Minute 1: Running forever
Gene Dykes proved this week that age really is just a number. The 70-year-old Pennsylvania man broke the world record for the 70+ age group last weekend by recording a stunning 2:54:23 marathon. That’s 6:39 miles for you whippersnappers who don’t know how to use a slide rule. Dykes ran track in high school but didn’t pick up the sport again until about 15 years ago. Since then, he’s been crushing age group records from the mile to ultras. Some of his approaches are a little unconventional, such as starting every race a little dehydrated in order to keep his body weight down. He’s one of the only runners in the world to complete 3 American 200-milers in the same year. The video below shows Gene in peak form earlier this fall when he just missed breaking the record at a Canadian marathon.
#Genetherapy
Minute 2: Mind Games
According to a new report out of Duke University, it’s a pretty good bet that Gene Dykes is also pretty sharp between the ears. The newly-released study shows that even moderate endurance exercise can improve cognitive ability equivalent to lopping 9 years off our age. Researchers found dramatic improvement from only 3 aerobic sessions per week for 6 months. The findings show promise for improving daily life as well as holding offer more serious declines into dementia later in life.
#BrainTraining
Minute 3: But what if you hit the age wall?
While Gene’s story inspires, a new piece in Outside provides some perspective on how Father Time eventually outkicks all of us. Chris Solomon had been a passionate lifelong runner when a mysterious injury screwed up his calf at age 45. The injury curtailed his daily runs and brought on a profound disappointment. “[I]if you’re like me, you’re caught off guard one day when you spur your body on and your body balks. It’s bewildering, this betrayal of the flesh. In the span of a moment, you’ve left one place and arrived at another. You see that you can never go back. And with this knowledge a peculiar grief descends.” Click here to read the full story of how Solomon still finds joy in getting outside and stomping down the trails with an improvised running technique.
#WisdomOfSolomon
Minute 4: Best 5Ks in America
There are good reasons why 5K is the most popular race distance in America with about 9 million annual registrants. Sure, it’s easier than a marathon, but there’s more to it than that. For hardos, it can be a speed workout and a chance for bragging rights in front of neighbors and co-workers. (If they miss their PR by a mile, they delete the run from Strava and/or tell people they were pushing a baby jogger while running with a weighted vest.)
For mere civilians, it is the first goal distance off the couch and a chance to show Instagram that they are indeed a runner. And for everyone, there is usually either a casual neighborhood feel to the event or enough bands and beer to make it feel like a “real” race. To help you plan for a new and different 5K in 2019, here are two new guides to the distance. We like LIVESTRONG’s 10 Best 5Ks for Any Fitness Level and BibRave’s Top 15 5Ks in America. #fastandfurious
Minute 5: Quick Intervals
- For outdoor athletes, looking to spend a little more holiday money, we like this list of the best new outdoors gear of 2018 from Gear Junkie. The list includes everything from running shoes to the latest outdoors tech gadgets.
- Car up, Peloton! Just when you thought you were the darling of venture capitalists, Zwift announced a $120 million round of funding. That is a staggering amount for a company that is vying to be the next big thing in indoor cycling. Zwift is much cheaper than Peloton and appears to be competing directly for the maillot jaune of tech-enhanced cycling work-outs.
- Speaking of cycling, dedicated riders have relied on power meters for years to gauge their effort on the bike. Now that technology is starting to spill over into running. Trail Runner just published one of the best analyses we’ve seen on how it can improve running performance and training
Minute 6: Daily Inspiration
Next week is typically one of the busiest ski weeks in the world. We love skiing and boarding, but along with the rest of the holiday season, the fun often comes with a side dish of stress, like big crowds, $12 undercooked burgers and lots of family logistics “discussions.” To keep the mood light and fluffy, we appreciated this video from DudePerfect of the best ski character clichés of the season.
We’re glad to see you’re interested in our content. Check out the Six Minute Mile website or subscribe.
Get faster, get stronger, get inspired.