Fall is a great time of year for runners. Temperatures are cooler, leaves are brighter, and holidays are just around the corner. My favorite ritual is a long run in the park followed by a relaxing afternoon watching football while a hearty soup simmers on the stove top. This month, Brandon McDearis and Endurance Magazine bring you a great fall soup. Our light yet creamy cauliflower soup is perfect for the season and for runners. Loaded with cauliflower, it is an excellent source of vitamin K – a hallmark anti-inflammatory nutrient.
While fall marks the end of the 2012 NC USATF Endurance Magazine Long Distance Running Championship Series (winners will be announced in our December issue), it also marks the start of training for your next spring marathon. In this month’s issue, we provide some previews of a few great later winter and early spring marathons. If you are running one of North Carolina’s fall marathons, be sure to check out our article on post-race recovery. Whether or not you make your goal time, one thing is certain – you need to plan your recovery.
You might also want to plan for your favorite turkey trot this year. Thanksgiving is widely regarded as one of the most popular days for running and some events will have caps this year, so be sure to sign up early. Check out our third annual Gobbler Guide to find a race near you.
Thanksgiving is one of the days of the year I do not run. I like to take the day off and indulge in my favorite foods! Even though I don’t run on Thanksgiving, I still associate the day with running. I always keep a spring race on my schedule and start my official training over Thanksgiving weekend. It’s a simple tactic I use to stay motivated. It’s also easy for me to jump into a training plan when I have a long weekend free from obligations. Let’s face it, life is busy for working parents. We could all use some help in figuring out to make time for working out, so be sure to read our tips on doing so.
One person who could be forgiven for slacking off with a workout routine is WRAL-TV’s Kelcey Carslon. As a wife, mom of two young children, and television reporter and anchor, her schedule is packed to the brim. But time reserved for running is sacred. Read Kelcey’s story to find out how she and her husband, 93.9 KISS FM morning DJ Dave Kent, manage their time and resources to work in workouts.
Don’t forget to check out all the great articles and event previews in this issue. One new event you and your family will want to participate in this year is the Swim For Smiles RunFest. This race combines the thrill of a road race with the fun, family-friendly festivities that you’re accustomed to if you’ve ever attended a Swim for Smiles triathlon. Whether you come as a participant or as a cheerleader, you will be united in our support of kids helping kids! For more information about the race as well as ways to get involved and registration, visit www.swimforsmiles.org/events/runfest.
