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Caffeine: Why it helps during exercise

  • Jan. 31st, 2008 at 7:56 AM
tofu fighting
POSTED: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
FROM BLOG: Fitness & Health with Dr. Gabe Mirkin - Fitness, health and nutrition news and views from Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Training and lifestyle tips for athletes, exercisers and anyone who wants to stay (or get) healthy.
 
The following blog post is from an independent writer and is not connected with Reuters News. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by Reuters.com.
 
In endurance events, the first cause of fatigue is loss of muscle sugar, so athletes do whatever they can to preserve sugar levels. Caffeine causes the body to produce large amounts of adrenalin, which causes fat to be released from fat cells and float in the bloodstream. This extra fat is taken up by the muscles and used for energy, thus preserving the body's limited stored supply of muscle sugar. When muscles run our of sugar, the athlete requires more oxygen to do the same job, slows down, fatigues earlier, and has difficulty maintaining his performance.

A questionnaire from competitors at the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championships showed that seventy-three percent of the athletes believe that caffeine improves performance and 84 percent believe it improves concentration. During competition, 65 percent used cola drinks and 24 percent used caffeinated gels. Although caffeine can increase risk for heat stroke and theoretically can cause irregular heartbeats, almost none of the athletes reported suffering any side effects from taking caffeine.

yoda says...

  • Nov. 14th, 2007 at 9:07 PM
regret nothing

“Do or do not... there is no try.”

Haunted Trail Run with TXFe

  • Oct. 31st, 2007 at 8:50 PM
girlie bada$$
I ran with TXFe on 10/30. It is the first time i did a group workout in months; like 3. I wanted to go last night because they were running on the Greenbelt - I LOVED it!!! I did fall once (and broke a finger nail), but i want all my runs to be on the greenbelt! We ran for ~1hr and it was exhilarating!
This is the first time i ran on the greenbelt - it was so much fun. I think it would be fun even without the candy. definitely without CoachJamie scaring me twice. But i scared Rick so bad. He screamed like a little girl - that was so much fun. I hid behind a rock (trying to scare Ainsley and Bets) and jumped out when he ran by. [info]trichelle and Laurie were really cracking up at Rick. That was fun!
girlie bada$$
I'm not sure why, but i wanted us to run this race "in costume". I figured with it being a Disney event, that was the appropriate thing to do.  I convinced Bets that bellhops, like those in the ride, would be the best costume.  I had one requirement for our costumes though; if we were going to buy anything we had to be able to reuse it (like tops and bottoms).  So, she did some recon to ensure we would look authentic.  I got us the Under Armor tops, i bought a Triks running skirt so that we would both have black skirts and Bets made our awesome hats.  We were THE hit of the run. Not alot of people "dressed up" and there was only one other set of bellhops, but the kind of looked like cheerleaders instead of bellhops.  It was kind of funny, strangers were taking our pic and asking to have their pic taken with us.
The run suffered from some of the usual first time problems; lack of adequate transportation, traffic, delayed start time, etc. But overall, i really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.  The course was a little weird, but i guess it had to be because there really isn't 13K to run in the MGM park itself. So, we ran around the parking lot , then out to Wide World of Sports and ran around that parking lot, then back to MGM and finally the last ~2miles were actually in and around MGM. That (of course) was the best part of the run. For our entry fee, we got a glow in the dark t, and entry to a post race party. We also got the the most awesome glow in the dark medals!
When we went on the TOT ride, all the cast members loved our costumes. We even got to ride a second time without waiting in line.




