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WE GIVE YOU SOMETHING GOOD TO READ
Hello Planeteers and welcome to the July edition of our "Run The Planet Newsletter".
This issue contains a special section entirely dedicated to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, a column rich in information, links, news and schedules. To further celebrate the Games, this issue has been sent to you on July 9, the same day the Olympic torch relay entered Greece again for the final leg, before the Opening ceremony that will be held on August 13. We like playing with numbers.
The countdown to the Important Worldwide Sport Event has begun. Make sure you read the three new articles added to the Run The Planet's growing collection, that is "Runners still run in Olympia" on the archaeological site that hosted the first Games ever, the one on the origins of "The ancient Olympic Games", and "Were the ancient Olympics just for men?", a research documenting running races for unmarried girls.
The number of countries and territories from where runners access Run The Planet also increased this month. For the first time our website welcomed a fellow guest from Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a relatively young nation founded in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. And they have runners who visit Run The Planet. Bangladesh is located in the Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India.Run The Planet has been now visited from a total of 162 different nations. Truly worldwide, just like the Olympic Games.
This month's improvements to Run The Planetlude a new addition in the popular series of our funny cartoons (cartoons that are now available directly on "Rtp Cartoons" rather than on Rtp Joke as in the past). To honor all your requests, we published a list of "Rtp editing guidelines" for those of you that are interested in having an article or an idea considered for publication on your favorite site, that is Run The Planet. Finally, the "Travel tips & tricks" section, features this month useful "Tips for preventing passport problems" you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition, so that you can go and run abroad with no worries.
That's all for this month, folks. Enjoy the newsletter, and let the Games begin.
Citius, Altius, Fortius!
RTP Staff
GIVE US SOMETHING GOOD TO READ
Run The Planet recognizes the Internet as a powerful tool for communicating with external audiences as well as for facilitating the exchange of information within the running community, and is always interested in receiving news, original articles, and evaluate ideas about running, hiking, walking and feet related topics. If you are interested in having an article considered for publication, check out our Rtp editing guidelines webpage.
• Read last month's issue of the "Run The Planet Newsletter / Penguin Times"
ATHENS 2004
The Olympic games originally started in the city of Olympia, Greece, and were held every four years. Although it is calculated that the Olympic games have been held at least 293 times, the first written Olympic recordings date back to 776 bC. The last Olympic games in the ancient world were held in 389 aD, before being banned in 393 aD by the Roman emperor Theodore I The Great. The Olympics included sports such as running, boxing, wrestling and chariot racing, and since they were such an important and sacred event every war would cease to let athletes participate in the competitions. The participation was open to males only, and the winner of each event would be awarded with the prize of an olive wreath. Women were not admitted to the games, not even as spectators.
The modern Olympic games date back to 1852, when the German archaeologist Ernst Curtius, while working on the ruins of Olympia, proposed to revive this ancient sport tradition. His idea was well received by Baron Pierre De Coubertin and with the motto "The important thing is not to win, but to participate" on June 23, 1884, he created a special committee to revive the games. The committee agreed that the first of the modern Olympics was to be held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. With re-establishing the four year laps between each edition, the Olympic games were held regularly until they were called off due to the war and began again in 1948, after a twelve year break.
This month of August, athletes representing 202 national Olympic Committees worldwide are going to participate in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Among the events Athens 2004 Olympic Games will feature the triathlon. This discipline debuted in the 2000 Olympics, but the first medals will be awarded this Games edition. The triathlon will be held in Athens, at the Vouliagmeni Olympic Center.
In this special newsletter section we feature a practical map to all that Run The Planet offers on Greece and the Games, plus a complete schedule of the torch relay and of every running-related event part of the Olympic program.
RUN THE PLANET MAP TO GREECE AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Where to run in Greece - Find out where to run or walk in the cities of Greece.
Where to run in Athens - Running courses suggestions for Athens.
M:RTP II - The Olympic Flame - Celebrate the Olympic Spirit by completing this Run The Planet Mission.
100 Years of Olympic Glory - In this 1996 movie by Turner Home Entertainment you will see a variety of Olympic history divided into unique sets of historical segments. You will learn about Olympic traditions such as the Olympic flag, athlete oath, Olympic motto, torch relay, hymn, Olympic flame, and opening and closing ceremonies.
