Crossfitter Brian Mackenzie on running - This is hilarious

What did we decide about the correlation between tattoos and IQ?

This guy just makes me tired... What is with that tattoo? I mean, why tattoo your arm another color?

Couldn't they get rid of the dog prior to the video?

He seems like a nice enough guy, though.

So here's my take on Brian Mackenzie. His program is a common sense way for nonrunners to get faster right now with not a whole lot of work. I think it's good for something like that to exist because most running programs are geared towards running faster over a long career which most people really don't want. Arthur Lydiard has nothing of value for the guy who is doing a tough mudder in 6 weeks. Mackenzie has made a running program for his target audience of crossfit people. That means that it is going to have an emphasis on very little running so it doesn't affect your lifting, it's going to be "intense", it's going to make wild claims about how everyone else is doing it wrong, and it's going to be a patchwork of pseudoscientific theories jumbled together. Yeah the guy doesn't know dick about real running but he's not selling this to you.

Is he the same cross fit clown that has the "pull up" world record? That video makes me hurt from laughter whenever I see it.

Xfitguy_the_real_one_1 wrote:

He's got some good points there. HIIT is far more effective than LSD running.

more effective at what? the body uses multiple energy systems you know.

Does anyone know if there is a relationship between Competitor Group and Crossfit? They seem to devota a lot of space to Crossfit.

For the most part, fat storage does not happen without a spike in insulin. One of the macronutrients causes a spike in insulin levels, and it's not fat or protein. Your comments on saturated fat are uninformed, as is a majority of the world when it comes to saturated fat. Read Good Calories, Bad Calories and then come back to discuss nutrition. It will turn your entire view of nutrition upside down...and no it's not written by a bro crossfitter.

I've seen Mark Allen and Dave Scott in the last year. They looked pretty freaking good by anyone's standard for being in their mid 50s

Holy crap, please tell me you are trolling. If not, I am sorry you are such a sucker.

Carbs carbs carbs wrote:

For the most part, fat storage does not happen without a spike in insulin. One of the macronutrients causes a spike in insulin levels, and it's not fat or protein. Your comments on saturated fat are uninformed, as is a majority of the world when it comes to saturated fat. Read Good Calories, Bad Calories and then come back to discuss nutrition. It will turn your entire view of nutrition upside down...and no it's not written by a bro crossfitter.

1) Protein causes insulin spikes nearly as large, and in some cases, larger, than does carbohydrate. (oh, did I shatter your little "entire view of nutrition" ?)

2) fat will be stored as fat if consumed in excess amounts, period, end of story. what do you think happens to it if consumed in a very large amount, more than is needed for immediate energy or other maintenance functions??? Vanishes into thin? Is pissed out? Jesus man, think.

And 99.9% fat is consumed with protein or carbs, therefore there will be insulin to expedite that process.

3) I am 100000% time more informed than you are about saturated fat, and well, probably almost every topic related to nutrition. The world is right about saturated fat, and fad nutrition people like you are wrong. It high amounts it raised LDL and total cholesterol, which is, seriously, seriously, actually bad for you. Furthermore it has been shown to be stored more readily as body fat than carbs or unsat fats, and has even been to shown to be toxic to pancreatic beta cells. HIGH SAT FAT DIETS (if part of a high calorie diet) lead to insulin resistance and malfunctioning beta cells, the cornerstones of diabetes.

4) Gary Taubes, the author of that stupid book you tout is a jackass unqualified to discuss the topics he thinks he is an expert at and who is completely financially invested in his "theories": his whole life depends on him continuing to push the discredited notions you have apparently bought into. Reading that book would change nothing in my nutrition world view, because I already know what he writes about in the book (have heard him talk, have read excepts), and I know a lot more about nutrition than he does. Its very funny, and sad, that you think it is an awesome book. Nutrition for dummies, literally.

Unlike you I'm not prepared to spend hours arguing about this on a running message board. I am interested in hearing your nutritional credentials since you're a million times more informed than me, and far more intelligent than Taubes. Please tell me your name, educational background, publications, etc. You clearly haven't read the book I mention yet dismiss it as rubbish because you've heard an interview with the author? You're quite a scientist.

On to what I care most about...my own health. When I made the decision to change my diet I went in for a full exam including the full blown NMR

lipid profile. While I looked extremely healthy, and ate a low fat diet that any runner in the world would approve of, I was a very high risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There wasn't a large LDL particle in my body, or very few. A year later after drastically reducing carbohydrates, dramatically increasing fat consumption ( a lot of saturated fat in the form of coconut oil), and marginally increasing protein consumption I saw quite a change. Not the change most would expect. My exercise regimen did not change in the slightest. My body fat was significantly reduced. Most importantly, my lipid profile was DRAMATICALLY improved. Not a small dense particle to be found.

So you can yell and scream and call people idiots all you want. I'd like to hear about some of your specifics.

He's right and Taubes is wrong.

Irregardless is not a word. People who use know any better. And, no, you didn't use the made-up word as "a desire to add emphasis".

You used it as the majority use it; you didn't know any better.

Irregardless is not a word. People who use know any better. And, no, you didn't use the made-up word as "a desire to add emphasis".

You used it as the majority use it; you didn't know any better.

he should think about the fact that this site has sub three hour marathoners that train less than 4 hours a week if they even get the time to train at all.

This continues to be proof that crossfitters are fools only trying to bask in the limelight.

Actually it seems like you are. In fact I am the one not willing to spend the time trying to convince you of something you likely won't buy into anyway. I could literally spend the next 3 day pulling research form my electronic library (full journal articles I've downloaded, read over several times, analyzed, and saved, not the pub med abstracts, or popular press summaries) refuting you and Gary Taubes. But I won't spend the time because then you'll say..."but Gary Taubes said...", and then we are back to square one.

I have a master's degree in nutrition, am a credentialed dietitian, have published, and as stated above, have voraciously read all sides of the debate about macronutrients, etc. I am not giving my name. Of course I am not famous, but if you are confusing fame with knowledge you are sadly mistaken. Remind me again what Taubes' credentials are? Exactly. (and I've read excerpts of Taubes' books, and read his articles, and heard him interviewed. I am not prejudging, I know what his philosophy is)

That's a nice anecdote, but it doesn't mean a thing. You've given us zero details of your little experiment other than a few rough generalities on what was "wrong" with, what changed in your diet, and what is "right" with you now. Sorry but that's worthless as some example.

And I like how you "made the decision to change your diet" BEFORE you went in to get the lipid profile. You were already convinced you were unhealthy and your diet was unhealthy.

You also give yourself away as being part of the Taubesian/paleo/atkins cult with all the usual catchphrases: coconut oil (the elixir of the gods), small dense particles, Gary Taubes, Good Calories Bad Calories, etc.

Yes the size and density of one's LDL particles does seems to matter (though there are differing opinions on to what degree it matters) but you guys are ignoring the IMMENSE amount of research that still supports the relationship between high total and LDL cholesterol LEVELS (regardless of particle size and density) and atherosclerosis. High sat fat diet proponents love to ignore this fact (or state that is not one), and love to tout the fact that high sat fat diets are often associated with rises in HDL, and then proclaim that HDL is really all that matters. Unfortunately an important study that was just published has a cast a great deal of doubt on the importance or association of a high HDL and with a healthy heart. On the other hand, the connection between high LDL and heart disease has been strengthened. Gary Taubes can put that on his bacon and eat it.

Respond if you want, but I'm done. People who have bought into a diet "philosophy" like Taubes' (and that is what it is, a philosophy, not a science), are impossible to make change their minds. Sadly, for many, even science is about ideology these days.

Sorry but I don't believe you won't respond:). Sure I could give you all the fine print of my tests, you'll just scoff anyway. More interesting would be to hear about your individual tests, assuming you've ever had them done. Don't bother telling me about it if it's not NMR. There's just as much data supporting my point of view, and most of it more recent.

Nothing of what I type on an anonymous message board holds any weight, but everything you write on an anonymous message board should be taken as gospel. Gotcha. And no, I never said fame equates with knowledge. You put those words in my mouth...thanks for that. Anybody who has gigawatts of electronic articles stored and has been published like you probably has a name. I'd be curious to read your stuff and see where you've been published.

I'd do you the same but I have no credentials. I'm a simple man who read a few books, bought into what they were saying, changed my diet, made sure to test myself before and after the change to judge for myself whether the change helped, and feel good about the results. How's that for a run-on sentence? Enjoy the day.

common fellas. Let's stick to crossfit bashing here...

Run_runner, thanks for reminding me about why I actually started reading this! However, I'm prepared to tie all the tangents of this particular message board thread together...

1) Oddly enough, I was actually enjoying the spat between these two on nutrition. I have a whole family dead set on the Atkins diet, and I buy into it slightly, but realize it's not the end all be all of proper nutrition. Especially because I have some undergrad credits in nutrition too. Interesting stuff though! Keep arguing guys.

2) Irregardless - no one understands it better than Family Guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StJ-OK4jiSY

3) CrossFit sucks! However, I love watching the competitions on TV, but those guys (and gals) have got nothing on Ninja Warrior!

I heard the winner of Ninja Warrior runs sub 15 5k time trials as part of his training. Those guys are LEGIT.