Playing fire from your speaker...

Have you ever wondered what a sound waves look like? Apparently, there is this thing called a Rubens' Tube that will allow a visual representation. In 1904, Heinrich Rubens sealed a tube on both ends, drilled a series of equidistant holes along one side of the tube and allowed gas to enter from the side one of the seals. This tube allows for a visual representation of sound when the gas comes out of the drilled holes is lit and sound is made from one side of the tube. It works so well that someone using this device could easily measure the length of a sound wave when kept at a constant pitch. Here is a link to a video of the device.

Warm hands...more giving...

If you want someone to give you something warm their hands. Apparently, it will warm their heart and make them more giving. The story doesn't explain how you walk up to someone on the street and warm their hands, but I guess that will be their next study.

Accentuate the positive...thoughts...

According to this article, some scientists have discovered how to erase specific memories in mice. They have found a way to turn off a specific protein, one they call the memory molecule. They go on to say that using this in humans is still a long way off.

I know I would have some memories I wish could be erased, and I am guessing you do too. I am sure if I erased all of my bad runs I would be a better runner. But a question arises regarding at what point should you not erase all of your bad memories so a person doesn't become this worthless bag of joy walking around. Oh, you lost your job, here take this and forget it. Also, on the opposite side you feel like your life has been too easy, erase some of those good thoughts to make a person strive harder.

Another aspect that, depending on drug delivery method, warrants a good questioning it warfare. If this could be changed to an inhalant inoculation using just enough to make the opponent forget they are in battle would severely hinder their aggression. Also, when used to extreme, what about erasing every memory a person has ever had. It would be slightly more humane than killing them. Potentially causing the victim to relearn everything from the time they were born.

Ah the complexities of helping out a select few...

Surfing for a healthy mind...

A recent study has found that surfing the internet keeps your brain healthy. The experiment had participants use a search engine to find information regarding a multitude of topics. The most brain activity was observed in those who had experience doing this type of activity. Brain activity was mostly observed in the part of the brain responsible for "complex reasoning and decision making." To summarize, if you want to workout your brain use a search engine. Although I still prefer L.O.B.E. when I feel my brain getting slower.

"Tough as nails" runner...

This article shows how tough runners can be. This runner finished the last two miles of his race with a nail in his heel. I have had some "hard" races, but never anything like this.

Run the Bird! Part two...

The next morning we got up and walked down to the race start line right before the race. I needed to use the restroom from the very beginning, but being so close to the start of the race I would have to wait. The race started at exactly 7 a.m., which, is something they purport being known for. The very start of the race was down hill slightly and them some flat terrain on a highway. The worst was yet to come. The website claimed two particularly challenging hills on the course. Throughout, I noticed many rolling hills I would consider significant. One hill of particular notation was "Heart Beat Hill." As soon as I got to the start of this hill, at about mile 17, I decided it best to walk the worst of it. From there the rolling hills continually pounded on my legs and toward the end with about 4 or 5 miles left my right quad started to cramp and every so often I had to walk until it went back to normal. Unlike my training runs I also notice my upper back getting tight and I am guessing this is from leaning on the hills. One of the nicest things I have seen at a race was the GU they had here. Not just GU, but the presentation of cutting the tops off before handing to the runners was a great idea and whoever thought of this deserves many thanks.

One of my best memories in the race was at a water stop. Usually as runners pass through a water stop they yell out whether they want water or sports drink. In one particular instance I yelled out "Cold Beer," to which one of the laughing volunteers responded "Jello Shots."

By the end of the race, I felt like I was dead and glad to be finished. In the end I had a new marathon PR by over an hour and finished in 4:19:34. Of course, I have to be fair and explain that my last PR and first marathon was Chicago in 2007 when they canceled it because of the heat.

After the race, we walked back to the hotel to take showers. After the showers we drove over toward Second Sole to pick up our free shoes. En route, we stopped at a national burrito chain for lunch. As stated, we picked up our shoes. I was impressed that they had size 13 shoes quite ready and the store also marked all merchandise down quite a bit. After getting our shoes we went back to the hotel and crashed until dinner. For dinner we went to the Ohio Brewing Company and tried some of their brews. The beer wasn't overly exciting, but I will admit I can be a beer snob sometimes. After this we went back to the hotel for the night and the next day drove back.

Overall, it was a blast. I would recommend this race to anyone and Runner's World got it correct including it in the top 10 marathons.

Run the Bird! Part one...

I guess it is about time for me to discuss my latest marathon in Akron, OH. In preparation I ran as many hills as I could find in this "flat as a pancake" town. This proved somewhat for naught, but a good time was had.

We drove out on Friday, September 26th and within 8 hours or so we made the trip. It was quite uneventful except for the constant sightings of corn and soybeans. Upon arrival we checked into our rooms and made the block trek to packet pick-up. They had a blue tape line to follow around the expo to eventually get to t-shirt pickup. The only real "hitch" in the entire weekend happened here. The friends I was with happened to talk to the right person and get there packets right away. I on the other hand talked to someone else and they told me to go back out to find my bib number. I had to fight back through the people to get my number. When I got back I realized another person utilized a name/bib listing for locating bib numbers. Then, we walked through the expo and eventually came upon the shirts where they were more than willing to let participants try on the shirts for size.

