Ultra runner Lisa Tamati is gearing up to run in the historical footsteps of endurance legends for her upcoming television series Run the Planet.
Along with Australian Chris Ord, Tamati plans to travel the globe and experience some of the extreme endurance measures taken by different cultures over ancient and modern times.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Are Treadmills the Right Choice for You?
Running on a treadmill and running outside are both excellent forms of aerobic exercise, but they're not identical. There are subtle differences you need to consider when choosing one over the other. Here are the pros and cons of each.
Environment is the most obvious. When it's snowing, raining or extremely hot, running outside can be difficult or impossible.
Environment is the most obvious. When it's snowing, raining or extremely hot, running outside can be difficult or impossible.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Running is Good for You
A new study links cardiovascular fitness in early adulthood to increased intelligence,
better performance on cognitive tests, and higher educational
achievement later in life. This comes from proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences .
Middle-aged professional athletes who ran about 50 miles a week and had done so for many years had cellular proteins more effective in preventing cell death than healthy, non-athletes of similar age who did not exercise regularly. Translation of this report in the journal, Circulation, is that exercise can keep the body young in middle age.
Moderate-to-high intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or tennis may help reduce stroke risk in older men by as much as 60 percent, but a similar protective effect was not seen in women, as reported in the journal, Neurology.
Middle-aged professional athletes who ran about 50 miles a week and had done so for many years had cellular proteins more effective in preventing cell death than healthy, non-athletes of similar age who did not exercise regularly. Translation of this report in the journal, Circulation, is that exercise can keep the body young in middle age.
Moderate-to-high intensity exercise such as jogging, swimming or tennis may help reduce stroke risk in older men by as much as 60 percent, but a similar protective effect was not seen in women, as reported in the journal, Neurology.
Tips for Race Supporters
Sacrifice
Be prepared to wake up as early as 4am. Some races start before sunrise.
Observe and snap
I was the team photographer. While the runners were warming up, I got to soak in the atmosphere without thinking about the race or my rivals. It was interesting to observe the runners from the other side of the barrier. What a wonderful sight watching the runners from all over the world shaking hands and chatting at the start line. A good camera is helpful for this.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Triathlete, 56, follows strict regimen
Who: John Mozena, 56, Lake Oswego; 6 feet, 160 pounds.
Mozena is a podiatrist in private practice and a published writer. An Oregon native, he graduated from Central Catholic High School and the University of Oregon. He and his wife, Liz, have two daughters, ages 21 and 25. He coached his girls in every sport they played.
Workout: A triathlete, Mozena has six Ironman competitions under his belt as well as 13 half-Ironmans and more than 20 marathons. He competes all over the country and is trying to get to the world championships. His coach, Dave Caiverella, also is a doctor.
Mozena exercises at least 15 hours a week and at least 20 hours a week before a competition.
Mozena is a podiatrist in private practice and a published writer. An Oregon native, he graduated from Central Catholic High School and the University of Oregon. He and his wife, Liz, have two daughters, ages 21 and 25. He coached his girls in every sport they played.
Workout: A triathlete, Mozena has six Ironman competitions under his belt as well as 13 half-Ironmans and more than 20 marathons. He competes all over the country and is trying to get to the world championships. His coach, Dave Caiverella, also is a doctor.
Mozena exercises at least 15 hours a week and at least 20 hours a week before a competition.
Western States 100: A Taste
Shortly before 5 o'clock Saturday morning, a few hundred of us will present ourselves to the starting line of the Western States Endurance Run.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A 10k Every Day
A FATHER-of-two is nearing the end of his 10k every day challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Tim Bridle is due to finish his 365th 10,000 metre run on New Year's Eve after completing his first on New Year's Day.
Monday, June 25, 2012
60-Years-Old and 1,000 Miles Per Year
Erick Larson runs close to a thousand miles a year.
"I do four miles a day, four days a week," said the 60-year-old businessman.
It's something he's been doing since March 2000. He figures if he ran in one direction he'd be close to halfway around the world.
"At about 10,000 miles, I will be coming back home," he said.
"I do four miles a day, four days a week," said the 60-year-old businessman.
