Ryan Hall's Blog, page 126

What The Editors Can’t Run Without

These are the running items we absolutely cannot run without. Whether it’s a pair of shorts that make you feel faster or a watch that makes training easier, these are the items that help make us go. See what the editor’s running gear picks are for this month.

RELATED: What Amy Cragg Can’t Run Without

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Could The Secret Weapon Of Pro Athletes Help Keep Runners Healthy?

Is that an egg beater? pic.twitter.com/6TGvNYxiWz

— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) June 13, 2017

During last year’s NBA Finals, the camera cut to Kyrie Irving on the sidelines. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard was having his back worked on by one of the team’s trainers. What made this typical mid-game act so memorable was the mysterious tool the trainer was using. Many claimed it looked like an egg beater or a power tool. Of course the internet was abuzz.

Big moment for a small company: Athletic deep massage tool @theragun_ just got 10 seconds on national TV. pic.twitter.com/Z6tFvP60uN

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 13, 2017

Those few seconds were a big moment for Dr. Jason Wersland, D.C., a sports chiropractic physician and inventor of the TheraGun. The tool, which Irving was using to help reduce cramping, is a method of handheld vibration therapy. It’s also the secret weapon of athletes in every major professional sport. Now Dr. Wersland wants to get his tool into the hands of more endurance athletes.

RELATED: The Four Best Types Of Massage For Runners

After a motorcycle accident caused a disc herniation and intense pain, Dr. Wersland wanted to create an effective home treatment to aid in muscle recovery. He spent eight years developing what would eventually become the G1, the brand’s first model.

In July, Dr. Wersland debuted the G2PRO. He made the device easier to use with a simple on/off switch, battery life indicators and a variety of attachments, which he calls AmpBIT, to treat different conditions. The therapy gun also comes with two batteries, which hold around 45 minutes of use, and a charger. While Irving is lucky enough to have a trainer help him, the TheraGun is comfortable and easy to use on yourself.

“This is vibration therapy,” explained Dr. Wersland. “Vibration therapy turns off the pain signals, so you’re not experiencing discomfort. So now you can get deeper into the tissue and release a lot of lactic acid.”

He advises athletes to use the device in three different ways: prepare, perform and recover. To prepare for activity, the TheraGun is meant to be paired with a typical warm-up to loosen muscles. Runners can use the gun either before or after dynamic stretches.

“Prepare is 2-3 minutes on a body part. It’s not an extended period of time. It’s just a short quick burst, ” says Dr. Wersland.

Many athletes use the TheraGun in the middle of performance. Dr. Wersland recommends 30-45 second bursts on muscles needing relief from tightness and cramping. While this may not be realistic for a runner mid-race, many triathletes use the device during their transitions.

RELATED: Video—The Benefits Of Massage For Runners

“When you increase the blood flow to an area with a cramp and introduce vibration, it stops immediately,” says Dr. Wersland.

Finally recovery is meant to relax the muscles after performance. A minimum of 5-6 minutes can help to decrease lactic acid buildup, increase blood flow to the muscles and break down scar tissue. Some athletes use it for 15-20 minutes as a massage therapy.

For all the TheraGun does, it is not cheap. The G2Pro retails for $599. The upfront cost may be significant, but the treatment could help to defer the cost of injury. Although the TheraGun doesn’t replace visits to physical or massage therapists, regular use can extend the time between treatments. Most of all, it can work muscles better and with less pain than any other home treatment.

“This is the very best foam roller ever,” says Dr. Wersland.

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8 Foods Ideal For Runners To Grill Up This Weekend

Warm weather is still here and with both college and NFL football underway there is a good chance you will be spending some time outdoors this weekend. Whether you are tailgating at a stadium or in your own backyard, there is also a good chance that a grill will be involved—and we’ve got some culinary inspiration for you.

Grilling doesn’t have to be limited to hamburgers and hotdogs! We talked to two dietitians—sports dietitian Ellen Davis, RD, CSSD, LD and Erin Thole, MS, MBA, RDN, CSSD, LDN—to help you put a healthy spin on this weekend’s grub to not only help you get creative, but also make sure you are getting nutrients to power your weekend.

