The Weekly Rundown!

Hey everyone and welcome to my very first attempt at the Rundown. First of all, thanks to Derek for giving me the opportunity to host the Rundown. I love reading your blogs, where else can you get such great product advice, running tips and advice for overcoming your injuries? Recently David posted about how his life has changed as a result of running, and how in some instances that's made him an outsider in some of his usual circles. He's proposed a Runner's Anonymous club that I think we all should sign up to be charter members of!

Summer is coming to an end and a common theme is emerging among the bloggers - intense marathon training and the beginning of the taper for many. October is a huge month for upcoming marathons - Chicago, Hartford, Minneapolis, San Fran, and the list goes on an on. Dianna and April Anne rocked their 20-miler on Saturday, with the cooperation of the weather. They had a great run and managed to neither break an ankle or be run over by traffic. DGC ran over 50 miles last week as she prepares for the Chicago Marathon, and she feels great! Jon mastered the 18 miler and was able to avoid the jerk deer that plagued him earlier in the week. However, he was not able to avoid some jerk pains in his legs and shins and is need of your always fabulous advice. Personally, I was spooked by some freak animals and creepy darkness myself this week. We're all trying to figure out how to deal with the impending lack of daylight, and Susan was lucky enough to find some new friends to run with in the wee hours this fall. She also completed her first 9-miler and has a graphic to prove it! In this post Susan also expresses the appreciation I think we all feel about the support we receive from our fellow RBF-ers. Also joining the '9-mile club' is Kiran, who escaped her running funk (but unfortunately wasn't able to escape the remnants of Hurricane O) this past weekend.

Cassie returned to racing (following her first marathon earlier this year) and had a great time participating in a relay. She's been battling some injuries since her marathon so that makes the comeback even sweeter! Hutch rocked an 8K (despite intense Southern heat), and was even able to win a prize in his division!! He's headed to DC in a few weeks for the Army 10-miler and is looking for any fellow RBF-ers to meet up with. Jennifer has had several notable runs lately as she trains for a 50K but my personal favorite is this one which has to be right up there as possibly one of the toughest and most dramatic runs ever!

While a lot of runners are gearing up and maxing out their mileage, several of our fellow runners are beginning the dreaded taper. After months and months of posting big long-run digits, it's pretty tough to roll those numbers backwards as excitement is building about your big day. Brent posted his last double digit run until M-day, and following her recent 20-miler A Maria confessed she hasn't been as motivated recently to put in all her training runs.

Across the giant pond, our international RBF-er's have been tearing up the pavement as well. CJ recently completed the Sydney Marathon, with a personal best (as they call it!!), despite the less than perfect weather. Plods completed a race around the Eiffel Tower! How amazing would that be? Jack completed the Baden Marathon, in Germany, and set a PR despite the chilly weather. So how many RBF-er's want to go overseas with me and run these amazing races next year???

As always, Shore Turtle is offering up new links to make all our blogging and running endeavors as technologically advanced as possible. (I swear he is THE master of the google pedometer maps.) This week he filled us in on the new Google translator which translates treadmill as "wheel of squirrel" in Spanish, "traveling carpet" in German and "mobile footrest" in French. Think about that the next time you're stuck on what you thought was just a boring treadmill. He's also the only person I know who runs multiple states on his lunch break, that's multi-tasking!

My favorite blogger, my husband Brent, shared lots of great links with us this week, as well as McDonalds sad attempt at promoting exercise. Krista shared with us the same frustration we all feel about trying to get some exercise without being mauled by cars and/or loose dogs. (One of the most valuable things I've taken away from the RBF is the great recommendation of the Dazer. I don't leave home without it!)

Hopefully I've been able to find a few new blogs for each of you, and if not maybe I've saved you a few minutes of reading time you can add onto your next run! Drop by and visit these great bloggers and make sure they know how much you appreciate their posts. With all the marathons, races, and long runs coming up you never know how much a word of encouragement and support may mean to someone.

Happy Running!
Rachel