April 17, 2011

Does A Runner Have Better Sex?

First, Let me say, I have wanted to write something about sex lives of runners for a while.  And if you are younger (a minor), you may want to move on to the next post.

Runners do it longer!  HAHAHA
Its a topic not shared very often.  But I will not be telling the details of my sex life other than that I have a lovely wife who I know would not appreciate me airing our intimate details into the cyber world. But I will say:  I see you checkin me out in my shorty shorts dear.... :)  RAWR.



Sex is part of life and the question to ponder is:  is sex better when you are fit?  
My personal initial thought is, is it ever BAD when you are not fit?  HAHAHA. NO.  Well, maybe! 
What increases in enjoyment and quality is a few aspects.  Firstly, when you feel good about yourself, when you are in a good place emotionally and in self-esteem, you are more apt to initiate, to be willing to have fun and be intimate with your spouse.  
Dr James White, professor at the University of California is convinced that running gives your sex life a boost.  He states that runners tend to have 15-20 % more sex than non-runners! See the article link below for more.
Top 10 Benefits of Us Runners In The Bedroom quoted from this article:
1. We are bursting with energy
2. we have practiced the moves
3. We are less stressy
4.  We are healthier
5.  We are sexier
6.  We have more confidence
7.  We are up for it
8.  We are more adventurous
9.  We are less needy
10. We have a shorter "refractory period"  (ready for second helpings sooner!)

Now has it ever been that your are too sore from your run to even think about it?  Cmon!  Im a guy!  If I was in a full body cast I would be raring to go!  Right after a marathon  there might  need a little TLC, but this is neither here nor there.

 In an article done in 2008, the findings are conclusive:
Male runners seem to have the sexual prowess of men two to five years younger, it found. Vigorous exercise, combined with lifestyle factors such as diet and not smoking, can improve a man's sexual status by up to 10 years.
"The science is very complex," says Dr. Ted Fenske, an Edmonton cardiologist who ran the Boston Marathon this year. "But running will improve vascular health and vascular health is necessary for a male to have proper sexual function." 
 When it comes to overall health, as the body becomes more heavy and fat percentages rise, men are more vulnerable to poor blood flow to the er... extremities, especially as they age.  Floppy noodle much?  No thanks! This article goes on to say that in a 2003 study done shows that for men who regularly run, they have a 30 % lesser chance of impotence as opposed to their counterparts.
What about just before a race?  Shouldn't sexual intercourse be abstained  to keep the energy levels up and therefore the race performance in hindered?  Not for women!  The same article states:

"What we discovered was that women do benefit from having sex the night before a race," says Mr. Finch, recalling the finding of Israeli physician Alexander Olshanietzky that "women compete better after orgasm."
Distance runner and three-time Olympian Lynn Jennings once remarked that "sex the night before solidifies my core feeling of happiness."

How about you?  Where is the quality at since your fitness level increased?  Im not asking for Penthouse letters, just wanting to hear how running has impacted your sexy times in general.  Has it made a difference? This is a guy who says it hasn't hurt!  Research proves it.

April 08, 2011

Updates, great run today

Had toblog about my run i just finished.I completed my 5.3 k in 24 minutes.  Not my beest time, but considering my times lately, and the amount of energy I have been having, I consider this a boost!  That turns out to just about a 4:30/km.  Motivators:  A friend on Daily mile (Brian) has been working hard last month to gain, and his pr from highschool got nearly met at 19 minute 5 k!  This along with a more local friend her ein town has been laying it down and inspiring me to kick it up.  
Now ith the 100 pushups, it fell apart, and I am not giving up, but since our trip I have not been chipping away at that goal.  More core work is needed.
What inspires you to hit the pavement with more vigor?

April 03, 2011

Hiccups and Haitus

Disneylandwas my mileage for over a week.  By the end of my time there, in which I had not gone on an official run.  I did however, cover a lot of turf, concrete turf.
I felt so exhausted by the end, going from early morn to late night, and got sick by the end.  So I have been taking it easy from my regime.  Picking it up again tomorrow.  I am looking forward to this next week getting back out on the trail.

March 12, 2011

2nd SOWA Half Corked Marathon in 2011

SOLD OUT!SOWA 1/2 CORKED MARATHON was predictably a hit last year here in the South Okanagan.  It will be held on May 29, 2011.   Making a cancellation list is the only way at this point until they grow the capacity of this event.
Showcasing the area's wineries which tote some of the highest accolades in the world around wine, this event is a fun way to both run and taste. Nowhere but to go up with this kind of event.  Not sure how actually competitive this type of race will be overall, but it would be an experience, running to different wineries and sampling, enjoying the terrain and beautiful wineries in the area.  Check it out.  I met the director today and chatted about the event, he expects growth as it becomes more well known, which has already happened this second time around.

I found a review from a runner in this event:

The sun was shining in Osoyoos this morning and it was a great day to drink wine and drink wine and drink wine.....oh and run :)
As you can see from the photo, Peter Pan and Captain Hook were at the race!
We were also very excited to see the grape lady there too - so we had to get a picture with her.
The race had a great spirit - there was 250 runners between the ages of 19 & 69!!
Over half of the runners dressed up and there was a costume parade before the race started.
The terrain was gorgeous with about half the race being on trails through the vineyards - Stace and I were really pleased with that as we are not much for road runners.
We didn't have to run far between wine tasting stations :) The maximum distance was 5km which was the last leg of the race. The rest of the race there was wine stations every 1.5 - 3 kms. Mmmm, wine.
Stace and I definitely enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the race. With 6 wine stops we ran the 17.7km in 1h50min. Our "Disney" team ran the race together and had to take some breaks for the princesses - they don't like running hills :)
All in all it was a great experience - we definitely had our fill of wine and we can wait to work on our costumes for next year!!


March 07, 2011

CORE WORK

I have beguna program to start strengthening my core.  at hundred pushups.com there is a program I am trying.  First thing to do is to test how many pushups in a row you can do in good form.  I did 24.  Next day, i started the program.  3X per week, I am training.  Gotta say, yesterday being my first session, I am SORE.
More to come on that.  I am also starting some plank exercises to strengthen my abs. 
I gotta say, I do love a good set of visible abdominal muscles for just the asthetics of shirtlessness.  Unfortunately, it lays for me underneath a layer of flab!  This has a lot to do with my gene pool I climb out of, but I am not merely looking for the showiness of the squares on my stomach, I am looking to help my form remain pure through this pursuit of a sub 40 minute 10 k.  My long runs have caused my core to show their true weaknesses and as much as I have resisted, I am hoping to tackle this as a complete plan for speeding up without getting injured.   I will also be employing the Wii Fit yoga poses to make it more fun, and to encourage my kids to participate.
So more to come on that too!