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Triumph, Tragedy, and Star Power Color the LA Marathon

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:00:31 PDT

The stars were out on Sunday for the 25th annual Los Angeles Marathon: Shia Labeouf, Sean Astin, and Gordon Ramsay joined almost 25,000 runners on the 26.2-mile journey that went from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier. Audrina Partridge even ran a couple of miles for charity. And while it was a mostly celebratory day, the Los Angeles Times reports the unfortunate news that a 21-year-old man suffered full cardiac arrest during the 18th mile of the run.

The young man remains in critical condition - doctors say he is breathing and has a pulse, but is currently unconscious. Thirty-one other runners were also taken to the hospital to be treated for various ailments that include fatigue, chest pain, and dehydration. The lasting effects that running long distances has on your heart are up for debate, but one thing is certain - running a marathon is very stressful on the body and can cause it to go into emergency-repair response mode. To avoid any dangers, check with your doctor if you're thinking about competing and give yourself at least four months to train.

Kenyan teammates Edna Kiplagat and Wesley Korir finished first in the women's and men's race, respectively. This is the second year in a row that Korir has won the marathon.

Marathon Dangers

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:00:00 PST

The New York City Marathon is over now, but many people are still in training for future races such as the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon (Nov. 16), the Philadelphia Marathon, (Nov. 23), and the Atlanta Marathon (Nov. 27). There's just something about conquering the distance of 26.2 miles that inspires so many people. Training for a marathon is a healthy aspiration, but if running this distance is on your to-do list, you should know there are some risks involved.

Running extreme distances is not exactly good for your health. As you run, you experience changes in your immune system and kidney function. The consistent stress signals your body to go into emergency-repair response mode. Your adrenal glands and brain produce the stress hormones cortisol and vasopressin. Also, your damaged muscles churn out proteins called cytokines, which trigger the liver to start producing C-reactive protein. The result is inflammation, and all your muscles feel the brunt, including your heart. In extreme cases, death by cardiac arrest has been associated with running this historic distance.

To find out if it's possible to avoid these risks,

read more. How you train plays a huge role in how your body will react on race day. Averaging at least 45 miles a week while training will significantly lower your risk of heart injury. Even though your body suffers damage on your training runs, it also repairs itself and becomes stronger. So on race day, your body is better equipped to handle the struggle. What's also good to know is that for most runners, if they do end up suffering some heart damage, it isn't permanent. Within a month, the heart is functioning normally again. With all this in mind, some health officials suggest doing all the training for the marathon, but skipping out on the actual race. The thing is, though, most people train for the sole purpose to be able to cross the finish line. It's an amazing sense of accomplishment, and the difficulty of the race and the risks involved add to its appeal. If it wasn't so hard, no one would want to do it. Fit's Tip: If running a marathon is on your mind, first have your heart checked by a doctor to make sure you're not at risk for heart problems. Then be sure to train long and well (at least four months in advance). Rack up miles and miles so that come race day, your body will be ready. Source

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

Top Way to Improve Your Health: 30 Minutes of Cardio Daily

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:50:33 PST

Eating enough fiber, saying no to cigarettes, limiting your alcohol intake, and seeing your doctor for annual cancer screenings are all ways to encourage a long, healthy life. But according to Dr. Mike Evans, associate professor of family medicine and public health at the University of Toronto, the single best thing you can do to take care of yourself is move your body 30 minutes every day.

We're not talking high intensity marathon training by any means. While it's great to get your heart rate up with intense cardio, just 30 minutes of simple walking does the trick when it comes to your health. Do it all at once, or break it up throughout your day, but fitting in 30 minutes of cardio every single day is proven to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, knee arthritis, depression, and once you get older, hip fractures, dementia, Alzheimer's, and early death. Convinced yet?

It can be tough to squeeze in a daily workout, but with all those amazing health benefits, exercise should be a priority no matter what. Tell me, are you getting in your daily half-hour workouts?

Healthy Dose Link Time: A CrossFit Workout With DWTS Alum Erin Andrews

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:34:53 PST

Dancing With the Stars alum Erin Andrews hops on the CrossFit train - Self
Celeb trainer Rich Barretta on the workout that gets Liv Tyler red-carpet ready - Vital Juice
An NYC marathoner shares her story, 26.2 miles later - Losing Weight in the City
Why one workout a day isn't enough for Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima - Fit Celeb
You're one workout closer to perfect posture - Shape
Five foods that aid digestion and end stomach issues - Mind Body Green
10 surprising risk factors for the flu - Health

Why Indulging and Skipping Exercise May Improve Your Health

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:16:08 PDT

You aim to eat right and exercise most of the time, but we all stray from our healthy path every once in a while . . . and sometimes that's a good thing. Here are some ways you can cut yourself some slack and actually make yourself healthier at the same time.

