Posts filed under 'Running'
Everyone knows you can use Google Maps to map things. But MapMyRun.com has put this to use for running routes. Let’s say you travel alot for work, and you’re going to be in a new town this week but want to keep up your jogging schedule. Well hop on this site and do a search on the city you’re going to. There are many routes that are loops from hotels, perfect for travelers.
MapMyRun is also a great way to share your running routes and even find a new one in your own town.
February 13th, 2008
Never. According to a recent article in the New York Times.
At least that’s what Dr. John Castellani says. He’s an exercise physiologist and expert on environmental medicine. “The big question was, ‘Is it ever too cold?’” Dr. Castellani said. “The answer is no. People go to the poles, people are out there when it’s minus-50 degrees, people do incredible things, and safely. There really isn’t a point where you can tell people it is not safe anymore.”
Common Myths…
Bundle Up
Yes, wear enough clothing to keep you warm. Try not to leave too much exposed skin. But don’t overdress. Wearing too much can make you sweat and sweating can keep you wet and eventually cold.
Take Breaks
No way. Keep moving, this will keep you warm. Stopping will only slow your heart rate and make you colder.
It Can Damage Your Lungs
Wrong. By the time air reaches your lungs it is body temperature, says Kenneth W. Rundell, the director of respiratory research and the human physiology laboratory at Marywood University. However, cold air can sometimes be dryer. So if you experience any problems it is most likely due to the dryness of the air, not the coldness.
With all that said. Hypothermia and Frostbite are real. Don’t stay out too long or expose yourself to extreme conditions for long periods of time. But moderate exercise in cold weather is just fine. Well, there goes that excuse. I guess I should get outside and do something…
January 22nd, 2008
We’re wrapping up the list of trailhead grub spots today with 5 places you can’t go wrong with. I’m getting HUNGRY!
5. Miguel’s - Red River Gorge, KY
Why? Endercore says “Best pizzia in the world, amazing topping selection, and run by a great family who are nothing but supportive to the climbing community, and the community in general. Miguel employees a staff of climbers who are always really nice. Miguels IS the outdoorzy spot in the red, so proximity is no issue, price is good, and he rarely runs out. Don’t forget to admire his woodcarvings while you’re there. Plus you can camp in the back for 2 bucks a night.”
4. The Pizza Factory - Lone Pine, CA
Why? Summiting Mt Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, is no easy chore. But getting down a big greasy peperoni laden pie with a tall pitcher of whatever beer you like IS an easy chore. After the Whitney adventure, stop here for some great food and lots of pictures of all the old western movie stars that used to film in the area. It’s right at the end of Whitney Portal Road, can’t miss it.
3. Ocoee Dam Deli - Ocoee, TN
Why? According to Endercore “It is about 5 miles from the takeout for the middle ocoee river in TN. Its this little shack of a place with a gravel parking lot, a lovely porch, and a bunch of TV’s on the inside that are constantly playing boating videos. Its awesome because they have 2 or 3 diffrent videos playing at once, and one is almost always a rafting carnage video from the ocoee, so you can sit and reminisce on getting your ass kicked in the very same hole earlier that day, or freak your self out about getting caught in this keeper hole, getting run over by a raft, and being recirculated while some stoned raft guide misses you with his throw bag 10 times before finally rescuing you.”
2. K’s Dairy Delight - Buena Vista, CO
Why? Well it sits in the shadow of the Collegiate 14ers in Colorado, has a whitewater river at its back door and plenty of rock climbing all around. Then there’s the food. Burgers, fries, onion rings, and ice cream cap off your adventure. They also give you the name of a movie star when you show up and when they call out your name, say… “Robert Redford”, you go get your food. Feeling like crap, but treated like a star.
AND #1 (at least on this list…)
Calamity Jane’s - Mt Hood, OR
Why? After skiing all day at Timbeline Lodge, hiking the 45 mile Timbeline Trail, or summiting Mt Hood… a 1 lb burger as big as your head is the only thing you need. That and some neosporin… Serving giant burgers just a few miles down the road from Mt Hood and doing it all with a smile. This rustic building has the charm and the calories to get you back on your sore feet again.
And for all the detail Endercore went into, he wins the MSR Alpine Kitchen Set compliments of MSR! Just message me Endercore to claim your prize.
Thanks for the help of all the Outdoorzies that put their two cents in on the forum!
