Tag Archives: marathons

Biggest Losers Heba and Ed Launch 10 in 2024 Campaign for Fitness

heba and edEveryone is looking for a little motivation in the new year to get fit, stay fit or even push their fitness to a new level. That’s exactly what former Biggest Loser couple Heba Salama and Ed Brantley are doing, pushing themselves to that next level. They’re not only do it for themselves, they’re doing it for each of you. Just this week they announced their 10 in 2024 Fitness Campaign, with hopes of not only challenging themselves but motivating others to get in shape, too.

That’s why this year you’ll find Heba and Ed participating in half-marathons, triathlons, and other various foot races throughout the country. They’re committed to doing 10 of these races in 2024 – and they want to see you there, too!

“Racing gives us the opportunity to stay fit and healthy, as well as meet and inspire people on their own weight loss journeys. We prove that if we can do it, anyone can,” said Heba. (more…)

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Natalie K

What You Need to Know to Complete a 50 Mile Race

JFK50Marathon schmarathon. When 26.2 becomes routine, one goes searching for a distance that appears more challenging. So how about a 50 mile foot race? The JFK 50 is America’s oldest 50 miler. At 5:00 a.m. on November 21 I started my journey in the dark somewhere in Maryland. At 4:30 p.m. that day, somewhere 50 miles further away, I collected my medal for completing the ultra endurance race. It was amazing.

Wondering if a 50 miler is in your future? Read on to find out more what it’s all about and decide if you’d like to add it to your bucket list. (more…)

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Rebecca

Mike Morelli’s Biggest Loser Recap – 8.12

biggest loser finalistsThe contestants were sent home last week for the final push to lose weight for finale. This is an extremely difficult time for the contestants. There is a lot of pressure to succeed and to keep losing weight and it just gets hard. When you go home real life hits. You now have responsibilities and cannot focus on solely yourself.

This final four seemed to take all of the challenges of home head on. They confronted issues of their past and continued to strive for success. The thing I like most about seeing the contestants at home is that we get to see them in a more personal setting, we get to see how they really are.

The contestants got the traditional visits from the trainers and were able to deal with some issues. The contestants are finally realizing that they are new people. And I love seeing that. They have changed, and being around family and friends continues to enforce that. (more…)

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Mike

Biggest Losers Running Detroit Marathon

detroit marathonThis upcoming Sunday, October 15, some familiar faces will be running at the Detroit Marathon. I’ll be running the half-marathon (one full was more than enough for me) alongside fellow Biggest Loser Season 7 contestants: Helen, Damien and new lovely wife Nicole, Carla. Some faves from Season 6 will also be running: Coleen, Amy C. and Shellay; and from Season 2, Pete Thomas.

Pops (Ron, my dad, if you didn’t know) is going to be doing the 5k, but is having knee surgery this month, so its all still up in the air. Renee, mother of Michelle from season six, will also be doing the 5k. (more…)

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Mike

How to Survive an Ultra Marathon

rebecca scritchfield ultramarathonBecause completing my first Olympic distance triathlon was not enough, I decided to follow up a week later with my first ultra marathon – a 50K (31 mile) trail race in The North Face Endurance Challenge series! If you’re surprised, trust me, I was too! I actually thought I was competing in a 20-miler! But, you know what, when it came down to it, I trusted myself and my nutrition fueling plan. I just committed to having fun.

Here’s how I survived my ultra marathon:

  • Carb-load – Carbs are gasoline for the body and you can’t attempt a 50K without putting gas in the tank. I had two cups of whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce and some salted steak fries the night before my run.
  • Early riser breakfast – I woke at 4 a.m. for a 7 a.m. start and I noshed on a toasted plain bagel with almond butter, a banana, and water. (more…)
Posted on September 25, 2023 by Rebecca

7-Year-Old Runs 5Ks, Earns Presidential Award for Physical Fitness

conner anderson with fatherOne of my top ten tips for parenting includes the reminder that the idea ‘do what I say, not what I do’ never works. I encourage parents to consider the characteristics, habits, and values they want their child to have as an adult and to allow that to help them shape their parenting. Once we pass a certain age, most of us realize that we are becoming more and more like our parents (for better or for worse). Do you want your children to be like you when they are your age? What else do you want for your children?

