Relying on the buddy system

By Joanne Kempinger Demski

Jan. 26, 2009 

Exercise partner can help keep workouts on track

For some exercisers, the hardest part of the workout is just getting to the gym. They must ignore that chocolate cake in the fridge or step away from the television and its new batch of "American Idol" contestants.

For others, the problem may be finding the motivation to do more than chat near the gym's water fountain once they get there.

Fortunately, there is a cure for these ailments: Hook up with a workout partner.

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The ABCs of strength training

By Amy O'Brian

January 25, 2009

Grace and endurance are likely the first things that come to mind when thinking about the feather-light runners who are first to sprint across the Sun Run finish line every year.

The elite runners glide across the pavement seemingly without effort, their slender legs reaching easily for every next step. Their heads barely moving and their torsos remaining upright, they betray little sign of exhaustion.

But their sinew and style has not come without effort. Strength training is key to the performance of any elite runner. And it is a smart addition to the workout routine of a new runner, too.

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Long-distance running

By Fred Tasker

26th Jan 09

Today we run marathons for fun. Are we crazy? Isn't running a marathon a giant insult to the human body and mind?

What does it do to us?

As counterintuitive as it seems to those who don't indulge, doctors, psychologists and runners agree that the effects of marathon running are mainly positive. It tones our bodies, calms our minds and builds up our all-important cardiovascular system.

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The Art of Movement

By Dr. Mark Cucuzzella

January 26, 2009

If you are training for an event, striving to improve your health and fitness, or have a desire to experience less discomfort in your endurance activity, then read on. Although this article focuses mostly on running, the principles apply to all endurance activity. Most of us understand that you must train if you wish to run well and for greater distances. What is mostly ignored in running is the concept of practice.

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How I qualified for the Boston Marathon

By Leica Carpo

January 26, 2009

PEOPLE often ask me why I run, and how I got so fast so quickly.

I started running in August 2007 at age 40. With less then three years of running as a base, it’s uncommon to start running marathons with a sub-4 finish time, much less qualifying for a prestigious race like the Boston Marathon with a 3:40(02) finish time. But I did.

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Running a marathon: Advice from a veteran

By Jeremy Cox

Dec. 16, 2008

Tips from experts should help you reach your goals in Sunday's Jacksonville Bank race

Mastering a marathon is more than just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other.

Diet, training, mental toughness, hydration - all of these factors are critical to reaching your goals, be they setting a personal record or merely finishing in one piece.

With less than a week to go before the 26th running of the Jacksonville Bank Marathon, the Times-Union talked to a few experts around town and came up with this "quick" guide to running your best.

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Do you need a running coach?

by Claire Charlton

December 15, 8:26 PM

Maybe you are working toward big running goal, like a 10K or a half marathon.  Or maybe you are looking to run a full 26.2.  Perhaps you'd like to increase your running speed or your efficiency, or maybe you just want to start running but don't know how to take that first step.

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Five common mistakes marathon runners make

By ROBERTA MACINNIS

Dec. 14, 2008

As the Chevron Houston Marathon nears, area experts offer some advice

It takes effort and determination to train for a marathon. So why do so many runners ignore what they've learned?

With the Chevron Houston Marathon just a month away, we polled coaches of area training groups to discover the top five mistakes marathon runners make on race day.

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Here’s what to get the runner in your life

By Bill Shaw

December 8, 2008

My Friday 6-miler around the Old River levee was a tough run against an 18 mph wind and a wind-chill factor of 37 degrees. After my prayers and meditations at about the third mile, I began writing this column. I didn’t have any problem choosing a topic: It’s time for my annual Christmas gifts for runners column.

With the economy in a downward spiral, we all might have to cut our Christmas budgets a bit, so I shall limit my gift suggestions this year to gifts under $25.

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Things Your Personal Trainer Won’t Tell You

by Mike O’Donnell

November 21, 2008

Having been a trainer myself for years and years I can tell you that I have met some great smart trainers, and some I’m not even sure how they got certified. Most people seem to trust their trainers 100% when it comes to advice on how to get into shape, yet isn’t the information only as good as the source it comes from. Some trainers may have a Masters in exercise physiology, some may have no formal background in fitness. While a degree is one thing, experience and the ability to get results is another. Much like a nutritionist who went to school to learn about nutrition, yet may also tell you to follow the food pyramid, eat 10 servings of grains all day and eating 6x a day is the best way to speed up your metabolism (which we already know is not true from the posts about the science of meal frequency Part I and Part II). Trainers are also in the business of training, so there is incentive to keeping people around month after month. So here are some things that you may not be getting from your trainer….but need to know.

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