Ever hear of "the wet test"? From this photo,taken in the Himalayans, it looks like "yeti", otherwise known as Bigfoot needs a straight lasted running shoe. This print is only 8" so maybe it's a young one. yahoo.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Bigfoot has Flat Feet
Ever hear of "the wet test"? From this photo,taken in the Himalayans, it looks like "yeti", otherwise known as Bigfoot needs a straight lasted running shoe. This print is only 8" so maybe it's a young one. yahoo.com
Monday, October 20, 2008
Marathon Training Programs by Hal Higdon
Need a progressive plan to follow to prepare for your next marathon? Go no further than halhigdon.com
His variations include options for novice, intermediate , advanced. For a small fee you can sign up for one of his Interactive Training Programs
He also offers other training programs such as 5K, 10K, 10 mile, and half marathon.
Books by Hal Higdon
His variations include options for novice, intermediate , advanced. For a small fee you can sign up for one of his Interactive Training Programs
He also offers other training programs such as 5K, 10K, 10 mile, and half marathon.
Books by Hal Higdon
Sunday, October 19, 2008
This is More Than Just a Great Running Book!
Check out Dick Beardsley's website for more details on this great story. Dick is a fabulous motivational speaker for any of you race directors out there looking for a key noter. His 2008 calendar lists 66 appearances and speaking engagements!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Favorite Running Quotes from 72 Olympic Marathon Champion Frank Shorter
"You don't run 26 miles at five minutes a mile on good looks and a secret recipe."
"Because running fast is more fun than running slow."
"Hills are speedwork in disguise."
"I think the secret of my light, quick, foot strike is related to the fact that I have fragile feet."
"When I am totally race fit, I don't worry about breathing or technique - they take care of themselves."
"Again, racing for me was about energy management."
Are you Frank Shorter? "No, but I used to be."
Friday, October 17, 2008
Water Plus Glycerol Before Your Next Marathon- maybe
Pre-exercise hyperhydration delays dehydration and improves endurance capacity during 2 h of cycling in a temperate climate.
This study demonstrated that drinking water with glycerol prior to endurance exercise "improved peak power output and time to exhaustion by 5 and 14%, respectively." (glycerol helps the body retain water)
Note: During pre-exercise hyperhydration subjects ingested 1776 + or - 102 ml of fluid, together with 82.0 + or - 4.7 g of glycerol. That's 60 oz (just under 1/2 gallon!) given during 80 minutes pre exercise- who does that?? I know what you are thinking- One subject out six total had to urinate during the hyperhydration trial.
Authors conclude that pre-exercise hyperhydration improves endurance capacity and peak power output and decreases heart rate and thirst sensation, but does not reduce rectal temperature during 2 h of moderate to intense cycling in a moderate environment when fluid consumption is 33% of sweat losses
Another good question - what happens when you hyperhydrate without glycerol?
Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Vol. 27 (2008) , No. 5 pp.263-271
This study demonstrated that drinking water with glycerol prior to endurance exercise "improved peak power output and time to exhaustion by 5 and 14%, respectively." (glycerol helps the body retain water)
Note: During pre-exercise hyperhydration subjects ingested 1776 + or - 102 ml of fluid, together with 82.0 + or - 4.7 g of glycerol. That's 60 oz (just under 1/2 gallon!) given during 80 minutes pre exercise- who does that?? I know what you are thinking- One subject out six total had to urinate during the hyperhydration trial.
Authors conclude that pre-exercise hyperhydration improves endurance capacity and peak power output and decreases heart rate and thirst sensation, but does not reduce rectal temperature during 2 h of moderate to intense cycling in a moderate environment when fluid consumption is 33% of sweat losses
Another good question - what happens when you hyperhydrate without glycerol?
Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Vol. 27 (2008) , No. 5 pp.263-271
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Marathon Calendars
Researching which marathon to run? Here are some popular websites featuring comprehensive marathon calendars.
marathonguide.com
race360.com
marathonrookie.com
42k195.om
marathonplanet.com
knowwheretorun.com
Association of International Marathon and Distance Races (AIMS)
marathonguide.com
race360.com
marathonrookie.com
42k195.om
marathonplanet.com
knowwheretorun.com
Association of International Marathon and Distance Races (AIMS)
Marathon Popularity Exploding!
You know marathons are becoming popular when the inaugural San Antonio Rock & Roll, scheduled for Nov 19- sells out with a limit of 30,000! How about 70 live bands performing on the course?
At the Las Vegas Marathon, last year 207 participants did their best Elvis impersonation (I doubt marathon running was ever at the top of Elvis's to do list) . This is probably the only race that features a "run through wedding chapel".
