Why Run Marathons #8: You Love Pasta

One of the great traditions of the modern marathon is the pre-race pasta feed.  This can come in many forms, from the large cafeteria-style gathering to sending runners to "official pasta feed" restaurants.

Four Youble Classes for Runners

Note:  On February 14 YuFit changed their name to Youble due to their name sounding a little too much like another company's.  Everything else is the same and promo codes are still valid (if they haven't been used up).

There may or may not be free 60-day trials left when you use the promo code AMILE when you sign up for Youble (I have no way to tell), but I have been using Youble (/YuFit) for about a month now and am really enjoying it.  I definitely have noticed an increase in strength and flexibility.  I've tried several classes, but there are four in particular that I seem to come back to time and again.

Running Song of the Week: Blue Comb '78 by Five Iron Frenzy

It was only a matter of time before there was a repeat artist for the song of the week, and with Five Iron Frenzy's new undeadedness, and the nostalgia that I have for the band, it only seems appropriate it would be them.

I actually chose this song because I recently introduced it to my daughter and that's all she wants to listen to now.  I've been known to play it on the car stereo three to four times on our way to daycare in the morning.  She says she's going to go find his comb for him.

So, What Do You Do For a Living?

This is a guest post by Greg Jensen of Mayan Running Adventure.

It's the question we get asked all the time, at parties, high school reunions, by the kids' soccer coach, whoever.  I have never really liked the question, but now the conversation goes a little differently.  "I own a trail running adventure tour company in Guatemala."  Unless the person is a runner, the response is always the same.  "A what?  You run?  Tours?  Guatemala?"  Here's my story; much of it may ring true to other struggling runners out there.

Why Run Marathons #7: To Outrun Flea

Last year, just six months after taking up running, Michael "Flea" Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers finished the very wet and miserable Los Angeles Marathon in 3:53. 

3:53 is a pretty impressive time for a first-time marathon, especially someone who took up the sport just six months prior.  (It had taken me five tries to finish that fast.)  Although, I'd expect that he was pretty fit prior to taking up running, I mean, to do music videos naked you'd need some time in the gym just to get your confidence up.

Book Review: Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis

Last summer, Jennifer Pharr Davis made headlines by running/hiking a "fastest known time" on the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail - breaking not only her own women's record, but also the men's record - in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.  The feat earned her honors as the Ultra Runner Magazine women's performance of the year.

But before her record-setting hike of 2011 and before she hiked the days in just 57 days to set the women's record, Jennifer Pharr Davis - then just Jennifer Pharr - was a recent college graduate not sure of what path she wanted to take in life (she was a Classics major).  She was sure, though that she was called to hike the Appalachian Trail.  Becoming Odyssa is Pharr's story as a first-time thru-hiker on America's most iconic long trail.

Running Song of the Week: Enter Sandman by Metallica

This is one of those songs that if you're a sports fan, you can't avoid.  Yankees closer Mariano Rivera uses it as his intro music and countless other fighters, ballplayers and skaters use it at events.

Metallica has been around since 1981, but spent a decade wedged into the "thrash metal" niche.  But in 1990 "Enter Sandman" on their album, Metallica (also known as The Black Album)  introduced Metallica into the mainstream (much to the dismay of metal-heads everywhere).

I Saw It Coming and Did Nothing to Stop It

For the second time in my life, I've decided not to start a race I've registered for due to injury.  And for the second time, that race is the HAT Run 50K.  But what's really frustrating is that I saw the warning signs, chose denial over action and ended up hurt. It was totally preventable, because once I was to the point that I had to admit I was hurt, I knew exactly how it had come about.

Why Run Marathons #6: To Win Back Your Ex-Girlfriend

At least that's how it went in the film Run, Fatboy Run!

