MISSOURI HALF MARATHON BLOG

Frostbite 13.1 Half Marathon Race Review

2012-02-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Race Review by Maureen Bowen, official member of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club:

Review - Frostbite 13.1 (St Louis Missouri 1/21/12)
The race is operated by the St Louis Track Club and I believe is truly a warm-up for the spring marathons. I needed another state with a low cost race and this fit the bill (easy in/out to STL and 15 bucks for the race). The race had 421 finishers for the 1/2 and also had a 4 mile run (over 400 people) as well.

The weather DID NOT cooperate for this race as there was freezing rain on Friday night with cold temperatures through mid-day Saturday. The course was located in Forest Park (site of Worlds Fair) and is a beautiful area. However, there were at least 2 major issues with this race. 1) The streets and sidewalks were covered in ice at race time 2) According to race directors, they are not allowed to stop traffic for this race through the park. Add both of those up and you have a recipe for disaster. But as most of you would agree, if everyone else can run in it, why can't I suck it up. I had already flown there from Raleigh.

Shotgun start - everyone is trying to figure out how to run on the ice (some not successfully) but there is little to no traffic at 9am and all the volunteers are out and about. This is going to be hard, but I can do this... then at MILE 3 - BAM! I AM HIT BY A CAR going about 5 miles an hour from behind. (NO JOKE) The older man got out of his car and was visibly shaken - I assured him I was okay and sent him back to his car. The volunteer asked if I needed him to call the race director and I said no - and then decided I needed to finish the race. I walked for about the next 2 miles - more emotionally upset than physically injured - flinching each time I slipped on the ice or a car passed by. It was not good. Did I mention that my 2:58 finishing time was the 5th slowest of the race?! 1 water stop at mile 2/7 (loop) in front of the visitors building. I saw NO on course support after mile 8. The timing belt was still up. I did go into the administration building after the race and announce that I was the one hit by the car. They were very concerned about me and couldn't believe that I finished. (PS - No medals or shirts for 13.1 race)

Their website now posts an apology for having such bad conditions...http://www.stlouistrackclub.com/index.htm

They were nice - the course would be nice if the weather was better, but the weather and the CAR TRAFFIC would make me say no to this race unless you live in St Louis and can make that determination at the last minute.

Rock the Parkway Half Marathon & 5k Announcement

2012-01-06T22:14:00.000-07:00

Rock the Parkway Half Marathon & 5k will take place on April 14th 2012. This event features a scenic course along Ward Parkway in Kansas City, in addition to LIVE MUSIC along the course AND at the post event plaza. This race has GREAT SWAG, including a shirt and a mylar blanket for all finishers and a nice big medal! And FOOD, ....everyone likes food at the end of a long race, right?!

Additionally, Fifty States HALF Marathon Club www.halfmarathonclub.com official members will receive a nice discount to this event!

For all the details on the event, please visit the event site directly:

Rock the Parkway Half Marathon & 5k

MISSOURI HALF MARATHON CALENDAR 2012

2012-01-02T03:04:00.000-07:00

Visit the Missouri Half Marathon Calendar for 2012

MISSOURI HALF MARATHON CALENDAR 2012

Strong Kids Run Half Marathon, 5k and 1mi run in November

2011-11-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

Attention Missouri runners, are you looking for a half marathon in November? Run for a great cause, just less than 10 minutes from Branson, Missouri on November 19th in Hollister, Missouri, to benefit the STRONG KIDS Financial Assistance Program put on by the Ozark Mountain Family YMCA. This program benefits youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. They are holding their annual half marathon, 5k and 1 mile run with events starting at 8am, with the half marathon and 5k starting at 8:30am.

STRONG KIDS RUN HALF MARATHON, 5K & 1 MILE RUN

COLD WEATHER TRAINING

2011-11-03T18:21:00.001-06:00

Cold Weather Training
Article By: Paul “Crazy Legs” Stofko RRCA Running Coach
November 3, 2011

Cold weather training requires a little extra planning and protection before you head out the door. Your body loses heat quickly in cold weather due to convection (heat loss due to motion), conduction (transfer of heat due to temperature changes), evaporation of moisture, and radiation (transfer of energy caused by the difference between skin temperature and ambient temperature). The right layers will protect you from the elements without weighing you down. Cold can take it toll on your performance and comfort. And frostbitten skin is always a risk. But if you take some simple precautions, you can maintain your mileage in anything weather winter bring your way.

