Ryan Hall's Blog, page 197

Chasing Adam: Where NorCal and SoCal Meet to Run

The natural beauty, clean air, awesome trails, year-round temperate weather and a die-hard community of runners make the Central Coast a runner’s paradise. Photo: Jamie Mieras

This is the latest edition of  “Chasing Adam,” a new column from longtime running writer Adam W. Chase aimed at telling thought-provoking stories from all corners of the running world.

Right smack in the middle of the California coast, precisely 240 miles south of San Francisco and 240 miles north of Los Angeles, rests beautiful Cambria, in what is aptly named the Central Coast of California, on the scenic Highway 1 Discovery Route.

And, just to its south, you will find Morrow Bay, Los Osos, San Louis Obispo and Avila Beach. All of these locations are close to, if not right on, sandy beaches or steep, rocky cliffs that abut foothills that jut up to mountain meadows that, during the cooler or wetter months (more of a rarity the last several years, unfortunately) are green enough to conjure notions of Scottish highlands.

The natural beauty, clean air, awesome trails, year-round temperate weather and a die-hard community of runners make the Central Coast a runner’s paradise, one that is made all the better by the plethora of pre- and post-run activities and fine eating and drinking establishments, not to mention a great running shoe store.

 

Trails Galore

The allure to running in the Central Coast area is that there are so many options: flat, rolling, mountainous, trail, road and, of course, beach. Morro Bay is a great running hub. From Morro Bay State Park you can run up Black Hill, as a moderate short trail that takes you more than 600 feet above the bay and offers an excellent vantage point to plot out more running adventures. Black Hill is one of the Nine Sisters, a volcanic chain of peaks that runs east to west through San Luis Obispo County—Morrow Rock, being another.

For top-shelf beach running, check out the “Rock to Pier” half marathon course from Morro Rock to the recently restored Cayucos Pier. It is best to do so during low tide so check the charts.

Irish Hills and Johnson Ranch, with a short connector trail, are located between Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo. The Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMBN) have been instrumental in building and maintaining outstanding trails like those found at these locations, complete with runnable switchbacks and sustainable grades. That is also the case with the trail network of Montaña de Oro State Park. CCCMB’s stewardship generously extends to the trails in Morro Bay State Park and, as such, these relatively smooth singletrack trails are well maintained.

If you want some speedier running on pavement without motor traffic, the Bob Jones Trail is a bike path that skirts Avila Creek and extends from the Harford Pier, near Avila Beach, to the outskirts of San Luis Obispo for a total of 8 miles.

To the north of Cambria, Leffingwell Landing and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Nature Walk, with about six miles of trails, are easily accessed from Moonstone Beach Drive. And, if you like running on the resilient surface of boardwalks, Moonstone Beach offers a great out-and-back that affords Pacific views, ones that, upon sunset, are compelling enough to halt traffic. To the south of Cambria, a highlight run, especially as a shakeout because it is relatively flat and short, Harmony Headlands State Park is just shy of three miles south of the blink-and-you-miss-it town of Harmony. The trail heads west from the trailhead and then along the ocean with its ribbon-like undulations that just pull you along and make you smile.

Heading North along Highway 1 Discovery Route, Ragged Point is a great stop for the views of the Big Sur area and for a gnarly hike on the cliff side trail. The narrow singletrack drops precipitously down to the Pacific and there is often enough flow to see the 300-foot Black Swift Falls.

PHOTOS: Scenes from Morro Bay and Avilia Beach along California’s Central Coast

 

Accommodations

Runners are solid snack and dessert eaters and, as such, Avila La Fonda Hotel makes an easy choice, especially with its 19th-century Mexican village feel, balcony beach views and quaint luxury. There are daily wine receptions, hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats and coffee, chip and cheese bar with fresh local salsas and imported beers and soft drinks, but make sure to save room for the nightly ice cream and fresh Avila Valley Barn Pie.

If you want to be right on the water, the Inn at Morro Bay is located within the Morro Bay State Park and right across the street from Morro Bay Golf Course, which is also the base of Black Hill.

The Fogcatcher Inn is located on Moonstone Beach in Cambria and affords Pacific views, a hot tub, accommodating amenities and a great vantage point for starting and ending runs.

