rec.running FAQ, part 1 of 8

#1 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

#2 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

#3 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

Archive-name: running-faq/part4
Last-modified: 10 Mar 2003
Posting-Frequency: 14 days

===============================================

Medical / Injuries

-------------------------------- Achilles tendonitis (sorry, forgot the
author)

General advice:

1. Warm up before you stretch. This could be in the form of a slow jog as
you start your run. When I feel it necessary, I stop for a few minutes and
stretch during the early stages of a run.

2. Stretch after your run. This has proven the best solution for me.
Whenever I skip this part, I end up stiff the next day. The muscles are
nice and warm after a run and respond well to stretching. My flexibility
has improved as a result of this practice, too.

3. With regards to an injury, you've got to be tough and rest it in order
for it to heal. This might be a good time to concentrate on strength
training with weights.

--------------

The good news: since this seems to be your first injury, and your training
load is light, your tendinitis is probably due to the most simple cause -
leg length imbalance. Get someone to mark how far you can bend to each
side, if these are different heights then you might find a heel raiser
under the bad leg will both even out the side-bend _and_ speed up the
recovery.

The bad news: achilles is notoriously slow to heal even with the correct
treatment. And the chances of recurrence are quite high. However the
condition you describe shouldn't prevent your training, as long as you
promote healing with stretching, massage (calf/inner thigh/groin), ice,
etc...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shin splints (Harry Y Xu ) (Doug Poirier
in .ibm.com) (Rodney Sanders )

Excerpts from _The SprotsMedicine Book_ G. Mirkin, MD. and M. Hoffman:

``Shin splints are....condition that can result from muscle imbalance. They
are characterized by generalized pain in front of the lower leg and are
particularly comon in runners and running backs.... The most common cause
is a muscle imbalance where the calf muscles--which pull the forefoot
down--overpower the shin muscles--which pull the forefoot up. As the
athlete continues to train, the calf muscle usually becomes proportionately
much stronger than the shin muscles.

The treatment for shin splints is to strengthen the weaker muscles (shins)
and stretch the stronger muscles (calves).

To strengthen the shins, run up stairs. To stretch the calves,...(do
stretching exercises for the calves, et. the wall push-ups)'' *end of
exerpts.

_________________________________________

In my experience, I have found that stretching is the real key to avoiding
shin-splints. I believe there's a book with stretches by Bob Anderson that
you may want to check. Also, back issues of running magazines sometimes
have helpful information. Basically, I do the standard "lean on the wall
stretch" and a stretch by standing flat-footed on one leg and bending at
the knee to stretch the achilles. I then top these off with a few toe
raises (no weights!) before I head out to run... If you're having trouble,
I'd recommend stretching 2-3 times a day until you get over the problem.
Start slowly!

Also, you probably should avoid hills and extremely hard surfaces until the
situation improves. I've known several people who've had shin splints and
gotten over them by stretching. (Of course, you should be careful in case
the shin splints are the result of a more severe problem...)

------------------------

Help with shin splints.

1. Try picking up marbles with your toes and holding onto them for a few
seconds.

1A. While recovering from shin splints, it may help to use a wedge in the
heel of your shoes. By raising the heel, you are reducing the pull on the
muscles and tendons on the front.

2. Stand on the stairs with your heels out over the edge. Lower your heels
as far as they will go without undue discomfort, and hold for 15 seconds.
Slowly raise yourself up on your toes. Repeat 5 million times. (Sherwood
Botsford )

3. If you can, rig something with either surgical tubing or a large
rubberband. For example: put the tubing around one of the back legs of your
desk in some sort of a loop. Reach under the tubing with your toes, with
your heel as a pivot pull the tubing toward you. This will work the muscle
in the front of the shins. Repeat 6 million times. It's easier than the
stair exercise

4. Run on different terrain, preferably grass. It'll absorb the shock.

5. This normally affects knees, but it might affect shins. Don't run on the
same side of the road all of the time. It is sloped left or right to let
the water run off. Running on the same slope for long periods of time will
cause adverse effects to the ankles, shins...etc.... If you are running on
a track, alternate your direction of travel, as the lean when you are going
around the corners is at least as bad as the crown slope of a road. This is
especially true of small indoor tracks.

6. Strenghening the front muscles: Make a training weight by tying a strip
of cloth to a pop bottle. Sit on the kitchen counter top, hang bottle from
toes, and raise it up and down by flexing your ankle. Weight can be
adjusted by adding water or sand to the bottle. (Sherwood Botsford
)

7. Scatter a few chunks of 2x4 around the house where you tend to stand,
say kitchen and bathroom. Now everytime you are at the stove or at the
bathroom (in front of either fixture) stand on 2x4 and rest your heels on
the floor. One in front of the TV and used during every commercial will
either stretch you, or stop you from watching TV.

