Runner's Web Digest - April 4, 2003

Visit the Runner's Web at http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html
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References/URLs:
Most references in the digest which do not have a specific URL listed
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Also, if have email software that does not read HTML, all links
contained in the Digest are available from the Runner's Web Site or from
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New This Week:
Tracy Montgomery's Sports Injury & Treatment Column for April has been posted.
This month she looks at "Plantar Fasciitis".
Check it out at:
http://www.runnersweb.com/running/tm_columns.html

Visit our series of columns from Carmichael Training Systems at:
http://www.runnersweb.com/running/cts_columns.html
A new column will be posted weekly.
Visit the Carmichael site at:
http://www.trainright.com/coachingcenter/index.asp?referral=runnersweb.com

The winner of our monthly Pegasus Quiz was Derek Grant of Alton, Ontario who
correctly identified the photo as Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway.

Paula Friman of Alameda, CA was the first to identify the photo in our
Triathlete Magazine's Complete Triathlon Book contest as that of Simon Lessing.
Triathlete Magazine's Complete Triathlon Book: The Training, Diet, Health,
Equipment, and Safety Tips You Need to Do Your Best
More information on the book is available from:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446679283//runnersweb/104-3129993-743512\
5
In one handy, easily referenced guide TRIATHLETE MAGAZINE'S COMPLETE TRIATHLON
BOOK offers the best advice, stories, and tips from the top coaches and athletes
who have contributed to the magazine over the years. Appealing to both novices
and the most seasoned athlete, the book strikes a balance between technical
depth and beginner-friendliness by getting right down to the guidelines that all
triathletes can use. In addition, the book offers advice for the various
categories of triathletes: beginners, veterans, short-course specialists,
Ironman specialists, and others. Bearing the name of the most popular source for
information on the sport, this book is sure to become a classic among triathlon
enthusiasts.
You can buy the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446679283//runnersweb/104-3129993-743512\
5


We have ONE personal postings this week.
Personal Postings are located after the Upcoming Section towards the
bottom of the newsletter.

This week's poll is: "Will Paula Radcliffe set a new women's record for the
marathon in London on April 13th?"

Cast your vote at:
http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html
Post your views in our Forum at:
http://www.runnersweb.com/running/runnersweb_forum.html
[Free Registration Required]

The previous poll was: "Do you agree with the cancellation of the D.C. Marathon
due to security concerns?"

The results at publication time were:
Yes 23
No 59
No opinion, don't care... 5
Total Votes: 87

You can access the poll from our FrontPage as well as voting on and/or
checking the results of previous polls.

Book of the Week: Alberto Salazar's Guide to Road Racing : Championship Advice
for Faster Times from 5K to Marathons.
A complete program for taking runners to the next competitive level, from one of
the world's greatest marathoners
Written by distance runners' Hall of Famer Alberto Salazar, Alberto Salazar's
Guide to Road Racing arms novice and veteran runners, 5Kers, and
ultramarathoners alike with a complete program for running farther, faster, and
with greater reward and enjoyment.
Buy the book at:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0071383085//runnersweb/002-8941064-069203\
6


If you feel you have something to say that is worthy of a Guest Column
on the Runner's Web, email us at
mailto:RunnersWeb@...
or leave your comments in one of our Forums available from our FrontPage.

Our Photo of the Week, which was being updated several times during the
week, has been replaced with the Photo Slideshow which will have a
random number of photos you can cycle through. Check it out from our
FrontPage.

The FiveStar Site of the Week:
The FiveStar Site of the Week for next week is: Dominique Donner, Triathlete.
"Welcome to the website of Dominique Donner. Dominique is currently ranked as
South Africa's top female triathlete. She is the African Triathlon champion for
2001 and is the Zurich Woman's Triathlon Champion for 2002. She is also the 2002
South African Elite Sprint Champ and the 2003 South African Ultra Distance
Triathlon Champ. This site was created to showcase some of Dominique's
achievements."
Check out the site at:
http://www.ddonner.com

Send us your suggestions for our Five Star site. Please check our list
of previous Five Star Sites available from the Five Star Window under
the link "Previous Five Star Sites" as we do not wish to repeat a site
unless it has undergone a major redesign.

Be sure to check out our Flash Page where we list all recent additions
to the Runner's Web. This page is updated before Monday morning each
week.


