A RUNNER FOR THE '80S; A RUNNER FOR NOW

Following is my column, written for the Republican Herald newspaper, published on May 11.

Among the 3,500 runners who ran the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K on April 21 was Wayne Parfitt, a resident of Newport News, Virginia, and a 1983 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
A distinguished cross country and track runner at Pottsville, Parfitt was a member of the 1982 cross country team that defeated the nearly invincible Blue Mountain team of harriers, snapping the Eagles’ remarkable streak of 144 consecutive dual-meet victories. He was invited by a group of Berks County runners to join their Junior Olympics team. That team went on the win the National Junior Olympics team title in 1982.

After graduation and before pursuing his higher education, Parfitt concentrated on running marathons. He ran his first marathon in Philadelphia at the age of 18, and a year later he returned to Philadelphia to turn in an incredible time of 2:31:09, earning him the No. 1 ranking in the country for marathon runners ages 19 and under.

Parfitt went on to run for Williamsport Area Community College. He ran for one year and became the state champion among Pennsylvania community college runners.

In 1986, Wayne Parfitt officially retired from running and competition.
Due to obligations associated with raising a family and pursuing a career, Parfitt “paused’’ his running pursuits, not for a year or two, but for 30 years.

When he returned to competition, he did so with a vengeance. In 2014, at age 49, he ran the Richmond Marathon in a time of 2:56. After an absence of 32 years, he returned to the Boston Marathon in 2016, and at age 52, he has achieved a personal age-group marathon time of 2:54:09, ranking him as one of the top over-50 marathon runners in the country.

At the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K, Wayne made the 6½-hour drive from Virginia to run in his hometown for the first time since 1983. It was as if he just released the pause button. Parfitt won his age division, clocking a time of 19:28, placing 10th overall in the massive field of runners.
Wayne Parfitt quit running because, according to him, “It wasn’t fun anymore.” Today, his passion for the sport has returned, and the reason, as he states, is simple. “I found the fun again.”

RUNNING AND AMERICA'S OLDEST BREWERY

In less than three weeks, 3,500 runners will line Mahantongo Street for the 6th annual running of the Yuengling Light Lager 5K race Saturday, April 21.

As it has done with its beers, America’s oldest brewery has brewed a winning formula, hosting the largest 5K race in eastern Pennsylvania.

When registration opens for the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K in October, the maximum capacity of runners is reached within about a week.

Runners enjoy the challenging race course that starts and finishes at America’s oldest brewery, the post-race block party, their Yuengling Light Lager Jogger-branded pint glass, official race T-shirt, the two free Yuengling Light Lagers for those age 21 and over, a chance to visit the Yuengling gift shop, and the opportunity to have their picture taken with company president, Dick Yuengling, who has attained rock star status among runners.

In addition, a portion of each participant’s entry fee is donated to Operation Gratitude, which annually sends more than 150,000 care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, plus personal letters of appreciation, to new recruits, veterans, first responders, wounded warriors, care givers and to individually named U.S. service members deployed overseas.

The family of the oldest brewery in America has long been vested in the running community.
It has been my privilege to know Dick Yuengling since he was my Little League baseball coach many years ago. Back in the ’90s, when I was running races in southeast Florida, he graciously offered for me to stay at his condo near Fort Lauderdale, and I gratefully accepted.

Dick’s daughter, Jennifer, the sixth generation of Yuengling brewers, serves as vice president of operations for the Yuengling Brewery.

An excellent softball player at Pottsville High and Bucknell University, Jennifer took up running a few years ago and has now become an avid runner. She has run race distances from 8 kilometers to the half marathon. Although a full marathon may be in her future, running now serves as a stress release from raising a family as well as running a Fortune 500 company.

Approximately 15 years ago, with the help of one of their beer distributors near Tidewater, Virginia, Yuengling teamed up with the very popular Virginia Beach Marathon.

Today, the race is known as the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon, an entire weekend of running events that features an 8K, half marathon and a full 26.2-mile marathon. The weekend attracts more than 27,000 runners.

This year, the participants became the first to try Yuengling’s new product, Golden Pilsner, a delicious new brew that Jennifer Yuengling describes as a “lifestyle beer.” When talking about the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon she notes, “We’re not the biggest brewery, and it’s not the biggest race.”

But if you drink the beer and run the race, you’ll agree that quality beats quantity in both brewing beer and hosting a race.

Yuengling beer and running doesn’t end there.

Monday, registration opened for the 5th annual Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk, which will accompany the Oktoberfest festivities at ArtsQuest Center on SteelStacks Campus in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The city of Pottsville has benefitted immensely from the presence of the Yuengling Brewery, and with 3,500 runners and their families descending upon the city, hotels, restaurants and business will see an increase in traffic on race weekend. Roma Pizza will offer specials to the runners, and The Wheel restaurant will feature post-race live entertainment.

Yuengling has helped put Pottsville on the map for beer-lovers, and runners as well.

ATHLETES GEL

Having suffered a complete hamstring tear in 2013, a mere three weeks after a successful effort at the Boston Marathon, my cascading injury cycle shifted to my left knee, probably a result of favoring a permanently weakened hamstring.

Meniscus surgery followed in 2015, and today, running as well as walking, is accompanied by pain, brought on by the onset of arthritis.

