Fitness PR: It’s warming up in the big apple, a time when we start to see those that have gained a few pounds over the winter looking to increase their cardio and drop the weight. Some turn to indoor exercise while others elect to run through our cities parks, alongside our highways and up and down our mega city blocks. Pierce Mattie PR caught up with Dr. Jason Karp aka Coach Jason and The Running Coach. This is what he had to share with us if you are thinking of taking up running this season…
Tell us a little bit about your background, services to your clients provided and how you got started running.
It all started with a race once around the track in sixth grade. There was something exciting about running faster than the guy in the lane next to you, something intriguing about how to do it. Since then, I have been fascinated with the science of athletic performance.
While I didn't know at the time exactly what form my career would take, I knew that one of the things I wanted to do was coach, so I took the steps necessary to become as educated as I could in the field of exercise science. I wanted to be the best, so I searched for schools where I could rub elbows with the best. After completing my master's degree, I took a job as a head college cross country coach, being one of the youngest in the country. I also coached high school cross country and track. When I went back to school for my Ph.D., I started coaching privately, with one runner whom I met through a running group. While coaching this runner, who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, I decided that this was the route I wanted to go. So I created a website, drafted a contract, and started a coaching business. Now I coach runners all over the country and train other clients in the San Diego area who want to lose weight and get fit. My service can be best described as passionate and science-driven.
What should new runners be aware of when taking up this sport?
If they keep at it until it becomes natural, they will get to experience many great things. The human body is great at adapting to stress when that stress is applied in small doses. Most new runners get injured because they increase the stress too much too quickly. Focus on improving endurance first, speed later.
There are many benefits that running confers -- it lowers blood pressure, decreases the risk for cardiovascular disease, increases bone mineral density, decreases cholesterol, improves cognitive function, and increases self-esteem.
What is your favorite brand of running shorts?
Nike, Hind, or any other brand that makes split shorts of Cool-Max material. The brand doesn't matter as much as the functionality of the equipment. Same is true for shoes. I get asked all the time which are the best running shoes. There is no best brand or type of running shoe. The best running shoe is the one that matches your foot type (high arch, normal arch, or low arch) and running mechanics (pronation or supination).
What is a good diet or meal plan for the running lifestyle
While proponents of diets like Atkins and South Beach would have the public believe that carbohydrate is some kind of poison, carbohydrates are actually a runner's best friend. Since running requires the use of carbohydrates, it's important to have a diet high in carbohydrates. There are a lot of different foods that runners can eat. Some of my own published research has shown that chocolate milk, which is high in carbohydrates and protein, is a great post-workout recovery drink. To list a menu of foods for runners to eat throughout the day would be a huge task since there are so many different foods runners can eat. Runners need the same nutrients as does everyone else; they just need more carbohydrates to restock their energy stores after running.
How can our readers get in-touch with you?
They can email me at Jason @ RunCoachJason DOT com
Posted by Pierce Mattie on April 16, 2010 7:59 AM
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