On a cool Saturday morning, 50,000 of my closest friends and I shivered together, awaiting the start of the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Started in 1978, the Cooper River Bridge Run has grown from a few hundred runners to one of the 10 biggest races in America. I have run this race several times, both while in college in Charleston over a decade ago as well as the past few years. The following is a review of this race and perhaps a few tips for those considering running it in the future. The temperature is usually in the 40's at start time, give or take 10 degrees. It will be chilly while standing around but, actually, perfect weather for running. The starting corrals are on Coleman Blvd. in Mt Pleasant. They extend for at least half a mile from the start line. It has taken me as many as 20 minutes to get to the starting line once the gun goes off. Today, I was 2 minutes from the start. First tip: If you want to run this race for time, get as close to the starting line as possible. Somehow, without fail, walkers get into the first few corrals which should only be sub hour runners. This inevitably causes lots of traffic to weave through and will cost you time. Sub 49 minute runners can submit proof of time and get preferred corral placement. If you're not worried about your time, then just relax and enjoy the party. Also, get to the starting area in plenty of time to get in your corral or else you may have trouble getting into it in time to start. As the clock counts down, the corrals lurch forward in anticipation. Once the gun sounds, everyone starts walking toward the start. As you pass over the timing mat, you are free to run, however, you probably won't be able to for a hundred yards or so, because of traffic. Your first mile will be slow unless you are at the front. Second tip: If you like a 6 mile long party, this is the place for you. If you have a fear of crowds, not so much. The first time you run this race, you might think that the crowd will thin out as you go along. It doesn't thin as much as speed up. There will be runners within arms length of you in all directions at all times for the entire race. It's not so bad as long as you don't fall down. If your shoes comes untied, as mine did this year, I advise you to get to the side quickly and deal with it. If you stop in the center of the road, you will probably get trampled. Again, not trying to scare you, just letting you know. This is a BIG race. Making your way out of Mt Pleasant, the Ravenel Bridge comes into view. It is a strikingly beautiful bridge and much smoother and easier to run than its' predecessors. There is only one hill in this bridge, the others had two. Once you hit the approach to the bridge, you'll need to use some caution as a lot of people start to walk when they hit the hill. Making your way up the bridge ramp, you will start to feel the breeze from the ocean and the Cooper River. It will be welcome as you will be warmed up by now. Moving through the first bridge support, take a moment to look up and around you. This bridge really is a beautiful display of engineering. The view out over Charleston Harbor isn't too bad either. About this time, you'll crest the hill and the after burners can kick in for the next 2 miles, which are all downhill. If you need to make up time, this is the place to do it. Enjoy the breeze and view while you can, this is worth the price of admission. Soon, you will make your way down the ramp to Meeting Street where a water station awaits. You will immediately notice that the breeze is gone, blocked by the buildings. The last couple of miles takes you down Meeting Street toward the Visitor's Center, then hangs a right over to King Street. You will pass Marion Square, the post race gathering spot, but there is more running to do before you get there. Keep going, down King Street toward Charleston Place before taking a left back over to Meeting Street. As you come back on to Meeting, you will see the finish line about 500 yards up the road. Sprint. Congratulations, you got over it! The post race area is an experience unto itself. It's crammed full of spectators, runners, vendors and just about everyone in Charleston. It's even more crowded than the race itself, if that's possible. Water and fruit stations are everywhere. This is a very well run and well supported race. It's amazing that so many people can be involved in the race and things still maintain a air of organization. In years past, packet pickup has been a nightmare. The Gaillard Auditorium is a decent sized venue, but when so many people rush it at once, it quickly becomes unmanageable. This year, they had a tent set up outside to get your number and then you proceeded to get your other items. This seemed to work much better than in years past. You also have the option of having your packet mailed to you in advance for a nominal fee. Personally, I like getting in the crowds at the Expo. It's a great race and the perfect excuse to spend a weekend in Charleston. For those that are considering registering for next year, here is my advice: Register early, book your rooms early, have your packets mailed or get to pickup early on Friday, be prepared for a 6 mile long party with CLOSE friends, and most importantly, relax and have fun. 314254 003 Air Jordan 4 Oreo Black Black Cool Grey ,395709 701 Air Jordan 2 II Retro QF Candy Pack Del Sol White Black 543390 043 Air Jordan 6 Retro Turbo Green Gs Black Volt Ice