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Raleigh Running Outfitters would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.



Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Eye of the Tiger

Six movies of training, now that takes dedication! So, how does Balboa do it?!? A mixture of cardio and weight training it looks like:

  • Rocky Balboa's Cardio Routine
  • Rocky 6 Agility/Strength Workout
  • Sylvester Stallone's Weight Training Schedule

  • Based on the movies, his "running" schedule included a stair workout (who could forget the 72-step sprint up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art?), chasing chickens (Rocky II), running on sand (Rocky III), pulling Mickey on a bike (Rocky III), and out-running/maneuvering a car full of KGB agents (Rocky IV).

    Actually, the workouts in "Rocky 6" look a lot like modern CrossFit. I've only just recently heard of CrossFit, but it sounds kind of cool. Basically, it is a very dynamic, high intensity circuit training workout that combines weightlifting, sprinting, and gymnastics. A lot of the exercises are also "functional" in nature. For this reason, many military organizations and local law enforcement agencies have adopted this training methodology.

    I mean seriously, how could I leave Rocky out of these ridiculous workout schedules that I've been posting?!? Plus, the Rocky movies provide us with some of the best running songs ever! Have fun singing "Eye of the Tiger" for the rest of the day! #20

    Tuesday, June 29, 2010

    It's a bird... it's a plane... it's TAF Racing

    The Flash is fast, the Incredible Hulk is strong, and others like Batman and Captain America are just all around good athletes. Superman was cool enough to have his own exercise named after him, and there are varieties of push-ups and lunges named after Spider-Man. Admittedly, some of these superheroes have not acquired their talents in the most natural of manners... but others lead normal lives by day. So, what's their secret? Well... apparently it's weight training (darn, I hate lifting, but maybe pretending to be a superhero will make it more interesting):
    However, to be a true superhero, you need to do more than just hit the gym several times a week. Turns out, TAF Racing also has a lot in common with superheros. Both groups do a pretty good job of adhering to Coach Sean's training methodology of "practice makes permanent", whether it's fighting crime or running day after day. Also, both work best in teams, combining their talents to achieve a common goal. So, on that note "it's clobberin' time"! #20

    Monday, June 28, 2010

    Train Like a Jedi

    So, last week I posted a bunch of legitimate training advice/techniques. However, I don't want this blog to sound like a textbook... so this week, I figured I'd tone it down a bit. Happy reading!

    Got to thinking, Jedi are pretty good athletes... what's their trick? After "analyzing" the footage from The Empire Strikes Back, I have come to the conclusion that the "Jedi base workout" is basically a mixture of cardio, strength training (especially plyometrics), and yoga. Weird, that sounds kind of like what we do anyways...

    So I did a little bit more research, and was amazed at what I came across... everything from advice to beginning runners to Jedi exercises to a complete JediGym! And, what's even better, people actually seem to benefit from these workouts... wow. So remember my friends, "do or do not, there is no try" (Yoda)! #20

    Sunday, June 27, 2010

    Another Awesome Weekend

    Looks like some members of TAF Racing decided that they needed more of a "challenge" this weekend:
    • Brian and Tim rocked at the Ultimate Runner Challenge on Saturday. Despite confusion over the start-time of the event, which resulted in a highly condensed warm-up for the 1-mile, the two raced well. Then, they came back strong for the 400m and 800m, held their own in the 100m, and finished up with a great 5K. Brian ended up 9th overall, and Tim was 16th (1st in his division). AWESOME JOB (y'all are insane). Results
    • Sean and Tim (back for a second day) competed well at the BASF Smile Train Sprint Tri this morning. Tim was 5th overall (3rd in his age group), and Sean was 1st in his age group. WAHOOOO! Results
    • Bri and Marty raced in the Kure Beach Double Sprint Triathlon. Bri was 2nd (1st in the Open Female division), and Marty finished in the top 10 (4th in the Open Male division). GREAT! Men, Women
    CONGRATS to everyone who raced... are y'all immune to the 90+ degree heat and humidity?!? Great job and enjoy what's left of the weekend!!! #20

    Saturday, June 26, 2010

    Saturday Update

    Bobby Mack ran AWESOME in the 5000m last night at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships... finishing in the top 10 in a field that included Bernard Lagat! Results

    Friday, June 25, 2010

    The Weekend Ahead

    Despite the rising temperatures and dire "alerts" from weather.com (although the "fitness and comfort index" is still listed as moderate), it looks to be another action-packed weekend for TAF Racing. On Saturday, Brian and Tim are headed to Winston Salem for the Ultimate Runner Challenge. This event features the 100m, 400m, 800m, 1-mile, and a 5k... all of which you have to run, and run well, to win (that sounds insane, yet awesome at the same time). On Sunday, Sean and Tim are competing in the BASF Smile Train Sprint Triathlon.

