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4 Workouts to Sculpt Your Abs

Being injured I am not running or biking now, so I've hit the weight room often. I've been doing a lot of core exercises, but am getting bored with them and looking for something new. So I've been reading articles on the best core exercises to do. The ones I seem to be reading about over and over again are the front and side plank, and v-ups. Not that I'm looking for a quick fix, just something different to make me stronger. Although, I am hoping that somewhere under my muffin top are abs of steel! :-) And this makes me stronger and injury resistant when I get back on the pavement!

By Marianne McGinnis
from Prevention, posted on Active.com

Surprise! Good ol' crunches are one of the fastest ways to firm your midsection. (Hate crunches? Bear with us.) Thanks to 5 decades of research and nearly 90 studies, scientists have zeroed in on the best moves to flatten your belly. The secret is to really fatigue your abs—not an easy task, because they're used to working all day to keep you standing tall. But we created a routine that, when combined with regular cardio, does it in just four moves.

Program at a Glance

3 DAYS A WEEK
Do the four-move Slim Belly routine on 3 nonconsecutive days to tone your midsection.

5 DAYS A WEEK
Do 30 to 40 minutes of cardio, such as brisk walking, swimming, jogging, or bike riding, to burn off belly fat. You should be breathing hard but still able to talk in short sentences.

EVERY DAY
Watch portions and fill up on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and healthy fats to maximize results. Aim for 1,600 to 1,800 calories spread evenly throughout the day.

Slim Belly Workout

Do 3 sets of each move, performing as many reps (1 second up, 1 second down) as possible until you feel a burning sensation in the muscles you're working or you can no longer maintain proper form. rest 15 seconds between sets. You'll likely be able to do more reps during earlier sets and exercises—and that's okay. after you can do 50 reps or hold a plank for 2 minutes for most sets, try the harder variations, change the order of the exercises, or do the moves after another type of workout.

1. Hipless Crunch



This variation better targets abs by preventing hips and upper body from helping you lift. Lie on back with legs lifted and bent, calves parallel to floor, and feet relaxed. Cross arms over chest with hands on shoulders. Contract abdominal muscles and lift head, shoulders, and upper back about 30 degrees off floor. Lower without touching head to floor. Exhale as you lift; inhale as you lower. *Prevention Fitness Lab testers averaged 25 reps per set.

MAKE IT EASIER
Rest calves on a chair and extend arms down at sides.

MAKE IT HARDER
Extend legs straight up.

TIPS
Don't pull chin toward chest.
Focus on abs doing the work; imagine sliding rib cage toward hips.

STOP WHEN...
You start pulling or jerking up with head, neck, or shoulders.
You can't keep neck or shoulders relaxed.

2. No-Hands Reverse Crunch

Instead of keeping arms at sides, where they can help abs, anchor them overhead to activate more belly muscles. Lie faceup with arms overhead and hands grasping a heavy piece of furniture or railing. Raise feet into the air with legs bent. Contract abs, press back into floor, and lift hips off floor. Exhale as you lift; inhale as you lower. *Prevention Fitness Lab testers averaged 21 reps per set.

MAKE IT EASIER
Do the move with arms down at sides.

MAKE IT HARDER
Straighten legs.

TIPS
Feel the contraction in abs, not in back or legs.
Tilt pelvis.
Think of lifting up instead of pulling knees toward chest.

STOP WHEN...
You can't lift hips off floor without jerking.
Neck and shoulders are tense.

3. V Crunch

This exercise gets your upper and lower body moving simultaneously to recruit the maximum number of muscle fibers in your midsection. Balance on tailbone with legs bent, feet off floor, and arms bent at sides. Make sure back is straight and chest is lifted. Lean back and extend arms and legs, then pull back to start position. *Prevention Fitness Lab testers averaged 11 reps per set.

MAKE IT EASIER
Grasp sides of thighs with hands.

MAKE IT HARDER
Hold a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell in each hand.

TIPS
Eyes gaze straight forward; keep chin parallel to floor.
Don't let back curve or shoulders rise toward ears.

STOP WHEN...
You can't keep arms or legs up.
You can't keep chest lifted.
Back or neck starts to hurt.

4. Side Plank

Static balancing moves like this one are challenging because your deepest abs work really hard to hold your core in midair. Do them after crunches to ensure complete fatigue—and firm abs from every angle. Lie on right side, elbow beneath shoulder, feet stacked, left hand on hip. Contract abs to lift hip and leg off floor. Hold until fatigued, noting your time. Do 3 sets before switching sides.

*Prevention Fitness Lab testers averaged 19 seconds per side for each set.

MAKE IT EASIER
Bend legs and balance on bottom knee and side of lower leg.

MAKE IT HARDER
Straighten top arm toward sky.

TIPS
Keep head, neck, torso, hips, and legs all in one straight line.
Don't sink into shoulder—press elbow into floor and lift torso.

STOP WHEN...
Hip is sagging toward floor.
Neck, shoulder, or back hurts.
You can't keep body in line.

THE EXPERT
Tony Caterisano, PhD, exercise scientist and professor in the department of health sciences at Furman University, designed this workout.

How to Beat Injuries

By Kristin Harrison from active.com

Dr. Lisa Cannada, a runner and orthopedic surgeon, offers advice on knee, foot and ankle pain.

As a new runner, I'm not sure when to run through the pain and when to stop and see a doctor. How can I tell the difference between muscle soreness and an injury?

Just because you feel uncomfortable tightness or some minor pain while running doesn't necessarily indicate you have an injury. You could simply be doing something different--running on a new type of surface or terrain, for example--that works your muscles in a new way. If you only feel pain while you are running, and it goes away within two weeks, it's most likely a strain or soreness.

But there are times when it's crucial to see a doctor, as you could have a variety of more serious conditions. Here are four easy ways to know when you should schedule an appointment:

1. If the pain wakes you up at night.
2. If you have to alter your gait while running to ease the pain.
3. If the pain is constant and occurs during your non-running activities (walking around the office, sitting at your desk, etc.), or if it interferes with your daily life.
4. If the pain lasts during running for more than 10 to 14 days.

My knees hurt when I run. What can be causing this and what can I do about it? It seems every female runner I know suffers from knee pain.

The No. 1 cause of knee pain for female runners is anatomy. Most women have a larger Q-angle--the angle between the pelvis and the knee--than men. This increased angle can cause a wide variety of problems, from placing stress on the knee to causing foot pronation (an inward roll of the foot).

The easiest way to minimize knee pain caused by your Q-angle is to strengthen the quadriceps muscles. By strengthening the quads through weight exercises such as leg extensions, you can reduce the stress being placed on the knees.

I recommend strength training three times a week to see improvements. Also, building up your quads is vital if you do a lot of hill running. Running downhill is one of the easiest ways to hurt your knees if you don't have the strength in your quads to support them.

Overuse is another major cause of knee pain. Never increase your mileage by more than 10 percent per day or week, no matter how good you feel. Other common causes of knee pain include being a "weekend warrior" and attempting too much without ample training, bad running form or something as simple as tasks around the house that involve squatting or lifting small children.

After my last marathon, I developed a severe case of iliotibial (IT) band syndrome and spent three months in physical therapy. I'd like to run another marathon, but don't want this to happen again. What can I do about it?

I get so many visits from patients with this problem. IT band syndrome is inflammation in the tendon that runs from the hip to just below the knee. Highly painful around the knee for many runners, the problem most commonly occurs during marathon training.

It happens for a variety reasons, including running constantly on the same angle--like the same side of a slightly canted street during all of your runs. But the biggest cause is increasing your mileage too quickly. Remember the 10 percent rule!

Adding activities like swimming and using an elliptical machine can help keep your endurance up without aggravating the condition. If the pain lasts longer than two weeks, see a doctor. Physical therapy may be recommended.

To prevent this condition, you need to stretch the IT band regularly--not just after you run but at least five days a week. Adding cross-training into your regular schedule can also help. If you don't take preventative action and you let IT band syndrome become severe, you may end up sidelined from running again.

Many people in my running club have problems with plantar fasciitis. What causes this and what can be done to prevent it?

This is the worst! Plantar fasciitis, which can cause a burning or stabbing sensation in the heel, is most common in people with flat feet. Anatomy and wearing the wrong shoes for your foot type are common causes.

Here's a simple way to know if you have an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue: if the pain is at its worst when you first get up in the morning. Because these tissues in your feet contract as you sleep, the pain can be significant until your feet limber up, and then it will reduce in intensity.

If you have this type of pain for more than two weeks, go see your doctor. They can provide you with an easy cure: a night splint, which stretches the tissues as you sleep.

After a long run, do ice baths help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation? If so, how soon should you take one for it to be effective?

You don't need to take an ice bath unless you are in the top five percent of elite runners, who build up a lot of lactic acid in their muscles. (Most of us never have that much lactic acid in our bodies.) I feel stretching and taking an anti-inflammatory are much better at reducing soreness and inflammation for the average runner. If you are training for a marathon, regular massages can help reduce muscle soreness.

Dr. Lisa Cannada, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in trauma at St. Louis University and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), has been an avid runner since high school. Now 46, she runs between 20 to 30 miles a week and has completed races ranging from the 5k to the marathon. She says she understands running injuries because she's had nearly every kind out there.

Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of An Athlete's Day

I recently read that you should consume 25% of your daily calories at breakfast. I thought that seemed like a lot, so I did some research and found this article from sports nutrition expert Nancy Clark on Active.com:

Without question, breakfast is the meal that makes champions. Unfortunately, many active people follow a lifestyle that eliminates breakfast or includes foods that are far from champion-builders.

I commonly counsel athletes who skip breakfast, grab only a light lunch, train on fumes, gorge at dinner and snack on "junk" until bedtime. They not only rob their bodies of the nutrients needed for health, but also lack energy for high-quality workouts.

A satisfying breakfast tends to invest in better health than does a grab-anything-in-sight dinner. Sarah, a collegiate athlete, learned that fueling her body's engine at the start of her day helps her feel more energetic and also able to choose better quality lunch and dinner foods.