Turbo Green Black 689479 405 Men Size Air Jordan 11 University Blue White Black 2014 528895 153 Air Jordan 11 Low Concord White Black Concord Women Size 580521 108 Air Jordan 11 Low GS Pink Snakeskin Air Jordan 11 Low IE Black Varsity Red 308308 001 Nike Air Jordan 2 II Retro Black Chrome 528895 153 Air Jordan 11 Low Concord White Black Concord 414571 003 Womens Air Jordan 13 Infrared Black Infrared 23 Black Chances are, if you live around here, you know about and are possibly running in or volunteering for the Christis Clinic Illinois Marathon and its assorted races this weekend. I decided to take this opportunity to share some running related recipes. Erin Lippitz, my baking friend, made me healthy oatmeal cookies that I smeared with peanut butter and ate as running fuel in a recent half marathon. Her recipe is below. She found it online years ago, she said, and has been changing it to make it healthier since. It also works as a breakfast cookie. Both of these options require chewing while running, but I'm OK with that, as the texture of nutritional running fuels grosses me out. However, Kelly reminds her readers to test out running fuels before race day, so marathoners, these probably come a little late for you. You may be able to use them in the future, but for your instant gratification, I've also included two of Kelly's recipes she used to recover from a marathon a few weeks ago. Happy running if you're the type, and a huge thank you to those who are volunteering, as well. I'll see some of you there. Erin's Healthy Oatmeal Cookies 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (or substitute one very ripe mashed banana) 1 large egg white lightly beaten 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar (or banana), applesauce, egg white and vanilla until smooth. In another bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add raisins or dried cranberries to wet ingredients and then stir in dry ingredients using a wooden spoon. Drop onto cookie sheets and bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cookies should still be moist and will be kind of lumpy. Kelly's No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Running Fuel 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut Mix together dry ingredients, then set aside. Place peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a microwave safe dish and heat for 30 seconds on high, then stir to combine. Use a fork to mix dry and wet ingredients. You may need to add 1 or 2 more tablespoons of water. Kelly used a half tablespoon measuring scoop to portion these out and then froze them overnight. To store while running, Kelly placed four into a snack sized zip top bag before a half marathon. She cut off one end of the bag and put it in her handheld water bottle so it was easy to grab a fuel ball while running. 314254 003 Air Jordan 4 Oreo Black Black Cool Grey,If you're lucky enough to be planning a vacation on Maui this summer, how will you decide where to stay? Close to restaurants, close to shops, or right on the beach? If you're someone who enjoys a long walk on the beach, you might want to consider someplace close to the Kamaole Beach Parks in Kihei. The southernmost of the three Kam beaches (as the locals call them) is right across the street from the Kamaole Sands condominium complex a perfect place to start a beach walk. Kam I, Kam II, and Kam III, with short headlands between them, offer long walks that are idyllic at any time of day from early in the morning when yours are the first footprints on freshly washed sand, to evening when the sunset colors reflect on the water and wet sand, to night when the moon shines off the water and lights your way. Starting north from Kamaole Sands on Kam III, you pass below picnic tables at the north end of the beach park a great place to return for picnic dinner and sunset watching. The first headland, between Kam III and Kam II, is low and can be crossed by walking up a short sandy trail. Stay on the grass close to the water's edge until you pass the white gazebo, then follow the short trail back down to the beach. The best beach walking is always barefoot, of course, and the beaches of Maui are very safe for bare feet. When shoes are called for, the ideal footwear is what locals call "slippers" (but most of us call flip flops). I usually carry my slippers on Kam III, wear them to cross the headland where there can be thorns buried in the grass, and then leave them on a rock at the start of Kam II. Sometimes you can bypass the headland between Kam III and Kam II, and just cross at the water's edge. For about half of each month, the tide will be low enough in the early morning for that trip around the headland over lava rocks and sand you will definitely need slippers. How will you know whether you can walk around on the beach or need to go up onto the headland? If the tide is low enough to let you get easily onto the first lava rock at the north end of Kam III, then it will let you get around the rest of the headland. Kam II, the middle beach, is longer than Kam III and usually narrower. The sand will often be steep in the winter, tossed up by storms and tides. After a very heavy storm, enough sand may be washed out to sea to leave very little beach at high tide. At the north end of Kam II, climb up the rock and concrete trail to the grass in front of two ocean front resorts. Although signs block entrance to the resorts, state law prohibits the closing of beach