Running & Jogging

Keep Running Through the Holidays
snow running

Running on a regular basis is hard enough, but throw in some parties, shopping, food preparation, and out-of-town guests, and it may seem impossible to find time to run. Follow these tips to make sure you keep running during the holidays.
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Running & Jogging Spotlight10
Running / Jogging Blog with Christine Luff
Pick Your Spring Marathon
Saturday November 27, 2010

It's not too early to start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and some runners have a spring marathon on their list of 2011 goals. If it's one of your goals, now's the time to pick your race and start your training. To help you decide which spring-time marathon to run, check out MarathonGuide.com. The site features a searchable database and reviews of U.S. and international marathons from people who have run the races.

If you're looking for a unique experience or a fabulous destination, check out this list of top U.S. spring marathons. Any one of them will make all those miles run in winter weather totally worth it. And if you feel like you're not quite ready to take on 26.2 miles, check out this list of top U.S. spring half-marathons.

More:

* Run Your First Marathon
* Marathon Training FAQs
* Fast U.S. Marathons

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Shop Smart for Running Clothes
Wednesday November 24, 2010

If you're shopping for runners on your holiday gift list, don't assume you have to hit the running specialty shops to find quality, technical-fabric running clothes. There are lots of deals online. Search sites such as Sierra Trading Post and Road Runner Sports for bargains on running clothes, running shoes and gear.

If you prefer to hit the shopping malls, check out Target's C9 by Champion line of technical fitness wear. They're reasonably priced, but still very high in quality and performance. Old Navy's performance fleece line also has some great pieces, such as jackets and vests, for outdoor winter running. You may also want to check out stores such as TJ Maxx or Marshall's (if they're in your area), which have racks of discounted name-brand fitness apparel, sometimes as much as 50% off the "department store" price.

Since you'll be saving so much money, you may as well treat yourself to some new running clothes -- that's always great motivation for running!

More:

* How to Save Money on Running
* How to Dress for Cold Weather Running
* Running Gift Ideas for Men
* Running Gift Ideas for Women

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How to Deal With Running a Personal Worst
Sunday November 21, 2010

When you first start running and you're gradually building your fitness and confidence, it's exciting to see your race times keep improving. Each race brings a new personal record (PR). But eventually you have one of those races when either the conditions weren't ideal, you weren't feeling great physically or mentally, or you simply didn't do the proper training, and you run a dreaded personal worst (PW).

It's hard enough to suffer through a bad race, but dealing with the post-race frustration and disappointment can be even more difficult. Here are some tips for how to bounce back after a race doesn't go your way:

Figure out what went wrong. When you have a bad race, it's helpful to understand why it happened. It easy to figure out when the race conditions (extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow) are to blame. But sometimes the cause can be harder to determine. Think hard about possible explanations. Are you overtraining? Did you go out too fast? Did you eat and hydrate properly? Figuring out the reasons behind your bad race can help you avoid a repeat experience and can also help you make necessary adjustments to your training.

Write about it. It may seem like writing about your terrible race will only prolong the agony, but expressing your thoughts about it in your training journal or blog can help you work through it. Having a record of what you think went wrong will also help prevent you from making the same mistake in the future.

Or talk about it. Every runner has had at least one horrible race experience (ask me about the half marathon I had to drop out of), so talk to fellow runners and commiserate with them. Comparing bad run stories with other runners will make you feel better about your own experience because you'll know you're not alone.

Appreciate your good races. The silver lining of having a bad race is that it helps you better appreciate your great races. After a terrible race, think back to the races when all the factors lined up perfectly and you felt incredible the whole way through. (It's helpful if you write about those races, too!) Remember that not every race can be your best (or worst) one. Then, sign up for another race, so you can start focusing on your next goal.

More:

* Common Racing Mistakes
* Sports Nutrition Mistakes
* How to Avoid Running Burnout

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Tips for Racing in Cold Weather
Saturday November 20, 2010

Some runners choose to take the winter season off from racing, but others like to stay motivated by continuing to race through the colder months. Although many of the same cold weather running safety tips (like "don't overdress") apply to winter racing, here are a few other things to keep in mind if you're running in a chilly race.

Wear throw-away clothes at the start. The worst part of about winter racing is usually when you have to strip down to your racing outfit before the race starts. Rather than wasting a lot of energy freezing at the start, try to stay as warm as possible. If you know you're going to be waiting for a while, wear an old long sleeve shirt over your race outfit for extra warmth. Rather than tying it around your waist and adding extra bulk, you can throw it out at the one of the water stops once you're warmed up. Some big races even allow runners to throw away extra clothes at the start because they collect the clothes and donate them to a local charity.

Keep your head and hands warm at the start. Even if you don't think you'll race in a hat and gloves, you should at least wear them at the start, since you'll lose a lot of heat through your head and extremities. Some runners like to use hand warmers in their gloves to keep their hands extra toasty. If you get too warm during the race, you could always take off your hat or gloves and hold them, tuck them into the back of your pants, or pass them off to one of your cheerleaders along the race course.

Do a warm-up. A pre-race warm-up is especially important when racing in colder weather. A good warm-up dilates your blood vessels, ensuring that your muscles are well supplied with oxygen. It also raises your muscles' temperature for optimal flexibility and efficiency. By slowly raising your heart rate, the warm-up also helps minimize stress on your heart when you start your run.

Don't forget to hydrate. You may not be as aware of your hydration needs during cold weather races as you are when it's warm. But you're still sweating, so make sure you're stopping at the water stops and drinking at least 6 ounces of fluids every 20-25 minutes.

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