Tokyo Olympiad - This 1965 film documenting the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad is one of the greatest films that capture Olympic competition. Influenced by Leni Riefenstahl's "Olympia" (1936), director Kon Ichikawa used a variety of telephoto lenses and slow motion sequences to capture the internal dimensions of the athletes; before, during, and after their events.
Who's who in running - Information about runners (and their coaches) who have participated in the Olympics, set world records, won big races, or even those who have contributed to running in other ways.
Creating a pasta dish from Marathon - Today, no food says "marathon" more warmly than pasta, the carbo-load of choice at pre-race suppers. I'm a food-writer, so when I visited Marathonas, the Greek village that gave the race its name, I began thinking about a pasta dish that would not simply be carbs plus a sauce, but a celebration of marathon history.
Runners still run in Olympia - The stadium which could seat at least 20,000 people was the largest of its kind. The Temple of Hera is where the Olympic flame is lit from the sun and then taken by runners to light the torch wherever the games are being held. The museum is across the road contains the Nike of Victory by Paeonios (according to Olympic legend she used to come down from the sky to hand a palm leaf to the winners). The entire archaeological site of Olympia is a beautiful place to visit: walking through the ruins can be a peaceful and profound experience. Even today you will notice runners using the area for fun and for practice.
The ancient Olympic Games - How did the Olympic Games get started? The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses. The festival and the games were held in Olympia, a rural sanctuary site in the western Peloponnesos. The Greeks that came to the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia shared the same religious beliefs and spoke the same language. The athletes were all male citizens of the city-states from every corner of the Greek world, coming from as far away as Iberia (Spain) in the west and the Black Sea (Turkey) in the east.
Were the ancient Olympics just for men? - During the Hera festival, unmarried girls competed in three age groups in a foot race that was a single length of the race course (approximately five-sixths the length of the men's dromos, but held in the same stadion used for the men's and boys' contests). Girl victors in this foot race could dedicate images (probably paintings) in the altis to commemorate their victories, and they could take part in the sacrifice of the cows in honor of Hera.
Alternative Olympics - Each year, The Olympiad Committee reviews requests from various sports clubs around the globe asking that their newly-invented athletic disciplines be accepted as part of the Olympic Games. All clubs are hopeful that their ludicrous sports games will become part of the biggest sports event in the world, especially ever since powerwalking became a major Olympic discipline. Therefore, after much thought and caffeinated early morning assemblies and mid-afternoon reunions and late-night meetings, the Committee finally reached a decision as to which new sports to introduce in the Olympics.
GREECE OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY SCHEDULE
On Friday 9 July, the Olympic flame returns to Greece. Greek sprint Olympic champion Katerina Thanou was the last torchbearer of the first leg of the Greek route, which ended on 31 March 2004 at the Panathinaiko Stadium. Here is the schedule of this final leg of the route of the Olympic flame through Greek cities and town:
Friday 9 July: Heraklio. Saturday 10 July: Knossos, Mallia, Ag. Nikolaos, Sitia. Sunday 11 July: Ierapetra, Pyrgos, Agia Galini. Monday 12 July: Spili, Rethimno, Chania. Tuesday 13 July: Karpathos, Kalymnos, Kos, Kastelorizo, Rhodes. Wednesday 14 July: Santorini, Sifnos, Paros, Naxos, Mykonos, Syros. Thursday 15 July: Tinos, Andros, Vathy, Chios, Oinousses, Mytilini. Friday 16 July: Limnos, Thasos, Samothraki. Saturday 17 July: Orestiada, Didimoteicho, Soufli, Feres, Alexandroupoli. Sunday 18 July: Sapes, Komotini, Vistonida Bridge, Avdira, Xanti. Monday 19 July: Chrisoupoli, Kavala, Filippi. Tuesday 20 July: Drama, Alistrati, N. Zichni, Serres. Wednesday 21 July: Sidirokastro, Vironeia, Kato Poroïa, Doirani, Kilkis. Thursday 22 July: Lagadas, Stagira, Poligyros. Friday 23 July: Moudania, N. Triglia, Epanomi, Michaniona, Thermi, Thessaloniki. Saturday 24 July: Pella, Giannitsa, Alexandreia, Litochoro, Dion. Sunday 25 July: Katerini, Kolindros, Eginio, Meliki, Vergina. Monday 26 July: Veroia, Naousa, Skydra, Edessa, Florina. Tuesday 27 July: Psarades, Amindaio, Ptolemaida, Kozani. Wednesday 28 July: Grevena, Siatista, Kastoria. Thursday 29 July: Eptachori, Konitsa, Kalpaki, Ioannina. Friday 30 July: Mikro Peristeri, Metsovo, Kalabaka. Saturday 31 July: Trikala, Karditsa, Larissa, N. Ionia, Volos.
