Blood Doping on the LSD

Let me explain.

A few months ago I bought the Hanson Method half marathon training book for my race this weekend. While I didn't follow their plan to a T (which, by the way, they highly discourage), I learned a lot about the benefits of different types of training runs.

LSD does not stand for a party drug in this case, but for Long Slow Distance. Among the benefits are: increased muscle strength, improved use of fat, capillary growth, and a stronger heart. So by my very scientific calculations, you get more energy and can therefore run faster for a longer time, which is what happens when you blood dope.* Hence, the title of this post.

And, while the LSD is not a drug, I will argue that your mind can get a little altered after over an hour of running.

Of course, before even starting your workout, it's important to make sure you look perfectly put together.

That goes without saying, right?

At the start of your run you might be focused on your pace, your form, and/or your breathing, but after a while your brain starts to wander a bit.

You ponder deep things.

You analyze conspiracies.

Think about it.

You also consider more immediate forms of sabotage.

And conversely:

As you take more oxygen into your blood you also start to develop heightened senses.

Could it be?

Ooh, yeah!

By the time you reach the end of your run you may have solved that nagging work issue, or even a couple of long-held conspiracies. Or if you're me, you finally understand a flipping do-while loop. However, all that effort has taken a serious toll on your super-fancy workout look.

But you don't care because YOU SURVIVED!

And you're now a genius...until the high wears off. Which is about the same time as you get out of the shower.

It's okay though. You still killed it out there, tiger.



*While I may feel like a know-it-all after my long runs, I am no doctor. Please do not take anything I have said as medical truth or advice.

UPCOMING POSTS: RACE RECAP OF SUNDAY'S HALF MARATHON, POSSIBLE NEW WORKOUTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

The Coolest Thing About Running

There are lots of things I love about running:

1. The races:

2. The race goodies:

Especially the race medals.

But the races are just a small part of it. There are also the personal benefits:

1. Exercise in the fresh air:

2. Pushing my body past its formerly accepted limits:

But, even those don't compare to my FAVOURITE thing:

Yup, it really is a thing that I totally didn't make up.

To me, there's nothing more satisfying than the secret-society-greeting you give and get when coming across another runner.

It might be a wave, a smile, or just a head nod. These may or may not be accompanied by a "hello". However, the important thing about the Secret Running Society is that you have to be cool, man. As such, I have devised the following tips to help you jump right in.

1. Smile:

But just tighten your lips and pull up the corners a tiny bit.

2. Wave:

Maybe just a quick, single hand raise.

3. Nod:

Once will do.

4. Say hi:

One or two words is plenty.

Got it? Great!  Oh, but there's something very important you need to know about the Secret Running Society:

 *It's elusive.*

Depending on where you run, you might not get a single acknowledgment.

Sometimes it's just logistics; for example there might be too many runners.

You'd give yourself whiplash and repetitive stress disorder, not to mention you would really throw off your breathing.

Sometimes people are in the middle of a really tough workout and the energy it would take to shift their focus to speak, wave, or make eye contact would cause them to fall on their face and possibly remain there for hours. (I am of course guessing this; I myself have never felt this way...)

Sometimes people are uh, preoccupied?

 

Maybe there's a butterfly up there.

There are plenty of reasons runners ignore other runners. Some will never acknowledge you for the simple reason that they are just too cool.

I guess that's alright though, because actually:

Just don't let the secret out, ok?

So how about you? Are you a member of the Secret Running Society or are you too cool?

UPCOMING POSTS: LONG RUNS, A RACE REPORT