New (to me) book i'm reading

  • Oct. 23rd, 2007 at 11:01 PM
wings
I just picked up a copy of "The Artist's Way - A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron. I really feel like I need to rekindle my creative side - i feel so out of touch with my creative self...
What drew me to the book was an article in Glamour mag about Jenna Bush and how it helped her and her BFF write Ana's Story. When i found the book at Book People, I knew i would buy the book because all of the margins are filled with inspirational quotes. When i opened the booked, this was the first quote I read, "I shut my eyes in order to see." Paul Gauguin
The second quote that jumped out at me was this, "To keep the body in good health is a duty...Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear". Buddha

running update (kind of long)

  • Oct. 23rd, 2007 at 10:36 PM
born to run, springsteen
wow! i can't believe it has been over 2 weeks since i posted about my run workouts. (it is too easy to fall out of blogging...)
Oct 7 - i did not get in my long run (12 miles); this was the Longhorn Festival weekend. very long hours, hot, humid, blah/blah/blah, and no time to "make it up".
week of Oct 8 - no issues with my week day runs; stuck to the trail. on Sunday, Oct 14, did 14 miles. it was kind of tough... weather-wise and length-wise (I could definitely "feel" the distance). Spent a big part of my run convincing myself to only do the 1/2 in Vegas. (Did this run in my trail shoes because my new road running shoes still hadn't arrived... my heels/achilles are very sore)
week of Oct 15 - no issues with week days runs. Resolved that i would only run the 1/2 and i'm so good with that decision. on Sunday, Oct 21, ran 12 miles in 2:06. yay! i know part of it was the change in weather. and I finally got my new road shoes; my feet felt much better, but still heel pain for the 1st 20mins of my run and post-run...
week of Oct 22 - recovery week! yay! this weekend i will head to Disney for the Tower of Terror 13K. I'm so excited!!!

I'm going to focus on getting more comfortable at the 1/2 mary distance and gaining in speed (because I need to be "comfortable" with long runs of 15-18 miles ea week in prep for my 50 miler). I would like to run 3M and the Austin 1/2 mary. I have never run 3M, so that will be a new experience. I ran the Austin 1/2 mary last year and liked the course change, so i'm looking forward to running it again! yay!

wow, this brings back bad/weird memories...

  • Oct. 23rd, 2007 at 10:29 PM
what the hell
‘Preppy Killer’ at 19, Accused of Drug Sales at 41 ...Robert E. Chambers Jr. was back before the cameras yesterday, looking in many ways the tabloid caricature that New Yorkers came to know 20 years ago. Handsome and menacing, he had killed a young woman in Central Park in 1986, and in the process came to symbolize a cocky male arrogance at loose in a world of privilege and excess....
Growing up in the North East and being close in age to these people, i was obsessed with this story then... and i guess now too.

Govts Out Of Control...

  • Oct. 16th, 2007 at 9:14 PM
what the hell
China Issues Warning on Dalai Lama Trip - Chinese officials warned the United States on Tuesday not to honor the Dalai Lama, saying a planned award ceremony in Washington for the Tibetan spiritual leader would have “an extremely serious impact” on relations between the countries.
fashion show
To help shoppers understand the benefits of natural cosmetics, Whole Foods Market this month is offering consumers in-store "natural" makeovers. For shoppers wanting to try mineral makeup, Whole Foods stores will offer an exclusive "fresh face starter kit" by Mineral Fusion for $20 throughout the month of October. Select stores will have Mineral Fusion makeup artists on hand to help out with the makeovers. Note: The 6th and Lamar store does have artists on site.
The starter kit comes in 3 color choices (olive, warm, neutral) and includes:
2 pressed base foundation shades,
1 bronzer luster, 1 kabuki brush and
1 hydration mist.

Fat is not a feeling! and QOTD - Beauty

  • Oct. 5th, 2007 at 10:34 AM
brocolli
So, i've made a decision - i'm not posting about my weight anymore. it is not a good "focus" for me. i am a very happy person and i refuse to define myself by a number - be it weight, clothes size, race results, age, etc. i am a beautiful, strong, powerful woman with lots of attributes.

