A Case of the Runs

I finally bit the bullet and changed the URL of the blog: http://www.ACaseoftheRuns.com It should be fully functional soon, so if you notice weird stuff going on here, that could explain it. :) ADDED: One of those weird things is losing all my side-links/feeds to all of your blogs.  I'm trying to reconstruct it from memory, but if I've omitted yours (or would like me to add it for the first time!), please let me know!

One of the trainers at my gym e-mailed me the magazine clipping above. According to Competitor Magazine , this Friday, September 18, 2009 is "Run @ Work Day." I usually run at work... inside its gym on a treadmill... between 3 and 5 PM. But I believe this article is trying to promote running during lunch outside. This is something that I used to do (see previous post where I mention this) but have long stopped. At any rate, I sometimes do run on Fridays but very short and fast, followed by circuit training (the main focus of the day) and more running/biking. Though not knowing about this event, I was planning on doing my long run this Friday, anyway, since I have an obligation that will keep me from working that day. So maybe my rendition of the day will be called "Run from Work." ------ Speaking of Competitor, they are sponsoring the Las Vegas Marathon , which is less than 3 months away now. My classmate got me all excited about it (although she's not runnin...

This is too late, but I was intrigued by this concept of a free marathon (or marathon relay which you can divide however you wish). The Green River Marathon is taking place this weekend, and the entry fee is an "economic-tsunami"-friendly $0. A $12 T-shirt is available for those who don't feel comfortable with the concept of "free." The catch? Well, if you are not comfortable with stopwatch timing, then forget about this. Also, there are obviously no medals and sparse on-course support. The good news is that this is a Boston qualifier! ------ Link: http://www.greenrivermarathon.com/

UPDATE: This study is still going on, so feel free to join... ------ Original Post: 5/18/08 Should you stretch before you run? This USATF study aims to find the answer. And you can be a part of it!!! As for me, I am still undecided as to whether I am willing to add another thing to my routine. ------ Link: http://www.usatf.org/stretchstudy/

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall of some Clif/Luna Bar products. My beloved Clif! As you know, I really like these bars (especially the Builder's ). I think I ate some of these not too long ago, and I recently got a multi-pack for "The Ukrainian" as well. Leave it to me to endanger those closest to me. =/ I warned my gym staff about this and got these wisecrack replies: "Well, I guess you don't want our Clif Bars then" and "I get the whole box to myself. Yum!" *sigh* ------ Link: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/clifbar01_09.html

According to the article below, I might be drinking too much water. I think I get at least 10 glasses, if not more, per day! The article basically attests that there is insufficient evidence for these commonly believed benefits of "8 glasses a day": Weight loss/appetite suppression: I believe this because hunger is hunger... Flushing of toxins/clear skin: I also agree, though my skin woes are beyond a water issue Decreasing headaches: I had frequent headaches in high school that went away after drinking more water, and I hardly get any nowadays So take this article with a grain of salt, or a bottle of water. Of course, I agree that as a runner, one could easily overhydrate, but I sweat so much (ask anyone) that it would be pretty tough. ------ Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23921635/

I had a chance to see this with my friend, sister, and company. The movie follows the stories of a few La Salle Chicago Marathon 2005 runners, ranging from Kenyan to Deena Kastor to an old man. Also featured were famous running people such as Hal Higdon and Paula Radcliffe. There was a lot of subtle running humor in this movie. For instance, the old man said that the only time he has a runner's high is when he stops (I concur!). I was amazed by this couple that eventually both ran Boston together. I hate to be vague, but my other sister has not seen this movie and should catch the February 21, 7:30 pm encore. Yes, this movie was originally one night, one time only. Watching the more emotional parts of the movie brings me back to my first marathon last year, my third race ever, and how I nearly lost it at mile 22-23... I don't mean physically either. I think I was too tired to hold back both frustration with my cramping legs, the kindness of a fellow runner who stopped to spray ...

Update: I just finished watching the program described below. I thought it was a very inspiring piece, though it made marathoning seem scarier than it usually is. My favorite part was one of the team member's (Steve) statement that he went for the challenge because it was so ridiculous that it's "intriguing." The segment featured 12 people who rarely exercised and put them on a 9-month (yikes!) training program to run the Boston Marathon. Many of them had other issues besides being sedentary, such as stress fractures, previous heart attack, obesity (common), and even a guy with HIV. Obviously, they had their struggles. I thought it was cool how they talked about some of the physiological aspects of running, such as VO2-MAX, glycogen, and other muscle and bone issues. It didn't make it sound very alluring, to be honest. Watching those novices cross the finish line reminded me how good it will feel in Los Angeles in March. I gotta start training my huge muscular...

