Ice or Heat on a Running Injury?
Friday May 9, 2008
I recently received this question from a runner: "After a recent run, my shins started to hurt. One running friend told me to ice them, but then someone else told me to put heat on them. What's the best pain relief?" Get the answer to when you should use heat or ice on injuries.
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5 Smart Eating Rules for Runners
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Runners need to eat healthy to fuel their workouts properly and help build stronger bodies. Follow these sensible and healthful eating rules to get the most out of your food -- and your runs.
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Does Running Outside Burn More Calories?
Tuesday May 6, 2008
Yes it does, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Some studies have shown that in general, people burn about 5 percent more calories when running outside versus running on a treadmill. The reasons? You won't encounter wind resistance on a treadmill and you also get assistance from the treadmill belt. In addition, adults run more slowly and with shorter strides when they set their own pace on treadmills. Of course, running on a treadmill may help keep you injury-free: Research has shown that treadmill runners suffer fewer stress injuries in their legs than outdoor runners.
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Marathon Runner Catches Up To Thief
Saturday May 3, 2008
Have you ever imagined that you're chasing someone or someone is pursuing you during a speed workout? Well, a St. Paul, Minn. man did it for real recently, when he wouldn't let a thief get away with stealing from a coffee shop. Mark Laliberte, a marathon runner, happened to be passing by when two men jimmied a register and stole $350. After a brief struggle, one of the suspects ran off and got a 30-yard lead on Laliberte. As he took off after the suspect, the marathon runner knew his training would kick in.
"It was inevitable I was going to catch him," he said. "He kept looking back pretty surprised that I was keeping up with him and gaining pretty good too." Read the whole story.
Celebrate Mom's Day with a Run
Thursday May 1, 2008
Mother's Day is right around the corner and running a race is a fun and healthy way to spend the day. Check out active.com's list of Mother's Day races around the country. Many of them include kids' races, so your little ones can join in the fun. If the list doesn't include one in your area, type in your zip code to find one near you.
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Contests for Runners
Wednesday April 30, 2008
Coming in first at a road race isn't the only way for runners to win. Check out these sweepstakes with great prizes geared toward running enthusiasts.
- Win a Running Retreat With Jeff Galloway
- Win a Chicago Marathon Entry and Trip
- Win 100 Pairs of Shoes and $3,000
Enter now for your chance to win a trip to Florida to attend a Jeff Galloway Running Retreat.
You and a guest could get an entry to the Chicago Marathon (which is otherwise sold-out), plus airfare and hotel, courtesy of Runner's World!
Enter for a chance to win 100 pairs of running shoes and $3,000 cash from New Balance. (Hurry, this one expires today!)
How to Keep a Training Log
Monday April 28, 2008
If you're just beginning your training for an upcoming race, or you're maybe trying to lose some weight, it's a great time to start tracking your progress. Here's what you need to know to start a training journal.
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Running By Time vs. Distance
Friday April 25, 2008
I'm one of those people who loves to know how fast and far I'm running. Occasionally, I try to run by time, but I get frustrated not knowing my pace and distance. However, I know that it's beneficial to sometimes run for time, rather than focusing on the miles. Here are some reasons why:
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- If you're not focused on pace, you'll run based on how you feel. So, on days when you're not feeling great or the conditions are lousy, you won't force yourself to go for your miles or feel guilty if you don't cover the distance. Instead, you'll run for your goal time at the right pace.
- It helps you prevent boredom and explore new routes more easily because you're not worried about the mileage.
- If you always run by distance, you might be tempted to push the pace and always hit a certain pace per mile during each run, rather than varying the intensity of your workouts.
- It makes running on vacation (or during other traveling) much simpler because you don't have to measure unfamiliar running routes.
Tips for Your First Road Race
Wednesday April 23, 2008
So you've done your training for your first 5K or 10K -- the race distances that are good for first-timers. As your race day approaches, you may have some questions and concerns about what to expect on race day. If you're fairly new to running, these race day tips will help you have a smooth race experience and prevent you from looking like a newbie.
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Recycle Your Running Shoes for Earth Day
Tuesday April 22, 2008
If you're like me, you have a couple pairs of old running shoes in the back of the closet, in the trunk of your car, maybe even under your bed. I don't have any plans to bronze any of my shoes, so I'd love to donate them and give them a second life. Here's what you can do with your old running shoes after you've moved on to a new pair:
- Donate them to Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program. Nike collects worn-out athletic shoes (any brand, not just Nike) and recycles them (rather than going into landfills) into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for kids around the world.
- Give them to the Shoe Bank, an organization provides shoes for twenty thousand people every year -- primarily children, both in the U.S. and abroad.
- Send them to Sole Responsibility, a non-profit organization started by runners in Ottawa, Canada who donate gently used running and walking shoes to needy people overseas.