It's shave week!!!
Oh the beauty of shaving. yes, I am a guy, And i shave my legs, chest, arms, the whole sha-bang. The big controversy is that all male swimmers who shave will ALWAYS get that occasional "You shave your legs? well you're gay!" I'm just trying to tell you guys, you are not gay. Contrary to popular belief, we aren't the only sport who is "gay" or does "gay" things.
People always go around saying that we shave and shower and wear speedos so we're gay. Well if you think about it, every one does something gay in their sport. basketball players play with balls all day, wrestlers touch other guys all the time, football players play with balls AND touch other guys, and guy runners wear shorts that are shorter than their girlfriends. The fact is, don't judge a sport on a certain quality. In any sport you can find something that can be flipped to sound gay.
I just think it's about time we stop judging which sports are better by how "non-gay" they are, and on how much athletic ability it requires to stick with the sport. Nothing against football, but I'm tired of football players in this school thinking they're the highest athletic talent around this town, when they don't have a quarter of the athletic endurance of someone who swims, runs, or even plays soccer. Just stop and think about how long you would last in someone else's sport before you become a pretentious butt.
Anyways, shaving is awesome. Don't Hate!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Side Stitches
While you're running, have you ever gotten a sharp pain in your side? I know I have. This pain is called a side stitch. When I get this pain, it gets so bad that I often have to stop and take a break. When I got my new issue of runners world over the weekend and found an article on how to get rid of them, I was glad to read it.
Basically, people think that they come from your diaphragm being under fatigue and cramping. There are ways to avoid getting a side stitch. The magazine says you can strengthen your core. By doing so, your diaphragm becomes less likely to fatigue and cramp. Also, you can watch what you eat before you run and see what foods might induce the stitch. They also say that starting your run off slow might stop the stitch. Breathing deeply will also expand your diaphragm and avoid the side stitch.
Knowing these new ways to avoid side stitches, I'll be able to run more efficiently.
Basically, people think that they come from your diaphragm being under fatigue and cramping. There are ways to avoid getting a side stitch. The magazine says you can strengthen your core. By doing so, your diaphragm becomes less likely to fatigue and cramp. Also, you can watch what you eat before you run and see what foods might induce the stitch. They also say that starting your run off slow might stop the stitch. Breathing deeply will also expand your diaphragm and avoid the side stitch.
Knowing these new ways to avoid side stitches, I'll be able to run more efficiently.
Monday, February 3, 2014
WAKE UP!!!
It's 5 a.m. and sadly, you have to wake up for morning practice. The dreaded morning practice. Every swimmer feels this pain. It seems, though, some people don't realize that when they're waking up many swimmers have already been in a pool for an hour. People underestimate the ability and work it takes to actually wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning for 10,000,000,000,000,000th time to get back into the pool for the 20,000,000,000,000,000th time. ROUGH.
Though we all fear even the idea of morning practice, it may actually have it's benefits.Yes, I said it. Though I am completely against getting up any earlier than I have to, i will have to agree on some of the facts.
When you exercise your body releases endorphins. These endorphins give you a sort of high that actually makes you feel really good, which is where the term "runners high" comes from. When you release these endorphins into your body earlier in the morning, your body wakes up so to speak. Your brain becomes more aware and you become more attentive to the things around you.
BUT, don't think that just by waking up earlier you will be able to be more aware. You still need sleep. be sure to maybe go to bed a little earlier than usual when you plan to have a morning workout, and let's say not to try to go right into waking up an hour before you usually do. Let your body get used to it, try waking up maybe 20 minutes earlier, or even a half an hour.
Just remember that sleep is still very important! You can actually die from this! I'm being serious!
Look at these reasons to actually take part in morning workouts from Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/27/when-to-exercise_n_3982906.html
Even check out this video of the benefits of workouts, it's a little lengthy, but he might persuade you to make a change in your life.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7pJJEEUiQ
It's 5 a.m. and sadly, you have to wake up for morning practice. The dreaded morning practice. Every swimmer feels this pain. It seems, though, some people don't realize that when they're waking up many swimmers have already been in a pool for an hour. People underestimate the ability and work it takes to actually wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning for 10,000,000,000,000,000th time to get back into the pool for the 20,000,000,000,000,000th time. ROUGH.
