This one literally made me laugh out loud.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Foot Strike and Injury Rates in Endurance Runners
Of late, I feel like I've been sharing a lot of posts from the The New York Times's Well blog. If so, its because they do a damn good job of staying on top of the latest scientific studies about running.
The latest study comes to us from Harvard University, where researchers reviewed four years' worth of data recorded by the long distance runners of Harvard's cross country and track teams. The Times cites the study as finding that:
I'd like to try to read the whole thing. People are already citing it for all sorts of things, such as the proposition that barefoot running is best -- which is kind of funny since no barefoot runners were involved in the study.
The latest study comes to us from Harvard University, where researchers reviewed four years' worth of data recorded by the long distance runners of Harvard's cross country and track teams. The Times cites the study as finding that:
"About two-thirds of the group wound up hurt seriously enough each year to miss two or more training days. But the heel strikers were much more prone to injury, with a twofold greater risk than the forefoot strikers."An abstract of the study is here. It notes that heel strikers were more likely to incur repetitive stress injuries; there was no significant difference with regard to traumatic injuries. Other factors contributed to repetitive stress injuries as well, including sex, race distance, and average miles per week.
I'd like to try to read the whole thing. People are already citing it for all sorts of things, such as the proposition that barefoot running is best -- which is kind of funny since no barefoot runners were involved in the study.
The Benefits of Post-Run Massage
We all know that massage feels good after a run, whether it is self-massage, the use of a foam roller, or massage from a professional. But does it actually speed recovery?
One recent scientific study suggests the answer is yes. Somehow, the scientists managed to convince a group of young men to engage in vigorous exercise for an hour, have one leg massaged but not the other, and then to have both legs biopsied at various intervals, so that the scientists could determine how massage affected the tissues. The scientists found that the massage reduced the production of certain chemicals that cause soreness, while also stimulating the production of mitochondria.
On the other hand, it is worth pointing out that previous studies have shown that -- contrary to popular belief -- massage impedes blood flow, and impairs the removal of lactic issue from muscle tissue. (But then again, lactic acid may be a fuel, not a caustic waste product.)
One recent scientific study suggests the answer is yes. Somehow, the scientists managed to convince a group of young men to engage in vigorous exercise for an hour, have one leg massaged but not the other, and then to have both legs biopsied at various intervals, so that the scientists could determine how massage affected the tissues. The scientists found that the massage reduced the production of certain chemicals that cause soreness, while also stimulating the production of mitochondria.
On the other hand, it is worth pointing out that previous studies have shown that -- contrary to popular belief -- massage impedes blood flow, and impairs the removal of lactic issue from muscle tissue. (But then again, lactic acid may be a fuel, not a caustic waste product.)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Review: The Ghosts of Belfast
The story is set in post-conflict Northern Ireland. The main character -- I hesitate to say "hero" -- is Gerry, Fegan, a former killer for the IRA. Since the ceasefire, he has drowned himself in alcohol, fighting off the memories of those who he killed. Finally, he determines that the only way to exorcise his demons is to take vengeance on behalf of his victims, hunting down and killing those who ordered their deaths. His wave of killings, which includes high-profile targets, threatens to derail the entire peace process. As a result, just about everyone wants him dead.
James Ellroy called The Ghosts of Belfast "The best first novel I've read in years ... It's a flat out terror trip." While Neville's writing is much more straightforward than Ellroy, the two have a lot in common. Much like Ellroy, Neville plunges straight into the action. If you're not familiar with the politics and the peace process in Northern Ireland, you may find yourself at times working to keep up. And in the end, nobody comes out looking good.
The Ghosts of Belfast was published in the United States in 2010 by SoHo Press, one of my favorite small publishers. It was previously published in the U.K. in 2009, with the title The Twelve.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Shoe Review: Asics Sky Speed
More than any other running shoe company, Asics likes tinkering with its lines. New models will arrive one year, only to be completely discontinued the next. Such was the case with the Gel-Bandito, which I loved. And such is the case with the DS Sky Speed.
The Sky Speed was originally released in November 2010. A slightly updated Sky Speed 2 followed in June 2011. Then, in December 2011, the Sky Speed line was discontinued entirely. It's now possible to pick up both the original Sky Speed and the Sky Speed 2 at clearance prices from online retailers. I picked up a pair for $42.
The Sky Speed was originally released in November 2010. A slightly updated Sky Speed 2 followed in June 2011. Then, in December 2011, the Sky Speed line was discontinued entirely. It's now possible to pick up both the original Sky Speed and the Sky Speed 2 at clearance prices from online retailers. I picked up a pair for $42.
