Archives
Topics
Moving the body demands a lot from the brain. Exercise activates countless neurons, which generate, receive and interpret repeated, rapid-fire messages from the nervous system, coordinating muscle contractions, vision, balance, organ function and all of the complex interactions of bodily systems that allow you to take one step, then another.
via Phys Ed: How Exercise Fuels the Brain – NYTimes.com.
More power to you.
Marc
Posted by Marc Walter as Daily read, general, power at 8:15 AM MST
Can a cup of coffee motivate you to relish your trips to the gym this winter? That question is at the heart of a notable study of caffeine and exercise, one of several new experiments suggesting that, whatever your sport, caffeine may allow you to perform better and enjoy yourself more.
via Phys Ed: How Caffeine Can Galvanize Your Workout – NYTimes.com.
The article concludes with: All of which would seem to indicate that a grande Americano is the ideal sports beverage. But, Dr. Mohr cautions, many questions remain. “We don’t know the best dose” of caffeine to provide performance benefits without undesirable side effects, he says, like heightened blood pressure or the jitters. In his study, volunteers consumed the equivalent of more than five large cups of brewed coffee before their workout.
Similarly, it’s not known whether people who swill cappuccinos and green tea all day get the same benefits from dosing themselves just before a workout as people who only occasionally drink caffeine, or whether the hour before a workout is the ideal moment to imbibe. Dr. Mohr suspects “it’s likely that you get more effect” if you’re not habituated to the drug, but he and others are currently studying those and similar issues and expect results soon.
In the meantime, “probably everyone can get some” fatigue-delaying and mood-enhancing benefits from caffeine, Dr. Mohr says — meaning that your gym gear should probably include a travel mug.
More power to you.
Marc
Posted by Marc Walter as caffeine, Daily read, Nutrition, power at 10:05 AM MST
Never ever give up. I’ll bury myself if there’s something I want to achieve. This is my strength.
My older brother taught me this when I was younger. We had a pool table, in our basement, and he would never just let me win. I always came back for more. Those times I did win I would gloat a little. Then I would get my ass kicked again.
Pheasant hunting was another leason. It’s better to hunt when the snow is deep and it’s cold. The birds won’t run. They stay huddle for warmth and protection. It was rare to hunt on nice days. Trudging through snow, loaded down with a shotgun, vest, ammo, boots, clothing, and sometimes a bird could easily be an extra 50lbs. You would make a sandwich, an apple and some candy for an all day event. There were times I wanted to give up. It was ok with him. He would say, ” then walk back”. Well crap, I’m out here anyways. Keep moving. It always ended up for the better.
This is what’s made me a bike racer. It’s a tough sport. It’s competitive. I like that. Non stop combatant. Never give up.
More power to you.
Marc
Posted by Marc Walter as As a coach, Personal Life, power, Who am I at 10:34 AM MST
The last few weeks I’ve increased my salad consumption. I’ve put on a little weight this winter. Last Monday I weighed myself, at UNL east campus gym, and it said 160. I’m not sure if I totally trust that scale. I always use the one in my home but I need to get a battery. Anyways, it’s that time of year to start eating a little different along with drinking a little different. I’ve also cut out the afternoon vending machine snack. The last month I’ve done a lot less endurance efforts and more intensity. Using less fat for energy and more glycogen.
I’m not to concerned with weight. I’ve weighed 150ish since a junior in high school. One time I got up to 165 but I was working at Hardee’s, in the student union, on Colorado State’s campus while going to school. Poor college kid will eat anything left around and even have the cook make a little extra to take home.
I do a pinch test, fairly often, and nothing seems to be changing. I’ve hit the weights since last August so it could be muscle mass. I’ll go with splitting, the weight gain, between muscle and fat.
Posted by Marc Walter as general at 12:02 PM MST
Can’t believe it. Through a link in landlordscycling.com I found a Raleigh Elkhorn, that I purchased in 1985, on the MOMBAT website. I was going to Colorado State University at the time and spent some of my student loan on this bike. I had the bike till 1997 when I sold it. DOH! I very rarely sell any bikes that I’ve own, not that I’ve owned many because I run them into the ground, but this was one of those moments I wish I could take back. Really cool, though, to find a pic and description. This brings back a lot of good and harsh memories. Those bear trap pedals scarred me for life, literally.
