Joggling lemons

What’s next after joggling oranges? Why joggling lemons, of course! I managed to do this for 4.8 miles yesterday, dropping them a bunch of times. Although they weighed less than the oranges I joggled a few weeks ago, their shape makes them a little more difficult to handle. The protruding ends of the lemons would sometimes stab the palms of my hands a bit, causing a little pain. This isn’t an issue with most oranges. The lemons averaged about 4.75 ounces each, just slightly more than my usual Sil-X juggling balls(a little more than 4 ounces). The oranges I juggled a few weeks ago were nearly twice as heavy, and because of this, they really slowed me down.

With all the drops, and stopping to take photos, my timing is irrelevant. Besides, this was also a strength-training day, and I usually can’t run fast on strength days. I had Led Zeppelin’s “The Lemon Song” playing in my head during this run.

One of the things that I like the most about joggling fruits is the novelty of it. I am so used to joggling with the same old balls, it gets a little boring at times. It’s no longer as challenging as it used to be. So it’s nice to be able to joggle with something different for a change. It feels like it is more brain stimulating, to juggle fruits that are each slightly different in shape, weight, and texture, unlike a set of balls which are uniform. So I have to focus a little more on my juggling pattern while running, and make the proper calculations and adjustments. This may help improve my joggling.

As the old saying among jogglers goes, “When life throws you lemons, joggle them!”. In case you’re wondering, I am not sure who was the first to say this.

I’m also not sure what I am going to do with the lemons. Make lemonade? Lemon pie? I appreciate any suggestions!

Besides being a lot of fun, lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C. For more nutrition facts about lemons, check out: Nutrition Data on Lemons

Effects of stair-climbing on running performance

Jacob’s Ladder, on Saint Helena Island is one of the longest staircases in the world. It is made up of 699 steps and ascends 183 metres (600 ft). Imagine going up these stairs every day. Source, Wikipedia.

Isn’t it fun running up long staircases, and being out of breath when you reach the top? It’s such a great way to get some quick vigorous exercise in office buildings, shopping malls, or wherever there are stairs. I do it whenever I can, and I encourage everyone to take the stairs wherever you see them.

The stairs in the above photo remind me of the classic Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven“, because of how far up that staircase goes. But now let’s get down to business: how good of an exercise is stair-climbing compared to running, and can it improve running performance? According to California State University, Northridge, in Effects of stair-climbing vs run training on treadmill and track running performance:

Physically active college age women were evaluated to determine the effects of 9 wk of stair-climbing (Stairmaster Gauntlet) vs run training on 2414-m run time and treadmill measured aerobic capacity (VO2max) and submaximal physiological parameters. Subjects were randomly assigned to a stair-climbing (STAIR N = 11) (43.8 +/- 1.5 ml.kg-1.min-1) (mean +/- SEM) or run training (RUN N = 12) (44.2 +/- 1.8) group, training 4 d.wk-1 at 70-80% of maximum heart rate (MHR) for 30 min progressing to 85-90% MHR for 45 min. The STAIR group significantly increased (P < 0.01) their VO2max by 12% and decreased (P < 0.01) their 2414-m run time of 12.8 min by 8%. The RUN group increased (P < 0.01) their VO2max 16% and decreased run time (P < 0.01) 11% from 13.1 min. Submaximal treadmill runs at the same speed and grade demonstrated significant decreases in %VO2max and % MHR (P < 0.01) for both groups. The data support the use of stair-climbing exercise as an alternative mode to running with similar treadmill and running performance results subsequent to 9 wk of training.

Looks pretty good to me. I used to do a lot of indoor stair-climbing during the winter months as a substitute for outdoor running when there was too much snow on the ground. Once the snow melted, it felt like I didn’t miss a day of running. If there is any heavy snow this winter, I will do my best to run through it, since I prefer outdoor to indoor exercise, even in the freezing cold. I will still always use the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

Related articles:

Quick Stair Workout – W1D5

What kind of music do you listen to while joggling?

I am sometimes asked what kind of music I listen to while joggling and if it helps. Now while I never run or joggle with an MP3 player or any music-playing device, I still often listen to music playing in my head, and sometimes hum along to it.

My musical tastes are eclectic. While joggling I often listen to Bach, bebop jazz, or heavy metal. When I am not joggling, I usually listen to classic rock or classical music.

Because of the supreme importance of maintaining a rhythm while joggling, my mind is often searching for music that fits the joggling rhythm. This isn’t always easy. Sometimes I’ll ever make up music in my head while joggling to accompany and perhaps even enhance the rhythmic/musical aspect of joggling; going up and down hills and spinning around a lot make for some exciting music. Sometimes it is like conducting a symphony while running and juggling.

Like I have often said before, I often think of joggling as more of a form of dance than a form of running. I think the conceptual framework of dance helps prepare your mind better for the rhythm of joggling. The “running” is just an illusion. Music is a very important part of dance, and becoming one with the music is important to becoming a skilled dancer.

This isn’t meant to obsfuscate matters. Joggling involves a lot of science and art, but I think more art. Without art, without that human touch and human emotion, science becomes meaningless.

Through knowledge gained by science, we can improve our art, and the art of living. Live a healthy life, and you can do more amazing things, like joggling, or dancing or climbing mountains or traveling to a lot of different places and absorbing the culture.

So bask in music while running, your own music or other peoples music. Make sure it is inspiring.

What kind of music do you listen to while exercising? I’m always looking for new ideas!