Dave's top ten little-known or misunderstood running factoids

1.Running on pavement causes 3X the impact as running on trails.
2.New runners muscles build up quicker than their tendons, ligaments, bursa, etc. and thus they are more likely to suffer impact-related injuries (see point 1).
3. Carbo-loading is a complicated 6-day process. It's not a one night spaghetti feast. The latter is really only designed to upset your stomach and keep you awake the night before a big race.
4.If you are thirsty, you are already a quart low. To paraphrase a Chicago voting motto: "Drink early, drink often".
5. All things in moderation - use the 10% rule. Increase your max run by only 10% at a time, your weekly mileage by 10%, your monthly mileage by 10%, etc.
6. Also follow the "every-other" rule. If you're just starting, run every-other day. If you run hard one day, run easy the next. If you run long one day, run short the next. If you have a high-mileage week, take it easy the next Conversely, if you have a terrific day today and feel like you're just floating effortlessly ... well ... it won't feel like that tomorrow :-)
7. Running 500 vertical feet is equivalent to 1 horizontal mile (calories, effort, time, etc.)
8. A 150-pounder will burn about 100 calories per mile no matter how fast he/she runs or walks. So run further, not faster.
9. Studies have shown that people who exercise without dieting do almost as well at long-term weight loss as people who diet and exercise. And both do much better than those who only diet.
10. Studies have shown that people who run 3 times per week are happier, healthier, live longer, suffer fewer diseases (including depression), have more successful relationships, earn more money, are promoted more often, have better sex lives, enjoy better self-esteem, and have later onset of dimentia than sedentary folks. But there is a negative side. Runners do spend more on running shoes and don't keep up with the latest happenings on all the reality shows.

-Dave S