Minute 1: Is it too early for a New Year’s Resolution?
Pay no attention to the calendar, apparently New Year’s Resolution season is now open. We’re already seeing stories on how to shed that pesky 5 pounds or run a bucket list trail race in 2019. We tend to formulate our goals at a family New Year’s Eve dinner, but that’s probably not a wise strategy. According to data from Strava, the average resolution hits the wall in the second week of January every year. That’s when most “this is the year” optimists turn into “wait ’til next year” realists. To help you prove Strava wrong, we like this new collection of 10 running resolutions for 2019. Many of their recommendations match what Strava data shows about successful resolutions: working out with a group and signing up for a big event later in the year will help you stick to your goals. We also like this story from Fast Company that shares the 6 secrets of people who keep their new year’s resolutions.
#noprocrastination
Minute 2: Sports bra controversy
Sports bras busted out in controversy at Rowan University this month. When the women’s cross country team took off their t-shirts to train in hot weather, the football coach thought that was more than his players could handle. He complained to the University president who initially sided with the coach, banning female athletes from working out in their sports bras. After protests erupted, the university regained its sanity and now allows its athletes to do what millions of women do worldwide. One of the leaders of the protest, Hannah Vendetta, is an all-conference runner as well as a Miss New Jersey contestant. Apparently she also has a future in politics. Her Instagram post in front of the White House includes this observation: “A woman’s place should be wherever she wants to be whether it be the White House or on the track in a sports bra!” Run, Hannah, run!
Minute 3: How to make your smoothies healthier
Last week we reported some bad news for people who start their day off with OJ. This week we are happier to share news that smoothies are actually quite good for athletes, as well as quite tasty. Time magazine provides this helpful guide on how to make healthy smoothies. One key is to avoid overloading the blender with fruit. Instead, look toward fats and proteins from ingredients like yogurt and coconut oil, as well as veggies like cauliflower and spinach.
#blendambition
Minute 4: California fires cause race cancellations
The tragic wildfires in California have devastated towns and families in record numbers. Now the blazes are even shutting down races throughout the state. Among the cancellations for next weekend are the Berkeley Half Marathon and the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championships. Hats off to the race directors who are stepping up to accommodate their runners. Typically, the fine print on your race sign-up form says that you forfeit your registration fees if the event is cancelled. North Face has already given runners a free entry into a race of their choice next year. Berkeley is scrambling with city leaders to run the race in early 2019.
#notfiredup
Minute 5: Quick intervals
- How much caffeine is too much? Caffeine helps endurance athletes, but what is the right dosage? The New York Times answers these questions and many more in an excellent overview of how Starbucks can affect our performance and our health. We didn’t know that caffeine urges our bodies to produce more cortisol, best known for firing up our “fight or flight” instincts. That probably applies more to dealing with a difficult boss or client than actually fighting for our lives, but it does still kick in for athletic competitions.
- If you needed more evidence that New Yorkers are brash risk takers (and a little bit rude), check out this hilarious video montage from last week’s TCS NYC Marathon. It depicts everyday Gothamites cutting off 10 lanes of runners to make their own – and presumably more important — dash across the street.
- Women’s Running just published a very nice tribute to Peter Ciaccia, who just organized his last New York City Marathon. Peter has been with NYRR for 18 years and is now running into the sunset. Peter has helped more than one million runners find their way through the streets of New York in iconic, bucket-list events throughout the years.
Minute 6: Daily Inspiration
Thor wasn’t just born looking like Thor. And Thor doesn’t stay looking like Thor by chillin’ on the couch with a bag of Dorito’s and a couple of cold ones. Actor Chris Hemworth puts in hours of work to prepare for his role in the Avenger series. His work in the gym and his work on the set have made him very rich and very ripped. Check out highlights of a new military-inspired workout below:
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