Tuesday 20 March 2007

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Alert

Posted by speedygeoff on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 with
Quote of the day: "There is still no cure for the common birthday." - John Glenn

Report on Monday night training - I ran about 40 laps of Parliament House car park, owing to the non-clement weather outside. On arriving home afterwards, I did a few moments research on the affect carbon monoxide can have. "Carbon monoxide (CO) binds to haemoglobin with a higher affinity (200x greater) than oxygen, and at the same binding site. Consequently, carbon monoxide will bind haemoglobin preferentially over oxygen when both are present in the lungs - even small amounts of carbon monoxide can dramatically reduce the ability of haemoglobin to transport oxygen. Levels as low as 0.02% carbon monoxide can cause headaches and nausea, while a concentration of 0.1% can lead to unconsciousness. This accounts for the suffocation caused by carbon monoxide fumes, such as from the exhaust of a car engine." All of which convinces me we might run in the rain next time, instead of in the underground car park... even when it is raining cats, dogs, ducks and geese.

Canberra Marathon

Now that early entries have closed, the Canberra marathon entry list makes interesting reading; although still incomplete, for instance Helen's name is missing, she assures me she has entered; speedy geese include Maria and Charlie as well as Helen, entering their first marathon; Roger with a pb of 3:18.08; Emma with a pb of 4:00.40; Strewth 3:58.44; CJ 3:26.40; Griffin 3:27.03; Richard 2:55.58; and me, happy to be ensured a single digit chest number and uncertain of placing in the M55s as there appear to be at least three much faster M55 entrants including locals Trevor Jacobs and Peter Clarke, you others know who you are.

Late entries will be taken on the day. But so far, ten of us are having a go.