This Weeks News:
===============


Tax Breaks Could Lead To Healthier Lifestyles:
Humans are at risk of suffering any number of illnesses, diseases and a
diminished quality of life because of self-imposed risk behaviors - including
too little exercise.
So the question begs asking: Should the government intervene? In short, has the
time come to create a reward structure that will encourage better behavior
choices leading to improved health?
Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., thinks it has. He has introduced ``The Bike
Commuter Act,'' co-sponsored by Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla. Blumenauer heads the
``Congressional Bike Caucus,'' a bipartisan group with more than 100 House
members. The original goal of the Caucus was to provide opportunities for
members of Congress and their staffs to have fun biking. More recently, the
caucus has supported cycling efforts nationwide to promote safer roads, more
bikeways, convenient bike parking and increased recognition of the importance of
cycling.
More...from TBO Sports at:
http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGAC57SZ2ED.html



Andrew MacNaughton Comeback:
The Return of MacAttack
Natural talent or consistent hard training - which is the most relevant for
success in endurance sports?
This has been the age-old question, debated and theorized for years by top
coaches, physiologists and top athletes. Now a real-live human experiment will
settle this issue once and for all. What happens when you take one of the top
triathletes of all time, de-train him for 10 years and then launch a comeback to
attain elite level fitness for masters (age 40+) competition?
Andrew MacNaughton was one of the greatest. There have been only a handful of
triathletes with the cycling ability that Andrew displayed throughout his career
as he shattered course records and cruised to over 20 victories around the
globe. Andrew competed on the professional circuit from 1986 to 1993. Among west
coast athletes he is best known for his three Wildflower wins and a bike course
record that stood for nine years. Few can forget the off the bike leads he
forged of 13 minutes at the Monterey Bay Half and the seven minutes at the
Wildflower Event 1987, or his "double-half" week in May of 1990, when he won
Wildflower Half and then Bakersfield Half the following weekend.
More...from Bradventures.com at:
http://www.bradventures.com/nutrition/leftbar/featurestories.shtml#BM1



One wasted life which must not be in vain:
Death is never so tragic as when it strikes someone young with a life apparently
brimful of promise. Such was Helen Lee, a former Middlesex and South of England
age-group cross-country champion, who died last month at 18. After a long-term
battle with anorexia nervosa Helen died from pneumonia caused by organ failure
which occurred as a direct result of her eating disorder.
This has brought into focus the real risks of eating disorders and their
continued implications in sport, giving tragic pertinence to today's meeting of
the UK Athletics Working Party on Eating Disorders. This panel of medical and
health professionals, which includes consultant psychiatrists, sports dieticians
and representatives from the Eating Disorders Association, was first assembled
almost five years ago in response to what appeared to be a disturbing rise in
the number of young female athletes who were starving themselves in the name of
performance.
More...from the Guardian at:
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/athletics/story/0,10082,926060,00.html

Training Tip of the Month from Running Times:
Speed Development Drills:
Spring is time to start thinking of speed. Before hitting the track to do hard
intervals, however, you can make great strides in developing your speed strength
and skill with a few drills added to your normal run twice a week. A simple, but
very effective, drill, according to University of Ottawa coach Roger Burrows, is
the high knee march. Here's how you do it:
I. Start 'tall', as if you were standing to attention. Then go up onto the
balls of your feet, raising your heels off the ground. This is your starting
position. Your heels do not touch the ground again until you have finished each
repetition.
II. Begin a marching action in 'quick march' time, about two foot-contacts per
second. Lift each knee high enough so that the thigh comes parallel to the
ground.
During the exercise:
Arms: are in your regular running position, and swung normally
Body: is straight and tall. As you tire, you will begin to sag at the waist and
the knees, because the muscles are weak. Towards the end of each repetition, you
will be working hard to combat the tendency to lean forward or back.
Toes: are pulled up, not pointed down.
Forward Motion: You can march on the spot if you want to, but the normal pattern
is to move slowly forward, with about five foot-contacts per meter. Only your
forward motion is slow, your up-and-down rhythm continues at a quick march.
III. Go for only as long as you know that your form is correct. Thirty seconds
is quite normal to start with; even that may seem hard. This is a skill
exercise; there is no point continuing until you are practicing a wrong action.
Take a minute or so recovery, then repeat. Then repeat once more. You have added
a maximum of five minutes to your session.
Excerpted from "Training Distance Running Speed," Running Times, May, 2002.
Visit http://www.runningtimes.com/issues/02may/spring.htm for more information.


