Track and Field

Make a dash for gold with womens athletic shoes by http://www.like.com/athletic-womens-shoes.htm

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:02:00 +0000

You are what you wear and footwear, in addition to your apparel, is an important part of your personality. If you are a woman looking for comfort and protection for your feet, or are a sports person eager to perform, womens athletic shoes are what you need.

Womens athletic shoes became popular during the 1980's when the aerobic exercise craze started. Women were looking for athletic shoes that provided the much needed support for working out, while also being stylish and comfortable. The shoes' athletic use quickly spread to walking, dancing, bodybuilding and cheerleading. Today, athletic shoes are also popular amongst women as casual wear shoes that go well with jeans, shorts, capri pants, sweatpants, tights or leggings. If you are looking for skillfully crafted footwear for your sports needs that also boost your personality, athletic shoes is what you need.

Add some sparkle and flare to your athletic style and make a dash for the Super Cat Flash Hi Women's Shoes from the ice blue athletic collection. These shoes come with smooth leather upper. All over tonal logo print creates a wet, shiny look when it catches the light. Additional features include iced metallic log lace bar, patent leather logo initials and kitty overlay on quarter panel, metallic embossed logo on heels, embroidered logo tag on tongue, padded tongue with mesh lining, combination leather and fabric lining, padded collar and footbed for comfort and leopard print traction rubber outsole.

Enjoy the elements in the Rieker Antistress Daphne Women's All Weather Walking Shoes from shearling athletic. These European ankle boots have a full grain leather upper with a shearling lining for cozy warmth. The pillow footbed adds heavenly cushioning, while the waterproof membrane helps keep feet dry. A textured rubber sole grips surfaces to keep you steady. These shoes will never let you down.

Go for the Women's Auckland WP Sneaker in the powder blue athletic shoes category. The rugged Auckland WP features a waterproof, seam-sealed suede leather and mesh upper with a protective abrasion-resistant toe and heel and rustproof eyelets lacing system. The boot has a lightweight compression-molded EVA midsole and a durable carbon rubber MDT outsole. The removable contoured EVA sockliner maximizes comfort on this great shoe.

Hit the trail or explore the urban streets with the Keen Jasper Women's Athletic Inspired Shoes from the cork athletic collection. The suede upper is space efficient for easy packing allowing for a custom fit. The contrast stitching adds a stylish look making it the perfect shoe for any stylish woman on the go. The metatomical cork/latex footbed cradles your foot to provide arch support. A moisture-wicking lining encourages a healthy foot climate, while a non-marking carbon rubber outsole lends traction on a variety of surfaces.

Keep a sunny outlook with the Skechers Sassies Blue Sky Athletic Inspired Shoes from sky blue athletic collection. This sleek womens casual shoe has a soft smooth leather and suede upper with mesh fabric for cooling air circulation. A fabric lining lends a smooth feel, and the stretch mesh fabric collar and bungee laces allow an easy, stretchable fit. Padding in the collar, tongue and footbed ensures cushioned comfort, and the low-profile, shock-absorbing midsole helps reduce impact and fatigue. The Skechers Sassies Blue Sky sneaker features a wedge heel for fresh style, and a flexible traction outsole for sporty stability.

Go for the Women's Ridgeline Sneaker by Keen in the rose pink athletic category. The Ridgeline is a rugged outdoor shoe perfect for the active individual who seeks adventure. It features soft flex TPU bruising plate guards which protect the feet against rocks on the trail. This shoe also features an S3 heel support structure with a forefoot cushioning system. It also has an anti-bunch asymmetrical flex lace system with multidirectional 3mm lug outsole for added traction.

Womens athletic shoes are now increasingly becoming popular and are now available in great variety of stylish designs.

View more Women's Shoes from Like.com

Run for mens running jacket by http://www.like.com/running-mens-jackets.htm

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:02:00 +0000

Running in winter in some of the colder climates can be a real challenge. What you need is a mens running jacket to keep you warm. Even coldness in the upper body can interfere with concentration and performance. Lack of comfort leads to poor focus, letting heat escape from the body, muscle and lung fatigue. Plus, shivering in the cold burns up energy needed for speed and endurance. To combat all these, some of my favorite brands for mens running jacket and their respective products are mentioned below.

