pic
If you have ever suffered from sciatica, or lower lumbar problems, you understand the excruciating, sometimes immobilizing pain associated with flare-ups. Often recognizable by an acute pain in your derrière that also radiates down into the lower leg, sciatica can cause muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, and of course, wicked pain. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, more than 65 million Americans that suffer from lower-back pain, such as sciatica, will have a recurrence of the pain within one year. (American Assoc. of Neurological Surgeons, 2000.) Therefore, see......
pic
Kind of reads like a magazine cover, doesn't it? In all seriousness though, there really are some simple steps that will help you achieve a weight loss goal...but you can't do just one and kinda do the other two, or only kinda do all three. Do all three, keep you eye on the ball, and you'll hit a home run. Ready? Here we go... Your Plan 1. Record your food intake daily. Include in your diet a variety of fruits and vegetables at 6-9 servings daily; 2-3 servings of lean protein; 3 servings of dairy; and quality oils. Why? Keeping track of what you eat for a few weeks (I'm not talking forever peo......
pic
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="these are "soft" weighted fitness balls"] [/caption] Some recent research shows that crunches, the old standby for ab exercises, only targets 3 of the abdominal muscles. Yet there are muscles that surround the entire core, acting as a girdle to support your spine, increase power and speed, improve stability, and oh yes, give you that six-pack look. Six-pack abs aside, you need a strong core… A strong core is your center of power. Powerhouse. Like a rocket ready to take off on a moments notice. Okay, you get the idea. When your c......
pic
Actually, the question went more like this: "I hate to run. It is hard. Did I already say that I hate it? Yet, you talk about running so much. Why?" There was more, but for the sake of this post, let's just say that this reader's negative feelings about running ran deep (no pun intended). Why am I so hip on running? Well, for one thing, it is hard. I like things that are hard to do. Second, it is "me" time, and often the only time I have for finishing a thought. Four kids...enough said. And finally, (and let's face it, this is important stuff) few physical activities burn as many calories per ......
pic
Maybe you've been on a workout train for some time, diligently going to the gym and happily taking your dose of cardio and weight training, maybe even a few classes too just to challenge yourself. Perhaps you've been on this train, per se, for years, then all of a sudden, you're okay with missing a workout, then two. The idea of going to the gym or out the door for a jog becomes a chore, when it was once something you enjoyed. Have you been there? Are you there now? If so, read on... I think I can help. True, I am a trainer, but at heart, I'm really a fitness buff and have been since college. ......
Oct

10

Cotton is comfy, for sure…but what feels good against your body when you aren’t sweating can quickly become your worst enemy come race day. While training, the weather likely varied quite a bit, from hot and humid during the summer, to cool and damp in the fall, so no matter what race day looks like, you will likely have some experience running in inclement weather. That said, 26.2 miles is a long time to be uncomfortable in your clothing, even if you’ve been there, done that.

Here are a few, simple tips to minimize chaffing, blisters, wet-clingy clothing, etc., in the event you planned for 60 and sunny, but woke up to 40 and rainy on race day.

1. The temperature isn’t as much of a problem as the rain. Once you are moving, your body temperature will go up, and the temperature outside will likely rise during the race as well. The rain is the bugger. Toss on a trash bag w/ a holes cut out for you head and arms. You can toss the bag into a trash container later in the race if you wish.

2. Apply an anti-chafe ointment, such as BODYGLIDE®, to areas prone to chafing.

3. Even if the temperature outside feels cool at the start at the race, dress only for 20 degrees warmer. So if it is 50, dress for 65 to 70 degrees. You can shed clothes as your body heats up.

4. A hat to keep rain out of your eyes is nice to have, especially if you wear glasses.

5. Old socks that you don’t mind tossing later make nice hand-warmers at the start line, when you sometimes have to wait 20-30 mins before you can run.

Most races collect tossed clothing afterward and donate them, so take layers you don’t mind leaving behind. Also, as you shed your clothing, move to the side and don’t toss your apparel in the way of other runners.

Don’t wear anything on race day you haven’t run in before. A marathon, or even a half-marathon, is not the time to test-drive new apparel. One little spot that chafes at mile 8 will become a major annoyance at mile 23.

Finally, relax. Though rain is not a blast to run in, it isn’t the end of the world. All of the hard work and training you’ve put in up to race day have prepared you for what lies ahead. Just run.



Leave a Reply

Archives

© Copyright 2012 - Blue Sky Living | Made by AppChain.com