February 16, 2008
Guth received a last minute opportunity to hike in the White Mountains this weekend. Actually the offer was extended to either of us but my focus is on building miles, so as hiking in the region has been on Guthrie’s wish list for some time, it was appropriate she should go. It still took a little persuasion, she could think of lots of reasons not to go, but opportunities sometimes just have to be taken at the spur of the moment. Even though the trip needed a few last minute purchases to ensure she would be adequately insulated, it is good that she has gone, and I’m looking forward to hearing about the adventure on her return. Her departure has left me ‘home alone’ dog sitting but the house feels far from empty, or at least it did earlier this morning when I was being constantly nagged to go running. Three hours later though I’m now back home with a very content and sleepy canine!
As I drove home from running I received word that yet another of my running friends, who goes by the name Iggy had fallen this morning and needed stitches to a head wound after slipping on ice. Two weeks previously Sweeney, slipped and ploughed a deep gash into his hand. When I spoke to her after treatment Iggy was more concerned what her husband would say. It wasn’t that she had done anything wrong, he was just naturally worried for her welfare; “But I’m just not the sort of person to stay home and knit”, she said.
I found a quotation by Kin Hubbard;
You won’t skid if you stay in a rut.
It caught my eye because the words not only relate to the risks we take in life but also the literal association with the hazards of running and adventurous activities!
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February 15, 2008
Came across the word crepuscular today which aptly describes running at this time of year.
cre·pus·cu·lar (krĭ-pŭs’kyə-lər), Becoming active at twilight or before sunrise
Through the long winter months, most runs seem to take place during the twilight hours or in complete darkness.
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February 13, 2008
It seems that the theory that muscles become tired because they release lactic acid, has been discredited; a recent study says the problem is calcium flow inside muscle cells. An article in the New York Times yesterday writes about a study into this which states;
Ordinarily, ebbs and flows of calcium in cells control muscle contractions. But when muscles grow tired, the investigators report, tiny channels in them start leaking calcium, and that weakens contractions. At the same time, the leaked calcium stimulates an enzyme that eats into muscle fibers, contributing to the muscle exhaustion.
Researchers have been looking into the development of a drug that might be able to limit of control calcium leakage making it possible that some day there be may be an anti-fatigue drug. However, Dr. Steven Liggett, a heart-failure researcher at the University of Maryland is also quoted to say that for athletes “we have to ask whether it would be prudent to be circumventing this mechanism.”
“Maybe this is a protective mechanism,” he said. “Maybe fatigue is saying that you are getting ready to go into a danger zone. So it is cutting you off. If you could will yourself to run as fast and as long as you could, some people would run until they keeled over and died.”
So perhaps the best advice is that when you feel tired, keep things in perspective. Most of us probably aren’t trained to the extent that we will have pushed ourselves to a point where calcium leakage has occurred. Conditioning through effective training and sensible management of hydration and nutrition are likely to be the best techniques to follow.
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Posted by mrbimble
February 11, 2008
Even though my Leadville entry check has been cashed, I still hadn’t received any formal confirmation that I’d been accepted, until today. At last, I can finalize my travel plans! Vermont will be the easiest trip to arrange, with a relatively straightforward drive and camp at the temporary tent ground near the start / finish. While for the others there will be flights and at least one or two hotels to book. On all the trips Guthrie will be coming too, why she seems to enjoy the discomfort of travel and sleep deprivation that is part of crewing, I don’t know; but I’m glad she does. While I prefer not to run with a pacer because I see the isolation of long runs as being part of the event, the lack of a friendly face at aid stations who is familiar with your needs is another matter. Of course, even though you may plan a race with a support crew, I’ve learnt never to fully depend on them; bad weather, getting lost in unfamiliar surroundings or unforeseen mishaps can conspire to mess up your plans. If the race provides a drop bag service, it is still a good strategy to position bags in advance even if it means your crew simply has to collect them prior to your arrival.
This past weekend provided perfect weather for running and Saturday Guth joined me for part of my long run. As we run along the shore of Saltonstall Reservoir she commented on the reflection from the the hill on the far side, in the water. “The last time I ran here” she said; “the reflection was so clear it was hard to tell if you were upside or not.” I glanced sideways at her with a slightly worried look before we both burst out laughing.
During my first 100 mile race, I complained of cramp quite early into the race, at the next aid stop she handed me a new drink bottle and said she’d added some salt to help the cramp. I was already taking salt tablets but didn’t think too much more about it. A little way beyond the aid station I reached for my bottle and squeezed some of the contents into my mouth. As if by reflex I spat it out, the taste was like sea water! During the night in the same race, she sent me back out onto the course with just water instead of the Sustained Energy mix I was expecting! Yet despite these little hiccups, I wouldn’t change a thing. To have someone so freely give their time, support and enthusiasm is something that cannot be treated with anything other than complete appreciation. I’m sure than after this summer we’ll have many more amusing stories to chuckle over.
The thankful reciever bears a plentiful harvest
William Blake
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