Physical therapy, hyaluronic acid injections, and an array of over-the counter topical ointments have failed to offer pain relief.

A few weeks ago, an Australian company, Athletes Gel, www.althetesgel.com, asked me to try their topical gel. Athletes Gel is all-natural ointment, which uses wintergreen, capsaicin, arnica, and clove. I’ve researched all of these anti-inflammatory medicines, and this product blends them together perfectly.  It smells great, dries fast, is non-greasy, water proof, does not stain, reduces inflammation quickly and activates pain relief minutes after applying directly to the skin.

I was using a popular brand-name capsaicin product on my knee when my sample of Athletes Gel arrived. The next day I applied Athletes Gel to my feeble knee, and the results were truly remarkable.

Athletes Gel seems to work instantly, and in addition to the pain reduction, it increased the flexibility in my knee.

I am rationing my sample until Athletes Gel hits the market on March 25.

If you suffer from pain or soreness from working out, from arthritis, or from every day overuse of muscles, I highly recommend Athletes Gel. Athletes Gel will help any athlete suffering from sprains, strains, external bruising and conditions relating to muscle fatigue, minor sports injuries and pain.

You’re going to be hearing more about this product in the coming weeks, as you will be hearing more from me. Thanks to Athletes Gel, I am able to run pain-free, thus my distance and frequency of workouts will increase.

Give Athletes Gel a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Visit them at: www.athletesgel.com.

GO TO 'MILL

A New Year has arrived, and for some, getting in shape or improving one’s physical fitness may be on this year’s resolution list.

Recent Arctic cold along with snow and icy conditions make outdoor running both difficult and dangerous.

Whether you are a beginning runner or an experienced one, treadmill training is an excellent alternative to outdoor running.

The newest generation of treadmills allows one to select virtually any type of workout. One can climb mountains or choose a workout that simulates running on the beach. You can run or walk, and you may select a pace that allows you to challenge yourself or a pace that is light and easy.

In order to adequately simulate outdoor conditions, it is advisable to place the treadmill setting on at least a 1 percent grade. A steeper grade, of course, will provide a more challenging workout.

Select a specific amount of time, or a prescribed distance you would like to run. Choose a pace with which you are comfortable, and you are ready to begin.

If you’re brand new to treadmill running, do not hesitate to clutch the side bars as you begin your workout. You may want to begin at a very slow pace, and increase it as you gain your balance. After a few minutes you should be accustomed to the treadmill belt, and you will be able to run safely and comfortably.

Many runners complain about the monotony and boredom of treadmill running, but that problem can be easily addressed. A lot of today’s treadmills synchronize you with television, a movie, or you can use your phone to listen to your own running playlist. Another technique is to use a towel to cover up the display screen, so as not to read the time and distance as frequently.

Some treadmill programs automatically vary your workout, by alternating speeds and elevation. If not, however, you can increase your speed, and create a type of ‘‘interval’’ session, where you run fast for a certain amount of time, followed by a slow period, then back to a fast interval.

Try to run as relaxed and naturally on the treadmill as you do when you run outdoors. Keep in mind that you may experience muscle soreness, aches and pains that you do not normally feel with outdoor running. This is natural, as you are employing different muscle groups for balance on the treadmill.

Running produces an incredible amount of body heat. Most novice runners tend to wear too many layers of clothing when they run outdoors during the winter. You will produce a lot of sweat when you run on the treadmill. The environment should be cool, and a fan of some type is also advisable. At the conclusion of the workout, drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration, and always keep a towel handy.

Treadmill running may require a short period of adjustment, but once that has passed, it can be both enjoyable and beneficial. Treacherous outdoor winter conditions may diminish your workout or cause injury. On the treadmill, you can map out your workout so that wind, ice, or even a chase by a stray dog cannot deter you.

Simply, with proper preparation, you can beat Mother Nature and make treadmill running work for you.

ACC CHAMP AND ALL-AMERICAN

Following is a column I wrote, which was published today in the Republican Herald newspaper.

While some college students were spending their final days of summer vacation at the beach, Pottsville’s Paige Stoner, a senior cross country runner at Syracuse University, spent her August mornings and afternoons grinding out 70-mile weeks.

On the weekends she would toss in her weekly long run, a distance of 18 miles, in preparation for a season of high expectations.

After a successful track season, in which she placed 15th in the steeplechase at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, for her 2017 cross country season, Stoner and her coaches, Chris Fox and Brian Bell, had mapped out an aggressive training plan that they hoped would maximize her extraordinary running skills.

Her season began with an invitational meet at Penn State. Still logging long, intense miles during the building block phase of her training, she placed second at the 6K distance.

Building speed and strength for races against the best runners in the country centered around workouts on Sweet Road, a challenging incline near the Syracuse campus. A typical workout would consist of a 4 to 5 mile run, with four minutes of hard running, followed by a short rest before beginning another four-minute interval. As the sessions neared their end, Coach Fox instructed Stoner to run at all-out race pace for the final four minutes.

Stoner’s next meet was held in Boston where she placed 24th, in a race that included many of the runners she would face at nationals.

On Oct. 28, Stoner ran the Atlantic Coast Conference championship meet in Louisville, Kentucky.

Her coach instructed her to, “Be patient, hang with the leaders, and don’t make a move until you have about 800 meters to go.”

