More Motivation

Jeff Galloway provides some additional tips to keeping yourself motivated in running and other fitness activities.

Heading out for some travel, so taking a break from posting.

Race Running Programs

If you are preparing for a coming race, chances are there are some tools available to assist you.

I'm always amazed the resources race events make available to their participants to help them improve their experience.  This post from the "The Runner Dude's Blog" offers examples of some of the tools available to race participants. 

Most races will provide a training program for you to use, as well as "pacers" to run with to help you stay on track during the race. Check the website of your event . . . or ask race officials what is available .

Motivation For Fitness

Getting yourself motivated can often be a challenge.

Jeff Galloway offers some great strategies for keeping yourself on track in this recent post.  By playing some "mental tricks" on yourself, you can stay motivated and enthusiastic about challenging yourself in your fitness endeavors.

Running Safe

Retelling situations where runners encountered unfortunate tragedies is not meant to scare people, but to educate them about "running safe".

This post from "Shut Up + Run" offers good strategic advice toward keeping yourself safe when you run alone.

Short On Training Days For A Race?

Sometimes distractions like holidays or work issues can put you behind in training for an upcoming event.

Check out this plan from the Carrots N Cake blog to get caught up for half marathon event.

Running In Extremes

Why do folks run in extreme conditions?

There are all kinds of "extreme" conditions in which you can run.  Whether it's hills, trails, heat, cold or snow - running in all of these conditions feature benefits.

Read this post from Shut Up + Run blog to learn how you can increase strength in certain muscles, better your mental outlook and other make other improvements by adjusting the conditions in which you run.

Fitness Trends

This article posted earlier this year in the Des Moines Register highlights some of the more popular fitness trends in 2016.

Take a look at the technology and unique fitness classes emerging to facilitate easier participation in an active lifestyle.

Lifting Weights

There are tremendous benefits to lifting weights.

Check out this article from the Tallahassee Democrat. The article provides great reasons why we should incorporate weights into our fitness routines.  The article also includes a video on doing a "dead lift" workout.

Missing A Workout

Let's face it - life happens. You will miss a workout at times. 

There really is no specific reason why you might miss workout, but there are family and work issues that are typically the biggest culprits. 

Check out this article from www.active.com.  It offers some perspective as to how to deal with missed workouts and how to handle the mental perspective attached to missing workout activities.

Find Purpose In Yoga

Yoga is a great physical activity, but it is meant to be as much a mental as it as a physical activity.

Check out this post from the Jess Runs blog.  She talks about how her instructor asks her participants to "set an intention" at the beginning of class.  That's such a great habit!  Learn how the author makes good use of this practice. 

Push Pull Run Workout

Here's a challenging workout.

Try this workout that combines dumbbell exercises with running. It comes from the Carrots 'N Cake blog. 

Bettering Your Walk Pace

I am not a walker, but many people are.

Not being a walker, I haven't really studied ways to increase your pace.  This post from Jeff Galloway offers some approaches to help you walk faster and increase your endurance. 

Galloway is an interesting fitness expert as he has made his walk/run approach to marathons very popular.

Viniyoga Helps Back Pain

Viniyoga can help your chronic back pain.

Learn more about how viniyoga or "gentle yoga" can help relief lower back pain.  The stretching motions are helpful to this issue according to this post from the Montgomery Advertiser.

Swimming Burns Calories

Swimming is a definite "calorie burner".

 Take a look at this post from www.active.com that outlines how many calories you can generally burn from an hour-long swimming workout.

Marathon Ready

I know not many of us do multiple marathons per year.  Personally, I settle for multiple half marathon events per year, but I know many folks who choose to do multiple marathons per year.

This post from Jeff Galloway's blog was helpful to sharing how to stay "marathon ready" for multiple events throughout the year.

Fitting In Workouts

We all want to make time to work out, but sometimes it is tough!

Family activities, work and other obligations can make dedication to fitness difficult.  I'm a big believer that a little is better than none. Take a look at these suggestions from a Des Moines Register post for hints on how to sneak workouts into your daily routine.

Confessions Of A Runner

Runners have many confessions and commonalities.

These are not so much as confessions or commonalities as they are assumptions about runners . . . and the "Shut And Run" blog debunks them.  Check out this humorous look at runners and their habits.

Lessons Learned From Not Running

When we experience an injury, it can be hard laying off some of the activities we really enjoy.

That being said, it's often best to get the rest we need, heal ourselves . . . and learn some lessons. This post from the "I Have Run" blog highlights some lessons you can learn about strength training and diet when you are forced out of an exercise activity you enjoy.

Need A Goal?

Sometimes our energy levels are low and we just have difficulty getting motivated.

Here is a reflection on setting a goal to assist you with better focus on fitness from the "Shut Up + Run" blog.

Cars And Bikes Coexist

Drivers and bikers can coexist.

However, recent accidents between bikers and cars have left this issue in question.  Check out this post from www.edmonds.com that outlines some of the items drivers should consider when they encounter their friends on bikes on the roads.