For most people, before they begin their running journey they have some sort of desire to actually run. First, they decide they want to “get into running,” and then they might do some research. One might find a good cardio workout for beginners and find shoes that will best benefit them. This is great and typically a beautiful progress to becoming an avid runner. This is not my story.

When I got hired at Terra Running Company, I was not a runner and had no intentions of becoming one. Therefore, training was a little more difficult. I had to start from scratch, so I started with Skratch, and I will say their cookie mix is delicious. On a serious note, I tried on roughly 26 pairs of running shoes, becoming hyper-aware of every detail and feeling. I’ll be honest, this made my everyday shoes feel a little less comfortable. I needed to know what each shoe felt like in order to sell them. Although I was not going to run in them, other people would, so I needed to have knowledge even without much experience. 

As I continued to learn about shoes, I learned about the importance and benefits of nutrition, socks, accessories, and running in general. I now spend many hours a week talking to runners about what suits them best, mostly pertaining to shoes but also their likes and dislikes surrounding all things running. 

Since starting at TRC, I have loved getting to know my coworkers, regulars, and new customers. I have seen the joy people get from putting on a good shoe after so long without one. I have seen the excitement people get when running with their friends. And I have seen the satisfaction received by finishing a race. This has been inspiring and encouraging. Mary Lou Kownacki has a quote that states, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story. ” I often think about this quote when dealing with others, but uniquely this has been true for me pertaining to running. I learned so much about running and runners that I have started to run myself. I used to make the joke that if you saw me running you should run too, because there would most likely be something chasing me. Now, I will quote some Terra gear and say, “Run for your life,” and I will do so happily. For now, I’m off to jog on the Greenway…

Over the past few years, running for me has been full of many ups and downs. When I initially started to get into it, I was overweight and viewed running as a way to get into better shape. Running for me became all about split time and calories burned, and I never paid attention to whether I enjoyed what I was doing. It took me a long time to realize this and when I finally did, it completely changed my outlook on what running meant for me. There are so many reasons why someone should try running, but it is important to choose the right ones. Running is a great activity, but it can quickly become an unhealthy obsession that is more destructive than it is good. For me, it was when I started to forget about the metrics that I found myself starting to love running for the sake of it. It took a long time to get to this point, but running has become one of my favorite things to do and is something that I love to share with other people. I would highly encourage everyone to forget about what the numbers on their watch or phone say and go running for the fun of it. You might find yourself loving it more than ever before.

For more on this topic check out the Terra Girls Podcast Episode: The Shadow Side of Running Tech

Happy 5th Anniversary, Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k!

The 13.1 mile half marathon distance is a great "challenge distance" most runners. For local runners, it’s made even more special by running it right here on the streets of Cleveland! Whether you're passing your favorite family of ducks on the Greenway or enjoying the quaint downtown streets, the Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k has become a local favorite for runners and walkers.

For the first 4 years of the race, it was held in May. Not only were we challenged by the original tough course, but we battled massive rain showers, Greenway flooding, and hot, humid conditions. In those first 4 years, the Cleveland Half Marathon hosted the Road Runners Club of America Half Marathon Tennessee Championship. The 5k hosted the Girls on the Run of Southeast Tennessee Celebration 5k. We also hosted runners from over 20 states visiting our great town for the race!

In 2020, we were forced to postpone, then cancel the Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k due to COVID constraints. Runners found other challenges, like virtual races, small socially distanced group runs, and at home workout classes to keep them moving. We were so excited to bring back the race after COVID in October 2021.

October 2021 was a great celebration of running, events, and gathering being back in our lives safely! We hosted the 4th Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k with a reimagined course and a new title sponsor in the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce. The finisher medal in 2021 was the Lee Chapel, a runner favorite right on the course.

We are excited to be hosting the 5th Anniversary Cleveland Half Marathon on October 1, 2022. We will be revisiting the fast, flat course from 2021 and celebrating with throwback finisher medals from the previous 4 races.