She ran most of the race in a pack with four North Carolina State runners and a runner from Louisville. At the 4K mark, the race came down to Stoner and her Louisville adversary. With 300 meters to go, the Louisville runner surged into the lead, but Stoner responded, passing her with 100 meters to go and winning the ACC cross country championship with an extraordinary time of 19:52 on the 6K course. She finished a mere three seconds ahead of her opponent.

At the Northeast Regionals, held in Buffalo, New York, Stoner braved 20-degree temperatures and 30-mile-per-hour winds to place second and qualify for nationals.

A week later at the NCAA Championships held in Louisville, Kentucky, Paige Stoner, from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, faced the best collegiate runners in the nation and placed 17th, earning All-America honors.

Stoner is an exceptional runner and an excellent student. More than that, she is a humble young lady who, when asked what advice she would give to young runners who want to run like Paige Stoner, replied, “Don’t overdo it in high school. Run 30 to 35 miles a week, and keep it fun. Do other things. Swim and play Frisbee.”

We haven’t heard the last of Stoner. Track season is coming up in 2018, and she has another year of track eligibility in 2019.

Oh, and the next Summer Olympic Games will be held in 2020.

THE LOSS OF A RUNNING LEGEND

Running icon, Ed Whitlock, died yesterday, at the age of 86. Below is a blog I wrote on November 27, 2015, entitled "In the Presence of Greatness," after having had the honor of meeting and speaking with Ed at the Berwick, Pennsylvania Run for the Diamonds on Thanksgiving Day 2015.

Ed Whitlock was humble and and gracious. We talked about training (he joked about the irony of his daily training route: a cemetery near his home), racing, and injuries. Ed never stretched, or cross-trained. When he got injured, he would take time off and pick up with his running when he felt he was healed.

After I published my blog, I received a thank-you email from Ed. You would have thought I had handed him a million dollars. 

How awesome was this man? Here's a sample of his times at various ages. 5K: 17:23, age 67. 18:21, age 73. Half marathon: 1:20:14, age 69, 1:22:03, age 70, 1:38:59, age 81. Marathon: 2:51:02, age 68, 2:54:48, age 73, 3:15:54, age 80, 3:56:33, age 85. 

Rest in peace, champ.

IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS-November 27, 2015

In this world of overpaid, egotistical athletes, playing their professional sports, shamelessly hawking any product to make a buck, then bragging about their accomplishments, yesterday, in Berwick, Pennsylvania, at the 106th running of the Run for the Diamonds, I had the honor for being in the presence of greatness.

It was my privilege to meet, and speak with 83-year old Ed Whitlock,

In my estimation, Ed Whitlock is the greatest living athlete on the planet.

So, in an effort to be completely accurate, I'll list Ed's accomplishments, as listed on his Wikipedia page.

" In his 60s after retiring he started to concentrate on road racing and latterly the objective of becoming the first man over 70 to run a marathon in less than three hours. After an initial attempt at age 70, injury prevented another attempt until age 72 when in 2003 he completed the marathon 2:59:10. In the following year, he lowered the record to 2:54:49 and in 2005 ran 2:58:40 at age 74, to date (2013) the oldest man to run under three hours for a marathon.
In 2006 he set the world record for the 75 to 79 age group with a time of 3:08:35 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon,^[2] and in the Rotterdam Marathon on April 15, 2007, Whitlock lowered that mark to 3:04:54 on a day when the marathon was stopped after three and a half hours because of high temperature.
On September 26, 2010, Whitlock ran the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon in 1:34:23.4.^[3]
After turning 80, Whitlock improved the marathon world record for his age category by almost 15 minutes to 3:25:43 at the 2011 Rotterdam Marathon on April 10, 2011.^[4] He then further improved on his age category world record at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16, 2011, lowering the record to 3:15:54.^[5]
At age 81, on Sunday, September 16, 2012, wearing bib number 1, Whitlock broke the Canadian and unofficial world half-marathon record at his hometown inaugural race, the Milton Half-Marathon, running 1:38:59.^[6] In 2013, he lowered the record to 1:38:11 on the same course.
Whitlock also competes on the track, where as of 2012 he holds 15 world age group records ranging in distance from 1500 metres to 10,000 m and age groups 65+, 70+, 75+ and 80+, as well as the three age group marathon records 70+, 75+ and 80+.^[7]"


That's right folks, a 3:15 marathon--at age 80!

I have never met a more gracious, humble man. Ed Whitlock is a great athlete and competitor, but he is an even greater individual, He told me he can't wait to turn 85 so he can assault more age-group records.  Even more than the delicious turkey, my meeting Ed Whitlock was the highlight of my Thanksgiving Day.

I just hope some of his talent, dedication, and determination rubs off!

ARRS

If you enjoy reading running statistics, I mean every conceivable running statistic, there is a site you absolutely must visit.

The Association of Road Race Statisticians, ARRS, www.arrs.net, was created by Ken Young.
ARRS focuses on elite distance running at distances from 3000-meters and longer. ARRS has a huge date base of more than 900,000 performances from more than 160,000 races by more than 35,000 elite distance runners from around the world.

Simply put, if there is a legitimate running performance or achievement that is noteworthy or elite, you will find it on the ARRS site.

