Roughly every decade, the old farts come up with spiffy new terminology for the teen and pre-teen age bracket. The 60's were the Dazed and Confused. The 80's kids were the party crazed. The nineties had generation X. And now, we have a new generation that is yet to be named. Actually, I'm sure that it has, but I'm giving it a new name. Generation XXL.
You know what I'm talking about. You've seen it on the news for the past few years, and the problem continues to grow. Now, it is just plain getting out of hand. Kids are inactive and their diets are out of control.
Not only are they eating complete and total junk, but their portions are outrageous. Despite the sub par efforts of some educators, ask any kid what a calorie is, and they have no idea. It is no surprise then, that these same kids have no idea what a serving is, or how many the daily reccomended servings for a given food would be. And you can just forget about counting calories. These kids were never taught to look at the back of a label, only the flashy front that says "two for one" or "33% more." That one gets 'em every time. Less is more, and most children today are being taught that bigger is better.
So who needs servings when the television is telling you how much to eat. How much should you eat? According to commercials, the emphatic answer is MORE MORE MORE!!!! Would you like to supersize that? Curly fries? The answer with most of us just seems to be yes.
Couple this with the entertainment buzz, and you have a ticking time bomb with the fuze lit. Children to day seem to be born not with silver spoons in their mouths, but rather: playstation controllers in their hands. A television in each room. And, no idea about being active. Old habits die hard, even when you're an impressionable youngster. The more they become accustomed to this lifestyle, the harder it is to become acclimated to an active lifestyle. Suddenly, becoming a child is not about playing outside, it's about being glued to a joystick.
Report after report comes out each year concerning childhood obesity, and I fear that parents are taking each one with a grain of salt. Many go out of their way to sign their kids up for wacky things such as tae-kwon-do, but it's not all about handing a check over to the next big thing. Old fashioned playing in the back yard is just fine. In fact, I think all parents should practically FORCE their kids to be active. I hear so many claiming "I want my kids to be active, if only I knew how to make them do it." Here's a radical concept: TAKE CONTROL!!!! I'm only 25 years old, so pardon the expression, but "back in my day" my parents would turn the tube off and give me no other option. It's too easy to succumb to the temptations of the tube. As barney fife used to say "nip it. nip it in the bud!"
So parents, take a good look at your lifestyle. Read up. And ask yourself honestly. What kind of life do you want for your kids? Better yet...would you like to see them happy and active? Or lethargic and catatonic. The choice is yours, America.
Just a little push in the right direction. I must be running off now...
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
running with tunes: part deux
So, Im not sure if I should feel like a bloody hypocrite or not, but I ran with music yesterday for the first time in months. I had been on an anti tunes tirade for those months, claiming that running with music would make any runner's run that much harder, because it would put their breathing and heart rate out of whack.
I wish to issue an apology to the runners who have had success with this method, as I now enjoy running more with tunes once again.
When I first started, I had no idea how to pace myself, I had no earthly clue how to listen to a song with a fast tempo and still run at a pace that was slower than the BPM (beats per minute). What i didn't realize was that after running for a long enough time, most any runner gets to know his or her self on such a level that allows them to 'feel' their own pace, regardless of music.
I decided that the only obstacle I have in running success is 100% mental. I get bored being by myself and seeing the same old things run after run after run. My body (legs, heart, and lungs) is so strong, yet my mind remains weak during most runs. So, this means when I start to get tired up a hill, I've lost the battle many times before my run even reaches halfway.
Listening to music can allow the runner to (pardon the expression) "tune" out these thoughts, or even some discomfort. I wonder if part of this is at least partially scientific. Is there a neurological/psychological basis or foundation here? Farbeit for me to suppose I have any information on the issue, but it would seem to me that if the nerves send impulses to the brain when pain arrives, and the brain is preoccupied with music, that perhaps the brain ignores the pain to some extent, allowing the runner to run about, unaware of the pain.
This is not to say that you should ignore some shooting pain in the knees or the arches just because you run with music. However, if you find yourself in a place where you need a little "boost" I dont see any shame in doing whatever you have to do to get there.
A little long, but yesterday's run was the best I'd had in ages, and I found new success with an old friend.
I wish to issue an apology to the runners who have had success with this method, as I now enjoy running more with tunes once again.