It's something he's been doing since March 2000. He figures if he ran in one direction he'd be close to halfway around the world.
"At about 10,000 miles, I will be coming back home," he said.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
A Three-Minute Mile?
ONE thing is certain about an athletics world record... it will always be broken.
As athletes become ever fitter and as coaches discover new tweaks to techniques, even feats once deemed insurmountable are surpassed.
'Close to its perfection point'
Saturday, June 23, 2012
A Runner Who Smokes?
Roger Smith sets a digital scale on the floor of his Teaneck apartment. Then he takes two gentle steps on top of it.
The 5-foot-10 Smith weighs a feathery 143.4 pounds this morning. If he goes running later, that number may drip down closer to 140.
The 5-foot-10 Smith weighs a feathery 143.4 pounds this morning. If he goes running later, that number may drip down closer to 140.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Train Less, Run Faster?
Train less and run faster? As the London Marathon looms, runners of all abilities are racking up the miles across Britain, but many could be working too hard, according to trainer George Anderson.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Mo Farah & Alberto Salazar
Walnuts: Another Wonder Food?
WALNUTS are the healthiest nuts to eat, according to scientists
They are loaded with antioxidants and snacking on just seven a day could help ward off disease and lower cholesterol. Walnuts contain very high levels of polyphenol, an anti-oxidant which can protect the body from molecules which damage tissue.
They are loaded with antioxidants and snacking on just seven a day could help ward off disease and lower cholesterol. Walnuts contain very high levels of polyphenol, an anti-oxidant which can protect the body from molecules which damage tissue.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Synching our Brains to our Muscles
IN OUR series of articles, we have covered several key training workouts that you must incorporate into your training programme. These are the easy runs, long runs, time trials and progressive runs.
As you have noticed, all of these runs are at a relatively slower pace, which will help you meet the training objectives of cardiovascular development. If you run these runs too fast, you will not be able to run as long as you would like to, and thus limit the desired long-term benefits.
As you have noticed, all of these runs are at a relatively slower pace, which will help you meet the training objectives of cardiovascular development. If you run these runs too fast, you will not be able to run as long as you would like to, and thus limit the desired long-term benefits.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Running 80 Miles a Week Despite being a Mom with a Full-Time Job
Jackie Pirtle-Hall has been running between 70 and 85 miles a week for about a year now. That's an impressive feat for anyone, but Pirtle-Hall, 29, of St. Charles, is also a mother and full-time teacher at McCluer North High School.
Marathon runner juggles training, family, teaching: HOW I DID IT - Jackie Pirtle-Hall qualified for the Olympic trials with support from parents, husband.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Mom Runs 1,000 Miles for Charity
A year after seven San Clemente moms set out on Mother's Day 2011 to run 1,000 miles in 365 days, the group is doing more than that.
The moms, all of whom live in the Talega community, raised more than $15,000 for Acres of Love, a charity that rescues children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic in South Africa.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part X
The Life Maximizer Workout
As you read earlier, Williams and Moussa determined that the health benefits of running increase as mileage increases up to 40 miles per week. Here is a routine that that you can do to safely and comfortably run 40 miles per week. This schedule uses workouts that range from 4 miles to a long run of 10 miles that is done one time per week. If you are currently unable to run the suggested distances, begin with your existing long run distance and build up by adding one mile each week until you reach the suggested workout mileage. Do most of these runs at an easy pace. To increase your level of fitness even more, do a couple of these weekly runs at a slightly harder pace. Do not do two harder runs on consecutive days. You will need an easy run between each hard effort for muscle recovery.
You do not have to limit yourself to 40 miles. You will continue to accrue fitness and race performance benefits up to about 75 or more miles per week. But, research has shown that health and life extension benefits begin to drop off sharply after about 40 miles per week.
