Archive for February, 2012

I’m trying to order a Britax Marathon car seat, but I have the option between the regular Marathon, and the Marathon CV. What is the difference between the two?

I am running the NYC Marathon next month. Its my first marathon and my training is now getting pretty intense. I have developed a re-occuring blister on my 2nd toe as it rubs against the middle one when I run. What is the best way to firstly let this heal quickly and secondly to stop it irritating me on the race day?

There must be some reasons why when it comes to triathlon apparels, it is purely a personal preference of the racer. Well, of course team uniforms mark the exemption. Depending on the agreement or the rulings as imposed by a team, racers are issued or mandated with a single type of uniform. In general, however competitors are allowed with their choice.

One theory is to give allowance to the comfort level of the racer himself or to provide him some freedom in choosing his own apparel. Being able to decide for your personal suit and gears would do good in making the race more endurable, considering that it is composed of three disciplined endurance games.

And what more may be better than having your custom triathlon apparel?

Yes, there may be some good triathlon shops both offline and online that may provide you with their best wetsuits, shorts and tops and accessories. However, there simply are no standard sizes that would perfectly fit every racer. We all have our unique anatomies. And being so particular with the fitting of your apparel would surely create some troubles when shopping for one.

Custom triathlon apparels may not give you everything that you would desire in a suit however, it can provide most of the things that you must have. A perfect fit, materials that are of your personal selection and a design that you actually helped conceptualized. It’s just so personal.

If you would not want running, swimming or biking next to a person wearing the same wetsuit or shorts as you have then save troubles by customizing your triathlon apparel.

Custom triathlon apparels are not only for the solo flighters. Actually, most team uniforms are either bought by bulk or custom made. Thus, the effect of having an identity that covers the idea of a single group. It’s just a matter of choosing your own or your team’s design or allow a professional to take all troubles for you.

With customized triathlon apparel, you may have a better sense of confidence for which you may cling to in case everything else fails. The belief of being an individual running race against everyone else and a race for himself. Or a team being unified with a single personality earning points and a common confidence that will help lead each member to the desired goal.

If you are doubtful where to contact manufacturers of customized triathlon apparel be assured that help is just a click of your mouse away.

The Ironman was born back in the 1970′s when a few acquaintances were having a friendly discussion about who was the fittest athlete–a biker, a runner or a swimmer. They created a race that would include all three disciplines and the winner would be declared the “Ironman.”

At the time they were not comparing the race to any other event. There simply was no event in the world like it and it has gone on to become the ultimate endurance race in the world.

It spawned events like the “eco-challenge” and even races that were twice or five times or even 10 times the Ironman distance, but yet none of them have anything in common with the Ironman Triathlon. None of them has captivated the world like the “true” Ironman.

There are several reasons for this.

When it comes to the eco-challenge, trying to compare it to an Ironman is like comparing apples and oranges. There is no similarity. The eco-challenge is more about enduring physical stress while being sleep-deprived. It also requires you to be able to co-exist with others under these conditions. It is not a race for everyone. It is not a race where the final outcome rests solely on your own ability, but is determined by the group as a unit. If you are on a team that completes an eco-challenge, there is no guarantee that you, as an individual, would do well in an Ironman.

Then along came the “double Iron” and after that someone decided to up the ante and there was a “triple iron” and now there is 5X the iron distance and even 10X the iron distance. It really doesn’t matter how many times you try and increase the distance its still like comparing apples and oranges. The Ironman is still unique and competes on its own playing field.

Doubling or tripling the distances(or more) of the original Ironman makes it a totally different event.

It just means you slow down and go further. Once again you begin to deal with competitions that involve physical stress under sleep-deprived conditions which automatically make it an event totally different from the Ironman Triathlon. Also, similar to eco-challenges just because you can do 5 X the Ironman distance, doesn’t automatically mean you will be overly successful in the Ironman Triathlon. Some athletes excel at long, slow distance because of their physical make-up,(more slow-twitch fibres) but the tendency to speed up as soon as a shorter race is attempted will change the end result substantially.

