It's the festive season, and while wallets wane, waists weight! It's just all that fatty, rich...and really tasty food, that we can't do without. But is there any hope, or should we simply resign ourselves to entering the new year with more of us than last year?
The good news is that a study reported on in the Journal of Physiology, found interesting results. They tested 3 groups of eager eaters, by feeding them Fine Fatty Festive Fare (even prior to the season) for 6 weeks.
Group 1 - Feast and NO Exercise. Well, as you can imagine this group of indulgers found themselves rotundly swelled gaining 3kg (6lbs) after just 6 weeks. That's like strapping 6 bricks of butter to your waste...or butt!
Group 2 - Feast and then Exercise. After chomping down their fine fare they went out for a run or cycle. This group alas, also swelled up, but only by 1.5kg (3lbs)...that's only 3 bricks of butter...not too bad...butt....
Group 3 - Exercise then Feast. This group ran (or cycled) before sinking their teeth into their fatty fare. And after 6 weeks of feasting...they had not gained any weight!
Quite simply, exercise increases metabolic rate (that important furnace needed to burn the excess food). So even though the exercise is over and we're feasting, the metabolic furnace is operating in hyperdrive and burning as quick as you put it in.
So, get out and do an early morning run, and you'll not only enjoy your meal more, you'll be able to enjoy more of your meal...no if's or butts!
www.runningeasy.com
Source : http://ping.fm/W61pf
Friday, December 17, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Not always as planned - but better
Things don't always turn out as planned...sometimes they turn out even better.
We have a group of runners who we are helping to run their first marathon in November. As part of the program we have decided to to do some of our long runs together. And the first one was to be this Sunday, where we joined an official 15km race. So, with sleep glued eyes - not having had to rise at the unearthly running hour since Comrades in May, we set off to meet everyone. Nothing quite like a pink sky heralding the arrival of the dozy sun as you make your way to the start of the race at 5:25am.
We were somewhat surprised by the few cars - but then I reasoned that maybe it was just not a popular race, as I slipped into a nice close parking. We easily found the registration table and within minutes had paid and were contemplating the start.
Until...that is, someone mentioned that the race was no longer starting at 6am but at 7am! With kids slumbering at home expecting our return at 8am, this would not do. So after some hasty discussion, and refunds we set off on our own 15km race.
We started with some grumbles about how this could have happened, how life was not fair, how if we ran the world it would all be right, as the orange sun welcomed us to the day. We followed the race course - sans drinks - but what an awesome run it was.
There were not jostling people, or offensive winds (all a real part sometimes of running) - it was just our group of 6. And what fun we had. As we returned to the stadium the back markers of the race were still setting forth, and we with grins painted on our faces reflecting that this was much better than what we had planned.
We have a group of runners who we are helping to run their first marathon in November. As part of the program we have decided to to do some of our long runs together. And the first one was to be this Sunday, where we joined an official 15km race. So, with sleep glued eyes - not having had to rise at the unearthly running hour since Comrades in May, we set off to meet everyone. Nothing quite like a pink sky heralding the arrival of the dozy sun as you make your way to the start of the race at 5:25am.
We were somewhat surprised by the few cars - but then I reasoned that maybe it was just not a popular race, as I slipped into a nice close parking. We easily found the registration table and within minutes had paid and were contemplating the start.
Until...that is, someone mentioned that the race was no longer starting at 6am but at 7am! With kids slumbering at home expecting our return at 8am, this would not do. So after some hasty discussion, and refunds we set off on our own 15km race.
We started with some grumbles about how this could have happened, how life was not fair, how if we ran the world it would all be right, as the orange sun welcomed us to the day. We followed the race course - sans drinks - but what an awesome run it was.
There were not jostling people, or offensive winds (all a real part sometimes of running) - it was just our group of 6. And what fun we had. As we returned to the stadium the back markers of the race were still setting forth, and we with grins painted on our faces reflecting that this was much better than what we had planned.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Why do I get nauseous after a long run?
The following article from Runners World is very interesting regarding this question.
8 Why do I feel nauseated after a long run?
You put in 18 miles to be able to eat a burrito, not to feel pukey thinking about one. Blame the decreased appetite on chemistry; a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that a 60-minute session of treadmill running increased the amount of the gut hormone peptide YY, an appetite suppressant, and suppressed acylated ghrelin, an appetite stimulant. Full-on nausea? "There's a good probability you haven't fueled properly during the run," says Ilana Katz, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a sports nutritionist in Atlanta. A lack of fuel in your body sends it into a stressed mode, that fight-or-flight mentality where survival—not eating rice, beans, and guac—is key.
Running Rx Try to prevent the problem by taking in about 60 grams of carbs per hour, either through a sports drink, gel, or regular food during your run. "The body can process about one gram of carbs per minute," says Katz. Postrun, try to knock back something easy, like a recovery drink, within 30 minutes. If you can't eat right away, don't worry too much. "Appetite loss is typically short-lived," says Katz. "Within an hour or two, suddenly you'll have a major one."
Source - http://ping.fm/D64k6
8 Why do I feel nauseated after a long run?
You put in 18 miles to be able to eat a burrito, not to feel pukey thinking about one. Blame the decreased appetite on chemistry; a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Physiology found that a 60-minute session of treadmill running increased the amount of the gut hormone peptide YY, an appetite suppressant, and suppressed acylated ghrelin, an appetite stimulant. Full-on nausea? "There's a good probability you haven't fueled properly during the run," says Ilana Katz, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., a sports nutritionist in Atlanta. A lack of fuel in your body sends it into a stressed mode, that fight-or-flight mentality where survival—not eating rice, beans, and guac—is key.
