on your left! - december 2012

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Offi cial Publication of DECEMBER 2012 Doc in the Box By Holly Johnson, M.D. Holidays Making You Short of Breath? As We Make Like a Tree and Leave 2012 Auld Acquaintances won’t be Forgotten because they’re Already Lined up through Next Year Things to be Happy About in the New Year Get Hooked as Jaunt Junkies Give the Run Down Where to Go Go Go I Would Still be a Marathoner, weather or Not I Ever Made it to New York By Jen Huddleston SHOOTING FOR THREE DFWRUNS on a Fast-Break to Houston for our 3 rd Year of the NBA All-Star Run, Walk & Dribble 5K

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Monthly eZine of DFWRUNS - NBA All Star FIT Run, Walk and Dribble, Arbor Day Run Race Recap and Things to be Happy About in the New Year.

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Page 1: On Your Left! - December 2012

Official Publication of

DECEMBER 20 1 2

Doc in the Box By Holly Johnson, M.D.

Holidays Making You Short of Breath?

As We Make Like a Tree and Leave 2012Auld Acquaintances won’t be Forgotten because they’re Already Lined up through Next Year

Things to be Happy About in the New YearGet Hooked as Jaunt Junkies Give the Run Down Where to Go Go Go

I Would Still be a Marathoner, weather or Not I Ever Made it to New YorkBy Jen Huddleston

SHOOTING FOR THREE DFWRUNS on a Fast-Break to Houston for our 3rd Year of the NBA All-Star Run, Walk & Dribble 5K

Page 2: On Your Left! - December 2012

Don’t leave your event or brand in ruins. Ring in the New Year with us by counting down 214-339-7867.

o, I don’t want the world to end, and I hope the Mayans are wrong on their prediction that 12/21/12 will bring just that.

Instead of catastrophic, cataclysmic chaos (try saying that fast 10 times), that timeless R.E.M. party anthem takes me back to the days when we used to crank up the volume in the basement of the Sigma Nu house on the campus of my alma mater, Ball State University. But today, and in this issue of On Your Left!Ò, that song makes me reflect on what an amazing year it has been for DFWRUNS. If I may channel the inner Mayan in me, I am predicting more earth-shattering changes in the active lifestyle market for the year 2013; except, these are for the better!

Looking back on 2012, DFWRUNS we has seen a lot of good change internally and externally. Whether we are welcoming new staff members, new clients and new markets, or developing new event themes and concepts, we are always trying to foster the growth of the active lifestyle community.

Last month, we re-capped our ridiculously busy fall, and let me tell you, it was crazy. You wouldn’t believe the jaw-dropping numbers of shirts we ordered, portable restrooms we rented and medals we presented. But rather than re-hashing all those stats, I want to look back at what an inspiring and fortunate experience we’ve had over the past year with a highlight from each month.

In January, we were fortunate to attend the annual race director conference for ZERO the End of Prostate Cancer in Orlando, Florida. Sharon and I hosted the New City Boot Camp and got the opportunity to share our passion for the active lifestyle community to urology practices making preparations for launching a ZERO race. From those meetings, we secured new clients in Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Cincinnati — just to name a few.

Closer to home, last February we launched the inaugural Form Follows Fitness 5K, which benefited the Dallas Center for Architecture. We dished out awards ranging from the fastest team to best dressed (think Michael Brady, George Costanza’s alter ego Art Vandelay, and Ted Mosby). My favorite was the Purdy-McGuire team, which came dressed as the Dallas skyline. With over 1,000 runners

Letter from the EditorChief Running Officer, Eric Lindberg

“IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT!”

N

Page 3: On Your Left! - December 2012

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

CATCH US!(IF YOU CAN)

participating in the 5K and raising over $28,000, we are excited to see what we can accomplish in year two!

In March, we launched a new look and format of On Your Left!Ò, which made the full-time conversion to becoming an e-zine style magazine. Major props need to be paid to DFWRUNS Angels Cherilyn and Cat for making it all happen! I love it, and we sure hope you do too. In fact, if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you love it as much as we do!

The Mayan Gods smiled on us in April as we as shared a running god with the Plano ISD Education Foundation at the Central Market Thrill of the Grill. Ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes spent a couple of days with us running with our friends at the White Rock Running Co-Op and joining us at the race. Meeting Dean was a thrill for me, but my favorite experience was sharing in the excitement with Andrew Rose when he learned he had won tickets to go to a Mavs game with Dean!

