Running Abroad: Dusseldorf, Germany

The nice part about Dusseldorf, Germany is that the city is located on the Rhine River and there are plenty of running and biking trails. It is about 40-45 degrees, so warming than MN. I have found a few good routes. Here is a nice 5.5 mile loop.

Krispy Kream Challenge:

For those of you that know me well, you know that donuts are one of my favorite foods in the world, for those of you who have read this blog before you will know that running is one of my favorite things to do in the world. I have managed to combine these two passions of mine in that one, running, allows me to indulge in the other, donuts. Often for my weekly long runs I will walk down to the amazing Mom and Pap bakery, A Baker's Wife and buy a few donuts and leave them on the kitchen counter so that when I return from my run I get to look forward to fresh homemade donuts, plural as in 3-4. Let's just say it is a very strong motivating factor for me. I will also stop during my really long runs 5+ hour runs and "refuel," this normally consist of me stopping at a gas stations and buying a gatorade and either a snickers bar or donuts. There is a saying about endurance running from the book Once A Runner by John L. Parker, "If the fire is hot enough anything will burn." Parker is referring to runner that burn through four, five, six thousand or more calories a day, so whether its donuts or a salad it all just fuel for the fire.

Now other than as a reward for after a long run or fuel for those really long runs I have yet to be able to truly combine these two passions of mine. Until I saw an ad for the Krispy Kream Challenge. To complete the Krispy Kreme Challenge, participants start at the iconic NC State Belltower on Hillsborough Street, run two miles to the Krispy Kreme store of Raleigh, eat one dozen doughnuts (totaling 2,400 calories and 144 grams of fat), and run back to the Belltower, all under 1 hour. This would surely test the limits of my stomach and there is a strong possibility that after this event I would not have the desire to run or eat donuts for a while. Maybe a possibility for 2012 race calendar.

Eating on the Run:

Video post about what I eat while out on long runs. I know I say that I'm headed out for a long run tomorrow, but I recorded a while ago on Saturday and went for 36 miles on Sunday Feb. 6th.

What I ate during the 36 mile run.
44oz of gatorade
1 banana
1 bagel with cream cheese
8 oz of excelerade
4 snickers bars
32 0z of water

I should have been drinking more I go pretty dehydrated towards the end. I have a 50 mile run planned for tomorrow Feb. 19th so we'll see how that goes. Definitely going to be eating on the run.

That's Hot Yoga:

No not more celebrity news, today I did my first session of hot yoga, or Bikram Yoga. Hot yoga is a set of 26 yoga posses done in a heated room over a 90 minute session. It is said that doing yoga in a heated room helps to increase flexibility, restore muscles and increase cardiovascular strength. My experience with Hot Yoga was much different than some of the other yoga classes that I have taken. I am still a beginner at yoga and have only done the intro classes and a few Vinyasa Flow classes which to me are quite challenging, but had a much more relaxed feel to it and ended with a meditative portion of the class that really relaxed you.

Hot yoga is still challenging but it a much different way. The instructor was great and really pushed you to always be focusing on your form and getting the most out of each position. The heat was not too bad though I did do 6.5 miles of hill repeats just before the class and was slightly dehydrated to start the class, which I would not recommend. A normal Bikram yoga class is done in 105 degree temperatures, but this class was done around 95 degree temps, but you still sweat a lot and do become dehydrated. Though you do not do as many balancing posses and strengthening posses it is still a challenge and I am sure I'll be a bit sore tomorrow.

I really enjoyed my first hot yoga experience and will definitely be back to try again. How it will help me run 100 miles still remains to be seen. I do know that several ultra runners do participate in hot yoga classes so there must be some benefit to it.

What to Give a Runner for Valentine's Day:

Happy Valentines Day!

You know I really don't mind Valentines Day all that much, so what if it was invented by corporate America, it's an excuse to spend time with the ones you love. Now if that lucky lady just happens to be a runner you're in luck guys I got you covered. Here are some great ideas for those lovely lady runners in your life.