------------------------------ Side stitches (Jack Berkery
)

The Latest Word on Stitches

In the May-June 1992 issue of Running Research News there is an article by
Dr. Gordon Quick about the causes of and cures for stitches. To summarize:

1) Stitches are a muscle spasm of the diaphragm. The cause of the spasm is
that the organs below it are jouncing up and down and pulling down as it
wants to pull up. The liver being the largest organ is the biggest culprit
which is why most stitches are on the right side. A stomach full of food
may also contribute to the problem for the same reason. Stitches also occur
more often when running downhill or in cold weather.

2) The cure seems almost too simple. Breathe out when your left foot
strikes the ground instead of when the right foot strikes so that the
organs on the right side of the abdomen are jouncing up when the diaphragm
is going up. The organs attached to the bottom of the diaphragm on the left
aren't as big, so exert less downward pulling strain. If this is not enough
to get rid of it, stop and raise you arms above your head until the pain
goes away and when you resume, be a left foot breather. (Conversely, if
your stitch occurs on the left side, switch your breathing to exhale on the
right foot.)

3) Do not eat anything for an hour before running if you are prone to
stitches, BUT PLEASE DO DRINK WATER. Water empties from the stomach faster
than solids and the risk of complications from dehydration far exceed the
problems one may have with a stitch.

4) In the long term, exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles will
help prevent stitches because tighter abs will allow less movement of those
internal organs. Practice belly breathing instead of chest breathing as
recommended by Noakes. For the most part, stitches diminish over time.
While they are not strictly a novice runner's problem (about 1/3 of all
runners get them from time to time) they usually will go away after a few
weeks of conditioning.

--------------

By Tim Noakes Oxford Uni. Press, 1985. Quoted from "Lore of Running"

Proper breathing prevents the development of the `stitch'. The stitch is a
condition that occurs only during exercise and which causes severe pain
usually on the right side of the abdomen, immediately below the rib margin.
Frequently the pain is also perceived in the right shoulder joint, where it
feels as if an ice-pick were being driven into the joint. The pain is
exacerbated by down-hill running and by fast, sustained running as in a
short road race or time trial. For various complex anatomical reasons, the
fact that the stitch causes pain to be felt in the shoulder joint suggests
that the diaphragm is the source of the pain.

It has been suggested that when breathing with the chest too much air is
drawn into the lungs, and not all is exhaled. This causes a gradual and
progressive accumulation of air in the lungs, causing them to expand which
in turn causes the diaphragm to be stretched and to encroach on the
abdominal contents below it. During running, the over-stretched diaphragm
becomes sandwiched between an over-expanded chest above, and a jolting
intestine pounding it from below. It revolts by going into spasm, and the
pain of this spasm is recognized as the stitch.

Although there is really not a shred of scientific evidence for this
belief, I have found that diaphragm spasm is almost certainly involved in
the stitch and that belly-breathing can frequently relieve the pain.

The runner who wishes to learn how to belly-breath should lie on the floor
and place one or more large books on his stomach. He should concentrate on
making the books rise when he breathes in and fall when he exhales. As it
takes about two months to learn to do the movement whilst running fast, it
is important to start practicing well before an important race.

A change in breathing pattern may help relieve the stitch. Within a short
period of starting running, breathing becomes synchronized with footfall.
Thus one automatically breaths in on one leg and out when landing either on
the same leg - that is 2, 3 or 4 full strides later - or on the opposite
leg - that is 1 1/2, 2 1/2, or 3 1/2 strides later. Thus the ratio of
stride to breathing may be 2:1, 3:1, 4:1; or 1.5:1, 2.5:1, 3.5:1.

This phenomenon was first reported by Bramble and Carrier (1983). Of
particular interest was their finding that most runners are `footed', that
is the beginning and end of a respiratory cycle occurs on the same foot,
usually in a stride to breathing ratio of either 4:1 whilst jogging or 2:1
whilst running faster. Runners then become habituated to breathing out on
the same let, day after day. This produces asymmetrical stresses on the
body and could be a factor in both the stitch and in certain running
injuries. I am `left-footed' and have also suffered my major running
injuries only on my left side. If changes in breathing patterns do not
prevent the stitch then the last step is to increase abdominal muscle
strength. The correct way to strengthen the abdominal muscles is to do
bent-knee sit ups with the feet unsupported.

