Curiosity, brain warm ups and calories

Last weekend I witnessed runners do a 1.05 mile loop at the Bristow Loop Race for 12-24 hours. An 80-year old ran 64 miles. A guy who had previously only ever run a 10k ran with a buddy to "help him run a 50k" and ended up going 40 miles.  And of course, lots of people trained hard, ran to their potential and did loops for a long time in the woods. My coached athletes hit 50 miles, a first 50k and a huge distance PR going 75 miles. 

What drives people to these massive undertakings? I know it is different for everyone but one thing I know for sure is being fueled by curiosity is an awesome way to go. How long CAN I do this, how far IS possible, can I go THIS far at this age? When setting goals, we often want certainty, making goals we likely can make. BUT finding out what is possible, no way to miss that mark and you get all the chances you want to hit it. 

SMALL SNACKS

• Should you count calories? The team at Your Diet Sucks Podcast takes this one on and I think it is worth a listen. It covers the history of using the calorie for measuring consumption, how 2,000 calories became standard (hint, menopause and round numbers!) and how accurate it really is. 
• I love when people change their mind. Here is a good post about a fitness professional changing their mind on things like eating fruit and gluten and if you are scared of either of those things, give this one a click. 

WARM UPS FOR YOUR BRAIN
Warm up your brain and get a boost on your 5k time? This research seems to think so. But do too much and the cognitive fatigue will sabotage that same 5k time. "Studies show that mentally fatigued half-marathon runners finished approximately four minutes slower than control groups, with heart rates three percent lower throughout, they ran at lower physical intensities while feeling equally exhausted."

SUPER SHOES FOR TRAIL?
A study titled, "Effects of Advanced Footwear Technology in Trail Running Shoes on Running Economy" is out (basically looking at the effects of supershoes on trail) . The research concludes a 1% boost in running economy which over a long race isn't nothing. That said, I think this is going to start a long line of articles and advertisements pushing supershoes for trail.  The abstract ends by saying, "the running economy benefits of advanced footwear technology should result in meaningful performance improvements in trail races." BUT PLEASE keep in mind this is a study with just EIGHT subject and over a 1,500m time trial. Supershoes may be great and may be great for you, but you are not being left behind if you don't have your own set of $270 shoes. 

BIKING AROUND THE WORLD
Lael Wilcox is riding her bike around the world (map) to break the record which currently stands at 18,125 miles in 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes. Not the women's record, but the record overall. She already holds the women's record which means SHE HAS DONE THIS ALREADY. Imagine 108 days of riding with plans to ride 231 miles per day.  To kick things off, on day one she rode 282 miles. And one more thing about Lael Wilcox because I am obsessed. Her outlook is amazing, here is an article about a cold, rainy ride with her where she keeps on saying, "I think it's getting better," and we all need some of that optimism. 

STRENGTH
You are invited EVERY Wednesday night for Strength Training for Runners, live to your screen. Always free, open to all. JOIN US and let's get stronger together!