Hirofumi Tanaka, an exercise physiologist at the University of Texas at Austin, bristles when he sees dirt paths carved out of the grass along paved bicycling or running routes. The paths are created by runners who think softer ground protects them from injuries.

Dr. Tanaka, a runner, once tried it himself. He was recovering from a knee injury, and an orthopedist told him to stay away from hard surfaces, like asphalt roads, and run instead on softer surfaces, like grass or dirt. So he ran on a dirt path runners had beaten into the grass along an asphalt bike path.

The result? “I twisted my ankle and aggravated my injury while running on the softer and irregular surface,” he said.

In the aftermath of his accident, Dr. Tanaka said he could not find any scientific evidence that a softer surface is beneficial to runners, nor could other experts he asked. In fact, it makes just as much sense to reason that runners are more likely to get injured on soft surfaces, which often are irregular, than on smooth, hard ones, he said.   (Read whole NYT article by  Gina Kolata)

image by lululemon athletica

The running world, and the world in general, lost a wonderful person the other day with the death of Grete Waitz.  She was an inspiration to thousands of young women, as well as men, including this one.

Norwegian Athletics Federation president Svein Arne Hansen said, "Grete is in my eyes one of the greatest Norwegian athletes of all time.  Not only through her performances in the sport, but also as a role model for women in sports."
Marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe described Waitz as "an amazing champion and more amazing person."

Grete Waitz was arguably one of the world's finest athletes. A high school teacher in her native Oslo, Norway, she dominated the international running scene during the seventies and eighties. Her achievements included fifteen world records and eight number one rankings at various distances from 1,500 meters to the marathon. In the process, Grete won five World Cross Country Championships, nine New York City Marathons, two London Marathons, a gold medal at the 1983 World Championship Marathon in Helsinki and a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles. In 1982, Grete became the only athlete to receive St. Olav's Medal, given by the King of Norway for Outstanding Citizenship. In 1991, Runner's World selected Grete as the best distance runner in the world in the last century.

I briefly met Grete at a pre-race event in Syracuse in the late 1980s.  She was there to run the Freihofer’s Run for Women (which she won) and Mary and I were there to hear her speak.  I had just published my first book, “Runner’s Guide to Cross Country Skiing,” and knowing she was a skier as well as a runner, wanted to give her a copy.  This was long before the days of handlers and so I just walked up, introduced myself, and asked her to sign a copy.  Mary snapped a photo.

Over the years, I’ve always smiled at the bemused look on Grete’s face as she graciously signed the book, wondering, “Who is this guy?”  She was classy about it and it was about 30 seconds of interaction -- but something I’ve always remembered.  Grete Waitz was a remarkable athlete but much more than that.  Marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe speaks for many when she describes Grete Waitz as "an amazing champion and more amazing person." R.I.P.

We just heard from the printer that our latest book, "It's Not About Winning" has shipped.  Jack Rightmyer has written a fine book about his running, his coaching, and his grown children.  Initial reviews have praised the book. It's a poignant, funny, advice-filled story from a fine writer who is also a long-time coach, English teacher, and parent.

You can order the book from Amazon here.  You can also order the book from this site.  "It's Not About Winning" is also available for the Kindle here.  Order now hot off the press.

Having just received an electronic reminder and a postcard from the Feaster Five race in Andover, MA, I have been thinking about Turkey Trots I've run over the years.  Whether they were small local affairs like the one in Brattleboro, VT by the Red Clover Runners, or big affairs like the Feaster Five, they were a good chance to run with family members and burn some pre-feast calories.  Most provide strong support for feeding programs and other comunity groups.

This year I'm planning to run in the 6th Annual Thanksgiving Morning 5K Turkey Trot to Benefit LARS in Laurel, MD with my son, Robb. (If you're in the area, it's a great little local race.

Here are five big ones from across the country.  For many more, you can go to active.com and type in your zip code.

Feaster Five - Andover, MA

This is the race I usually do with my daughter.  With about 7,000 runners & walkers, it's a zoo but aside from the first 500 runners, not too many take it that seriously - it's a time for family and friends.  It's fun just to listen to the Boston accents as runners swap tales.  

Like many Turkey Trots, the Feaster Five has a great fun run for kids that goes at 7:45 AM.  

You can register for either a 5K or a 5-miler which are run simultaneously.   Be ready for a fairly serious hill in the first mile.  Finishers get apple pies to take home.