--------------

EDITORS NOTE: Readers response to "Belly Breathing" definition above.
"Belly Breathing" (Lamont Granquist )

While I wasn't breathing with my chest, I wasn't really "Belly Breathing".
When I exhaled, what I was doing was pulling my stomach muscles in. I found
out that this is *not* the way to "Belly Breathe". The idea is to throw
your gut out as much as possible -- try and look as fat & ugly as you can
when you run. For the suggestion in the FAQ of lying on your back and
lifting a book, it should probably be noted that when exhaling you want to
try to keep the book lifted up (of course naturally, you don't want to try
to do this all so hard that it becomes difficult to exhale -- the idea is
that breathing this way should be comfortable).

--------------
Stitches continued (Sunil Dixit )

1. Since it is a cramp, I try not to drink or eat too soon before my runs,
and I try to limit my intake during runs.

2. I stretch my abs extensively before a run. Putting my arm over my head
and leaning to the opposite side until I'm pulling on the side of my
abdominals works well.

3. I regulate my breathing by breathing in through my nose, and out through
my mouth. This sounds like zen-crap, but believe me, it works amazingly
well in eliminating all types of cramping. When you first do it, it'll feel
like you're not getting enough oxygen, but if you persist the technique
will become very comfortable.

4. I run with my back fairly straight, even up hills. This keeps the lungs
from bending over in my body, and makes it much easier to breathe.

5. If none of these work, I keep going anyway. After about 3 miles, it
usually goes away . . . if you're lucky.

------------------ Lactic Acid (Rob Loszewski
)

"Lactic acid buildup (technically called acidosis) can cause burning pain,
especially in untrained muscles. Lactic acid accumulation can lead to
muscle exhaustion withing seconds if the blood cannot clear it away. A
strategy for dealing with lactic acid buildup is to relax the muscles at
every opportunity, so that the circulating blood can carry the lactic acid
away and bring oxygen to support aerobic metabolism. ...much of the lactic
acid is routed to the liver, where it is converted to glucose. A little
lactic acid remains in muscle tissue, where it is completely oxidized when
the oxygen supply is once again sufficient." Understanding Nutrition, 5th
ed., Whitney, Hamilton, Rolfes., West Pub. Comp. 1990, pg402- 403.

------------------ Loose Bowels (Rodney Sanders )

Some general advice to take care of loose bowels.

(1) Look for offending foods in your diet. For example, many people have a
lactose intolerance which can cause all sorts of fun if you had a triple
cheese pizza the night before the run...

(2) If you run in the morning, eat lightly and early the night before... I
try to make sure I eat the least problematic foods close to my workouts...
I've personally found baked chicken/fish, baked potatoes, and pasta with
light sauces (no alfredo!), to be pretty good...

(3) I read that Bill Rodgers drinks a cup of coffee in the morning before
heading out...The caffeine stimulates one to take care of things completely
before getting out...This has helped me when I run in the morning....

(4) Carry a wad of toilet paper with you!

I suspect that if you monitor your diet closely, you'll probably find
something that makes the problem worse than at other times and you can
avoid that food...

Some other advice: (Sanjay Manandhar ) 1.
Less fiber in the diet 2. Run repeats on small loops.
3. Note all the washrooms along the route. 4. Time of day. For me, mornings
are bad. In the evening runs the problem is infrequent. 5. A primer run. If
I have to run in the mornings, I run 1 mile of primer run so that the
bowels can be taken care of. Then I start my real run.

----- Diabetes & Running (Timothy Law Snyder )

Oops, here is what makes virutually every person with diabetes bristle:
MYTHS of diabetes!

Not to flame Jay, but diabetics can (and do) eat as much sugar, drink as
much booze, and run as many marathons as anybody else. The challenge is
that they must manage the delicate balance between insulin (which lowers
blood sugar), food (which raises it), and exercise (which, because it
stokes up the metabolism and makes the insulin "rage") lowers blood sugar.
Timing is important, and sometimes, due to the millions of factors that are
at play (and _not_ due to negligence), the blood sugar will go too high or
too low.

Before a run, a person with diabetes (nobody in the know calls them
"diabetics" any more) must make sure that the blood sugar is somewhat
higher than normal. This gives a "pad" so that exercise does not result in
a low-sugar crisis. Often the runner will take less insulin the day of the
run. Before (and for long runs, during) the run some food must be eaten.
For short runs, carbos will do, but proteins and fats are also necessary
for the longer hauls.

For a marathon, one must take some sort of food during the run. A high-
carbo source like a soda works well, for the sugar is taken up immediately
and, since the beverage is concentrated, it is easily digested (relative
to, say, the caloric equivalent in whole wheat : ).