The month of May saw us get our boots on for the Wild West Adventure Race. While the race was one of my favorite events of the year, nothing beats family. With the help of Dr. Holly Johnson, we launched our “Doc in the Box” article series in On Your Left!Ò. If you haven’t figured it out yet, the author is my sister!

In June, the DFWRUNS journey gave me yet another experience that I never anticipated. We went a little Hollywood and worked with Dan Clark, also known as “Nitro” from the American Gladiators television series, and launched his adventure race series, the Gladiator Rock’N Run. We had 3,000 participants in San Antonio! What’s next, a Knight Rider 5K where we race KITT? Better have a turbo boost!

July showed me just how strong the running community is in the USA (and around the world) with the Olympic games in London. Although the track and field competitions didn’t really heat up until August, the excitement and anticipation was felt throughout the country and I was glued to the tube!

In August, DFWRUNS celebrated its 4th birthday with 31 days of giving. We gave away gift cards and prizes ranging from concert tickets to restaurant gift certificates to running shoes. Thanks again to all of the amazing partners for their support. We can’t wait to turn five! Hope you “LIKE” us on Facebook!

September took us to new heights, as we experienced our busiest month in the DFWRUNS history. The coolest thing about leading the half marathon at the Plano Balloon Festival was watching all of the hot air balloons launch, providing a gorgeous backdrop to the race.

The month of October gave us the opportunity to work with a new client in Real Options for Women and help them launch the Life Walk and Run 5K. It always amazes me to learn about such great organizations and how they help others.

Not to be a holiday downer, but I was bummed in November. You would be too if you got the flu! As a result, I missed our annual office Thanksgiving potluck. I know it wasn’t a race but it is an event I truly enjoy and look forward to every year. Thank you to the DFWRUNS crew for all that you do!

As we enter December, we are on an All-Star pace as we plan for the NBA All-Star FIT Run, Walk and Dribble in Houston. Each year we work on this event, I get the opportunity to collaborate with one of the most amazing people in the world: Constantin Roth. I love hearing his stories about how he is bringing the NBA brand into markets around the world. Who knows? Maybe 2013 will bring an NBA 5K in Paris!

Au revoir 2012, et Bonjour 2013!— Eric Lindberg

WHO’S SHOUTING “On Your Left!”?

OWNERS & EDITORS IN CHIEF Eric Lindberg – [email protected]

Sharon Lindberg – [email protected]

DESIGNCathy Hutzler – [email protected]

WRITING & EDITINGCherilyn Wilson – [email protected]

Seth Gonzales – [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSLindsay Musielak – [email protected]

Paul Hutzler – [email protected]

Gabriella McCord – [email protected]

Maggie McCarthy – [email protected]

Page 4: On Your Left! - December 2012

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As We Make Like a Tree and Leave 2012

Electric Run - DallasSaturday, January 19, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

The Grafitti Run - San AntonioSaturday, January 27, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

The Grafitti Run - Fort WorthSaturday, February 2, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Form Follows Fitness 5KSaturday, February 23, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Auld Acquaintances won’t be Forgotten because they’re Already Lined up through Next Year

hhhh, can you smell it? While running these past few weeks, the slapping of my size 9’s on the pavement has been pleasantly muffled by the welcomed

crackle of acorns and bright foliage. During November, I kicked up golds and reds and sniffed the air whenever my pace allowed me to breathe through my nose. I thought it ironic how we runners begin to layer on more and more garments, even gloves and those all-to-flattering ankle-length scuba-like leggings, while the trees repeatedly shed each time the colder winds blow in. It tempted me to think of shopping some of our partners like, Run On!, Luke’s, or Academy for some thicker socks or a cute long-sleeve dry-fit zip-up. But it also got me just admiring the trees. How easily I could breathe for miles out on the beautifully maintained trails through Oak Point Park in Plano under all those oxygen-pumping canopies.

There was confidence in the air around that course last month when our Arbor Day Run participants competed for environmentally friendly finisher’s awards in both the 5K & 10K distances (we even had some extras on hand for those who conquered an unexpected 2.3 mile race). All who were present helped raise funds to benefit the Plano Parks Foundation in order to upkeep those breathtaking pathways and even planted a new tree with Mayor Phil Dyer. We’re always excited to work for a great cause and are especially good about

A

Page 5: On Your Left! - December 2012

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

recycling aluminum cans or plastic party cups when they come from Ben E. Keith! Thanks to all who came out!

