Running Again & USATF

I managed to get myself out for a 2.5 mile run yesterday – the first in 9 days (8 days since I hurt my hip playing softball).  It felt good and no pain.  I plan to get back into a regular running schedule shortly but still run low miles for another week and ease back up!

I also got an email from another RD promoting USATF membership.  I think that is great for some people and I have no problem with it.  It does offer a limited amount of individual insurance if you are participating in a USATF sanctioned event.  However, one of my issues with USATF (as an RD) is that you have to be a member to win prizes and official placement at USATF events.  That is why I don't want Twin Peaks, Harding Hustle or any other Dirty Feet events to ever be USATF sanctioned.  If other RDs want to do that it's certainly their business but if I were some runner who didn't really want to be part of an establishment (gee you never see that among trail runners do you? , then I shouldn't be left out of prize money just because I don't belong to an organization. 

Remember when a non "elite" woman won the Nike Women's marathon? Or did she? Initially Nike said she didn't win even though she was 11 minutes faster than the "real" winner.  They did eventually corrected this by offering Arien O'Connell race money.

I have a personal philosophy about not being into titles, in-groups or in-crowds.  There are no elites to me, there are only runners (some of them happen to be faster and some slower).

Rest assured, that whether you are a USATF or not, you can still win prizes and placement at all Dirty Feet events.

Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica