2013-07-10 - Hydrate of Die!
A summer reminder, but it applies during all seasons. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, as runners, we should not be one of them!. (Likely applies to half the world's pop.) In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3% and prevents your body from recovering from your run or injuries. Lack of hydration is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?
One good trick is to jump on scale before and after a run and correct any loss of weight due to fluid loss ... Dang, you mean I didn't really lose 3 pounds on that 4 mile run!
Run, hydrate, run,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner ... gulp!
PS: Running Fit has a great selection of hydration carriers, don't run out the door without one!
2012-06-20 - Careful ouit there
Diggin' the heat! As you know, I love extremes, truly the spice of life, give me a humid 95 degree or 10 below zero 3 mile run and I'll trade them for any blah, blah, 50 degree 10 mile run! A short run in extreme conditions is such great bang for the buck, an efficient use of time that leaves us not only wasted, but fulfilled, raising our self esteem and that darn feeling of smug satisfaction we get over the rest of the world that stays inside re-breathing stale heated or cooled air.
All that said ... running in the heat is the most dangerous condition you will face as a runner. Heat kills, take a run in the heat seriously. Run short, run in shade, and run hydrated by more than just water and ideally, finish where you can jump in a lake or stand under a cold hose. Stop and walk if you feel strange.
Run smart,
Randy Step, and obsessed runner who is watching the weather channel and planning for today's run!