We don’t monkey around when it comes to directing races for our national client ZERO either. Well, maybe just a little. On December 2nd, the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K & 10K course let participants run wild through the environment of the Reid Park Zoo in Tuscan, Arizona. This was a great venue and a fast course for our 550 runners who supported the fight to end prostate cancer. We’ve enjoyed an incredible year marketing, promoting, directing and managing operations for 18 races under the ZERO umbrella this year and look forward to another packed schedule with them in 2013 starting with the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run, Albuquerque on Saturday, May 11th.

— Cherilyn Wilson

Bandits Wanted!...that is, Birthday Bandits!

SIGN UP HERE

Central Market Thrill of the GrillSaturday, April 20, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Jeremy Paster GPCCSaturday, May 11, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Run Drenched - Phoenix Saturday, May 18, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Run Drenched - Dallas Saturday, May 25, 2013

RACE WEBSITE

Have you ever run into trouble with a recurring injury? Feel the need to strengthen your workout regimen or have your gait analyzed? What would an athletic trainer mean to your 2013 goals? The NATA would like to better inform the active community about what athletic trainers are credentialed to do and how they can be applied to your business or lifestyle. By simply rating the questions included in this very brief, confidential survey, by December 20, you will be eligible for our drawing of a $100 Visa gift card. Now THAT

ought to help put some jolly in your stockings!

NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINER ASSOCIATION SURVEY

TAKE SURVEY

Page 6: On Your Left! - December 2012

Shooting for Three!

eads up!! DFWRUNS. is makin’ like a James Harden fast break

all the way to Houston this February for the NBA All-Star Run, Walk & Dribble 5K!The date, to be exact, is February 16th — and trust us, you don’t want to miss this. I mean really… how many times can you say you crossed the finish line with your favorite NBA legend? Or tumbled into the finisher tape with an NBA mascot? Or watched your little ones dribble their way to the first place podium?

It’s NBA All-Star weekend and it’s in the Lone Star State, and that means everything’s gonna be bigger and better! Bring your families, friends, long-lost relatives, college roommates, pets… you name it, bring ‘em! Big bonus points if we see you at the starting line wearing a throwback uniform. Maybe even something like what these two are wearing.

Registration for the race opens in January, but we’re throwin’ an alley-oop to you now, so pay attention!

Register for the race, and you just might get free entry into NBA Jam Session. What’s more, you’ll be entered to win a pair of tickets to see the NBA All-Star Game! So let’s go over this again… 5K race entry, free NBA Jam Session entry, meet NBA All-Stars, hang with NBA mascots, free tickets to the NBA All-Star Game. All this for $40??? If that isn’t a steal and an easy layup, I don’t know what is.

— Seth Gonzales

HDFWRUNS on a Fast-Break to Houston for our 3rd Year of the NBA All-Star Run, Walk & Dribble 5K

February 16, 2013George R. Brown

Convention Center

Houston, Texas

Page 8: On Your Left! - December 2012

Things to be Happy About in the New Year

SPORTS Mike Napoli will leave Texas to join David Ortiz in the Green Monstah while rumors of unrestricted Josh Hamilton joining them in Boston continue around the horn. Also, the new year gives the NHL a shot at not pucking up another season.

ENTERTAINMENTAnother Star Trek sequel and Transformers 4 will hit the big screen while The Rolling Stones hit the road for their 50th Anniversary Tour.

BUSINESSDFWRUNS also kicks of a 2013 national tour with newest client, Drenched 5K! We’ll be running through eight cities (including Dallas!) all summer long. Catch us if you can!

FOOD & BEVERAGECauliflower will make a comeback. Luckily, Pressed Juice and Rum are also in the mix. Are you just drooling over the thought of Pina Caul-ada? Don’t worry, small local brews are also trending in 2013.

FASHIONNeon running clothes will be a thing of the past… again.

TECHNOLOGYTablets will become so inexpensive that nearly everyone, including kids, will carry one. In the new year, you’ll also

see people checking a watch or a necklace regularly for messages from their friends vs. whipping out their phones.

