Archive for July, 2009

Ladies! Another Reason to Choose Running Over Cycling

Believe it or not, my usual news sources do not include the Female Urology & Urogynecology blog, but it’s amazing what you can turn up with a keyword search for “runners.” In this case, I discovered news of a study that compared women competitive cyclists with women runners. It determined the cyclists have a “decrease in genital sensation.”

What’s also amazing about the Internet is what you can turn up if you keep digging. For example, this groundbreaking new study is actually from November 2006 – so if you’re counting on the Female Urology blog for current news, you’re waaaay behind the information power curve.

Additionally, I learned that male cyclists have been suffering from numb nuts for years – the problem even prompted a series of recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

All of which suggests a new TV ad campaign for U.S.A. Track & Field: “Running: It’s a Genital Sensation!”

The Carnival of Running #38

Welcome to the 38th edition of The Carnival of Running!

This is safe for work, but it does feature the participants in the New York City undie run:

If you prefer, you can read about it – sans visuals – here.

I know I promised you Valerie Bertinelli half-marathon photos, but this is ridiculous.

For some reason, Greenpeace sent me its press release about getting Nike to stop using rainforest-unfriendly leather in its shoes. No matter how I look at it, I can’t find anything funny about it.

This isn’t ha-ha funny, but it is odd funny. Women runners in Nashville are being accosted by a serial butt-grabber.

I loved this story about an all-comers track meet, mainly because it includes a running tip I haven’t heard elsewhere: “Run in a straight line, and you’ll get there faster!”

Remember when running didn’t require a million gadgets?

This week’s linky love goes out to Zoomylicious. She’s entertaining, informative, and she has the biggest tag cloud you’ve ever seen.

This could be the scariest drag race on the planet.

Thank you, Reuters, for your list of the world’s top five nude events, including the Running of the Nudes in Pamplona.

Speaking of enticing road race promotions…

A professor of applied physiology and biomechanics suggests someday a runner may best Usain Bolt’s 100-meter world record…by four or five seconds.

Do you use your imagination when you run?

Here is just about everything you ever wanted to know about running barefoot, including anatomical charts. I’m not sure it could be worse than wearing these things.

You might think running skirts are a relatively new phenomenon, but the Kilted Mile goes back to the 11th century.

The Great Raisin River Footrace managed to attract both Bill Rodgers and Ed Whitlock.

Key to increased web traffic: Write a provocative headline with no relation to the underlying article.

That’s all for this week, friends. A special birthday shout-out to Rat Scabies! Submit your posts to carnival@runningisfunny.com. Until next time, run away!

Six Appeal

First, an apology. I’m a little swamped this week so the Carnival of Running will appear tomorrow. Instead you get yet another report of my Yasso 800 awesomeness. Having churned out successful 4 x 800s and 5 x 800s the last two weeks, it was time to go for – what else? – 6 x 800s. Here are the results:

Intervals: 6 x 800 meters
Goal pace: sub-3:36
Lap 1: 3:35.67
Lap 2: 3:25.59
Lap 3: 3:22.78
Lap 4: 3:26.23
Lap 5: 3:28.69
Lap 6: 3:28.07
Average: 3:27.84
Total distance: 6 miles

Yes, I nearly blew it on the very first interval, but once again I emerge without a big red FAIL. Next week is a step-down week, so I’ll probably do 8 x 400s before resuming my Yassos the following week.

I Ran

The first annual ’80s Run was held in Columbia, Missouri. They won’t let me embed the video or the slideshow, so you’ll have to visit the Off Track Events web site to see them, or you can just enjoy this little morsel instead.

Beating the Race Registration Jinx

Saturday afternoon I took a deep breath and registered for my fall races, including the California International Marathon on December 6. It was a triumph of hope over experience. What has happened over the last two years is race registration  immediately followed by debilitating injury. I was spitting in the eye of Fate before heading out for my 14-mile run yesterday.

I started at 7 a.m. and the temperature was already 68 degrees, but I was well-fed, well-hydrated, and I took it easy. Everything went great. I ran steadily and comfortably at a 9:10 average pace, with negative splits (1:05 vs. 1:03). And no injury or pain of any kind (knock on wood).

The only horrifying thing was discovering afterward that the 14-miler was my longest run in 20 months. I hadn’t run further than a half-marathon since the infamous yappy little dog incident.

Anyway, I continue my sacrifices to the Running Gods to keep me healthy and happy throughout the fall racing season. I have another 14-miler scheduled for next Sunday to cap my first 40-mile week in dogs’ years.

Memory 5k Race Report

Another gorgeous day for running in Northern California. The Alzheimer’s Aid Society Memorial 5k meanders in and around a cemetery and an upscale neighborhood with lots of shade, and the temperatures were moderate. Sacramento mayor and former NBA great Kevin Johnson was in the field, as well as former state assemblyman Lloyd Levine, but the real celebrity today was Austin Ramos of Fair Oaks, who won the race in 14:56. I can’t remember anyone else ever going sub-15 in a 5k around here. The second-place finisher was more than a minute-and-a-half behind him.

I ran an excellent and steady race, finishing with a strong kick uphill over the last 200 meters. But it did illustrate how ill-advised my Funny/Viper Challenge was two months ago. Even healthy and with some solid speedwork under my belt, I didn’t approach that whippersnapper’s 5k time.

Mile 1 – 7:41

Mile 2 – 7:35

Mile 3 – 7:34

Mile 3.1 – 0:46

Finish – 23:36
146th out of 953
14th out of 35 in 50-54 age group

I’ve only got one more 5k this year, at the end of next month. I might shave a little more off that time, but distance and endurance take center stage for the rest of the year. I’ve got a 14-miler tomorrow.

Almost Forgot the Memory Race

I’ve got a 5k tomorrow to support the Alzheimer’s Aid Society. Good luck to everyone else who’s racing this weekend.