It is the fashion,it is the world

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

About Today: Get Started Gardening

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor

Yesterday, I saw my first crocuses of the season. They were white, so of course I first assumed that they were snow. I can be forgiven for thinking this, since it snowed so much this year that I seriously thought about skis as a permanent mode of transportation.

Reader Stories: How I Started Gardening

Crocus season means that spring is really coming. For gardeners, this is like the Super Bowl and the World Series combined.

How to Start a Garden

For the rest of us, it's a chance to think about getting started on a garden.

See More About: garden design garden soil choosing plants

7 Easy-to-Grow Plants for Beginning Gardeners

When I saw those crocuses, I thought: "Hey! Why don't I have any of those in my yard?" Then I realized that you actually have to plant crocuses to get crocuses. (Seems mean.)

Plan a Garden to Feed Your Family

The best garden of all might be the one that produces things that look pretty now and can be eaten later. Multipurpose!

See More About: growing crops self-sufficiency sustainable farming

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About Men's Fashion / Grooming: Barbershops Reborn, Asian Hairstyles, Shower Gel

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Men's Fashion / Grooming

Men's Fashion / Grooming

Hair Skin & Body

Style Tips

Trends & Fashion

From Daniel Billett, your Guide to Men's Fashion / Grooming

What images conjure in your mind when you think of a barbershop? Do you picture old men sitting around shooting the breeze while the red, white and blue striped pole spins round and round? Do you think they are outdated and old fashioned? Guess again.

The New Men's Barbershop

Barbershops are popping up all over the country catering to men per usual, but with a modern spin. Newspaper and magazine racks have been replaced by big screen televisions with continual play of ESPN. Pool tables have replaced sitting areas while some barbershops even serve cocktails. And if you are used to ordering your haircut by a clipper comb number, think again.

See More About: hair care tips for men men's hair salons barbershops

Photo Gallery of Asian Men's Hairstyles

Not only is this a picture gallery of Asian hairstyle ideas, but it also provides tips and tricks on how to achieve the looks.

See More About: sung kang male celebrity hairstyles men's hairstyle ideas

The Merits of a Barbershop Over a Styling Salon

Do you think barbershops are outdated and old fashioned? Do you assume that a barber's skills are limited compared to a salon stylist? Perhaps you don't even know what the difference is between a barber and a salon stylist. I enlisted the advice from a colleague and former hair stylist to help me understand the differences between the two. What I learned is intriguing.

Best Men's Body Washes & Shower Gels

Thankfully, body washes and shower gels have replaced the soggy bar soaps we were used to a few years back. And many manufacturers of skin care lines have produced corresponding body washes and shower gels that use quality ingredients, which don't leave the skin with a soapy residue or feeling dry. Fortunately men have choices, so here are a few of the the best men's body washes.

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Tuesday, 1 March 2011

About Today: Avoid the Flu With These Foods

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Today

From Jen Hubley, your About Today Editor

I am typing this newsletter from within a germ-proof bubble, which I have constructed around my desk to prevent my coworkers from infecting me with the bug of the day. It could be a cold, it could be the flu. Whatever it is, it sounds unpleasant, and I'm hiding til it's over.

Avoid the Flu With These Foods

Option b: I could just start taking better care of myself. It's not as dramatic as my bubble, but it could be helpful. For example, apparently fruit and vegetables are good for you.

See More About: fruits and vegetables colds and flu antioxidants

10 Best Foods to Boost Your Immune System

In general, you can't go wrong by eating better. This is true even when flu season is over.

See More About: cold and flu illness prevention alternative medicine

Improve Your Health With More Sleep

I have been waiting for this advice my whole life: Get more sleep, and (maybe) get fewer colds.

See More About: healthy sleep common cold symptoms immunity

I've Got the Flu. Should I Call in?

Let's say worse comes to worst, and you do get sick. How sick is too sick to come in? Especially if you sit near me?

See More About: influenza infectious diseases medical decision making

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Speedendurance.com

What is the RAST Test for Speed Endurance?