The north face running jacket for men is quite common nowadays. For eg; The North Face Men's Insurgent Pullover Hoodie has a relaxed fit and super-soft polyester fleece with a smooth jersey finish. This hooded sweatshirt is perfect for running in the cold or lounging around. Sanitized Silver anti-microbial treatment keeps the hoodie smelling fresh after a quick run or workout. Stay protected from the suns rays with UPF-50 uv protection. Includes a hidden media pocket, front kangaroo pocket and thumb loops. In The North Face Refraxion Jacket for men its easy to relax and enjoy your run because The North Face Refraxion jacket cuts through the cold air and moves with you. Versatility and functionality set The North Face's Apex Bionic Triclimate Jacket apart from all other softshell jackets. Zip up this 3-in-1 jacket with enhanced windproof features on the highly protective shell and a Heatseeker lining interior piece for superb insulation; all in a stretchy, comfortable fit making this your go-to jacket for cool weekday morning runs and long weekends on mountain trails.

When the thermostat tells you not to go running, but determination has you crawling out of your warm bed at 5 a.m., zip up the Patagonia running jackets like Patagonia Men's Power Stretch Velocity Full-Zip Jacket, and get after your target heart rate. Wear the warm, technical Power Stretch fleece as a base layer in full-on winter conditions, or as a jacket on nippy fall mornings. The polyester and spandex blend gives you optimal mobility with moisture wicking properties, and the smooth face slides easily when you layer up. Or try the Patagonia Wind Shield Pullover for men are lightweight and breathable. Wind Shield is for fast-paced, heart-pounding winter runs and rides. Similarly, wind resistant and designed with breathable panels strategically placed on the back, side and underarms the Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket for men features a water resistant DWR finish to protect you when the weather turns for the worse, and reflective logos to keep you visible in the fading light.

Another popular brand is Columbia running jackets for men for eg; Columbia Boundary Run II Jacket Men's (Black) that keeps dry and comfortable. Run for hours together and stay fresh. Also try Columbia Men's Titanium Team Columbia Racing Shell. This racing shell repels water and keeps you dry and comfortable while you run any trail.Head out in a winter wonderland in the Columbia Blade Run II men's parka. The waterproof and breathable Omni-Tech(r) fabric technology features microporous membranes to keep water from penetrating the fabric while allowing perspiration to escape. The removable liner can be worn on its own or inside the shell for additional warmth.

It is very important to choose the right jacket so that no factor can stop you from running comfortably and fresh. Now that you know about mens running jacket, run for it.

View more Men's blazers, coats and jackets from Like.com

Tapering Before an Event For Triathletes and Triathlons by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:01:00 +0000

Reducing your training volume and getting focused on races are the keys to tapering for a peak performance. If you are still doing everything the same as normal, then you are not tapering and you cannot expect to achieve extraordinary results.

Why taper?

In some instances, you may want to enjoy good weather, use a race for training or just get fitness while you have the time. This means you won't taper but will train more, and that's fine. If you reduce training for every event, you can soon lose fitness because you are always resting or recovering. Only taper if you have been doing a consistent volume of training and the race means something to you.

How to taper

It's a personal choice how much to taper, but the concept relies on your backing off on total training time but going faster in some sessions leading up to the event. For many triathletes, this may mean a fast swim, bike and run spread over the last seven to ten days. Other sessions are a bit shorter and you feel more energetic as the event looms.

Bad tapering

Doing too little can make you feel uncoordinated, lethargic and unable to compete. Resting the day before is often a mistake as it's a great time to do a short swim or bike session and practise technical skills, You don't forget how to run, so this is less important but it may be the easiest discipline to integrate into a hectic schedule. The mental side of tapering is to stay focused, relaxed and not doubt yourself. Negative feelings often emerge as race week starts, so be positive, let your training prove you can do the event and keep away from people with a negative mindset.