Regardless, (Peter Englehart, CEO of Competitor Group) said he is confident the event (despite financial trouble) has a bright future and in due time could rival his company's biggest ventures: the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon, which drew 31,000 entrants in January for its full and half-marathon; the Country Music Marathon, which also drew 31,000 for full and half-marathons in April in Nashville, Tenn.; and the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon, which netted 22,000 in June for its full marathon.
The Las Vegas event (Dec 9), which has a full and half-marathon, attracted approximately 17,000 entrants last year.- -reviewjournal.com
"Our event (New York City Marathon Nov 12) has the most worldwide TV viewers of any sport," says Crandall, who says some broadcasts of the race garner some 312 million viewers worldwide -mediapost.com. According to the website, New York receives 100,000 applicants
Last year, 20,674 finished The Marine Corps Marathon (this year the race is set for Oct 26). Check out their surprising list of famous finishers!
At the Las Vegas Marathon, last year 207 participants did their best Elvis impersonation (I doubt marathon running was ever at the top of Elvis's to do list) . This is probably the only race that features a "run through wedding chapel".
Regardless, (Peter Englehart, CEO of Competitor Group) said he is confident the event (despite financial trouble) has a bright future and in due time could rival his company's biggest ventures: the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon, which drew 31,000 entrants in January for its full and half-marathon; the Country Music Marathon, which also drew 31,000 for full and half-marathons in April in Nashville, Tenn.; and the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon, which netted 22,000 in June for its full marathon.
The Las Vegas event (Dec 9), which has a full and half-marathon, attracted approximately 17,000 entrants last year.- -reviewjournal.com
"Our event (New York City Marathon Nov 12) has the most worldwide TV viewers of any sport," says Crandall, who says some broadcasts of the race garner some 312 million viewers worldwide -mediapost.com. According to the website, New York receives 100,000 applicants
Last year, 20,674 finished The Marine Corps Marathon (this year the race is set for Oct 26). Check out their surprising list of famous finishers!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Another Marathon World Record!
Betty Jean McHugh set a world record Sunday at the 29th Royal Victoria Marathon -- and that's not even the most interesting part of her story.
She ran for four hours, 36 minutes and 52 seconds, and pushed through the finish line to loud cheers from the crowd and the booming voice of the announcer. The real kicker? She's 80 years old. -marathonguide.com
She ran for four hours, 36 minutes and 52 seconds, and pushed through the finish line to loud cheers from the crowd and the booming voice of the announcer. The real kicker? She's 80 years old. -marathonguide.com
Does Cycling Improve Running?
I don't have any direct evidence, but if I had to guess I doubt any of the African distance runners that dominate distance running today do very little if any cycling.
That does not mean, however, that cycling can't help your running and that you should not use it.
Former Olympian Ed Eyestone published a study in 1993 that is summarized as follows:
This study compared water running, cycling, and running for maintaining VO2max and 2-mile run performance over a 6-week training period. Thirty-two trained subjects between the ages of 18 and 26 were evaluated for maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 2-mile run performance. Subjects were stratified by a 2-mile run pretest into high, medium, and low performance levels and then randomly assigned to water running, cycling, or running training. The three groups trained with similar frequency, duration, and intensity over a 6-week period. After 6 weeks of training, all of the groups made a small but statistically significant decrease in fitness (VO2max), but no change in 2-mile run time. However, there were no differences with respect to either training modality or pretraining performance level. It was concluded that over a 6-week period, runners who cannot run because of soft tissue injury can maintain VO2max and 2-mile run performance similar to running training with either cycling or water running.
This means that least on the short term, you can maintain good running fitness through cycling.
Besides the obvious (increasing quad strength, higher VO2, building aerobic enzyme activity) I've found that by focusing on pedaling technique, cycling is a good way to increase ankle flexibility and range of motion. According to Better Training for Distance Runners by David Martin and Peter Coe, "ankle flexibility seems best displayed...by African runners, particularly those who ran barefoot as children." Pedals with clips allow greater use of ankles than you get running, and it makes sense that ankle flexibility can help runners generate additional force at push-off.
Uphill high intensity intervals and easy spinning recovery rides are 2 examples of how you can use cycling to improve running. I'd plan to use cycling to replace easy run days, or as a second workout- going easy if you ran hard, or hard if you ran easy. Pretty simple.
Check out this article by Brendon Walters that cycled across the country and followed up with a 16 minute PR in a marathon on only 1 month of run training.
That does not mean, however, that cycling can't help your running and that you should not use it.
