By Joe Nuss
Last month I had the pleasure of meeting a group of new runners in Charlotte. Like all other groups of runners I have met, they shared a unity and closeness that was obviously born through running. They also shared another common characteristic: They were all homeless. As homeless people, they are not really welcome on the streets of Charlotte. But as runners, they are free to run on the streets like any other runner without being subjected to disapproving stares. As runners, they belong. This sense of belonging was made possible by RunningWorks, the brain child of Charlotte area triathletes Meredith Dolhare and Kelly Fillnow. This one-of-a-kind program provides shirts, shorts, and sneakers to the homeless in exchange for counseling and, of course, running. Writer Charlie Engle spent a day with RunningWorks learning about this group of homeless people and the challenges they face. After meeting these people, it was obvious to me that to them, sneakers were not just a tool for running, but a tool of empowerment and a key to the city, granting them access and approval from the city and its people.
In this issue of Endurance Magazine we also cover a group of cyclists – “Burrito Bikers” – that are helping the homeless. Early Sunday mornings, the group travels to Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte as the bustle of the business-doing workweek crowd gives way to the slower, less-determined pace of those with nowhere else to be. D.C. Luchessi shares a story of the generosity of these cyclists who bring burritos to the homeless on weekends. Not surprisingly, “burrito rides” are popping up in other North Carolina cities, too.
On the event front, October marks the end of the Ramblin’ Rose season as we cap off the year with our triathlon in Chapel Hill on Oct. 7 and our halfmarathon in Durham on Oct. 21. While the triathlon has been sold out for months, there is still room at the half-marathon, which features a new five-mile option this year. Running the five-miler is a great next step for all of those who trained for the triathlon in Chapel Hill, not to mention those who finished our Charlotte triathlon at the end of September. If you will be running the half-marathon or five-miler for the first time, make sure to read our race day preparation article called “Ready, Set, Race!” Writer, half-marathon participant, and 2011 Ramblin’ Rose Half Marathon finisher Vickie Leff provides some great insight to help ensure your success this year.
We have even more preparation tips this month. These tips, however, are not for running, but cooking! Brandon McDearis provides another great recipe, red pepper and sage risotto. A lot of people think of risotto as a treat eaten rarely at nice restaurants, but Brandon shows us how easy it is to make this at home for a main course at meal time. The tasty and healthy recipe calls for asparagus – an excellent source of anti-inflammatory vitamin K, heart-healthy folate, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and vitamin A – as well as white wine. Endurance Magazine was also fortunate to get some wine-pairing advice from Kim Myers, president and co-owner of Laurel Gray Vineyards in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley. Kim helped us pair a great local white wine with Brandon’s amazing risotto recipe. Laurel Gray is an estate vineyard and winery in the Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek AVA (American Viticultural Area) of North Carolina growing and producing French Vinifera varieties. The winery’s motto is “French Country with Southern Charm.”
We also feature another great bike review by Cid Cardoso, Jr., owner of InsideOut Sports. This month, Cid looks at the Ordu line of bikes by European manufacturer Orbea. Unlike most of the other European brands that are imported into the U.S., which come from Italy, Orbea comes from Spain and is the largest bicycle manufacturer there. New for 2013, Orbea will be introducing the Ordu Gold series to the line. With this Ordu Gold, the Silver has dropped in priced, thus making it more affordable for the masses. Is it a good deal or ancient history? Cid took a ride on it and had a chance to decide for himself. Check out his review to find out what he thinks!
As always, we provide some great exercises, stretches, and training tips to keep you healthy and strong for your upcoming fall marathon season!
