So I've been using the Stryd Pioneer for about three weeks now. For the most part, my impression was simple:
"OHMYFREAKINGGOODNESSTHISISAMAZING!!!"
The device is simple. It's essentially built into a heart rate monitor. The Pioneer fits on the garmin premium soft strap, and... done. Set your weight in the app (which has come out since my last post) and go run.
I'm not going to get into the workings, mostly because dammit I'm a firefighter, Jim, not a computer programmer.
So far the device works VERY well on pavement. And the potential is huge. But as I get more used to the device, there are some things that need development to really access the potential the device has.
I've been told the device stores data, and also has the potential to measure run metrics like the new garmin run heart rate monitor does. Right now, accessing that data is pretty limited, and unfortunately if you have to choose between the garmin hrm run and the stryd, you're missing out on a dataset that the other doesn't provide. The Stryd has also not been set up to be used on a treadmill. Which is somewhat frustrating, as the device was originally supposed to clip on and be used separate from the heart rate monitor that WOULD provide that data. Add that to the data recording side where you can record in run mode without power, or cycling mode without run metrics.... But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
Let's talk about run zones. Can you tell me how to set them? No? Me either. Basically, no one knows anything about how to set run zones. As with cycling, when power came to the sport, it took a long time to figure out just how to apply it. That's were we're at. BUT... Here's the thing.... Using the protocol developed by Stryd, I was able to set my threshold at 240 watts. Taking it out and playing with it resulted in an endurance pace between 190 and 210, and a tempo pace of 210-230. Recovery falls below 190. So there are clearly some defined zones. After three weeks with the Stryd, I've tweaked the zones for the following:
Z1 (recovery) < 82%
Z2 (endurance) 82% - 88%
Z3 (tempo) 89 - 95%
Z4 (threshold) 96% - 104%
Z5 (anaerobic) >104%
Definitely not the same as in cycling. Which, when you think about it, makes a ton of sense because in cycling, you're using a mechanical advantage with a fixed method of reading power (torque on a chain or a pedal). In running, you're using the data from an accelerometer. You're having to read data as it is interpreted from movement rather than as torque. Problem? Not really. As long as you always run on the same surface.
Wait, what?
So when discussing power, you're talking about the force used to push a body through space. Force production rather than force absorption. Which - for where I want to go with this post, I will have to come back to. In the meantime, when you run on sand, on soft surfaces, where the absorption of force is higher, your power tends to read a bit lower. Which tends to mess with consistency a bit. So while it may take you 280 watts to push your feet out of sand, the fancy accelerometer that you've attached to your chest may interpret the data as 220 watts.
See the problem?
Since I'm a pavement runner (not a fan of cactus lined trails) this really doesn't affect me much but it is something that will need to be addressed in the future. Personally, I suspect you could do the critical power protocol from Stryd to figure out profiles for different surfaces, then apply that offset to the power later. For now, you might have to figure that out manually, and set different profiles in Training Peaks.
What's that you say? Different profiles in Training Peaks? Yep!
Training Peaks has the ability to set different power profiles in the software that you can apply to different activities. I've set power zones on my own account for running, and it appears that once the data is safely nestled in the arms of training peaks software, the training stress score is calculated based on power... The way it is in cycling. HOWEVER.... This is when we get to the really frustrating part. Garmin hasn't seen fit to enable power recording in run mode using their watches. So you have to run in cycling mode, then update the run after you've uploaded to whatever software you're using. This is infinitely frustrating because it requires a great deal of babysitting the data. So if anyone at Garmin is reading this, this is something that needs to be addressed. Immediately. In respect to other methods of recording data - I've paired the device with Maximum Trainer, and attempted to pair it with Zwift - both had differing levels of success. It all comes down to that little ability to predict distance on a treadmill. (Which I'm told the ability to predict distance is coming).