If you’re looking to break your personal record or run a course with very little elevation change, the Cleveland Half Marathon course is for you! Because the race is now during the school year, we have tons of great student groups from local schools and Lee University along the course directing runners and manning aid stations.

Join the great tradition that has become the Cleveland Half Marathon & 5k on October 1, 2022. All the info you need, as well as registration, is available at ClevelandHalf.com. 

And a big special thanks to our incredible sponsors: Visit Cleveland — our 5k title sponsor, CORA Physical Therapy and Direct Primary Care — our premier level sponsors, and the rest of our incredible sponsors, the YMCA of Cleveland, Results Physical Therapy, Robbins Family Dental, and the Oak Ridge Secret City Half-Marathon.

One of the things we love most about being in the running business is getting to time all kinds of races all over the area. A new race to our repertoire this year is the Ooltewah Club 5k hosted by the Ooltewah Club! We chatted with race director Ismael Breton about the new race and what the Ooltewah Club is all about.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the work you do with the Ooltewah Club?

Well, I am NOT an experienced Race Director! This is my first time taking an event like this on and it has been both fun and challenging! I'm a husband and father of 3 (Adelynn 12, Liam 10, and Atlas 4). Tennessee has been my home for over 20 years. I went to middle school, and high school in Hendersonville, TN and graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Business Finance from UTC in 2009. I'm the General Manager of a local Auto Retailer and most recently my family of 5 has lived in Ooltewah going on 4 years. We've grown to love our community in that time, and plan on staying here to see our kids grow. I'm simply a member of the Ooltewah Club and I've developed a (late) passion for running as my primary way to exercise and fitness.

Tell us about the Ooltewah Club? Where is it located, what makes it a special place, etc.?

I think our website says it best: "Just a 20 minute drive from Chattanooga, The Ooltewah Club offers the perfect private club lifestyle nestled at the foot of the White Oak Mountain in Ooltewah, TN. In 2020, a new ownership group committed to continual improvements and creating a vibrant, healthy club for members and the surrounding community. With over one million dollars invested in the course redesign and rejuvenation project, The Ooltewah Club proudly offers panoramic views, rolling hills, pure greens, and a challenging yet fair 18-hole golf course suitable for all skill levels.

Featuring a driving range, Junior Olympic sized swimming pool, and two lighted tennis courts, The Ooltewah Club is designed for year-round outdoor activities and family fun. The Ooltewah Club debuted a newly decorated clubhouse in 2019 which anchors the 150+ acre property. An award-winning Executive Chef and professionally trained service staff await you and your family."

Can anyone sign up for the race or do they need to be members?

Anyone can sign up! We started out with the intention of it being a members and residents only event, but to drive participation and interest in the Club, we invite anyone to come out and register. Registration will close on 8/10.

How did the idea for the Ooltewah Club 5k come about and does the race benefit a particular charity?

Every time I come into or leave my neighborhood there's someone running or walking. I was out playing golf with a friend one day, and thought "Man! We have some beautiful landscapes. This would make for a great 5k track" - And then I couldn't stop researching what it would take to make it happen. Fast forward, and here we are. The race is unique in that it will benefit a single Organization voted on by registrants when completing the registration process. All net proceeds will go to the Charity our participants want to receive the funds. Currently, we have a variety of 6 sponsors.

What should runners expect on race day? Where is the race, when does it start, and is there anything else unique about it?

Goody bags! The race will be AT the Ooltewah Club and will include neighborhood roads, golf cart paths, and short distances of gravel. Race will start at 8am. The 5k is accompanied by a 1 mile walk, so people can choose which of the 2 they want to participate in. The golf course will be closed from 8am-10am and there's plenty of space for parking, and time to get to know the Club after the race.

Harrison Bay State Park is a beautiful state park only 25 minutes from downtown Cleveland.  Harrison Bay became the first Tennessee State Park in 1937. Located in Hamilton County, the park name is derived from a large bay at the main channel of the Tennessee River that covers the old town of Harrison, and the last Cherokee Campground, according to the state park website. The parklands are historically significant because the Cherokee Campground consisted of three villages which were ruled by one of the last great Cherokee Chieftains. 

