Friday, November 25, 2011

Garden City Turkey Trot - Turkey Heads and Jugglers!


So I was at the Garden City Turkey Trot today (Nov 25th) in Garden City, NY on Long Island. My cousin Katie and I decided to do a little pre-dinner warmup to get our stomach's ready for the massive food that we wanted to eat today. A brisk, yet beautiful, 52* November day.

There were so many cool things going on at the Garden City Rec Center. There were Turkey Heads! Several people who were wearing Fresh and Cooked turkey hats :-) Katie just kept smiling every time she saw them. I mean, Who can't smile when they see a cooked turkey on someone's head. Additionally, there was a Juggling Runner! He ran the whole 8k while Juggling 4 hackysacks! Game Over!

As for the Race. BURC's Gallagher from Garden City ran with me. We found each other at the starting line and took off. We stayed together until until about the 3 1/2 mile mark. But I must say, I am very proud of Gallagher's performance today. Damn good!

My splits were almost perfect...

1st Mile - 6:00
2nd Mile- 5:57
3rd Mile - 5:57
4th Mile - 6:07
5th Mile - 5:44

8K Total : 29:45 - 28th/3377

I say that 5:57 pace for 5 miles isn't bad for my second run in 3 weeks. It hurt but it felt good. I've have been taking completely off since the World Championships in Early November. I don't like this. I'm antsy but rest is good, so takin it slow. But had a lot of fun at the Garden City Turkey Trot today!


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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Physical and Mental Benefits of Exercise by Liz Davies

Physical and Mental Benefits of Exercise by Liz Davies

Regular exercise is vital for a person who enjoys good health and is especially important for a person suffering from cancer. The physical and mental benefits of exercise are many. Though the body of even a healthy person finds exercise stressful at first, the body adapts to that stress, becomes stronger and will work more efficiently over time. This is true, to an extent, for someone suffering from a systemic disease such as cancer.

Exercise helps oxygen and nutrients get into the body and also helps remove carbon dioxide and other waste products from the body, all of which are crucial to a cancer patient. This improves stamina and raises energy levels, which helps the patient better endure whatever treatment they’re undergoing for their disease.

Other benefits of exercise are stronger bones, ligaments and tendons, which lessens the chance of injury. Exercise lowers the resting heart rate, enlarges the arteries to the heart and strengthens the heart over all. It also lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol and
triglyceride levels. At the same time, exercise raises levels of HDL, or the good cholesterol. Exercise improves immune function, which is also very important in the fight against cancer. Exercise also gets calcium into the bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Nothing says that just because a person has cancer they can't contract other diseases or conditions. Exercise helps keep other maladies at bay, and so gives the body more energy to fight the cancer.

The cancer patient should choose an exercise that won’t overtax them and should consult their physician before they take on an exercise routine. Exercises can be any activity the patient enjoys, like dancing, gardening, golfing, swimming, tennis, housecleaning, jogging and even plain old walking. The best exercises are ones that keep the heart rate up.

Maybe even more important than what it does for the body, regular exercise also elevates the mood. Cancer patient are often subject to periods of depression, fear and worry and these unhappy states decrease with regular exercise. This is because, as studies show, exercise boosts mood-elevating substances called
endorphins. This effect is enhanced when the patient shares their exercise routine with other patients. It’s important that the cancer patient not be isolated, and exercising with others will make it easier to commit to a schedule. There are also other ways of sharing ideas with people who are going through the same things. Support groups are very popular and there are groups for many different types of cancers, even mesothelioma support groups.

Exercise proves to be very beneficial for cancer patients both physically and mentally. Exercise often promotes cancer patients to make other positive changes in their lives as well.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

2011 ITU Long Course World Championships Article

My Experience! Thank you to the Time Herald-Record and Kevin Gleason!

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111115/SPORTS/111150317/-1/rss02

Update: Tomorrow I will be having a Guest Blogger Liz Davies. Tune In!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

2011 ITU Long Course World Championships


So I haven't written in a little while. And keep taking an interest in the Blog, soon there is going to be a Guest Writer! So keep in Tune!

But today I competed in the Long Course Triathlon World Championships. It was a great experience. I woke up at 5:30 except my body thought it was 8:30... Awesome Start!

My parents and I went down to T1 and the start of the Swim. I got out of the car and immediately was confronted by an ITU official. What now? What did I do? He said "I just want you to know that the swim has been cancelled." It turns out the water temperature was 53 degrees. Cold? Yes. But nothing crazy... The water temperature in the Keuka Triathlon that I traveled to with Adam was 55. Not too far off... Except the air temp at Keuka was 75 while Las Vegas was 39!!! Hypothermia!

So a time trial start in Numerical order. I was the ninth amateur to start. 5,4,3,2,1...GO! I started off well and felt great. Just another ride. By mile 10 I was leading the amateurs into Lake Mead State Park. On a few of the downhills I was passed by a few riders, but nothing serious. By mile 40 I was fatigued and breaking down. I had not been taking in any protein to repair and replenish the damage I was doing to me muscles. My aerobic capacity was superior, although my muscular system was breaking down. I forced myself to slow down so my body could repair itself. It could not withstand taking another 35 mile bike, AND 18 mile run beating at that intensity. I took it slow and easy throughout the next 20 miles which consisted of the "Three Sisters," 3 of the most intense hills of the race.

On the run I ran out of the gate nice and easy, nothing crazy. I picked up an two elite women who were going head to head and held on the them. They kept pushing back and forth, changing their leads. It was interesting to watch, and a good way to keep motivated. My legs were definitely hurting from the bike. The run course was one major hill! 4 loops... Run up hill for 3.75K, run downhill for 3.75K. It was intense but Incredible. All of the volunteers handing out the fuels were excited. The crowds were immense and cheering for all their respective countries. And the athletes were holding on. Some were stronger bikers and were holding off their competition from the front. Myself, I was catching up. I counted the numbers and figured out who was in my division and who I needed to beat. But the FIRST thing I did on the run course was eat a protein bar they were handing out at the aid stations. Within 5 minutes I felt stronger and lighter. Something I have learned and need to continue to do. Eat Protein during the race! (I already knew, but it slipped my mind). The finish was exciting, my mother handed me an American Flag which I held with me as I crossed the finish line. Go Team USA! (Run splits are below)

1- 6:11
2- 6:39
3- 7:05
4- 6:41
5- 6:21
6- 7:10
7- 7:44
8- 8:04
9- 6:52
10- 6:45
11- 7:29
12- 7:41
13- 7:24
Half Marathon Split - 1:32:45
14- 6:40
15- 7:10
16- 7:57
17- 8:02
18-7:30
Finish of 18.6 - 2:13:37