Notes From The Foot Whisperer - Racers Never Cease to Inspire!

Congratulations to all who ran the 7th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon! It was another successful Half on a quick and easy downhill point-to-point course. I have to say, the weather early on, did not look promising. Forty degrees, dark and rainy! That was Lernerville at 6:00 AM, when yours truly arrived for pre-race duties. But by the time I got to the starting line in Winfield, the clouds moved out, and thus began the makings of another perfect race! And we had a new Women’s record when Sara Raschiatore crossed the finish line at 1:18:25.7! Speaking of women, there were almost 150 more women than men crossing the finish line! Hats off to the ladies!

There were so many inspirational performances and stories of first-time half marathons. People like Saxonburg’s very own Margaretta “Peg” Lutz, who at 83 is ranked second in the nation in her age group. Or Lou Alaksin from New Galilee, PA, who ran a 1:50 at age 72! To me, the most inspirational performance was made by a young lady named Heidi Wolanin. Heidi had just undergone a painful series of chemo treatments, came up to yours truly with that contagious smile, and told me her last treatment was over, and she’s ready for the Half! What a winner!!!

Thanks go out to Chris Ziegler, president of the Butler-Freeport Trail Council, and the over 200 volunteers that made this happen. It’s time to start thinking about The 2013 Buffalo Creek Half! Sign up early.

And if any of you dropped off any apparel while running the race, it was all retrieved by the volunteers, and can be picked up here at Up-N-Running. We will hold the items until November 1, and then donate any remaining articles to a charity.

~Ed

Notes From The Foot Whisperer - Big Mouth? Me? Why of course!

Happy Halloween! Hope you're all getting your costumes together for all the big Halloween races coming up. Don't eat too much candy.

With the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon upon us, yours truly is busily getting prepared. Not as a runner, but as the "Big Mouth!" That's right. I'll be at the finish line with microphone in hand, calling out the finishers. It's a lot of fun. And I get to see a bunch of my friends run one of the faster half marathons in the western PA area. If you're running, good luck! And enjoy. If you aren't running. come on down to Freeport to cheer on the finishers. (And don't forget to grab a cup of hot apple cider!). Because of the Half Marathon, there will be no Saturday Morning group run.

~Ed

Notes From The Foot Whisperer - Hellooooo October!

I can't believe we are into October! What happened to the Summer? Picnics, Outside grilling. Swimming, Running in shorts and short sleeve shirts! The nice thing is; it'll be back. And the nice thing about October? Cool crisp running! Wearing that new windproof/waterproof running jacket! And wearing pink!! That's right. It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And it's now cool to wear pink. That includes you guys!!

I can't tell you all how many breast cancer survivors come into Up-N-Running and are some of the best female athletes I have ever known! It is truly inspirational. And shows us all just how far cancer research has gotten. Hats off to all of my special heroes! (Check out our October specials highlighting this special month!)

Congratulations to all who ran the Great Race! It sold out quicker than last year. And guaranteed to sell out even quicker next year. This guy is going to sign up for next year's Great Race at the Pittsburgh Marathon Expo, just to make sure I'm in. And speaking of the Pittsburgh Marathon, on October 2nd, they opened the marathon registration up, and had the single largest day of registration in their history! Yep, running has really gotten popular. And for many, it's a way of life.

See you on the trail!

~Ed