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Everyone Needs a Running Coach By Vanessa Wells

Paul McRae — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:37:01 +0000

So one of the first ever Personal Running Solutions athletes, and editor of the local Jacksonville Magazine, “Health Source” write a blog about Coach Paul.

Read it below:

Everyone Needs a Running Coach

By Vanessa Wells

I saw Life in a Day last night (http://www.youtube.com/user/lifeinaday). This is an extraordinary movie and one of historical significance. In publishing and in advertising, we constantly hear the buzz phrase “user generated content.” As customers become advertisers and as ordinary people increasingly become the focal point of extraordinary stories, the field of broadcasting is leveled so to speak. All of these thoughts swirled in my mind as I experienced Life in a Day last night.

For those who don’t know, here is the premise of Life in a Day. National Geographic and YouTube present a film directed by Kevin McDonald and produced by Ridley Scott. Life in a Day is the story of one day on earth. The thing about the film that’s so revolutionary is that it is filmed by you. User generated content has hit the big screen in an unprecedented manner.

So how do you digest a nonlinear film by the universal collective? It’s delivered in snippets, it’s disjointed, it’s uncanny but it works. As I sat in the movie theater alone watching everyone, it was a feeling I had never really experienced before. As human beings, we tend to think of ourselves as center stage with the world happening around us. This movie flips that. We’re in the dark theater; everyone else is on screen. The film is linear on some levels in that it covers a day from start to finish; it also grapples with life and death – birth in the morning and end of life toward dusk. I think violence and war are covered sometime around six o’clock in the evening; right around the time we settle in for the evening news. Throughout the movie, the pulse of humanity is almost rhythmic – this idea that in some ways our routines are automatic, primal and the stuff of mammals.

clink here to finish reading: http://beson4media.com/blog/everyone-needs-a-running-coach/

Race Recognition- Duathlete Amanda D.

Paul McRae — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:11:25 +0000

In a real effort to try and promote PRS athletes more and give them recognition we are going to really try and promote success’ where possible. So if you have a photo or a blurb about a race, your accomplishment etc forward them on to me and we’ll give you the recognition you deserve.

Below is an email from PRS’ Georgia Duathlete Amanda with some awesome pics. Thanks again Amanda. Great Job!

Hi Paul,

I competed in the Savannah Triathlon/Duathlon on Saturday. The duathlon was run 1mile, bike 13.1miles, run 3.1miles.

My time was 1:21:06 and I was third female overall in the duathlon. I was not completely happy with my bike time. My break scrubbed on the bike…stopped once to adjust and the stopped a second time to complete open the break. I was a little irritated but will remind myself to check EVERYTHING on the bike before my next event. The training is really helping.

Thanks

Amanda

http://www.drcsports.com/ARCHIVE/2011/savtri-du_3.shtml

PRS seen at Mt Kilimanjaro! Thanks Jeff!

Paul McRae — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:41:27 +0000

Wow, PRS athletes can be seen all over the place but I think this one takes the cake. Lauren Funderburk’s parents recently made a trip to Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro (which I must say has me a little jealous). This is a recent email he sent with pictures I thought I’d share with you.

Dear Paul,

As promised a while ago, here is your free advertising in Tanzania.
Have you received any communications from Tanzania?  

The first photo is an action photo from the second day, as we climbed
through the forest and heath zone, from about 8500 feet to our camp at
11,500'.

This photo is from the second day, also, when we briefly stopped to
take off rain gear and I was captured with Agger, one of the assistant
guides, who was about 50 lbs lighter and 200% more fit than me. He
had summited Kilimanjaro (19,340′) about 45 times, and was training to
be an expedition head guide. He later carried Marcia’s backpack after
she got sick, and then an entire second gear bag when one other client
had to come down off the mountain.

Yours,

Jeff Funderburk

Personal Running Solutions and Olympian Keith Brantly join forces to serve the North Florida Running community and beyond.

Paul McRae — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:32:57 +0000

Personal Running Solutions CEO, Paul McRae, and 1996 Olympian, Keith Brantly, announced today that they are joining forces. By merging efforts, McRae and Brantly enhance the coaching services available to North Florida runners in Duval, Nassau, St Johns, Clay, and Flaggler Counties. McRae and Brantly’s combined coaching experience provides runners of all ages and abilities with an unparalleled service through exclusive seminars, one-on-one coaching services, group training, race-specific training packages, and virtual coaching for those outside the area.