Monday – 5 miles
Tuesday – 5 miles
Wednesday – 6 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – 5 miles
Saturday – 5 miles
Sunday – 10 miles
As you read earlier, Williams and Moussa determined that the health benefits of running increase as mileage increases up to 40 miles per week. Here is a routine that that you can do to safely and comfortably run 40 miles per week. This schedule uses workouts that range from 4 miles to a long run of 10 miles that is done one time per week. If you are currently unable to run the suggested distances, begin with your existing long run distance and build up by adding one mile each week until you reach the suggested workout mileage. Do most of these runs at an easy pace. To increase your level of fitness even more, do a couple of these weekly runs at a slightly harder pace. Do not do two harder runs on consecutive days. You will need an easy run between each hard effort for muscle recovery.
You do not have to limit yourself to 40 miles. You will continue to accrue fitness and race performance benefits up to about 75 or more miles per week. But, research has shown that health and life extension benefits begin to drop off sharply after about 40 miles per week.
Monday – 5 miles
Tuesday – 5 miles
Wednesday – 6 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – 5 miles
Saturday – 5 miles
Sunday – 10 miles
Saturday, June 16, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part IX
The Life Saver Workout
Most fitness professionals recommend a minimum training volume that burns at least 1000 calories per week. Studies have shown that this amount of training will result in a 20% to 50% reduction of premature death. Use this simple training schedule to burn the minimum suggested 1000 weekly calories. Perform each workout at an easy to moderate pace. In order to obtain the desired result you must burn at least 1000 calories per week on a consistent basis for the rest of your life.
Monday – 1 mile
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – Off
Thursday – 2 miles
Friday – Off
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 3 miles
Most fitness professionals recommend a minimum training volume that burns at least 1000 calories per week. Studies have shown that this amount of training will result in a 20% to 50% reduction of premature death. Use this simple training schedule to burn the minimum suggested 1000 weekly calories. Perform each workout at an easy to moderate pace. In order to obtain the desired result you must burn at least 1000 calories per week on a consistent basis for the rest of your life.
Monday – 1 mile
Tuesday – 2 miles
Wednesday – Off
Thursday – 2 miles
Friday – Off
Saturday – 2 miles
Sunday – 3 miles
Friday, June 15, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part VIII
Run On
There is not a doubt in the world that habitual, consistent runners live longer, healthier and happier lives. Running helps prevent, manage and reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer and other diseases. It keeps your weight at a healthy level, lowers your blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, increases good cholesterol, builds your strength and improves your cardiac function. Running also reduces your stress level, anxiety and depression.
Runners that already have heart disease are slightly more at risk of sudden death during exercise than when they are at rest, but without exercise their risk of sudden death is greater at all times. If you currently have, or have a family history of, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, if you are a smoker or if you are over 50 you should be screened by your doctor before you begin or continue running.
Running is good for you and data shows that it will add years to your life. So run on. Runners do live longer.
There is not a doubt in the world that habitual, consistent runners live longer, healthier and happier lives. Running helps prevent, manage and reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer and other diseases. It keeps your weight at a healthy level, lowers your blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, increases good cholesterol, builds your strength and improves your cardiac function. Running also reduces your stress level, anxiety and depression.
Runners that already have heart disease are slightly more at risk of sudden death during exercise than when they are at rest, but without exercise their risk of sudden death is greater at all times. If you currently have, or have a family history of, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, if you are a smoker or if you are over 50 you should be screened by your doctor before you begin or continue running.
Running is good for you and data shows that it will add years to your life. So run on. Runners do live longer.
National Runner's Health Study: Part VII
Is There a Dark Side?
One of my favorite movies when I was young was the original Star Wars. A part of that movie that has stayed with me over the years is the eerie scene involving the heavy and raspy breathing of Darth Vader, who represented the dark side.
Running provides many physical and mental health benefits, but is there a dark side to running? Some believe that there is. Occasionally a tragedy occurs in the sport of running. Runners that appear to be fit and healthy collapse and die during their race or training run. During the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon two men died after suffering a heart attack. One runner suffered a heart attack 3 miles into the race while the other collapsed at mile 21. A third runner had a heart attack at the start of the race but survived.
