Sports Talk: Run The Bluegrass--Why Not?

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Feb. 5, 2014.  
January is over so it's time we all ask ourselves... How are those New Year's resolutions going??

Good, great or not so great is not the point. The point should be that no matter how you're doing on a goal you've set for yourself, any day can be the day to buckle down; not just the start to the year.
 
If you're looking for something to give you a little extra motivation on a fitness related goal, I have just the thing for you: the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon.
 
This race, which covers the beautiful horse farms of Lexington, takes place on March 29--exactly two months away. And don't worry--if you don't think you're cut out for a 13.1 mile race, they offer a seven mile option.
 
I love that there is a seven mile option. This is long enough to be more of a challenge than your typical 5K, but not so daunting to train for as a half or full marathon.
 
In addition to being a great race that's not far away at all, it's considered America's prettiest half-marathon's, attracting runners from across the country. The event itself is more than just a race, aimed to show off all the beauty of our state and some of its stand out features--like our horses and bourbon.
 
One of the really cool things this year's race has focused on is their Guest of Honor, Heather Abbott of Newport, Rhode Island. Heather was one of the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon and has since had her lower left leg amputated. Heather and a loved one will be attending the race and get a full Bluegrass experience while the race coordinators are encouraging race participants to donate toward helping with her medical expenses for the prosthetic leg. Their goal is $10,000 and they were well past $5,000 as of December.
 
I should also mention, for anyone who has already signed up for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon, which will be held on April 19, the two races have created a partnership, The Kentucky Half Classic. Those who finish both races get all sorts of awesome amenities like a unique finisher's medal and exclusive access to food, drinks and bathrooms.
 
Look to some of those in our community who hit major milestones last year--Nell Duggins, Erica Turner and J.J. Tarter who all became Iron Women. If you need words of encouragement for achieving your goals--whether it be this race or something much simpler--I guarantee you there are people nearby ready to give you whatever motivation you need to remind you that you can accomplish your goals.
 
January may be over but don't let that be the end of your 2014 goals!

Follow the Run the Bluegrass Facebook Page

Sports Talk: October events in Casey County

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Oct. 2, 2013.
October is here! I’ve been amazed at the number of people I’ve heard and seen express their love of this month. (And I thought it was just me!) I think we can all feel it is officially the fall season and we can thoroughly enjoy the beautiful weather, pumpkin everything, colorful leaves … The list goes on and on.

This month’s beauty motivates us all to be outside more and be active, enjoying the natural beauty and weather: hiking, biking, camping, Keeneland, golfing, tailgating. I wanted to point out two local events taking place this month that benefit great local causes:

-          The Indian Creek Relay on Saturday, Oct. 5

-          The Glow the Night Run on Oct. 25

Indian Creek Relay: Oct. 5

This event is fun and different from the other 5K runs hosted within our county. Rather than individually running, participants can come as teams of three and run nearly half the distance they would in a 5k—only 1.7 miles. That’s not so bad right?

The course itself is 5.1 miles and individual runners are welcome to take on the course, which covers Indian Creek Road (Hwy. 3270), beginning at the Middleburg Dairy Freeze.  Awards are given to both teams and solo runners in four different age groups.

The event is put on by several area churches as a memorial to Trenton Rayborn, who passed away in August 2009. The annual event’s proceeds this year will go to Little League Football, Noah Laman and Brayden Taylor.

Information can be found about the event on the FacebookPage “Indian Creek Relay: Trenton Rayborn Memorial Run,” or contact Bill Hill at (606) 787-5382.

Glow the Night Run: Oct. 25

The Glow The Night Run is actually a running series that takes place throughout the country and it’s coming to Casey County at the Ag/Expo Center this month. You may have heard of The Color Run before… so imagine this, but all of the color glowing at night!

“You will get completely covered in glowrific color dust with friends, family and silly strangers, while focusing more on the different color fun and participating in the three mile course, at night, under the cool glow of black lights,” says the official website. Participants are encouraged to wear white clothing to allow the color to show off at its fullest.

The course is three miles and coming to Liberty is quite the big deal. The other October events will be taking place in Minneapolis, Dayton, and Indianapolis. Lexington hosted a Glow the Night run in early September.

The event is being hosted by the local Relay for Life team, “Bertha’s Buddies” and will benefit Casey County’s Relay for Life. Those interested can still register for the race at a discounted price before Oct. 12. Visit www.glowthenight5k.com for more information and to register.

Sports Talk: Joining the Elite

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published Aug. 28 , 2013. 
A few weeks ago a group of ladies in the area competed in a half iron-man competition but this past Sunday, two took the “go big or go home” motto to heart and are now among the elite Iron Man finishers.

Dr. Erica Montgomery Turner and Nell Tarter Duggins made a complete day of it in the swim, bike and run competition.
 
