McSnow's Raging Episcopalians

For anyone who has a Droid phone this is the best timer for running intervals or timing workouts. Its a great app for those of us who are Crossfit training, need an interval timer, are tabata training, running, using the c25k program or just need to time something.The features of this timer are as follows:

Merge several sets into large workout
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Warning ticks
- Advanced sound settings
- Skip forward in workout



.

Are you willing to believe that aerobic exercise can actually make you smarter? Scientists across the globe have been studying the effects of exercise on the brain. They have been using a wide variety of test subjects from lab rats to college students to find out what happens to the brain when we workout. In one study in Taiwan scientists had two groups of mice swim a water maze and in a separate trial had them endure an unpleasant stimulus to see how quickly they would learn to move away from it. For the next four weeks they allowed one group of mice to run inside their rodent wheels. The mice who exercised were better at learning to avoid the unpleasant situation. Whereas the mice who didn't get on tiny treadmills had a harder time learning to stay away from the unpleasant stimuli (whatever it was?). The mice who exercised showed molecular changes to several parts of their brains and the the mice who didn't only showed changes in one part of their brains. So the conclusion of that study?:

“Our results support the notion that different forms of exercise induce neuroplasticity changes in different brain regions,” Chauying J. Jen, a professor of physiology and an author of the study

So what does that mean for us?Mr.Ratey, author of the upcoming book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain says:

Researchers are realizing that the mental effects of exercise are far more profound and complex than they once thought. The process starts in the muscles. Every time a bicep or quad contracts and releases, it sends out chemicals, including a protein called IGF-1 that travels through the bloodstream, across the blood-brain barrier and into the brain itself. There, IGF-1 takes on the role of foreman in the body's neurotransmitter factory. It issues orders to ramp up production of several chemicals, including one called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF.

Ratey, calls this molecule "Miracle-Gro for the brain." It fuels almost all the activities that lead to higher thought. So it is true that exercise can make you smarter! So why don't we all get out there and become more intelligent by running, jumping and playing.

If your a person who would like to be fit and be able to run, but always find yourself saying "I can't" or " I don't know how to begin". Team McSnow's is here to help get you started. Maybe you have heard of it or not, but there is an awesome program created by Josh Clark called "couch to 5K" that over the period of 8 weeks takes you from walking and running short distances to running 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) non-stop!



Its super easy to do and fun to do with friends! So whats the hold up go to http://www.coolrunning.com to get started today!

Last years top female 5K runner @ burn your lungs and honorary member of McSnow's, Sarah Rosas won't be running with us this year due to two stress fractures in her ankle. But I am happy to report that she will be there cheering us all on!!
Everyone on Team McSnow's are wishing Sarah a speedy recovery!

Team McSnow's is getting ready for the annual "Burn Your Lungs Run", our team is "SUPER PUMPED". Not only are we going to dominate, we get to spend time together.  This run is during the Oyster Ridge Music Festival and takes place July 30th at 8:00 am. There will be a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k race. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 females of each race. I hope you all register (registration includes a t-shirt, snacks and gatoraid at aid stations and free swag from the events sponsors.)  and join us on race day! On-line registration for "Burn Your Lungs" @ active.com

When you see us run you'll think to yourselfs "WOW, they are awesome!!!"