Sudden death is not a common occurrence in running, even during a race as grueling and strenuous as the marathon. It is even rarer to see multiple deaths, such as the unfortunate events during the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon, but sudden deaths do occur. Studies vary in data concerning the number of sudden deaths among runners. One report said that about 7 of every 100,000 runners will die suddenly. Another recent study determined that sudden death associated with moderate to vigorous exercise was very low at 1 per 36.5 million hours of exercise. In 2005, researchers conducted a study of 215,413 runners that competed in the Marine Corps and Twin Cities Marathons over a 30 year period . The researchers found that only 4 sudden deaths occurred due to unsuspected heart disease. That is a very low .002% which is much lower than risks of sudden death among non-runners. Regardless of which numbers you choose to believe, the incidence of sudden death among runners is rare.
Sudden death during exercise is a relatively rare occurrence, but unfortunately it does happen. If running and exercise improves your health and extends your life, why do these tragedies happen? Does running increase the chances of sudden death? As with most complex questions, the answer is partly yes and partly no.
One of my favorite movies when I was young was the original Star Wars. A part of that movie that has stayed with me over the years is the eerie scene involving the heavy and raspy breathing of Darth Vader, who represented the dark side.
Running provides many physical and mental health benefits, but is there a dark side to running? Some believe that there is. Occasionally a tragedy occurs in the sport of running. Runners that appear to be fit and healthy collapse and die during their race or training run. During the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon two men died after suffering a heart attack. One runner suffered a heart attack 3 miles into the race while the other collapsed at mile 21. A third runner had a heart attack at the start of the race but survived.
Sudden death is not a common occurrence in running, even during a race as grueling and strenuous as the marathon. It is even rarer to see multiple deaths, such as the unfortunate events during the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon, but sudden deaths do occur. Studies vary in data concerning the number of sudden deaths among runners. One report said that about 7 of every 100,000 runners will die suddenly. Another recent study determined that sudden death associated with moderate to vigorous exercise was very low at 1 per 36.5 million hours of exercise. In 2005, researchers conducted a study of 215,413 runners that competed in the Marine Corps and Twin Cities Marathons over a 30 year period . The researchers found that only 4 sudden deaths occurred due to unsuspected heart disease. That is a very low .002% which is much lower than risks of sudden death among non-runners. Regardless of which numbers you choose to believe, the incidence of sudden death among runners is rare.
Sudden death during exercise is a relatively rare occurrence, but unfortunately it does happen. If running and exercise improves your health and extends your life, why do these tragedies happen? Does running increase the chances of sudden death? As with most complex questions, the answer is partly yes and partly no.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part VI
How Far Should You Go?
As you can see there is no doubt that running will improve your health, increase your level of fitness and probably extend your life, but how far should you run? The answer to that question depends upon your current situation. Any amount of exercise will help. While most fitness professionals recommend a minimum weekly energy expenditure of 1000 calories (10 miles of running), burning as little as 500 calories (5 miles of running or walking) per week has been shown to be beneficial to your health. This is especially true for individuals who have been sedentary, have very low fitness levels, the frail or elderly. But there is also evidence that a much higher volume and intensity of exercise is more beneficial.
Berkeley researcher Paul Williams and assistant Davina Moussa conducted a study of 1,833 women as part of the National Runners Health Study. The study investigated the benefits of prolonged running. Williams and Moussa determined that running more miles resulted in greater health benefits, up to 40 miles per week. Running over 40 miles per week will continue to improve your level of fitness, but the researchers found that there were few health or life extension benefits obtained from running more than 40 miles per week.
As you can see there is no doubt that running will improve your health, increase your level of fitness and probably extend your life, but how far should you run? The answer to that question depends upon your current situation. Any amount of exercise will help. While most fitness professionals recommend a minimum weekly energy expenditure of 1000 calories (10 miles of running), burning as little as 500 calories (5 miles of running or walking) per week has been shown to be beneficial to your health. This is especially true for individuals who have been sedentary, have very low fitness levels, the frail or elderly. But there is also evidence that a much higher volume and intensity of exercise is more beneficial.