January 10th, 2008
After a difficult summit, run, hike, mtb ride, or day on the slopes there’s nothing like a big fat-filled, cheese-covered meal to satisfy your calorie deficit. Many of you probably have your favorite spot to eat after a tough day. I’ve compiled a list of some of the best trailhead grub spots (with the help of some of our members). Atmosphere, food quality, food quantity, and proximity to the trailhead all went into the hat to help us decide on these. These are all in the US and Canada. We may do an international list down the road.
Below are #s 10-6…. #s 5-1 to come tomorrow.
10. Pig Diner - Pig, Ky
Why? Any place with named “Pig” in a town named “Pig” has to at least get a nod. Not to mention the amazing greasy breakfast selection and the killer Beef Manhattan. Wash it all down with a glass of sweet tea that your spoon could stand up in it’s so thick and you’re ready to re-enter society. This place is about 5 minutes outside of the south entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park.
9. Adair’s Wilderness Lodge - Waterford, NB (Canada)
Why? Fundyguy25 says - “Great spot to eat with homemade desserts, soups, and all the standards. Friendly knowledgable staff that know the area and some even do some guiding. There is on-site tenting as well as a couple of cottages. They offer a shuttle service to and from many trail heads and often serve as headquarters when S&R teams are needed. The building sits next to a pond and is on a dirt road (may be chipsealed soon though), and is a log building.”
8. Nate’s Grille - Skagway, AK
Why? JoshuatheNomad says “The guy who own’s the place is uber-groovy. The place has a coffee shop/mom & pop greasy spoon atmosphere with constant great tunes, amazing deep fried deserts: oreos, snickers, reeses cups, twinkies…
And Nate makes by far the best fries in Skagway, maybe in the world! accompany that with his black and bleu HUGE burger and a PBR from around the corner at Moe’s Frontier Bar and you’ve got an Alaskan delight. I’ve never met a nicer, more genuine restaurant owner anywhere. And there was movies, by theme, every Friday and Saturday night this summer.”
7. The Blue Spruce - Frisco, CO
Why? Grensap says “I like the blue spruce its got a old time feel. Close to all the ski slopes, trails, the blue river, and lake dillon. It great for a nice sit down dinner, but the bar has great prices and there Colorado wings are awesome. I know the price look high but its some of the best food around. Also I guess I really like it because it is right infront of my house.”
6. Pies & Pints - Fayettville, WV
Why? JoshuatheNomad says “The name answers the why. Pizza and Beer. Parking isn’t great but the food and beer selection counters that issue. Also, on a nice spring or fall day, they have a porch and other outside seating [i think], not the greatest view but I personally love to sit outSiDe and down some beer and pizza after a long day of calorie burning fun. And you can basically make your own work of art with the plethora of toppings they have to offer.”
January 9th, 2008
Awwww yeah. Could you have a better locale to recover from a tough off-road triathlon? Our buddies down at Jakes are putting on their annual tri there in Treasure Beach.
Now in its 13th year the Jake’s Jamaican Off-Road Triathlon takes place every spring, featuring a 500-meter ocean swim, a 13.7-mile mountain bike course and a 4.3-mile cross-country run and can be done as a team or individually. The race is the main fundraiser for Breds Treasure Beach Foundation, a local non-profit that helps raise funds for sports, education, environmental initiatives and health programs in the small fishing village of Treasure Beach. Also, local mountain biker Andy is available to take people around this course. Rates for Jake’s start at $95 based on double occupancy now through December 14, 2007, and $115 from December 15, 2007 to April 19, 2008. And as an Outdoorzy member you’ll get a 5th night free when booking 4 nights through December 14th.
Mark your calendars, the date is April 27th, 2008.
October 26th, 2007
Sometimes I am asked to test products like backcountry water filters, backpacking stoves, and other rugged gadgets. Other times I get requests to test products which don’t quite seem so Outdoorzy… or are they? Febreeze to Go didn’t seem related to outdoor sports at all, until the light bulb went off…. THE FUNK! My SUV had this… and now my new outdoorzy mobile has it. It goes like this…
- Wade goes running
- Wade gets sweaty
- Wade drives back from the trail or park
- Wade forgets and leaves sweaty shoes in car
- Wades car smells like booty
I sprayed 5 or 6 sweeping sprays of this stuff into the back seat of my ride like fairy dust (the kind from disney, not the kind Al Pacino loved in Scarface) and wowee-wow-wow, THE FUNK was gone. Alas after about 4 hours THE FUNK came back. But after a second application it was kept at bay.
