There was a shootout in Houston, Texas yesterday and after the smoke cleared, only six remained. Say hello to your 2012 USA Olympic Marathon Team: Meb Keflezighi, Ryan Hall, Abdi Abdirahman, Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Davila and Kara Goucher.

American distance running has come a long way in the “second running boom” and that was evident in the streets of Houston. In two of the fastest races in USA Olympic Marathon Trials history (four men under 2:10 and five women under 2:30), these six set the pace for what could be a very promising summer in London.

From the outset, it was pretty obvious that two of the three slots for both the men and women would be filled by the favorites, barring some unforeseen incident (Meb and Ryan; Shalane and Desiree). The only question left was who would get the coveted third slot on London. While the American running scene is not nearly as deep as say the Kenyan or Ethiopian teams, there was a strong contingent of runners that really had a good shot at it.

I wasn’t totally sold on Abdi Abdirahman halfway thru the race. I’ve watched him in big races before start strong but finish off the pace (I will give him this though, Abdi does have a badass nickname: the Black Cactus). Was Dathan Ritzenhein going to come back after falling back of the lead pack? Would another young runner throw his hat into the ring and barge onto the American marathon scene? All of these seemed moot after Dathan fell way back but did make it interesting at the end coming up just 8 seconds short of catching Abdi.

The women’s field was more stout halfway thru the race with a dozen women leading the way. While Shalane and Desiree did most of the work, we had some interesting names in the lead pack. Kara Goucher, Amy Hastings and Deena Kastor were still in the hunt for the third spot. Deena fell back towards the end (finishing in sixth) while Kara held on and Amy had to settle for disappointing fourth place.

Overall, I think USA Track and Field should be fairly optimistic about the marathon team they’re sending across the Atlantic. While I don’t think the men will be able to knock off Geoffrey Mutai and Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya or Tsegaye Kebede or Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia, I do think they will at least give the USA a fighting chance at a couple of top tens and maybe…just maybe sneak onto the medal stand. The women are a totally different story altogether. I could absolutely see Shalane, Desiree and Kara competing for the top spot. You’re looking at three young runners with a ton of potential. Especially in Shalane’s case. She’s only run in two competitive marathons and the future is looking very, very bright.

Congratulations Team USA!!! We can’t wait to see you shine.

RMFR

Do you want to run to Arizona? Sure!

One tumbler of coffee, two PBJ sandwiches and some running gear later and we were on the road to Boulder City, Nevada. Bound for the parking lot below the old Lake Mead Visitor’s Center (closed for restoration), we knew today’s run would be fun and inspiring…and maybe require a post-run Advil.

Part trail run, part historical journey, part manmade wonder of the world, this 8-mile trek took us…

• along Lake Mead (beautiful, too low, chilly looking)
• through five 1920s era railroad tunnels (eerie, dark, and one with a Mammoth footprint, we swear!)
• through a power substation (DON’T SNEEZE!)
• down steep switchbacks to the Hoover Dam parking lot
• onto the majestic canyon road of Hoover Dam (Art Deco 1931-1935 memorials, gilded gold elevator doors, ghosts of the past, sweeping concrete civil engineering feats of wonder, plus the new Tillman Memorial Bridge, an expanse to behold)
• past the Nevada and Arizona time clocks, and onto the Arizona side

Getting there was fairly easy. We maintained a good pace, chatted it up and remarked on the beauty that is Boulder City. It’s getting back that’s the bitch. It tested our calves and hamstrings. We breathed hard. Our noses ran. We even whined a little. Why? The return journey takes you up and out of the canyon rapidly, as you climb stairs, switchbacks and high-angle trails that seemed oh-so-breezy on the way down.

This run is no joke…the perfect training for our upcoming Calico Racing Red Rock Half-Marathon in March.

The best motivator? The World Famous Coffee Cup is just a few miles away.

Calories burned = 800.

Calories consumed = 1,250.

We should have enough energy to make it home.

RMFR

By Tara Maras

It happens every year. I need a little motivation to start the new year. I’m not into New Year’s resolutions. They’re too easy to break and no matter what happens it seems you just set yourself up for failure if you’re unable to meet your own expectations. So, I’ve started a new tradition…buy new running shoes. There’s nothing like the smell, feel and unscarred sole of new shoes. They just scream “run in me.”

For the couple of years I was a minimalist. I ran in my Vibram Five Fingers and then into three pairs of Nike Free’s. Through the mileage in those shoes (or lack of), I have taught myself to run correctly and avoid the dreaded “heel strike.” Correcting my stride has paid off in spades and now I’m looking for a more cushioned ride. I’ve been having issues with my arches which in turn made running less enjoyable. The solution? The Saucony Triumph 9.

