Tom Turkey Checks-in

Each year at about this time, I have a conversation with Tom Turkey, the multi-time champion of the Turkey Run, held each year at Como Lake in St Paul the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We met at a nearby watering hole.


Me: What are you having?
Tom Turkey: You have to ask? Wild Turkey of course!

Me: Oh yeah, right. How's your training been going?
TT: Could be better. I had a little down time this summer during the Olympics.

Me: What was that about?
TT: Just a little hitch in my gidddyup. Kind of a drumstick thing. It's all better now.

Me: What are you hoping for on race day?
TT: A tailwind the whole way. I think that would give me an edge. (laughs) But seriously, I'm just looking to get in the mix from the start and see where that takes me.

Me: Not your usual blast from the gun?
TT: There's a gun??

Me: Sorry, no, just a bullhorn.
TT: Ok, yeah, not my usual takeoff. I'm going to lay back, maybe find a chick to run with.

Me: Tom, I can't print that.
TT: Whatever, you know what I mean.

Me: Will you make a move in the middle of the race?
TT: I thought I couldn't talk about chicks?

Me: I was talking about race strategy.
TT: Oh. Yeah, I'll try to keep the leaders in sight around the lake, then when we get back to the road, I'll find another gear. When I hit it, I'll really be gobbling up the pavement.

Me: What are your chances of winning?
TT: Pretty good. I expect to be flying down the home stretch. I'll be pretty hard to catch.

Me: What's next after the race?
TT: It' ll be time for my annual vacation. I'm heading to New Jersey to help with the cleanup.

Me: That's great. Have you done that type of thing before?
TT: I've done some relief work, like handing out water. Actually, that was at a running race, but I think the skill is the same.

Me: Uh, sure. So how long will you be gone?
TT: You know, a week should be about right. I do like to get out on Black Friday.

Me: You like to shop?
TT: What? No, blackjack. What are you talking about?

Me: Never mind. Is your racing season over?
TT: Pretty much. I like to do a New Year's Eve run because I get to wear a costume.

Me: Oh? What do you go as?
TT: Elmer Fudd.
Me: I did not see that one coming.

Me: Any words of wisdom for other participants in the Turkey Run?
TT: Sure. Buy the shirt. You'll look awesome. And just have fun. It's a great way to end up the fall racing season.

Me: Good to talk to you again. See you on Sunday.
TT: Maybe not. I've got a new camo running outfit. I've been getting lots of compliments on how I just disappear in the crowd.

Me: Ok, I'm sure I'll see you once the gun goes off.
TT: There's a gun??

Me: Sorry, no, it's just an expression. Have a great race.
TT: Thanks. And have yourself a vegetarian Thanksgiving.

Me: Thanks. I'm planning on it.

You Can't Defeat Heat, but Don't Lose Your Cool

Heat is a fact of life in summer in the upper Midwest. It puts extra stress on your body, especially while exercising. Don't try to simply tough it out. Here are eight tips to help you adapt your habits and keep your cool this summer.


1. Run in the coolest part of the day. In the summer, that is almost always the morning, before the hours of sunshine have their baking effect. If you can't run in the morning, the next best time is dusk, when the sun is starting to go down. The air temperature may still be high, but the sun angle is decreasing, and its effects lessen as it sets. Avoid running in the hottest part of the day, which is generally from 10 AM to 6 PM.

2. Stay in the shade. The temperature in the shade can be significantly cooler than in direct sun. This is another reason to run early or late in the day when the lower sun angles create more shade. Do your walking breaks in the shade so you aren't overheating during your recovery time.

3. Wear sunscreen or sun block. Although some sun exposure is needed to help your body produce vitamin D, the cumulative effects of sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer. Use a minimum of SPF 15, and reapply as needed. Sunscreen can also lower your skin's surface temperature, which is an added benefit.

4. Hats and sunglasses help too. Protect your eyes with sunglasses and a hat with a bill. Choose a light colored hat to reflect as much sun as possible.

5. Drink early, drink often. Our thirst is a poor gauge of our water needs while exercising. Drink before you are thirsty, and every 15-30 minutes throughout your run. Water is all you need, but for longer runs (more than two hours), it's a good idea to get some electrolytes from a sport drink too.

6. Run with a friend, or tell someone your route. This is always a good idea, but especially important in the heat. Know the signs of heat stress and heatstroke, which include disorientation and cessation of sweating. If you or your partner have these symptoms, stop immediately, get to the shade, get some water, and seek medical help.

7. Shorten or slow down your runs in severe conditions. Heat can add 10-20% more stress than a cool day. You need to slow down and shorten the run to adapt.

8. Adaptation to heat takes 2-4 weeks. In our climate, you may not fully acclimatize to heat all summer because we don't always have several weeks in a row of heat. Realize that although you have been running in heat, you may not be fully acclimatized.

You may not be able to beat the heat, but if you follow these tips you'll survive to run another day. Tie goes to the runner!

Irish Run St Paul-Tradition is Good!

Apple just introduced the new iPad. My 'old' (last year's) model now seems slower and less and powerful, a little like my running. New is seductive. But every so often we have to celebrate old. Not old and gone, but old and traditional. That's why I'll be spending St Patrick's Day weekend in St Paul.

