TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Her Active Travels:
Salt Lake City, Utah

Posted October 13th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by Katie Drummond

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

Her Active Travels invites you to broaden your horizons – within your own borders. From must-see sights to must-eat restaurants, we’re giving you the lowdown on the best and brightest cities for an active, adventurous weekend getaway.

This week, we’re venturing to the Crossroads of the West - Salt Lake City, Utah. If the most you’ve seen of Salt Lake was the 2002 coverage of the Olympic Games, it may be time to take a second look at this historic urban center. First settled in the late 19th century, Salt Lake features gorgeous mountains and a booming tourist industry that includes notable theatre and arts events.

To read the rest of this entry, please visit our partner site: HerActiveLife.com

Comment on this post | Permalink

Podcast 87: Australia’s BENITA JOHNSON on the 2007 Chicago Marathon

Posted October 3rd, 2007 at 5:34 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years BR Sportswear is closing out their line of high -quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

Episode 87 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with Australia’s BENITA JOHNSON; the women’s favorite for Sunday’s LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.

In the interview, Benita talks about her decision to return to Chicago, looking for another P.R., the difference between running in Chicago and London (where she lives for parts of the year), bouncing back from a disappointing performance at the London Marathon in April, and how her second place finish behind world champion Catherine Ndereba at the NYC Half-Marathon has helped with her mental preparation for Chicago.

Download the podcast to hear Benita discuss these topics, as well as, her thoughts on fellow Australian Craig Mottram’s struggles in Osaka, going from a talented 18 year old hockey player to a world class runner, who she thinks will win the NYC Marathon, and how a childhood full of barefoot running and constant activity (and almost no TV) has helped make her the runner she is today.

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Benita Johnson
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 16.0 MB | Length: 23:21 MIN

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

Five helpful tips for a healthy, active summer of running and overall fitness

Posted June 25th, 2007 at 9:00 AM by thefinalsprint.com

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Motivation, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Supplements, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

The following article was written by TFS guest contributor Dr. Larry Robinson. For more about Dr. Robinson, check out the “About Dr. Robinson” section at the conclusion of the article.

1. Use the summer weather to increase your outdoor activity:

“From running and baseball games in the park to weekend getaways hiking, biking and canoeing, summer’s the perfect time to get in shape without a daily trip to the gym,” says Dr. Robinson. “Use the season to start a new sport you’ve always been interested in that can carry you through the holidays, New Year’s resolutions and colder weather.”

Of course check with your physician first if you have any physical concerns, and always start off easy. If you’re prone to heat stroke or exhaustion, take advantage of dusk and dawn to complete your fitness activity. And, as always, drink plenty of water and don’t forget the sunscreen for daytime outdoor activities.
Read the rest of this entry »

3 comments, add yours | Permalink

Runner’s Knee and the processes of prevention & healing

Posted June 14th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by Courtney Albon

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

The term “runner’s knee” refers to an inflammation of the tendon, the (ITB), that is located on the outside of the thigh. As injury to this tendon often results from overuse of the knees, and runner’s rely on their knees to function within their sport, the title “runner’s knee” is quite appropriate. The name is, however, deceptively exclusive as runner’s knee describes an ailment common among individuals who are active in a spectrum of activities such as biking, walking, or jumping.

As mentioned above, the inflammation of the ITB can be a result of overuse or overstretching of the tendon in any activity that requires repeated knee bending. Misalignment is also a factor in the injury. If a bone is out of it’s correct position, then the excess stress being placed elsewhere can result in the pulling and inflammation of the ITB. The tendon can also undergo stress because of weak thigh muscles or a direct injury to the knee such as a fall or a blow. Runners with flat feet, or fallen arches, often have knee problems as the ITB is forced to stretch in order to compensate for the missing arch.
Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

TFS Book Review: “The Pump Energy Food” Cookbook

Posted May 28th, 2007 at 5:59 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Motivation, Books, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Vegetarianism, Special Features, TFS Reviews

With obesity in America at epidemic proportions, we need fewer restaurants boasting oversized meals heavy on deep fried foods, and more people like Steve and Elena Kapelonis, the owners of The Pump Energy Food restaurants in New York City.

The Pump promotes active and nutritious lifestyles by offering a delicious, healthful menu without using or including any butter, egg yolks, bacon, white bread, mayo, or fried foods. While those lucky enough to live in New York can get their fill of healthy fuel at one of Pump’s five locations, athletes looking for recipes that promote fitness and energy will find their culinary match with “The Pump Energy Food: A Revolutionary Cookbook and Eating Plan to Create the Body of Your Dreams“.

More than just recipes, the book is filled with advice for those who want to lose weight, build muscle, and/or increase energy…
Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

ASK FLASH: Aging, flexibility, staying active & a Happy Sloth

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 6:57 PM by Joshua Flash Gordon

Section: Columns, Health & Fitness, Exercise, Ask Flash

Need advice? Injured? Confused? Overwhelmed? Bored? ASK FLASH!
ASK FLASH is a free advice column to help you with all of your running, fitness and nutrition inquiries. To ASK FLASH — simply fill out the form at the conclusion of the column.

Q. Are young children more flexible than adults because they are active? ~ Inflexible in Bend, Arkansas

A. According to Mom’s Team, flexibility varies for children as part of development. There is a period of time where their bones grow faster than their muscles and they actually lose flexibility. So, there is likely more at play than mere activity levels when it comes to flexibility differences between children and adults. In addition, the word ‘active’ should probably be used loosely with kids today because when you think about the excessive TV and video game time that consumes many of their lives.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Heart Health and Marathon Running: Preparation is Key

Posted February 13th, 2007 at 3:02 PM by Megan Hueter

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

The risk of death from coronary heart disease is decreased almost two-fold in physically active people. Regular exercise has beneficial effects on blood pressure, lipid profile (fats in the body), insulin resistance (ability to break down sugar to use for energy), and overall decreased risk of death.

However, prolonged exercise (such as a marathon running) is hard for the body to endure, especially the heart. The risk of a cardiac event is there, as indicated by dozens of emergency crews present at various intervals of an event such as the Boston Marathon. A 2006 study shows that heart damage from a marathon is significantly related to inadequate training and preparation; a problem seen in some amateur marathon runners.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Warning: If you start running, you may become “addicted”

Posted January 15th, 2007 at 7:03 PM by Amanda Black

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Health & Fitness, Exercise

People often look at serious runners with awe and admiration, wondering why they would choose to do such a thing and how a person could get up at five in the morning and go for a run in the freezing cold before the start of a stressful day.

For most runners the answer is simple: they need it, they love it and they just don’t feel “right” if they don’t go for their run. In a lot of ways, running is actually psychologically and physically addictive. The body produces natural endorphins during exercise; the so called “runner’s high” and many people just can’t get enough! Author Pam Hilts explains that these endorphins:
Read the rest of this entry »

7 comments, add yours | Permalink