Times to Turn Heads

On 8/2-5, 2007 the USATF Masters Outdoor Track Championships are being held in Orono ME. So, I thought I’d share some things about older running.
I’m not sure how many out there follow world age group running. Most of us know our competition just over in the next town and those who show up for the [...]

Age Grading

Many of you may have heard of the Age Graded Tables. If not, here is a good introduction to them. Then, I’m going to elaborate on them and their use.
Age-graded tables are a series of “age factors” and “age standards” which can be used to compare performances of runner’s with different ages in track & field, [...]

Dealing with “Failure”

Everyone has encountered  disappointments. We are human. We fail. How we deal with failure is critical however to ultimate success. One way to begin to deal with a failure is by using empowering terminology. Do you see it as a failed “experiment” or “failure”? Do you see it as an “opportunity for feedback” on something [...]

Sweat Does not a Workout Make

I can’t count how many times I hear that someone has had a good workout since they “worked up a good sweat”. Well, we can sweat in a hot tub or sauna too! Sweat does not equal a workout – good or otherwise.
Sweat is a response to increased body heat. Sweat is produced to then [...]

Do you rebound or awfulize?

“Awfulizing” is a term coined for these kinds of reactions. This term is used in behavioral psychology, and often quoted from Albert Ellis. I’ve added my expanded definition below.
awfulize v: 1: to make a situation out to be worse than it really is 2 : to complain characterizing a [...]

What Research Says about Some Supplements Usage

Without going into all the details here is a summary of some of the most common supplements. The key angle is that you want to look at these as “ergogenic” aids… those that enhance performance… in our case - running.
Caffeine – for events 800-3000 it may improve performance; 200 mg 1 hour before the race. [...]

Malibu Running Camp Days III-V

I apologize for not getting these up right away. On day three the theme was hill work. Great 5 mile round trip trail run; first half uphill @ 10% grade - I averaged 11:00 miles. The benefits are multiple. The steady steep climb builds general and specific running strength. Remember that uphill running will always [...]

The Non-Workout Workout Approach to Overcoming Low Motivation

It isn’t every day that we want to workout, pursue as project or goal. Your goal may indeed by worthy of pursuit. It may be ecologically sound (a way of saying it doesn’t have some adverse side effects to accomplishing the goal that will deter you.) However, even the most goal-oriented people have times they [...]

Research Answers to Running Questions

I had  a number of questions posed to me before I left for the Malibu Running Camp. Owen Anderson was very accomodating to share some research tidbits on those questions.
Is creatine really helpful for runners?
Yes, the reserach does support its efficacy to a degree. The down side is that you retain fluids and weight gain is [...]

Malibu Running Camp Day II & III

Day II
The morning started with the famed vVO2max distance test. A 6:00 all out test. Think of it like a mile race.  VO2max is achieved somewhere between 4:00 (for untrained or novice runners) up to 8:30 for elite level. Personally, I prefer to make this test more practical – 1200, 1600 or 2000 meter time [...]