Once we retrieved our shirts and packets, we went out to eat at Luigi's, a local Italian eatery. The food wasn't overly exciting, but it definitely sufficed for our carbohydrate loading needs. Upon finishing dinner, we went back to our rooms and crashed for the night after getting things together for the following morning.

Running in Indy...

Indianapolis is a not a bad place for a business trip. Of course, it is made better when a little research is done and a good place to run is found in the heart of the city; I happened to find just that. Not far from downtown is the IUPUI campus with the Indianapolis Zoo directly across the river. Right next to the campus is a pathway that runs close to the river. I was able to find an approximate five mile route and there were a few things that I remember in particular about my two runs.

On my first run, I was just trying to navigate the course and make sure I did not get lost. The lost part was mostly on the way out, but on the way back I was rewarded with an exceptional view of downtown in the early morning. The vantage point that seemed to have the best view was near a place called West Side Bait & Tackle.* The other thing I remember from this run is that staying on that side of the river and trying to run between the river and the Indy Zoo is not a good idea. I kept going and eventually found that the trail was no longer lit and there was a closed gate in the way.** The most unnerving part though was the mephitic smell of animal urine. I took these many cues as a hint that I should not be there and promptly turned around to cross the closest bridge and went directly back to the hotel.

The second run was along the same route, but this time it was raining a little and I took my time to venture away from the first running route. This new area was a display of outdoor art work. The first thing was a mini power-line structures and then was a Chinese take-out box that was five feet tall. Both were oddly sized in comparison to their normal size. Next, was a scoop truck model that was put on it's back end with the scoop pointing in the air and last was a small metal structure called the "Bridge of Friendship." The plaque stated it was for two people to sit upon facing opposite directions, therefore, to gain the intended vantage point I climbed the three foot structure and began to ponder my thoughts. After a few moments I remembered I was out for a run and got back to the hotel shortly thereafter.

Both runs served their purpose in adding mileage for marathon training, but it is easy see that the first one was awkward and just added to my training. Alternatively, the second run was easier and proved to provide insight that can be brought out by contemplating art in any form. I am not sure when I will be traveling for business again, but this experience was enough to convince me to make the extra effort to find a route instead of resigning to the hotel's treadmill.


*While writing this I did a search to ensure I had the correct title of the store and happened upon this video from inside the store starring "Fat Boy Dan" a self proclaimed redneck fisherman. Admittedly, I did not watch the whole thing.

**Apparently, just because a route appears passable on www.mapmyrun.com doesn't mean that it is in fact passable.

Currently...Life...Thoughts...My own...

These past few weeks have been quite interesting for me. As most people in my life know I, with the help of others, have persuaded another part of the company I work for to pay me more for my time and meager thoughts. That alone was the excitement for the weekend, a couple of weekends ago. Along with this comes a trip to a major city about three hours away for their annual meeting. This trip begins tomorrow morning promptly at 7 a.m. in a passenger van and lasts four days until it ends the way it started in a passenger van. It will be my first real company sponsored travel and meeting, as such, I am a little nervous about how things will go. Moreover, I will be traveling with people whom I haven't met, but for an hour during the initial interview. I will need to be a sponge and take it all in while building relationships with people, which, I have never met or even interacted with over the phone.

The second big thing in my life currently is the progression of marathon training. Until this past weekend I had completed a twenty mile run and a nineteen mile run. I added to these long runs with another twenty mile run on Sunday. Now the hardest part of marathon training is here. I can run long. I can run hard. But tell me not to run as long or as hard and it will make me ready for race day which is three weeks away and I get jittery. Yes; Gen will enjoy the extra time I have at home, but less running means I will wake in the middle of the night for no apparent reason other than I have a surplus of energy. Energy that is not necessarily productive. This restlessness will put me on edge. The whole time I will know my drug is out there, but I can't have it. I will miss the high. Some may think it is weird, but I enjoy waking up the morning after a long run, feeling sore, stumbling down the stairs to turn on the coffee maker. It is nice to not only know I have done something, but to wake up and feel it makes the pain ever so inviting.

Counting down to my last day and counting down to marathon day have become one in the same. I have my last day in my current job on Thursday, drive to Akron, OH for the marathon on Friday, run the marathon on Saturday, drive back on Sunday, and start my new job on the following Monday. Two beginnings and endings rolled into one weekend. Talk about emotions running high. Wish me luck...I will need it.

How silly do you look when you run?

According to this article, no matter how economical a persons running style is, it doesn't make much of a difference in respect to how fast that person runs. My favorite quote in this article is "there is no way to tell by looking at a runner whether he will win, place or come in last." This means studying someones running style will not allow there speed to be predicted. In my opinion the greater test would to talk to the person and find out their mental fortitude. If they are a strong-willed, Type A personality they will probably do better than someone who is not. I have even noticed this while running with friends. Recently, one friend was getting ahead of me while we were doing hill work. I knew he was capable, but I just wasn't feeling it. Later in the run, we ran into a friend I knew on a bike. This small conversation and interaction gave a boost to my run.

There is one particular instance that sticks out in my mind when I was contemplating my running style and how I could make it better. I talked with an experienced member of my running community about how one member ran on the ball of their foot and inquired as to if it was better than running heal to toe. He told, and convinced, me not to worry about it. He told me that training was the path to gain speed not a change in running style. A friend once told me "if you want to run faster, you have to run faster." I suppose it is also true for distance. If you want to run farther, you have to run farther. And, as with most things, training/practice makes you better.

