The Key To Marathon Success

Forget hard work and training ... it looks like we might have another option!

Scientists have found success (in mice) with a new drug. Mice on the drug burn more calories and have less fat than mice not on the drug (which is awesome in itself) but more importantly when tested on a treadmill they can run about 44% farther and 23% longer than untreated mice.

Study authors call it exercise in a pill because you can chemically mimic exercise without actually doing it. Sign me up!

FYI

Sorry for the late notice, but the Cheesecake Factory is celebrating its 30-year-anniversary with $1.50 cheesecake slices! Its for all of their varieties!!

In addition, the restaurant states that "a special, limited edition cheesecake, the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake, will be introduced on July 30th with $0.25 from the sale of each slice sold this year benefiting the national hunger-relief organization, America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network."

Find a location by you

Check out the list of cheesecakes! A couple are calling my name: Banana Cream, Key Lime, Lemon Raspberry, Godiva Chocolate, mmmm....

This Chaps My Hyde

Today I got an email from John Bingham Racing informing me that due to the massive amount of participants in this years Chicago Distance Classic that they will be moving to a "wave start". Here is the email:

Greetings!
RECORD FIELD MEANS WAVE START!

CDC: John, we understand that you've decided to use a wave start this year. Can you tell us what that is, and why you're going to use it.
John: Our number one concern is giving every participant a chance to have the greatest race of their lives. That means providing a safe course, a weil supported course, and making sure that every participant feels like the race was staged just for them.
We also want a beautiful course, which for us has meant taking advantage of the lakefront path south of the city. There's not another major city course that has 6 miles in a park overlooking a lake that ENDS in the middle of downtown.
To make sure that everyone has room to run or walk, we're going to have a series of starts, with 2,500 people in each wave.

CDC: But if I'm not in the first wave, won't that affect my time?
John: No, just the opposite. It will help you have a better time because you'll actually be in a much smaller race. Your time doesn't start until you cross the start line. In a large race like the CDC it can take 8-10 minutes to get to the starting line anyway. A wave start just makes it better organized.

CDC: Have you used a wave start anywhere else?
John: Yes. At the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach. I'm on the announcer's stand and we bring up each wave and get them fired up. It's FANTASTIC. Instead of feeling like you're in the middle of a giant event you feel like you're having your own private race.

CDC: How will people know what wave they should be in?
John: The Reebok Pace Team Leaders, presented by Chicago Endurance Sports, will be in the start corrals. [Pace teams are FREE] They will help participants find the wave that's right for them. There will also be pace signs in the start corrals.
If you want to qualify for one of the Chicago Marathon Seeded Corrals, you'll want to get in the first wave. If you're trying for an age-group, you'll want to get in the second wave. If all you want is a fun day running and walking with 12,000 of your best friends, line up near the back.
CDC: OK, you've convinced us. Anything else we need to know?

John: We're hoping that everyone will cooperate and help us help them. If folks line up where they should then everyone will have an opportunity to do their best.

First let me say that last years race was horrible. It was super hot, they ran out of water (um, big sign for what was to come in Oct, huh?) and the course was HORRIBLE! I dont understand why they have to make every Chicago race so huge that its impossible to move around, they have to use wave starts, and it seems to become quite dangerous with the combination of all the factors. Small events appear to really be about the "event", the love of running and the (possible) charity that it attached to it. There is only one reason that a race continues to grow in size - MONEY. Bigger races get more entry fees, more publicity, and more sponsorship. I dont see where this all benefits the runner, as John "the Penguin" Bingham is so clearly trying to make us believe in the email above :(

Be A "Part of History"

Nike is attempting to accomplish the goal of having 1 Million runners participate in the Nike+ Human Race on August 31st. There are 25 cities participating, and runners who arent near a participating city are encouraged ro register for the event and run using the Nike+ system. They can then upload their data to become one of the "1 Million".

There are two charity elements to the race: Nike claims money is raised for each mile you run, and you also can do fundraising through the site when you register for the race. I am not too sure how all of that works, and the site info isnt clear. Perhaps when you register you get more info?

If you live in one of the cities the events take place in, there is an added bonus. The 10K finishes with a concert ... and in Chicago its Fall Out Boy :)

Ok, We Get It! Sleep Is Important!