access anywhere in the islands, and you are legally welcome to walk along the grass at the edge of the water. This grassy area between Kam II and Kam I is one of the best places on Maui for finding turtles. Stop for a bit and watch close to the rocks at the base of the cliff, and you're likely to see a curious head popping up looking back at you. At the north end of the headland, another trail takes you down to Kam I. Kam I is twice as long as Kam II a perfect sandy crescent about half a mile long. At the north end, there are usually some early morning swimmers; at some times of the year there can be a sharp drop off at high tide. At a brisk pace, it takes about twenty minutes to walk from Kamaole Sands to the north end of Kam I. If you started early enough, you'll be back at Kamaole Sands, or wherever you're staying, before the sun gets high and hot. If it's later in the day, take your time and go for a swim whenever you want to cool off. More walking awaits you as you head south from Kamaole Sands. From Kam III there's a trail that mostly follows the water and goes as far as the resorts of Wailea. This walk can take two hours and involves a short stretch of road walking; "slippers" are definitely required. Walk to Wailea, swim, have lunch there, and walk back a lovely way to spend a day on Maui. My favorite thing about staying at Kamaole Sands is the pleasure of beach walking, right from the front door of my condo.
See Whats Happening With 314254 003 Air Jordan 4 Oreo Black Black Cool Grey,Air Jordan 10 Bulls Over Broadway Looking to stretch your visual merchandising budget by buying a used mannequin? Or trying to find mannequin parts on Ebay to attach to your mannequin that is missing an arm or a hand? . The price you can pay for a used mannequin can vary widely depending upon who you purchase the mannequin from. People who sell used mannequins range from mannequin liquidators, boutique owners who are closing their doors and selling their store fixtures, thrift stores and people holding a garage sale to unload stuff from their grandma's attic. 1) Virtually New a mannequin that is technically not brand new, but its condition is so flawless it might as well be new. This type of mannequin was perhaps seldom used or in some cases never taken out the box because the retailer went out of business or changed their merchandising strategy soon after the mannequin arrived in the store. Or it may be a mannequin that was used only for photo shoots. 2) Gently Used a mannequin with some dirt, slight discoloration or minor scratching. A gently used mannequin may have previously been in the store window of a high end retailer and was well maintained and handled with care. 3) Used a mannequin with signs of normal wear and tear such as scuff marks and paint chips and cracks. There might also be some minor structural damage, say a broken or missing finger or crack on the arm. This mannequin might be the type that was displayed on the sales floor of a retailer and the continued handling of the mannequin caused it to show signs of "age." This mannequin might also have hair, make up or a body style that is not contemporary looking because it was manufactured in the 1970's a golden era for mannequins. 4) Distressed a mannequin with one or more missing limbs and/or with structural damage on its body which can occur when a mannequin falls or is dropped on a hard surface. Some distressed mannequins can be repaired and restored to almost new condition by a skilled mannequin refurburbisher and other distressed mannequins are useful for their parts such as for an art project or Halloween display. In general, the better the condition the mannequin is in, the higher the price you will pay for it. Vintage mannequins, the ones with heads made from carved wood, molded papier mch or wax and heads with glass eyes are in a category all by themselves. They are considered collector's pieces and typically their fragility makes them impractical for online sellers. Why do some used mannequins cost so much? Just because a mannequin is used, does not always mean that it will be cheap regardless of where you purchase it from. Similar to buying automobiles, some mannequin brands hold their value because of their superior craftsmanship, unique design and established brand name. Just as a used Rolls Royce or Mercedes will cost more than a brand new Toyota, there are some brands of mannequins that are expensive even though they are used. A brand name mannequin with realistic features can cost between $750 $1300 new. If a used one is 50% off, it will still cost more than some of the new no name mannequins imported from Asia which retail between $250 $400. Brand name mannequins cost more because they are actually fiberglass sculptures of real life humans and many of the steps involved in creating them are done by hand. Sculptors usually begin with a metal skeleton, bend it into a pose and build it up with clay. The clay figure is then cast as a mold to hundreds of identical fiberglass mannequins. The mannequin is passed through the hands of at least a dozen artisans, from sculptors to sanders to painters and this level of detail is why high end mannequins look so lifelike and their solid construction makes them more durable. Less expensive knock offs, made in Taiwan, China, Korea and Vietnam are made by machines and resemble life size dolls and have stiffer looking poses. If you are looking to buy a Rolls Royce or Mercedes caliber mannequin