Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "running"

California International Marathon draws huge crowds in 28th year

2011-12-05T04:16:27Z

Early Sunday morning, over 4,000 runners from around the world participated in the California International Marathon, a 26.2-mile race from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. As the runners scaled the greater Sacramento area into the afternoon, hundreds of supporters lined the route carrying signs of support and yelling words of encouragement.

Meadow Bailey, a 34-year-old homemaker from Rancho Cordova, was one of the many who came out to show their support. She said that although this was her first time coming, she had an enjoyable experience.

“Everybody is cheering, and there’s a great sense of unity,” she said.

Starting near Folsom Lake, participants headed east down Oak Avenue. Passing through Orangevale, Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks, runners gradually traveled downhill, a signature element of the CIM that makes it one of the fastest races in the country. Taking Fair Oaks Boulevard all the way into Midtown, runners eventually turned onto L Street, where they raced to the finish line located on the west side of the Capitol. A full map can be found here.

Several events were held concurrently to the marathon. A shorter relay was held where participants worked in teams. Another event, the MaraFUNrun, was a 2.62-mile run for children and families.

The winners of the marathon were recognized at an award ceremony that started at 3 p.m. For the men, Erick Monyene, a 24-year-old from Keller, Texas, came in first place with a total time of 2:11:50. He was followed by 30-year-old Ryan Bak from Bend, Ore., in second place and Joseph Mutinda, 37, from Santa Fe, N.M., in third place. Their times were 2:14:17 and 2:14:53, respectively.

For the women, Abrha Serkalem, a 24-year-old from Eth, took first place with a time of 2:33:40. In second was Atalelech Asfaw, 20, from Albuquerque, N.M., with a time of 2:33:56. In third place was Nuta Olaru, a 41-year-old from Antioch with a time of 2:37:13. A complete list of finishing times can be found here.

As the runners raced toward the Capitol, the streets were lined with many people who came out to show support. Many bands played at several points throughout the race, including folk singer Willie Ames, hip-hop artist Crazy Ballhead and various high school marching bands. As the runners passed, musicians and supporters alike cheered out in their support.

Sara Nylin, a 29-year-old teacher from Rancho Cordova, participated in the marathon for the first time this year. She said if it weren’t for the people who came out in support, she wouldn’t have been able to pull through.

“It’s a big marathon, and there’s a lot of people,” she said. “I had people supporting me, and now I’m supporting my friends as they finish.”

Other people participated in the relay and later stood on the sidelines supporting the marathon runners. Faith Caplan, a 30-year-old teacher from East Sacramento, was one of them.

“The course is nice and the weather is usually beautiful,” Caplan said, adding that this was why she has participated for the last five years.

Tammy Cortopassi, 48, is a medical assistant who lives in Midtown. Having come to watch the race and support the runners for the first time, she said she believes the runners who come in last place deserve the same respect and recognition as those who come in first.

“No one waits for the last person,” she said after most of the runners had passed her spot along Alhambra Boulevard. “The last is just as important as the first.”

Cortopassi’s compassion for all racers was evident all throughout the day. Phrases such as “You can do it!” and “To the finish line!” were yelled by people who were watching the race and others who were simply walking by it.

When the runners reached the finish line, they were greeted with more cheers, lots of water and massages. Sweat darted down many of their foreheads, and others laid down in the grass surrounding the Capitol, catching their breath.

“The race was a lot of fun to watch,” Bailey said. “I’m just glad I wasn’t doing it.”

As the Summer Winds Down, Runners Gear up for the Autumn Running Season

2011-09-15T17:52:41Z

For the next few months, running enthusiasts will have the opportunity to participate in a number of fantastic races across California. The Sacramento region in particular is full of events for people of all ages, skill levels and interests. Whether you are an avid runner or just looking for a healthy way to support the community, consider joining in a local 5K or 10K race. Most races benefit a nonprofit organization, so you will be benefiting your body, mind and spirit! Here are some upcoming events to consider:

Gold Rush Fun Run & Walk
October 8, 2011, Placerville, CA
This family and dog friendly event features 10 Mile, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile race courses along the El Dorado Trail, plus raffle prizes and more!
Benefits: INALLIANCE, a nonprofit providing support to people with developmental disabilities in the greater Sacramento area.

El Dorado Trail Blazin' 2011
October 23, 2011, El Dorado County, CA
This event is open to runners, walkers, bicyclists, equestrians, etc. and features a series of activities and a BBQ on the El Dorado Trail.
Benefits: Friends of El Dorado Trail, a nonprofit dedicated to completing the El Dorado Trail as an alternative transportation and recreation corridor of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, from Sacramento through El Dorado County and up to South Lake Tahoe.

Four Bridges Half Marathon
October 13, 2011, Folsom, CA
This event features a festive Halloween theme, a one day Haunted House Health & Fitness Expo, and one of California's most scenic courses around beautiful Lake Natoma in Folsom (15 miles east of Sacramento near Folsom Lake).
Benefits: Ongoing trail improvements at Lake Natoma.

Davis Turkey Trot
November 19, 2011, Davis, CA
This event is family and community-oriented and offers eight different events and distances, with something for every age group and ability.
Benefits: A Change of Pace Foundation, dedicated to providing fun, safe exercise-oriented events in the community.

Clarksburg Country Run
November 13, 2011, Clarksburg, CA
This event breaks away from the city and shows some small town hospitality. The Run offers a variety of race distances and you can enjoy a hot meal after the race.
Benefits: Clarksburg Community Groups including Boy Scouts, Fire Fighters, Cub Scouts, The Soccer Club, and Clarksburg Schools.

Disclosure: Jessica Bean works for INALLIANCE and is a member of the Friends of the El Dorado Trail.

Eppie's Great Race: A race with something for everyone

2011-07-22T02:54:41Z

For John Weed, Eppie’s Great Race – now in its 38th year – serves as a new year’s celebration.