Berkeley researcher Paul Williams and assistant Davina Moussa conducted a study of 1,833 women as part of the National Runners Health Study. The study investigated the benefits of prolonged running. Williams and Moussa determined that running more miles resulted in greater health benefits, up to 40 miles per week. Running over 40 miles per week will continue to improve your level of fitness, but the researchers found that there were few health or life extension benefits obtained from running more than 40 miles per week.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part V
Running Is a Bone Builder
Many critics of running will tell you that you should avoid it because it is a high impact activity. They will suggest that you should perform low-impact activities such as stationary bicycling or elliptical machines to minimize stress on your bones and joints. They are partly right but mostly wrong. They are correct that running is a high-impact activity. You are placing stress on your bones with each stride you take. They are wrong in suggesting that you should avoid all high impact exercise. Impact exercise is necessary in order to reduce the occurrence of osteoporosis. This was proven by a recent investigation that showed athletes who participate in high impact sports have higher bone density when compared to athletes who engage in low impact sports.
Your bones are similar to your muscles in the fact that a lack of stress will result in weakness. If you do not exercise your muscles they will atrophy or get smaller and weaker. The same principle applies to your bones. If your bones are not consistently stressed, they will become weak and brittle. If you consistently stress them through high impact activities such as running or strength training, they will respond by growing stronger. Warburton and associates found that running 15 to 20 miles per week is associated with maintaining or building bone density. Another study conducted in the year 2000 showed that intense physical activity led to a reduced incidence of hip fractures in the men studied.
Exercise also helps decrease the severity of existing osteoporosis. In a 6 month study, 98 older women with osteoporosis participated in high impact exercise training. The exercise improved their bone densities by .5% to 1.4%.
Many critics of running will tell you that you should avoid it because it is a high impact activity. They will suggest that you should perform low-impact activities such as stationary bicycling or elliptical machines to minimize stress on your bones and joints. They are partly right but mostly wrong. They are correct that running is a high-impact activity. You are placing stress on your bones with each stride you take. They are wrong in suggesting that you should avoid all high impact exercise. Impact exercise is necessary in order to reduce the occurrence of osteoporosis. This was proven by a recent investigation that showed athletes who participate in high impact sports have higher bone density when compared to athletes who engage in low impact sports.
Your bones are similar to your muscles in the fact that a lack of stress will result in weakness. If you do not exercise your muscles they will atrophy or get smaller and weaker. The same principle applies to your bones. If your bones are not consistently stressed, they will become weak and brittle. If you consistently stress them through high impact activities such as running or strength training, they will respond by growing stronger. Warburton and associates found that running 15 to 20 miles per week is associated with maintaining or building bone density. Another study conducted in the year 2000 showed that intense physical activity led to a reduced incidence of hip fractures in the men studied.
Exercise also helps decrease the severity of existing osteoporosis. In a 6 month study, 98 older women with osteoporosis participated in high impact exercise training. The exercise improved their bone densities by .5% to 1.4%.
National Runner's Health Study: Part IV
Running – The Cancer Killer
There have been several studies that show that physical activity can help prevent many types of cancers, particularly colon and breast cancer. Walburton and fellow researchers reviewed over 100 studies and found that higher, more intense levels of physical activity such as running were more effective in protecting against cancer than lower level activities. They revealed that physically active men and women were 30% to 40% less likely to develop colon cancer and physically active women were at 20% to 30% less risk of developing breast cancer than their less active counterparts.
Current cancer patients can also benefit from running. One study investigated by Walburton and associates indicated that the most physically active breast cancer patients reduced their risk of cancer related death and recurrence of breast cancer by 26% to 40%.
There have been several studies that show that physical activity can help prevent many types of cancers, particularly colon and breast cancer. Walburton and fellow researchers reviewed over 100 studies and found that higher, more intense levels of physical activity such as running were more effective in protecting against cancer than lower level activities. They revealed that physically active men and women were 30% to 40% less likely to develop colon cancer and physically active women were at 20% to 30% less risk of developing breast cancer than their less active counterparts.
Current cancer patients can also benefit from running. One study investigated by Walburton and associates indicated that the most physically active breast cancer patients reduced their risk of cancer related death and recurrence of breast cancer by 26% to 40%.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part III
Running is a Diabetes Buster
Insulin is a hormone that your body uses to covert sugar and other foods into energy. Diabetes is a disease in which your body does not properly produce or use insulin, which can result in a dangerously high level of glucose in your blood. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your body fails to produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter your cells to provide energy. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body produces insulin, but you develop an insulin resistance. Your body does not properly use the insulin that is available. Most individuals diagnosed with diabetes today have type 2.
