FitSugar

How To Run Your Best 5K

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

If you are following the Couch to 5K plan or the beginner's running program from Runner's World, you are going to be ready to race your first 5K. It is always good to get a few tips from seasoned runners.

Here's some advice from the readers and runners over at Runner's World:

Sign up! You can't run a race if you're not there. Here is a race locator and you can surely find a 5K close to you.
Eat a bit before the race, but keep it light. A bagel, a banana or peanut butter toast will help fuel your race run. Most races provide water and snacks at the finish line.
Don't skip the warm-up. Jog for 10 to 15 minutes on the race course to familiarize yourself with the course conditions as well as to get your blood pumping.
Have fun. Running can be very social and 5Ks are generally low key events.
Finish strong and celebrate! When you see the finish line, kick your pace into high gear and give it all you've got. Cross the line and smile. You just ran your first race.

Do you have any advice to add? Share it in the comments section below.

Source

5k's with 6 Kids: Ceci St. Geme Is One Fast Mother

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I am always looking for inspiration and I found it recently in one fit and fast mom - Ceci St. Geme. Here's some interesting numbers on St. Geme:

17:30 - Her average 5k time, these days
6 - Number of kids she has - ages range from 8 to 19
44 - Her age
6 - Number of times she has appeared on the cover of Runner's World

Impressive, right?

Here's what she had to say in a recent interview with the folks at Runner's World:

"I run a 5-K, and I'm home by 10 a.m. A marathon and its training takes so much more time and energy."

"There's always the guilt factor when you take time for yourself, whether it's for running or photography or whatever. I definitely worry about dropping the ball with one of the kids, but I'd worry about that even if I didn't run. I'm more prone to think, I run, which makes me happy--and a happy mom equals happy kids."

"Cross-training doesn't really work for me. Running is really the only thing that prepares me for racing."

(on having had au pairs, baby-sitters, and housekeepers at various times)
"I realize I'm extremely lucky to be in the position I am," she says. "With six kids, I'd be doing laundry and cleaning all day if I didn't have some help."

So, my treat to myself this Mother's Day is going to be a nice long run. Just me, my iPod and the road. After I have digested my breakfast eaten in bed, of course!

Source

Happy New Year!!!!!!

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 05:01:39 -0800

Happy New Year!!!!! It is finally 2007 and the new year always feels like a clean slate, a fresh start, a time to reshuffle the cards.

Just wanted to let you know that there are a ton of fun runs happening all over the country today. My two favorites:

The Hangover Classic 5K and 10K runs in Salisbury Beach, Mass. The event is sponsored by none other than Bud Light. The race doesn't start until 11 am so you can sleep off your partying from the night before. Plus, you can register to run at the race today for only $15 - you just won't get a tee shirt. There is an optional ocean plunge at the finish line.
Portland's 5K Dash and Splash, yep "splash" means jumping in the ocean at the end of your 5K walk or run. This event doesn't even start until 1 pm.

These are options if you are not nursing a hangover. If you are nursing a hangover my unsolicited advice is DRINK WATER.

Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:30:00 -0800

Still looking to do a marathon before 2007? Charlotte's Thunder Road Marathon (Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and 5K) is this weekend on December 9th!

From the time the green flag drops on the starters until the checkered flag falls on the final finisher (this race is race car themed), you will experience a unique race enjoying the sounds of music from the Southeast provided by local bands and DJs as you race. The Thunder Road Marathon will feature a mixture of the old and the new in Charlotte. This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier. But hurry, you must register in person by December 8th! For more information, visit the Thunder Road site.

Give Others a Kick from Your Kicks

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:01:39 -0800

Just because the holidays are ending does not mean that you have to get out of the giving spirit.

Did you get gifted a new pair of sneakers this year to help kick off your 2007 resolutions to be more fit? Don't throw out your old sneakers, donate them!