So what is the Sky Speed? It was designed to be a high-end, lightweight, neutral shoe. If you think that sounds something like the Asics Speedstar, you are right. But where the Speedstar was known to have a narrow fit, the Sky Speed was built on the same, wider platform as the very popular DS Trainer shoe, but without the DS Trainer's stability features.
I found the Sky Speed, like most Asics shoes, to have very firm cushioning. In addition, the cushioning feelsto be more built up in certain areas, including under the joint of my big toe, and along the inside of the heel. This felt awkward when I first stepped into them, but the sensation quickly disappeared while running.
One of the best things about this shoe is how well it holds my foot in place. When running up and down steep hills, my foot did not slip inside the shoe at all. For me, this shoe will make for happier, healthier feet when doing hillwork.
Some runners have complained about the asymmetrical lacing, which runs diagonally across the top of the foot. For me, the lacing felt perfectly comfortable.
While I have nothing against the bright orange color, the shoes do look a little plastic-y. The overlays on the side and the toebox seem excessive. (Some of the overlays are even designed to look like mesh; the silver "mesh" in the above picture is not mesh at all.) Given this I worry a little about whether this shoe will feel hot in the summer.
In case you are looking at both the Sky Speed and the Sky Speed 2: not much has changed between the two versions, although Asics did modify the lacing system a little bit, and reduced the overlays. I think the blue color of the Sky Speed 2 also looks better (although, to me, not worth paying more for.)
I'll report back on the Sky Speed once I've put down some more miles. Drop us a comment if you have any questions.
Related posts:
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Book Review: The Night Circus
I picked up Erin Morgenstern's debut novel on the strength of a mesmerizing excerpt that started out: “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” Dramatic, is it not? The first part of the book continues in this vein, telling the story of how the le Cirque des Rêves comes to be and detailing how it’s connected to a contest between a pair of mysterious star-crossed magicians. It’s easily the most entertaining part of the novel.
But like a dull superhero with a fascinating origin story, the novel rapidly loses steam after the circus opens. A love story emerges, but despite Morgenstern's best efforts, it lacks passion. You read many, many descriptions of the Night Circus' fantastical attractions, including an ice castle, an elaborate labyrinth, a room filled with scents that transport you to different places in time, impossibly intricate clocks, and so on. Taken in isolation, some of them do indeed transport you into another place; taken together, they all meld together so that no one scene really distinguishes itself. The result is a perfect circus, effortlessly pulled together, with no failures or picture of the sweat and blood that must have occurred behind the scenes. The circus is like a diamond without flaws, and you walk around it, vaguely stunned by its shiny perfection, but kind of bored because of the lack of drama in it all. It's capped off by a rather predictable ending.
This came off more negatively than I meant, but all in all, while The Night Circus was a diverting read, it never lived up to the promise of the beginning. Here's hoping Morgenstern can keep her momentum next time!
Cross Posted on Thought Ambience.
Running: A Tale of Two Januarys
what a difference a year makes!!
having just wrapped up what is surely the best month of running in my recent running years, i've taken a bit of time to reflect on the past year. it's no mystery that we run for the love of running here at rrrs, that we get much more out of it than splits, PRs and other simple numbers. that said, i do take pleasure in improvement, even if only because it allows me to do more of something i love with less negative effect.
so how did the numbers shake out?
January Miles Run
- in 2011: 45.35
- in 2012: 151.64
January Time Running
- in 2011: 7hr:50m:27s
- in 2012: 22hr:11m:11s
what is most important to me is that, contrary to past months where i've tried to push myself and ended up limping or unable to run at all, i've done it right leading into this month. i've cranked it up gradually, remained healthy and happy, and when i wasn't feeling right, i simply dialed back. i'm feeling as good as i can remember feeling, both on the run and otherwise, and i'm enjoying the runs more and more.
please forgive this moment of self-indulgence, but i am quite happy with myself!
having just wrapped up what is surely the best month of running in my recent running years, i've taken a bit of time to reflect on the past year. it's no mystery that we run for the love of running here at rrrs, that we get much more out of it than splits, PRs and other simple numbers. that said, i do take pleasure in improvement, even if only because it allows me to do more of something i love with less negative effect.
so how did the numbers shake out?
January Miles Run
- in 2011: 45.35
- in 2012: 151.64
January Time Running
- in 2011: 7hr:50m:27s
- in 2012: 22hr:11m:11s
what is most important to me is that, contrary to past months where i've tried to push myself and ended up limping or unable to run at all, i've done it right leading into this month. i've cranked it up gradually, remained healthy and happy, and when i wasn't feeling right, i simply dialed back. i'm feeling as good as i can remember feeling, both on the run and otherwise, and i'm enjoying the runs more and more.
please forgive this moment of self-indulgence, but i am quite happy with myself!
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