The 58-year-old kayak instructor and whitewater guide has competed in the “no-swim” triathlon 35 times. The 38th annual Eppie’s Great Race takes place Saturday along the American River Parkway and is open to athletes of all ages.

Weed said almost 40 years ago, he was hit by a semi truck while on his bicycle.

Before that, he had been an avid runner. He came from a family of runners and in college would run 200 miles per week.

“The doctors told me I’d never walk again, let alone run,” Weed said.

That same year, the Whitewater Slalom was introduced as an Olympic sport. Weed said he watched it on TV while he was in the hospital and decided that he wanted to try kayaking.

He took up the sport after he got out of the hospital. He is able to walk and run now, but one leg is shorter than the other which requires him to use a special seat in his kayak, he said.

His team has placed first eight times in the open division of Eppie’s Great Race and has been in the 40-plus division for the past 18 years. Weed competes in the kayak portion of the race.

Last year, he said he was the ninth-fastest kayaker.

“I feel like it’s my own personal race,” Weed said. “It’s an annual assessment of where I am now and where I once was.”

Weed and the race’s founder, Eppie Johnson, have become good friends since meeting more than 30 years ago.

“The first time I met (Eppie) was when he was learning to kayak,” Weed said. They met in kayaks near the San Juan rapids.

Weed said he knew Johnson’s kayak instructor, who introduced the two of them. Johnson told Weed about Eppie’s Great Race, and Weed signed up for the race the next year, which was the second annual Eppie’s Great Race.

Weed has been on the U.S. National Wildwater Team. The only other Eppie’s Great Race that Weed missed (besides the first) was in 1980 when the race fell on the same weekend as the USA Wildwater National Championships.

Johnson has sponsored Weed in various competitions, internationally and nationally. Most recently, Johnson sponsored Weed in the Great Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon last year.

Weed’s kayak team placed first, and he was the second fastest kayaker in the race by 58 seconds, he said.

For his 36th race, he said he is excited about the electronic chip timing.

Last year was the first year they had the chips, and he said keeping track of the athletes’ times adds a lot more pressure.

“Now everybody knows how they rank with others,” he said. “Every year before that, the biker would blame the kayaker (etc.) … (and) nobody really knew for sure” what their times were except by going off of their own watches.

The race consists of a 5.82-mile run, a 12.5-mile bike ride along the American River Parkway and finishes on the river, where racers paddle 6.35 miles to the finish.

It begins at 8 a.m. at William Pond Recreation Area and ends at River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park).

Athletes can compete as part of a team, where each person does one leg of the race, or as an Ironman where one person does the entire race.

All proceeds from the race go to Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS), which provides Sacramento County with sports and recreation activities for people with disabilities and impairments.

In 2010, which was a record-breaking year with nearly 2,100 athletes participating, $20,000 was raised for TRS and, to date, nearly $1 million has been raised for the organization.

Water flow in the river, which has been much faster this year because of all of the rain, is expected to be at the same levels as last year, according to a July 8 Eppie’s Great Race press release.

"Based on currently available information, (the Bureau of) Reclamation expects our releases to the lower American River on race day to be about 4,500 to 5,000 cubic feet per second - comparable to that of last year,” according to the release.

“But, it is important to recognize that reservoir operations and releases to the river are based on developing conditions and needs," Bureau of Reclamation spokeswoman Lynnette Wirth said in the press release.

There will be a prerace expo from 4 - 8 p.m. Friday at River Bend Park at Goethe Park Road and Rod Beaudry Road. The Old Spaghetti Factory will provide a “carbo-load” dinner, Eppie’s Great Race spokesperson Anita Fitzhugh said. For $7 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under, the dinner includes salad, bread, spaghetti and a drink.

Those who already registered for the race can pick up their race packets, maps and T-shirts. Last-minute race entrants can register at the expo Friday or from 6:30-7:30 a.m. before the race Saturday.

For kids, there is the US Bank Duathlon where 17-and-under participants run 2 miles and bike 5.75 miles.

After the race, there will be an expo and party from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. with vendor booths, live music by local blues band The Hucklebucks and food available for purchase including chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and sodas.

The 30th anniversary plaque that stood at the starting point of the race was stolen a few months ago, and the Eppie’s Great Race Foundation will be raising funds to replace it. Donations will be accepted at Friday's expo or after the race at River Bend Park.

“What we’re doing is we’re asking people to donate some money so we can get a new one: something that can’t be stolen,” Johnson said, adding that he expects it will cost between $3,500 and $4,000 to replace it.

There are 30 different divisions of the race, including a firefighter/police division, family division, women 50-plus and a recently added men 60-plus.

“We have a committee that works all year round and every year, if necessary, they improve on rules, adjust rules.... As far as division in the race we recently even added a men’s 60-plus category because of the interest of men in that age range,” Fitzhugh said.

Johnson said he thinks Eppie’s Great Race has grown to be so popular in large part because of the venue.

“The key is the format, the venue. The American River Parkway is Sacramento’s jewel. And the whole thing is on the parkway system. People love that,” he said

One thing that has changed over the years is the individual athleticism, Fitzhugh said.

“It is interesting (that) our number of Ironpeople, Ironwomen, Ironmen – that division really is growing at a very rapid pace compared to teams. We’re finding that more and more people are wanting to take on the entire race themselves,” she added.

One athlete who will be switching from competing on a team to competing as an Ironman is Folsom resident David Lockwood.

The 28-year-old was the cyclist for his team last year. Lockwood said his work as a coach and trainer at Folsom City CrossFit has prepared him to do the whole race.

“I feel like I’m in shape. I feel like I have a good chance of doing well,” he said. However, “if there was a swim involved, I would reconsider doing an Ironman.”