For those of you not aware that St Patrick's Day was a weekend, you clearly do not live in St Paul. The day itself falls on a Saturday, but Friday March 16 through Sunday March 18 will be bright green days in the capital city.

The Irish have always been important in St Paul, from cops to mayors and college presidents to priests. Today's St Paul is far more diverse than ever before, but it is good to have a day (or weekend) to celebrate our roots.

St Paul has always been generous with its Irish-ness. It's okay if you want to be Irish for a day, weekend, or the rest of your life. You don't have to drink green beer or kiss strangers or tickle a leprechaun. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but St Paul simply is Irish. You can just show up, though it's not a bad idea to wear green.

In 1973, a business group had the great idea to start a running race on St Paul's Summit Avenue. It started at the College of St Thomas and ended at the Cathedral. Legend has it that when the co-winners asked for their finish time, the official looked at his watch and said, "Well, you started at about Noon..." Today everyone is given a chip time and bib number, but the tradition of running on Summit Avenue remains strong. I've had the pleasure of being race director since 1985, and still get excited to see the snow melt as we hit mid-March.

Runners have options when they are looking at the St Patrick's Day menu. You may or may not be lucky, but the St Patrick's Day Human Race welcomes you to join the celebration on this side of the river. We'll be at our traditional University of St Thomas start, with our headquarters updated to the wonderful new Anderson Student Center. We have a youth run, walk and run, so the whole family will feel welcome. And you'll be a part of a tradition that connects you to the many thousands of runners that have come before you.

Tradition is good. Irish Run St Paul!

---

Enjoy the new Irish Run St Paul-Volume 2 video featuring 'This is The Day' by Celine Allan.
http://video214.com/play/hNEAYfly5Tkd2pZIbAW0OQ/s/dark

Tom Talks Turkey

By annual tradition, it's time again to check-in with my friend Tom Turkey. He has been training for the Turkey Run (Sunday, November 20 at Como Lake in St Paul), a race he has won every year since its inception. I caught up to him earlier this week as he was making his final preparations.

Me: Are you ready for the big day?
Tom: I'm a lean, mean running machine!

Me: You look great. Anything new going on with your training?
Tom: I'm on a new diet heavy in chia seeds. They really make a big difference.

Me: So they really work? Any side effects?
Tom: You're about to step in it.
Me: Thanks for the warning!

Me: I know this is a special time of year for you. You seem to always peak for this event.
Tom: You're right. I train hard all summer so I can win this thing. There is no such thing as second place. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for this event.

Me: How so?
Tom: You've heard of the Biggest Loser TV show? Well, for turkeys, weight gain is a big problem too. I'm the only one left from my brood and I know that keeping a lean body mass is a big part of that.

Me: Last year, you had some ice to deal with. How did that go.
Tom: I literally flew around the course, so ice wasn't too much of a problem for me. The finish was a little slippery though. Talons help.

Me: The forecast is calling for some snow on Saturday but nicer on Sunday. Are you ready for the change of seasons?
Tom: By this time of year, I'm ready to just disappear in a nice warm jacket, if you know what I mean.

Me: What's your race strategy for Sunday?
Tom: Pretty much the same as usual. I'm not going to wait for things to happen, I'm going to make them come after me.

Me: Your prediction?
Tom: The streak continues.

Me: You usually take a vacation after the race. What are your plans this year?
Tom: They're evolving, but it looks like I'll be making a trip to the Middle East. I've been asked to mediate the situation in Syria.

Me: That's you? I thought it was the other Turkey.
Tom: A lot of people make that mistake. It's me.

Me: Have a safe trip. We're all hoping for the best. Enjoy your holidays.
Tom: Thanks! I'm ready to get the party started on Sunday. You're still vegetarian, right?
Me: Right.
Tom: Cool. Yeah, enjoy your holidays too!


Chris Fuller runs, coaches and blogs in the Twin Cities, and is the president of The Sporting Life event management company. Tom Turkey is the founder and owner of a vegan lifestyle company called Gobble This.

Turning 40: an event to remember

For runners, turning forty means you've become a Master. Whoever came up with that designation clearly had a marketing background. 'Master' sounds much better than 'middle-aged' the same way 'dried plums' sounds much better than 'prunes.' You've achieved something ('we're dried plums!') rather simply becoming pruney.

Forty is just the start of being a masters runner. You have your fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond to look forward to. For a race, things are a little different. Ten years is remarkable, twenty is rare, thirty is amazing and forty is almost non-existent. Other than the Boston Marathon (116 years and counting), can you name an event that has hit forty?

Minnesota has had a long history of impressive events, but no major race (1000+ participants) has yet hit forty, not Grandma's Marathon, not Get In Gear, not Twin Cities Marathon. That's about to change. Want to attend a special 40th birthday party? Come to Summit Avenue in St Paul on March 18, 2012 for the St Patrick's Day Human Race!