I found this in this morning's local newspaper (San Gabriel Valley Tribune). ------ Marathon helps bond troops, Afghans By Alison Hewitt Staff Writer SAN DIMAS - When Army 1st Lt. Amanda Wilson crossed the finish line Tuesday to win a marathon in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, it was both an echo of and a long way from her cross-country racing days at South Hills High School. The San Dimas resident organized the Sept. 11 memorial races on her Army base to honor fallen comrades, but also to build morale among her fellow soldiers and neighboring Afghans. Ninety people joined the race run inside the base perimeter to keep safe from enemy attacks. Twelve of the competitors were Afghans, including four interpreters, Wilson said. "When I had my interpreter running side by side with me, it made me realize how far we have come," she wrote in an e-mail interview from Jalalabad at the end of the race. The Afghans who ran congratulated the U.S. soldiers, she added. "For the first time...

Holy moley... I get bored on the treadmill (aka, "dreadmill") after 10 minutes, let alone 24 hours. Infinite kudos! ------ NEW YORK, June 22 An endurance runner covered a distance greater than five marathons over 24 hours to help kick off the introduction of a new sports drink.The launch of Cadbury Schweppes Beverages' Accelerade, a protein-enhanced sports drink, was highlighted by endurance runner Dean Karnazes, who ran on a treadmill for 24 consecutive hours, said a release from Accelerade. Karnazes attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest run on a treadmill in a 24-hour period. He ran more than 130 miles but was just short of the record, the drink's Web site, www.accelerade.com.In addition, Karnazes raised awareness for prostate cancer and $21,000 for Athletes for a Cure. ------ Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/75463.html

Methyl salicylate, an ingredient in common pain relievers such as Ben Gay, Tiger Balm, and Icy Hot, can kill if used on over 40% of the body or combined with aspirin use. A hgih school cross country runner has recently succumbed to this stuff. If you're anything like me, you hardly use pain relievers at all, but if not, consider yourselves warned. ------ See the story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19208195/

UPDATE: This race has been approved! I hope both you all and I are at the start! As you may already know, Pasadena may be holding an inaugural marathon and bike tour next fall (2008). This is just the push I need to train for two marathons next year, since it is pretty close to home, and I am already pretty familiar with the area. The landmarks seem nice. Usually, I go to Old Town Pasadena to read in the bookstore, sample/eat 21 Choices frozen yogurt, or browse the clothing and furniture stores. Paseo Colorado is where A Snail's Pace is located, so they will probably play a large role in this race. Due to the familiarity, I don't know if I'll be happy to see these places during a 26.2 mile trek. But, there could be some novelty: I've never been to the Colorado bridge. I believe I've been to the Rose Bowl. I was certainly spoiled by all the landmarks we got to see in the Los Angeles Marathon, but Pasadena may trump because of the fall weather. Anyway, here is the we...

As another preparation for the hot summer that is about to drown us all, here's another article regarding heat relief, or should I say the lack thereof, for distance runners. ------ Drinking Fluids Doesn't Cool Runners Study Sees No Link Between Runners' Body Temperature and Hydration By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD May 10, 2007 – Drinking fluids during a race doesn't keep long-distance runners cool, a study set in the steamy Singapore Army Half-Marathon shows. Runners are often encouraged to drink lots of water during a long-distance race. Data from earlier studies have questioned that strategy. Proof has been elusive, however, as it's hard to measure runners' body temperature while they are racing. To solve that problem, Christopher Byrne, PhD, and colleagues at Singapore's Center for Human Performance had soldiers swallow heat sensors before running the 2003 half-marathon. The sensors, about three-quarters of an inc...

I've been meaning to post this as the weather in Southern California approached 100 degrees this week. Just reading the first sentence of the article below, I already feel better knowing that I'm not weird when I complain about the heat even in seemingly "overcast" conditions. Anyway, enjoy... and stay cool. ------ Hot Weather Running Posted Monday, 5 June, 2006 First, the bad news: When the temperature rises about 55 degrees F (10 degrees C), you’re going to run more slowly and feel worse than you will at lower temperatures. But by gradually preparing yourself for increased temperatures and taking action from the beginning of hot weather runs, you’ll get a welcome dose of the good news. You’ll learn how to hydrate yourself, what to wear, and when and how much your body can take in hot weather, all of which will help you recover faster and run better than others of your ability on hot days. While even the most heat-adapted runners won’t run as fast on hot days as they...