FitSugar

Speak Up: How Do You Relax After a Workout?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:44 PST

Alanis Morissette has turned into a serious running junkie, competing in not one, but two marathons this season. In the January issue of Runner's World, the Grammy-award winning singer shares that running has become a lifestyle and credits it for making her healthier and happier.

After running the singer says she takes an ice bath - yowza! The frigid baths help calm the inflammation that results from a long run: "They say for every mile you should be a minute in ice, so I've been doing that. It's not too pleasant, but you get used to it. It's quick. In and out."

Besides ice baths, Morissette is a big fan of napping after her workouts. She likes to load up on a high glycemic meal and spend an hour knocked out on one of her many futons.

What's your favorite way to relax after a long workout?

Runner's World Shoe Finder

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Looking for a new pair of sneakers can be overwhelming. There are so many different brands and styles, so how do you know which one is the best? Check out the Runner's World Shoe Finder for some help.

If you want to know how a specific sneaker rates, just type in the name. If you want to know which shoes they recommend for your type of foot, they'll give you a whole list of sneaks with a review of each one so you know what you're getting for your money. Speaking of money, if you don't want to spend more that $60 on your new sneaks, you can also get a list of shoes in your price range. Or maybe you're loyal to one brand of sneaker, so you can also check out how the different styles compare. I love this shoe finder - it's a great place to do some sneaker research.

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

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:00:00 PDT

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

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

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

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

Wise Bread — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:15:37 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Have you heard of the expression “penny wise, pound foolish”? It’s something I heard a lot growing up, from my parents, and it can have multiple meanings:

You are very careful with small amounts of money, but throw caution to the wind with large amounts. This is akin to someone who eats from the dollar menu every day but then blows a hundred dollars every month on a gym membership that’s never used.
You do things to save money now, only to have those savings cost you more farther down the road.

The second definition is what I’m focusing on today, because it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of saving money only to have it bite you later on. Here then are 10 things that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come.

RELATED: The Case For Expensive Shoes

1. Avoiding Regular Checkups With the Doctor, Dentist, or Optician

It’s something I did in college when money was tight. “Aah, who needs to pay money to a dentist to have him tell me I should floss more?” Well, after leaving the dentist alone for a few years, I paid the price. Avoiding the regular cleanings and checkups left me facing a hefty bill later on when I needed a bunch of costly fillings. I was lucky that I didn’t need root canals or replacement teeth. Now I have a dental plan that covers free checkups twice a year, but even if you don’t, get to the dentist and doctor for health checks. It’s a lot better to pay a co-pay now than pay for major surgery later on. And worse still, it could even cost you your life, especially as so many conditions can be treated if they’re caught early enough.

Read on for more.

Inspired Painted Stair Runners

OnSugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:00:36 PST

Here's a post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

I slipped in the stairs today, which made me think that it would be great to have a stair runner - nothing boring but something great with stripes in red or shades of pink or similar. So I started browsing runners, but got sidetracked and found all these cute and cool painted stairs and runners.

They are absolutely fantastic - some fun and funky, other artistic masterpieces and tour guides to wonders of the world - and all of them definitely a result of lots of tears and sweat!

Make sure to read the rest of the post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

Like what you see? Start following House of Anaïs to read more! Or start your own OnSugar blog, and maybe it will be featured here as well!

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Running

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:07:23 PST

When I first started running, I hated it. I suffered from blisters, unsupported bosoms, and irritated skin from seams, and it seemed insanely hard. I wish someone had sat me down and told me these basic tips and tricks to help smooth my transition from non-runner to runner. If you're just starting out on your own journey pounding the pavement or treadmill belt, here are things you should know about running.

It Gets Easier
As with most things, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. To strengthen your muscles, acclimate your heart and lungs, and increase your endurance, run at least three times a week. Start off with a doable distance such as two miles. Once that distance feels good, gradually increase your mileage. The key is to move at a comfortable pace for a reasonable amount of time. If you do too much too soon, you could end up with an injury or a deep hatred for the sport.

You Don't Have to Wear Two Sports Bras
If you're well-endowed, running can be painful. I wore two sports bras for the longest time because I couldn't find one that prevented the uncomfortable bounce. A cheap cotton sports bra from Target just won't do. You might have to spend $50 or more, but it's worth it when you only have to wear one bra you trust. Here are some sports bras to choose from.

Keep reading to find out other running tips for beginners.

Download of the Day: Runner's World SmartCoach

GeekSugar — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:00:56 PDT

Anyone who has trained for a long-distance race can tell you that proper training sometimes involves being a slave to your training schedule. Long runs, short runs, cross training . . . it's hard to keep track of it all! Luckily, there's now an app for that - and it comes from a trusted running resource. Runner's World SmartCoach ($2) for iPhone offers customized training plans to help you properly train for your next race. Pulling from the years of information, research, and advice in the pages of Runner's World magazine, the app will generate training plans for races from 5Ks to full marathons. Get the full details after the break.

Former Miss Venezuela Dies From Breast Cancer, Leaves Beautiful Legacy

Tara Sharp — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:37:45 PST

At only 28 years old, former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall has died from breast cancer. Eva was just 17 when she was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2000, and then the following year she was third runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant. But Eva was much more than a pretty face, as she went on to be not only a wife and mother, but a model, actress, television news anchor, and author before her life was cut tragically short.

Ironically, the pageant queen's most lasting legacy may be that of her battle against Venezuela's obsession with beauty. Eva said in an interview, "It's absurd that there should be a taboo about breast cancer in a country of breast implants, where women have few reservations about showing off their surgically-enhanced breasts." With shows like Toddlers & Tiaras, we may think the US has a beauty pageant addiction, but Venezuela is known for its focus on looks. The country has one of the biggest markets for breast augmentation in the world, and its beauty schools for girls churn out pageant queens (it even holds the record for most Miss World wins).

After being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2010, Eva wanted to make a stand against this focus on appearance. She chronicled her struggle with the disease in her book, Fuera de Foco, which means "out of focus," and is photographed bald for the cover. In an interview she said, "I hate to see photos in which I come out ugly. But you know what? Nobody ever said cancer is pretty or that I should look like Miss Venezuela when I have cancer."

See this remarkable woman over the years now.

From the Finish Line: Behind the Scenes at the NYC Marathon

Michele Foley — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:48:22 PST

Sunny skies greeted more than 47,000 runners who hit the streets for this year's New York City Marathon. Arguably one of the most popular marathons in the world, the course takes runners through each of the city's five boroughs. As a guest of Nissan - Innovation for Endurance (the Nissan Leaf is the official pace car of the marathon), I was lucky enough to watch the race from the bleachers at the finish line. The crowd's energy was infectious, and the runners were beyond inspiring. Keep reading to see what my view was like from the 26th mile!