Jun 15

The best way to ensure you remain fit while on holiday is to observe the following fitness tips that will help to keep you in shape.

Exercise in the morning.

When on holiday you will have alot of things to do and by the end of the day you just want to lie down have a drink and rest. You will not have time during the day and you in the evening you will not be in a mood to exercise.

Start Running

Running is the simplest form of exercise, you just need a good pair of running shoes, shorts and T-shirt. These gear can be packed easily in your bag. Compare that with cycling – where will you pack your bike?

Confirm the hotel has a gym.

If staying fit is very important to you, make sure you confirm the hotel has a gym before you make the reservation.

Have back up plans

When on holiday / vacation, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by flight delays and traffic jams. If you miss your “scheduled” workout, a short exercise routine is better than nothing. Sit ups and push ups can be done in your room.

Commit to Eat Healthy

Try and eat healthy foods. To prove you are serious you can carry a weighing machine with you so that every morning you can measure your weight. If you have tipped the scales you can remind yourself to stay on course.

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May 13

The Nike + plus running shoes are shoes from Nike that comes with a pouch for a sensor device from Nike that calculates the distance traveled, pace and calories burned by a runner.

Not all Nike shoes come with a ready made pouch for fitting the sensor, runners are advised to buy Nike+ model shoes.

One Nike+ model shoe is these Nike Men’s Air Max Moto + 6 shoes.

Once a runner purchase the gear he can register with official Nike Plus website to store his workouts.

Nike Plus does all these little things, like when you do your longest or fastest run, Lance Armstrong or Tiger Woods comes on and congratulates you on your iPod. So, you’re thinking while you’re running, I’m not going to get Tiger Woods unless I run really fast or long.

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Apr 14

Ryan hall is sponsored by Asics, a Japanese sports shoes maker. The shoes color are black and white.

The black and white Asics were custom made for Ryan Hall, so you wont see them in the running stores.

According to running competitor : His feet were measured from every angle, using cutting-edge technology, and his legs were measured for strength and flexibility in relation to other marathoners. Run testing on an indoor/outdoor track helped determine his ground impact, force and reaction time.

After 2 days of testing, researchers had the information needed to create a pair of shoes uniquely designed for Hall’s specific running mechanics. Read more @ running competitor

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Jan 28

There is a lot of news flying around claiming that running barefoot is better than running on some fancy running shoes. Although am yet to try running barefoot there are many runners out there who swear by barefoot running, at least on grass. Running barefoot on tarmac is a big NO!

Research on Barefoot running

The latest research on barefoot running has been done by a team from Harvard University. The team studied runners from the United States and Kenya as they ran on tracks.

The researchers found that while people run in a variety of ways, most barefoot runners tend to “forefoot strike — land first on the outer ball of the foot before bringing down the heel.

Advantage / Benefit of Barefoot Running

By contrast, more than 75 percent of runners who wear running shoes land on their heels first. The study suggests this is more likely to cause running injury.

Detailed information is published on harvard univesity website on barefoot running.

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Jan 14

Staying thin is harder than trying to get thin.

The curse of dieting is that 90% of people who lose weight by dieting end up getting their old weight back. Tv star, Valerie Bertinelli managed to lose 40 pounds and she is determined to beat the curse. She is lacing up her running shoes and training to run at this year’s Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is on 19 April for days shy of her 50th birthday. If she finishes the marathon that will be a perfect birthday gift to give herself.

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Oct 07

Actor and longtime conservation activist Edward Norton will run the NY Marathon as part of a team raising awareness and financial support for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, a Kenya-based conservation organization. Norton and 3 Maasai warriors will be leading 30 people from all walks of life running the ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 1st.

