Extra, Extra - Run All About It!

By Peter Washkowitz

Dear readers, let's take a look back at the week in running:

* The KansasCity.com published an article on March 17th that sought to answer the age-old question: what piece of cardiovascular gym equipment provides the most accurate calorie count to a user? According to the article, given the fact that "Caloric expenditure is mostly (but not entirely) a function of distance covered and body weight”, it is the exercise bike that provides the most accurate data while the elliptical provides the least. Interviewed to give credence to the findings, Ross Tucker, co-author of the exercise science blog, the Science of Sport, explained that, because the variation in people’s ‘mechanical efficiency’ is relatively low when using an exercise bike (as opposed to incredibly high on the elliptical), it is easy to convert the work one expends into the amount of calories burned with very precise accuracy. For those of us like myself who prefer the treadmill, results may vary as the speed, stride, weight and other such factors can significantly vary from user to user. Being an avid fan of the treadmill, I have always wondered what type of person actually bases their workout on the number of calories to be burned. While it makes sense to decide beforehand how far or how fast you want to run, it conversely seems odd to do so based on a set number of calories. And, hey, even if you don’t feel it is as odd as I do, maybe the fact that the calorie count isn’t particularly accurate will help change your mind.

* As reported on Space.com on March 17th, the zero gravity exercise bike on NASA’s space shuttle Discovery broke while the shuttle was en route to the International Space Station to complete the outpost's power grid. Luckily, the exercise bike broke as Discovery was nearing its docking with the space station that has its own onboard gym complete with a space age treadmill (which I actually wrote about in a past post), exercise bike and resistance-based exercise gear. Because of the incredibly high stress put on any NASA space shuttle while in-flight, NASA is no stranger to equipment malfunctions and breakages and shuttle flight director Paul Dye told reporters late Monday, "We're in the very early stages of looking for a fix [for the exercise bike], but I'm pretty confident that we can fix that." While I can't recall ever having used a stationary bike (gravity or zero gravity) in a gym before, I was particularly drawn to this article when it began describing NASA’s rules and regulations regarding astronauts and fitness more generally. As both a lover of working out and a family man needing to provide for his family, I am always on the lookout for an employment opportunity that would enable me to combine both. According to this article, “Aboard the space station, astronauts have to work out about two hours every day to maintain their muscle strength during six-month spaceflights”. If someone from NASA with the ability to hire people is reading this, please consider making me NASA’s next astronaut!!

* As reported on HealthNewsDigest.com on March 19th, through the establishment of running-related programs offered through elementary, middle and high schools, the number of school-age children who are running on a regular basis has been increasing recently and now stands at around 2 million. The article goes on the review expert runner Marc Bloom's new book In Young Runners: The Complete Guide to Healthy Running for Kids from 5 to 18. Citing the paucity of running books geared towards children, the article praises Bloom's efforts when it notes "With the majority of books written on proper running and training techniques geared towards adults, school-aged children have little guidance when it comes to the sport. As one of America’s most respected running experts with a career spanning over 40 years, Bloom is endowed with first-hand knowledge of running’s long-term effects and is the perfect source to turn to when it comes to starting a life-long relationship with running". While I fully encourage any efforts at getting our young-ins running at an earlier age (and sure wish I had started running much earlier than I did), I must admit that this increasing trend does give me a little pause. With all these new and younger runners entering the world of running, my chances to dominate future races appears to be decreasing as the average age of the entrants continues to go down!!

Weekly Obama Gym Sighting!!

As reported on CNN on March 19th, while in Los Angeles to continue gaining support for his stimulus bill, President Obama was seen working out at the gym in the Beverly Hilton. Known for his love of all thing fitness, Obama entered the hotel gym "Wearing his trademark workout outfit-a black cap, black track pants, and a gray t-shirt, he warmed up with a walk while reading the newspaper and listening to his iPod. He soon started running in earnest, ditching the paper, along with the black baseball cap he sported when he arrived". GOBAMA!!!

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Next Weekend's Marathons

Saturday, March 28th
Ellerbe Springs Inn Ellerbe Springs Marathon (Ellerbe, NC)
Enviro-Sports Napa Valley Trail Marathon (Calistoga, CA)
Olathe Marathon (Olathe, KS)

Sunday, March 29
Bataan Memorial Death March (White Sands Missile Range, NM)
ING Georgia Marathon (Atlanta, GA)
Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon (Knoxville, TN)
Ocean Drive Run Club, Inc. Ocean Drive Marathon (Cape May County, NJ)
Virginia Creeper Marathon (Abingdon, VA)

Whidbey Island Marathon (Oak Harbor, WA)