The task of compiling the mountains of data has pretty much fallen on Ken Young, as the influx of race results increases. Currently, he is seeking sponsors so that he can hire a programmer to structure the online data base. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Ken at: kenyoung@wildblue.net

You can also become a member of the ARRS for $50 a year. Members receive 50 issues of the Analytic Distance Runner, which is distributed to members through email, on a weekly basis. The newsletter contains comprehensive information about road, track, and cross country events.

Just like many road races and endurance events, the ARRS needs our support to continue to keep an accurate listing of distance running records.

Visit the site or contact Ken Young to learn more.

24 of 38

"I ain't old, but I've been around a long time."

From the song, "Been Around a Long Time," by Delbert McClinton.

Most days, when one opens their mail, it is filled with advertisements, political jokes or comments from friends, bills, and occasionally, something useful or informative.

On Saturday morning, as I perused my email, sipping my coffee on a cold March day, I received a message from Ken Young, president of the Association of Road Racing Statisticians. http://www.arrs.net/

The ARRS focuses on elite distance running at distances from 3000-meter and longer. Many of the statistics been generated from the ARRS database which has more than 900,000 performances from more than 160,000 races by more than 35,000 elite distance runners world-wide.

Mr. Young informed me that I earned 24th place on an all-time list of runners who have broken the 3-hour marathon mark for 5 different decades. http://www.arrs.net/TR_5Decades.htm

Indeed, I ran my very first 26.2-mile race at the Harrisburg Marathon in Pennsylvania, in November 1976, where I turned in a time of 2:49:06. In November 2010, I ran a time of 2:59:01 at the Philadelphia Marathon.

Following are my best times for each decade.

21 Nov 2010   2:59:01     Philadelphia PA/USA       Philadelphia
17 Apr 2006   2:55:33ax   Boston MA/USA             Boston
20 Apr 1992   2:33:52a    Boston MA/USA             Boston
18 Apr 1983   2:22:54a    Boston MA/USA             Boston
17 Apr 1978   2:29:21a    Boston MA/USA             Boston

Yes, I've been around a long time. But it's been a pretty good run.

TIME FOR YOUR PERSONAL BEST

Thanksgiving is upon us, the Winter Solstice is a month away, and right about now, you’re probably thinking about Christmas gift-buying.

If you're looking to purchase something for the runner on your Christmas list, I have an offer for you. You can pick up a gift for your runner for as little as $1.99!

Purchase the best stocking-stuffer ever by going to my Amazon page,   amazon.com/author/joemuldowney, where you can buy the Kindle version of my book, “Personal Best,” for only $1.99.

During my 40 years of competitive running, I have experienced the highs and lows of our sport. From a personal best marathon time of 2:22:54, to a devastating hamstring tear after the 2013 Boston Marathon, I have seen it all. I can personally guarantee you that my books will inspire you and help you to become a better runner.

Both of my books on running, “Running Shorts,” and “Personal Best,” are available at: www.amazon.com, as well as the site of my publisher, www.lulu.com. Lulu will be offering sales from now until Christmas.

And, from now until Christmas day, just drop me an email, at: runnr@hotmail.com, send me your address, and I will personally sign and send you BOTH books for the price of one: $14.99, and I’ll even pay the shipping and handling. If you want only one of the books, the price is $9.99, for books that are written by a runner, for runners.

Finally, if you, or a running friend wants to run a personal best time at any race distance from the 5K to the marathon, or if you simply want to get into shape for 2017, check out my gigs on: www.fiverr.com, where you can purchase a personalized training plan for as little as $5.00. Simply type “running training programs” into the search box, and it will take you to my gigs.

I have written training plans for runners from New Zealand to the Netherlands.

Check out reviews of my training plans, submitted by runners from all over the world at: https://www.fiverr.com/s2/bd1a006ea9.

I look forward to helping YOU achieve your personal best during the Holiday season and throughout the year.

 

 

 

RUN LIGHT, RUN SAFE

Autumn is here, and the days are getting shorter.

It's marathon season, and many runners are logging long training runs in preparation for their fall events.

Heavy traffic, distracted drivers, and fewer hours of daylight pose dangerous hazards to runners as they prepare for competition.

Safety needs to be our first priority.

The Dawise waist pack, available at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IRD3J5E/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1473438704&sr=8-16&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=daswise&dpPl=1&dpID=516ExMji42L&ref=plSrch
is a lightweight running belt that enables you to carry your phone and other items, AND includes a safety light for increased visibility.

This iphone 6 plus running belt is made from extremely light materials hence a user will barely notice it they are wearing it. Although the material is lightweight, it is still very durable and resistant to wear and tear.

The Daswise waist pack with safety light is made from high-quality water-proof polyester material that is highly elastic and can stretch without tearing, ensuring that all your valuables and essentials are kept safe despite the weather conditions. The safety light will keep you visible to motorists.

It has enough storage to carry considerably large Smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy and iphone 6 plus. You can also carry additional items, like bank cards, energy bars and inhalers. It also uses 3 replaceable AG4/377 Batteries that can last up to 60 hours.

This running waist pack has an easy-to-use adjusting buckle that makes it expandable hence can fit any waist size. The buckle of our treadmill running belt is excellently designed hence is durable and insusceptible to breakage.

The Daswise waterproof running belt does not move around or disturb you while you are exercising. Its straps are made from soft but high quality material that wraps comfortably around your body.