That is, when she has granola, banana and juice in the morning, as well as a sandwich and yogurt for lunch, she stops devouring brownies after dinner.

Excuses to skip breakfast are abundant: "No time," "I'm not hungry in the morning" and "I don't like breakfast foods." Weight-conscious athletes pipe up, "My diet starts at breakfast."

These excuses are just that, excuses; they sabotage your sports performance.

Here's a look at the benefits of eating breakfast. I hope to convince you that breakfast is the most important meal of your sports diet.

Breakfast for Dieters

If you want to lose weight, you should start your diet at dinner, not at breakfast! For example, do not eat a meager bowl of Special K for your "diet breakfast." You'll get too hungry later in the day and crave sweets.

A bigger breakfast (cereal + toast + peanut butter) can prevent afternoon or evening cookie-binges. An adequate (500 to 700 calorie) breakfast provides enough energy for you to enjoy your exercise, as opposed to dragging yourself through an afternoon workout that feels like punishment.

If you are trying to lose weight, you should target at least 500 to 700 calories for breakfast; this should leave you feeling adequately fed. [So NC has it about the same, if eat 2000 calories a day - L]

To prove the benefits of eating such a big breakfast, try this experiment:

1. Using food labels to calculate calories, boost your standard breakfast to at least 500 calories. For example, add to your english muffin (150 calories): 1 tablespoon peanut butter (100 cal.), 8 oz. orange juice (100 cal.) and a yogurt (150 cal). Total: 500 calories.

2. Observe what happens to your day's food intake when you eat a full breakfast vs. a skimpy "diet breakfast." The 500+ calorie breakfast allows you to successfully eat less at night and create the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.

Remember: Your job as a dieter is to fuel by day and lose weight by night. Successful dieters lose weight while they are sleeping; they wake up ready for another nice breakfast that fuels them for another high-energy day.

Breakfast for the Morning Exerciser

If you exercise first thing in the morning, you may not want a big pre-exercise breakfast; too much food can feel heavy and uncomfortable. However, you can likely tolerate half a breakfast, such as half a bagel, a slice of toast, or a banana before your workout.

Just 100 to 300 calories can put a little carbohydrate into your system, boost your blood sugar so that you are running on fuel, not fumes, and enhance your performance.

You'll likely discover this small pre-exercise meal adds endurance and enthusiasm to your workout. In a research study, athletes who ate breakfast were able to exercise for 137 minutes as compared to only 109 minutes when they skipped this pre-exercise fuel.

After his morning workout, Jim, a banker, felt rushed and was more concerned about getting to work on time than eating breakfast. Using the excuse "No time," he overlooked the importance of refueling his muscles.

I reminded him: Muscles are most receptive to replacing depleted glycogen stores within the first two hours after the workout, regardless of whether or not the athlete feels hungry. I encouraged Jim to be responsible! Just as he chose to make time for exercise, he could also choose to make time for breakfast.

One simple post-exercise breakfast is fluids. Liquid breakfasts take minimal time to prepare and very little time to drink, yet they can supply the calories, water, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals you need all in a travel mug. (You can always get coffee at the office.)

Because Jim felt thirsty after his morning workout, he found he could easily drink 16 ounces of juice or lowfat milk. Sometimes, he'd make a refreshing fruit smoothie with milk, banana and berries.

Later on mid-morning, when his appetite returned, Jim enjoyed the rest of his breakfast: (instant) oatmeal, multi-grain bagel with peanut butter, yogurt with granola, a banana or any other carbohydrate-rich foods that conveniently fit into his schedule.

This nutritious "second breakfast" refueled his muscles, abated hunger and curbed his lunchtime cookie cravings.

Breakfast for the Noon-time, Afternoon and Evening Exerciser

A hearty breakfast is important for people who exercise later in the day. It not only tames hunger but also provides the fuel needed for hard workouts.

Research has shown that athletes who ate breakfast, then four hours later enjoyed an energy bar five minutes before a noontime workout were able to exercise 20% harder at the end of the hourlong exercise test compared to when they ate no breakfast and no pre-exercise snack. (They worked 10 percent harder with only the snack.)

Breakfast works! Breakfast + a pre-exercise snack works even better!

What's for Breakfast?

From my perspective as a sports nutritionist, one of the simplest breakfasts of champions is a wholesome cereal with lowfat milk, banana and orange juice. This provides not only carbohydrates to fuel the muscles, but also protein (from the milk) to build strong muscles, and numerous other vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, vitamin C, iron (if you choose enriched breakfast cereals) and fiber (if you choose bran cereals).

Equally important is the fact that cereal is quick and easy, requires no cooking, no preparation, no refrigeration. You can keep cereal at the office, bring milk to work and eat breakfast at the office. Breakfast is a good investment in a productive morning.

The Bottom Line

Breakfast works wonders for improving the quality of your diet. That is, eating breakfast results in less "junk food" later in the day. Breakfast also enhances weight control, sports performance, daily energy levels and future health.