OLYMPIC SCHEDULE FOR RUNNING-RELATED EVENTS
Friday 13 August - Opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium.
Friday 20 August - Men's 20km Walk, Women's Heptathlon 100m Hurdles, Women's 100m Round 1, Men's 1500m Round 1, Women's 100m Round 2, Women's Heptathlon 200m, Men's 400m Round 1, Women's 800m Round 1, Men's 10000m Final, Women's 5000m Round 1.
Saturday 21 August - Women's 400m Hurdles Round 1, Women's 400m Round 1, Men's 100m Round 1, Men's 100m Round 2, Women's 100m Semifinals, Women's 800m Semifinals, Men's 400m Semifinals, Women's Heptathlon 800m Final, Men's 3000m Steeplechase Round 1, Women's 100m Final.
Sunday 22 August - Women's Marathon, Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1, Men's Wheelchair 1500m, Women's Wheelchair 800m, Men's 100m Semifinals, Women's 400m Hurdles Semifinals, Men's 1500m Semifinals, Women's 400m Semifinals, Women's 100m Hurdles Round 2, Men's 100m Final.
Monday 23 August - Women's 20km Walk, Men's Decathlon 100m, Women's 200m Round 1, Women's 100m Hurdles Semifinals, Men's 400m Hurdles Round 1, Women's 200m Round 2, Women's 800m Final, Men's 400m Final, Men's Decathlon 400m, Women's 5000m Final.
Tuesday 24 August - Men's Decathlon 110m Hurdles, Men's 110m Hurdles Round 1, Men's 200m Round 1, Men's 200m Round 2, Women's 1500m Round 1, Men's 400m Hurdles Semifinals, Men's 3000m Steeplechase Final, Women's 200m Semifinals, Women's 100m Hurdles Final, Women's 400m Final, Men's Decathlon 1500m Final, Men's 1500m Final.
Wednesday 25 August - Women's Triathlon Final, Men's 5000m Round 1, Men's 800m Round 1, Women's 400m Hurdles Final, Men's 110m Hurdles Round 2, Men's 200m Semifinals, Women's 200m Final.
Thursday 26 August - Men's Triathlon Final, Modern Pentathlon Men's Running, Women's 1500m Semifinals, Men's 110m Hurdles Semifinals, Men's 800m Semifinals, Women's 4x100m Relay Round 1, Men's 400m Hurdles Final, Men's 200m Final.
Friday 27 August - Men's 50km Walk, Modern Pentathlon Women's Running, Men's 4x100m Relay Round 1, Women's 4x400m Relay Round 1, Men's 4x400m Relay Round 1, Men's 110m Hurdles Final, Women's 10000m Final, Women's 4x100m Relay Final.
Saturday 28 August - Women's 1500m Final, Men's 800m Final, Men's 5000m Final, Men's 4x100m Relay Final, Women's 4x400m Relay Final, Men's 4x400m Relay Final.
Sunday 29 August - Men's Marathon, Closing ceremony.
Paralympic Games will be held between the 17 and 28 of September 2004. All schedule information is subject to change.
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WHERE TO RUN IN THE WORLD
Description of the month - Rabat (Morocco)
By Robin Steiner - When I lived in Rabat, I had a number of nice running routes. My favorite route begins at the covered street in the Medina (next to the kasaba) and tries to follow the route of the city walls. From the covered street, you turn left and run along the outside of the mellah, or the old jewish quarter. You continue past the Tour Hassan Monument / tomb thingy. Continue to the residence of the British Ambassador where the road turns. I then like to continue up the hill on the sidewalk which has a nice view overlooking the river valley. Then I follow the city walls, passing by the royal palace, until I pass the Medina again. You can then run along the outside of the graveyard, next to the ocean, up the hill and you back where you started. The whole thing is maybe 15 kilometers. I was comfortable wearing shorts on all my runs. Although I got some looks and laughs, most of the time people were supportive.