I think this product has some real potential for us active lifestyle folks. Whether it be freshening the gym bag, car FUNK, that not-so-fresh feeling you emit after a hard mtb ride and you see your old high school prom queen in the mini-mart …you get the picture. And for those of you who don’t get around to washing clothes often… just pull that outdoorzy.com t-shirt from the hamper, spray, and head out in style.
The bottle says its safe to use around cats and dogs. I’m assuming that means they could lick it off your furniture and doesn’t insinuate that you can spray them with it or use it as a spice on their chow. I’m also assuming this stuff isn’t the greatest for the environment. Nothing smells this good naturally. But then again, its not something that you’d need to use every day, or that you’d need a big bottle of. Heck the bottle is only 2.8 oz. and is made of recyclable plastic. It should be in a store near you soon. Or you could swing by my house and I’ll hose you down with it.
Oh, and it makes for a nice cologne.
October 25th, 2007
A few weeks back I wrote a blog entry about preparing for a 5k. Well that time has come and gone. This past Saturday I ran in my first 5k in Russellville, KY. The time wasn’t stellar (30:50) but I ran the entire time and didn’t want to kill myself till about the 2.75 mark. I was training for the 5k held during the Bowling Green Medical Center 10k, but decided to go ahead and do one a week early. This Saturday I will be running in BG race.
It is also important to note that I did get 2nd place in my age group, and yes that would mean a trophy. If you get a trophy they call it second place, if I didn’t get a trophy I would have called it last place since there was only me and another guy in my age group.
Just wanted to give everyone an update on my running situation because I knew you all were dying to know. But more importantly then any of this is to make note of those fly outdoorzy.com t-shirts. Man those look GOOD!
October 10th, 2007
So I am not what you would call a runner. I am built more for a Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker than anything else. However I got it in my head one day that I wanted to run a 5k. Having never ran a full mile outdoorz and only about 1.25 miles on a treadmill I figure I had my work cut out for me. I am now about 2 weeks away from my goal of running a 5k and can run outside 3 miles in about 30 minutes. I thought I would share what I did and give some tips so if anyone out there wants to give it a shot they can.
Set a Goal
My goal was to run the Medical Center 10k (the 5k race). I don’t think it really matters what your goal is as long as you set one. Well actually strike that. Make your goal realistic. I have never really ran before except if something was chasing me. I didn’t set my goal to be running in a marathon. That would have only lasted about a week and then it would have felt impossible. 3.1 miles seemed possible, I wouldn’t be happy about it, but at least I know it’s doable. Lofty goals are good, but I think minor goals between major goals are better. I think a major goal for me is to participate in a sprint triathlon. This 5k was a minor goal for me to get to the triathlon point next summer.
Get a Program
My program was the Couch to 5k. I seemed to call out to me since 1) love the couch and 2) wanted to run in a 5k. Funny how that worked. I didn’t bother checking with a physician or anything like that. Just use your head. Don’t do anything stupid that would hurt you. Don’t push yourself to the point where you puke. This is supposed to be fun!
Get some music
I have found that I am good for about 1.5 miles with nothing but the air whipping slowly through my hair and the sound of my panting like lab in heat. After that I need something to take my mind off the running. I suggest a small mp3 player. 512mb players can be found now for less than 50 bucks online and are a great investment for beginning runners. An arm strap for the player is a good purchase as well. I eventually want to get the Nike and iPod system. That thing looks awesome.
Get a Partner
I am lucky enough to have a great girlfriend who runs with me. She has done a few 5k’s and a 10k and can definitely motivate me to keep running when I am ready to stop. I have tried running a few times on my own, but I am just not that motivated on my own and end up cheating and walking some. Hey I never said I was perfect. Like many things in life, accountability is a great thing to have, especially when you start running.
Sign Up and Run!
One of the most important things you could do is pay your money and sign up for the race. Once you have about 25 bucks invested you are more likely to actually do it.
I have found this whole experience to be a great thing. I have enjoyed the running and feel like I am accomplishing something, since I know 10 weeks ago this wasn’t really possible. I am actually going to do a 5k in Logan county the week before the Medical Center race since the workout has gone so well…we will call that a practice run. Get it? Practice “run”. I am hilarious.
September 18th, 2007
