A Christmas Message - Make 2009 Your Fittest Year Yet

With 2009 literally just around the corner, why not try to make it your fittest year yet.  Have you thought about your goals for 2009 yet?

I’ve thought about my goals and if I write them down here, that will make them even more concrete.  I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  In September 2009 I enter a new age category for running events.  Given my new age category and the adjusted qualifying time, I think that I might be able to qualify for Boston.  It will require alot of commitment and training on my part, but I’m ready.

Having been plummeted with snow over the past week, I find it hard to think about my 2009 running goals at the moment.  The ground is so thick with the white stuff that I can’t even get out for a run.  But, I have been taking advantage of the gym and running on the treadmill.  I have to admit that I don’t love working out on the treadmill, but my driving force is how good I feel after my workout.

Don’t forget to make time for your workouts this holiday season.  Continuing your running or heading to the gym will help with those extra holiday calories and balance your “holiday” lifestyle.  Remember your New Year’s goals. 

• Challenge yourself with a running goal that you haven’t reached before. 
• Mentor someone you know to achieve a more active lifestyle.

I wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas and Good Health and Fitness in 2009.

Is Treadmill Running easier than Road Running?

Yes, it is!  Is that why you prefer the treadmill?  It’s true that we can all get a great running workout on a treadmill, with all it’s mutiple settings for speed, intervals, hill training etc.  But there is really nothing that compares to the great outdoors.

How is that you ask?

“When you’re running on a treadmill, the conveyor belt does some of the work for you, but when you’re running outside, your body has to propel itself forward without any motorized help,” says Jason karp, a professional running coach in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  There’s also more air resistance when you’re sweating outside, plus there’s usually a slight incline or decline. 

So, where running on a treadmill is alright for some of your running workouts, if you don’t get outside and pound the pavement (so to speak), you will find the next road race that you do harder than your treadmill running because you haven’t conditioned your body/muscles for roadrunning.  It’s a good idea to mix up your running venues and when you do run on the treadmill, keep the incline set at 1.0, this will simulate an outdoor environment.  Most importantly - keep running!

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