Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:32 PM In this issue: Denmark welcomes Kipketer, O’Sullivan runs into motherhood, scratching out poison ivy, recovering with amino acids, and hill training tips.
After last week's excitement - a world record in the mile tends to capture one's attention - the running world sat back and took a deep breath this week. Racing action over the weekend was limited to the Utica Boilermaker 15-K in New York, where Catherine Ndereba broke the women's course record and John Korir, despite lagging behind the pace for most of the race, came within six seconds of the men's record.
Wilson Kipketer couldn't run for Denmark in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics because his native Kenyan federation wouldn't let him. Now that he's officially a Dane, the Kenyans federation has cleared him to run for Denmark in 2000.
While we're collecting milestones, here's another triumph for the much-decorated Sonia O'Sullivan of Ireland: her first child, a daughter, born Saturday.
Imagery practice means not only seeing the experience but smelling, tasting, touching and feeling it as well. In using imagery to help deal with performance anxiety, reduce pain and control frustration and anger, athletes must be able to create emotions in their minds. -- from Steve Ungerleider's Mental Training for Peak Performance, p. 32. You can buy this book at: http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/Unity/UrlView/7/10/18/2/414
Speed recovery: You may be able to speed your recovery if you eat foods that contain the amino acid leucine immediately after intense exercise, according to a study done on rats at the University of Illinois. Leucine is found in protein-rich foods like meats, dairy products, protein bars and some sports drinks. For best results, make sure to combine protein with carbohydrates. Acupuncture for your heart: Acupuncture may lower blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors by encouraging your body to produce the same feel-good endorphins that give you runner's high, according to a collaborative study between researchers in China and those at the University of California Irvine.
Masters runners are more than just "mature" runners, they're experienced too. Chat with other 40-something runners about tempo runs, pacing and anti-inflammatories on our Masters Forum. As a special bonus this week, you can even read inspirational quotes! Check it out at
Vicki Huber was sixth in the 1988 Olympic 3000 meters and ninth in her heat in the 1996 Olympic 1500. She was a star runner for Villanova University in the late 1980s and has the honor of being the fastest U.S. collegian of all time in the mile (4:28.31 indoors) and 3000 (8:47.35). She is now married to U.S. National Soccer Team trainer, Rudy Rudawksy. Runner's World spoke with her
Saturday, Bastille Day 5-K and 8-K, Newport Beach, Calif.: Fast course, site of Ruth Wysocki's world masters record. International food festival afterwards.
Saturday, Indian Path Medical Center/Suntrust Bank Crazy 8's 8-K Run: Late night race, candle-lit streets. World class field and site of world record by Peter Githuka in 1996.
Saturday, Rockville Rotary Twilight Festival Runfest 8-K, Rockville, Maryland. Nightime race, with big post-race party. Web site.
Saturday, Subaru 4-Mile Chase, Buffalo, New York: Just 15 minutes from Niagara Falls. Great post-race party with casino gambling in the area.
Hill training can boost leg-muscle power this summer. Here's how: After an easy 10-minute warmup, run repeats on the steepest hill you can find (anything from 25 to 200 meters). Run up the hill at what feels like your 5-K racing effort. Jog down slowly to recover, then repeat the uphill run. Start with four or five reps and gradually increase. – Eileen Portz-Shovlin, Senior Editor
What should you do if you’re faced with an itchy rash on the back of your legs? Drop by the "Body Shop" section of our Web site, http://www.runnersworld.com/bodyshop, and check out Marlene Cimons' "Outrun Poison Ivy" article. You’ll also find tips on treating anything from a mild blister to a neuroma. Body Shop currently contains fifteen articles on everything from skin cancer to safe running. Sure, you're not itchy or hurt now, but when you are, we're ready.
Circumstances can keep you from running where and when you want, but nothing except lack of training can take away your right to run exactly as hard as you want to. The more your run, the more of this freedom you acquire. That's the beauty part. -- excerpt from The Elements of Effort, by John Jerome
barry Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:32 PM