Lockwood said he enjoys the scenery of the course.

“You can’t beat the course.... It’s beautiful – whether you’re running or kayaking or biking, that trail is awesome.”

He also said he liked the variety of people who take part in the race.

“You (see) all different walks of life as far as athletes go,” he said. “I was riding next to kids on mountain bikes and … guys with track bikes … everybody was out there. It’s kind of an everybody event.”

For more information on Eppie’s Great Race 38, click here.

Getting Ready to Run

2011-06-07T21:23:22Z

Runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts will take to the trails on Saturday, October 8, 2011 when local nonprofit InAlliance hosts the 3rd Annual Gold Rush Fun Run & Walk fundraiser on the El Dorado Trail beginning in Placerville. Participants will weave their way through the Sierra Nevada Foothills in 10 mile, 10K, 5K and 1 mile races along what used to be the Michigan California Lumber Company railway corridor. Following the races, guests will enjoy a Finish Line Celebration featuring refreshments, music, vendors, raffle prizes and awards ceremony. The races will all be chip timed by Synergy Race Timing and all race winners will receive custom medals.

The event is an annual benefit for InAlliance, a local nonprofit that has been serving people with developmental disabilities since 1952. All proceeds will go towards the work and life skills, supported employment and supported living services InAlliance provides to people with developmental disabilities in El Dorado and surrounding counties. Last year, 300 participants finished the race to raise over $8,000; this year organizers hope to double that amount.

Registration is now open online, in person or by mail. Races are open to people of all ages and InAlliance is offering a discount on registration, free raffle tickets and a free eco tumbler to everyone who registers by September 17. For more information visit www.goldrushfunrun.com or email jbean@inallianceinc.com.

Marathon Runners

2010-12-08T10:17:32Z

Thousands of runners ran the California International Marathon (CIM) from Folsom to the Capitol Steps this past Sunday. Canadian Dylan Wykes won the 28th CIM with a time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 39 seconds. Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 13 seconds.

Along with the thousands of runners there were just as many individual stories of courage and determination. There were runners representing various running teams from California and from all over the world. There were also teams representing Men, Women and Coed teams as well as Corporate, Family, Health Club, High School, Military, Open, Police/Fire and Running Club teams.

Runners began the race in Folsom at 7 in the morning and runners were still racing towards the finish line at the West Steps of the Capitol 5 hours later. This pictorial shows some of the thousands of determined runners. Judging by some of the tee shirts runners wore, many had also participated at other marathons in the United States.

Thousands of spectators cheered from beginning to end and in some cases family members and friends ran alongside the runners cheering them on. I saw several friends in the marathon but missed others that also ran.

(Finish line minutes before runners began to cross)

(Canadian Dylan Wykes winning the CIM with a time of 2:12:39)

(Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba about to win the women's CIM with a time of 2:32:13)

(CIM began in Folsom but this guy was not an escapee)

(Team runner Lindsay Martinez )

(Marathon Men)

(Team Coast Guard)

Slideshow Photos:

1 - Dylan Wykes rounding corner to finish line, 2 - Ukranian Andriy Toptun about to finish second at 2:12:50

3 - Ethiopian Tesfaye Alemayehu (2:13:59) and Kenyan Joseph Mutinda (2:14:09) about to come in 3rd and 4th

4 - Ethiopian Buzunesh Deba down the home stretch to win the Women's CIM with a time of 2:32:13 36

All other photos leading to finish line

Photo essay: California International Marathon 2010

2010-12-08T00:34:13Z

The California International Marathon went off without a hitch on Sunday. Despite severe weather warnings, conditions were perfect and thousands of athletes took part in this popular, annual event.

A young cheerleader enjoyed her time at the finish line infront of her State Capital.

The Highway Patrol's mounted division helped with security for all the athletes.

Sac P.D. did a great job helping this event go off without a hitch.

A female relay runner finishing up her leg and the race.

Another relay runner in her closing stages.

The most colorful athlete of the day completing his race in 3 hours, 20 minutes.

Husband and wife on a Sunday morning jog..."wait, we've just completed the CIM!!"

Not so much fun for everyone, this athlete was determined to finish the last 250 yards and had assistance from another athlete.

"I am done with running, I see the line and I will take my time, but I will get there!"

So close to the finish line, "Are you really gonna pass me up?"

A very proud son running the last few strides to the line.

Pete Youngman of the Sacramento KIngs made it round in a little over 3 hours and 30 minutes, even with cramps for the last 6 miles!

The winner of yesterday's marathon was Canadian Dylan Wykes who ran the course in 2:12:39. 150 yards from finish line on Capitol Mall.

For more photos, visit http://www.darrenhallphotography.net/

Capitol Events this week

2010-12-04T01:15:20Z

Sunday, Dec. 5
6 a.m. - 3 p.m. The California International Marathon will begin in Folsom and end at the West Steps of the Capitol, where live music will greet 13,000 expected participants.

Share your Run to Feed the Hungry photos on SacPress

2010-11-24T00:54:07Z

Want to see live pictures of The Run to Feed the Hungry taken by the community in real time? Then look no further than the gallery below.

This gallery will feature live streaming content the day of the race. Check it out below, and if you’d like, you can expand it to full screen by clicking on the icon in the lower right corner.

To add pictures yourself, see the full instructions here and for more about the Cool Iris Liveshare gallery, visit their website.

Have fun!

After almost dying of Lyme disease, Sacramentan heads to World Triathlon Championships

2010-09-06T01:00:04Z

Four years after she almost died from Lyme disease, Pamela O’Kane is one of three Sacramento women competing for Team USA at the World Triathlon Championships this week in Budapest, Hungary.

It’s the second year in a row she’s qualified for Team USA. The 49-year-old lecturer from CSU Sacramento hopes there will be many more such adventures to come.

