Age Graded Races

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2011 STOCKTON FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

AGE GRADED RACE SERIES WINNERS

WOMENS DIVISION:

1st PLACE - LINDA BELTON - 57 years old

2nd PLACE - MARLENE KINSER - 75 years old

3rd PLACE - NANCY GRESHAM - 61 years old

MENS DIVISION:

1st PLACE - DICK SHORMAN - 75 years old

2nd PLACE - RON KIYONO - 63 years old

3rd PLACE - DON LOOBY - 51 years old

2012 Qualifying events

Stockton Shamrock 5k
Avenue of the Vines 5k

St. Josephs 5k
Thunder Goes Pink 5k

Join our Stockton Family Chiropractic age graded race series. This series of local 5k events will allow everyone, of all abilities and ages to win incredible awards for your participation. We'll use a standard formula and handicap each participant based on age. After completing 3 of the 4 series events we'll award the top male and female with over $500 in mizuno merchandise and more. 2nd and 3rd place also win prizes. The stockton family chiropractic age graded races series makes the playing field level. Choose 3 of the following 4 events to qualify. We'll track your results for you. It's that simple. All you have to do is sign up for the events. The handicaps for the stockton family chiropactic age graded race series were calculated using the international age grading tables. These tables use statistics gathered over many years of performances by runners of all ages. Some of the internal workings of age grading are technical, but it can be simply explained as a way to determine an “age graded time” for each runner (ages 5 to 100 years old) for a given performance. The tables are based on the world record 5K time as of 2006. The world record 5k time for these tables is 12:54 in the “Open Class.” For our race we’ll compare each runner’s performance to the theoretical best for his/her age. We convert (age grade) that time into the equivalent time if that runner were in the open class (Men 23-27, Women 21-29) so that finish times can be compared on equal terms.

STRETCHING!

One of the most important parts of a run is actually the stretching! I have seen a lot of athletes in my practice come in with a wide variety of injuries. Many of them are chronic, slow developing conditions that come from a long period of wear and tear on the body. I always ask people about their stretching routine. I hear most of them say that they DO stretch, but when they show me what they are doing, it is usually a lot less than necessary to keep them off the injured list. Even the most experienced veteran marathoners included!

Here are some of the benefits of a good stretching routine:

1) prevents injuries
2) decreases soreness following the workout
3) promotes better biomechanics, which will be less stressful to your joints.
4) promotes better circulation, which means faster recovery.
5) increases your longevity as an athlete.

The most important thing that I find people do NOT do is stretch LONG ENOUGH! You should be holding your stretches for a minimum of 60 seconds. The first 15-30 seconds is required to let your body actually relax enough to let the muscle stretch. Most of the people I have seen who claim to stretch hold for about 10 seconds and then move on to the next part. There is little benefit in this.

You should also take time to educate yourself on which muscles to stretch so that you can become aware of areas that you may be restricted in your range of motion and which areas that are adequately flexible. Sometimes it is necessary to hold a stretch for longer in a particular area or on a given side of your body in order to gain symetry. This will help to prevent injury, or to regain healthy function if you are already working through some difficulties.

You are welcome to call or come by to get some specific ideas on which stretches you can do to improve your experience with running.

We would love to help!

Thomas C. Oliver, D.C.
Stockton Family Chiropractic
3020 Pacific Ave.
Stockton CA 95204
209-466-1234

Make sure to visit Dr. Tom Oliver at
Stockton Family Chiropractic
for all your spinal care needs.