Learning Experience - Humbling Day - Still Good

Stowe 8 miler today.   I made the mistake of paying too much attention to the all the starting line instructions.  There were no clear indicators of where to start in the pack.  All the focus was on the team competitors.  Instead of working my way  toward the front I started too far back in order not to offend.   Big mistake! I got boxed in and couldn't get out of the pack for a long time.  My 1st mile split was almost 11 minutes.    I don't know it officially but I forgot my watch today and had to ask a fellow competitor who told me 10:55.  And she was a couple of steps ahead of me at the time.    

It's my own fault.  After many, many races I ought to have learned.   To be perfectly honest, I had no chance of finishing 1st in my age group.  There were some 'real racers' in the pack.  However, with a better start I might've finished in the top 5 or 6.     Oh well, live & learn, I hope!

At least I was smart enough to make the best of a nice summer day.  We headed to Johnson, VT and put our canoe in the water and paddled down to Jeffersonville.  A two and a half hour easy paddle down a beautiful river on a warm summer day has a way of making everything seem better.  We weren't the only ones.  We came across a group of nice young women in kayaks who were having a grand day and later a couple who had pulled their canoe onto a sandbar and were picnicking.    A grand day altogether.

Study: Lack of exercise isn't to blame for child obesity

While I'm a big advocate for fitness and nutrition, this study puts the blame squarely on sugary drinks and excessive portions and high calorie snacks which in turn lead to lower activity.   I can't help but believe this applies to adults as well.  It's worth reading.

http://www.aolhealth.com/2010/07/09/study-lack-of-exercise-isnt-to-blame-for-child-obesity/#

Stretching for Runners

This is a good video.  And it's short.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid38543167001?bctid=39593422001

In Case You Missed It.

An amazing, inspiring story from the June Runner's world.   My brother generously shares his magazine with me so I get it a little later.  What this guy has done is incredible. Enjoy.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-243-297--13500-0,00.html

Easy Can Be Hard

I had a nice workout yesterday.  I worked pretty hard at my resistance training.  This is summertime and without a tight schedule I can have long intense workouts.  It's cool in my basement and with an early start I can get a lot done before most people are up and about.

I was fully recovered by the time my men's golf league started at 5pm.  Running does nothing for my golf but a hard resistance workout seems to improve my golf.  I played well and won my match 9-0!

This morning was another story.  I planned on running short and easy this morning in order to taper for Sunday's race.   Well, easy was hard this morning.  I guess it's me because every time I try running easy it doesn't feel good to me.  I don't mean I have go at race pace but going slow is not fun.   I finally gave up on it and picked up my stride and felt much better.   I think shorter runs are less fun, too.   I just get warmed up and it's time to finish.  I ran 8 miles, which might still be too much.   Maybe it was just a bad day for me.  Anyway, I hope I have a better day on Sunday.  No running for me 'til then.  

Body Shape Affects Memory

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/15/women.memory.weight/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn

A Runner's 'Theory of Relativity'

Got up early this morning to run.  I've figured that out!  Hot days = early starts.   It was actually pretty nice with the breeze.  Another thing about early starts is traffic.   There is less of it and the drivers tend to be better.  Maybe they're not running late or early people are nicer.  That could be it!   I feel safe almost anywhere at 6 a.m. but lots of places scare me at 10 p.m.

Anyway, it was a comfy run.  There was no residual fatigue from my busy day yesterday.  I thought walking 18 holes and climbing a mountain might make my run a bit of a struggle.  I ran 12 miles and it felt good.  So I have new 'Theory of Relativity' for running.  If you want a 12 mile run to seem easy,  run 17.5 miles a couple of day before.  Worked for me.

It is interesting how a 10 mile run ofttimes seems easier than a short run.  With a long run I'm not thinking about finishing soon so I just relax and run.  If I'm doing a short run say 5 miles or less.  I don't really have time to warm up before I'm thinking about the end.  My suggestion: run fewer days but longer runs.  In other words, run 10 miles 3 days a week rather than 5 miles 6 days a week.   You'll be better prepared for long runs and you'll have more healing time between runs.  I like it.  It also gives me time to do my important resistance training.

I'll run a bit shorter on Thursday, though.  I'm going to race on Sunday in Stowe and I want to be a little more rested.