Tag Archives: marathon

Marathon Runners Can Rock and Roll Again

While training for my first marathon (way) back in 1999, the one thing I never left home without was my Walkman. I’m not sure if I could have pushed myself to run 50 plus miles per week for nearly three months without Sarah McLachlan, Bono, Sting, Hootie, and company helping me pace myself along those lonely Wisconsin back roads. I turned to them again on race day and they didn’t falter. In fact, their performance was more consistent than my own. Of course, I wasn’t the only runner getting assistance from their favorite singers the day of the marathon. Thousands … Continue reading →

The Best Part of Marathon Training: Tapering

With just over a week to go until the Honolulu Marathon, several of my close friends are entering my favorite part of marathon training—-tapering. In just a few short days my childhood friends will join about 25,000 other runners from around the world to participate in one of the largest marathons in the universe. To prepare for the 26.2-mile trek my friends have been diligently training for months and today marks the last of their major workouts. Let the tapering begin. Studies show that it is now too late for any of them to build up more endurance or speed. … Continue reading →

Looking for a Treadmill this Christmas?

If so, then you know it’s not as easy as banging out a letter to Santa and waking up to a PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR under the Christmas tree. Unless you are getting the exact replica of the treadmill you run on at the gym everyday, then you really need to do your homework. Treadmills come in a variety of sizes and feature a wide range of price tags. In a previous blog I listed some of Consumer Reports top picks for fold-up treadmills. If you have the space to accommodate a traditional nonfolding treadmill, fitness experts recommend you consider … Continue reading →

Treadmill Shopping Tips

Someone in America spent this Black Friday braving cutthroat crowds to snag a deal on a treadmill. It wasn’t me, but I did see quite a number of door buster ads featuring outstanding deals on popular home gym equipment. If you weren’t one of the brave fitness buffs who woke up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of deep discounts on treadmills, but you are still hoping one lands under your tree this Christmas, then this blog might be useful. Recently, Consumer Reports rated some of the best moderately priced treadmills on the market. The following machines scored … Continue reading →

Fitness Week in Review: November 11-17, 2008

We are 10 days away from the holiday gluttons most adore—-Thanksgiving. If you plan to pig out on Turkey Day, you might consider perusing the following FITNESS blogs. Whether you choose to burn off holiday calories by taking an extra long run or you want to learn how to curb your addiction to chocolate we’ve got you covered: November 11th—–Running: It’s All About the Shoes. Before you set out to shed pounds via running it is imperative that you purchase the right shoes. This blog provides helpful tips on what you should look for in proper-fitting running shoe. November 12th—–Running: … Continue reading →

Runners vs. Drivers—Sharing the Road with Lunatics on Four Wheels

Granted I have never been pelted with a half-eaten jelly donut while cruising down the street on my morning run, but I’ve had my share of empty plastic bottles hurled in my direction over the years. Runners (all 41 million of us in this country, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association) often become targets of lunatics behind the wheel regardless of whether or not we deserve to be. Okay, “deserve” may be a bit strong, though I’ve seen many a runner darting through intersections, cutting off vehicles and sprinting in the middle of public streets. This lack of running … Continue reading →

Running: It’s All About the Shoes–Part 2

Now that you’ve determined that you need a new pair of running shoes (the forefoot is shifted medially and laterally or you’re always suffering injury) and you’ve found the best place to shop, consider the following tips to get the right fit: Work the Shoe. Experts recommend that you leave a finger’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Meaning each shoe you try on should have an index finger’s width between your longest toe and the end of the toe box. Once you get the shoe on don’t be afraid to move around in it. … Continue reading →

Getting Fit: No More Excuses

With the holidays fast approaching many people find themselves sucked into the shopping vortex. To-do lists are growing and finding time to get everything done is challenging to say the least. The months of November and December are also the time of year when many people slack on their fitness routines because they simply can’t find the time to get in a workout. Personally, I feel the opposite should be true. This is the time of year when you should try even harder to maintain your exercise regimen. After all, most of us tend to eat more during the holiday … Continue reading →

Celebrity Marathon Runners

Celebrities were out in full force in New York today. Not for a movie premiere or an awards show; rather, a handful of determined stars were sweating it out in the Big Apple for the 2008 New York City Marathon. This year’s biggest celeb finisher was actor Ryan Reynolds. Scarlett Johansson’s better half crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 50 minutes—-better than the four-hour target he was aiming for. “I’m still standing. I’m very excited about that,” Reynolds told reporters after finishing the 26.2-mile course. “It was an incredible experience.” Unlike some other race participants who entered to test … Continue reading →

Exceeding Government Fitness Recommendations

The majority of the posts in this blog speak to individuals who lack motivation to get off the couch and exercise, and to those who struggle to find 30 minutes per day to get to the gym. But what about the “others?” The people who start off their days pumping iron on their home elliptical machines while waiting for their running partners, and wondering if they can get in a bike ride before the roads ice over? Yes, these types of individuals do exist. In fact, government health officials are taking fitness fanatics’ actions into consideration as well. New studies … Continue reading →