It’s a far cry from how things looked in the spring of 2006. With her kids grown, a job she liked, and a love of athletic pursuits like running, swimming, and biking, she should have been on top of the world. Instead, she started experiencing weird symptoms her doctors couldn’t explain.

She lost weight and muscle mass. She developed facial pain, jaw problems, difficulty speaking. Then trouble walking, twitching in her face, tingling in her arms and legs. Her doctors variously thought it might be multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or ALS. They could do nothing to help and her condition continued to deteriorate. By early December, there was doubt she’d live to see Christmas.

Then, O'Kane developed an ear infection and was given antibiotics. The medicine cleared up more than her ear problem. Suddenly, her whole body felt better. Within a week, she took part in a 5K race. (“Didn’t do very well,” she said. “But I crossed the finish line.”)

Although her physical progress didn’t last, the incident provided an important clue. Her mother and sister researched on the internet. What medical condition mimics diseases such as MS and ALS, and can be affected by antibiotics? The answer they stumbled upon: Lyme disease.

In early 2007, O'Kane saw a Lyme specialist in the bay area, who began treating her not only for Lyme, but for several additional tick-borne diseases. It was not an easy road. There were episodes of muscle seizures, speech difficulties, and generally feeling horrible. There were ups and downs in finding the right medications--some would help for a while, and then seem to lose their effectiveness. She spent time in a hospital, and then needed to re-learn how to walk.

It was during this time she knew she needed a goal to focus on, something to keep her going through the difficult days. One day, she decided to start training to climb Half Dome, the rocky peak in Yosemite National Park. She kept that image in her mind, as she worked through the hard, hard times of Lyme treatment. In August 2008, she accomplished that goal.

She kept training. In 2008, O’Kane completed her first-ever half-ironman race. In 2009, she climbed Half Dome again, and also competed with Team USA in the Aquathon event in Australia. (“It was the first time I’d ever had a passport. The first time I’d ever left this country.”)

This week, she’s in Budapest, Hungary, once again with Team USA, to compete in the ITU Triathlon World Championships. Her category is Women age 45-49. She’ll do the Aquathon (a run/swim/run event) and the Sprint/Triathlon (swim/bike/run).

(Two other Sacramento woman have qualified for Team USA in different age brackets, O’Kane’s sister, Denise DeTrano, and her friend and training partner, Janet Trippet, a teacher at St. Francis High School.)

It would be tempting to assume that O’Kane's health problems are behind her. Surprisingly, that’s not true. While Lyme treatment helped immensely, she still must cope with residual neurological difficulties.

“I make involuntary moaning sounds while I’m running--can’t help it,“ she says. “And I often have lots of shaking and trembling. I get strange looks from the other athletes. But you know what? That’s their problem, not mine.”

O’Kane has a message for other Lyme patients: “You can fight this disease. It’s hard, but you can do it.”

O’Kane will compete in Budapest on Sept. 8th & 11th, and then do some sightseeing with her traveling companions. (“None of this put-off-until-tomorrow stuff anymore. I want to travel now!") She'll return in time to take part in the Sacramento Lymewalk & Picnic on Sept. 25. (11 a.m., McKinley Park, 601 Alhambra Blvd.)

The Sacramento event is part of the 2010 CALDA Lymewalks, six events throughout the state in September and October. Sponsored by the California Lyme Disease Association, the walks are meant to raise awareness of the disease while raising money for Lyme research. For more information about how to participate, go to www.lymedisease.org.

A New Twist on the Old "Fun Run"

2010-07-19T22:20:42Z

InAlliance will host the 2nd Annual Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the El Dorado Trail in Placerville to benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities. The event is geared for people of all ages and skill levels and features a 10 Mile Run, 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Stroll. Registration is now open and space is limited.

Like most “fun runs”, participants can expect a beautiful course, ample refreshments, awards ceremony and vendor tables, but here is the twist: as you follow your race you will collect playing cards. These cards will create a poker hand that will be worth raffle tickets at the finish line celebration! The number of raffle tickets you receive will be based on the quality of your poker hand, and those raffle tickets could win you a trip to Las Vegas, a Lake Tahoe Getaway, indoor sky diving passes and much more!

Register online at www.inalliancinc.com or in person at 6950 21st Ave, Sacramento, CA 95820. Sign-up by September 17 to receive an Early Bird Discount and free event shirt. All participants will receive a $500 gift certificate to Red Star World Wear. Following the race enjoy snacks, beverages, vendor booths, raffle and awards ceremony. For questions call 916-381-1300 x170 or email jbean@inallianceinc.com

100% of proceeds from the event benefit InAlliance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides supported employment and living services to people with developmental disabilities throughout the greater Sacramento and Placerville areas. Since 1952, InAlliance has maintained the belief that people with developmental disabilities have the right and responsibility to be fully participating members of the community. Programs include work and life skills training, community education, volunteering, job development and more. Participants in the Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk will be playing an active part in supporting people who are often overlooked by society.

Race Day Registration will begin at 7:00 am at the Louisiana Schnell School Field. All races begin and end in the same location on the El Dorado Trail in front of the Louisiana Schnell School Field. Registration Fees $10-$30. The Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners: Asics, CC Myers Charitable Foundation, Flex Power, Fuel Belt, Go Girl Energy Drink, Harrah’s, Honest Beverages, Injinji, Pirate’s Booty, PowerAde, Road ID, SmartWater, Sinful Treats, Uprinting.com , Vitamin Water.

Triathlon team overcomes obstacles for Eppie’s Great Race Saturday

2010-07-16T02:15:32Z

Dominic Cooke was a normal college student athlete until a car crash his senior year paralyzed him.

It doesn’t stop him however, from hand cycling in a triathlon.

Cooke, 30, was injured when he was 22 years old. His athletic ability and passion for helping other hurt athletes is what made him start “Team TFO” this year for the 37th annual Eppie’s Great Race.

