August 2026
August Running
August running is great fun. Some heat, and nice long periods of daylight continue.
We still have nearly 2 months of TRAINING RUNS before the Fox Cities Marathon. Saturday mornings at 7 am at Telulah Park. They have been well attended and are a great way to build up our miles and endurance. Come join us. And if you have not registered yet for one of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon events, what are you waiting for? Register here. Check out the fun new design for shirts and medals for this 35-year anniversary event.
And if you have not seen this recent article about longtime Pacesetters member Gloria West and how she was able to get the Fox Cities Marathon started 35 years ago, check it out here.
FUN RUNS
The second Wednesday at 6 pm in the evening of each month during our spring, summer and fall months, the Pacesetters host a Fun Run. There is either a 5k or 10k route (approximately) to choose from at a different location each month. With food, drink and good conversation afterwards.
- August 12 - Telulah Park, Appleton
- September 9 -
Jefferson Park, Menasha(location TBA) - October 14 - Harley Davidson, Greenville
Pacesetters Scholarships
Were you aware that the Pacesetters have been awarding college scholarships to top area high school cross country and track athletes? Fox Valley high school coaches reach out to their athletes and have them submit reasons why they should be considered for a scholarship. We then review all applications and award $500 scholarships for those we deem most qualified.
For 2026, our committee reviewed 26 applicants. It was a difficult decision to determine who we felt was most qualified based on the information submitted. Scholarships were awarded to the following students:
We have now added one scholarship to be awarded to a Pacesetters family member, whether it be their child, grandchild, etc., and that was awarded to Jackson Holzheu.
New Record for Mile
Scottish middle-distance runner Josh Kerr became the fastest man in world history over four laps this past month, clocking 3:42.66 to break a world record set 27 years ago. That's maintaining a pace of 16.17 MPH for one mile.
Wildfire Smoke
Yes summertime is great, but unfortunately it also produces wildfires. Heat and drought can make our forests combustible, and a strike of lightning later, poof, we have a wildfire burning. As runners, spending extended amounts of our time outdoors, inhaling heavily at times, we need to be conscious of this potentially serious condition.
An uncontrolled wildfire can consume nearly everything in it's path. Things like automobiles and houses. Just think for a moment about everything released into the air as fire burns through tires and rusty metals. More than 1,000 toxins have been identified in wildfire smoke. Like a giant toxic soup of particles and gases. That smoke attacks our bodies immediately, spiking asthma cases with increased ambulance runs within hours, and swamps emergency departments in a day or so with people suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular and lung issues, as well as mental health issues.
Most of the largest particles in wildfire smoke falls close to where the blaze is burning, while the smallest particles, the ones that do the most damage, travel the farthest. With the wildfires hundreds of miles away from us, those tiny particles are the ones being swept to our area. Those particles can more easily get past our body's natural protection, mainly our nose hairs and mucus. Especially when exerting, when we may be inhaling through our unfiltering mouths and are taking in more air. At least 10 times more polluted air than a person at rest.
Smoke also harms pregnant women, increasing the risk of premature births and babies that could have breathing problems the rest of their lives. And there are long-term risks to some cancers and dementia due to prolonged smoke exposure.
But us runners are elite athletes, so we don't need to worry about this? Well even in individuals that don't have asthma, the air can be so irritating that you could have difficulty with your respiratory system regardless, whether it's coughing, chest tightness, sore throat, or headache. It's a natural response from our body's immune defense system. And here is a staggering statistic for you: between 2006 and 2020 in the Lower 48 states, an average of 24,100 people have died annually due to long term exposure to tiny smoke particles.
So during these smoky times, please consider running inside, whether on a treadmill or around an indoor track. Be aware of the AQI level wherever you may be. If it is over 150, it's best to take your run indoors. In July, our AQI here not only moved from Unhealthy (150) to the Hazardous level (300), but at times had been double that level. That's when running outdoors goes from not ideal to don't be an idiot.
August Protein Bites Recipe
We continue our tasty and healthy monthly recipes for Protein Bites as submitted by Pacesetters President Cyndi Faulkner:
Peach Protein Bites
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 ripe peaches, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 2 Tbspn honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- Combine rolled oats and vanilla protein powder in a large bowl
- Add diced peaches, almond butter, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly all together, until a sticky dough forms
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls with your hands
- Roll each ball in chopped almonds to coat
- Place on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate 30 minutes to set
- Enjoy!!