Former Olympian Ed Eyestone published a study in 1993 that is summarized as follows:
This study compared water running, cycling, and running for maintaining VO2max and 2-mile run performance over a 6-week training period. Thirty-two trained subjects between the ages of 18 and 26 were evaluated for maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 2-mile run performance. Subjects were stratified by a 2-mile run pretest into high, medium, and low performance levels and then randomly assigned to water running, cycling, or running training. The three groups trained with similar frequency, duration, and intensity over a 6-week period. After 6 weeks of training, all of the groups made a small but statistically significant decrease in fitness (VO2max), but no change in 2-mile run time. However, there were no differences with respect to either training modality or pretraining performance level. It was concluded that over a 6-week period, runners who cannot run because of soft tissue injury can maintain VO2max and 2-mile run performance similar to running training with either cycling or water running.
This means that least on the short term, you can maintain good running fitness through cycling.
Besides the obvious (increasing quad strength, higher VO2, building aerobic enzyme activity) I've found that by focusing on pedaling technique, cycling is a good way to increase ankle flexibility and range of motion. According to Better Training for Distance Runners by David Martin and Peter Coe, "ankle flexibility seems best displayed...by African runners, particularly those who ran barefoot as children." Pedals with clips allow greater use of ankles than you get running, and it makes sense that ankle flexibility can help runners generate additional force at push-off.
Uphill high intensity intervals and easy spinning recovery rides are 2 examples of how you can use cycling to improve running. I'd plan to use cycling to replace easy run days, or as a second workout- going easy if you ran hard, or hard if you ran easy. Pretty simple.
Check out this article by Brendon Walters that cycled across the country and followed up with a 16 minute PR in a marathon on only 1 month of run training.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Looking For a Breakthrough
My last 3 marathons have been
3hr 02min-
3hr 03min
3hr 02min
I want to get under 3 again, so it's time to step it up. I've did about 18 miles Saturday and again today- yesterday was an easy 4-5 miles with a 16 mile bike ride in the afternoon.
I'll take an easy day tomorrow and try to come back with a quality interval session on Wed.
Now living in Sequim, WA, I am spending less time on trails but getting much better quality training- faster pace and longer miles.
The final piece, of course, is picking a good race. Right now I am looking at the Seattle Marathon Nov 30.
3hr 02min-
3hr 03min
3hr 02min
I want to get under 3 again, so it's time to step it up. I've did about 18 miles Saturday and again today- yesterday was an easy 4-5 miles with a 16 mile bike ride in the afternoon.
I'll take an easy day tomorrow and try to come back with a quality interval session on Wed.
Now living in Sequim, WA, I am spending less time on trails but getting much better quality training- faster pace and longer miles.
The final piece, of course, is picking a good race. Right now I am looking at the Seattle Marathon Nov 30.
I Wear a Phiten Necklace
Does the Phiten Necklace help? Probably not, but I wear it anyway. These items, along with magnets and various minus ion products, are popular in Japan.
Phiten Products
The necklaces being worn by many Red Sox players and other stars including Johan Santana, Jim Thome and Justin Morneau are called Phiten necklaces. Developed in Japan, the nylon-coated titanium necklaces are intended to promote pain relief and enhance performance through improved circulation and stress reduction. -yahoosports
Read the testimonials on phitenusa.com
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Olympian Jorge Torres Inspires Kids to Run
Great, great inspirational story about Jorge Torres who made the 2008 Olympic Team in the 10,000 meters.
When Torres first started running in middle school, the sport wasn't a passion but just something that got him attention, he said. It was his former coach Greg Fedyski who instilled in him the extra drive and motivation to make it to the top, he said.
After he won his first national cross-country title as a 6th grader, Fedyski told
him two things, Torres recalled: don't get a big head, and write down your goals. Torres sat down in the school gym and wrote down that he wanted to win a couple of state titles. That wasn't good enough for Fedyski.
"He said to me: 'Write down your short-term goals, your long-term goals, and goals beyond your imagination."
So he made the list longer, adding state and national titles at the high school and college levels, and making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. The moral of his story? No goal is beyond reach, he said.
"You never know where you are going to get, what kind of talent you have, and what kinds of things life is going to throw at you," Torres told the students. "You have your whole future ahead of you, and it starts right here. You have to set goals in life -dailyherald.com
When Torres first started running in middle school, the sport wasn't a passion but just something that got him attention, he said. It was his former coach Greg Fedyski who instilled in him the extra drive and motivation to make it to the top, he said.
After he won his first national cross-country title as a 6th grader, Fedyski told
him two things, Torres recalled: don't get a big head, and write down your goals. Torres sat down in the school gym and wrote down that he wanted to win a couple of state titles. That wasn't good enough for Fedyski.
"He said to me: 'Write down your short-term goals, your long-term goals, and goals beyond your imagination."
So he made the list longer, adding state and national titles at the high school and college levels, and making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. The moral of his story? No goal is beyond reach, he said.