TFO — which stands for Try for Others — is a nonprofit organization Cooke created in 2005 to aid injured athletes.

“I played rugby before here in Sacramento at Jesuit High School and then at UC Berkeley,” Cooke said. “I was getting a lot of phone calls from injured rugby players. We help them with their immediate medical needs.”

It wasn’t until Cooke was training in Colorado last year at the Olympic training camp that he realized he missed being part of a team.

“I’ve been away from organized sports for so long that I kind of forget how special the team dynamic is,” he said.

Cooke began searching online for teammates for Team TFO. He found fellow teammate, Jon Bik, 37, who is a leg amputee runner and former U.S. triathlon champion in the amputee division.

Matt Strugar-Fritsch, 28, is the only whitewater kayak racer in northern California, Cooke said. He is also a paraplegic hand cyclist, but will be paddling in the race.

Cooke said he is excited for the race and attributes his inspiration to start Team TFO to his training in Colorado.

“I think when you get injured and you’re used to being active, all of the sudden, you can’t be. It’s just a complete lifestyle change,” he said. “I miss that kind of competitive spirit. Everyone has the same mindset, the same goals. You’ve got that support of your teammates to push you. They raise the bar to help you achieve your goals.”

This is the first time Eppie’s race will see Team TFO. Cooke said he wanted to bring awareness to the disabled community, which is why Try for Others is sponsoring four other teams for a total of 15 people.

“This year I kind of wanted to bring all the people that I know are doing cool stuff in the community and get them all out there in full force,” he said.

Cooke, who trains almost daily, said he lives by the John Wooden quote, “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Cooke has been skydiving, paragliding and skiing — anything to be outdoors and out of his wheelchair. He said he feels it is a necessity for disabled people to be active to better their health.

“I never really feel like I’m racing against other people; you’re just always racing against yourself, trying to reach your own potential,” he said. “It’s so satisfying when I set a challenge and I’m able to complete it.”

Eppie’s Great Race funds will benefit Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services — which supports mentally and physically challenged individuals. The race itself will take place at 8 a.m. Saturday at William Pond Recreation Area Park (located on Arden Way) in Carmichael. Friday is the last day to register.

For more information on the race or the Friday kickoff party, visit thegreatrace.org.

Photos courtesy of Dominic Cooke.

What Side Of The Road Do You Run On ?

2010-02-09T19:14:21Z

What Side Of The Road Do You Run On? This story starts with a little argument that broke out on a run last weekend. It wasn’t a fight between my running partners and me – although that happens at times. This one broke out between me and a driver.

The more that you run, the more you’ll run into people that dislike the fact that you’re on their roads it seems.

Anyway, three of us were running along the side of a very windy, narrow road in Folsom. This is a fairly typical road for Folsom in that the bushes come right down to the edge of the road next to the white lines. There is obviously no sidewalk on the road at this point, so we were running single-file down the white line when a car came up upon us.

Let me just repeat that we were really running single-file on the white line – and I’m not making that up. Surprisingly, we weren’t spread out all over the road like we might normally be. We were actually behaving.

The driver came upon us and brought her car to a screeching halt. She rolled down her window and said quite rudely, “you’re running on the wrong side of the road!” To which I replied quite calmly, “no ma’am, we’re actually supposed to be on this side of the road.” And just like you’d expect, as she starting rolling up her window, her voice could be heard, now somewhat muffled, yelling “NO YOU’RE NOT!”

This is sort of typical behavior from drivers when you’re on THEIR roads, but what concerned me is whether we really were on the wrong side of the road. See, I had this happen in a similar way last Summer when a driver yelled at me in just the same manner, but we were on the OTHER side of the road.

All jokes about runners crossing the road aside, I really wanted to settle this one: which side of the road are we supposed to be on anyway? And not only answer it, I wanted to be SURE that I knew the answer, so that I could yell back something like “Look it up” next time with some sense of confidence.

So I looked it up.

I actually spent a couple of hours looking it up, because I wanted to be so sure. Here’s what I found out: generally speaking, runners should be on the LEFT side of the road, facing traffic, when there is no sidewalk.

That’s what I thought too. (And that’s where we were.) Anyhow, input?

Running the 2009 CIM

2009-12-08T05:57:35Z

Spiderman, Elvis, a ninja and a man dressed as a princess were just some of the dressed-up supporters I saw as I tried to stay warm in the 28-degree weather before starting in the 27th annual California International Marathon alongside six thousand-plus other runners. Some were there to support their favorite charity, some to support a friend or family member. But all were there to complete the arduous task of running or walking 26.2 miles.

According to official results, 5,845 of more than 6,000 race participants finished the marathon.

Unlike runner Tim Twietmeyer, who completed his 27th consecutive CIM on Sunday, I was running my first marathon, hoping to finish in less than four hours. Although I ran one season of cross-country at Sacramento's Jesuit High School, running always has been something I did for fun rather than competition.

However, after my final season of rowing at Gonzaga University, I needed something to keep me active and running was the natural choice.

After completing my first half-marathon in Seattle's inaugural "Rock N' Roll" half-marathon this summer, I thought there was no way I could finish another 13.1 miles. Yet, two weeks later I found myself scheduling a 20-week marathon-training plan that would allow me to finish the CIM. This plan, designed by Runner’s World magazine’s Bart Yasso, took me all the way up to 22 miles in a single training session before the actual marathon. By race-day I was feeling ready.

The weather forecast said the storms would hold off until after the marathon, but that it still would be near freezing the morning of the race. Unfortunately, the forecast was correct. Runners who'd tried to keep warm by layering had to strip their layers off quickly as the countdown began. Many threw their clothes into gift bags they were given prior to the race and then tossed the bags onto trucks after the start gun went off.