    Tonight, Bobby Mack (TAF Elite) is running in the Men's Open 5000m race at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. There is only one heat, so Bobby will be racing with Bernard Lagat! The meet will be on ESPN from 8-10 (5000m is at 8:35PM).

    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE. Also, the TAF Half Marathon Program is meeting for a training run on Saturday morning... so come on out and help! #20

    And, because it's "world record Friday" and has been ridiculously hot for over a week- the longest water slide riding distance covered in 24hrs is 1,140.94 km (708.95 miles). This record was set by a team of 10 in Germany in September, 2007. To put this in perspective, this is approximately the distance between Boston and Raleigh (ok, this is kind of cool, the "suggested route" on Google maps is exactly 708miles).

    Thursday, June 24, 2010

    Barefoot Running... Shoes?!?

    While "true" barefoot runners run, well, barefoot... it might not be the best idea in the world to just throw away your nice, supportive, cushioned sneakers and tackle the trails of Umstead sans footwear. Furthermore, as the majority of us will never race barefoot, we might need a pair of sneakers for the occasion. Turns out, you can still benefit from "barefoot running with "minimalist" footwear (here are some reviews of a few of the shoes listed below) #20

    The Absolute Minimum

    The Middle Road
    Racing Flats / Lightweight Trainers
    • Asics (Piranha SP,GEL-DS Racer, GEL-Tarther, GEL-Hyper Speed)
    • Brooks (Green Silence, TB Racer, Racer ST 4, Launch, Mach 11 Spikeless)
    • Nike (Zoom, LunaRacer)
    • Mizuno (Wave Universe, Wave Ronin, Wave Musha
    • Saucony (Grid Fastwitch, Progrid Type A4, Kilkenny XC Flat)
    • Zoot (Ultra Race, Ultra TT)

    Wednesday, June 23, 2010

    Barefoot Running

    A few of us attended the barefoot running talk at the TAF Grand Opening the other week. Michael Sandler and Jessica Lee talked about their new book, and discussed tips/techniques for transitioning to barefoot running. I found the talk really interesting, mainly because I have been very skeptical of this new training trend. While I saw the benefits of barefoot running in terms of improving strength and technique, I was really nervous about winding up injured. They discussed the science behind the barefoot running, which made a lot of sense. And, Michael and Jessica gave the following advice for incorporating barefoot running into your training schedule:
    • Start off slow. On your first run, try only 100m barefoot. Slowly add distance, making sure to take rest days between attempts. They said that the distance covered barefoot "feels" like 3x the distance covered with sneakers. Also, they recommended carrying your sneakers with you... it's not too fun to realize you have to run back, especially if you're in pain!
    • Run barefoot in the beginning of your workout (versus the end). Not only will this help to encourage good form throughout the workout, but it will help prevent over-working/injuring tired muscles. Also, apparently the interaction between sweat on your feet (i.e., after a workout) and the ground creates a buffering effect of sorts, which destroys the calluses protecting your feet.
    • Start off on hard surfaces (versus trails or grass). Part of the "form improvement" comes from the fact that you can now feel the ground and react to it (i.e., the bottom of your feet have a lot of nerves). However, they did admit that this might be difficult in the NC summers because the pavement is so hot. So, track and the grass it is!
    In addition to running barefoot, you can also perform other exercises (feet and ankles, toes) to help build strength. I also linked Michael Sandler's and Jessica Lee's blog, which contains a lot more information about proper technique and product reviews related to barefoot running. #20