Sugar does absolutely _no_ harm to the person with diabetes (provided, they
do not ignore insulin requirements). That's right: The person could knock
off twelve sodas, an entire chocolate cake, and a bag of M&Ms, and be as
"fine" as anybody else (quotes intended---yuk!).

While I am at it, here are a couple of other myth corrections: There is no
clear evidence that diabetes is hereditary. Diabetes has _nothing_ to do
with how much sugar the person ate before acquiring the condition. People
with diabetes can (and do) drink as much alcohol as anybody else. (Alcohol
lowers the blood sugar a tiny bit, so one must be careful to not forget to
eat [and too many cocktails tend to...].)

Hope this helps. Oh, by the way, NO, the taste of something sweet does not
cause the release of insulin (save a possible [and rare] placebo effect).

================================================== =========================

Nutrition and Food (Bruce Hildenbrand ) [Ed.
note: Originally appeared in rec.bicycles]

Oh well, I have been promising to do this for a while and given the present
discussions on nutrition, it is about the right time. This article was
written in 1980 for Bicycling Magazine. It has been reprinted in over 30
publications, been the basis for a chapter in a book and cited numerous
other times. I guess somebody besides me thinks its OK. If you disagree
with any points, that's fine, I just don't want to see people take
exception based on their own personal experiences because everyone is
different and psychological factors play a big role(much bigger than you
would think) on how one perceives his/her own nutritional requirements.
Remember that good nutrition is a LONG TERM process that is not really
affected by short term events(drinking poison would be an exception). If it
works for you then do it!!! Don't preach!!!!

#4 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

Archive-name: running-faq/part3
Last-modified: 16 Jul 2002
Posting-Frequency: 14 days

================================================== ==========
Mail Order Addresses

The addresse/phone of some popular running mail order outfits (Directory
assistance at 1-800-555-1212 for mail order outfits not listed):

Road Runner Sports
6150 Nancy Ridge Road 1-800-551-5558 (Orders)
San Diego, CA 92121 1-800-662-8896 (Cust Serv) Fax: 1-619-455-6470

California Best
970 Broadway 1-800-CAL-BEST
Chula Vista, CA 91911-1798 1-800-225-2378

Tel-a-Runner
80 Speedwell Ave
Morristown, NJ 07970 1-800-835-2786

Hoy's Sports
1632 Haight St
San Francisco, 94117 1-800-873-4329

Holabird Sports
9008 Yellow Brick Rd
Baltimore, Md 21237 1-410-687-6400 Fax: 1-410-687-7311

=================================
Marathon

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increasing your mileage (Jack Berkery )

There are many good, professional, books and articles on how to train for
whatever distance you choose. More for the marathon than others I think.
Get one or two and mull them over. The following recommendations are a
distillation of having read and digested most of these and more than a
decade of experience.

Let's suppose you are beginning with a base load of about 20 miles per week
over a long period. First I DO NOT recommend that anyone who has been
running for less than 3 years should run a marathon. Running is a long-term
game and it takes time for your body to become adjusted physically to the
demands, not only of the marathon itself, but also of the heavy training
mileage required to build up to it.

Next, you should always keep in mind that your build-up should not exceed
10% per week. 10% doesn't sound like much but it's actually a big
adjustment for your system to make. Not only muscles, but bones and
connective tissues must be strengthened to take the increased load and
running marathon mileage is a lot of pounding. Remember 10%. That is not to
say that if you ran 20 miles last week, you cannot go more than 22 next
week, but over a period of 3-4 weeks the rate of increase should not exceed
the 10% slope. After 4 weeks then, you should be doing just under 30 miles,
but not more. If you go from 20 to 24 in the first week thereby exceeding
the 10% rate, then doing 24 again the second week will bring you back on
track. You can continue to build up mileage for about 6 weeks when you'll
reach 35 miles. Then you MUST BACK OFF for a week or so. Drop back by about
25-30% for one week. Take two or three days off in a row. Get some rest to
gain strength before beginning the climb again.

How much mileage is enough for a marathon? I have known people to run
marathons on 25 or 35 miles per week. Don't try it. How they got away with
it is not important. It is only important to know that it simply ain't
smart. You can get away with 40-45 per week if you are doing a regular long
run of 15-18 each week. It is better to be doing 50 or more for 6 to 8
weeks before the marathon. This means you have to have the time necessary
to build to 50 at that 10% rate (with 1 rest week out of every 6) and then
sustain that 50+ mileage for 6-8 weeks as well. This is a heavy schedule.
Never doubt that. When you listen to the mega-mileage people talk about 70
or 80 or more, they make it sound as if everyone should be able to do that.
Well we CAN'T all do that. We all have a break-down point and for the great
majority, it lies somewhere below 50 or 60 miles per week. You'll know
where yours is only after repeated tries to exceed it result in an injury.

