Drinking Tart Cherry Juice Following Strenuous Exercise May Be Beneficial

In a placebo-controlled study involving 20 recreational marathon runners, results indicate that consumption of tart cherry juice may enable recovery following a marathon run. The subjects were assigned to consume cherry juice or placebo for 5 days before, the day of and for 48 hours following a marathon run. Isometric strength recovery was significantly faster in the cherry juice group, compared with the placebo group. Additionally, inflammation and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive species) were reduced and total antioxidant status increased in the cherry juice group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “The cherry juice appears to provide a viable means to aid recovery following strenuous exercise by increasing total antioxidative capacity, reducing inflammation, lipid peroxidation and so aiding in the recovery of muscle function.”

Reference: “Influence of tart cherry juice on indices of recovery following marathon running,” Howatson G, Howatson SA, et al, Scand J Med Sci Sports, 2009 Oct 21; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: School of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK).

Warm Pool Water Question Discussed in SWIMMER, the official magazine of U. S. Masters Swimming

The new issue, (November/December 2009, page 15), of SWIMMER, the official magazine of U.S. Masters Swimming, answers a readers question about pool water temperature. His "home" pool keeps the water temperature between 78 and 80 degrees but when he travels, he sometimes swims in pools where the temperatures range anywhere from 84 to 88 degrees. He has a difficult time working out in water that warm and wonders if, "there is something wrong with me?"

The question is answered in depth by U.S. Masters Swimming's Sports Medicine and Science Committe. If you don't have this issue of SWIMMER, you can read their COMPLETE answer on the 2nd page of this linked PDF file -- CLICK HERE to read it. If you can't read the PDF file, just find a fellow swimmer who still has his/her copy of SWIMMER!

Images From West Neck Beach: November 7, 2009

It was high tide and sunny when I got to West Neck Beach around 2:15pm this Saturday. No swimmers in the water but there were a surprising number of cars in the parking lot. More people seemed to be staying their cars enjoying the views of Cold Spring Harbor than those who ventured out for a stroll on the beach. Maybe I just got there at the wrong time!

There were a few sailboats out and about and , I suppose, if you were properly dressed it really was a great day for sailing -- maybe not swimming, but sailing would be OK. When do most boat owners pull their boats out of the water? I guess it depends... some of our local sailors could certainly comment on this subject.

As you can tell from how the sun was hitting the water, I'm still not really used to Standard Time -- 2:15pm and the sun was already well to the west! Standard Time? I'm still stuck wishing it was summer!

If you look close in the shot above, you can see one of Yellow Buoys -- this one almost looks like it's halfway to Connecticut -- it isn't!

With a little help from Photoshop, I managed to squeeze out some Fall Colors in the picture below.

Harry Slutter (Swimmer, Biker, Runner), is also a WINNING Photographer

Please join Harry on Saturday November 28th 2009 for the 5th National photography Exhibition at Foto Foto Gallery in Huntington, NY. The Opening Reception, (to which YOU are invited!), is Saturday, 11/28/2009 from 5 to 7pm.

Click HERE to take a look at some of the photos in this remarkable exhibition.

The Water-Log: Pulling the Plug on November 1, 2009

It doesn't look really inviting does it? The Beach, (low tide and FULL of rocks); the Water, (kind of gray and cold); the Sky, (well, we certainly have swum under worse looking skies!). In any event, conditions were far from ideal so Carol decided to "Pull-the-Plug" on Open Water Swimming at West Neck Beach for 2009. Below is her story, (pictures are her's as well!):

Well, it looks like the open-water swimmers have said "No" to November....Even I couldn't bring myself to take the plunge on this cold, damp, dreary and miserable November 1st. I'm thinking the 2009 open-water swimming season may truly be over, and I'll have to wait until next year to test out my new insulated booties and gloves!

It does seem like the end came unusually quickly this year, though -- my last OWS last year was November 7th, and I believe our favorite Canadian Rob Martell was still cavorting in the salt in December! Who knew we'd miss our ozone layer so much?

I did get myself to West Neck Beach this afternoon, though, for one last look and a few farewell picures of a vista that I expect I won't be seeing again for a few more months (very few, I hope!). Until then, it's back to the pool for me, and for my open-water brethren (and sisthren). That means I'll be pulling the plug on "The Water-Log" (unless, of course, we get a sudden blast of Florida weather!), but that doesn't mean you won't be hearing from me...Stay tuned for "The Chlorine Chronicles," or maybe, "The Perils of Chlorine"!! -- Carol

EDITORS NOTE: Wouldn't you know that as soon as Carol decided to leave West Neck Beach till 2010, the clouds should part and blue skies reign... it was as if the very beach itself was inviting us back to swim again! And, you know what -- We''ll be back!