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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Q & A: Is stretching helpful or harmful for exercisers?

Posted November 30th, 2007 at 2:12 PM by Andrew Goodman

Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

Stretching the leg muscles improves muscle flexibility and strength, running speed, and jumping distance, according to a study from Louisiana State University (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, October 2007).

Stretching elongates muscles and tendons. Longer tendons allow muscles to exert a greater torque on the joint to exert more power to help you lift heavier, jump higher and run faster.

However, other studies show that you should not stretch before a competition involving speed and strength (Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, April 2006). The longer the athletes stretched, the weaker they became. Prolonged stretching fatigues muscle fibers so that they contract with reduced force.
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Quote of the Day: 10/20/07

Posted October 20th, 2007 at 6:00 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes

“I was pushed by myself because I have my own rule, and that is that every day I run faster, and try harder.”

- Wilson Kipketer

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Why you should run faster

Posted December 31st, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

If you don’t run very fast in practice, you won’t be able to run very fast in races.

At the University of Copenhagen, Danish scientists studied experienced runners who had been running 60 miles a week at a fast pace. One group was told to cut their mileage in half to only 30 miles a week, but to run a series of around 50 to 100 yard dashes as fast as they could. The other group continued running 60 miles a week at a fast pace. Runners who ran fewer miles at a faster pace had a 7 percent improvement in their body’s maximal ability to take in and use oxygen.
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Win the mental battle to finish strong at your next race

Posted November 8th, 2006 at 11:00 AM by Trish Monks

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Training Tips

On Sunday I ran a half marathon – it was hilly, and about 7 miles too far, but I got through it without walking (a key goal of mine when hills are involved) and, as a surprise bonus, got myself a new personal best for that distance.

However, I must admit that it was quite difficult (not enough long training runs – my own fault). At the 8 mile marker, just after a substantial climb and with only 5 miles remaining, I had a bit of a ‘wobble’.

Do you know the kind of scenario that I am talking about? You start doubting yourself: thinking that you’re not going to make it, wanting to stop for a little walk, consider feigning an injury so you can drop . . . that kind of thing. The worst part is that the more you think these negative thoughts, the slower you get and the more likely you are to actually give up. It’s at these crucial moments that I have learned that I really have to give myself a good talking to.

Here are some tricks to get you through the psychological pain barrier: Read the rest of this entry »

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Principles of Training

Posted October 28th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Martin Kennedy

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

You will not become a better athlete by doing the same training regimen each day.

Athletes train by taking hard workouts on one day, feeling sore on the next, and not taking another hard workout until the muscles stop feeling sore.

It’s called the hard-easy principle.

If you want to become stronger or faster or increase your endurance, you have to exercise hard or long enough to make your muscles burn. Then your muscles will be sore for one or more days.

However, if you try to exercise hard when your muscles are damaged, you will tear them and the muscles will weaken.

If you wait for the soreness to disappear, your muscles will be stronger than they were before your workout. As you continue to take stressful workouts only after the soreness disappears, you will become progressively stronger and faster and have greater endurance. Read the rest of this entry »

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