FitSugar

Gear Up For the 2009 Nike+ Human Race

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:30:18 PDT

Last year, Nike hosted the world's largest running event - the first Nike+ Human Race had over 780,000 participants. It was such a hit, they're hosting another one on October 24, 2009, with the hope that this year it will be even bigger.

This race gives runners all over the globe the chance to run a 10K together on the same day. If you want to be part of it, there are two ways you can join. Either sign up for one of the runs hosted by Nike in more than 30 cities around the world. Or you can run a 10K wherever you choose - on a treadmill, in the woods, or by the beach. Just track your run with the Nike+ Sports Kit or the Sportband. Then upload your race data to nikeplus.com.

I did this race last year and it felt amazing to know that hundreds of thousands of people were running the 6.2 miles along with me, so I definitely plan on doing it again this year. If you're interested as well, register here, and then start training - you have about two months until race day.

Nike+ Human Race: One Day, One Race, One Million Runners

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT

So you run and aren't quite ready to tackle a marathon, but are looking for a race to run. Have I got an event for you. You can participate in the largest, most unique worldwide 10K race - the Nike+ Human Race. It takes place on August 31, 2008, and there are two ways you can run. Either sign up to run in one of the 25 designated race cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, or London. Or you can opt to run wherever you are - on a treadmill, on the road, or in the woods. Just track your "race" using either the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit (if you like to run while listening to your iPod nano), or with the Nike+ SportBand (if you don't have a nano). After the race, connect either your nano or the SportBand to your computer to upload your race data to the NikePlus.com website.

To hear more about the race

read more. All you have to do is register here. If you're running in one of the 25 race cities, the registration fee is $35 ($5 goes towards one of three charities you choose: The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The UN Refugee Agency, or World Wildlife Fund). If signing up for a race has been on your mind, all I have to say is, "Just do it." Imagine running in a global race with a million people – talk about a powerful experience.

How I Convinced My Hubby Not to Hate Running

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:30:39 PST

My husband loves his bike and he loves his skis, but he's never been much of a slip-on-your-sneaks-and-go-for-a-run kind of guy. That is until now.

Wooed him with gear: To replace his cotton tube socks, sweatpants, and high school t-shirts, I got him some wicking socks, real running pants, and merino wool shirts. He was amazed that after a run there were no blisters or chafing from his loose pants, and he stayed relatively dry thanks to the wicking shirt.
Added a little friendly competition: It's human nature to be a little competitive, and my hubby is no exception. For a couple bucks, I downloaded the Nike+ GPS app to his iPhone. He loves that it keeps track of his time, distance, pace, and calories burned, and the GPS charts his route. The latest version of the app has the Nike+ Tag feature, which allows you to compete with friends. The object of the game is not to be "It," and in our case, whoever runs the shortest distance becomes "It." The competition has actually motivated both of us to run.

Keep reading for more ways to convince the guy in your life to love running.

10 Tips to Improve Your Running Technique

Shape — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:58:44 PDT

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

Don’t Run Heels First. Avoid striking the pavement with your heels - save that for your power walks. "When you walk, you keep one foot in contact with the ground, while running has a moment of weightlessness in the stride," says Alex Figueroa, a running coach and creator of Priority1 Wellness in Miami Beach. Running with a heel landing can contribute to back and knee pain.
Do Land on the Midsole of Your Foot. Landing on your forefoot (instead of your heels) allows your muscles to catch the weight of your body in flight, reducing the effects of impact on the joints and bones, says Figueroa.
Don't Use a Long Stride. Leaping forward while you run is inefficient and an energy drain. Instead, stand tall and lean forward, and when you feel like you are going to fall, step forward just enough to catch yourself. This should be the length of your stride. It takes less energy to fall than to reach your foot in front of you.

Read on for seven more tips to improve your running technique.