The three Maasais are Parashina, Parashi and Sunte. They usually run in sandals made out of off-road tires. They call them “Michelins” or “Thousand Milers.” While Parashina and Sunte will wear Puma running shoes Parashi intend to stick to his Maasai Running Sandals.

maasai_warrior_tire_running_shoes

As part of preparation Edward travelled to Kenya where he ran with the Maasais. Most of the running was around Chyulu hills on the Northern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Norton discribed the experience to runners world magazine: -

“We probably ran about 30 miles a week out there. It’s tough running. A lot of lava rock and rutted roads and thorn bushes. And there’s been a bad drought all this year so it’s very dusty right now, where normally it’s high green grass everywhere. I think it will make New York feel easy for these guys, as long as it’s not cold, which they are not used to.”

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Aug 18

Usain Bolt Puma Running spikes or shoe are known as Puma Theseus II spikes. Usain Bolt worked with Puma to develop the optimum running shoe.

Material Bolt Running Spike Shoe is made from.

Following this collaborative process, the complete Theseus II was born. Made from synthetic leather with an airmesh upper construction for maximum breathability, it enhances sprinting efficiency due to its stiffness of material.

Bolt of the blocks

Image courtesy of Puma Running.

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May 23

Shin splints is a pain over the front of your lower leg, that part stretching from the knee to the foot.When you run you feel pain and when you touch the area on either side of your shin bone, it may feel sore and tender.

This injury was made famous by Lance Armstrong during his first marathon. At the end of 2006 New York Marathon he reported he had ran the distance wish shin splints. The amazing thing was that he still managed a sub 3 hours finish. Not bad in your first marathon!

Causes of Shin splints injury

Experts call it overuse injury, that is too much running. That is why Doctors recommend taking a rest from running as the first step in solving the problem.

Step One In Treating Shin SPlints Injury

Stop running and take a rest.

Step two in treating shin splints injury

Ice the area twice a day.

Step three in treating Shin splints injury

Use an anti-inflamatory spray. If the pain is too much you may take pain killers.

Step four in treating shin splints

Finally, when you get back running use a good running shoe.

Normal pain disapear after a short while but if you don’t see improvement consult with your physician.

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Mar 26

In 2008 U.S Consumer report tested over 205 shoe brands and the Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 was judged to be the best running shoe. The Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 topped the rankings for men’s and women’s shoes.

nike.air_zoom_vomero+2

The Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 scored top marks in :-

  • Cushioning
  • Stability
  • Flexibility
  • Weight
  • And Breathability …ah! according to CR, shoes that dissipate sweat quickly keep feet cooler and reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal infection.

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Feb 23

A team of 24 athletes qualified to represent Kenya at World Cross Country Championships in Amman Jordan on March 28.

Husband and Wife team

It will be a family affair for Moses Mosop and his wife Florence Kiplagat. Mosop, who won the senior men’s 12km race at the national championships on Saturday, and Kiplagat, senior women’s 8km champion, were included in the team of 24 athletes.

Runner who couldn’t run in shoes finally makes the team.

If you thought using running shoes was automatic, you are wrong. Another interesting story from the team is that of Country boy Paul Tanui (19) He was removed from last year’s team to Edinburgh because he had no experience in running in shoes.

“Previously the shoes made me feel uncomfortable. That is why the coach asked me to go home,” he told the press The boy learnt from his weakness and Tanui has since been running using shoes. One year down the line, he has perfected it and taken the battle to his opponents.

Kenyan team for Amman:
Senior MEN – Moses Mosop, Mathew Kisorio, Mark Kiptoo, Linus Chumba, Mangata Ndiwa, Leonard Komon

Junior MEN – John Kemboi, Paul Tanui, Japhet Korir, John Chepkwony, Titus Mbishei, Charles Bett Chepkurui

Senior WOMEN – Florence Kiplagat, Iness Chenonge, Linet Masai, Linet Chepkurui, Ann Karindi, Pauline Korikwiang

Junior WOMEN -  Mercy Cherono, Hilda Chepkemoi, Jackline Chepngeno, Jackline Chebii, Faith Chepngetich, Nelly Chebet

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