March News & Updates

 

DON'T STRESS OUT ON RACE DAY - PACE YOURSELF!

Worried about maintaining the right speed to achieve your desired finish time? Anxious about running without your iPod? Then take advantage of the Champion Pace Teams to help you make it to the end. This enthusiastic, highly motivated group of men and women can keep you on track by providing great advice and encouragement along the way.

All Marathon and Half Marathon runners can sign up for a Pace Team at the Health & Fitness Expo at the Adam's Mark Hotel. Teams are available for the following times: 3:10 Full Marathon/1:35 Half Marathon; 3:20/1:40; 3:30/1:45; 3:40/1:50; 3:50/1:55; 4:00/2:00; 4:15/2:08; 4:30/2:15; 5:00/2:30.

For Half Marathon participants, pace leaders will guide you through mile 9.5 of the course at which point they will separate to continue on with the Marathoners for the entire course.

FRIENDLY REMINDERS ABOUT REGISTRATION.

* Registration will remain open through Saturday, April 14 at the EXPO. There will be no race day registration for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay.

* Current fees are as follow: Marathon - $85; Half-Marathon - $65; Marathon Relay - $220; 5K Run/Walk - $25; Children's Fun Runs - $10; Mature Mile - $12. These entry fees are available until April 1. Mail-in entry forms need to be postmarked by April 1, at which time mail-in registration closes. Online registration remains open until April 10. However late fees apply after April 1. Registration reopens at the Health & Finish EXPO on April 13.

* Fees are not refundable and are not transferable to other people.

* If you've already registered, but decide to switch to a different event, no refunds are given and additional fees may apply. This will be handled only at the EXPO.

* ART & SOLE RECEPTION: March 31, 2007. Meet the artists who have created all of the Mile Markers for the events and enjoy the energy and passion in their work.

E.T. PHONE HOME

Cingular...the new AT&T will be providing phones at the Finish Line for Sunday's participants to share their accomplishments with family or friends who were unable to be there on race day.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to Running USA, here are some 2006 statistics based on Finishers:

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO VOLUNTEER

The Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend® is still looking for volunteers to make this year's events the biggest and greatest in the organization's history. Register online through our web site or e-mail infospirit@sbcglobal.net for more information.

GOOD PAIN VS. BAD PAIN

Do you ever get that pain in your foot, but hope that if you just ignore it, it will go away? How do you differentiate between good pain and bad pain? When does "hurt so good" become hurt real bad?

Most doctors would agree that pain induced by higher levels of training is perfectly normal. If you suffer from muscle stiffness or soreness at the beginning of a run or a few hours after a run, then it is caused by microscopic tears in the muscle tissue. With good pain, most runners feel relief through stretching or massages. However, bad pain, the kind that will cause further injury if ignored, can be detrimental to your running career if you don't address it immediately.

So, what does bad pain feel like? Usually, it's a sharp, brief pain when you move in a certain way, or place pressure on a specific spot. Often localized to one area, most runners can pinpoint exactly where the pain originates. Bad pain is not relieved through stretching; it is serious and should be addressed by a medical professional as soon as possible.

What's the best way to avoid all kinds of pain? Implement stretching, cross training and weight training into your regimen. Numerous studies have shown that all three elements will not only help you deter injury, but also vastly improve your pace and endurance while running.

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