Skip a Workout
It's recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, but rest days are important too, especially if you had an intense workout the previous day. Giving your muscles a day off helps them rebuild and can also prevent overuse injuries. A rest day doesn't have to be completely sedentary, a leisurely walk or bike ride, or even a short light cardio workout are all great options. Keeping your blood flowing can actually help promote healing in sore, overworked muscles.

Veg on the Couch
There's nothing wrong with occasionally plopping yourself on the sofa in front of a Seinfeld marathon. It gives your mind and body a way to tune out from the stresses of your day, and laughing is also good for your health. Use your TV time to stretch on the floor or use the sofa to strength train with these moves.

Keep reading to hear other ways you can get healthy by cutting yourself some slack.

You Crossed the Finish Line! Here's What to Do Next

Heather Dale — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:06:39 PDT

The moments after a race are just important as the training leading up to the race and the miles logged during. Marathons are extremely demanding physically, which is why the first few hours after a marathon are crucial for muscle recovery and repair. Proper pre-marathon training is also key, as it will help prepare your body for the marathon, and help it to recover faster. Now that you've set your sights on a specific marathon, here are some tips to help you during the moments after crossing the finish line.

Walk it out. Right after a marathon, you should continue to move to help reduce any stiffness. If you were in a full (not half) marathon, walking for at least a mile should be sufficient - even if that means walking back to your car. Walking keeps your blood circulating to help repair damaged muscle tissue.

Here are some more tips.

10 Ways to Keep Your Running - and Your Motivation - Strong

Shape — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:34:03 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Sign Up for a Race - Nothing gets you motivated like a deadline. Some favorite races: Skirt Chasers, in which women get a 3-minute head start before the men are let loose; New York's Fun Run and Happy Hour, which features post-race drink specials; and the Zooma Half Marathon & 10K series, which includes post-race shopping, massages, and wine. Check out active.com for races near you.
Hit the Bars - Pre-run: Grab an energy bar (we've picked the tastiest) so you have the fuel to run your best. Post-run: Toss back a beer. Research conducted at Granada University in Spain shows that a pint of beer, post-workout, rehydrates the body better than water. The carbs replace lost calories and researchers believe the sugars and salts may help the body absorb fluids more quickly.
Get Your Perfect Training Plan (Free!) - The right training plan helps you feel ready at the start and lets you finish strong. Go the distance - happily - with our 12-week, 5K training plan for beginners.
Ease Your Knees - Runners have a decreased risk of osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Running increases oxygen flow and flushes out toxins resulting in healthier cartilage and stronger ligaments around the knee. Already have knee pain? Find out how to nix it with these three moves.

See more tips after the break!

15 Crazy, Sexy, Cool Items For a Pre-Parenting Bucket List

LilSugar — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:36:06 PDT

You know the lede here, dear reader: Having a child inevitably changes your life forever. It's a deep, affirming, complicated and challenging adventure. Most of us say we want to buy a house, get in better shape and become better people before we become parents, but personal development and achieving smaller goals just for you is also a significant quest.

Before you start planning for a pregnancy, testing strollers, and contemplating just how much your world will change, make a pre-parenting bucket list. It may take months and it may take years, but you'll never regret getting the regrets out of your system and you can start it whenever you want.

Here's a starter guide of things you should do pre-baby so you never miss the days of being a single lady. If you've already added to your brood, share what you intentionally crossed off your list before reading baby naming guides.

Crazy:

Run risk-taking behavior out of your system.
Be the life of the party.
Zipline. Jump out of a plane. Get your motorcycle license.
Splurge on a big-ticket item you probably couldn't justify when you have diapers and a college fund to think about.
Challenge yourself to an athletic extreme: Run a marathon. Become a black belt. Take adult ballet.

Keep reading for the list of sexy and cool suggestions.

What to Do When Your Friend's Fitness Ability Is Stronger

Heather Dale — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:18:06 PDT

You love your friend and you love working out with her - problem is, she is stronger, faster, and in better shape than you. Whether you go jogging together, are planning to run your first marathon together, or attend the same exercise classes together, it can be challenging at times to keep up with a friend who is at an advanced fitness level, when you just aren't there quite yet.

Good news is that working out with a friend - especially one that you trust and respect - is a great way to keep you accountable for workout dates. She will also be a source of motivation when striving to achieve your fitness goals. Rather than get discouraged, here are some tips when you find yourself in this situation.

Choose a workout that's suitable for both levels. Rather than go to an advanced kickboxing class together, go to the intermediate class (if they offer one). When the teacher does the advanced moves and kicks, she can take part and do additional repetitions.

Keep reading for more tips.