There are always studies about sleep, and how the lack of it can link to a variety of things. Health consequences include a heightened risk for a number of major illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. But consequences are not only health-related. For example, those lacking in the necessary amt of sleep create road dangers as they nod off/fall asleep at the road.

Today, it appears that everyone (not just the pregnant ones) is suffering from sleep deprivation. And the impacts are seen across the board.

A study by the National Sleep Foundation found that nearly 3 in 10 workers "have become very sleepy, or even fallen asleep, at work in the past month. Employers have also seen poor work performance (e.g. arriving late to work, lack of concentration, etc)

And now a new study links poor sleep (measured in part by how long participants took to nod off and how often they awakened in the night) with higher levels of hostility, depression, and anger, especially in women. As a long-standing insomniac I am glad to finally hear this confirmed. Now I know that my short-temper and anger problems are all related to the fact that I dont get a whole lot of sleep ... so obviously I cant be held responsible? Right? And since sleep deprivation is the #1 concern/issue that new parents have ... I want to make sure I clearly state now that all of my nasty behavior in the months to come just simply isnt my fault :)

This Made Me Cry

Perhaps many of you have seen this - its been circulating all over. But if you havent, you really have to. Its such a touching story, but when you watch it you just can't believe its real. But I did some looking around (e.g. Snopes) and the amazing thing is that it IS REAL! How cool is that?

The basic gyst of the story is that in 1969, 2 guys purchased a lion cub from Harrods department store in London. (Yes, back in the day you could actually buy exotic animals in stores). Christian, the lion, grew to big, too fast, and the owners agreed to have it sent Kenya in order to be rehabilitated into the wild at Kora National Reserve. The two men later returned to Kenya in hopes of spotting their former pet, and this video shows you the amazing outcome of that visit.

A Little R&R

My sister was in town for the last few days, keeping me much more active than I have been over the past few months. On Monday we went to New Buffalo (MI) to visit my cousin and on Tuesday we went to the south suburbs to visit our Mom and Grandparents. All of the driving and activity totally wore me out and I feel like I need a vacation!

I decided while at yoga today to book a pre-natal massage for tomorrow. I deserve if for all of my "hard work" ;) Hmmm...now that I think about it, I just might be needing a manicure and pedicure too!

"Race" Report

Despite some threatening-looking weather, Sunday's event turned out quite well! It poured just hours before the race, and looked like it was about to pour during the race - but Mother Nature was kind enough to give us all a break.

Lucky for me, Cara was not in the mood for running after her 12-miler the day before. That means I had a walking buddy for my 5K! It actually turned out to be a nice walk, and while we didnt exactly push ourselves for time we did move at a decent pace. Enough so that it was some exercise for me, but I dont think that Cara was able to count it as one of her weekly workouts :)

Beca and her two friends that actually ran (both named Jen) had great races. They were happy with their times and finished feeling good. So as a result, it was a pretty positive experience for all. To celbrate our big even we went out after and had breakfast, which made everyone even happier.

I didnt wear a chip because I didnt want to log a race-time that was so far off of what I would generally do for a 5K, I believe it took us somewhere around 54 minutes. So while I got the race shirt and the race goodies, there is no record of me actually being there. I was like a ninja.

Why Post Signs?

The sign clearly says "No Parking" and then "Trucks". I cant figure if this means no parking FOR trucks or no parking for anyone BUT trucks. Either way, there is clearly a truck right in front of it. Inquiring minds want to know ...

If All Else Fails

The bike I want might be too expensive and advanced for me. Maybe I should set my sights on something like this (you see correctly - its covered in some sort of teal fur)

The Non-Runner Still Has to Eat

Last night I met up with my old "running crew" for some Thai food. We have all gotten together in bits and pieces here-and-there, but its the first time in a long time that we all got our schedules to sync at the same time. It was great being with all of them again, practically like old times ... except for the fact that they all have something in common that I no longer am a part of. As they talk about their upcoming double-digit runs and battling the current Chicago heat wave, I find myself envious of their experiences. They have met new running friends this season, and things are different for all of us. As we all chatted, I hoped that perhaps they were also secretly envious of me ... having the "excuse" not to run those double-digits in the 90 degree weather. Who knows?

