Carbohydrates, Fall Tune-Up Races, and Running Tights
Happy September! This year I am unusually excited for autumn things... running tights (see favorite gear below), post-run hot coffees, comfort foods for recovery, crunchy leaves, and of course all the classic fall races before winding down for the off season. While the road race season gets going, don’t forget that fall can be the best (and prettiest) time to get out on trails, too.
Before diving into this week’s newsletter, we want to send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Racecenter contributor, accomplished ultrarunner, and all around amazing human, Jeff Browning. Last week during one of the UTMB events in Chamonix, Jeff experienced a medical emergency that has landed him in the hospital for an extended stay, with a tough recovery and ongoing care ahead. If you wish to help the Browning family please visit this link to a GoFundMe set up by some of Jeff’s close friends.
Support Jeff and the Browning Family
Use one of these low-key, local-vibe races in September to tune up for your fall marathon, or just have fun before summer’s gone for good:
September 5 Jump off Joe 10K, Half Marathon & Marathon Kennewick, WA
September 12 Run with the Chums 5K Blaine, WA
Septemnber 13 TMC Tucson 10K & 5K Tucson, AZ
September 13 Boring Marathon, Half Boring Half Marathon, Constantly Boring 10K, Somewhat Boring 5K Boring, OR
September 26 Oktoberfest Run 5K/10K/13.1 Seattle, WA
Plan ahead for the fall colors with a runcation to one of the best leaf-peeping areas around the Pacific Northwest 🍂
Washington State Leaf-Peeping Trails
Oregon’s Fall Foliage
Autumn Colors Around Idaho
Honestly, carbohydrates have always been my favorite macro, and no one is happier than me to see how much publicity and hype they are getting these days. Of course, there's no excuse to over-indulge on nutrient sparse, processed snack foods, but there can be a time and place for everything. Skratch Labs reviews various carbohydrate sources and how to work them into your active life.
Got your A race lined up this fall? Even the newest runners have heard of that dreaded “wall” that we want to avoid hitting; that moment when suddenly you feel spent and ready for a nap. Mental performance coach Ben Snider-McGrath suggests that if you’ve got proper training in and your nutrition covered it might be worth looking at the mental side of a performance crash.
The Psychology of Hitting the Wall: How to Clear the Biggest Obstacles on Race Day
Our favorite gear: Janji’s 7/8 Trail Tight has been the only cold weather pant I have been able to stand the last few years. At 5 foot, it’s hard to find a tight that doesn’t bunch up around the ankles, or up at the waist, and these, while I think are meant to be a bit shorter on a normal length leg, fit perfectly. I’ve used them in cool 50 degree temps and through snowy runs into the 20’s. Even when stuffing the giant side pockets with my phone and food, they don’t slide down. I can’t vouch for the men's version, but no doubt they offer the same great comfort through various conditions.
Janji W's 7/8 Trail Tight
Janji M's Trail Tight