Trust me, I totally get it. I'm using first of it's kind technology and getting frustrated when it isn't supported by companies that stand to make a profit in conjunction with it... But when something this potentially ground breaking comes out, you better believe that if someone wants to use a power meter when they run, then you better have that channel open to recording. ASAP.... (To be honest, if I were someone of any importance at Garmin, I'd be hanging over Stryd's shoulders, waiting for it to be released... "Is it ready yet, is it ready yet, is it ready yet? It is? RELEASE THE FIRMWARE UPDATE!!!")
To be completely honest, I'm not entirely sure why Garmin has to only have a single mode that uses multiple sports for that mode. If you could record on all channels during a single workout, those of us with high maintenance tendencies could create the laps later based on gps and data recorded. A true "Multisport" mode that records all the data, all the time, based on what data to expect, I can set up laps later and determine what is a swim, bike, run, or transition after the fact. Meaning, I can record power in that mode during any segment I want.... Problem solved.
As a runner that crossed over to triathlon, statistically, my bike has predicted a slower run, or my run predicts a faster bike... (Either way I need to spend more time on the bike...) Now, for the first time, we can see the links between power on the bike and power on the run - something we have previously had no real way of measuring against each other. "What about heart rate" you ask? Well, about that... There is at least one small study that indicates that when pure cyclists run, their max heart rates are identical to what they can produce on the bike. Ask any triathlete what their heart rate max is, and they'll ask if you want to know bike or run. While the study I just mentioned suggested that the ability to push heart rate to insane levels comes down to muscle fiber recruitment, obviously, we're looking at different scales here. Ever try getting your heart rate to match on a treadmill vs outdoors for the same pace? Not happening. So, for the very first time we have a metric that is uninfluenced by outside (pun intended, lol) factors where we can really get into the brass tacks on how bike power and run power are linked. Forget power - we can start to see how run ability/potential and bike ability/potential are linked. For the very first time. And did I mention - we can finally see the links for the first time? So if I follow the data, the difference between my bike threshold and my run threshold is about 20%... I came over from running and can definitely speed up on the bike. If a pure cyclist has a difference of 0%, then I suspect the well balanced, fast triathletes are at a difference of 5-15%. It seems that to propel a body forward on a bicycle through space would take less power than to propel a body upward and forward with no mechanical advantage. The study linking heart rate and muscle fiber recruitment might be the key to finding balance - are cyclists only able to recruit muscle fibers for running that they use while cycling, or are runners not able to recruit their entire leg when they get on the bike? I suspect the answer lies in the middle somewhere. Say around 5-15%?
So let's go back to force produced vs force absorbed. I'd heard someone say that if power came down at the same pace under similar conditions, that meant form had improved. The more I ran, the more I thought about that - and the more I'm convinced that may not be the case. I get the impression that producing less force at the same pace might actually mean better muscle efficiency - but not necessarily form. I think a better measure might be force absorbed.
See - as coaches, we tell our runners to quicken their cadence with the idea that with faster cadence comes shorter strides and less force absorbed - with the endpoint being minimizing force absorbed by the runner, because all that shock absorbed just wears those poor little runner legs out. With better form, we assume that people get faster. And as you get stronger at a faster cadence, your strides lengthen again because you can hurl your body through space faster.
But no one is measuring how much force is absorbed by the body.
Now that we have a device that measures force produced, it seems that the other side of the equal sign would be force absorbed. If you can measure that with some degree of accuracy in runners across the spectrum, you'd probably get a better picture of runners across all terrains, all surface types. Obviously force absorption increases when running downhill if you lean back into the run, but lean forward, and force absorption decreases...
Meaning - you can use force absorbed in combination with force produced to determine how hard a runner is working to move through space. The bottom line is now that we can measure power with some degree of accuracy, I think we're missing a significant part of the picture.
Ultimately - here's my view on the Stryd Pioneer. The device is a bad ass little piece of technology that is going to reshape run coaching as we know it. It's going to reshape everything. We're going to get a better picture of how run power is linked to cycling power - whether you come from running or cycling - and we're going to be able to use that to tune our athletes and ourselves better with regard to which sport needs more work. We're going to be able to look at run form in a new light. We are going to train differently, look at the data differently, and we are going to be able to achieve because we can apply the same principle to different data with better results. I'm very excited that the Stryd Pioneer is out, and I'm even more excited to see where the industry goes with it. I believe that run power is going to reshape the industry the way cycling power did. So when Garmin enables power in run mode, and Stryd enables the device to do run metrics and to measure distance on a treadmill, I think the device is going to be a game changer.