Breakfast is indeed the meal of champions. Make it a habit no excuses!

Sample Grab-and-go Sports Breakfasts

Bran muffin plus a vanilla yogurt

Two slices of last night's left-over thick-crust pizza

Peanut butter-banana-honey sandwich

Pita with one to two slices of lowfat cheese plus a large apple

Baggie of lowfat granola with a handful of raisins (preceded by 8 oz. lowfat milk before you dash out the door)

Cinnamon raisin bagel (one large or two small) plus a can of vegetable juice

LUNA Sport LUMINARIES

LUNA Sport Develops Luminary Program

Sausalito, CA. LUNA Sport, makers of luxurious cycling clothing for women, has created a program that provides local influencers with LUNA Sport product. In 2010 the LUNA Sport Luminary™ program will outfit 50 influential women around the United States and Canada with a full complement of LUNA Sport clothing and accessories.

The Luminary program is inspired by the efforts of the women working in non-competitive roles in cycling and fitness -women who work as hard as Olympians, but purchase clothing, bikes and equipment to conduct their businesses. The Luminary program aims to provide these strong leaders with access to performance cycling product sufficient for all of their workouts and group events.

"The Luminaries will assist in providing Luna Sport with relevant product feedback - while also spreading the LUNA Sport message to targeted audiences around the U.S. and Canada," said Marla Streb, former LUNA pro and Luminary program manager.

LUNA Sport is accepting resumes for the Luminary Program at http://www.lunasportgear.com/contacts. Applicants will complete the field titled "Your Message," with a brief overview (100 words or less) of their Luminary qualifications. LUNA Sport will review the brief and contact prospective members by 12/1/10.

· The LUNA Sport Luminary™ program will outfit 50 influential women with a full-complement of LUNA Sport clothing and accessories for the 2011 cycling and fitness seasons

· LUNA Sport Luminaries are women working in non-competitive roles in cycling and fitness

· Qualified women can apply online at online by going to http://www.lunasportgear.com/contacts

Thoughts on Pacing Your First 1/2 Ironman

from coachgordo.com

This pacing has worked very well in the past and is what I did to get to Kona, last year.

I was going to write a post for the 1/2 Vineman rookies, but this is a good opportunity to dump some thoughts for someone who is new to this distance or has blown up previously.

[1] Go out easy on the swim - the swim makes no difference to your overall performance. Use it as a warm-up for the bike. Two minutes faster on the swim can result in 20 minutes slower on the run. I ran past 250+ people at Wildflower last year. In an IM race, I typically pass 5-800 people with this strategy.

[2] Go out easy on the bike - your body will need about 6-10 minutes to make the adjustment from swimmer to rider. Take the first part of the ride easy in an easy gear. Initially drink water or highly diluted sports drink. Don't start eating until your HR has settled to your normal bike pace. It is okay for the HR to be a little high at the start but if this is the case then you should feel like you are pedaling VERY easy. Remember, it is a long day - there will be plenty of time to hammer later.

[3] About 15-20K into the bike it is time to start eating. By now you have let your HR settle and you have found a pace that feels comfortable. Personally, I will be racing Vineman at 10-15 bpm below my AT. On my first 1/2 IM I was 20-25 bpm below my bike AT. For your first race, remain aerobic at all costs.

[4] 45-75K is, for me, the crux of the bike - this is where you should be fueling up and maintaining concentration. It is easy to get distracted in this period. Maintain concentration, maintain fluid intake and EAT.

[5] Overall, the purpose of the bike is to replace what you lost on the swim and prepare yourself for the run. There are ZERO benefits to hammering - let the hammerheads go. You will see them later [if you don't then they are faster than you anyhow ;-) ] Find a steady, comfortable pace. Stay aero, hydrate and focus. Remember that good body position is golden in a long race.

[6] Now the run. Start the run SLOW - are you noticing a pattern here? Many people do 1-5 above and then arrive at the run feeling great. They then blow their load in the first mile. Remember that you are about to run a half marathon. I normally leave a frozen bottle of drink at T2 so I can have a cool beverage to start the run. I run the first two miles real slow [please use your own definition here]. Normally, my stomach is full of food and water from the bike. Stitches are common as is a feeling that your legs will never come right. Believe in yourself, believe in your legs and they will come right somewhere between the 3-5K mark (assuming you listened to me about the bike!).

[7] Personally, I like to think about the run as really 4 x 5K. My strategy is to run the first 5K slowly. All I want to do is find my rhythm, hydrate and ensure that I am fueled up for the real race, about to begin shortly. Don't sweat your HR. The name of the game is getting your running muscles going.

[8] The second and third 5K pieces are where it all happens. You are still focusing on running steady. Here you can use your HRM to make sure that you don't run too fast and also make sure that you are not dogging it. If you are having trouble getting your HR up then get on the sports drink or cola if available. If your HR is running very high but you feel OK then this could be a sign of dehydration - water, water, water.

[9] Somewhere in the 8-16K region, you will have a period that feels absolutely awful (at least I always do). Stick with it. It will only last about 5-10 minutes and then you will be through it. Push through these problem times and you will get out the other side. Believe in yourself as an athlete.

