Beginning Running Group

It's almost that time again! The next RunnerDude's Fitness Beginning Running Group will start on Tuesday, October 18th. This 12-week program will have you completing 3.1 miles (a 5K) by the end of the program. This plan involves a walk/run method designed to ease you into running. This program is great for beginners of all ages! All you need is a desire to want to run.
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The program will take you through the beginning of the new year, so you'll already be a step ahead on your New Year's resolution for a healthier you!!

Price: $100

Includes:

• a Fitness Assessment for running (a $55.00 value!)
• a 12-week training plan
• 2 weekly group runs
• a RunnerDude's Fitness/Off'n Running Sports Technical T-Shirt
• a 10% off coupon for 1 purchase at Off'n Running Sports
• a 15% off coupon for a future RunnerDude's Fitness service or program 
• mini-info sessions on related running topics
• weekly motivational emails

Not sure about joining the group? Check out this testimonial from a previous RunnerDude's Fitness Beginning Running Group participant. 
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“I want to start out by saying I'm not an athlete. I don't like to sweat and I haven't exercised since I hit puberty. But at age 41, with my weight steadily rising and my self esteem plummeting, I knew I needed to make some changes. RunnerDude’s beginning running program was perfect for me. Thad started us off slowly, set do-able goals and the end of every run felt like a victory. By the end of the program we were running 30 minutes non-stop, something I thought I'd never do. And I'm still running on my own today. I've lost weight, lost five inches and fit into my clothes again. But more importantly I'm healthier and have gained tremendous confidence. I wouldn't have done it without Thad and our group. If I can do it, anyone can. Thanks RunnerDude!” Sherri Rhyne—Greensboro, NC
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Group running is one of the best ways to get started. Not only will you make some great friends, you'll also have the support of RunnerDude and your fellow beginning runners to encourage and motivate you as enter the awesome world of running.

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For more information on the program or to sign up email Thad at runnerdude@runnerdudesfitness.com 

Register by October 15th and be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Off'n Running Sports in Greensboro, NC.
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Not in the Greensboro area? No problem. Email Thad and ask about the online Beginning Running coaching program.

The S.B.B. Rule—A Benefit of Running

Running has a lot of benefits, many of which I've lauded on the blog—heart health, aerobic fitness, overall fitness, healthy competition, running buddies. The list could go on and on, but one of the unwritten, not often talked about, but every-runner-knows benefits is the S.B.B. Rule Not ringing a bell? Maybe this will help....Spit. Burp. Break Wind. Every runner knows that while on the run, it's entirely acceptable to spit, burp, and break wind. It just happens. No way around it. If you run, at some point in time, you're going to need to S.B.B. and oh yea, don't forget the SN (Snot-Rocket)!

Usually these bodily functions occur on the run with little fanfare, because of the understanding of this unwritten rule. Well, in most cases. If one of the guys in my running group (let's call him Lester) had Indian food the night before our run, we usually give him a good ribbing (and keep our distance). Ha! Anywho, normally, the 5th-grade humor is left at home and we all just know it's going to happen to us all at any given point in time, especially on those really long runs.

Running etiquette says that a runner pulls to the side of the pack when he/she needs to spit or launch a snot rocket. If it's a windy day, the runner needs to pull off to the side as well as navigate to the back of the pack as to prevent a running buddy from becoming the victim of backdraft splatter. And if you have to flatulate, well, being in the lead of the pack is probably not the best position....pull to the back of the pack. But as long as you adhere to these few rules, no one cares about S.B.B.s on the run.

I feel, however, that I need to make a few clarifications, especially for the newer runners. This unwritten S.B.B. rule only applies to the great outdoors. Now, we all have ooopsies while on the treadmill at the gym, and those are forgiven. But, restraint must be exercised while in enclosed areas.

A recent treadmill run at the gym was the real catalyst for this post. I arrived at the gym at 5:00PM not really expecting to see an open treadmill. But low-and-behold, right in the middle of a sea of occupied treadmills was a free one on the second row. Well, I quickly sprinted for the free machine. After hopping on and doing a minute or so of brisk walking to get warmed up, I noticed an odd odor.

My first reaction was to take a whiff of my own workout clothes. Nope, not them. They were clean. Yet, this odd odor was getting stronger. Then I heard that tell "tail" noise....a toot! Not one, but a rapid succession of them. Toot, toot, toot. tootie-tootie-toot!

Okay, I quickly realized why my prized treadmill was free. It was downwind of a toot queen on a treadmill directly in front of me! This lady was letting them fly faster than a sniper with a machine gun! Difference being this "sniper" wasn't hidden. She had on ear buds and I guess she was thinking, "Out of sound. Out of smell." NOT!

Well that was the fastest 4-miler I've ever logged on a treadmill. A PR. No lie! But I don't recommend it as a training tactic.

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So please, remember that when you're on a treadmill, you're not really going anywhere. There's no sudden breeze to whisk your fowl air away. And please have pity on your fellow runners who may be down- or side-wind of you. The S.B.B. rule only applies when running in the great out doors!

It's kind of funny. I went back to the gym the other day, and the same lady was there. And guess what? There was a vacant treadmill behind her again. I used an elliptical machine that day.

Social Running...It's Okay!

The other day at a group run sponsored by a local running store, a friend of mine overheard a "serious runner" commenting on my running group—The BlueLiners. "They're just a social group" was the comment, said with a little distain in his tone. I was a little surprised to hear this. Runners are usually more supportive of fellow runners. Maybe he's envious of the camaraderie he's seen of our group as we pass by. Whatever the reason for his opinion, I'd just like to go on the record and say that there's nothing wrong with socializing being a part of any running group. In fact, I think it's a crucial element. If everything is 100% running, training, racing, faster, harder, better, then I think you increase your chances for an early burnout.

Besides, learning about the lives of your fellow running buddies helps to build some of the best friendships of you'll ever have. I bet I could send out an email to my fellow BlueLiners asking for help with something and I'd get 80% of the group responding within 5 minutes. Now, some of those responses would be witty retorts, but most would be genuine responses offering assistance (even the witty ones would want to help). The BlueLiners group is a very diverse group of runners. Some run purely for the social interaction, others are trying to lose weight/get fit, while others have specific racing goals in mind. The age ranges from the 20s to the 60s. On our Saturday morning long runs, we begin as a group and eventually break into various pacing groups. Afterwards, we head for coffee and bagels! Some group members also meet early Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a 5-mile run.

I’ve discovered that I do much better when I run and/or exercise with friends. It's amazing how a long run (or any run for that matter) with a group seems to go by faster and is much more enjoyable than going it alone. Whether you’re starved for attention, need that extra diversion to help get you through those last few miles of a long run, or you enjoy the camaraderie or competition of running with others, it does seem to help. Actually it may even be good for your brain to run with others. Scientists even believe that the generation of new neurons (neurogenesis) is increased in the brain when a person exercises in a group.

I've learned so much (running lessons and life lessons) from the youngens to the elders of the group. Plus, for "just a social group" we have some pretty good stats. At least 10 of the group (that I can think of) have run Boston (some more than once). One BlueLiner even won her age division at Boston. Not too shabby! Go BlueLiners!

Go forth! Be social! Have fun! Run!