For myself - I'm excited to be using the device. As my power profile fills out, it's telling a very interesting picture. Now we just need the software/firmware support on the end user side to support it as thoroughly as bike power is supported.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Breaking down walls
When I started running again, it was because I'd seen a picture of my fire chief crossing the finish line at IM Canada. I saw it and thought "I could do that." So I started running again. One race after another, and I rediscovered my love of running. And competition.
I soon found that in local races, I'd do well. Usually well enough to place, or at least close. But distance running, my first love from middle school, was my favorite (although, somewhat slower now than I was then). I'd do well enough to make a ten minute mile average pace over the run, and could hold that. By the time I ran my first marathon in 2009, I only had one goal: to run faster than a ten minute pace. I did it.
Last year I made the transition to triathlon, and made a few breakthroughs. With the addition of swimming and running to my training, I found both my 5k and long distance pace getting faster, incrementally. While experts and veterans may argue whether or not the addition of other sports or simply the extra miles made the difference, I still found myself doing better.
Then, a month ago, Jeff at Apex Endurance started coaching me. I've been self trained for the majority of my experience - picking up bits here and there, and mostly looking up to a few people who are good at endurance sports, without ever really understanding how to get better. Prior to any formal coaching, my training usually involved running/cycling/swimming at whatever pace I could handle, for however long my training plan called for.
Suddenly, over the past week, I've started to see improvement. Higher power numbers during cycling, faster swimming for some of the same drills. But the best moment came for me during a hour and forty five minute run two days ago when I broke the mental and physical barriers of the nine minute mile average pace during that hour and forty five minutes. And I hold no illusions that this is a fast pace in the running world. But there came a moment when I realized I could do it, and that I was breaking down any preconceived notions about how fast I can run. What is important, though, is that in my love of running, I'm seeing improvement.
Kirsten, at Awesomeness of You, taught me last season to break down "realistic expectations" I hold for myself. The result is that I enjoy my sport so much more. Essentially, Kirsten has taught me not to have limits for myself. She taught me to not believe that I can't do something, that a certain athletic capability is out of my reach, or that something is unrealistic to expect. She taught me how to teach myself and believe that I can. Race jitters are pretty much a thing of the past, when they used to tear up my stomach before a race. Kirsten taught me to look beyond what my mind and body were telling me to do and find out what I really can do.
Jeff is teaching me what I'm capable of. Every day, I look at what he has scheduled for me to do and think "He's crazy! I won't be able to finish that! Okay, I'll do what I can, and finish as strong as I can, and go from there. I'll have to email him and let him know that it was too much." And yet, every day, I find that I can finish the workouts, and finish them strong.
So here's to the future. I don't hold any expectations, and I haven't found my limits.
I soon found that in local races, I'd do well. Usually well enough to place, or at least close. But distance running, my first love from middle school, was my favorite (although, somewhat slower now than I was then). I'd do well enough to make a ten minute mile average pace over the run, and could hold that. By the time I ran my first marathon in 2009, I only had one goal: to run faster than a ten minute pace. I did it.
Last year I made the transition to triathlon, and made a few breakthroughs. With the addition of swimming and running to my training, I found both my 5k and long distance pace getting faster, incrementally. While experts and veterans may argue whether or not the addition of other sports or simply the extra miles made the difference, I still found myself doing better.
Then, a month ago, Jeff at Apex Endurance started coaching me. I've been self trained for the majority of my experience - picking up bits here and there, and mostly looking up to a few people who are good at endurance sports, without ever really understanding how to get better. Prior to any formal coaching, my training usually involved running/cycling/swimming at whatever pace I could handle, for however long my training plan called for.