Stellar Speed and Agility Drills:
If you plan on leaving the competition behind, you're going to need a full tank
of gas, break-away speed, and the agility to make your move. That's why we've
put together a few drills you can run to improve your racing performance.
The drills below will help you develop speed, muscle power, and coordination.
They will improve your tolerance to lactate, a byproduct of anaerobic efforts,
which is associated with muscle fatigue. As you develop proper explosive
technique, you will improve coordination between signals sent by the nerve
fibers in your muscles and the response of the muscle fibers. Finally, you will
increase the efficiency with which your muscles' power houses (mitochondria)
convert fuel into energy.
More...from Nike at:
http://www.nike.com/nikerunning/index.jhtml?loc1=ne&loc2=2003April2&at1=yes



From Runner's World:
"Some runners think they can save energy for a race by not warming up.
Bad idea. A good warmup fills your muscles with oxygen-rich blood and
increases flexibility. Heart rate and respiration also rise, which means
you'll work more efficiently during the first few minutes of the race.
Skip your warmup, and you'll produce more lactic acid early in the
race." - Ed Eyestone

Got Achilles pain? Then keep it low and slow. Drastic changes in your
running routine can cause Achilles problems. Don't rapidly increase your
mileage or speed. And be careful not to overdo hill running or stair
climbing, and don't run too much after a lay off.

The joy of oysters: Oysters have an amazing amount of zinc; a serving of
six will give you 500 percent of the dietary requirement. Zinc builds
the immune system and maintains muscle tissue. It is also essential for
sperm production and sexual function in men. Perhaps this is why oysters
also have a reputation as an aphrodisiac.



Incorporating speed into your training
Speed work is a component of training that will improve your performances.
Athletes with a solid aerobic base should be able to incorporate speed work into
their training. If you are one of the endurance athletes that can go forever but
cannot seem to get faster this may be your solution.
What is speed work?
In general terms I will define speed work as training at a pace equal or faster
than the pace you will hold at a Sprint or Olympic distance triathlon. This pace
should have your heart rate in the anaerobic range and lactic acid should
definitely be accumulating in your muscles creating fatigue. With this in mind
note that speed work does not have to be an all out effort. It is more like a
race simulation. It can be incorporated easily into training.
Solid foundation
Before I begin, let me state that I feel speed work is secondary to the long
aerobic training sessions. Triathlon is still an endurance event. Many athletes
can have great results without doing any speed work. This is definitely more so
at Ironman distance events. In addition, many athletes seem to develop injuries
caused by the high intensity of speed work. Some of my tips here will help with
this regard. Speed work can help you but is not a must to be a triathlon
competitor.
More...from Inside Triathlon at:
http://www.insidetri.com/train/tips/articles/1463.0.html




Ethiopian runner's boyhood dreams:
At the weekend in Switzerland Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele became the first runner
ever to successfully retain the short and long course World Cross Country
titles.
Sports journalists are already making comparisons between him, and arguably the
world's best athlete, compatriot Haile Gebrselassie.
But the country's authorities prefer to keep their new star under wraps.
It is just not the Ethiopian way to go shouting about talent - especially when
it is not fully developed.
And it has to be remembered that this is only the beginning of 20-year-old
Bekele's career. Just a few years ago, he was living in a small rural town in
the Arsi region in the south of the country.
But his explanation for his passion for running is the stuff of all boyhood
dreams.
More...from the BBC at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2902905.stm



Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) "entirely useless":
The seductive idea that you can achieve 'rock-hard abs' and 'buns of steel' from
the comfort of your armchair using electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) products
really is too good to be true, according to a US research team.
The researchers, from the University of Wisconsin, who compared subjects
carrying out EMS training three time a week for eight weeks with a control
group, found no significant changes across a wide range of fitness-related
variables measured.
Not only was EMS training entirely useless, but each session dragged on for 45
minutes - time that might have been much better employed working out for real in
the gym, or even strolling to the shops!
More.. from Peak Performance at:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/



Marathon effort after childhood stroke:
Neil Cottrell is fit, active and - at the age of 24 - arguably in the prime of
his life.
When he lines up for the start of the Flora London Marathon on 13 April there
will be little to differentiate him from the thousands of others who fit the
same description.
Except that the fact Neil is able to run the race at all is something of a minor
miracle.
At the age of just six, he was struck down by a stroke that threatened to leave
him partially paralysed and disabled for life.
Stroke is something most people associate with the elderly.
More...from the BBC at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2895989.stm




