Minute 1: Bad news for beer milers
Endurance athletes have long believed that capping off a long run or ride with a cold beer is not only an earned pleasure, but is also a healthy way to lower stress and reload energy. Heck, Fat Tire beer features a mountain bike on its label and the Beer Mile is a cult classic. (The world record for consuming four beers while running a mile is 4:33. The 2017 YouTube vid is worth the click.) A major new alcohol study, however, is giving endurance athletes delirium tremens. The New York Times reported this week that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for humans. The 26-year study explodes myths like red wine is good for your heart. Esquire magazine recently rated the best no-booze brews if you still want a post-race beer.
#sad #thirsty
Minute 2: Appalachian Trail record smashed
Belgian runner Karel Sabbe just set a new record on the 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail. The dentist gritted his teeth and covered more than 50 miles per day for 41 days and 7 hours to scrape 4 days off the prior record. With the accomplishment, he upped the ante on a friendly rivalry with Stringbean McConaughy. The duo have been trading records on the AT as well as the Pacific Crest Trail, although Sabbe was supported on the AT, while Stringbean ran unsupported. Sabbe estimates that he eats about 10,000 calories per day, which is an accomplishment in itself. His wife says that would be almost impossible on a healthier European diet, but with easy access to American chow made it easier. Menu items include HS cafeteria staples like cheese balls, pizza, buttery mashed potatoes, and BK Double Whoppers.
#competitiveeater #FKT
Minute 3: How much farther?
Many of us have passed through the phase of “I’m gonna live forever!” into “How many more years will my knees/hips/back last at this rate?” Maybe our PRs are behind us, but we’d love to keep banging out miles and sweating out last night’s indulgences. Fear not, 30-somethings and masters athletes. A couple of incredible role models are proving that there’s more time on the clock than you may have feared. Outside just profiled a 97-year old man who runs up Mount Washingtonevery year. And ESPN featured an 81-year old woman who is winning power lifting competitions. She got started by imitating a bunch of dudes 1/3 her age at the local Y. Since then she’s been shaming the young bucks with one handed pushups and perfect form deadlifts. Earlier this year, Runner’s World highlighted a few inspirational runners who got a very late start on their careers. The list included one 68-year old woman who ran a couple of sub-20:00 5K races last year.
#likeafinewine #youthiswastedontheyoung
Minute 4: Let’s get out of our comfort zone and have some fun
Most runners and cyclists we know thoroughly enjoy the routine of their endurance passion. Many of us cover the same routes, roads, and trails over and over. Instead of getting bored, we’re comforted by the familiarity of the road most travelled. We can also report, however, that leaving the comfort zone can be re-energizing, challenging, and fun. We have yet to meet anyone who has regretted doing their first triathlon or mud race. A couple of good recent articles describe how to get rolling in trail running, apply your endurance skills to Tough Mudder, or triathlon. There’s even a seven-week plan out there to get you across the finish line of an Ironman with only 10 hours of training per week.
#buyavowel #crossingthechasm
Minute 5: Getting faster between the ears
As a follow-up to our recent news that mental prep can make a big impact on race performance, a respected endurance sports psychologist just published an outline of the 7 traits of mentally tough runners. Some of these are predictable (resilience and strength), but many are surprising and nuanced like openness and trust. It’s a good, quick read.
#seeittobelieveit
Minute 6: Daily Inspiration
“When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.” – Tecumseh
