After another successful Resolution 5K on Friday, it’s time to move forward into 2016. For those of you with your own resolutions on your mind, there are several options coming up soon that may fit your schedule. The 33^rd Annual Novant Health Winter Flight 8K is right around the corner. And for once, I am battling a nagging injury.

Two things to put on your resolution list are available soon. For those of you who are ready to take the plunge and learn how to run, the first Beginning Runners Class of the year starts on Monday, Jan. 11, at First Methodist Church in Salisbury. Eight weekly meetings on Monday nights at 5:45 p.m. include 30 minutes of classroom time and then some time on the streets. The entry fee of $65 includes group and individual instruction, a dri-fit training shirt and entry into a 5K race in April.

Novant Health, Salisbury Parks and Recreation and the Salisbury Rowan Runners partner to provide multiple beginning runners classes in the Rowan area throughout the year. Attendees will hear from a series of professionals on shoes and equipment, nutrition, stretching and strengthening, injury prevention, safety and more. There is space for a large class, but to hold a place or to ask questions, call 704-310-6741 or 704-202-6601. Additional information is at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

The South Rowan YMCA is offering a nutrition class that is open to anyone, YMCA members or not, on Jan. 11. Novant Health will present Kristen Shaben, registered dietician and health coach, as she discusses how to mix exercise and healthy eating for a diet-free New Year. Shaben will include tips for healthy eating on the go and simple energy tips while shifting the focus from weight to well-being. The class is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 704-857-7011 to hold a spot. There is no charge to attend.

Salisbury and Rowan’s oldest and most prestigious running event is the Novant Health Winter Flight 8K. This year’s 33^rd annual event is set for Jan. 31 at Catawba College at 2 p.m. Winter Flight is the fourth oldest race of any distance and the oldest 8K (4.97 miles) in North Carolina. The race is the 8K North Carolina Championship and is on the Running Journal Grand Prix, a year-long series of some of the most historic races in the Southeast. 

While Olympians and Olympic Trials athletes have regularly competed here and held all the previous records, Kenyan Eliud “Heldy” Ngetich blazed to a new men’s course record last year. He took down a record that had stood for more than 20 years and had been previously considered unbreakable. Our hopes are that Ngetich will return, and we already have a commitment from perennial winner Molly Nunn of Winston-Salem.  Several other interesting and well known runners may attend. With Winter Flight’s status as one of the oldest and most competitive races in the southeast, runners from as many as five or six other states are expected.

While Winter Flight is known for its high profile runners, it is also often described as the people’s race. For many who want to move up from racing the 5K distance, the 8K is the best next step. The same thing for just being a part of an exciting event where the local runner can see and talk with some of the best and most accomplished athletes to compete in Salisbury. I always thought it was cool to line up in a race where famous runners were also participating. For some reason, I never got to drive a race car beside Dale Earnhardt or play baseball with the Yankees, though I am pretty sure they had some interest. While generally very focused before the starting gun, you will find the top runners to be some of the nicest people that are very willing to talk afterwards. Ngetich, now living in New York City, stole the hearts of our local runners last year and probably had more photos taken than at any race all year. He said, “I was treated so well in Salisbury. If there is any way that I can come back, I will.”

I will have much more on Winter Flight 2016 in the next few weeks. Remember that we have a 5K for walkers, too. Find a printable brochure and more information at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

As I write this, I am still experiencing some discomfort from an inflamed sciatic nerve.  That is one of the injuries that can severely limit a runner and it is hard for me to miss my daily running. Somehow the sciatic nerve which passes through the lower spine and then runs down the leg all the way to the ankle becomes angry because the lower back gets out of place slightly.

I had this same injury back in 2006, and it took me down to a stride that had me dragging the bad leg. Sciatica is also the injury that makes sitting for a long time, especially in a car, very uncomfortable. Treatment includes chiropractic adjustments, stretching, icing and limited running until healed. I had great success using these same treatments with Dr. Andy Jeter at Jeter Chiropractic in 2006 and I am back at it again with him. I’m getting better more slowly than I hoped, but injuries are a part of regular activity. I’ll do a column soon on some of the most common.

See you next week, when hopefully I will be back on the road and find you already there!