Valentine's Day is right around the corner and running a race is a fun way to spend the holiday, whether you're single or attached. It's also great motivation to get out in the cold weather and run. And if you are single, you may just meet that special someone standing next to you at the starting line...you never know! Check out active.com's list of Valentine's Day races around the country. If their list doesn't include one in your area, type in your zip code to find one near you.
More: Find Local Races l Tips for Cold Weather Races
Show Your Love for Running originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 12:54:16.
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I know it's just a tradition and Punxsutawney Phil is said to be wrong at least half of the time, but it was still discouraging to hear the "six more weeks of winter" prediction this morning. If your motivation has been lacking this winter, here are some ways to stay motivated to run until the weather improves:
Warm up inside before you head out. Often it's the thought of that first frigid 10 minutes of running that keeps us from going outside for a run. To help avoid that uncomfortable feeling for your first mile or so, try marching or slowly jogging in place for a few minutes inside before you head out. It will especially help warm up your feet and hands, which are often the most uncomfortable body parts during the beginning of a cold run.
Sign up for races. Doing road races throughout the winter is a great way to guarantee you'll a) keep motivated to stay in shape and b) run outside, at least occasionally (for the races).
Run with a group or a buddy. Find a local running group or recruit a friend to run with you. Knowing that someone is waiting for you will help motivate you to do those chilly runs.
Shop for running clothes. If all else fails, you could always try some retail therapy to beat the winter blues. Many running and sporting goods stores have marked down their winter running clothes, so you could score some great deals and maybe give your motivation a little boost.
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Six More Weeks of Winter? originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 10:45:10.
Reader Sarah emailed me with the following question: "I've been running for eight months now, and I've completed 5K and 10K races. My friends who have been running for longer are trying to convince me to train for a marathon in the fall. Not sure if I'm ready to take that leap. Should I do a half marathon first, or jump right into the marathon training?"
Great question, Sarah! I hear this a lot from new runners who have friends, family members, or co-workers trying to convince them to train for and run a marathon (26.2 miles) with them. While I do believe any healthy person who is willing to commit to the training can complete a marathon, the training is not something to jump right into with no or little running experience. If someone is a coach potato, they would definitely want to run for at least six months (a year is better) before starting marathon training. But it sounds like you have a good running base and have plenty of time to prepare for a fall marathon, if it's something you feel ready to do right now. (Don't let friends pressure you into it!)
It's definitely a good idea to complete a half marathon (13.1 miles) before a full marathon. Many runners, from beginners to advanced, run a half marathon during their marathon training as a confidence booster and a way to figure out their marathon goal time. It's helpful to get that kind of long distance race experience because you'll feel more physically and mentally prepared to go the marathon distance. Finding a local half marathon is not too hard in most areas, and you can fit into your marathon training schedule at any point after you've reached 10 miles for your long run.
Should I Run a Half Marathon Before Attempting a Full Marathon? originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 14:45:45.
Some runners choose to take the winter season off from racing, but others like to stay motivated by continuing to race through the colder months. Although many of the same cold weather running safety tips (like "don't overdress") apply to winter racing, here are a few other things to keep in mind if you're running in a chilly race.
Wear throw-away clothes at the start. The worst part of about winter racing is usually when you have to strip down to your racing outfit before the race starts. Rather than wasting a lot of energy freezing at the start, try to stay as warm as possible. If you know you're going to be waiting for a while, like at the start of a marathon, wear an old long sleeve shirt over your race outfit for extra warmth. Rather than tying it around your waist and adding extra bulk, you can throw it out at the one of the water stops once you're warmed up. Some big races even allow runners to throw away extra clothes at the start because they collect the clothes and donate them to a local charity.
Keep your head and hands warm at the start. Even if you don't think you'll race in a hat and gloves, you should at least wear them at the start, since you'll lose a lot of heat through your head and extremities. Some runners like to use hand warmers in their gloves to keep their hands extra toasty. If you get too warm during the race, you could always take off your hat or gloves and hold them, tuck them into the back of your pants, or pass them off to one of your cheerleaders along the race course.
Do a warm-up. A pre-race warm-up is especially important when racing in colder weather. A good warm-up dilates your blood vessels, ensuring that your muscles are well supplied with oxygen. It also raises your muscles' temperature for optimal flexibility and efficiency. By slowly raising your heart rate, the warm-up also helps minimize stress on your heart when you start your run.
Don't forget to hydrate. You may not be as aware of your hydration needs during cold weather races as you are when it's warm. But you're still sweating, so make sure you're stopping at the water stops and drinking at least 6 ounces of fluids every 20-25 minutes.
Tips for Racing in Cold Weather originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 12:28:49.
