Fun Facts

From sports to entertainment to history and weird stuff no one ever thought to wonder...

All About Swimming

by Dana-Susan Crews

• An hour of vigorous swimming will burn more than 600 calories
• Elephants can swim as many as 20 miles per day using their trunks as a natural snorkel
• More than 50% of world class swimmers suffer from shoulder pain
• The slowest Olympic swim stroke is the breaststroke
• The fastest Olympic swim stroke is the front crawl (also called "freestyle")
• Most of the top level swimmers will swim 4-5 hours per day, seven days per week. They typically swim 6-12 miles per day along with cross training
• You sweat while you swim even if you can't tell
• Water's buoyancy makes swimming the ideal exercise for physical therapy and rehabilitation
• The Olympics are swum in a 50 meter pool (also known as long course). Most NCAA and high school meets are in 25 yard (or meter) pools (also known as short course).
• The oldest form of swim stroke used is the breaststroke, dating back to the Stone Age
• Benjamin Franklin invented swim fins at the age of 11
• Egyptians made a picture or symbol for swimming as far back as 2500 B.C.
• The first recorded swim races were held in Japan in 36 B.C.
• Swimming first became an Olympic event in 1896
• Synchronized swimming first appeared in the Olympics during the 1984 games
• Swimming in the Olympics began as a mens only sport, but women were finally allowed to swim in 1912
• President Gerald Ford had the outdoor swimming pool built at the White House in 1975. In 1976 a pool house was added with a secret, underground passage that lets the First Family and their guests get from the house to the pool without going outside.
• The first person to cross the English Channel swimming from England to France was Captain Matthew Webb in 1875
• The first female to swim the English Channel is Gertrude Ederle, who was just a teenager at the time, in 1926.
• The first person to swim a mile in Antarctica (in only a Speedo, cap and goggles) in 32 degree waters was Lynne Cox. Check out her amazing story: SWIMMING TO ANTARCTICA
• The oldest known concrete swimming pool was built in 1915 in Texas
• The first swimmer to break the 2 minute barrier in the 200 meters was Don Schollander in 1963
• Paul Biedermann holds the current 200 meter record in a time of 1:42:00
• An estimated 65,000 people in the USA do not know how to swim
• Swimmers really do shave their bodies before an important race, not only to get rid of the hair, but to rid the body of dead skin cells on the surface. Female swimmers will choose not to shave their legs for a few weeks leading up to race day to create "drag" in the pool and then just before the big race, they get a nice close shave. Shaving ones head is not as common as it once was because of the advancements in swim cap technology.
• Yes, swimmers pee in the pool

*published in August 2015

MARATHON HISTORY

Have you ever wondered why a marathon is 26.2 miles?

According to legend, the original marathon was unintentionally run by a Greek soldier named Pheidippides who ran 25 miles to Athens from the town of Marathon to announce a battleground victory over the Persians. Upon arrival in Athens, he shouted "Victory!" Then he fell to the ground and died.

More than 2000 years went by before this great run would be attempted again at the revival of the modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896. In that event, 17 runners ran 40 km (24.8 miles) with Greek runner Spyridon Louis winning gold in a time of 2 hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds. Inspired by this Olympic event, the city of Boston inaugurated its race the next year to honor Paul Revere (the Boston Marathon is always run on Patriot's Day), making it the oldest annual marathon in the world.

So, why did the 24.8 mile race turn into the 26.2 mile race it is today?

In 1908, London hosted the Olympic Games and the marathon course ran from Windsor Castle to the royal box at the Olympic stadium in White City. The extra distance was added so the race could finish in front of the royal family's viewing box. This is the origin of the Marathon tradition of shouting "God save the Queen!" as the mile 24 mark is passed. After much heated discussion, 26.2 miles was established as the official marathon distance at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

*Women were finally permitted to run the Olympic Marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (sorry it took so long, Girls, but they just thought the ladies were too "delicate" for the sport). Joan Benoit of the USA won gold!
Read about the plight for women marathoners here: FLASHBACK



The first modern Olympic Games in Athens, 1896.
These were the days before aid stations, gu and sports drink.
These were the days before porta potties and running shoes perfectly designed for your feet.

