FitSugar

Run Like a Girl: Nike+ Women's Half Marathon

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

If you were into the virtual element of the Nike+ Human Race on Aug. 31, you're going to love this Nike+ Women's Half Marathon. On Oct. 19, you can be part of the largest women's online race benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This Nike+ event is on the same day as the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. Unfortunately there's no more room left to register for that 26.2 mile race, so Nike is giving runners a chance to run alongside those 20,000 lucky runners with this 13.1 mile race. Just like with the Human Race, you can either sign up to run at select locations, or you can run wherever you are at whatever time you choose, using your Nike+ gear. After your run, you can upload your data to Nikeplus.com. The entry fee is $45, but all finishers receive their own Nike Sports Essentials Finisher's T-Shirt and an Official Finisher Keychain designed by Tiffany & Co. Interested? Then register now before the deadline ends October 8.

The Sad Cinderella Story of the Nike Women's Marathon

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I have always heard that the Nike Women's Marathon is a super empowering experience. Running with a pack of women and receiving a charm necklace designed by Tiffany (pictured below, some finisher is selling it on Craig's List for $175) at the finish line sound great. I even plan on running the half marathon next year.

On hearing Arien O'Connell's tale, I feel almost as disappointed as she must have. This fifth-grade teacher from NYC ran the course the fastest, but is not officially recognized as the winner - wtf? - due to this unfortunate rule: you have to register as an "elite" runner to qualify for winning the race. The race officials were "flabbergasted" that a non-elite runner could win. O'Connell is not alone in this non-elite unrecognized status. Last weekend at the Chicago Marathon, the fourth fastest runner was not officially recognized as the fourth place winner. He didn't start the race with the elite group so he didn't collect the fourth place prize money. It wasn't until the finishing times were announced at the Nike Marathon closing awards ceremony that O'Connell realized she had the fastest time.

To see O'Connell's finishing time and by how many minutes, not seconds, she beat the official winner, read more.

Arien O'Connell had the best run of her life, shaved 12 minutes off her personal record, and finished the hilly course in 2:55:11. Her official finish time, recorded on the race's computer, was 11 minutes faster than the first place winner. Wow! That is no small margin. I need to ask, why have chip times if no one is going to check them before the winners are announced? One would hope that Nike would figure out a way to celebrate this modest runner, who classifies herself as a solid runner rather than an elite runner, even if the closing ceremonies were completed. Instead, the Nike spokesperson said, "At this point, we've declared our winner." What about thinking on your feet, or dare I even say, thinking on the run? Figure something out, bend the rules, give this gal, who is fleet of feet, some form of acknowledgment.

The press reports that O'Connell is not bitter about the situation; she's just proud of her new personal record and it sounds like she knows she won.

How would you feel? Tell me in the comments section below.

Please read the update with press release from Nike.

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Run Like a Girl: Nike Women's Marathon

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:30:00 -0800

If you're looking to run one race this year that will be memorable, I suggest signing up for the Nike Women's Marathon (and half marathon) on October 19, 2008. Not only are the official Finisher Necklaces designed by Tiffany & Co (and given to finishers by firemen in tuxes, mind you), you'll also get to run a truly beautiful course laced with girly perks ("pedi-care" stations for blister treatment or a change of socks) through San Francisco. If the fabulous scenery isn't enough, there will be 39 stations with live music, DJs, and cheering squads, plus two more bands at the finish.

Here's the tricky part. Since the race is extremely popular and already sold out for general registration, all interested participants must now register for the random drawing online through Active.com between March 4th and March 18th. Runners will be randomly selected and an email with results will be sent to each applicant on April 1st notifying you if you got a spot or not. Entry fees are as follows: Half Marathon is $90, and Full Marathon is $110. Check out InsideNikeRunning.com for more details.

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Healthy Dose Link Time!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Leslie at The Weighting Game is shocked by the statistic that one in seven women use illegal drugs to lose weight. Wow! I am shocked too.

fitPod gives you Body Electric, 60 minutes of dance beat for free!

diet-blog introduced me to the term "globestiy." Global + obesity = should we start worrying?

That's Fit wants you to prime your tactile sense with texture tattoos for the blind.

Complete Running celebrates the Nike Women's marathon and half marathon.

Fitness Fixation teaches us the five rules of the fitness industry.

Mark's Daily Apple has three excellent tips on how to eat healthy on a budget.

The Skinny Website shows us that Ricki Lake is staying thin.

About: Yoga wants you to stretch at your desk.

Back in Skinny Jeans goes "old school" with this Saved by the Bell workout. Put on your high cut leotard and join in the fun!

iFit&Healthy says calorie consumption in the US is up by 24 percent.

Sunny at Body by Glamour has the scariest Halloween candy ever, and it's not the calorie count that is frightening.

YumSugar wants you to eat more veggies too. Try this tasty eggplant recipe.

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