Suddenly, over the past week, I've started to see improvement. Higher power numbers during cycling, faster swimming for some of the same drills. But the best moment came for me during a hour and forty five minute run two days ago when I broke the mental and physical barriers of the nine minute mile average pace during that hour and forty five minutes. And I hold no illusions that this is a fast pace in the running world. But there came a moment when I realized I could do it, and that I was breaking down any preconceived notions about how fast I can run. What is important, though, is that in my love of running, I'm seeing improvement.
Kirsten, at Awesomeness of You, taught me last season to break down "realistic expectations" I hold for myself. The result is that I enjoy my sport so much more. Essentially, Kirsten has taught me not to have limits for myself. She taught me to not believe that I can't do something, that a certain athletic capability is out of my reach, or that something is unrealistic to expect. She taught me how to teach myself and believe that I can. Race jitters are pretty much a thing of the past, when they used to tear up my stomach before a race. Kirsten taught me to look beyond what my mind and body were telling me to do and find out what I really can do.
Jeff is teaching me what I'm capable of. Every day, I look at what he has scheduled for me to do and think "He's crazy! I won't be able to finish that! Okay, I'll do what I can, and finish as strong as I can, and go from there. I'll have to email him and let him know that it was too much." And yet, every day, I find that I can finish the workouts, and finish them strong.
So here's to the future. I don't hold any expectations, and I haven't found my limits.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tri Tip Tuesday
So sometimes, triathletes resort to unusual methods to accomplish a task neccesary for the sport. In this case, I've got one for you that definitely qualifies as unusual. Are ya ready for it?
So you're out on a long ride and you're chafing. AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH! A handy fix is to stop at the closest grocery store or market, and pick up some nipple cream. That's right, I said nipple cream. You'll find it in the baby supplies aisle, near the bottles and formula. It's made from pure lanolin, and you can get a tube small enough to fit in a bento box, jersey pocket, or flat kit bag. Better yet, that market or grocery store will have a bathroom that you can use to apply that lanolin to legs, arms, and clothing seams; wherever or whatever is chafing. It tends to be expensive, so this is best used as an emergency "I'm going to have scars when this ride is over" fix, but it will get you to your destination without too much more pain.
Otherwise, get enough lube before you ride or run! What's your favorite chafing solution?
So you're out on a long ride and you're chafing. AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH! A handy fix is to stop at the closest grocery store or market, and pick up some nipple cream. That's right, I said nipple cream. You'll find it in the baby supplies aisle, near the bottles and formula. It's made from pure lanolin, and you can get a tube small enough to fit in a bento box, jersey pocket, or flat kit bag. Better yet, that market or grocery store will have a bathroom that you can use to apply that lanolin to legs, arms, and clothing seams; wherever or whatever is chafing. It tends to be expensive, so this is best used as an emergency "I'm going to have scars when this ride is over" fix, but it will get you to your destination without too much more pain.
Otherwise, get enough lube before you ride or run! What's your favorite chafing solution?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
My race day safety net...
So, the weather didn't really give us the cold day we were hoping for... No biggie. We had some good people on the problem.
My pacer, Dave, is an amazing guy. In most of the pictures, you'll see a guy with tape on one knee running with me. He kept me going when the going got tough (and believe me, it got pretty tough). Let me tell you a little about Dave. He's ex-Air Force, husband (thank you, Angie!), dad, and a type 2 diabetic. From looking at him you'd never know he was diabetic. He's a member of Team Type 2, a bunch of athletes that are kickin' butt and taking names. And they all have type 2 diabetes. Check these guys (and gals) out. They're amazing. Their mission is to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world who have diabetes and show that with diet, exercise and proper medication, diabetes can be controlled. In 2009 and 2010, TT2 completed the 3,000 mile Race Across America (RAAM), and continues to race in many events around the country including most local Tour de Cure events. TT2 is part of TT1, a larger organization of type 1 diabetic racers, including a pro cycling team (who hope to debut in the 2012 Tour de France), a running team, a women's cycling team and a triathlon team.
