Online Running Gear Newsletter #1

Online Running Gear Newsletter #1
Jacquie Cattanach
www.online-running-gear.com

=========================

In this issue:

1. Running and Safety
2. Save Money on Your Next Pair of  Running Shoes
3. Boston Marathon
4. Running with Children:  Happy Feet, Healthy Food

Good Day all you running enthusiasts and welcome to Online Running Gear’s inaugural newsletter. The philosophy of my monthly newsletters will be to inspire and inform the running community on a variety of topics including motivation, running gear, running shoes, race reviews, sports nutrition, health and training tips and anything else that could and would be of interest to my subscribers.  I hope that you will enjoy reading the newsletter and you will take away useful information from it.

As an outdoor activist, I feel very fortunate to live on the west coast of Canada .  Because of our environment and climate, mountains and ocean, we are home to many sports enthusiasts.  I love running outdoors through all four seasons, but I must admit that spring is undoubtedly my favorite season and where I live - spring has sprung!  Weather is getting a bit warmer, flowers and blossoms are coming out and the scenery is great on my runs.  When not training for a race, my typical routine during the week is a 6:00 am run to a local beach and back.  I’ve been running this particular route for almost 7 years now and never get bored of it.  I encounter squirrels, raccoons, eagles, herons, ducks, you name it, each day is different, but each day I feel blessed to be a runner to be able to get out there and enjoy what the world has to offer.

——————————————————-
1. Running and Safety
——————————————————-

I realize, since we are runners, we all figure that we could outrun any kind of adverse situation we may find ourselves in.  Well, we are probably right, but just in case, I would like to share some very simple safety tips that can help all runners be proactive instead of reactive and we may never need to know whether or not we really could outrun a potentially dangerous situation.

• Always carry identification (phone number, blood type, allergies).
• Carry appropriate coins in case you need to use the phone.
• Keep a whistle or noisemaker in your pocket.
• Don’t wear jewelry that can attract attention.
• Let someone know your running route.
• Don’t be too predictable - consider altering your route every now and then.
• Avoid running in unpopulated areas, unless you know the area well. 
• Avoid unlit areas at night.
• Run against traffic so you can see approaching vehicles.
• Respect other exercise enthusiasts out there.  Share the path courteously with bikers, walkers, rollerbladers and others.
• Wear reflective strips if running in low light or after dark.

————————————————————
2. Save Money on Your Next Pair of  Running Shoes
————————————————————

Throughout the past 20 years of being a runner, I can’t even imagine how many thousands of dollars that I have put into the running shoe industry.  Now, I love shopping for a deal as much as the next person and it kills me to pay the astronomical prices that they charge for runners and I’m sure that there is a great profit margin on them.  In the past, when I found a great deal on my runners, I would buy a few pairs and stock up.  For a few years, I was a Vancouver Sun Run leader and their sponsor, New Balance, used to offer us their newest promotional runners at a great discount and I would stock up.  Well those days are gone, but the days of cheap running shoes aren’t.  I’ve discovered online shopping.  At first I was a little bit concerned about using my credit card online, but since then I’ve booked flights, hotels, bought numerous items online and have even returned items online and have NEVER had a bad experience.  So today I freely shop online usually without a second thought.

I typically save $50 per pair or running shoes that I buy online and the great part is that I don’t even have to leave the comfort of my chair.  And that is $50 that I have towards another piece of running apparel or if I choose to put it in my vacation account towards my next holiday.  There are a few big online running stores to shop at but I have consistently found the best deals for my runners at Zappos .  The nice part about Zappos is that they offer free shipping as well.  Zappos have been great to delivery.  They say 5 business days but I have usually received my delivery in 3 business days.  Since I live in Canada , but very close to the border, I have a mailbox just across the border in the United States where I have my package delivered.  This system works great for me.

It is important that you know your size, brand and model before you order online.  Runners that have been running for any length of time usually have a favorite runner and they know exactly how it feels on their feet.  But, if you are looking to change models, or you are a new runner, I would encourage you to go to a running store, try on a few pairs and have a sales person advise you on your foot type before you blindly order a pair of running shoes online.  Once you have this figured out, go ahead and enjoy the world of online shopping and better yet, enjoy that extra money left in your wallet when the transaction is finished.

———————————————————–
3.Boston Marathon - Easter Monday, April 17, 2006
———————————————————–

Where will you be on Monday?  Don’t forget to tune into the 110 th running of the Boston Marathon on Easter Monday (also known as Marathon Monday).  For many runners, the Boston Marathon is one of the greatest inspirational and prestigious runs to take place each year.  For many marathoners, their marathon achievements aren’t complete until they’ve run Boston.  Of course, it’s easier said than done, as to be able to run the Boston Marathon, you must run a qualifying marathon with a qualifying time.  But for any runner that is serious enough to put the hard work and training into their routine, the Boston Marathon could be achievable. 

Being the world’s oldest marathon, the Boston Marathon is rich in history.  The first running took place in 1897 with 18 runners participating, but only 10 finishing.  And as a female runner, I love this statistic:  Women were not allowed to run in the Boston Marathon until 1972.  Today, the marathon has come so far as to introduce a separate Elite Women’s Start - way to go ladies!!  And what used to be a mainly American based competition field, has turned into an event where the best runners travel worldwide to have their chance at the fame and glory of winning Boston.  The last American to win the race was Greg Meyer in 1983.

I have yet to run the Boston Marathon, but have been fortunate enough to be able to live it through my many friends who have run in it.  This year, one of my best friends, and a great runner, is traveling with 11 other friends from Vancouver , BC to Boston to see the sights, experience the momentum and RUN BOSTON.  I hope to have a detailed race report when she returns that I will feature in my next newsletter.

———————————————————-
4. Running with Children:  Happy Feet, Healthy Food
———————————————————-

If you have followed any of my other stories, you will know that I have 3 children, now aged 13, 14 and 21 and I have been a runner for 20 years.  Do the math and that means that I have run and competed in triathlons through almost every age group of children.  I have had to be very creative many times to be able to get my workouts in.  But my ultimate goal (other than keeping myself fit and healthy) was to teach my children to have an appreciation of how much fun an active lifestyle is and how we can achieve so many benefits through exercise, most importantly the health benefits.  I think that I have done a good job, my children have volunteered in many running events, our local triathlon and Ironman Canada.  They’ve gotten up at the crack of dawn to watch race starts, cheered many family and friends throughout entire races and have competed in cross-country runs, 5 and 10 km runs and kid’s triathlons.  They also participate in many team sports.  I’m very proud of their achievements.

For any of you that are running or exercising with your children and trying to teach them the same philosophy as I am, then I would like to recommend a great book (aid).  It is called Happy Feet, Healthy Food:  Your Child’s First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating.  It was written and illustrated by Carol Goodrow, the founding editor of kidsrunning.com.  It is written for kids between the ages of 6 to 12 and includes a food diary, training log and exercise/nutrition reference.  It has weekly features including healthy eating tips, games and activities to try, snack and lunch suggestions and more.  The goal of the book is similar to my goal to promote an understanding of the benefits of exercise and healthy eating.  The best price I could find online was $10.78 at Amazon.com .

I wish you all a very Happy and Egg-citing Easter.

Until next time.

« Previous Page