As of mid-September, Raleigh has seen 64 days over 90 degrees, more than double the days over 90 than in 2013. Our average temperature this summer is over 80 degrees making it the 3rd warmest summer out of the past 130 years (dating back to 1887). Hopefully, by now, the weather has finally cooled down enough to actually feel like autumn.
In her article, “Autumn: the Best Season for Running” Joscelyne Hauserman talks about all the good things about fall— the time of year where the kids are back in school, the temperatures are dropping, and the smell of pumpkin spice can be found almost anywhere you go. While some of us (like me) believe its time to let go of the pumpkin spice craze, there’s no doubt that the delicious food, comfy clothes, and pretty colors, and cooler weather makes this season a welcome relief to summer and makes it also a great time for running.
To help you best enjoy running this time of year, we highlight a few events for you in our “Great Fall Trail Runs” article. From a beautiful trail run along the banks of the Haw River to waterfalls, mountain terrain, wildflowers and the fall colors along Big Elkin Creek and the new Elkin Creek Mountain Bike Trail, our guide showcases the best of the outdoors here in North Carolina. Be sure to check this article to learn about the events that take place in these locales as well as several other great events with amazing scenery.
If running trails isn’t quite your thing, don’t worry. Fall is also the time of year for one of North Carolina’s longest standing marathons. The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, formerly Thunder Road, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12. Check out our preview of this event to learn more about the name change and why you can expect the same quality event that Race Director Tim Rhodes has been putting on for years. Not ready for a fall marathon? Be sure to check out our other marathon preview for a spring race— the Allscripts Tobacco Road Marathon & Half Marathon Presented by Inside Out Sports. If you’re looking to qualify for Boston, this just might be YOUR race!
We would be remiss, however, to mention the Boston Marathon and not also mention the appearance of Katherine Switzer at the Girls on the Run of the Triangle’s Sweet 16 Gala on Saturday, November 12. Switzer made sports history in 1967 as the first woman to register for and complete the Boston Marathon at a time when the race was still a men’s only event. The photo of race director Jock Semple trying to forcibly remove her from the race course became one of Time-Life’s “100 Photos that Changed the World.” To learn more about Switzer and the Girls on the Run Gala, be sure to check out our article about her and the event in this issue.
While some love to run to get our fill of nature’s beauty, some like to ride as fall is a great time for cycling, too. Cyclists in North Carolina will be happy to know that there will be several pro-cyclist changes in law that will help make cycling safer. Our regular cycling columnist Thomas Henson takes a look at some of those changes in his article “House Bill 959 – What Cyclists Need to Know”. Since reading a legal regulation or statute might put some of us to sleep before getting to the important parts, Henson highlights the most important areas of this legislation, which becomes effective October 1, 2016, to arm you with additional knowledge and keep you as safe as possible out on the road.
Finally, we couldn’t mention fall without a great recipe. This month’s recipe is a Rigatoni with Pesto and Roasted Vegetables. Today, in our country, very few people eat the right amount of vegetables each day. Even for the most health-conscious person, eating the recommended minimum of 3-4 cups a day can be a great challenge. That challenge can become even more perplexing for those in the category of vegetable hater. So, be sure to check out Brandon McDearis’ latest recipe.
Inspire. Perform. Endure.