But back to Dave. If anyone is diabetic and reading this, Dave sets a great example of what diabetes can't do. It can't limit you or make you weak. Without him, my race might have been a whole lot different.
I'd been watching the weather for weeks. When I saw that the weather wasn't going to be as cool as I needed to be, I called a doctor friend to ask his advice on how to keep cool for the race. He referred me to a sports doctor, who gave me some really good advice, which I used. I went to the medical tent before going home - to be on the safe side. Blood pressure, heart rate and body temp were all normal. As if I took a nice stroll outside kind of normal. Kudos to the doctors who gave me the great advice. I followed it to the letter and finished strong and healthy.
In addition, some really great people from EMS kept an eye on me and where I was during the race to make sure that I was safe. I can't really say enough about these guys - without them on the course, who knows what could have happened. Now don't get me wrong, they were also out there for the other amazing runners that were out there with me. EMS really doesn't get a day off; night and day, they're always EMS. But they were aware that I was out there, doing something crazy, and might need help.
The safety net that existed was truly amazing. You guys deserve a round of applause. Thank you.
But Austin, WOW. The volunteers, spectators and runners. You cheered everyone on. It didn't matter whether or not you knew them. You stood out there for hours and cheered. And to the people who worked the water stops - you were really awesome! 26.2 miles of fans for every single runner out there, and a support crew for each one. And you made everyone feel like it was their race, their day to succeed. To the runners - it was a great race. I saw a lot of you that were out there having fun! And a lot of you encouraging the ones who weren't. And the ones that weren't, you didn't quit. You guys are amazing.
My race report is coming - I've got it drafted and need to put the finishing touches on it. I wanted to make sure and highlight that this was a team effort before the race report, though. A lot of people stepped up to help make this happen.
Thank you to everyone. And don't forget that the point of this was to fund the scholarship. You can donate here:
Donate
My pacer, Dave, is an amazing guy. In most of the pictures, you'll see a guy with tape on one knee running with me. He kept me going when the going got tough (and believe me, it got pretty tough). Let me tell you a little about Dave. He's ex-Air Force, husband (thank you, Angie!), dad, and a type 2 diabetic. From looking at him you'd never know he was diabetic. He's a member of Team Type 2, a bunch of athletes that are kickin' butt and taking names. And they all have type 2 diabetes. Check these guys (and gals) out. They're amazing. Their mission is to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world who have diabetes and show that with diet, exercise and proper medication, diabetes can be controlled. In 2009 and 2010, TT2 completed the 3,000 mile Race Across America (RAAM), and continues to race in many events around the country including most local Tour de Cure events. TT2 is part of TT1, a larger organization of type 1 diabetic racers, including a pro cycling team (who hope to debut in the 2012 Tour de France), a running team, a women's cycling team and a triathlon team.
But back to Dave. If anyone is diabetic and reading this, Dave sets a great example of what diabetes can't do. It can't limit you or make you weak. Without him, my race might have been a whole lot different.
I'd been watching the weather for weeks. When I saw that the weather wasn't going to be as cool as I needed to be, I called a doctor friend to ask his advice on how to keep cool for the race. He referred me to a sports doctor, who gave me some really good advice, which I used. I went to the medical tent before going home - to be on the safe side. Blood pressure, heart rate and body temp were all normal. As if I took a nice stroll outside kind of normal. Kudos to the doctors who gave me the great advice. I followed it to the letter and finished strong and healthy.
In addition, some really great people from EMS kept an eye on me and where I was during the race to make sure that I was safe. I can't really say enough about these guys - without them on the course, who knows what could have happened. Now don't get me wrong, they were also out there for the other amazing runners that were out there with me. EMS really doesn't get a day off; night and day, they're always EMS. But they were aware that I was out there, doing something crazy, and might need help.
The safety net that existed was truly amazing. You guys deserve a round of applause. Thank you.