    Tuesday, June 22, 2010

    Running Safety 101

    A few of us attended the self-defense seminar taught by Brenna Crowson at the TAF Grand Opening. It was really interesting and helpful, and I would definitely recommend going to the next 2hr class that she offers (I know I am)! Aside from running with a group of people whenever possible (wahooo for awesome teammates), here are some general safety tips:
    • Be aware of your surroundings. If something feels wrong/creepy, it probably is (like you smell cigarette smoke, yet don't see anyone around). Unfortunately, this means that you shouldn't completely zone out, listen to music, etc. when you run by yourself... but it's better to be safe than sorry.
    • Always have at least half a tank of gas and make sure that your cell phone is charged (i.e., don't get stuck somewhere).
    • Make sure you lock your car. Check the back seat of your car before you get in it to make sure no one is hiding there. Try not to have things visible in your car that can identify you (pink sunglasses would indicate that a female owns the car) or get stolen (a GPS mount probably means that there is a GPS unit in the car).
    • If you are carrying a "weapon" (like pepper spray), have it visible and be prepared to use it. Remember, whatever you have on your person can also be used against you.
    Just some things to think about... safe running everyone! #20

    Monday, June 21, 2010

    First Day of Summer

    Wahooooo... today is the first day of summer!!! And, do you want to know what's GREAT about SUMMER... just about EVERYTHING! However, exercising in the heat and humidity can be quite draining... so here are 5 "cool" ways to ensure that you swim/bike/run/etc. your best:
    1. Run early, indoors, or in a pool (on an awesome track)
    2. Make sure that you are well-hydrated (tips on hydrating before, during and after a run; sports drink selection)
    3. Eat "frozen sweets" to refuel and rehydrate after a workout... wow, independent confirmation that Locopops are great after Tuesday nights at the track!
    4. Protect yourself from the sun... skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.
    5. Wear the right clothing - technical shirts to wick sweat, hats/sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes, and no basketball shorts!!!

    Sunday, June 20, 2010

    6/19-20 Race Reports

    First off, Happy Father's Day to all the dads on the team. Second, CONGRATS to everyone who raced this weekend!
    • Brad was 9th overall in the Mohican 100 Miler, finishing in under 24hrs. That's AWESOME Brad, can't wait to hear about the race... I have no idea how you do it! Report
    • The "Raleigh contingent from TAF" did quite well at the Blueberry Festival. Keith was 1st overall, and we added 3 age group wins, 2 age group seconds, and 1 age group third to our totals (see yesterday's post for a full report)... GREAT JOB! Pictures
    So, to summarize, TAF is the BEST, TAF is the BEST, TAF is the BEST... WAHOOO! Enjoy what's left of the weekend, and have a great 1st week of summer! #20

    Saturday, June 19, 2010

    Blueberry Festival

    1-2 overall and 2-5 on the women's side... pretty sure that spells TOTAL TAF DOMINATION!!! Yeah, so the Blueberry Festival was AWESOME, and we are unstoppable at the 3.28mile distance! Where to begin...

    We assembled our forces at the Art Museum at 4:45AM (yes, you're reading that right, and it's not a typo). When we got out of the car in Burgaw, we could barely see 50ft ahead because the fog was so thick. However, our red jerseys soon caught the attention of our fellow competitors, and we heard one woman comment "well, I guess I'm not going to win" as she saw Jennifer warming up. And that's pretty much how it went down...

    Dave paced Keith and James for a fast start. One guy tried to hang with Keith and James through the first turn-around, the TAF duo had pulled ahead by the second turn-around, continued to add distance on the third turn-around, and the other runner was no where in sight by the fourth turn-around. Keith went on to win the race, and James ran a strong second. On the women's side, we played follow-the-leader for a good bit of the race, and Dave joined us in the TAF Racing line. Erica and Matt also ran well, and Nicole and Tom were a great support team!

    All told, Keith was 1st overall, James was 1st in his age group (2nd overall), and Dave was 2nd in his age group. On the women's side, Laurel (2nd female), Jennifer (3rd female), and Rita (5th female) swept their age group, and I was 1st in my age group (4th female). It was a tough race, not only because it was .18miles longer than it should be, but it was ridiculously humid (I know I was quite grateful for the hose spraying at Mile 2). However, the awesome blueberriness made it all worth while. After wondering around the bake sale, I have reached the conclusion that blueberries make everything taste that much better. And then the beach after... wow, OUR TEAM IS THE BEST EVER!!! #20

    Friday, June 18, 2010

    Weekend Races

    Well... obviously... the Blueberry Festival is this weekend. A bunch of us will be headed to Burgaw to run a 5K and then eat lots and lots of blueberries! Brad decided to run a 5K, and then 31+ more 5Ks at the Mohican 100 Mile Trail Run. Good luck Brad, we'll be sure to eat some blueberries for you! The TAF Half Marathon Program is also meeting on Sat. morning for a training run.

