FitSugar

5 Handheld Water Bottle Favorites

Leta Shy — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:47:34 PDT

Spring is practically here, and that means it won't be long until we trade in our treadmill runs for some outdoor exercise. If you run outside for more than a few miles, handheld running water bottles are a great solution to ensure you stay hydrated. Their molded shape and adjustable straps ensure that you won't have to concentrate on holding on, and their compact size make it a breeze to carry your H2O along on a run. Check out some of our favorite handheld options and let us know what you think of them!

Running and the Evolution of Endurance

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:15:29 PDT

If speed ain't your thing, don't worry - humans aren't really built to go fast. As we evolved and moved out of the trees, humans began to walk upright with obvious benefits to "hands-free" locomotion - look how far we've come. But one major drawback about becoming bi-pedal: it slowed us down. A recent article on the subject on NPR explains that "in a tiger-eat-monkey world, two legs were slower than four."

The upside of our being upright, however, is endurance. Anthropologist Daniel Lieberman feels humans evolved to outrun quick prey over long distances. One of the advantages we have over four-legged creatures is we cool down by sweating, while possible prey like a gazelle must pant while sprinting, which adds up to overheating and an eventual slowing down. We may lose the speed race, but we can maintain a quicker pace over a longer period of time, giving us a different advantage.

To learn how the "new" movement toward barefoot running fits into the evolutionary process,

read more. Unsurprisingly, Lieberman is also a proponent of barefoot running, or at least wearing minimalistic footwear. After studying the gait pattern of barefoot runners (remember our ancestors didn't have access to Asics), he found they naturally landed on the balls of their feet. Heel striking is just too painful, but when the ball of the foot makes contact with the ground, elastic-like energy is stored in the ligaments and Achilles tendon. Lieberman's advice for long distance runners:

"When you're in the marathon and you're wondering at mile 16 or 17 what on earth you're doing, remember, you're chasing a kudu. That's what you're doing. You're re-enacting that chase from a million years ago."

I am not sure if the image of chasing down an antelope is enough to inspire me to run 26.2 miles, but I do like how this theory on running supports the notions that "slow and steady wins the race."

FuelBelt H20 Collection: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:47:22 PDT

I recently saw someone at my gym wearing a FuelBelt - a sort of holster for water. I felt a little bad because I kept staring at it, mainly because I had never seen one in person, and was curious. Although it seemed a little out of place in the gym, I thought it might be a good accessory for outdoor runs. In fact, many serious athletes are seen wearing FuelBelts come race day.

FuelBelt's latest H20 belt ($40) is "one size fits all" and comes in seven stylish colors. The belt holds two eight-ounce bottles and a small pouch that you can put your ID, phone, or other items in. And if you're not into wearing your water around your waist, there's always the Body Bottle ($25), allowing you to wear a water bottle on your arm. I'm wondering what you think of these types of products . . .

Tips For Tackling Long Runs

FitSugar — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:00:32 PDT

Many people sign up for races and marathons in the Summer, so now is the time to be training for them. If you're not used to running longer than three or four miles, here are some tips to help you tackle longer distances.

Don't skimp on gear. Splurge on good wicking socks (to prevent blisters), a durable and comfortable pair of sneaks, wicking clothes that are seamless (to prevent irritation and chaffing), and a supportive sports bra. Good gear is so worth the extra dough.
Follow the 10 percent rule. The rule states: never increase your weekly mileage by more than 10 percent from the previous week. This means you want to gradually work up to that 18-mile run you have in your training schedule, rather than jumping right into it.
Slow down your pace. You may be used to running eight-minute miles when you run the three-mile loop in your neighborhood, but it'll be hard to keep up that pace when taking on a 10-mile run. As your body gets used to the increase in mileage, you can gradually begin to increase your speed.
Don't be afraid to take walking breaks. Longer distances mean you're on your feet for longer periods of time, so you'll notice your muscles becoming fatigued. Continuing to run with a tired body can lead to muscle damage or another injury. Allow your body time to build up endurance and have some time to recover by including short walking breaks at regular intervals.

For more helpful tips keep reading

Run Your Way Into Free Clothes With Lucy

FitSugar — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:19:58 PDT

We see our fair share of press releases. And while some are on the "meh" side, a few are too good not to share - like the one I received this week from Lucy activewear. From now until the end of August, Lucy is giving a 20 percent discount to anyone who competes in a race and brings her bib into one of its retail locations. To sweeten the deal, if you place in the top three and are wearing Lucy when you do it, you get a free tank and pant from its Propel collection. My suggestion is to bring in your bib on one of Lucy's Fitness Friday events; it's a great way to connect with the fitness community in your area and take a free class!

