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Best Marathons for Newbies

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Running your first marathon can be a very scary thing. So instead of signing up for the New York City Marathon as your very first marathon, try starting with something a little less intimidating.

Not sure which marathons are good for first timers? Here's a list from US Airways Magazine that sums it right up:

DISNEY WORLD MARATHON
Novices will love the fact that the course is level, and you’ll never be at a loss for scenery as you wind past sights like Cinderella Castle. This race always fills up fast, so reserve early. Check it out at DisneyWorldMarathon.com
LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON
The nation’s 2nd-largest marathon features a very flat course and is well organized. Bring lots of water and pace yourself since the weather can be quite hot during this marathon. Check it out at ChicagoMarathon.com.
MARINE CORPS MARATHON
Also known as "The People's Marathon," this perennial favorite win are recommended. Check it out at MarineMarathon.com.
MEDTRONICS TWIN CITIES MARATHON
The citizens along this flat course extend the type of friendly atmosphere people have come to associate with midwestern America. Check it out at TwinCitiesMarathon.org.
NEW LAS VEGAS MARATHON
This race begins at Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip and proceeds through the heart of Vegas - it’s perhaps the only time Las Vegas Boulevard is closed. You’ll see hundreds of runners dressed as Elvis. (A push is on to break the world record with 101 Elvises!) There’s even a “Run Thru Wedding Chapel” featuring a “Running Reverend” for those who’d like to tie the knot or renew their vows. Check it out at LVMarathon.com.

Weekend Reading: 50/50 by Dean Karnazes

FitSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

You might know Dean Karnazes as the Ultra Marathon Man. In fact that is the url to his fancy website. Not only can this man run, run and run, he also writes entertaining and motivating books.

The subtitle of Karnazes' latest book, 50/50 ($25), which he co-authored with Matt Fitzgerald, explains the book: "Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days-and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance." I will admit, I find the thought of running a single marathon daunting, let alone 50 races back to back, in 50 different states. The endurance I gained from this book can be measured in pages per night. I flew through this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The tone of the book is very chatty as Karnazes explains how the idea for doing 50/50 evolved and how it came to pass. He details every race and peppers his prose with helpful running tips like what to eat, what to wear, how to catch your second wind. Mostly, he wants you to get out and go for a run. Karnazes emphasizes the importance of listening to running advice and then experimenting with it to find out what works for you and your training regimen. After burning the midnight oil many nights reading, I always woke up inspired to lace up my sneakers and hit the road. As a runner who struggles with both speed and endurance, I appreciated his humble preface where he repeatedly states that he is just an average guy. His average-ness is our opening to create and meet our own challenges. I think both running newbies and old timers will enjoy this book. You can find it at Amazon, but why not just run down to your local running store to get your copy.

Watch It: Marathon Challenge on NOVA

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:30:00 -0700

There are many ways to get yourself motivated to run! Or even just to exercise in general. If you can’t make it to an actual marathon for inspiration, you can watch Marathon Challenge produced by NOVA for PBS. It is an up close and personal look at normal folks training to run the prestigious Boston Marathon.

The story begins in the summer of 2006, when 13 running newbies begin training for the upcoming race in April 2007. The 13 participants come from diverse backgrounds, one is even a former NFL linebacker, and they all have diverse reasons for running. NOVA watches as the 13 participants train with 3 time Boston Marathon winner Uta Pippig and a former track coach from Tufts University. They even receive nutritional advice from a Tuft prof! You will learn the health benefits as well as the health costs of running such distances - from stress blisters to stress fractures.

This is a real life experiment and one trainee equates his experience to the original physical challenge reality show Survivor. So I expect the show to be part documentary with a heavy dose of reality show drama and I am so excited to watch! Marathon Challenge will premiere Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00 pm on most PBS stations.

To see the dramatic trailer, just read more

Marathon Motivation

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:30:00 -0700

Motivation to run the 26.2 miles of a marathon comes in many different forms – some of them related. And in this case I mean that literally. The thirteen Weisse siblings will be running in Wisconsin's Fox Cities Marathon this weekend. Aside from the bragging rights that come with finishing a marathon, if the entire family finishes they will break the current Guinness World Records. Currently holding the record is a family of 12 Irish siblings that completed the Dublin marathon.

Each member of the family needs to complete all 26.2 miles in 8 hours. I am rooting for them! Most of the Weisse siblings are running newbies, but the family, spread across the state of Wisconsin and the U.S., used daily e-mails to encourage and inspire each other. I, for one am, inspired!

What about you? Would having your name and the names of all your siblings in the Guinness Book of World Records motivate you to run a marathon? Tell me how you feel about it in the comments section below!

Weekend Reading: The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women

FitSugar — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Recently, there has been a bit of chatter on the Sugar pages about running marathons. Some of you have already run some while others are contemplating or training for one. Well, I have a great book for all of you newbies to check out, The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais.

The book serves as a training guide, running buddy, entertaining read and journal of Dawn’s experience getting up off her recliner and hitting the pavement with the goal of running 26.2 miles. Inspired to run for the American Stroke Society, Dawn joins a team for training. Using metaphors of battle she details her quest to find the ultimate running bra, hydrating while running, her dependence on her iPod.

The book will make you laugh while asking important questions prior to signing up for a race. Dawn will have you ask yourself - Do you think knee joints are overrated? Apparently her knees gave her lot of trouble while training. My other favorite quiz yourself question is: Sometimes, when driving long distances, like 15 miles or so, I feel the overwhelming urge to pull my car over and simply run the rest of the way. If you find this true, than marathons are for you.

Another great part of this book is worksheets for you to list how you are going to combat the inevitable excuses to not run. Another listing exercise helps you determine your reasons for running a marathon, while yet another helps you figure out different training strategies - like walking for 1 minute after completing 1 mile.

This is my kind of book, entertaining, motivational, informative and funny. Who knew chaffing could be so humorous?

Buy it at Powell's Books for $14.95.

5 Tips for Gym Newbies

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

There is a first for everything at some point in our lives, even a first time going to the gym. So whether or not you are an avid outdoor exerciser or new to exercising altogether, here are a few tips to making your first trip to the gym a pleasant one.

Don't skip the new member tutorial -- It's helpful and informative.
While they do it on TV and in the movies, slamming your weights down on the floor is not considered cool.
Grunting, also not cool.
If you're going to be doing a marathon session on the treadmill, make sure there are not others waiting to use it.
Check out your gym's cell phone policy before having your daily phone convo with your sister on the elliptical.
*Bonus Tip: Wipe your sweat off anything that acquires it, it's just common courtesy.

Have your own tips for newbies? Add them in the comments section below.