When the Japanese mend broken objects they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold, because they believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful. -- Barbara Bloom

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others -- Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

Thursday (pm) Run, Friday (am) Swim

  • Oct. 5th, 2007 at 10:19 AM
girlie bada$$
Well, i attended the TX Women's conferenece and LOVED it (as usual). more on it later.
i am so proud of myself! i ran alone, on the trail, after "work", at 4:30pm, in 95 degrees. i ran 8 miles. i made so many excuses - even while i was running as to why i shouldn't be running, but i "just" kept going. And i did it! i did it! i avg'd 12:14 per mile - my "slowest" mile was over the IH-35 bridge, @ 12:44. but, i did it! i'got chafe marks everywhere (one of my excuses not to run was that i forgot my body glide), they are my badges today. btw-i saw Oscar out there running, [info]cam_rayhe (again) thought i was you! :)
I went home, showered, ate, then went out to First Thursday on SoCo. I met up with [info]trichelleeand LaurieA; they were shopping fools. it was great!
This morning, i met [info]traininglog for an ez 1mile swim. we did "danksin laps" (starting from the 1/8 mark). my new wetsuit fits great! is ez to get on/off, and makes me feel fast! and my back did not hurt during the swim or after. yay! yay! yay! it was a beautiful morning to be swimming. i really enjoyed it!
I did see [info]jsherron and EdM there too. they started earlier, so finished earlier.

new running race series in Austin

  • Oct. 3rd, 2007 at 11:47 AM
fashion show
I may need to do this race: Skirt Chaser Race Series
Standard Entry Package: Price: $55
This package includes the essentials - a race entry and Skirt!
  • Speed Silk GymGirl or Speed Silk MarathonGirl in either Flirtini/Smooch or Black
  • DeFeet Chantilly Lace Racing Socks
  • Happy Hour Drink Ticket and Party Entry!
If you are a running skirt fan - October Deal of the Day @ skirtsports.com
We're featuring a Deal of the Day on our home page and you don't want to miss out.  We can't tell you what products on what day - that would steal the fun now wouldn't it! Here's an example- our Relaxed Fit BikeGirl that normally goes for $80 is featured today for only $50.
If you're not in the market for a BikeGirl - check the site everyday - throughout the day to see what's up next! It's not a midnight to midnight deal - we swap it out once a day but at different times. 

Tuesday am run

  • Oct. 3rd, 2007 at 10:30 AM
fashion show
I ran with [info]traininglogand for part of the run 2 of her running "students".  we ran an ez 5 miles. It was quite humid, but it didn't seem to bother me as much this morning. great company; great run.
Tuesday was such a hectic day - ran, drove co-worker to doctor's, worked, drove co-worker home, longhorn goodie bag stuffing, late dinner. I slept like a dead animal. (i'm so glad to be rid of my night sweats!)
Thursday, i have 8 miles. i will need to do this after "work" since i'm going to the TX Women's Conference. I love going to it! yay!

Persistence and Determination QOTD

  • Oct. 1st, 2007 at 10:39 PM
regret nothing
"The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night." --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

”Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.” --Hal Borland

"The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.” --Ted W. Engstrom

”Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.” --Napoleon Hill

"Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses... on your powers, instead of your problems." --Paul J. Meyer

"Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” --Dennis Waitley

”We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” --Jesse Owens

Weekend update - Sept 29, 30

  • Oct. 1st, 2007 at 10:07 PM
drama queen
Saturday we spent the day (~12hrs) going to Round Top. I got some oil cloth to recover my dining room chairs, some letters (big and small), the original chia pet, and other smalls. I did not find anything Paris/Eiffel Tower; that was disappointing. Otherwise, a great day. I tried to take good care of myself, but it was so hot... i got sunburned and dehydrated. (I did have some mighty fine pie though - blackberry, yum!) I know i was asleep before 9pm. and i slept hard.
I woke up with a start at 8am, still tired... I'm not sure what actually woke me up. but, i got moving and started my run ~9am. i felt so slow... it was a comedy/tragedy. let's just say -- 9 miles = 12 for this week. This was not a pretty run by any measure...
This week is going to be difficult to fit everything in; between work, the TX Women's conference, Longhorn Tri... oh and a guy i work with broke his collar bone over the weekend so we are all pitching in to drive him to/from work... Well, i'll just do what i can and not beat myself up.

