Over the past few years I have heard many superstitions, crazy fueling concoctions and snake oil cures regarding running. We can discuss the merits of powerless potions, such as coconut water or pickle juice, another day. Today the “supplement” or “pre-race fuel” I speak of may sound like it falls into one of those categories but, fear not. Your cocky correspondent has done his research and this little root could be the real deal.
Beet Juice
Let’s start with a study by the University of Exeter and published in the “Journal of Applied Physiology. It showed that beet juice may have the most benefits of any pre-workout fuel when it comes to improving athletic performance. Specifically, it pointed to the benefits of nitrates which are abundant in beets. Nitrates bring oxygen to muscles quicker and dilate blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, which allows an athlete to exert less effort for the same reward. Unfortunately, this study was performed on cyclists so we have no way of knowing how it will effect real athletes, like runners. The good news is that it did boost their endurance by a full 16%.
This subterranean sensation also improves hydration. Being high in potassium, it can stabilize fluid levels and help balance electrolytes. Beet juice is also an effective anti-inflammatory due to its high betaine content. I am not ready to throw away my Gatorade just yet, but I am willing to give this a try. 
Did I mention that beets are also high in vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and A? My only concern is that if beets are high in potassium AND nitrates, one could throw in a certain organosulfide and receive a visit from homeland security. (The one chemist reading this just chuckled)
Those of you brave enough to try this, be warned! There could be an unwanted side effect. Eating beets leaves some people producing purple urine. If this little vegetable powerhouse lives up to the claims, I am willing to put up with a little case of beeturia. I’ll gladly be the guinea pig for this test and drink some beet juice before my 10K/5K challenge this Saturday and let you all know the results.
Run for fun and race to place everyone
I am going to do something I don’t normally do. Take you through my race day last Saturday and then make a very important point to conclude my story. So here goes………
degrees but by the lake it had moderated to a cool 75 and sunny. If you are not familiar with the Color Run 5k, it is a “race” that is more of a fun run. You must wear a white shirt and be prepared to be covered in a different colored powder at every kilometer. While this was not a competitive event, my girlfriend and I made our way to the front and I agreed to pace her. She is doing spectacular this year and wanted a good finish time, even if it was for her own satisfaction. This run was one of the best experiences I have ever had. By the time we finished, she had shattered her PR unofficially and we were both covered in yellow, green, pink and purple. We eventually made our way to the beer tent and the party while waiting for the band to start. Colored powder was everywhere and there was no way to disrupt this good time. Or was there? I waited patiently in line behind some young girls to buy as many beers as I could carry. It is Wisconsin after all. Two “men” with clipboards walked up and started to pressure the girls in front of me to sign up to help with the highly controversial gubernatorial election. Sorry guys, your talking points don’t fly here. I quickly intervened and the debate became somewhat heated. It was not too long before I made them look like the intellectually lazy lemmings that they were and they squirmed
off to find other victims. Finally, beers in hand, I made my way back to the party just as the band was starting. Their name did not inspire confidence in their ability to provide enjoyable entertainment. “Hairball” took the stage and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. They put on one of the most fun and energetic shows I have ever attended. They covered KISS, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister, Prince, Queen and many more, all in full costume of each lead singer. What’s more, they actually sounded like the bands they were covering. We stayed until the end and headed home elated but a little sad that the day had come to a close.
yourself beyond all mental boundaries. Don’t surrender to weakness, be determined and keep fighting. At the same time, don’t become so serious and torture yourself so badly that all the love is torn from something you have always felt so passionate about. Once in a while it’s therapeutic to run through the streets looking like a disheveled clown and then sit through a surprisingly talented, yet cheesy band on a warm spring evening instead of treating every race as if it were an Olympic qualifier. Run for fun and race to place everyone!
I am about to make a sweeping generalization, so please spare me your comments such as, “I’m not like that!” or “We have never done that.” I realize there always exceptions to any rule. The rule I speak of today goes like this………cyclists are self-absorbed, elitist snobs. I am not the only one that thinks so. Perform a Google search with “snobs” and “cyclist” and you will quickly understand that this is a widespread concept. They have a chip on their shoulder as they race by with their pointy heads and fancy cycling uniforms, all the while thinking they are better than everyone. Let’s get one thing straight cyclists, you are not Lance Armstrong and you will never be in the Tour de France.
They ride in packs on the road that they believe they own and have a blatant disdain for traffic laws. If you don’t believe me, read this 
Finally, last weekend I was running a half marathon where four cyclists crashed the course at the mile nine turn around and expected all the runners to stop just for them. Words were exchanged once again. So please cyclists, for your own safety, I implore you to be more respectful of runners because my patience has reached it’s end. Had the leader of the four from last week been a man the outcome of that confrontation would have been much different. Maybe loosen your helmets just a little to allow some oxygen to your brains.