New and updated cities this month on Run The Planet
Alicante (Spain), Aliso Viejo (Usa/California), Amman (Jordan), Ballina (Ireland), Bangalore (India), Campinas (Brazil), Champaign (Usa/Illinois), Cheltenham (United Kingdom), Hong Kong (China/Hong Kong), Innsbruck (Austria), Iowa Falls (Usa/Iowa), Ketchikan (Usa/Alaska), Lisbon (Portugal), Longview (Usa/Washington), Na'ur (Jordan), North Vancouver (Canada), Osasco (Brazil), Paris (France), Piraquara (Brazil), Plymouth (United Kingdom), Rabat (Morocco), San Francisco (Usa/California), Santa Maria de Bôca de Monte (Brazil), Santa Pola (Spain), Seattle (Usa/Washington), Shreveport (Usa/Louisiana), Skagway (Usa/Alaska), Stavanger (Norway).
New nations and territories this month on Run The Planet
None
Nations still missing to complete Run The Planet
(Africa) Algeria, Benin, Chad, Guinea, Western Sahara; (Central America) Antigua & Barbuda; (Asia) Syria. Besides these nations, other territories may be missing.
WEBSITES THAT RECEIVED THE RUN THE PLANET AWARD
BariMarathon - Maratona internazionale Città di Bari - The official website of the City of Bari marathon, featuring all the details of this Italian race held in the month of November.
Attrition.ws - Usa. The purpose of this website is to serve as a resource to the hiking community in Washington State. The hiking reviews can be navigated through in a number of ways (high level view, hike of interest, hikes sorted based on a number of criteria, etc.).
Washington Trail Association - Usa. The Washington Trails Association is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization working to preserve, enhance and promote hiking opportunities in Washington State through collaboration, education, advocacy and trail maintenance.
LocalHikes - The LocalHikes website provides information on local hiking opportunities near both large and small metropolitan areas in the United States. You can find the perfect trail by selecting your metro area below to browse the available hikes, or by using the search feature to find the trails closest to your home or office. The hikes on this site were contributed by volunteer reporters from around the country.
Cool Trails - Cool Trails is an outdoor recreation site, providing honest, free insight into Pacific Northwest backcountry destinations, year-round, for Washington, Oregon, Idaho (Usa) and British Columbia (Canada). The website mission is to increase hikers' enjoyment of the Northwest by sharing no-hype information about destinations.
Peregrine Adventures - Peregrine Adventures is the best way to explore the world (Africa, South East Asia, Himalaya, China, Antarctica & the Arctic, Europe, South America). They offer small group trips for trekking and walking enthusiasts, while focusing on taking the hassles and tedium out of travelling.
Fit For Business - Fit For Businesss was developed by "road warriors". Understanding from personal experience the frustrations that greet most efforts to stay fit when you live out of a suitcase and work out of a briefcase, Fit For Business gives you all of the information and support you need to maintain your health and productivity on the road.
Red Lion Sports - We are a rapidly expanding sports website that specialises in sports watches, heart rate monitors and GPS speed-distance systems.
Masai Barefoot Technology - Masai Barefoot Technology is not just a shoe, but an amazing training tool for everyone. Through its multilayered sole it transforms flat, hard, artificial surfaces into natural, uneven ground. Wearing these shoes is like walking in sand. Unlike most conventional traning shoes that only support and cushion your feet, the unique uplifting lever spring action of the sole challenges the core strengthening muscles to be more active. This reactive, more supportive muscle action creates good posture and increases shock absorption for all the joints, significantly reducing musculo-skeletal compression. This is why many call Masai Barefoot Technology shoes "the smallest gym in the world".
Olympic-Legacy.com - Our scope is the legacy of the ancient Olympic games and the factors contributing to their revival in modern times. Although we offer information on modern Olympic protocol, our research effectively ends with the first Olympiad of modern times, hosted in Athens (Greece) in 1896.
Corsa per la Pace, Napoli/Pompei - The official website of the "Corsa per la Pace", an Italian road race starting in the city of Napoli and ending in Pompei, held in the month of December.
