A Guide to Beginner's Running
Snow was blowing in off of Lake Erie, and winds were gusting great billowing clouds into the air. Bitter coldness had settled into northern Ohio overnight, and Thanksgiving morning was dawning in a wintry glow. Most everyone in the Cleveland area was still in bed when I slipped my running shoes on. There was a Thanksgiving Day road race to run, and Mother Nature wasn't about to change a thing.

It's been a couple of years since I joined my girlfriend and a group of her friends to run the Cleveland Turkey Trot, but that year's race was not one that anyone who was there will ever forget. The weather was brutal. Whispered rumors spread about the packet pickup area like ice etching its way across a window. Everyone was wondering if the race would go on. The crowd, though much smaller than the usual horde, was still thick with runners. Could the race directors pull the plug with so many expectant runners lined up?

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest road racing days of the year, especially in the Midwest. Despite the likelihood for rotten weather, the show goes on all the same with each New Year. The Cleveland race may have been shortened to two miles, but the starting horn still sounded that morning. Runner after runner took to the course, battling chilling winds and icy streets. Running alongside my girlfriend, we watched as one runner was blown across an entire lane of the street as the winds caught him on a particularly slick patch. This was as much like a day at the Ice Capades as it was a road race. All the same, we soldiered on, watching for the finish line through frozen eyelashes. And like all races, the finish line appeared soon enough.

Later that day, Thanksgiving dinner had never tasted better. Of course, the clouds cleared away once the run was over, and it turned into a beautiful day. It was hard to believe that winter had even reared its head only hours earlier, but that's Ohio weather for you. For all those who had braved the conditions that morning, the sunshine that followed was only all the more bright.

For the beginning runner and the veteran alike, there are few traditions more appealing than the Thanksgiving Day run. (And, for the beginners, I promise that the weather isn't always anywhere near as bad as it was for that one year off of the lake!) Actually, Thanksgiving and Independence Day are the two most popular road racing days of the year. This only makes perfect sense to me; why wouldn't you marry a good hard run to holidays celebrated with a family feast? There's nothing like burning some calories up to build up that hunger from grandma's sweet potato casserole.

There are tons of Thanksgiving Day races out there. Flip through the pages of your Run Ohio here, and check out what's coming up in you area. From Cincinnati's massive road race to Cleveland's downtown trek, there are literally races all across the state. Many give away pumpkin pies, and a few even hand out a turkey to the winners. For this year, I'm heading to the Flying Feather 4 Miler in Dublin - they're handing out a bottle of wine to every finisher. That's a race memento that I can handle.

Beginner's Tip of the Month: As the temperatures drop, the motivation to step outside for a run wavers for many. That old treadmill at the gym can begin to look more enticing with each drop of the mercury, and the treadmill can be a great tool. For those who stick to the roads and trails throughout the rest of the year, there are some things to be aware of as you move indoors. First off, you should find that you can run a little faster while using less energy on the treadmill. This makes sense - there's no wind resistance on a treadmill, and the belt beneath your feet is doing a little bit of the work for you. To counter this, set the treadmill at a one or two percent grade. The incline will somewhat simulate the difficulty level of an outdoor run.

If you're not used to treadmill running, be sure to stretch your hips after each run. Though it varies depending on each individual's running form, the treadmill can put an extra stress on your body's core, from the hips to the lower back. This comes up because of the tread beneath your feet. Each time that you plant your foot, the moving belt pulls your leg back. When you toe off, your foot isn't always in a natural position behind your body. The extra cushioning of a good treadmill cuts down on the impact of running, but keep in mind that the moving ground beneath your feet can lead to other injuries if you aren't careful about flexibility and strength work. I like to stand straight, crossing my right leg in front of my left leg to move into a beneficial stretch. From that stance, just jut your right hip out to the right while leaning to the left with your upper body. You'll feel the stretch in your right hip. Reverse this to work on your left side. Than, presto - those tight hips are beginning to loosen up.

One Last Tip: January first of 2008 is going to mark the beginning of an Olympic year. America's distance runners have grown into an impressive force, and excitement is high for the Beijing Games. To get a jumpstart on the hoopla to come, get into the mood by coming out to Voice of America Park for the USATF Club Cross Country Nationals. There are national titles on the line, and the racing promises to be intense. Admission is free, and the course is a spectator-friendly one consisting of several loops. Coming on the heels of the Big Ten cross country championships at OSU and the OHSAA high school state meet at Scioto Downs, the USATF Championships mark the close to a great season of Ohio cross country for the year.

Eric Fruth has been a runner ever since his brother dragged him around the block for a first run his freshman year in high school. A co-owner of the Columbus Running Company today, Eric leads weekly group runs and has coached scads of others through their first runs. For more on The Columbus Running Company go to: http://www.columbusrunning.com