Extra, Extra, Run All About It!! The Week in Running: 6/14-6/21

Dear readers, let's take a look back at the week in running:

* As reported on Reuters on June 15th, NBC and the New York Road Runners Club, the nonprofit running club that operates the New York Marathon, have agreed to a three-year extension on their broadcast deal. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed but at least my dreams of one day being on NBC have been kept alive for at least another three years.

* As reported in the Telegraph (England) on June 16th, while many criticize my vanity, it appears that Daniel Eaves, program leader for Sports Psychology at Teesside University, would not only support it but would actually encourage it. After an experiment involving 10 'physically fit' males, Eaves, whose findings was published in the journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, concluded that, for beginning runners, "Watching your reflection as you run on a treadmill helps you co-ordinate your limbs and allows you to run more smoothly". Diametrically opposed to these findings, the study revealed that for more hard-core runners, watching their reflection can actually lead to a decrease in performance. As an optimist, I have chosen to focus on the fact that staring at myself will help my running and, for giving credibility to my vanity, I feel obliged to thank Daniel Eaves from the bottom of my handsome heart!

* As reported in the Canadian Press on June 17th, it appears that Deena Kastor, one of America's best female runners, has decided to follow me to Chicago to take part in the Chicago Marathon on October 11th. The winner of the 2005 Chicago Marathon, Kastor told reporters that "I have high expectations for the race...I'm really excited to get after it and lower my personal record". Deena, I wish you the best of luck in Chicago and, should you see a handsome little fellow in a Runners Write tshirt passing by you, feel free to say hello!

* As reported on BBC on June 17th, according to a report from Criminal Justice Inspection in Northern Ireland, people who have been detained by the police for more than 36 hours should have access to a treadmill. Human Rights Commissioner Monica McWilliams has criticised the Antrim Police Station's detention facilities and told reporters that the conditions were "completely inappropriate for lengthy detentions," and that "suspects were not getting enough exercise". I am not sure whether McWilliams realizes that justice systems around the world are based on deterring offenders from repeating their offenses. Detention facilities should have as few amenities as possible and that certainly includes having treadmills available. I can't wait until McWilliams begins arguing that prisons should also have olympic size swimming pools and tanning beds available as well!

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Next Weekend's Marathons

Saturday, June 27th
Jay Mountain Marathon (Mont-Tremblant, QC)
Pacific Crest Marathon (Sunriver, OR)
Rock N' Roll Seattle Marathon (Seattle, WA)
Run Charlevoix Marathon (Charlevoix, MI)
Running With The Devil Marathon (Boulder City, NV)

Sunday, June 28th
UCC Coffee Kona Marathon (Keauhou-Kona, HI)