[10] Hopefully, you are now around the 15K mark. You are tired but a bit stoked that things have gone so well. You can sense the finish line and you can do the math to see that you are going to beat your goals. You have run a smart race to here and will achieve/exceed your goals. Now it is HAMMER TIME. If you feel like it then rev your pace up. You will know the right amount to increase. Keep it aerobic but it is OK to get a good sweat going. Remember to continue to take fluids at every aid station, particularly around the 15/16/17/18K marks. Just ask PNF about the risks of skipping aid late in the game.

[11] Once you hit mile 12 (19K) spend everything you have, or simply enjoy the tailend of the race. I have done both.

As always, YMMV

Five Tips for Making the Most of the Descent

GET POSITIONED: Maintain a slight bend in your arms and slide back on the saddle, keeping your hands in the drops of your bar. And look ahead: Especially during a faster descent, scan far enough down the road to match the pace at which you are descending.

TURN THE CORNER: Set up well in advance of a curve and do whatever braking needs to be done before entering the turn. If you are riding in a group, move away from the others. This will allow you to take your preferred line through the corners, which is critical because you may not have time to adjust once you commit. It also allows a greater margin for slowing.

BRAKE IT DOWN: For long descents, use both brakes equally. Remember that once you're in a turn, any traction used for shaving speed significantly reduces the traction available for cornering. In wet conditions, it will take you longer to stop. Lightly apply the brakes periodically on a wet descent to remove excess water from the rims.

BE READY: Don't compete on descents with anyone other than yourself. That's because on any unfamiliar road, caution is paramount: You should always be prepared for road debris or traffic around every blind corner.

EASE UP: The most important aspect of descending is relaxation. Anxiety can narrow your concentration, which could cause you to miss a hazard in the road ahead. And the best way to be relaxed is by practicing descending as often as possible.

I will add: Stay within your comfort zone! Not worth it to go out of control. But the more you practice, the more you will be able to push the comfort zone.

This is from bicycling.com.

Stay Safe In Traffic

These tips and techniques will help you thrive on any road.

ByAlex Stiedain in bicycling.com

Most of us invariably need to ride close to vehicles on the road. It's a trite analogy, but I always keep it in mind: two tons of metal versus about 200 pounds of bike, bone and muscle--who's going to win? Here are key survival skills.

Look and listen

First of all, pay 100 percent attention, just as you would while driving. Use your senses--often you can hear an engine in advance of the car, and see or hear a dog before it chases. Problem sounds include tires squealing, hard engine acceleration and loud music from an open window. If I hear these I pull over to let the vehicle pass.

Pick smart routes

The best roads have few cars, low speed limits and no blind corners. Often, a slightly longer route with fewer cars will be faster than a shorter, busier one. Also, try to find roads with a shoulder you can ride on. Yes, we are vehicles with the right to be on the roadway, but with two tons versus 200 pounds, I prefer to stay clear when I can do so safely.

Don't keep secrets

When you drive, you use turn signals, and your car has brake lights. As you ride, try to think of what drivers will see as they drive up behind you. Use hand signals to indicate where you intend to go. At intersections, make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you. Also, for future goodwill, wave a thank-you when you're given the right of way.

Stay steady

Looking behind you without swerving is an essential skill. For new riders, simply glancing back with your hands on the brake hoods may work, but this method often causes the bar to turn in the direction you're looking. This way is better:

To look left, move your right hand toward the center of the handlebar near the stem, then drop your left hand off the bar as you turn your head to look back. Track racers use this technique when doing a Madison relay change. Watch the Madison at the Olympics this year--magic bike handling. Keep your upper body relaxed the entire time and practice, ideally in an empty parking lot with lines you can follow.

Hook your thumbs

Always wrap your thumbs around the handlebar, instead of laying them across the top. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a rider go down after his hands were jarred off the bar when he hit a bump. Also, please, no aero riding on busy streets. Save it for when you're on a smooth road with few cars.

Alex Stieda, the first North American to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, with 7-Eleven in 1986, leads tours and skills camps (stiedacycling.com).

How to Successfully Complete a Century

from Active.com
By Selene Yeager
Bicycling

A century ride is a milestone nearly every cyclist strives to reach. The roadblock for most of us is finding the time to prepare. With only so many hours in the day, most of which we spend working and sleeping, ride time is limited. This eight-week plan will have any determined cyclist ready to hit 100 with just three rides per week: one long, one steady and one speedy. On rest days, remember to do something to keep your body moving.

Long Ride: The Meat

In your first week, you'll want to ride 1.5 to 2 hours, or about 20 miles, and build from there. (If you're already comfortable with a longer ride than week 1 prescribes, start with 2.5 to 3 hours and follow the same guidelines for mileage building, topping off at about 85 miles.) Do your long rides at a steady, but not taxing, pace—about 70 to 75 percent of your maximum heart rate. Though most cyclists find that Saturdays or Sundays work best for their long rides, it doesn't matter which day you choose as long as you get it done.

