Running

A few weeks ago, to celebrate the Paris Marathon, I posted some of the most commonly used* runners phrases translated into French. Continuing in that linguistic vein, I thought it might be nice to put together some more phrases, this time intended to break down the language barrier between runner and non-runner. So feel free to show this to your long-suffering wife, husband, partner, colleagues, postman, or anyone else you like to bore and bemuse with talk of PBs, Splits and marathon-ness. We say: “It’s a well-known scientific fact that you should change your running shoes after 500 miles to avoid injury” We mean: “The shoes I like have just been released in a new colour” We say: “I really maxed my lactate threshold during last night’s 5k tempo” We mean: “I went for a run last night” We say: “I tried for a negative split, but overcooked it early on and now my ITB hates me” We mean: “I went for a run last night” We say: “I went for a run last night” We mean: “Okay, you caught me out. I spent the evening in a seedy hotel with a trio of broad-minded Swedish cheerleaders and a large tub of brandy butter” We say: “I think we deserve a holiday. I’ve heard that has some lovely beaches, and Tripadvisor.com described it as one of the most romantic getaways in the world” We mean: “I’ve just spent three hours looking at Google earth, and has some awesome trails” We say: “The marathon stick and foam roller are both excellent tools for achieving self-myofascial release, and will help prevent injury” We mean: “I know these things look like giant sex toys. Stop looking at me like that” We say: “This new head torch has a really wide throw and an output of 300 lumens. I need it for my night runs to avoid tree roots, potholes and low-hanging branches” We mean: “This new head torch has a really wide throw and an output of 300 lumens. I need it for my night runs to avoid tree roots, potholes and low-hanging branches. But mainly I’m just scared of werewolves.” We say: “I realise that an £80 entry fee might sound expensive , but you have to appreciate that it’s famous for being a really technical course while still retaining fantastic PB potential” We mean: “There’s a race. I heard that last year they had some really nice fudge in the goody bags. I like fudge” We say: “So anyway, how are you?” We mean: “I really want you to ask me about this medal I’ve been wearing for the last three days” * if you’re a bit odd. Lovely readers, a gentle reminder that you can follow me on the twitter (@borntoplodblog) or on my new-ish Facebook page. Other contact details are in the contacts section above, strangely enough. More from The Running Bug Dictionary of Running Words pt 1 Thunderstruck pt 1 FThunderstruck pt 2 Get Out of My Way!!! Like most other hobbies, sports and warlike Star Trek aliens, running has its own lexicon. (or, My Long-Winded and Largely Off-Topic Race Report of the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run 2012) (or, The Second Instalment of My Long-Winded and Largely Off-Topic Race Report of the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run 2012) A lot of stuff has been written about how we interact with our fellow runners. New to the Running Bug? We're the online community for runners with over 120,000 members! Join today - it's free and easy - and you'll get access to all our running events, training schedules and advice, shop, groups, blogs and forums. You will also be able to share and communicate with the running community in bugmiles and the great debate. JOIN THE RUNNING BUG HERE! It's free and takes just 30 seconds.

I did it!! Ohlone 131 miler in 49:45.This was my 10th year running 100 or 131 miles before the race and finishing the last 50k of the Ohlone with the official race. I want to thank my awesome pacers Kathy D'Onofrio who ran 64 miles total both the night section she is always a rockstar!! Martin Whitcomb who ran out to me in Sunol on my 3rd trek back. Also thanks to Jerry Roninger for his help shuttling Kathy back and bringing out Truman and Skye to pace me. Oh and Julia who ran two miles and brought me ice!!I had a great run and felt strong the whole way. Fruitarian power all the way!!Making a wish!!Jumping for Joy on Rocky Ridge trailHandstand mile 78 at the seahorseRIP Rocky Ridge at his memorial tree Truman pacing me!!Rose peak #4

First off, thanks for all the wonderful comments! I feel like I've made a whole slew of friends here lately. This challenge has been a blast! Not sure how much longer I will post pics, maybe I'll try posting my food log from sparkpeople or something. I like the extra bit of accountability, and I think its spurred some good conversation.One thing this challenge has reinforced for me is the belief that if you want a diet to work, you have to make a diet that will work for you. Some people avoid sugar like the plague because it sets off binges, which it doesn't for me (I just don't eat it because it isn't good for me and its loaded with empty calories), some people avoid red meat (I don't eat much but I will have a steak now and again). I think yogurt is mostly gross but some people love it for breakfast - you get the idea.Figuring out what you like, what amount of cooking you are willing to do, and what foods allow you to lose weight successfully seem to be critical. They may also be subject to change over time. I love to cook and am very good at planning our meals and doing weekend prep work. The personal trainer at work is after me to set up a side business selling prepared meals. Its a pretty good idea. I know he & his wife eat out all the time because neither have the time or inclination to cook. He figures it would be cheaper to outsource to a personal chef than eat out as often as they do. Maybe that will be my third career!Anyway, today's exercise was Shaun T's Rockin Body Disco Party. That guy cracks me up - I was really giggling at some points wth all his gyrating. :-) I can't do the moves half as well as anyone in the video (of course!) but I was up & moving for 40 minutes, so its all good.Food - do I even need labels any more? I eat the same thing every day!Dinner was lentil soup with chicken kielbasa, roasted green beans, and a fudgecicle.