As a last point to ponder from the article. It doesn't even matter if your "arms tied behind [your] back;" there is still not much of a difference in running economy.

Off Topic...Jury Duty Day Two...

This is a continuation of the post from yesterday.

On the second day of jury duty, everything went exactly the same, except we did not get the pleasure of watching the bad 80s film. This time though, I was seated as a member of the jury. It was clearly stated that the members of the jury were there to determine the facts of the case from what was presented. I am not going to go into detail regarding the particular trial I was on, but suffice to say one or both sides was/were probably lying. There was a possibility that different perspectives created different stories, but somewhere in the middle was the truth and without certainties we could not convict. It was a criminal case, which means the jury must find "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the defendant was guilty as charged. The Attorneys for both sides presented their cases and as this is the part that is usually seen in shows like Law and Order , I will exclude a description. Likewise is the giving of the verdict in court. In between is the jury deliberation. I work with Attorneys who are very curious about this part of the trail because they rarely, if ever, get to see what happens behind the closed doors of the jury's chambers. A foreperson is chosen or, basically, whoever is willing to volunteer. Our foreperson, went through all of the jury instructions and pulled out the statements of law and we deliberated as to whether the incidents were against the law as stated. Most laws have more than one criteria that must be met to be considered breaking the law. In our case one criterion was met, but another was not, thusly, the defendant did not break the law, as written.

My overall thought for the day was that if I ever had to go through the process I feel my rights would be protected because there are so many procedures to ensure things are done fairly and justly. Although I feel this way about how things might go as participant of trial, I don't have the same optimistic thoughts as part of a jury. Being in the jury pool and as part of a jury my biggest complaint would have to be how long things took to complete. I would prefer a streamlined process that was more efficient. It was a very informative day that gave me confidence in the system, except to know that by lying/or remembering a different series of events anyone can get off.

Off Topic...Jury Duty Day One...

Per a comment from an earlier post, I am expanding upon my experience of jury duty and the process. My experience comes from one day of waiting for 2.5 hours and not being picked for a jury, and another day of waiting for a little bit less time and be selected for a jury. In the end, it was very interesting to understand how our judicial system works with a hands-on experience.

The first day of jury duty I was a little bit apprehensive because it was something I had never done before. Trying to find where to park downtown, entering the courthouse through the correct door, finding the correct room after entering, and what was expected of me upon entering said room. Figuring out where to go was easier than expected. Upon entering the jury waiting room, as expected, I checked in and grabbed a seat to await further instruction. Then, the County Clerk introduced herself, welcomed, thanked everyone for coming, and started an instructional movie about the Judicial system. This movie, as you might expect, was taped in the 80s and very informative, but will not be winning an award. Then, those who had not had jury duty earlier in the week were "sworn in." Afterward, we were left to our own devices to fill time until the judges were ready for us. Luckily, I had talked with someone that had been on jury duty before and they told me to take something to keep me busy, consequently, I took a book.

When the judges were finally ready for us the County Clerk called our names and the court Bailiffs took us downstairs to the proper court room. Once in the courtroom the Judge called our names and had us sit in a certain order starting in the jury gallery and leading into the back public seating area. Once in this arrangement the Judge began asking questions, about our personal experiences, that might determine if we had a conflict of interest. Examples would include: Do you know any of the parties involved? Do you know a member of any police force? Do you have any prior cases? et cetera. After the Judge's questions, the representing Attorneys had a chance to ask further questions they thought pertinent to the case. Once the questioning was over they sent everyone out to the hallway so the judge and attorneys could pick the jury. After about 10 minutes they called everyone back in and sat the jury. As I was not called, I was free to go.

Day two to come...

Drinking water leads to diabetes...

According to this article drinking water that contains arsenic multiplies the possibility that a person will get diabetes. I understand wanting to know what arsenic causes in low levels, but it scares me that we would have to worry about it being prevalent enough in our drinking water to conduct this experiment, especially considering it causes organ failure and death in the right dose. It also makes me wonder what else is in our drinking water that is from man made products. Chemicals put on yards to keep them green and weed free. Of course, the dirt is supposed to filter all of this out before it gets in our drinking water and that is supposed to take many years, but eventually the ground will become saturated. That thought is one reason I prefer to eat organic whenever possible. Then, in theory, a person should not have to worry about ingesting chemicals, or at least not nearly as many.

Massage for recovery...

I have wondered if a massage really helps after exercise. This article explains that massage helps muscles recover. This is how they explained it: "The massaged muscles recovered significantly more function and strength after the four-day trial. Also, the muscles that were not massaged had more damaged muscle fibers and more white blood cells, which can indicate inflammation. The massaged muscles weighed less than the rested muscles, suggesting the massages prevented swelling."

The only thing that is weird, is how they conducted their research. They used a machine to imitate exercise on both hind legs of a sedated rabbit. Then, they used another machine to imitate a Swedish massage on one of the rabbit's legs. After this experiment, the poor rabbits will be running in circles for weeks.

Off topic...

Please excuse this post as it is off topic. If you are expecting a running post, you can pass on this one, but if you are interested in a little more of my personal life, then, this is for you.

I have not taken, nor had, a lot of time to post recently as a couple of things have kept me mentally occupied. First is interviewing for a new job. Recently, my supervisor's supervisor has been actively helping me find and prepare for another job within the company. It is not that she wants to get rid of me, rather, she sees potential that is being under utilized in my current position.* She has so encouraged me that she has taken many steps like getting contacts for me, putting interview questions together, coaching me as to the best way to respond in an interview, as well as, reviewing/enhancing written submissions that both me and my supervisor submit for the position.