If you like to mountain bike, boat, swim, kayak, camp, trail run, or hike, this park is for you! On a warm May Saturday, I headed over to Harrison Bay with my trail running shoes and my kayak for a hot, sunny day outside! I ran the Bay Point Loop Trail, which is marked as 4.3 miles, but my GPS said it was only 3.8 miles. To access the trailhead, take a left at the Y inside the park and head toward the visitor center and marina. Pass the boat put-in and the trailhead is on your right. There is plenty of parking right at the trailhead, as well as a trash can and some park information. 

The Bay Point Loop Trail is a mostly-flat trail that is right by the water almost the entire time! The trails are similar in difficulty to Johnston Woods trails, mostly single-track with occasional roots and rocks. I loved that the trail was near the water because I caught cool breeze even though it was 80+ degrees outside! The dense tree cover also provides lots of shade. There were dogs, mountain bikes, and runners on this trail, but it never felt crowded. The trail didn't seem to cross any other trails, so following the red blazes on the trees was easy. I stopped to take a few pictures along the way, and at 3.8 miles I was pleasantly surprised to be done already! 

The entire loop only has 125 feet of ascent in elevation, so it's a relatively flat trail. There were two parts of the trail that were on a wooden boardwalk to keep people raised off the low lying muddy areas, but they were really well maintained and easy to navigate. 

I love that there are other outdoor activities to do at Harrison Bay that make the drive worthwhile. I followed up my run with a kayak on the water. Entrance to the park is free and it is much busier on weekends and in the summer.

I would highly recommend the Bay Point Loop Trail at Harrison Bay. I hope to visit again soon and try out mountain biking on this trail.

While we stand behind the quality of all the socks we carry at Terra, ask each member of our team their favorite sock, and you'll get a different answer. Come at the right time and you might overhear Brittany making fun of Asher for wearing tie-dye socks or me for dressing like I'm about to mow my front lawn in the 70s.

My favorite brand we carry is Swiftwick. They're based out of Franklin, TN, but they produce many of their socks right here in Cleveland! All their socks are made in the USA, and they emphasize sustainable production.

Aspire Four in Grey/Stripe

The main reason I love Swiftwick is their versatility! They have multiple styles with different purposes. The Aspire line is lightweight and fitted; the Pursuit line, built for trails, is made from merino wool; and the Maxus line has extra padding for long efforts.

And to make things easy, they label their different sock heights by numbers referring to the inches the sock rises above the ankle. The Zero is a no-show, the One is low-cut, the Two quarter, and so on, all the way up to Twelve, a full calf compression sock! The Four is my favorite height, fitting like a mini crew sock. It works for the trail, the road, biking, and any other sport. I wear the Pursuit in cold weather, and the Aspire in warm weather.

As far as performance, I am yet to find any sock that wicks sweat as well as Swiftwick! They use a special fiber called olefin, which is highly breathable and durable. I have socks from Swiftwick that are eight years old and show no sign of wearing out soon.

Come to Terra and check out our selection! We have multiple cuff heights, including some Great Smoky Mountain themed crew socks.

It’s true, we have officially reached fall! Not only have we passed the Autumnal Equinox, the weather is cooler in the mornings, the days are starting to get shorter, and every store you go into is selling fake pumpkins and (fake) pumpkin flavors.

For runners, fall means delightfully pleasant temperatures and a chance to start wearing your favorite cold weather gear again… that is, if you don’t live in southeast Tennessee.

If you live here in Tennessee, your version of fall looks more like chilly mornings and crisp evenings with temps worthy of summer in the afternoon. Though I have lived in Tennessee for over a decade now, for this Maryland girl, the adjustment to a Tennessee “fall” is still difficult. I am thankful for the warmer days occasionally, but most of the time I’m just sad that the cozy sweater that I needed in the morning is unbearable by midday.