McRae explains, “Our clients have asked for additional options in training and instruction that only Keith and I can offer. Our team approach to coaching and development gives our clients the enhanced knowledge they need to improve the quality of their performances, both in day-to-day training and challenging races.”

“Paul and I have very similar and complimentary coaching styles. Our combined depth of coaching and service to the running community, as well as our national and international racing experience, gives us the opportunity improve the training and racing experience for runners of all ages and abilities. By combining our efforts, a Personal Running Solutions Client will receive an unmatched level of coaching and mentorship leading to improved enjoyment and performance in their running.” Brantly stated.

Keith will direct the Personal Running Solutions presence in St Johns and Flaggler Counties. He and Coach Paul strive to provide a better individual coaching experience to all of the athletes they coach. The merger represents Personal Running Solutions’ goal of building solid connections and ensuring all Personal Running Solutions athletes have access to the best network of running related experts.

About Keith Brantly:

With a running career spanning three decades, many experts consider Keith Brantly to be one of the most successful Long Distance Runners in United States distance running history. Keith has enjoyed successes in national and international competitions at distances from the mile to the marathon. His accomplishments include:

1996 United States Olympic Team Member, Marathon.
Five-time U.S. Olympic Trials participant for 5K, 10K and marathon, competing in a total of seven event trials.
Twelve-time member of United States National track, road racing and cross-country teams.
Eight-time United States National Roadracing Champion in the 10K, 20K, 25K and marathon.
Lifetime personal bests include: Marathon 2:12:31, Fifteen kilometers 42:50, Ten kilometers 28:02, Five kilometers 13:36, 1500 meters 3:40.7 (3:58 mile)

Keith conducts inspirational and entertaining motivational seminars for corporations and special interest groups on topics related to health and fitness. As a successful specialist in healthcare sales, Keith inspires sales teams and organizations with meaningful and practical formulas for success drawn from his years of successful athletic competition. He especially enjoys speaking to children and young adults, encouraging them to start and stay involved with sports and recreational activities and stressing the importance of strong leadership practices.

Keith’s volunteer service includes a term as President of Florida Track Club, volunteer coach for Best Buddies and motivational speaker for the American Heart Association. Twice he has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World magazine. He is also a member of United States Olympic Team Mentoring program. Keith is also a proud board member of the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, 26.2 with Donna.

In 2005, Keith was inducted in the Road Runners Club of America, Hall of Fame; in 2004 he was inducted in the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame.

Sports Massage and Conditioning Launches Website~

Paul McRae — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:57:20 +0000

Jenny Lindley massage therapist and personal solution to a mass of PRS athletes, their family and friends has launched her website, www.smacwellness.com. Her website combines information about what she does best, sports massage, but also has a lot of general wellness and health tips. She discusses topics of conditioning and balance, Jenny’s product picks, massage, running, streching and wellness tips.

Personal Running Solutions Takes NYC!!!

Paul McRae — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:43:55 +0000

Many of you know I was involved in and ran the NYC marathon Sunday 11/07/10. Going into it all I knew was that I was to run with a guy from Australia who wanted to run between 2hours50minutes and 3hours10mins. Needless to say this was a daunting task and it wasn’t until I reached NYC I found out more about the runner and The Marathon Project! I feel honored to be apart of something that means a lot to a lot of people and has the possibility to change lives. Below is more information about The Marathon Project, the trailor to the upcoming documentary that I was shooting footage for while I was running next to Charlie, information about Charlie the runner I followed and a few photo’s from my personal camera.

The Indigenous Marathon Project is a SmartStart for Kids!™ project and their goal is to help Indigenous Australian youth and their communities.

The road, however, does not end at the finish line in New York as the project has great aspirations for a continuing positive impact within Indigenous Australia.

Stage 1 / Year One

To launch the Marathon Project four young Indigenous Australians were selected from remote communities across Northern australia to run in the 2010 New York Marathon.

To launch the Marathon Project five young Indigenous Australians have come forward from remote communities across the Northern Territory to run in the 2010 New York Marathon.

This is an ambitious undertaking that has never been tried before. A documentary crew is following the initiative through year 1 with the idea of creating a visual that is inspiring for other teenagers and other communities. The film would also be seen on a national level through ABC television, and internationally through film festivals and offshore broadcasters like Discovery Channel.

The film will follow the quest of the aspiring athletes, their supporters and their communities, with a view to demonstrating that amazing things can be achieved given the right opportunity.

