I know this is a little dated but still priceless.
David Letterman – NYC Marathon Top Ten List
December 6th, 2010Half Baked Running Events
August 20th, 2010
Olomouc Half-Marathon, Jana and Darren
Recently I ran in the Olomouc Half-Marathon in the Czech Republic with the wonderful Jana (see the cute blonde on the left). It was her first “half” so I made a training event out of it. I’m going to make a point of running more events with friends of various running levels, it reminds me to have fun. We still make reference to the dreaded “BFA” that passed us at the end of the race.
In running an event for “fun” I can look at Olomouc objectively and see that no matter how well panned events are there’s always the potential for a “gong show” ending. Imagine training for months, perhaps even years. All of your effort is focused on a single event, it’s your life. Many, many people and factors are involved including the all mighty dollar. The big day arrives, an hour of running later, it’s all over. Crossing the finish line with a fantastic sense of accomplishment, it appears you’ve won the race. For Stephen Kibet and Stephen Tum, both of Kenya, heartache followed shortly after as they were disqualified. They had followed a media truck off of the course in the middle of the race resulting in a disqualification. If ever there was a time to hate the media this is it.
Running at Altitude
July 27th, 2010
Trail running at elevation.
At the top end of the competitive world of distance running even the smallest advantage becomes significant. Living and training at altitude is a popular way to achieve an advantage over those at sea level due to the changes in the body from the reduction in available oxygen in the air. I’m not an elite runner nor do I live at altitude so why should I care? I think it’s a fascination I’ve developed through running of the metamorphosis that takes place as you make your way through the training process.
The only way the body can deliver internally the required amount of oxygen to the rest of the body is to provide more vehicles. Think of the red blood cells as the pride of any middle aged balding man who seem to love red sports cars. The more you have the sexier and more fit you must be – right? The blood cells are the vehicles the body uses in the circulation system. In the thin air above 5000 feet/ 1500 meters the body is forced to adapt resulting in a higher red blood cell count. Unfortunately the adaptation doesn’t include new hair growth.
Runner’s High
July 24th, 2010
I thought I lost it but it’s back, just a little taste but enough to leave me reflecting on past running joys and longing for more. It sounds like the words of an addict, some would argue they’re in the same league, I’m referring to a runner’s high, the chemical reaction that happens in the brain.
It’s a rare euphoria that happens on or shortly after a run. It’s a mystery to me but when it consumes me I’m on top of the world. I suspect it’s the result of endorphins released by the brain to combat fatigue or pain. A survival mechanism with a primitive past. Something to keep us going when other parts of the brain insist on stopping. Personally it’s an Utopian state that I’m thankful every time it happens.
Research has recently confirmed as reported in the New York Times that endorphins are responsible for the elevated state. The problem was that it would take a spinal tap (something I’ve experienced at a personal level, not fun) to confirm this theory. A test requirement that’s both expensive and not something that most research subjects are willing to volunteer for. The process can be painful and time consuming as it makes the subject immobile for upwards of 24 hours. Recent advances in neuroscience using PET scans combined with recently available chemicals have reveled that the endorphin theory is in fact true. Running long distances results in our system being flooded with endorphins resulting in mood changes, an altered state of euphoria that brings out the addict in the best of us.
Running can grow on you
July 14th, 2010
Tinea Versicolor example on chest
A typical run in Taipei starts at 5am for me. The sun is rising and its already 30C on it’s way to 36C. As consistent as the sunrise and the temperature, the amount of sweating has become a part of the training process. It turns out that hot and humid sweat are also a ripe environment for anything living, including little creatures on my back.
Within 5 minutes I’m soaked. Stopping for a quick break or stretching at the end of a run results in a puddle around my feet. I’ve never lost weight through sweat at this rate before. The basic breakdown is 2kg per hour of running as a maximum before dehydration and heat stroke become a potential issue, I consistently loose upwards of 4kg.