Its kind of like if you can run a 35 minute 10 km race and then you enter a marathon. Well of course, you are not going to run the marathon at your 35 minute 10km. pace. You would probably begin walking about mile 14. Also, because you can run a marathon, doesn’t mean you will be a better and faster 10 km. runner. They are two totally different events. It follows as well, that if you do an Ironman, you don’t automatically become a better marathoner. The marathon is an amazing endurance event in its own right and is totally different from the Ironman.

More by accident than good planning, the friends who conceived the Ironman triathlon, came up with distances that were extremely physically demanding when done sequentially, but yet in the realm of possibility for individuals with a wide range of athletic ability.

Therein lies the secret and the mystique of the Ironman Triathlon. It is an event for everyone. People witness this race and watch ordinary, everyday people striving for the finish line and say to themselves….”I can do this!” They are indeed, at that moment, “Ironstruck.”

Yet these same people could watch a race that is 5 times or 10 times the distance and it would have no effect on them, because these are races that really, are for a small segment of the population and don’t have anywhere near the amazing history and credibility of the Ironman.

Truly, the Ironman is in a league of its own. It will always be a race for everyone from weekend warriors to the worlds best pros, and I can’t imagine an endurance event that will ever be able to match it for popularity on a world scale.

copyright:Ironstruck-2006

My name is Ray and I’ve competed in 14 Ironman races, over 35 marathons, several 50 mile marathons, and 100+ shorter races over an endurance career of 25+ years.

I’ve built a site for the beginner triathlete/novice ironman called “ironstruck” and it has many training and racing that may be useful in achieving your triathlon goals…

A lot of people ask me “How do i start jogging?” and my usual quirky reply is simple “Get up and move!”. But really there are some thing you have to pay attention when you are starting out on a running routine!

When you have any kind of medical problem go visit a doctor before you start jogging. Make sure that you don’t risk your health when exercising!

Find shoes that fit your needs. Good shoes should provide adequate support and be adjusted to the underground you are running on most. If you do not know what kind of running shoe to choose, visit a sport outfitter and get advice from the sales person there.

Start by walking for a couple of minutes and stretch yourself. This can be your warm up routine and will decrease the chances of muscle injuries.

Take it slow and steady! You do not want to burn out after three days of training . At first run as far as you can and get your body accustomed to the training. You can increase the intensity later. But do your jogging routine at least every other day. This way you’ll built the habit.?? If you feel tired, rather so a shorter jogging session than taking a day off.

Do not forget to do a cool down at the end of your running exercise. To cool down after an intensive exercise is almost as important as to warm up before you start. Stretch yourself again and keep on walking for a couple of minutes. Cooling down will decrease injuries as well as keep you from getting sore muscles.

I looked at my calender and I guess I’ve only been at it for two weeks. But I am now jogging (not walking or stopping) three miles, 5 days a week.
The holidays have put my waistline at 28-29 inches and I want to get back down to a 26.
I avoid soft drinks, and try to stay away from as many sweets as possible.

I go running every day but since I’ve started resistance training on my legs they feel quite fatigued after an intense run.
Am I risking any damage if I continue to do light jogging when my legs feel fatigued and sore like this? And is it better to do it on a hill or flat surface?
Thanks.

Yet in all these things Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 37-39 KJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I will be confident in who I am. I?m not going to go around pretending, wishing I were someone else, trying to fit into everybody?s mold. I am free to run my own race. Joel Olsteen

The race, the dreaded 440 yard dash, was about to start and our team didn?t have anyone to compete. The coach was racing around looking for someone who was willing to take the challenge. I was into field events like the pole vault, the discus, and shot put. I was not a runner and I sure did not have the stamina or training it would take to run the 440. However, the coach wanted someone to enter so I agree to give it a shot. I was convinced I had a chance. After all, my older brother was a track star and he excelled at the 440 and so could I.

