Amazing Legs

Tuesday, June 29, 2010



Hamstrings, Semitendinosus, Vastus Medialis, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longis, Gluteus Maximus, Soleus, Plantaris, Tibialis: Just a short list of leg muscles
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, Achilles Tendonitis, Sciatica, Shin Splints, Stress Fracture, Piriformis Strain, IT Band Syndrome, Black toenails: A short list of afflictions of the runner leg

Often during any given race whether running myself or watching at the start and finish, I am transfixed by the vast variety of legs.
It has been a revelation at many races that it is not always what one would think or what one would expect in terms of leg size and or shape in relation to speed.

I have seen runners half my height or twice as big rip past me like a bolt of lighting. I have seen legs as big and strong as they come power to a finish like a locomotive. I have seen beautiful thoroughbred like legs seemingly almost flight like, run and barely touch the ground. I have seen legs with loopy all over tarnation kind of gaits cross the finish line as fast as a gazelle and ladies with cellulite on the thighs ( just get past it ladies please) run faster than any sixteen year old. I have seen legs with quick little rotations that barely leave the ground win races. I have seen long lovely far reaching strides cross the finish like running was about as effortless as a picnic in the park.
And then there is this lady, Amy Palmiero-Winters. First person ever to have a prosthetic leg and cross the finish line at the Western States 100 this past weekend. She said it was harder than childbirth. She said she did it to teach her children to live a life without limits.


She is simply amazing.

Guess who the above amazing Team Lucca Legs belong to. Peson who guesses the most correctly by the 4th of July will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Lucca.


Please send your guesses with corresponding numbers to Emily, Becky or Terri at goteamlucca@gmail.com

Karyn


Congratulations to the Amazing Karyn Hoffman who completed her fourth Western Sates 1oo mile race. Western States 100 is a premier running event for ultra runners from around the world who participate initially in a lottery to get one of the limited chosen spots to participate. The runners climb a cumulative 18,000 feet and descends 23,000 feet. The race begins at 5:00 am and the racers run through the night. Karyn finished this year in a little over 28 hours. I was so proud to be there at the finish line watching her enter the stadium and finish an endeavor that many of us mere running mortals can't even imagine.