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Just a few days ago, our nation celebrated Memorial Day, a day to reflect on our fallen heroes who put their lives on the line for the freedom of our nation. As I ran Kelly Drive this past weekend, I couldn’t help but notice many of my fellow runners wearing T-shirts or commemorative bracelets that referenced our soldiers stationed domestically and abroad.

Photo courtesy of The Warrior Tours

As I continued to run, I thought about how many of my fellow Boathouse Row runners have family members, friends or neighbors who are active soldiers. At so many races, I notice people wearing shirts, buttons or other reminders that proudly proclaim that they are running in the name of someone close to them who died in battle.  To many of us, running means remembering our veterans — some of the bravest Americans we are ever lucky enough to know. We are proud to run in their honor just as they are proud to serve for ours.

And while many will train stateside, more than 500 soldiers in Iraq will be wearing Philadelphia Marathon T-shirts donated by our staff during The Warrior Tours in July.  Organized by Rob Powers, a famed sports announcer, longtime coach and former U.S. Air Force pilot, The Warrior Tours includes seven races at seven U.S. military bases in Iraq in seven days.  By wearing Philadelphia Marathon T-shirts, our soldiers have an opportunity to feel connected to their loved ones at home while participating in a sporting event in the Middle East.

So the next time you run, think about your ability to do so freely in a country as wonderful the United States. Then think of the many men and women who risked their lives to give that opportunity to you.

If your thoughts resonate with this post because you are a soldier or know one, we want to hear from you. As always, don’t forget to submit your video on www.runningmeans.com to tell us your story*.

*Running Means is a monthly feature on the Philadelphia Marathon blog.

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Since the Philadelphia Marathon Runners’ Blog launched a month ago, we’ve been receiving questions from readers on topics ranging from training courses to how to cool down after a long race.  One interesting topic that recently hit our inbox was a question about the timing of purchasing new running shoes.

Dear Kristen,

I heard that you should replace your shoes every few months of heavy training. I’ve been using the same shoes for some time now and noticed that my toenail is turning black. Could it be my shoes?

- Maggie, Philadelphia

Shoe experts suggest you replace your running shoes 250-500 miles depending on your weight. A runner who weighs 220 lbs. may have to replace their shoes every 350 miles while someone who may be 160 lbs. can get away with running in the same shoes for 450 miles.

Injuries such as black toenails or shin splints are generally tell-tale signs that a runner’s shoes aren’t fitting properly or needs to be replaced. Checking the cushioning of your shoes for excessive wear is typically better to examine rather than your soles. Soles tend to outlast the padding in your shoes.

To be sure, bringing your shoes to a knowledgeable running shoe expert is best to diagnose a need for new shoes, but I’ve been told a good rule of thumb is every six months with regular use. And, of course, exercise good judgment. If your legs or feet hurt while running and your shoes aren’t new, there is a good chance it’s time to lose the shoes!*

*If it is time for a new pair of running shoes, be sure to save your old kicks for Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation shoe drops at the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo!

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Last week, I stopped by Philadelphia Runner during my lunch break to meet running great Jeff Galloway.  For those of you who have never heard of Galloway, he made the run-walk-run technique famous for minimizing injury.  This type of running is said to allow the muscles to recover better and build endurance. For example, if you are running a 10-minute mile pace, it is suggested that you run for four minutes at that rate, walk for a minute and then run for another four minutes. This routine would continue for the entirety of your run. 

Jeff Galloway and I at Philadelphia Runner.

Meeting Galloway was a truly inspirational experience.  Besides being an author, motivational speaker and a former Olympic athlete, Galloway exhibited a passion for running that can only be described as how I would imagine Bach might speak about music.  It’s infectious.

Running coaches have long been an integral part of training for elite athletes, but what about for the runner who runs one or two marathons a year with some smaller races in between? While we may not have access to coaches such as Jeff Galloway, I’ve put together some tips that I thought might be helpful for someone interested in choosing a running coach for the Philadelphia Marathon.

1. Decide what kind of coach motivates you most.  Running coaches serve as cheerleaders, provide feedback and give advice based on the science of running.  Just as the personality of each runner will vary so will the personality of each coach.  Some coaches will run with you or stay in constant contact to keep you motivated and others allow their protégés to work independently to improve.  Regardless of what your preference is, it is important to choose a running coach who suits your personality and keeps you on track during your training.

1. Attend a running club meeting.  Some of the best coaches are fellow runners in running clubs.  While a one-on-one running coach may be preferred by some, a seasoned runner who leads a group — such as president of a local running club — may be just as helpful.  Many running club members may have a running coach on their own or be able to refer someone who coaches.

1. Visit a running store.  Running stores are often a great source for learning more about running coaches and running groups.  While not all running stores are created equally, a running store that is owned or managed by a regular runner may provide insight to finding a running coach.  Sometimes running coaches also work in these types of stores because of their background.

1. Keep a journal and measure results.  Setting goals and tracking your progress is a great way to measure the success of your running coach.  In particular, if you measure your results before and after your work with a running coach, this may help you decide if you want to continue being coached in person or return to training on your own with the help of books, magazines and other sources. 

Whether you choose to pick a running coach or run on your own, I wish you the best on the road to your PR.  And as always, keep us posted on your progress!

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Recently, the Philadelphia Marathon team received word from the Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation (PPPF) that we have successfully adopted three families in Ghana.  This is a result of more than 1,800 gently used pairs of donated sneakers at the 2008 Philadelphia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. 

 (If you listen closely, both PPPF and the Philadelphia Marathon team are giving you a round of applause right now.)

Source: PPPF Web site.

Pictured are donated sneakers to PPPF.

According to an IHS Global Insight report, the average household income of a Ghanaian family is $762 per year — a level most Americans would find incomprehensible.  This very low amount feeds and sustains a family structure of about 10 relatives living together.

Recognizing the need for change, PPPF developed a program that provides a well, irrigation system, training, seeds and livestock to perpetually sustain an income and provide basic needs for a Ghanaian family.  And they do this with every 600 pairs of sneakers that are donated.  Funding for these necessary tools is provided from the proceeds of reselling donated shoes collected by PPPF in major metro areas.

Partnering with qualified training organizations in Ghana and supplying enough technology transfer, PPPF makes it possible for a family to increase its income as much as 400 percent or more within the first 12 months and as much as 1,000 percent within two years. Families gain livestock such as roosters, hens, rabbits and hutches in addition to vegetable farms, access to irrigation systems, an installed water pump after irrigation training has been completed, a colonized bee hive, 50 assorted fruit trees and mushroom bags. A bicycle is also provided so a family can easily travel to local markets.

Source: PPPF Web site.

A family learns how to use a new water pump.

And if that wasn’t enough, families also receive entrepreneurship skills like networking, accessing microfinance sites and structuring grower networks. They also receive free eye and dental screening, HIV education, bednets and malaria medication.

It’s really amazing to think that your used running shoes can contribute to essentially lifting a family out of poverty. So this November, bring sneakers from your closet, your friend’s closet, your family’s closet to the Health & Fitness Expo and encourage others to donate, too.

We know the Fedri, Frempong and Fatao families are grateful for your contribution, which supports 32 of their combined family members.

The Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation is doing great things and the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon is proud to support such a terrific organization.

For more information, visit www.pppafrica.org.

Filed under: PPPF, Sustainability, Uncategorized by admin
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