A couple miles into the race, we began to warm up just enough to start pulling off our gloves and long-sleeved shirts. Many chose to ditch them on the side of the road to be picked up by race volunteers. All along the course, residents, family, friends, and people in cars that were stopped at intersections cheered loudly. Some held signs encouraging a runner they knew and some held signs to make runners laugh, knowing that a bit of humor in a four-hour-plus run goes a long way.

However, despite the loud applause and words of encouragement from family and friends, it was hard for my body to get loose and warm. Looking back, ditching my gloves at the start of the run might have been a mistake as stiff head winds picked up, making my body numb as I pushed for the halfway mark. Crossing that point in about an hour and forty-five minutes, I was on pace for a 3:30 finish. But I knew I was pushing too hard and would have to slow my pace if I wanted to finish in time.

At the 16-mile marker, medical stations were filling up with runners receiving treatment for minor muscle pain. As I continued running, I passed some people who were walking while trying to massage their legs and stretch to relieve cramps. In the true spirit of the sport, runners offered each other words of encouragement as a reminder that although far, the finish line would eventually come.

My own fears started to creep in around mile 20 when my quads began to seize with every step. I slowed down and changed my gait to try and stretch while running, which seemed to help. I was too far into the race and too close to the finish to stop. Close to the finish, spectators yelled “only two more SHORT miles!” I almost smirked, knowing that those last two miles would be the longest.

With my legs still seizing, I continued to alternate between slowing down and speeding up to keep my legs moving. I started running next to a police officer. With less than a half-mile left, a fellow officer rode next to him on a motorcycle, encouraging him.

As I turned the corner to the finish, a feeling of accomplishment set in when I saw 3:55 on the official clock. I ran through the finish, stopped my watch and realized I had just finished the race like 5,853 other runners that morning.

My finish time pales in comparison to Tesfaye Bekele, who won the race in the male division with a time of 2:13.42, and Buzunesh Deba, who won the woman’s title in 2:32.17. But the CIM allowed me to accomplish a goal that many people don’t. Congratulations to everyone who ran the California International Marathon on Sunday. It was great running with you!

Photos 1 and 2 taken by Michael Fitzgerald

Parkour traces Sacramento

2009-08-20T06:44:13Z

I walked onto the quad of Bella Vista High School on a Sunday afternoon to a sight of 20 or so men climbing walls, running like cheetahs on all fours and swinging from trees.

This was the Sacramento regional parkour practice, led by a SFparkour.com representative, Victor Lo Forte. He has been a practitioner of parkour, or traceur, French for tracer, for three and a half years and has led the Sacramento group for about two years.

"From what I understand, it's basically the discipline of training one's mind and body to prepare oneself to overcome obstacles in an environment," Lo Forte said.

Parkour is said to be rooted in early 20th century French military practices. Georges Hébert, a World War I naval officer, developed a notion of physicality that embraced use of the body and its environment for developing strength useful to society.

These principles were the foundation for his "Natural Method," which incorporated the fusion of the mental and physical to overcome obstacles via climbing, running and jumping (to name a few). His method contributed to the development of the French parcours du combattant, or military obstacle course.

As a young teen, David Belle, considered the father of parkour, picked up Natural Method ethics along with his gymnastic and martial arts training in France.

Many of the young men at the Sacramento parkour practice admire Belle and have adopted the Natural Method as part of their training.

"Parkour is training your flight response," said Sacramento State student Jake Anderson.

Lo Forte commented on one of the many purposes of parkour, to "be strong to protect your family and friends."

"We’re not trying to hurt anybody, we’re training to be strong, and that really helps the community," he said.

Though not a spectator sport, it is difficult to explain what exactly traceurs are doing to people who gather round their concrete playground.

"I usually point them to YouTube and Casino Royale," Anderson said. "I tell them parkour is the study of the most efficient way to get from point A to point B."

This efficiency calls for climbing walls, not walking around them.

"If you're in a dead-end alley, you look back and forth and don’t look up," Anderson said. "People don’t look up, they don’t look at their environments anymore."

He described parkour as a way to think of our built environment with a critical lens. "We create our environments to be quick and easy for what we’re raised as," Anderson said. "Parkour shows us that there are actually easier ways than we’re raised, things people don’t think of."

The Sacramento traceurs have tried practicing in the Downtown Sacramento area, but have found security and business owners to be hostile to the activity. "If they tell us to leave then we leave," Lo Forte said.

"I’d say ground-rules for anywhere are be respectful of the environment, don’t wreck things, don’t leave litter behind, clean up after yourselves," he said. "There is a big thing in parkour community called the leave no trace campaign. We don’t want it to look like we’ve been there. We don’t want to get kicked out of places."

Parkour training also focuses on overall health and well-being. "It might save their lives," Lo Forte said. "You never know if they might get addicted to drugs or end up in jail."

"I wanted to get in shape," said Robert King, a telecommunications technician for Sacramento County. "Since I started in January, I lost 40 pounds."

"A lot of people are sitting home and they don’t get any sensory input; they don't smell the dirt on their hands and the sun on their face," Lo Forte said.

This was the case for 15-year-old Jonah Saysourivong. "Before this I was a big-time gamer and would play Call of Duty for 42 hours straight," he said. "I definitely know other kids my age are drinking alcohol and smoking, and that’s one thing I’d never do."

The health benefits and the body's adaptation to unique movements is of great interest to Anderson as a kinesiology student. "They should talk about it in anatomy classes and in physical therapy classes. I think that doctors should know it, gymnasts, athletes," he said. He hopes to introduce parkour in his dance and martial arts classes at Sacramento State.

Lo Forte also aspires to introduce parkour skills to the police force. "These things will be helpful for them and hopefully they will realize that and hire some of us to train them in the future," he said.