This week I interviewed for the position and took the entire morning to prepare, interview, and get back to the office. Before the interview started I was able to ask them many informed questions about the prospective area and, indirectly, show the interviewees I did my homework. Once the interview started, I was able, as far as I could tell, to answer their questions appropriately and intelligently. In the second part of the interview, I had to woo their techie associates into thinking I understood how to use Microsoft Excel. Fortunately, I was prepared and had an example of a spreadsheet I use on a daily basis that automatically pulls and updates data from a database and has some other functions not used by most people on a daily basis. Eventually, they had me take their Excel test and it did not amount to much more than using a couple of simple functions. I was able to satisfy their need to "test" me by proving my abilities and using their jargon. Overall, I left the interview thinking I did an excellent job and almost could have done no more to help my chances.

The second thing that was keeping me mentally busy was being summoned for jury duty. Until this week I was a jury virgin, but today I was called in and spent 2.5 hours doing my civic duty. Although I spent that amount of time, I was never seated as part of a jury. The angst of the unknown would not let me sleep very well last night and I was up for a couple of hours pondering the possibility of what today would entail. In the end, it was very informative and I now see why it takes so long for trials to complete. I wonder, is there a better way to come to the same conclusion in a trial, but make the process more efficient.

Thanks for letting me get a couple of things out of my mind; I am sure I will sleep better tonight.

*If you know me, you know I am not conceited, but if you don't know me, please take this part at face value as I don't brag about myself very well, often, or at all.

Running your healthy life...

If you have any plans for the distant future you may want to consider your options. A recent article purports the benefits of Running...err...exercise on lasting health and longevity. Stanford researchers used runners to study the effects of cardiovascular exercise on the aging adult. In a 19 year study, they followed healthy runners and healthy non-exercisers. Their findings showed evidence that even though both sets were healthy the runners were less disabled further into their life and lived a longer life as well.

Not only did they show longer healthier lives, but they noted another nail in the coffin for a long held theory among non-runners; running hurts your knees and expedites disability. In there study "the slew of predicted orthopedic injuries never materialized." Not only did injuries not rise with the runners, but "the health gap between runners and non-runners only increased with time," meaning, the longer a person runs/exercises in their life the more benefit there is in the long term.

This idea somewhat bleeds into the way I interact with people. When I am around people who talk about there exercise I am almost always interested. I work with one such person who has lost just under 200 pounds in 10 months and will be doing his first 5k this weekend. At least 2 or 3 times a week he comes to my desk to discuss what he is currently doing, how he is progressing, and how excited he is to be losing weight the hard way. Recently, with the inception of his running training regimen I have been able to impart my meager knowledge of the sport. When I look back at where he once was I am really proud of how far he has come, and I know he has added years to his life because of the choices he has made.

Ending thoughts: Get started; Keep it up; Improve your life.

Hash House Harriers...

Many reports get to go to the Olympics to describe the unfolding events with their wit and inside knowledge. Apparently, that is not all they do. This post from a Runners World editor describes some of the perks of the job, especially, when part of your job is mixing beer with work. I thoroughly enjoyed this posting and I hope you will too.

A hill...

Last Saturday the New York Times ran an article about a trail on a hill. This trail is lined with railroad ties and the hill is actually Pikes Peak. With a gain of 2000 feet in about a mile one begins to understand why it is called the "Incline" among those who use it, and apparently, we are about to see a lot of people who use it in training starting on Friday. Yes, Olympians use it to better themselves no matter their sport.

Am I jealous? Oh yes. The closest thing we have around here is Jersey Hill, a 1/5th mile stretch with a gain of about 50 feet according to mapmyrun.com. The only other thing close to this is a parking garage, which, we do have a few, but always taking right or left turns gets old real quick. In the opposing view we have wonderful surroundings for easy runs. If a person needs an easy run the least they need do is head to the Constitution Trail, an old railroad track turned trail, and they will be in heaven.

The biggest reason I am jealous is that when I go to races with real hills I am like a fish out of water. The Akron Marathon is one such race. They don't proclaim to be "flat and fast," which I interpret as be prepared for hills and this September I will truly find out to what they are referring.

Fabled Masks...

There have been many stories about China's pollution problem, especially in Beijing and the US has eluded that they would wear masks because it is so bad. Finally, on August 5th, there is a sighting of US athletes wearing the masks. These masks have been eluded to be very secretive in their capabilities because when the Today Show, I believe, interviewed a coach and discussed the masks someone off camera quieted him quickly. There reasoning was they did not want to world to know the capabilities of these masks. I have a short list of what I think makes them so special.

1. They double as ninja masks.
2. They reduce the amount of oxygen intake to mimic high altitude training.
3. They let other Americans know "who is in the club."
4. They are a fashion statement.
5. It was the closest thing they could think of to be like the dancing dragon.
6. They are the best place to hold your GU.
   

These are all I could think of at spur of the moment. If you have any better ideas, lets hear it.

Friends for Speed...

I am always surprised how running with others makes my running better. Although this is true, I have to portion it out like eating cookie dough. If a person eats too much they crash; hard. It is the same with me, if I always ran with others I would soon tire of it and my introverted self would need a long solo run.

