Meet the 2019 Aiello Inspiration Team!

Thanks to everyone who submitted incredible stories about their capability and drive to make it to the finish line at the 2019 Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon on October 12. Just a small sampling of the amazing individuals in our running community, the Aiello Inspiration Team represents the spirit of race day in Hartford.

This year’s team highlights inspiring individuals who have shared what they are capable of, what they've overcome to get there and why they are motivated to cross the finish line in Hartford.

Participants shared heartwarming stories on the reasons they run – to overcome illness or difficult times, for weight loss and health, to honor loved ones who have passed away. Their intrinsic motivation, strength and determination will inspire others on their journey to race day.

2019 Aiello Inspiration Team:

• David Alejandro, Naugatuck, CT – Half Marathon
• Marisa Boasa, Ellington, CT – Half Marathon
• Kaitlyn Desrochers, Putnam, CT – Half Marathon
• Amanda Evans, East Haven, CT – Half Marathon
• Smith Kidkarndee, Hebron, CT – Marathon
• Kim Lowman, East Granby, CT – Half Marathon
• Ashley Russell, Avon, CT – Charity 5K
• Jesse Sythe, Wethersfield, CT – Half Marathon
• Mary Tesch, Middlebury, CT – Marathon
• Megan Weeks, Princeton, Massachusetts – Marathon

Look for their stories within the Eversource Hartford Marathon Insider’s Guide in your race packets and at the HMF Fitness Expo on October 10 and 11. The Hartford Marathon Foundation is joined by Aiello Home Services, sponsor of the team, to recognize these awesome individuals.

Fuel for Endurance Training

Preparing to push your body further, faster in endurance events takes consideration and attention to nutrition in training, not just on race day.   As the inaugural RiMaConn Relay approaches and you start logging more miles to prepare, we’ve asked experts in the HMF League of Injured Runners community for insights. 

Dan Torres, Nutrition Consultant at Saint Francis Hospital, addresses 5 key areas of focus for runners and endurance athletes to stay healthy and the role nutrition can play to support training.

In addition, take your nutrition, injury prevention or related questions direct to the community for insights and share your experiences.  Join the conversation on the League of Injured Runners Facebook group.

Dan Torres, Nutrition Consultant at Saint Francis Hospital

Manage your energy intake

Consuming the proper amount of macronutrients each day helps to give you energy, prevent muscle soreness and allow your body to properly absorb vitamins. The following outlines the recommended daily intake of three essential nutrients:

• Carbohydrates: 5-12 g per kilogram of body weight
• Protein: 1.2-1.8g per kilogram of body weight
• Fats: 0.8-2.0g per kilogram of body weight

TIP – To convert your body weight in pounds to kilograms, just divide pounds by 2.205.  Then, calculate carbohydrates, protein or fats based on the recommended ranges listed above.

Fluid & sodium intake

Keep fluids balanced to prevent dehydration and low blood sodium. Add salt or electrolytes to your water to help your body retain fluid.

TIP - Learn ideal hydration amounts and timing in advance of and through race day in this 2-minute hydration video with Dr. Jeff Brown of the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at Saint Francis Hospital.

Variety and Food intolerance

Don’t get into a rut- try a variety of foods that you like while training

But - There are certain foods that might not agree with you during a race. Test out different types of foods during your training cycle in case you are intolerant.

Weight management

Adjust your food intake depending training duration and intensity

“I Can, I Will” in Hartford this October

We are so inspired each year witnessing the dedication it takes to get to the finish line at the Eversource Hartford Marathon, Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K. We want to hear more – we want to know what motivates the members of this incredible community. And, we want to celebrate you for it!

The 2019 event theme “I Can, I Will” recognizes the incredible personal strength demonstrated by thousands of participants each year. This type of event challenges not only your capability as athletes but the willingness and drive to achieve those ambitious goals.

Through June 30, submit your stories about what motivates you to participate in the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon. Nominations of other deserving participants will also be accepted under the "You Can, You Will" theme. A select group of applicants with particularly moving stories will be honored as part of the Aiello Inspiration Team at this year’s event.