The belt is available in three different colors: black, blue, and pink.


Stay safe, stylish, while you run by going to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IRD3J5E/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1473438704&sr=8-16&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=daswise&dpPl=1&dpID=516ExMji42L&ref=plSrch
to order this inexpensive and practical running product.

 

GREAT RACE; GREAT CAUSE

The Speed The Light 5K Virtual 5K is a virtual race that can be run (or walked!) anytime and anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill. You can even breakup your virtual run into multiple runs if you would like.

Simply register for the run (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-the-light-virtual-5k-tickets-27283927963), complete the distance at any time and anywhere you desire (don't forget to time yourself), and email us with your finish time. At the end of October we will mail you a finisher’s medal, a t-shirt with the event logo on it, and a $25 iTunes Gift Card (for our winner).

We accept results on the honor system, so you can track your distance and time however you like. The most accurate way to do this is by using a Running GPS watch, but there are also several free smartphone apps available for iPhones and Android devices that you may be interested in.

The cost of this event will be $35 per person. This will cover your shirt, medal, shipping and handeling and a donation to Speed The Light (STL). STL provides essential transportation and creative communication equipment for missionary evangelism. STL is the student-initiated, volunteer, charitable program that provides much-needed equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 180 countries around the world. Since its beginning, STL has raised over $253 million for missionary equipment around the world. It has provided vehicles for organizations like Convoy of Hope (Disater Response) and F.R.E.E. International (Fighting Human Trafficking). For more information on STL check out www.stl.ag.org

We hope you can be apart of us Speeding Light to a dark world by running/jogging/or walking!

Have Questions? Contact Scott Laurain at Scott@ncalife.org

 

 

GOOD TIMES IN RIO

The Games of the XXXI Olympiad, held in Rio last month have concluded.

Despite fears of crime, polluted water, and potential terrorism, the Olympic Games were held without incident.

America led the medal count, with American athletes earning 121 total medals. 46 gold medals were awarded to America, along with 37 silver and 38 bronze.

In recent years, American middle and long distance runners have been dominated in races ranging from the 800-meters to the marathon by athletes from the East African countries of Kenya and Ethiopia. In fact, athletes from countries all over the world have eclipsed us at the long distance running races in recent Olympic competitions. The Rio Olympics, however, marked a resurgence of American middle and long distance running power.

When American, Galen Rupp, of Oregon crossed the finish line in third place at the Olympic marathon, held on the final day of the Games, he earned America’s seventh medal in the middle and long distances. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, American long distance runners brought home only two medals. This time around, American harriers captured two more medals in Rio than they had earned in the past four Olympics combined.

American Matt Centrowitz shocked the distance running world by besting the Kenyans and winning the 1500-meter (metric mile) event, snapping a 108-year American drought in the event, becoming the first U.S. runner to win the 1500-meters since 1908. Centrowitz bested the field by turning in a 50-second final lap.

The steeplechase is a nasty event. 3,000 meters in length, and features four hurdles as well as a water jump, which is 12-feet in length. It also is an event in which American runners are rarely competitive on the world stage.

At Rio, America’s Emma Coburn took the silver medal, becoming the first U.S. woman to ever earn an Olympic steeplechase medal. The next day, Evan Jager captured the bronze,earning the United States’ first steeplechase medal for men in 32 years.

Paul Chelimo placed second in the 5,000-meters; while Clayton Murphy and Jenny Simpson earned bronze medals in the 800 and 1500-meters respectively.

Excellent coaching by former Olympian Alberto Salazar, increased training at the thin air of high altitude, which increases lung capacity and endurance, corporate sponsorship, which allows these athletes to put in countless hours of training, combined with extraordinary dedication from the young men and women themselves has catapulted U.S. runners back to the top of the distance running world.

100-METERS TO THE MARATHON-DRAMA AT RIO

  Following is a copy of my monthly running column, published in the Republican Herald newspaper, www.republicanherald.com, on August 2.

The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, will take place in Rio de Janeiro from Aug. 3-21.

For those who want to watch the greatest runners on the planet, from the 100-meter dash to the 26.2-mile marathon, the running events will begin Aug. 12.

Nothing will be hotter on a hot August night than when “World’s Fastest Human” Usain Bolt steps on the track in Rio to defend his title in the 100-meter dash Saturday, Aug. 16.

Bolt holds the world record for the 100 meters with a time of 9.58 seconds, a record that has stood since 2009. He also holds the world record for the 200 meters, an incredible 19.19 seconds. Bolt owns six Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles.

At the London Olympics in 2012, Bolt achieved an unprecedented “Double Triple” by retaining the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter relay titles he won four years earlier in Beijing. He hopes to earn a “Triple Triple” at Rio, and he has already stated that he wants to destroy the world record in the 200 meters by breaking the 19-second barrier.

Hamstring issues that forced Bolt to withdraw from the Jamaican Olympic Trials earlier this summer may seriously hamper his effort.

America’s Justin Gatlin will challenge Bolt in both the 100- and 200-meter races. The charismatic Bolt has dubbed his races against Gatlin as a “Battle between good and evil.” Gatlin, age 34, has been convicted twice of doping violations, but has tested clean this year.

Anyone can steal the sprint events, but hurt or not, Bolt remains the favorite to achieve an unheard of “Triple Triple” at Rio.

