News

Fun Runs

Our guide unknots the world of running with inspiration from Mike Mullins, who lost more than 60 pounds in a year, and advice for finding the right running club, training for a 5K and more.

by Amber Matheson | Apr. 17, 2015 | 4:00 AM

New Path

Mike Mullins had struggled with weight his entire life. Then he decided to make his weight-loss goals public on Facebook on March 31, 2014. With his Ohio City neighborhood at his feet, he transformed from couch-jockey to pavement-pounder.

I can't put into words the confidence I've gained. I recently lost my work ID. It had an old picture of me on it. Someone found it at Giant Eagle. When I picked it up, the woman behind the counter said, "This isn't yours. This isn't you." I never want to go back to where I was.

My First 5K

Slow down: "People always start out too fast and try to run too hard," she says. "It takes a couple years of running and experience to begin to craft expectations."

Don't stress about your style: "Sometimes we start to get a little too paranoid about running form," Runion says. "In general, you've just got to put one foot in front of the other."

Saturday is dress rehearsal: Don't do anything new on race days, says Lori Karpinecz, co-organizer at Northeast Ohio Fit. Try new foods and break in gear on your longer weekend runs. 

Fast Friends

East Side: The Northeast Running Club offers weekly runs in Concord Township and Chagrin River Park. Last summer, when two races occurred on the same day, members rented an Escalade limo to transport them to both. "We called it Double Down," says Shinosky. "It was a blast." $20 per year, northeastrunningclub.org

West Side: The Cleveland West Road Runners Club has organized meetups for almost 40 years. Group runs typically start in Rocky River. The key to the group's endurance? "We're open to new ideas," says president Dan Straitiff. This summer, the organization is offering the Westside Wanders, focusing on the history and culture of Cleveland neighborhoods. $20 per year, clewestrunningclub.org

South Side: The Crooked River Trail Runners, which meet Thursday evenings in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, grew out of Vince Rucci's passion for the woods. "We had a core philosophy of wanting to cultivate this trail-running community," says Rucci, owner of Vertical Runner. Free, facebook.com/groups/crtrs


Running Wild

No matter what your running style, there is a race for you this month.

With a Dark Side: At the Blacklight Run, organizers spray UV Neon Glow Powder onto runners, guaranteeing a colorful finish photo. May 16, 9:15 p.m., Berea

With Some Hurdles: The Gateway District course features tire challenges, barriers and a run across Progressive Field during the UrbanObstacle 5K. May 30, 6 p.m., Cleveland

With a City View: The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon offers a fast, mostly flat course through the city and options for a full or half marathon and 10K. May 17, 7 a.m., Cleveland

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