By Dana Walsh from FitCeleb.com
The holidays can be a stressful time for sure.
That’s why my family and I make sure we de-stress with a holiday run that our community coordinates every year. It’s a five mile run that takes you throughout the neighborhood. So how does it help with de-stressing?
For one it brings my family together, well mainly me and my cousins, because we all are working towards one thing – making it through the run alive! Hehe. It also becomes a team effort by training together, and helping each other stay motivated leading up to the run. Of course there are those moments where work gets in the way, someone needs to holiday shop or run errands, or kid stuff gets in the way, but it’s the end result that’s rewarding and the journey that we took together.
Read Full Post >
By Toni from RunningLovingLiving.com
The holiday season encompasses November, December and January, and throughout these months a lot of drinking, eating and celebrating occurs. My number one goal for the holiday season is to get through it without gaining weight. This year, I have taken it upon myself to start a new tradition in my family along with all the drinking, eating and celebrating…… we plan to run!
Racing during the holiday season is a great motivator to keep on track with training and healthy eating. With scheduled races throughout the holidays the excuses not to run or eat healthy become less likely to rear their ugly head. First off, I hate paying for a race then not putting my best foot forward or worse yet, not running it at all. Plus this year I have recruited my husband making the races a family tradition so I don’t want to let him down or vice versa.
Our new tradition started with a Virtual 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. We chose a virtual race because I was cooking Thanksgiving by myself and my time was tight. Unfortunately, Chris was sick and could not participate in the virtual run but I still got myself out there at 10 am!! I ran my virtual 5K in 28:28 and a tradition has begun which Chris will participate in next year. The accomplishment of getting out and running before eating a huge turkey dinner felt fantastic, plus the calorie burn helped to lessen the guilt associated with all the over indulgences from dinner….maybe we will make it a 10K next year!
Read Full Post >
A January marathon means runners can’t slack off during the holiday season. Training must persist during the endless opportunities to feast and curl up by the fire. We all should run a January marathon! While the country gets cold and busy, there aren’t a ton of races, but what the calendar lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for it in quality. January presents some of the nation’s best races.
1. Walt Disney World Marathon January 8, 2012
Billed as the most magical 26.2 miles on earth, the Disney marathon has a course like no other. All four theme parks are included in the races course. Runners will travel through Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, and the Hollywood Studios. The course is lined with entertainment and support as well. Finishers earn a well deserved Mickey Mouse medal as they cross the line.
It wouldn’t be Disney if the race didn’t offer even bigger options as well. The marathon is the final race of a major race weekend. The Disney half marathon is the day before and for those up for the ultimate challenge, The Goofy Challenge is presented. Runners can attempt to run the half marathon on Saturday, earn their Donald Duck medal, and then lace up the next morning for the marathon. Those who complete the 39.3 miles earn an additional Goofy medal. Two races, three medals, and a whole lot of bragging rights!
Read Full Post >
Thanksgiving is full of traditions. The turkey, the pie, the stuffing, and the stuffing of bellies are all synonymous with Thanksgiving. Thankfully a growing tradition of Thanksgiving Day foot races is sweeping the country. More and more feasters are burning those calories before the tryptophan takes over and they become overfed couch dwellers for the afternoon.
Here are some of the best turkey day races the nation has to offer. Start a new tradition with your family and get a run in before you gobble.
1. 116th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot Buffalo, NY
Be a part of American history with this race. This is the oldest continually running footrace in North America, it’s even older than the Boston Marathon.
The 8K race brings more than 14,000 runners out in the brisk morning air. Each runner is asked to bring 2 cans of non-perishable food, making it a huge charity opportunity as well. What a way to celebrate the holiday!
2. Manchester Road Race. Manchester, Connecticut
The Manchester Road Race began in 1927 with just twelve runners. Today the 4.748 mile race welcomes over 15,000 runners and walkers. This race is celebrating its 75th anniversary and continues to see elite runners, professionals, and Olympians every year. The race also welcomes amateurs all the way down to their “mall walker” category. This long standing race is accustom to seeing running superstars like nine-time champ Amby Burfoot toe the line. The historic course and the supportive crowds are what have kept this race in business for so many years.
Read Full Post >
December is possibly one of the most hectic months of the year. Perhaps that’s why the country offers fewer marathons in December than any other month of the year. However, what the offering lacks in quantity, it more than makes up in quality. Some of the best and most popular marathons of the entire year take place in December. What a fantastic way to kick off the month of non-stop celebrating than by running 26.2 miles?!
1. The Las Vegas Marathon “Strip at Night” December 4, 2011.
The Las Vegas Marathon is part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series. This race has had instant popularity as the course is noted for being flat and festive. A recent change has really upped the ante, though. The race starts at 4:00 pm so that runners will take on the famous lights of the Las Vegas Strip at night.
The race time adds some unique changes to traditional marathon weekends. There’s a race day brunch in addition to a pasta dinner the night before. Instead of a post-race concert, Cheap Trick will be headlining the pre-race party. And since the runners will be finishing at night, the post-race party will be at Vegas’s premiere hot spots: XS Nightclub at Encore and LAVO at the Palazzo.
Read Full Post >
