Woodstock 5K Run - Aug 5, 7:30 AM - Anniston

26th Annual - Woodstock 5K Run

August 5, 2006
Anniston, Alabama
Race start - 7:30 a.m.

Twilight 5K Retro Run - Sat, July 29, 6:00 PM

Birmingham Retro run for this weekend. This should be fun.

More Info Here: http://trakshak.com/

or to register online: Twilight 5K Retro Run - Saturday, July 29th, 6:10 pm.

Critter Run 5K

Saturday July 22, 6:00 PM at Westgate Park, Dothan, AL.

http://dothanrunners.com/

I'm hoping for rain (Fat Chance).

Run for the weekend.......

I won't be running due to work obligations (it's also too hot, 101 yesterday), but the run I would be running if I could is:

Chalaka Challenge - 5K / 10K / 1mi

Sylacagua, AL.
10K Run begins at 7:00 a.m. (flat/fast course)
5K Run begins at 7:30 a.m.
1 Mile Fun Run begins at 7:45 a.m.

*Runners must check in on race day at 6:00a.m.

Went to the country.......

Ate a lot of peaches. :D

I have that silly song stuck in my head because that's really what I did! The annual Peach Run 10K in Clanton Alabama, home of the Giant Peach along I-65.

It turned out to be a great "cool" summer morning, cloudy and breezy, and the temp was only 74 at 7 AM. All Alabama runners know that those a excellent running conditions for Alabama in the Summer.

Thank you to the Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness in Clanton. You know your in the country when the town's fitness center's "locker room" has no lockers, just "cubbies" for you to store your stuff while you workout. And only a single shower stall. I don't mean to insult Clanton, it is a very nice, quaint farming community. Next week is the Peach Festival.

"Going to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches..........." That song was stuck in my head the whole run!

Peach Run 5k & 10k - June 17, 2006

The Peach Run5k & 10K are held in Clanton this Saturday, a week before the actual Peach Festival:

Peach Run (Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness)
Details: June 17, 2006. The 5K & 10K begin at 7:00a.m.
Both races will begin and end at Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness, 110 Baker Ave., Clanton, AL. Prizes awarded at 9:00 a.m.
$100 Each Top 5K Male and Female Winner
$100 Each Top 10K Male and Female Winner
Age Division Winners will be awarded for each race also.
For further information, call 205-280-6450
Cost: $20 (5K & 10K)

New

New addition to Village Coffee on the Atlanta Highway and Taylor Rd.. Live Music on Friday and Saturday evening, and wireless internet.

Dominic's out on Vaughn Road, just east of Merry (Pike Road area) has a new coffee shop, haven't tried it yet, but I will soon and let you know. Dominic's is an upscale grocery store.

And did you know; the new Southern Homes and Gardens out on Vaughn, near Deer Creek, also has a cafe'. I'm glad we're finally getting choices around here.

Friday Evening Trail Runs - B'ham

XTERRA Scramble - 5K and 10K Trail Runs - June 9, 6:00 PM at Oak Mountain State Park, Birmingham, AL.

http://www.xterraplanet.com/races/race.cfm?race_id=375

Sommer's Place: One of my Favorites

Not only one of my best place to eat in Montgomery, it is within walking distance of my hovel.
Sommer's Place
From the Montgomery Advertiser: Two For Twenty: Sommer's Place.

Although it is an ugly suburban strip mall, I still manage to rate this place above any of the popular restaurant chains. The food is always good, the staff are always very friendly.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (Need more premium beer choices)

Running in this Heat

Avoid Hyponatremia!

Hyponatremia is literally water poisoning. Most runners are not aware that they can drink too much water. Not only can you drink too much water, but it can also cause a very serious condition and has even caused some fatalities.

A low level of sodium in the blood causes Hyponatremia. When you sweat you lose approximately 2.25 to 3.4 grams of sodium per liter of sweat. During a race, you will average around 1 liter of sweat loss per hour. If you drink only water during your race, you will dilute your blood even more, which can result in hyponatremia. This condition is usually only a problem in activities lasting more than one hour, but can occur in shorter activities.