RELATED: Chasing Adam—On the Run in Israel

 

Food and Drink

There are some excellent restaurants along Highway 1 Discovery Route. In Morro Bay, Galley Seafood Grill & Bar, a staple since 1966, is owned by a runner and serves fresh seafood with views overlooking the beautiful harbor. Another seafood location for casual fare and outstanding outdoor seating is Mersea’s on the Harford Pier at Port San Luis, just north of Avila Beach.

Hungry runners with eclectic taste will want to hit Ocean Grill in Avila Beach. It is located in downtown Avila and features local farm ingredients, including appetizers, pizza and salads, offering many gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. And, for a local feel, the Bayside Café is right on the Back Bay Marina of Morro Bay is a fun and friendly walk-up café with both casual indoor dining and comfortable outdoor patio facing the bay with relaxing views of the marina.

If you want a wide selection of microbrew beer, Libertine Pub offers hand-crafted brews with a focus on barrel-aged, sour, “wild ales” and up to 48 craft beers on tap at all times. The menu has some delicious and generous appetizers. And, in Cambria, be sure to patronize Linn’s Restaurant, which offers hardy fare, carryover from its origin as Linn’s fruit stand. The famous Olallieberry pie for dessert is worthy of the acclaim.

RELATED: Chasing Adam—The Case of the Infidelity Tracker

 

Recovery and Non-Run Activities

For a unique and active way of seeing Morro Bay, check out the Paddleboard Company, for a standup paddleboard tour of the harbor. That’s just one of many activities you can avail yourself of in this playground of the Central Coast, truly a wonderful place for a runner to chill. Easy access to trails and non-running activities make this an obvious destination, given its reputation as one of the world’s “healthy pockets.” The water adventures, such as kayaking, sailing, and surfing are a great balance to running, as is the excellent hiking and biking, whether on mountain or road.

The Avila Valley Barn is another fun stop, given its goofy goats and awesome pie. For more than 20 years, the Barn is a local favorite for the freshest fruit and vegetables of the area. Walk around the grounds to visit goats, ponies, horses, sheep, donkeys, and some exotic animals as well. And, speaking of farms, San Luis Obispo’s Farmer’s Market is of a grand scale, attracting vendors and shoppers from the entire Central Coast area.

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About The Author

It’s actually easy to chase Adam W. Chase because, as a guy who just hit 50 and has run more than 150 marathons and ultra-distance races, he’s self-admittedly rather slow. Adam writes a little faster and also serves as President of the American Trail Running Association and works as a lawyer in Boulder, Colo. Adam was inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame on April 20.

The post Chasing Adam: Where NorCal and SoCal Meet to Run appeared first on Competitor.com.

Tips for Shedding Pounds this Holiday Season and Before the New Year

Photo: Shutterstock.com

There are many reasons why Americans gain weight during the holidays. The days are short and dark, it is cold outside, and our most well-intentioned health and fitness routines unravel in the frenzy of holiday parties and family obligations and visits. Combine this with the natural tendency we have to just ‘hibernate’ and eat chocolate Bon Bons by the fireplace and voila—you just gained 5 pounds.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a bit of proactive planning and intention it is easy to arrive at the New Year with renewed spirit and energy, and even a few pounds lighter. Listed below are a few easy suggestions that together create a harmonious approach to healthful holidays.

Modifying eating habits

Whenever you eat, drink too.

It is not unusual for someone to feel hungry when in fact they are dehydrated, so just get in a habit of drinking water when you feel hungry.

Eat between 5-6 SMALL meals a day.

Genetically, we burn food in 2-3 hour increments. In order to maximize energy and reduce/eliminate the amount of food being stored in our body fat, we should eat every 2-3 hours. What is a small meal—about twice the size of your palm. Example: a chicken breast, a piece of fruit and a few nuts.

Eat slowly.

It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full … you could eat a LOT of food in 20 minutes—by that point your brain is instead saying, “I’m stuffed.”

Limit foods with high fat content and sugary foods and watch your alcohol intake.

Look at what and when you eat throughout the day. For many people there is a particular time, place or situation when one’s normal healthful diet transforms into a binge of junk food.

