Last stage of the Cumberland Duathlon
I blogged back in July about getting back into running, and actually enjoying myself…
Well 3 months later I’m happy to say that I’m loving it even more! The more I run, the more I want to run! This summer has definitely been pivotal for me as a runner. I’ve managed to avoid injuries, increase my runs to distances I never thought possible (and I’m only getting started!), enjoy a couple of races, and my recovery after (most) runs is good. I’m very happy with the 1/2 marathon distance I ran the other day, and I’m debating whether to do the half or full national capital marathon next spring.
I’ve been practicing some of the core principles of Chi Running, which I think has helped me a lot to avoid injury. I’m also religiously taking BioSuperfood F3 – available from SimplyRaw -a couple before the run, a few during my longest runs, and a couple after the run to help with recovery. I also like the Vega lineup of vegan products to help with performance before, during and after exercise. Of course I also follow a 100% vegan diet, with lots of raw foods – Natasha & I have been doing a lot of veg juicing lately; plus the daily (or more) green smoothies!
I also seek out the wisdom of elite (vegan/raw) athletes – in particular their diets. One very inspirational athlete is elite long distance runner Tim Van Orden. Tim started the Running Raw Project a few years ago, and is now a world class athlete competing (and winning) in some of the toughest running races – up mountains! And he does it fueled by raw vegan foods!
Tim Van Orden at the 10K U.S. Nationals
I’m really looking forward to welcoming Tim to Ottawa again this Friday Oct 28 at the SimplyRaw Potluck (he was in Ottawa for the 2010 SimplyRaw Festival). I’m sure Tim will share some valuable insights into following a raw foods diet; how it’s helping him to excel at running; and hopefully some training tips as well!
I’m definitely keen to keep pushing my running limits this winter, and any advice on how to do it better will be an awesome help! Hope you can join us!
Mark
MicroAlgae Superfoods
Thanks Mark for this post. I have been reading your blogs on running. I too love running and was running 10 k, 5 days a week on a vegan diet (mostly raw in Summer, Spring and Fall). But I started getting terrible calf spasms and had to pull back. I recently did a running analysis at PSI and the results turned out to be quite positive. The taped videos of me running, showed I was doing most things right, when compared to an elite runner. However, no one has been able to help me with my calf spasms. I think I read an a post that you had written a few month ago on calf spasms.
I also had to stop running this past Winter because I was loosing too much body fat trying to keep warm. Any suggestions on the spasms or maintaining body weight while enjoying a great run in -20 degrees centigrade …I miss the “runners high”. I’m wondering if I am missing/overlooking something in my diet in regards to the spasms?
In joy, Lillian
Hi Lillian,
Yea I used to get really bad calf spasms, but not anymore. A couple of things I do religiously to avoid them: (1) I always stretch for about 10-15 minutes before running, especially stretching out my calf muscles really well; (2) stretching again for 5-10 minutes after a run; (3) coconut water is your best friend for muscle cramps – helps a lot right after a run; (4) the BioSuperfood is also helping a lot – it takes a while to build up in your body before it takes effect. I started taking it in January to prep for a ski trip, and it helped quite a bit; I’m sure it’s also helping a lot with my running. I take 2 before my run, take another every half hour during longer runs, and then 2-3 more when I get back. (Natasha carries BSF) I think also gradually increasing my distance and duration has helped, but I’m sure that all of the above has been instrumental in avoiding the spasms.
I’m not sure what to suggest about winter running. Last winter I didn’t run, although I did quite a bit of x-country skiing. I tried to ensure that I was appropriately dressed for the weather – starting out cool, but not freezing cold, so when I warmed up I was just right (not always easy to do, but gets figured out over time… and I skiied with a backpack, so I could carry extra or ditch something). I’d like to say chocolate, but that’s probably bad advice!
… probably better to suggest avocados or nuts to add some extra (healthy) fat content in your diet.
Hope that helps, and that you can get back into running!
Mark