My friend Michael Bowers must have sensed I’d just done my first workout on a rowing machine. Hence the timely notice he sent of not one, but two openings on crews planning to row the Atlantic this winter. That’s row, as in row a boat, and Atlantic, as in ocean.
More pros (and cons) of running
Some interesting new research is out on the effects of running. Some of the findings will make you want to dig your waffle trainers out of the closet. Other findings may explain a thing — or ache — or two.
For instance, if you thought Forest Gump was nuts, in fact, he may have been on to something with his cross-country jaunts. A study of 44 runners taking part in the 4,500-kilometer 2009 TransEurope-FootRace (in case you’ve forgotten, the 2009 TEFR began in southern Italy on April 19, 2009, and ended in Norway on June 21 of that year) explains some phenomena that may survive even accomplished runners. The runners who agreed to participate in the study all had their blood, urine and biometric data (whole-body volume, body fat, visceral fat, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and fat and skeletal muscle of the lower extremities) collected daily. Some also slid into an MRI (“the gold standard for the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system of the runner,” according to the study) every three or four days. From all this poking and prodding researchers made some general findings:
Exorcising a grotty water bottle
I find a gimme water bottle full of fermented energy drink under the 16-year-old’s bed and I toss it into the recycling. Bike water bottles infest every nook and cranny of our house; one won’t be missed.
But a CamelBak, a $19.95 CamelBak, is another matter. I’ll do whatever it takes to revive that sucker. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much, as this instructional video demonstrates.
Kayaking for the kayakless
It’s hard to paddle this time of year if you don’t have a boat. Only a handful of boat rentals are open year-round (Lake Johnson and Lake Wheeler in Raleigh come to mind), and most of those only open when the 100-degree rule applies (when the combined air and water temperature top 100). Thus, the joys of winter paddling go unappreciated by the masses.
Survive the holiday nuttiness with a weekend escape
It’s a stellar weekend for escaping from the insanity of the holiday season. The coast offers a unique glimpse at a waterfowl wonderland, there’s a hike into history in the Piedmont, and in the mountains you’ll find a flatlander’s paradise. Intrigued? Read on.