9.30.2011

Ice baths and chocolate milk

I blogged a while ago about my first ice bath and the cool down it provided after a long run with Slade Runner. I wanted to update you all on a blurb  I read by Liz Applegate, PH.D in the October 2011 "Runner's World" magazine:

" ICE BATHS HINDER MUSCLE REFUELING"

According to a study released by the University of Montana this year participants who rode an exercise bike for 90 minutes to deplete their glycogen levels then over the next four hours intermittently soaked one leg in an ice bath while sipping a carbohydrate recovery drink researchers found that the iced leg re lodged only half as much glycogen as the leg that was not iced. 

I may continue to ice as a treat after my runs in death valley like heat but now I know according to this study I am hindering my recovery time. 

Good news from the same article for me and anyone else who uses chocolate milk as a post workout recovery drink "CHOCOLATE MILK HELPS YOU LOSE BODY FAT". Score!

In other news I have recovered from the flu and in the past two days I have done 2 classes and made it to a post happy hour 4 mile run with Slade. Really proud of myself the last two days. Also pst flu really focusing on eating healthy, mostly vegan with some vegetarian moments and one night of chinese that included meat.

Hope everyone else is reaching for their goals and pushing to attain them!

9.27.2011

Speedwork

Not quiet so speedy.
 
4 pounds lighter and a healthy ego brusing experience later, I've recovered from the terrible disgusting flu that infected me last week. I bought a new pair of shoes (finally- details later) and Slade Runner challenged me to a speed work out. With new shoes itching for a run and enthusastic pit crew, Kai (not his real name), my 10 year old Anime charater brother trying to delay his bed time I headed out to the local elementary school for a track work out.
 
LESSONS LEARNED (and there were many).
 
* Do recon.
The entire drive to the school I'm explaining to Kai, 4 laps equal a mile and how to work a stop watch and what to do etc. We arrive and this is not a standard track. I have no idea how long it is, there is a weird jog in the straight away and it is hard cracked asphalt. BAD!
 
* Come prepared
Two words: Bug Spray
 
The bugs and the frustration over the weird track was enough to kill me after two laps but after looking at the times it is probably close enough to a standard length to use. I'm going to try again tonight on my own if it is too close to Kai's bed time. The goal is to warm up, run 1 mile at 12-13 minutes pace then rest 4 minutes and then run 1 mile as fast but as consistent as I can to give me a base for determining pace. I still need to work on my base which is freaking me out.
*breathe*
What are you waiting for? Get out there too.

9.22.2011

Call off the search parties....

RB75 is back. My focus might still be wavering but I am back. I took a bit more than a week off as I had family duties and a mini vacation. I had full intentions of running but was not disciplined enough to follow through. Hats off to all Moms and Dads out there who can find time after or before or even during to get out there and workout while with the kiddie 24-7 I couldn't get it figured out. Maybe next time? 

Also, hats off to all who can travel and get runs in. I was able to get some amazing runs while on a West coast vacation to a new place last year. I actually consider some of those runs a highlight of my trip. You will be surprise the things you find when you just lace your shoes up and head out of a hotel door. Anyways, I was not able to accomplish the same feat with my East coast trip this time. I think it had to do with my guilt about wanting to see everyone I could for as long as possible so going for runs didn't seem fair especially when my amazing friends drove 4 hours to see me for 3. Something for me to think about the next time I travel and maybe my experience will make you think about your trips. Do you exercise or take "you time" on trips? If not, why? 

So back to the grind and a race fast approaching on Saturday. I'll post details afterwards. I am nervous about my performance even sitting 30,000 feet in the air I think I am going to be in for a ruder awakening than my conservative self is prepared for. 

Update:
I wrote this post over a week ago on the flight back from my second hometown. The race was a rude awakening(I blame the sand) but gave me the kick in the pants to buy new shoes, set a bar for time and get re motivated to get out there.

I am currently sidelined with flu like symptoms which as of thirty minutes ago have turned into hives all over my face. But I now have a new most embarrassing story which ends with an amazing friend literally giving me the shirt off her back. I will get back out there ASAP until then run on readers I will join you soon.