Hyponatremia can be a serious condition. If you believe you may be suffering from this illness, seek medical attention. Drinking sports drinks and eating salty foods can treat minor symptoms.

Aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can contribute to the development of hyponatremia. Because of the popularity of these medications among runners, this condition is becoming more prevalent, especially in the longer distances such as marathons, ultra-marathons and triathlons.

To avoid hyponatremia follow these suggestions.

· Drink sports drinks during events lasting longer than 1 hour.

· Avoid anti-inflammatory medications.

· Take in at least 1 gram of sodium per hour.

· Drink at least 6 to 12 ounces of sports drinks every 15 minutes.

· Increase you salt intake before your race.

Two Excellent Restaurants

Located next door to each other in Cloverdale, across from the Capri Theatre, these two are actually single entities that compliment each other. Both Menu's are available at either place. Forget about the chain restaurant blandness, these two restaurants are unique and very appetizing.

Cafe Louisa - Cafe and Bakery - The best place for coffee and pastries in Montgomery or surrounding area. European flavors, New England ambiance, southern charm. The crew is unpretentious and friendly. The place is cozy and comfortable. The lunch menu offers something for everyone no matter what taste, from meat lover's to vegans, from traditional to organic.

Tomatinos - Pizza and Bake Shop - The only place to get real, original style pizzas, New York Style.

I rate these two together, 5 out of 5.

There is a burrito place that is also a part of this family of restaurants. El Rey or Burrito Lounge. When I have a chance to sample this place, I will update.

This small section of Montgomery set in Cloverdale offers more offers more quality restaurants than rest of the city, and all of them being with in steps of the Capri Theatre. The only place that shows independent movies in Montgomery. So when you're tired of fighting the crowds, traffic and parking lot nightmares near the Rave, come to Cloverdale and be relaxed and enjoy yourself with something off the beaten path.

Village Coffee

Perfect for the pre-run caffiene fix. There is a new coffee shop in town which is an Alabama owned business. Village coffee started out in Troy and has just added a new shop here in Montgomery. The coffee shop is located in front of the Publix on the Atlanta Highway and Taylor Road. Coffee is better than at the popular Seattle's chain of coffee shops; it is less crowded and much, much more tidy. A dark chocolate covered espresso bean has served with each cup I've ordered. The staff is very friendly and the setting is casual and inviting. There is even a guitar in the seating area just waiting for you to play.
http://www.villagecoffee.biz/
(Click on the Menu to find a $1.00 coupon)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 -.5 for One Minor Dissappointment. Like most coffee shops in this area, the outside seating area faces a parking lot and a busy street, BLECCHHHHHH! Who wants to sit outside with the carbon monoxide fumes and watch passing cars? It would be nice if a coffee shop would open here that has outside dining area that faces a more natural or pleasing setting. The best one of seen in Alabama is the Highland Coffee Company in Birmingham. Anyone know of others around Montgomery?

Time to load up the carbs

Recipe: CARAMELIZED CHOCOLATE, BANANA, AND MARSHMALLOW SANDWICHES

It has bananas, it must be healthy. Right?

Constantly Sweating

Just in time for Jubilee, it's officially summer. High's near 90, lows near 70's. July Temperature already in May. Time to become a O-dark thirty early morning runner. It's already in the 80's by 8:00 AM, misery!

The southern natives are still wearing sweaters in morning, I can barely breathe the heavy, sticky sweltering air. Time for summer hibernation.

High today of 92. Ouch!

Jubilee 8k

Mat Best ran Jubilee 8k last year with an egg-sized tumor in his brain. This year he'll be running after recovering from brain surgery. See story below:
Brain cancer can't stop 8K runner By Tom Ensey Montgomery Advertiser


More info: JUBILEE RUN

When: Saturday. 8K starts at 7:30 a.m.; 2-mile starts at 8:45 a.m.; fun run for kids 6 and younger begins after 2-mile race

Where: Klein Park downtown, across from the fountain on Dexter Avenue

Registration: 4 to 8 p.m. today at Sneakers on Atlanta Highway; 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Chamber of Commerce on Commerce Street Race day registration: Klein Park Entry fee: $20 today and Friday; $25 day of race; fun run $1