Healthy happy you.
Summer time equals flip flops, at least in my mind. They are great in hot weather because my feet never over heat, but as footwear they lack structure and arch support. After wearing them for hours my arches can get a little over tired and sore, on those occasions I pull out my foot roller and give my tired dogs a little massage. Not only does the massage make my feet feel better, it Read more
If you're looking to amp up your fitness routine, you need to get unstable. Performing classic single-leg exercises while standing on a foam pad, like the one pictured above by Aeromat, is simple way to do this. The squishy surface forces your core and legs to work harder, increasing your strength gains and caloric burn. Standing on the soft surface also strengthens your feet and ankles, which Read more
Many a runner has been sidelined by knee pain caused by the iliotibial band (aka the ITB). But knowing how to deal with this long band of fascia, which runs down the outside of the thigh from the pelvis to just below the shin, can help keep an injury at bay. Knowledge is power, and we want to help keep you on the road. First off, fascia is a stiff connective tissue (like tendons and ligaments) Read more
Shin splints are the bane of many new runners. The tight calves that accompany mileage increases can spell pain for the lower leg. If running causes any discomfort, take time off to allow your shin splints to heal. But you need not sit idle on the sidelines while you recuperate: ice massages help, too. A serious runner, my Equinox trainer reminded me of the healing combo of ice and massage to Read more
The much-buzzed-about Nokia Lumia 800 is now for sale in the UK, and the company chose to celebrate the occasion in a major way yesterday. Nokia took over the Millbank Tower in London for a free electronic music performance by deadmau5, set to a light show projected across the skyscraper's looming exterior. The 387-foot tower's 800 windows were covered in vinyl, which doubled as a canvas for the Read more
If you've got a spring in your step because of the nice weather, you may want to enjoy the fresh air by starting a new running hobby. But being a runner isn't just about lacing up fancy new kicks and hitting the pavement. By incorporating a few exercises into your workout routine, you can help prevent some injuries that are common in the running world. Here are a few of them to start doing Read more
You might not be in school, but it's still important to learn your P's and Q's, especially if you are new to weight training. It's intimidating enough to be surrounded by a bunch of men with loaded guns, pumping iron. Enter the room, and act like you know what's going on by reviewing these rules on weight room etiquette. Use equipment properly – Know how to use the equipment. Read the Read more
Even with the longer days of the Summer months, I sometimes feel like there is so much training to do and so little time to pack it in. Upping your mileage certainly brings increased stamina, so you can "bring it" at your races, but it can also mean increased injury risk. Overuse injuries are the bane of any runner's well-laid training plans. And that is where some prehab comes into play. You can Read more
Running can take its toll on your knees and having tight muscles and soft tissue around the very important knee joint can increase the toll we runners pay. That is why stretching is so very important. This stretch targets the iliotibial band (ITB), the thick band of fascia that runs down the outside of the thigh, and it is important because when the ITB gets tight it can pull the knee cap out Read more
After running suicide sprints at the park, my running buddy complained that sprinting often leaves her lower back tight. I had a notion that her psoas might be tight. This muscle is a major hip flexor (it draws the thigh toward the abdomen) and attaches to the five lowest vertebrae, the lumbar spine. When the psoas shortens and tighten from activities like sprinting or biking, it can yank on the Read more