In the middle of practice, a group of young men started tumbling and performing a series of flips in the air and over others lying on the ground. The freedom of movement in a creative way like this is called free-running, often associated with parkour.

"Parkour is strictly what's the most efficient way from one point to another; free-running is adding flair and flips," Anderson said.

Though there were not any females present at the practice, they are encouraged to participate as traceuse, French for female tracers.

Robert King encouraged me to try a technique to get over a 7-foot wall during practice, but I settled for swinging and balancing on rails on my own time. I found that I was using my environment rather than living around it. Though we all live in our environments, traceurs live their environments.

For more information, click the following link:

Practice at Bella Vista High School, meeting Sundays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

Five rehab members are victorious at 5k race

2009-05-26T05:42:45Z

For five residents of a Sacramento rehab center, this Memorial Day represents a personal battle won.

Of 1185 registered participants, five members of the recently formed running and walking program One Step Forward completed their first race as a team this morning at the “No Excuses” 5k run at William Land Park.

The members were recruited just over two months ago from Sacramento’s Clean & Sober program, dedicated to helping disadvantaged people overcome drug and alcoholic addictions. For the past six weeks, One Step Forward trained twice a week in preparation for the race.

One Step Forward was formed by local organizer Makiko Yamashita, who wanted to provide a sense of community, accomplishment and hope to its participants.

Yamashita said 20 to 25 participants initially showed up to One Step Forward’s first meeting. Five of those participants showed up at the race today. Bryan Atkins, Nate Bryant, David Brody, Ray Barraza and Mitchell Brum formed team “Back on Track,” each one a member of Clean & Sober for as little as two to 10 months.

“Every session, [these five] showed up,” Yamashita said.

Along with Yamashita and Clean & Sober volunteer Julie Sharp, the team also had guidance and support from training director Lisa Riley of Fleet Feet Sports in Sacramento. Fleet Feet provided the group with team shirts, and Clean & Sober bought Fleet Feet running shoes for the participants using grant money.

Atkins noted that Manny Diaz, director of Clean & Sober, also played a large role in their accomplishment.

“We wouldn’t even be here without him,” he said.

In addition to battling addictions, several members struggle with various physical challenges. Bryant is a diabetic and has an irregular heartbeat, and his doctor told him he needed to exercise.

“I decided I want to better myself,” said Bryant, explaining his motives for partaking in the event.

Atkins had medial collateral ligament surgery 10 years ago.

“The hardest part of training is running on bad knees — I have pins in my knees,” he said.

Despite such challenges, the five men indicated a sincere desire to be a part of the event.

“It’s supposed to be something to help us get together as a community," Brody said. "That’s why I wanted to do this."

They also expressed a commitment to finishing the race.

“We’ve been training for this thing for two months," Brum said. "[I] can’t let these people down. Like the race says, ‘no excuses.'"

“I used to run away from commitment,” laughed Atkins, referring to his struggle with kicking a seven-year methamphetamine habit. Today was a different story.

“I feel like I’ve really accomplished something,” he said after finishing the race. The five men equally expressed enthusiasm about their accomplishment, and the group celebrated with an outing to a victory breakfast.

Looking forward, Yamashita is toying with the idea of having the group participate in another race in August, the Race for the Arts.

“If they’re going to keep coming to training, I’ll keep running,” Brody said.

To read more about One Step Forward, see the link below:

One Step Forward

To visit Clean & Sober’s website, click on the following link:

Clean & Sober

One Step Forward: Running with homeless people recovering from addiction

2009-04-07T18:59:56Z

Distance running is a metaphor for life. Imagine running a full marathon. Your physical strength, built by training, gives you the energy to push through the course. You feel energized until about mile 13. You start feeling pain, but it is within your expectations. Then you hit the wall at mile 20. You feel like there is no more fuel left in your body and your legs feel like steel. You start hearing a voice, saying, “You can’t go any further. You did enough. Quit and rest!” For the last six miles, you fight with this evil voice.

But you also hear another voice, “No, no, don’t quit. You can do it. You have come this far and the goal is near.” This part of you miraculously pushes you to the finish line with a rewarding sensation. It is such a positive feeling of the sense of achievement and self-confidence.

This journey has given me strength and persistence, not only in running but also in many other aspects of my personal and professional life. I want to share this experience with struggling people and support them in achieving their goals.

Do you enjoy running? Have you run races before? Have you run for charitable causes? Have you ever thought that the distance running itself, and not just the money raised, can actually help many people?

For me, fundraising races seem to represent one-way communication; run and raise money, and the charitable cause will receive that money. But I also want to know about these struggling people and learn about the organizations and how they address and help people.

I thought, “If we love running for good reasons, why not run together with those people we are trying to help, if they are healthy enough?” One race last year, Run to Feed the Hungry, triggered me to put the idea into action. There is no reason that only people of a certain economic or social status can enjoy distance running. If there are people who find running worthwhile to try, it may change their life, as it has for so many other people around the world.

This is how One Step Forward was born. Founded by the author of this article, One Step Forward introduces the power and joy of distance running to disadvantaged people through organizing group runs.

On March 17, we inaugurated our first group run-and-walk with 20 residents of Clean & Sober in North Sacramento thanks to the tremendous support from its management and staff.

Founded in 1994 by Manny Diaz, Clean & Sober is a program that provides help to homeless and disadvantaged people who are determined to overcome their addiction to alcohol and drugs.

“Many residents suddenly gain weight when they stop using drugs and alcohol, and don’t feel good about it. They want to lose weight and be healthy,” said Dana Christy, Executive Director of Clean & Sober.

For this reason, a group running-and-walking program seems to be a good fit for their residents.

Prior to the orientation in the preceding week, I was nervous, not knowing what the residents would think about the idea of a group run. My concern disappeared the moment I stepped into their residential compound. There were already about 10 people waiting outside, smiling and exchanging greetings with me. “So you are the nature woman?”

