Running

"Cryotherapy ("cold therapy") constricts blood vessels and decreases metabolic activity, which reduces swelling and tissue breakdown. Once the skin is no longer in contact with the cold source, the underlying tissues warm up, causing a return of faster blood flow, which helps return the byproducts of cellular breakdown to the lymph system for efficient recycling by the body. "Ice baths don't only suppress inflammation, but help to flush harmful metabolic debris out of your muscles," says David Terry, M.D., an ultrarunner who has finished both the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and the Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run 10 consecutive times. Though you could use individual ice packs, cold-water immersion generally produces a greater and longer lasting change in deep tissues and is more a more efficient means of cooling large groups of muscles simultaneously. The discomfort associated with sitting in a tub full of ice water scares off some athletes. I admit that after my long... more... - Anika Malone from Bookmarklet

I have YET to try the ice bath. Sounds so cold! brrrr - Julianne

There's another part about the same race: "I attempted to catch Matthew McConaughey, but he's surprisingly speedy. He also runs like a girl--a very fast girl." ROFLMAO - Anika Malone

How does he have the energy, ya know, being a sex addict and all? :) - Richard Walker *cultUtee*

"5k Run • Aquathlon • 1 Mile Swim • 1 Mile Sand Sprint - all summer long! The 4 event series has stops at some of the top beach cities along the Southern California Coast. We guarantee some fun at the beach, "friendly" competition and a post event party that'll knock your socks off. Participants can choose between a 5k Run, an aquathlon (swim/run) a 1 mile swim or a 1 mile sand sprint. Points will be awarded for the top finishers for each event. At the end of the season, we'll award the King and Queen of the Beach Awards. Check out the site often as we'll be adding updates weekly." - Anika Malone from Bookmarklet

"Shelly laughed and patiently explained that by sitting in the ice, my body would respond by restricting blood flow to the extremities submerged in ice (in this case, my lower half), while pushing all of the lactic acid - or junk built up from the workout - out of my legs and into my lymphatic system therefore helping to speed recovery. The ice cold water would stimulate my body to restrict blood flow to the damaged muscles and tissues, help reduce swelling from the micro-tears gained from the workout, and feel really really good about 2 hours after the bath. And then she stretched my hamstrings. I winced, and decided then and there, that after the next difficult workout (time trial, race, or just butt-bursting-pain-kind-of-workout) I would buy 40 pounds of ice, and hop into the bath asap." - Anika Malone from Bookmarklet

From the Apps Room - Anika Malone

Thanks for the reshare, Anika ;) - Paul Whitaker

Runners, Walkers, Family and Friends....Join us on Sunday, April 19th for a FUN day at Lake Balboa Park in Encino, near the 405 and 101 freeways in beautiful San Fernando Valley. It's the 7th annual Victory for Victims 5K & 8K River Run & Walk. This year's new course goes past the beautiful lake and along the LA River. Plan to stay and enjoy the fabulous Finish Line Festival and Expo....free food, loads of family fun, celebrities, autographs, music, prizes and more! Form a Team from your workplace or with your family and friends! Come out for a great time supporting a great cause. Proceeds benefit Northridge Hospital's Center for Assault Treatment Services (CATS) www.abuse-assaultservices.org - Anika Malone from Bookmarklet

"The only company to offer guided running tours of the country's top tourist destinations – New York City, Chicago, San Diego, Washington, DC, Charleston and Austin – City Running tours allows runners to explore hidden parts of cities on foot with a trained guide and runner. Ideal for the business traveler who is tired of on the hotel treadmill, the marathon runner who is training for a race and is looking to continue or spice up their regular routine, or the recreational runner who wants to explore new and interesting routes, City Runners Tours offers both set tours as well as customized runs to accommodate any athletic ability, style, training regimen or specific landmarks." - Anika Malone

Oh, they moved this due to the fires. It will now be in March. Training begins anew today-ish. - Anika Malone

"Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS, and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages." - Anika Malone from Bookmarklet

(originally shared in Going Long room) - John Frenette

My interview with fitness competition/personal trainer Brenda Booth. She's providing a great upcoming post on core training for runners. - John Frenette

My running-oriented link post for the week (with admittedly a little self-horn tooting included). I'm curious, tho: do folks find these link posts interesting or valuable? Does anybody in this room? (I've shared this in the GoingLong running-oriented room, too) - John Frenette

danke! - John Frenette