The December issue includes our semi-annual Marathon & Long Distance Directory covering long distance events in the first half of 2013. Pete Rea shares tips on how to use the winter months to prepare for spring racing. Lena Hollmann tells us how running can help make us look and feel young! More columns, race results, and our comprehensive race calendar all in the December issue of Running Journal.        

If you are not currently a subscriber to Running Journal, see the special offer at the end of this newsletter and subscribe today!

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization "dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams." Founded by Molly Barker, who found inspiration for the organization during a 1993 run, it is now an international organization. In 1996, Molly began a lesson-based curriculum with 13 girls in Charlotte, NC. Running is an important part of the organization's efforts, which uses certified coaches teaching life skills to girls in 3^rd-8^th grades. To learn more, go to www.GirlsOnTheRun.org.

A Civil War discovery caused a cross country race in Millen, GA to be shortened. The Cross Country 4.8 at Magnolia Springs State Park on Nov. 10 was cut to 4.2 miles because the historic stockade gate of the Camp Lawton Confederate prison was located under a parking lot where the finish line had been previously located. Garth Peterson, 49, of Allenhurt, GA and May Woodruff, 62, of Waycross won the age-graded cash prizes for best performance in the race.

Asheville, NC, will have a marathon in March 2013 on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in addition to the half marathon. It will apparently be only the second marathon ever run in Asheville. A 1979 marathon was organized by the Asheville Track Club with about 40 runners, of whom 18 finished, according to the club's newsletter. That course was marked with flour and included part of Biltmore Forest, where some residents objected and washed the marks away. The lead runner got off course and never resumed the lead. David Huntley of Appalachian State was the winner in 2:55.

Sounds like fun -- Santa's Twilight 5K Run/Walk at Honeymoon Island State Park at Dunedin, FL, is a family oriented event with runners encouraged to dress in Christmas costumes. Santa and friends will be present, carolers and bell ringers stationed along the course, moonlit views of the Gulf of Mexico. Finishers get a Christmas ornament medal. Info at www.SommerSports.com.

Nominations for national RRCA awards are being sought. For info, see story on the Running Journal website (www.running.net) or go to the RRCA website (www.rrca.org).

Max King and Ellie Greenwood were winners Nov. 17 of the 50^th annual JFK 50 Miler in Washington County, MD. King, of Bend, Oregon, finished in 5:54:38 (6:42 mile pace) and Greenwood, of British Columbia, in 6:17:16 (7:27 pace). Second and third men were Trent Briney of Boulder, CO, and David Riddle of Cincinnati,OH. The second and third women were Emily Harrison of Front Royal, VA, and Elissa Ballas.

Amazing Jeanne Daprano of Fayetteville, GA, age 75, set age group world records this year in the mile, 800 meters and 400 meters. The speedy senior ran the mile in 7:13.51 indoors and 7:13.31 outdoors for world records. She ran 800 meters in 3:16.21 and 400 meters indoors in 1:19.28 for new records, plus set new outdoor marks in the mile (7:13.31) and 400 meters (1:22.98). She was named USATF Master Athlete of the Year and will be honored Dec. 1 at the USATF annual meeting in Daytona Beach, FL.

Karen Terry of Newport News, VA, won both of the Thanksgiving Day Toys for Tots races -- the 5K and 8K women's division at Newport News. She won the 5K in 18:03 and the 8K in 30:22. Langsdon Shelton, 65, of Grafton also doubled, winning the men's 65-69 age group. He ran 22:40 in the 5K and 35:53 in the 8K.

Great name for races - 500 kids participated in the Mashed Potato Mile and Gravy Gallop in Atlanta on Thanksgiving, a record number. The Gravy Gallop was for kids 6 and under, the Mashed Potato Mile for 7-12-year-olds.

Owen Bradley and Abby Self were winners of the 11^th annual Peachtree City 50K in Georgia. Bradley defended his title with a run of 3:33:52. Self won the women's race in 4:21:35. Running Journal's print edition will publish results of the race, plus the 25K, which was won by Ferit Toska (1:40:57) and Emily Howell (2:05:42).

We support the RRCA Race Director Code of Ethics and encourage runners, race directors, sponsors and others associated with road races to read the code, which can be found at www.rrca.org/event-directors/code-of-ethics.

By Richard Ferguson Ph.D

Whether we like to admit it or not, there is a certain amount of physical discomfort that comes with running if we're really pushing to our physiological capacity. I hate to use this word, but yes, there is pain involved with running. The pain I'm talking about has nothing to do with injury. Running pain comes with effort and endurance when metabolic waste products build up, energy stores become depleted, and muscles become sore because of eccentric loading. Our emotions actually are very important in how we perceive and interpret the pain of running. Often, if we are really concentrating on a pace or competitor, we don't have any awareness of pain until something breaks our concentration. Usually if our concentration is not on ourselves we are much better at dealing with pain when pain does occur.

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