With all the interesting changes to come (if we see past December 21st, 2012), also comes advancements in this very eZine before your eyes. As is with running, we must always move forward, press on and explore our surroundings, so watch over your shoulder for the new content we’re adding to On Your Left! In 2013. You may find strange new tips and tricks you never heard of, exclusive interviews, or even your own photograph. But proceed with caution or you might just get hooked on our new column, Jaunt Junkies.

Whether you’re a runner or not, you’ve likely heard our sport described as being addictive. Once you experience that first runner’s high, you’re drawn to get another fix, and then another. How about a little peer pressure? Each month, our staff will detail our favorite running, walking, or biking paths and places to just get out and get moving… go ahead… try it.

Each month our staff will detail our favorite running, walking ot biking paths and places to just get out and get moving...

Get Hooked as Jaunt Junkies Give the Run Down Where to Go Go Go

Page 10: On Your Left! - December 2012

Doc in the Box By Holly Johnson, M.D.

HOLIDAYS MAKING YOU SHORT OF BREATH?

he Thanksgiving turkey has been eaten, the Turkey Trot has been run. Now, the Christmas tree is up, you’ve shopped ‘til you’ve dropped,

and you’re signed up for the Reindeer Dash, The Jingle Bell Run, and the Dallas Marathon. Makes me short of breath just thinking of all that running! How does anyone with asthma ever keep up the pace?

There is an advertisement for an asthma medication that says that there are people out there who have what you have and are out there doing what you are not! Like running. And biking. And swimming. Who says you can’t too? People like Jerome “The Bus” Bettis who played thirteen years in the NFL, Greg Louganis, one of the greatest divers of all times, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a four-time Olympic medaler in track and field, and Paula Radcliff, the current women’s marathon record holder all have asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 25 million people, or 1 in 12 Americans, have asthma. There are many potential record breakers out there with asthma who have no clue that they could swim, bike, and run if only their asthma was under control!

WHAT IS ASTHMA? Asthma is a chronic (long-standing) inflammatory disease of the lungs. There are four types of asthmatics. Which one are you? People with intermittent asthma (Group 1) have symptoms less than two days a week, wake up at night short of breath less than twice a month, use a rescue inhaler (not counting for prevention of exercise induced bronchospasms) less than two days a week, and there is no interference with normal activity. Persistent mild asthmatics (Group 2) have symptoms more than two times a week but not daily, wake up at night three to four times a month due to asthma, use their rescue inhaler more than two days a week but not more than once a day, and have some minor interference with normal activity. Patients with persistent moderate asthma (Group 3) have daily symptoms, wake

up wheezing or short of breath more than once a week but not nightly, use their rescue inhaler every day, and have some limitation with normal activity. Lastly, persistent severe individuals (Group 4) have symptoms throughout the day, wake up often seven times a week, use their inhaler several times a day, and are extremely limited in their normal activities.

HOW DO YOU TREAT ASTHMA? Those in Group 1 only have to use a rescue inhaler, called a beta-agonist less than a couple times a week. Examples of rescue inhalers are Albuterol, Ventolin, ProAir, and Xopenex. These medications relax muscles around airways to prevent bronchospasms. They rapidly reverse airflow obstruction and bring quick relief of shortness of breath, cough, and wheeze from asthma. Those in Group 2, 3, and 4 all require a maintenance inhaler (a daily medication) such as an inhaled corticosteroid (like Flovent, QVar, and Pulmicort) which helps decrease inflammation in the airways to achieve and maintain control of asthma symptoms. These are not immediate relief medications. They need to be taken every day; over time, they decrease the chance of having an asthma flare-up. (Is this making sense? Good.) Sometimes people in Group 2, 3, or 4 will need other medications or higher dose corticosteroids to get their asthma under better

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Page 11: On Your Left! - December 2012

MARKETING // PUBLICITY // SPONSORSHIP

REACH OUT!Learn how DFWRUNS can help grow your brand or event. Contact us today!

PHONE: 214-DFWRUNSEMAIL: [email protected]: www.dfwruns.com

control. Also during an asthma flare-up, prescribed oral or injection medications from your doc are sometimes needed to help.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR ASTHMA IS CONTROLLED? If you are using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week (again, not counting the pre-workout use for exercise induced asthma), waking up at night short of breath or coughing more than twice a month, or refilling the rescue inhaler prescription more than twice a year, then your asthma is not well controlled, and you should talk to your doctor.

