Monday, June 28, 2010

PADDLE FOR GOLD!

Last week I had the opportunity to be part of USA Canoe/Kayak's first Talent Identification program held in Maryland. The goal of the program is to promote interest in the sports of canoe and kayak. The heyday of the program was 1988 - 1992 when the likes of Joe Jacobi, Norm Bellingham, Jon Lugbill, Scott Stausbaugh, and Greg Barton won gold medals. There have been tough times since then.

The Talent Identification program is open to anyone with an interest in the sports canoe and kayak. Check out PaddleforGold.com and the video below. It's time for the US to start paddling again!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Barefoot Running

The barefoot running craze is upon us. Dr. Dan Lieberman, a Harvard professor and barefoot runner, has a wonderful website detailing the current data on running barefoot. He says,
Our research asked how and why humans can and did run comfortably without modern running shoes. We tested and confirmed what many people knew already: that most experienced, habitual barefoot runners tend to avoid landing on the heel and instead land with a forefoot or midfoot strike. The bulk of our published research explores the collisional mechanics of different kinds of foot strikes. We show that most forefoot and some midfoot strikes (shod or barefoot) do not generate the sudden, large impact transients that occur when you heel strike (shod or barefoot). Consequently, runners who forefoot or midfoot strike do not need shoes with elevated cushioned heels to cope with these sudden, high transient forces that occur when you land on the ground. Therefore, barefoot runners can run easily on the hardest surfaces in the world without discomfort from landing. If impact transient forces contribute to some forms of injury, then this style of running (shod or barefoot) might have some benefits, but that hypothesis remains to be tested.
Check out this video of a young Kenyan runner who has never worn shoes:


See Dr. Lieberman's website at: http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/.