When I first started, I had no idea how to pace myself, I had no earthly clue how to listen to a song with a fast tempo and still run at a pace that was slower than the BPM (beats per minute). What i didn't realize was that after running for a long enough time, most any runner gets to know his or her self on such a level that allows them to 'feel' their own pace, regardless of music.
I decided that the only obstacle I have in running success is 100% mental. I get bored being by myself and seeing the same old things run after run after run. My body (legs, heart, and lungs) is so strong, yet my mind remains weak during most runs. So, this means when I start to get tired up a hill, I've lost the battle many times before my run even reaches halfway.
Listening to music can allow the runner to (pardon the expression) "tune" out these thoughts, or even some discomfort. I wonder if part of this is at least partially scientific. Is there a neurological/psychological basis or foundation here? Farbeit for me to suppose I have any information on the issue, but it would seem to me that if the nerves send impulses to the brain when pain arrives, and the brain is preoccupied with music, that perhaps the brain ignores the pain to some extent, allowing the runner to run about, unaware of the pain.
This is not to say that you should ignore some shooting pain in the knees or the arches just because you run with music. However, if you find yourself in a place where you need a little "boost" I dont see any shame in doing whatever you have to do to get there.
A little long, but yesterday's run was the best I'd had in ages, and I found new success with an old friend.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
dear running:
Dear running,
*ahem*
You and I have had a very interesting, complicated relationship. We've been together through good times and bad, and there have been peaks and valleys all along the way (seriously, those hills can be killer). You give me everything I could ever want. I mean sure, sometimes we fight when I get all excited to go out with you for an hour and it somehow ends up being twenty minutes because I just can't stand it, but I digress.
You also challenge me. Most others would simply roll with the punches, but there are many times when challenging just isnt enough, and you push me to my absolute limits.
Through you, I learn a lot about myself. There are many different approaches I have taken, those who know me really understand the fact that I constantly ***** and moan about the bad times we've had, but I revel in the good. Whether that means running with music or without, working hard or taking it easy, there is always something new, even if it is an unwelcome change (I will always be able to look back and learn from it, and understand why that change was absolutely neccessary.)
I have had a bad habit of jumping into things too fast in previous relationships, and I quickly burn out. I know how to pace myself with you, which leaves me satisfied and never really bored. I am so glad we are taking it "slow."
Even though we have only been together for 8 months, I'm pretty sure you're "the one", and I hope we can grow old together, mile after mile, shoe after shoe, run after run.
I love you.
Can't wait to see you again on monday afternoon!
xoxo
Chance
(call me)
*ahem*
You and I have had a very interesting, complicated relationship. We've been together through good times and bad, and there have been peaks and valleys all along the way (seriously, those hills can be killer). You give me everything I could ever want. I mean sure, sometimes we fight when I get all excited to go out with you for an hour and it somehow ends up being twenty minutes because I just can't stand it, but I digress.
You also challenge me. Most others would simply roll with the punches, but there are many times when challenging just isnt enough, and you push me to my absolute limits.
Through you, I learn a lot about myself. There are many different approaches I have taken, those who know me really understand the fact that I constantly ***** and moan about the bad times we've had, but I revel in the good. Whether that means running with music or without, working hard or taking it easy, there is always something new, even if it is an unwelcome change (I will always be able to look back and learn from it, and understand why that change was absolutely neccessary.)
I have had a bad habit of jumping into things too fast in previous relationships, and I quickly burn out. I know how to pace myself with you, which leaves me satisfied and never really bored. I am so glad we are taking it "slow."
Even though we have only been together for 8 months, I'm pretty sure you're "the one", and I hope we can grow old together, mile after mile, shoe after shoe, run after run.
I love you.
Can't wait to see you again on monday afternoon!
xoxo
Chance
(call me)
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Warm Ups are So Important
Sometimes, our personalities can really hinder our running. Or maybe it's just me. I'm a very spontaneous person. I don't wait for anything. Traffic jams? Outta my way, why are you so slow? Ice storm schmise storm, I want to go for a sunday drive. Gotta have it, gotta have it NOW. The same was true for my running. I have brought my running clothes in a duffel bag to work for months, gotten dressed, hopped out of the car, and just started running after a short stretch. Yes friends, if you know me, this is no surprise. I ignore expert advice. Despite all common sense, I would just get up and run, with no warm ups...