    And, for the final blueberry recipe in the series... I THINK I FOUND THE "BLUEBERRY FLUFF" RECIPE FROM LAST YEAR (or at least something close to it):
    1. 2 blueberry yogurts
    2. 1 box of instant pudding
    3. 1 container of cool-whip
    4. 2 cups of blueberries
    Mix the yogurt and pudding. Fold in cool-whip and then the blueberries. Chill and enjoy!

    Ok, and another word on the recipes that I've been posting. You might all remember that I don't really cook (save for funfetti cake/cookies). So, yeah, I haven't actually tried any of those recipes, but they all sounded pretty good. Happy cooking... pretty sure I'll be enjoying my blueberries straight from the container or in a blueberry smoothie (who am I kidding, I'm way too impatient to not eat the ingredients before I actually find the blender)! #20

    And, for the record of the week - the blueberry pie eating (hands free) record belongs to Patrick Bertoletti. He ate 9.17lbs of blueberry pie in 8min at the Stand By Me World Pie Eating Championship in July, 2007.

    Thursday, June 17, 2010

    Blueberry Coffee Cake

    Blueberry Coffee Cake:
    1. 2 tbls. plus 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour, divided
    2. 1/4 cup light brown sugar
    3. 2 tbls. butter, cut into small pieces
    4. 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
    5. 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
    6. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    7. 1/4 cup sugar
    8. 2 tsp. baking powder
    9. 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    10. 1/4 tsp. salt
    11. 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt or bluberry yogurt
    12. 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    13. 2 eggs
    14. 2 cups fresh or frozen, thawed and drained blueberries, divided
    15. 1/3 cup sliced almonds
    Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray; set aside. Put 2 tablespoons of the whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon and cardamom in a medium bowl and mix together with a fork or your fingers until well combined and mixture is in large clumps; set streusel aside.

    Put remaining 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, vanilla and eggs then pour into bowl with dry ingredients and stir until combined. Gently fold in 1 cup of the blueberries.

    Spoon batter into prepared pan and sprinkle reserved streusel over the top. Scatter remaining 1 cup blueberries over the streusel then top with almonds and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Once cooled, loosen edges of cake and transfer to a plate. Cut into slices and serve.

    Suggestions: serve with coffee from Cup-of-Joe or a CHIA BANANA BLUEBERRY smoothie! #20

    Wednesday, June 16, 2010

    Blueberry & Peach Cobbler

    Blueberry & Peach Cobbler:
    1. 3 tbls. unsalted butter
    2. 3 tbls. canola oil
    3. 1 cup whole-wheat flour
    4. 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
    5. 1/2 tsp. salt
    6. 1 cup reduced-fat milk
    7. 1/2 cup sugar
    8. 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    9. 2 cups (1 pint) fresh or frozen blueberries
    10. 3 ripe but firm peaches, (about 1 pound), pitted and sliced into eighths, or 3 1/2 cups frozen
    Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place butter and oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Heat in the oven until melted and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, combine flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add milk, sugar and vanilla; stir to combine. Add the melted butter mixture to the batter and stir to combine. Pour the batter into the hot pan. Spoon peaches and blueberries evenly over the batter. Return the pan to the oven and bake until the top of the cobbler is browned and the batter around the fruit is completely set, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove to a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm.

    Suggestions: hope you didn't eat all of the icecream last night!!! #20

    Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    Blueberry Brownies

    Blueberry Brownies:
    1. 1 cup applesauce
    2. 1/2 cup sugar
    3. 1 tsp. vanilla
    4. 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
    5. 1/4 cup unbleached white flour
    6. 1/3 cup cocoa powder
    7. 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    8. 1/2 tspl salt
    9. 1/2 cup blueberries (plus additional blueberries for topping)
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8-inch square baking pan. In a medium mixing bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flours, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt. Make a well in the center and add wet ingredients; mix until just combined. Gently fold in blueberries. Spread mixture into prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and not sticky. Let cool completely before slicing.

    Suggestions: Top the brownies with your favorite icecream (I might suggest "take the cake", aka funfetti icecream), blueberries, and your other favorite sundae toppings (like, I don't know, blue sprinkles). #20

    Monday, June 14, 2010

    Oatmeal Blueberry Pancakes

    Per Dave's suggestion, I will be posting recipes involving blueberries all week long in preparation for Saturday's Blueberry Festival 5K.