on the used market, here are some brand names to look for: Adel Rootstein, Patina V, New John Nissan, Hindsgaul, Ralph Pucci, Greneker and Goldsmith. Usually but not always mannequins produced by these companies will have their company name stamped somewhere on the mannequin bottom of the foot, or on the butt or back, even on the head. Adel Rootstein mannequin with name model number stamped on the head There are a few other factors that can drive up the price of a used mannequin. Since the majority of mannequins in retail stores are in a standing position, a mannequin that is in a seated, reclining or athletic pose is highly sought after and the demand outstrips the supply. When these mannequins are no longer in production it increases the value of used ones. Another mannequin company, Ralph Pucci, commissions well known artists and designers such as Maira Kalman, Jeffrey Fulvimari and Anna Sui to design a line of mannequins for them. Since these mannequins are popular as art pieces in addition to being a vehicle to display clothing, they can sell close to their original price of $1,100. by Anna Sui Is it worth buying a used mannequin with broken or missing parts? If a used mannequin has all its parts, but they are broken or damaged, a skilled mannequin refurbisher can bring them back to life. If there isn't a mannequin refurbisher in your city, you can find one online and then ship the mannequin part to them. Even if all the fingers on the hand are broken as long as there is at least a stub attached to the wrist there is a good chance that the hand can be repaired by the mannequin refurbisher. But if there are no hands at all, it is extremely difficult to find a replacement hand online. If you are lucky enough to know the name of the manufacturer of the mannequin, you might be able to purchase a hand from them directly if the mannequin is still in production. The reason why it is so hard to find replacement hands is because there is not a universal standard in the device that attaches the hands attach to the arms. Some hands have a round fitting, some are square, some have a keyhole shape and each of these shapes come in different sizes. If you are desperate to for a hand you could saw off the fitting on the hand and then use liquid glue to permanently affix it to the arm. But then you will be unable to remove the hand should you need to put a garment on the mannequin with a tight fitting sleeve. Also keep in mind when looking for a mannequin hand that a mannequin with her hand on her hip will require a different hand position than a mannequin with her arms straight down. I If your mannequin is missing arms you can buy the canvas bendable arms that attach to the mannequin via elastic bands. These arms do not have hands but some customers simulate hands by putting gloves on the arms and stuffing the gloves with paper. Mannequin without arms with bendable arms attached Sometimes the toes of mannequins might be chopped off this is done deliberately to make it easier to put shoes on the mannequin. Frequently the feet on male mannequins are chopped in half for this reason. Many times used mannequins are discounted if they do not have a stand to support them standing upright. Since most female mannequins have their feet in a high heeled position, they cannot stand upright on their own. Even if the mannequin has a flat foot pose and can stand upright on its own, it runs the risk of falling down. If the mannequin has a hole in the bottom of their foot you can have a metal fabricator make one like this one 314254 003 Air Jordan 4 Oreo Black Black Cool Grey It seems Robert Pattinson has long had his eye on Kristen Stewart. In fact, he reportedly took the role offered him in Twilight because he admired the actress. According to a report from Hollywood Life, Rob talked about taking the role of Edward Cullen in the very first Twilight movie back in 2008, and it was clear then that Kristen Stewart caught his eye a couple of reasons. just didn want to make it a teeny movie. I mean, because and that the reason Kristen being in it was like it was my insurance. I mean, she was on a good role of classy jobs. And so I was just thinking when I found out she was doing it, I was like, this isn gonna be a silly movie. Because why would she want to do a silly movie when she was on a roll, he explained. So how did Rob get into his character of Edward Cullen opposite the very lovely Bella Swan? Did Kristen Stewart play a role in that development, too? wasn really one of those parts where you could put on the coat or put on the shoes, and you kind of feel different. I didn really feel any different. And it worried me. But a lot of the stuff which works was just not didn talk to any of the cast about anything other than the film for at least a month and a half of the shoot. And it creates a strange aura around you, and people don really know what to make of you, he said. From its inception, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and the chemistry they sparked on and off set made Twilight a huge success. They will no doubt continue to do so right through the very end of Breaking Dawn Part 2. Did you realize that Rob was familiar with Kristen talent and beauty prior to meeting her on the Twilight set? Hopefully that chemistry has come full circle and Rob will stand beside the girl who sparked his interest in Edward Cullen as the film series comes to a close.
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