How much protein do runners need?

Minute 1: Shaking up your protein intake

As any school child could tell you, National Protein Day has already come and gone last February 27. (Wait, kids didn’t learn that on their Zoom calls this spring???) So now we are wondering why a kilogram of useful protein stories hit the wires this week. Trail Runner just wheyed in with its “Protein Powder Guide” that provides both vegan and animal-based options. LIVESTRONG brings us “How to Make 6 High-Protein Frittatas Using All the Canned Foods You Have Stocked” which pairs well with this article from a few days ago arguing “Why Vegans Should Eat Eggs.” If you’d like to continue down this protein for breakfast road, but don’t want to do the whole Rocky Balboa raw egg scene, check out “19 High Protein Breakfasts That Keep You Full.” And we probably should have started this minute off with the threshold question of “How Much Protein Do You Need to Stay Healthy as a Runner?” #HopeStalloneDidThatSceneInOneTake

Minute 2: Marine Corps Marathon and Army 10 Miler Free entries

Six months ago it would have been hard to imagine someone running past Dodger Stadium while competing in the Marine Corps Marathon, or pounding the pavement through Central Park while running the Army 10 Miler. Well with 2020 virtual races this is now very possible, even more so for our readers. Six Minute Mile has a limited number of entries available for both the Virtual Army 10 Miler and the Virtual Marine Corps Marathon. MCM Virtual runners will receive a participant shirt, commemorative bib and finisher medal. ATM Virtual runners get a race bib, runner shirt, bag, and the Army Ten-Miler Finisher Coin. Forward this issue or share it on Facebook to be entered for a chance at one of our entries. #virtualforthewin

Minute 3: Gear locker

As dedicated readers know by now, if we loved Brian Metzler and his shoe reviews any more deeply, our spouses would be concerned. Even when Brian cheats on us and writes for another publication, we take him back every time. Brian just published a piece on the carbon-plated running shoe craze over on Podium Runner entitled “Super Shoe Review.” Since Nike kicked off the craze with its Vaporfly, many other brands have followed suit including Hoka and New Balance. We also noted this week a new review (not by Brian) of “The Best Sports Bras for Runners of All Cup Sizes.” It provides a nice range of performance-oriented and stylish options. It was also good to see that Nike just released its first-ever line of maternity apparel. The CNN story on the apparel giant is here.

#TestReview

Minute 4: Don’t mess with Peloton

When a stationary bike company sells more than $15 million of t-shirts and shorts emblazoned with its company logo, you know they have a devoted following. And you also know that a humble endurance sports newsletter will probably catch an earful from the devotees wearing that gear if it criticizes the company. We had chided Peloton’s CEO in our last issue for trumpeting his company’s success while so many others were suffering. Based on our reader feedback, we felt a little like Dave Stohler in Breaking Away after his Italian idols jammed a bike pump in his spokes in this famous scene. Reader comments included:

“Who are you to criticize them for it? They provided a product and service that folks cooped-up at home could use to relieve at least some of the awful monotony and stress of the COVID-19 lockdown. I say kudos to Peloton.”
“People are getting fit and a company has a successful business model. Be happy not everyone is unemployed and getting fat on the couch.
“Your comments regarding Peloton and how John Foley handled the questions during the podcast are valid and frankly spot on. And you're correct, a PR rep probably cringed (if not worse). However, with some additional research, you'll see how much they've donated to help during this pandemic, especially to the Food Bank of NYC.”
“Quit with the envy and sour grapes. I’m unsubscribing.”

In addition to Peloton’s work with the Food Bank that one reader mentioned, the company also just announced it had created a Health and Wellness Advisory Council with several medical luminaries to better serve the physical and emotional health of its members.

#HateMailbag

Minute 5: Quick Intervals

Continuing with the triathlon theme, if you are looking to mix in some cross training with your running, you may wonder how long a swim or bike ride you need to replace a training run. Wonder no more. Canadian Running just published a helpful article “Assessing equivalency: how long do I need to cross-train for?”
Since we are giving a shout-out on gear reviews to our friends at Podium Runner, we also admired their new story on shaking up your normal training regime: “10 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Fall Training.” We particularly like 2 of their suggestions: getting in some track work and doing an “easy win” workout that has an achievable goal.
The staid old Gray Lady (aka the New York Times) just let her hair and her running shorts down with this new story: “In a Naked Pandemic Race, You Can Leave Your Hat On.” Respected running columnist Jen Miller describes her experience running a 5K in a nudist colony with one close friend and many strangers. Yes, the story includes photos, but pearl-clutchers will be happy to know that the pics are strictly PG.

Minute 6: Daily Inspiration

We enjoyed a new 12-minute video profile of Sarah True, the professional triathlete who is married to the professional runner, Ben True. Sarah has seen her share of podium finishes, but also some tough breaks, finishing 10 seconds outside the bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics and then experiencing a nasty leg cramp coming out of the water in the 2016 Olympics that caused her to DNF. She switched to Ironman-length triathlons a few years ago and at one point landed in the hospital because of the Kona heat. Through it all, she provides a remarkable perspective on the role of sports in our lives. Check out the beautifully-filmed and honest account of Sarah’s athletic journey and her marriage to another pro athlete below.