The event that started as the St Patrick's Day Mini-Marathon has been held on Summit Avenue each March since 1973, making the 2012 edition its fortieth. Originally a five-mile run, it now includes an 8K run (4.97 miles), 5K run/walk (3.1 miles) and youth run (0.25 and 0.5 miles).

I have worked the event each year since 1981 and been race director since the late 1980s. It's a humbling experience to guide an event with such an amazing history. I'll write more about that history, but now I'm busy starting to plan a party, and I need your help. What should we add or change about the event that would make it extra special? Something  that you've seen at other events, or something that you've never seen before. Maybe something we are already doing but could do better, or something we used to do and you think we should bring back. Turning 40 is a big deal, and we're ready to shake things up!

We'll collect the ideas and let you help decide which ones we should do. Feel free to spread the word (this isn't a surprise party after all). We want to hear from you, the participants that have made this a great event.

Help us become masters. Leave your ideas in a comment below, or on our Facebook page. The St Patrick's Day Human Race is turning 40 and we're ready to celebrate. Help us make it an event to remember!

Little Big Races

Standing at the starting line of a mega-race gives you a jolt. You can feel the energy of the crowd, hear the pounding music, and sense the collective anticipation. Boom goes the gun, and off you run, almost floating across the starting line. With luck, that energy will carry you all the way to the finish. Or at least to the next aid station.

Smaller races can't match their mega-cousins with energy. But there's something about their stripped-down essence that connects you to the primal side of running. It's you and the path before you, like it has been for thousands of years. If you choose the right path, that experience can tap into your internal energy, which is every bit as powerful as the energy you borrow from the crowds.

Fall is a great time for small races. There are still some mega races left this year, but look harder at the calendar and find something that stirs you from the inside.

Not sure how to do that? Here are seven tips to help you find your Little Big Race:

1. Bigger isn't always better. Unless you like standing in lines, remember Yogi Berra's famous remark: "No one goes there because it's always crowded." Jump out of line and find the pleasure of the small event.
2. What's so fun about not receiving a finish time? There is a place for 'fun runs' that don't provide finish times, but if you want your time and place, there are plenty of small-event options. Don't be shy about looking for certified courses too. Having an accurately measured course isn't just for the big guys.
3. Don't be afraid to leave the roads behind. Fall is the cross country season, which is a great excuse to run on grass. Several college and high school races include open events. My favorite cross country run, Rocky's Run, is open to all ages and abilities.
4. Go against the tide. Just because your friends are running that race on Thanksgiving Day doesn't mean you have to. Try the Turkey Run the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and sleep in on Thursday!
5. Invite a new runner to join you. Big races can be intimidating if you have never raced before, so invite a budding runner to your favorite small event. Show them the ropes, and watch for their finishing smiles!
6. Look for special perks. Small races tend to have more post-event drawings, more porta-potties per person and more unique freebies. Not sure what they're offering? Ask! You'll probably hear back directly from the race director.
7. If you are done racing for the year, volunteer. Remember all that energy you received from the crowds at the mega-race? You were just borrowing it. It's time to pay it back!

Don't get lost in the crowds. You'll find everything you need at your new favorite Little Big Race. Already have a favorite? Post your comments here or on The Sporting Life Facebook page.

You can't defeat heat, so learn to adapt

Heat is a fact of life in summer in the upper Midwest. Heat puts extra stress on your body, especially while exercising. Don't try to simply tough it out. Here are eight tips to help you adapt your habits and enjoy your summer running.
1. Run in the coolest part of the day. In the summer, that is almost always the morning, before the hours of sunshine have their baking effect. If you can't run in the morning, the next best time is dusk, when the sun is starting to go down. The air temperature may still be high, but the sun angle is decreasing, and its effects lessen as it sets. Avoid running in the hottest part of the day, which is generally from 10 AM to 6 PM.

2. Stay in the shade. The temperature in the shade can be significantly cooler than in direct sun. This is another reason to run early or late in the day when the lower sun angles create more shade.

3. Wear sunscreen or sun block. Although some sun exposure is needed to help your body produce vitamin D, the cumulative effects of sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer. Use a minimum of SPF 15, and reapply as needed. Sunscreen can also lower your skin's surface temperature, which is an added benefit.

4. Hats and sunglasses help too. Protect your eyes with sunglasses and a hat with a bill. Choose a light colored hat to reflect as much sun as possible.

5. Drink early, drink often. Our thirst is a poor gauge of our water needs. Drink before you are thirsty, and every 15-30 minutes throughout your run. Water is all you need, but for longer runs (more than two hours), it's a good idea to get some electrolytes from a sport drink too.

6. Run with a friend, or tell someone your route. This is always a good idea, but especially important in the heat. Know the signs of heat stress and heatstroke, which include disorientation and cessation of sweating. If you or your partner have these symptoms, stop immediately, get to the shade, get some water, and seek medical help.

7. Shorten or slow down your runs in severe conditions. Heat can add 10-20% more stress than a cool day. You need to slow down and shorten the run to adapt.

8. Adaptation to heat takes 2-4 weeks. In our climate, you may not fully acclimatize to heat all summer because we don't always have several weeks in a row of heat. Realize that although you have been running in heat, you may not be fully acclimatized.