Marathon You Can Do It

When Paula Radcliffe won the New York City Marathon 10 months after giving birth to her first child, Isla, I was left surprised.I didn’t expect her to do well let alone win the race just after giving birth.

But according to an article I have just read at Sports Illustrated I shouldn’t have been surprised because pregnancy can have an effect on a womans body that that can make her run faster

To Quote the article,

One of the many physical transformation that occur in a woman’s body to accommodate the new resident is an increase in blood volume, since there are suddenly two people in need of oxygenated blood. Once the baby is born, that extra blood hangs around. Extra red blood cells, as any athlete who has used EPO knows, means extra oxygen to the muscles. This super mom effect, however, is transient, lasting a few weeks or months. A 1991 study at the University of Vermont found that non-athlete women were still pumping slightly more blood than usual three months after giving birth.

They asked Paul Radcliffe how she felt after pregnancy and she said she felt stronger after her first pregnancy.

Abortion Doping.

There are unconfirmed reports that this relationship between pregnancy and red blood cells may have been exploited by the former East German Athletes. According to grapevine, East German athletes had gotten pregnant, and then aborted, in order to take advantage of hormone changes during pregnancy.

For more, read the source of the article at sports illustrated

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: 10 Months, Abortion Doping, Article One, Athlete, Blood Volume, Changes During Pregnancy, East German Athletes, Giving Birth, Grapevine, Hormone Changes, muscles, New York City Marathon, Paul Radcliffe, Paula Radcliffe, Physical Transformation, pregnancy, Red Blood Cells, Three Months, University Of Vermont, Womans Body, York City Marathon

The following quote is the funniest quote I have heard in 2010 from a sports athlete. Although some may disagree with me I think it is cracking.

“The delivery was way worse than a marathon, but in the end my daughter was born healthy so I’m very happy.”

from Japanese Marathoner Reiko Tosa after she gave birth.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Athlete, Funniest Quote, Funny Quote, Funny Sports, Marathon, Reiko Tosa

The 2010 London Marathon has just finished. The Men’s winner was Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede while the ladies event was won by Liliya Shobukova.

Kebede had untroubled victory, the Kenyans today didnt turn up! Samwel Wanjiru was left behind at mile 18, followed by Kibet at mile 20. Kirui tried to Keep up with Kebede and I could see he was giving it 110% while Kebede looked like he could notch a gear anytime. At mile 22 Kebede just went for it, he crossed the finish line in 2:05:12! Missing the course record by 2 seconds.

As for the Ladies, my athlete for the race has to be the second place finisher, another Russian (sorry, cant remember her name) At certain point she seemed to be far behind, but she just kept going and going! She was also thrilled with her performance because she was all smiles at the finish.

I watched the race Live via Satellite TV and I have to say It was another beautiful London Marathon! Loved it!

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: 2010 London Marathon, 2010 London Marathon results., Athlete, Beautiful, Finish Line, Kebede, Left Behind, london marathon, London marathon results, Marathon Race Results, Marathon Results, Place Finisher, Satellite Tv, Smiles, Sorry Cant, Victory, Wanjiru

Ryan Hall uses two sports supplements to sustain energy, to train harder and build stamina to achieve superior results. I found this information from Ryan Hall official Asics blog. 8 Things Ryan hall will carry to 2010 Boston marathon post.

The two supplements are Cytomax powder and Muscle milk.

Cytomax Powder Athlete supplement.

On the official site it is described; Cytomax® Performance Drink is made for a different brand of athlete. Its blend of complex carbohydrates and sugars work to sustain energy, so you can train harder, build stamina, and achieve superior results – Proven Results!

Muscle Milk Sports drink Athlete Supplement

I loved how it is described on their site. Simply put it is the protein! This is a protein sports drink that is designed to promote the development of lean muscle. It promises to increase endurance, fat burning and strength.