My sons and I went to visit my go to running store – the Red Rock Running Company. This was the first running store I bought my first “official” running shoes from and I won’t by a shoe anywhere else. No matter who is working at the store, their knowledge and love for running always put me in the right shoe at the right price. I also love the fact that they encourage you to take the shoes on a test drive. With a large parking lot and alley that runs behind the store, you’re allowed to head out the door and actually run in the shoes before making a decision.

I brought my current two pairs of running shoes for analysis and spent the first ten minutes retelling my running history, issues I was having and where I wanted to be. Not having any preconceived notions of what I wanted, I was brought three options – to start. It was sort of like the story of the three little bears. The first model has way too tight. I like my shoes to have a roomy toebox. The second pair was alright but it just didn’t feel quite right. The last pair was juuuuuusssssst right. I found my perfect match in the Saucony Triumph 9. While it’s a little more shoe than I’ve been accustomed to, the heal drop is only 8 mm and it has more cushioned feel underfoot. It’s also very light, weighing in just under 11 ounces. When you’re as big as me, every ounce counts.

While I may be departing my minimalist ways, these running shoes are what I need for the next chapter of my running career. Following my first training run in them, I can’t be happier with my purchase and I’m already looking forward to my second pair that are ironically the same colors as ORB. I guess it was destiny.

RMFR

Few movies have stirred more emotion in me than this one. I initially spied this by chance on HBO. Upon seeing the title “Marathon Boy,” I was bracing myself for an inspirational story of a slumdog turned hero by his own accord. After watching this riveting and dark documentary, I’m still not sure exactly how to feel about this movie. Without playing the spoiler, I truly encourage you to watch this movie and let me know what you think.

• Is this truly a sports story or an inside look at politics and popular fanaticism?
• How young is too young to begin running?
• There’s a very thin line between encouragement and exploitation.

I absolutely love documentaries but I’ve never been more emotionally involved in a movie as I have watching Marathon Boy. Please be advised that you will find this disturbing and if you have children outright bone-chilling!

RMFR

Christmas is right around the corner and if you’re like me, you’re nowhere near ready. A fact that I’m fully becoming aware of is that the older I get…the faster time seems to fly by. So in the spirit of the holiday season, we’re giving away a FREE large ORB running shirt. We’ll pick a winner by random Christmas Day and you’ll have the shirt before the new year. Make sure to include your email when you login to comment.

Simply comment on this post and let us know what running gift you would most like to see under the tree (or in your inbox) December 25.

To help start things off, I’ll start:

1) I want to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon with my 11-year old son in 2012.
2) Entry into the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon (registration open January 18)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ORB!!!

What do you get when you combine 44,000 runners, 40-degree temps and the world-famous Las Vegas Strip…at night?

A little bit of craziness.

A whole lotta fun!

Despite the harsh reviews I’m reading on the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and ½, I give the event an “A.” Why? For starters, the marketing behind this operation is pure genius. It is a well-oiled, send-you-an-eblast-with-everything-you-need-to-know machine. The expo was crowded, which added to the excitement, but extremely organized. And hey, any race that gives me a women’s technical shirt that fits (finally) gets two thumbs up from this runner. Race-day logistics were smooth, and could have only been slightly improved at the Finish Village. If participants would have followed directions a bit better (that is, marathoners to the left, halfers to the right, walkers in the way back), I’m sure there’d be less noise on the official Facebook page. And to those who scoffed at the unofficial volunteers handing out plastic cups of beer downtown…lighten up, it’s Vegas baby! Here we had rodeo cowboys, caged tigers, running Elvi (male and female), erupting volcanos, naked runners, Sponge Bob Square Pants running, a downtown Transformer cheering and elite athletes competing all in the city of sin and glitz. Frank Sinatra and the boys would have been proud…

Here’s my color commentary in 13.1 bullets:

