Minute 1: The two-hour marathon goal just got a lot closer
Eliud Kipchoge took a giant leap toward the mythical goal of a 2:00:00 marathon yesterday in Berlin. Kipchoge crushed the old mark of 2:02:57 by more than a minute to set the new standard at 2:01:39. Just as amazing was how relaxed Kipchoge looked coming down the stretch through the Brandenburg Gates. In the NBC video highlights, he looks like he’s out for a Saturday fun run with his buds. He is part of the Nike Breaking2 project that seeks to get a human across the line in under 2 hours. In Berlin, Kipchoge wore a new version of the Nike Vaporfly that we wrote about a few weeks ago. The New York Times and Strava have reported that the shoe can improve an average runner’s performance by 4% – about nine minutes over a four-hour marathon. Here’s a useful chart to figure out how long you could stick with Kipchoge at yesterday’s race pace. (Could you run 800M in 2:18???)
#rogerbannister #bobbeamon #Vaporflying
Minute 2: 28-Day Mediterranean Diet Plan
At Six Minute Mile, we are big believers in different nutrition for different athletes. One program that has endured for decades is the Mediterranean plan. LIVESTRONG just published a helpful 28-day version of living like an Italian or a Greek. Rather than strict calorie counts and formulas, the plan encourages healthy veggies, fish, and eggs. It allows for moderate dairy and even a little Tuscan red wine. Sadly, pasta and pizza are not big blocks in the food pyramid. The results are typically better heart health, sounder sleep, and even reduced cancer rates.
#mykonos #amalfi
Minute 3: Surprise support for Olympian battling breast cancer
Earlier this year, Kikkan Randall helped win the first Olympic gold medal in U.S. cross country skiing history at the Pyeongchang Olympics. Sadly, only a few months later, the mom and avid runner was diagnosed with breast cancer. While her prognosis is good, the trademark pink streaks in her hair have now taken on new meaning. This weekend, runners and coaches at an Alaska high school running meet surprised Randall by showing up for the event decked out in pink and toting “Kikkanimal” signs to honor their hometown Olympic champion. Randall was a champion cross country runner before dedicating herself to Nordic ski racing. Understandably, Randall choked up while handing out the awards.
#kikkanimal #pink&blueribbons
Minute 4: Cruise with a different kind of six pack
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of being stuck on a typical cruise ship, you may have noticed a remarkable number of folks grabbing their first Bucket o’ Brews shortly after the breakfast buffet closes. A new cruise launched by CrossFit fanatics, however, is now trying to put the “buff” back in “buffet.” The crew has commandeered a Royal Caribbean ship in January 2019 to spend five days sweating from Miami to the Bahamas. Elite CrossFit athletes will lead sessions in not just typical WODs, but also yoga and endurance training. It won’t be all work and no fun on board. The menu goes well beyond paleo and the co-founder encourages guests to “be as naughty as you want.” Does that mean they will try to beat the 2018 Winter Olympic Village record of stocking 37 condoms per athletes?
#crossrip
Minute 5: Quick Takes
- A London half marathon has banned plastic water bottles and is replacing them with edible water pods. Made from seaweed, runners will grab the clear blobs, bite into them and squeeze the water into their mouths. They may then eat the container or toss the biodegradable shell to the curb.
- Bulletproof coffee is gaining popularity among athletes not just for its caffeine, but for its ingredients that mimic ancient Tibetan drinks. The coffee is meant as a breakfast substitute and blends java, coconut oil and grass-fed butter. Its devotees claim it promotes energy, mental clarity, and suppressed hunger. The name of the brand itself was enough to entice us to try it.
- Researchers from UC San Diego have discovered why humans have evolved into accomplished distance runners compared to the rest of the planet’s animal population. A genetic mutation about 2 million years ago allowed us to develop upright stances, strong glutes, and increased endurance.
Minute 6: Daily Inspiration
“Today, you have 100% of your life left.” – Tom Landry
We’re glad to see you’re interested in our content. Check out the Six Minute Mile website or subscribe.