Special Idiot

• First things first. Warrior Dash = 3.22 miles of muddy greatness! I recommend anyone to do the Warrior Dash or any type of obstacle race of such. Don't let the 3.22 miles intimidate you if you don't run. You are preoccupied by everything else to realize the distance. How often do you get to run through water, climb cargo nets, crawl through mud under barbwire, and jump over fire?! Only downfall, they ran out of Warrior Helmets... I mean, really?! Receiving it in the mail isn't the same. Just saying.

• According to the ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) American Fitness Index Atlanta ranks as the 15th most fit city. Just another reason why I love Atlanta! There are some good looking people in Atlanta! I mean, I'm not implying I'm one of them or anything ;-)! Georgia overall is ranked high in relation to obesity, but Atlanta alone is a very in shape-fitness-crazy city. When you go on a morning run at around 5:30AM and you see other runners getting their miles in, you know you live in a fit city. Now as a state, lets get fit!

• June 2, 2010 is National Running Day! This is the perfect opportunity for those people who want to start being active and need that push to get out there and do it. You don't have to run, you can simply walk, swim, jog, bike, or anything that makes you move. Get out there and do something. Mark it on your calendar to get some exercise in before, during lunch, or after work. Go with a friend, family member, or a coworker. Also, some cities around the nation hold events just for this occasion. Do it for yourself. Just think, this is the first step to your healthy life!

• Okay, so I am one of those people who likes to see how far I can push my body. How much pain can I inflict on my body through exercise before "hitting the wall"? I've completed a 5k, a 10k, then a half, and finally a marathon. I told myself that the marathon was the furthest I would go. Well, the past month or so I have been contemplating doing a 50 mile Ultra Marathon. Yea, I said 50 miles. Who runs 50 miles for fun? I am about 50% committed right now. If, when, I fully commit I believe I will sign up to complete it next year in Atlanta. I sit here and think to myself "I got this in the bag, just a year of training and I know I can do it." Then I go for a run and I think to myself "What the fuck (sorry, but it's my thought during the 90 degree Atl heat with high humidity around mile 4) am I thinking, 50 miles?!" Then I finish my run, come inside, take a shower, and begin to think. Training for something is never easy. While training for the marathon I thought the same thing. I thought 26.2 miles was impossible and had a hard time training. However, I did it. Training for a distance that you have never completed is scary. You don't know what it will feel like until you do it. The human body is astonishing. It's able to adapt to further distances, or increase in strength, over time with proper training and nutrition. The problem to completing isn't going to be the physical aspect (it will be tortuous, no doubt), but it's going to be the mental battle. After mile 26 I will have complete a marathon and have 1 more marathon to go before being complete with the race. Talk about mind torture. I have no good logical reason for wanting to do this, but simply just to see how far I can push myself. I'm not doing it to raise money for a cause, or for some deep emotional reason, but just the plain fact to see how much pain I can inflict. I'm sick, but isn't every endurance runner? I say now that 50 miles is my cap. No way will I ever be a person who completes a 100 mile ultramarathon. Just wait until I complete 50, I may have a sick and twisted desire to double it and do the 100... I am open to any suggestions, or even a partner to train with. Ross already denied. Furtherest he will go with me is marathon distance. :-). I think it's going to be hard to find a 50 miler running buddy... After doing some research on ultra running I came across this quote by Alan Cabelly: "Any idiot can run a marathon, it takes a special idiot to run an ultramarathon" I want to be a special idiot. It's going to be a long journey, and I will definitely keep you updated.

Training Exercise: Triceps Extensions. I know I am guilty to neglecting my triceps when working out. Being a female I should be all about it since women are known to have saggy arms. That was harsh, I apologize. Let me rephrase: Women typically hold fat in the triceps area and spend less time working out the weak muscle. You need a balance between all muscle groups. You can't only work out your biceps, you need to work your triceps to have a well balance arm and decrease the risk of injury such as muscle strains or shoulder dislocations.

Training Tip: Wear sunscreen if you are going to be out in the sun for a long run for more than 20-30 minutes. I am guilty for not taking my own advice and have a runner's tan to prove it. After the Warrior Dash I noticed how bad of a sports bra tan I have in the back. I say wear sunscreen because I also have a hideous sunburn mark around the straps of my sports bra. I would say it stings a little when changing clothes. You think I have learned my lesson, but no. Don't be stubborned like me, please. Protect your skin from not only the UV rays but also the pain that will just linger along due to the irritation you will inflict on it.

Training Songs: I found my Nelly Furtado CD from years ago and added some to my playlist for old time sake. Enjoy!

1. Man Eater- Nelly Furtado

2. No Hay Igual- Nelly Futado

3. All I Do Is Win- Dj Khaled ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, & T-Pain

4. Woohoo- Christina Aguilera ft. Nicki Minaj

5. OMG- Usher ft. Will-I-Am

Upcoming Races:

The upcoming races are on the side of my blog via dailymile. I'm going to try to tweak it to have the next race show on the countdown and not the already completed. Anywho.

Next race: Peachtree Road Race on July 4, 2010!

Happy Running,
Jayme Bergeron, BS

ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist

(Yea, this will happen for awhile :-) I'm a dork, I know it!)