Running Rx Try to prevent the problem by taking in about 60 grams of carbs per hour, either through a sports drink, gel, or regular food during your run. "The body can process about one gram of carbs per minute," says Katz. Postrun, try to knock back something easy, like a recovery drink, within 30 minutes. If you can't eat right away, don't worry too much. "Appetite loss is typically short-lived," says Katz. "Within an hour or two, suddenly you'll have a major one."
Source - http://ping.fm/D64k6
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Comrades 2011
The dust has hardly settled on Comrades 2010 and Comrades 2011 entries are open. In fact if I look down at my toes as I type this, the reminder of the epic 89km journey at the end of May are still visible. Two toenails have leaped off and there are at least another two hanging toenaciously on in a futile attempt to cling to life.
And yet now entries for Comrades 2011 have been opened. Last year was a huge success with nearly 20,000 people running the 89km epic ultra marathon form Pietermaritzburg to Durban. And what a race it was. The weather was perfect - cool but not wet. The support as usual lined nearly the entire 89km route. The organisation was smooth. The comradeship (which is what it is about after all) was epic. It's an epic event, that requires and epic effort, but you are rewarded with the most unbelievable feeling when you enter the stadium. Having now completed 5 Comrades (nothing compared to some who have done 40+), I am still blown away by the feeling of running into the stadium. The cheering, the music, the smiles, the surge of emotion makes many a man cry with joy.
And so now Comrades 2011 entries are open. This year it works slightly different to last year with entries being open to everyone (not just previous finishers first). Anyone from South Africa or Internationally can enter, even before qualifying. HOWEVER entries close on the end of November or as soon as 18,000 entries are received. And remember last year? The 5,000 spaces that went in 40 hours. SO DO NOT WAIT!
So, if you are even vaguely considering doing Comrades next year, then enter - they will not open extra spaces, even if you do the haka mixed with a moon walk in nothing but your skin!
So go here (http://ping.fm/t6NmR) now and enter or visit their website (http://www.comrades.com) - BUT don't wait till tomorrow - remember tomorrow all beers are free...but that is tomorrow, tomorrow...
See you on the road...and hopefully in Comrades 2011 - the most epic race on the planet!
Yours in Running Easy...
Craig
And yet now entries for Comrades 2011 have been opened. Last year was a huge success with nearly 20,000 people running the 89km epic ultra marathon form Pietermaritzburg to Durban. And what a race it was. The weather was perfect - cool but not wet. The support as usual lined nearly the entire 89km route. The organisation was smooth. The comradeship (which is what it is about after all) was epic. It's an epic event, that requires and epic effort, but you are rewarded with the most unbelievable feeling when you enter the stadium. Having now completed 5 Comrades (nothing compared to some who have done 40+), I am still blown away by the feeling of running into the stadium. The cheering, the music, the smiles, the surge of emotion makes many a man cry with joy.
And so now Comrades 2011 entries are open. This year it works slightly different to last year with entries being open to everyone (not just previous finishers first). Anyone from South Africa or Internationally can enter, even before qualifying. HOWEVER entries close on the end of November or as soon as 18,000 entries are received. And remember last year? The 5,000 spaces that went in 40 hours. SO DO NOT WAIT!
So, if you are even vaguely considering doing Comrades next year, then enter - they will not open extra spaces, even if you do the haka mixed with a moon walk in nothing but your skin!
So go here (http://ping.fm/t6NmR) now and enter or visit their website (http://www.comrades.com) - BUT don't wait till tomorrow - remember tomorrow all beers are free...but that is tomorrow, tomorrow...
See you on the road...and hopefully in Comrades 2011 - the most epic race on the planet!
Yours in Running Easy...
Craig
Monday, July 26, 2010
Don't drink Gatorade unless you're a marathoner
It is amazing how quickly every man and his dog grab sports products. Maybe by buying the sports product the sedentary person feels more sporty. I suppose it is somewhat akin to the aged, bald person (not that I have issue with baldness...or age) buying the sport coupe in the hope that it makes him young...I might try that yet. But buying the fancy running gear, or being seen swigging back a bottle of Gatorade as you attempt to assuage your vociferous thirst, resulting from the 1km jog...that's not good!
In fact a recent article in the LA Times (based on interviews with lab-coated people who have more titles than names) says that not only is it not good, it is bad! And that is not just because you look like an idiot, especially seeing as you have not even broken a sweat yet. The doctor professor people say these drinks are designed for marathon runners - real athletes - people who are pushing their bodies to infinity and beyond. Not for the casual stroller or short distance jogger.
Hey, that does not mean strolling and jogging aren't good - they are awesome. In fact that is how any marathon runner had to start. But don't reach for the marathon runners Gatorade...leave that until your body needs it. You'll just over-sugar, over-salt...basically over-season your body and undo any good you had started.
So don't waste money - and don't waist bigger - drink water or run further.
Source: http://ping.fm/CL2bV
In fact a recent article in the LA Times (based on interviews with lab-coated people who have more titles than names) says that not only is it not good, it is bad! And that is not just because you look like an idiot, especially seeing as you have not even broken a sweat yet. The doctor professor people say these drinks are designed for marathon runners - real athletes - people who are pushing their bodies to infinity and beyond. Not for the casual stroller or short distance jogger.
Hey, that does not mean strolling and jogging aren't good - they are awesome. In fact that is how any marathon runner had to start. But don't reach for the marathon runners Gatorade...leave that until your body needs it. You'll just over-sugar, over-salt...basically over-season your body and undo any good you had started.
So don't waste money - and don't waist bigger - drink water or run further.
Source: http://ping.fm/CL2bV
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Check out some live fun video feed from some crazy Running Easy'ites who did a run in a game park with lions and snakes. http://ping.fm/VyJ4l
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