Balance Your Training With Yoga

I know I have written about this in the past, but yoga is such a great activity for helping to balance your fitness.

It's soft on muscles and joints.  Plus, it helps you relax. 

Read this post from Melissa Eisler about you can better balance your training with yoga on www.active.com.

Do You Need New Shoes?

How do you know you need new running shoes?

Generally speaking, if you've logged over 500 miles on your shoes or you have run in them for four to six months (and they are looking a little worn), then it's time to hit the running shoe store.

However, there are other signs new shoes are in order.  Do they twist easily? Have you noticed soreness you haven't experienced in the past?

Check out Christine Luff's post on signs to seek out on the question of new running shoes at www.about.com.

Hill Training Drills

I regularly run with a group on a particular day of the week and when one of us says, "Let's do the hills" - we all know what they are talking about.

It's good to incorporate some hill workouts into your runs.  If nothing else, it offers a little variation in your routine.

Check out these hill workouts from Lee Gardner at USA Triathlon.

Is Half Marathon Requirement For Marathon?

The simple answer is "no".

However, I will tell you from experience that completing one or more half marathons is good preparation before doing a full marathon for two big reasons.  First, it mentally prepares you.  Mental preparation for a full marathon is just as important as physical preparation.  Additionally, you will find that a full marathon is much beyond a half, so getting that foundation under your belt is a good idea.

Christine Luff recently shared some thoughts worth considering on this issue in her blog found on www.about.com.

Taking a little break following this post for a convention.  Check back soon!

Raw Food Recipes

As a follow up to my last post about raw food, how about some recipes?

These look to be some fabulously tasty items from the Iowa Girl Eats blog.

Try them!

Benefits Of Raw Food

I am not an overt practitioner of "raw food" consumption, but this blog operates as an open forum.

In Des Moines, some "raw foodies" recently organized a raw food week event to highlight the benefits of eating this way.  The Des Moines Register recently profiled the event in an article.

Raw food may not be for everyone, but it's cerainly worth exploring the benefits.

Steady On The Bike

Steady can usually help you win the race on your bike.

Check out these tips from Rich Strauss from Endurance Nation on how to measure your effort to sustain a solid performance throughout your next ride.