Steady Ride: The Bread and Butter

During these rides, aim for two to four longer efforts (15 to 30 minutes in length; 15 minutes easy pedaling in between) that increase your breathing and elevate your heart rate to around 80 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate(MHR). Ride at threshold, as if you're pedaling with someone slightly faster than you. These rides will simulate your goal for your century and train your body to ride more briskly while maintaining comfort, so you can finish 100 miles faster and fresher.

Speed Ride: The Secret Sauce

Distance riders often skip speed work because they think they need volume, not intensity, to go long. But riding fast improves your endurance by raising your lactate threshold, the point at which your muscles scream "Slow down!" When you raise this ceiling, you can ride faster and farther before your body hits the brakes. Aim to do four to six very hard or max efforts ranging from 30 seconds to two minutes; in between, spin easy for twice the length of the interval. Do these on a challenging stretch of road, such as a hill or into a headwind.

Make Every Mile Count

Finishing a century means making the best choices for all 100 of those miles.

SPACE OUT: Stuffing yourself full of calories prior to the ride will divert blood to your stomach, which weakens your legs and slows you down. Instead, eat a carbohydrate-rich breakfast of 400 to 500 calories two to three hours before the event. Then aim to eat and drink 200 to 300 calories every hour thereafter.

KEEP A STEADY FLOW: Consume at least one bottle's worth of energy drink per hour (more if it's hot) to provide electrolytes and a few carbohydrates. Choose a flavor that will entice you to sip often.

PEDAL YOUR PACE: The biggest newbie mistake is letting yourself be seduced into speeding along with faster riders early in the day, only to crack 60 miles in. Fall in with riders who pedal your pace and avoid going into the red (feeling breathless) for the first 50 miles. You'll finish fresh and strong.

MOVE AROUND: Avoid aches and pains in your neck and back by changing your hand position often and standing out of the saddle to stretch periodically.

KEEP IT SHORT: Take advantage of rest stops to use the bathroom, refill bottles, stretch and grab some food. But don't linger. A stop that lasts more than 10 to 15 minutes will cause your legs to stiffen up and make it harder to get going again.

Is Being a Pro Athlete all it's Cracked up to be?

My friend and LUNA Pro Triathlete Terra Castro has a great post in her blog about this. Terra is one of the nicest, most giving and positive women you'll meet.

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Not So "Glam"

At Masters Swim Practice this morning in a pool that isn't quite cool - a nice balmy 87F- a few of the sassy pants men in the fast lane were teasing me that my life is so easy. Train all day, nap, eat. Funny, I just look at them and shake my head. The life of a pro triathlete is not always "GLAM". This is the career I have chosen and feel blessed to participate in.

Let's see if I can think of a few minor yucky, not so glam items to balance out the teasing:

* Last Sunday during my long run super coach husband who was carrying my water started getting after me to keep me honest- "I will leave you out here with no water if you don't pick it up...." needless to say I picked it up and ended up with 1 toenail lost and bloody blisters later.

* 2008 as I was preparing for Ironman Arizona I was t-boned by a dog, knocked out and bloody, a broken carbon TT bike and had to get 6 stitches in the knee thanks to our friend (an ER doc) because I can't afford to go to the hospital. Some things are just out of your control and that stinks! Office jobs are a bit more "predictable" and safe.

* 2007 I almost walked the entire marathon at Ironman World Championships, in Kona, barfing my guts out every mile. It sucked. I was at the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and I wasn't even "racing". It was an expensive tour of the Queen K and Energy Lab.

* 2009 My mom and I stayed at such a gross hotel that we had to go to Walmart to get new bedding, a coffee maker, bleach, towels etc. But you do what you got to do! My work is based on me racing and racing well! Podium = paycheck, no podium = no pay check

*2008 I started Ironman Wisconsin with the flu- threw up in the water a few times and had a terrible fever. Had to pull out on the bike in the pouring rain. I so badly want to race. My heart was broken. My job depends on me being healthy and well.

I laugh when people think my life is easy. My life is full of JOY and PASSION, but I wouldn't say I am sitting on the couch sipping tea and having bon-bons (though in those dark moments it sure "sounds good"). I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I do right now and will not take it for granted. So if you see me a bit serious at Master's Swim Practice, it is because this is my job. It is about showing up, sometimes it isn't glamorous but I LOVE IT!

Does Your Period Affect Your Workout?

From fitbottomedgirls.com

Ladies, we all know that our periods affect our workouts. I, for one, am cramping like crazy—finding the motivation to work out right now is hard, no matter how much chocolate milk I’ve promised myself once I’m done. But it’s not just the cramps and cravings and bloating that has an effect on how we exercise, and, as it turns out, if you understand the relationship, you can get more out of your workouts. And frankly, I’m all about getting as much out of the work I’m doing as possible.

To learn more about the subject, I got in touch with Jade Teta, a holistic physician, personal trainer, and health and wellness consultant and founder of Metabolic Effect.

First things first—a quick tutorial on the different phases of the menstrual cycle (and no, it doesn’t just break down to being “on” or “off” your period).

