Khannouchi Coming Back at 39!

A lot of my problems have come from the leg [length] discrepancy that I have. There is a centimeter [of difference] between my right leg and my left leg. -former marathon world record holder Khalid Khannouchi who has had a string of injuries and finally foot surgery. -competitor.com

At 39, I wouldn't bet against him running 2:10 or so this fall if he can remain healthy.

Hal Higdon- A Running Legend

The first time I met Hal Higdon, I was a graduate student at Ball State University. Higdon was part of an ongoing study on aging and it's effects on human performance. Since the late 60s', Dr. David Costill had been collecting data on a small group of runners, and Higdon was back for a check-up.

Higdon, who finished 5th in the 1964 Boston Marathon and made 8 Olympic Trials appearances, was an amazing specimen. Back in those days we used a 3 lead electrocardiogram to monitor the heart's response during treadmill tests, and when we hooked him up, I was shocked to see his resting heart rate in the low to mid 30s (he says he's been as low as 30 beats per minute).

Years later I met Higdon again, this time in Australia at the World Masters Athletics Championships. He was in the middle of a quest- running 7 marathons in 7 months in the year of his 70th birthday.

Today Higdon is one of the most recognized authors of running books on the planet. He's written 35 books and countless articles and columns on running. His most recent work is a novel appropriately called Marathon.

If you are looking for a training plan to prepare for your next race, you need go no further than halhigdon.com. From beginner to ultra-marathoner, Higdon has a plan.

Do Magnets Have Healing Powers?

Go to a race in Japan and you'll find runners with small magnetic discs pasted all over their quad, hamstrings, and calf muscles.  Do they help performance?  I have no idea.

Searching the Internet, I've found a few articles that appear to support the theory that magnetic therapy can enhance healing.

"In fact, knee pain was down by 46% in the magnet-therapy group, versus just 8% among the placebo subjects"  -sportsinjurybulletin.com.   In this particular study, researchers used a Jacobson Reasonator, a device (not available commercially) inventor Dr. Jerry Jacobson is claiming has potential to treat a number of chronic conditions including Parkinson's, diabetes, chronic pain, and who knows what else?

Of interest to me was this:  "The best results were achieved with reduction in subjective pain in the heel spur syndrome category. 57.2% of all test persons in this category treated with magnetized pads expressed significant relief of symptoms."  -Therion Professional Magnet Products

Another group is using a hand held single pulse unit to treat migraines:  "In their experiments, the group members learned that the magnetic device was effective in completely annihilating migraines in about 40 percent of test patients"  - Softpedia

How does it work?  According to the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, there are 2 theories- When magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, the nerves in that area are stimulated, thus releasing the body's natural painkillers. The other theory maintains that when magnets are applied to a painful area of the body, all the cells in that area react to increase blood circulation, ion exchange, and oxygen flow to the area. Magnetic fields attract and repel charged particles in the bloodstream, increasing blood flow and producing heat

Skeptics abound.  Looking up magnet therapy on wikipeda, other than possibly providing some relief from osteoarthritis, there is no evidence that magnets have healing powers .

Clearly some people are convinced that magnetic therapy, in one form or another, has potential for treating a number of ailments. Americans spent $300 million last year on magnetic healing products.

For more information on different magnet products that are available go to Dave's Running and Fitness Store

Running Myths!

Periodically I scan the World Famous Message Boards on the popular running website Letsrun.com.  Recently one titled "What are some of the biggest running myths" caught my interest.

My favorite running myths:

You should always breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Runners with longer legs have an advantage.

Electrolyte replacement during a marathon somehow eliminates cramps, prevents hyponatremia, and improves performance.

You can freeze your lungs running in winter.

You'll catch a cold running in wet, cold weather.

Expensive shoes will reduce injuries.

Stretching prevents soreness.

Running will ruin your knees.

Your body switches over to burning fat after 30 minutes.

 

Running Boot Camps Are Here!

"..there are three typical mistakes that many runners make: They are too weak in their hips, too stiff in their ankles, and they ignore core strength, which all can lead to injuries and inefficient running" - Running Boot Camp Instructor Brian Lawler   Ashville Citizen Times

MY COMMENT:  Lawler is right- taking care of the neglected areas of conditioning should make you a less injury prone, and maybe a faster runner.  No better way to motivate yourself and learn proper drills, etc than Running Boot Camp!

Free Running-Advice by Joe English

 I haven't watched them all, but coach Joe English along with Dean Herbert have posted a series of informative 10-minute videos addressing a number of running, training, and racing issues at Running-Advice.com . 

Running Form and Technique
Marathon Pacing
Figuring Out Your Pace
Goal-Paced Workouts
Quality vs Quantity Debate
Breathing
...and so on.

From what I've watched, EVERY runner could pick up tips from this site.   Thanks to Coach Joe and Dean for sharing! 

Poor Air Quality May Affect Women Runners More Than Men

Poor air quality apparently affects the running times of women in marathons, according to a study by Virginia Tech civil and environmental engineer Linsey Marr.   Eureka Alert

MY COMMENT:  I'm not sure there is anything you can do about this other than be more cautious when racing in a major city under conditons with poor air quality, especially those who are prone to asthma.