I felt their curiosity and excitement about starting something new. The response from the participants has been encouraging. “I know that people were proud of themselves and are very excited to continue it in the future,” said Julie Sharp, a dedicated staff member of Clean & Sober.

They seem to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends, along with running and walking as a physical activity. Some have shared with me their rich and colorful life stories with honesty and openness during our walks and runs. After years of problems and hardships, such as homelessness, addiction, injury and sickness, they are determined to move forward and establish a new life.

Into the third week, we started an eight-week progressive training with generous support from Fleet Feet Sacramento.

Lisa Riley, Training Director at Fleet Feet Sacramento, brings in over four years of coaching experience for beginning runners to One Step Forward.

"This is quite an inspiring group," she commented on her second day with the Clean & Sober group. "They are up and smiling at 7 a.m. I had only been there one day and they were hugging me and thanking me already. Their attitudes are awesome."

The training will culminate with No Excuses 5K, a race held on May 25 at William Land Park. Our goal is that members will complete running or walking a 5K, most of them for the first time.

With the recent surge of media exposure for Tent City, Sacramento’s homeless problem has attracted national attention. While the homeless and Tent City were in Sacramento for decades, most media coverage seems to focus on the recent economic downtown as a staggering cause of the increased homeless population.

The homeless problem intertwines with complex sets of problems such as drugs, addiction, disability and mental illness, besides the economic crisis. It requires a holistic and multi-faceted approach to address the problems.

One Step Forward hopes to make an impact on those disadvantaged populations who are striving to restore their lives by helping them gain strength, motivation, and the drive to overcome their problems.

Running does not directly solve problems. Running helps people fight their problems with their own efforts. Distance running is not just about fitness. It is a powerful tool to gain mental strength. One Step Forward aims to emphasize three key factors: a sense of accomplishment, a sense of community, and hope.

Imagine: You train and run a distance with a speed you would have never imagined you could. You run a mile today and run three miles next month. Soon you will do a 5K race, a 10K race, then a half marathon. Maybe you will want to try a full marathon some day.

This ongoing process of efforts and achievements will provide a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. It will give you the pride and motivation to achieve a further goal.

Running does not have to be an individual and lonely activity. At One Step Forward, we do it in a group where we can talk and encourage each other. It forms camaraderie and a support system for each group member. My conversations with the members demonstrate to me that they are eagerly seeking a gateway to community and society. Through the group run, we will build a strong sense of community.

A combination of these two, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of community gives us hope. With hope and confidence in our ability to drive ourselves to overcome challenges, be it recovery from addiction or gaining job skills, we can move forward one step at a time.

I am looking forward to running with the group for the next seven weeks and the challenge at the No Excuses 5K race. I hope to learn more about the members, strengthen the program, and expand it to new groups.

One Step Forward is supported by a small number of volunteers, in addition to our partners, Clean & Sober and Fleet Feet Sacramento.

If you are interested in knowing more about the program or joining us, please email us at run1stepforward@gmail.com.
For more information about Clean & Sober, please visit http://clean-and-sober.org/
For more information about Fleet Feet Sacramento, please visit http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/

Local Sporting Events Abound - Try One!

2008-12-14T06:14:18Z

Last Sunday I braved a 44 degree frigid morning and walked down to the Capitol to find a bunch of kids under-dressed in running shorts. They were finishing the Marafun run with their parents. Inspired, I pulled up the collar on my fleece jacket and determined I could stick around to catch the winner of the 26th Ca International Marathon. Stationed on the corner of 10th and L Streets I was one of six people interested in the outcome from this vantage point. In fifteen minutes or so we were rewarded with a blur of legs and motion that was Halefom Abebe (of Ethiopia) sprinting on his way to a winning time of 2:16:42. I was inspired again.

Back in the warmth of home I went to the Fleet Feet Sacramento website and found a calendar of local athletic events: http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/local-race-calendar. I was astounded to learn there are over fifty events scheduled over the next twelve months ranging from mountain biking to triathalons to marathons! Who knew we had such an active community? I promptly registered for the Shamrock Half Marathon on March 15.

What gets you moving?

2008-10-14T02:33:13Z

According to the American College of Sports Medicine 2008 study, San Francisco is the most fit city in the U.S. (www.americanfitnessindex.org). Sacramento did not make the list of top 16 most fit cities. The only other two California cities that made the bottom of the list were Los Angeles and Riverside.

While the results of this study may be debatable, it poses a good question about how fitness-friendly our city is. How does our city rank in terms of the number of bike trails, walking trails, exercise facilities, etc? There seems to be a huge link between fitness and fundraisers. People will exercise as long as it is for a cause.

Look at the events below that happen either at the Capitol or at Crocker Park:

In May there's the MS walk - benefits Multiple Sclerosis

In June there's the Nike Women's Fitness Festival - benefits WEAVE

In August there's the Race for the Arts - raises money for nonprofit arts programs

In September I'll Be Aware- benefits Albie Carson Breast Cancer Foundation, Sacramento Valley AIDS 5k Run/Walk - benefits local HIV/AIDS service organizations , State Employees Heart Walk - benefits American Heart Association and Light the Night walk - benefits organizations that aim to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma

In October there's the Walk for Mental Health - benefits local mental health organizations, Memory Walk -benefits Alzheimer's Association, Walk to Cure Diabetes - diabetes research and research-related education, Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes - benefits American Diabetes Association and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Sacramento walk - benefits American Cancer Society.

(A complete list of walks in the Sacramento area each month can be found at walksacramento.org)

Many people train for specific runs, but had these races not been scheduled, not been a motivator to raise money for a cause, would Sacramentans be less active? Do fundraisers promote outdoor fitness? Are fitness-based fundraisers the most effective way to get the community involved and raise money?