2002: A Sneaker Odyssey - While podiatric thought has not been the primary driving force of the athletic-shoe industry, both the direct and indirect influences of podiatric sports medicine have markedly changed athletic shoes for the better.
RunMan - RunMan (Running Management) is the first italian website that offers a free on-line software for the management and the memorization of training and races. RunMan is dedicated to the runners of all the levels; the target of the recording of the sessions of run, is to obtain statistics about the covered distances, graphs of training and races, control of the usury of the shoes, methodology and effectiveness of the training. The program is simple and fast to use; it is not necessary to install it on the computer because it is on-line; this characteristic renders it always accessible from any computer that has at least one Internet connection.
Greater Bellingham Running Club - The club fosters a pleasant, challenging yet encouraging environment for runners of all ages and abilities. They accomplish this through a calendar on monthly runs, regular training sessions, connection with informal run groups and periodic social activities. Membership includes people from throughout Northwest Washington and lower British Columbia.
Running Eyes for the Blind - Running Eyes for the Blind is a recreational organization that has established a network of sighted volunteers who partner with blind and visually impaired members to participate in a variety of athletic events.
Ibsa (International Blind Sport Federation) - The website of I.B.S.A., the supreme international authority on sports matters for the blind and visually impaired. Athletics is the most widespread I.B.S.A. sport, practised in international competitions by more than 70 countries. The rules of the International Athletic Associations Federation are followed in their entirety by the class B3 athletes, but there are necessary modifications in the case of the more severe visual impairments (class B2 and B1). Some of these modifications involve adjustments to the athletics facilities, or to the way in which they are used. Most of the modifications regulate the way in which these classes may be given assistance (by running guides, for example, or by callers supplying auditory guidance in field events) to enable them to perform in authentic competition.
Full Moon 4 Miler Run/Walk Race - The website for the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce which is sponsoring the Full Moon 4 Miler Run/Walk Race scheduled in July. We also have a live band and block party with beer and food scheduled immediately after the race through the Village under a summer's full (blue) moon.
Double Decker Strollers - Would you like to stroll along the oceans edge, hike down a trail, walk through the grass? Whether it is sandy, snowy, rocky or whatever surface you encounter, these sturdy and practical baby strollers will get you anywhere. Made in the U.S. with the finest materials, these are the highest quality twin or triplet baby stroller on the market. The Double Decker Strollers for twins and Triple Decker Strollers for triplets are lightweight, convenient, quick to pack.
Running4women - Running4women is aimed at women of all levels of experience - from the complete novice through to elite athletes. We are forming our own virtual running club and sisters network alongside organised tours and training camps with Running4women Tours. A one stop shop with information on injury prevention, nutrition, race calendar, specialist shop directory.
NEW EVENTS THIS MONTH IN THE RUN THE PLANET CALENDAR
Auckland (New Zealand) Adra Charity Run; Vicchio di Mugello (Italy) Trofeo La Baracchina; Firenze (Italy) Notturna di fine agosto; Volterra (Italy) Fiaccolata in notturna; Tallahassee (Usa/Florida) Annual Palace Saloon 5K Road Race; Ponte San Giovanni (Italy) Maratonina del campanile; Kempten (Germany) Laufsport Saukel Halfmarathon; Stavanger (Norway) Stavanger Rock''n'Run Marathon; Tivoli (Italy) Maratonina U.I.C. Insieme in corsa per la solidarietà; Pigeon Forge (Usa/Tennessee) 5K Run For The Bears; Rostock-Warnemünde (Germany) Rostocker Marathon Nacht; Alexandria (Egypt) Alexandria International Marathon; Iowa Falls (Usa/Iowa) Riverbend Rally 5k Run/Walk; South Royalton (Usa/Vermont) Annual Chase Race 10M; Lyndhurst (Usa/Ohio) The Perfect 10-Miler & Selrec 2-Mile Classic; Thimphu (Bhutan) The Bhutan International Marathon; Lexington (Usa/Massachusetts) The Baby John Fund 5K; Williamsburg (Usa/Virginia) Annual Cheatham Lake 6K Run/Walk; Sayward (Canada) Kusam Klimb; Firenze (Italy) Trofeo Circolo culturale Campomarte; Waco (Usa/Texas) Miracle Match Marathon; Windsor (United Kingdom) Running4Women Windsor 8k; Pittsburgh (Usa/Pennsylvania) Annual Lupus Loop 5k; Waterford (Usa/Wisconsin) Full Moon 4 Miler run/walk race; Villa