In need of some grilling tips? First, invest in a good thermometer. “When preparing different cuts of meat or seafood on the grill, utilize a meat thermometer to ensure minimum internal temperatures have been met to reduce the risk for food borne illness,” urges Davis.

Second, pay extra attention to the cut of meat when grilling. “If you are grilling a fatty piece of meat be mindful that the fat drippings can cause flame flare up that creates smoke and carcinogens,” adds Thole. “Rather, grill lean cuts of meat to reduce smoke flare ups.”

RELATED: 3 Tips For Juicy Grilled Chicken Breasts

Don’t have a grill or sufficient outdoor space? No problem! You can invest in a cast iron grill pan, which will work, too! You don’t have to be left out of the fun.

Now, plan your feast with these meats, seafoods and vegetables that you can grill up this weekend.

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Berlin Marathon Blocking Media From Parliament During Election

Photo: Kenenisa Bekele winning the 2016 Berlin Marathon (PhotoRun.net)

This Sunday marks the 44th annual Berlin Marathon—one of the World Marathon Majors—and has running fans around the world on the edge of their seats to see if the world record for fastest marathon will, in fact, be broken.

RELATED:  How To Watch The World Record Attempt At The Berlin Marathon

Sunday is also the German federal election, where ultimately the country’s Chancellor will be determined. As Berlin is the capital of Germany, it is also home to its parliament building, and it just so happens that the Berlin Marathon course passes quite close to the building.

According to Politico, this is causing a problem for local media. With limited space available in front of the parliament building due to the race, they are reporting that some media outlets have been barred from the area. A supposed seven outlets are being affected and must set up their satellite vehicles about a half-mile away.

“We’re talking about a federal election here,” the German journalists’ association (DJV) spokesman Hendrik Zörner told Politico.

It isn’t reported whether those satellite vehicles will be allowed to relocate after the marathon course has closed.

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Now You Can Buy Genetic Testing Kits At The Pharmacy

If you live near a CVS Pharmacy you may have noticed something new on the shelves this summer: genetic testing kits. Yes, you read that right. Now offered in select locations (due to state regulations kits are not currently available in New York or Maryland) you can pick up your prescription, grab a greeting card and even leave the store with a way to find out what you’re genetically predisposed to, as well.

RELATED:  Your DNA Can Hold The Key To The Perfect Training Strategy

In addition to the popular 23andMe® DNA Test Kit, which checks both ancestry and genetic traits, there are four new tests that have been added to their inventory, two of which will appeal specifically to runners. Besides the two DNA Diagnostics Center® HomeDNA™ Skin Care and Pathway Genomics® SkinIQ™ tests, which both focus on skin health, athletes in particular may gravitate toward two weight- and nutrition-specific tests.

The first is called the DNA Diagnostics Center® HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight, which looks at over 100 genetic markers associated with weight and nutrition. Ultimately, this test provides tailored diet and exercise recommendations with the genetic results. Second is the Pathway Genomics® FitIQ™,  which can give you insight as to how your body processes sugars, fats, nutrients and vitamins. Based on those results, you’ll receive actionable recommendations from experts—scientists, doctors, nutritionists—for maintaining a healthy weight and overall lifestyle.

RELATED: Genetic Insight Into Athletic Injuries

These new tests hit shelves this past July and reinforce the ever-growing popularity of genetic tests aimed toward helping individuals make better choices toward their health and fitness. The added bonus of these tests is that you don’t have to wait for a kit to be mailed to you; you simply can pop into your local CVS Pharmacy and pick it up as you run errands. Now genetic testing is becoming even easier.

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7 Laws You Might Be Breaking On Your Run

My running partner and I were mid-chat during our long run this weekend when we were stopped by a police officer. Our offense? Crossing the street when the light was red. Thankfully, he let us off with a warning, but it got me thinking—what else am I doing that’s illegal? Everything varies by state and city, but here are some interesting laws you might be breaking (unknowingly) on your run:

Jaywalking

This is defined differently depending on the state. But in general, jaywalking laws require that pedestrians obey traffic control signals unless otherwise instructed by law enforcement. FindLaw explains that beginning to cross the street at an intersection with a “Don’t Walk” sign flashing would violate jaywalking laws. Many states require that pedestrians cross only at crosswalks, which can be designated by white lines or can be unmarked. An unmarked crosswalk is simply an area around 10 to 15 feet wide between two adjacent street corners.