    Oatmeal Blueberry Pancakes
    1. 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
    2. 1 cup rolled oats
    3. 2 tbsp. sugar
    4. 2 tsp. baking powder
    5. 1/2 tsp. salt
    6. 2 cups milk
    7. 2 eggs
    8. 1 cup blueberries (fresh works best)
    In a large bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients together and set aside. In a small bowl, beat the milk and eggs until well-blended. Stir this into the flour mixture, and then add the blueberries. Use ~1/4 cup batter for each pancake.

    Alternate suggestions: add sprinkles to make blueberry funfetti pancakes!!! #20

    Sunday, June 13, 2010

    6/11-13 Race Reports

    Sorry, I couldn't resist. But, the performances by TAF Racing this weekend DID DEFY EXPLANATION... how on earth did y'all manage those times in this ridiculous weather?!? Seriously, GREAT JOB everyone!!!
    • Oyler, Rusty, Dave, and Sean did AWESOME at the Southeastern Master's Track Meet, winning the Distance Medley Relay. Dave also competed well in the pentathlon, javelin, and high jump. Sean and Rusty hit the podium in the 1500m, and I think Sean placed in the 3000m as well. WAHOOO! Pictures
    • Erica ran the Race for the Cure with some of her co-workers. I also heard that many of the runners who participated in the Fit-tastic program got PR's. AWESOME! Results
    • Lisa and McCrae ran the Boogie Marathon. Lisa was the 3rd female overall. CONGRATS!!!
    • Nicole competed in the AquaVelo at the EagleMan competition today a week after running a half marathon.
    • Brad ran in the Army Birthday 10 Miler at Fort Bragg on Saturday. He finished 27th overall... NICE JOB! Results
    The new TAF store also looks great (the grand opening was yesterday)! Let us know how your races turned out, and I'll link the results and some pictures as soon as I can! Have a great rest of the weekend everyone (... in a world of pure imagination) #20

    Saturday, June 12, 2010

    A Busy 2 Days

    TAF Racing obliterated the competition at the track meet this weekend. On Friday, Dave Meyer competed in the pentathlon. I saw the 200m, where he ran 1sec faster than the year before. Rita cheered him on in the 1500m, where he finished 4th in the field. He also jumped and threw consistently well, despite not having practiced these events since he competed last year. Sean ran the 3000m on Friday, turning in an amazing time for 4th overall. Apparently the heat and blazing hot sun does not affect y'all!

    The awesomeness continued on Saturday, where Sean passed a runner in the last 50m of the mile to finish 2nd. Rusty also ran well in the mile, and Dave tried his hand at high jump. Then, Olyer, Rusty, Dave, and Sean teamed up for the Distance Medley relay... although, according to the announcer, Sean ran all four legs. In reality, Olyer led off the relay, running a strong 1200m. He handed the baton to Rusty, who quickly overtook the first place team in the 400m leg. Then, off ran Dave, who all but waved to us in the 800m as he effortlessly opened the gap on the 2nd place team. Sean finished off the distance medley well, opening the gap further and securing the win for the "Sean Kurdys Relay Team". All told, TAF Racing took home a bunch of medals... it was a great meet to watch. CONGRATS GUYS!!!

    Then, the team made their way over to the grand opening of the new TAF store. The store looks GREAT, and some of us stuck around for some of the lectures. I also attended the barefoot running talk on Friday night, which was really cool. Wow, don't know about y'all, but I'm exhausted! I'll post the official results and some pictures when I find them... also waiting to hear how the Race for the Cure and the Boogie Marathon went. Have a great rest of the weekend everyone. #20

    Friday, June 11, 2010

    Let the racing begin!

    Looks like TAF Racing will "bank some time" on this action-packed weekend's events by starting off a day early. We have some teammates competing in the Southeastern Masters & Open Track Meet (held at NC State) on Friday and Saturday. The Race for the Cure (held at Meredith College) is also on Saturday. In addition to our teammates, it is the goal race for the TAF Fit-Tastic program. Lisa and McCrae are running the Boogie Marathon, and Nicole Lewis is racing the EagleMan AquaVelo on Sunday.