There are two main instances in training that I have found group running to be the most beneficial. The first is doing track workouts. Others always seem to bring out my sense of competitiveness and my repeats are much faster than doing it alone. The second is long runs. When I do long runs by myself I am more likely to stop and walk when I get past the half way mark. I even try to vary the route to keep it mentally exciting, but my ultimate keep going tool is other people. I have even been known to run a personal record, by 20 seconds, in a 5k in March because I ran with faster friends during the winter months.

There is one other great value I find from running besides being pushed to go harder or farther. That other thing is the camaraderie I get from jaunting at a fun run. The first two are fun, but the fun run is the pinnacle in my opinion. Even though I could not do them all the time, they bring out the best part of the running community.

No matter what the run, friends make it better. No matter the run, if I have been doing solo runs for a while I know a group run will raise my spirits.

Couch Potato...pill...elite...

According to this research article, exercise in a pill is upon us. This sounds awesome for those that have a medical need and I applaud the scientist’s doing this research and why they are doing it, but unfortunately there is a downside as well.

My guess is either already or very soon there will be human consumption of this pill in an unintended manner. There is already a doping epidemic in sports at all levels and as noted by Le Tour de France this year, so it is just a matter of time until this drug is added to their repertoire. When elite athletes dope it makes national headlines, but when sub-elite athletes dope it doesn't make as many, or any, headlines. I don't know of any friends in my running community that illegally enhance their running, and I don't know if I would want to know. I hope they are not and if they are I hope they understand the long-term outcomes of their short-term actions.

I am not one to go off on a long rant, so this will remain just a few thoughts on a controversial topic, ergo, I stop...

Just Breathe...Slowly...

It seems as though different sources are always telling us how to breathe. Here is one link from a news source, which, suggests deep breathing for relaxation. Here is another link from doctor describing how running beyond your capabilities can cause a side-stitch and the root cause is because of how a person breathes. They both seem to have one thing in common. If things are not working out the way you planned, breathing slowly has been shown to help.

As an example, we had some friends over last Thursday night for a get together and one of them was talking about a person they disliked being around because of the way they reacted to everything with the "fight or flight" response. One thing that was noted was how easy it was to tell that the annoying person was in this mode because the short, fast breaths were quite apparent. According to the above, that person needs to slow down and relax by breathing more slowly. Of course, they could also probably benefit from seeing a psychologist for anxiety, but that's a different post.

On a personal note, I have noticed different breathing techniques while running. The one that really caught me off guard was a seasoned runner using a structured breathing technique. She breathed three quick breaths followed by one deep breath. I talked with her coach after our race and he explained it was a technique they used to teach. Most of the time when I am running I don't hear people with structured breathing, but I notice something else. I am usually breathing a lot longer and deeper breaths. I am not sure how or why I developed this, but I am assuming it is just how my body has adapted to my increase in running over the years.

Anyone else have quirky stories related to breathing?

Another weird runner thing...

This is post for those people who thought my PowerBar v Hammer Gel post was an oddity.* Males in running tend to have a problem with chaffing of their nipples. This comes is variations, from slight chaffing to all out bleeding, as in this article. The problem occurs as a result of the shirt a male is wearing rubbing against his nipples because of the motion the chest goes through while running. This problem is compounded when the shirt becomes wet, from sweat, and salty. This combination enhances the shirts "sandpaper" action, thereby, making it not much more than rock being rubbed against a persons chest.

Fortunately, to all males delight, the above problem can be easily averted. As the above article explains a person could use some form of lubricant or a layer of one sided sticky adhesive material. Personally, I have heard of people using Vaseline, Bodyglide, or Band-aids, but I use fabric tape by tearing it into little squares.

To give you the complete story, this post is specifically prompted by my "stupidity" on Sunday morning. I got up in the morning to run with some friends, which was awesome, but I forgot to "tape-up." Unfortunately, I did not realize this until we were on about mile 7 or 8 and I started feeling the discomfort. At that point, I was already dreading the shower. Usually, I leave the tape on for weeks at a time so that when I go out on a run it is one less thing to worry about. Every so often though I think it is a good idea to let them have some time without tape and, as in this case, some times I forget to tape-up before I go run and suffer the consequences. Usually it is a short run, but this weekend I went "all out" and did it on a long run. To say the least, it was an interesting shower.

*I had friends that did not know what I was talking about, thusly, I had to show and explain to what I was referring.

EQ / What Q?

I have been reading a bit about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) recently and the strange thing is it started in the work place and has, as of this month, been carried over to running. At first I was encouraged to read about this at work, as to, make a better work environment and lead to a more productive workforce. Then, this month's Runner's World came in the mail and there was an article explaining how EQ was important in running/sports, as well. I had never thought about this aspect. The first book I read explained it mostly in terms of how the way a person interacts with someone sets a precedent for how that person will act in return and how a person should keep themselves in check. After contemplating this new found aspect, I realized that it makes a lot of sense, and how everything that is currently happening in a person's life correlates into how a person acts and reacts to everything. Personally, I have found this to be highly relevant when I think back to the marathon I was supposed to run this spring. In training, I just wasn't into it because I was slogging through the snow during winter trying to complete long runs. Emotionally, I was drained. Trying to keep a positive attitude while training through Freakin' cold, windy weather just was not cutting it.

