Race a Mile Every Day and Get Faster!

I actually did this approach starting in 2004... I traveled to New Zealand and spent some time in a small village doing some missionary work... having a track background I would train in the village and wanted to start something new, a revolution. My results were so astounding, I really didn't need to spread the word. Besides, everyone is different and what I did may not work for you. What did I do? I decided for a year, every morning early before the sun was to rise... I would jog 800m and then do some basic drills and stretches. Then I ran 1 mile all out (I have to finish) I'm not sprinting the damn 100m's I'm running all out to where my quarters are pushing my limits. I would cool down 800m and stretch... I did this 7 days a week... my recovery was much needed sleep and eating healthy... extremely healthy. I ran a 5:07 in highschool track... but starting this plan I was around 5:55 due to being out of shape... but after a year of this plan. I ran a 4:28 mile. Isn't this awesome? Running is not that complicated... people like to separate themselves in their workout plans, this gives individualism in a small aspect of life... which all life includes individualism. The basics of running: run your body into shape, run your body into the ground, train your body like a machiene, go all out.

Interesting thread at letsrun.com from a guy pledging to run an all out mile until he drops!  This was one of the more interesting posts.  Read more: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4825465&page=3#ixzz27yWpWCHg.

Low Carb for Runners?

The results were spectacular. After five months, he lost 15kg, was at his lowest weight in 30 years and was running faster than he had in 20 years. -Tim Noakes discussing his new low carb diet.

Carbohydrates have always been a staple food for runners, but According to Noakes, he's all but eliminated the following from his diet (from Runners World New Zealand):

Sugar
Bread
Rice
Pasta
Potatoes
Porridge
Breakfast cereals
Some high energy fruits like bananas
Cakes and sweets and other desserts
Artificial sweetners and products containing these products

Noakes is careful to explain that he believes a low carb approach helps him control a condition called carbohydrate resistance (CR- his body does not metabolize carbohydrates properly leading to higher body fat) so may not apply to everyone.

Remember, this is an observation by one individual, not a research study.  Food for thought though.

Get Leaner with Whole Grains!

Our study shows a dose-dependent relationship between whole-grain intake and plasma AR and confirms the previously observed inverse relationship between whole-grain intake and BMI using an independent biomarker of whole-grain wheat intake. MY COMMENTS: For whatever reason, it appears that fiber intake is inversely related to body mass index, but we already knew that! It's a good reminder though.

Another World Record for Whitlock!

1:38:59 HALF MARATHON AT AGE 81! - runnersworld.com Whitlock, who doesn’t stretch or do yoga, generally runs solo and cuts the heels off his running shoes, pays no mind to his diet and aims to run every day for three hours to train. “I don’t measure my pace or anything like that. I just try and run conservatively and not pound my knees MY COMMENT: Somebody needs to get this guy into a Laboratory and study him. We not see another like him for a long time.

The Frutarian Diet May Improve Your Running!

I ran my first marathon when I was 18 years old. I ran it in 2:52 and qualified for the Boston Marathon, where I ran a 2:47. For literally the next 10 years I could never run faster than a 2:45 marathon. No matter what my training, I had completely plateaued in my performance. I adopted the Frutarian diet in early January 2008. In late February, I ran the Napa Valley Marathon in 2:34.07, finishing second overall. I have subsequently run 8 marathons under 2:40 in the last 28 months (since 1/08), with my current best time of 2:30.59 (5:45 per mile) in the 2009 Palm Beach Marathon, placing 2nd overall. I’ve lowered my half marathon to 1:10 and my 10k to 32 minutes. Before adopting Fruitarian diet, my best half marathon time was 1:17. -The Frutarian.com MY COMMENT: I am going to eat more fruit, but not giving up beer and the occasional steak.

Skechers GOBionic!

SKECHERS USA, Inc. (SKX), a global innovator of performance footwear, today announced that the new zero-drop Skechers GObionic ultra-minimal running line has been named “Editor’s Pick” in the October 2012 issue of Runner’s World UK. The accompanying review notes that “Testers loved everything about it, especially the flexibility, responsiveness, low weight and perceived springy feel.” MY COMMENT: I love my Skechers Goruns!

Strengthen Those Glutes!

Jump or Skip to Improve Your Running

if you could reduce the contact time of the foot on the ground on each step by 15/1000 of a second, you can make an eight minute improvement on a marathon... and you can do that so easily by exercises like jumping and skipping -running coach Guy Ogden in The science of running fast

Never Forget!

I took a long walk with Sumo today after work and reflecting on the brave acts of these American heroes on board United Airlines Flight 93. I won this plaque on Sept 11, 2004, and will never forget what they did in 2001.

How Young is Too Young?

Shelby was 3 years old when she joined the Camp Humphreys Youth Running Club. Now 4, today she became the latest and the youngest member of the 50 Mile Club. You think she is too young, then you can be the one to tell her.

EliptiGO: No Impact Running!

For more information go to eliptiGO.com. Looks like the lower end model retails for around $1,800.

Deep Water Running Takes Practice

Deep-water running maximal heart rate and oxygen consumption values have been consistently shown to be lower than those found during treadmill running. However, recent evidence reveals that there is less of a difference between these maximal values relative to treadmill running and DWR with increased DWR experience. MY COMMENT: The bottome line, if you use deep water running to supplement your training or as a substitute while injured, you'll improve the more you practice, as will the quality of your workout. Source: Deep-water running: a practical review of the literature with an emphasis on biomechanics