So how do you build the mileage? Suppose you are doing an even 3 miles a
day, no more, no less. You must begin by building the long run. In a
marathon training schedule, the long run is everything. Start the first
week of the build-up by just lengthening one run. All other days should
remain the same. Make one, usually Sat. or Sun., a 5-6 miler to get your
10% increase. Take the next day off from running. Rest is important after
the long run to allow your system adjustment time. The next week of the
build-up, increase the one long run again while still holding the normal
daily runs the same. As a rule of thumb, your long run can go to 3 times
the distance of your daily average run. So while still doing regular 3
milers, you can build up that Sat. morning run to 9 miles. Don't do a 12
miler though until you have made your daily run 4 miles. This means keeping
the long run at 9 miles for a few weeks and increasing the daily runs until
your average is 4 or 5 a day. Then you can return to increasing the long
run. Toward the end of the build-up you may be doing something like 6-8
each weekday plus an 18-20 miler on the weekend. It might also be a good
idea to alternate long runs of 15 and 20 miles every other week.

As you get close to the date of the marathon, run your last long run 2
weeks before. DO NOT do a long run one week prior to the marathon. In fact
for the last week you should taper down to do only about half, yes half,
the mileage you have been doing. DO NOT run the day before and 2 days
before the race you might only do 3 miles just to get the legs loose and
the blood flowing. You MUST be well rested for the big race itself.

Now assuming you do everything right there is still no guarrantee that the
marathon is going to go well. Many things might prevail to make it hurt,
hot or humid weather, getting caught up in too hard a pace, not drinking
enough water before or along the way (THE GREATEST SIN). You may even spend
3 or 4 months building your training only to come down with an illness or
injury a few weeks before the race which will set you right back to
square-one. If you want certainties, you're in the wrong game. What matters
is not that you get to do that particular marathon on that particular day 5
months from now, but rather what you plan to do over the next 5 or 10 or 50
years. I did say running is a long-term game, no?

Another note of caution. All the rules can be broken. You may get away with
lower training, higher ramp-up rates or shorter long-runs. You might even
get away with it more than once, but sooner or later it's gonna get ya.
Take the more conservative plan and be safe. You're looking for a positive
experience not an injury.

------------------Major Marathons & partial World Marathon Schedule

http://www.coolrunning.com/marathon/list.shtml
http://joedom.home.mindspring.com/evt03.htm

Boston Marathon ==================
Boston Athletic Association
P.O. Box 1996 Hopkington, MA 01748
Tel: 508-435-6905 Fax: 508-435-6590
The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots day (3rd monday in April).

Starting time: Noon Boston Marathon qualifying times.

Age Men Women Wheelchair Divison
18-34 3:10 3:40 CLASS MEN WOMEN
35-39 3:15 3:45 1 (Quad Class) 3:00 3:10
40-44 3:20 3:50 2-5 2:10 2:35
45-49 3:30 4:00
50-54 3:35 4:05
55-59 3:45 4:15
60-64 4:00 4:30
65-69 4:15 4:45
70-74 4:30 5:00
75-79 4:45 5:15
80+ 5:00 5:40

Note: Qualifying time based on age on the day of the Boston Marathon.
Example: You run a qualifying race at the age of 44 in 3:22. You then have
a birthday before the Boston Marathon, making you 45. You qualify, because
your required qualification time is 3:25.

Chicago Marathon =========
101 W. Grand Ave. Ste. 600 (Carey Pinkowski)
Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 527-2200 [VOICE] (312) 527-9901 [FAX]

London Marathon ========
PO Box 3460
London, England SE1 8RZ 44 71 620 4117 fax: 44 71 620 4208
UK entrants: In Oct. get *proper* form from London, fill in,
enclose cheque. You should find out before Xmas if picked in the lottery.
.. If you've run a sub 2h40 (men) or sub 3h10 (ladies) no need for lottery
as you qualify for the national championships (held in conjunction with
London).