Running will help prevent the development of diabetes and also help manage existing cases. Warburton and associates found that an increase in exercise of just 500 calories per week (about 5 miles of running) will decrease the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. The study also determined physically inactive men with type 2 diabetes were 1.7 times more likely to die prematurely than physically active men with type 2 diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone that your body uses to covert sugar and other foods into energy. Diabetes is a disease in which your body does not properly produce or use insulin, which can result in a dangerously high level of glucose in your blood. The most common types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your body fails to produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter your cells to provide energy. Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your body produces insulin, but you develop an insulin resistance. Your body does not properly use the insulin that is available. Most individuals diagnosed with diabetes today have type 2.
Running will help prevent the development of diabetes and also help manage existing cases. Warburton and associates found that an increase in exercise of just 500 calories per week (about 5 miles of running) will decrease the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. The study also determined physically inactive men with type 2 diabetes were 1.7 times more likely to die prematurely than physically active men with type 2 diabetes.
Monday, June 11, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part II
Two Miles a Day Keeps the Grim Reaper Away
There is no question that running and other forms of physical exercise improve your health. What are the health benefits of running and how does it extend your life? Funny you should ask! Researchers at the University of British Columbia investigated that very topic in March of this year. In that study Warburton and associates found that recent research shows that sedentary individuals can reduce their risk of premature death between 20% and 50% by simply becoming more active. Even moderate amounts of running will decrease your levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), increase your HDL (good cholesterol), lower your blood pressure and improve your cardiac function. The researchers also found that if you increase the amount of calories you burn through physical exercise by 1000 calories or about 10 miles of running per week, you can reduce your risk of premature death by another 20%.
That’s great news for people who are healthy and do not currently have cardiovascular disease. What about those whom are already at risk? Good news! The benefits of running also apply to individuals that already have cardiovascular disease. The researchers determined that burning around 1600 calories or 16 miles of running per week may stop the advancement of cardiovascular disease and 2200 calories or 22 miles of running per week could actually reverse the disease.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
National Runner's Health Study: Part I
Imagine pulling up to the drive up window of your local drug store. You hand the pharmacist your prescription. In just a few minutes a fork lift shows up and plops a treadmill on top of your car! That’s right – your doctor prescribed a treadmill to improve your health and cure your illness!
OK – Maybe I am exaggerating just a bit. You probably won’t be picking up a treadmill at your neighborhood pharmacy, but more and more doctors are prescribing running and other forms of exercise to their patients. These doctors are learning what coaches, personal trainers and runners have known for years. Running is good for your physical and mental health.
If you are currently a runner you probably already knew that. One of the reasons you run is for the health benefits. If you are a new runner or are thinking about starting, you assume that running will improve your health and extend your life. Your assumption is correct. If you run consistently over your lifetime, a longer lifespan is the very probable outcome. A study completed last year in Rotterdam confirmed that. The researchers in Rotterdam concluded that people who run about 30 minutes per day - five days per week extended their lives by 3.5 to 3.7 years.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Octogenarian Runner will Carry Olympic Torch
A LIFETIME of running and coaching earned Leigh Harriers
President Derek Howarth the honour of carrying the Olympic torch.
At 81 Mr Howarth, of Stone Cross Lane, Lowton, is the oldest
runner at the famous athletics club and is delighted to have been chosen to
take his place on the Olympic trail next month when he carries the torch along
a stretch of the at Stockpot.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Robin Harvie: Why We Run
"ALL WHO have put on a pair of trainers will know the sense of freedom that comes with fresh air on the face miles from home," writes Robin Harvie in the prologue to his excellent book, Why We Run.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Running the Sahara with Charlie Engle: Part II
Charlie to be Released to Halfway House
Joe Nocera
I got an e-mail the other day from Richard Engle telling me that his son Charlie would be getting out of prison this month. I was happy to hear it.
Charlie’s ordeal isn’t over yet, of course. When he leaves prison on June 20, Charlie, 49, will move temporarily to a halfway house, after which he will be on probation for another five years. And unless he can get the verdict overturned, he will have to spend the rest of his life with a felony on his record.