On the opposite end of the running spectrum, an American distance runner will attempt to become the first United States runner to win the Olympic Marathon since Frank Shorter won the 26.2-mile event in 1972.

Oregon’s Galen Rupp is a savvy, seasoned runner who has distinguished himself at distances from the 1,500 meters to the marathon. At the 2012 Olympic Games, he placed second to Great Britain’s Mo Farah in the 10,000-meter (6.2-mile) race. Rupp dominated the field to win the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on a hot day in Los Angeles back in February. Last month he also won the Olympic Trials 10,000-meter event at Heyward Field in Oregon.

Rupp is taking on a formidable task at the Rio Olympics. He will compete in both the 10,000 meters and the marathon events. There is a week between the races, with the 10,000 being contested Aug. 13 and the marathon Aug. 21. Still, the competition will be fierce, especially from the East African countries of Kenya and Ethiopia. The last, and only, person to win an Olympic marathon and the 10,000 meters was legendary Czech runner Emil Zatopek, who did it in 1952.

From the explosive speed of the sprint events to the steady, measured discipline of the marathon, drama is certain to abound at the Rio Olympic Games.

 

GET IN THE MEDZONE

Running is a tough sport.

Every time we lace up our shoes and hit the roads, we encounter external obstacles like hills, extreme weather conditions, motorized vehicles, and unfriendly creatures.

So before we begin our daily workout, we need to prepare our bodies for the road ahead.

Blisters, chafing, pain, and skin inflammation are problems encountered by every runner. Any one of these issues can often negatively impact our workout or race, and sometimes sideline us if the problems persist.

I am constantly searching for products that will make my running life more pleasant.

Of course the products must work, they must be reasonably priced, and the company must be customer-friendly.

Medzone, www.medzonecorp.com, began in 2001, by designing its products based on requests from medical professionals, athletes and in 2002, U.S. Military Special Forces. Over the years their products have been adapted to work for athletes, law enforcement, military and for certain healthcare needs.

ChafeZone®, BurnZone® and PainZone® BlisterZone have proven to help triathletes, cyclists, team sports, dancers, rodeo, hiking, swimming, hockey, basketball, baseball, football, BMX riders, motorcycle riders, industrial athletes, people who suffer from Chub Rub and with any other high intensity activities. Whether you chafe, sunburn, windburn, blister, ache or have arthritis one of Medzone's products can help you.

Over the past few days the temperatures and the humidity have been unbearable. Chafing in one of those high friction areas can be extremely painful and very common on these hot days. Rub some of Medzone's ChafeZone on those problem spots and you will glide through your workout.

BlisterZone will do for your feet what ChafeZone does for other abrasive areas. Blisters can slow you to a stop. They can ruin a race and they can become infected. BlisterZone is an excellent product for your feet.

Mosquito bites and sunburn are relieved by using BurnZone. BurnZone incorporates a natural, local anesthetic in addition to 1% Lidocaine for maximum pain relief. A proprietary blend of essential fatty acids takes the sting and burn out of blisters and minor burns, relieves insect bite itching, and calms skin irritations.

Finally, PainZone addresses muscle, joint and tendon pain with a no-mess, roll-on applicator. PainZone boasts a concentrated no-water formula with the FDA-required 3 anti-inflammatory agents plus two additional anti-inflammatory ingredients to banish your pain. It uses blend of essential fatty acids transports the active ingredients deep into the tissues for long lasting pain relief.

Arm yourself with any or all of these Medzone products, and your running, walking, cycling, and other athletic activities will be much more pleasant and pain-free.

 

SKILL WITH THE SPEAR

 

 

 

 
Following is my monthly column, which appeared in the Republican Herald (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) newspaper today about a local athlete and Olympic Trials javelin thrower, Barry Krammes.
   

The ancient Greeks believed in “A sound mind in a sound body.”

Around 775 B.C., the Greeks created the Olympic Games as a means of honoring their gods. The Games were held at Olympia, at the foot of Mount Olympus, where the gods and goddesses were believed to have resided.

Athletic representatives, only men at that time, from all Greek City-States attended the Games, with the intent of bringing glory to themselves as well as their home region. The ancient Games included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration (a combination of wrestling and boxing) and equestrian events.

The Greek City-State of Sparta, known for its military prowess, consistently ranked as the odds-on favorite to win the javelin event, a weapon most Spartan boys could throw for a very long distance.
As the Rio Olympics begin next month, for the first time in eight years a Pottsville native will not have the opportunity to display his javelin-throwing skills on the world Olympic stage. But his dedication and effort for the past 18 years has been Spartan-like.

Barry Krammes, a 2000 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, tucked away his baseball glove after his sophomore year in high school and picked up the javelin, under the tutelage of Pottsville coach Jack Ruch.

This week, Krammes was disappointed to learn that 24 athletes were selected to compete for three Olympic team slots in the javelin and he fell slightly short, placing 25th.

At age 34, Krammes has earned his place as one of the finest track and field athletes to emerge from Schuylkill County, and although his Olympic dream has passed, his accomplishments and his contributions to the sport he loves will continue.

In high school, Krammes narrowly missed going to the PIAA Track and Field Championships as a junior and a senior, despite flinging the spear a distance of 189 feet.

