I will never win an award for running (unless you consider slowest marathoner of all time an award) but I finish what I start, be that projects or marathons. So the last month has been a puzzle. I cut short 2 long runs and completely bonked on a 10 miler. The last 20 minutes of my aikido class was spent pouring cold water over my head and watching my arm vibrate like it was in an electrical socket. And these were not the most disturbing things.

My memory is usually very sharp. My mood is usually upbeat and energetic. If you were to chart these 2 over the past month or so, it would look like shark’s teeth. Lisa would be talking and I would be off on other planes. And this was by no means selective listening which I have been wrongfully accused of in the past. (Outright slander here. Most of the time, this was outright slander!)  Other times she would ask me simple questions like “What color is that glass over there. You know the green one. Kermit the frog. Grass. Preying mantis. Anything ringing a bell here?” I would have this deer-in-the-headlights look, bemoaning the fact that apparently Kermit the frog is now laying in our grass after being attacked by a preying mantis. What in the world is going on here?

The answer came after eating a bag of Sharkies Organic Chews yesterday — extreme electrolyte depletion. Electrolytes are similar to spark plugs. They conduct electricity and provide a fluid balance in the body, among other things. Common electrolytes are sodium, potassium and chloride. When levels are low, symptoms such as forgetfulness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, stomach upset and a host of others can occur.

Why do they occur? The most common reason is excessive sweating without replacement. Here is the problem. I did not factor in the heat and humidity AND long miles when thinking about the October Ultra. Long miles in 95 degree/100% humidity is rough on the system.

Post run recovery drinks are a must but with high miles in this type of weather, it is simply not enough. The amounts in the best of the best drinks are only about 25-30% of what is needed, particularly when one is a Clydesdale and sweats like a cow,  like yours truly.

There are a number of good products out there but the ones I like the best are:

• Endurolytes OR Performance Electrolyte Stamina by Trace Minerals Research
• AND Pure Inland Sea Water, also by Trace Minerals Research

This combination works very well, providing the body with a full spectrum of ionic minerals, trace minerals and electrolytes.

Now, I am happy to report that Kermit the frog is fine, happy at home with the rest of the Muppets. The preying mantis is busy munching away on a dragonfly. The Yankees are on and the bases are loaded with one out. So unless Derek Jeter hits into a game ending double play, I am pretty sure I can’t hear Lisa in the other room asking me to take Lightning the wonder dog out for his last walk of the day.

Yes, all is right with the world.

Glycemic index is a measure of how fast foods increase blood sugar. Many recent studies found that high protein, low carb meals promoted weight loss best during the first 6 months of dieting. After 6 months, however, low cal diets of any composition help people lose weight equally. 90% of people regain the weight they lose 12 months after the end of the diet.

Scientists are anxious to learn effective ways for preventing this yo you effect.

Australian researchers in a review of the literature, concluded that low glycemic index carbs that include foods such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits were best for maintaining weight loss over many years. Low glycemic index carb diets and high protein/low carb diets were equally effective for weight loss.

I love it as much as the next person. The early morning cup of java. Nothing like it to start the day.

People often give up coffee when starting a healthy lifestyle plan, New Year’s resolution or something along these lines. Why? Coffee can be addicting, cause of insomnia and increases the heart rate. It is also perhaps THE most sprayed product in the world (with few exceptions such as Paul Newman’s blends). Now, we are finding out it is not so bad as thought, except for the spraying part.

Researchers from Spain and Harvard found that coffee drinking was NOT linked to any degree with premature death or any heart related issues such as heart attacks. In addition, it actually has positive effects on the system.

OK, sounds good so far, but what kind of study was this? 12 employees from Starbucks?! Not quite. The results are based on a 20 years study done with over 150,000 people and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Key seems to be, like everything else in life, balance and moderation. Participants who drank less than 4 cups per day received the most health promoting benefits from coffee.

Side note: The health benefits were not from caffeine. It is something else in coffee, as yet unknown.

Italian researchers, using a statistical technique called Meta Analysis (which means studying the studies that have already been completed), concluded that diets high in simple sugars increase the risk of colorectal and endometrial cancers.

People who eat meals high in simple sugars such as soft drinks, cakes and white bread increase their risk of said cancers by 18 to 25 percent above people who do not eat these foods.

Bottom line. The foods you eat dictate your level of health.

What do Starsky & Hutch, 8 track tapes and static stretching have in common?

They went out with the 70’s. Or at least should have. Stretching was thought to increase joint range of motion, prevent injury and increase performance. Fast forward a few decades and a mountain of evidence dictates otherwise. In fact, recent study after study shows that stretching does just the opposite. It decreases strength and increase the risk of injury. Scientists speculate that stretching interferes with nervous control of movement.

A recent study from the U of OK by Dr. Trent Herda and co-workers found that static stretching decreased muscle strength and activation capacity. So what to do?

Dynamic stretching is the answer. It involves actively going through a range of motion, compared to the outdated stretch and hold. Plyometrics and other jumping / hopping type movements are considered in this category.

Of course, this is a moot point for marathoners and other distance runners. No one would waste energy stretching for such distances. However, for 5K and other fast events, it could be a determining factor for PR and victory.