1. Brrrr. It was in the 40s at race time. Nippy. But then, it is December and we could be in Buffalo. Thanks Mother Nature, for keeping the rain at bay until the very end.
2. Cars. When you have runners and cowboys (NFR time) jockeying for hotel-casino parking slots, it’s going to be dizzying in the garages. We parked at MGM and hoofed it to Mandalay Bay. With the exception of the biting cold against our soaked clothes on the return trip, it was a good move. We were outta there in no time.
3. Cheap Trick. Just cool.
4. Course bands. Just so-so.
5. Wheelchair racers. WOW. Talk about inspiring! I thought of you just as I was about to whine at mile 10.
6. Fans (and tourists who stepped out of casinos to an unprecedented sight). Running partner Mike Myers and I didn’t have a support posse, but gratefully accepted cheers from every bundled up fan we passed. Best sign: “I like your stamina. Call me.”
7. Volunteers. No volunteer should ever be criticized. Whether they’re handing out water or asked to clap, I admire and appreciate them. Thank you for keeping us safe and hydrated. You looked cold.
8. Neon. You couldn’t beat the novelty factor, but I’d prefer a morning run. There really is nothing like racing up and down the middle of the most famous street in the world under the neon. I’ll never forget it.
9. Runners. The racers (I encountered) did Little Miss Manners proud. I didn’t eat one elbow and no one yanked off my shoes or running skirt. Best runner: the guy who ran with a transistor radio in hand and rocked the Strip old-school style.
10. Metro. In force. Friendly. Impressive. Even taking photos of the runners…nice hometown touch.
11. Medal hander outers. They were smiling, congratulatory and personal. After 13.1 miles and in a haze, I slipped past Joe Volunteer to have Miss UNLV drape bling around my neck. What can I say. I thought she might let me wear her tiara.
12.  Bananas. They were green. They were plentiful. They were piled high. Did you know you can fit 24 of them in your post-race foil wind cape? Perfect…lunch for the week.
13. Finish Village. 44,000 exhausted runners within a few acre parking lot…difficult to manage and keep happy…glad we weren’t in charge. You did well in our opinion.13.1 Vegas Baby. Pretty sure none of the other Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons have a caged tiger at the start. Grrrrr….

RMFR

- By Tara Maras

Please gobble responsibly.

With a race shirt slogan like that, how can you not strap on a turkey leg hat and trot smiling to the finish line in pursuit of Turkey Day 5K bragging rights?

That’s exactly what we did. Well. Sort of.

Cool as the shirts were for the inaugural Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5K in Vegas, running partner Mike Myers was an ORB loyalist and sported his logo shirt. (The hand resembles a turkey, don’t you think?). I debuted a running skirt that was heading for the Goodwill bag. Turns out, it’s an easy, breezy way to run. And hey, Thanksgiving Day calls for a skirt! We opted for beanies in the crisp 44-degree air, but we’re definitely eyeing turkey hats for 2012.

But enough about fashion already.

As downtown residents, we jumped at the chance to kick off Thanksgiving weekend in our own backyard. Fremont East was the place to be for packet pickup, and though it lacked organization (they’ll do better next year), there was excitement in the air. More than 700 moms, dads, kiddos, stroller goers, dogs dressed as turkeys and yes, even real runners, happily awaited a delayed starting gun. Actually, it was a starting gobble, which really made the wait worth it.

And then, we were off. Our slow-going, chatty, crowded first mile was followed by a now-we’re-running-I-can’t-talk-I’m-breathing mile two. By the final mile, after trading our standard “you good?” we kicked it to the finish line situated between Don’t Tell Mama (our favorite piano bar) and The Beat (Las Vegas’ best coffeehouse). We clocked in at 24:50 and earned “first couple to cross holding hands” rights, as announced by the commentator. No trophy for that, but a great way to start the holiday in our neighborhood race filled with community spirit.

Kudos to Lifetime Fitness for bringing the Turkey Day 5K to Vegas, and specifically to downtown. Gotta love the Web site, logo, t-shirts, volunteers, post-race bananas and bagels, plus quickly posted results. I would have loved a little turkey bling in the form of a finisher’s medal, but with a slogan like “please gobble responsibly,” all is easily forgiven.

RMFR

This year has been a struggle. From weight gain to lethargy, I’ve had some real running issues this year. One of the main things that’s plagued my routine is a week left ankle. There isn’t a sharp pain but it goes week sometimes on my runs and the day after always presents soreness. I tried a couple of cheap drug store compression ankle braces but there was always something wrong with them. They were often too thin, didn’t give my ankle enough support or had irritating seams that caused discomfort or worse, blisters. Disgusted with my options I found my saving grace, CEP’s RxOrtho Ankle Brace.

When I pulled it out of the box, it was immediately apparent that this was the brace for me. The first thing that I was immediately drawn too was that it was a complete sleeve – no heal cutout!!! On every other brace I had purchased, that heal cutout was a major issue. It never feels comfortable and there’s no way to prevent chaffing, even wearing it over the sock.