Do they work? The proof is in how well Ryan hall performances

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Asics, Athlete, Blog, Boston Marathon, Build Stamina, Complex Carbohydrates, Endurance, Fat Burning, Lean Muscle, Muscle Milk, Muscle Supplement, Performance Drink, Proof, Protein Drink, Ryan Hall, Sports Drink, Sports Supplement, Sports Supplements

My favorite image from 2010 New York Half Marathon has to be seeing Deena Kastor storm ahead. I thought she was on course to tear down the course record only to fall apart on the dying stages.

Kastor charged into the lead from the beginning and established the pace for a women’s course record. But the veteran Mara Yamauchi of Britain broke it. She passed a fading Kastor at the 11 ½-mile mark on the West Side Highway, storming to first place in 1:09:25, 18 seconds faster than the 2006 record set by Catherine Ndereba. Kastor was second, in 1:09:43.

See More Photos of New York Half Marathon at Athlete Director Flickr Photostream

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Athlete, Catherine Ndereba, Image, Mara Yamauchi, Marathon Photos, Marathon Pictures, New York Half Marathon, Pace, Photos Pictures, Veteran, West Side Highway

At 35 years Bernard Lagat is a man still at the top of his game. Watching him win 3000m gold at 2010 world indoor championship I was left feeling this guy is special.Consider that his former rival such as Moraccan Hicham E Guerrouj has since retired bogged down by injuries and age.

Is there a Secret?

I tried googling for information about Bernard Lagat, Hoping to find some secret workout but I didnt find any. If his coach has discovered the secret to athlete longevity and he has refused to share with the world, You cant blame him!

The closest I came to a secret has to be an interview Bernard Lagat gave back in 2007 to a small group of American and international media at Nike’s Osaka hotel.

Two questions stood out because they explained the mans approach to training, diet and discipline.

Take us through a season. When are you in Tuscon; when are you in Flagstaff, and when are you in Europe?

After the season, I go back to Tuscon, eat a lot, play with my son, and on November 1st, I begin the base training. I’ll start with no more than 20-25 miles per week, then increase it until January 1st, when we get serious because of the indoor season. After the indoor season, we take a few weeks off, then hit it again in Tuscon until April when we go to Flagstaff for eight weeks of hard training.

In Flagstaff, that’s the time when I start training in the morning and afternoon. Once that’s done, there are several races, including Mt. SAC, Prefontaine, New York, and the US nationals. After the US nationals, I go to Germany and stay there for three months until the final Grand Prix meet of the season. Once the season is over, the cycle starts again,

Where is your European training base?

I’m based in Tubingen, Germany. It’s about 20 minutes south of Stuttgart. Stuttgart is easily accessible for us (especially when traveling to meets in Europe); all we have to do is take a short drive up to the airport. Tubingen has a lot of good forests in which you can run; you can run north, south, east, west. It’s good for a runner like me, who likes to run long distances. I stay away from cement. The good thing about Tubingen is that there are a lot of different trails. I can do tempo runs, hill work, I can run on the flat if I want to.

Read the full interview at Paul Merca Blog

Bernard Lagat plans to run at 2010 Summer Games in London and I hope and pray he wins the Gold.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: 35 Years, Athlete, Bernard Lagat, Flagstaff, Forests, Grand Prix, Guerrouj, Interview Training, January 1st, Longevity, Mt Sac, Nike, November 1st, Osaka, Prefontaine, Small Group, Three Months, Tubingen Germany, Us Nationals, Workout

Meb Keflezighi won the 2009 New York Marathon. Meb Keflezighi became the first US man to win the New York City Marathon since 1982. Meb has come a long way from being just a good runner to a great runner.

In 2000 summer Olympic games in Sydney he finished a disappointing 12th at 10,000 metres, a race that was won by Haile Gebrselassie.

After Sydney his coach, Bob Larsen realised if Meb is to compete with the East African runners he had to change his training tactics.

The Training Regimen That Boosted Running Speed and Power

According to an old New York times article of Meb Keflezighi, In 2001, Larsen persuaded Keflezighi to begin training at the 7,550-foot altitude of Mammoth Lakes to increase his oxygen-carrying capacity. Shortly after his first training regimen here, he set the American record of 27:13.98 at 10,000 meters.