Self monitoring is important for effective control. Every asthmatic should have a personal care plan, a peak flow meter, proper medication, and support from his or her doc. You can Google asthma action plan and download an asthma action plan from lung.org, cdc.gov, or nih.gov websites. A peak flow meter is an inexpensive plastic, hand-held device used to measure how well air moves out of your lungs. Everyone’s peak flow is different based on age, height, and sex. Your doctor can help you determine your personal best (ideal) peak flow. (Runners are always aiming for a personal best, so this should be easy to do!)

Lastly, my gift to you asthmatic runners out there is yet another holiday list...a list of tips to get you through every running season. 1. Have an asthma action plan. 2. Take your medications as prescribed, even when you feel “fine.” 3. Warm up with a walk or jog. 4. Use a spacer device which will help get your inhaled meds into your lungs where it is

needed. 5. Get a peak flow meter and know how to use it. 6. Avoid asthma triggers! When the pollen count is high, run early in the morning, bike or walk instead, or run indoors. When it is cold out, cover your mouth and nose with a fleece neck gaiter (cotton may freeze). 7. Carry your rescue inhaler with you. 8. Bring help with you--wear a medical alert tag, bring your cell phone, or run with a buddy with a cell phone!

Run. Bike. Swim. Spread joy. Even with asthma, you can still do it all; work with your doctor and get it under control so you don’t miss a beat with the holiday heat! You’ll run faster, be closer to a new PR, and feel better doing it. Merry Christmas, runners!

Please Note: The info in this article is not a substitute for medical advice from

your own PCP; you should always discuss exercise plans with your own doc. Dr. Johnson and DFWRUNS are not liable for complications arising from an asthma attack or for wheezing either at the finish line or in the shopping line.

Breathe easy knowing DFWRUNS in managing your 2013 event. Check out our case studies by running your fingers across the keys www.dfwruns.com

Page 12: On Your Left! - December 2012

I found myself in runner’s purgatory. Stuck somewhere between the heavenly glory of a huge PR at the Marine Corps Marathon and the pre-marathon, sub-psychotic circle of hell known as “taper madness.” Instead of transitioning to post-marathon euphoria and, eventually, the post-marathon blues, I was moving immediately on to run the NYC Marathon just one week later. There was just one minor glitch: Hurricane Sandy was waving hello at 80 miles an hour outside my hotel room window.

The plan had been: stay in D.C. until Friday, take a train to NYC, run the marathon and fly out of LaGuardia a few days later. But for now, there was nothing much I could do order room service and devise a backup plan for the upcoming weekend, full of contingencies for whatever Sandy might bring my way. Everything was still a go.

By Tuesday, concerned calls and texts from friends back home mounted and I began to realize the severity of the storm outside of my quiet D.C. hotel room. I started having doubts about whether this race would (or should) happen, as did all the media. Honestly, at that point, more

than a little part of me didn’t mind if it didn’t happen. I’d had the race I’d dreamed of at Marine Corps. The stars had aligned: there was great weather, my body was right on and there was no wall in sight. There wasn’t even a hint of the tendonitis in my knee that had

sidelined me for two weeks in September. The running gods smiled upon me. I knew I couldn’t ask for more, and I knew I’d be content returning home with one medal, even though deep down I wanted back-to-back marathons. I

knew I could do it, and I wanted the chance to prove it, both to those who said I couldn’t do it and those who had steadfastly believed in me. In the meantime, all of the conflicting reports about would it happen?, should it happen?, how would it happen? were driving me to drinking. (OK, so that’s not hard to do, but I digress.)

With everyone talking about how historic this race would be, and with news reports that it most definitely would go on, by Wednesday it was time to get my head

back in the game and prepare as if everything would go as originally planned. I heard my hotel had power and water, so if Amtrak could get Penn Station and the tunnels cleared, I’d be in NYC on Friday. LaGuardia was still flooded, but I’d worry about getting home later.

Thursday, I was pretty excited. Not only would I get to do my back-to-back marathons, I’d get to do the second one at what was being called the most historic NYC Marathon ever. My bags were packed and my carb stores were on their way to full capacity. But while I was out for one last Marine Corps Marathon celebration in

Storm Chasing BluesBy Jen Huddleston

“With everyone talking about how historic this race would be and with the news reports that it most definitely go on, by Wednesday it was time to get my head back in the game...”

