Performance Enhancers

I am currently reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall...perhaps I should say I'm slowly reading this book, but nonetheless, I'm reading it.  It is about a man who goes on a quest to find a primitive tribe of Native Americans that are super-runners.  He wants to find out what makes them such phenomenal endurance athletes and has discovered an herb they make into a drink (chia, yes, just like Chia Pet) that gives them incredible energy.  While I was reading last night I wondered to myself if I would ever use some sort of performance enhancing drug/herb to make me a better runner.  I have to say that it's enticing, of course I want to be in the 7 minute per mile pack, but the truth of the matter is, I'm not one of those runners.  It definitely takes me longer to finish a race at my 9 to 10 minute per mile pace, but that's still pretty good for me.  I can also argue the other side and say that we all use performance enhancers when we suck down some Gu or drink Gatorade...I always get a short burst of energy after eating my Clif ShotBloks.  So why is the idea of eating a natural herb that comes from the ground any different?  I guess I feel like everyone has electrolyte power at their fingertips, but a lot less people know about this wonder-herb, so I'd feel bad giving myself an unfair edge (but at my pace I don't think it'll really help me win a race).

I think my final point is that running long distance is a challenge, that's why I do it.  If I made it too easy for myself it wouldn't have the appeal that it has now.

Running Thoughts

Today was my first day of double workouts and I felt awesome!  Here are some thoughts that came through my mind while I was doing my second run for the day:

1. Coffee right before my run makes me feel awesome and fast, but gives me side aches.  
2. Waking up and running first thing in the morning gives me tons of energy to get through the rest of my day...who'da thunk it?
3. Hills are my friends...hills are my friends.  Up and down are both hard...hills are my friends :-)
4. I swear my iPod knows when I'm tired and want to quit because every time I feel that way, the theme from Rocky comes on.  I can't walk during the Rocky theme!  If it wouldn't make my ears bleed, I'd play it on repeat for my entire run.

Double workouts are great!  The Odyssey this year is going to ROCK!