Though we all fear even the idea of morning practice, it may actually have it's benefits.Yes, I said it. Though I am completely against getting up any earlier than I have to, i will have to agree on some of the facts.
When you exercise your body releases endorphins. These endorphins give you a sort of high that actually makes you feel really good, which is where the term "runners high" comes from. When you release these endorphins into your body earlier in the morning, your body wakes up so to speak. Your brain becomes more aware and you become more attentive to the things around you.
BUT, don't think that just by waking up earlier you will be able to be more aware. You still need sleep. be sure to maybe go to bed a little earlier than usual when you plan to have a morning workout, and let's say not to try to go right into waking up an hour before you usually do. Let your body get used to it, try waking up maybe 20 minutes earlier, or even a half an hour.
Just remember that sleep is still very important! You can actually die from this! I'm being serious!
Look at these reasons to actually take part in morning workouts from Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/27/when-to-exercise_n_3982906.html
Even check out this video of the benefits of workouts, it's a little lengthy, but he might persuade you to make a change in your life.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q7pJJEEUiQ
Strengths
These are my results from the test.
| Your Top Strength |
Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
You excel as a member of a group. You are a loyal and dedicated teammate, you always do your share, and you work hard for the success of your group. |
| Your Second Strength |
Fairness, equity, and justice
Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance. |
| Your Third Strength |
Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith
You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you. |
| Your Fourth Strength |
Capacity to love and be loved
You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you. |
| Your Fifth Strength |
Creativity, ingenuity, and originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who you are. You are never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible. |
Knowing what my strengths are I know that I work well in groups. I can volunteer in groups and will be hardworking to achieve that groups goal.
|
Dive into ice baths
After working out all of your muscles are tired and sore. This can lead to many problems and to you not workout the next day. How can you avoid soreness, injury, and the inability to workout?
The simple answer is ice baths. Taking ice baths may seem freezing and uninviting, but after taking one you'll feel much better. You won't be as sore and you'll be able to workout day after day after day.
As you exercise you build up lactic acid. This acid makes you sore and not want to move. Taking a 10 minute ice bath reduces the swelling in your muscles while flushing the lactic acid out of your body. After you get out of the ice bath your blood vessels warm back up with oxygen rich blood and repairs your muscles.
To take an ice bath you'll need ice, cold water, and a tub. Fill your tub halfway with cold water and then pour the ice into the water. Get into the tub and sit down. It will be very cold at first, but you'll get used to it. Stay in for 10-20 minutes, but never over 20. Then, get out of the tub and get dressed. Your body will begin to warm-up after you get dressed and your body will start to feel refreshed and healthy.
Doing this routine after every time you workout will help repair your muscles. It'll make you feel better and not fear working out because of soreness.
Much of the information in this post I got from the website http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/benefits-of-cold-therapy
The simple answer is ice baths. Taking ice baths may seem freezing and uninviting, but after taking one you'll feel much better. You won't be as sore and you'll be able to workout day after day after day.
As you exercise you build up lactic acid. This acid makes you sore and not want to move. Taking a 10 minute ice bath reduces the swelling in your muscles while flushing the lactic acid out of your body. After you get out of the ice bath your blood vessels warm back up with oxygen rich blood and repairs your muscles.
To take an ice bath you'll need ice, cold water, and a tub. Fill your tub halfway with cold water and then pour the ice into the water. Get into the tub and sit down. It will be very cold at first, but you'll get used to it. Stay in for 10-20 minutes, but never over 20. Then, get out of the tub and get dressed. Your body will begin to warm-up after you get dressed and your body will start to feel refreshed and healthy.
Doing this routine after every time you workout will help repair your muscles. It'll make you feel better and not fear working out because of soreness.
Much of the information in this post I got from the website http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/benefits-of-cold-therapy
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