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We Like Bollywood and Hip-Hop. How About You?

Listening to music while running is one of those annoying subculture controversies we’d rather not get into. But science is proving that music does make the average athlete’s feet move faster—and helps us not mind how much faster it’s making us move. Read what the New York Times reports about music and your workout >>

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Beat the Heat 5K: PR, Puking, and Pizza!

MadMayosians and friends whipped themselves into a frenzy at the Beat the Heat 5K in Winston-Salem. Barefoot Josh imported his speedy runner friends AC and Wayne from the eastern part of the state. Wayne nabbed himself a cool mug for his efforts. Lori and Iris also scorched the route, earning Iris a PR and Lori the title of Best Coach Ever. Also, barfing and near-barfing was involved (and that was before the beer and pizza!), so you know it was a good time. Recaps right this way >>

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Running in the News

• Some scientific studies need no introduction, except maybe we should add that this is about finding the perfect sports bra:

  “For years, scientists (most of them women) studying breast movement during sports have struggled for respect. A 2007 report about the work being done in the field of breast biomechanics at the University of Portsmouth was titled, rather defensively, ‘Bouncing Breasts: A Credible Area of Scientific Research.’ Some people (aka men) may have considered breasts to be simple things, not requiring such high-tech attention. But a raft of new studies has established, convincingly, that breasts are more mobile and less manageable than most people once believed.”

  [Via the New York Times Well blog]

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• Running and spitting go hand in hand (just not literally, we hope). You’ve got a pretty open schedule on July 31—take a running road trip to Murfreesboro, NC, for the Watermelon Festival 5K. Why drive four hours for a 5K, you ask? Every runner receives an official Murfreesboro watermelon! None of those knockoff melons for these guys, just real-deal official melons. After the run, test your mettle against the locals in the watermelon spitting and eating contests. See more festival info here >>

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• Running Blog of the Month! A random Googling of “Kathrine Switzer tennis dress” turned up what is possibly the funniest running blog we’ve read, well, maybe ever: 34,000 Miles Later. Tanya’s running scenarios include the grocery carts of nuns (Lucky Charms! Crest White Strips!), dissertations on running-lingo bloviators, and the startling effect on one’s ego upon seeing oneself on the Jumbotron. She’s funny. She’s fast. If she lived here, we’d make her join the club.

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• No matter where you are in your running life, someone is always ahead of you. Far, far ahead. While some of us are thinking, “Man, how can I maintain such-and-such a pace for ONE marathon,” others are like, “Whatevs, dude. I’m going to run gajillions of miles and raise money for a good cause in the process.” And by gajillions, we mean 250 marathon distances in a year. Said runner would be Martin Parnell, who is running 250 marathons to benefit Right To Play.

  Martin just ran his 100th marathon. Not 100 over his lifetime. Just this year. Let that sink in for a minute. He just ran his 100th marathon this year. Don’t bother getting your calculator out (you shouldn’t need to; all you have to do is move the decimal point), that’s 2,620 miles. He still has 3930 miles to go.

  We like how his local coffee shop shows its appreciation:

  

  That’s carrot cake. Delicious, delicious carrot cake.

  So why is he doing this? From his website:

  “Right To Play is an humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace with children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.”

  Move over, Superman. We’ve got a new hero.

  Congratulations, Martin, keep up the good work. We’ll be following your progress and rooting for you all year!

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• The nice thing about running is that there’s a pace for everyone. News & Record writer Margaret Moffett Banks talks about accepting hers:

  “When you spend a lot of time working on fitness, it’s easy to become a Type A Exerciser: Obsessed with performance. Constantly striving to improve. Always comparing yourself to others. Never stopping to enjoy the moment, or appreciate the positive benefits the activities can bring.

  “I don’t want to live like that, dude.”

  It can be tough for beginning runners—and not-so-beginning runners—to keep a healthy perspective about their pace. After all, every race we enter is timed and awards are given for speed. Heck, usually by the time many of the slower runners cross the finish line, the post-run snacks have been reduced to peels and crumbs and the awards ceremony is well underway. Maintaining an upbeat attitude in those circumstances should garner a medal—or at least an intact banana!

  Remember: It’s not about anyone else’s run but yours. Walking isn’t a crime. And crossing the finish line, whether you’re first or last, or whether the finish line is at the end of a 5K or the end of your block, is your only goal. No, check that—your only goal is to keep moving and HAVE FUN!

  Have fun at the next MadMayo Running Club Run/Walk Meetup: Saturday, June 19, 9:00–10:00 a.m., Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail. Shop at the Rockingham County Farmers’ Market afterward! Scenic 1.68-mile smooth dirt/gravel loop. Kids, leashed dogs welcome. BYO drinks/snacks.

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