El Geurrouj and Ngeny make history, the buzz on the Chicago Marathon, secret powers of orange juice and the inside scoop on downhill running.
For five years, the Africans frantically lowered the world records in the long distances (from 3000m up), taking huge chunks of time off the endurance record. This year, the team of Hicham el Guerrouj and Noah Ngeny have brought the record-breaking frenzy to the middle distances, lopping chunks off the mile record and, in the past week, the 1000m (Ngeny) and 2000m (el Guerrouj). Ngeny, breaking a record held by Sebastian Coe since 1981, now completes a sweep: for the first time, African-born runners hold every world record from 800m through 10,000m.
Can you ignore the scenery, the sights and sounds of the race around you? Can you run without talking? Are you only peripherally aware of other runners? Can you maintain the form you practiced on the grass, on the track, on the road? You may need to do so if you want to maximize your ability to run fast. -- from Hal Higdon’s Run Fast, p. 64. You can buy this book at: http://rodalepress7.cam-colo.bbnplanet.com:8080/Unity/UrlView/7/10/27/2/4141 .
A vitamin for GI woes: Runners who took 1,000 IU of vitamin E for two weeks leading up to a marathon had fewer complaints of abdominal cramping than those who didn't supplement, according to new research. Researchers suspect that vitamin E's natural antioxidant role may combat the free radicals thought to cause gastrointestinal symptoms during running.
Fight cancer with OJ: Orange juice and other citrus products contain powerful phytochemicals that may stop tumor growth, according to a Michigan State University study done on rats. In the study, scientists injected colon cancer into a group of rats. Some rats drank orange juice regularly, while others had water. The rats that were fed the OJ had a 22 percent lower incidence of tumors.
Injuries got you down? With marathon season looming, more runners are complaining about those nagging aches and pains due to their increased mileage. Fortunately, many of our forum readers have cool tips and great advice on how to ease back into pain-free running. You can join the injury forums gang at: http://proxicom.rodalestore.com:8080/servlet/AppServer?t=login/login_rw >.
Vicki Mitchell ran 2:41:05 for third place in February's Hong Kong Marathon, her first venture at the 26.2 mile distance. Mitchell, now 30, won seven individual NCAA Division III titles in track and cross-country while at Cortland State in New York. She is now a men's and women's cross-country and distance coach at the University of Buffalo. Runner’s World spoke with Mitchell: < http://www.runnersworld.com/dailynew/archives/1999/September/990907.html#chat >.
Saturday, Riverfest Run by the River 5-K, Clarksville, Tennessee. Flat-fast USATF-certified course runs beside scenic Cumberland River. Pre-race pasta dinner.
Sunday, Big Fresno Fair Cross-City Race 10-K. Held in conjunction with local fair, Sports and Fitness Expo, pasta feed, kids race, car giveaway and lots more.
Sunday, Buenos Aires City Half-Marathon. If by some chance you're down in Argentina this weekend check out this smooth circuit at sea level. Athletes from more than 20 countries are expected to compete.
If you’re recovering from an injury, avoid downhills – they pound the legs more than level ground or uphill surfaces. If you absolutely can’t avoid a downhill, just walk down it. - Bob Wischnia, RW deputy editor
Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it. - Oprah Winfrey, TV host[../../../../top/bottom.htm] Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:32 PM