Active.com Endurance Sports

Adventure Racing Strategy

The adventure racing craze is sweeping the nation and a myriad of new races are being organized from coast to coast. Increases in participation have been linked to the natural cross-over for cyclists, runners and water-sport aficionados, but I believe the true allure of this demanding activity lies within the individual who is forced to realize his or her limits and push through them -- all while contributing to a team.

This team dynamic offers endurance athletes used to the solitude of triathlon or marathon the chance to work together as cohesive unit compensating for individual strengths and weaknesses. This creates an opportunity for individuals to emerge as leaders within certain areas of the race and responsibilities are delegated accordingly. Often, teams designate a captain and a navigator who’ve proven they can perform those tasks despite challenges such as sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion. Capitalizing on these strengths keeps a team organized and on track during the onset of fatigue.

I asked my friend Barrie Adsett, navigator for San Diego-based Team Equinox, what he considers to be the key to adventure racing. He explained, “In adventure racing, reading a map and knowing how to navigate are maybe more important than being a strong or fast athlete. No matter how fast you go, if you go the wrong way you are just further away from where you are meant to be, that much quicker.”

Team captain Steve Moore commented, “Equinox has proven many times that brains beats pure brawn.” Adsett added, “In the hare-and-tortoise fashion, going an optimal route is better than zipping everywhere but getting nowhere.” Kristine Gillis, the sole female member of the co-ed team, recommends practicing with orienteering clubs and regional adventure racing groups.

Click here for more information if you want to try an adventure race this year.

(Photo provided by Gettyimages Sport / photographer Phil Walter)

Performance-enhancing exercises

I recognized that I hit the first plateau in my 18-week training program when my training and nutrition regimen were dialed-in but my leg strength seemed to be deteriorating instead of building. In need of either cross-training or performance-enhancing exercises to counter this common stage, I came across the following article which helped me get my training back on track.

This featured article is for the runner, triathlete or adventure racer looking to develop the strength of their stride without logging additional miles or hitting the gym. These simple exercises will benefit both sprinters and ultra-distance runners alike, and can be performed in the comfort of the home. Read the following story to learn four exercises to increase your running speed.

P.A.C.E. Tour 2007

Last week, Paul Staso canceled his transcontinental-campaign, P.A.C.E. Bike 2007, due to a series of unfortunate events. Less than one week after retuning home to his family, Staso has vowed to continue promoting youth fitness in America. This time, he won’t be traveling by foot or bike -- he’ll be driving. On April 30, Staso will travel to Delaware and begin a one-month, cross-country speaking tour at schools along the route that he ran during his P.A.C.E Run 2006.

Staso has shifted gears from fitness to logistics in a last-minute effort to raise funds for his journey. Six-thousand miles of driving in a month is a daunting task, but nothing like his 3,260-mile east-to-west-coast run in 2006. Without the physical burden, Staso will benefit from increased energy during P.A.C.E. Tour 2007 and will make frequent stops to conduct quality motivational presentations and raise awareness in children about the importance of health and fitness.

Staso’s real-life struggle during his attempt to cycle across the country has created a more endearing persona. Instead of Staso being viewed as an athlete that is capable of the extraordinary, he now has more human-like characteristics associated with him. This new platform will allow Staso to reach a greater audience of children who have experienced a similar struggle with setting and reaching goals. Our thoughts and support are with Staso as he continues Promoting Active Children Everywhere.

Beijing's Water Cube impresses Phelps

During a visit to Beijing earlier this month, swimmers Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff caught an early glimpse of the National Aquatics Center. Also referred to as the Water Cube, the futuristic square building -- which will host swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming -- looks like it's covered in bubble wrap.

"It's definitely pretty cool," Phelps told reporters. The structure is located in the Olympic Green, adjacent to the National Stadium, and is one of the centerpieces of Beijing's Olympic venues for the 2008 Games.

"I think it's going to paint a picture for Katie and me in our minds, to really help us prepare for next year and get us more and more excited," Phelps said.

Scheduled for completion in October of this year, the Water Cube's exterior is made up of membrane structures which comprise over 3,000 pneumatic cushions. Low-pressure air is inflated into the cushions to resist wind and provide insulation.

For the Olympics, temporary seating will allow a capacity of 11,000. Permanent seats number 6,000. In comparison, the largest indoor pool in the U.S., the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind., can hold 4,700 spectators. It will host this year's U.S.A. Swimming National Championships.

For more on Michael Phelps, visit here. And be sure to check out how Beijing is working toward staging an environmentally-friendly Olympics.

(Top photo: Cancan Chu/Getty Images; Bottom photo: Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad handout/Getty Images)

Preseason check-up

Spring is here and athletes are emerging from confines of the gym much like spring flowers from the darkness of winter. Soon, scores of brightly colored spandex outfits will sprout along the streets as the sun washes away pale memories of treadmill and bike-trainer workouts. As exciting as it is to trade the smell of chlorine for the freshness of open-water swims, this transition is known for leaving overly eager athletes high and dry. It is important that we respect the vulnerability of our bodies during this adjustment period. Conduct your own Preseason Check-up and be sure to keep yourself on track toward your fitness goals.