Whether your children are old enough to start joining you in your fitness routine or you even have children yet, now is the perfect time to start developing the habits in yourself that you want your children to adopt. Your child is unlikely to want to join you in activities that you do not enjoy. Your child, who sees you as a role model, is more likely to do the things you do. I rode in bike races as a child because that was what my father did. (more…)

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

What I Love About the Indy Mini

brooke-randolph-indy-mini-marathon1May in Indianapolis is a big deal. The Indianapolis 500 is the Sunday before Memorial Day, but we celebrate all month. For our First Friday’s gallery walk, most of the stores and businesses on Mass Ave create tire art, which is displayed all month. Some of my favorites this year are Henry’s triple layer cake with a cherry on top, Stout’s extremely detailed eagle, and the huge stethoscope that stretches down a multi-story building.

We are serenaded by the sounds of cars speeding around the brickyard and many take field trips to the track to watch practices, qualifications, and carb day. Carb day is the last day race cars are allowed on the track to practice prior to race day; it is a shortened practice time after which there is the Pit Stop competition and a concert. Race car drivers are at least as famous as basketball players in Indianapolis, and Hollywood celebs join in the fun for the weekend of the race. The 500 Festival kicks off every year on the first Saturday of May with the Mini-Marathon. (more…)

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Inside the Insane Mind of an Indy Mini Participant

indy-500-mini-marathonEven though I’ve never considered myself a runner, after being on the sidelines photographing for my marathoner/inspiration a couple of times, I signed myself up for the 2024 500 Festival Mini Marathon because everyone does it and it doesn’t feel overly competitive. It was my first race ever, and I was so impressed with myself. Starting back in corral Y I walked the first mile until I got through some of the mass of humanity. I started running and did not stop. Of course I signed up again!

In August I had surgery to repair a labreal tear in my hip joint from a 2006 injury. (Yes, I learned to run with that injury.) I told the surgeon and physical therapist that teaching dance is part of my income and I was going to run the mini again. Running had become an important escape for me. I probably started teaching dance before I should have and my recovery slowed. It was nearly Spring before I was allowed to start trying to run, and my training wasn’t very consistent. (more…)

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Interview with Biggest Loser’s Ron Morelli and Mike Morelli

mike-morelli-and-ron-morelli1It’s a precarious position this father-son team has found themselves in, in fact Mike Morelli called it a worst-case scenario. They are part of the four finalists on Biggest Loser 7, but both Mike and his father, Ron Morelli, fell below the yellow line in the last week on the ranch. Neither were eliminated, but only one will advance as the third finalist to compete against Tara and Helen for the $250,000 prize and title of Biggest Loser.

“I hope that America votes Mike up,” pleads his father. A similar situation occurred with husband and wife duo Heba and Ed in season six, and fans ignored their pleas to send Heba to the finale, instead voting for Ed. When asked if they fear the same situation, Ron responded “Mike’s won enough hearts that Heba didn’t.”

(Vote Now to make Ron or Mike a Biggest Loser Finalist!) (more…)

Posted on May 6, 2023 by Natalie K

Runners Make Better Employees

woman runnerOne thing I’ve found over the years is that many of the folks I train with (and race against) are for the most part as devoted to their jobs (if not more) as they are to running or cycling or triathlon.

Unlike participation in say, golf or softball or basketball – no offense to club/league sports – the type of determination, discipline and emotional focus that comes with training day in, day out for extremely challenging endurance events (often by yourself) tends to bleed over into people’s 9-5’s.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, a century or the Ironman triathlon, one thing you quickly find out is that there’s no room for [nonsense] out there on the pavement. You either do the work or you’re screwed. Politics won’t get you to the finish line. It doesn’t matter who you know or how well you can work the system. When you’re out there, every weakness bubbles up to the surface and stares you in the eye.

Read the rest of this commentary at The Brand Builder Blog.

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Natalie K

Fitness Experts at DietsInReview.com Run Marathons

We want to extend a congratulations to our very own Bernie Salazar and Matt Johnson. Both of these members of our DietsInReview.com team have completed marathons in the past week. It’s a tremendous feat, and one they’ve each persued with dedication and passion.

These guys trained for months to make sure they were physically ready to endure these 26 mile races.

Bernie Salazar completed the Chicago Marathon on October 12. His time was 4 hours, 15 minutes. (See Bernie’s marathon interview).

Matt Johnson completed the Wichita Marathon on October 19. His time was 3 hours, 23 minutes.

We’re very proud of their accomplishments!

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Natalie K