AORTA News: January 19th, 2026
Upcoming Local Races
Feb 7th: KD Shamrock 5K
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM (5K)
Where: TBD
Fee: $35
Description: The Sigma Lambda chapter of Kappa Delta at Auburn University will host its 31th Annual Shamrock 5k Run to raise money for Prevent Child Abuse America and to locally support Special Deliveries of Lee County. Kappa Delta will host its 5k run on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The Shamrock Project is a national Kappa Delta program, that both collegian and alumnae support, to raise money for the national and local child abuse prevention organizations.
Feb 28-Mar 01: War Eagle Run Fest
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 (5K), 10:00 (1-Mile)
Sunday, March 01, 2026
Time: 7:00 (Half-Marathon
Where: AU Campus, Auburn, AL
Fee: $90 (Half), $35 (5K), $20 (1-Mile)
** Prices increase after Jan 5th midnight!
Description: FRESHJUNKIE Racing, in conjunction with Auburn-Opelika Tourism and Auburn University are proud to present the 5th Annual War Eagle Run Fest. After gathering your commemorative medal, join us outside the stadium for our post-race tailgate and enjoy the music and food that Auburn fans have come to love with a little cajun twist this year. Whether you are staff, student, alumni or just a fan, join us and be a part of the War Eagle Run Fest.
Mar 21st: Alpha Chi Omega 5K For DVA
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM
Where: AU Student Center Green Space
Fee: $30
Description: Epsilon Zeta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Auburn University is hosting the 5k for DVA Race for the promotion of awareness, education and prevention of domestic violence. AXΩ is happy to share an event full of community spirit, integrity and fun that students of Auburn and members of the local community can participate in and look forward to. 100% of proceeds from the event will be donated to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika.
Sign Up for AORTA’s 600 or 1200 Mile Club Today!
1200 Mile Club
In addition to logging 1200 miles during the calendar year, members of the 1200 Mile Club must be paid members of AORTA, volunteer for at least THREE (3) AORTA supported races, and volunteer to cover at least THREE (3) Saturday morning AORTA water stops during the calendar year.
600 Mile Club
In addition to logging 600 miles during the calendar year, members of the 600 Mile Club must be paid members of AORTA, volunteer for at least TWO (2) AORTA supported races, and volunteer to cover at least TWO (2) Saturday morning AORTA water stop during the calendar year.
Link to 600/1200 Mile Club Signup
Interested? Email aortarunningclub@gmail.com to learn more!
Have Gently Worn Running Shoes?
Are your running shoes past their useful running life? Most are normally good for 300 to 500 miles but can still have a lot of “sole” left in them! If yours are ready for retirement, bring your gently used running shoes to Love2Run, our local running partner store, where they’ll collect them for a fantastic organization called “Sneakers4Good”, a social enterprise that ships them to developing nations for micro-entrepreneurs.
When you bring them, please check for the following:
1) Gently worn means they are clean in usable condition and have no holes.
2) Soles are intact and not too worn, cracked, or breaking apart.
3) Laces intact, in good condition, not frayed, and tied together.
Weekly Whimsy
7 Signs That You Are Overtrained
November 24, 2025, Running State
** Summarized Article **
What Overtraining Is
Overtraining happens when your training stress outweighs your recovery. It’s not from one tough workout, but from chronic high mileage/intensity combined with too little rest, life stress, or poor recovery. Instead of fitness gains, your performance plateaus or worsens.
Here are some clear signs your body might be telling you to take rest.
1. Persistent fatigue — You feel tired even after rest days and easy weeks.
2. Declining performance — Runs feel harder, times slow, and workouts feel like a grind.
3. Elevated resting heart rate — Especially first thing in the morning, your heart rate stays higher than normal.
4. Mood changes — Increased irritability, anxiety, or loss of enthusiasm for running.
5. More sickness/injury — Frequent colds, inflammation, and nagging injuries suggest under-recovery.
6. Sleep problems — Difficulty falling or staying asleep despite exhaustion.
7. Appetite disruption — You may lose your appetite or experience strong junk food cravings.
How to Avoid Overtraining
- Build regular rest days into your plan.
- Watch total stress load (training + life).
- Track signals like resting heart rate, sleep, mood, and appetite.
- Don’t ignore early warning signs.
- Eat enough to support recovery.
Bottom line: Overtraining is your body signaling that recovery isn’t keeping up with stress. Recognizing the signs early lets you adjust your training before burnout or injury sets in.
https://www.runningstate.com/signs-that-you-are-overtrained/
Link to full article: https://tinyurl.com/ypddhz66
Quote of the Week
Run with your heart instead of with your mind.
When you think with your mind,
you think of the things you can and can’t do.
But when you run with your heart,
you forget about what you can’t do,
and you just go out and do it.
RUN
Anonymous
Video of the Week
It Took Me 20 Years To Learn What I’ll Tell You In 3 Minutes (3:23)
What 20 years of trail running taught me — distilled into a few simple lessons.
** AORTA provides this informational video to its members as a courtesy and does not endorse any particular product, process, or service.
Ongoing Events
RunGo For Turn-By-Turn Directions!
RunGo provides turn-by-turn navigation allowing you to just enjoy your runs without having to think about looking for street names and when you may have to turn next. Other great features include, audio cues with your running stats, split updates, the ability to share your runs via social media, and create new routes. Another great feature of the app is the ability to work offline. You can create and download your routes ahead of time, before your run so you don’t have to use data during your run.
Race Volunteers Needed!
As a runner, we know your time is valuable. But if you have a couple hours to spare, we could use your help for one of the upcoming AORTA supported or directed races! Assisting at a local race is a fun and rewarding experience. You are surrounded by health conscious individuals that, like you, are motivated fitness enthusiasts and appreciate the effort of volunteers.
Water Stop Volunteers Needed
Water stop signs and coolers are available at the following location: 1536 Professional Parkway, Auburn, AL. (Thank you Adahli Massey!). Coolers and signs can be picked up Monday-Thursday from 8AM-4PM and on Fridays from 8AM-12 noon. Items are in the room next to the back door. If you are unable to pick up supplies on these dates/times, e-mail clemster@aol.com to make alternative arrangements (we deliver!).
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