"You never know where you are going to get, what kind of talent you have, and what kinds of things life is going to throw at you," Torres told the students. "You have your whole future ahead of you, and it starts right here. You have to set goals in life -dailyherald.com
All-Time Marathon List
Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune recently wrote an article ranking the top 12 marathoners all time. Pretty tough job, comparing different eras-
1. Abebe Bikila, Ethiopia. The only no-brainer choice. By winning at Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964, he began the African era in distance running. He set world records in both victories – the only man since 1920 to set a world marathon record in an Olympics. Bikila won 14 of 15 marathons.
2. Frank Shorter, United States. Won Olympic gold and silver medals. His gold in 1972, when an imposter preceded him onto the track for the finish, attracted such attention it helped spur the jogging boom in the United States. Four-time winner of the prestigious Fukuoka Marathon.
3. Samuel Wanjiru, Kenya. History will tell if I have overrated Wanjiru, but he won the 2008 Olympics in a race may have redefined men’s championship marathoning tactically. Despite temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees for the final three-fourths of the race, the pace was fast from start to finish, and Wanjiru’s winning time of 2:06:32 took nearly three minutes off the 24-year-old Olympic record. It was the first time under 2:08 in any championship marathon. At 21, he is the youngest marathon gold medalist ever. Also won Fukuoka in record time for the 61-year-old race.
4. Mamo Wolde, Ethiopia. Wolde won the 1968 Olympic marathon and, at age 40, won a bronze medal four years later. He also won the first marathon at the All-Africa Games in 1973.
5. Bill Rodgers, United States: "Boston Billy," the waif from Wesleyan, helped popularize the sport with his relentless goodwill and unassuming nature as he won the Boston and New York Marathons four times each from 1975 from 1980, twice setting U.S. records at Boston. The 1980 U.S. Olympic boycott killed his best chance for a medal in the Games (he was 40th in 1976). Won Fukuoka. Ranked world No. 1 three seasons.
6. Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopia. Gebrselassie is the greatest distance runner ever and has set two marathon world records, the latest (2:03:59) a month ago in Berlin. But all his marathon victories except one at Fukuoka have come in races that were essentially time trials. He was 3rd and 9th against strong fields in London, and he chickened out of the marathon at the 2008 Olympics, fearing heat and pollution.
7. Clarence DeMar, United States. Won seven Boston Marathons from 1911 through 1930, setting course records in all but the last, when he was 41 years old. Ran infrequently from 1912 through 1922 because of college and military service. Bronze medal at 1924 Olympics.
8. Waldemar Cierpinski, East Germany. The 1976 and 1980 Olympic marathon champion. Bronze medalist at the 1983 worlds. Since his name was found in secret police doping files after the Berlin Wall fell, it is likely Cierpinski was among the many beneficiaries of his country’s state-sponsored doping program. What is unknown is how many other marathoners worldwide also were doping in an era when it was ridiculously easy to beat testing.
9. Gezahegne Abera, Ethiopia: Olympic champion in 2000 and world champion in 2001. (Only man to win both). Three-time Fukuoka winner. London winner.
10. Stefano Baldini, Italy: Olympic champion (2004) and two European Championship golds. Two World Championship bronzes. Two second places at London.
11. Toshihiko Seko, Japan: Four victories at Fukuoka, two in Boston, one each in Chicago and London, making him the only man to win all four races. Less successful at Olympics, with a 9th and 14th.
12. Pheidippides, Greece. His run over the approximately 24 miles from Marathon to Athens with news of a Greek victory in 490 B.C. was not an unusual jaunt for Greeks of his era, when couriers often ran for days. When the modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896, the inclusion of a race along the approximate route Pheidippides is believed to have run created the mythos of the marathon -- as did the sad fact that he dropped dead after finishing.
MY COMMENTS: Clearly this guy is clueless- if you read some of the comments on the letsrun message board, you'll understand why.
1. Abebe Bikila, Ethiopia. The only no-brainer choice. By winning at Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964, he began the African era in distance running. He set world records in both victories – the only man since 1920 to set a world marathon record in an Olympics. Bikila won 14 of 15 marathons.
2. Frank Shorter, United States. Won Olympic gold and silver medals. His gold in 1972, when an imposter preceded him onto the track for the finish, attracted such attention it helped spur the jogging boom in the United States. Four-time winner of the prestigious Fukuoka Marathon.
3. Samuel Wanjiru, Kenya. History will tell if I have overrated Wanjiru, but he won the 2008 Olympics in a race may have redefined men’s championship marathoning tactically. Despite temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees for the final three-fourths of the race, the pace was fast from start to finish, and Wanjiru’s winning time of 2:06:32 took nearly three minutes off the 24-year-old Olympic record. It was the first time under 2:08 in any championship marathon. At 21, he is the youngest marathon gold medalist ever. Also won Fukuoka in record time for the 61-year-old race.