The other thing that impressed me were the silicone ankle supports on both sides of the ankle brace. Once you slip it on, you can immediately feel the support for your ankle. By providing an ankle measurement, this ankle brace fits snug and the compression material hugs your foot and feels just like a regular compression sock. So it fits well…how does it perform?

My first run in the RxOrtho ankle brace had high expectations. I was coming off a bad bought of ankle weakness and was itching to run again after taking a couple of weeks off. After warming up for a mile and getting the kinks worked out, the brace worked like a charm. That extra support I needed for my ankle was there and the discomfort was nonexistent. It felt so good that I actually put in a couple more miles than I was planning to. I was able to wear it under my sock with no slippage and the breathable fabric made it wick the sweat away easily.

The key was going to be the day after. Even though there was a little soreness, it wasn’t like days before the ankle brace. I’ve used it on numerous short and long runs with no complaints.

If you’re having ankle issues, I highly recommend CEP’s RxOrtho Ankle Brace. I really don’t know what I would do without it.

RMFR

I love running early in the morning. With the changing of the seasons, it’s getting lighter later and darker earlier which means most of us are running in the dark. It’s a goal of mine to make runners more safe on our nation’s roadways and you’d be surprised how many people I see and pray for their safety. I’m not talking about somebody just out for a leisurely jaunt, I’m talking about serious runners that I see on a consistent basis. From what I’ve seen, I’ve come up with some suggestions:

Against Traffic. Run against traffic when you’re running on the road. Most roads have a shoulder or bike lane and you should stay near the edge (away from traffic) if at all possible. Running against traffic let’s you see oncoming cars and cyclists. Those running with traffic will never know if somebody didn’t see them before it was too late.

Warning Signs. Watch oncoming cars and cyclists. Is there a car coming around a curve wide and fast? Is there a large group of cyclists riding 2-3 wide? Does that car making a left turn see you approaching the intersection? Be aware of your surroundings. Expect the best…prepare for the worst.

Anticipate. When you see the warning signs, anticipate what actions need to be taken. 99% of the time when you take action first, you can avoid many of the dangers. Car’s coming wide and fast? Move off the road or to the extreme side in case they don’t correct their actions. Car doesn’t see you? Make yourself seen or get out of their eventual path.

Reflective Clothing and Lights. If aware started with an R, this would be first. I consider this the most important thing runners can do. Make people see you. While you may wear bright colors, they lose their impact with no light. Find clothing with large areas of reflective print – the tips of your shoelaces don’t count. Use a headlamp or carry a small flashlight. I run with a small flashlight – not to light my way but to make sure cars and cyclists can see me from a distance and know I’m there. Blinking lighting is also another option. Most units are small and unobtrusive.

Enjoy Silence. Music is great but don’t use it in the dark. When one of our senses is dulled, the others take over. You can’t see as much in the dark and using your ears is important. You may hear an obstacle before you see it. Save the tunes for your car or at work. You’ll thank me later.

We’re looking at creating and offering reflective running wear either in partnership with sponsors or on our own (let us know if there’s any interest). As part of the running community, I pray that you all be safe and tear it up on the pavement.

RMFR

I couldn’t have been more depressed this year when I waited too long and was denied entry into the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon. Having participated in four of the last five races (missing the inaugural race in 2006), this weekend became an annual family vacation that we all looked forward too. We had already booked our room so we simply moved our reservation to Halloween weekend to make sure our kids (and my wife) got their “Disney fix” for the year.

We usually go to Disneyland at least two times a year and we’re hard core. We’re at the gate when it opens and don’t leave until the last firework has been shot. That’s a long day anywhere but when it’s Disney, there’s a lot of walking involved. One a normal race weekend, we run the 5K the day before and then I run the half marathon the following day. Both days we hit the parks immediately afterwards. No rest for the weary they say!!!

I’ve always wondered how far we really walk on a typical day at Disneyland so I wore my Garmin one day on our vacation and the result surprised me. During the course of a 13 hour day, we walked exactly 12 miles. 12 miles!!! On any other given day if I had to convince my kids that we were going to walk 12 miles, it would never EVER happen. I specifically did not tell them I was tracking our distance because I knew the mere mention of how far we had gone would have landed us in the hotel before you’d know it.

Even though I didn’t get to race in the Disney Half Marathon this year, I did nearly get all my miles in with my family in one fail swoop. If I’ve learned anything over the past year, it’s register for your favorite races early or you’re going to miss out.

RMFR