The Chicago Marathon inconveniently falls in the same week as my due date, and though they seem to keep forgetting, they are aware that odds are against my being there to support them (Of course, I will be there in spirit). But, each of them is running in the Chicago Distance Classic on 8/10 and thats an event I know I can come out and support!

My Big "Race"
This weekend is the Fleet Feet Sports Women's 5K & 10K. While I attempt to walk 3.1 miles (definitely the farthest I have gone in one period in MONTHS) both Cara and Beca will be running twice that amount. They generally start the walkers at the back of the pack and I have a feeling we will all be finishing up at the same time. In addition, due to their regular training and my rather sloth-like existance, I predict that I will be sweatier and more worn out at the end of the event than they are :)

After the run (or walk, for some of us!) I will get to stuff my face with food, making up for the extreme effort it will take me to walk for those 3.1 miles. Perhaps even better, after stuffing my face with food I am going to go see The Dark Knight at the Navy Pier IMAX theater. My brother-in-law, Tim, was wise enought to get us tix to this (now sold out show) in advance. Yes, you have a right to be envious.

Pregnant Runners

Runner's World has an interview with Natalie Morales, co-host of the Today Show. In it she talks about her "active pregnancies". She ran up until two days before having her first child and is still running with her current pregnancy (though I cant find out out far along she is). She talks about how running through her first trimester was the only thing that made her feel good - keeping her energy and stamina up.

All these pregnant runners make me feel like a failure. I tried running during my first trimester but I was so tired that I simply couldnt do it. I couldnt run 3 miles withouth having to walk portions of it ... and my body felt strange and uncomfortable. During my first trimester I didnt gain any weight and really didnt show at all by the end of it ... so imagine me trying to run in my 2nd trimester, where I pack on the lbs weekly and continue to get bigger by the minute. I just never saw it as possible! Kudos to all the ladies out there who are doing it - I envy your willpower and dedication. As I sit here on the couch with my feet elevated watching movies on Lifetime, I think of you :)

Running After Pregnancy
For now I look to 2009 and figure I will be able to get myself back on track then. I think about training for another marathon, or possibly switching it up and going the triathlon route. Runners World has another article that talks more about the actual task of running for women after carrying and deliverying a baby.

There are some positive effects that pregnancy has on the runner:

• During pregnancy, blood volume goes up by as much as 40 percent and resting heart rate rises by as much as 15 beats. "Pregnancy makes you hypertrained. Your body becomes very efficient at circulating oxygen," says Nadya Swedan, M.D., author of The Active Woman's Health and Fitness Handbook. "If you begin running within weeks of giving birth, you can capitalize on those gains."
• Much of the gain is mental! A study at the University of Stirling in Scotland compared the pain tolerances of 10 women who hadn't given birth with 10 who had. During normal training sessions, the mothers handled more pain.

But its not a downhill-only race:

• After birth, "Your bones can get leached of calcium, which makes them susceptible to fractures," says Dr. Swedan, a rehabilitation specialist in New York City.
• Knee pain is also common in postpartum running mothers who are still lugging pregnancy weight.
• The hormone relaxin, which causes joints and ligaments to loosen up so the hips can accommodate giving birth, doesn't depart the body until at least four months postpartum, making you more prone to sprains

Maybe if I looked like these two ladies during my pregnancy I would still be running...but I certainly dont look anything near this good :)


(Pics are of Natalie Morales on the left and Paula Radcliffe on the right)

Sign A Petition For Homeless Pets

In a recent interview, it was revealed that Senator Obama has promised his kids a dog after the election. In response, the American Kennel Club sent a list of possible pure breeds the family could get from a pet store or breeded. Best Friends Animal Society has decided to do something different, proposing that the family get their dog from a shelter or rescue group. Read the Letter here.

Here is an opportunity for you to get involved:
Sign the petition at www.obamafamilydog.com, encouraging the senator to save a life by adopting a homeless pet.

