More news from Tegla, Portland and Twin Cities, masters running, Ronaldo da Costa, weekend races and drinking smoothies to lose weight.
Have we heard enough from Tegla Loroupe lately? Apparently not, and the diminutive Kenyan's shadow stretched a little longer after last weekend. Only one week after running a new world best in the marathon at Berlin, Loroupe returned with a win at the world half-marathon championship, her third consecutive at that distance. She then told the press that she thought she could have run faster, but was holding back.
Paul Tergat had no such luxury; he had to lean at the line to defeat South African Hedrick Ramaala in the event at which he holds the world best. Kenya won the women's team competition, South Africa the men's.
- Loroupe, Tergat win World Half-Marathon Championships < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991004.html
Lest we forget that marathon season is upon us, the big races began last weekend. Twin Cities and Portland hosted their events on Sunday, Twin Cities also serving as the U.S. women's championships.
- Messner, Slade capture top spots at Portland Marathon <http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991006.html#head2>
- Musuva three-peats at Twin Cities; National Champions crowned <http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991004.html#head2>
- Kipkemboi loses TCM masters prize money <http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991007.html>
A few marathoners aren't just thinking of their PR when they race this fall. They're thinking a year down the line, to October 1, 2000 and the Olympic marathon. No American men have yet run the 2:14 "A" standard for the Olympics, but several will try in Chicago.
- 2000 Olympics weigh heavy on Americans in Chicago Marathon < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991006.html >
For female runners, controlled anaerobic training-intervals and hill repeats may lead to gains in strength and speed similar to those produced by steroids but without the noxious side effects. Why? High- intensity anaerobic running is one of the most potent stimulators of natural human growth hormones -- those that contribute to stronger muscles and, ultimately, enhance performance. -- from Amby Burfoot's Runner's World Complete Book of Running, page 113. http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/Unity/UrlView/7/10/31/2/4141
Drink smoothies, lose weight: Foods that have a high water content -- including smoothies, some pasta dishes, soup, fruits and vegetables -- can reduce your appetite, according to research from Penn State. Researchers suspect the water-rich foods take longer to eat and take up a lot of room in your stomach, which make you feel satisfied.
Fight air pollution with vitamins: In a Dutch study, those who cycled outdoors regularly in a climate with high ozone levels had better lung function if they took 500 daily milligrams of vitamin C and 150 IU of vitamin E.
Some of the toughest competitors on the roads are those over the age of 40. If you fall into this category, you should voice your thoughts and opinions on our masters running forum. Log onto our Masters Forum at < http://proxicom.rodalestore.com:8080/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login_rw > and talk PRs, fast times and training schedules with other 40- something racers.
Ronaldo da Costa, who set the world marathon record of 2:06:05 in Berlin 13 months ago (and did cartwheels at the finish), is entered in the LaSalle Banks Chicago Marathon on October 24. RW spoke with Costa: < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/October/991007.html#chat >
Saturday, Aetna U.S. Healthcare Great Hartford Marathon and Half- Marathon: Flat certified courses with beautiful autumn foliage along the way. Post-race food and entertainment. Web site: <http://www.hartfordmarathon.com>.
Sunday, Army 10-Miler, Washington, D.C. The country's largest annual ten mile race (11,472 finishers in 1998) passes by most of the monuments on D.C.'s mall and the U.S. Capitol. <http://www.armytenmiler.com>
Sunday, Great Island 5-K, New Castle, New Hampshire: Scenic, rolling, waterfront course in beautiful historic New England town. Web site: <http://www.greatisland5k.org>.
Sunday, Steamtown Marathon, Scranton, Pennsylvania: A very fast, downhill course with a 955 foot drop, expo, pasta/post-race parties.
Sunday, Youngstown Peace Race 10-K, Youngstown, Ohio. Point-to-point course with a net 280 foot elevation drop. Peace Race tradition dates from the 1970s.
If you're training for a fall marathon, take especially good care of yourself in your final month of preparation -- pop a daily vitamin/mineral supplement, wash your hands often, and get plenty of fluids and sleep. The arrival of cold and flu season, combined with your intense training, leaves you vulnerable to an illness that could derail your race. -- Mark Remy, RW senior editor
There is no substitute, therefore, for the orthodox virtues -- discipline, hard work, pleasure postponed, duty followed. We must keep our eye on the goal, keep looking at the hills. -- George Sheehan
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:32 PM