Training at altitude took Meb from a good athlete to a great athlete

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Altitude Training, Athlete, Bob Larsen, Coach Bob, East Africans, Foot Altitude, Haile Gebrselassie, Mammoth Lakes, Marathon Training, Meb Keflezighi, New York City Marathon, New york marathon, New York Times, Olympic Games, Oxygen Carrying Capacity, Realised, Runners, Summer Olympic Games, Training Regimen, York City Marathon, York Times Article

Protein is one of the three essential components of the human diet, along with carbohydrates and fats. Protein, which is composed of various types of amino acids, provides the raw material for both muscle construction and repair.

Road running is an impact sport, all that running causes small tears inside although the tears are not visible they are buried under the skin, a runner feels them in form of slight pain. A diet rich in protein can help in repair of damaged tissue.

Although an athlete may get protein from eating regular protein rich foods, sometimes this is not enough and an athlete may need to boost the protein intake with a protein supplement

Experts recommend supplements because a high quality, concentrated protein product will repair the muscles stressed from a demanding workout more quickly than proteins consumed through food.

Popular Protein Supplements

1. Whey protein (a byproduct of cheese)
2. Soy protein, extracted from the soya bean.
3. Glutamine, a specific type of amino acid, is another well-regarded component in many protein supplements.

Just remember before you decide to use any supplement consult with your doctor, nutritionist or advisor.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Amino Acid, Athlete, Byproduct, Food Protein, High Protein, Human Diet, Impact Sport, Nutritionist, Protein Extracted From, Protein Foods, Protein Intake, Protein Product, Protein Rich Foods, Protein Supplement, Protein Supplements, Raw Material, Soy Protein, Soya Bean, Types Of Amino Acids, Whey Protein

Because carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for active muscles, athletes need to consume them on a daily basis.

Carbohydrate-rich foods include: –

1. Fruits
2. vegetables (potatoes and beans),
3. Grains,
4. Breads,
5. cereals and some dairy products (milk and yogurt).

In general, the best diet for an athlete is one that contains a variety of foods from each of the major food groups—this will help ensure that your diet is made up of nutrient-rich foods.

Approximately 55-60% of total calories should come from carbohydrates. Athletes need to consume carbohydrates before, during and after exercise to provide fuel for the body and support overall health.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Athlete, Calories, Carbohydrate, Carbohydrates, Cereals, Daily Basis, Dairy Products Milk, diet, Exercise, Food Groups, Fruits Vegetables, Fuel Source, Grains, Health, muscles, Nutrient Rich Foods, Potatoes, Runners, Yogurt

Haile Gebreselassie Vs Samuel Wanjiru. I had hoped this two will race together this year so that we can know who is the king of the full marathon.

Samuel Wanjiru had hoped to take on Haile at 2009 Berlin Marathon but he failed to get invitation to the Berlin Marathon from the organisers. I feel the organisers bowed to the demands of Haile who has previously been quoted saying he prefers to race against the clock rather than go head to head and worry about the athlete behind his neck.

After failing to challenge Haile in Berlin, Wanjiru has entered 2009 Chicago marathon. What is interesting is that Chicago is a flat course just like Berlin. If the weather cooperates, expect Wanjiru to attack Haile record time. Berlin Marathon is on September 20th While Chicago marathon will be on October 11th. After the Berlin marathon Wanjiru will have ample time to reflect and prepare to better Haile’s effort.

A local paper here in Kenya caught up with Samuel Wanjiru on a 35K run along Nyahururu – Gilgil road last monday and the 22 year old athlete played down the Berlin politics and insisted he is 100% focused on 2009 Chicago Marathon.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: Ample Time, Athlete, berlin marathon, chicago marathon, Clock, Haile Gebreselassie, Haile Gebrselassie, Invitation, Last Monday, Organisers, Record Time, Samuel Wanjiru, Weather