Cranberry Juice-A Cocktail for the Heart:
Chemist Joe Vinson has a passion for foods and the potentially beneficial
antioxidants they bring to the dinner table.
Three years ago, for instance, he reported data showing that molecule for
molecule, the antioxidants in chocolate exceed the potency of vitamin C. Now he
finds another powerful stash of these protective compounds in cranberries and
their juice. Moreover, the University of Scranton scientist reports this week at
the American Chemical Society's spring meeting in New Orleans, regular
consumption of that juice yields cholesterol benefits in middle-age men and
women.
More...from ScienceNews at:
http://www.sciencenews.org/20030329/food.asp



2003 Spring Running Shoe Review
By T.J. Murphy
A look at the best trainers sprouting up this season.
More...from Florida Sports at:
http://www.floridasports.com/story.cfm?story_id=4803&departmentid=67&publication\
ID=27



As the deadline for health claims passes, East German doping victims still
angry:
BERLIN (AP) - Some former East German athletes erupted in anger while others
wept when they were told what was in those pills their coaches and functionaries
handed them at training.
These athletes, who turned East Germany into an Olympic powerhouse through the
1970s and '80s, often have trouble mentally confronting the way they were
systematically doped against their will. Surprisingly, only 197 of them - far
fewer than expected - filed claims before Monday's deadline to get the
government to pay for some of their medical bills from a compensation fund.
"Many remain silent out of shame," said Birgit Boese, who runs the advice centre
called Doping-Victim-Help. "You have to overcome inhibitions and admit to
yourself what happened. Others don't want to risk their careers."
The government estimates about 1,000 of the 10,000 East German athletes who were
doped face serious health damage. They expected at least 500 to file claims when
they set up a 2 million euro ($3.2 million Cdn) fund last year.
More...from 680 News at:
http://216.220.44.41/cp/Sports/20030331/21274024?stat=cftr




A running story only she can tell:
Raelene Boyle says that after her victories over breast and ovarian cancer, her
motivation for a memoir was clear.
"I'm happy that the past seven years of my life are bloody over, thank Christ,
and I'm still alive," she said.
"I'd better write this before I die or someone else is going to get their say on
me."
The triple Olympic silver medallist was speaking after her longtime friend Cathy
Freeman launched Raelene: Sometimes Beaten, Never Conquered, written with Gary
Linnell.
Freeman told Boyle that words could not express "how much of a difference you've
made in my life".
More...from the Sydney Morning Herald at:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/31/1048962706205.html



The ouch factor:
Sports Online's newest columnist writes about turning a major corner in his life
Uh-oh.
Feeling the odd twinge in the old right leg. Shouldn't be surprised. It's been
through quite the pounding.
I've put around 1500 kilometres on it over the past five months or so. All to
get ready for an April run in Boston - a run that I'm hoping will take a fair
bit less than three-and-a-half hours to finish.
I've been pretty lucky overall. Managed to stay away from the kind of injury
that'll keep you on the shelf for a few weeks or months. Injuries are not
uncommon among runners. Thing is, no matter what you do, at some point,
something's going to hurt.
More...from the CBC at:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/running/



Pacing to win: Energy-management tips for your goal races
The goal for most athletes in their "A" (goal) races is to go as fast as they
can, use up every ounce of energy resources and cross the finish line completely
spent, yet still going strong.
A pacing strategy is needed to avoid blowing up before the finish line, but also
know you gave the race all you had - you spent all of your beans.
Pacing mistakes
The most common pacing mistake is to go out too fast and blow before the finish.
Equally frustrating can be finishing with enough energy to do the race over
again. Pacing is a skill learned during countless training days and races.
To pace perfectly, you need to know exactly where and when to spend your energy,
and how much energy you have available to spend. You must know how long your
race is going to last and what intensity you can maintain for that duration.
More...from Active.com at:
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=9719&sidebar=26&category=triathlon



Marathon Training a Test of Endurance:
Preparation should start at least six months before the race.
(HealthScoutNews) -- Some 30,000 people will sweat and grunt their way through
26.2 miles, five bridges and five boroughs on Nov. 3 in that annual crucible of
endurance known as the New York City Marathon.
If you're signed up for this year's race -- or any of the increasing number of
marathons that are sprouting up around the United States -- you've probably been
training for the last six months or so. However, if you're thinking of testing
your mettle -- and shins -- next year, you'll want to follow some expert advice
to make sure you get to the finish line safely.
"Given a baseline decent level of fitness, most people can complete a marathon
training program," says Dr. Andrew Rosen, an orthopedist with Beth Israel
Medical Center's Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
in New York City. This year will be Rosen's fifth marathon, and even he admits:
It ain't easy.
However, it can be done. Here's how:
Getting started. It takes at least six months of preparation, perhaps closer to
a year, to get ready for a marathon. That includes running several times a week.
Before committing to a training program, check with your doctor to make sure
that any health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or blood pressure problems,
won't be aggravated by this type of endurance training, advises Dr. Robert
Gotlin, director of Sports Rehabilitation at Beth Israel. Start your training
gently with workouts at the gym. Move into the formal training five to six
months before the actual race, Rosen says.
More...from HealthScout at:
http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?page=newsdetail&ap=1&id=509493