1. A nice box of assorted of gels and goos. Now sure chocolate is a simple carbohydrate but does it have the necessary electrolytes and sodium needed to avoid dehydration? I don't think so, plust that special person will appreciate the fact that you are not only tapping into her sweet tooth but but also looking out for her hydration needs too.



2. Now some of you might be thinking jewelry, forget that, go with the a new GPS watch. Sure she may think she wants that new diamond bracelet or necklace to show off to your girlfriends but there is a certain amount of elegance and luster in having a device that you can strap to your wrist and accurately track your pace, time, distance and heart rate all at once and display the results that she can instantly email to all her friends. Now that will make them jealous. Plus I can't think of anything more romantic than whispering each others' mile splits to one and other while sipping on a cold glass of chocolate milk while you cold down and refuel from you run.



3. What about flowers? Nothing gets a girl more excited than having flowers delivered to her at work right for all her co-works and friends to see. Not if your gal is a runner, what she really wants is an exercise ball to sit on instead of the old office chair she has. Flowers are dead after a few days, but her new exercise ball it the gift that keeps on giving. Not only does it help keep those hamstring from tightening up from sitting all day but it also help develop lower back and core strength while she's at her desk for hours and hours. Trust me guys, flowers are for show but an exercise ball will help her with that get up and go.



4. I am sure there are even a few of you guys out there that are even thinking about give that special lady a cute cuddly puppy for valentines day and...well you're getting closer. She doesn't want a cute little puppy that is going to poop, pee and chew everything up in sight. What you really want is a full grow, fully trained running dog. Now I'll recommend huskies, especially for you fellow Minnesotans, these dogs are made to run hard and run a long time. That little puppy is going to take months or even years before you can get it trained and in shape enough for you to take him out for a 10 mile run, besides they only stay cute for a few months anyways.



Well guys I hope I was able to help you out. Trust me if your gal is a runner she'll appreciate you thinking about her needs this Valentine's Day.

36 Mile Run:

Here is the my Garmin readout of my 36 mile run this past weekend.

Another runner who is running the Zumbro 100 with me help to organize a great supported run. It was awesome to not only have someone o run with for a change but to have a fully supported run the entire way. Two of our friends and fellow runners followed us in there car and stopped every four miles so that we could refill our water bottles and grab some snacks to eat. Many thanks to Dan and Leslie for all of your support and help.

I felt pretty good throughout the entire run and averaged a pretty good pace. The nice weather was a bonus and it was really great to be able to talk with Kathy about her experiences running specifically ultras. She has ran the Leadville 100 mile race twice and a number of other 50 mile, 50K and marathons before.

Guest Posting Debut: 3 Ways To Get More Out of Your Day

As some of you know I am obsessed with getting things done and productivity. Now it not always work related and often isn't. I wan to make sure that whatever I do I get what I want out of it. Here is a link to a guest post that I did for Skyline Displays blog about how to get more accomplished during your day, which leave more time for running.

Enjoy! 3 Ways To Get More Out of Your Day

Product Review: Thermal Quickdraw Hand Held Water Bottle from Nathan Sport

Thermal Quickdraw Hand Held Water Bottle from Nathan Sports I have used several times now, for both short runs and a couple 30+ mile runs. It have a good fit on your hand and has an adjustable strap to tighten or loosen the hand grip. The holder also has a small pocket that can be used for keys, small cell phone or about 3 gels. This thermal version from Nathan Sports works as more of a barrier from keeping you hand from warming up the contents of the bottle, I don't think it will actually keep liquids much hotter or colder because of this.

The bottle holds 22 0z. and uses Nathan Sports quickdraw water valve, which isn't much different from your normal water bottle, pull up to open, press down to close. The lid is a bit tricky to get on and off and make sure that the lid is tightly on, because if not the first time you squeeze the bottle you will lose most of your liquid. The bottle fit very snugly into the thermal sleeve so getting it in and out take a bit but there is no real reason other than cleaning that you need to be taking the bottle out of the sleeve.

