Good luck to the Sal's runners who are touring Washington DC this Sunday, whether it is the 10k or marathon. Lou and Joanne will be in the 10k, which starts in the National Mall, near the Washington Monument. It's a neat course, one that Joanne and I completed in 2009.
Jennifer K. and Mark Rakestraw are running the marathon. The weather looks pretty nice for a 26.2 mile jaunt around the city and historical areas, with a high temperature of 52.
The Erie Canal, Running Paradise
Friday, October 28, 2011
Technology
Why didn't I think of this?
At the NYC marathon spectators can have text alerts sent to their phones so they can follow up to 3 runners. But, if you pay $2.99, you can download an app, which 100,000 people are expected to do. The NY Road Runners Club gets 70% of the revenue from the app and Apple 30%. The app has video of the race, you can track runners, see countdown clocks and leader boards.
Here are some other features of the app, "... track other runners by searching for their names, bib numbers or teams. Their locations throughout the race will show up on a map. By tapping on other tabs, users can identify the locations of live music along the race course, mile markers, shops selling official merchandise and the locations of retail outlets like Dunkin Donuts and Subway. If they opt in, users can receive offers for discounts to these shops. "
"Either on a full screen or split screen, users can watch live feeds of the broadcast as well as streamed video clips called Daily Cool Down (which includes behind-the-scenes looks at the top runners) and NYRR live, which focuses on the strategies and careers of the elite athletes. There will also be a live Flickr feed for photos. "
"There is also a course guide, tips for the best spots to see the race, and news and weather feeds. Perhaps the most practical feature is the Friend Finder. Runners who carry their phones (hopefully in their pockets, not in their hands) can choose to allow people to track them even when they are off the course."
Belson, Ken. "A Phone App to Keep Fans in Touch." New York Times 27 Oct. 2011: B16(L). Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
Not a bad income stream! This is just the beginning if this app is successful. In addition to the subscribers, businesses will pay $ to be included on the retail outlet maps.
At the NYC marathon spectators can have text alerts sent to their phones so they can follow up to 3 runners. But, if you pay $2.99, you can download an app, which 100,000 people are expected to do. The NY Road Runners Club gets 70% of the revenue from the app and Apple 30%. The app has video of the race, you can track runners, see countdown clocks and leader boards.
Here are some other features of the app, "... track other runners by searching for their names, bib numbers or teams. Their locations throughout the race will show up on a map. By tapping on other tabs, users can identify the locations of live music along the race course, mile markers, shops selling official merchandise and the locations of retail outlets like Dunkin Donuts and Subway. If they opt in, users can receive offers for discounts to these shops. "
"Either on a full screen or split screen, users can watch live feeds of the broadcast as well as streamed video clips called Daily Cool Down (which includes behind-the-scenes looks at the top runners) and NYRR live, which focuses on the strategies and careers of the elite athletes. There will also be a live Flickr feed for photos. "
"There is also a course guide, tips for the best spots to see the race, and news and weather feeds. Perhaps the most practical feature is the Friend Finder. Runners who carry their phones (hopefully in their pockets, not in their hands) can choose to allow people to track them even when they are off the course."
Belson, Ken. "A Phone App to Keep Fans in Touch." New York Times 27 Oct. 2011: B16(L). Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
Not a bad income stream! This is just the beginning if this app is successful. In addition to the subscribers, businesses will pay $ to be included on the retail outlet maps.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Dark Side of the Moon
Don't Run When It's Dark Outside. Why?
9. Deer roam at night and might attack.
8. Running speed decreases when darkness increases.
7. No time to drink coffee before running. Who gets up that early?
6. Bathrooms? This is really an issue. Thankfully there is a lot of construction in Spencerport now which always brings port-a-johns.
5. Dogs bark, neighbors complain, you get blamed.
4. The darkness makes it seem colder. A thermometer may say it's fifty, but it will feel like 40.
3. A sidewalk might pop up and grab your running shoe (not that MW or anyone I know has done that recently).
2. The Spencerport man who pushes his shopping cart while rummaging through the recycling bins on garbage collection day may be out (though all reports are that he's friendly, it's just weird to see someone doing that at 5:30am). Strange how this man is only out when Lou isn't running. Hmmm, could they be one and the same?
1. You may look at the stars instead of where your feet are going and fall (not that MW or anyone I know has done that recently).
9. Deer roam at night and might attack.
8. Running speed decreases when darkness increases.
7. No time to drink coffee before running. Who gets up that early?
6. Bathrooms? This is really an issue. Thankfully there is a lot of construction in Spencerport now which always brings port-a-johns.
5. Dogs bark, neighbors complain, you get blamed.
4. The darkness makes it seem colder. A thermometer may say it's fifty, but it will feel like 40.
3. A sidewalk might pop up and grab your running shoe (not that MW or anyone I know has done that recently).
2. The Spencerport man who pushes his shopping cart while rummaging through the recycling bins on garbage collection day may be out (though all reports are that he's friendly, it's just weird to see someone doing that at 5:30am). Strange how this man is only out when Lou isn't running. Hmmm, could they be one and the same?
1. You may look at the stars instead of where your feet are going and fall (not that MW or anyone I know has done that recently).
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Marathon Statistics
The sport of marathoning continues to grow, with 505,238 official finishers in races held in the United States for 2010. This is close to a 7% increase from 2009. Female participation grew by 10% and is now 41% of the total.