4. Mamo Wolde, Ethiopia. Wolde won the 1968 Olympic marathon and, at age 40, won a bronze medal four years later. He also won the first marathon at the All-Africa Games in 1973.
5. Bill Rodgers, United States: "Boston Billy," the waif from Wesleyan, helped popularize the sport with his relentless goodwill and unassuming nature as he won the Boston and New York Marathons four times each from 1975 from 1980, twice setting U.S. records at Boston. The 1980 U.S. Olympic boycott killed his best chance for a medal in the Games (he was 40th in 1976). Won Fukuoka. Ranked world No. 1 three seasons.
6. Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopia. Gebrselassie is the greatest distance runner ever and has set two marathon world records, the latest (2:03:59) a month ago in Berlin. But all his marathon victories except one at Fukuoka have come in races that were essentially time trials. He was 3rd and 9th against strong fields in London, and he chickened out of the marathon at the 2008 Olympics, fearing heat and pollution.
7. Clarence DeMar, United States. Won seven Boston Marathons from 1911 through 1930, setting course records in all but the last, when he was 41 years old. Ran infrequently from 1912 through 1922 because of college and military service. Bronze medal at 1924 Olympics.
8. Waldemar Cierpinski, East Germany. The 1976 and 1980 Olympic marathon champion. Bronze medalist at the 1983 worlds. Since his name was found in secret police doping files after the Berlin Wall fell, it is likely Cierpinski was among the many beneficiaries of his country’s state-sponsored doping program. What is unknown is how many other marathoners worldwide also were doping in an era when it was ridiculously easy to beat testing.
9. Gezahegne Abera, Ethiopia: Olympic champion in 2000 and world champion in 2001. (Only man to win both). Three-time Fukuoka winner. London winner.
10. Stefano Baldini, Italy: Olympic champion (2004) and two European Championship golds. Two World Championship bronzes. Two second places at London.
11. Toshihiko Seko, Japan: Four victories at Fukuoka, two in Boston, one each in Chicago and London, making him the only man to win all four races. Less successful at Olympics, with a 9th and 14th.
12. Pheidippides, Greece. His run over the approximately 24 miles from Marathon to Athens with news of a Greek victory in 490 B.C. was not an unusual jaunt for Greeks of his era, when couriers often ran for days. When the modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896, the inclusion of a race along the approximate route Pheidippides is believed to have run created the mythos of the marathon -- as did the sad fact that he dropped dead after finishing.
MY COMMENTS: Clearly this guy is clueless- if you read some of the comments on the letsrun message board, you'll understand why.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
More Thoughts on the Sub 2 Hour Marathon
Using a graph and his own formula, Martin predicts the 2-hour mark will be broken in 2015. Using the same technique, he predicted years ago that a woman would break 2:20 in 2002 — Naoko Takahashi of Japan beat his forecast by four months with a 2:19:46 in September 2001. (Dave Martin is an PhD exercise physiologist and respected marathon expert)
"I don't think the top runners are even talking about it. I've heard physiologists say 2:02 is the limit. Obviously it can come down some more. I don't think 2 hours is happening real soon. But I would not bet money on it." -Bill Rodgers
"I don't think we'll see it in our lifetime or with the human body as we know it. I'm sure they said the same thing about the 4-minute mile. To do it, you are going to have to come within a minute of the world record in the half marathon (58:33, by Wanjiru) and then still have the energy and reserves to do it again. It's inconceivable.
"I don't think there's anyone with that amount of energy or oxygen-carrying capacity." -Alberto Salazar
-usatoday.com
"I don't think the top runners are even talking about it. I've heard physiologists say 2:02 is the limit. Obviously it can come down some more. I don't think 2 hours is happening real soon. But I would not bet money on it." -Bill Rodgers
"I don't think we'll see it in our lifetime or with the human body as we know it. I'm sure they said the same thing about the 4-minute mile. To do it, you are going to have to come within a minute of the world record in the half marathon (58:33, by Wanjiru) and then still have the energy and reserves to do it again. It's inconceivable.
"I don't think there's anyone with that amount of energy or oxygen-carrying capacity." -Alberto Salazar
-usatoday.com
Friday, October 10, 2008
Ironman World Championship in Kona Oct 11! 1 PM EST
Ironman World Championship
Distance:
2.4 mi. swim • 112 mi. bike • 26.2 mi. run
Race Director:
Diana Bertsch
Ironman
74-5599 Alapa Street #1
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: 808 329 0063
Fax: 808 326 2131
Email: kona@ironman.com
Where did Ironman begin?
When a group of Navy Seals started an argument about who was the fittest athlete in 1978, Commander John Collins suggested that the best way to decide would be to combine the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, the Around Oahu Bike Race and the Honolulu Marathon ... whoever finished would be a real Ironman.
Fast-forward 30 years and you have the world's most prestigious one-day endurance event!
Ford Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii-30 years!
Qualified athletes
Athlete tracker
Track the race at Ironmanlive
Distance:
2.4 mi. swim • 112 mi. bike • 26.2 mi. run
Race Director:
Diana Bertsch
Ironman
74-5599 Alapa Street #1
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: 808 329 0063
Fax: 808 326 2131
Email: kona@ironman.com
Where did Ironman begin?
When a group of Navy Seals started an argument about who was the fittest athlete in 1978, Commander John Collins suggested that the best way to decide would be to combine the Waikiki Rough Water Swim, the Around Oahu Bike Race and the Honolulu Marathon ... whoever finished would be a real Ironman.
Fast-forward 30 years and you have the world's most prestigious one-day endurance event!
Ford Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii-30 years!
Qualified athletes
Athlete tracker
Track the race at Ironmanlive
Chicago Marathon This Weekend!
Clip from Spirit of the Marathon featuring the Chicago Marathon
Chicago Marathon website
runnersworld.com
Live Race Coverage:
On the Internet, TV or the radio: Universal Sports ( www.universalsports.com) will have a live marathon Webcast. NBC-Ch. 5 ( www.nbc5.com) kicks off its televised marathon broadcast around 6 a.m. and WSCR-AM 670 The Score ( www.670thescore.com) starts coverage at 7 a.m.
Chicago Marathon website
runnersworld.com
Live Race Coverage:
On the Internet, TV or the radio: Universal Sports ( www.universalsports.com) will have a live marathon Webcast. NBC-Ch. 5 ( www.nbc5.com) kicks off its televised marathon broadcast around 6 a.m. and WSCR-AM 670 The Score ( www.670thescore.com) starts coverage at 7 a.m.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ultra Marathons are Not For Everybody- How About You?
An ultramarathon is any organized footrace extending beyond the standard marathon running distance of 42 kilometers, 195 meters (26 miles, 385 yards). Ultra races typically begin at 50 kilometers and can extend to enormous distances. There is no limit. -ultrunr.com
Other sites-
http://www.run100s.com/
http://www.ultrarunning.com/
Ultramarthon training plan
Other sites-
http://www.run100s.com/
http://www.ultrarunning.com/
Ultramarthon training plan
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
High Blood Sugar Problem Apparently Solved
Jo Pavey believes she has finally seen off the health problems which threatened to prevent her switching from the track to a road-running career.
The Commonwealth 5,000m silver medallist will never forget how she staggered over the line in her half-marathon debut at the Bupa Great North Run in 2006 and needed urgent medical treatment due to high levels of blood sugar.
But after gaining a magnificent third place and personal best time of 68minutes 53seconds behind Gete Wami and Magdalene Mukunzi in Sunday's (1/2 marathon) race, the 35-year-old believes she can fulfil her ambition of moving up to the marathon.
Pavey, whose new confidence is founded on physiological and dietary advice, including eating a tuna sandwich three hours before her race, admits she expects to run a full marathon next year. -from sportinglife.com
MY COMMENT: I've heard of and experienced low blood sugar while running but high? Not unless you are diabetic. I need to research this one some more.
The Commonwealth 5,000m silver medallist will never forget how she staggered over the line in her half-marathon debut at the Bupa Great North Run in 2006 and needed urgent medical treatment due to high levels of blood sugar.
But after gaining a magnificent third place and personal best time of 68minutes 53seconds behind Gete Wami and Magdalene Mukunzi in Sunday's (1/2 marathon) race, the 35-year-old believes she can fulfil her ambition of moving up to the marathon.
Pavey, whose new confidence is founded on physiological and dietary advice, including eating a tuna sandwich three hours before her race, admits she expects to run a full marathon next year. -from sportinglife.com
MY COMMENT: I've heard of and experienced low blood sugar while running but high? Not unless you are diabetic. I need to research this one some more.
Lake Tahoe Marathon Week
Plenty of options to choose from in Lake Tahoe last weekend- full schedule of events here.
photo from greennevada.blogspot.com
You may run, walk, swim, paddle, pedal or swing one or more of the many events during Lake Tahoe Marathon week. Events take place over a 1-5 day stay at Lake Tahoe. The main marathon is run on Sunday starting on Commons Beach in Tahoe City and finishes on Pope Beach near South Lake Tahoe. Marathon Week includes 3 different Marathons as part of the Tahoe Triple. Run them all or pick and choose
Chuck Engle is at it again- winning the Tahoe Triple- 3 full marathons in 3 days.
