AORTA News: September 30th, 2024
Upcoming Local Race
Mercy Medical 5K/10K
When: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM
Where: Town Creek Park, Auburn
Distance: 1M, 5K, 10K
Fee: $20 (1M), $30 (5K), $35 (10K)
Description: Come join us for the 2nd annual Mercy Medical Run to raise money from this race, all of it, will be donated to Mercy Medical. For over 20 years, Mercy Medical has fulfilled this mission through the generous financial support of our community. The clinic is staffed primarily by volunteers who selflessly give their time to love and serve the underserved of our community.
Mercy Medical 1-Mile Route 
Mercy Medical 5K Route
Mercy Medical 10K Route
Unity Wellness Center AIDS Day Run/Walk
- When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
- Time: 8:00 AM (1-Mile), 8:30 PM (5K)
- Where: Town Creek Park, Auburn, AL
- Fee: $5 (1-Mile), $5 (5K) (t-shirt optional fee)
- Description: Join us for the 5th Annual Unity Wellness Center World AIDS Day Run/Walk, featuring a $5 fee for both the 5K and 1-mile events (with an option to add a shirt for $20), and veterans can run for free (see website for details). Age group awards will be given, and there will be a raffle and refreshments for the whole family. The 1-mile walk starts at 8:00 am (untimed), and the 5K timed race begins at 8:30 am. This event commemorates World AIDS Day, a global day of unity against HIV, and supports Unity Wellness Center's vital services, including HIV testing, counseling, medical care, case management, and prevention education. Register by October 6th to secure a tee shirt; registrations after this date may not guarantee one.
Beat Bama Food Drive 5K
- When: Sunday, November 03, 2024
- Time: 4:00 PM (1-Mile), 4:30 PM (5K)
- Where: Cater Lawn, Auburn University
- Fee: $20 (5K), $10 (1-Mile)
- Description: The Beat Bama Run Fest is a charity color run benefiting the Food Bank of East Alabama. It offers a 5K race and a one-mile fun run for participants of varying fitness levels, encouraging community involvement by collecting non-perishable food donations. Pre-registration is encouraged to save on fees, and the event includes water stops, refreshments, and children's entertainment, making it a well-rounded experience focused on fitness, community engagement, and philanthropy for participants of all ages.
Have Gently Worn Running Shoes?
Are your running shoes past their useful running life? Most are normally good for 300 to 500 miles but can still have a lot of “sole” left in them! If yours are ready for retirement, bring your gently used running shoes to Love2Run, our local running partner store, where they’ll collect them for a fantastic organization called “Sneakers4Good”, a social enterprise that ships them to developing nations for micro-entrepreneurs.
When you bring them, please check for the following:
1) Gently worn means they are clean in usable condition and have no holes.
2) Soles are intact and not too worn, cracked, or breaking apart.
3) Laces intact, in good condition, not frayed, and tied together.
Weekly Whimsy
Run Burnout from Tired Legs or Your Cardio?
Jenessa Connor, Runner’s World
Runner’s World Jenessa Connor discusses how runners can distinguish between two types of fatigue—tired legs and cardio fatigue—when their performance declines during a run.
Cardiorespiratory fatigue is marked by symptoms like elevated heart rate, heavy breathing, and mental fog. It stems from inefficiencies in how the body delivers and uses oxygen during exercise. To combat this, consistent aerobic training and slower, steady runs (zone 1 and 2) are recommended to improve oxygen utilization and boost VO2 max.
Muscle fatigue, on the other hand, is characterized by heaviness or stiffness in the legs, often caused by metabolic waste buildup, glycogen depletion, and micro-tears in the muscles. To improve muscular endurance, runners are advised to incorporate strength training and increase time spent on their feet.
The article also highlights that boredom can sometimes masquerade as fatigue, and suggests mixing up routines or running with friends to break the monotony. Developing mental toughness is key to pushing through these moments.
Link to archived Runner’s World article
Quote of the Week
Running…
has the power to take,
and to give.
To empty,
and to fill.
Unknown
Video of the Week
How to run so fast, people think you're cheating (11:21)
In this video I'll show you 4 strategies that separates runners who run with no effort from runners who struggle with every step. Use these strategies, to run so fast, people think you're cheating.
** AORTA provides this informational video to its members as a courtesy and does not endorse any particular product, process, or service.
Ongoing Events
RunGo For Turn-By-Turn Directions!
RunGo provides turn-by-turn navigation allowing you to just enjoy your runs without having to think about looking for street names and when you may have to turn next. Other great features include, audio cues with your running stats, split updates, the ability to share your runs via social media, and create new routes. Another great feature of the app is the ability to work offline. You can create and download your routes ahead of time, before your run so you don’t have to use data during your run.
Race Volunteers Needed!
As a runner, we know your time is valuable. But if you have a couple hours to spare, we could use your help for one of the upcoming AORTA supported or directed races! Assisting at a local race is a fun and rewarding experience. You are surrounded by health conscious individuals that, like you, are motivated fitness enthusiasts and appreciate the effort of volunteers.
Water Stop Volunteers Needed
Water stop signs and coolers are available at the following location: 1536 Professional Parkway, Auburn, AL. (Thank you Adahli Massey!). Coolers and signs can be picked up Monday-Thursday from 8AM-4PM and on Fridays from 8AM-12 noon. Items are in the room next to the back door. If you are unable to pick up supplies on these dates/times, e-mail clemster@aol.com to make alternative arrangements (we deliver!).
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