Non-UK entrants: Get on "official" trips to come to the UK
to run London from sports travel firms. If you book with sports travel firm
you will definitely get an entry. Going it alone then write:

Los Angeles Marathon March ======
11110 W. Ohio Avenue, #100
Los Angeles, CA 90025-3329 (310) 444-5544 AGE 18-59 60+

Marine Corps Marathon =======
Box 188
Quantico, VA 22134 (703)640-2225

New York Marathon ======
NYRRC
P.O. Box 1766 GPO
New York, NY 10116 (212) 860-4455

For U.S. residents: Send a self-addressed #10 business-size
envelope (about 4" x 9.5") and a check or money order (no cash) for a $5.00
non-refundable handling fee. Make the check payable to: NYRRC.
Send AFTER midnight of "set start date." All requests must be
posted "start date" or later.
The NYRRC sets a "start date" for accepting requests for
applications, about May 15-20. Prospective applicants must send a SASE and
$5, postmarked ON OR AFTER this date, to a PO Box in NY. They send a blank
application, with no guarantee of anything, fairly promptly.
Fill it out and return it ASAP. A caveat: You must be a member of
UST&F, the USA's governing federation of running, to run in the NYCM. You
can apply for entry along with your marathon application; instructions and
UST&F application are sent with the blank NYCM application.

Applications accepted on the following basis:

Slots are reserved for non-USA runners (don't know how they are allocated).

12,000+ applications are accepted "first-come, first served" basis. The
NYRRC claims this is not a tough thing if you act promptly - i.e. send
request for ap on "Opening Day", and mail back the completed app. within a
day or two.

X,000 slots remain. Once above criteria filled, all applications received
go (figuratively) into a big, big box. In late July or early August, NYRRC
draws out the X,000 lucky envelopes. These entries are accepted. They draw
a few hundred more, I guess, to set up a waiting list in the event of
cancellations.
NB: the rest of the applications are returned with refunded entry fee.

San Francisco Marathon ====
City of San Francisco Marathon
P.O. Box 77148
San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 391-2123

Honolulu Marathon )======
Honolulu Marathon Assoc.
3435 Wailae Ave. #208
Honolulu, HI 96816 808-734-7200

Many tours to the large national & international marathons are organized by:

Marathon Tours
108 Main St
Charleston MA 02129 (617) 242-7845

Marie Frances Productions
7603 New Market Dr
Bethesda, MD 20817 301-320-3363

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous

Pulled this chart out of Marathoning by Manfred Steffny. ( pub 1977).
(Robert Davidson )

Max. possible Realistic
10Km marathon time marathon time
------ ------------- -------------
27:00 2:05:00 2:08:30
28:00 2:10:00 2:14:00
29:00 2:15:00 2:19:30
30:00 2:20:00 2:25:00
31:00 2:25:00 2:30:30
32:00 2:30:00 2:36:00
33:00 2:35:00 2:43:00
34:00 2:40:00 2:49:00
35:00 2:45:00 2:55:00
36:00 2:50:00 3:00:00
37:00 2:55:00 3:07:00
38:00 3:00:00 3:15:00
39:00 3:05:00 3:20:00
40:00 3:10:00 3:25:00
42:30 3:22:00 3:42:30
45:00 3:35:00 4:00:00
47:30 3:47:30 4:20:00
50:00 4:00:00 4:40:00
--
Austin "Ozzie" Gontang, Ph.D.
TEC International
2903 29th St
San Diego, CA 92104-4912

hm/off. 619-281-7447
fax 619-281-9468
email

Chief Executives Working Together
http://www.teconline.com

#5 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

#6 May 11th 04, 12:50 PM

Archive-name: running-faq/part7
Last-modified: 10 March 2003
Posting-Frequency: 14 days

================================================== =========

Answers to REC.RUNNING FAQ and Interesting Information

This posting contains answers to frequently asked questions posted to
rec.running plus interesting & useful information for runners. If known,
author's name/email address are given. Send me Ozzie Gontang
any corrections,updates, suggestions, or proper
info of sources or holder's of copyright.

Running and Pregnancy. Paula Vanzant-Hardick

I have been running for oh, about 11 or 12 years now and have run all the
way through all of my pregnancies. I feel like it has made them healthier
for both of us. I have never had any kind of a problem with low iron, high
blood pressure or any real pregnancy related maladies.

I also believe that had I not run, my recovery time after each baby was
born would have been significantly longer than they were. Even after my
second one (the C section, I could walk a couple of miles within about 10
days after delivery).

Running is a FABULOUS form of stress management.

Now to my diet, I just really maintained my normal diet, the only thing is
I may have been a little heavier on the fresh fruits (trying to avoid that
refined sugar you know) and I usually drink at least 10 8oz glasses of
water a day (you notice I say at least). The water I think also helps to
keep the yuckies away.

