Category Archives: Information

Gatorade Inventor Dies at 80

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I interrupt the regularly planned posting schedule for this breaking announcement.

Dr. James Robert Cade died Tuesday of kidney failure, according to ESPN.  Cade was the inventor of the sports drink Gatorade.

Born James Robert Cade in San Antonio on Sept. 26, 1927, Cade, a Navy veteran, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.

Cade was appointed an assistant professor in internal medicine at UF [University of Florida] in 1961. He worked until he was 76, retiring in November 2004 from the university, where he taught medicine, saw patients and conducted research.

Cade and his wife, Mary, had six children.

Cade was the first kidney researcher at the University of Florida but is most well-known for researching and creating a re-hydration formula for the UF football team, which they credited for their 1967 Orange Bowl win.

Gatorade which first “tasted like toilet bowl cleaner,” and was vomited by Cade after tasting it, is now sold in 80 countries with 30 flavors available in the US and 50 around the world.  Gatorade has a market share of 81%.  Since 1973 royalties from each purchase of Gatorade have brought $150 million to the University of Florida.  So it could also be called Gator – aid!

Cade was named MIT‘s Inventor of the Week in May 2004.  And at that time was working

… as a professor of medicine and physiology there [UF], conducting research on kidney and liver disease, diabetes, hypertension and other illnesses. He also studies Down syndrome, autism and certain types of schizophrenia and develops diets to help these patients improve or recover. In addition, Cade has developed products similar to Gatorade such as the Go Energy-Recovery Shake, which helps athletes recover more quickly after a workout.

Gatorade’s website made no mention of its founding researcher’s death as of this morning.

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Indiana is Obese

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I recently did some research on “healthy living” and needed data related to childhood obesity, physical activity, nutrition, etc. The results are a little staggering.

Some of the results are here:

The state and federal governments are trying to curb the rising trend in obesity across the nation. I personally tend to be more conservative and think the government should be a last resort to “rescue” us from our personal problems. But something has to be done to keep us and our kids healthier.

I was happy to report back in August about the increasing trend of more runners there was a 5% increase from 2005 to 2006.

The Trust for America’s Health report also included statistics on public opinion about specific related programs:

  • 81% of Americans believe that the government should have a role in addressing the obesity crisis. Majorities strongly support government working on proposals to expand education programs about healthy living, provide low-cost access to exercise programs, and reduce the marketing of unhealthy foods.
  • 55% of parents with children under 18 believe lunches provided in schools are not nutritious enough.
  • 66% of Americans rated proposals to establish higher nutrition in school lunches as very useful.
  • Over 2/3rds of Americans believe children do not participate in adequate amounts of physical activity during the school day or engage in enough physical activity outside of school. More than 70 percent of Americans rated proposals to increase physical education in schools as very useful.
  • 60% of Americans favor a proposal to measure students’ BMI annually and confidentially provide this information to parents or guardians.

I know the Anderson Road Runners has a Children’s Fun Run program and most races include some type of kid’s event. What do you think we, as people who value fitness, can and should do to promote a healthier lifestyle for today’s youth?

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Indy Classic Marathon Canceled, Again

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It is being reported by the Indianapolis Star that the Indy Classic Marathon has issued full-refunds to participants:

The first Indy Classic Marathon, already postponed once, is all but canceled after spokesman Brian Meyers said today refunds have been given to all runners for the scheduled Nov. 3 race.

Meyers said the marathon lost “several hundred” volunteers within the past week to 10 days.

“Something’s out there, negative,” Meyers said. “Our volunteers are e-mailing or calling and saying they can’t make it.”

Meyers declined to elaborate, except to say organizers will put on the race for free — for runners who didn’t request a refund — if they get enough volunteers by the end of this week. He said 13,000 runners were expected to participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K, although for months running experts have scoffed at various claims made by marathon organizers.

The experts characterized the organizers as inexperienced and said administration of the event has been bizarre.

The ICM website says that:

If ICM secures enough volunteers within the next few days the investors have decided to allow all those who have received a refund to run this race for free, 2007 only. (Does not pertain to those who have requested a refund on their own, but only to those who ICM voluntarily issued refunds to).

Given their past history, having already postponed the race once, it seems this could (hopefully?) be a fatal blow for the event. I first wrote about this on August 21 and then again on August 23.

The organization claims that 15,000 people were registered for the event and that they received requests from an additional 10,000 “due to a recent early shutdown of a major marathon.” The same page says they are looking for help with 13,000 runners. This only adds to the earlier speculation about the overall event and its management. With 10 days before the event I say steer clear for a few years and see if they can get the bugs worked out.

Were you planning on doing the Indy Classic Marathon?? Tell us about your experience so far and what you plan to do now.

Taper Time

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The taper is as important to your training as speedwork, long runs, and consistent training. Unfortunately, it is often abused and misused which can have negative impacts on your race performance.

For weeks/months you have been building up mileage, adding intensity, and are now peaking before your big race.  If you have been following a professional or set training schedule then the taper is already built in and it should be relatively easy to follow.

During your taper you will slowly decrease your overall mileage, as a result many people skip runs or workouts during this phase.  Don’t! It is important to stay consistent, even as you back down the mileage.  You should also focus on relaxing, stretching, and planning mentally for the big day!

According to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise:

The primary aim of the taper should be to minimize accumulated fatigue, rather than to attain additional physiological adaptations or fitness gains.

Run to Win lists four primary benefits of the taper:

  1. A reduced level of perceived exertion: You can run faster and longer with less energy and strain.
  2. Improved muscular economy: The amount of oxygen that your muscles require at a given intensity decreases, and your VO2 max (a measure of aerobic performance) can improve by as much as 8%.
  3. Improved glycogen storage: Your muscles can store more fuel than is possible during intense training, assuming that your diet provides that fuel.
  4. You will sleep better.

BE CAREFUL

  • Watch your diet, as you train less you are burning fewer calories
  • Gradually decrease your mileage, not intensity. You can still do some speedwork even the week before a big race.
  • Keep running consistently, your body needs to stay loose, just make them easier and shorter!
  • Don’t start your taper too soon, this can lead to negative effects as your body deconditions.
  • Check out this article with a long list of problems and solutions.
  • Stretch
  • Avoid extra stress or strenuous work

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Marathons and Race Directing

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There has been some recent news about where Chicago Marathoners might re-try a marathon. One is the Denver Marathon which is actually this Sunday (Oct 14) but they have waived the entry fee for Chicago runners. Another as reported in the Indy Star is the Indy Classic Marathon, they have expanded the entries and re-opened registration. I have some hesitations about suggesting this for anyone because of their past history. I’d recommend the Indianapolis Marathon on October 20, but the registration ends today.

Blog Land! Attention Race Directors

I was recently encouraged by this article to write about the blogs I read and share why I read them, with you my readers. So here it goes!

As an avid runner I enjoy participating in well run (no pun intended) races and other running events. There is nothing worse than going to a race and it is poorly run. Whether its no water on the course, poorly marked course, or messing up the awards race directors have a lot to think about.

After directing 3 5K races I have experienced both sides of it and commend race directors and their teams (paid and volunteer) for all the hard work. I found the Association of Running Event Directors while working on my first 5K and added their blog to my RSS feed so I can stay up on what they have to say. I never actually became a member, because that would cost money!

They have a lot of good resources for the first time event or even new ideas for the old tried and true. Many race directors would spare lots of hard work and agony of trying to establish a quality event by checking this site out.

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