6th Week's Weigh-in: -1.0 [-5.0]

  • Sep. 28th, 2007 at 9:13 AM
tofu fighting

Well, 2 weeks in a row of a drop; I'm on a roll. This weekend will be a little challenging. I'm going to Round Top on Saturday, then on Sunday I have my long run (12 miles) and an appt at 2pm. I will do my best to stay hydrated and not eat too much pie this weekend.
I would like to be at goal by the Vegas marathon... that would mean I need to drop another ~18.5lbs in 10 weeks.  that may be unattainable though. i'll work to get as close as possible, then i'll keep on keeping on.
But I need an attitude change - i'm tired of dieting. i look at my SIL (who had gastric bypass surgery). She has lost ~150lbs and is now complaining about "the last 10 lbs."... i know that is the "easy way" and i watch her eat; she hasn't learn anything about good nutrition or fitness. but, i can't help be jealous - she can't overeat and she is eating whatever she wants. i know i could a) never find a doctor to give me the procedure, but b) even if i did i could not do ironman and utlra-distance racing (the pouch would not allow me enough calories). but, i'm tired of watching what i eat...

Thurs am run: 7 miles

  • Sep. 27th, 2007 at 9:49 AM
born to run, springsteen
Overall - good run, great company! this 7mile run went much better than last week's, that's for sure! i ran with [info]ginsnap, ClaireS, Robin and a whole bunch of people you "just" went 5 miles. ;}  we did the 7 mile loop starting from the rock. i ran with my new clip-on headlight. It worked very well. we started out a little faster than we had been runinng previously we were ~10:20 miles. I had to take my shirt off on Riverside; I was burnin' up! i guess it was the rise in humidity.  and i had to take a potty break (my tummy wasn't happy when i woke up, so i'm thinking dinner was a bit too rich). oh and i did have to walk a few times. But, overall, i'm satisified with this run. 
btw-ClaireS is an awesome woman in her own right (it was very neat to run with her this morning), her husband just finished running accross Germany. You can read about it here: http://secker.blogspot.com/

 

as seen on urbandictionary.com

  • Sep. 25th, 2007 at 10:15 AM
brocolli
whole paycheck September 24
A nickname for Whole Foods Market, the now-famous purveyor of (rather high-priced) organic and fresh foods and sundries.
"i'm headed to Whole Paycheck to pick up a dozen organic, cage-free, range-free, vegetarian-fed eggs and some sustainably farmed, sprouted quinoa; good thing i just completed that second mortgage."

Ladera Norte - O.M.G!

  • Sep. 25th, 2007 at 9:35 AM
born to run, springsteen

OK, I should have known this was going to be tough, when [info]ginsnap said it is one of her favorite routes and that i was to park at the base of Mesa and 2222. This run was (steep) uphill - both ways! It was tough and i had to walk some, but it was a great way to start my day! And, i look forward to do it again (in the real fall). btw-i think running back up Far West (?) was tougher than running up Ladera Norte. we ran a total of 5.61 miles.

 

Weekend update - 9/22, 9/23

  • Sep. 24th, 2007 at 1:23 PM
girlie bada$$

Saturday morning we didn't set an alarm, which was nice, and we went for a 1hr ez spin around 9am. it felt great to be out on my bike. While riding, i thought about how much i missed riding. So, I guess that means its time to get back in the saddle. the only bad thing is - after this short/ez ride, i had a saddle sore! i'm tired of bumps...  In the afternoon, i did something totally unexpected. I flew with mr.deankat to Taylor for a air show (it was quite small) and back. I hate flying, but it was kind of an adventure (not to mention a very expensive coke!) That night, we went to a Cuban restaurant in Pflugerville - it was quite yummy. They have this garlic dipping sauce i would have put on everything!
Sunday, I did my 10 mile long run. I did the medium length loop thru Berry Creek. my first 5 miles were all in the 10s, my last 5 miles were all in the 11s. I avgd 11:14 for the run. The only walk break i took was to eat a gel shot. I felt good after my run, just tired feet. 
After my run, i washed my shoes and noticed they are quite worn out, so i ordered new ones and trail running shoes too. By this weekend, i should be good to go with new shoes again! yay! Later that day, we road out to Ski Shores and had pizza while sitting on the dock. We lounged for a couple of hours. If they had hammocks there, i could have slept - it was so relaxing. 
I ended the day with a splitting headache though.. i think it was allergies because i was ok in the house/air conditioning and after taking OTC stuff.