Monday, June 20, 2011

How our members keep cool

Even though the temps haven't gotten out of control yet, we all know it's coming. So we asked PPTCers for their tips on running strong and staying safe in the hot summer months. 

Michael Ring suggests the Misty Mate Arctic Tie Cooling Bandana.  They "Keep your cool when the weather heats up. The Misty Mate Arctic Tie Cooling Bandana keeps you cool for hours when you're out in the sun or sand. Cooling crystals in the fabric absorb and hold up to 200 times their weight in water, keeping the bandana cool for hours."  Michael promises that they look less corny when you put them under your shirt.

I run my hair under the faucet/shower before going out for runs on super hot days. It keeps it 
cool for at least the first ten minutes. – Helen Dole

"Try Kardong's Way" D. Kardong a U.S. Olympic marathon competitor would acclimate to high heat and humidity by training at full intensity for a week to several days before a competition in winter cold weather attire. He claimed that this caused increased capillarization, and an ability to absorb and retain fluid intake during a race.I've tried it, and it does seem to work, but I would recommend that you closely monitor yourself while doing it; there is a potential for it to backfire and cause you to be overdepleted. - Paul Soskind

My beat the heat tactics are to get out for those long runs super early! 6 am is when i head out. I also freeze my water/gatorade bottles and those feel great on a hot day although they melt fast. Before a run I make a smoothie with frozen raspberries, frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries, chai gel *, soy milk and a squeeze of agave. Put non frozen ingredients in first and blend on high. If anyone is heading out to East Hampton this summer and wants to check out a great shady trail run send me an email. This is a great long run spot through a pine forest that ends on a huge sand dune overlooking the bay and you will see more deer and wild turkey's then people. Happy Running! - Megan Dee


SUMMER TRAINING: Run Smart!
Ruth Gursky, Group Leader, Galloway NYC Marathon Training Program
 
 I begin with a message from my running guru, US Olympic runner Jeff Galloway: "Something to remember: even the most heat-conditioned athletes will record slower times in warm weather. The faster you run in hot weather, especially from the beginning, the longer it takes to recover."
 
So, if Olympians slow down in the summer, what should we 'mortals' do when running on our own or as part of a group during those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer?
 
* Run slower, especially as the mileage and heat/humdity index increase.
 
* Hydrate well before, during and after your runs...and bring along power bars and gels to provide energy and sustenance as long runs exceed six miles or if you're on the road in excess of one hour.
 
* Wear coolmax or other technical running clothes (no cotton).
 
* Wear a white (or light colored) cap made of coolmax (with ventilation holes in it) that will protect your eyes from the sun's rays and allow your head to expel heat. (NO canvas baseball caps that hold in the heat.)
 
* Apply sunscreen in advance, and bring along small tube in your shorts pocket or water bottle holder. This is especially important for those with fair skin, but even runners with darker skin tones can get sunburnt and sun poisoning.
 
* Take walking breaks, as needed.
 
* If you're feeling unwell at any time during a run, IMMEDIATELY tell your running buddy or seek help; if you’re running alone, have a cellphone with you. (I suffered minor heat injury while running just 4 miles in Riverside Park. It can happen to anyone at anytime!)
 
* Aim to run in the early morning hours or after the sun sets; avoid the midday, if possible (unless you’re on a treadmill in an air-conditioned room)!
  
Be smart and take good care of yourself at all times...training runs are intended to prepare you to run longer distances; they're not supposed to kill you!
 
Keep on truckin'!
-

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME FOR THE 2011 PPTC PICNIC!

WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME FOR THE 2011 PPTC PICNIC!
SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH!

Fun – games for the kids and the kids-at-heart. First there’s the relay, complete with batons! Each runner/walker goes around the lake, a 1.74M loop, just enough distance to work up an appetite. Here are the details to get you set up for the relay: register at the Oriental Pavilion off Lincoln Road beginning at 9:15.

Names will be drawn randomly for the teams that will then take off at 10 a.m.

Bring a dish to share for what has become the Picnic Buffet and PPTC will provide hero sandwiches (including a vegetarian option) and beverages. Members and children up to the age of 12 are FREE as long as we know you are coming – so call the Club phone 718-595-2049 or send an email to contact@pptc.org and leave your name and how many will be coming. If children are in your group, let us know their ages so we can shop for age appropriate prizes. Invite your family and friends to come along; we ask $5 for these adult non-members. We’ll be wrapping up the “official” festivities by 1 p.m.but you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Park. See you on the 25th!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

What you do not know because you are not me.

What you do not know because you are not me.

Michael Ring

On May 15th I ran the Run for the Red Marathon in East Stroudsburg, PA.  I blogged about it here, here and here.  I had a great time. Yea, a great time in two ways, I beat my goal by 8 minutes and I had an enjoyable experience.  But I also learned some things, so….  

What I did not know till I ran the Run for the Red.

·        When you zoom in on this elevation graph you would find a lot of little ups.  Nothing is all down hill in the Poconos.
·        At mile 23 I really did not want to run down again.
·        I did not need 2,000,000 people cheering me on to make me run faster.
·        I really appreciated those 5 people every 2 miles that waved from their porch as I ran by.
·        Sometimes it is really easy to convince every cell in your body that you are an Olympian.  One of those times is when you just ran 26 miles and you enter an arena and you run 400 meters on a track.  It also helps when they announce your name on the PA system.
·        I thought I would be able to grab a salt packet from a fast food restaurant along the course.  There were no fast food restaurants along the course.  In fact, I did not pass a store of any type till I was a half a mile from the finish.  (I lived)
·        Driving home alone was a real worry.  I was able to totally put that out of my mind till 5 minutes after I crossed the finish line.
·        The greatest gift a hotel manager can give you is a super late check out after you run a marathon. 
·        The entry fee of this marathon plus the cost of the hotel was less than the entry fee to the ING NYC Marathon.  (Never mind the 9+1 program)
·        Including the post marathon shower and the 102 mile drive, I was home by 4 PM.  That is a few hours earlier than when I run New York.

So, there is a lot more to the world of marathoning than big cities, or even suburbia.  A race in the “country” can be very nice.