There are two phases, follicular which begins on the first day of your period and lasts 10-14 days, and the luteal phase. The two phases are separated by ovulation, or the release of an egg from the ovaries, 14 days or so before your next period starts.

“The follicular phase is associated with higher estrogen levels compared to progesterone, while the luteal phase is the reverse,” Teta explains.

So how can we use our menstrual cycle to guide our workouts for maximum effect? Easy!

“Estrogen (higher during the follicular phase) increases the amount of fat burned during exercise, but makes sugar burning less efficient,” Teta says. “Progesterone (higher during the luteal phase) opposes the action of estrogen. Since lower intensity exercise burns more relative amounts of fat, and higher intensity is fueled more by sugar burning, women can cycle their training modalities to work with these fluctuations.”

So, for the first half of your cycle, go for slow and steady longer workouts (like walking, biking or jogging). For the second half, kick up the sprints and interval workouts (sprint and interval training, which can rev your metabolism for hours or even days after your workout).

And, if you’re a strength junkie, don’t worry. Weight training is beneficial across the board, Teta says, although you might want to focus on “traditional weight training during the follicular phase and more metabolic-conditioning weight exercise done in the luteal phase and during menses.”

And remember, diet is still a factor—no matter what phase of your cycle you’re in.

“Research shows that carbohydrate-loaded women—i.e. those eating high-carb diets—will likely wash out any beneficial impact of the menstrual cycle, so, all of the above is likely more beneficial for women dieting or eating [a] fairly low carb [diet].”

Fascinating stuff! Have you noticed a difference in your workouts throughout the month? Tell us about it in the comments! —Kristen

Key Principles of Open Water Drafting

By Steven Munatones
The Daily News of Open Water Swimming

printed in Active.com

Cyclists, race car drivers and open water swimmers all know the benefits of drafting and positioning.

As swimmers take off in an open water race or triathlon and go from buoy to buoy, they create a conga line with seemingly everyone chasing after the person in front of them. Where ideally should you position yourself?

It helps to know a bit about water movement.

The Ideal Draft

A swimmer in the open water is essentially a displacement vessel. The bow wave created by a swimmer has forward and lateral movement. These waves move at an angle relative to the direction of the swimmer and are based on the swimmer's speed and size.

There are three key facts to keep in mind:

1. The faster the lead swimmer, the better your draft will be with all other things equal.
2. The physically larger the lead swimmer, the more beneficial the draft is for those behind.
3. The closer you are to the lead swimmer, the better your draft.

The Perfect Position

In a fact known by world-class swimmers, drafting between the ankles and hips is more beneficial that drafting directly behind the lead swimmer's feet for various reasons:

1. When the drafting swimmer reaches near mid-body of the lead swimmer, the lead swimmer's wake (i.e., spreading of the bow wave) has moved laterally, so the drafting swimmer can take maximum advantage of the bow wave. That is, the drafting swimmer has reached the center of the complete wave created by the lead swimmer. Basically, the drafting swimmer is surfing a bow wave.
2. The bow wave cannot extend beyond the length of the swimmer who creates it. The bow wave lifts up at the end of the swimmer's body. The most efficient swimming is when a drafting swimmer cruises in that wave. The most efficient drafting is achieved if you cruise at the same speed in the wake of the lead swimmer off to the side—but away from the eddies caused by their kick.
3. In the middle of a race, when the kick of most swimmers is less than the end of the race when they are sprinting, the optimal drafting position is slightly different. At the end of the race when the kick increases, swimmers create swirls by their kick. The more swirls, the more drag. So if your opponent's kick increases, move up higher alongside their body to utilize their bow wave, but far enough away from the swirls and eddies caused by their kick.
4. Combine your speed with the speed of the lead swimmer. If they speed up, you speed up. If they slow down, you slow down. If you are directly behind them, lead swimmers make the water smoother, but you are not efficiently utilizing their bow wave.
5. If you swim alongside a lead swimmer, you do not have to lift your head so often to navigate. This saves energy that can be utilized at the end of the race. If you swim directly behind a swimmer, you must often lift your head to confirm your direction and position behind the lead swimmer.
6. Even if the water is clear and you can easily see the lead swimmer under the surface of the water, your head is in a sub-optimal position. The most optimal head position is when you are looking straight down. This creates a more streamlined and efficient body position, saving you energy and creating less drag.
7. When you swim parallel to the lead swimmer, you can effectively navigate off them when you breathe. The need to lift up your head to sight is significantly reduced and your head is positioned in the most streamlined position.

There are many other factors that come into play when drafting and positioning as world-class athletes do, but these basic factors are enough to get started.

Steven Munatones is a multi-time USA Swimming national open water swim team coach, NBC Olympics marathon swimming commentator, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame inductee and 1982 world 25K swimming champion. He created the Open Water Swimming Dictionary, and conducts race analysis and research on open water swimming—from drafting to stroke technique—for the website The Daily News of Open Water Swimming.

Photos by Javier Blazquez.