Stretch in two-part harmony:
[From the LA Times]
This two-part move stretches your inner thighs and hamstrings while releasing
tension in your lower back. Focus on the first position if you are starting out
and as you get more limber, progress to the more challenging version.
1. Stand on a flat surface with your feet 4 to 5 feet apart. Bend forward at the
hips, keeping your legs straight and weight centered over both feet. Bring your
hands flat on the floor (place them on two books or a pair of yoga blocks if
your leg muscles feel tight). Inhale, and on the exhale relax your neck by
moving your shoulders away from your ears. Keep your kneecaps lifted as you
stretch the backs of your legs. Breathe and hold this position for 20 seconds.
2. For a more intense and challenging stretch, walk your right hand directly
under your face; keep your hips level as you rotate your torso to the left.
Raise your left arm upward. Be sure to keep your legs and spine straight
throughout this stretch. Breathe and hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the
other side.



Exercisers Hop on Balance Training:
Top athletes and ordinary exercisers are training in jumping and bouncing as a
way to avoid falling down and getting hurt.
Health clubs and gyms open to professional and amateur athletes use balance
training to condition muscles and improve reflexes that keep users on their
feet. But, although researchers think the training has benefits, they temper
their enthusiasm with warnings that balance training has limitations.
"There are all kinds of data to demonstrate that balance can be improved. It's
the technique in which they go about improving that is not well-understood,"
said researcher Walt Thompson, professor exercise science at Georgia State
University.
Balance training can be as simple as standing on one foot or as complex and
competitive as gymnastics. But the current trend is core conditioning.
More...from NewsDay at:
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/wire/sns-ap-exp-fitness-balance,0,4015398.sto\
ry?coll=sns%2Dap%2Dhealth%2Dheadlines
[Multi-line URL]



Germany's solution to drug stain just won't wash:
Twisted spines, failing livers, miscarriages and numb limbs - that's not all
former East German athletes are fighting, reports Roy Kammerer in Berlin.
When Andreas Krieger won the European shot put championship in 1986 he was named
Heide. He now says he needed a sex-change operation because of all the hormones
he was fed while training. The pride he once had in his gold medal has vanished.
"I thought I won it because of all the hard work I put in," Krieger said. "Now
it doesn't mean much of anything."
Krieger was one of 197 people - far fewer than expected - who filed claims
before Monday's deadline to get the German Government to pay some of their
medical bills.
Krieger also is among the former East German athletes who are angry after
learning just what sort of pills they were given by coaches and officials.
Many of these athletes, who helped turn East Germany into a sports powerhouse in
the 1970s and '80s, have trouble confronting the fact that they were drugged
against their will.
More...from the Sydney Morning Herald at:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/01/1048962760564.html




Riding with Traffic:
If you ask any experienced cyclist about riding on roadways, he or she will say
that you should always ride with the flow of traffic. We should ride our
bicycles like we should drive our vehicles. The rules of the road dictate that
slower traffic should ride on the right side of the road except when passing
slower vehicles or when making a left turn. But many times even experienced
cyclists violate this rule simply by being careless. They are building habit
patterns that will eventually get them into a situation that could be hazardous.
But if we instill good riding habits even when it's not imperative that we ride
a certain way, we may avoid situations that put us in danger when the unexpected
happens.
More...from MaxTraining.com at:
http://www.maxtraining.com/forums/articlesDetails.aspx?id=8