The challenge in dressing for winter training is not only to keep the winter chill and wetness out, but to manage the heat and moisture your body produces as well. Even in subfreezing temperatures your body produces a lot of heat and sweat. You can produce up to two liters per hour when running. Water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air – great in summer, but dangerous in cold temperatures. Staying dry under your layers is critical and can impact heart rate, as well as comfort, dryness, and warmth.

Here are some tips for dressing in layers:

First Layer

Forget cotton. It holds moisture next to your skin. Choose the new lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that hold a very small percentage of their weight in moisture. Performance microfibers hold less than on percent of their weight in water compared to 17% wool or 8% cotton.

Second Layer

If you running in very cold weather, you may need a middle layer to trap the warmth your muscles generate. Choose a layer that produces maximum warmth with minimum bulk. Synthetic fibers have an advantage of staying drier than natural ones.

Outer Layer

Fibers have been developed that block the elements without trapping too much heat and moisture underneath. Look for waterproof fabrics that vent.

Hands and Head

Up to 40% of your body’s heat loss occurs from the head due to a large blood supply, extra surface area, and the mucus membranes of the nose and mouth. Choose thin microfiber hats and lightweight gloves liners for your hands.

Don’t forget your feet

Cotton is a bad choice for socks. Look for synthetic socks that won’t hold moisture and become packed down when damp.

Discount to Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Marathon & Half Marathon

2011-07-03T01:32:00.000-06:00

Become a member of Fifty States HALF Marathon Club and get great discounts, including a discounts to the popular Rock'n'Roll events such as the Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Marathon & Half Marathon. (This year 2011 post race concert features Sugar Ray).

Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Marathon & Half Marathon

Missouri Half Marathons, Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors & Event Organizers

2011-06-04T17:08:00.000-06:00

Hi Missouri Half Marathon Runners, Race Directors and Event Organizers. Feel free to email us Half Marathon Race News and Stories to post on our blog. To send news, articles or fun information, please send us which Half Marathon State Blog you'd like it posted in at CONTACT US

Also if you'd like your event or any other discounts to be added to the official Fifty States HALF Marathon Club Member Discount List that goes out to all our members across the United States, please send your event, website link and race discount code to be added for our official members to use. Our members like to choose from races on our discount list when they look at choosing a half marathon in your state. Send to CONTACT US and in return we will help promote your event.

If your Half Marathon event is missing from the Half Marathon Race Calendar found at www.halfmarathonsearch.com and would like to be added, please send the event date, name, and website link to CONTACT US

Stories of grit and love get runners to finish line - STLtoday.com

2010-04-18T22:47:00.000-06:00

Stories of grit and love get runners to finish line - STLtoday.com

Mario Macias wins GO! St. Louis half-marathon - STLtoday.com

2010-04-18T22:46:00.000-06:00

Mario Macias wins GO! St. Louis half-marathon - STLtoday.com

23,000 to participate in GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend - St. Louis Business Journal:

2010-04-03T11:07:00.000-06:00

23,000 to participate in GO! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend - St. Louis Business Journal:

MISSOURI HALF MARATHONS FOR APRIL 2010 AND MAY 2010

2010-03-22T23:48:00.000-06:00

Sunday, Apr. 11 GO! St. Louis Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay St. Louis, MO

Saturday, Apr. 17 Spring Fling Half Marathon, 10K & 5K St. Joseph, MO

FOR LINKS to half marathons, we are currently working to update our half marathon calendar at Fifty States HALF Marathon Club http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/

Please let us know if we are missing any half marathons for April or May 2010. Thank you!

Inspiring Fitness One Step at a Time - Go St. Louis Event Video

2009-12-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

Watch Video and add St. Louis to your 50 State HALF Marathon list or your 100 HALF anywhere "to do" list!

http://www.gostlouis.org/2009_movie.html

Missouri Runners - Looking for a Running Club? Check out Jeff County Road Runners!

2009-09-23T16:24:00.000-06:00

Jeff County Road Runners

The Jefferson City Road Runners Club is a local non-profit group dedicated to the sport of running. We seek to promote safe, enjoyable, family-friendly running in central Missouri. Our club sponsors local races, publishes monthly newsletters, hosts a competitive points series, and presents an annual awards banquet. Our members represent all running and walking abilities.

HALF Marathon Runners and Race Directors in MISSOURI

2009-09-07T13:36:00.000-06:00

Feel free to post favorite races, half marathon events, and anything and everything related to HALF Marathons in Missouri!

For Race directory of Missouri HALF Marathons, go to
http://www.halfmarathonclub.com/Upcoming_Races.html

If interested in taking on a 50 STATE CHALLENGE or a 100 HALF ANYWHERE CHALLENGE, please check out Fifty States HALF Marathon Club at www.HalfMarathonClub.com