    The TAF Fall Half Marathon training program is meeting on Saturday too for a group run. And, the GRAND OPENING of the NEW TAF STORE is on Saturday! So, run hard, cheer, help out, check out the new store... just do something FUN!!! #20

    And, in the spirit "random world record Friday", this weekend's track races, and barefoot running (Mike Sandler and Jessica Lee will be at TAF tonight at 6:30PM), the fastest 100m completed barefoot, on ice is 17.35sec. This record was set by Nico Surings in 2006.

    Thursday, June 10, 2010

    The Starting Line

    For a faster start, line up closer to the guy holding the starting gun. After analyzing the 100m race data from the 2004 Athens Olympics, researchers found that those who lined up nearest the starting gun reacted faster than those who were stuck in the outside lanes. However, as we all know, "banking time" in the first 1/4 of the race is not the most effective strategy for finishing well, as this article suggests. But don't worry, you'll quickly be able to spot and pass your fellow competitors who employed such tactics by following the suggestions offered here. Happy racing everyone! #20

    Wednesday, June 9, 2010

    Running

    The other day I was thinking about how GREAT running is. As I was swimming endlessly up and down the lanes at the Pullen Aquatic Center, I was trying to nail down exactly WHY I love running so much. I mean, I like swimming and cycling, and yoga is cool too. In fact, I usually look forward to these workouts when I CAN run... but stick me in a pool and/or on a bike for 3ish weeks without running, and I go INSANE.

    Then a swimmer in the lane next to me "caught" my attention (okay, I swallowed a mouthful of water because they were flailing about in the worst imitation of the butterfly that I have ever seen). This got me to thinking that maybe the reason why I like running so much is because, as the song says, humans were "born to run". I mean, we certainly weren't made for swimming (save Michael Phelps)... no webbed feet or hands, no gills, etc. And obviously, no one was born riding a bike. So, I decided to do a little research on my theory at lunch the other day (far more interesting than reading the ingredients in bread, I assure you).

    So, I found out that, as a whole, humans were actually "born to walk". Compared to other animals, humans have much longer legs, which aids in efficiency and endurance. Having an Achilles tendon also helps. Looking only at the human population, some people were "born to sprint", and have longer than average toes (or alternatively, short heels) and a unique ankle structure. Others were "born to run insanely long distances", possessing minor variations in the NRF2 gene. Either way, robots will have a lot of work to do to catch up to us!

    I hope you have enjoyed Running Biomechanics 101. This "lecture" will count for 3.14hrs of "continuing education credit"... I'm just kidding, I'll try and tone down the dorkiness of tomorrow's post! #20

    Tuesday, June 8, 2010

    Exercising in space...

    While being an astronaut might be one of the most AWESOME jobs EVER, it does put a lot of stress on your body (and that's an understatement). Because there is no longer that pesky 1g to contend with, those who spend an extended amount of time in space suffer from muscle atrophy and bone loss. Additionally, blood pressure rises because gravity no long pulls blood down to the extremities, causing it to pool in the torso.

    I've always thought it would be really cool to work for NASA and design exercise equipment. I decided to look up what NASA's been up to, and came across this presentation and this website. So, they've come up with some rather unique solutions for exercising in space:
    • Interim Resistive Exercise Device (IRED) - this is currently used on the International Space Station to simulate weight-lifting here on Earth. Software is used to control resistance to a user-set level, and this is delivered throughout the entire range of motion.
    • Treadmill Vibration Isolation System (TVIS) - this is a free-floating treadmill that is held together by "highly flexible rope isolators" (basically, big bungee cords). The user is tethered to the device using a belt cord.
    • Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation System (CEVIS) - this is basically just an exercise-bike. The main difference between it and the ones in common use is that the user is strapped into the seat and clipped into the pedals to keep from floating away. Also, as space is at a premium, the system just contains a seat and pedals (i.e., the frame has been eliminated).
    I couldn't imagine working out on these systems for 2.5+ hrs a day... I can barely manage 45min on a treadmill before I go insane! Guess I won't be going on a manned missions to Mars anytime soon... #20

    Monday, June 7, 2010

    TAF Cherry Red

    I have been waiting for cherries to actually be in-season to post this (and I consider in-season to be when the local grocery stores put them on sale)... those who drank cherry juice both before and after running a marathonen recovered quicker than those who drank a non-Powerade "placebo" drink (I'm making up the Powerade thing, I have no idea what they used... but Powerade IS the most delicious and nutritious sports drink ever). Additionally, the phytochemicals found in cherries have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidating properties, which helps to counteract the effects of oxidative stress. I see a new "TAF Red" locopops flavor in the future... chia-cherry-strawberry anyone?!? #20