Grove (Usa/Illinois) Ag Days 5K Walk/Run; Frankfort (Usa/Kentucky) Running with the Big Dogs; Castelfiorentino (Italy) Trofeo Avis Giracastello; Taguig (Philippines) Elim Singles Fun Run at the Fort; Chinguetti (Mauritania) Raid Sahara; Boca Raton (Usa/Florida) Town Center Classis 5K & Kids Run; West Linn (Usa/Oregon) Kevin's Cup 8K Trail Run; West Linn (Usa/Oregon) Kevin's Cup 38-Mile Ultra; Keizer (Usa/Oregon) The Valley Trailfest 5K Trail Run; Forest Grove (Usa/Oregon) Mojo Madness 8K Trail Run; Forest Grove (Usa/Oregon) The Dirt Dash; Wilsonville (Usa/Oregon) Wilsonville Wild 8K Trail Run; Cascade Locks (Usa/Oregon) Duathlon of the Gods; Cascade Locks (Usa/Oregon) GorgeFest Street Mile of the Gods; Cascade Locks (Usa/Oregon) GorgeFest Triathlon of the Gods; Cascade Locks (Usa/Oregon) GorgeFest Cascade Locks 10K; Mount Angel (Usa/Oregon) Oktoberfest 10-Mile; Mount Angel (Usa/Oregon) Oktoberfest 10k Run and Walk; Forest Grove (Usa/Oregon) The Halloween Havoc 15-Mile Trail Run; Tigard (Usa/Oregon) Ho-Ho 5k; Wichita (Usa/Kansas) Annual Toys for Tots 24 Hour Endurance Relay Race.
THE GLOBAL TELEGRAPH
• CROATIA / Through Velebit, the Croatian mythical mountain
Registrations are open for the Velebit adventure trekking from July 9 to July 11, 2004. The second edition of the "Velebit Adventure Trekking", a three days non-stop trekking race for two-person teams and the individuals, will take competitors through the Croatian mythical mountain... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• WEST VIRGINIA (USA) / Litespeed soars at Endorphin Fix
The electrical storm that dropped the pre-race briefing into darkness foreshadowed the lightning-fast speed in which 2-person male team Litespeed would blaze through the "Endorphin Fix" course May 21–23, in the New River Gorge Area... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• CALIFORNIA (USA) / Matching athletes for various competitions and fitness endeavors
AthleticMeet.com has launched PartnerUp!, a new feature on its website that enables members to find teammates and partners for a wide range of athletic and fitness activities... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• NETHERLANDS / Leiden Marathon results
These are the results of the marathon held in Leiden on Sunday June 13: (men) 1. Krzystof Bartkiewicz (Poland) 2.31.02; 2. Eddy Verhoof (Belgium)... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• FINLAND / The Paavo Nurmi Games honoring the legendary Finn
On June 9th in Turku, were held the Paavo Nurmi Games honoring the legendary Finn. Although last year's 10,000 winner Janne Holmen had to forgo this year's 5000m due to Olympic marathon training, runner-up (28:23.16), Silas Sang (Kenya) was back... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• KANSAS (USA) / Shay defends Usa Half-Marathon title
Former University of Notre Dame standout Ryan Shay pulled away at the five-mile mark to successfully defend his Usa Half-Marathon title Saturday at the Carondelet Heart Institute Hospital Hill Run in Kansas City... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• FRANCE / French 10,000m Championships in Toulouse
On a very hot June 6th the French 10,000m Champs were held in Toulouse. Margaret Maury, who is already qualified for the Olympic 5000m with a 14:59 in Hengelo, totally dominated the women's 25 lapper... read more online in the July 2004 issue
• Health news in a flash
As we grow ever more health conscious with each warning announced on the evening news, wouldn’t it be nice to receive positive health information for a change? Now you can. SnowPack recently introduced a free e-newsletter, NewsFlash*SnowPack, with an optimistic approach to staying healthy and living an active life... read more online in the July 2004 issue
RUN THE PLANET MAIL
While you were running did you ever have a question? Did you ever have an opinion about something and ask yourself "Is it just me?"? Did you ever come up with a great idea and wonder if you could just tell everyone the world would be a better place? Did you ever have a revelation and want to share it with others? Well now is your chance to address any one of these question, and basically anything else you come up with while you are running. To hear an opinion, or run an idea past someone. Visit the "Rtp Mail" webpage to receive an answer to your running related questions or to read an opinion about your running thoughts. Here are the last three question asked:
•How many calories are burned while running in a dream? - Last night I dreamt that I participated in a trail race. I was running on a very tough and steep trail. It was such a long and demanding event that I woke up drenched in a pool of sweat! I'd like to consider this dream as a cross training session and want to add it as an entry in my running log. How many calories are burned while running in a dream? - Dream Weaver