What if you could torch a bunch of calories just sitting around? It turns out you can, but there's a catch.ACTIVE.com

Eating before a run can help or hurt your workout. Decode your perfect pre-run fuel plan with this advice. ACTIVE.com

If you haven't prepared well for a marathon, should you still run it? Find out if you've done what's necessary to run the distance well. ACTIVE.com

Runners who already follow a structured training plan are closer to their 5K potential than those who only run easy. But, a PR is still possible for advanced runners; here's what to do. ACTIVE.com

Avoiding gluten doesn't mean you have to lose out on energy. These dishes are packed with plenty of carbs to fuel your runs. ACTIVE.com

First a quick tutorial (for Jess). Chin-up = palms in. Pull-up = palms out. The difference in grip = different muscles worked. Both stress the back/lats and biceps, but chin-ups work your biceps more and pull-ups more the lats. You'll get more detailed analysis here and elsewhere, but that's the gist of it. For me, pull-ups are more difficult. Yesterday's run was the first time I've cracked a 12-minute mile on trails all year. The Buckeye Trail in Brecksville was dry and empty. Only one major climb required walking, so otherwise the winding paths kept me flying. It must be time to up my distance though, as my exhaustion soon passed. My runs still have mostly been timed, with my watch timer set for a 35-minute out and back. When I was done running, I sat on a picnic table for a few moments and then decided to stop by the Sand Run Parcours Trail for a set of pull-ups. This time on the higher bar mentioned in yesterday's post. FYI, leaping up to the bar takes a lot out of you. I managed three consecutive pull-ups before having to drop down, and then I was done. I tried but couldn't do another rep on the higher bar, so I switched to the one where my toes still touch the ground and managed three more solid reps and a few half-assed attempts before calling it quits. That familiar feeling of soreness that was lacking in the prior day's set of pull-ups was felt again. My body buzzed from exhaustion. It was a good day.

This new series is guest blogged by Doug Logan. Doug Logan was the CEO for USATF from 2008 until September 2010.  He was also the CEO, President and Commissioner for Major League Soccer from 1995 to 1999.  To read more about his background and involvement in Track, Soccer, Rugby and the Music industry, read my Freelap Friday Five Interview. SHIN SPLINTS REDUX Let’s Try This Again Jimson finally talked me into it. I have been contemplating resuming my blog after three years of exile and he finally pushed me to start again. We were sitting on some sunny steps on the Via Veneto in Rome earlier this month after a glorious espresso macchiato and we agreed I would post once a week. So, here we go. Many of you may remember my prior commentary published over a two year period of time on the USATF website. The subject matter was eclectic and at times provoked hostile reactions. I called the blog Shin Splints because I intended to be mildly annoying but not so hurtful as to be truly painful. I occasionally was influenced by my love for music and literature and was honest to admit my perspective was influenced by my military combat experiences and my bi-lingual, multi-cultural upbringing. This post will be no different. During the coming weeks I will address current issues in this wonderful business of sports. What will be different for this site, however, is that my point of view will not be that of an athlete, or a trainer, or a coach. My slant will come from one who has worn a suit to work for the past four decades as an administrator, owner, marketer, and commissioner of teams and leagues. However, despite the fact that I have been blessed to make a daily living involving one of my passions, I am first and foremost a fan. While I plan to consider all sports, my knowledge of track and field and of futbol will probably dominate my musings. I have a lifelong admiration for athletic speed and its interrelationship with almost all sports. I once heard an old baseball scout declare “speed doesn’t slump“and the implications of that statement are fascinating. I also intend to discuss the topic of aging, particularly in this era. I turned 70 on May 11th this year and am now a part of a unique class. My peers and I are healthier, fitter and have a clearer mind and more energy than any generation before us. With the miracles of modern medicine, a focus on appropriate nutrition and rest, and a disciplined exercise regimen, we can expect to live another 20 plus years with a decent quality of life. So, now what the hell do we do? One of my favorite singer/poets, Leonard Cohen, has an opening lyric to one of his songs that goes “I’ve been sentenced to twenty years of boredom”. Employers no longer want us, our children no longer need us, women [or men] no longer flirt with us, and, despite our fitness, we have lost our grace and speed. Speed may not slump, but it sure erodes. I will attempt to memorialize my quest for relevance as I enter this “fourth quarter” of my life. There is an old saying about professional athletes experiencing two deaths. One takes place at the end of their competing careers when they approach a life without the adrenaline rush they experienced as elite combatants. Those who survive the transition successfully find replacement activities to occupy them and fulfill them. As a new septuagenarian, I feel I should pattern myself after athletes who have discovered utility in the balance of their lives. I will write and let you know how I am handling this. A final topic that I will spend some time writing about has to do with what I call, tongue in cheek, geriatric fitness. I spent many years running; running so I could eat more, running to compete in road races, running so I could feel better, and running so I would have a daily physical goal. Those years of pounding hard roads in bad shoes have left me with arthritic ankles, periodic sciatica and an order from my doctors to stop running. What I have become is an o