    Sunday, June 6, 2010

    6/5-6 Race Reports

    Just like the weather, TAF Racing turned up the heat this weekend, turning in some awesome performances:
    • At the Running of the Bulls 8K, Jennifer and Rita grabbed 2nd and 3rd in their age group. Erica also raced really well. And, a week after winning the Vermont City Marathon, John Crews (TAF Elite) hit the podium again, claiming 3rd place... AWESOME! Results
    • Dave Meyer went out like a rocket in the Downhill at Dawn Half Marathon, placing 7th in his age group (24th overall)... GREAT JOB! Results
    • To conclude is "Three Threes" series (that's what I'm calling it at least), Tim G. finished 2nd overall at the Gary Kirby Triathlon. WAHOOO, WAHOOO, WAHOOO!
    • Marty finished 3rd, and Bri finished 2nd, at the Breezy Point Triathlon... CRAZY!
    • Nicole Lewis ran with her mother at the San Diego Half Marathon this morning. She said that they had a ton of fun, the course was awesome, and the weather was great. CONGRATS Mrs. Lewis on your first half marathon (and awesome job pacing Nicole)!
    • Bobby Mack (TAF Elite) finished 5th in the 1-Mile at the Music City Distance Carnival. It must have been an insane race, as less than 1sec separated the first five runners! Results
    CONGRATS to everyone who raced... AWESOME way to start off June! Hope everyone has a great week, can't wait for the new TAF store to open (wahooo)! #20

    Saturday, June 5, 2010

    Saturday Update

    After a busy morning of swimming and coffee drinking, I managed to catch up with some of our teammates who competed this AM... here's what I got:
    • Jennifer, Rita, and Erica rocked the Running of the Bulls 8K this AM. It was hot, the field was really fast, and they did NOT finish in the current Durham Bulls stadium (quite to Rita's dismay). But, it was a fun race... WAHOOO!!!
    • Dave was 4th in his age group (24th overall) at the Downhill at Dawn 1/2. He went out like a rocket for the first 5K, was not so happy to run up a hill for the 4th mile, ran strong through the 10mile mark, and then the heat started to catch up with him after that... but he still ran an EXCELLENT race.
    • Sean said that the run with the Half Marathon Training Program went well... looks to be a good group for the fall.
    AWESOME JOB and CONGRATS! Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend, and I'll post the results ASAP. #20

    Friday, June 4, 2010

    TAF Races into June!

    TAF Racing will be well-represented at the Running of the Bulls 8K in Durham on Sat. (I believe that this is the NC USATF 8K championship race). Tim G. is racing the Gary Kirby Triathlon, making this his 3rd tri in 3 weeks (wow... that's way too many instances of the number three)! And Dave decided that he had enough of 5K's, and will be running in the Downhill at Dawn Half Marathon in Ridgecrest, NC. On Sunday, Nicole Lewis is running the Rock 'n Roll San Diego Half Marathon with her mother (this will be Mrs. Lewis's first half marathon). GOOD LUCK EVERYONE - DO GREAT!!! And, for all those not competing, come and help out with the TAF Half Marathon Training program on Sat. morning. #20

    For the random Guinness Book of World Record of the week... in Dec. 2008, Tyler Yamauchi set the record for the longest duration that a person has hung from Roman rings - 32.84sec.

    Thursday, June 3, 2010

    World's Largest Swim Lesson

    Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintended, injury-related death among children ages 1-14. And here's another scary statistic... if a child doesn't learn to swim by 3rd grade, they probably never will. In an attempt to reverse this trend, the City of Raleigh Aquatics is taking part in the "the world's largest swim lesson" (swim lessons are being offered at over 100 aquatic facilities worldwide). All children ages 3-14 are invited to the Optimist pool at 10AM. If all goes as planned, we may see a new world record for the largest simultaneous swim lesson ever conducted!