But Austin, WOW. The volunteers, spectators and runners. You cheered everyone on. It didn't matter whether or not you knew them. You stood out there for hours and cheered. And to the people who worked the water stops - you were really awesome! 26.2 miles of fans for every single runner out there, and a support crew for each one. And you made everyone feel like it was their race, their day to succeed. To the runners - it was a great race. I saw a lot of you that were out there having fun! And a lot of you encouraging the ones who weren't. And the ones that weren't, you didn't quit. You guys are amazing.
My race report is coming - I've got it drafted and need to put the finishing touches on it. I wanted to make sure and highlight that this was a team effort before the race report, though. A lot of people stepped up to help make this happen.
Thank you to everyone. And don't forget that the point of this was to fund the scholarship. You can donate here:
Donate
Saturday, February 18, 2012
This seemed like a great idea at the time...
In less than 24 hours, I'll be finishing the Austin Marathon. This has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride; good training days, bad training days, and days where training may have defined the tenth circle of hell. I've gotten more familiar with so many more aspects of being athlete than I ever thought possible, and I've been in touch with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. I've heard many inspiring stories about people who have survived amazing things and come out stronger than imaginable. And I've been fortunate to meet some of them. I've pushed myself further than I thought possible. So, tomorrow, when I'm running, I know that my journey will not be the hardest.
It's amazing how many people have come together to make this happen. There are so many people to thank
(in no particular order):
My husband, Gabe. He inspires me and encourages me to realize that I haven't met my limits yet. He supports me.
Erica, my friend and training buddy. She's great company on the long training miles and helped raise a lot of the money. She also helps me not take things so seriously.
Jessica and Nathan. These two are the coolest young adults I've met. They've watched my kids when I couldn't and encouraged me to get more involved with the generation between mine and my kids. You guys do your generation proud, guys.
Chastidy. She's handled much of the social networking for me, and encouraged me to get the information out there. She also handled most of the interaction between me and Support Behind The Badge.
Bonnie. She started the ball rolling on the support during the marathon itself and got Inspire and the Gems involved. This is such an important part for safety. She also taught me a lot about social networking.
Laurie and Infinit Nutrition. These guys took the time to help me get my nutrition right, then took a chance on a crazy idea. The one thing that I haven't had to worry about at all is whether or not my stomach was going to rebel on me. It's probably one of the largest concerns in any race - and not something that I even have to stress about.
Jeff Hayes. He designed a logo for us on very short notice, that we really haven't been able to take advantage of as much as I would like to have. And he didn't get much credit for it.
Dave and Angie. Dave is running with me for safety, and Angie is his wonderful wife that's making time so Dave can run the Marathon. Dave and I have been in a few races at the same time (Longhorn 70.3, Bandera 50k) but I don't think I've ever actually met him!
Johnny, Megan and Sara with the media. Thanks for the really tasteful articles, and for making sure they kept the focus on the charity.
There are many, many people that have supported me throughout this journey in countless ways that I haven't mentioned in my post. I haven't forgotten you. You meant something to me on a personal level that I don't think needs to be shared with the world. But you were there for me, and it was important. Tomorrow, when the going gets tough, your voices will be there with me, keeping me going.
But most important, to my kids. Your endless imagination and spirit keeps me on endlessly on my toes and ready for anything. I love you both, and remember, you are only limited by your ability to dream. Dream big, kiddos.
It's amazing how many people have come together to make this happen. There are so many people to thank
(in no particular order):
My husband, Gabe. He inspires me and encourages me to realize that I haven't met my limits yet. He supports me.
Erica, my friend and training buddy. She's great company on the long training miles and helped raise a lot of the money. She also helps me not take things so seriously.
Jessica and Nathan. These two are the coolest young adults I've met. They've watched my kids when I couldn't and encouraged me to get more involved with the generation between mine and my kids. You guys do your generation proud, guys.
Chastidy. She's handled much of the social networking for me, and encouraged me to get the information out there. She also handled most of the interaction between me and Support Behind The Badge.
Bonnie. She started the ball rolling on the support during the marathon itself and got Inspire and the Gems involved. This is such an important part for safety. She also taught me a lot about social networking.
