Did I get a “FKT” on the Geddes-Matthaei path?

The other day I went out for a walk, ended up following the new Geddes Road to Matthaei Botanical Gardens path. It is still under construction, so maybe not a real FKT, but I did go from the “Yard of Bricks” in front of the conservatory, to the sidewalk on Geddes Road. A little rough to follow in places though. Maybe try again in a few weeks to see how it is coming along. Really looking forward to this route for easy access to Gallup Park and all the rest of the B2B Trail.

  

Some thoughts. Park at the mill, it’s free, the gardens charge for parking.  The length looks to be about 2.3 miles. Overall it will be pretty flat, a few ups and downs closer to Geddes Road.

The USATF Phidippides Award

2016-08-13_Phidippides LG

If you have an interest in running, and want to get a little swag and at the same time support the USATF you can apply for the “Phidippides Award”. It takes a few bucks, and a little work, but you do get a very nice plaque and member card for your effort.

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Basics:

Phidippides Award

The Phidippides Award is based on points accumulated over the calendar year. A runner is eligible for one award per year.

  • Only races that are run in the United States are eligible.
  • Races must be accurately measured by race director or certified by USATF.
  • You must be a member of USATF October 31st of this year AND 40 years or older.
  • You must provide website where your times can be verified.
  • We encourage you to submit your application as soon as you have acquired the points necessary for your award.
  • Only the number of points required will be considered; it is not necessary to submit events for more points than you need.
  • Multiple distance in one event are not counted as separate entries.

Points are accumulated on the following basis:
1 point: 1 mile to 4km
2 points: 5km to 5 miles
3 points: 10kn to 15km
4 points: 10 miles to Half Marathon
5 points: 25km to Marathon
6 points: distances longer that Marathon

Age 40-59
Gold: 30
Silver: 24
Bronze: 12

Age 60-79
Gold: 24
Silver: 18
Bronze: 9

Age 80+
Gold: 12
Silver: 6
Bronze: 3

I put this all in an Excel spreadsheet that I could put links to the web sites which had the results for the races I submitted for the award. Was not that hard. If you have done the work, may as well get the award!

ParkRun #2

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series ParkRuns

I ran the ParkRun for the second time last weekend. I am liking doing this. It gets me out to run regardless of the weather. You get a time to compare yourself against, and it provides some light competition to run with. If you are in the vicinity stop on by. Check their web site for details.  https://www.parkrun.us/livonia/

After everyone (almost) arrives and signs the register people head to the start area.

Park Run 5K in Livonia Michigan

Step One = Sign the register (at left)

 

Park Run 5K in Livonia Michigan

Step Two = Assemble at the start area.

 

Park Run 5K in Livonia Michigan

Step Three = Final instructions are given.

 

Park Run 5K in Livonia Michigan

Step Four = Run! Off into the woods we go.

 

Park Run 5K in Livonia Michigan

. . . and 3.1 miles later the finish line is crossed.

ParkRun, or free running in the park.

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series ParkRuns

Today (Saturday December 19, 2015) I went for a run with the ParkRun group in Livonia Michigan. I recently heard about this group while talking with a person picking up his packet at another race. It sounded like fun so thought I would give it a try.

First I did some research at their web site. https://www.parkrun.us/livonia/
I signed up and printed out the bar code required to get a timed result.
When I woke up on Saturday morning it was only about 24 degrees out, so having previously decided to do this run was a good to make me get out and run, or I probably would have stayed under the warm blankets.

I made the short drive to Livonia where I saw the group assembling, parked and got out.
Made a few introductions and signed in. Followed the group over to the start line. Everyone was bouncing around trying to keep warm. Pretty soon we were all off and running.

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2015-12-19 ParkRun001

(The following table contains only partial results. Visit the ParkRun web site to see everything!)
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They keep track and after you complete a given number of runs you get the icon in your entry. (10 and 50 runs completed shown above)

Seems like a good way to help me get out and running on Saturday morning, especially on days like today where I would have a tendency to stay in and keep warm!

Merry Christmas!

Big Brother Watching? To much info, or a cool program?

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Real Time GPS Tracker

I have been searching off and on for a way to let people know:

    a) Where I might be running when I am traveling, and if I am out in the hills somewhere maybe an idea of where I could be found if I don’t get back within a reasonable time.

 

    b) During a race where I might be at on the course so people know when I may be at a chosen location.

I tried a number of different ways, none seemed to be what I wanted.. there are programs that let you send the current location via email or SMS, but they did not do what I wanted. Some only have “fences” that can be programmed to let someone know when you get to a certain place, which is nice, but by the time I get to the end it is to late to let the person know.

Finally I came across “Real Time Tracker”, by Greenalp. This does what I have been looking for!

    a) it is free!

 

    b) it sends constant position updates, directly to a map, not just the link to a map.

 

    c) it can be put right here on Kazology.

 

    d) it can send text msg if you want it to.

 

    e) it is very configurable as to frequency of recording way points, and also when it transmit the data to the server.

 

    f) it WORKS! which at least one program I tried did not… I had to pull the battery to get it to stop.

 

    g) it also can do overlays, which I have not done yet, but sounds pretty cool, especially for races. I believe you can add a KML file of a route previously run and recorded, or for some bigger races a downloaded map of the course. Then when the Android is transmitting it shows not only the current location and track taken, but where on the course you actually are at any given time.

 

    h) it saves the last recorded route until a new one is started. The duration is configurable.

 

    i) it allows tracking of multiple phones. Maybe 3-5 standard, more as a paid service.

 

    j) you can create friends to share with, or wide open.

Check out the last, or current run!

Free real-time tracking. Free GPS tracker. Show your location live on Google Maps. Free for your Android phone.

This is particularly useful for runs when I am away from home so people can track if I am running or in a ditch. It can also be used during races to see where I am on the course… or pretending to run while I am sitting in a bar somewhere.

Recommended!

Until Real Time GPS is false,
George