I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking part in "Dry January". I didn't make a big song and dance about it, but I decided to go for a calendar month or so with no alcohol. A few people have asked me about my experience, so here are a few points. Why take a break from drinking? Alcohol is an interesting topic. As a drug it is widely accepted in society, central to so much of our socialising and leisure. There seem to be lots of health benefits - so we are told - yet there are also a lot of problems in terms of health, relationships and lifestyle that come from drinking. Over a few years I'd begun to become aware and then concerned that I was drinking too much and too regularly. I am in a busy and stressful job and sometimes a glass of wine after work to relax is really helpful. But over time, one glass became two. Two glasses became ....I might as well finish the bottle. A habit got established....and was starting to get too e...
.......interesting things about fitness, strength, diet and performance.
Comments
It goes into barefoot running quite a bit.
For instance - We evolved to persistence hunt, meat providing the nutrition to develop our brains, therefore the best diet for an endurance runner - Vegetarian?
The Tarahumara eat rice and corn, and are healthier than us, so rice and corn must be the best food. They also smoke a roll up on the start line, should we do that too?
I would argue humans are born to adapt - Yes we can run, but we can also climb, swim, jump, throw (movnat anyone?) - We are a jack of all trades, master of none.
Had the scientist (stroke "unbiased" endurance runner)McDougall works with been a weightlifter, and had they gone to Bulgaria, could the book have been titled "born to lift?"
I do love the idea of Vibram FiveFingers being the answer to world peace however, just a shame they're so damn pricey!
I think the injury patterns may have as much to do with the chronicity of steady state activity as it has to do with footwear. Steady state ANYTHING is bad IMO. When our ancestors persistence hunted, we did not jog an animal to death. There is a very fractal pattern of high and low intensity activity.
WRT the longevity of physical performance, I have clients in their 70's and 80's that perform at a strength level higher than the average 19 year old off the street. The wellspring of the active genotype lies within the musculature....particularly the fast twitch fibers.
Unfortunately, if you chronically partake in an activity that fails to recruit fast twitch fibers, the adaptation includes a loss of those fibers (which are physiologically perceived as excess baggage). Running is not necessarily bad...steady state running is definitely bad IMO.
WRT the injury issue, I have run my training facility for 14 years now and we have never injured a client. I have no injuries from the BBS approach, but have had some from other forms of exercise. Overall, no long term joint problems or overuse issues at all. I am stronger at 49 than I was at 19.
I do not make any claims for world peace.
I miss running!