Running in this Heat

Avoid Hyponatremia!

Hyponatremia is literally water poisoning. Most runners are not aware that they can drink too much water. Not only can you drink too much water, but it can also cause a very serious condition and has even caused some fatalities.

A low level of sodium in the blood causes Hyponatremia. When you sweat you lose approximately 2.25 to 3.4 grams of sodium per liter of sweat. During a race, you will average around 1 liter of sweat loss per hour. If you drink only water during your race, you will dilute your blood even more, which can result in hyponatremia. This condition is usually only a problem in activities lasting more than one hour, but can occur in shorter activities.

Hyponatremia can be a serious condition. If you believe you may be suffering from this illness, seek medical attention. Drinking sports drinks and eating salty foods can treat minor symptoms.

Aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can contribute to the development of hyponatremia. Because of the popularity of these medications among runners, this condition is becoming more prevalent, especially in the longer distances such as marathons, ultra-marathons and triathlons.

To avoid hyponatremia follow these suggestions.

· Drink sports drinks during events lasting longer than 1 hour.

· Avoid anti-inflammatory medications.

· Take in at least 1 gram of sodium per hour.

· Drink at least 6 to 12 ounces of sports drinks every 15 minutes.

· Increase you salt intake before your race.

Two Excellent Restaurants

Located next door to each other in Cloverdale, across from the Capri Theatre, these two are actually single entities that compliment each other. Both Menu's are available at either place. Forget about the chain restaurant blandness, these two restaurants are unique and very appetizing.

Cafe Louisa - Cafe and Bakery - The best place for coffee and pastries in Montgomery or surrounding area. European flavors, New England ambiance, southern charm. The crew is unpretentious and friendly. The place is cozy and comfortable. The lunch menu offers something for everyone no matter what taste, from meat lover's to vegans, from traditional to organic.

Tomatinos - Pizza and Bake Shop - The only place to get real, original style pizzas, New York Style.

I rate these two together, 5 out of 5.

There is a burrito place that is also a part of this family of restaurants. El Rey or Burrito Lounge. When I have a chance to sample this place, I will update.

This small section of Montgomery set in Cloverdale offers more offers more quality restaurants than rest of the city, and all of them being with in steps of the Capri Theatre. The only place that shows independent movies in Montgomery. So when you're tired of fighting the crowds, traffic and parking lot nightmares near the Rave, come to Cloverdale and be relaxed and enjoy yourself with something off the beaten path.

Village Coffee

Perfect for the pre-run caffiene fix. There is a new coffee shop in town which is an Alabama owned business. Village coffee started out in Troy and has just added a new shop here in Montgomery. The coffee shop is located in front of the Publix on the Atlanta Highway and Taylor Road. Coffee is better than at the popular Seattle's chain of coffee shops; it is less crowded and much, much more tidy. A dark chocolate covered espresso bean has served with each cup I've ordered. The staff is very friendly and the setting is casual and inviting. There is even a guitar in the seating area just waiting for you to play.
http://www.villagecoffee.biz/
(Click on the Menu to find a $1.00 coupon)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 -.5 for One Minor Dissappointment. Like most coffee shops in this area, the outside seating area faces a parking lot and a busy street, BLECCHHHHHH! Who wants to sit outside with the carbon monoxide fumes and watch passing cars? It would be nice if a coffee shop would open here that has outside dining area that faces a more natural or pleasing setting. The best one of seen in Alabama is the Highland Coffee Company in Birmingham. Anyone know of others around Montgomery?

Time to load up the carbs

Recipe: CARAMELIZED CHOCOLATE, BANANA, AND MARSHMALLOW SANDWICHES

It has bananas, it must be healthy. Right?

Constantly Sweating

Just in time for Jubilee, it's officially summer. High's near 90, lows near 70's. July Temperature already in May. Time to become a O-dark thirty early morning runner. It's already in the 80's by 8:00 AM, misery!

The southern natives are still wearing sweaters in morning, I can barely breathe the heavy, sticky sweltering air. Time for summer hibernation.

High today of 92. Ouch!