Running Vocab

My very first running coach, Bill Dwyer, taught me almost everything I know about running. He encouraged me, long before I could imagine running 26.2 miles, that this dream could be a reality. When I began training, I quickly learned that the running world is filled with it's own language. Here are a few fun running words Coach Bill taught me...

Aerobic Exercise: Exercise performed at a level at which the body can take in and utillize all the oxygen it needs for a given task.

Aid Stations: Can range from a water station at a 5K to an all you can eat and drink tent at an ultra/trail running event.

Anaerobic Exercise: Exercise at a level where oxygen debt incurred, resulting in heavy breathing, a consistent and progressive lowering of efficiency and eventual cessation of activity.

BQ: Boston Marathon Qualifying Time! Running a marathon in a qualifying time for your age group as set by the Boston Athletic Association. The Boston Marathon has been run since 1897 and is filled with history and traditions like no other event in the world.

Base Training: The longer slower runs that build your strength up gradually.

Bonk: When one is lacking in fuel and feels weak. You don't want to bonkk during the race. Eat something!

Carbo load: A short term diet in which fats and proteins are de-emphasized and complex carbohydrates are stressed. The purpose is to saturate the muscles with glycogen during the few days prior to an event. This method is used prior to longer endurance events and has been debated back and forth as to its effectiveness.

Conversational Pace: The fastest pace at which you can run/jog/walk and still carry on a reasonably comfortable conversation.

DNF: Did Not Finish. there are many reasons to "DNF" but not completing a race because someone you don't want to be ahead of you is in fact ahead of you, is not one of them.

DNS: Did Not Start

Double: Completing two workouts in one day. Doing a two mile warm up jog followed by a six mile run doesn't count. Also could be what you drink after a DNF.

Drop bags: Stuff you can't carry but can leave at a designated area. The finish line at a marathon and some shorter races or at various predetermined aid stations at ultramarathon events.

Duct tape: good for anything and everything- never run without it!

Endurance training: Longer distance running/jogging/walking at an aerobic pace over a period of months and years designed to improve the efficiency of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic systems. Also strengthens connective tissue and conditions the lower body to long term low intensity stress.

Exuces: Something everyone has a lot of and we all have to work hard at keeping them from over-taking us.

Fun Run: Usually a community run. No qualifying times. For people of all ages and abilities. Most races are fun runs.

Intervals: Relatively short, fast, consecutive runs alternated with periods of rest, walking or slow jogging to partial or complete recovery.

Jog: A pace that is more than a walk but slower than what you are capable of. A comfortable pace where you are unaware or not interested in time.

Jogger: Not concerned with competition.

Gaiters: Short fabric that covers the top of your shoes and ankles to keep out rocks. Used by trail runners.

Gel: A paste like energy food taken during endurance training and during endurance events. There are many different brands and many different flavors. These are not really necessary when training for shorter distance runs and during workouts that run less than an hour. A proper overall diet is much more important.

Good job: Thinly veiled words of encouragement during a race or serious workout that really mean, "what the heck are you doing ahead of me?"

Hill Training: Using hills as part of a scheduled workout. Hills build strength and improve form. Hill training should be just a small part of a balanced program.

HRM: Heart Rate Monitor. A device that displays and records your heart rate during training and is a great tool to keep you in the proper training zones for specific workouts.

IT Band: Illiotibial band. Usually referred to runners when they have an IT band injury which is felt as pain at the outside of the knee. The IT band is a layer of connective tissue extending from the iliac crest to the knee and links the gluteus maximus to the tibia. Long distance training without proper stretching or building miles too fast or wearing the wrong shoes or many other things can cause havoc with the IT band. Keep consistent with training, stretch, don't rush training, and pray, and you may escape this nuisance injury. Most runners will experience it at somse point in their training.