More power to you.
Marc
Found this pic on landlordscycling.com. The first bike shop I rode for, Olympia Cycle, had this campy tool set in the basement. I spent some long hours in that basement working on my bike. I was told something on the lines of ” that is really expensive” so took it as don’t touch. I didn’t really need to since the tools were for used for frame preping. I was a campy man back then. Chuck, one of the mechanics, had most of the campy tools on his bench upstairs. At first, it was a chore to get a tool that I needed from him. I understood because campy makes some quality tools and he didn’t want them messed up. Until he got to know me he would call me ” ricky racer”. As time went by, he came to trust me with his tools. My name changed back to Marc.
More power to you.
Marc
The first pair of shoes I owned were Detto’s in 1983. Just a thin piece of leather, no insoles and plastic soles. Funny, I can still feel those shoe on my feet. Combine them with toe clips and they were brutal in winter. As many socks as I could wear but my feet were totally frozen all the time. The toe clips and straps didn’t help. They cut off the circulation. I got this pic off of Landlordscycling.com
More power to you.
Marc
I have yet to listen to this but sounds interesting.
Whether it’s football season, baseball season, or basketball season, one thing is constant: a good chunk of the population has sports on the brain. On today’s episode of Distillations we explore why this is the case. First producer Lindsay Patterson follows a high school basketball team to learn about the role chemistry plays in winning a big game. Then we check in with the fans at home, learning what happens in your brain when you’re cheering on your favorite team.
via Episode 139: The Brain on Sports | Chemical Heritage Foundation.
More power to you.
Marc
Posted by Marc Walter as Daily read, performance, power, Videos at 10:09 AM MST
Doing 1 minute intervals improve fitness for unfit and cardiac patients. Benefits if you’re time constrained. The article does go on to say that if you can do longer efforts of 30 minutes or more, at a lower intensity, then by all means go this route.
Phys Ed: How Interval Training Can Improve Health – NYTimes.com.
More power to you.
Marc
Posted by Marc Walter as Daily read, intervals, power at 9:54 AM MST
SAINT FRANCIS TULSA TOUGH ANNOUNCES STRAVA SEGMENT COMPETITION
The social fitness company will allow for additional contests and awards among participants
Organizers of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough and Strava announced an additional opportunity for competition during the event. Using GPS technology, racers and riders can opt to compete for additional prizes (and glory).
Adding to the competitive excitement Saint Francis Tulsa Tough dishes out, racers and riders will be able to use GPS technology to track their performance on Strava. Strava will offer awards and prizes to participants who outperform their competition on various segments of the course.
“The cutting-edge technology Strava brings to the table enables us to take our races and GranFondos to the next level,” said Malcolm McCollam, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough race director. “Besides just the races, Strava will offer a way for our GranFondo riders to get in on the action and competition without racing in the criteriums.”
Focused on the needs of avid cyclists and runners, Strava lets anyone track runs and rides via iPhone, Android or dedicated GPS devices to analyze and quantify performance and compete against friends.
“We’re excited to be able to introduce Strava to this talented pool of athletes,” said Nicole Marcoe, Strava’s event manager. “The great thing about incorporating a Strava Challenge is that riders can compete on those individual segments at any time. In bike racing, if you miss the break or experience a mechanical, it’s likely that you’re not going to have a great finish. With Strava you can showcase your effort no matter where you are in the pack.”
Anyone can have a free account now on Strava.com but when you sign up to ride or race at Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, you will receive a free premium subscription upgrade to Strava through the end of June. Once registered, participants can complete their profiles and begin recording data from their workouts as tracked by GPS devices including iPhone, Garmin and Android. As a THANK YOU from Saint Francis Tulsa Tough and Strava, following the event, you will have an opportunity to continue your premium subscription at a great Tulsa Tough price. So register and start riding! As they say, “If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen!”
Participants are encouraged to bring their GPS device to the criteriums and GranFondos, where they will record their results on various segments of the course to determine who outperforms in their field. Awards and prizes will be presented by Strava at the end of the event.
via Tulsa Tough and Strava! : June 8, 9, and 10, 2012 : Tulsa Tough.
Posted by Marc Walter as Daily read, Racing at 9:25 AM MST