This brings me to my run this morning. I went on a long run with a couple of friends in training for my next marathon and in comparing this run to other long runs I have done it was a lot easier because they ran with me. This brought my EQ up quite a bit. I had forgotten how much fun it is to run with people and joke throughout the run. This makes me look forward to the next run with them. EQ++ check.

Running on the trail...

This post by my significant other made me start thinking about my experience on the trail. In particular I can attest to her comment "People...notice courteous bikers." I appreciate it when a biker announces their presence as they are passing. This helps avoid the awkward chills running down my spine as I hear the hum of tires pass by. Along with announcing presence in passing is beginning to make "friends" with people on the trail. There are many times that I pass people on the trail that I don't know, but we exchange some sort of recognition of one another. It kind of makes a person feel at home when they are out on the trail and pass someone they have recognized for a while. Not only at home, but it makes a person want to run a little faster because you don't want to let them down, especially by walking.

On a different subject, I don't notice as many bugs as G does, but I can attest to the unwanted addition to protein for the day. One other thing I have experienced with the bugs is getting one in the eye. Usually, it is just a small gnat, but if it hits just right it can be a show-stopper for a minute or two.

Grown in your backyard, but not by you…

I found this interesting article about locavore’s and thought it would be quite inviting, only to find they are talking about a special type of locavore that has ample amounts of money. This type pays for someone to grow and care for an organic garden on their property. Personally, I think eating local to reduce carbon footprint is an awesome idea, but if a person is paying for someone to drive to their house and care for plants, it is no different than them driving to pick up the produce at a farmers market. Depending on how far the “farmer” drives the overall carbon footprint could be much greater. One aspect might be the extra weight the farmer would be putting in their vehicle, like gardening tools, to be able to properly care for the garden. Unfortunately, as the article points out, this is not really about carbon footprint, but more about the fad or in thing to do. In my opinion, a person should commit to going to a farmers market or raise it themselves, instead of hiring someone to raise a garden for them and indirectly impacting their carbon footprint.

PowerBar v. Hammer Gel

This weekend on my run, I decided to experiment with different kinds of goo packets to use while I am running.* I ran approximately 16 miles this weekend and decided to consume a gel packet about every 40 minutes. First, I took an orange flavored Hammer Gel and, as I had expected from trying one before, the taste was really subdued. In contrast, when consuming the packets of Power Gel later in my run I noticed a quite strong sugar and flavoring taste. On flavor, my vote goes to Hammer.

My next experience is with their websites. At first glance PowerBar has a snazzy website with all kinds of Adobe Flash player presentations. Conversely, the Hammer Nutrition website seems to say just the facts. Obviously, it is easy to tell that PowerBar has more money to spend and therefore a bigger company, but the website seemed almost too flashy. For instance, I would rather get product answers quickly, like approximate usage for your body weight, than only being told to experiment because everyone is different. On website, it is a tie.

Final thoughts: I see a real ingredient like banana puree in Hammer Gel, but only flavoring in Power gel and I would rather eat banana with flavoring than just flavoring. One thing I did not find was how either of these companies are going green, such as possibly the production of packets that stay together in one piece after use instead of the usual tear apart and then two pieces to keep track of. It would seem that two pieces would more likely to produce litter than if it would stay in one piece. Personally, I am planning to use Hammer Gel in the future.

*As a disclaimer, I don't have extensive experience with both products, rather, this is my experience over the weekend and my perceptions from their websites.

Lessons learned...

Today's running was all about lessons for me.

1. I forgot how much fun it is to run in the rain.
2. 16 miles is doable, even in the rain.
   
3. Running early in the morning means you will see more runners with your same goal in mind.
4. There really is no substitute for properly fueling and hydrating during a run.

I got up this morning and saw that it was raining outside, which, prompted me to check the weather map and discern that it would continue. This left me with a choice, and as I started thinking about it I started remembering how I used to have fun and enjoy running in the rain. Eventually, after eating something and crawling back in bed for a minute of contemplation, I slipped into my gear and headed out the door. I was first greeted with the rain and when I got to the trail I thought I started seeing things. What could they be, but yes other runners braving the elements much like me. Personally, I find it encouraging when I see other runners on the trail because we both have the same goal in mind. This happens more often on early Saturday mornings in the summer, when everyone is trying to get there long-runs in before it gets hot.

It was nice to get my 16 miles in before it got hot, but today was a particularly "do or die" day for me. Last week I ran 14 miles and when I got home I was completely spent. At one point I was laying on the kitchen floor hoping I would begin to feel better, but this time I had a plan. We got some goo packets last night at the store, and I envisioned that they would help me make it through the run. My plan was to take one every 4o minutes with water. I stuck to this plan while stopping at most every water fountain along the way, and by the time I got home I was tired, but not spent like last week. As most runners know, just because it is raining doesn't mean you don't need to drink water. I could definitely tell this because the entire time I was running it was raining and I was drenched in water, but at the same time I was still sweating, as I could taste the salt.

Gladly, I was able to finish my long run and not be spent, but I did not notice that I ran quite a bit slower than last weekend. I am mostly blaming this on two things. One, the rain increased my overall weight and that slowed me down. Two, I had to make a stop in the port-a-potty. Overall, it was a great run that reminded me of why I really enjoy running.

Running Stride Frequency...