This extreme temperature fluctuation can also cause a dilemma for runners — hit the road in darkness and experience the joys of a 50 something degree run, or hold out for daylight and fight off 80 degree heat.

Regardless of when you are lacing up, let me offer some suggestions to get the most out of your run during a Tennessee fall.

Morning (Cooler Temp) Running —

We all know that hotter temperatures equal harder runs. Start out for a long run on a 90 degree day and you’ll know immediately that you’re in, not just for a long run, but a longgg run. The reason is that, beyond exerting for your workout, your body is also working overtime to maintain an acceptable core temperature. This means your heart will be beating harder and faster even at lower rates of exertion.

Why am I talking about running in hotter weather in the cooler weather section? Because the inverse is also true. Cooler weather means, “easier” runs. This is one of the reasons that everyone loves a fall race; all of those summer miles can easily add up to fall PRs.

With this in mind, those cooler mornings become the perfect time to practice tempos runs and speed work. Since your body won’t have to exert as much energy keeping you cool, it becomes easier to push your pace and build up strength in different muscle sets than what you would be working at a slower clip.

Try it — Set out for your normal training distance. After warming up for at least 5 minutes (on your run or otherwise), introduce simple speed work. Push yourself to (just below) sprint pace for 30 seconds, then scale back to your normal pace for a minute and 30 seconds before sprinting(ish) again for another 30 seconds. Repeat this pattern until you finish your run. Be sure to cool down and stretch adequately after you finish. Depending on your current fitness level, experiment with interval time and speed variations.

Afternoon (Hotter Temp) Running —

We’ve already established that hotter weather running is harder (and you didn’t need me to tell you that, you definitely already knew). So how do we maximize training when the temps are 80+ degrees? If you have acclimatized to the heat already from summer training, you can definitely still do speed work if you are working on your time for an upcoming race. You might not have as fast as a pace as you would have in the morning, but you will also be giving your heart more of a workout which will increase fitness. But if we are thinking about being inspired by the weather, warmer fall runs provide the perfect opportunity to get in the shade and off the beaten path by experimenting with trail running.

Trail running is always engaging but in the fall runners are in for a special treat as the leaves turn their vibrant colors. If the pull of nature’s beauty isn’t enough to get you out on the trail, consider the benefits of trail running. Trail running strengthens more (and different) muscles than just regular road or treadmill running alone. This is because it engages more muscles as your body finds its’ balance on various terrain, overcomes more hills (both up and down), and leaps over obstacles. Trail running also burns more calories per hour than regular running alone. Beyond the strengthening effects, trail running is also excellent for your mental health. Studies consistently show the benefits of getting into nature; everything from decreased anxiety and stress, reduced blood pressure, increased memory, improved concentration, and boosted immune function.

Try it — Head to one of the many amazing trails that our area has to offer — there are lots of choices for every ability level! For some nice simple loops, Johnston Woods is a great choice (they have both a 1 mile and 3 mile loop). For more options (both simple and hard) the White Oak Mountain Trails in Collegedale are a well trafficked area that can take you farther. And if you really want to challenge yourself, running on the trail system up and on Chilhowee Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest can give you serious elevation, mileage, and views. For all of these trails, runners need to be cognizant of mountain bikers and hikers.

Grab a pair of running shoes that have decent traction and that you don’t mind getting dirty (if you have trail running shoes even better!). Tell someone where you are going and when you plan on being back. Pack water and any nutrition that you need (account for mileage and effort for if you need to bring any with you), then hit the trail! If you need to walk more than you usually do that’s fine, just have fun with it and enjoy the views! The shade from the tree cover will drop warm afternoon temperatures naturally and the newness of exploring trails will bring a fresh excitement for the season.

The fall season in Tennessee might not always look like sweater weather but when it comes to running, a southern fall provides plenty of opportunities to be inspired to try something new, to push yourself, and to appreciate the beauty that we are surrounded with every day.

Happy fall, happy running!