If you're thinking about racing, here are some resources to get you started:

A sprint tri training schedule from the YMCA tri club
Running coach Andrew Kastor's training plan for a 5k
Tips for running a marathon and a half marathon
Information on running in a Muddy Buddy race
A schedule of relay races

A Healthy Bite: Valerie Bertinelli

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:00:53 PDT

"I am so high right now, more high than if I'd had a bottle of champagne! I feel euphoric!"

-Valerie Bertinelli shortly after finishing the Boston Marathon with a time of 5:14:37. Valerie, who is just four days away from her 50th birthday, tells People magazine that after a quick bath in the marathon recovery tent, she felt great, "I wonder if it's anything like childbirth where you forget how painful it was. I think I had a pretty amazing time!"

The Jenny Craig spokeswoman was one of 550 participants running for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Prior to yesterday's race, the farthest Valerie had ever run was 19.2 miles during a premarathon run last week. On what was going through her mind when she crossed the finish line: "When I turned the corner and saw the finish line, I turned the music off and just enjoyed the crowd."

Are You Running in a Race This Year?

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:47:55 PST

Marathon season is officially under way, woo-hoo! I have to admit I love hearing that so many of you are in training or have completed a race. It motivates me to lace up and hit the pavement even more. Heck, even some of my own friends have finished running in their first long-distance races this year. Kudos!

Since so many of you wrote that running in longer races was one of your fitness goals in our Get Fit For 2010 community group and contest, I'm wondering how many of you signed up to compete. I'm hoping that you're all taking the leap and that your training is going well. I especially hope that you're staying injury-free. If this is your first race and your nerves are starting to set in, don't worry - you will be able to tackle your first marathon with ease, I know it. If you're still looking for a race, head on over to Active.com; they have a complete listing of all kinds of events.

Tell me . . .

How Do You Re-Fuel When Long-Distance Running?

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:04 PST

FitSugar reader AZDaisy posted this question in the RunningSugar community group.

Hey everyone! So I've been running off and on for years now, but I just started getting serious, and I'm running my first half marathon this February! The longest I've run before was 7 miles . . . so replenishing my energy mid-run has never been an issue thus far. But I've read that for every hour you work out, you need to eat something, and that's where the gels, gummies, and bars come in. However, I've also read that you need to drink water when you eat these things, and where I run there's typically no water source, nor do I like the idea of carrying a water bottle with me on my long runs. I'm just curious . . . what do you long distance runners do when it's time to boost your energy mid-run?

If you love chatting about running or have a question, then post your thoughts to the RunningSugar community group. Not a runner? Then take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone. If you want to see your health or fitness post featured on FitSugar, then private message me here to pitch your ideas.

Best Sneakers for Long Distance Running

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:00:00 PDT

If you're upping your running mileage to tone up, to cross-train for another endurance sport, or if you're training for a marathon, then you're going to need a quality pair of sneakers. There isn't one brand or style of running shoe out there that is considered the ultimate shoe, because everyone's feet are different and so is the way in which they run. Here's some criteria you should look for in a shoe:

The sneaker should be lightweight and breathable. After continuously pounding your feet on the ground for almost an hour, you want as little weight on your feet as possible to avoid injuries to your joints and to conserve energy. Running for long periods of time will also raise your body temperature, so you want a shoe that has some type of ventilation (sweaty feet can cause blisters).
The sneaker should be made for your type of foot. Flat-footed people who overpronate when they run need extra arch support. If you have high arches and underpronate, you'll need extra cushioning. If you're not sure what type of foot you have and where you fall on the pronation scale, go to a specialty running store for expert advice.

For more great tips

Get in Gear: Nathan Speed 4 Water Holder

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:00:00 PST

If you're into long-distance running or training for a marathon it's imperative to stay hydrated. Carrying around a huge water bottle can be annoying though, and most hydration waistpacks only hold 20 ounces of water or less.

Check out this Nathan Speed 4 Nutrition Speedbelt ($34.95). It's a long name for a holder that you wear around your waist that houses four, 10-ounce bottles. That means you get 40 ounces of water total, and because the bottles are spread out, you won't feel uneven pressure or strain on your back or hips. The bottles can also be filled up with special electrolyte drinks or carb gels, since long-distance runners need extra calories in order to keep running. I love that you can easily pull the bottles out with no problem, and they're curved so they fit in one hand comfortably. There's also a little pocket in the front for small essentials. The waistbelt is adjustable so you can get a snug fit without it bopping up and down as you run. Order it from teamestrogen.com.