SuperSherpas join powers on Everest

The term Sherpa refers a Nepalese ethnic group in the Himalayan Mountains. Over the years, this term has adapted a lower-case-first-letter version to describe a guide or porter hired for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas. Although these men are not necessarily members of the Sherpa ethnic group, they are all renowned for their strength and experience at high altitudes. Of the most famous is Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese porter who stood beside Sir Edmund Hillary as the first men to summit Mount Everest in 1953. Since that great day, two sherpas have excelled within the community. The first is Apa Sherpa, famous for holding the Guinness World Record for 16 summits of Mount Everest. The other is Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who holds the Everest speed-ascent record at 10 hours, 56 minutes, 46 seconds.

Apa Sherpa and Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa serve in a more guide-like role commanding higher pay and respect from the community due to their high-altitude achievements. A group of climbers and scientists organized funding for a research documentary this spring on the superior performances of the sherpas. The film will follow an all-sherpa team to the summit of Mount Everest. These six-members share 50 Mount Everest summits between the group. First, the sherpas will undergo a series of physiological tests in a U.S. laboratory to determine what enables these men to out-perform others in such extreme conditions. Next, the film will move to Everest base camp before the team begins their expedition.

Throughout the film, the climbers will be monitored using state-of-the art body mapping to track heart rate, lung capacity and other essential functions. In addition to providing physiological insight, this film will educate others on a previously untold story of the under-appreciated Sherpa people who have played a crucial role in every successful attempt on Everest.

(Photo provided by Gettyimages / Photographer Devendra Man Singh/Stringer)

P.A.C.E. Bike 2007 Canceled

Paul Staso has canceled his transcontinental-campaign, P.A.C.E. Bike 2007, and is flying home today. Staso had a difficult decision to make while fully cognizant that he might be letting people down. His latest online journal entry read, “That won't be a popular decision with everyone, but then again most people who will judge my actions have not experienced the enormity of crossing a continent solo and unsupported.” Staso dispelled these external pressures by listening to his heart. He wrote, “I cannot point to one particular thing that is telling me to abandon this trek. However, I do know in my heart that I am taking the right action.” He will safely return to his wife and four children, at peace with his decision. The series of unfortunate circumstances that plagued Paul’s campaign included an accident, storm and near-robbery. Read Tuesday's P.A.C.E Update for more details 

P.A.C.E Update

In March, I blogged about a Paul Staso’s campaign to promote youth fitness called P.A.C.E. Bike 2007. Paul began his 3,260-mile transcontinental tour last week in Delaware. Only three days into his journey, Paul experienced a series of unfortunate events. First, he was struck by a car in Washington, D.C. Despite being thrown from the hood of a moving vehicle, Paul was able to regain the physical and mental strength necessary to continue his trip. Once his bike was repaired and he was rested, the weather on the east coast took a turn for the worse and delayed his departure. Although this allowed him more time to rest following the accident, it unfortunately threw-off the timing for each arrival and presentation he had scheduled across the country. Just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, he was almost robbed.

Despite these set-backs, Paul is back on-track and will continue P.A.C.E. Bike 2007. Paul is an endurance athlete and is powered by a spirit that is more resilient than most. It is by this perseverance that Paul will continue his journey with more strength and wisdom than before. I plan to keep you updated as Paul continues his campaign, Promoting Active Children Everywhere.

Boston Marathon Results

Robert Cheruiyot won the 111th Boston Marathon today. This is his third win and second in two years. The Kenyan defended his title in a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes, 13 seconds, which was seven minutes slower than 2006.

Russia's Lidiya Grigoryeva won the women’s race finishing in 2 hours, 29 minutes, 18 seconds. Grigoryeva finished 40 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.

This year, course times were slowed by the harsh New England weather. Of the total 23,903 register-runners, 2,449 chose not to pick up their bib numbers over the weekend and even more no-shows were recorded on race day.

My best friend Johnny ran the race this morning with his girlfriend. They trained for 18 weeks and crossed the finish line together, a little over two hours behind the winner. I spoke with John on the phone afterward and he described the race as difficult due to the high winds and steady rain. He also expressed the importance of in-race nutrition and thanked me for the advice I provided in my previous blog, Nutrition: What Fuels You?

(Photo provided by Gettyimages / Photographer Darren McCollester)   

TREK II East Coast Relay

Yesterday I wrote about Bill Nawn and Sean Luitjens who plan to run the 111th Boston Marathon twice. Their double-marathon distance is for a charitable cause and very similar to the this story, but 1,500 miles shorter.

There is a group of 20 runners who will not stop after they run the Boston Marathon on Monday. These athletes make up two teams of 10 participants in the TREK II East Coast Relay. On Wednesday they will embark on an 11-day, 1,568-mile relay run to West Palm Beach, FL. Each team will average 143 miles a day while each runner will cover 15 to 17 miles a day.

Teams will be running at the same time, but each will raise funds for a different charity. Each runner is responsible for raising a minimum of $5,000 for their respective organization. Classrooms across the country will be monitoring as Team DMSE and TEAM POL pass through 11 states and the District of Columbia on their way to Florida. The teams hope to motivate kids and raise awareness about child obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Learn more about the TREK II East Coast Relay