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:00 AM PST

If you liked the article How much Horsepower does Usain Bolt Generate?, you'll love this article.

How much Horsepower does Usain Bolt Generate? The short answer is 2165 Watts. Divide that by 746 watts per horsepower and you get 2.9 HP, very close to 3 horsepower.

For a comparison, assuming 1kg to a height of 1 meter in 1 second = 10 Watts of power, then the WR Deadlift is 6.6 HP for men, 4.2 HP for women. For the Squats WR, we have 7.6 HP for men, 5.2 HP for women.

For a nice graphic on energy systems, see:

http://www.wellhome.com/blog/2010/07/whi44-energy-in-sport/

RAST stands for Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test and was devised at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK. Basically, it uses the power formula to work out the rate at which the athlete is able to work.

RAST Test for Speed Endurance

This involves running 6 x 35m with 10 secs recovery (up and down a 35m portion of track)

The times for each run are measured and then the complicated part starts.

The wattage (or power produced) in each run is the calculated using the following formula

Power = Weight of Athlete (kg) x [ Distance squared (meters) / Time cubed (seconds) ]

For example: Using Usain Bolt's 4.22 35 meter split, and weighing 94kg, the above equation results in 1530 Watts, or divide that by 746 watts per horsepower and you get two horsepower.

What we are trying to measure is the drop-off in performance as the test progresses.

The 3 things we want to measure are:

How much power can be generated?
How much does this level fall by the end of the test?
What is the rate at which the power reduces?

Analysis

Unless you are dogging the workout, the maximum power produced is usually the result of the first run, and maybe the second as you may be more loose. A result of 600-700 watts is reasonable, anything in advance of 1000 watts is excellent, and over 1500 watts is simply world class beyond belief.

The minimum will usually be the very last run with fatigue and lactate setting in. According to the research, a difference of 300 watts from best to worse is okay.

The last criteria is the average rate at which the power production is produced. This is

Rate of Change = (Max Power – Min Power) / Total cumulative time.

If this results is over 10 then the athlete should look at their training program and work harder on speed endurance. A score of under 7 is very good.

Note the biggest factor is the difference in Max Power vs Min Power, which is directly related to your time for the last run.

And you wonder why this Blog is called speedendurance?

If you do the RAST test of 6 x 35m with 10 secs recovery, post your results below.

Christophe Lemaitre 6.58 60m Video, 2011 French Indoor Nationals

Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:00 AM PST

Mike Rodgers should be getting all the attention with a dual sub-6.50 60 meter dash indoors, as he ran 6.49 and 6.48 in the thin air of Albuquerque (5300ft or 1600m elevation).

But the past weekend had Christophe Lemaitre steal the show with a 6.58 60m performance at the 2011 French Indoor Nationals.

You have to understand, Christophe Lemaitre is headline news in France, just like Matt Shirvington was in Australia during his prime. I don't know why, perhaps it's all the hype about a Caucasian runner breaking 10 seconds (been there, done that) , or maybe Caucasian athletes gets better TV coverage. Especially if you have the super good looks of a Shirvington or David Beckham.

In any case, here are two good videos of Christophe Lemaitre running. Front view and a side view videos are provided.

Yes, his left arm flails to the side as opposed to his right arm. Not sure why, but my first suspicion is one leg is longer than the other. You will see that common in distance runners like legendary Bill Rodgers. No body is perfectly symmetrical, hence the reason why you should be doing asymmetrical training! (Where is Adarian Barr when you need him?)

Results:

1st Christophe Lemaitre, 6.58
2nd Martial M’Bandjock, 6.66
3rd Ronald Pognon, 6.70

FRONT VIEW

SIDE VIEW

It is the fashion,it is the world

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

About Today: Get Started Gardening

About Men's Fashion / Grooming: Barbershops Reborn, Asian Hairstyles, Shower Gel

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

About Today: Avoid the Flu With These Foods

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RAST Test for Speed Endurance

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