After doing a long run in cold weather, the thought of soaking my tired and achy muscles in a hot bath is so tempting. But it's actually not helpful for your post-run recovery. When runners say they're going to take a post-run hot bath or sit in a Jacuzzi, I always feel bad saying, "Don't do it!" Find out why sitting in an ice bath is better than soaking in a hot tub.
Can I Soak in a Hot Tub After a Long Run? originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 11:19:20.
Lots of people get started with running with a little push from their friends. They may have been inspired, encouraged, or perhaps even dared by friends or family members to start running and enter their first road race. Yes, having a running partner is a great way to stay motivated, boost your performance, and bond with your friends. But before you start training with a friend or family member, it's good to talk about it and make sure you're on the same page to avoid hurt feelings or uncomfortable situations down the road. Here are some guidelines:
Discuss your running goals. If you both hope to run all or most of your training runs and the race together, you should have similar goals. Whether your goal is to simply complete the race or run it under a certain time, you should talk about goals in advance, so there are no surprises later. Knowing your goals will also help you decide on a training plan.
Decide how much you'll train together. Discuss the training plan and decide how realistic it is for you to get together for runs. Maybe you'll decide to run together 2-3 times a week, or just do your long runs with each other.
Establish ground rules. It's good to set up rules, such as whether you can listen to music while running with each other or if you'll always run together, even if one person feels better than the other. If you're running with a close friend or family member and you're worried about potential conflicts, you may want to establish ground rules such as no criticizing, no blaming, or ignoring.
Be open to changes. Once you get into your training, you may need to adjust your initial training and race goals, based on your progress. If you and your friend's goals no longer match up, discuss how to modify your training and race plans.
Tips for Running With Buddies originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Thursday, January 26th, 2012 at 09:02:11.
Some people are hesitant to start running because they're worried about getting injured. The good news is that most running injuries are preventable. Follow these steps to keep yourself healthy and comfortable.
Get more ways to prevent running injuries.
3 Simple Steps for Running Injury Prevention originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 15:13:17.
Whenever I'm stressed out or just in a lousy mood, I feel the need to go for a run. If that doesn't work, I'll watch or read something funny. So this list of funny running quotes and other running humor sort of combines my two favorite stress relievers. Check them out if you're also feeling stressed or grumpy.
De-Stress With Running Humor originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 12:45:46.
I was talking to a runner this weekend who told me that, after several months of running, her feet are a mess. "I have two black toenails, blisters on top of blisters on my toes. Do you think my running shoes are too small?" she asked. Without even looking at her running shoes, I could guess that they were too small. But when I checked to see how much room she had in her toebox, sure enough, her toes were jammed right up to the front of her shoe.
Some runners don't realize that they're wearing running shoes that are actually too small for them. Your running shoes should be 1/2 to a full size bigger than your regular shoe size because your feet will swell when you run and you need plenty of room in the toebox. If they're too small, it could lead to black toenails, blisters, or numbness.
When you're shopping for running shoes, make sure the salesperson measures your feet. This may seem like an unnecessary step if you stopped growing years ago, but your feet size can change, even as an adult. Your feet may actually be bigger due to fallen arches or pregnancy. You may even have two different size feet, so it's important to get both feet measured.
If you're wondering if your current running shoes fit properly, check the location of your big toe. If it's pushed right up against the front of the shoe, they're too small. Another easy way to check the fit is to remove the shoe's insert and stand on it. If any part of your toes are hanging over the end of the insert, your running shoes are too small. Go up at least a half size next time.
Are Your Running Shoes Too Small? originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 at 15:33:50.
We finally got our first snowstorm of the winter here in my area and, after a pretty mild winter, I have to say that I was excited to go for a run in the snow this morning. If you're a little apprehensive about running when there's snow on the ground, try some of these tips for running on snow:
Use ice grippers. Yaktrax Ice Grippers offer traction and confidence for winter running. They slip right over your running shoes, without adding any weight. The spikeless coils provide a solid, predictable grip so you don't slip or slide.
Try snowshoeing. Mix things up and try a different type of workout with a pair of snowshoes. If you can run, you can snowshoe. Many places that rent skiis also rent snowshoes, so you can try them out and see if you like snowshoeing before making an investment.
Put screws on your running shoes for traction. Running & Jogging Forum member Allen has a great solution for running on the snow or ice. He secures hex-head screws on the soles of a pair of running shoes. Check out his YouTube video on how to make your own ice/snow running shoes.
Get a pair of trail running shoes. If you do a lot of snow running, you may want to think about buying trail running shoes, which are somewhat water-proof and will give you a little more traction in the snow.
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes Best Women's Trail Running Shoes
Tips for Running on Snow originally appeared on About.com Running & Jogging on Saturday, January 21st, 2012 at 15:53:39.