The perfect taper

Your life is ever changing and no week is exactly the same as another. However, in order to control how you feel for future races, learn from each taper what sessions work best, what is too hard (or too easy) and how you can stay positive. You may change distances but you can always use your taper experience in the future. Again, it has been proven that writing things down and reviewing them later pay big dividends.

Did you know?

Research shows that the best taper includes 80 per cent of the normal number of sessions, but performed faster and doing only 50 per cent of the total volume. This means training slightly less often, over less distance and with some speed in the last 14 days.

On the Road - Training For Triathletes by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

For many triathletes, being on the road means training in gyms, unfamiliar surroundings or hooking up with groups they bump into. If you do travel a lot, you can still have effective training and stick close to a plan but you have to be hyper-flexible.

What's on offer?

There is usually a fitness suite within most hotels or a fitness facility nearby. With a treadmill, a pool and cycle machines you have all you need. Running outdoors is an easy option, but you will have to ensure that the area is safe. You only need your run shoes, shorts and a top. The pool may be short but you can still get a feel for the water. The bike may not be like your road bike but get the seat height right and your legs won't know the difference. Just do what you can with the facilities on offer.

What to do

Moving from treadmill to gym bike and back again is a great 'brick' session; just add some background music or your iPod and you can stay entertained for an hour or more. Spending 20 or 40 minutes in a short pool working on your stroke still counts even if you have no more than a dozen strokes before you reach the end. Don't do anything that imposes a sudden and high intensity effort - you could end up injured. Highly competitive spin sessions, using totally new weights machines or throwing yourself into a circuits class may be excessive. Keep to controlled sessions that come close to the equipment and workouts you normally do.

Tip

Contact the hotel where you will be staying to find out about facilities. If you are staying for several weeks, you can Google for the local triathlon, running or cycling clubs. At the very least, plan to take your run kit and swim goggles with you.

Coming Back From Lay Off - For Triathletes by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:59:00 +0000

We may think that we'll be consistent for ever but life gets in the way. Illness, a freak injury, a heavy workload or a major life event can disrupt a training routine and interfere with the best-made plans. At some time you will have to come back from lay off.

All (fitness) is not lost

More often than not, except in very long lay offs, less fitness is lost than you might think. You feel fat, out of shape and very uncoordinated, but fear not that all is by any means lost. Most importantly, you must remember where you are when you start the comeback trail. Try to forget the sessions you performed during the good times; they will come back, but leave such distances and efforts for a few weeks yet. Start small and you will build back in the time that your body allows you - too much too soon and you'll only go backwards.

Start small

There is no absolute, but start small, possibly along the lines of the beginners' programme. When all goes well for a week, move a step up the progression ladder. If this means that it takes two to four weeks to be back on schedule, so be it. You cannot make up for lost time or beat the system. If you have been stopped by lack of time, work or a family situation, it is less likely that you need to worry about your health compared to those people recovering from illness or an injury. In all instances, listen to your body, be patient and try not to make up for lost time or catch up with lost sessions.

How to use the schedules

At the very least, you need a plan to give you an idea of how to train and what proportions to train in each sport. Good technique and endurance are your priority before building more speed and competence. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

Seasons

In most of the northern hemisphere, triathlons are held from April until early October. Most triathletes compete from May to September, so after a seasonal chill out of two to four weeks the winter training starts in October or November. This structure gives a logic to your yearly schedule.

In the winter, you can build your endurance ('base') and technique. This is followed by spring progressive training which blends into early races and season-specific sessions. Some training is clearly not about goals but getting out of the house, burning off stress and seeing your friends. However, most sessions allow you to get better because they are targeted at a specific triathlon weakness.

Build and recover

Most plans suggest sessions, but you decide if you have recovered from your previous training or need to reduce or delay training for a day or so. To progress, you must build sessions that overload you more than before, although eventually you'll have to recover. Don't do several long or hard sessions back to back. Similarly, each fourth week reduce the quantity and frequency of your training. Don't try to do more; it's time to recover and just catch up on your work commitments, chores and the like while you have some extra spare time.

Did you know

Studies suggest that total bed rest has effects after two to four weeks. Other data shows that dramatically reducing training starts to reduce fitness after four to six weeks. So do what little you can and you will cling onto most of the fitness you've built up.