I am planning to continue my training regime as usual with this pregnancy
as I have with the others. I guess the only thing that I may do a bit
differently during pregnancy is if I really feel like I need to walk during
any of my runs, I will, it may only be a few feet or it may be 1/2 mile
but if I have a feeling that I don't think should be there I don't hesitate
to walk it off.

Any of these other women who have run while pregnant may have other
suggestions but I guess my biggest thing is to just really do what feels
best for the person.

And one last note, there were times during each of my pregnancies that I
would have rather had a nap, but instead would drag myself out for a run, I
would not only feel better after I had run, I would have TONS more energy
(and the second, third and now fourth time that is VERY important.)

Thanks for asking and giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts!
Paula (and the thundering herd--Tom, Shaun, Alexa, Erin and #4)

excerpted by Paula from UK version of Runner's World May 1995

"Running for Two" (subtitle Good News- running during pregnancy can make
you and your baby healthier!) By Joe Dunbar

"There are two main issued: how will training affect the baby, and how will
pregnancy affect running performance?....In General, the running you do
when pregnant should be aimed at maintaining rather than developing
fitness.

The main danger to the fetus (that British spelling), according to Dr.
Richard Budgett 0f the British Olympic Medical Centre, is from an increase
in body temperature. The main effect of too great an increase in body
temperature is damage to the fetus's central nervous system. The danger is
especially great in the first three months, but you should be careful
throughout the pregnancy. Budgett recommends that you limit the increase
in body temperature to 38.9 Degree C (102 F).

You are also generally recommended not to exceed a rate of 140-150bpm, but
individuals vary enormously in their resting , maximum and training heart
rates. Remember too that one effect of endurance training is that your body
can control temperature rises more effectively ,so a runner who is highly
trained before pregnancy should be in a slightly better position. Drinking
plenty of fluids is essential to avoid dehydration and hyperthermia. This
will also help to limit the temperature increase, so get into the habit of
drinking regularly during training it's equally important to avoid
hypoglycemia during and after exercise carbo drinks will help to replace
[carbohydrates] both during and after exercise, provided that they aren't
too concentrated. One recent project that followed two groups of 462
suburban women through their pregnancies found that women who had burned
more calories per week (as a result of greater exercise levels) tend to
give birth to slightly heavier babies than women who had exercised less.

....the bottom line? Although each individual will differ, you should bear
in mind the following guidelines on pregnancy and running:

o It is safe to continue moderate training throughout your pregnancy,
although individual complications may cause limitations.
o Listen to your body and run as you feel.
o There is no need to switch to other forms of exercise unless you
have specific problems.
o Use your heart rate and check your temperature during training.
Stick to sensible levels to avoid hyperthermia.
o Take plenty of fluids to limit the risk of dehydration and assist
cooling.
o You can reduce lower back pain by strengthening the abdominal & hip
flexor muscles, & stretching the muscles around the pelvis and spine.
o Try to avoid explosive exercise during pregnancy.
o Try water-running sessions: they are specific to running but have
far less impact, and water helps to avert hyperthermia."

As I said, I found this article very interesting, and the parts that I have
included are verbatim, unless in parentheses. Hope you find this
interesting and of some use to all those expectant mom's who don't want to
give up their running.

A Mindful Way of Dealing with Out of Control People from Ozzie Gontang

THE EMPTY BOAT
from The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton, 1965
New Direction Publishing Corporation

If a man is crossing a river
And an empty boat collides with his own skiff,
Even though he be a bad-tempered man
He will not become very angry.

But if he sees a man in the boat,
He will shout at him to steer clear.

If the shout is not heard, he will shout again,
And yet again, and begin cursing.
And all because there is somebody in the boat.
Yet if the boat were empty,
He would not be shouting and not angry.

If you can empty your own boat
Crossing the river of the world,
No one will oppose you,
No one will seek to harm you....

When I confronted by reckless drivers, speeding skaters or bikers,
I simply avoid them and say to myself,
"Empty boat."

Over the years, those two words have saved me from feeding
anger, aggression and violence-both mine and theirs.

Hints for the Success of the Four Hour Marathoner (Super-Fours)

These Hints are from a brochure for Super-Fours, i.e. those running over 4
hours in the Marathon. It was subtitled: "A Short Guide to the Care and
Support of Four-Hour Marathoners, The Physically Distressed and Mentally
Distracted Sub-Fours and The First Time Marathoner-Who Only Wants To
finish"
It was originally published by the International Association of
Marathoners (IAM and pronounced "I AM") in 1988.

