Minute 1: Is a thirst for beer related to a love of running?
We have chronicled the intersection of work-outs and beer in the past. What we didn’t understand was exactly where folks bellied up to the bar. Newsweek blew the foam off the top of that mug and just ranked the top 10 U.S. states for alcohol consumption. Three of the top 10 boozy locales – New Hampshire, Vermont and D.C. – also made Active’s top 10 list of the highest number of distance runs per capita in 2017. Coincidence?
#earnedbeers
Minute 2: CrossFit for runners
We got a big “hooah” to our post earlier this week about the new U.S. Army fitness test. Apparently, y’all wanted to see if you have what it takes. We also wonder about whether endurance athletes can cut it in CrossFit. The only work-out we’ve tried recently is the legendary Murph which favors runners since it includes two 1-mile runs at top speed. We also intend to work our way through this list of the top 10 CrossFit work-outs to improve endurance. We’re planning to give #5 a shot this weekend at our local high school: 400M runs, burpees, box jumps and wall balls.
#PastaVs.Paleo
Minute 3: Apparently, drinking with your friends makes you faster
Kevin Hart announced he will run the Chicago Marathon next month. HisInstagram announcement video is classic Kevin. By signing up for the flat and fast Chicago, Hart is adding a little glitz to a race that often lives in the shadow of its flashier sister to the east, the New York Marathon. Nothing against the Windy City, but celebrities usually give its marathon a “my people will get back to you” response. Gotham, on the other hand, has hosted Katie Holmes (5:29), Alicia Keys (5:50), Apolo Ohno (3:25) and P Diddy (4:14). Check out the full list of past NYC celebrity marathoners here and the list of fastest celebrity marathoners in any city here. (Who knew Pippa Middleton ran a sub-4:00 marathon?)
#getmygoodside
Minute 4: What separates elite athletes from the rest of us
The single biggest factor which separates champion athletes from weekend warriors isn’t genetics, diet or training regime. According to fascinating new research, the X factor is actually “a burning desire to win, and a motivation to be the best in the world.” Scientists haven’t been able to locate any single gene that is responsible for more than 5% of athletic performance. Some research is now being done to locate and tweak genes for motivation and drive. The idea of cyborg athletes may be moving beyond science fiction and toward reality. Chinese scientists, not hampered by U.S. regulations, have already tweaked genes in human embryos. While mainly focused on preventing disease, many wonder if these techniques could also be used to tweak athletic and motivation genes.
#cyborgolympics
Minute 5: How to spot a trail runner
Trail running is the fastest-growing activity within endurance sports. Better scenery, fewer repetitive stress injuries and a break from normal routines. One of our favorite running publications just listed the 15 ways you can spot a trail runner … and figure out if you are one. (#4: You consider power hiking and running to be the same sport. #8: Your Subaru doubles as a shoe closet and a bedroom.) Salomon has long been a champion of trail running and produces some great inspirational trail videos.
#blacktoenails #muddysocks
Minute 6: Daily Inspiration
To get everyone a little more hyped for fall marathon season, here’s an excellent video produced by the New York Road Runners. This is the first in a series that will spotlight the extraordinarily ordinary stories behind the world’s largest marathon.
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