Tuesday February 9, 2010
I get a lot of questions from runners who think they may have a running injury, but aren't quite sure. As you increase your distance and intensity, it's normal to feel some discomfort, such as sore muscles. Sometimes you'll feel soreness when you first start your run, but it feels better as you warm up and continue running.
It's also normal to feel pain in your joints, especially your knees, when the cushioning in your running shoes is shot and you need to replace them. When your shoes are the culprit, you'll most likely feel the pain on both sides, and it will clear up within a week or two of getting new running shoes.
You should be on the lookout for pain that causes you to run with a limp or altered stride, or pain that keeps getting worse as you continue running. If you notice any of those red flags, you should stop running immediately and take a few days off.
Sports Medicine Guide Elizabeth has a very helpful list of sports injury warning signs, such as joint pain, tenderness at a specific point, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Check out her article and see if your pain sounds like it already is or could develop into a running injury. If that's the case, don't ignore those symptoms and make sure you get it checked out by a doctor.
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Monday February 8, 2010
Feeling a little guilty about overindulging yesterday during the big game? Try one of these speed workouts today to burn some major calories and ease your guilt.
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Friday February 5, 2010
The cold weather in many parts of the U.S. means that finding a local road race can be difficult this time of year. But here's an opportunity to run a race "virtually" and help a very needy cause.
MapMyRun and New York Road Runners have teamed up to present a 4-Mile Virtual Run/Walk to Benefit Haiti, an opportunity to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake. One hundred percent of the event's entry fees will go to support New York City's Haiti Relief Fund.
To participate in the 4-Mile Virtual Run/Walk to Benefit Haiti, runners and walkers can register on-line and map out qualifying distances on MapMyRun.com. You can then walk or run the four miles anywhere in the world between Feb. 19-24, and upload your times to the event website. Post-race, you can check back to see how you finished compared to other runners and walkers -- both those who competed virtually, and those who ran or walked in the live Run for Haiti to be held on February 20 in New York City's Central Park.
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Wednesday February 3, 2010
Today is National Girls & Women in Sports Day, so I thought it would be a great day to highlight some women-only and female-friendly races around the U.S. If you're interested in any of these, don't wait too long to register - many of these popular events sell out quickly!
More Magazine + Fitness Magazine Half-Marathon: This 13.1-mile race, sponsored by More and Fitness magazines, takes place in New York's Central Park on April 25. Open to women only, this race is very friendly to run/walkers and walkers, as long as they finish within the 3:30 time limit.
Leading Ladies Marathon: If you're looking for a marathon that's women-only, check out this one in Spearfish, South Dakota. The course is described as a "scenic, serene, spectacular and gentle down-hill 26.2-mile journey through Spearfish Canyon." Held on August 15 this year, it also includes a women-only half marathon.
Nike's Women's Marathon: If the spectacular San Francisco views aren't enough incentive to run this race, you might be enticed by the Tiffany necklace given to all finishers. Runners also love the massages, manicures, and yoga classes at the Nike Expotique, as well as the Ghirardelli chocolate stop. And, despite the marathon's name and all the amenities, the race is open to men, too. This year the race will be held on October 17. Check the Nike website for registration information soon.
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