[01LUGrad]

These things are getting pretty popular in the running community.
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read. ... 117&page=1

Why not put one together on LU's campus. I had the idea back when I was on campus. Of course, I was never in sub 4 shape, but it still would have been fun to see how fast I could have spun the wheels for 1,609 meters. We did a midnight 5k a couple of times. It seemed to draw a big crowd and was a decent fundraiser for SGA.

How about someone around there throws something together for homecoming weekend. Run it at 11:00 pm or so on Friday. I marked out a workable course while I was there...Start on Liberty Mountain Dr., just below Wingate. Run towards Campus East and take a right across the bridge over 460. Head down University Blvd and turn right on the road that goes to the parking lot behind the Vines (I think it is Furnace Ln, or something like that). Open up the tunnel and finish in the stadium. There would be about a 200 foot elevation drop over the course of the mile.

Have a band playing inside and throw in some food. I bet there would be more than a few kids in half-decent shape who would be willing to give it a shot, at least for some food.

Any takers?

[Sly Fox]

Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't a longer downhill gradual grade help preserve knees more than a couple of slightly steeper grades interspersed with flat runs?

I honestly ask out of ignorance. I haven't run due to bad knees in 15-20 years myself. But I could just imagine the pounding even though the times would be off the hook.

[ATrain]

Just thinking about the running on concrete is already giving me shin splints *shudders*

[01LUGrad]

Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't a longer downhill gradual grade help preserve knees more than a couple of slightly steeper grades interspersed with flat runs?

I honestly ask out of ignorance. I haven't run due to bad knees in 15-20 years myself. But I could just imagine the pounding even though the times would be off the hook.

You guys are old! A race like this wouldn't be about preserving your knees. It would be about running 10-15 (or more) seconds faster for a mile than you could do on a track. It's not like the race would be 10 miles long. That would hurt your knees. This would be basically a sprint down a long, gradual hill, with one steep hill at the end.

By the way, ATrain, 95% of the course is asphalt, not concrete (the 5% being the bridge over 460). That makes a HUGE difference in regards to pounding on your joints.

[Sly Fox]

[Fumblerooskies]

I agree. When I'm running around campus, I try to stay on the road...not the sidewalks....and a mile would not hurt your knees one bit...especially a gradual decline.