By the time he was a sophomore at East Stroudsburg University, Krammes had increased his distance to more than 200 feet. As a junior, he increased his best throw to 214 feet, earning him NCAA Division II All-American status.

In 2006, he continued his meteoric rise, throwing 244 feet at the USA National Championships. He was seeded 18th at that meet, but finished fifth. Later that year he competed at an international meet in Birmingham, England, where he placed sixth among the world’s best javelin throwers.

At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, despite suffering with a double hernia, he placed sixth, setting a personal best distance by almost four meters and achieving the Olympic “B” standard.

From 2009-11, Krammes taught and coached at East Stroudsburg South High School. In 2011 he went to Finland to work with the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation, which assists young people interested in the sport to develop their talents with the guidance of expert coaching.

In 2012, at the U.S. Olympic Trials, he threw the javelin a distance of 77.99 meters, the equivalent of almost 256 feet, nearly as long as a football field.

He tied for third place at the 2013 Nationals, making him eligible for the World Championships.
His skill at heaving the spear allowed him to compete in Finland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany.

A devastating knee injury crushed his chances this year, but Krammes is undeterred. Krammes has coached athletes who will compete in the Olympic Trials, he hosts the American Javelin Festival and true to his roots, coaches at The Javelin Factory in Mary D every Sunday.

If you are a young athlete interested in becoming a javelin thrower, you owe it to yourself to contact this champion. You can contact him on his Barry Krammes Facebook page.

Krammes’ philosophy is, “If you have a dream or passion, go after it.”

He’s done so, and now he is sharing his passion with others.

 

HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!

Now, this is getting a bit redundant.

Last Friday evening, he did it again!

85-year old Canadian, Ed Whitlock, arguably the world's greatest athlete, did what he does best: set a world record.

At the Cambridge Classic Mile, held annually in Cambridge, Ontario, Whitlock obliterated the previous mile record for men aged 85 or over, by turning in a time of 7:18. The previous record was 8:04.07 held by Germany’s Josef Galia, set in 1985.

A bit ho-hum for Whitlock.

Did I mention that, back on April 24, at the Waterloo Half Marathon, Whitlock ran a time of 1:50:47, breaking the previous half marathon age group record by nine minutes?

Ed Whitlock is the first person over 70 to have broken three hours in the marathon when he ran 2:59:10 in 2003. Since turning 70, he has broken the three-hour barrier multiple times including a 2:54:48, at age 73. He holds age group records from the 1,500 meters to the marathon.

Ed Whitlock is remarkable.

What's more, having had the privilege of meeting him at Berwick's Run for the Diamonds last November, he is a very humble, gracious man. It was an honor be in his company.

Soon after meeting him at Berwick, I wrote a blog about it. The next day I received an email from Ed, thanking me for the kind words.

Congratulations to Ed Whitlock, and here's hoping he continues to rewrite the record books for many, many years to come.

BENEFITS TO LAST A LIFETIME

After 40 years, I still get it.

At a social event, the grocery store, or from a stranger on the street.

"Are you still running?"

My reply?

Something like, "If I'm still vertical, I'm running."

"You runners are crazy," is often the response.

Well...the latest statistics, as reported last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in two articles published online by the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicate that over forty percent of American women are obese, as compared to thirty five percent of American men.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that more Americans are running and entering races, at distances from 5K to the marathon, than ever.

If you run, contrary to what the naysayers claim, you will not, "Drop over," "Ruin your knees," or, during the winter months, "Freeze your lungs."

What you will do, however, is control your weight, lower your blood sugar, increase your blood flow, and strengthen your heart.

Running increases one's self-esteem, and it actually fortifies joints and ligaments, Running significantly decreases the chances of dying from cardiovascular disease, simply because when you run, you decrease your resting heart rate, so your heart doesn't have to work as hard.

Research has shown that running can raise your level of good cholesterol and increase lung capacity.

Diabetes, blood pressure, and osteoporosis can all be controlled by developing a running regimen. Running reduces the risk of having a stroke, by creating arteries that can become superhighways, and for women, running reduces the risk of breast cancer.

There are few positive ways of relieving stress that are better than running.

A bad day at work, family stress, or grief can all be relieved by going for a run. On the days of the birth of my children, on the day my father died, and on September 11, 2001, I dealt with happiness, sadness, and anger by lacing up my running shoes and taking to the streets.

When you run, you sleep better, and you eat healthier. Sometimes you need a supplement to enhance your protein needs. Checkout www.sprintbar.com.

Running is truly "The people's sport." It is inexpensive. Purchase a good pair of running shoes and you're ready to go. No matter how fast or slow you may be, you may enter a race in which you line up next to an Olympian. And, there is no retirement age. Canada's Ed Whitlock just set the world record for the mile run. He turned in a time of 7:18. Ed Whitlock is 85-years young!

Do not be intimidated. Running is for everybody. Start out by walking, then ease into a run. You don't have to "Look like a runner." If you have the motivation to begin a running program, you ARE a runner.

Running is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. Once you begin to run, the benefits will last a lifetime.

SUMMER SALES

The summer season is here, and for many of us, that means it's time to relax and catch up on our reading.

Whether you are going to the beach, the mountains,  or lounging in your own backyard, if you want a good dose of running inspiration, I have a deal for you.

 Both of my books, Personal Best and Running Shorts are available now, for the lowest price yet, $7.99 each, AND, we'll pay the shipping and handling.  Visit www.muldowneyrunning.net, and just click on the 'store' tab. Heck, that's about what we pay for a pair of socks today.

 

You can also go to Amazon, at: amazon.com/author/joemuldowney where you can find both books, reviews of them, and the Kindle version of Personal Best for $1.99. Try finding a pair of socks for that price these days!

 

The books are also available from my publisher's site: www.lulu.com

 

Fact is, if you plan to take you first running step, run your first marathon, or want to learn how to drop that marathon time, Personal Best will offer ways for you to achieve your goal.

 

If you want to be inspired, to laugh or cry, with stories from the road, read Running Shorts.

 

And, as my readers know, I pride myself as a "hands on" author. Having trouble with plantar fasciitis? Let me tell you about the 'donut' cure.

Trying to break 3 hours for the marathon? We can develop a training plan together to make that happen.

 

Summer is here.

 

Want to achieve your personal best?

 

Let me know.

 

I'll help you get there.

 

HONORING A FALLEN HERO

Following is my column, published in the Republican Herald newspaper today.

Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor those who have paid the ultimate price in order for all of us to enjoy our freedom, has just passed.

All who have served, particularly those who have given their lives for their country, deserve our thanks and respect.

Dating back to the Civil War, Schuylkill County has had its share of heroes who have selflessly devoted themselves to the cause of freedom.

Last year on June 2, we lost the bravest of the brave, Army Captain Jason B. Jones, 29, of Orwigsburg. He gave his life for his country, but a life that was filled with joy and giving continues through the efforts of his family and friends as they “pay forward” in a manner in which Jason would have been proud.

I have had the honor of knowing three generations of the Jones family, particularly Jason’s parents, Jay and Suzy. Jason was an A-student in my eighth-grade social studies class at Blue Mountain Middle School. He was an extraordinary athlete who eventually went on to become Blue Mountain’s scholar-athlete in 2003, and a young man who entered my class each day with a smile and a positive attitude.

Jason’s legacy lives on through many community projects. This coming weekend, anyone who wants to continue Captain Jones’ spirit of good works can do so by taking part in a race that truly benefits the local community.

The second annual Flag Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, sponsored by the Blue Mountain Eagle Foundation, will be held Sunday, June 12, at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

The race will start and finish at the Orwigsburg Memorial building. This is a wheel-measured 5K (3.1-mile) run/walk through Albright’s Woods and the walking paths around Blue Mountain Middle and Elementary schools. The course is mostly flat and shaded, with one hill. The 1-mile Fun Run will be held on Grove Street, starting and ending at the Memorial building.

All Flag Day 5K participants may choose to donate a portion of their entry fee to one of these Eagle Foundation Scholarships: The Captain Jason Jones Memorial Scholarship or the Leslie J. Schoffstall Memorial Scholarship.

Schoffstall was a 1979 Blue Mountain graduate and Blue Mountain Sports Hall of Fame member for her track accomplishments. Leslie served many years as a coach for the Blue Mountain track teams. She passed away earlier this year.

Awards are plentiful for participants in this event. In the 5K Run, prizes will be given to the top overall male and female and the top three males and females in each age group: 14& Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & Over.

In the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, awards will be presented to the top overall male and female, with ribbons for all participants.

More information can be found on the race’s Facebook page: Blue Mountain Eagle Foundation Flag Day 5K. Online registration can be conducted at:
www.pretzelcitysports.com.

This is a terrific event, benefitting a great cause, in honor of a true local hero.

                                                                 Captain Jason Jones

THE BIG 1-0

Today is Dixie's birthday.

My chocolate Labrador Retriever is 10 years old.

There is one universal truth in life: we love our dogs. Dogs are the best. In some cases, they are more loyal, trustworthy and loving than humans.

We call Dixie, "Mother Teresa." She does not possess a mean bone in her body. She loves, loves to be loved, and remains a puppy, even at her advanced age.

Dixie is a runner, and serves as a canine version of all of us who love to lace up the running shoes.

As a puppy, she would routinely run 3 to 6 miles with me, on the secluded mountain trails behind my house.

On one of those workouts, she was chased by two dogs, who did not share her kind heart. In an effort to escape, she twisted her leg, developed a pronounced limp, which was diagnosed as a torn ACL. She was only two years old.

A skilled surgeon repaired the leg, and, although it sometimes gets weak, the repaired limb has served her well.

Just like all aging runners, Dixie has reduced her mileage. 2 miles seems to be her limit these days. And her pace has slowed. Her workout is now is reduced to a fast trot. She breathes heavily and sleeps a lot when she returns from her run.

But, like all of us, when she hears the words, "Time to go for a run," she is ready to spring into action. And, as we all tend to do, she starts out too quickly, and pays for it as the workout goes on.

I see the greying of her face. I realize that the lifespan of our dogs is way to short, and I am gripped with sadness.

She knows if I'm injured or ill, and she lies next to me, often with a big paw draped across my chest. She senses sadness, anger, and pain.

My wife reminds me that I treat Dixie like a baby, and my reply is, "What's your point?"

Dogs ARE a our babies, and they earn and deserve our love every day.

Dixie and I are going for a birthday run now.

I hope we can go for many, many more.