#4 The Weekly Pep Talk - December 17 - 23, 2007

Ask About Running
The Weekly Pep Talk
Fourth Issue
This week is dedicated to Erica D. (Keep running over 2 miles for that runner’s high)
Monday, December 17 – Sunday, December 23, 2007
Week 50 in 2007
Send comments to: Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com

Hello to All!

So far the holiday festivities have been relatively mild. Is it because I’m getting old? Healthy dinners with modest meat or fish portions, red wine in moderation, vegetable hors d’oeuvres with limited cheese, NO SOUR CREAM DIP AND CHIPS! NO CHIPS, PERIOD!! What is this world coming to? I remember the good old days…sweets and chips and dips, served with some syrupy-sweet, mixed alcohol concoction followed by more of the same stuff. Nothing else was available. Guaranteed next day hangover and a stomach that felt bloated and totally devoid of any nutrients all at the same time! Those were the good old days! Maybe, maybe not?

How are your holidays coming along? Are you taking time to enjoy the people you love? Are you allowing time for yourself? I hope so. Of course we don’t have to limit ourselves to the holiday season to be grateful or to take time to appreciate the good parts of our life. But it is a time for a major reminder of what’s important and why we need to make time for what matters.

This brings me to this week’s topic, Two Mile Magic. The connection lies in how we make ourselves feel good. There are lots of ways, both artificial and natural. Two Mile Magic is a natural way to feel good and get exercise at the same time!

TWO MILE MAGIC
It has been my experience that 2 miles is a turning point for many runners. Yes, it is somewhere near this distance that the body/brain connection fully kicks in and says “YES, I like to move! In fact, I like it so much that my brain is going to create a certain kind of “high”, a natural state of ease and pleasure to prolong the good feeling.” It is documented that you can create a state of well being from running that is often referred to as “runner’s high”. Generally you won’t attain this until you reach the 2 mile distance mark.

Erica and I were running together one day, talking about running. Can you imagine? Well, Erica is one determined woman but she had not actually run continuously for 2 miles. She used a walk/run technique that added up to many miles but never 2 whole running miles together. When I heard this, I mentioned the conversation I had with a running buddy many years ago about 2 mile magic. He told me that it took about 2 miles of running to get the “runner’s high” that people talk about. I hadn’t given it much thought before his mentioning it. I was however, quite aware of how unpleasant, or at least awkward and inefficient, I often felt during the first 10 – 20 minutes of running. Now, for many of us, if we only run 10 or 20 minutes, we never get to that good feeling and running just feels HARD and unpleasant. This was what was happening to Erica.

Guess what? When Erica made that breakthrough, she experienced that 2 mile magic! She now considers herself a “runner” and looks forward to pounding the pavement. Good job Erica!
Incidentally, this is not the same experience you will have if you walk or work out in a gym unless you attain that heart rate level and keep it there for a minimum of 2 miles worth – approximately 10 – 20 minutes at 60% heart rate.

Do you remember my talking about Maximum Heart Rate a couple of weeks ago? (Issue 2) Well, here’s a message…These parts are all interrelated! We need to push our bodies enough that they keep overcoming the obstacles that create quiescence or lack of mobility. We need to stimulate our bodies to MOVE! When our brain tells us that something feels good, we like it. When you actually run 2 miles you will probably experience 2 Mile Magic because your brain is helping you to stick with it! There also seems to be some element of being outdoors that affects the outcome.

Give it a go! I think it’s a gift that many of us miss out on if we don’t know how easy it is to attain. If you’re not there yet, stick with it. It’s within reach for most of us.

If you are past the 2 mile mark, I would love to hear from you about this phenomenon because I am curious about your personal experiences. Please E-mail me at Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com or join our Yahoo Group AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com and share your comments with all the members.

For a college project I researched the effects of prolonged exercise, at relatively high levels of exertion, on mental patients. It had been used as therapy with good results in soothing and calming the patients. My interest was due to my own experience with an almost euphoric feeling from running long distance and even the occasional revelation. The research supported my idea. This 2 Mile Magic is Powerful Stuff!!

UPCOMING EVENTS…
I hope to see some of you at the Christmas Classic 5K and Miracle Mile, Sunday, December 23, 2007, Sponsored by Ohana Road Runners. I plan to be there and “ace” my mile time. After all, the course is DOWNHILL! You May Run or Walk the mile run or 5 K. You may sign up on the day of the race (or in advance). All is well organized, low key and their races always benefit a local charity. http://www.ohanarrca.org/
Details are also listed on the AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com Calendar.

AskStephanieAboutRunning@yahoogroups.com and look under Files. Presently the schedule for the Kaiser Permanente in February is listed for both the half marathon and the 5 K. Also look at the Calendar for upcoming events and the starting dates for these other runs.

The Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon & 5K February 3, 2008
xnet.kp.org/sanfrancisco/index.html
The London Marathon April 13, 2008
www.london-marathon.co.uk
16 week training begins December 24
The Boston Marathon April 21, 2008 http://www.bostonmarathon.org
16 week training begins December 31
The Bay to Breakers/San Francisco May 18, 2008
http://www.ingbaytobreakers.com/main.html
See Jane Run Women’s Half Marathon & 5K May 31, 2008
http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K.aspx
The San Francisco Half & Full Marathon & 5K August 3, 2008 http://www.runsfm.com/home.html
The Disneyland Half Marathon and 5K August 30/31, 2008 www.disneylandhalfmarathon.com
The Chicago Marathon October 12, 2008 http://www.chicagomarathon.com
The Nike Women’s Half and Full Marathon October? (couldn’t find)
www.nike.com
The New York City Marathon November 2008?
www.ingnycmarathon.org
The Honolulu Marathon December 14, 2008
www.honolulumarathon.org


Send me your stories, comments, and questions about life and running. My E-mail is Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com.

If you haven’t already joined the group website, please go to AskStephanieAboutSports@yahoogroups.com and join! I would love to have you as a part of this group of active, interesting women, who live a life style that includes giving themselves time for activity. The site offers articles, tools, and encouragement to keep up the good work!

The Sunday walking/running program will launch on January 6, 2008. Invitations to follow… Please look at the attachment flyer. Print this out if you know someone who could benefit from running with this women’s group.

Start thinking running tours. We’ll do one this summer and one in fall/winter. Details are coming soon…

Hold on for the official launch of the Ask About Running Website

If you wish to be removed please E-mail Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com and you will be promptly taken off the mailing list. Thank you!

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