Make Winter Time A Recovery Time

If you completed endurance events this past year, winter is the time to give your body recovery time. Listen to "The Penguin"!

John "The Penguin" Bingham, columnist for Runner's World, reminds us why it's important to cut back on our workout schedules in the winter if we've engaged in heavy endurance events over the past year. Check out his advice at http://tinyurl.com/yzojeyd.

First of all, it's darn cold and icy out. So take that time to cut back a bit on your runs and try other activities that are less impactful.

Taking time to take care of your body will yield strong results for the events you're planning to do later this year!

Proper Water Running Technique

Well, I'm not the only one talking about the benefits of water running.

This post on http://www.mytriathlontraining.com/ talks about how it is beneficial to those recovering from injury. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/ygy4n3a.

The article also outlines how you can engage in the appropriate technique for the maximum benefit from water running.

While this is a good technique, you can try a variety of techniques from what's mentioned here to physically running down the lanes of a pool. Another exercise I've used that's a little fun and different is "towing". Get a partner and wear floating belts around both of your waists. Use a bungee cord to connect your belts from the back and attempt to run away from one another. It's hard to do!

Sticking To A Running Program In 2010

Looking to start a running program in 2010? Or more importantly, do you want to start a running program that you will stick to?

Deborah Dunham of http://www.thatsfit.com/ writes a great post here http://tinyurl.com/ykbxe57 with tips about how you can stick to your running program this year.

It's important not to start too far or too fast and risk disappointment or worse, injury. Combining walking with your running workouts initially is a great way to help your body adjust to the running way of life. Stick to these tips and you'll quickly be off to your first 5K event this year!

Running Goals For 2010

So, what are your running goals for 2010?

Maybe you have them set and maybe you don't. It's good to think about what might be best for your running plans this year. Check out this post at http://www.about.com/ from Christine Luff http://tinyurl.com/yktnlyb.

This will give you some ideas about how you set off toward a good year. Maybe you want to set a personal best, lose weight or run injury-free. No matter what your goals are, here are some tips to help you reach those goals!

New Year Boot Camp

Still looking for new year workout programs?

Check out the SparkPeople's "Spark Your Body" Boot Camp Challenge. Check out this post from Nicole Nichols to learn more about this opportunity at http://tinyurl.com/ykvgtzn.

It started a few days ago, but find out if you can still get in on customized workouts each week along with video demonstrations. There's also a chance to win prizes including ipod products.

This just might be the new year's "spark" you've been seeking.

Runner's Gift Idea

This is a little late, but if you have a runner for which you are seeking a gift, look no further than The Runner’s Rule Book by Mark Remy.

This month’s Runner’s World features excerpts from this great book, such as, “If you have to ask yourself if a pair of shorts are too short, then the answer is ‘yes’”. The book classifies runners such as the “speed freak”, the “ultra guy”, the “old-timer”, the “wacky guy” and so forth.

The book also teaches the proper technique for the “snot rocket” and offers the “Pee Matrix” – where it’s okay to go, and when . . . depending on urgency and population density.

Runners will no doubt find this book a humorous take on the rigors of running, so check it out at http://www.runnersworld.com/.

A Run In The Snow

Sometimes I really LOVE running in the snow.

Since I've been down with tendinitis in my left knee, I haven't been running much at all. Anything I've been doing has been indoors lately, which drives me crazy! As I visited my sister in Chicago, it gave me an opportunity to get outdoors on the streets.

It was chilly, a little windy and a light snow was falling, but it was great to be on the outside. I'm able to split some running and walking, so I did about four to five miles in about an hour. I actually find running in a light snow very relaxing. It's especially fun when you're running in different surroundings you enjoy.

So, while we've been down with a little crappy weather in the Midwest, there is still room to have a good run outdoors from time to time.