Achilles Tendonitis:
The Achilles tendon is the structure that connects the calf muscles
(gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel (calcaneus). Contraction of these muscles
causes the foot to push off of the ground. Greater push-off is needed when
running uphill. Running on your toes maintains continual contraction of the
muscles. When performed to excess, pain in the calf muscles and/or Achilles
tendon may develop. Excess is defined as more than your body can handle;
training will increase the amount of stress that can be handled without causing
a problem.
Treatment of Achilles tendonitis is based on the severity of the problem. Heel
lifts in your shoes can help alleviate the pain. Be sure to place them in both
shoes to avoid an imbalance. Gently stretch the tendon (leaning into a wall or
hanging your heels off of a step); stretching should not cause pain. If these
techniques cause pain, then a cord or towel may be placed under the toes, while
you are seated on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Gently pull your
foot back to stretch the tendon. Ice the tendon for 15 minutes 3 or 4 times per
day, especially after running. As symptoms subside, you should strengthen your
calf muscles. Raise up onto your toes (both feet) repeatedly. As you become
stronger, perform the raises on one foot. You may hold weights as you become
stronger. Performing these exercises with your heels hanging off of a step will
enhance the strengthening.
Running should be decreased, depending on the severity of the tendonitis. Speed
work and hill repeats should be discontinued as long as symptoms persist. If
there is pain with walking, nonweight-bearing cross training should replace
running (cycling, swimming, pool running).
If symptoms persist or the pain is severe, see a doctor. He or she may prescribe
a night splint. This is very effective in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis.
Physical therapy is also helpful in decreasing symptoms. Anti-inflammatory
medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen are also helpful in
relieving symptoms; these medications should not be taken if you are allergic to
them or if you have a history of stomach ulcers, kidney disease or liver
disease. Check with your physician if you are unsure.
[From Running Times]



Upcoming Events:
==============
April 5, 2003:

USA Women's Marathon Championship - St. Louis, MO
http://www.stlouismarathon.com/

Kick Off to Spring 5km and 1 mile Road Race - Ottawa, ON
http://www.ottawalions.com/events/022803-Kickoff%20to%20Spring.htm

California Half-Ironman - Oceanside, CA
http://www.ironmancalifornia.com/

Coolmax Spring Run-Off 8K - Toronto, ON
http://www.runnerschoice.com/csro/csroNEWS.htm

Cooper River Bridge Run - Charleston, SC
http://www.bridgerun.com/

Television:
Ironman Wisconsin ESPN2 at 4 P.M. (EST)

April 6, 2003:

Spirit of St. Louis Marathon, MO
http://www.stlouismarathon.com/

Ironman Australia - Forster-Tuncurry, New South Wales
http://www.ironmanoz.com/

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler - Washington, DC
http://www.cherryblossom.org/

Powerman UK - Ashbourne, Derbyshire
http://www.powermanuk.com/

Paris Marathon - France
http://www.parismarathon.com/marathon/2003/fr/index.html

August 1 - 17, 2003:

Pan American Games - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
http://www.santodomingo2003.org.do/

August 23 - 31, 2003:

9th IAAF World Championships in Athletics - Paris 2003 St-Denis, France
http://www.paris2003saintdenis.org/en/accueil.html

This Weeks Personal Postings/Releases:

1.From the Roads Scholar:
Last month, I inadvertently posted an incorrect Internet address for those who
want to continue receiving my monthly essays. As a result, I think that many
people were not able to register and sign up to the new mailing list. Due to my
error, I am sending this column manually one more time. This will be the last
column you receive unless you join the Yahoo Group "Thoughts of a Roads
Scholar."
I am making the change to help facilitate the distribution of the newsletter.
The way I do it now, I have to cut and paste hundreds of e-mail addresses to
e-mails, send them out, and then modify the list when discontinued e-mail
address bounce. It has become a very time consuming process.
The e-mail group allows you the flexibility to join or leave any time you want,
and all I have to do is send out one e-mail which will go to everyone who has
signed up. In addition, all the essays I send out are archived on the site, so
any time you might need a little additional inspiration, you can go right to the
site and read any essay you want.
The correct URL is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thoughts_of_a_Roads_Scholar
If you have a link, just click on it, and it will take you directly to the home
page, where you can join by clicking on the link "Join This Group" in the upper
right-hand corner of the page. If not, please copy and paste the URL to your
browser. Just follow the instructions, and you'll be good to go.
If you are having problems registering, please send me a direct e-mail, and
we'll figure out a way to get you signed up. If you still can't register, let
me know, and I will keep you on the manual list. If you don't register, and
don't let me know, this will be the last column you receive.
Thank you all for your support over the years. I hope you'll register, and
continue receiving my column. Also, please forward this to anyone you think
might be interested in being added to the list.
Michael



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Have a good week of training and/or racing.


Ken Parker
Runner's Web
runnersweb@... <mailto:runnersweb@...>
http://www.runnersweb.com/running.html