YMCA Turkey Trot -- Buffalo, NY

Established in 1896, this race mark its 115th start on Thanksgiving morning, making it the oldest continually running footrace in North America (even older than the Boston Marathon)!  It's an 8K race with 10,000 participants that rolls down Delaware Avenue finishing at the Buffalo Convention Center.  Register online here.

Turkey Trot -- Springfield, MO

One of the largest Thanksgiving races in the mid-West, the Turkey Trot features over 5,000 runners.  They donate over 5000 pounds of canned goods for the Ozarks Food Harvest. Online registration closes a few days before the race.  This is a 5K run/walk along a paved flat course.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot

Now in its 43rd year,  "Dallas' Way to Begin Thanksgiving Day" had over 33,000 participants last year.  There's a 5K and an 8-miler and they start early so register and pick up your packet early.

Father Joe's Thanksgiving Day 5K - San Diego, CA

Starting in beautiful Balboa Park, the race brings in funding for the 1.7 million meals Father Joe serves annually to San Diego's homeless.  The race is family and pet-friendly, so even if you aren't a competitive runner it's still a great event.  Fresh oranges at the finish line.  Last year, about 2500 runners took part.

turkey logo by DCO site      kids race photo by di_the_huntress     training logo from SpringfieldMOCVB

crowd photo from Dallas Turkey Trot site   

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In 1985, Olympic gold medal winner Joan Benoit Samuelson ran the Chicago Marathon, finishing in 2:21:21 and setting an American record that lasted until 2003.  Last Sunday, she was back to Chicago on the 25th anniversary of that event, and set a record again and nearly qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

I had the privilege of meeting Joan back in 1991 at a conference in Maine where she was our keynote speaker.  I sat across from her at lunch and remember talking to her about my first book (Runner’s Guide to Cross Country Skiing) and giving her a copy.  I still have her gracious note back to me and that’s the person I remember, a gracious, grounded mom -- listening to others, chatting like a middle-of-the-pack runner -- and then delivering a powerful fitness message to the attendees.

Of course, I saved my notes from her talk.  “You need to be grounded ... home and family ... using imagery to put the mind at ease.  Set aside 1 or 2 hours a day to do something for yourself.  Life is a balancing act.”

She had passed on the 1988 Olympics because of her daughter born the fall before but she talked to us about her thinking about the 1992 Barcelona games -- how she’d have to uproot her family for a month to a hot place, how Scott would have to use up his leave .. and how she was leaning toward a 10K even though her chances of qualifying were better in the marathon.  (As it turned out, she was injured and did not participate.)  She was a delight and you’d never have known that she was the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon.

In Chicago last Sunday, as noted above, she nearly qualified for the Olympic Trials.  She needed a 2:46 and came close: she finished in 2:47:50, taking 43rd place and becoming the fastest woman over 51 years old in history. She is an amazing athlete and person.

Elite athletes can be jerks or they can be wonderful examples for others.  Joan Benoit Samuelson, has not only had a great running career, raising a family, supporting women’s running and a number of charities, fighting injuries, while keeping her grace and most of her speed and endurance.  It’s cool to see her compete with women 20 years younger but it’s also great to see this icon of running, like her buddy Bill Rogers, get out there and show us that they still love to run - and still love to compete.  One young woman runner/blogger put it like this after being in a race with her this month: “She's almost old enough for AARP and her 5K pace is sub-6:00.”   

I enjoy following the career of Joan Samuelson and marvel how she  balances elite running with all her other interests.  I fondly recall that young woman who talked to us nearly two decades ago about her love of running in the foggy mornings in Maine, her balancing act with her young family, and her guiding practices: determination, dedication, and desire.

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photo  from Wikipedia 

I just read the new release of John L Parker's classic tale, Once A Runner.  I'd heard about it for years but never got into it.  Once I started the book a few days ago, it was hard to put down -- sort of the type of book where you savor what's left and really don't want to finish it.  I read the last few chapters last night and felt like I'd been part of the mile race that ends the book.

 This is pretty much a book for runners -- and as one, it's easy to see why it is such a cult item.  He nails the emotions, the elite running life, and the drive of the best in this wonderful novel.  It's funny, bittersweet, and the race descriptions can get your heart rate going. 

The book was first self-published in 1978 and sold out of the trunks of cars at races for years.  It's a classic novel about running and I'm glad that it has been published once again.  It's one of those books that any runner -- casual to elite, should read.  You'll love it.