Members of the Team receive special VIP treatment including custom event apparel and complimentary PRE Perks package with limited access parking adjacent to the start/finish line, Mail My Packet service to receive bib and shirt in late September, personalized bib, access to pre-race VIP area and personal baggage check. Additionally, they will be profiled within the Eversource Hartford Marathon Insider’s Guide and highlighted within team promotions at the marathon expo on October 10 and 11.

How to enter:
Fill out the survey form HERE
You may submit your story or nominate another inspiring runner by June 30

The Aiello Inspiration Team is supported by Aiello Home Services.

Fun run & tutu making - June 19

Meet at Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford on Wednesday, June 19, for a fun run, then stay to make a colorful tutu to wear at the Red Dress Run (or wherever you want to kick up a festive outfit!!).  Details below, sign up HERE

The run is for all abilities and paces, so don’t worry about running alone. Routes will vary between 3-5 miles and can be shortened for those who want to run less. The run is free.

Donate $10 to HMF FitKids in School and get all of the supplies to make a tutu with the group after the run. Your donation will support HMF FitKids in School, a program that helps elementary and middle school students develop a healthy, active lifestyle through a 6 week, goal oriented running program. Through your generous donations, the program is provided at NO cost to the students or their participating schools.

What: Fun Run & Tutu Making 

When: Wednesday, June 19

Where: Fleet Feet, 1003 Farmington Ave., West Hartford

Time: 6:30 PM 

SIGN-UP HERE

  

More Information on Fleet Feet Fun Run:

http://www.fleetfeethartford.com/training/wednesday-night-fun-runs

Run Wild

Run Wild this summer! We're loving the great weather we’re (finally) experiencing in Connecticut.  All that spring mud is giving way – it’s time to hit the trails for peaceful runs and explore some new territory.  

If you don’t know about the Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series, you should!  Our Summer Solstice Trail Run on June 16 in Hebron is part of this year's series. Emma Palmacci organizes the series and is sharing the inside scoop on the 90 year history of local trails (don’t forget about our free fun run on June 5 – hit the trails with HMF!).

Emma Palmacci- Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series 

The Connecticut Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System turns 90 this year.  Spanning 96 towns and 825 miles, this expansive network of trails is maintained by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA), the state’s oldest non-profit conservation organization.  The Blue Trails are some of the best outdoor options the state has to offer - steep, ragged ledges, smooth river walks, vistas at Soapstone Mountain and Talcott Mountain, lush pine forests, and gorgeous waterfalls. 

The Shenipsit Striders have been using, and racing on, the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails for the last four decades.  The Striders have forged a strong relationship with CFPA, donating a significant percentage of their race proceeds to the non-profit.  We appreciate that there is a natural, symbiotic relationship between trail running and trail stewardship organizations.  Runners are a passionate bunch!  When we learn what goes into building and maintaining the trail systems, we become fervent supporters of those who work to protect our shared outdoor spaces.

We saw the opportunity to strengthen this relationship and to bring greater awareness to the running community about how important groups like the CFPA are to our sport.   And so the Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series was born.

The original idea was simple - bring together trail races that utilize the Blue Trails to reach a greater audience across the state.  The power in numbers would increase awareness for CFPA’s efforts and bring more people out to Blue Trail races to compete for the running series trophy.  The races in the series would donate some percentage of the proceeds to trail maintenance groups.  Win-win-win.

This year the Blue-Blazed Trail Running Series is celebrating its fifth anniversary.  Last year was one of the biggest series yet, with 838 individuals competing in at least one race – making for ~18,000 miles raced on Blue Trails over the course of the series.  While the Shenipsit Striders and CFPA still take on much of the grass roots effort, it’s become a group effort across volunteers and race directors - with CT Trailmixers, Bimbler’s Bluff, and Steep Endurance all helping spread the word and promoting the series.  Three new races were added to the series for 2019, the Macedonia Trail Race in Kent and the HMF Summer Solstice in Hebron and the Tunxis Ultramarathon added an 8K option.