Five Reasons to Run the Portland Half Marathon

By: Jean Fitzgerald, NFE Portland Team Captain

The 2010 Portland Marathon on Oct. 10, 2010 is doing something different this year — offering a HALF Marathon — hugely exciting.  The 3,000 slots went quickly, but NFE has charity slots. We are hoping that you fill one of those slots and race for research.

You will be a part of a team that has attained the status of being the nation’s largest publicly funded NF Research entity.  Our teams raised $1.4 million in 2009.  All donations to the NF Endurance Team are restricted for use in the Foundation science and research programs.  NFE continues its commitment to advancing NF Research; we now provide close to one third of the funds to support the annual Foundation’s research budget.  Recent advances in NF research are moving us significantly closer to reaching our goal of FDA approved treatments for neurofibromatosis.

We have added our name to the Charity Team Roster of many events, and our signature neon yellow and blue race singlets are becoming known all over the country.  The ball is definitely rolling.  It is our job now to keep it going…to keep it growing!

Will you join us this year and fill one of these half marathon slots?  We are asking that you raise only $600…an easy goal to obtain, especially this far out!  This fundraising commitment will cover your registration fee. To register, go to NF Endurance, view our video, and click on enter site and then signup.  We will sign you up with Portland so that you only have to register once.

Our Gala Pasta Dinner on October 9 will be held again in the beautiful Buchan Reception Hall with its lighted courtyard at the First Unitarian Church.  A very special evening is being planned.

Let’s light up the streets of Portland in our bright NEON YELLOW!

Don’t miss out on the magic of the inaugural Portland Half Marathon on 10.10.10. It’s sold out, but NFE has charity slots! For more information, please e-mail Molly at (Enable Javascript to see the email address).
Check out the Portland Marathon website for more information about the race weekend or their latest newsletter.

Running in the Heat

After a recent move to Atlanta, I found out the hard way that running in 98 degree temps, in the middle of the afternoon, may not be the smartest time slot to run 16 miles. Here are some tips from Anna to ensure that you won’t feel like a shriveled peach at the end of your run.

Staying Cool — How to Run in the Heat of Summer
by: Anna Renderer

1. Hydrate
Staying hydrated before workouts is critical. You should not do a run in the heat if your body is dehydrated (your urine will be a darker yellow color).

Staying hydrated on a daily basis means drinking half your body weight in fluid ounces per day, and more if your exercise on that day.
(120 pounds = 60 ounces of water/day or 90 ounces of water on a day of exercise)

You should never run on a hangover because alcohol dehydrates the body and it’s unhealthy for your workout. Always drink 16-24 ounces, one hour before a workout. (Do not drink too much after that time to avoid the need for a bathroom).

The length of your run will determine how much to drink and what to drink.

Rule of thumb for any short to moderate run (30-90 minutes) is 6-8 ounces of water every 20 minutes. If your run is longer than 90 minutes, you should also consume a sports drink (such as Gatorade) to replenish sodium and electrolytes.  Muscle cramps are a sure sign of lack of electrolytes.

2. Stay Cool - Try these tips to cool down your run before you get overheated.

Ice cube bandana: Place ice cubes along your bandana and roll it up like a taco. Tie the bandana around your neck for the cooling effect.

Shady course: On really hot days, pick a route that has more shade than sun, such as a park, lake, or trail run.

Time of day: Choose an early time between 6 and 9am or late time between 5-8 p.m. to do your run.

Dress attire: Be sure that your clothes are light and breathable. Choose loose fitting tops and shorts to avoid overheating.

For more reading on hydration and energy drinks, check out this New York Times article by Tara Parker-Pope.

Along with Anna’s expert training experience, DVD performances and affiliations, she is a running enthusiast, completing the 2009 San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon, 2007 & 2008 La Jolla Half Marathon, 2008 Carlsbad 5K and 2005 Boston Half Marathon. Check out more of her training tips at www.bridalbodiez.com.

Weekend Pacesetter (June 25-27, 2010)

INVEST
Here are five reasons from Dr. Kim Hunter-Schaedle, chief scientific officer, why investing in the Children’s Tumor Foundation is a smart choice. Yes, there are many reputable foundations that fund research, but the Children’s Tumor Foundation sets itself apart with a commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility and medical excellence.

ROCK
NFE goes coast-to-coast in one week from Vermont to Washington. Led by Cindy Rulon, the NFE Seattle Team will run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon.  It’s the second year NFE will participate in this run, and already the team has raised more than $31,000 to invest in medical research for the Foundation (surpassing their goal of $25,000).

REMEMBER
Pete Dingeman inspired our team with his dedication to finding a cure for NF, and for his caring and optimistic attitude toward life’s challenges. This weekend LENOX Industrial will dedicate the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 to NF Hero Pete Dingeman, the winner of the LENOX Extra-Mile Hero Contest. To read more, click here.

JUST. SIMPLY. LIVE.
Maria Chamorro is a member of the NFE NYC Marathon Team. Check out her blog, “Just Simply Live,” and you’ll easily see why we love her blog. She  posted her 18 week training plan, too, if you want some ideas.

Active Page of the Week
Olivia Hernandez
Why we like it: beautiful pictures, clearly stated goal, and a well written cause. Olivia also offers other ideas for people to help such as volunteering and cheering at the race.

Next week: Check for tips from Anna to maintain your training despite extreme heat and humidity.

Also, you can check out NFE pictures at flickr.com/NFEndurance. If you have photos you would like to send from a race not on our schedule, please e-mail (Enable Javascript to see the email address).