    Although none of us fall into the "3-14 year old" category, I just thought this event was well worth mentioning (and some may have children who are that age). It has always worried me how many adults do not know how to swim. I looked up the statistics on this, and the results shocked me:
    • 1.2 million deaths per year have been attributed to drowning (that's approximately 1 every 2min)
    • Although 50% of these deaths are among children, people ages 20-25 and 60+ represent the other major age categories. Drowning is also more common among males than females.
    • 1/4 of drowning victims know how to swim.
    • Approximately 3000 people a year become partially or fully paralyzed as a result of breaking their neck in swimming-related accidents.
    For more information on drowning, this is the article that I pulled that information from. #20

    Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintended, injury-related death among children ages 1-14. And here's another scary statistic... if a child doesn't learn to swim by 3rd grade, they probably never will. In an attempt to reverse this trend, the City of Raleigh Aquatics is taking part in the "the world's largest swim lesson" (swim lessons are being offered at over 100 aquatic facilities worldwide). All children ages 3-14 are invited to the Optimist pool at 10AM. If all goes as planned, we may see a new world record for the largest simultaneous swim lesson ever conducted!

    Although none of us fall into the "3-14 year old" category, I just thought this event was well worth mentioning (and some may have children who are that age). It has always worried me how many adults do not know how to swim. I looked up the statistics on this, and the results shocked me:
    • 1.2 million deaths per year have been attributed to drowning (that's approximately 1 every 2min)
    • Although 50% of these deaths are among children, people ages 20-25 and 60+ represent the other major age categories. Drowning is also more common among males than females.
    • 1/4 of drowning victims know how to swim.
    • Approximately 3000 people a year become partially or fully paralyzed as a result of breaking their neck in swimming-related accidents.
    For more information on drowning, this is the article that I pulled that information from. #20


    In case you are wondering this post is not a mistake. In honor of June 3rd (Probably Meghan's favorite day). Today is National Repeat Day 

    Wednesday, June 2, 2010

    National Running Day

    Didn't know there was one... but it's today! Nicole pointed this out to me (thank you #22). So, on that note:
    HAPPY RUNNING DAY, HAPPY RUNNING DAY, HAPPY RUNNING DAY... WAHOOO!

    London Mascots

    Have y'all seen Wenlock and Mandeville (the 2012 Summer Olympic mascots)? Seriously, what were they thinking?!? I think Mark Remy (the guy who writes the RW Daily posts for Runner's World) had it right... they do look like something out of a nightmare! In an attempt to find out just what these creatures were, I found the press release from the BBC. The video is actually somewhat interesting. It gives a historical perspective on Olympic mascots, and attempts to explain the current ones.

    Since I was still kind of at a loss after watching it, I read the article. The most disturbing thing to me is the whole cyclops look, which I found out that the "single central eye" represents a "camera lens through which they'll see the world, and respond to it". While the creators of these mascots sure managed to pack in a whole bunch of symbolism, and the whole interactive animated thing is kind of cool, I'm just not sure that their focus groups were representative of the general public! #20

    Tuesday, June 1, 2010

    Compression Socks

    Well friends, I have resisted rambling about compression socks for a month, but I was reading an article in Runner's World the other day...
    "Sport a pair of compression socks and you'll not only look like a (dorky) superhero, you might run like one, too. A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research concluded that the squeeze from the stockings may stimulate an increased flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles, which helps them work more efficiently, and can significantly improve running performance."
    ... so I might have started jumping up and down (well, on one foot at least). As anyone who runs with me on a regular basis knows, I often times wear bright red compression socks. While I thought that my legs felt better when I was wearing them versus not, I had chalked this up to being largely psychological (it's hard not to be biased when you've spent the past 3+ years of your life researching compression stockings). But, when I read that my hunch had been confirmed, I decided that it was time to post something.

    Ok, mini physiology lesson here (this will help explain why compression stockings work). One of the functions of the calf muscle is to push blood back to the heart (i.e., as the muscle contracts and relaxes, it pumps blood up the limb). When you are seated or standing for long periods of time (i.e., not engaging your calf), blood can pool in the lower leg because gravity pulls it there. So, compression socks are basically "special socks" that are knitted to promote blood flow back to the heart (i.e., they are tightest at the ankle, and become less tight as you move up the limb). This aids in "waste removal" (i.e., lactic acid and other metabolic byproducts that can lead to increased pain, fatigue, etc.) from the leg muscles during exercise. A lot of athletic compression socks also use a "webbing system" to support the calf and further supplement the "calf muscle pump". I could go on talking about compression stockings for days, so if you want to know more... #20