Write down how you are going to change this habit and determine how you are going to reward yourself when you consistently keep this new behavior for some assigned time period—reward yourself with something that you will really be jazzed to enjoy! Here’s an example: Let’s say you snack constantly late at night; commit to going to bed earlier or having healthy snacks on hand and ready. After doing this for two weeks treat yourself to a spa treatment or special night out catching up with friends.

RELATED: The Do’s and Don’ts of Holiday Eating

Smart snacking

Have you noticed how some people have such healthy meals but eat such crap between meals. During the holidays we are often on the run or traveling and it is critical to have healthy snacks on hand. With just a little planning you can stock your office desk, handbag, backpack or glove box with a few of these suggestions:

Dried fruit, nuts and seeds, whole grain bread thinly spread with peanut butter, fruit leather (with no added sugar), whole wheat crackers with lowfat cheese (just watch the sodium content), carrots & celery.

RELATED: Mastering the Art of (Healthy) Snacking

Staying active—on the road or at home

Whether you are at home, visiting family or staying at a hotel, it is easy to exercise each day with a bit of preparation. If you are staying home take out a calendar and create a weekly schedule of activities that you would really enjoy—hike with friends on Monday, bicycle or indoor cycle on Tuesday, refresh with a yoga class on Wednesday, etc. Create a week of fun and exciting adventures and simply repeat each week.

If you are on the road or at your in-laws, no problem. Just pack a resistance band and jump rope in your suitcase to help create full-body fitness routines you can do anywhere with very little space. Jot down 20 different exercises and pick four to six to combine into a sequence—make sure to include a mix of core conditioning, upper and lower body strengthening and cardio. Set a goal to complete 3-5 sets of the sequence and you have a variety-packed fitness routine that changes daily.

A few suggestions:

Core: crunches, plank, bridge, front/side karate kicks, twisting core moves with a resistance band

Upper body: pushups, triceps dip from a chair, resistance band routines (curls, overhead press, woodchop, rows, flies)

Lower body: squats, lunges, squat jumps, side-to-side hops, tuck jumps, step-ups on a bench or stair

Cardio: jump rope, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpees, squat jumps, in-place running

RELATED: 4 Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

If you prefer a health club experience, take 10 minutes searching the internet and calling to see what clubs or recreation centers offer drop-ins. Prefer the outdoors? The web will help you find nearby hiking trails, bike rentals or jogging paths. The key is to have this all set up before you leave home.

So this holiday season, take a little time to plan ahead and get intentional with your eating habits, exercise and rest. What do you have to lose but a few pounds?

 

About the Author

David Clair, is the director and trainer of fitness for Living’s Boot Camps in Boulder, Colo.

The post Tips for Shedding Pounds this Holiday Season and Before the New Year appeared first on Competitor.com.

Trail of the Week: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

With more than 3 million residents crammed into 790 square miles, its’s hard not to envision Orange County, Calif., as an endless sea of development. To be sure, there’s plenty of it—the perfect weather and proximity to the ocean certainly puts a huge demand on the land. But Orange County’s varied terrain and forward-thinking planners left plenty of untamed wilderness, webbed with trails, ready for runners to explore.

One of the favorites in Orange County is Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, an expansive escape that borders five different cities—Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Dana Point—while managing to provide serenity from all of them. After prolonged periods of time among Southern California’s sea of people, an exploration of this park offers plenty of rejuvenation and escape—and plenty of great trail running. Scroll through the images below to get a glimpse of the trail running opportunities inside the park.

RELATED: 5 Places to Run in San Diego

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There are several entry points into the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wildnerness Park, including dropping in for a steep descent from the top of the canyon in several places. There are about 30 trails in the park, totaling more than 30 miles. That means mixing and matching different trails is your best bet for a longer run. There are many different entry points into the park, but the most popular is the staging area on east side of the park that connects to Laguna Niguel Regional Park. From there, the Aliso Creek Trail is mostly pavement for bikes but has dirt trails alongside of it. Take that for a little more than a mile before meeting up with the Wood Canyon Trail, which serves as the main artery to most of the off-road trails in the northern area of the park.