Injinji socks: The greatest socks ever. Like mittens for your feet.

Injury: Running injuries are almost impossible to avoid. With a proper program you can minimizse the chance but the nature of the sport is pushing and achieving new levels so the risk of an occasional acheor pain is unavoidable. You will learn about general discomfort and what might be the possible start of an injury as you learn more about yourself during training. Use the coaches and network of running friends to question any new pains. Don't be afraid of the family doctor and do take a day or two off if in doubt.

LSD: Long slow distance. Slow and easy training runs.

Marathon: An impossible event? 26.2 miles... almost too far to drive! Actually, a doable distance with the proper training that can be the experience of a lifetime.

Masters: Runners who are over 40.

MPD: Miles Per Day.

Negative split: running the second half of one's race faster than the first half. A banana split without the whipped cream, bananas, nuts or ice cream.

On Your Left: Someone is passing you on your left side. Mostly heard at the track and at trail runs.

Off Day: a day in which you do some form of non-limb pounding exercise instead of running (same as rest day).

Pace: the average per mile speed of a run over a given distance. Two minutes for the quarter mile would be an 8 minute pace. An even pace overall is technically the most efficient pace.

PR: Personal Record, a best time at any given distance.

PW: Personal Worst

RPE: Rating of Perceived Exertion. How you perceive how you feel using a scale.

Runners: The late author George Sheehan said that the difference between a runner and a jogger is an entry blank. I think it's a state of mind. The more confidence you have, the more likely you will call yourself a runner.

Sandbagger: When a very fast runner claims to be tired or injured and starts out in the back of the pack by choice only to push and shove their way to the front.

S-Caps: Succeed caps are electrolyte supplements for running in heat.

E-Caps: the same as s-caps but from a different company

SDF: Super Duper Fast

Strides: Short, fast runs done at a "comfortable sprint" effort. This means you should feel in control of your stride and you are not running at an all-out effort. Strides help to improve leg speed (turnover), improve flexibility and coordination (quicker turnover helps to prevent tripping), and improves running economy by training your muscles to run fast and relaxed.

Taper: To cut back one's weekly mileage before a race.

Ultramarathoner: a person who derives great personal satisfaction from experiences that include, but are not limited to, oxygen deprivation, motion sickness, dehydration, chafing, blistering, vomiting, cramping, heat stroke, and hypothermia... and preferably all at once.

Vaseline: A magic balm for runners that should be applied to all areas that rub (Body Glide performs the same function).

Running Lingo Quiz

originally published on May 27, 2015 by Dana-Susan Crews

Runners have their own language. If you've been a runner for a while you will likely know every term below, but if you're new to the sport, you may be hearing these words and wondering what they mean. How many of these terms do you know?

1. IT band
2. Shin splints
3. Pronation
4. Fartlek
5. Anaerobic threshold 
6. VO2 Max
7. Footstrike
8. Stride
9. Pace
10. Negative splits
11. Ultramarathoner
12. Elite
13. BQ
14. PR
15. Hill Repeats
16. Pick ups
17. Rest day
18. Fuel
19. Singlet
20. Bonk
21. Chafing
22. Fuel belt
23. Plantar fasciitis
24. Overtraining
25. Taper
26. Bib
27. Corral
28. Rabbit
29. Bandit
30. Chip time

*Answers:

1. The Iliotibial band (IT band) is the band of tissue that runs from the hip down the thigh and through the shin. When inflamed it can cause pain in the knee or hip and leave runners limping along.
2. Tiny stress fractures in your shins are called shin splints. It's a serious injury requiring rest. Shin soreness is much less serious and typically only requires massage, ice, or use of compression socks.
3. Pronation begins after the heel contacts the ground. It is the distinctive, inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses.
4. Fartlek is a Swedish term meaning "burst of speed".
5. Anaerobic threshold is the transition phase between aerobic and anaerobic running. Training right will teach your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently so that less lactic acid is produced (also known as lactate threshold).
6. Maximal amount of oxygen that a person can extract and then transport and use in the body's tissues.
7. How a runner's foot strikes the ground. There are mid-foot strikers, heel strikers, and toe strikers.
8. Forward steps taken while running. Another use for the word "stride" is a series of short sprints about 50-200 meters.
9. Pace is how long it takes you to run a mile. For example, you might run 10 minute miles so your pace is 10 minutes.
10. Running the second half of your race faster than the first half.
11. Someone who runs races longer than 26.2 miles.
12. A runner who has reached the highest level in the sport.
13. Boston Qualifier
14. Personal Record
15. Workouts on a hill. For example, heading up the hill at 5K pace and recovering down the hill at an easy jog.
16. Short, gentle increases in speed at the end of a run.
17. Rest days are the days when you don't run (it's very hard to convince runners to take these).
18. Food.
19. Singlets are sleeveless tops worn by runners when they are racing.
20. Also known as "hitting the wall", it's the depletion of glycogen stores.
21. The result of sweat and fabric rubbing against the skin, chafing is painful irritation and rashes. Chafing can be prevented by using nipple guards, Body Glide, etc.
22. Basically a fanny pack belted around a runner's waist on which they attach water bottles and gels.
23. Pain and stiffness in the heel that usually requires some time off for healing.
24. Too much running that has led to fatigue before race day.
25. Shortening running distances in the couple of weeks before race day for recovery purposes.
26. Piece of paper with the race number printed on it- to be pinned to the runner's shirt on race day.
27. Special starting location where runners line up according to race pace.
28. The pace leader.
29. Someone who runs the race without paying. This is very bad.
30. The actual time it takes a runner to finish a race. The gun time is the time from the moment the gun goes off, but the chip doesn't start clocking a runner til they hit the start line (which could be several minutes into the actual start of the race).

by Dana-Susan Crews

Triathletes basically have their own language. Do you know the terms below?

1. Wave
2. Beach Start
3. Drafting
4. Transition
5. Clydesdale
6. Athena
7. Wetsuit Legal
8. Stripper
9. Aerobars
10. Aero Bottle
11. Aero Position
12. Brick
13. Bike In
14. Bike Out
15. Changing Tent
16. Run Out
17. Special Needs
18. T1
19. T2
20. Aid Station
21. Sprint
22. Olympic Distance
23. 70.3
24. "HIM"
25. Ironman
26. Iron Distance Triathlon
27. M-Dot
28. Marshall
29. Penalty Tent
30. Podium Finish

Definitions:

