The name of Washington, D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom 10-miler has become something of a joke, since in recent years the cherry trees have blossomed well before the race. This year the joke was almost sick, with temperatures just above freezing, a dusting of snow, and wind gusts recorded as the worst in the race's history.
Buzz about sold-out marathons continues; San Diego's third Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, in May, reports being 95 percent full, and the New York City Marathon, which has tightly controlled entry for years, will close entry for its first lottery on Friday.
Your maximum heart rate (MHR) declines with age. But research suggests that athletes over 50 can exercise at higher percentages of their MHR before lactic acid accumulates in the blood. We slow with age, but we recoup some of that loss by being able to exercise at levels closer to our physical potential. - from Scott Tinley and Ken McAlpine's Winning Guide to Sports Endurance, page 28. http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/T/A7.10.58.2.4141
Reduce pain with SAMe: SAMe, a popular over-the-counter supplement, may help in the war against joint pain. In a recent study, people with osteoarthritis who took 400 to 1,500 daily milligrams of the supplement for two weeks experienced significantly less joint pain.
Stretch away stiffness: The more flexible you are, the less likely you'll feel sore after a tough workout. Researchers tested the flexibility of 20 people and asked them to strength train their hamstrings to exhaustion. Those with less flexibility had more soreness and muscle damage after the exercise than those with greater flexibility.
With the spring racing season now upon us, you'll want to take care of those nagging injuries pronto. After all, there's no time for pain when you're trying to set a PR. Whether it's a nasty shinsplint, an aching knee or tight hamstrings, our online readers share their personal remedies for staying healthy this spring. Visit our Injury forum at: http://proxicom.rodalestore.com:8080/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login_rw .
Monday marks the 15th anniversary of Lisa Rainsberger's 1985 Boston Marathon victory in 2:34:06. She was the 1988 and 1990 Chicago Marathon champion and placed fourth in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials. Runner's World spoke with Rainsberger: http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/April/000412.html#chat
Sunday, Rotterdam Marathon: Site of former world records for men and women. We'll also have special reports from this race.
Monday, Boston Marathon: The oldest and most prestigious marathon in the world. Runner's World team of reporters will cover all the action (see our Insider’s Guide).
You'll feel better-and conserve more energy-on hills if you maintain the same level of effort and breathing rate that you use on level ground. Beth Eck, RW associate editor
To exercise at or near capacity is the best way I know of reaching a true introspective state. If you do it right, it can open all kinds of inner doors.- Al Oerter, 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist in the Discus