Aug 23

If Ethiopias’ Abebe Bikila is the god father of barefoot running(He won 1960 Rome Olympic marathon running barefoot) then South African Zola Budd is the god mother of barefoot running.

South African running sensation Zola Budd was a die hard devotee of the art of running barefoot. Budd trained and raced barefoot.

In 1984 aged 17 she set a New world record in 5000 meters while running barefoot.

Back then running barefoot was seen as a crazy idea but now experts seem to tell us running barefoot is not a crazy idea after all. In fact that is how we should be running.

From Science daily

Scientists have found that those who run barefoot, or in minimal footwear, tend to avoid “heel-striking,” and instead land on the ball of the foot or the middle of the foot. In so doing, these runners use the architecture of the foot and leg and some clever Newtonian physics to avoid hurtful and potentially damaging impacts, equivalent to two to three times body weight, that shod heel-strikers repeatedly experience.

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Jul 19

Just before 2010 NYC Triathlon, CNN Dr Sanjay Gupta gave an interview about how he had prepared for the triathlon. In that interview the Doctor made some interesting comments on why running alone may not help someone to lose weight.

I’ve been a runner for a long time, for over 20 years. If changing your body shape or dropping some pounds is one of your goals, simply doing something like running every day and not really changing anything else about your life is probably not going to make much of a difference – it’s offset by eating a bowl of ice cream. During this training I’ve probably lost 20 pounds – with running alone I never got those results. I’m a big fan of running, but if you’re trying to change your body in a significant way, I think you need to add other sports.

Source NYDaily News

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Apr 26

The 2010 Country Music marathon pictures are in. From the race photos I have to admit the 36,000 runners rocked Nashville! I found a good collection at running competitor website.

Awesooooooome

Photo courtesy of running competitor.

To see more pictures from 2010 Country Music Marathon go to Running competitor

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Apr 08

Running socks are very important especially when you will be running 26.2 miles. If your heel starts to rub or you get a blister, it will make for a very long day and several painful days thereafter.

There are many running socks brand and most can be bought online or at your local running shoe store. When buying running socks choose one with the following benefits :-

1) Wicks away moisture from your feet

2) Helps prevent blisters

3) Is not made of cotton – you want to avoid cotton. Cotton retains sweat that causes blister

Running socks packs have a list of benefits written at the back.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Apr 06

Participating in long-distance endurance events, such as 26 miles marathon, causes a degree of muscle damage and inflammation for the runners. It takes several days to recover, the more experienced a runner the faster the speed of recovery.

Cherries help speedy recovery of marathon runners.

I have just read a scientific report that claims that athletes who drink the juice of Montmorency cherries recover faster after Marathon running.

Medicinal benefits of cherries

According to the scientist: -

The phytochemicals, in particular, anthocyanins found in Montmorency cherries have anti-inflammatory and antioxidating properties, which the research has shown to be effective in helping exercisers to recover from strenuous physical activity.

So, next time you finish that long run, instead of drinking plain water mix it up with Cherry juice.

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mar 01

It was a great weekend of marathon running, I found pictures from some of marathon races that happened over the weekend.

2010 Hyannis Marathon Race photos & Pictures

The local paper had a great photo taken at the start of the race : a picture of Dad with his wheel chair bound son just ahead of the leading pack. See photo at cod times site

2010 Gasparilla Half & Full Marathon photos & Pictures

The notable thing about thsi race was the 41 year old winner, Terri Rejimbai won the womens half in a time of 1 hr 22 mins. See pictures at st petersburg website

2010 Cowtown marathon photos & pictures

The largest running field over the weekend, 21000 runners turned up. I wondered why the winner had a slow finish time in the low 2:30s. This picture tells it all

See more pictures at flickr

2010 Standard Chartered Hong Kong marathon photos & pictures

See photo of the winner at peoples website

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Feb 16

In my 5 years of marathon running I have seen some awesome Slogans written on runners T-shirts. The best are those slogans written on the backside of runners T-shirts. If you are behind a runner with a slogan written on his backside, the message can either inspire you or piss you off!

Slogans On running T-shirts that inspire

1. Pain is only temporary

2. Lets kick some ASSSSSS

3. Just do it

4. Its a piece of cake

5. I will let my running do the talking

Running T-shirt Slogans that can piss you off

1. You are now last

2. If you cant keep up with me, be a spectator

3. At least am not last – from a runner who beat you to the finish line.

4. I dont know what shit you drunk this morning

5. See you at the finish

written by Constantine Njeru \\ tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Feb 10

I was reading a running shorts review on runners world that featured eight running shorts. One interesting aspect of the shorts is the names, without the word shorts next to them you wouldn’t know what they are. Some of the names would be mistaken for: fish oil, ammunition, sports team, sports drinks.

1. Mens Nike Pinnacle Shorts

2. Mens Hind Omega Shorts

3. Womens Adidas Adistar shorts

4. Womens Moving Comfort Endurance shorts

5. Mens Brook sharper

6. Mens Under Armour Pacer shorts – This was the best name

7. Women Zoots sports Ultra run shorts

8. Womens New Balance Mira Shorts

Read the full reviews at runners world

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Jan 26

I just came across this list of benefits of marathon running.

* Increased energy

* Improved health

* A sense of accomplishment

* Increased discipline

* Quality time outdoors

* A chance to show off to the opposite sex that you can do it

* Of course, great-looking legs (Never underestimate the power of lean, muscular legs.)

Source : Soyouwanna.com

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Dec 10

One way to make a statement at a marathon is to turn up dressed in a fancy costume. If you cant come up with an original running costume idea you may steal ideas from fellow runners.

Two popular marathon running costume ideas

Elvis costume

Spiderman costume

Save the rhino costume

Save the rhino costume at Flora London Marathon

Save the rhino costume at Flora London Marathon

Running 26 miles is hard and what about bringing the Eiffel tower along with you

This Parisian was spotted at 2009 New York Marathon

This Parisian was spotted at 2009 New York Marathon

More costume ideas can be seen at elite feet

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