Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Fun facts about Running

 It is off to work for me today after a nice four day weekend.  The kids are back in swimming lessons this week so it will be a busy week between work and driving back and forth into town for swim lessons.  Tomorrow will be my first run since the half marathon Saturday.  I am feeling so ready to run.  I should have got my butt out of bed a little earlier and gone this morning, but I think one more day of rest won't hurt either. I can feel the call of the open road though and it makes my legs feel itchy to get moving.

You know you want to run! 

I found these fun facts at  lululemon, thought you all might like to read them too!

Fun Running Facts...Did you know!?!

Physically active people have a 60 percent lower risk for Alzheimer's disease than coach potatoes (The Lancet Neurology - Sweden)

Athletes dressed in red are more likely to win events than athletes wearing another color. (Nature)

There are 26 combined bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles in the human foot (Nike Ad)

In terms of on-site media coverage, the Boston Marathon ranks behind only the Super Bowl as the largest single day sporting event in the world. More than 1,100 media members, representing more than 250 outlets, are expected to request and receive media credentials in 2006. (Boston Athletic Association)

An average man has enough energy in his fat stores to run non-stop for 3 days at 15 miles per hour. (bbc.co.uk)

12 of the world's top-20 distance runners are members of the Kalenjin tribe of northwest Kenya. (bbc.co.uk)

Runners report average yearly injury rates from 24% to 68%, of which 2% to 11% involve the hip or pelvis - (van Mechelen, W. in "Running injuries: a review of the epidemiological literature")

13.2 to 17.3 percent of all running injuries have been attributed to shin splints (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons)

The risk of having a heart attack during a marathon is one in 55,000. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology)

Runners who played ball sports (ie football) as kids had nearly 50 percent fewer stress fractures than runner who didn't. Stanford University researchers found that runners who played ball aports had "greater and more symmetrically distributed bone mass." (Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine)

Anyone have any other running fun facts?
How long do you take off from running after a half marathon?

21 comments:

  1. Interesting fact about the Boston marathon - yet it gets very little press here. Not televised live in most places and very little mention usually on espn etc. Probably got more attention this year because of the fast times.

    Also surprised about the ball sports. Thinking about it now, it totally makes sense. The Rapid change of direction must help. Whereas running there is usually no fast changes.

    I try to use the elliptical the day after a half or full, or wait one day. If I'm sore I definitely use the ellip within a day because it helps me feel much better
    fast!

    I love where you run. Peaceful, beautiful clean air. Gosh you are so lucky! :)

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  2. Thanks for sharing those facts, very interesting!

    The risk of having a heart attack during a marathon is much higher than I would have anticipated, that's unfortunate...

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  3. It's good to take time off after a tough race! I'm 2 days out from my 50K and I've only walked since then :)

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  4. That looks so beautiful!!! I only take 2-3 days off tops after a half. Depends on the conditions!

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  5. Interesting tips! The one about an average man being able to run for that long is really random... I'll have to tell my husband about that!

    As for rest time post-race, it depends on what I have coming up next. For instance, my last half marathon was Detroit last October. I knew I didn't have another big race until May of this year, so I took off a long time - almost a month! I lost a lot of my fitness ability, but if I don't take some time off, I get too burned out!

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  6. I loved reading those- thanks for putting them together.

    Going to put together some red running outfits...

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  7. Neat facts! Love the first one, another great reason to stay active later in life!

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  8. Very interesting facts. I found the one about wearing red in races especially interesting. Thanks for sharing and have a great day at work. :)

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  9. I like that first one...having that scares me...
    so I will keep running

    I need a red shirt..!

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  10. I loved reading these facts...so interesting! good luck on your run tomorrow and enjoy your rest today :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing these! I believe i took off a week after my half marathon, but i think my first run back was only a couple of miles.

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  12. Those facts are interesting! Bizarre about the athletes dressed in red comment, haha

    Crazy about Northwest Kenya dominating distance running!

    Interesting about people who played ball sports growing up who have better bone mass.

    I probably take off maybe a couple days after the half marathon, I definitely do the runs easy for a bit until my legs feel back to normal.

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  13. That picture made me totally want to run, even though I'm home with a nasty UTI so I had to postpone my first recovery run after Sunday's half until tomorrow morning...or maybe tonight if I get a good nap :^).

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  14. That's so interesting about the link between team sports and stress fractures.

    I always make sure I recover after a race--no speedwork in the week following and ease back into mileage. For a marathon, I give myself a whole month of easy, shorter training.

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  15. Very interesting, especially the fact about Alzheimer's.

    No real advice about post race mileage...I just know that for me, the first run after a big event usually sucks so I try to give myself a week of shorter runs.

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  16. I dont' have any off hand but this is really interesting so I need a red shirt. I used to have one but i grew out of it. hmmm...hmmm thanks girlie! another rest day i think was a great idea

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  17. The very first fact means a lot to me since the odds are stacked against me. Phew! I need all the help I can get with preventing Alzheimer's Disease! I hope you enjoyed your extra rest day!

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  18. Very cool facts! Interesting about the red clothing...must stock up! lol

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  19. These are awesome! I will remember which color to wear at the next race.

    (I usually take 4-5 days off after a half then start back slowly.)

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  20. WoW! Interesting facts! The one about heart attack is pretty scary :P I guess the odds also depend on how old you are and what shape your in...

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