Bike Fit: The Wrench Does Not Fix the Machine

By Matt Russ
The Sport Factory

[Highlights taken from an article that appeared in Active.com]

There are interesting new tools designed to aid the bike fitting process.

Some incorporate dynamic motion sensing and capture technology. As a gadget guy, I am compelled by new technology, and I often get asked what the "best" fit system or process is. Unfortunately this question circumvents the most key component of a good bicycle fit—how skilled or experienced the person performing the fit may be.

Advanced technology does not necessarily make for a better or more accurate fit any more than a heart rate monitor or power meter automates a better athlete. What is more important beyond the respective joint angles is that there is a feedback loop between the athlete and the fitter.

What Computers Won't Tell You

I find that too much technological integration can impede this at times or become a distraction.

There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to fit technology or technology in general. The athlete can be overwhelmed with information that has little relevance to how the bike fit actually feels or performs off the fit platform. For the fit technician, over-reliance on a computerized process may keep the inexperienced fitter from seeing the forest for the trees.

The Key to the Best Bike Fit

It is more important to search for an experienced and trained fitter than it is to find the most advanced fit system. Fitting takes years of experience, but a computer program can be purchased by any shop or person. More importantly the fitter must properly evaluate and communicate adjustments to the athlete.

Fitting should be a dynamic and interactive process, and not rushed. The best fit that hits the proper joint angles precisely is still only a good starting point and will require the athlete to acclimate to or even require small adjustments post-fit.

I recommend the following criteria when choosing a fit professional and spending your dollars wisely:

• Check references, reputation, and experience. You may be paying top dollar for a fitter with very little experience.


• Look for a technician trained and certified by a body such as the Serrotta International Cycling Institute.


• Don't buy more than you need. A good fitting should be performed on a $500 or $5,000 bicycle. If your objective is simply to be fitted for the "Big 3" of comfort, power, and aerodynamics and you are not experiencing any pain or "hot spots," you may not need the most advanced biomechanical analysis.
  
  As a fit become more problematic (leg-length discrepancy, injury or muscle imbalance) these tools become much more relevant to the fit process, yet they are often used as marketing tools to up sell all fits.


• Try to address equipment change in advance if possible. If you are considering a new saddle or aerobars, it may significantly change your fit. Your fitter should consult with you on equipment selection, and it is better to make these changes prior to your fit.


• Ask questions and give information. Your fit technician should evaluate you and the type of cycling you are pursuing. If your goal is comfort for a century ride vs. competitive road racing, this should be factored into the fit along with your injury history, flexibility and biomechanics. They should take time to observe you on the bike and in motion before making any adjustments.

Fitting is a process that requires acclimation. This may take some time, but if your position is painful or uncomfortable, it is not the right one. This not only affects performance, but also your motivation and enjoyment of cycling in general.

No one should have to ride in pain when it can be prevented or addressed.

Matt Russ has coached and trained athletes up to the professional level, domestically and internationally, for over 15 years. He currently holds the highest level of licensing by both USA Triathlon and USA Cycling, and is a licensed USA Track and Field Coach. Matt is Head Coach and owner of The Sport Factory, and coaches athletes of all levels full time. He is also a freelance author and his articles are regularly featured in a variety of magazines and websites. Visit www.thesportfactory.com for more information or email him at coachmatt@thesportfactory.com

The Importance of a Taper

You've put in the miles, now it's time to reap the benefits.

By Amanda Loudin

As your important races get closer, you're likely increasing your training so you can handle the events with ease. Upping your mileage is key for getting in top shape, but it won't do you any good if you don't take the time to scale back a week or so prior to your race.

Known as a taper, the final days leading up to your race are when you let your body recover from all your hard training. These easier/shorter mileage days let your body maximize its fuel and enzyme stores, rest your muscles and help you prepare mentally for the race effort.
To do the taper right, however, you need to follow some basic principles:

• Determine the length of your taper - this is an individual decision and should be specific to the race length. For a sprint triathlon, 5K or 10K, the taper should usually be about a week long. For longer distances, increase the taper time.
• Maintain some race-specific speed work - Even though you are cutting back on the miles, you should keep some quality speedwork in the mix. For instance, if you usually run intervals on a Tuesday, continue to do so the Tuesday before your race. However, cut the amount of speedwork down by 50 percent or more.
• Take the day off entirely two days before your race. The day before, go out for a very short run, or a short swim/run combo, just to loosen up your muscles.
• Carbo-load for a day or two before the race. This doesn't have to be a big increase from your normal carbohydrate intake, but do take in more than you normally would. If you know you'll be racing in the heat, up the salt intake as well.
• Use some of your extra time to visualize your race and how you would like it to go.

Tapering is a very individual task; what works for one person probably won't work for the next. It may take you a few races to figure out the ideal combination of rest and quality work in the week(s) leading up to your race day. But once you've got it down, you'll know it.

Good luck and enjoy your rest!

Amanda Loudin is a Maryland-based freelance writer, runner, triathlete and certified RRCA running coach. She's completed seven marathons, including Boston, and countless triathlons ranging from sprints to Ironman distance. You can follow her adventures at www.misszippy1.blogspot.com.