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The park is 4,500 acres of land and designated as a wildlife sanctuary—and it shows. On the park’s eastern edge, there's a white board and marker near the main parking lot, and runners, mountain bikers and hikers are encouraged to write down what wildlife they saw that particular day. By midday, the board is full—mule deer are almost a given, but also snakes, roadrunners, coyotes, bobcats and more.

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Southern California’s dry climate makes for a lack of tree shade, but there’s a good amount of it here. There is plenty of singletrack, but also trails wide enough to accommodate both runners and mountain bikers.

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The water flows year-round in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, requiring bridge crossings like this one. There are also caves to peek inside and tree tunnels to run through. It is definitely a popular place—it’s a must to share the trails with mountain bikers and hikers, not to mention the deer you may spook coming around a corner.

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Weekends are a busy time at Aliso and Wood Canyons, but there’s enough trail for everyone.

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The Wood Canyon Trail has gradual elevation change but nothing too gnarly. To get your heart pumping, try out routes like Car Wreck Trail (which goes by a mysterious decades-old remains of an automobile underneath some dense tree growth), Meadows Trail and Mathis Canyon, which leads to the highest point in the park with views of the Pacific Ocean overlooking Laguna Beach.

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Shoe Talk: Nike LunarEpic Flyknit Shield

In our latest Shoe Talk video, we take a look at the new, all-weather Nike LunarEpic Flyknit Shield ($199), a softly cushioned shoe designed with features to protect against the elements and reliable traction necessary for winter running.

The post Shoe Talk: Nike LunarEpic Flyknit Shield appeared first on Competitor.com.

Patagonia is Doing Something Amazing on Black Friday

Earlier this month, Patagonia was in the news for closing stores on Election Day in order to encourage employees—and would-be customers—to cast their vote for President of the United States. Now, they are doing something of an even larger scale.

This Black Friday, Patagonia will be donating 100 percent of its global sales—in store and online—to support “grassroots organizations working in local communities to protect our air, water and soil for future generations.”

They already donate 1 percent of sales daily, but want to make a wider impact on one of the biggest consumer shopping days of the year.

They said in a statement:

“…during a difficult and divisive time, we felt it was important to go further and connect more of our customers, who love wild places, with those who are fighting tirelessly to protect them. This we know: If we don’t act boldly, severe changes in climate, water and air pollution, extinction of species, and erosion of topsoil are certain outcomes. The threats facing our planet affect people of every political stripe, of every demographic, in every part of the country. We all stand to benefit from a healthy environment—and our children and grandchildren do, too.”

If you do shop at Patagonia on Black Friday, they will also be sharing information both in stores and online of how to get in touch with grassroots groups and easily be active in your own communities.

Read More: The Cleanest Line Blog

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Out There: Strange Denizens of Thanksgiving Turkey Trots

We all have different motivations for going to a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning. What is yours? Image: Shutterstock.com

A Thanksgiving race displays a fascinating cross-section of America.

On Thanksgiving, we feast. But first, we run.

Thanksgiving Day is the most popular day for road racing, as people across the country take to Turkey Trots and Thankful 13.1’s to preemptively absolve the atrocities they’re about to commit with deep-fried poultry and things made of pie.

For many racers on Thanksgiving, the turkey trot is the one and only running event of the year. Compared to your typical road race, rife with dedicated runners with months of training under their belts, a Thanksgiving race displays a fascinating cross-section of America, gleefully bobbing through the streets like a ragtag Macy’s parade. Turkey-Trotters come in every shape, size, speed and temperament: young and old; power walkers and costumed runners; hardcore competitors and people who jog in swishy pants from the mid-80s.

Some come for the competition, some for the fresh air, some for health, some for fitness before the feast and some for the people-watching. Good news: There’s lots of people for watching.

RELATED: Calories Broken Down into Minutes of Running

The strange denizens of your local turkey trot:

THE PILGRIM: Runs the race dressed as a passenger of the Mayflower. Infects the podium finishers with smallpox and claims to be first.

CHIPPERROO: Donning her favorite pair of Keds, the Chipperroo power walks her way through the course with frequent high-fives and loud woo-hooing. You think her cheerfulness stems from an abundance of holiday spirit until you realize it is your Aunt Janice, and she has been drinking wine since she put the turkey in the oven at 5 a.m.