Some state and local laws allow pedestrians to cross certain streets outside of a crosswalk. Others require pedestrians to yield to any vehicles when doing so. Generally, pedestrian traffic rules require that pedestrians yield to motorists any time they are outside of a crosswalk. Many local jaywalking laws forbid crossing an intersection diagonally, unless traffic signals specifically allow diagonal crossing. Many jaywalking laws forbid walking in the street when a sidewalk is available. Disregarding signs or barricades put up to guide pedestrians also constitutes jaywalking.

Tossing your garbage in someone’s trashcan (or on the ground)

Again, this law varies by city, but in many cases you can’t throw out your trash in someone else’s bin. According to Seattle 911, a police and crime blog, “No person shall throw, discard, or deposit litter on any street, sidewalk, or other public property within the City, on any private property within the City and not owned by the person, or in or upon any body of water within the jurisdiction of the City, whether from a vehicle or otherwise.”

Public urination

Urinating in public is illegal in every state. According to CriminalDefenseLawyer.com, violations of local ordinances are generally punishable by fines, community service or both. Local governments set the amounts of the fines. A typical fine might be from $50 to $500, depending on the circumstances.

Spitting

Think twice before hocking that loogie. According to the Massachusessets Legislature website, “Whoever expectorates or spits upon any public sidewalk, or upon any place used exclusively or principally by pedestrians, or, except in receptacles provided for the purpose, in or upon any part of any city … shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.”

Running on the wrong side of the road

According to Alaska law, “where a sidewalk is not available, a pedestrian walking upon a highway shall walk on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, a pedestrian walking on a highway shall walk as near as practicable to the outside edge of the highway and, if walking along a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. No pedestrian may walk on a controlled-access highway except in an emergency.”

In Washington state, “Where sidewalks are not provided … move only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction and upon meeting an oncoming vehicle shall move clear of the roadway.”

Running in the street when there are sidewalks

In Washington, D.C., “Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway,” BeStreetSmart.net reports.

Running at night (if you’re younger than 18)

In many cities, there are curfew laws in place to “prohibit or limit your right to be out in public at certain times and are intended to maintain a certain level of order and safety in public spaces,” FindLaw reports. Most curfew laws apply only to those under the age of 18. Other curfew laws are enacted temporarily in response to a natural disaster or civil disturbance.

Related: Mystery Runner Won’t Stop Publicly Pooping Around Colorado Town

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3 Apps Helping Runners Stay Connected And Inspired

Staying current with fellow runners has never been easier. Whether you are looking for a new running crew or already have a steady group, these three apps can help you fi nd workouts, training partners and trails both close to home and when you’re on the road.

RELATED: 3 Apps That Help Runners Stay Mentally Strong

STRAVA

This social network for athletes has recently rolled out new features to help users find others and stay connected. Runners in search of some company can easily locate a group in their area through the app’s club search. Those clubs can post announcements, share routes, create events and send out other content to their members’ Strava feed. And if you run by someone who looks like a potential new training partner, you can always try to find out who they are by using the service’s Flyby feature.

Free, iPhone and Android; premium membership is $8/month or $60/year.

ALLTRAILS

If your running group is tired of meeting at the same places, it is time to try this app to search by location for new-to-you trails. Each trail has a detailed map, difficulty ranking, directions to the trailhead, photos and reviews by fellow users. You can share the map with your running group via text, email or Instagram. You can also follow other AllTrails users to view their favorites and see where they’ve recently run. Like most apps, expect updates, rollouts and additional features in the coming months to increase usability.

Free, iPhone and Android; pro membership is $30/year.

RELATED: Can Social Running Hurt Your Training?

SLACK

Instead of resorting to endless text messages or countless email chains to make plans, many runners are turning to Slack. The messaging app has been mostly used to easily communicate in work environments. But some runners have created private channels to keep in touch with a running group. Share the details of your next run, drop in a link to a race or discuss that last workout—all in a place that is invite-only. And let’s face it, Giphy wars are the best!

Free, iPhone and Android.