Page 14: On Your Left! - December 2012

D.C., I got the notification: Your train has been canceled. Great. How to make it into NYC? And what plans could I make at 10 p.m. on a Thursday night? Several phone calls later, it was determined there were no options for getting into the city unless my friend and I packed up and drove in her car. And even then, there was no gas in the city. Even if we could have made it in, there was no assurance there would be gas to get back to D.C. for several days. It was over. There were no more options.

The logical part of me knew I had nothing left to do but officially defer until 2013, but still after I finally did on Friday morning, I wondered if I’d done the right thing. My hotel was fine, the marathon was on, some of my running friends had made it in; should I have tried to drive in anyway?

My friend and I were at happy hour in Chinatown

when we saw the breaking news on CNN: Officials Say NYC Marathon Canceled.

My phone immediately started dinging with texts from all over the country, but a two-sentence conversation with my favorite running coach and mentor summed it up perfectly. I told him how relieved I was that my friend and I hadn’t packed up the car and tried to get into the city, and he said he was so happy for me and so sad for everyone else. That was exactly how I felt too. I was so relieved that I’d made the right decision in deferring and that I wouldn’t miss this historic race because of logistics I couldn’t control. But I was heartbroken for my running friends who had poured their hearts, souls, sweat and tears

into this marathon dream. I realized that I was so lucky to have had an amazing race the week before, and how daunting it would be to those who had to return home (or who were forced to stay home) and resume their training for what would now be their goal race, the Dallas Marathon.

After I returned home and felt the slow descent into post-marathon blues (“What now?”), I came to a realization. Even though our running careers/lives continue, each training season (with its own setbacks, injuries and accomplishments) is its own, and at the end, no matter what the glory or pain, it’s simply over. No matter if it ends with a spectacular bang of success or a depressing fizzle of disappointment, it still sucks that it’s over. I hope that for my friends and all runners who didn’t get to run NYC this year, they will look back on it as just another blip in this season, overshadowed by an amazing experience at their backup races. As for me, it’s time to get a start on the winter/spring season, and then get ready for NYC 2013.

Storm Chasing Blues, Cont.

“Even though our running careers/lives continue, each training season (with its own setbacks, injuries and accomplishments) is its own, and at the end, no matter what the glory or pain, it’s simply over.”

Page 16: On Your Left! - December 2012

f you don’t enjoy running, then you obviously you haven’t experienced the “high” you get while running. This “high” is quite safe though and very legal. It’s

what happens when you reach a steady pace and you leave all your troubles behind you. It clears your head and allows you to really think. It’s your own little zone. It may sound kind of corny, I mean, I wouldn’t have believed it myself two years ago, but it’s true.

If you read my July column, you would know that I used to absolutely hate running. I despised it and would take any excuse to get out of it. I’m just happy to have

gotten over that, and to see how relaxing it really is. Not only do I think that it’s healthy for the mind, it’s extremely healthy for the body too. And the great thing about it is that all you really need is a pair of running shoes and you’re all set. You don’t need a bat, club, ball, mitt, racket, helmet, net, etc., etc. You can run in a group or by yourself too.

I am very hard on myself; I set goals ahead of time, and if I don’t achieve them, well let’s just say I get really upset. I have high expectations for myself in anything I do

whether that’s in school or when I’m running. I think that’s just another reason I enjoy running. I can easily set a goal or a time I want to finish in and I can put in the effort to reach them. You compete against other people of course, but it’s really just you against the clock.

If (I know, I know this is my 3rd if) you’ve ever been to a 5k or anything similar, then you know the overall cheerful and supportive atmosphere that surrounds the place. You can tell people are excited to be there and raise money for their cause. It’s my #1 reason for loving running – it’s like you have a whole new big family where you’re all similar in one small way.

Since I’ve started writing this column and running, I’ve met several interesting people like Ryan Wenos from RunOn! and Tresha Glowacki who’s the owner/publisher of Youth Sports Today. I may not be the best runner for my age, but that doesn’t stop me from loving every minute of it!

Keep track of Abby each month as she grows in her running! Watch for her reviews of UPCOMING DFWRUNS EVENTS in forthcoming issues of On Your Left!

ABBY ROAD

RUNNER’S HIGH By Abby Werner

I

“It’s like you have a whole new big family where you’re all similar in one small way”