THE COMEBACK KID: Brags loudly about the time he ran a 5-minute mile. In high school. Twenty years ago. Has not run since graduation, yet seeds himself in the elite starting corral of the turkey trot. (Spoiler Alert: can no longer run a five-minute mile.) 

HEALTHY HOLIDAY-ER: Sniffs with superiority about the organic locavore meal they’re cooking after the race. Throws around ridiculous phrases like “everything in moderation” and “sweet potatoes without marshmallows.” Will be facedown in a pumpkin pie from 7-Eleven by midnight.

DOMESTIC DODGER: Entered the turkey trot at the last minute, just for a reprieve from listening to relatives argue about Donald Trump. Will sit in the blissful silence of her car for a solid two hours after finishing the race.

HANGOVER BRO: Hey! Hey, you guys! This guy got so wasted last night! You guys! Thanksgiving Eve is the nation’s biggest drinking day! Oh, man! Did he tell you how he drank, like, 10 beers? It was some epic carb-loading, you guys. Bro!

THE CALORIE COUNTER: Knows there are exactly 237 calories in one serving of Mom’s mashed potatoes with gravy and 503 calories in a piece of pecan pie. Has crafted an intricate equation in which running burns at least one thousand calories per hour. Wonders why his pants don’t fit come January 1.

RELATED: How Many Calories Does Running Burn?

THE ADOLESCENT: Grumbles about waking up early on a day off from school. Falls back to sleep in the car ride to the race. Whips out an unprecedented 17-minute 5K, then makes it back to the car to fall asleep in the backseat before you finish.

VOLUNTEER WITH BANANAS: Seriously, why do turkey trot finish lines think you want to put bananas in your stomach? Everyone knows that’s where the pie goes.

THE “SERIOUS” RUNNER: Is annoyed by the excess of newbies clogging up the starting corral and zig-zagging across the course? Don’t they know you’re a “real” runner? Be nice—perhaps today’s turkey trot will spur someone’s year-round obsession with running. Plus, if you’re rude, Aunt Janice will yell at you.

Happy running, happy eating and a very happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Competitor.

RELATED: Why ‘Serious‘ Runners Should Enjoy Holiday Fun Runs

RELATED: Out There: Porta Potty Etiquette for Runners

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About the Author

Susan Lacke  does 5Ks, Ironman Triathlons and everything in between to justify her love for cupcakes (yes, she eats that many). She lives and trains in Salt Lake City, Utah, with three animals: a labrador, a cattle dog, and a freakishly tall triathlete husband. Lacke claims to be of sound mind, though this has yet to be substantiated by a medical expert.  Follow her on Twitter: @SusanLacke

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Scenic Splendor: Dead Horse Ultra Trail Races in Moab, Utah

More than 400 runners from 23 different states converged on the desert outpost of Moab, Utah, on Nov. 19, to test their mettle in the Dead Horse Ultra trail races. The event served up 30K, 50K and 50-mile distances, taking runners on a journey through one of North America’s most striking landscapes—to the edge of precipitous canyons, beneath towering sandstone buttresses, and around mind-bending rock formations. Motivated for a long day of adventure in this big country, I chose the Dead Horse Ultra as my first 50-mile race, and it delivered equally in pain and beauty. Scroll through the images below to get a glimpse of this amazing race venue.

MORE: For complete results and more info about Dead Horse Ultra, check out Mad Moose Events.









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With temperatures below freezing, the pre-dawn start took some resolve, but the sunrise that would soon erupt over the La Sal mountains would provide a dose of euphoria to last several miles, and set the stage for an epic day on the trails. Photo: Michelle Smith

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A set from Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings? Nope, it’s the view that Dead Horse Ultra runners are treated to both early and late in the course on Gemini Bridges Road. Photo: Charles Johnston

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The camaraderie of ultrarunning in full effect. Early in the race, the pain was still miles away, most runners tried to keep the pace conversational, and all marveled as the sun rose over the desert landscape. Photo: Charles Johnston