1. Most triathlons have a wave start. Your wave is the group of athletes in your age group division and typically, waves begin every few minutes. A mass start would be when everyone in the race begins the race at the same time.
2. A beach start is when you begin the swim portion of the race running into a body of water from the beach.
3. Drafting on the bike in a triathlon is illegal. USAT requires athletes to stay three bike lengths behind the cycylist in front of you. If you need to pass, you must do so within 15 seconds or you may get a drafting penalty.
4. Between the swimming, biking and running disciplines of the race, there is transition. This is where and what you do between these disciplines to transition to the next part of the race.
5. Clydesdale is a division of male triathletes who weigh more than 200 pounds.
6. The Athena division is female athletes who weigh more than 150 pounds.
7. Wetsuits are only permitted in a race that is wetsuit legal, meaning the temperature of the water is 78 degrees or lower.
8. A stripper is a volunteer who strips wetsuits off of athletes when they exist the water.
9. Aerobars are special handlebars on a triathlon bike that help the athlete get into an aerodynamic position while riding.
10. An aero bottle is a water bottle that easily fits on aerobars so the cyclist doesn't have to pick it up, but can just sip it while he/she rides.
11. Aero position is when the triathlete rests his/her arms out in front on the aero bars to get a more aerodynamic position.
12. Brick workouts are back to back workouts done by triathletes. For example, a run followed by a bike ride or a bike ride followed by a swim.
13. The designated part of the triathlon course where the athlete brings the bike back into transition following the bike portion is called bike in.
14. The designated area of the triathlon course where the triathlete exits with the bike is called bike out.
15. The changing tent is a large area on a long distance triathlon where triathletes can change clothes.
16. The designated area in transition where the triathlete exits to head out on the run is called run out.
17. In long distance triathlons, triathletes can pack special needs bags for the bike and run. They can place extra food, change of clothing, spare bike tubes, sports drinks, sunscreen,etc. in these bags to be used around the halfway point on the course.
18. The first transition (between the swim and bike) is called T1.
19. The second transition (between the bike and run) is called T2.
20. An aid station is an area on the bike course and run course where volunteers hand out food and drink.
21. A sprint triathlon is a short distance triathlon.
22. An Olympic Distance triathlon is the official distance of the triathlon in the Olympics (the sport was first part of the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000).
23. The 70.3 is half the distance of the Ironman and consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run.
24. Some triathletes refer to the 70.3 as the "HIM" (Half IronMan).
25. Ironman® is a brand name and it is strictly owned by the World Triathlon Corporation. The race consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.
26. An iron distance triathlon is a 140.6 mile race consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. These races are just as tough as the branded World Triathlon Corporation races, but they cannot use the word Ironman® to describe them because, as mentioned, that word is trademarked.
27. The M-Dot (image below) is the symbol used in an Ironman® triathlon. Many triathletes will have this tattooed on their bodies representing the accomplishment of completing the difficult race.
28. A marshall is one or several people on the course making sure the rules are followed. If not, they flash penalty cards.
29. The penalty tent is a spot on the course where the athlete must sit for a specific time if a rule is broken. The marshall will hold up a penalty card and the triathlete has to pull over and stay in the tent til their time out is served.
30. A podium finish is when a triathlete wins first, second or third place in their age group/division and receives an award at the awards podium.

Fun Facts: Cycling

by Dana-Susan Crews

How much do you know about the popular sport of cycling? Here are a few fun facts about this fascinating sport.

1. Cylcing was one of the 9 original sports in the modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
2. 28 years before the first Olympics, the first recorded bicycle race happened in Paris, France.
3. The Tour de France was established in 1903.
4. Before Babe Ruth joined the Yankees, cyclists were the highest paid athletes.
5. On average, a professional cyclist rides 25,000 miles per year. That's the equivalent of riding from L.A. to New York 10 times.
6. Shaving legs is not done to look good (although it does help show off those great cycling muscles). Scraping gravel off your injuries is much easier with shaved legs. It's easier to apply ointments and get those frequent massages.
7. Spandex is also not for looking good. There are plenty of jokes out there about cyclists in their spandex, but the truth is there is a legitimate reason for it: chafing! If you ever spend several hours on a bike, you definitely don't want your clothes moving.
8. The fastest speed a person has ever gone on a bike is 167.043 miles per hour.
9. The longest tandem bike ever built was 67 feet and could seat 35 people.
10. It is estimated that there are over one billion bicycles in the world.
11. Half a billion of those bikes are in China.
12. In 1935, a cyclist named Fred Birchmore rode his bike around the globe. While the entire trip covered 40,000 miles, he padaled 25,000 miles. The rest was traveled by boat. He wore out seven sets of tires.
13. Famous engineers including Henry Ford and the Wright brothers kicked off their careers by producing bicycles.
14. The most expensive bike ever was auctioned for $500,000.
15. A 2000 survey by the communters in Copenhagen, Denmark concluded that people who commute by bicycle are so healthy that they are 39% less likely to die of any cause than those who don't ride bicycles.