Running is therapy

The BBC has a good article by Alistair Magowan on why running is good for you when you need a boost.

"If you asked 100 people, you might get 100 different replies, but there's no doubt that having some time and space to think - to clear your head and process your thoughts in peace - is one of the big attractions of the sport to many people."
"You get to a point where you are empty and not sure why you should go on. I think that is a deeply personal thing and a powerful moment.
"That's the interface between psychology and the spiritual side of a human being. There is no reason to continue and at that moment you have got to the battle between yourself and yourself.
"You have to make a sacrifice of everything you've got, but what you've done is joined in the suffering and the pain in a voluntary way, and that could make you feel closer to the person you have lost."

Why Fauja Singh is my hero

Running really is a way of life. Strong evidence comes from the incredible example of centenarian Brit, Fauja Singh. He recently completed the Toronto Marathon in 8hrs 25, not bad for someone born in 1911. He trains 10 miles everyday and is now the proud holder of a bunch of world records. All of them gained since he turned 90.

Here's the advice from the living legend,

"The secret to a long and healthy life is to be stress-free. Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling and keep running." 

101 ways to be a better runner

I have 101 tips to make you a better runner. Well, runners world does.

Two running sites worth checking out

The new runtastic portal if you have an iphone etc... or this training site from new balance

3 Non-physical benefits to running

Michael Hyatt explains what he gets out of running besides being fit. His three are:

1. Running provides me with “think time
2. Running provides an opportunity for personal growth
3. Running provides the chance to recharge

Read the whole thing and then comment what non-physical benefits do you get from running?

Five finger running shoes

Have you ever used them? I'm tempted but and Michael Hyatt seems convinced

Marathon runners should go for non-alcoholic beer

Apparently that's the conclusion of this study from the University of Munich. It's better for your health if you drink the wheat based alcohol free stuff. I'm just not sure whether that counts as good news or not?

(HT: Freakonomics)

Park Hall 5k

I ran a 5k race tonight which I've run the previous two years. In 2009 I managed a 22'24 and in 2010 I improved on that a little with a 22'08.

So tonights 21'18 marks a 50 second improvement which over 5k is a decent jump forward, and I'm sure if I'd pushed myself I could have been sub-21. I finished with a sprint and recovered quickly, I just run too much within myself because I'm worried about running out of steam. What I needed to do was pick the pace up say 500m out not 200m and then I'd have been sub-21.

Anyway I'm pleased!

Could a marathon ever be run in under two hours?

If it can it certainly won't be done by me. Under 4 hours is my goal! Anyway the BBC attempts an answer

A couple of running links

It's a while since I last posted but it's not that I haven't been running just not writing about it. In fact I've done two 7 mile runs in the last 24 hours, so there. But here are a couple of friends thoughts on running

• Matt Hosier reflects on the life benefits from training for the Brighton marathon
• Sean Green recently did a 5k in Reading with the park run initiative.

Are we born to run?

It's been a while since I blogged here but I have been running and buying new shoes! Enjoy this talk on running

I hate running

Well I don't, but Pete Cornford does but he'll keep on running.

"Today I put on my trainers and did 12kms. I did not wear a hat or take a drink. It was only when I got back that I discovered it was 29degrees."

Read the whole thing

Runtastic

There's a growing amount of web based tools and websites to help the runner. One I've just been introduced to is runtastic. Track your runs, get apps if you have a Garmin, Android or iPhone and lots of other stuff. The site looks good and could be a decent site, well worth using. I've added a permanent link on the blog.

What happened in their first year? Some facts:

• runtastic mobile sports tracking apps were launched on the iPhone (nov. 2009), Android (apr. 2010) and Blackberry (aug. 2010).
• runtastic sports platform was launched as beta (dec. 2009).
• runtastic was chosen as the best app in Austria.
• On July 8^th 2010 (Re-launch of the sports portal) the runtastic iPhone Pro app (for free on this day) reached the first place in the category Health & Fitness in more than 25 countries (amongst others big countries we reached #1 in US, UK, FR, GE, IT,)

What happens next in the up coming year?

• runtastic apps on more mobile operating systems
• Connect to sports watches (e.g. Garmin Forerunner 405)
• Heart rate integration on more platforms
• Creation of training plans and extension of the sports portal
• More languages for mobile apps and sports portal

Why you should splurge on shoes

Here's an article that tells why you should never skimp on your running shoes amongst other things

A friends first half-marathon

My web design buddy from Philadelphia just ran his first half marathon. Here's how he found it

Rain brings a run alive

So went out on my normal route (25'21) so a bit off my pb but there was traffic. I think I can go much faster, need to dig in.

Anyway, it was warm, humid and then the rain came. I can't get myself out for a run if its already raining. Just can't do it. But if I'm running and the rain comes down (especially in the summer) it just feels great. It revitalises you, makes you feel like you're living and achieving. The senses quicken, touch on your skin as rain mixes with sweat, cooling you, muddying you, refreshing you.

Loved it.

I love running

I love running, and while I don't want my identity to be in that and all that jazz. Every now and then you see something that is just cool. This made me want to go out for a run, which I did last night and this morning. Made me want to buy the product too, but I haven't done that yet.

Just very tired

So for the last few weeks I've done hardly any running. I have been so tired. Work has been busy, life has been challenging, evenings have been full. In the mornings I can barely open my eyes and by the evening I'm hungry and shattered.

So nothing for the last couple of weeks. Then on Sunday this happened and I suddenly have two weeks paternity break. So last night I went out and ran. Not far, just the usual 3.43 miles and went for it hard. I was minutes quicker for the first two thirds but came in at 25'59 so must have faded pretty badly over the last third.

Still it was a decent time and good to get some of the cobwebs out. Lets see if I can rediscover the running groove!

Rodney's Pillar

Rodney's Pillar is an odd thing in Shropshire commemorating as it does a naval victory by Admiral Rodney. His boat was made of wood from the area so we thought 'I know why not stick a pillar on top of a hill'.

In keeping with silly ideas, every year there's a race up and down this hill, 3.9 miles in total. It's a bit tough.

2009 was my first entry and I finished almost last in 66th place in a time of 36'20.
I was determined to improve upon that this year and managed a slightly more respectable 50th place in 34'17.

As it was a handicap race I won a prize - a nice little England Lion! But knocking 2 minutes off a time was a big plus.

Park Hall 5k 2010

It's time to get going again with my running, no excuses anymore. My knee is no longer sore, major events have passed and if I don't get back into the rhythm soon I'll miss the whole summer.

So last night I ran the Park Hall 5k just outside of Oswestry. Good conditions really but I was a bit late on arrival so felt a bit rushed. Still last year I managed 22'24 and I managed to improve that to 22'08 and still had something in the tank. I've got to learn how to push it more in the second third of a race because I'm finishing strongly.

Still it's a nice improvement and next week is the Rodney's Pillar race - straight up a hill and back down again