Summer is almost over (unfortunately!), but in reviewing some of my files, I came across an interesting article that debunked some common health myths, most related to summer living. Research on this subject comes from the books "Don't Swallow Your Gum,!" and "Don't Cross Your Eyes...They'll Get Stuck That Way," by Drs. Rachel C. Vreeman and Aaron E. Carroll.
One common myth is "Don't swim for 30 minutes after eating."
While swimming, like running, may feel uncomfortable on a full stomach, there are no documented cases of drowning or near-drowning caused by eating, according to the researchers of the books. You may get a cramping feeling, and I have experienced that myself when running or swimming too close to a meal. That is because the stomach calls for blood to digest food you have eaten. When you exercise, other muscles are calling for that same supply, potentially causing the food to digest more slowly, and creating a cramping sensation. While uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening. With swimming, like any other cardiovascular activity, eat light before!
Another myth is: "You can catch poison ivy from someone who has it."
Actually, it is the oil from the poison ivy plant itself that is contagious, and once a person showers that is washed away. Poison ivy has a delayed response in the system, not appearing for 24 to 72 hours after contact with the plant. Assuming the infected person has showered during that time, it's unlikely they will have the oil on their body when the symptoms show. No matter how unsightly the sores look, they are actually unlikely to have the oils on them that spreads poison ivy.
One myth I actually had not heard myself, but is also untrue is: "If a jellyfish stings you, urinate on the wound."
The treatment for jellyfish stings is, first, get out of the water,as Diana Nyad had to finally do on her Havana to Miami swim. Remove the tentacles with an object like a tweezer, and apply vinegar. Urine has a different pH than vinegar and can actually worsen the effects of the sting. The myth may have started because once the stinging cells of the jellyfish have been washed away, warm urine may sooth the wound, based on its warmth alone. Warm water, heat packs, or ice would also work, and are much more sanitary!
Finally, a myth that is true is that "Scratching a bug bite makes it worse."
I'm guilty of this all the time! If you scratch a bug bite vigorously, it will break the skin, and the bacteria from underneath you fingernails may cause a skin infection.Scratching inflames the bite more, which causes the swelling to last longer. Treat it with an antibiotic ointment, and no matter how tempting, stay away!
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Lake Takanassee Race 2012
Some of my favorite races have been at Lake Takanassee in Long Branch, including my personal-best 5-K of 17:01, set a few decades ago!
While I've moved away from the Shore-area, I try to get there once a year, catch up with some old friends, and see how much I've lost, year-to-year!
The paradox is, as I've slowed as I trudge through middle-age, the field at Takanassee, and many other races, is not as strong, for various reasons. I've been able to stay in the front pack in most local races, which increases my motivation, and keeps my times at a respectable level!
Case in point was my race at "The Lake" on August 6th. I finished third overall in a crowd of about 150, which I certainly am not complaining about! My time was 20:02, which is average for me right now, and I'm a little bummed I couldn't shave off the three seconds to keep me in the 19 minute range!
Early in the race, I was next to a couple of college-age runners, who looked pretty competitive. I gasped "what are you guys looking to run?" hoping we can stay together as a pack.
One said, "This is just a training run." The other, "I'm just getting back into it," as they darted away from me.
I didn't expect to see either one again, but surprisingly caught the one "just getting back into it" shortly after the mile mark, which I hit (somewhat uncomfortably) in 6:14. The guy out for the training run had separated himself, but was within eyesight. Shortly before the two-mile mark, I was able to catch him, and I hit that split in 12:39, still laboring somewhat.
That gave me a 7:20 window for the last 1.1 to finish under 20-minutes, and I sensed it would be close.
I was in third-place now, but the two leaders were out of my view.
Takanassee is a four-lap race, and by the second mile, you begin to lap some of the slower runners and racewalkers. You often can't see who is directly ahead of you. The effect is that of the late stages of a NASCAR race!
I tried to push as hard as I could, but with no one around me, and the leaders out of my sightline, I may have begun to mentally waver a bit. The last half-mile features a bit of a hairpin turn along Ocean Ave., which cuts down on your momentum a bit. The three-mile mark read 12:25, and I sprinted as hard as I could, from that point to the finish chute.
I probably had a look of disappointment as I saw the 20-minute mark on the clock. Staggering a few steps, I checked my heart rate - 172 - slightly over my "recommended max" of 167. I guess I had given everything I had, anyway!
It took a good five minutes to completely recover, which I use as a gauge of my race effort, so I was satisfied with that, as well. I did run into some old friends from Monmouth University and the Shore Athletic Club, some of whom I expected to see, and some not!
A "blast from my past," and an overall fun night. It was a beautiful sunset as I was driving up the Parkway, I had the Phillies game on the radio, windows halfway down in the cool summer air - a nice way to spend a mid-summer evening!
While I've moved away from the Shore-area, I try to get there once a year, catch up with some old friends, and see how much I've lost, year-to-year!
The paradox is, as I've slowed as I trudge through middle-age, the field at Takanassee, and many other races, is not as strong, for various reasons. I've been able to stay in the front pack in most local races, which increases my motivation, and keeps my times at a respectable level!
Case in point was my race at "The Lake" on August 6th. I finished third overall in a crowd of about 150, which I certainly am not complaining about! My time was 20:02, which is average for me right now, and I'm a little bummed I couldn't shave off the three seconds to keep me in the 19 minute range!
Early in the race, I was next to a couple of college-age runners, who looked pretty competitive. I gasped "what are you guys looking to run?" hoping we can stay together as a pack.
One said, "This is just a training run." The other, "I'm just getting back into it," as they darted away from me.
