Want To Do An Event . . . Find A Training Group

As I entered my health club early one recent morning and spied the pool, there were quite a few people gathered inside. I thought to myself, "What gives?"

It became obvious to me pretty quickly that the first session of group triathlon training was under way. What fun! But as I thought about the fun, I also thought about some of the misery the newer members might be experiencing early in this game.

If you're interested in doing a triathlon, marathon or other endurance event, the group training is a great route. It's particularly helpful if it's your first time pursuing your desired endeavor.

You will make some new friends, learn important information about the event that may not be so obvious to a "newbie" and gain access to support from others who are pondering the same questions you are.

This post http://tinyurl.com/yhe7fxo from the Gotta Run . . . Gotta Ride blog underscores the importance of getting involved in a group training program. Check in with your local health club or others you know who have competed in your particular event for advice on where to turn to join a training group.

"Twinkie Factor" Explained

Have you ever heard of the "Twinkie Factor"?

It's an urban legend of sorts - the thought is that if you opened a Twinkie 50 years after it was made, it would be as fresh as the day it was made.

But this isn't the point of this post - http://tinyurl.com/ycg3d9o - found on the RunnerDude blog. The point of this article is that if you don't recognize what's in a food item, chances are it's not a healthy eating option for you.

Check out this post and take to heart the advice of "Biggest Loser" Trainer Jillian Michaels - if it didn't come from the Earth or a momma, it's probably not particularly good for you!

Great Distance Running Wisdom

Many times "recycling" is a good thing.

I'm about to recycle an article for what appears to be the "nth" time on some great philosophy behind training for distance events. Coach Patrick McCrann offers some advice for those of us who train in the real world as "age group" athletes.

I found this article on the Ironmom blog, but it appeared on the Trifuel.com and EnduranceNation.com websites as well. Check it out - http://tinyurl.com/ycm54t5.

Workout Video Roundup

If nothing else, you may find this post entertaining.

Here's a link to a recent post by Kristen Seymour on http://www.thatsfit.com/ that discusses some fun celebrity workout videos http://tinyurl.com/ylqdcfe.

They are pretty cheesy. Remember the "Marky Mark Workout" or Zsa Zsa Gabor's "It's Simple Darling" videos? They're all here.

What be most helpful is the link provided in the post to some other current and useful workout videos. I'm always up for a new video workout at home!

Hidden Benefits Of Exercise

We all know some of the obvious benefits of exercise.

Weight loss, lowered risk of heart disease, stress relief and then some. These are some of the biggies.

But check out this article from Laura Landro of the Wall Street Journal http://tinyurl.com/yg883o6 to learn more detailed benefits of exercise.

Landro lists information from numerous studies and sources that show even more benefits of fitness activity including an improved immune system and protection against chronic diseases. Exercising can reduce the risk of stroke by 27 percent and the incidence of diabetes by 50 percent and much more.

Check this out - you're exercise is producing wonderful results!

Beginning A Swim Training Program

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to start swimming?

If it is, you are in luck. The folks at http://www.thatsfit.com/ just made it a little easier to started. This post from Deborah Dunham at http://tinyurl.com/yz8q962 offers perfect information to the person looking to start a swim program from scratch.

The post includes information on what you'll need to start and some beginner workouts. If you have access to a pool, swimming is a very effective low-cost and low-impact form of exercise!

How About A Polar Plunge?

While I live in the heart of the Midwest cold winters, I've never been much for stomaching cold weather. However, being a swimmer has made the concept of the "polar plunge" intriguing to me.

You know how it works. The local newspaper always catches a clip of the group of local crazies who brave a romp in the water on one of the coldest days of the year.

Well, if you position it like the story posted recently on the Shut Up and Run blog -http://tinyurl.com/yk5sdpa, it can be fun!

A mother and son gathered on New Year's to take the plunge and benefit a local Alzheimer's group. From the account, it looks like they had a great time. Perhaps this is something to consider as a resolution for New Year's in 2011!

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.