"If You Can't Fill It, You Can't Squirt It"

If you can't fill it, you can't squirt it thus resulting in cardiac failure (Oh, Clinical Exercise Physiology class)! It's your heart that keeps you alive, right? So why waste it? A sedentary lifestyle can lead to CVD (Cardiovasular Disease), possibly progress into congestive heart failure, then ultamently resulting in asytole/flatline/death (however you want to fancy it up). Start an exercise routine and stick to it. Don't give up or skip out because you find a way to talk yourself out of doing PA (physical activity). ACSM minimum recommendation for a healthy lifestyle is 30 minutes a days on most days of the week of physical activity. The 30 minutes can be broken down into 3 ten minute bouts of exercise. Some people may find the recommendation too much to handle so make exercise fun! Find a good reason to participate in some type of exercise! Here are a few ideas:

1. Do it for a good cause! The proceeds from most races are to help some type of charity, help the hosting city's community, or help research some type of disease/illness (i.e. childhood obesity). You can help not only better yourself while helping a good cause. It's a win win situation. You can find local events at Active.com.

• November 8, 2009 is the 11th Annual World Run Day 2009! This is a great reason to get out those running shoes and participate in this global epidemic. The idea is to help get people out in the community and exercise while possibly contributing to a local charity. You can either join a running group in your community, or even just run on your normal route. Go to RunDay for more information.
• National Running Day was on June 3, 2009 and got a lot of attention throughout the nation. This is another organization that is trying to fight the sedentary epidemic and help get people active in the community. The concept is the same as World Run Day. It helps bring people together in the community to be active. It's something to work towards without having the pressure of training for a 5k, 10k, half, or even a marathon. Not all people are active for competition. Casual "running days" are a great cure to help get people out on their feet. National Running Day 2010 date has yet to be released, but check for the future date on my blog or the hosting website.
• DOW Live Earth/ Run For Water is a cause that makes you want to be active. The event is on April 18, 2010 across the world. There are different hosting cities that will draw more attention to the event than others. The run/walk is a 6 km for water because roughly 3.4 miles is the distance many woman and children walk every day to obtain water. The event is also offering educational information regarding water shortage around the world. Everyone should participate regardless if it's through the organization or on your own. RUN FOR WATER!

2. Do It for yourself! You can exercise to lose weight, to reward yourself, to relax after a long day, or for just pure enjoyment.

• Most people exercise to lose weight. When trying to lose weight don't always go by what the scale tells you. The scale measurement is a weighing of your entire body not just body fat. Judge by inches and how your clothes fit! Refer to the earlier blog -LB = Pounds Lost (10/17/2009) for more information on weight loss.
• Reward yourself after a hard workout or long run. Don't over do it because then you will just cancel out your workout. Believe it or not coffee, chocolate milk, beer, and even pizza are a good post run/workout snack. Being a Cajun we love beer. So here is a BEER CALCULATOR to help you enjoy a good beverage guilt free after a hard workout :) (Thanks Brandie!) You input your weight, how long you exercised, and chose the type of exercise you performed and you will get the results of what type and how many beers you can drink!
• Exercise is a good relaxation technique. Lifting weights allows you to use the bottled up strength to help release tension. Kick boxing or a similar activity lets you beat the crap out of something while pretending it is your "problem". Yoga will help you relax and mediate. Running gives you a lot of time to think through your day/ problems and help you cope. No matter your type of exercise it will help you relax and ease some tension.
• Maybe you exercise for just pure enjoyment. My advise: continue!

Regardless of what your "surface" reason is to exercise just continue to do it. In the long run you will be doing yourself a favor. Good exercise and diet will aid in longevity of your life. Keep your heart, mind, and body healthy. Now that's the key to life :)

Training Exercise of the Week: Mountain Climbers. This is a good exercise for your legs, arms, and abs. If you have back problems I advise you take it slow or not perform this exercise.

• Performing Mountain Climbers: (1) Place your hands on the ground in front of you. (2) Then place your legs out behind you while your butt is in the air. (3) Now move one leg forward like you are climbing. Your hands are to stay put on the ground and your butt is still in the air. (4) Next move your back foot forward at the same time you move your front foot back. That completes 1 mountain climber. (5) Complete 3-5 sets of 20-30 reps.

Training Tip of the Week: Remember to keep setting new goals. Don't set goals that are not obtainable, or will take too long to reach. If you are training for a marathon remember to set smaller goals within that training. It can be you want to run x amount of miles a week, or you want to run x amount of miles in a long run, or you want to run a 1ok by a certain week. You get my point. Set smaller goals within your larger goal. This way you will stay motivated and will feel you have accomplished more than just a marathon in your journey.

Training Song of the Week: I just want to thank Sister Sister for my music choice of the week! Repin' the 90s Jams. Enjoy! :)

1. STOMP- Kirk Franklin

2. Too Close- Next

Happy Running,

Jayme

"Everyone! Everywhere!"

Wednesday June 3, 2009 is being named National Running Day! It's the perfect reason to start being active and help get others to be active. Not a runner? Get a buddy, or two, and create your own walking group! Atlanta is one of the few hosting cities along with Houston, New York, and others. If you live in one of the hosting cities check out what activities are going on around the city and join in on the festivities! So get your shoes, hit the pavement, and help make this a tradition as the first step to a healthier world!

For more information on National Running Day go to http://www.runningday.org/index.asp. For Atlantans go to http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/ to find out what activities are going on around the peach capitol! Everyone, Everywhere is encouraged to take part in the inaugural National Running Day including the hosting cities and non-hosting cities!

Happy Running,
Jayme