The last 6 to 8 miles of the Marathon will test an individual physically
but most of all mentally. No matter how well prepared on may be, the
unknown of how one will be or how the weather conditions will be leaves
one with some sense of discovery or travelling unfamiliar territoroes of
mind/body. It is often for the righteous and well-trained that the fall
from grace is the hardest.

IAM Awa

Know that you will tell others your verbal time: "About 4 hours."

Know that you will harbor a desired time: "I THINK I can do it,
if all goes perfect,
15 to 30 minutes faster."

Know that you will have an ideal or fantasized time:
"Wouldn't it be great to break
3:30 in my first marathon."

Acknowledge your desired time and Fantasy Time verbally to yourself, otherwise
they will influence you finish time for the worse.

Super-Four Success One:

Set your time with a standard deviation (SD) of 15 minutes. The SD+/-
(Verbal Time + 5 minutes). The mind/body message goes from a single
second in time to a window of 30 minutes and respects the mind, the body
and the conditions of the day.

Super-Four Success Two:

Starting a marathon 30 seconds to 60 seconds per mile faster than your
race plan for the first 3 to 5 miles can slow your finish time from 20
minutes to 90 minutes. That speed will burn off several times more
glycogen in the first 3 to 5 miles than needed. You are fueled with
energy from minimal running the 6 days before the marathon. You have also
stored extra energy from eating and hydrating well the last three days
before the marathon. Know your game plan and stick to it for the first 3
to 5 miles when you are so full of energy. That energy can easily give
you the power to run those first few miles at that 30 second to 60 second
per mile faster...and not even realize it. It will remember somewhere
between miles 18 and 26.

Super-Four Success Three:

The jitteriness you feel the morning of the race and the day before are
from your body being fueled and needing to expend energy. You can
identify it as fear, or nervousness, or worry. Just remember you haven't
run more than 2 to 4 miles in 3 days. You body is ready to do
something-Run A Marathon. You now feel what it's like not to run a few
days...or the feelings 3 days after injuring yourself. To walk and
sightsee 5 to 10 miles the day before the marathon is 500 to 1000 calories
of energy plus the water to store the glycogen. You may not be able to
replenish it by race time.

Super-Four Success Four:

In the past 6 months if you have moved, bought a house, changed jobs,
started or ended a relationship, had a child (or fathered a child), have
trouble at work or home that costs you mental energby, there is a good
likelihood you will finish 30 to 60 minutes slower than you had planned.

Super-Four Success Five:

When you feel tired or unable to go on, should your mind go to the
finish line, bring it back to the present. If your mind is at the finish,
so is your body...even though it has 1 to 6 more miles jto go. Bring the
mind to the present by saying, "I am at Mile ___ and am being drawn by a
magnet to the finish. I hold my body up and erect and I am being pulled
steadily to the finish."

Super-Four Success Six:

The last 10 miles push the crown of your head up and look to the
horizon. By holding the head erect you save your shoulder muscles and
balance not only the weight of your 12 to 14 pound head but also your
breathing.

Super-Four Success Seven:

The last 6 miles run out from the pack and away from the curbside. You
are in a trance state by mile 18. You will be open to and picking up
visual and non-verbal cues of runners around you. If you are away from the
curb and can see 200 to 300 yards in front of you, you will be running
your own race. Should someone stop dead in f ront of you, do not give them
any of your energy by getting angry or upset. Simply say as you pass them,
"Don't lose your form. Even if you walk keep your good running form."

Super-Four Success Eight:

When someone running with you starts to speed up or to fall behind, or
you start to pick up your pace or fall behind; in your mind, picture a pair
of scissors in your hand cutting the cord between you and the other runner.
Otherwise, you will be carrying that person in your mind...and it will
only slow you down...or wear you out if they are in front of you. You can
only be in one place physically, and that is directly above the space upon
which you feet are running. Cutting that cord allows you to cut loose from
a slower runner or free your mind from attempting to keep up with a faster
runner.

Super-Four Success Nine:

When you run with someone, run shoulder to shoulder. If you run
slightly behind, the mind often feels like it is having to catch up. If
your image is that of being pulled or towed by the runner in front of you,
then running behind is okay...unless the runner complains.

Super-Four Success Ten:

In a marathon to catch someone, wind them in over a mile to three miles.
that way you waste no energy required to finish the last 1 to 6 miles.

If you want to share your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, mantras, anecdotes,
and your own Super-Four Success hints, please send e-mail them or send them
to:

International Association of Marathoners (IAM)
Attn. Ozzie Gontang
2903 29th Street
San Diego, CA 92104

e-mail: Ozzie Gontang
ph. 619-281-7447
fax 619-281-9468
Mindful Running: http://www.mindfulness.com

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