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Dead Horse Ultra takes place on the Mag 7 trail system, an extensive network of newer singletrack trails that can be linked together by older, more rugged jeep roads. The trails are beloved by mountain bikers, and as the smiles of this runner attest, they work pretty well for running too. Photo: Michelle Smith

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This crew is 15 miles in and running strong on the famous slick rock surface synonymous with the Moab area. Photo: Josh Robertson

Despite its ominous name and substantial 5,400 feet of elevation gain, the trails of Dead Horse Ultra flow well enough that most of the course is quite runnable. But with many of these highly runnable miles come countless steps on quad-pulverizing slick rock, and that’s the crux of the race. This ultra is as hard on the bod as it is easy on the eyes. Photo: Michelle Smith

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Dead Horse Ultra races require non-stop technical concentration as you skirt fiery canyons, negotiate rock drops and dip in and out of sandy washes. Thankfully though, there are some opportunities, like this one, to go on cruise control and let your jaw drop at the scenery. Photo: Josh Robertson

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It’s within reach! Much of the climbing is in the bag at mile 34, and there are just 16, mostly downhill, miles to the finish. Don’t get too greedy though; in between you and that cold beer at the finish line are countless small climbs and one last 500-foot kick in the teeth as you ascend an unforgiving jeep road. Photo: Josh Robertson

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The Dead Horse Ultra 50-miler delivers full-value. At mile 45, it’s not over yet. 10 miles of descending on slick rock and variable singletrack gives way to....ughhh....sand. Photo: Michelle Smith

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Here's the long, final stretch on Gemini Bridges Road to the finish. You can see the party and it’s oh-so sweet, but you still have to keep the legs moving to celebrate. Photo by Michelle Smith

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That's me, stoked to finish the Dead Horse Ultra 50-miler. Several days later, I’m still sore and trying to get my head around my longest run ever. During the early, mellow hours of the race, I made new friends, experienced a sunrise for the ages, and as the day progressed, I had to go deep to finish in a time of 9:38:33. Thanks to Mad Moose Events for a great production, all the other runners for your good mojo and a huge shout to all the volunteers who made the event possible. Photo: Michelle Smith

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The 50 Best Running Stores in America for 2016

The Columbus Running Company in Dublin, Ohio, was named one of the 50 Best Running Stores in American for 2016. Another one of its shops in the Columbus area earned the Best Running Store in America award in 2014. Photo: James D. DeCamp

Walk inside the store of a running store and you’re bound to catch a glimpse of more than running shoes, clothes and accessories.

Your local running shop is bursting with inspiration. All you need to do is walk inside and spend time with one of the expert shoe-fitters and you’re bound to come away with more than just your next pair of kicks. Your local running shop is your one-stop shop for shoes and gear, not to mention information about local trails and races, good advice on how to treat running injuries, not to mention training programs and insights for your next race. And you’ll also leave with a heap of inspiration to reach your running goals, no matter if it’s running your first marathon, running a faster half marathon, losing weight or just getting fit enough to run with your friends a few times per week.

OK, sure, the running retail business has been in a whirlwind of change in recent years. New stores with modern designs, corporate conglomerations with national branding and purchasing power, the continued growth of e-commerce and deep discounting of excess inventory—both in stores and online—have created new shopping opportunities and experiences for runners. It’s super easy to buy that discounted pair of shoes in your favorite color right from your phone. But that’s not what we’d recommend.

RELATED: Reasons to Avoid Buying Cheap Running Shoes Online

We strongly believe in locally owned, community-driven running shops, both because of the passionate people, positive energy, local connections and pure inspiration they afford. Those stores and the people who work there are woven into the soul of the sport, where runners of all abilities can be connected with the passionate culture we all share.

Every year, Competitor magazine partners with Running Insight trade magazine to identify the 50 Best Running Stores in America. It starts with readers nominating their favorite shops on Competitor.com. Then there is a rigorous evaluation process, which includes runner nominations, mystery shopping to assess customer service, credit ratings from vendors, and assessments about local programs and community commitment.

RELATED: Price Isn’t Everything When Buying Running Shoes

When it comes down to it, the best stores in the country are the ones that are focused more on spreading the joy and passion of running than they are on selling running shoes, apparel and accessories. Which running shop was the best in the country for 2016? The winner will be revealed on Dec. 1 at an industry-only trade show in Orlando, Fla., and published online at Competitor.com.