The New York Marathon will provide a world stage for these young Australians. No other big city, mass participation marathon captures the spirit and excitement of marathon running like New York. The promise of this experience while representing their people, community and their country will provide the athletes with the motivation to succeed like nothing else could.

Supporting Rob de Castella is National Athletics Coach John Bell who has over thirty years experience of working with remote communities in the Northern Territory. John still holds the NT marathon record.

Every runner will need to earn his or her place in the group that travels to New York. Since initial fitness assessments in December 2009 each of the aspiring athletes have been given basic training programs to continue on their own with identified support people from the communities encouraging the training. Coach John Bell has a series of training camps and fun runs planned at regular intervals across 2010 for the runners to attend, building up incrementally the idea of organised running events and the different aspects of distance running.

Rob has been approached by the Timorese Government to send the runners to the inaugural Dili Peace Marathon in June. The event also has a 10km race, which will fit well with the training program. This will be the first time out of the country for the runners and is a good small sized stepping-stone before New York.

The year will also include a two-week intensive at the Australian Institute of Sport. The two-week intensive will be based around marathon routines as well as the following vocational training modules:

1. Cert 1 Health and Fitness

2. Cert 1 Coaching Accreditation

3. Time management course

4. Media training and public speaking

5. Introduction to nutrition and health

The film will follow the quest of the aspiring athletes, their supporters and their communities, with a view to demonstrate that amazing things can be achieved given the right opportunity.

Rob has been approached by the Timorese Government to send the runners to the inaugural Dili City of Peace Marathon in June. The event also has a 10km race, which will fit well with the training program. This will be the first time out of the country for the runners and is a good small sized steppingstone before New York.

1. Cert 1 Health and Fitness
2. Cert 1 Coaching Accreditation
3. Time management course
4. Media training and public speaking
5. Introduction to nutrition and health.

Stage 2 / Year Two and Beyond

After the publicity and hoped for success of Stage One, the following year will have a smoother path to follow. Part time employment will be available for year 1 runners to assist in the training of the year 2 runners as well as in giving talks to school groups, sporting teams and community groups about their experience of the New York marathon and the challenges along the way. All runners will continue to have the support of the Smart Start organisation, Bell and de Castella. Support in either a running or running related career or helping gain access to other careers, especially within the network of program sponsors.

A new 15 minute ‘mini doco’ will be produced every year for the runners and their journey to New York. This will be a vital tool for every new group of runners having their own unique experiences to inspire other young Indigenous Australians.

http://www.themarathonproject.com.au/index.php?id=29

Charlie Maher

Charlie Maher, 27 years old, was born and bred in Alice Springs.

Since finishing school Charlie has excelled in Australian Football, being offered positions in clubs all across South Australia and the Northern Territory. Charlie currently works with Clontarf mentoring and coaching local high school students.

A 3hour wait....35degrees. SLEEPING BAG!Me in my gear, trying it out the night before the race!Trying it on!!!

Personal Running Solutions partners with www.jax365.com

Paul McRae — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:44:36 +0000

Personal Running Solutions has partnered with Jacksonville based Jax365.com. The goal of Jax365 is keep Jacksonville and those visiting informed and up-to-date with what is going on in Jacksonville. As Florida’s largest city, Jacksonville offers an abundance of sports, recreation and entertainment events. If it’s happening in Jacksonville…it’s on JAX365. Stay informed on related news and register to the JAX365 mailing list for updates and special promotions. If you want specific information go visit the Local Expert list for FREE. Jax365’s catch phrase is “Visit often and PLAY EVERYDAY!” This partnership allows Jacksonville to stay inform with Personal Running Solutions and upcoming events and important dates. Also this relationship allows for Personal Running Solutions to offer online payments for all coaching programs.

Places to run in Jacksonville.

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:52:32 +0000

Best places to run:

Durbin Creek Peninsula Perserve Trail

Off St. Augustine Road in Bartram Park in South Jacksonville. One of the best off-road courses in the Jacksonville Area. Map shows a six mile course, but can be 7 miles with out and back section between 3 and 4 miles as shown on map. There is also a three mile loop that you can run if you go to the next right after the two mile mark.

Northbank River Walk 5K

This is a great little course along the Riverwalk starting and finishing at the Hyatt Hotel on Coastline Drive.

Festival of Lights 5K Course

In San Marco from the Baptist Eye Institute. This is one of Jacksonville most scenic 5Ks. The race is run at night, so the runners miss the true beauty of this certified 3.1 mile course.

