girls girls girls

Before I get into the topic I planned to write about, I have to share a note from my weekend long run.  Last week I wrote about running in the rain.  After thinking about it, I believe I probably sounded a little smug, even snobbish.  Well, payback came Saturday morning when it was pouring rain even harder than the week before.  I got the run in, but I was drenched.  And I can do without running in the rain for a while now.

Now to the rest of the weekend, which included being a spectator for a fun event on Sunday.  It's suprising, but true that the slight majority of runners in most marathons these days are women runners.  Some have been running competitively since high school, but many have only just discovered distance running in their post-college years.  It is kind of an 'early 20's' thing to do.  Run a marathon.  I think that's great.

My wife is one example of this trend.  She'd never considered running a marathon before, but discovered a group that she could train with and socialize at the same time.  The idea of finishing a marathon suddenly became realistic, and she did a couple of them.  Then came the babies, and all the responsibilities that go along with that.  She claims she is done with it now, but we'll see.

There are a number of events recently that had me thinking about this topic.  The Dick Pond running store in Elmhurst hosted a kids run a couple weeks ago.  It was great to see all the youngsters getting exposed to running.  The picture is from that event.  The girls, especially, have fewer opportunities like that at a young age I think.  Elmhurst is really a hotbed for running with kids aspiring to run on the legendary York High School cross country team.  I see them running all summer in Joe Newton Champions park which next to where I take my daughters for swimming lessons. But that's a story for another time.

Most recently Fleet Feet hosted the Women's 10k and 5k.  There are relatively few women's only events around the city, and this is one of the biggest.  They had more than 3,000 women runners in the races, with husbands, boyfriends and all the other guys there to cheer them on.  They even had a category for fastest mother/daughter teams. 

I brought my daughters to the kids race.  My three year old finished the 50 yard distance, but she wanted to make sure I ran the whole way with her!  I believe events like this really help encourage the kids by showing them thousands of healthy role models.

Speaking of role models, I was trying to get there in time to see one of my favorite runners of all time.  I wouldn't call her a role model, maybe just a college crush, though I have yet to meet her.  Anyway, Suzy Favor Hamilton was at the race.  If you don't know her, just imagine someone who looks like Lindsay Lohan but can run a world class mile.  I have seen her run at the Drake Relays a number of times.  She is in the hall of fame there, not to mention being a former Olympian.

But she provides a real spark to an event for women like the race.  Hopefully, role models like her and the other women will help young girls catch the running bug early, when they can discover their talents in time to make use of them in high school and college. 

Of course, not everyone is blessed with the talent to run fast.  But most are given the ability to run, at whatever pace gets them to the finish line.  And learning the benefits of that experience at a young age is truly a wonderful thing.  Running is a sport you can participate in your whole life.  It was truly inspirational to see the winners of the 'over 80' division in the women's run.  And it was exciting to see the great times run by some of the younger teens as well.  Congratulations to all.

Meantime, if you are looking for the next race to get excited about, there are plenty of possibilities, but one of the most interesting is coming up in August.  It's called 'The Human Race' and it's the first time Nike is putting something like this on.  The idea is that it's a race being run at the same time in cities all over the world.  The information is below.  Meantime, have a great week of running and I'll see you on the roads....

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/index.jsp 

July 21, 2008

Comments

[michelle]

John,
Yes, I've also noticed that distance running is like a magnet for women wanting to get some exercise, bond with others, and socialize. I started running because I could do it before work, it was cheap, and did not interfer with my kids' activities. I have also made friends & we enjoy running & talking. Believe me, it's cheaper than therapy & you get to sweat! I see more & more groups of ladies I know banding together to train for marathons & finishing!