A New Year, More Points

The 21st year of the Run and See Georgia Grand Prix came to a close with the year end awards celebration on New Years Day at the ‘New Years at Noon’ race in Athens. The 2010 Grand Prix series was the biggest ever with just under 500 races and over 70,000 runners participating in races that represented all parts of our great state. The number of races was impressive, but even more than the number of races or number of participants, was the number of runners who ran hundreds of races in the race for points. The runner of the year was Linda Zieman who ran 198 races and earned 4755 points. The male runner of the year was Roger Keel, who ran 203 races, earned 4597 points and logged many more miles in his car. Amazing. But what is even more amazing is the range in ages for Grand Prix runners – from under 10 years old to 70 year olds who are still running a race or two every weekend – mostly looking for Grand Prix races where they can earn not only a trophy, but the ever coveted Grand Prix Points.

The Run and See Georgia Grand Prix will be bigger and better than ever this year and is sure to break 500 races. If you are looking for a new challenge with a great group of runners for 2011, look no further than the Georgiarunner.com web site and e-magazine. The race calendar features the races that participate in the series and where you can earn points for being one of the top 20 runners in your age group. And this year you can track your points and plan your running to maximize your points with our new system on the web site.

A great kick off to your running for the year and motivation at the beginning of the year is always a good thing. But even better is a way to stay motivated beyond the first part of the year. The Run and See Georgia Grand Prix does just that. So check out the calendar for January and get started. Even though many got points for the race on New Years Day, there are plenty more coming up this weekend and ever weekend throughout the year.

Happy New Year and Happy Running!

Running Through the Holidays

Does it seem like the holidays are being thrust upon us earlier and earlier? I had not even carved my pumpkin this year before I walked into a store to hear Christmas carols and see Christmas decorations. What happened to Thanksgiving?

On a long morning run on October 31st with a friend, she said “the rush starts tomorrow”. At the time I did not know what she meant, then, later that day was when I saw my first Christmas tree of the season, and I knew what she meant.

What does that mean to us runners? Well, it means that we don’t have to worry quite so much about Christmas cookies and sweet potatoes and dressing – with gravy. But it also means that we have to keep up our running schedules in spite of all of the hustle and bustle, on top of the usual hustle and bustle. Holiday parties, changes in schedules as kids are out of school, oh, and who can forget the shopping, wrapping and cooking!

But, if you are like the many who love to run late fall and winter longer distance runs, the last long runs are critical to having a great race. I know I have suffered through a Disney marathon in January when I “cheated” myself out of those last long runs because my schedule would not allow. I paid for it dearly at about mile 17 when it hurt more to walk than to run. I know I am not alone.

So, as we enter the downhill slide into the holidays, be sure to not only make holiday plans, but make running a priority. The holidays will take care of themselves.

And, let me be the first to put in a word for Thanksgiving that seems to have been skipped this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting Hooked

It does not seem that long ago when I used to train for the Peachtree Road Race each year and then take the rest of the year off. Then, by accident at a local race, I placed in my age group. I will never forget the day I walked by the posted results and saw my name and later went up to the stage to collect my "hardware" as the more experienced runners called it. I was hooked. I began training for the next race, then the next distance. With each achievement, I learned that I could do it.

It is great running into a fellow runner, especially this time of year because you run into many first timers training for their first half marathon or marathon. There is an energy in the air because, as the weather gets cooler, and many runners are doing longer runs, and some are running distances that they have never run before. It is so exciting trying to describe to a first timer what it will feel like to reach the finish line when you never thought you could run that distance.

There are many different ways that runners get "hooked". The hardware is one, or a new race, distance or event, or the Run and See Georgia Grand Prix. When runners realize that by placing in the top twenty in their age group when they run a Run and See Georgia Grand Prix Race they get points. The points accumulate throughout the year and at the end of the year, the top twenty in each of 28 age groups awards, in addition to the top overall male and female point earner. You can always spot a serious Grand Prix competitor when they ask fellow runners their age or watch on turnaround race courses for others in their age group. Even if you are not competitive, it makes it a fun and a great way to meet other runners.

So, however you became "hooked" on running and forever long, I hope you find a new way to experience the joy of running this season.