This study by the Department of Kinesiology at UNLV discusses stride rate and its effect on VO2 Max. Their concluding thought was "there is an optimal stride frequency range across speeds
that is important for runners to work within during distance running but not a unique optimal stride frequency at each speed." In my interpretation of the results, it seems that when a person is running their body will choose the right stride frequency automatically, without a thought. Likewise, in another part of the article discussing how testing was completed, the group noted that when testing for stride frequencies, that were not the preferred stride frequency, the participants consistently and inadvertently began approaching their preferred stride frequency. This was seen even though a metronome was utilized for assistance.

Take away: Don't worry about your stride frequency. Your body will automatically figure it out for you.

*Mercer J, Dolgan J, Griffin J, Bestwick A. The physiological importance of preferred stride
frequency during running at different speeds. JEPonline 2008;11(3):26-32.

An old dog...can learn to juggle...

According to this article if you want to learn to juggle when you get to the age of 50 or 60 it shouldn't be a problem...for most. Amazingly this article claims you can still learn things when you near retirement age. I would have never guessed that there wasn't a certain age, most likely coinciding with retirement, that a person just goes stupid.

Obviously, I jest, but in my opinion this study doesn't tell anyone anything they did not already know about aging. They do state that it takes longer to learn things with age, but that most of the neural changes that occur in younger people also occur in older people. Basically, if you have the mental fortitude to stick with it you will prevail in your task given enough time. Unfortunately, as a person ages the less time they have. I know some day I will be there, but I hope I am able to approach things humbly and humorously, the way I hope people are taking this post.

Don't eat, live forever...

So my title is a bit misleading, but this article suggests that the less you eat the longer you will live. Researchers at St. Louis University state that consuming 300 to 500 fewer calories a day could extend your life. Eventually as a this idea is extrapolated out it can be put into the context of eat dessert, die young; don't eat dessert live longer. This thought begs the question; do want satisfaction now or later. If you can wait for satisfaction you can also live longer. Personally I am kind of middle of the road. I like my sweets, but I also try to eat them sparingly, which, I guess implies I won't live a long or short life. Middle of the road baby! I figure it is not life if you can't have a little fun along the way. One last thought: The study says nothing about quality of life; just because you live longer doesn't mean you will live better.

Global warming does what?

Apparently, there must be an epidemic in the southern states or should I call them the "kidney-stone belt." And in this story Tom Brikowski, an associate professor with a specialty in hydrology in the department of geosciences at the University of Texas at Dallas, claims the "belt" is moving north.

Kidney stones are mostly a by-product of dehydration and the body not being able to excrete waste, thusly, creating a buildup of minerals. According to the study by Brikowski, there are about 1.6 million kidney stone cases per year and will increase to 2.2 million by 2050. This will partially be a result of optimal conditions for kidney stones moving further north. As the earth heats up conditions will become increasingly more prevalent in the south and begin to appear further north. This implies that a person should drink more water as it gets hotter outside.

Weekend weight-gain...

According to this study people tend to gain weight over the weekend as as opposed to during the week. Honestly, I am not surprised. 4 or 5 days a week usually there is some sort of regular schedule in a person's life. Then 2 or 3 days a week it is like a free-for-all. When a person takes into consideration BBQs and other parties it is not hard to see why gaining weight over the weekend is quite easy to do. One other thing I noticed personally is even though I run long on the weekend I tend to relax a lot more, or, if I don't relax more then I usually eat more to compensate. My reasoning for this is availability. When I am at work I can't just walk into the kitchen at any time and have some chips.

Havin' Fun...

We decided to paint our room this weekend. You can tell this because if you have ever been to our house you know it was a very light tan and now as the picture shows our bedroom is a lovely hue of blue. The other reason you can tell from this picture is the blue painters tape is around the window frame and floorboard.

We also decided to take a few pictures of the room during the painting process. I decided not to go on my long run so we could paint and because there were bad storms in the area most of the day. As is evident, our camera has a timer setting and is very useful for fun photos.

Flip-Flops can destroy...

I have tried to tell my wife about this for a while, but she is morally opposed to wearing real shoes. Fortunately, in this months Runner's World they rated different types of flip-flops and actually suggested certain ones. The main idea seems to be that they have some sort of structure or form much like a regular shoe. So if you are like my wife and you have to wear flip-flops check it out or just make sure the cheap dollar flip-flops are not your "go to" option. Instead, find flip-flops that will help walking form and not cause harm to your body from the foot up. This will be my goal: convince my wife to purchase flip-flops that are better for her and actually enjoy wearing them. To further understand my wife's aversion to "real" shoes here are her musings upon the subject.

Weighty Subject

Should doctors lecture their patients about their weight? This blog posting from a doctor in the southeast says no, and I am inclined to agree. Most people at least have some idea of what they would have to do to lose weight, but doing it is another story. Personally, I would like to lose 10 to 15 pounds and yes I am a runner and many consider me thin. If I put my measurements into a BMI calculator I end up being just over the line into overweight. Also, I know it is not just the fact that muscle weighs more than fat that I am further up the BMI scale, I do have a fair size piece of jello in my stomach. Although I still have a jiggle and now weigh 180, I remember when I used to weigh quite a bit more. Around 230. Looking back at what motivated me, I would have to say my wife, then girlfriend, started participating in a national weight-loss chain and I was presented with the idea of losing weight for the first time. Along with this was another change in my life; moving into an apartment without enablers to make meals for me. Due to this, I was able to drop approximately 2 to 3 pounds a week without exercise and as a direct result of losing the weight I began to run more and now try to eat better. Of course, I think I still use running as an excuse to eat. As stated above I would like to become faster, but sometimes I feel that I "run to eat."