So I decided to warm up the way I should have been for the past nine months, and BOY DID IT PAY OFF BIG TIME!
After running/walking for about 10-15 minutes, I started on my run.
Everything seemed NORMAL until I got to mile marker 1. My watch said 7:25. HOLY CRAP. That's by far the fastest mile I've ever run. In fact, it's a minute and five seconds faster! Woot!
I kept tugging along, totally at peace and with a comfortable stride until I got up a hill...I admit it, I had to suck it up and take a walk break, b/c this hill was HUGE and I need to work on that...so I figured a short walk break would improve my time. This hill was right before the 5k mark, so I kept going until I got to around 3.1. This time, the watch Read 23:19
I won't count this as a true 5K PR because my training called for 6 today and I didn't do the .1 of the 3.1. Ah well, what's 528 feet?
On to the rest... I was at halfway point. I turned around and hightailed it back. THIS is where I knew I was really cooking! I was really hitting my stride even more than before. That same place I mentioned always pooping out at...that one spot that made me crazy and where my mental collapse occured...was nothing. I flew right by it...TWICE!! At that point, all I had was about 2.5 miles. I passed a few runners and had all the energy in the world to say hello, "nice dog" etc. It was great. This is the way my body should always feel on runs. How I've WANTED it to feel for such a long time. I finished out the course up a huge hill at 48:18. My previous 10k was closer to 52 minutes. That's a 4 minute shave-off my time!!! Awesome!!!
Finally, I calculated my average pace, which was 8 minutes per mile. I felt (and still feel) awesome!! I now realize why I was struggling. YEAH! Had to share. So there you go folks, DONT RUN ON COLD MUSCLES!! your body NEEDS the warm up time, and you'll be a lot more comfortable on your runs.
Charlottesville Half, here I come!
So I decided to warm up the way I should have been for the past nine months, and BOY DID IT PAY OFF BIG TIME!
After running/walking for about 10-15 minutes, I started on my run.
Everything seemed NORMAL until I got to mile marker 1. My watch said 7:25. HOLY CRAP. That's by far the fastest mile I've ever run. In fact, it's a minute and five seconds faster! Woot!
I kept tugging along, totally at peace and with a comfortable stride until I got up a hill...I admit it, I had to suck it up and take a walk break, b/c this hill was HUGE and I need to work on that...so I figured a short walk break would improve my time. This hill was right before the 5k mark, so I kept going until I got to around 3.1. This time, the watch Read 23:19
I won't count this as a true 5K PR because my training called for 6 today and I didn't do the .1 of the 3.1. Ah well, what's 528 feet?
On to the rest... I was at halfway point. I turned around and hightailed it back. THIS is where I knew I was really cooking! I was really hitting my stride even more than before. That same place I mentioned always pooping out at...that one spot that made me crazy and where my mental collapse occured...was nothing. I flew right by it...TWICE!! At that point, all I had was about 2.5 miles. I passed a few runners and had all the energy in the world to say hello, "nice dog" etc. It was great. This is the way my body should always feel on runs. How I've WANTED it to feel for such a long time. I finished out the course up a huge hill at 48:18. My previous 10k was closer to 52 minutes. That's a 4 minute shave-off my time!!! Awesome!!!
Finally, I calculated my average pace, which was 8 minutes per mile. I felt (and still feel) awesome!! I now realize why I was struggling. YEAH! Had to share. So there you go folks, DONT RUN ON COLD MUSCLES!! your body NEEDS the warm up time, and you'll be a lot more comfortable on your runs.
Charlottesville Half, here I come!
Friday, March 2, 2007
There is no shame in walking!!
At least that's what I have to keep telling myself everytime a huge hill kicks my ***. Today I went out for 8 miles, and the first four flew by. Then, after turning around at the halfway point, I grew so bored with the scenery (this one spot does it to me every time and I have no idea why), that I just stopped and walked for a minute.
As luck would have it, the minute I stopped, here comes the local Univ XC team like a pack of kenyans on crack. Zoom! I stood and marveled at the sight for a minute, then decided to keep going. Waiting straight ahead was the biggest hill of them all. My upcoming half has a ton of hills, and I knew I couldn't skip this thing. After all, it might kick my arse this time, but I want to kick arse in the half, too.