In the meantime, we offer a glimpse of the top shops earning the 50 Best Running Stores in America stamp of approval for 2016 and the four finalists for 2016 Running Store of the Year.

RELATED: Top Shops—Past Winners of The Running Store of the Year Honors

The Final Four

One of these four shops will be revealed as the 2016 Running Store of the Year on Dec. 1 based on criteria that includes the retail environment, shoe-fitting, checkout process, community service and credit ratings from vendors.

Charm City Run

Belair, Md.

Fleet Feet Sports

Brentwood, Tenn.

Hanson’s Running Shop

Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Tortoise & Hare

Glendale, Ariz.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why You Should Shop at a Running Specialty Store

The 50 Best Running Stores in America

The stores listed below represent the list of 50 Best Running Stores in America for 2016 based on their outstanding service, strong business practices and general excellence serving their local running communities.

ALABAMA

Fleet Feet Sports

Huntsville

ARIZONA

Sole Sports

Tempe, Ariz.

Tortoise & Hare

Glendale, Ariz.

ARKANSAS

Rush Running

Bentonville, Ark.

CALIFORNIA

A Snail’s Pace

Brea, Calif.

Fleet Feet Sports

Aptos, Calif.

Fleet Feet Sports

Sacramento, Calif.

CONNECTICUT

Fleet Feet Sports

West Hartford, Conn.

FLORIDA

1st Place Sports

Jacksonville, Fla.

Runner’s Depot

Davie, Fla.

Running Wild

Pensacola, Fla.

Track Shack

Orlando, Fla.

GEORGIA

Game Changers

Richmond Hill, Ga.

West Stride

Atlanta

ILLINOIS

Dick Pond Athletics

St. Charles, Ill.

Fleet Feet Sports

Chicago

Geneva Running Outfitters

Geneva, Ill.

Running Central

Peoria, Ill.

INDIANA

Fleet Feet Sports

Fort Wayne, Ind.

Three Rivers Running

Fort Wayne, Ind.

KANSAS

Manhattan Running Co.

Manhattan

LOUSIANA

Varsity Sports

Baton Rouge, La.

MAINE

Fleet Feet Sports

Portland, Maine

MARYLAND

Fleet Feet Sports

Baltimore, Md.

Charm City Run

Belair, Md.

MASSACHUSETTS

Charles River Running

Norwood, Mass.

New England Running Co.

Beverly, Mass.

Whirlaway

Methuen, Mass.

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor Running Co. 

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Complete Runner

Flint, Mich.

Hanson’s Running Shop

Grosse Pointe, Mich.

MISSOURI

Big River Running Co.

St. Louis, Mo.

Run 816

Liberty, Mo.

The Running Well Store

Lee’s Summit, Mo.

NEBRASKA

Lincoln Running Co.

Lincoln, Neb.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Runners Alley

Portsmouth, N.H.

NEW YORK

Fleet Feet Sports

Syracuse, N.Y.

NORTH CAROLINA

Bull City Running

Durham, N.C.

Charlotte Running Co.

Charlotte

Run For Your Life

Charlotte

OHIO

Columbus Running Co.

Dublin, Ohio

Dave’s Running

Sylvania, Ohio

Second Sole

Akron, Ohio

Up & Running

Dayton, Ohio

OKLAHOMA

Red Coyote Running & Fitness

Oklahoma City

RELATED:

PENNSYLVANIA

A Running Start

West Reading, Pa.

TENNESSEE

Fleet Feet Sports

Brentwood, Tenn.

TEXAS

iRun Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Luke’s Locker

Dallas, Texas

UTAH

Runner’s Corner

Orem, Utha

VIRGINIA

Fleet Feet Sports

Roanoke, Va.

Potomac Running

Burke, Va.

WEST VIRGINIA

Two Rivers Treads

Shepherdstown, W.V.

WISCONSIN

Performance Runnning Outfitters

Brookfield, Wis.

The post The 50 Best Running Stores in America for 2016 appeared first on Competitor.com.

