Only a runner could understand..

                shared from I <3 to run

Finding my running sweet spot.

     I have been having problems with a running injury, which I have mentioned before.  I am working hard on rehab-ing it with stretching, foam rolling, etc.  I think it is a bit better, probably mostly from not running.

     Today I read John Bingham's Penguin Chronicles article called, "My Body and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."  I agree with his decision not to just put his body under a tarp in the garage and let it rust away. The process will never be complete.  I just have to find that sweet spot where running and I can get it exactly right.

http://running.competitor.com/2014/02/inside-the-magazine/penguin-chronicles-my-body-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance_95782

In case there was any question, we are a couch potato nation.

     This article is shared from Hal Higdon's Marathon

    The article reports on research published in  Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-exercise-sedentary-20140221,0,2080046.story#axzz2uSuzmnKq

Another reason to eat a plant-based diet.

   The Center for Disease Control published a report in Sept. 2013 called the  “Antibiotic Resistance Threat Report,”   According to the report, two million American adults and children become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria annually, and at least 23,000 die as a direct result.
    Every bite of non-organic meat you eat contains a small dose of antibiotics.
    The solution is simple. There is no biological need for animal flesh.  Humans can thrive on plant-based diets. We can save the effectiveness of antibiotics for treatment of disease by eating plant-based. Be a part of the solution.

Thought for the weekend.....

"Man--a being in search of meaning."
                          Plato

Friday brain fun

                                                  shared from  Engine 2 Diet

Sitting is dangerous

   For people over 60, every hour a day you spend sitting regardless of how much other exercise you get, doubles your risk of becoming disabled.  Wow.  Science Daily reports on the study here.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140219124728.htm


     I did turn my desktop computer into a standing-desktop computer a couple of weeks ago using shoeboxes to elevate the monitor, keyboard, and mouse pad.  So far, as a temporary and free solution, it is working pretty well.  I don't use it all of the time, but stand much more frequently than I sit. Whee!

Happy Birthday Copernicus

     Copernicus was born 2-19-1473.

Don't give up

                                        Hippie Peace Freaks

I'm in good company

                                                                   The Light Within

A new study on the value of mammograms

     A new study, which the New York Times called "One of the largest and most meticulous studies of mammography ever done," casts doubts on the value of mammography.  Please read just to be aware of the controversy. Of course, you must make up your own mind as to what to do about it. Keep informed to be a good medical consumer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/health/study-adds-new-doubts-about-value-of-mammograms.html

Somehow it happened. Hard to say when. But one look in the mirror and it was obvious. Life had caught up to you. So you did the only thing any self-respecting adult could do... You ran away. Only this time it worked. And the farther you ran, the better it worked. So you've never stopped running. And you've never seen that person in your mirror again. - Athletico

     There is a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer which suggests that running beats walking for breast cancer survival, by possibly as much as 40%. You can't beat that.  Keep on running.

http://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/breast-cancer-news-94/running-may-beat-walking-for-breast-cancer-survivors-684437.html


                                                             Run The Edge





                                                                                                                                                         
                                      

Natural running

   

     I found two interesting topics today for the runners and exercisers out there.  The first is a new study on foot muscles, how important they are, and how running shoes really do matter.

     I have been searching for new running shoes lately and have been having difficulty finding what I want.  I love minimalist shoes.....shoes that disappear when put on your feet....that do just what they should by providing a bit of cushion and protection from the elements and rocks. That's it.  It sounds simple, right? 

     If you are a runner, you will have noticed that the newest craze out there is for extremely cushioned shoes with no ground feel, the so-called maximalist shoes.  Those are the shoes that shoe stores seem to be pushing now, and every brand has new models with this extreme cushion.  I have run in a couple of pairs....they do feel cushy, but you lose touch with ground feel and foot placement (proprioception).  They don't seem natural to me.  Now, if you are recovering from an injury I can sort of see the reasoning for their use on a temporary basis, but that is all.  I call them clown shoes because that is what they resemble.

     I really object to the shoe stores pushing me into shoes I do not want and refuse to buy into that.  The more minimalist shoes are still being made, but I don't like ordering shoes on-line. It is an ongoing search with trial and error.  Meanwhile, I am wearing shoes that should have been retired quite a while ago until I find what I want.

     This new research confirms that your foot muscles do matter, and that we should be trying to keep them strong and letting them do their job. 

       http://sportsgeezer.com/2014/why-foot-muscles-matter-and-running-shoes-dont-help-them/

      http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2014/02/foot-study-may-impact-design-of-running-shoes

     The second topic regards treadmill running.  I really, really hate it but that is all I've been able to do this winter.  It is better than nothing, but causes its own set of problems. I always seem to get injured over the winter and now have come to the conclusion that it is probably due to my treadmill.  I must be changing my biomechanics when on the treadmill, and don't slow my pace when tiring like I would out-of-doors. Anyway, I do have a bad case of self-diagnosed iliotibial band syndrome so am doing a lot of stretching, foam-rolling, and wishing for spring.

     Here is the article on staying injury free when on the treadmill.

     http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/stay-injury-free-on-the-treadmill


     Meanwhile, a funny look at how most runners deal with injuries:

http://www.anotherfnrunner.com/2014/02/how-most-runners-deal-with-injury.html

A thought for this week.

     I try to remember this all this time.


 
                                                Be the change you want to see in the world

Live simply

     I work on this all the time.

The Polar Vortex and burning calories.

     It was a minus twelve degrees yesterday when I scooped snow.  It is minus twelve degrees this morning as I set out to take the dog for a very short walk.  The house seems chilly all the time.  So why aren't I skinny?
     New research shows that mild cold helps with weight loss and that shivering can be as good as exercise for burning calories. I guess that is a good thing???

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/05/shivering-burn-calories-brown-fat-metabolism_n_4725106.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

A 1990 flashback

I found this interesting.  Here is an episode of the Donohue show from 1990 with River Phoenix, Lisa Bonet, Raul Julia, and John Robbins.  People haven't changed much since then. Also, it reminded me how irritating Phil Donohue could be at times. I realize, as host, he had to play the devil's advocate, but he needs to shut up sometimes and let his guests talk. (as always, email subscribers to my blog will have to go to the blog to view the videos).

World Cancer Day 2014

     Today is World Cancer Day.  According to the WHO, cancer is growing at an alarming pace.

     "The World Cancer Report 2014, from the World Health Organization's (WHO's) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), estimates that the global burden of cancer will rise from an estimated 14 million new cases per year in 2012 to 22 million within the next 20 years."

     You can find information about the book, "The World Cancer Report 2014" by going to the below website.  "We cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem."

http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2014/pdfs/pr224_E.pdf



     But don't just light a candle,  do something about it!  Prevention is the answer.

ARGGGGG

   
     I didn't have to scoop snow today, the first day in a while, but more snow is coming tonight, tomorrow, and the rest of the week.  By February......I want to cry "Uncle."