Everyone searches for that secret piece of food, equipment or science that will enable them to attain a certain edge in endurance sports. I am continually experimenting on myself to determine what may work and what not. Fat, carbs, magnesium and vitamin supplements and raw foodstuffs all feature.
The past few weeks has seen me having significant success through eating crumpets and Cold Rock ice cream. I am not sure what it is about these foodstuffs that is agreeing with me, but it is helping me immensely.
Talking to an old time ultra coach that I know, he has mused that it could be because of the fat content contained in these products. He himself advocates the eating of savoury and sweet during ultra events including cheese and salami sandwiches. This diet is not dissimilar to the one that Greatheart Newton used during his Comrades victories on the 1920s, but we seem to have forsaken it in the modern era in favour of using fancy gels and the like when training and racing.
It would be interesting to hear what foodstuffs have worked for you during your training and racing.
Running together (while trying old methods of nutrition) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Zimbabwe's only Ironman
With the Comrades approaching I thought it only fitting to focus on Zimbabwe’s only Ironman champion (who actually is a woman) - Paula Newby -Fraser. Why choose to focus on an Ironman champ when Comrades is an ultra distance run? Quite simply because Paula, who is known as the Queen of Kona admitted to learning much of her training techniques from the Comrades King Bruce Fordyce. It is amazing how one sport can learn so much from watching another sport and their champions.
The video below from 1995 proves just how brutal the Ironman can be, with Newby-Fraser finally having her unbeaten streak broken. The following year though she did return and once again was crowned Queen of Kona. Spine tingling stuff really. We have all been in those periods of down, but it is how we bounce back that defines us and how we choose to live our lives.
Are we prepared to just sit back and live the humdrum life or do we get back up, test the limits again and in the process learn more about ourselves? I know what I would do - what do you do?
Running together (while testing the limits) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller
The video below from 1995 proves just how brutal the Ironman can be, with Newby-Fraser finally having her unbeaten streak broken. The following year though she did return and once again was crowned Queen of Kona. Spine tingling stuff really. We have all been in those periods of down, but it is how we bounce back that defines us and how we choose to live our lives.
Are we prepared to just sit back and live the humdrum life or do we get back up, test the limits again and in the process learn more about ourselves? I know what I would do - what do you do?
Running together (while testing the limits) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The ANZAC run
Ever since I moved to Australia I have made a point of doing a longer run on ANZAC Day as a way of commemorating the Australian lives lost in wars through the ages. It is also an ideal way for me to spend time with friends in a healthy environment.
No matter how far I run on these days, I always know that any pain that I feel is a far cry from all the sacrifices that have been made by others in the past to ensure that we can enjoy our liberties in this great country of Australia. Pace on these runs matters not – it is all about connecting once again with those that have gone before us.
This morning was all the more enjoyable as a friend of mine overcame a particularly tough course to finish strongly and complete something that she did not think she could. A truly phenomenal thing for her.
It always amazes me how far people can run if they set out with the appropriate pacing strategy for their fitness and stick to it.
It also amazes me why so many people would choose to not participate in their ANZAC exercise traditions. It would be intesting to hear what traditions if any you have in terms of exercise on ANZAC day.
Running together (while remembering sacrifices for our liberties) – stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller
No matter how far I run on these days, I always know that any pain that I feel is a far cry from all the sacrifices that have been made by others in the past to ensure that we can enjoy our liberties in this great country of Australia. Pace on these runs matters not – it is all about connecting once again with those that have gone before us.
This morning was all the more enjoyable as a friend of mine overcame a particularly tough course to finish strongly and complete something that she did not think she could. A truly phenomenal thing for her.
It always amazes me how far people can run if they set out with the appropriate pacing strategy for their fitness and stick to it.
It also amazes me why so many people would choose to not participate in their ANZAC exercise traditions. It would be intesting to hear what traditions if any you have in terms of exercise on ANZAC day.
Running together (while remembering sacrifices for our liberties) – stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Recovery from a marathon
I have been asked many times about how one should recover from a marathon and the answer is varied.
Ideally once you have crossed the finishline and run your best time on the day, you will head home and relax on the sofa for the next week doing no intensive exercise whatsoever (a casual stroll or two in the week is fine or some swimming). Don’t think about training or running during this period – enjoy the downtime. Read a book, mow the lawn or spend time with the family or friends – make up for the times during your training that you couldn’t do these sorts of things.
The second day after the marathon, one should try and get a sports massage from a qualified masseuse. Don’t go straight after the marathon – rather do the post race ice bath for two nights (day of marathon and day after) and then go the massage route. This will aid the recovery significantly.
Those worried that their fitness may slip during this time, fear not – as covered in previous posts, it is scientifically proven that fitness takes 10-14 days of doing nothing to slip.
In an era of increasing ultra runners using the marathon and short 50KM ultra as a training run, these athletes may wish to start training again in the week after the marathon. They should of course be careful to slack off a little to walk that fine line between overtraining and injury and great fitness.
For this group of people, I advise always go out of the marathon as they came in. For example if they ran 30KM (3x10Km) during the week of the marathon and then the marathon itself, then it is safe that they could run 3x10KM the week after (with care), but also being careful not to run too long the weekend after the race.
Eat well in the post race week – not junk, but following your normal good diet and ensure that you get adequate rest to help to heal the body.
Mass quantities of alcohol is not a good idea post race as this will only inhibit repairing of the muscles and the dehydrating properties will cause you to become even more sore. One or two drinks are fine, but best to keep a lid on the celebrations till you are feeling less sore.
Enjoy your time out and know that again it is proven that if you want to achieve the very best that you can do in the marathon, then it is best to not race more than 1 of these per year.
Ultramarathons are again a different animal and if not treated with respect, they will hurt you more than you think.
Running together (while showing respect to the marathon) – stride for stride on a life changing ride --- Sean Muller
Ideally once you have crossed the finishline and run your best time on the day, you will head home and relax on the sofa for the next week doing no intensive exercise whatsoever (a casual stroll or two in the week is fine or some swimming). Don’t think about training or running during this period – enjoy the downtime. Read a book, mow the lawn or spend time with the family or friends – make up for the times during your training that you couldn’t do these sorts of things.
The second day after the marathon, one should try and get a sports massage from a qualified masseuse. Don’t go straight after the marathon – rather do the post race ice bath for two nights (day of marathon and day after) and then go the massage route. This will aid the recovery significantly.
Those worried that their fitness may slip during this time, fear not – as covered in previous posts, it is scientifically proven that fitness takes 10-14 days of doing nothing to slip.
In an era of increasing ultra runners using the marathon and short 50KM ultra as a training run, these athletes may wish to start training again in the week after the marathon. They should of course be careful to slack off a little to walk that fine line between overtraining and injury and great fitness.
For this group of people, I advise always go out of the marathon as they came in. For example if they ran 30KM (3x10Km) during the week of the marathon and then the marathon itself, then it is safe that they could run 3x10KM the week after (with care), but also being careful not to run too long the weekend after the race.
Eat well in the post race week – not junk, but following your normal good diet and ensure that you get adequate rest to help to heal the body.
Mass quantities of alcohol is not a good idea post race as this will only inhibit repairing of the muscles and the dehydrating properties will cause you to become even more sore. One or two drinks are fine, but best to keep a lid on the celebrations till you are feeling less sore.
Enjoy your time out and know that again it is proven that if you want to achieve the very best that you can do in the marathon, then it is best to not race more than 1 of these per year.
Ultramarathons are again a different animal and if not treated with respect, they will hurt you more than you think.
Running together (while showing respect to the marathon) – stride for stride on a life changing ride --- Sean Muller
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