Infographic: Thanksgiving Calories Broken Down Into Minutes of Running

Infographic Courtesy of Mizuno Running

Turkey Trots have become a Thanksgiving tradition, inviting an estimated 800,000 people each year to run in more than 1,000 events nationwide—ranging from 5Ks to marathons—before they chow down on some serious carbs. But do you know exactly how long you’d have to run in order to burn off all the Turkey Day calories consumed later? Mizuno created an infographic breaking down each of the Thanksgiving plate staples into minutes of running required for calories burned. These calculations are based on a 175-pound individual running at a 10-minute per mile pace.

RELATED: Strange Denizens of Thanksgiving Turkey Trots

RELATED: Turkey Trot Participation Still Booming

Turkey: 236 calories per 8 ounces and 17.5 minutes of running

Mashed Potatoes: 214 calories per cup and 15.5 minutes of running

Brussel Sprouts: 38 calories per cup and 2.5 minutes of running

Dinner Roll: 160 calories for 2 rolls and 12 minutes of running

Sweet Potato Casserole: 360 calories per cup and 26.5 minutes of running

Stuffing: 356 calories per cup and 26 minutes of running

Gravy: 134 calories per half cup and 10 minutes of running

Cranberry Sauce: 418 calories per cup and 31 minutes of running

Pumpkin Pie: 632 calories per slice and 47 minutes of running

Red Wine: 250 calories for two glasses and 18.5 minutes of running

In total it would take almost 3.5 hours to burn off an entire Thanksgiving meal. For some that’d be a decent marathon PR.

RELATED: How Many Calories Does Running Burn?

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5 Tips for Staying Mentally Fresh While Training

If you ask any professional athlete, they will tell you how important mental sharpness is to being competitive. Consistent workouts, year after year, are the key to reaching your competitive goals. Staying mentally fresh is the key to consistent workouts. Following some of these simple tips from professional triathlete and mountain biker Ryan Petry will help reach your goals with a smile on your face.

1. Remember why you are training.

It can be easy to forget why you are working out in the first place, we all have our reasons. Whether you are training for the sense of accomplishment, your health, or because you love to compete, getting out the door is a choice we have to make. Of course, there will be those days where training is the last thing you want to do, but think about how you would feel if you didn’t.

2. Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket.

Sacrifices need to be made to reach your goals, but making too many sacrifices is a quick way to get burnt out. The best pros indulge once in a while. Enjoy the occasional drink, dessert, and don’t be afraid to skip a workout when life throws other opportunities your way.

3. Don’t set too many alarms.

Often times the best time to fit in a workout is the morning before work. However, dreading the sound of that early alarm and the run, ride, swim, gym session that soon follows is an easy way to burn out on training. Consistent training is important, but enjoying what you are doing is more important, and so is sleep. Try going to bed earlier, or training after work a few times a week to give the alarm a break.

4. Make it social.

Between work, family, training, and getting enough sleep, it can be hard to find time to have a social life. Training with friends or finding a training group is a great way to maintain relationships with friends and meet new friends. Plus, training with others keeps you accountable in doing your workouts and pushes you to work harder.

5. Recognize when you’re pushing too hard.

Pushing through the days where you aren’t motivated to get out and train in order to reach your goal is one thing, but when you find yourself unmotivated every time and you’re beginning to question if the training is worth it, it might be time to take a step back. Stay in touch with how you are feeling, and don’t be afraid to take a break and reevaluate. If you push something you enjoy too far, it could become something you despise forever.

By following these tips, you will not only toe the line ready to push yourself, but also you will cross the finish and look back and view the whole experience in a positive light. Who knows, you may even sign up for another race.

 

About the Author

Ryan Petry is a professional mountain biker and triathlete from Boulder, Colo. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2014 where he initially pursued triathlon but discovered his new love for mountain biking and XTERRA racing. Ryan went pro for mountain biking in 2015 and moved to Boulder to train amongst the best triathletes and bikers. He is a BioAstin brand ambassador and his favorite recovery supplement products include BioAstin Hawaiian Astaxanthin and Green Complete Hawaiian Spirulina Powder.

The post 5 Tips for Staying Mentally Fresh While Training appeared first on Competitor.com.