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: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Nick Symmonds: 2008 . . .
. . . It’s Finally Here!
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #3)

Posted December 31st, 2007 at 4:56 PM by Nick Symmonds

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Nick Symmonds

Welcome to the official blog of elite American middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds. For more information about Nick please visit: www.nicksymmonds.com

Well, it is December 31st and it is a momentous day for me for several reasons.

First of all, I turned 24 yesterday. Normally birthdays come and go for me and I don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about them. While I certainly don’t feel old I am realizing that my body is almost fully matured and I am starting to enter the years that male middle distance runners typically peak. I’ve begun to notice that I get out of shape much faster than I used to, but also that I get back into shape faster; a rare combination of a slower metabolism and legs that have run thousands of miles.

This is also a huge day for me because it is New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow I will return to Eugene and will begin the process of sharpening up for the indoor season. My first race is in 26 days and I want to start the season out with a big win in Boston. But first, I will enjoy New Year’s like everyone else; one last hurrah before 2008!
Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

HIIT: The Ultimate Workout

Posted November 27th, 2007 at 5:45 PM by Shannon Clark

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

If you aren’t a stranger to the gym, you’ve likely already heard of something called high intensity interval training (HIIT). Whether it was between two trainers discussing their training techniques or someone complaining about the brutality of the workout, it may be something you’ve avoided up until now.

There is no doubt that high intensity interval training (HIIT) is something that will give you a run for your money. It definitely is not - by any means - easy, but it will get you results.

Not only is it more conducive to retaining your current muscle mass then longer cardio sessions, but it is also far better (in most cases) in terms of promoting fat loss and increasing the metabolism. The thing about HIIT is that it does not expend an extremely large amount of calories while you are performing it.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

3 comments, add yours | Permalink

Does your heart get tired when running and/or during other types of exercise?

Posted March 26th, 2007 at 9:59 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

A healthy heart is so strong that it is almost never a cause of tiredness during exercise.

Tiredness during exercise comes from your muscles. They run out of fuel or out of oxygen. Skeletal muscles use both fat and sugar for energy.

When your muscles run out of their stored sugar supply, called glycogen, they cannot contract and function adequately. You feel tired, your muscles hurt and you have difficulty coordinating them.

On the other hand, your heart muscle gets energy directly from fat and sugar in your blood and even from a breakdown product of metabolism called lactic acid. It is virtually impossible for the heart muscle to run out of fuel unless you are starving to death.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

B Vitamins: Crucial nutrients for an active lifestyle

Posted December 19th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Emily Hoskins

Section: Nutrition, Supplements, Health & Fitness

Vitamins are called micronutrients because they are only needed in miniscule amounts. These micronutrients are what enable the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances that allow for proper growth and development.

Without them your diet is incomplete and you won’t be able to recover from training sessions quickly which could lead to injuries. As small as the amounts are, their absence from your diet can have severe consequences.

Understanding each vitamin, its functions, and source can be confusing. This article will make things easier and teach you the importance of energy-boosting B vitamins for an active lifestyle.
Read the rest of this entry »

7 comments, add yours | Permalink

Resveratrol (RSZ) found to double endurance in recent study

Posted November 26th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Jennifer Lipman

Section: Nutrition, Supplements, Health & Fitness

In an age when performance-enhancing supplements are running rampant, it’s hard for consumers to discern which products really help improve endurance and which are mere marketing ploys.

However, a recent scientifc study may have helped to clear upon the confusion. These recent tests show the drug, resveratrol (RSV), found in natural foods, such as peanuts and the grapes used in wine, can double endurance while improving your health. Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Healthy Eating Guide: Part 2

Posted November 15th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Jonathan Faccone

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Supplements

This is Part 2 of my Healthy Eating Guide. Make sure to first go back and read Part 1! In addition, if you’d like personalized help with healthy eating, please send an email to thefinalsprint@gmail.com

Many people have adopted a mindset that healthy eating is a burden, rather then a necessity and way to make yourself feel better (in addition to making you look better). In order to get the most out of your life, you need to embrace a healthy diet. You might think that eating six smaller meals a day is unrealistic, but you’ll be surprised just how it easy it can be to make it work. It takes only five minutes each day to think about how you’re going to schedule your meals and snacks for the next day. Planning is the key for setting up and sticking to an eating program. Have you ever heard the saying “If you fail to plan, plan to fail”? It’s some of the best advice I can give you and is applicable for everything in your life - including living a healthy lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

4 comments, add yours | Permalink

Healthy Eating Guide: Part 1

Posted November 13th, 2006 at 4:12 PM by Jonathan Faccone

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating

Food is viewed by many as an enemy; a lurking temptress ready seduce you and lead you down the path to weight gain. People have been quick to believe, that when it comes to food, “less is more.” However, the negative effects of this long-standing mindset are unavoidable: Obesity in America is at it’s highest rate ever and according to data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), more than 58 million American adults between the ages 20 to 74 are overweight. Needless to say, its time to reevaluate our eating habits and our views of “healthy eating.”

There is good news for all of food lovers out there; studies are continually showing that eating smaller meals throughout the day has several health benefits. Why? Because when people don’t eat regulary, the body goes into starvation mode; unsure of when the next energy source will be available. Subsequently, the body stores more fat and cholesterol in an effort to create backup energy supplies. As a result, your metabolism becomes less efficient at burning calories; making you more susceptible to weight gain and can lead to the loss of muscle-mass. Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink