The race director sent out this picture to participants. Guess I'll need to bring some dry shoes and socks!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Marathon Preview
My 2014 marathon season kicks off in under two weeks, with a trail race in Newark, Delaware.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Too Much of a Good Thing
In this blog I espouse the benefits of an active lifestyle, and of running in particular. As I near 50 marathons in less than 20 years, I suppose that is "extreme" by most normal standards.
The benefits of moderate exercise are widely accepted. The effects of extreme exercise are more controversial. Most ultra-endurance athletes look like they are in great shape, and in fact, most probably are. There is a sobering body of scientific work emerging, however, which cautions that extreme exercise may not be beneficial and may actually be harmful.
The definition of extreme exercise is elusive, but in this example the authors studied a group of athletes who had run at least one full marathon each year for 25 years. Although many of their physiologic parameters were good, in many respects their risk of cardiovascular events was no different than their sedentary counterparts.
As with most things, moderation is probably best.
http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/walk-away-from-excess-running-researchers-say/article_a846f9cd-2684-50b1-b217-2d7d71d01ffd.html
The benefits of moderate exercise are widely accepted. The effects of extreme exercise are more controversial. Most ultra-endurance athletes look like they are in great shape, and in fact, most probably are. There is a sobering body of scientific work emerging, however, which cautions that extreme exercise may not be beneficial and may actually be harmful.
The definition of extreme exercise is elusive, but in this example the authors studied a group of athletes who had run at least one full marathon each year for 25 years. Although many of their physiologic parameters were good, in many respects their risk of cardiovascular events was no different than their sedentary counterparts.
As with most things, moderation is probably best.
http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/walk-away-from-excess-running-researchers-say/article_a846f9cd-2684-50b1-b217-2d7d71d01ffd.html
Monday, March 31, 2014
New Running Series in Lincoln
I have always been impressed by the Lincoln running community. Participation is great and races are well done and enthusiastically attended by family and friends. Lots of credit for this, of course, goes to the Lincoln Track Club, which has for decades put on a wonderful series of races throughout the year.
The community now has another group promoting and putting on races. The Born and Raced in Nebraska (BRIN) running series is a welcome addition to the local running community.
Check out their website and calendar of upcoming races.
http://www.bornandracedne.com/
The community now has another group promoting and putting on races. The Born and Raced in Nebraska (BRIN) running series is a welcome addition to the local running community.
Check out their website and calendar of upcoming races.
http://www.bornandracedne.com/
State Farm Run
The State Farm Run looked like another great success. This was actually the first year that I have not run the race since I moved to Lincoln. This is also the first year that I have 3 kids at home, though!
This was a long run weekend for me, and I was finishing my 16 miles on the Mopac trail as runners were starting to warm up for the race. I was a little sad that I wasn't going to run the race, but that quickly disappeared as I walked in my house and saw my boys dressed up as Ironman and the Incredible Hulk, begging me to take them to the Children's Museum. I took a hot shower, popped some ibuprofen, and took my superheroes to the museum.
Results from the race can be found online.
http://www.lincolnrun.org/news/results-state-farm-run
This was a long run weekend for me, and I was finishing my 16 miles on the Mopac trail as runners were starting to warm up for the race. I was a little sad that I wasn't going to run the race, but that quickly disappeared as I walked in my house and saw my boys dressed up as Ironman and the Incredible Hulk, begging me to take them to the Children's Museum. I took a hot shower, popped some ibuprofen, and took my superheroes to the museum.
Results from the race can be found online.
http://www.lincolnrun.org/news/results-state-farm-run
Friday, March 28, 2014
One of Life's Simple Pleasures
One of the things that has always attracted me to running, and one of the things that keeps me doing it, is how simple it is. Virtually anybody can do it, virtually anywhere, and it doesn't require any expensive or technical gear to do it.
I was reminded of this as I was doing my morning jog on the trail near my house when I saw a middle age/older man running in blue jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and a basic pair of running shoes. He jogged very slowly, smiled, and waved and said hello to everybody as they passed.
Thank you, strange runner, in the age of GPS watches, technical shirts, and $200 running shoes for reminding us how simple a pleasure running can be.
I was reminded of this as I was doing my morning jog on the trail near my house when I saw a middle age/older man running in blue jeans, a hooded sweatshirt, and a basic pair of running shoes. He jogged very slowly, smiled, and waved and said hello to everybody as they passed.
Thank you, strange runner, in the age of GPS watches, technical shirts, and $200 running shoes for reminding us how simple a pleasure running can be.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
State Farm Run this Weekend
The 2014 Lincoln Track Club race season kicks off this Saturday with the 16th annual State Farm Run. This is a great race to test your readiness if you are training for the full or half marathons in May. While the weather the last few years has been wet and/or very cold for the event, conditions look to be ideal this weekend.
There is still time to register.
http://www.lincolnrun.org/races/statefarm
There is still time to register.
http://www.lincolnrun.org/races/statefarm
Travel Tip for Runners
I spent the last weekend in San Antonio, cheering for Nebraska and Creighton. Sadly, neither team was able to advance out of the region. At least I was able to continue my training while I was there with some help from the San Antonio Road Runners.
It can be a challenge continuing high milage training while traveling. Fortunately, the internet and social media has made it a lot easier. I don't like to run where there is a lot of traffic. The San Antonio Road Runners webpage has compiled a nice list of favorite running places in and around the city. With the help of google maps, I was able to find a remote park with runner friendly trails near my in-laws house in North San Antonio.
Keep this tip in mind next time you are on the road!
It can be a challenge continuing high milage training while traveling. Fortunately, the internet and social media has made it a lot easier. I don't like to run where there is a lot of traffic. The San Antonio Road Runners webpage has compiled a nice list of favorite running places in and around the city. With the help of google maps, I was able to find a remote park with runner friendly trails near my in-laws house in North San Antonio.
Keep this tip in mind next time you are on the road!
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