Day 1: 3:12:36
Day 2: 2:57:15
Day 3: 3:04:36
Tahoe Triple Results
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Marathon Maniacs are Unbelievable!
In the 70s I used to think that 1 or 2 marathons a year was plenty. A month to recover, 4.5 months of hard training, taper, then race again.
Along came Doug Kurtis, a guy who broke new ground in the 80s and 90s by running sub 2 hr 20 min marathons every 3-4 weeks, even into his 40s. I turned 40 in 1993, and ran 2 hr 34 min at the 94 Boston (ok- so it was year of the tailwind). Kurtis won the masters that year in 2 hr 15! I always thought he was some kind of genetic freak to be able to recover that quickly.
Then I heard about the marathon maniacs (marathonmaniacs.com).
If I hadn't met some of the members, I might have a hard time believing they can do what they say.
To be in the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame, you have to do one of the following:
1. 51 marathons in 1 year....FOR 3 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!
2. Run a marathon in all 50 states...3 TIMES!
3. Complete a 100 mile race... 99 TIMES!
3. 333 LIFETIME MARATHONS OR ULTRAS!
Not sure how many are actually in the Maniac Hall of Fame, but I have met one aspiring member- Van Phan is nearing the end of her 3 consecutive years of 51 marathons or ultras. Incredible!
Along came Doug Kurtis, a guy who broke new ground in the 80s and 90s by running sub 2 hr 20 min marathons every 3-4 weeks, even into his 40s. I turned 40 in 1993, and ran 2 hr 34 min at the 94 Boston (ok- so it was year of the tailwind). Kurtis won the masters that year in 2 hr 15! I always thought he was some kind of genetic freak to be able to recover that quickly.
Then I heard about the marathon maniacs (marathonmaniacs.com).
If I hadn't met some of the members, I might have a hard time believing they can do what they say.
To be in the Marathon Maniacs Hall of Fame, you have to do one of the following:
1. 51 marathons in 1 year....FOR 3 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!
2. Run a marathon in all 50 states...3 TIMES!
3. Complete a 100 mile race... 99 TIMES!
3. 333 LIFETIME MARATHONS OR ULTRAS!
Not sure how many are actually in the Maniac Hall of Fame, but I have met one aspiring member- Van Phan is nearing the end of her 3 consecutive years of 51 marathons or ultras. Incredible!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Is a Sub 2 Hour Marathon Possible?
'Without doubt I will see a two-hour marathon in my lifetime,' Bedford, who is 58, says. 'It might be towards the end of my life. It might be another 20 years. But, yes, it will definitely happen.' -David Bedford, former 10K world record holder
Interesting views presented at guardian.co.uk on what it will take to break 2 hours in the marathon- a mind boggling average of 4 min 34.8 seconds per mile (Hallie Gebrselassie averaged 4 min 44 seconds per mile in his recent 2 hr 03 min 59 sec world record run).
How Many Gels Should You Eat in a Marathon?
cranksports.com
We recommend using one or more gels on all of your long runs in preparation for a marathon. Our general rule of thumb is to consume no more than one e-Gel pack every five miles. If you run 6 minute miles, you would consume no more than one every 30 minutes. If you run 12 minute miles you would consume no more than one per hour, etc. However, if you are not able to maintain the recommended hydration plan during the run, then you should reduce your gel intake accordingly.
Hammernutrition.comConsume 1-3 servings per hour (see chart below) along with 16-28 ounces of plain water per hour from a separate source.
Suggested Doses by Body Weight*:
Up to 120 pounds: up to 2 servings/hour
120-155 pounds: up to 2.5 servings/hour
155-190 pounds: up to 3 servings/hour
190+ pounds: up to 3.5 servings/hour
*These are estimated doses. Each athlete should determine in training, under a variety of conditions, their personal optimum.
Marathon Gel & Calorie Calculator I plugged in my numbers and the calculator recommended the first gel at 9 miles, then every 6 miles after.
runnersworld.com article titled "Carbs on the Run"
Jackie Dikos, R.D., a consultant dietitian who heads Nutrition Success in Indianapolis, suggests that runners start "fueling before the onset of fatigue." That means you should start taking in carbs between 30 and 60 minutes into your workout or race, depending on the intensity of your run. Dikos, who ran in this year's Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, starts drinking a carb-rich sports drink about 40 minutes into a marathon. You should then continue fueling in frequent, small doses. The ideal is 100 to 250 calories (or 25 to 60 grams of carbs) per hour, after the first hour of running, says Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., author of Nancy Clark's Food Guide for Marathoners. That's the equivalent of one to 2 1/2 sports gels or 16 to 40 ounces of sports drink per hour.
