Omega 3

Lately I have really been hitting the Omega 3 hard! Eating lots of Salmon, Mackerel, Trout etc after my training sessions, and I have really been noticing some big benefits- particularly in my recovery times and muscle soreness the next day.

Here is a good article on why Omega 3 is essential to performance:
http://www.minami-nutrition.com/website/docs/PR_Omega-3%20in%20active%20sportspeople020610_EU.pdf

Cycling, Socialising and Cake

Cycling can be a very lonely sport! Battling away against the wind and rain on your own for upwards of 4 hours- all in the name of enjoyment!

Group at the club ride cafe stop

It can of course however, be a great way to socialise and make new friends. Joining a club and getting out for the weekend runs and competing in evening time trials has been one of the best decisions I have made!

It has provided a great boost to my fitness- riding with those stronger that you is the quickest way to develop and committing to a group of friends is a sure fire way to combat any motivation problems!

Carrot cake or Pecan pie??? Too hard a choice!

Oh and the major upside- cafe stops are a great way to try some of your local area's best cake! Careful mind- or you will have to keep cycling a lot longer to burn off all those calories!!

So get out there- find a club and get riding!

Michael Johnson- Survival of the fittest

Last night I watched a fascinating documentary by one of my all time heroes- Michael Johnson. Michael makes a personal genealogical and scientific journey to discover if African American and Caribbean athletes are successful as a result of slavery, and while it may not come to a definite conclusion, the theories it raises are very interesting. It also does a good job in highlighting the terrible injustices during the time of the slave trade.


Well worth watching: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/michael-johnson-survival-of-the-fastest

Need a challenge??

Ok, so you think you are fit? Maybe you have ran a marathon or two? But do you reckon you could run an ultra marathon..... and drag a donkey around whilst you runhttp://www.burrodays.com/pages/burro_race.htm
Got to be one of the craziest challenges out there!

Benefits of Fiber

http://news.yahoo.com/fiber-boosts-bowel-beneficial-bacteria-181708309.html

Great podcast available here on the benefits of fiber in your gut

Benefits of BCAA

I have been using Branch Chain Amino Acids for a while now. I take 3 supplements- Fish Oil, Vitamin D and the BCAA's. Here is a link to a very good article outlining the benefits associated with the supplement- well worth getting on board with this- I have found them a little difficult to get a hold of, but have found them in some health food shops but failing that you can find them online at places like MyProtein.

http://blog.metaboliceffect.com/2009/12/10/surviving-the-paleodiet/

Want to lose fat?

Another great article on nutrition here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120626163801.htm

Even more evidence that goes against the popular culture that low-fat diets that are high in carbs and whole grains are good for you- surprise, surprise they are not!!