by Nancy English | Nov 15, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Running with KCTC has given me an entirely new appreciation for the running community. Prior to becoming a track club member, I ran. I ran for fun, for fitness, for myself. Once I joined KCTC, I started running for the community, the dedication of the members and the...
by Nancy English | Oct 15, 2012 | ambassador blogging
The Inaugural Mustache Dash Kansas City happened on October 13th, 2012 in Leawood, Kansas. I, Randy Harbin (One of the newest Ambassadors) was among the 1025 runners and walkers that took to the streets of Leawood, Hosted by The Gent’s Place and Michael Shae...
by Nancy English | Oct 12, 2012 | ambassador blogging
I am one of those individuals that always needs to have a new challenge and something to strive for. For a few months, training for a marathon definitely fulfilled that for me. There is an incredible sense of accomplishment in finishing a 14, then an 18, then a 22,...
by Nancy English | Oct 10, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Fall is in the air. Soon the leaves will be changing, football season will be in full swing and it will be time to go apple picking in hoodies and sweaters. Halloween and Thanksgiving add to the magic of fall with the time to be child like again dressing up and eating...
by Nancy English | Sep 27, 2012 | ambassador blogging
As you travel to different parts of the country, you’ll notice several culture differences among the various regions of the U.S. Some of the more obvious differences include fashion, food, and of course, accents. One thing that’s always stood out to me is the general...
by Nancy English | Sep 14, 2012 | ambassador blogging
As we close on the first year of Team KCTC ambassador program, donations are being made to charities that have been chosen by each ambassador. Gabe Esteban, ambassador for Kansas City Track Club proudly gives back to the community with a donation to the local Cub...
by Nancy English | Aug 30, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Every once in a while life gives you a chance to do something epic. Every year, during the last weekend of June all the eyes of ultra running descend upon the Western States 100. No, I didn’t run this but I was lucky enough to help crew a good friend of mine...
by Nancy English | Aug 28, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Around 2 years ago I packed up and moved back to Kansas City to work on my Masters with the idea of being there for just 2 years. After being in KC for 2 years I had basically decided that I was happy to spend the rest of my life in the Midwest, a thought that had...
by Nancy English | Aug 23, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Back in March, I had surgery in which I could not run for six weeks however; I knew after I started running again that I had to lose the extra pounds. The extra weight made it harder for my asthma and it is my understanding every extra pound adds 3 to 5 seconds on a...
by Nancy English | Jul 24, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Sometimes all we need is a little motivation to get us going in the right direction. Maybe its seeing an old pic, some new shoes, maybe its a trip to lululemon, an inspirational quote or its a watch that keeps track of your training! I recently purchased the...
by Nancy English | Jul 19, 2012 | ambassador blogging
I wish I could be all “technical” here about running, about form, times, splits, speed work, etc., etc., but I cannot. I’m not THAT type of runner. What I am is a visual runner. I see things differently in my runs each time. I hope that rings true for each runner and...
by Nancy English | Jul 17, 2012 | ambassador blogging
I don’t really race (much), I’m not all that concerned about times or pace (except how they relate to my heart rate). I log miles, watch my heart rate and run/walk in intervals. It started about 3 years ago, I was 38 years old and very out of shape, and a smoker. I...
by Nancy English | Jul 12, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Reality television shows have taken over the TV and there seems to be no topic off limits. From watching a family struggle to raise a boat load of kids, to how much stuff people have and where they store it, to how many wives a person has, to how many dysfunctional...
by Nancy English | Jul 10, 2012 | ambassador blogging
When I first started running, I never thought that it would take over my life the way that it has. I was just running to try to get over a weight loss plateau. I never dreamed that it would help fill a void in my life and that I would start to feel like an...
by Nancy English | Jun 28, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Have you been running so long that you’ve forgot how hard it was to start? Have you forgotten your first running steps, shuffling for 100 yards before stopping to pant and wheeze? While you can never regain your lost innocence, you can help a friend lose theirs!...
by Nancy English | Jun 26, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Running speed, that is. My younger sister recently sent me this article discussing what’s often referred to as the “runner’s high”: Wired To Run: Runner’s High May Have Been Evolutionary Advantage, by Christopher Joyce. I can relate to...
by Nancy English | Jun 21, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Everyone is different when it comes to running. Some enjoy running alone, while others want company. Over the past 6 years my running partner has been my Golden Retriever named Farley. When we adopted him and took him to the vet for his initial check up, we found out...
by Nancy English | Jun 19, 2012 | ambassador blogging
I think we have all been there at some point, we go for a run and we feel a twinge in our foot or our leg. This past April, I ran FreeState 100K and after the run I felt a little rough but after a week of taking it relatively easy – it was time to get back to...
by Nancy English | Jun 12, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Ephemeral. That is the only word I could think of to encapsulate the way I felt while driving home from the swope trails yesterday. It was the first time in over six months that I had made it over 10 miles on a run and I was buzzing. The last six months have been...
by Nancy English | Jun 7, 2012 | ambassador blogging
If you have ever met me, you know that I am not shy at all. I can talk to anyone. Some might even say I talk too much! (I am one of those fill-in-awkward-gaps kind of person with rambling). Although I am not afraid of new people, I have always been afraid of trying...
by Nancy English | Jun 5, 2012 | ambassador blogging
A Growing Trend Have you ever seen someone where those funny looking fivefinger shoes and wonder why they wear them? Well, it’s time to get with the barefoot running program! In recent years, barefoot running or running in minimalist shoes has become a popular...
by Nancy English | May 31, 2012 | ambassador blogging, Training Tips
Yes, that’s right it’s possible to love running hills in Kansas City. Everyone dreads the small hills, long hills, steep hills. Before races people are looking at maps, driving the course, asking other runners to spot the hills so they can prepare for...
by Nancy English | May 24, 2012 | ambassador blogging, Training Tips
In preparation for Hospital Hill or if you are interested in improving one’s fitness level, I remembered a tip from a sports physiologist I learned while living in Northern New York at a Cross Country Ski Expo. After watching video of the Great Norwegian Bjorn...
by Nancy English | May 17, 2012 | ambassador blogging, Training Tips
We have all had them. Those days that you just do not feel like taking one step out the door. You know you should run. You know there is no reason not to run. You just do not want to run. Most of those runs, once I drag myself out there, end up being some of my best...
by Nancy English | May 15, 2012 | ambassador blogging
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” –the wise Ferris Bueller Rarely when I run do I pay attention to the world around me. Most of the time I’m either thinking about my splits or replaying the latest...
by Nancy English | May 10, 2012 | ambassador blogging, Training Tips
My wife & I are both long time runners, me a marathoner and Holly the half, mostly. At 64 years old we are looking for ways to keep from getting any slower (and slower). We are really enthused about a couple of recent changes we have made to our training, and...
by Nancy English | May 8, 2012 | ambassador blogging
Over St Patrick’s Day weekend, I had the opportunity to run in my first out of town race. It was the Publix Georgia Marathon/Half Marathon held in Atlanta, GA on March 18, 2012. The race began and ended in historic Centennial Olympic Park. This was the site of the...
by Nancy English | May 1, 2012 | ambassador blogging, Team KCTC Watch Parties
For years I wanted to attend one of Kansas City’s elite running races however without knowing anyone that was participating in the races there was no connection for me to attend. Anna Wolfe, one of the Team KCTC Ambassadors made a suggestion to establish a “Watch...
by Nancy English | Apr 26, 2012 | ambassador blogging
In my line of work I often hear, “You’re so inspiring.” I hear it being told to others and have it told to me. I find myself thinking, “I’m NO inspiration. I know so many others that are more inspiring to me.” Being a part of the KCTC I’ve had the opportunity to see...
by Nancy English | Apr 4, 2012 | ambassador blogging
To achieve proper running form, the goal is to run as smoothly and efficiently as you can. There are a few things that can be done help achieve that. Run over you center of gravity. Don’t lean too far forward or backward. Try to keep your head up with your eyes on the...
