This November 27, instead of shopping or nursing your turkey hangover, get out and run with Charlotte Running Club and Black Men Run! Over the course of 12 hours from7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,we will be raising money for Let Me Run and Girls On The Run. Both of these tremendous youth organizations teach character lessons and healthy lifestyles through running.

The event is free and runners can come and go as they please. There will be a 4-mile mapped course which may be run as often as you want. Run solo or as a team and see how many miles you can put together. Ask your friends, family and neighbors to sponsor you and help you raise money for these great causes. We will be giving awards for top mileage for individuals and teams.

We realize that many of you are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, and you don’t have to be present to participate. Run “virtually,” wherever you are, and challenge yourself to see how many miles and how much money you can raise.

Visit https://raceroster.com/events/2020/35499/black-friday-long-run-for-youth to register and be sure to follow our Facebook & Instagram pages to keep up with the day’s activities.

  September 12, 2020 – At the break of dawn,   some runners were already spotted on     Queens Road in their royal blue and yellow   racing singlets. The thunderstorms held off,   although   the humidity was high. But   nothing was going to stop the first “Boston   Marathon” to be held   in Charlotte.

Over 61 qualified runners registered to run their Virtual Boston marathon with Charlotte Running Club, and at least that many other athletes ran a few laps of the 4-lap course. After cancelation of April’s 124^th Boston Marathon, the re-scheduled event would have taken place on Monday, September 14, but we all know what happened next. Most of these runners have been training for a marathon ALL YEAR LONG. Today they found a welcome finish line.

All four of the local running stores set up support stations: Omega Sports had a tent near the greenway behind Park Road Shopping Center; Charlotte Running Company on East Blvd was a welcome sight after the big hill on Floral; Run For Your Life had a pool filled with iced water bottles on King’s Drive; and Ultra Running Co offered a smorgasbord of snacks on Queens & Queens (atop the Charlotte version of “Heartbreak Hill).” Local businesses Destination Marathons and Carolina Sports Clinic also provided supplies and stretching to 100+ runners who ran primarily from 6 am – 10 am.

In 2020, it wasn’t a race … it was a celebration. There was no start or finish line, no germy port-a-Johns, and the support stations were hands-free (equipped with hand sanitizers and complimentary face masks). What we did have: friends, family, cheers, signs, struggles to overcome, and the spirit of the marathon that brought our community together. Congratulations to all of our marathoners, half marathoners, quarter marathoners, and support team. Running is NOT canceled.

        

by Eric Smith

 I share my story below to explain why, as the newly-elected President of the Charlotte Running Club, I want our non-profit organization led by volunteers who are passionate about running to help others keep or bring back the motivation to run.

Since March 2020, so many of us have had to change plans to run local, national, and international races. Several events I was lined up to pace or race were canceled (Tobacco Road, Chicago, Charlotte, and Kiawah) and I went through a period in April where my motivation to run went south and several runs were shortened because I started to question why bother getting out there if there was a real possibility there would not be another race for the rest of 2020? Fortunately, I had a few friends who were training for the Virtual Boston Marathon and we started to work together to train and hold one another accountable. I wasn’t training for Boston but the opportunity to help pace long runs and participate in the workouts really provided me the spark to keep running not only to stay healthy but also to have a sense of normalcy that I could control.

In the coming year, the Charlotte Running Club needs to help all runners who may be struggling to stay motivated and to make it easier for our members to support local businesses, non-profits, and community initiatives. This can be done by creating opportunities for runners to meet, train, and stay connected. No doubt, runners still have a lot of uncertainty ahead in the next 6 months when it comes to races and it will be important for all of us to stay focused, have fun, and use the phrase “running is not canceled”.

During our annual meeting on August 8, we ushered in a new era of leadership on the CRC Board of Directors.  After three years on the board, Chad Champion retired as president. Past president Mike Beigay stepped down from official duties, and social media maverick Franklin Keithley moved on to a new phase of life (marriage!).  The remaining board members are excited to pour more energy into building up the club, including Eric Smith who was elected President , Jay Seago as Vice President, Melissa Seuster as Secretary and Jason Benoit as Treasurer.  Returning members include Lisa Landrum, Chad Crockford, and Darius Moore. The newly-elected board members include Heather Carpenter, Lisa Keller, Tim Mann and Phillip Sanford. Please reach out to any one of us with comments, suggestions or questions. All member bios and contact info may be found HERE.

Stretching is key to maintaining your body before and after your runs and walks, as well as during rest times in between activities. In this post, we will review the two main types of stretching, when to do them, and some examples of those stretches.

Static Stretching

A static stretch is when you are keeping your body still and make a controlled movement using flexion and extension concentrated on a certain muscle for stretching. During a static stretch, you hold that flexion or extension position for a certain period of time, alternating between sides and limbs.

The best time to complete static stretching is after a run or walk and during rest periods in between activities. A static stretch after an activity increases flexibility, range of motion, and blood flow in your muscles, joints, and other soft tissue areas that moving into a recovery mode. Consistent stretching will reduce stiffness and soreness, which will result in your body being prepared for the next activity.

Some common static stretches include:

Hamstring - Stand with your back against the wall or lay on a hard, flat surface. Raise your knee towards your chest, grab it with both hands and pull it against your chest until you can feel your hamstring being stretched. Hold it in that position for 10 to 15 seconds and switch to the other leg. Repeat up to three times for each leg.

