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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Glory of Goal-Setting

Posted September 24th, 2007 at 2:50 PM by Alexandra Haller

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

In the middle of last week I had one of my most glorious running experiences. I ran six miles (a personal best) on the trails of Island Lake Recreation Area. This is a gorgeous, bucolic 4,000 acre park in southeast Michigan—a true gem amidst so many highways and much urban sprawl. Upon entering the park, I can immediately sense a palpable difference in the air. People have turned down their car radios. I notice the lack of loud stressing noises like jarring car horns and squealing brakes. It’s a truly wonderful place to get away for a swim, walk, bike ride or, in my case, a run.

I have always thought about running those trails but never made it a priority. I was either caught up in a lack of time and didn’t want to make the drive or I wimped out due to bad weather and stayed indoors with the treadmill. I think I was also intimidated. Perhaps I wasn’t burly enough to be a trail runner. Maybe I was a road running rat and didn’t think I could hang with the Teva-wearing, mud-splattered adventurous set. The trouble is I wanted to be that adventurous type. Therefore, I made a plan to make it happen. Instead of musing and dreaming, I’d put myself into the picture.

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

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Slow it down … take a hike!

Posted July 19th, 2007 at 8:00 AM by Jessica Galvano

Section: Motivation, Health & Fitness, Exercise

Life goes by fast.

Sixty miles per hour to the office. Seven miles per hour on the treadmill. Forty-five in a thirty-five to make practice on time. And all after eight cups of coffee.
The jittery, anxiety-inducing schedule of espressos and non-stop “to dos” has, for many, become an accepted inevitability. In a fast-paced society, the natural tendency is to meet the demands of high speeds by downing Red Bull, exceeding speed limits, and attempting to function on a paltry five hours of sleep.

While it may be nearly impossible to control the speed of your work environment, maintaining a relaxed and enjoyable exercise regimen is entirely within reach. Instead of stepping on the treadmill for your usual run, try a hike instead. The texture of an actual trail is, not surprisingly, preferable to a synthetic treadmill and the scenery certainly has more appeal than the cold, gray concrete of the gym.

Read the rest of this article at our partner site: HerActiveLife.com

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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.
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