Even being an athlete my entire life and being a runner, I cannot wrap my head around what these two ladies did. The day itself is one thing but the time and training it took to prepare for such an obstacle is beyond my comprehension.
 
The run alone is 26.2 miles—a marathon. I commend marathon runners, but can you imagine having swam 2.4 miles and biked 112 before taking on the marathon?
 
Nell finished in 12:54:20, which put her 30th in her division and 944th overall. Erica finished in 15:27:46, which was 76th in her division and 2,002 overall—and that was despite experiencing not just one or two but three flat tires during her biking leg of the event. I have no doubt both were grateful to have had support on the sidelines from family and friends from their ladies bootcamp group.
 
If you see either of these ladies this week—or any time for that matter—be sure to congratulate them. While the challenge is obviously physical, I believe the mental side of it must be just as big of a challenge. A goal that is physically exhausting that takes 10-17 hours to accomplish means there is a lot of time to back out, feel sorry for yourself or come up with excuses for why you need to throw in the towel. Neither of these ladies did.
 
Even if joining the Iron Man elite is not a goal you have for yourself, look to these two for inspiration for setting your mind to a difficult challenge and not backing down from it.

Sports Talk: Running for Fun Around the Area

As a correspondent sports writer for The Casey County News, I write an weekly editorial column for the publication. Published June 26, 2013.  

Late June and July bring some of our hottest days of the year, so thinking of being outside and breaking a sweat from physical activity may not be exactly appealing to most people. A raft floating in the pool with a cold drink or a trip to the lake definitely sounds 10x more refreshing.

However, taking advantage of the cooler mornings is always a rewarding way to start the day. I love seeing the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle becoming a bigger part of our community. The young running group that has been working out together the past month is such a turn around from what I had to train and run with ten years ago. I made semi-regular trips to Danville just to find running partners.

The additions of Back and Body as well as the walking/running trail connecting downtown to the Ag/Expo center in the past several years have brought great motivation and convenience to the county for making fitness a part of our lives. It’s no longer uncommon to see runners of any age getting in their daily mileage on the streets of Liberty. Today I even saw bikers out and about.

If you have not yet done so, sign up for Liberty’s 5K on the morning of July 4, which kicks of the county’s Independence Day festivities.  Sure, 8 a.m. may be an early activity for a holiday, but (a) nobody wants to be running once the sun gets high; (b) you always feel good when you’ve completed such a big task by 9 a.m.; (c) the company is great!

With running growing in our community, it’s also growing around us. Right now Casey County has four regular runs a year (July 4, Apple Festival, Turkey Trot and Cabin Fever), which I am thrilled about. Meanwhile, on practically any given weekend, it’s not hard to find a nearby 5K to kick off your Saturday. (I’m sorry to report we’re too late for the Twinkie Run in Danville held yesterday.)

Upcoming area runs include:

JULY

4: Casey County Liberty Bell 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m. at Courthouse Square

6: Firecracker 5K, 8 a.m. Stanford (Main Street)

13: Rockcastle 5 Miler, 8 a.m. Mt. Vernon (Renfro Valley)

20: Bluegrass State Games 10K/5K, 8 a.m. Nicholasville

27: Jingle in July 5K, 8 a.m. Lancaster (Garrard County High School)

AUGUST

3: Coach Plummer’s 5K Run, 8 a.m. Danville (Admiral Stadium)

10: Run with All Your Hart/Walk , 8:30 CDT Russell Springs (Russell County Auditorium)

10: Dash for Life 5K, 8 a.m. Junction City (Junction City Park)

17: Run Bike Hike, 8 a.m. Mt. Vernon (Lake Linville)

17: Bluegrass Drug Run for Camp Can Do 5K Run/Walk + Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. Danville (Ponder Court)

24: Pigskin Classic 5K and 1 Miler, 9 p.m. Danville (Admiral Stadium)

31: Run for the Pets 5K/15K, 8 a.m. Burgin (Shawnee Run Baptist Church)

SEPTEMBER

7: Smokin’ Butt Ride, 9 a.m. Danville, (Downtown)

15: Constitution Run for the Arts 5K, Danville (Constitution Square)

21: CASA Superhero Run 5K and Kids 1K, 9 a.m. Lexington (Coldstream Park)

28: Hope 53 5K Run/Walk, 8:30 a.m. Danville (Millenium Park)

A great resource and “in” to a wonderful running community is Danville Bike and Footwear. Their website (www.dbfky.com) includes a calendar of many of the local runs as well as a pretty complete listing of races taking place throughout the state.

I speak from personal experience and connections when I say those in the running community just north of us are fantastic people and encourage those of our own running community to connect with this group.

For more information about the Liberty Bell 5K visit www.libertykentucky.org.