Houston’s “Running Mecca” Memorial Park Gets A Facelift Full of History

Do you really know Houston’s most famous place to run, Memorial Park and why it’s called Memorial Park?  

Houston runners know it as the 2.87-mile loop (now 3.0 miles with the addition of the Eastern Glades). For many of us runners in this city, it would be hard to count how many miles and gallons of sweat we have logged along it’s more kind, crushed granite trails.

A closer look going back to Houston’s history shows a land mass twice the size of New York City’s Central Park with more daily usage and runners than New York’s famous park.  Going back in time Memorial Park has been home to Native Americans, an orchard, grazing land, a logging operation and a military base for 34,000 soldiers who served in WW1 and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Camp Logan used a huge portion of what we now run and play golf on as a training ground for soldiers before they headed off to war in Europe, many bravely dying while fighting for our country. And there lies the rest of the story and the “Memorial” that Memorial Park is named after. 

New breathtaking plans will breath new life into the park and remind Houstonians of it’s rich history.  For a rundown of future park developments and what the newly designed park will look like, check out this Houston Chronicle article or view the 18-minute video above. The future looks bright with even more miles to run and bike on.

Jan 2021 Update: If you have run at the park lately you have seen things really moving with this project. The Eastern Glades & Hines Lake project is now completed with work starting on the next “living bridge” project.  The landscape is changing almost daily with much of the next phase targeted for completion by 2022. 

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Jump Start Your Marathon/Half Training

by Coach Michael Merlino, In Flight Running

Spring break has come and gone and for those who plan on running a marathon or half marathon this fall or winter, it is not too early to get things into motion. In Flight Running starts our official group training program on May 27th for both fall and winter marathoners.

We start training earlier than many in Houston because we have found that 1) Most runners need more time to knock the cobwebs off after last season and 2) Beginners need more time to build a base before ratcheting up miles to get them race ready 3) Fall marathoners (Chicago, New York, DC Marine Corps etc.) just don’t have as much time to train up for their races.

Between now and the start of the marathon training season there are a few things you need to do now to get back into that marathon training mindset, reduce your risk of injury and start building or amping up your running base. Here is a quick list of things you need to do now:

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Fundraising 101 – Achieving A Fundraising PR

By Coach Larry DeSpain - Snowdrop Foundation

larry despain bling for bravery

More and more charities are becoming involved with various running events.  Runners are given the opportunity to raise funds for these charities, but there are usually requirements for the minimum amount to be raised by individuals.

Typically these minimums are between $300 and $1,000 but can be more depending on the terms of the fundraising agreement. Many runners are skeptical that they are capable of raising the amounts requested, but with a little planning and effort, these amounts can be reached and easily exceeded! Here are a few tips that I have used successfully to solicit donations for my charities:

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The Best 6 Minute Explanation of Running Form

By world reknown running & triathlete Coach Bobby McGee

The video by world class running and triathlete coach Bobby McGee, IMO is the best 6-minute explanation of proper running form know to mankind! Coach McGee illustrates the fundamentals of proper running gait including:

  • The forward lean needed to make the most out of your momentum
  • Generating power from the hips and pelvis
  • Planting your feet squarely under your hips or center of gravity
  • Optimal arm motion and speed
  • Proper foot positioning & ground contact.

Play this video back a few times, key in on the elements of proper form and put these recommendations into play today.  You should see some major improvement in your running. Small things add up and Bobby does a great job of covering exactly how efficient running form should look like.

And if you need help fine tuning your own running gait check out our video gait analysis service here.  Whether you live in the Houston Texas area or anyway in the world, we can give you a professional video assessment of your gait from 3 angles (side, front and rear positions) along with recommendations on improving it.

If you live in the Houston area, Coach Michael meets you at a local high school track and personally shoots your video footage. If you live outside of Houston we email you guidelines on shooting your own footage from a tripod so you can forward it to him for assessment.  We’ve done hundreds of video gait assessments and most runners come away with form recommendations that help them improve right away or solve their running injury problems.  

Contact us at info@inflightrunning or text or call us at 832-619-9280 if you have questions about our running gait analysis service.

Purchase Your Gait Assessment Here

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Chronic Knee Pain In The Runner

by Podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Ross, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.

At one point or another, runners eventually ask the question, “Will all that running eventually hurt my knees and cause arthritis so I’ll never be able to run again?”

The answer is usually no!

When knee pain is ignored, permanent, even crippling damage may occur. By seeking early expert advice and following corrective measures, however, knee pain can often be eliminated without continuous injury.

Proper biomechanical evaluation of the knee, lower extremity and foot can draw attention to the underlying cause of a knee problem. Overuse training, running on unrelenting road surfaces and wearing improper or worn-out shoes are a few possible contributing factors.

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