Downtown Bridge Loop

Nice 5 mile run starting from the YMCA on Riverside Ave. Course incorporates the new Northbank Riverwalk.

Meandering 5 Mile

Starts at 1st Place Sports on Baymeadows. This is a nice loop around the San Jose Country Club.

Loop the Loop 5 mile

Starts at 1st Place Sports on Baymeadows. Nice course along Beauclerc Road and Forest Circle. Bascially an out and back with a loop in the middle section.

Canal 5 1/2 lake loop

Starts at 1st Place Sports on Baymeadows Road. This is a great run for adventure seekers. The course cuts through Tomahawk Park and then runs the canals to Skinner Park. You can also run 7 miles by entended the run north of Skinner Park along the canals.

Canal 7

Longer version of above run.

Meandering 7

Starts at 1st Place Sports on Baymeadows Road. This is a great run along San Jose Blvd. Route takes you around San Jose Country Club.

Gate River Run Course

This is the big one in Jacksonville. This course is used as the site of the 15K national championship. Course starts on Duval Street in front of the Jacksonville Faigrounds, runs from the sports complex area, through downtown, San Marco, and back over the Hart Bridge to finish.

Jacksonville Marathon Course

This is a great course. 26.2 miles of beauty. Large oak, magnolia and Maple trees line this very scenic and flat course. Starts and finishes at Bolles School.

Jacksonville Bank 1/2 Marathon Course

1/2 marathon runs with the Jacksonville Marathon course above.

Ortega River Run Course

This 5 mile course starts and finishers at St. Mark’s Episcopal on Ortega Blvd. This is a very scenic course along the banks of the Cedar River.

Perfect 10

This ten mile course starts and finishes at the Lakewood Shopping Center at the corner of San Jose Blvd and University Blvd. West. This is the site of the orginial 1st Place Sports. The Perfect 10 gots is name not for it’s beauty or terrain, but because it was measured several times. The legend goes that every time one of the 1st Place Sports team members lowered the course record in training the course would be remeasured. John Rogerson, Bill Fisher, Pete Gambel, Jerry Oldin, Bill McCormick, Doug Alred, Mike Wachholz, and George Burns ran this course at least twice a week for several years. Rogerson held the course record with a 49:35.

RITA CASH 5K Southpoint

5K two loop course from Seven Bridges Restaurant at Tinseltown.

Outback 1/2 Marathon Course

Starts at Outback Steakhouse on San Jose Blvd just south of Baymeadows Road. Great course through some of Mandarin’s most scenic roads.

Toughest 10k in Jacksonville

This trail run starts at the Roosevelt Area trail head (off of Mt Pleasant Rd.) and winds through three parks(Roosevelt Area, Spanish Pond, & Fort Caroline) and has the steepest hills, roughest trails and best natural views in Jax. You will not be able to follow it as mapped, you’ll probably get lost (temporarily), but you’ll have a great time if you enjoy this kind of running. Definitely a run for the cooler months in FL.

Loop to Loop 10 Mile

Great ten mile course from the corner of San Jose and Baymedows Road in front of Hooters. Route runs along the recreation paths on Beauclerc and Scott Mill Roads. The route does a loop around Forest Circle on the way out and then on the way back. The route also has a 1.3 mile loop on the bottom of the course. The course gots it’s name from the type of workout that 1st Place Sports teams members ran on this course. The three loops were ran at race pace while atempting to run tempo pace betweeen the loops.

Retro River Run 5K

This course starts at “The Runner” statue on Coastline Drive and follows a route through downtown that closely follows the original River Run course. The route crosses the Main and Acosta bridges and finishes at the Jacksonville Landing.

Exploration Run

5 mile loop over the Acosta and Main Street Bridge and then out and back along the Northbank Riverwalk.

Celebration 5K

Certified 5K loop starting and finishing at 1st Place Sports, 3931 Baymedows Road. This course is used for the Celebration 5K and the 5K with the Tour de Pain.

Super Sunday 5K

This is a nice training course from the JCA located at the corner of San Jose Blvd and San Clerc Roads in the Beaulcerc section of Jacksonville.

Link to all posted Jacksonville running routes:

http://www.usatf.org/routes/search/searchResults.asp?distance_from=&distance_to=&distanceUnits=mi&startType=&startName=&facility=&city=jacksonville&state=FL&rating=&show=25&page=4

Website Lauched!

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:43:50 +0000

The new website is launched and we are very excited. There is lots to see and lots more to come. Feel free to send us your feedback!