When things get tough, think about the people that are worse off then you...then think about this.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
How Not To Run A Marathon
Alright, I've had enough of the guy in these clips. At first, I saw the first clip that I'll post and then when attempting to find it last night, I found more of them. I thought I'd share them with you and then raise the issues I have with each clip.
8. Later on he goes on to talk about spectators. He says, "All those people on the sidelines screaming at you, 'You're almost there' don't know what they are talking about." "They will discourage you." "They will make you angry." These people are spectators...fields have sidelines...these people are spectators. These people are awesome. I don't know many places where average people can be cheered on, as if they are winning the race, or like they are superheroes but if happens out on those streets. The words "you're almost there" are words of encouragement whether you are at mile 15 or mile 25. I have never been discouraged by spectators, even though, I have to admit rounding the first corner at the Baltimore Marathon (first marathon) and seeing the sign "Only 26 miles to go" was a slight reality check but I laughed about it, realized I accepted the challenge and ran those 26 miles. I also was not discouraged when I was able to high five Elmo during the Marine Corps Marathon and Elmo was just a random guy in a costume. And don't even get me started on "Eye Of The Tiger" guy at the Baltimore Marathon. Finally, if there are spectators along the course, I only run with one headphone in, so I can hear they say hello, cheer me on, and tell me "you're almost there".
9. I love how he tells me how I'm going to feel at miles 20 & 21. You are going to feel how you are going to feel but all that pain and agony will go away when you cross that finish line (ok, most of it anyway).
10. "The hardest miles are between 20 and 26.2." I'm pretty sure that anyone would have thought this, however, I beg to differ. I believe the hardest miles are the miles you run during first training run.
11. "If you can make it into the finish, you've got it covered." No shit! Wasn't that the goal. I don't know anyone who sets the goal of bonking at mile 24.
My issues:
1. He starts off talking about hydration and says, "hydrate until you are practically super-hydrated" and goes on to say "There is a danger of over-hydration". Consult a beginner's running book for hydration tips. There should never be concern about over-hydration because you can die from over-hydration.
2. "If you have to go to the bathroom several times in the night, this is a good indication" (that you are hydrated enough). Here's what I say to this guy, I suffer from sleep apnea and several MORE sleep disruptions in the night are not going to help me finish a marathon. I drink water during the day prior to a race. I also drink water as soon as I get up so my system has time to absorb it before the race.
3. He goes on to say that your level of hydration should be the same whether you are running 3 miles or a half marathon but never mentions a marathon. I disagree.
4. He obviously looks down on people who drink alcohol. I'll tell you this, when I finish a Half or Full, I'm going to have a beer.
5. He tells you to stay away from caffeine. Having run numerous races, I have seen numerous people enjoying coffee before a Half or a Full and I'm one of them. If you enjoy coffee, like I do, and you can handle drinking coffee before running, do it.
6. He talks about not putting that much sodium into your system. Doesn't he know that sodium helps retain water?
7. He talks about getting extra protein the night before a race for energy. Hasn't he heard of carbo-loading?
8. It's easy to tell that he has absolutely no clue what to recommend you eat for breakfast prior to a race.
9. He also says, "You don't want to feel hungry during a marathon." I have news for you since your body can only store so much readily available fuel, you are going to burn this fuel and feel hungry. Energy Gels, anyone?
Clip 1: "How to Run a Marathon: What to Expect during a Marathon Race"
My issues:
1. I don't know anyone who calls a Marathon, a "Marathon Race". It is a Marathon or a Race.
2. Early in the clip, he talks about "running your pace", but later in the clip, he says, "walk if you have to". Well, obviously if you are walking, you are not running your pace.