Mmmmmm....Beer

I am not a very big drinker in the first place, but do enjoy the occasional beer. In the past few months I have actually been craving alcohol, and am quite aware that its simply because I am not supposed to have it. When I see a person with a beer or glass of wine, I almost drool. In NYC over the weekened we had lunch at The Boathouse and everyone in there was drinking fruity drinks ... I saw lots of Mimosas and Mojitos. I dont generally like either one of those, but cannot tell you how bad I wanted one :)

I come home, and RunnerGirl has a post about the best beers (alcohol & calorie related) ...the lowest calorie beer she had listed was Michelob Ultra with 4.5% alcohol and 95 calories. That got me to thinking...I swear there was something more recent I had seen out there with much less calories, and I found it :)

Becks Light!
Becks Light has 64 calories and 3.8% alcohol by volume. Now a lot of people might think it sucks cuz it has less alcohol, but I figure considering the effects that alcohol has on the body maybe this is a good thing ;) RunnerGirl gave the beers a score by dividing the calories by alcohol. That makes Michelob Ultra a 22.619 (95 calories / 4.2 alcohol) and Becks Light only a 16.84 (64 calories / 3.8 alcohol) ... Becks is the clear winner. So what does that mean? That means when I am trying to get my body back in shape after this baby arrives ... and at the same time want to fuel my body with some booze ... I will be looking for a Becks Light (or two...or three...maybe four) :)

Funny Coincidence?
All this beer thinking at at the same time the company that makes Becks (Belgium brewer InBev) has just agreed to buy Anheuser Busch (largest US beer company and maker of Budweiser) for 52 BILLION dollars. The news is unsettling to many, with a foreign company taking over one of our American staples. The Wall Street Journal says it best:

The deal with InBev closes the book on an American corporate dynasty. Anheuser and its predecessor companies have been led by members of the Anheuser or Busch families for most of the past 156 years.

And Mission #3

We had to check out a Broadway show (when in NY, eat pizza...and do Broadway!). It was tough to pick so we just randomly decided to go with Young Frankenstein. It looked funny, was a bit different than some of the other stuff, was a newer show, and we got a good deal on some pretty great steats!

That was really all we came for, so it was a successful trip :)

Mission #2

Pinkberry!

Weekend In NYC

Only here for a short trip with a few goals: Mission #1 - PIZZA!

One-Hundred Push Up Challenge

Everywhere I go bloggers are talking about the "100 Push Up Challenge". I keep ignoring it because with the extra weight I am carrying in the mid-section I highly doubt I can even do one. Since I keep seeing so much about it I figured I would at least see what its about - and figured if you werent already doing it ... you might be curious too :)

The point of this challenge is pretty much what it sounds like - with 6 weeks of training you can get to 100 push-ups ... regardless of how many you can do right now! You start off with an initial test that puts you into a category. This category will give you your training schedule for weeks 1 & 2, then you take a test again to figure out how to continue with the training for weeks 3 & 4. At the end of week 4 you take the test (called an "exhaustion test") again to see where you stand for weeks 5 & 6.

If you are interested in attempting this feat, check out the one hundred push ups website where you can learn more and download the complete training file!

Here is just a sampling of bloggers I found doing the challenge:
Jess
Toby
J.D.
Laura
Sandman
Pete
Marcy
Lisa

I Prefer The Non-Crunchy Kind

Today was the third session of my new yoga class. (Last week was cancelled due to the holiday week). I have officially confirmed that this class is too "crunchy" for me. The instructor picks a topic each week and has us go around and "share", she feels that its an important part of the class because yoga is also about "community". The class is 60 minutes long and it feels like we waste 15 minutes each class for this show-and-tell session.

We did some normal yoga stuff, but two different times she had us do chants. One was an "internal chant" and the other was an "external chant". I know that chanting can be a part of yoga, but I am totally not cool with it. Also, she keeps telling us to breathe out our mouths - and from what I understand about yoga its about breathing in and our of your nose. Maybe I am wrong? Or maybe my instructor is just nuts.

I signed up for a 9 week class so I will be doing this crunchy yoga until mid-August. Its not worth complaining about, but for sure this class does make me a bit more uncomfortable then relaxed!

Less Baby Talkin' - More Bloggin'
I started an alternative blog to cover the baby stuff. I did it for two reasons: 1) so I dont have to waste peoples time with the jabber here and 2) I was starting to feel guilty. I covered my path to the marathon in so much detail I felt like perhaps I owed some level of detail to the future marathoner due in October :)

I cant promise there wont be baby talk going on here - but most of the details will be covered at Chronicles of Parenthood!