Joe Nocera
I got an e-mail the other day from Richard Engle telling me that his son Charlie would be getting out of prison this month. I was happy to hear it.
Charlie’s ordeal isn’t over yet, of course. When he leaves prison on June 20, Charlie, 49, will move temporarily to a halfway house, after which he will be on probation for another five years. And unless he can get the verdict overturned, he will have to spend the rest of his life with a felony on his record.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Running the Sahara with Charlie Engle: Part 1
How Charlie Landed in Prison
by Joe Nocera
A few weeks ago, when the Justice Department decided not to prosecute Angelo Mozilo, the former chief executive of Countrywide, I wrote a column lamenting the fact that none of the big fish were likely to go to prison for their roles in the financial crisis.
Prescription: Running and No Refined Carbs
Chris Uszynski, 38, of Amherstburg surmounted a serious sports-related injury by becoming a running fool.
A terrible hockey hit dislocated my hips and landed me in hospital with four hip operations between the ages of 11 and 13. The rest of my adolescence was spent being very cautious about physical activity.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Update: 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Belgian runner Stefaan Engels set a Guinness World Record after
crossing the finish line of his 365th consecutive marathon on Saturday.
Engels, dubbed the "Marathon Man," began the extreme physical challenge a year ago in Barcelona. He competed a race a day in seven countries: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S.
Engels, dubbed the "Marathon Man," began the extreme physical challenge a year ago in Barcelona. He competed a race a day in seven countries: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S.
206 Marathons in 206 Days
Stefaan Engels wasn't sure his quest to run a full, 42-kilometre marathon every day for 365 days in a row was humanly possible when he started on Jan. 1. His friends were even less optimistic.
"They called it suicidal," the well-tanned and obviously fit 49-year-old from Belgium said yesterday in Montreal, his first stop in North America, a few hours before his weekly massage and daily jaunt.
"They called it suicidal," the well-tanned and obviously fit 49-year-old from Belgium said yesterday in Montreal, his first stop in North America, a few hours before his weekly massage and daily jaunt.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Is Your Spouse Addicted to Exercise?
Dear Abbey:
What can I do to slow down my husband's compulsive exercising? He runs every morning at 5:30, even in the rain, even when we're traveling somewhere on vacation. In the afternoon he rides his bike and lifts weights. Sure, his body is lean and mean, but his working out gets in the way of activities with me and our children. He says he's just trying to be healthy.
Trail Running Can be Fun
Dan Quihuiz said his wife can run for miles on the paved portion St. Johns River Trail without a problem.
It's when she begins to reach Cutler Park that it's time to turn around to avoid running on the unpaved portion of the trail.
It's when she begins to reach Cutler Park that it's time to turn around to avoid running on the unpaved portion of the trail.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Running with God (Part 1)
Running has been a huge part of Andy Ploenzke's life since high school. Running has been a huge part of his son's life for as long as he can remember.
For Andy, running has become a spiritual endeavor, a way for the pastor of Prophetstown's First Congregational Church to communicate with God.
Until recently, running had been the opposite for his son, David.
For Andy, running has become a spiritual endeavor, a way for the pastor of Prophetstown's First Congregational Church to communicate with God.
Until recently, running had been the opposite for his son, David.
Friday, June 1, 2012
I Got Your "Junk" Miles
If you are a recreational runner, there is a decent chance
you've never even heard the phrase "junk miles." Despite clocking 30
miles per week, I certainly qualify as a "recreational runner," never
having run long-distance in competition. However, I do read a lot of books and
magazine articles about running, and it is here we find references to the
junk-mile concept in abundance, usually by highly competitive types.
Don't get me wrong, I respect the highly competitive types
who find ways to motivate themselves by finding new training challenges for
most of their runs (let's say 80%), with the balance of their miles (20% or
less) constituting "junk," which might be defined as running for no
other reason than to log the miles, and often in a slow and unpurposed fashion.
Well, since I don't compete, I suppose that makes most of my miles something close to "pure" junk.
Or does it?
Let me beg to differ.
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