This change as well as other things in life come with sacrifice, hard-work, desire, and motivation. Personally, I have the desire, but sometimes lack the motivation to put in the sacrifice and hard-work. Good Luck everyone.

Youthful Cholesterol screening

I found this article this morning and almost couldn't believe what I was reading. They mention cholesterol screenings for children as early at age 2 (with a family history), as well as, a weight loss regimen if necessary. My immediate thought is that at age 2 they have no choice of what they eat. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children are eating healthy. I believe that parents should start with themselves, if there is an issue with cholesterol and or weight. Then by default they would begin to influence their children. I have not done extensive research on this, but I have talked with a few females who have started going to Weight Watchers and their husbands starting losing weight as well. This rub-off effect should work in much the same way for children. Culminating point for parents: Take care of yourself so that inadvertently and consequently you will take care of those around you. Do it for your family no one else will.

Big heart? No problem...

According to this article a recent study of Olympic rowers shows that an enlarged heart for athletes is natural and may not prove anything more than a side-effect of training and not a sign of a problem. I remember hearing proposals for testing all athletes for an enlarged heart before they are allowed to compete. My thought is, I would rather die doing something I love than die because I was out of shape. To me quality of life is more important.

Bring out the Yogi in your running...

I have found a wonderful site that publishes a new Yoga class (asana) every day, for free. One asana in particular is purported to be specifically for runners. They rotate through them on a weekly basis. Above is that video and here is the link, but don't blame me if it doesn't work because they updated their website.

Mosquitoes want you to exercise...

I have never read this before, but it kind of makes sense now that I think about it. The article states "Cues like body temperature, carbon dioxide in the breath, and certain skin chemicals, such as lactic acid, all help mosquitoes orient and find their next blood meal." Hearing something like that makes me want to sit inside on the couch eating chips and watching television to avoid the potential for West Nile, another promoted issue. Not really, but the next question is how to help avoid the problem altogether and enjoy those times when a person is outside and wants to be hot, breathing out tons of carbon dioxide, and producing enough lactic acid to make a person sore for a week.

Deet doesn't really seem like a logical choice, as I am all about using "eco-friendlier" plant derived chemicals, but what is purported to be the next best thing. According to this University's research "Oil of eucalyptus-based repellents includ[ing] Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, SC Johnson Off Botanicals, and Fite Bite Plant-Based Insect Repellent." The average working time was 2 hours for these products, which, I am sure increases when working out and sweat is removing it like runoff.

I have personally experienced the above mentioned post-workout phenomenon with bugs. Sometimes, I go running near a lake and when I arrive before the run the bugs hardly notice me, but after the run it is a different story. There are so many bugs that I can never get away from them without running and jumping into the car. Although this strategy works, my car, as with most, is definitely not a help in my post-workout stretching. I guess my next logical choice will have to be utilizing an oil of eucalyptus-based repellent.

Sweating is a good thing...

This article explains the complexities of running in the heat of summer and how to strategically put forth your best effort, but here is what I really got from the story.

On the second page it states "people who are heat adapted sweat sooner and more profusely, allowing their bodies to cool more efficiently." I have always considered myself an over sweater, even in the dead of winter. I have even noticed that coming back from a run I have lost many pounds due to loss of water/sweat, but now I understand things differently. I am most certainly not an over sweater; I am just prematurely adapting to the heat. Ergo, I am obviously superior to everyone has to adapt when the heat comes!

Egotistical sarcasm seems to run wild in this post. Deal with it.

Keeping Balanced

According to this article, and maybe just common sense, if you have a constant stress in your mind and you take no action to avert its influence on your body, then, it will affect you accordingly. Considering the previously known mind body connection this should not be a surprise to anyone, but as with everyone else when do you find time for said action in your life?

Seems to be a constant battle of personal priorities. What do you want to do verses what is the best for you to do. Personally, I like to run, as, it is therapy for me. Of course, I come home tired with trashed legs and become seemingly useless for the rest of the day, but there always comes a time that if I don't re-energize the rest of my life suffers and in turn so does my running. I have noticed that getting up in the morning and working out just gets me going and ready for the day mentally and physically. I have tried Yoga and core workouts in the morning. It seems that yoga usually does the best job of balancing things out and stretching out my muscles and getting me into the right mindset. I know yoga sometimes seems like a new age thing and you have to be one of "those people" to practice it, but I continue to be a "closet yogi" and love the way I feel when I do it and I am sure others in my life notice as well.

4th of July Fireworks

So, I was sitting outside on the sidewalk, with friends, watching the town fireworks. My friends were deep in conversation, about how English theory could be applied to the burning display, as I sit there thinking about others points of view of the fireworks. As a person looks at the fireworks they see their version of things and it becomes two dimensional internally.

Although that is the perspective of a spectator in the crowd, I wonder what the perspective would be like from just below the fireworks where they are thrust into the air. Another perspective would be from the air, such as a plane. In the plane instance you could see the fireworks shooting up at you and then exploding. A person would probably see more than just one fireworks display. The next step is to the astronauts. I have heard stories that they can see California fires quite well, so, why not fireworks. In theory they would have 4 hours straight of fireworks going off, assuming they were in geosynchronous orbit. If there are aliens then they must think every 365 "Earth days" a certain part of this planet is playing host to a "massive" battle.

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