I didn't expect to see either one again, but surprisingly caught the one "just getting back into it" shortly after the mile mark, which I hit (somewhat uncomfortably) in 6:14. The guy out for the training run had separated himself, but was within eyesight. Shortly before the two-mile mark, I was able to catch him, and I hit that split in 12:39, still laboring somewhat.
That gave me a 7:20 window for the last 1.1 to finish under 20-minutes, and I sensed it would be close.
I was in third-place now, but the two leaders were out of my view.
Takanassee is a four-lap race, and by the second mile, you begin to lap some of the slower runners and racewalkers. You often can't see who is directly ahead of you. The effect is that of the late stages of a NASCAR race!
I tried to push as hard as I could, but with no one around me, and the leaders out of my sightline, I may have begun to mentally waver a bit. The last half-mile features a bit of a hairpin turn along Ocean Ave., which cuts down on your momentum a bit. The three-mile mark read 12:25, and I sprinted as hard as I could, from that point to the finish chute.
I probably had a look of disappointment as I saw the 20-minute mark on the clock. Staggering a few steps, I checked my heart rate - 172 - slightly over my "recommended max" of 167. I guess I had given everything I had, anyway!
It took a good five minutes to completely recover, which I use as a gauge of my race effort, so I was satisfied with that, as well. I did run into some old friends from Monmouth University and the Shore Athletic Club, some of whom I expected to see, and some not!
A "blast from my past," and an overall fun night. It was a beautiful sunset as I was driving up the Parkway, I had the Phillies game on the radio, windows halfway down in the cool summer air - a nice way to spend a mid-summer evening!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
"Undy 5000" For Colon Cancer Research
Summer is my favorite time to race! My client schedule is a little lighter, which means I have a few more weekend mornings availiable, and my body isn't quite as beaten up. As a trainer, I like to participate in many of the exercises with the clients, so on many days, I'm doing six to eight hours of some forms of lunges, medicine ball throws, pull-ups, or push-ups. No complaints, I love it!
For racing sharpness, however, those lunges and box step-ups can get your legs fatigued. I try to stay away from them a day or two before I compete.
On July 28th, I returned to my old stomping grounds of Long Branch and took part in the "Undy 5000," a 5-K race to benefit the Colon Cancer Research Alliance.
The morning was humid (to my liking!), and the course was advantageous, out-and-back along the Long Branch boardwalk, totally flat. There was a crowd of about 400, many part of fund-raising teams.
I bumped into an old friend, Gary Pierce, who won the Jersey Shore Marathon back in 1973 or so. He's always encouraging, and he pumped me up for a good effort.
Blocking out my chronic Achilles pain, I got out amongst the lead pack, and got into that zone where you feel you're right at the top of your anaerobic threshold, but not surpassing it. There was a narrow "no passing" zone by Pier Village about a half-mile in where I held back a bit, then got by two people as soon as it opened up.
The miles were marked, but had no timers there. I felt I was either running well, or running slow and thinking I was running well! I passed one or two more people in the second mile, still feeling strong, and mentally prepared myself not to let down in that third mile.
I shortened up the final stretches in my head. "That ticket stand is probably at the 2 1/4 point. Hit Pier Village and there is only a half to go! Finally, the the finish line!" A mist spray from the Long Branch Fire Dept. helped make it through the final 1/4, and I hit the finish in 19:23.
It was my best 5-K since turning 50 (nearly four years ago), and definitely encouraging. My Achilles started throbbing the second I finished, but at least I was happy with the effort. I finished 10th overall, and second in the 50-59 age-group.
I got a medal, and relaxed as I listened to the moving ceremony, with Colon Cancer survivors who ran the race. I had found a well-organized, fun new event and help support a very good cause.
I stopped by at an old favorite greasy spoon, and had that "Jersey classic," a Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese on a hard roll. Then visited with a friend who's recovering from a bad heart scare, and made my way back home. A nice, summer morning!
For racing sharpness, however, those lunges and box step-ups can get your legs fatigued. I try to stay away from them a day or two before I compete.
On July 28th, I returned to my old stomping grounds of Long Branch and took part in the "Undy 5000," a 5-K race to benefit the Colon Cancer Research Alliance.
The morning was humid (to my liking!), and the course was advantageous, out-and-back along the Long Branch boardwalk, totally flat. There was a crowd of about 400, many part of fund-raising teams.
I bumped into an old friend, Gary Pierce, who won the Jersey Shore Marathon back in 1973 or so. He's always encouraging, and he pumped me up for a good effort.
Blocking out my chronic Achilles pain, I got out amongst the lead pack, and got into that zone where you feel you're right at the top of your anaerobic threshold, but not surpassing it. There was a narrow "no passing" zone by Pier Village about a half-mile in where I held back a bit, then got by two people as soon as it opened up.
The miles were marked, but had no timers there. I felt I was either running well, or running slow and thinking I was running well! I passed one or two more people in the second mile, still feeling strong, and mentally prepared myself not to let down in that third mile.
I shortened up the final stretches in my head. "That ticket stand is probably at the 2 1/4 point. Hit Pier Village and there is only a half to go! Finally, the the finish line!" A mist spray from the Long Branch Fire Dept. helped make it through the final 1/4, and I hit the finish in 19:23.
It was my best 5-K since turning 50 (nearly four years ago), and definitely encouraging. My Achilles started throbbing the second I finished, but at least I was happy with the effort. I finished 10th overall, and second in the 50-59 age-group.
I got a medal, and relaxed as I listened to the moving ceremony, with Colon Cancer survivors who ran the race. I had found a well-organized, fun new event and help support a very good cause.
I stopped by at an old favorite greasy spoon, and had that "Jersey classic," a Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese on a hard roll. Then visited with a friend who's recovering from a bad heart scare, and made my way back home. A nice, summer morning!
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