Pros: Good fit and feel on your hand, nice sized pocket and adjustable grip strap.

Cons: Lid is a bit tricky to secure.

Bottom line: This is a very good product overall, with only one minor issue. I would recommend this product to others.

Retail Price: $25.00 USD

Celebrity Marathoners:

Normally I do not concern myself or post about celebrity news or gossip, but I did find it interesting which celebrities are also marathoners and what times they clocked in at. I will brag a bit here in that Lance Armstrong, who is the most successful cyclist of all time did train full-time for a marathon for several years, and when Lance trains he is insane with his training, just read his book It's Not About The Bike to get a glimpse of how hard he trains and races. Let's just say that with all of that training and a full-time crew with him, if we toed the line at the start of a marathon I think I'd beat him by about a minute, at least that's what are PRs say. Enough bragging here is the list of some famous people who have ran and completed a marathon, enjoy.

Lance Armstrong, 2006 (2:59:36) and 2007 (2:46:43) New York City Marathon

After he finished the New York City Marathon in 2006, Lance Armstrong called the marathon "without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done." But it didn't stop the seven-time Tour de France champion from attempting the race again the following year. He trained a little better in 2007, which resulted in a better time and less pain.

Natalie Morales, 2006 New York City Marathon (3:31:02)

Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Let's just say my first marathon was slower than Natalie Morales' time.

George W. Bush, 1993 Houston Marathon (3:44:52)

Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images

I am very impressed with GW's time, so what if his approval rates were never near that of Clinton's. If those two faced off I'd take Bush and his 3:44 over Clinton and his frequent Big Mac stops any race.

Ed Norton, 2009 New York City Marathon (3:48:01)

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Actor Ed Norton, well known for his roles in American History X, Primal Fear, and Fight Club, ran the New York City Marathon in support of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Ed Norton seems like the type of guy that would crank out a marathon, especially if it was towards a good cause.

Will Ferrell, 2003 Boston Marathon (3:56:12)

Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images

No offense but I have a hard time picturing Will Ferrell being serious for more than one minute let alone all of the training and the nearly four hours it took him to run it. Nice going Will, you surprised me.

Sarah Palin, 2005 Humpy's Marathon (3:59:36)

Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images

Sarah Palin get a lot of criticism and a lot of it in my opinion is deserved, but one thing that I do admire about Mrs. Palin is the fact that in such a short period of time you can rise from just an "ordinary" American to impact and accomplish a lot in this county. I give her credit for her willingness and passion at what she does. Now, I won't get into how much I actually agree with Mrs. Palin, but it does not surprise me that she was able to clock in a sub 4 hour marathon.

Anthony Edwards, 2003 Chicago Marathon (3:55:40) and 2009 NYC Marathon (4:08:20)

Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Anthony Edwards, I think he was on ER...right? Sorry Anthony, I heard you ran for a good cause though, good for you.

Sean Combs (P. Diddy) 2003 New York City Marathon (4:14:54)

Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Sean "P Diddy/Puff Daddy/Whatever" Combs managed to run the NYC marathon with about two months training and it looked like it showed, but he raised a boat load of money for children s charities so I think he'd say it was worth it.

Alanis Morissette, 2009 New York City Marathon (4:28:45)

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Singer Alanis Morissette also ran the NYC marathon and joined efforts with Ed Norton by raising money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.

Oprah Winfrey, 1994 Marine Corps Marathon (4:29:15)

Photo by Albert Ortega/Getty Images

Is there anything Oprah can't do?

Al Gore, 1997 Marine Corps Marathon (4:54:25)

Now not to discredit Mr. Gore, but with all of that reducing your carbon footprint talk you'd think he'd be out there pounding the pavement a bit more.