Active.com Endurance Sports

The Karnazes Chronicles

Ultra-marathon man Dean Karnazes continues to explore the boundaries of human endurance this week with back-to-back events. Today in New York City, Karnazes is running on a treadmill located on a platform attached to the Reuters building above Times Square. The 44-year old from the Bay Area is attempting to break the world record for a 24-hour distance run on a treadmill, currently set at 153.76 miles. This challenge is benefiting the organization Athletes for a Cure, which is dedicated to finding a cure for prostate cancer.

By 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, Karnazes will be back on the west coast, at the starting-line of the 34th annual Western States 100 Endurance Run. The WS100, dubbed the “ultimate challenge,” begins at an elevation of 6,200 feet in Squaw Valley and ascends 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4.5 miles. Runners continue west, along trails originally used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850s, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet to the finish line in Auburn, California. The 2006 winner, Graham Cooper, crossed the finish line in 18 hours, 17 minutes, 28 seconds, while Karnazes, finished 15th overall with a time of 21 hours, 38 minutes, 34 seconds. It will be interesting to see if Karnazes’ performance this year will be influenced by the 24-hour distance run.

This epic undertaking is just another day in the life of Karnazes, who completed a remarkable 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states this past year along with entering and completing a 200-mile relay race alone. Karnazes is an advocate of healthy and active living and has inspired many people, including myself, with his endearing persona and ability to encourage others to strive towards one’s personal best. Go Team Dean!

Active Toby's Adventure Blog

Run-walk-run fun

I initially discovered the run-walk-run technique when training for my first ultra-marathon in May. Before I registered for the 50K, I was doubtful of my abilities because I had only completed an 18-mile training run. Upon experimentation, I discovered that the run-walk-run technique enabled me to cover twice the distance that I was able to continuously run. When race day came, I broke the run up into walking intervals throughout the race, including walking up hills and covered the 31 miles only 15 minutes over my projected time. I was surprised to learn that despite its advantages, there are still critics who believe that walking is a sign of poor fitness and conditioning.

Jeff Galloway’s Run-walk-run to faster times, faster recovery article goes into greater detail, highlighting the benefits and strategy behind walking intervals. I’m a huge fan of this technique and will incorporate this into my training for my next ultra-running event. As of now, it looks like the Bulldog 50K is next on the list. We’ll see how the rehabilitation of my Achilles tendon goes over the next month when incorporating non-impact training on my brand new Novara Strada road bike 

As you can see, my mind is on over-drive as I adjust to being done with 18 weeks of marathon training. Setting new goals is going to help me work towards overcoming this injury while staying aware of this vulnerable stage. I have learned a greater respect for my body and its limitations. My approach to future endeavors now incorporates a greater awareness that my “endurance spirit” is stronger than my body. Finding a balance is going to require healthier communication between my mind and body.      

I’m going to leave you with a quote by Napoleon Hill, an American author of personal-success literature in the early 1900s and famous for the following hallmark saying:

What the mind of man [humankind] can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Active Toby's Adventure Blog

Pre-marathon Checklist

Congratulations, the hardest part is over. Eighteen weeks of training and now only 26.2 miles separate you from your goal. Take a look at this pre-marathon checklist to make sure you don’t start celebrating early.

• Avoid any unusual foods -- eat the training meals that you’ve found work well before long runs. Be sure to eat more than 12 hours before the race.

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Your water bottle should never leave your side the day before a marathon.

• Stay off your feet, rest and relax. Try some light stretching.

• Use visualization during the day while relaxing. Envision yourself on the course. Think positively about all the work you've put into your training.

• Lay out all your clothing and gear for the race.  Essential items are:

            -- Race chip
            -- Race number
            -- Running outfit, shoes and socks.
            -- Wristwatch – For timing/pacing in event
            -- Your race fuels
            -- Body glide or Vaseline to prevent chaffing

• Plan and prepare what you’ll eat for breakfast.

• Set your alarm clock and double check it. Make sure you have ample time to warm up properly.Sleep. Two nights before your race is the most important night of rest. The night before tends to be less restful, so don’t worry about it.

Run smart, not hard.

Active Toby's Adventure Blog

The journey, not the destination

The past couple of days have been challenging for me both physically and emotionally as I attempt to process the fact that I won’t be running the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon on Sunday. I have come to learn that life lessons take on many forms and my recent injury is no exception.

First and foremost, I recognize that I am blessed with an amazing support-network of family, friends and co-workers who are always looking out for me. If those who feel alone in this world could be this fortunate, there would be less of a propensity to seek refuge in destructive activities that prolong the recovery process.

With that being said, it is important to recognize that overtraining for an event can be more harmful than not being adequately conditioned. If you aren’t properly trained, you can still walk, crawl, or skip your way to the finish line. If you’re injured, you can’t even cross the starting line.

During training, a relationship with your body will develop that requires the utmost attention. Not listening to your body’s signals is like not being there for a friend who is in need. Every athlete will respond uniquely to an over-the-counter training regimen so an adjustment of mileage and intensity to preserve this relationship is encouraged. The article “Overuse injury is preventable,” by the American Running Association, offers suggestions that will keep you healthy and strong all the way to the finish line.

Train smart, not hard.

Active Toby's Adventure Blog

Marathon Tapering

I am proud to announce that I have begun week 15 of my 18-week training program for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. I have covered roughly 400 miles of road, beach and trails, including My First Ultramarathon in the past three months. In order to maximize the benefits of my training, I have begun what the endurance world refers to as “tapering.” Tapering is simply a reduction in training volume so the body can rebuild to peak strength. During this period, muscles have the chance to repair, glycogen energy stores replenish, the body re-hydrates, and joint and tendon inflammation subside.

Experts have debated over the exact number of days needed for a successful taper, but it is certain that the focus shifts from quantity to quality during this three to four-week process. Incorporating speed work, like the Fartlek Method, followed by a light day will help maintain confidence and prevent a common side effect, discussed by Active Expert, Gale Bernhardt in her article, “The Taper Blues.” The blues can easily discourage an athlete who has become accustomed to high-energy expenditure during training because he or she will have more energy and feel stronger than ever before. It is imperative not to act on these feelings which may sacrifice months of hard work. Also, it is quite common for an athlete to overlook the fact that they are burning fewer calories; therefore they most adjust their nutrition plan accordingly.

Stay positive during this stage of rest, and use your extra time and energy to practice visualization techniques and review race-course and race-day details. Most importantly, remember why you are doing this in the first place and consider how far you have come and how you have grown as a person over the past three months.

Teva Mountain Games

The sixth annual Teva Mountain Games is returning to Vail, Colo. May 30 – June 3. This is the country’s largest adventure sports festival celebrating mountain sports, soul and culture. This weeklong gathering of professional and amateur outdoor adventure athletes from around the world will feature competition in multiple sports including: freeride mountain biking and big air, cross country racing and the Vail hill climb, freestyle and extreme kayaking, kayak and raft paddlecross, bouldering, speed and dyno climbing, trail running championships, and the Ultimate Mountain Challenge. To Register for events, click here.

Floyd Landis is set to compete as a member of Team Athletes for a Cure in the Ultimate Mountain Challenge. This event is just eight months after the current/tentative/putative/besieged/etc. 2006 Tour de France winner underwent major hip surgery. Click here to read the full story.

In addition to the athletic events, the Teva Mountain Games will include an adventure photography competition, a film competition, an interactive exhibition and demo area, live music and the prestigious Everest Awards ceremony.

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.

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.

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)