•How can I get over my pride while racing? - I wish I could be less proud. Every time a woman or an old man runs by me, I feel the urge to speed up, catch them and pass them again. Of course, I am not trained enough to be able to afford sprinting. How can I get over it? - Running with Dignity
•What can I do to keep my running shoes from being smelly? - I sweat a lot when I run, especially during the hot and humid days of summer, and as a result my running shoes tend to smell terribly! I have tried powders and deodorizing sprays in an attempt to mask or eliminate smell, but they don't seem to work. What can I do to keep my running shoes from being smelly? - Stinky Feet
RUN THE PLANET LIBRARY
Visit the "Run The Planet Bookstore" webpage for hundreds of running, walking, and hiking related books, and links to running books dedicated webpages on the Internet
Correre per vivere meglio, by Roberto Albanesi, paperback, 324 pages, Tecniche Nuove (2004), ISBN: 8848116191
The third edition of the Italian book "Correre per vivere meglio" (run to live better) updates and perfectly defines what the author calls "Wellrunness", that is, running as a necessary activity to benefit your well-being and enhance the quality of your life. Without loosing sight of the Wellrunness' goals, author Roberto Albanesi offers useful suggestions both for the new and for the experienced runner. Many have picked up running at a certain stage of their lives: some because are born athletes and want to achieve sport performances; some because they understand that health and sports always go together; some to loose a few pounds or kilograms; some just for the social aspect of it, to go out with other runners and share a common passion. Whatever the reason, to obtain the most out of running, one have to first understand how running can improve our lives while reaching our goals. And the Wellrunness theory goes beyond the common (and narrow-minded) approach to running, synthesizing scientific methodology with balance and fun in order to fulfill one's goals. The content of "Correre per vivere meglio", divided in fourteen chapters, features information on running physiology, Italian diet, theory of training, sports medicine, training programs for every distance (from 1500 meters to the half marathon), running the marathon for the first time, how to control aging with running. This useful book works as an introductory manual for beginners, a rational and scientific publication for joggers, an advanced guide for runners, and a reference book for athletes and trainers - Click on the cover to order this book at a special price
RTP MOVIE
Visit the "Rtp Movie" webpage for running, walking, and hiking related movies, videoclips and an exhaustive movie encyclopedia
In this 1996 release by Turner Home Entertainment you will see a variety of Olympic history divided into unique sets of historical segments. You will learn about Olympic traditions such as the Olympic flag, athlete oath, Olympic motto, torch relay, hymn, Olympic flame, and opening and closing ceremonies. Stories are shared of how Ron Clarke was selected at age 19 to light the official flame in the 1956 games and how Sir Roger Bannister had to break a car window to get his nation’s flag to the opening ceremony on time. Athletes are presented on topics from nationalistic pride, record setting, to those who had the courage to endure hardships. Award winning writer, producer and director Bud Greenspan uses narrator Will Lyman to direct this three hour presentation that is on two videotapes. Although many sports such as gymnastics, swimming, diving, and boxing are touched on throughout, it is the track and field athletes, and especially the runners, who play the lead in this production. Here is more information on some of the featured runners: Paavo Nurmi and Lasse Viren, the "Flying Finns": in a thirteen minute segment these two runners are compared and contrasted as outstanding distance runners. Nurmi won nine gold and three silver medals over three Olympiads and it was 36 years before his countryman, Viren, brought back gold medals to Finland. He captured 4 gold medals in two Olympic games as he repeated his 5,000 and 10,000 meter victories from 1972 again in 1976. See interviews and watch portions of the record setting races. Fanny Blankers-Koen, from Holland: it takes six minutes to summarize the four gold medals won by Blankers-Koen in the 1948 London Olympics. See competed in the 100 meters, 80 meter hurdles, 200 meters, and was the anchor on the 4x100 meter relay team. Her husband (he was also her coach) had to convince her to compete after her second gold medal performance. Many do not recall that she also competed in the 1936 games, earning fifth place in both the high jump and short relay event. Alain Mimoun and Emil Zátopek: fourteen minutes are used