The men's 40-44 age group continues to be the largest, as it has for many years, and the fastest average finishing times, with an average of 4:19. Finishing times ranged between 2:05:52 and 14:10:58 during 2010. Yes, just under 2 miles/hour compared to 12+ miles per hour for the fastest time.
The overall male average finishing time was 4:27:12 and female, 4:54, each average slower than the year before.
Anyone reading this who is a sub 3:30 marathoner? You are in the top 15% of men and only 3.6% of women break this mark.
There were 483 marathons held in the U.S. during 2010, up from 397 in 2009. One hundred forty eight of those had less than 100 finishers. Trail marathons? I'm not sure.
Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/
The men's 40-44 age group continues to be the largest, as it has for many years, and the fastest average finishing times, with an average of 4:19. Finishing times ranged between 2:05:52 and 14:10:58 during 2010. Yes, just under 2 miles/hour compared to 12+ miles per hour for the fastest time.
The overall male average finishing time was 4:27:12 and female, 4:54, each average slower than the year before.
Anyone reading this who is a sub 3:30 marathoner? You are in the top 15% of men and only 3.6% of women break this mark.
There were 483 marathons held in the U.S. during 2010, up from 397 in 2009. One hundred forty eight of those had less than 100 finishers. Trail marathons? I'm not sure.
Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Marathons
My prediction was wrong, but Ryan Hall was a factor in the Chicago Marathon and is still the USA's top marathoner after finishing in 2:08:04 on a sunny, warm day. Ryan ended up in 5th place. The winner, Moses Mosop of Kenya, ran a 2:05:38, good enough for a 38 second victory.
Russian Liliya Shobukhova ran the second fastest women's time ever, a 2:18:20. She was actually 13th overall in the race! The top American was 18 minutes back (Jeannette Faber), but she did earn the "A" standard and qualified for our Olympic trials race being held in January. Shobukhova secured a Russian Olympic team spot, won Chicago for the third time in a row and earned approximately $1 million for the day ($500k for being the top female in the World Marathon Majors series title, $ for the victory, $ for a course record and bonuses from Nike for the win and time).
Russian Liliya Shobukhova ran the second fastest women's time ever, a 2:18:20. She was actually 13th overall in the race! The top American was 18 minutes back (Jeannette Faber), but she did earn the "A" standard and qualified for our Olympic trials race being held in January. Shobukhova secured a Russian Olympic team spot, won Chicago for the third time in a row and earned approximately $1 million for the day ($500k for being the top female in the World Marathon Majors series title, $ for the victory, $ for a course record and bonuses from Nike for the win and time).
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Chicago Marathon
Sunday morning (October 9) you can watch live coverage of the Chicago Marathon at this NBC station. The starting temperature is predicted to be 65 and heading to low 70's, a bit warmer than one would want for a marathon.
I'm predicting Ryan Hall will come through with his first major marathon victory. His 2:05 at Boston shows he can hang with anyone in the world.
I'm predicting Ryan Hall will come through with his first major marathon victory. His 2:05 at Boston shows he can hang with anyone in the world.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Fleet Feet Sports Rochester
Fleet Feet Sports of Rochester has announced a second location will be opening in November. Finally the westside of Monroe County will have our own running store! It seemed everyone was scared to cross the Genesee River and come over to our side of town.
Here are the top ten reasons FF should be in Greece, NY.
10. The new store will be steps away from Dibella's Subs, home of the best subs in Monroe County.
9. The canal path (where running is King) is .25 miles away.
8. One of Sal's favorite long runs, "Mary's Route", 12.4 miles from Spencerport to Greece and back, goes about 300 yards from the new store location. We can stop at the store for water refills.
7. Mike W. can easily stop at the store to drool over the new shoes before heading home from working at Spacely Space Sprockets.
6. Saturday night date night in the Weinpress household will consist of Mike W. and Eileen window shopping while they are sharing a Dibella's Tuna on Rye sub.
5. Mike W's favorite bank, Eastman Savings and Loan, is 100 feet away from the new FF store. I see his savings account dwindling quickly.
4. Living only 6 miles from the store, Eileen and Jan will ride their bikes to FF in December, in the snow, to Christmas shop for their wonderful husbands.
3. More jobs for the community. (not a funny comment, but true)
2. Bernie used to be scared to cross the Genesee River, now he can stop buying running shoes at Sears and shop at a real running store.
1. The Westside is the Best Side!
Here are the top ten reasons FF should be in Greece, NY.
10. The new store will be steps away from Dibella's Subs, home of the best subs in Monroe County.
9. The canal path (where running is King) is .25 miles away.
8. One of Sal's favorite long runs, "Mary's Route", 12.4 miles from Spencerport to Greece and back, goes about 300 yards from the new store location. We can stop at the store for water refills.
7. Mike W. can easily stop at the store to drool over the new shoes before heading home from working at Spacely Space Sprockets.
6. Saturday night date night in the Weinpress household will consist of Mike W. and Eileen window shopping while they are sharing a Dibella's Tuna on Rye sub.
5. Mike W's favorite bank, Eastman Savings and Loan, is 100 feet away from the new FF store. I see his savings account dwindling quickly.
4. Living only 6 miles from the store, Eileen and Jan will ride their bikes to FF in December, in the snow, to Christmas shop for their wonderful husbands.
3. More jobs for the community. (not a funny comment, but true)
2. Bernie used to be scared to cross the Genesee River, now he can stop buying running shoes at Sears and shop at a real running store.
1. The Westside is the Best Side!
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