Fake it till you make it

Yesterday the New York Times published an article on the latest discovery in the science of running. According to sports scientists, long distance runners can improve their performance by rinsing their mouths with a carbohydrate solution. That's it. No messy energy gels, no mid-run snacks, just a highly concentrated starchy solution that you don't even have to swallow. Simply swishing your mouth out with a carb solution apparently activates sensors that trick your brain into thinking carbs are on the way. In turn, your brain prompts muscles and nerves to work harder with the promise of fuel. All lies but it works.

For shorter runs, this finding could be great news for runners, particularly those who's stomachs are easily upset by food or are prone to cramping. Consuming sports drinks or solid carbs doesn't technically affect performance during shorter work-outs as the body can't metabolize the carbohydrates for food in under an hour. But interestingly, the study shows that even if your muscles don't have time to use the carbs for fuel, carbohydrates still activate brain areas associated with muscle activity and rewards, which caused participating runners using the solution to go farther during a 60 minute test run. Endurance runners take note - marathoners will still need to work in carbohydrates/calories, however, as during extremely long exercise sessions muscles need new sources of glycogen to replenish burnt-out reserves. Definitely considering giving the carbosolution a shot on my next tempo run!


Speaking of psychological trickery, Kim and I will be employing a somewhat unrelated technique to make us feel like we're hardcore at August's Bronx Half Marathon - skanty running. No, we're not ACTUALLY running naked, although there are nude races (there is absolutely no way that is comfortable for either gender). More accurately Kim and I will bust out our fiercest skimpy running outfits for an extra shot of confidence (or shame) at our next half marathon. After seeing a shiny gold Lady Gaga-esque corset running top at Paragon's two weekends ago, Kim and I were sold on the idea. Awesomely, that photo is in the top ten results when you search for "shiny gold sports bra." Done and done. While we may not be speed demoning through the course in the late summer heat, we'll definitely look the part for a PR in spandex hot shorts and running bras. Yes, we're going to be those runners. Judge away.

Pepita says time for a RACE RECAP!

Okay, sorry for the obnoxious inside joke title but had to give a shout out to Team Pepita (aka Kim, Tim, Mike, and I) for the great hustle at Sunday's Broad Street 10 Mile in Philly! Despite horrendously hot and humid weather, the race was fantastic and the perfect excuse for a Georgetown reunion. After fetching my hungover self from the Boltbus station on Saturday afternoon, Kim took me on my first real tour of Philly, making sure that we hit up all the important cultural and culinary sites. Mmmm Amish apple dumplings are definitely my new favorite way to carboload!

After loading up on food, Kim and I headed over to Lincoln Financial Field to pick up our bibs and packets from the race expo. Luckily by the time we arrived, most of the runners had already come through so we were able to grab our packets without a hitch and then spent a little time wandering around the expo searching for free schwag. Not much in the way of free goodies, but Kim and I did come out with our AWESOME NEW HYDRATION BELTS. These will be a much needed running accessory as we delve into marathon training this summer. Obviously we got them in matching colors, although we did restrain ourselves from purchasing them in highlighter pink. The ridiculously good looking photos of us modeling the belts will be posted shortly...

In order to get us PSYCHED for the race, Tim brought Without Limits, the 1997 cult classic that documents the short, but amazing life of famed American long distance runner Steve Prefontaine. Our viewing session on Saturday evening was cut a bit short due to exhaustion, but watching some of Pre's record-breaking runs definitely put us in the mood to dominate the race the next day! Scope it out for yourself:



As for the actual race, well, for what was supposed to be an "easy" ten miler, the Broad Street run turned into one of the most painful (albeit fun) runs I can remember. To put it mildly, I was woefully unprepared for the realities of running in 80degree, disgustingly humid weather. Yes, I am being a whining wimp but seriously, who actually enjoys running when the air has the consistency of pea soup?! No matter, Philly put on a great show for the race with spectators cheering us on along the entire length of the course, fire hydrants spraying down the runners, and, of course, the Rocky soundtrack blasting from more than one apartment window. While our times may not have been exactly what we hoped for, Team Pepita survived and managed to go enjoy the CcTC post-race tent party and keg. Win!

Which running conditions do you prefer - freezing snowpocalypse or humid hot mess?

Up next: NYRR Brooklyn 1/2 Marathon on May 22. Kim's heading back to the city to brave another NYRR race, this time on the opposite end of the weather spectrum. She, being an intelligent non-procrastinating individual, actually registered for this race. I, being total fail, missed the sign up. Minor details. So I'll be ghost running (i.e. sneaking) into the race. Sadly I won't get credit as part of the 9+1 to auto-qualify for 2011 NYC Marathon, but since I've already checked off six of the nine races, I'm not too concerned. Keep your fingers crossed it's an abnormally cool day!