3. He says, "Don't drink any water until you have run 8-10 miles", "you should have been hydrated before hand", and "those people stopping at those water stops aren't running their race". First off, I'll drink water when I damn well need it or want it. I might not need anything more than a sip just to wet my mouth but I'll slow down for that sip. Second, yes, you should have been hydrated, however, if someone is running a 12 minute pace, they will be starting mile 6 at the one hour mark. Finally, his comment about people stopping at water stops are not running their races...first, then why are they there? and second, it's THEIR race not yours!
4. He says you should not get Gatorade or Powerade until at or after the halfway point. Again, I go back to my comment about water, maybe I just need or want a sip.
5. He stammers trying to spit out the words, "Goo Bags" and "Energy Goos", which leads me to believe that he doesn't know they are actually Energy Gels! He does say one thing that I can agree with, in regards to energy gels, he say to "try them out before hand". Absolutely!!! Find what works for you and go with it. I'd buy a couple here and a couple there to see which ones I liked and what worked for me. Also, if the race carries something different for your normal energy gels, bring your own. Don't experiment on the course. Also, if you are not a fan of energy gels, trying something else like Clif Shots Bloks.
6. He stammers saying "during my mara...first marathon" which leads me to believe he has only done ONE marathon. My first marathon was October 2011 and I have run 5 to-date...do I have it all figured out? No, but I do know not to take this guy's word (except about trying out energy gels before hand).
7. At another point in the clip, he tells you to see if you can keep up with a pace leader if you can, or "Can I run a little behind him (pace leader) and keep my pace. Well, if you are running a little behind the pace leader, I have news for you, you are running the pace leader's pace.8. Later on he goes on to talk about spectators. He says, "All those people on the sidelines screaming at you, 'You're almost there' don't know what they are talking about." "They will discourage you." "They will make you angry." These people are spectators...fields have sidelines...these people are spectators. These people are awesome. I don't know many places where average people can be cheered on, as if they are winning the race, or like they are superheroes but if happens out on those streets. The words "you're almost there" are words of encouragement whether you are at mile 15 or mile 25. I have never been discouraged by spectators, even though, I have to admit rounding the first corner at the Baltimore Marathon (first marathon) and seeing the sign "Only 26 miles to go" was a slight reality check but I laughed about it, realized I accepted the challenge and ran those 26 miles. I also was not discouraged when I was able to high five Elmo during the Marine Corps Marathon and Elmo was just a random guy in a costume. And don't even get me started on "Eye Of The Tiger" guy at the Baltimore Marathon. Finally, if there are spectators along the course, I only run with one headphone in, so I can hear they say hello, cheer me on, and tell me "you're almost there".
9. I love how he tells me how I'm going to feel at miles 20 & 21. You are going to feel how you are going to feel but all that pain and agony will go away when you cross that finish line (ok, most of it anyway).
10. "The hardest miles are between 20 and 26.2." I'm pretty sure that anyone would have thought this, however, I beg to differ. I believe the hardest miles are the miles you run during first training run.
11. "If you can make it into the finish, you've got it covered." No shit! Wasn't that the goal. I don't know anyone who sets the goal of bonking at mile 24.
Clip 2: "How to Run a Marathon: Getting Ready To Run A Marathon"
My issues:
1. He starts off talking about hydration and says, "hydrate until you are practically super-hydrated" and goes on to say "There is a danger of over-hydration". Consult a beginner's running book for hydration tips. There should never be concern about over-hydration because you can die from over-hydration.
2. "If you have to go to the bathroom several times in the night, this is a good indication" (that you are hydrated enough). Here's what I say to this guy, I suffer from sleep apnea and several MORE sleep disruptions in the night are not going to help me finish a marathon. I drink water during the day prior to a race. I also drink water as soon as I get up so my system has time to absorb it before the race.
3. He goes on to say that your level of hydration should be the same whether you are running 3 miles or a half marathon but never mentions a marathon. I disagree.
4. He obviously looks down on people who drink alcohol. I'll tell you this, when I finish a Half or Full, I'm going to have a beer.
