Marathons 13, 14 and 15 and Movember!!!!!

So, the last few days it has been fairly surreal – Radio interviews, News interviews/ stories, people asking me “if I’m Will”, people shouting “Run Forrest run” and “Good on ya, Bro!”, had stop-and-chats, had people ask me running Q’s like I’d know the answers. New experiences, but a hectic and thoroughly enjoyable twist of events.

Another new experience has been, despite the Forrest Gump comparisons is shaving off the beard. I LOVE MY BEARD. IT WILL BE BACK! But, as you’ll know – we’re coming in to November and it’s time to do good in the cause of Prostate cancer with MOVEMBER. I have a moustache pending – so will I be going to the thin Craig David? the Poirot pencil? The Tom Selleck? Curly Frenchman?? Who knows?? (suggestions welcome).

THE MARATHONS

Knowing a few people have recognised me (this won’t happen again past Tuesday, at the latest) I’ve focused better and I have ironic taken is slower. I’ve reduced the degrees of freedom in my technique and made sure my muscles have relaxed a little more around my hips.

I came home yesterday from number 14 and the wife said ‘It looked like I’d only walked around the block’. It was the same today. And that what it felt like. I’m getting better and feeling more and more comfortable.

The times for Marathons 13, 14 and 15 have been 3:37, 3:33 and 3:31

A cyclist asked me questions yesterday alongside me and asked my times and when I said what I’d averaged he was shocked. But honestly, you can get up good speed whilst being extra- conservative. A good time doesn’t necessarily mean you’re working harder.

One thing of note: For a change I've run more in the City as opposed to by the River the past few days and I've much preferred the added stimuli

Are there Superhumans and can Lactate levels be reduced during exercise?

I have attached the episode of “Superhuman” – a show created by Stan Lee in an attempt to find genuine superhumans.

Is Dean Karnazes a superhuman? A simple answer, “No”. He’s an incredible athlete – but not one of the fastest. For sure, he hones an incredible talent to go long distances but, I believe this is something Dean has worked for.

The one point within the video that suggests otherwise are the Blood Lactate Tests.

As you know (most people) Lactic acid (inducing these lactate levels) is to put it simply, ‘when sugars are broken down to create energy in the absence of Oxygen, the by-product lactic acid is formed!’

I can comprehend Lactate levels staying low, for sure, with perfect Biochemicals but, lactate levels lowering – that is a crazy find.

So can be run so efficiently that lactate levels are reduced or, Is Dean a Superhuman? Watch the video and do your research and comment with your thoughts or, if you’re going running try and focus on your running style to see if you can prevent the onset of Lactic Acid production and working hard to improve (maximise) your threshold

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTaLxY6iulQ

The New York Marathon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0gxOH2OTn0&feature=watch-vrec

http://skinnyrunner.com/2010/11/11/nyc-marathon-race-review/

I have attached both a video and a review of the NY Marathon from the perspective of a runner.

I have an obsession with the US, and I hope to live there for the majority of my years. There has always been something magical, too about the thought of NY and the NY Marathon.

Running past the idyllic and Iconic landmarks within each of the 5 boroughs, more commonly seen in a JAY Z Video or an Episode of Gossip Girl would be surreal and I don’t think I would get over the thoughts of crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with 45,000 other runners but, with that being said – I’m sure it would be insane. I guess it’s hard to enjoy the track with the human traffic spills but the energetic felt, with 2 Million spectators would certainly keep the festive-sense alive.

I would love to complete the NY Marathon for sure – but, I know it would be great for the reason of soaking up the City and the atmosphere as opposed to enjoying the course/ run itself.

Gaining acceptance to the run can be difficult an often, the best way of partaking is entering the event through a Non-profit Organisation, such as the Heart Foundation (see below):

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/support-us/Whats-On/Pages/ing-new-york-city-marathon.aspx

An incredible transformation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9BFx5Mhqo&feature=related

This champ shows that with the right level of effort and dedication, the greatest transformations can be achieved. It’s a rather dramatic and inspiring video.

Nick Vujicic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOzsjEmjjHs&feature=related

NO ARMS, NO LEGS, NO WORRIES!!!!!!!!!

Nick Vujicic is a legend. Both Zo and I believe everything happens for a reason. Nick personifies this philosophy.

The things he can do despite his disabilities are incredible. True legend!

So, Here's the appearance on the Channel Nine News!

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/brisbane-s-wragg-running-for-a-cause/x91wooz?from=sharepermalink%252cdest_en-au&src=v5%253ashare%253asharepermalink%253a

I’m truly thankful to the guys at Channel 9 for helping to spread the word about the Youngcare Cause. The experience was incredible and Phil  and Cameraman Tom were very Interesting guys – highly appropriate for the story.

Despite my singing, which can only be describe as dismal – everything else about the video is great and really hope it helps with the cause in the coming weeks. Thanks to everyone that helped make it happen

Marathon 12/ Day 12

So, I’ll start with work. I’m sat at my desk and it’s 10:15 am – I receive a call – ‘oh what a pleasant surprise – it’s Kathy the Marketing Guru of Youngcare’

“Will, what are you doing right now? Can we borrow you for a couple of hours? – Channel nine want to run the story with Phil Wilmington reporting”.

So off I went with Kathy and Amy from Youngcare (who I must say, are a couple of GEMS!) and we did the report at St Lucia Golf Links. Boy, Phil is a nice guy, as was the cameraman Tom.

It was excellent and I really had the opportunity to talk about what I was doing and how people can get involved and the amazing work that Youngcare do.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED – IT’S BEING AIRED ON THE 9 NEWS. TONIGHT WILL HAVE A SNIPPIT BUT, THE MAINS TORY WILL BE TOMORROW NIGHT, AS THERE IS MORE FILMING IN THE MORNING!......................SO CHECK IT OUT.

So, the run…………….I ran well, 3 hours and 33 minutes. My main intention was to stay focused (unlike yesterday’s run). The spirit was back. I Ran without groin pain and technique-wise – no issues.

One thing to note – I saw quite a few beautiful jumping fish, which was beautiful/ cool