Laurie and Infinit Nutrition. These guys took the time to help me get my nutrition right, then took a chance on a crazy idea. The one thing that I haven't had to worry about at all is whether or not my stomach was going to rebel on me. It's probably one of the largest concerns in any race - and not something that I even have to stress about.
Jeff Hayes. He designed a logo for us on very short notice, that we really haven't been able to take advantage of as much as I would like to have. And he didn't get much credit for it.
Dave and Angie. Dave is running with me for safety, and Angie is his wonderful wife that's making time so Dave can run the Marathon. Dave and I have been in a few races at the same time (Longhorn 70.3, Bandera 50k) but I don't think I've ever actually met him!
Johnny, Megan and Sara with the media. Thanks for the really tasteful articles, and for making sure they kept the focus on the charity.
There are many, many people that have supported me throughout this journey in countless ways that I haven't mentioned in my post. I haven't forgotten you. You meant something to me on a personal level that I don't think needs to be shared with the world. But you were there for me, and it was important. Tomorrow, when the going gets tough, your voices will be there with me, keeping me going.
But most important, to my kids. Your endless imagination and spirit keeps me on endlessly on my toes and ready for anything. I love you both, and remember, you are only limited by your ability to dream. Dream big, kiddos.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Marathon risks
A friend of mine just posted a blog entry linked to a news article about how endurance sporting events can be risky. What most people don't realize is that if you run marathons, you have two disciplines to manage, or if you do triathlon, you have four disciplines to manage. That extra discipline is called nutrition by many; I just call it health.
Most sane people don't just go out and decide "I'm going to run a marathon today." For many, it takes years to get that point, with a marathon being the culmination of years of hard work. But gone are the days where only the elite men ran marathons. Gone are the times where only the best runners of both genders were the only ones who attempted 26.2 miles. With the emergence of "bucket listers" in the endurance sports arena, the time from beginning runner to marathon finisher has shortened. And anyone can find a good training plan to tell them how many miles to run evey day and when to rest for the eighteen weeks leading up to a marathon. You could conceivably go from couch potato to marathon finisher in less than a year with little more than a pair of running shoes and internet access. Let me just say that this is a bad idea. You wouldn't have a chance to learn running in a healthy way.
The most crucial discipline often goes ignored. Health. And while the discipline of marathon or triathlon may not be a team sport, entire families and communities are affected by the health discipline when a race goes wrong.
Sick or hurt
How many runners ignore pain because they want to make that race next Saturday, or make sure they get in enough miles for their training? How many of us push through when we know without a doubt that we should take a break for some other reason that truly isn't worth sacrificing all the hard work, just to get in that last mile? So we aren't taking care of ourselves when we're sick or hurt.
Nutrition
What percentage of people in the sport truly know how handle nutrition in training and racing? I ran my first marathon in 2009, but my nutrition for endurance really didn't get dialed in until 2011. There were several endurance events that my stomach reminded me that I needed to figure out a better plan before I finally figured it out. I will say this, though: if not for my transition to triathlon, I may not have figured it out.
General Health
How many people get a full physical, including a full cardio checkup? Before they start running, and every year thereafter? I remember watching the news last year and hearing about so many deaths in running and triathlon. Many of those deaths were later attributed to underlying heart disease.
It can be heart breaking when an athlete doesn't take care of themself. But the risks can be managed. Athletes, take care of yourselves! Don't push yourself to keep going when you are sick or injured, learn proper race nutrition and practice it in training, and go get a complete physical!
Most sane people don't just go out and decide "I'm going to run a marathon today." For many, it takes years to get that point, with a marathon being the culmination of years of hard work. But gone are the days where only the elite men ran marathons. Gone are the times where only the best runners of both genders were the only ones who attempted 26.2 miles. With the emergence of "bucket listers" in the endurance sports arena, the time from beginning runner to marathon finisher has shortened. And anyone can find a good training plan to tell them how many miles to run evey day and when to rest for the eighteen weeks leading up to a marathon. You could conceivably go from couch potato to marathon finisher in less than a year with little more than a pair of running shoes and internet access. Let me just say that this is a bad idea. You wouldn't have a chance to learn running in a healthy way.
