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The Shack upgrades at Cowtown. See story.

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New feature: Running tips

A new feature is starting: Running and other tips from qualified coaches. These tips are designed to help any level of runner and are from some of the coaches who advertise on this website. Tips will be added on a periodic basis, so please check back often to see new ones. If you're a beginner or novice, they're sure to help, and more advanced runners should pick up a tip or two that will benefit them. See the tips.

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*Some El Scorcho moments*

Libby Jones ran her first 25K at El Scorcho
even though five months pregnant

By Libby Jones from her Blog

After not running basically at all first trimester because I felt so fatigued, I had begun running again in the second trimester, felt good, worked with the doctor to come to agreements on how much running, and just kept feeling stronger!

So then three and a half weeks ago, I got a crazy stupid idea.  I loved the thought of El Scorcho 25K - there was a huge safety net to it being on a 5K loop where you could stop after any given one, and it was the only event at the absolutely coolest part of the day for the next couple months.  While running felt good, getting out the door when you're pregnant is still hard.  So I was also looking for a firm goal to keep me motivated.  My first 25K seemed like a strong motivator. Read the rest of Libby's Blog about El Scorcho.

New pair of shoes eased some soreness for Melissa

By Melissa Galyon from her Blog

I'm recovering from a pretty wacky race on Saturday night, with some soreness in my quads and calves, but feeling great overall. A new pair of Brooks Adrenalines doesn't hurt either (a friend told me I run on pillows, lol)...

The Race- The El Scorcho Run (25K/50K) is held annually in Trinity Park in Fort Worth, Texas, at midnight in July. There were nearly 500 folks running, which contributed to a laidback atmosphere. Spectators (yes, even in the middle of the night, we had crowds) set up tents, lawn chairs and coolers by the trail. The 25K racers ran around a 5k loop five times, and the 50K ran double that. Finishers received medals. Read the rest of Melissa's Blog.

This time Nick Polito finished

By Nick Polito from his Blog

I ran it last year and after 7 loops and 21 miles I quit. I came in this year with a different mindset of finishing was my first goal even if I had to run 9 min miles. I ended up with a few of those but I am very happy with the results. I have so many friends that run this race although most run the 25K. I even had some amazing friends that come out there to cheer us on and miss a whole night’s sleep. I didn’t taper much for this race as Chicago is still my goal race. Still had 78 miles for the week and I felt somewhat fresh for the race. The 25K starts 10 min after the 50K so at the start we know anyone passing us is a 50K runner. See the rest of Nick's Blog.

A midnight stroll

What were you doing at midnight Saturday? Sleeping? Some people were just beginning to run. These were among the 500 who were at Trinity Park for the fourth El Scorcho 50K, 25K event. Congratulations to everyone who finished Sunday (July 25) morning. At least the temperature wasn't too scorching. Todd Reynolds of Benbrook (pictured right), one of the area's top masters runner and 2009 winner of The Cowtown Ultra, won the 50K. If anyone would like to tell about your experience, please send a report via e-mail and it will be included among any others that are received. If you have pictures, send them, too. Photos submited by Mike Deavers.The white dots? Reflectors.

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The Shack upgrades at Cowtown,
becomes one of the presenting sponsors

The Shack, which has been a title sponsor for The Cowtown 10K since 2009, has become one of the Presenting Sponsors, The Cowtown Board of Directors announced July 27. The Shack joins seven others as presenting sponsors. Read the news release.

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Teen tests himself at longer distance
while chasing the Soles For Souls 5K winner

(See slideshows of Soles For Souls and the FWRC's High Noon Shootout)

By Fiona Green

Overall winner of the 4th annual Soles for Souls 5k in Arlington on Saturday, July 17, was 22-year-old Noe Nunez of Dallas, who convincingly won the race in16.53, more than a minute ahead of runner-up Domingo Merinos.

A little farther back in the pack, several others runners recorded their own personal achievements. 

Competing in his first 5K was 14-year-old Kyle Nickols of Keller (pictured). Kyle, a multi-sport athlete, who has competed in track and cross country for his high school team, was curious to see how he would fare in a longer distance race. Considering the longest he has run this summer had been 1.6 miles, he was satisfied with his 21.44 finish, although he admitted the final mile was tough. For Justin Tullis, 29, of Midlothian, the event marked his first race in over a year after a trampoline accident last summer resulted in a broken leg. Although his 20:29 finish was a couple of minutes slower than his time in recent races (no doubt due to the weight of the pins in his legs), he was happy to be able to complete the event pain free. He is now hoping to work on his speed a little in preparation for his high school reunion race in August.

Herb Armentrout, 50,  also enjoyed the race although this is not the event he had planned on doing when he set out from his home town of Shreveport, La. He had, in fact, registered for a triathlon and only discovered after arriving in Arlington that that particular event is actually taking place next week. Rather than see some good adrenalin go to waste, he signed up for the race and comfortably won his age group in 20:43. He plans to return next week for the triathlon. 

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Cowtown moving from downtown to
Will Rogers Coliseum area

Cowtown officials, who already have announced that the six-race event will be split and be conducted on two days next year, have announced the event also is moving from its downtown Fort Worth location to the Will Rogers Coliseum area. ``The Cowtown is a premere Fort Worth event dedicasted to health and fitness...Our move to Will Rogers Memorial Center and expansion to three days (counting a Friday Expo) will make our six unique runs and fitness expo more enjoyable and safe for everyone,'' Cowtown board chairman Brian Hocker said in a news release. Read the entire news release. The Cowtown move comes on the heels of the White Rock Marathon being moved from the American Airlines Center venue to the Fair Grounds this year. Both events are trying to find more parking and other space for their growing events.

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Making the site more inclusive

After starting this site in March, 2006, I have focused on more race winners and other regular runners and have largely ignored the beginning and novice runners. To become more inclusive, the race coverage will try to include more stories from those who aren't weekend warriors, plus I'm adding a coaching page that will include tips from some of those who conduct training groups and advertise on this site. Though the tips probably will appeal more to the novice and beginners, even experienced runners might benefit from some of them. That page will begin next week.

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Send in those PR times: format has changed

The format for the personal best times has changed. Rather than just the past three years, the PRs will reflect the most recent best time, plus a runner's all-time PR. So, enter and be listed among those who have submitted their times to see how you stack up with others in your age division. Until I post a form to fill out, please e-mail your information in the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, and which should include the most recent PR time, your age at the time you ran it and which race and year. The same information needs to be included on your all-time PRs in the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon. She the 5K, 10K, Half and Marathon times already posted.

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Starting a new feature: course maps

It's a heck of a way to start a new feature. I will adding course maps to the Calendar page along with their respective races. However, the pitfall of doing this became apparent with the first one I posted; some of the maps on the USATF site have yet to be updated. Such was the case for the FWRC 3 Amigos 4-Mile race that was Saturday (July 26). Anyway, most of the maps should be accurate. I'll try and make sure I have the latest one, but that's difficult and time-consuming, so just note that the course might not be the same as the map that is posted. If a course has changed, please let me know.

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Having a hard time losing weight? Then be jealous because Greg Takacs has dropped from his incredible hulk size of 245 to 164 while becoming a fast competitor in less than a year. Naturally, there was a lot of effort involved and a lot of support from his wife. Read a report about his transformation.

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