Monday December 7, 2009
One of the biggest complaints I hear about running outside in the cold weather is, "My toes are so cold!" Follow these tips for keeping your feet warm on those cold runs:
- Wear the right socks. Be sure to wear a good pair of wicking socks made of fabrics such as acrylic, CoolMax, or wool. Never wear cotton socks (in cold or warm weather) when running because they won't wick away the moisture, leaving your feet wet and at risk for frostbite. Check out these suggestions for cold weather running socks.
- Put hand warmers in your running shoes. Some runners on the team that I coach swear by Grabber Hand Warmers for really cold days. They're easy to use: Just take them out of the package and put them inside your sock, on top of your toes. Once your feet warm up, you can take them out so you don't overheat.
- Choose the right shoes. For cold weather running, look for a running shoe with as little mesh as possible, since that's where the cold wind or water will get through to chill your feet. If you can't avoid running in the snow or slush, you may want to think about buying trail running shoes, which are somewhat water-proof and will give you a little more traction in the snow.
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Sunday December 6, 2009
Runners can be very particular when it comes to running gear and clothes, so shopping for them can be tough. If you're shopping for your favorite runner, here are some gifts to avoid:
1. Sweats: Sweatpants and sweatshirts were once popular cold weather running attire. Remember Rocky Balboa trudging down the streets of Philadelphia in those generic gray sweats? But with the advent of running clothes made from technical fabrics, sweats are really considered "old school" among runners. Technical fabrics, such as DriFit, are much more comfortable because they wick away sweat and keep you dry.
2. Cotton T-shirts: No matter how cute the T-shirt, most runners don't want to run in cotton. Like sweats (see above), cotton shirts hold sweat, which will make you cold during winter running. Running in cotton shirts in hot weather can lead to problems such as nipple chafing. In addition, most runners already have a stack of cotton T-shirts from various races they've run.
3. Hand-held stopwatch: Runners don't want to hold onto a watch during their runs and they certainly don't want to wear one hanging from a strap around their neck. A simple running wristwatch (like the Timex Ironman) would be much more appreciated.
4. Running shoes: All runners need specific running shoes, based on their foot type and running form. If a runner has never been fitted for running shoes, it's best for him to go to a specialty running store to find the right shoes. Unless you happen to know the brand, model, and size of their favorite running shoes, don't risk buying a runner shoes that they can't use.
5. Memorabilia from a race they haven't run: You may think your favorite runner will love a shirt from the Boston Marathon, even though he's never done it. But many runners consider it bad luck or bad race etiquette to wear clothes from a race they didn't run. No one wants to admit to someone, "Well, um, actually, no, I didn't run that race."
So what should you get your favorite runners? Check out these running gift lists for ideas:
Friday December 4, 2009
Last Christmas, one of my favorite gifts was an exercise ball from my husband. I know it sounds crazy that I'd be thrilled with a big, inflatable ball. Some people might have been offended by such a gift. ("So, are you saying I need to work on my abs?!") But, for me, the gift was thoughtful. A couple of months earlier, I had casually mentioned something about wanting to get a fitness ball (for postpartum exercise) and then forgot about it. So I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the gift and realized that he had listened to me and really thought about what I wanted.
Giving fitness gifts can be a tricky area because you don't want the recipient to read too much into it or be disappointed by a "practical" gift. I like to think of fitness gifts the same way I offer fitness advice. If someone asks me about running, I'm happy to answer all their questions, give them some training advice, and support them however I can. But I don't like to force running on someone who shows absolutely no interest.
The same goes for fitness gifts. If someone has never mentioned running to me, I'm not going to give them a book about running. But, when someone shares your love of running, it can be fun and satisfying to give them running gear or clothes. For instance, I recently gave my friend Kerri, who just completed her second marathon, a long-sleeve running shirt for her birthday. She loved it and said it would inspire her to run outdoors more in the colder weather.
Do you have advice about when running or fitness gifts are appropriate? Share your tips in the comments section.
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Thursday December 3, 2009
One of my running pet pevees is when runners run with loose change or keys in their pockets. When I'm running behind someone who's jingling and clanging, the noise drives me crazy enough that I have to speed up to get away from him. (So I guess I can thank jinglers for faster race times.)
However, I'm no Grinch, and I actually do love the idea of "jingling runners" during holiday races. In the Arthritis Foundation's series of Jingle Run/Walk events, for example, they encourage participants to tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. For some reason, the sound of thousands of jingling runners is not as annoying as a lone runner bouncing up and down with change in his pocket. It actually sounds pretty amazing and festive.
Running in one of those races is a great chance to get into the holiday spirit, and also a way to make sure you don't put your running on hold during the holiday season. Even if you don't have a Jingle Run/Walk event near you, there are lots of other holiday-themed races, so check sites such as Active.com for ones in your area.
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