in the first-ever recycling initiative at the Marathon. Poland Spring Brand Natural Spring Water, the Official Water of the ING New York City Marathon, is introducing a recycling program to make it easier to recycle water bottles used during the event.

Poland Spring, in partnership with the New York Road Runners, who organize the Marathon, arranged to recycle the 75,000 one-gallon Poland Spring containers that provide hydration for the runners along the 26.2 mile course.

And that’s not all — recycling bins were installed at Sunday’s Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff Race in Central Park to recycle more than 13,500 Poland Spring water containers that provided water for runners.
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Quote of the Day: 10/17/07

Posted October 17th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there’s not really a reason, it’s just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got.”

- Courtney Parsons

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A Run With Dad:
His final farewell

Posted April 7th, 2007 at 7:30 PM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TheFinalSprint.com. Make sure to also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

I was angry….and hurt. But, mostly, I was tired. Drained. The events of the day had exhausted me, both physically and emotionally..

Although it was a nice day for a run ….. cool and dry ….. and I hadn’t run for a couple of days, I really didn’t want to do it. But, I knew a run would be good for me. And I had to get off to myself. Away from the others for awhile. So, I began.

My legs felt heavy. My breathing quickly became labored, even though I kept the pace slower than usual. This was not going to be a good one.

Two miles into the run, he joined me. His presence, which I sensed suddenly, startled me. I had never known him to run a step in his life. Oh, he wasn’t unfit. He worked hard all his life. Often, under brutally hot and humid conditions that were typical of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And, there he was. Running with me.
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Velocy attempts to revolutionize shoe industry; embraces Forward Gravity

Posted January 24th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Amanda Black

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes

Traditional shoe technology focuses on the heel; a concept that has been widely accepted by manufacturers and athletes for more than 50 years. However, architect Daniel Talbott and his team at Oregon-based Velocy have decided to challenge this conventional wisdom with their innovative new line of running shoes.

After spending ten years researching human performance and identifying the factors that help propel the animal kingdoms fastest species, such as the cheetah and ostrich, Talbot invented Velocy’s patent pending “Forward Gravity” shoe technology. Velocy explains:

“Forward Gravity technology is engineered to place emphasis on the forefoot and in doing this, all weight is shifted forward and supported by your leg’s muscular ability during knee flexion. This is the human body’s natural way of absorbing shock.”

Velocy asserts that Forward Gravity will enable runners to run more efficiently and effectively. They also believe that Velocy shoes are capable of helping elite runners run times that are substantially faster than many, current world records.
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Finish Strong with your end of race kick

Posted December 2nd, 2006 at 1:00 PM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Make sure to also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

You are in the late stages of a race. Your heart and lungs feel as though they are going to explode as you push toward the finish line. Your legs are loaded with lactic acid and feel like they are moving in slow motion. You try not to give up and slow down. You really want to try to maintain pace, or even pull out an end of race kick. But, where are you going to find it? How can you even hold on to the finish without giving in to how bad you feel?

What has worked best for me is to run the last 10-20%, and especially the last few hundred yards, of any race from 5k to marathon with my upper body….and, no, I don’t mean to go upside down.

For every running stride there is an arm swing, and vice versa. One will not happen without the other. Read the rest of this entry »

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Racing Etiquette: A Guide for Beginners

Posted November 17th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Jenna Sumara

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

You know those dreams where you show up to the fist day of school and your naked? I’ve been plagued by those dreams, not about return to school, but rather about re-joining the world of racing.

I dream that on race day I am naked, show up late and end up stuck at the front of the pack before the start line. Then, I run so slow that people start knocking me over while other runners point and laugh.

Sure, I used to run 5k’s as a kid, but when you’re young you can get away with not knowing all the rules of race etiquette. As an adult, you want to be able to show up on race day focused on having fun and performing your best; not on how to pass, where to line up or how to get a drink from the aid stations.

That being said - I have complied a guide to racing etiquette so that the only thing that’ll make you, and I, stand out from the crowd is just how darn fast we are! :-) Read the rest of this entry »

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