River Region Runners

THE EXTRA MILE: Stop it! Quit yelling, start cheering your children across the line

By Kym Klass 
June 6, 2010

Several weeks ago, I wrote about kids and exercise-- about pushing them too hard when they aren't ready. Since that time, I have received e-mails from readers/runners/parents who have witnessed
parents yelling at their children at local running races.

So I thought that perhaps I didn't make the point clear enough: quit pushing your children! There's yelling encouraging words -- you can never get enough of that -- and then there's mean-spirited
belittling yelling if you don't think your child is running fast enough or that he or she will not win their age group.

Column by Kym Klass
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I am getting older.

I'm only 39, but the body has been doing things to me that I've had to do something about.

Lately, the body has been hurting. Hurts more after hard runs, and it is forcing me to pay attention to consistent stretching, and to proper warm-ups and cool downs.

If I want to keep running, I have no choice but to slow down, tune in, and listen.

By Tim Gayle

Pat Fossum has been competing in duathlons and triathlons for 25 years, bringing back awards and honors from events all over the world.

What makes Fossum's story so unique is she started running at an age when most people would be giving it up.

by Kym Klass
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May 2, 2010

HAMPTON, Va. -- Following a four-mile run along the Chesapeake Bay this week, I found myself justthree hours from facing my attacker in court.

Three hours from the man who ended my run one summer morning, putting enough fear in me that my runs stopped for 14 years.

This is the person I wrote about in October, who served his full 18-year sentence for attacking me, and who was due to be released from prison Oct.19.