5. He tells you to stay away from caffeine. Having run numerous races, I have seen numerous people enjoying coffee before a Half or a Full and I'm one of them. If you enjoy coffee, like I do, and you can handle drinking coffee before running, do it.
6. He talks about not putting that much sodium into your system. Doesn't he know that sodium helps retain water?
7. He talks about getting extra protein the night before a race for energy. Hasn't he heard of carbo-loading?
8. It's easy to tell that he has absolutely no clue what to recommend you eat for breakfast prior to a race.
9. He also says, "You don't want to feel hungry during a marathon." I have news for you since your body can only store so much readily available fuel, you are going to burn this fuel and feel hungry. Energy Gels, anyone?
Clip 3: How to Run a Marathon: Arm Stretches Before Running a Marathon
Clip 4: How to Run a Marathon: Leg Stretches Before a Marathon
My issues:
1. He talks about obliques and building those muscles. Dude, you are here to talk about stretching!!!
2. Consult a book on stretches for running.
3. Some people do not see any benefit from pre-race stretching.
Clip 5: How to Run a Marathon: Pacing Guidelines for Marathon Race
My issues:
1. This was the extent of pacing "information" from this video: "Just set your pace" and "Know what you can do for that distance".
2. The rest of the video is senseless babbling about whatever random training issues he could pull out of his a...., brain.
Clip 6: How to Run a Marathon: Nutrition Preparation for Running a Marathon
My issues:
1. Wow, "the definition of alcohol is that it dehydrates the body". Isn't that a cause of alcohol?
2. Hell, I could have told you to eat more fruits and vegetables.
3. "Build up your Pasta"? Do you mean carbo-load?
Clip 7: How to Run a Marathon: Running Equipment for a Marathon
My issues:
1. He says early on, that what you wear, "Depends on the weather condition". Doesn't what you wear ALWAYS depend on the weather conditions?
2. He tell you to get the "most lightweight, heat-retaining material". What?
3. Obviously, he doesn't know who his audience is because he's talking about a 9-minute pace and then he's talking about a 5-minute pace. Hey idiot, big difference there.
4. Tells you to buy short socks with nothing above the ankle. Hello? I have seen compression socks?
5. Why is he talking about races on a track and wearing spikes? Check the title of your video, idiot!
6. Says "Marathon Race for 26.2 Miles". Isn't this triple redundant...because a Marathon is always 26.2 miles and it is a race!
7. "You don't want to be balancing on your toes or your heel the entire time". I'm just extremely puzzled on this one.
8. "Running stores have tailor-made shoes". No, I'm pretty sure running stores are not making these shoes on site. Ok, I actually just checked my shoes and none of them were "Made by Bob". They were all made in either Vietnam or China. In fact, even my FiveFingers were made in China.
I was just extremely frustrated by this guy's idiotic videos. The other thing that I caught on to was his ability to say "something like that" or "like that" over and over again. Why does this irritate me? Because I had a guy that worked for me several years back that ended every other sentence with "and stuff".
Ultimately, everyone would have been better off watching watching this video.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Had to laugh
Since I'm considering doing an Ultra and a Triathlon, I had to laugh when I watched this. Hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sleep Study
On Sunday night, I went to a sleep study, in order to find out why I sleep so terribly. I often have a difficult time falling asleep, wake up throughout the night or sleep restlessly. Regardless of which occurs, I never feel rested when the alarm goes off and I often get my best sleep from the time one alarm gets shut off and the next one goes off. This also causes me to not to be a morning person, except on race day, and I drink coffee like it's going out of style. Now that the sleep study is done, I have to wait for the results...I can't wait for my follow-up appointment on Feb 8th.
Finally, I know I am way behind on my Disney World Race Report...I promise it is coming. I'll also be posting some info about upcoming races that I have registered for or some races that I can't decide on.
Finally, I know I am way behind on my Disney World Race Report...I promise it is coming. I'll also be posting some info about upcoming races that I have registered for or some races that I can't decide on.
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