Marathon: You Can Do It

Last week I read in the news that Barrack Obama made three separate stops to Chicago gyms over the course of one day. It seems the busy campaign schedule hasn’t killed his love for working out!

With these multiple gym visits, am wondering is Obama running for Mr. President or Mr. Universe?

My theory is that there is a possibility Obama is addicted to working out. A few months ago the New York York Times published a report about “runners high“. Scientist in Germany proved that when you are working out your brain releases chemicals that alter your mood. You feel good and high! This is the reason why some people claim to be addicted to exercise.

Another theory I have read is that Obama is using gyms to conduct V.P interviews?  And what do you think of this theory from comedian Jay Leno “Obama is working out because he needs to be fit to do those Flip-flops“

Tags: Exercise

To qualify for New York marathon a marathon runner must show proof of meeting the following qualifying times in certified races.

The New York marathon also guarantees entries for the following group of runners

• Members of New York Road Runners, who completed at least nine NYRR-scored, qualifying races during the calendar year.

• Those who have completed 15 or more New York City Marathons.

• Those who have applied but been denied entry for the last three years in a row

If you don’t meet the above qualifying times don’t worry!

Runners who don’t meet any of the above criteria can also apply through the New York Marathon lottery. Because the number of applicants exceed the number of spaces available, a draw is held and the lucky runners notified.

For more information on when and how to apply visit New York Marathon website

Source of Information New York Marathon Website

The Tour de France ended on Sunday in a now familiar script in sporting events: A spanish athlete is the winner! In June and July, Spain national soccer team won the European Soccer Championship and Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon. On Sunday spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre won the Tour de France. And today morning I just read in the papers that a Spanish race walker, Francisco “Paquillo” Fernandez has set a world best mark for 10Km.  Every man and woman in Spain must be walking with an extra bounce!

In recent years, Spanish athletes have also won the Basketball world championship, two formula one championships, five motorcycling world titles and a handball world crown. It is surely a golden era for a country who had a reputation of being perennial underachievers.

How do you turn perennial underachievers to winners?

A good case study is the Spanish soccer team. Just before the 2008 European soccer I remember reading a BBC report about the prospect of spain, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said “I don’t think Spain can win Euro 2008. A good tournament would be reaching the last four”

“We’re not favourites,” Luis Aragones, the team coach had said on more than one occasion. “Nobody should be deceived by Spain because in the major tournaments we haven’t done anything.”

When a team coach talks halfheartedly you know you have a big problem.

In the same BBC report, the players had a different mind set.

“We have the players to create history for Spain” Fernando Torres their top striker.

“We want to live up to the prestige and pride of a whole nation” Defender Carlos Marchena

While the rest of Spain was stuck in a mind set of self doubt, the spanish athletes have moved on. Today they no longer doubt their ability, they believe they are good. They don’t fear the opposition but face him wholeheartedly.

As we get closer to Beijing Summer Olympics, Hopes are high the recent success will inspire Spanish athletes to bring home a host of medals. Spain are hoping to get close to the record 22 medals they won when Barcelona hosted the games in 1992.

The officials and public can hope but for an athlete to win ; You have to compete 101% with your mind and heart.

Tags: , Beijing Olympics, Running

Imagine a marathon where the start of the marathon will be blown on long Buddhist horns, instead of the traditional shot by a starting pistol, and all runners are blessed by Buddhist monks, who also serve as helpers along the way.

It is the Great Tibetan marathon, it takes place on the Tibetan Plateau in northern India - also known as little Tibet. I found it appropriate to call it the spiritual marathon.

It happens in an altitude of 3,500 meters. The high altitude makes the oxygen level extremely low and the marathon equally more physically challenging. The first finisher in the marathon was timed at 3hrs 30min.

On the official great tibetan marathon site they have this tag line “The run and the scenery will take your breath away”

If the photos I saw on the website are to be believed, the place is beautiful!

The marathon has distances for runners of different abilities : marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K.

Tags: Marathon, Marathon Running, Running

How bad will the pollution in Beijing affect athletes?

I was out this morning doing my morning run when a big truck overtook me, the truck moved slowly and at the back the exhaust pipe released a dark smoke. The dirty smoke filled the air and breathing became difficult. The little dirty air that got inside my system made me feel like vomiting!

From my Beijing like moment my answer to the pollution question is “unbelievably bad!”

The worst gas pollutant in Beijing will be Carbon monoxide, which has been filled in the air by the over 3 million cars in Beijing city. Carbon monoxide (car exhaust) attaches to hemoglobin far better than oxygen and so it reduces hemoglobin which reduces oxygen transport. The slower oxygen transportation the slower the athlete. Beijing is dealing with the Carbon monoxide pollution by banning some cars to the capital.

According to a post I read on Coach dean blog, The US olympic team is being prepared for Beijing Summer Olympics by  going to a training center set up in Korea. It will have low pollution.

ESPN “outside the line” have a video documentary of how the pollution in Beijing will affect athletes performance. Click to Watch the Video

Tags: Beijing, breathing, pollution, Running, summer olympics