Five years ago Dennis (Simon Pegg) left his pregnant fiancee, Libby (Thandie Newton) at the altar. Now he's out-of-shape and Libby is dating Whit (Hank Azaria) a well-off American. Dennis is off-put by the relationship and when he finds out that Whit will be running the Nike River Run Marathon (a fake event) in London in just six weeks, he announces that he will run it as well.

Days before the marathon, Whit proposes to Libby and the stakes are raised as Dennis realizes he must finish the marathon if he wants to get Libby back and keep his relationship with his son.

Product Review: EAS Phos Force

Mark Verstegen's Core Performance first introduced me to the concept of a pre-workout "shooter" before strength training.  I knew it was a bad idea to go for a long run without a little something in the tank, but it never occurred to me that strength training could be enhanced with a little extra something before a workout.

Typically my pre-workout shooter would include a half scoop of protein with some juice or All Pro Science Recovery or PreCharge.  So when EAS sent me a canister of Phos Force to try, I was eager to compare the results.

Arnicare Pain Relief Gel Winner!

Congratulations to PathPounder1 for winning a tube of Arnicare Pain Relief Gel.  Shoot me an e-mail at another_mile (at) rocketmail (dot) com to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Running Song of the Week: Devil in the Cornfield by Havalina

It's been a while since I've talked about Havalina on this blog.  They broke up seven years ago, but they're still among my favorite bands to listen to.  Originally going by "Havalina Rail Company" they shortened the name to "Havalina" before the release of their fourth album, America.

From Long Beach, California, Havalina specialized in "concept albums" where they'd adapt a musical style for the purpose of creating an album for it. The Diamond in the Fish had a B-movie spy theme with jazz influences, Russian Lullabies adapted Russian musical styles (written after the band toured Europe), and Space, Love and Bullfighting mixed Mexican musical styles with 60s-influenced rock.

Where Do You Go for Product Information?

It always takes me forever to make decisions on new gear.  Whether it is my next pair of running shoes (because I never seem to be satisfied with the kind I have), a new hydration pack, or a pair of shorts, I always do my homework on the item, because I hate it when I buy something only to find out it just isn't for me - a total waste of money.

Why Run Marathons #5: To Fight Cancer

One of my plans for Why Run Marathons?  Is to have a charity featured the first Tuesday of every month.  This can be a charity that has an organized marathon-related fundraising effort, or simply have a runner (preferably as a guest post) that runs to support that charity.  If you'd like to see your charity featured, contact me at another_mile (at) rocketmail (dot) com.

Founded by cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONG has become a flagship charity for cancer research, education and aid to cancer patients.  Funds are raised through merchandise (like Nike's LIVESTRONG line and the famous yellow bracelets), events such as the LA Honda Marathon, the LIVESTRONG Challenge (a bike ride with options up to 100 miles) and the Mt. Kilimanjaro Survivor Summit.

Gear Review and GIVEAWAY: Arnicare Pain Relief Gel

I've never been a fan of traditional pain-relieving gels like Icy Hot or Ben Gay.  I've found that they often create more discomfort than relief (especially if they come in contact with an especially sensitive area).  So when Boiron contacted me about the possibility of a review and giveaway of Arnicare, I nearly passed right over it.

What caught my eye, though is that Arnicare is homeopathic.  After my good experience with Topricin (which is also homeopathic), I figured Arnicare is worth a try.

Running Song of the Week: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

You knew it was coming.  I kind of wanted to avoid it, but it does give me a reason to play the Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso Drink commercial:

Who You Are

I've been running since 2006, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times that I ran with ID on me.  On long runs I'd usually have my cell phone, but if I were in real trouble and in the kind of accident that would destroy or fling my cell phone far from me there would be no way for a paramedic to know who I was or who to contact.

On the other hand, it would take both hands, both feet and probably some borrowed from friends to count the number of close calls I've had.  Cars that don't see me crossing an intersection, losing control on an uneven road or nearly rear ending a car that suddenly stops while cycling.  That's why last fall I decided to ask for a Road ID for Christmas.