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How To Watch The World Record Attempt At The Berlin Marathon

Photo: 2014 Berlin Marathon by PhotoRun.net

The Berlin Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 24. The flat and fast course has produced the fastest marathon times ever. With three of the most talented distance runners lining up at the start, this year should be no exception.

How To Watch

In the United States, the Berlin Marathon will be shown live on NBCSN and their streaming service NBC Sports Gold. Coverage starts at 2:30 a.m. EST on the app and 3:00 a.m. EST on NBCSN. If you don’t have cable, NBC Sports Gold is a subscription-based service, available for $69.99 for the entire track and field/marathon season.

Flotrack Pro will also be streaming the event in over 100 countries. Their app can be broadcast on Roku and Apple TV. You can also stream the marathon from their website. Flotrack Pro is available for $30 per month or $150 for the entire year.

Who Is Running?

Oh just three of the fastest marathoners of all time.

After running 2:00:25 at Nike’s Breaking2 event, Eliud Kipchoge is hungry for a world record. If his past two years of marathon performances are any indication, he is the runner to beat. Kipchoge won the 2016 London Marathon in 2:03:05. He followed that race with a win at the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon. His Breaking2 time, run in May of this year, did not count as an world record due to the controlled conditions, so Kipchoge is looking to make it official in Berlin. He has won Berlin twice, running 2:04:05 in 2013 and 2:04:00 in 2015.

Also in the hunt are Kenesia Bekele and Wilson Kipsang, who finished first and second in last year’s race. Bekele’s winning time of 2:03:00 is the second fastest marathon time ever. Kipsang was right behind in 2:03:13. In fact Kipsang has run three of the eight fastest marathon times ever recorded—two of them in Berlin.

The current world record is 2:02:57, set in 2014 by Dennis Kimetto at—you guessed it—the Berlin Marathon.

Related: Breaking2 Falls Short Of Goal, But Still Delivers A Record

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Spartan Race Series Is Heading To Iceland For Their World Championship

Fans of the Spartan events series might want to start planning for the ultimate race-cation. The world’s largest obstacle race has announced that Iceland will be the destination of its Ultra World Championships. The races will take place December 14-17 outside Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik.

Besides the challenging obstacles, racers will also have to contend with frozen weather and lack of light. A typical day in December only averages four hours of sunlight. However, the glow of Aurora Borealis will light the way for participants.

Obstacle racers who want to travel Iceland to participate can choose between three different race options: the Sprint, the Ultra World Championships and the Agoge.

RELATED: Photos—2016 Spartan Race World Championships In Lake Tahoe

The Sprint race is a five mile course filled with 20 obstacles. This will be the only event to take place exclusively during Iceland’s brief daylight hours.

The Ultra World Championships is much more competitive than a typical obstacle race. The athletes participating in the global championship will be strictly timed, ranked and officiated. Racers have 24-hours to complete the five mile course as many times as possible. Athletes have the choice to compete individually or as part of a four person team. Individuals have to complete at least 26.2 miles, while the minimum distance for a team is six laps.

Finally the Agoge is for those truly crazy obstacle racers who want to add an extra challenge to their World Championship race. This race is 60-hours of elite military-style challenges. Only 100 participants can compete in this all-weekend event.

RELATED: Photos—Spartan Race’s Challenging Obstacles

In addition to the races, Spartan will be hosting a 24-hour indoor festival. Racers and their guests will be treated to plenty of fire, ice and drums. There will be entertainment throughout the weekend.

“We’re serious about epic endurance racing, so we’re turning Iceland up full volume,” said Spartan CEO and Founder Joe De Sena. “…This is an ultimate destination weekend for Spartans across the globe. Keep in mind though, it’s the Icelandic wilderness in December, anything can and will happen.”

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Here’s The National Geographic Breaking2 Documentary You’ve Been Waiting For

Photo: Courtesy of Nike

Last night, National Geographic aired their Breaking2 Documentary, where they followed the journey of champions Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea as they worked to beat the 2-hour marathon barrier.

The runners were joined in Italy by an elite group of physiologists and were outfitted with custom shoes from Nike, all to strive for perfect race day conditions and performance.

National Geographic has now made the documentary available online and you can watch the entire fascinating journey in the video above.

RELATED: Nike’s Breaking2 Falls Short Of Its Goal, But Still Delivers A Record

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