In the post below, Owen Anderson recommends 30 grams of carbohydrate per hour. That would be 120 calories, or slightly more than 1 gel.
MY COMMENTS: Looks like everybody has an opinion- I like to take 1 gel with water every 30 minutes- replacing close to 200 calories per hour. That would be 5 or 6 gels in a full marathon. Like anything else, try it in training before you do it in a race.
We recommend using one or more gels on all of your long runs in preparation for a marathon. Our general rule of thumb is to consume no more than one e-Gel pack every five miles. If you run 6 minute miles, you would consume no more than one every 30 minutes. If you run 12 minute miles you would consume no more than one per hour, etc. However, if you are not able to maintain the recommended hydration plan during the run, then you should reduce your gel intake accordingly.
Hammernutrition.comConsume 1-3 servings per hour (see chart below) along with 16-28 ounces of plain water per hour from a separate source.
Suggested Doses by Body Weight*:
Up to 120 pounds: up to 2 servings/hour
120-155 pounds: up to 2.5 servings/hour
155-190 pounds: up to 3 servings/hour
190+ pounds: up to 3.5 servings/hour
*These are estimated doses. Each athlete should determine in training, under a variety of conditions, their personal optimum.
Marathon Gel & Calorie Calculator I plugged in my numbers and the calculator recommended the first gel at 9 miles, then every 6 miles after.
runnersworld.com article titled "Carbs on the Run"
Jackie Dikos, R.D., a consultant dietitian who heads Nutrition Success in Indianapolis, suggests that runners start "fueling before the onset of fatigue." That means you should start taking in carbs between 30 and 60 minutes into your workout or race, depending on the intensity of your run. Dikos, who ran in this year's Women's Olympic Marathon Trials, starts drinking a carb-rich sports drink about 40 minutes into a marathon. You should then continue fueling in frequent, small doses. The ideal is 100 to 250 calories (or 25 to 60 grams of carbs) per hour, after the first hour of running, says Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., author of Nancy Clark's Food Guide for Marathoners. That's the equivalent of one to 2 1/2 sports gels or 16 to 40 ounces of sports drink per hour.
In the post below, Owen Anderson recommends 30 grams of carbohydrate per hour. That would be 120 calories, or slightly more than 1 gel.
MY COMMENTS: Looks like everybody has an opinion- I like to take 1 gel with water every 30 minutes- replacing close to 200 calories per hour. That would be 5 or 6 gels in a full marathon. Like anything else, try it in training before you do it in a race.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Mice Crave Running
'These mice have run for six days. They want to run, and they're ready to run, but they can't. Change in brain activity is an indication of their motivation to run.' -Stephen Gammie, assistant professor of zoology at University of Wisconsin -medicalnewstoday.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Suzy Favor-Hamilton - The REAL STORY
"With 200 yards to go, I hit empty on my gas tank," she begins. "At that point I started to have a panic attack. In my mind, I knew winning was the option, only winning could be a success."
With the finish line in sight, another runner passed her and she thought, "OK, silver." Then two more women passed and with them her chance at a medal.
"In fourth place I decided fourth was not good enough and I somehow needed to vanish," she says. "But how do you vanish when the whole world is watching?"
She recalls the flurry of thoughts that followed. "I thought of my best friend who was dying of cancer and was watching the race. I thought of my family, and my brother had passed away a year before, and thought if I could win they would be happy. I was thinking about my husband and my coach. And people had told me, If you can win the gold just think about the impact that would have on the sport.' "
Then comes what she calls the toughest admission of her life: "I was thinking about everyone, how happy they would be. And at that moment I had let them all down, so falling was the option. And I fell." badgerbeat.com
What a powerful story- Suzy went to high school in Stevens Point, the town where I went to college and lived for 10 years. What a story about an amazing talent.
With the finish line in sight, another runner passed her and she thought, "OK, silver." Then two more women passed and with them her chance at a medal.
"In fourth place I decided fourth was not good enough and I somehow needed to vanish," she says. "But how do you vanish when the whole world is watching?"
She recalls the flurry of thoughts that followed. "I thought of my best friend who was dying of cancer and was watching the race. I thought of my family, and my brother had passed away a year before, and thought if I could win they would be happy. I was thinking about my husband and my coach. And people had told me, If you can win the gold just think about the impact that would have on the sport.' "
Then comes what she calls the toughest admission of her life: "I was thinking about everyone, how happy they would be. And at that moment I had let them all down, so falling was the option. And I fell." badgerbeat.com
What a powerful story- Suzy went to high school in Stevens Point, the town where I went to college and lived for 10 years. What a story about an amazing talent.
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