For some people, this would have been natural. For me, it cuts against the grain. I am not a hyper-aggressive runner. I run to be outdoors and just be alone with my breathing and my stride. It's friggin' heaven to me! So why do I feel like stopping for any period of time makes me any less of a runner? Who knows, probably the visions I got in my head of the upcoming half. Or maybe it was last week's 11.5 mile distance PB that needed no stops (it was the exact same route, just a different direction taken.)
I can remember a time in the past when stopping was actually joyful. Not because I was getting a needed rest, but because the road, my body, and my mind were issuing my soul a challenge.
"Can you really do this? Come on...a mile is like an inch to you now, are you telling me you can't run an inch, two inches, three more?"
No joke, this is the sort of thing that would be recurring in my head. I refer you back to my post about my first 10 mile run.
During every run, there is something there that will try to stop you. The mental aspect of running is perhaps the most challenging of them all. For once you have mastered your body, your mind can still manipulate it to any degree it deems fit in order to make you fail. But you have to remember, it is YOUR mind. So, commit to yourself, say this pledge:
"I, the runner, do solemnly vow to be mentally tough. I will not allow my brain to have the last word. Though the road ahead may be perilous, I know I will THINK it to be more so than it truly is . I AM IN CONTROL."
If your mind says "stop" do what I do (and yes, I am serious, and you should take this literally). YOU NEED TO SCREAM OUT LOUD, "NO, I WILL NOT STOP." You stop when your run is over. Not when you decide to end it. If a short break or two, or three, is what you need to REGROUP for a minute, THERE IS NO SHAME IN WALKING. It is better to take 5 for a hot second than to let your mind stay in a funk because you refuse to quit.
so maybe I'm a wuss, maybe not. One thing I do know, is that I love running with all my heart and soul, and I will do anything to make every run truly enjoyabe, even if it means taking a break or two!
Happy running.
As luck would have it, the minute I stopped, here comes the local Univ XC team like a pack of kenyans on crack. Zoom! I stood and marveled at the sight for a minute, then decided to keep going. Waiting straight ahead was the biggest hill of them all. My upcoming half has a ton of hills, and I knew I couldn't skip this thing. After all, it might kick my arse this time, but I want to kick arse in the half, too.
For some people, this would have been natural. For me, it cuts against the grain. I am not a hyper-aggressive runner. I run to be outdoors and just be alone with my breathing and my stride. It's friggin' heaven to me! So why do I feel like stopping for any period of time makes me any less of a runner? Who knows, probably the visions I got in my head of the upcoming half. Or maybe it was last week's 11.5 mile distance PB that needed no stops (it was the exact same route, just a different direction taken.)
I can remember a time in the past when stopping was actually joyful. Not because I was getting a needed rest, but because the road, my body, and my mind were issuing my soul a challenge.
"Can you really do this? Come on...a mile is like an inch to you now, are you telling me you can't run an inch, two inches, three more?"
No joke, this is the sort of thing that would be recurring in my head. I refer you back to my post about my first 10 mile run.
During every run, there is something there that will try to stop you. The mental aspect of running is perhaps the most challenging of them all. For once you have mastered your body, your mind can still manipulate it to any degree it deems fit in order to make you fail. But you have to remember, it is YOUR mind. So, commit to yourself, say this pledge:
"I, the runner, do solemnly vow to be mentally tough. I will not allow my brain to have the last word. Though the road ahead may be perilous, I know I will THINK it to be more so than it truly is . I AM IN CONTROL."
If your mind says "stop" do what I do (and yes, I am serious, and you should take this literally). YOU NEED TO SCREAM OUT LOUD, "NO, I WILL NOT STOP." You stop when your run is over. Not when you decide to end it. If a short break or two, or three, is what you need to REGROUP for a minute, THERE IS NO SHAME IN WALKING. It is better to take 5 for a hot second than to let your mind stay in a funk because you refuse to quit.
so maybe I'm a wuss, maybe not. One thing I do know, is that I love running with all my heart and soul, and I will do anything to make every run truly enjoyabe, even if it means taking a break or two!
Happy running.
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