The most crucial discipline often goes ignored. Health. And while the discipline of marathon or triathlon may not be a team sport, entire families and communities are affected by the health discipline when a race goes wrong.
Sick or hurt
How many runners ignore pain because they want to make that race next Saturday, or make sure they get in enough miles for their training? How many of us push through when we know without a doubt that we should take a break for some other reason that truly isn't worth sacrificing all the hard work, just to get in that last mile? So we aren't taking care of ourselves when we're sick or hurt.
Nutrition
What percentage of people in the sport truly know how handle nutrition in training and racing? I ran my first marathon in 2009, but my nutrition for endurance really didn't get dialed in until 2011. There were several endurance events that my stomach reminded me that I needed to figure out a better plan before I finally figured it out. I will say this, though: if not for my transition to triathlon, I may not have figured it out.
General Health
How many people get a full physical, including a full cardio checkup? Before they start running, and every year thereafter? I remember watching the news last year and hearing about so many deaths in running and triathlon. Many of those deaths were later attributed to underlying heart disease.
It can be heart breaking when an athlete doesn't take care of themself. But the risks can be managed. Athletes, take care of yourselves! Don't push yourself to keep going when you are sick or injured, learn proper race nutrition and practice it in training, and go get a complete physical!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Honoring a Fallen Friend
In a couple of days, a news interview is going to air about me running the marathon in bunker gear. Before that happens, I want to highlight the person whose memory is the catalyst to so much that is going on.
The scholarship that I'm helping to fund is in the name of a dear friend. His name was Leonard A. Reed. He was a police officer with the city of Cedar Park, Texas for several years before he was lost in an unfortunate training accident. His life positively impacted countless others, and a visit to his facebook pages will show you that he was and still is a much loved man. The family he left behind is a testament to the kind of person he was. His wife, Cynthia, was the rock that everyone else leaned on to get through the hard times after his death. His sons are cut from the same cloth. I was lucky enough to run with Cynthia when she was training for her first half marathon. She gives endurance its definition in many forms.
As for the man that gives the scholarship its name, he was smart, patient, good natured, good humored and good hearted. Someone once became upset with Leonard and snidely asked if he was having a bad day. He simply smiled and said, "I don't have bad days."
I'd been having a bad Friday during my first pregnancy, was stuck at home, and was grumping around the house. I'd seen the movie "Friday" the night before, so in my grumpiness, repeated the line: "It's Friday. I ain't got no job, I ain't got sh*t to do!" I heard my husband laughing in the other room. He'd overheard me, and when he went to work that day, repeated the story to Leonard. When the guys came by the house later, Leonard said "Hey Smokey!" and proceeded to try and cheer me up. From then on, it was Craig and Smokey when we ran into each other.
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Sunday, February 5, 2012
My weapons of war (Part 1)
Now, even though I'm not a running purist by any means, I've streamlined my gear. I'm going to break this up into three blog posts, for ease of reading (and writing), and frankly, so you don' get bored. I don't want to turn this into a gear review. You can head over to DCRainmaker's blog if that's what you're looking for - he has some great reviews.
Running outside: Hat, sunglasses during the day, heart rate monitor and gps watch, non cotton low rise socks, and running shoes, foot pod attached to my shoe
Running inside: Heart rate monitor and gps watch (gps off), foot pod attached to my shoe
Whether I'm running inside or outside, I dress to be comfortable, and if I'm running for more than an hour, I use nutrition. When that happens, I wear a running belt.
That pretty much covers my running gear, now for the pictures!
I use a headsweats supervisor right now. Great hat. Keeps sweat and sun out of my eyes. Does its job pretty well. I like this better than a regular hat because it lets me get rid of heat without letting me sunburn. The downside? Slightly too big and it can't be made smaller.
I do want to stress that just because I or any other athlete has had good luck with a certain product, it doesn't mean that you should go out and immediately change what you're doing if it works for you.
Tell me in the comments what works for you when running.
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