Some Updates on Running Before Cross Country Season Begins

It has been tough getting posts up lately because of the constraints of a "real" job.  But I have been getting submissions from some of my lay interns and I have accumulated a few that update some previously expounded-upon topics concerning running.

• Maybe the bad heart effects caused by running have been overblown

Turns out that the plaques that build up in arteries of endurance athletes differ from those that build up in non-athletes.  And these differences may mean we don't need to worry as much.

• Running seems to help memory in the long term

Rats provide the subjects here.  Running wheels significantly altered neurogenesis and memory for the better.  I have always kept mice as pets, and they run more than I do.  Sometimes all night.

• Some Bozo says Treadmills are the "fast food of running"! 

And while he makes a few valid points on mankind's evolutionary propensity for running, I still fart in his general direction.  (Thanks to George McWilliams for this one.)

Penn's Track Upgrade Is Complete, To The Shrugs Of Current Penn Athletes

The new upgrade is now complete at the Franklin Field home of the Penn Relays.  I actually talked to a few athletes on the Penn Club XC team 2 weeks ago that had actually practiced on it.  None of them knew anything about the old track and its history!  Or the Lane 4 "inside lane". And yes, the steeple pit is moved near "the clock".

One "upgrade" we won't see is the return to old Mens restroom facilities us old-timers knew and loved. The politically correct and Green among us would never allow such things today.  Here's just a hint of the vast vintage restroom facilities at Franklin Field that George McWilliams brings us from Bennett's Bar in Edinburgh Scotland.

This Gives "Going Down the Shore" An All New Meaning

George McWilliams saw the blog's bat signal go out yesterday for some submissions, and came through with flying colors.  He brings me this great report of a rather unique track meet (actually field meet!) held on the beach in Wildwood.  Hope the Portuguese-Man-o-Wars were all gone by then!  Thanks George.

A Track Meet At The Beach

I'm All In If They Bring Back Franklin Field's Old "Mens Rooms"

 "When I was a kid, I saw an illegal dice game in the bathroom at Franklin Field."
-Matthew Groves, 2013, remembering the Penn Relays Carnival

Turns out the University of Penn wants to apply for the NCAA Championships in 2022.  They never have been able to host the event because of the limitations of their track.  This is despite the fact that the Penn Relays have always been the best run sports event in the nation.  Anyone sitting in on Saturday's early events and seeing a 4 x 400 relay go off ahead of schedule every 5 minuts for 2 hours at a time knows this.

There will need to be a major overhaul of the facility, moving the brick wall back 3 rows, and putting the steeplechase pit on the inside of the oval. (yeah, I know it's not an oval.) Of course that will mean lane one will finally be the inside lane for the first time in many, many years.

I'm just hoping they bring back the original mens rooms, where there was never a line!

Thanks to George McWilliams for the tip on this one.  George also relates he is pictured in the previous 2 photos from Greg Reyner.  And another of Greg's is coming soon!