One World Running is an international program promoting an awareness of health, fitness and nutrition by providing running shoes to those in need in the United States and around the world. One World Running also puts on 5K walk/runs to foster an environment of exercise and to increase understanding and goodwill between people.

All you have to do is mail your shoes to one of their drop off locations (Daily Camera Newspaper, Attn: sports department, 1048 Pearl Street Boulder, CO. 80302) and they'll take care of the rest. For more information on the program, visit OneWorldRunning.com.

Good Goals are Good

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 03:00:00 -0800

Fit Sugar is truly impressed with the new cross-training Lance Armstrong. He wanted to run the NYC Marathon in under 3 hours and he did it! At the finish line, however, he admitted it was harder than anticipated and although he did some training he was surprised by how difficult it was.

Fit is all about setting goals and figuring out how to reasonably meet them - you don't need to start off with a marathon. If you're interested in running but need an end goal to work toward, have you thought about doing a 5K race? Cool Running created a program for the novice runner - The Couch-to-5K Running plan. They site says:

Too many people have been turned off of running simply by trying to start off too fast. Their bodies rebel, and they wind up miserable, wondering why anyone would possibly want to do this to themselves. You should ease into your running program gradually. In fact, the beginners' program we outline here is less of a running regimen than a walking and jogging program.

Sounds like a perfect start to me.

"ACT"ivism: NikeTown 5K

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:45:00 -0800

You may have noticed that I am always trying to convince you guys to do a 5K or a fun run and it turns out that NikeTown has the same motive in mind.

The NikeTown 5K (or the NikeGo 1 Mile) is dedicated to youth physical fitness and 100% of all entry fees will be donated to the local Physical Fitness, play and athletic program of your choice! The cost is only $20 (great for a race) and that includes $15 Entry Fee and $5 T-shirt Fee. The best part? Parents and kids are encouraged to do the race together! For more information and to find a NikeTown 5K near you, visit NikeTown5k.com.

How to Start Running: Couch to 5K

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

If one of your goals for 2009 is to start running and you're at a loss about how to begin, I can point you toward some helpful structure. After lacing your sneakers, check out the Couch to 5K running schedule over at Cool Running.

The program eases you into running three miles by combining intervals of running with walking. This method prevents you from overworking and becoming so sore you never want to run again. Over the course of eight weeks, you condition your cardiovascular system and your legs while slowly increasing your running time, eventually running for 30 minutes straight, which is about the time it takes to run a 5K. It is a great way to start running, and the schedule has you running only three times a week, making it easy to fit into a busy life.

Check it out and try the program. Chances are you will get hooked on running. My only caution is 5Ks are considered a "gateway" race to marathons and triathlons.

Source

Where to Start: From Couch to 5K in 8 Weeks

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Often when folks start a new training regimen they go all out and often go too far. In pain, wondering why they ever tried to exercise, they quickly abandon their wonderful resolution to workout regularly. This is the exact reason that Cool Running created The Couch to 5K running schedule.

The program eases you into running 3 miles by combining walking and running together. Over the course of 8 weeks you increase your running time and eventually run for 30 minutes straight - about the time it takes to run a 5K. It is a great way to start running and the schedule has you running only 3 times a week - so easy to fit into any busy life.

Check it out and try the program - chances are you will get hooked on running. My only caution is 5Ks are considered a "gateway" race to marathons and triathlons.

ACTivism: Fit for the Future

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Looking for a great way to get fit today while saving lives tomorrow?

If you're in the Houston area consider joining First Candle's Fit for the Future 5K race (presented by Graco) on February 17, 2007 in Houston, Texas.

Whether you are interested in running, walking or strolling with your family (or just raising money for a good cause), Fit for the Future has a fabulous healthy event for you -- Races for wheelchair athletes and a Kids’ Fun Run are also available. All proceeds from the race will support First Candle’s efforts to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and stillbirths nationwide. To learn more and to register (only $18), visit the Fit for the Future website.