The 5th Annual USATF North Carolina Endurance Magazine Championship Series begins March 16 with Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Half Marathon. In addition to an awesome destination race like the marathon in Wrightsville Beach, the series ties together six other top races in North Carolina. The series spans the state, from the beaches to the mountains, with distances from the mile to the marathon, to ultimately crown the USATF North Carolina – Endurance Magazine Long Distance Runners of the Year. This year’s series features more than $20,000 in prize money spread over the seven race series. The Runners of the Year, both male and female overall and male and female masters, are determined by totaling points earned in a system that gives the most points to race winners, and fewer points to second- and third-place finishers.
To help get you on the right track for your best year ever we’re including in this issue a great training plan for the 5k distance. If you’ve decided 2014 is going to be your year to get back in shape and you’re ready to kick it up a notch, this is the plan for you. Our eight-week plan includes a balance of running and cross-training to maximize gains and keep you injury-free. Be sure to check Brian Diaz’s article “Run a Faster 5K” to help get you moving at your fastest.
If you need a little motivation to get you started, be sure to read our inspirational story “First 5K in 20 Years.” Like many of us, Jack Haddock was active in his younger years, but got sidetracked from fitness after earning his degree and settling down with his family. Year after year, Jack worked hard in his career, spent time with family and friends; however, he eventually noticed that his health was no longer a priority. “I was at a point in my life that I needed to do something about my health,” Jack says. “I was overweight and out of breath in everyday basic activities, including trying to keep up with my children.” Check out the rest of his story in this issue to get inspired to start running again.
While Jack’s story is certainly inspiring, it sometimes takes a bit more than a plan to get us out there running. Nakenge Robertson found her inspiration when she joined a Black Girls Run group and met her friend in Claudia Curtis. The two realized they had a lot more in common than a love for running and now carve out time to run together to help deal with the routine craziness in their lives. Nakenge and Claudia push and motivate each other during training and races and know they are less likely to chicken out if the the other person is waiting. Our article “Sole Sisters” details how the two inspire each other. If you’re in need of a great running partner, we also offer links to several running clubs to get you started.
Cyclists will be happy to know we have an excellent review this month on the much-anticipated Garmin Vector Pedals. Chad Kufen from Inside-Out Sports provides an in-depth review on the innovative pedal-based cycling power meters that are finally available. Cycling power meters are used as an objective measure of your performance on any given day and typically need to be installed on your rear wheel, which is what makes these pedals so innovative. Using a power meter allows you to train with precision while providing a gauge of your training intensity, so you will definitely want to check out this article to up your game this year.
As always we include many more articles to help you with your training, recovery and diet, including Brian Schiff’s “Roll Out Your Plantar Fascia Pain” and Brandon McDearis’ break from our typical recipe with a chocolate truffle recipe this month.