Jubilee 8k

Mat Best ran Jubilee 8k last year with an egg-sized tumor in his brain. This year he'll be running after recovering from brain surgery. See story below:
Brain cancer can't stop 8K runner By Tom Ensey Montgomery Advertiser


More info: JUBILEE RUN

When: Saturday. 8K starts at 7:30 a.m.; 2-mile starts at 8:45 a.m.; fun run for kids 6 and younger begins after 2-mile race

Where: Klein Park downtown, across from the fountain on Dexter Avenue

Registration: 4 to 8 p.m. today at Sneakers on Atlanta Highway; 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Chamber of Commerce on Commerce Street Race day registration: Klein Park Entry fee: $20 today and Friday; $25 day of race; fun run $1

More Jubilee Buzz

Mat Best ran Jubilee 8k last year with an egg-sized tumor in his brain. This year he'll be running after recovering from brain surgery. See story below:
Brain cancer can't stop 8K runner By Tom Ensey Montgomery Advertiser


More info: JUBILEE RUN

When: Saturday. 8K starts at 7:30 a.m.; 2-mile starts at 8:45 a.m.; fun run for kids 6 and younger begins after 2-mile race

Where: Klein Park downtown, across from the fountain on Dexter Avenue

Registration: 4 to 8 p.m. today at Sneakers on Atlanta Highway; 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Chamber of Commerce on Commerce Street Race day registration: Klein Park Entry fee: $20 today and Friday; $25 day of race; fun run $1

Jubilee CityFest 8k Packet pick-up

Sneakers 4-8 Wed and Thur. Chamber of Commerce Fri 4-9 and race morning at 6

Thanks Grahare@aol.com, I couldn't find the info at either the MTRC or Jubilee CityFest sites.

Worthwhile Sunday activity

Being one of those few people in Montgomery who hasn't been infected with the religion meme, I have been looking for ways to improve my social life. There are not enough runs scheduled in Montgomery to keep my calendar full and smoky bars or churches are filled with unpleasant people.

There is an activity for our Sunday afternoons, and it caters to those with a running problem:

Montgomery Hash Hound Harriers meet every Sunday at 5 PM for their "Hash".

To qoute from their site:
They may be College professors or students, colonels or privates, managers or assembly line workers, doctors or plumbers... all are gathered together without concern for social status or education. They are gathered for the sport and the camaraderie and take on a new personality, for at our events we are all just Hashers ... For a Hash is NOT a competition (except to catch the Hares), but a friendly get together for people to have fun.

To find out more and for a schedule of hashes: Montgomery Hash Hound Harriers

I actually haven't tried this yet, but this group is centered around my two favorite activities, I will be trying this soon. Did someone say "Beer"

Three day weekend, Three runs

Perfect. A run for everyday, how can the weekend get any better than that?

27 May - Montgomery - Jubilee City Fest 8k & 2M
28 May - West Blocton - Cahaba River Ramble Trail Runs 10K & 5K
29 May - Huntsville - Mercedes-Benz Cotton Row Run 10k & 5K

Jubilee CityFest

Unless you're living under a rock, you must know what is going on this weekend. I'll be doing the 8k, and it's going to be a scorcher.

http://www.jubileecityfest.org/

Village Coffee now in Montgomery

There is a new coffee shop in town which is an Alabama owned business. Village coffee started out in Troy and has just added a new shop here in Montgomery. The coffee shop is located in front of the Publix on the Atlanta Highway and Taylor Road. Coffee is better than at the popular Seattle's chain of coffee shops; it is less crowded and much, much more tidy. The staff is very friendly and the setting is casual and inviting. There is even a guitar in the seating area just waiting for you to play.

http://www.villagecoffee.biz/
(Click on the Menu to find a $1.00 coupon)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

-.5 for One Minor Dissappointment. Like most coffee shops in this area, the outside seating area faces a parking lot and a busy street, BLECCHHHHHH! Who wants to sit outside with the carbon monoxide fumes and watch passing cars? It would be nice if a coffee shop would open here that has outside dining area that faces a more natural or pleasing setting. The best one of seen in Alabama is the Highland Coffee Company in Birmingham. Anyone know of others around Montgomery?