A Second Life For Your Old Running Shoes!

It can be hard to pick the right running shoe and sometimes the ones we do pick are not really what we should be wearing. Runners World always comes out with great guides and reviews: check out their Summer 2008 Running Shoe Guide if you need some help. But no matter what the guides say - go somewhere you can try them out! Specifically a running specialty store that lets you try them on and run around a bit (sometimes on a treadmill / sometimes outside, etc) while you are getting your vibe. Who wants to pay all that money on a pair of shoes that doesnt feel right the first time you take them for a spin?

But our shoes are not permanent and the more miles you chug through the more pairs you need. Last year I went through three pairs of shoes. I started off with the Brooks but later switch to Mizunos. After the first failed marathon attempt I needed another pair of Mizunos for attempt #2. Now I have three pairs of running shoes sitting in my closet. Although I dont wear the old ones, the visually look pretty good. I just cant part with the money I invested in these shoes so I keep them around for clutters-sake. I think I have finally found a solution to the pile-up: recycling!

Let Me Play
Nike's Let Me Play invests money worldwide in community based sports initiatives. They provide Nike products, resurface playing fields, support community-based programs and help people create their own communities. And you can help through reuse-a-shoe, where your old shoes (of any brand) are collected, processed and recycled into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.

Find a Drop Off Location
Nothing close? Then mail em!
     Nike Recycling Center
     c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
     26755 SW 95th Ave.
     Wilsonville, OR 97070

Flip Flops = Runners Enemy #1

I think for most of us its common knowledge ... though flip-flops make our fee feel fancy free in the summer, wearing them can have some bad consequences. Last year during training I was especially careful with my feet, always wearing shoes with support and staying out of anything with a heel. As the Marathon approached I became even more cautious ... to the point where I would be wearing sneakers even if I was "dressing up" for something. As a runner, your feet are pretty valuable to you. And you can tell by how ugly they get during training that they truly suffer a lot of the brunt force of your workouts.

Not that this is the first study of this kind, but Womens Health has a recent article siting research that found flip-flops to be the source of sore feet, ankles & legs. Turns out, when you wear them you take shorter, almost 'drag-like' steps. This throws off your ankle-to-stride length ratio.

After a long run my feet would always be sore and swolen, so I would throw on a pair of flip-flops to let my feet relax. Its not a biggie to throw them on ... we all do it! But, if you are going to be on your feet or walking for any period of time - think twice about protecting those wonderful feet of yours :)

Its Independence Day!

For many of us its a weekend of BBQ and booze. For me, not so much. What fun is the BBQ without the booze? Not much really. Instead, I think I will choose the smart path this holiday weekend - working on a book chapter that has an impending deadline. My brain has turned to mush and each time I get into this thing I fear I only wreck it even more. I have to turn it over to my writing partner on 7/7 and I am worried she is going to read it and think I was hammered while writing. My thoughts come out jumbled and random and thus I feel my writing looks much the same (perhaps worse).

Friday Funnies
A little political humor goes a long way on the 4th of July! Some of these are so dumb, but I think this one is pretty darn fantastic: Although I myself don't own a bike, I know many that do. While some bike for leisure and some for sport, I beleive anyone who has taken a bike out for a spin has a story to tell. As many cities try to embrace bikers (especially with increasing gas costs), some are increasing their fines & ticketing to cars who ignore or violate bike paths. For example, drivers who open their doors into bike paths without looking. While all of this is great, and will help make our cities greener ... not all bike-friendly actions are also intelligent.

Ever been on a bike path that makes no sense? Starts and or stops randomly? Check out these videos of the stupidest bike lane in America.

Part 1

Part 2
This one is actually located in the same city my sister lives in ... isnt she lucky?

Fun Toy: Wordle!

I need to do some schoolwork, which means I spend a lot of time screwing around. As I edit a paper (that luckily isnt due for submission until mid-August) I of course need to spend some time blog-surfing. Luckily I found a good time waster thanks to Amy at the Runners Lounge.

Amy mentioned Wordle, a cool web tool that lets you create "world clouds". On the site you have a few options: list a bunch of words, enter the URL of a blog, or enter a del.icio.us user name. By doing of these you can generate your very own "word cloud". I entered the URL for Marathon Leap and came up with my very own :)