Sum of my runs...

Leaves turning and falling
cover the trails.
Squirrels fattened
for the Winter.
Eyes in the dark
shine back from the beam.

Notice is taken,
but an audience is not given.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.