Quadriceps - Grab on to a sturdy object or lean into a wall. Kick your heel up behind you and grab the front of your foot. Pull your foot towards your buttocks and keep the rest of your leg straight until you can feel your quadriceps being stretched. Hold it in that position for 10 to 15 seconds and switch to the other leg. Repeat up to three times for each leg.

Calf - Place both hands against a wall or other sturdy object. Back your feet up until you have a straight line from your head to your heels at about a 60-degree angle. Keep one heel on the ground with that leg remaining straight and step forward with the other leg. This will stretch the leg that remains straight. Hold it in that position for 10 to 15 seconds and switch to the other leg. Repeat up to three times for each leg.

Achilles - Follow the same steps as the calf stretch, but slightly bend your knees. Keep one heel on the ground with the slightly bent knee and step forward with the other leg. This will stretch the Achilles tendon for the leg in the back. Hold it in that position for 10 to 15 seconds and switch to the other leg. Repeat up to three times for each leg.

Dynamic Stretching

The main difference between static and dynamic stretching is dynamic stretching is done while moving and mimicking the movements of the activity that you are about to perform. The movement during dynamic stretching will prepare your muscles for the upcoming activity and get your body warmed up to lessen the shock when the activity begins.

Some common dynamic stretches include:

High knees - Start in a position like you are going to start a run or a walk and then lift your knee up. Once that foot comes back down, lift the opposite knee, and repeat this as you move forward. Keep your hands and arms moving in proper running form. As you get more experienced with high knees, your knees will get higher and the turnover in your legs will get quicker. Go 20 to 40 meters doing this and repeat it two or three times.

Butt kicks - This one is self-explanatory. Kick your heel up in a fluid motion until it taps your buttocks. Once that foot comes back down, repeat it with your opposite heel. Keep your hands and arms moving in proper running form. As you get more experienced with butt kicks, the turnover in your legs will get quicker. Go 20 to 40 meters doing this and repeat it two or three times.

Skips - Spring your body up and forward using the muscles in one leg. Once you hit the ground, immediately spring up and forward again using the opposite leg. As you push up and forward with your right leg, move your left knee up as you would in high knees; same goes for right knee when you push with your left leg. During this, swing your arms in an exaggerated running motion in the same rhythm as the skips. Go 40 to 50 meters doing this and repeat it two or three times.

Philip Sanford is an RRCA-certified running coach who writes a coaching blog at https://team-sanford.com. You may sign up for his newsletter by using this link.

Last fall we started a Free 5K series to provide a new outlet for CRC members to get to know one another at group runs. We took a winter break, and then an unplanned spring/summer break, but we have not given up on the idea! 

Come out Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30pm for a free 5k on Little Sugar Creek Greenway. We will meet at Carolina Pavilion in front of FrontGate to explore the new greenway.

This is a "fun run" with no medals or awards, but water and timing will be provided for the measured 5k distance.  ALL paces are welcome and encouraged.  

Please bring your own water bottles and remember to comply with current guidelines for social distancing. We will be selling CRC merchandise and there are plenty of nearby eateries for post-run socializing.

• Welcome, Newest Members:

  Michael Cooke             Alison House               Adam Lazzari

  Megan Pearl                Joe Scallan                  Ruben Cosme

  Christy Hambright                  Alicia Harris

  Not a Member Yet? Click HERE to Join 450 other Charlotte-area runner and sign up today. For only $20, you enjoy~

• 
  

• ** Group runs and special events centered on running

• ** Discounts at local running stores & race

• ** Finding new people to run with through our social media pages

• ** Access to our Online Store and cool merchandise

GOTR: Building Confident Girls by Lisa Keller 

The Girls on the Run (GOTR) fall 2020 season is on! Programming has been adapted to be more flexible (ex. virtual, camp, in-person options). GOTR’s commitment to inspire girls to navigate their worlds to establish a lifetime appreciation for physical and emotional health has not changed.  

GOTR is seeking volunteer coaches for both in-person and virtual teams (the choice is yours!). All trainings are virtual which include safety information for in-person teams. All program materials will be provided, including face masks and sanitizing materials.   

Visit the website for details: https://www.gotrgreaterclt.org/ 

LMR: Training Boys for the Long Run by Jay Seago

Let Me Run, a boy’s character building and running non-profit based here in Charlotte, is not offering programming this fall.  They are, however, providing free online content to train for a virtual 5k through their FaceBook page. In addition to the free training program, new content will be provided each day, to help get you to the finish line feeling strong and healthy. The workouts provided are fun and challenging for everyone!  Please check them out and watch for guest appearances by several of Charlotte's fitness professionals as they guide you through key non-running workouts to keep you going strong!  

Visit the website for details: https://www.letmerun.org

We are excited to launch the new CRC online store, where you can buy exclusive hats, T-shirts and running singlets with the CRC logo. These items are click-to-order and will ship directly within 2-3 days of purchase.

                

Order Yours here:

Store

9 Rounds Dilworth is offering a special discount to CRC members:

Month to Month Special- $99/month (save $30)

No registration fee (save $199)

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

            Unlimited workouts (four different workout options):

                        In-gym

                        Outdoor

                        Live stream

                        On demand

Boxing gloves/wraps, keytag & carrying bag included!

Email john.dee@9round.com or call the gym at 704-334-4994 for more info. Be sure to mention that you are a member of Charlotte Running Club!