in this segment with extensive interviews by Mimoun as he summarizes the competitions from 1948 in London to 1956 in Melbourne. As Zátopek wins repeated gold medals in the distance events, Mimoun is not disappointed with second place awards. Mimoun states: "I was not very angry because I believe in fate." He had to request to run the marathon in 1956 after placing 11th in the 10,000 meters. Then at age 35 in 104 degree heat he ran his first marathon and won the event! Zátopek finished sixth and when greeted by Mimoun at the finish Zátopek said "I am glad for you my friend". Kip Keino: here you will see how Kip Keino, the first Kenyan to break four minutes in the mile and first world record holder from this country, inspired other athletes to excel from this African country. From the 1500 meter victory in the thin air of Mexico City in 1968 to his 3000 meter steeplechase win in 1972, to his current role teaching the 70 children in his orphanage in Kenya you will see that this athlete believes it when he says "Let us leave a mark that people will remember." This segment runs for seven minutes. Valery Borzov, representing the Soviet Union: his accomplishments of 1972 are highlighted in this seven minute segment including his victories in the 100 and 200 meter sprints. He entered the games at age 23 and he had been undefeated for two years prior to the Munich Games. Borzov was the only athlete to win all his heats leading into the 100 meter final and less than twelve hours after that event the games were interrupted by terrorism. Carl Lewis: eight minutes are used to show Lewis from 1984 to 1992 winning eight gold medals and one silver. He was the first man to win the 100 meters twice and long jump three times. He states during one of his interviews: "You can try anything you can. If you don’t succeed you haven’t failed because you can’t fail in anything you try your hardest." Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde and John Stephen Akhwari: from 1960 to 1968 athletes from Ethiopia won the men’s marathon event. On Bikila´s last attempt he had a broken bone in his foot and countryman Mamo Wolde proved victorious. John Stephen Akhwari, from Tanzania, completed the race last (3:25:17) with a bandaged right leg from a bad fall and stated afterward "My country did not send my 5000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5000 miles to finish the race." Fittingly, this is the last athlete segment before this tape ends with closing ceremony images since it was first held in a "one nation" style since 1956.
PENGUIN INSPIRATION OF THE MONTH
Visit JohnBingham.com for more running pearls of wisdom from John "the Penguin" Bingham. Through his popular monthly column in Runner's World magazine, his breakthrough first book "The Courage to Start: A Guide to Running for Your Life" and his best selling "No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running" the Penguin has inspired hundreds of thousands of men and women to run for fun, fitness, and self-affirmation.
Living a life of faith - Living an active life is not reserved for those with perfect bodies. For better or worse you have to train the body you're in right now. In time there may be a little less of you, or even a little more of you, but it will still be you, just the same. Training for a long distance event is an act of faith, pure and simple. You have no real idea today of what the outcome is going to be. You can't tell whether you're doing it right - and you won't be able to tell - until race day. In the meantime, you just have to train in good faith. Learn to embrace that faith. Learn to have faith in yourself, in your body, in your training plan. Have faith that the changes that need to happen are happening whether you can see them or not. Have faith that slow but steady progress is the best you can hope for. And it's all you'll ever need.
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0035 New running course descriptions this month 2534 Cities activated on Run The Planet 3331 Running course descriptions on Run The Planet 0000 New nations or territories activated this month 0223 Nations and territories activated on Run The Planet 0045 New events in the worldwide running calendar this month 1599 Events in the Run The Planet worldwide calendar 0019 New links on "Running links" this month 1987 Links on "Running links"Runners are visiting Run The Planet from the following 162 countries and territories (and the list keeps growing!): Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaidjan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guyana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, former U.S.S.R., Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City state, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Are you a Planeteer?
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