Runner's World Extr@

for Friday, July 28, 2000

==== In this issue ====

An Olympic Trials summary, the skinny on fish supplements, the secret behind healthy hamstrings, Christine Clark, and what you should do before a hot, steamy run.

==== News ====

Believers in Murphy's Law got a big boost on the last day of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. When Michael Johnson and Maurice Greene, arguably the two fastest men in the world, got together at 200m, both were beaten by John Capel in the semifinal; then both pulled up injured in the final, leaving Capel to score his first-ever national championship in 19.85 - .01 faster than Greene's best at the distance. Johnson, disappointed, claims he won't run 200m again this year. 

• Olympic Trials Day Eight Summary  http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/news/000723sum.html 
•  Men's 200 meters http://www.runnersworld.com/road2sydney/outdoors/m200m.html 
•  Michael Johnson to retire from the 200 meters... or maybe not (July 25) http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000725.html  
• In the distance events, even after the Trials the Olympic team isn't quite final. U.S. Olympic distance event teams still unsettled (July 26) http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000726.html 
•  All members of the Kenyan Olympic Team were selected by Trials this year for the first time. The process still isn't without dissent: the three previously-selected team members for the marathon were unceremoniously replaced last week. To top it all off, one of the newly-named team members was shot in a carjacking incident. Big surprises at Kenyan Olympic Trials (July 24) http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000724.html 
•  Kenyan marathon controversy (July 24) http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000724.html#shorts
•  Kenyan Olympic marathoner shot (July 25) http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000725.html 

======= Training Tip ======

Never apply tape directly to your bare skin. The chances of an irritation and blistering are high when you mix tape, exercise, and sweat. Use prewrap, a thin foam that goes on the skin before tape. You can find prewrap at sporting goods stores and drugstores. - from Joe Ellis, Running Injury-Free, page 83. You can buy this book at:  http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/T/A77.88.12.1.4528 

======== Health and Fitness ========

Not a Fish Tale: Will taking fish oil supplements double the heart-disease protection you're already getting from exercise? Probably not. Researchers at the University of Missouri found that exercising and taking a fish oil supplement results in a loss of fat-reducing benefits. The two seem to cancel each other out. However, this doesn't mean you should avoid fish. Eating fish two times a week still helps reduce clotting and prevents irregular heartbeats.

Strengthen Those Hammies: If you're coming back from a hamstring injury, the best thing you can do is hit the gym. When you strengthen your hamstrings, you want to work them concentrically and eccentrically. Those are big words that simply mean you want to make sure your hamstrings are strong as you bend your leg as well as when you straighten your leg. For specific exercises, see Tuesday's Health Beat http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000725.html#health 

======== In our forums ========

So you have a complaint? A compliment? A critique? Well, don't hold back those feelings. Whether they’re good or bad, we encourage you to tell us your thoughts. After all, a good ranting or raving does the body good. Just scribble your opinions down in our Letters and Opinions forum: http://proxicom.rodalestore.com:8080/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login_rw 

======== Interview ========

Christine Clark won the U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in February in 2:33:31. Since she did not achieve the "A" Olympic standard of 2:33:00, she will be (in the complex criteria for selecting American marathoners) the sole U.S. female in the marathon at the Sydney Olympics. Runner’s World spoke with Clark: http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/2000/July/000726.html#chat 

====== Coming this weekend =======

Saturday, Greater Clarksburg 10-K, Clarksburg, W.V. Double loop 5-K course, more than $20,000 in prize money. Web site: http://www.clarksburg10k.com .

Saturday, New Milford 8-Mile Road Race, New Milford, Conn. Has a reputation as the "toughest" race in Connecticut.

Saturday, Kilauea Volcano Wilderness Marathon, Kilauea, Hawaii. A challenging course with challenging temperatures and humidity. Web site: http://www.bishop.hawaii.org/vac .

Sunday, Get High Skymarathon, Telluride, Colorado. Rugged course through Rocky Mountains at high altitude.

======= Editor's Advice =======

Before a run on a very hot day, try taking a cold bath or shower. Studies show it will lower your body temperature and keep it lower during your run. – Beth Moxey Eck, RW associate editor

====== Words to think about ======

I try not to go wild when I run marathons. After all, I'm doing it for fun.- Anthony "Cokey" Daman, 81-year-old runner who ran his fastest marathon in 3:36 at age 69

====== Television Schedule  ======