The judge announced, ?Runners to your mark.? I was ready. I could win this race. My blood was pumping and I was ready to catapult out of the blocks. ?Get set,? the judge, shouted and the gun went off. I was out of the blocks in a flash. My head was down, my arms were churning, and I was leading the pack. Around the first turn, I was fine, down the straightaway I was still ahead of all the other, more experienced runners. I was going around the last curve when it happened. My head said I was fine but my muscles locked up. I was completely shocked at the feeling of powerlessness in my legs, arms, and chest. I fell to the side of the track and panted as if I were going to die. I had never been so completely exhausted in my life. Finally, I rolled over, got to my feet, and stumbled towards the finish line. I was dead last but I did finish the race. Never again would I ever try to run a 400-yard dash.

Through the years, I have thought of this race many times. Even though I lost this race, I learned many lessons from this event that happen over 40 years ago. One thing, among the many, I learned I must prepare for the long run in life.

Life is a race. Life is not a sprint; life is a marathon race, an adventure, a journey. If you are planning on success in this journey or race, you must be prepared. Believe me the distant race like the 440 requires preparation and so does life. During the course of my life, the arrows from Satan have wounded me repeatedly. Yet, wounded and mangled I always knew I was a child of God. I never did forget that moment in time in Del City, Oklahoma, on bent knees I ask Jesus to come into my heart. I made my preparation that day for life. To say life has been hard is an understatement. For me, life has been a series of trails and tribulation yet because of my belief system and Gods never failing love I am still running.

Let me challenge you to prepare for life. I know it sounds simple, just receive Jesus and all will be fine and dandy. Oh no, that is not what I mean at all. Just because you become a Christian doesn?t mean life is easy. In fact, I think I have suffered more because of my faith than anything. The truth is, because of Christ I have been able to turn to God for help. He was faithful to lift me up and set my feet back on the path. If I can do it, run the distance race of life, so can you. It is never to late to make preparations for life by receiving Jesus as your coach.

With the resurgence and newfound interest in healthy lifestyles across America, single jogging strollers have become one of the most popular accessories for mothers and their children. As more and more individuals are looking to get in shape and stay healthy, the purchase of single jogging strollers around the world has increased exponentially. With more and more units being sold every day, it is clear that America intends to regain its healthy attitude and new mothers are happy to join in. With so much difficulty involved in producing a child, it is only right that the recent happy mother has every chance in the world to regain her girlish figure. By pushing the single jogging stroller while running for exercise, the new mother can ensure that she regains her health in rapid fashion. With all this effort to stay in shape, the family can get a bit out of orientation, with today’s modern schedules of hectic routine. But with the jogging stroller, mom can take the baby out for a short time and get all the exercise she needs to stay in shape, or maintain her already healthy lifestyle.

With the focus on health and hardiness, the single jogging stroller can work wonders for the entire family, allowing mother, father and even siblings to take turns with the child while pushing the single jogging stroller during exercise periods. As more and more individuals look into increasing their levels of exercise on a day-to-day basis, it becomes clear that the popularity of single jogging strollers only makes sense in a world of sedentary lifestyles. Without some way to maintain good health and get regular exercise, it is very easy to become out of shape as middle age approaches. But with devices such as the single jogging stroller, it is easy for the entire family to get their exercise as frequently as possible while also taking the baby out for some type of activity.

With this regular activity and routine of exercise, it is a simple matter for families to use the single jogging stroller to accomplish a tremendous amount of good, combining exercise, outdoor activities, and the entire family. Naturally, any activity is good for the family who wants to stay healthy and take time to interact with each other on a regular basis. Whether mother, father or sibling, with single jogging strollers, you can stay in good shape and take the baby out for a walk at the same time with very little fuss. Simply by strolling through your local neighborhood, you can burn calories and show off your child to the neighbors at the same time as providing a good example to the older children.

By utilizing the single jogging stroller, you can get in shape in a hurry while taking the children out for a walk. With all of this effort to spend time as a family and spend time outdoors maintaining a high level of exercise, it is only a matter of time before you can return to a state of good physical health and get in shape quickly by using the single jogging stroller.