Tuesday, March 20, 2012

World First Marathon Twitterthon!


Global Marathon Twitterthon
Runs Rings Around The Globe

 
Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon is one of 26 marathons across the globe joining forces to support each other on Twitter with a 26 day Twitterthon.

Created by Milano City Marathon, the world’s first-ever Marathon Twitterthon launches on March 19th. On day one, Milano City Marathon will tweet a Message Of Hope to Solar Eclipse Marathon. Over 26 days, each of the 26 participating marathons will tweet a message in their own language to the next until the final message is sent back to Milano City Marathon on April 13th.

Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon will receive its Message Of Hope from VidActiva Quito Half Marathon and will pass its own Message Of Hope on to Easter Island Marathon.

The night before the Milano City Marathon, organizers will paint all 26 messages onto sky lanterns which will be released across the city.

Participating marathons include the Great Wall Of China Marathon, Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon, the Polar Circle Marathon and the Windermere Marathon in the Lake District.

The Messages of Hope can be viewed at https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23MCM2012 and a Marathon Message of Hope will be tweeted every hour throughout the 26 days.

Commenting on the Twitterthon, Amica Seattle Marathon, John Kokes (president)  said:

“We wanted to be involved in this special activity which celebrates the spirit of marathons worldwide. By sending Messages of Hope around the world, we are recognizing the origins of the marathon and encouraging different nations to think of themselves as a global family”.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Press Release


HERVIS PRAGUE HALF MARATHON GETS READY TO SHATTER WORLD RECORD

Prague/ Prague is getting ready for the fastest half-marathon of all times. Leonard Patrick Komon, world record holder in the 10 km and 15 km has chosen Prague as his first ever half-marathon race. And on top of that he has announced his designs on smashing the world record!

"We are trying to turn our dreams into reality. And this will be one of those dreams. I would like to tell you about one other matter. A matter of global importance – that of his assault on the world record, that would be a first here in Prague" said Carlo Capalbo, President of the Organising Committee for the Prague International Marathon spol. s r.o. (PIM).

Komon, a 24 year old long-distance runner from Kenya, should be spurred on to achieving a record time by two pacemakers from his team, Rono and Chesari. His two fellow compatriots should also be able to contribute with this. Last year’s winner Philemon Limo was the first to run the course on Czech soil in under one hour (59:30). Kenneth Kipkemoi will also be coming along who just last week managed the third fastest time so far this year at 59:11 at the City-Pier-City in The Hague.

The world record title is currently held by Zersenay Tadese, from Eritrea at 58:23 achieved back in 2010 in Lisbon. "Acquiring such elite start positions involves a huge amount of talks however we are delighted that Leonard chose Prague all by himself. It is a huge honour", says Jana Moberly, Manager for PIM International Athletes. "Prague has now established a name for itself as a place where new stars are born, a fact proven by the likes of Kiptanui and Limo".

The objective of the organisers is to invite more top runners who are able to maintain maximum pace for the longest time possible. Not just one superstar, and beside him a crowd of second-class runners such as in Berlin. "We are also reliant on there being good weather on the day. But we know we have five runners able to run in under one hour" boasts Moberly.

For anyone able to beat the world record, there is a prize of 100 000 Euros which, when converted, amounts to approximately 2.4 million Czech crowns. A further 4000 Euros is up for grabs for scooping up first place and 5000 Euros for the course record. Success this year would be a wonderful way for us to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Gold Hat trick by our legendary runner, Emil Zátopek at the Olympics in Helsinki.

"This piece of news is music to the ears of chairman from the Czech Athletics Federation. I value the work of the PIM organisers and hope that it all works out", says Libor Varhaník, the main man behind Czech athletics.

Komon comes from a family of twelve siblings in the Kenyan Rift Valley, a traditional long- distance hatching ground. As a youngster he had to help out at the family farm and was later to work as a fire-fighter at the airport. In 2008 he was made a substitute runner at the Beijing Olympics. He triumphed with one Silver and one Gold medal at the World Cross Country Championships in 2008 and 2009. In 2009 he smashed both world records on the road, 26:44 in the 10 km in Utrecht and 41:13 in the 15 km in Nijmegen.

The Hervis Prague Half Marathon has been running now since 1999 and boasts the Gold Label from the International Association of Athletics Federations, IAAF. This is indication of its ranking in the highest quality category. Prague is the only organiser in the world to claim the Gold Label for both the marathon and the half-marathon.

Aside from top runners, the Hervis Prague Half Marathon also draws a wide range of other runners. The record capacity of 11 000 start numbers was sold out already two months in advance. We are also expecting ten thousand spectators to come along and adorn the beautiful backdrop of the historical city centre through which the course leads. This year the course will be modified slightly in two areas of Podolí. "We will be adding in Plavecka and Botičska streets, instead of Vnislavova street ensuring runners have more space and don’t collide with one another when meeting in opposite directions", said Václav Skřivánek from the Organising Committee.


 - Prague International Marathon spol. s r.o.



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Medical Article


Injury Prevention: Stretching, Warm-up, and Avoiding Common Problems

Jonathan Drezner, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine
Associate Director, Sports Medicine Fellowship              
Team Physician, Seattle Seahawks & University of Washington Huskies
UWMedicine.org


“Don’t eat and then go swimming.”  “Wear a jacket and warm-up if it’s cold outside.”  “Stretch before you play.”  We have all heard these and other common words of advice from parents, friends, and coaches on how to avoid injuries during athletics.  So what do you need to know before running a marathon that will keep you healthy, prevent injuries, and allow you to accomplish your goals?
           
THINK STRATEGIC

This simplistic statement may summarize the best strategy: “Prevention is the best treatment.”  While easier said then done, appropriate training and race-day planning are the keys to preventing injuries during a marathon.  Many runners decide to pursue a marathon but allow only a short timeline to prepare.  In fact, the vast majority of overuse running injuries are directly related to training errors, or running too much too soon. 

TRAIN WISELY

Training for any athletic endeavor should be gradual.  Muscles, tendons, bones, and the cardiovascular system all need time to adapt to the stresses of conditioning.  Runners should begin by calculating their total weekly mileage.  Training often consists of lower mileage and speed runs during the week, and a single longer run on the weekend.  Runners should be careful not to increase their total weekly mileage by more than 10% per week.  If you are new to running, successful training for a marathon may take 6 to 12 months, or even longer.  Abrupt increases in running distance, intensity, or frequency may cause common overuse injuries such as shin pain, patellar tendonitis, iliotibial band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, or even stress fractures.  Most of these injuries can be avoided by proper training and allowing the body to gradually adjust to the demands of higher levels of conditioning. 

Stretching and a proper warm-up are also important.  Similar to a slow progression in running distance, the body needs adequate time to warm-up before heavy training or competition.  A light short distance jog and gentle stretching will assist the body and muscles to properly prepare for more intense exercise.  The exact warm-up routine will vary from person to person, but each runner should be comfortable with their routine – including stretching, warm-up, meals, shoes and clothing – prior to the marathon. 

CONCLUSION

Unfortunately, not all injuries can be avoided.  From blisters to leg cramps, you must be prepared to modify your running if unforeseen problems arise.  Runners should not “push through” significantly painful symptoms.  If you develop unexpected limitations, slow your pace, walk, rest, or stretch before attempting to continue.  If you develop major symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, or confusion, stop immediately and ask for help. 

Remember, train appropriately, plan well, listen to your body, and, most of all, think safety first!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Runner's Story


Here is a great story of success we received from Trebor in response to our February newsletter request for runner's stories.

Runner's Story #2 February 2012:  January FNF Runner of the Month


Congratulations Trebor!