Today?s hard workout was an eye-opener for this gray-haired codger.
A bit of history first. Back when I was 24 or 25, I think I was AF for 2 or 3 months while attending summer school at my university. That was probably the best summer I ever had in my life. Although at the end of that summer, I broke, and started drinking and smoking again to beat the band.
I was running and working out at the university gym doing cross-training, struggling to become sober. I was in excellent shape, and was running 10K to 15K distances three to four times a week. I remember pressing 200 lbs., 20 times in a row. Ah, the power of youth.
Anyway, I read about breaking through the so-called wall when running, and I often did, and got the runners high. The ?second-wind? they called. I now believe, and I think it is supported by research, that this is the point where the body?s serum carbohydrates are exhausted, and fat burning begins.
So I have written here lately about doing the Atkins ketogenic diet. I have been in ketosis for a week now. The weight loss has been quite significant, and my scale indicates almost over 2% body fat loss in just this past week.
Today, I went on a hard run, in the evening heat, loaded with water. 2.5 miles in 34 minutes at an average pulse rate of 167! This is a hard run course, with many steep hill climbs, and taxes my condition quite well.
I could almost feel my body?s cells scraping the fat off my belly and arterial walls. Tingly, and a giddy sensation, that was exactly like I remember from the old days when I would break through the wall. Some really new state of Zen mind with the legs just moving beneath me in rhythm, and my eyes saw the Tennessee forest out here with new primordial perception. I could imagine my ancient ancestors, hungry and in ketosis, running down the prey with spears or whatever to get their meat.
Now, back home, in the cool air-conditioned living room, and surrounded by a plethora of electronic gadgets and entertainment devices. Modern coddled man I am. What a run it was today.
Neil
A bit of history first. Back when I was 24 or 25, I think I was AF for 2 or 3 months while attending summer school at my university. That was probably the best summer I ever had in my life. Although at the end of that summer, I broke, and started drinking and smoking again to beat the band.
I was running and working out at the university gym doing cross-training, struggling to become sober. I was in excellent shape, and was running 10K to 15K distances three to four times a week. I remember pressing 200 lbs., 20 times in a row. Ah, the power of youth.
Anyway, I read about breaking through the so-called wall when running, and I often did, and got the runners high. The ?second-wind? they called. I now believe, and I think it is supported by research, that this is the point where the body?s serum carbohydrates are exhausted, and fat burning begins.
So I have written here lately about doing the Atkins ketogenic diet. I have been in ketosis for a week now. The weight loss has been quite significant, and my scale indicates almost over 2% body fat loss in just this past week.
Today, I went on a hard run, in the evening heat, loaded with water. 2.5 miles in 34 minutes at an average pulse rate of 167! This is a hard run course, with many steep hill climbs, and taxes my condition quite well.
I could almost feel my body?s cells scraping the fat off my belly and arterial walls. Tingly, and a giddy sensation, that was exactly like I remember from the old days when I would break through the wall. Some really new state of Zen mind with the legs just moving beneath me in rhythm, and my eyes saw the Tennessee forest out here with new primordial perception. I could imagine my ancient ancestors, hungry and in ketosis, running down the prey with spears or whatever to get their meat.
Now, back home, in the cool air-conditioned living room, and surrounded by a plethora of electronic gadgets and entertainment devices. Modern coddled man I am. What a run it was today.
Neil
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