Casio G Shock Atomic by Gorge

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:58:00 +0000

It is available with features want earth moment zones, 12/24 hours, 1/100 second conclusions, elapsed and fork moment and hourly and sleeping alarms. It provides water opposition up towards 200 meter. Its price activates with $69.95. The moment chip is nice adequate but cannot hammered the clock. Benefits: The watch is Solar-powered; with multiple alarms; atomic clock synchronization; moment recording; fork stopwatch mode; embraces multiple moment zones. You can file up towards thirty various activate and give away moments and twice fork moment that files two finishes

Limitations: In urban areas, synchronization of time are not so perfect, recessed buttons are little strong towards press; watch is little heavy.

The monitor is suitable towards wear whilst hill biking, trekking, at beaches and trudging towards a campsite. It shall require you towards spent moment towards read and appreciate manuals towards navigate between various modes and their functions. Setting moment with radio gestures is little within convenient or rather elaborate within specific regions. Physical obstructions such as hills, halls interfere with the broadcast; civilians living within coastal regions may endure the indignity of background the moment manually. You don't possess towards concern approximately the solar charger which draws power from the sun. There is handy power meter. The G-Shock comes with one-year guarantee, feels thin granted the popularity for toughness. Compared towards else sports watches, this moment chip is little gentle onto features. Though, a number of them want its durability and solar-powered features. Today, Casio is focusing onto solar-powered radio-controlled watches. This shall get rid of the drawback of replacing batteries. The radio-controlled occasions shall get rid of the drawback of resetting the moment via the users which shall portray the revolution within time-keeping technology. Casio shall perpetuate towards produce complete range of radio-controlled watches a> with industry of features want tall radio-wave emotion, sweetened energy efficiency and miniaturization.

Combined events is a difficult, but valued sporting event by Janek Salmistu

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:57:00 +0000

As a rule, a human being is quite a lazy creature who would rather take on something less demanding than toiling away days on end. For example, in sports that lazy creature would rather choose a ball game than the combined events. What is more, it is much more profitable to be a nobody in any football or basketball team than to be a decathlete.

Combined events may be a demanding event, but the more demanding it is, the more appreciation do the world top athletes get.

An excellent example comes from the year 1996 when Germany was choosing its sportsman of the year. That year had been exceptionally successful for German sports. Michael Schumacher was crowned the world champion in Formula One, Boris Becker won the Grand Slam in tennis, Germany received the title of the European Champion in football and so on. Everything said, it was Frank Busemann, the silver medallist from Atlanta, who was presented with the award of Sportsman of the Year. The Germans know how to value the combined events.

PS. Olexiy Kasyanov (born 26 August 1985) is a Ukrainian decathlete. His personal best decathlon score is 8479 points, achieved at the 2009 World Chamionships in Berlin. His personal best heptathlon score is 6254 points, achieved 2010 in Zaporozhye.

He won silver medal in Torino, European Indoor Championships with 6205 points.

I hope this year we will hear from Olexiy Kasyanov many times!

PPS. I think Ashton Eaton is the world's greatest young decathlete. Why? In a decathlon competition, Eaton has run the 100m in 10,35 seconds, the 400m in 46,85, the hurdles in 13,85 and the 1500m in 4.20,75. He scores more points in the runs than Bryan Clay, Daley Thompson and Dan O'Brien did.

Eaton is the same size as Roman Sebrle, the world record-holder with 9026 points, but Eaton is faster than Sebrle and he is only 22 year old.

He has seven 8000-point performances. Nobody in history has done that before at his age.

I think that Ashton Eaton could be the guy to get close to breaking William Toomey's 400m record 45,68!

Anaerobic Training - For Triathletes and Triathlons by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:57:00 +0000

Building the aerobic base can produce good health, solid fitness and the capability to complete endurance events. However, if you want to go even faster, you need to add the top-end anaerobic training. Here are some basic guidelines to how to achieve this.

Why do anaerobic training?

High-intensity efforts (speed work or interval training) take you above the 80 per cent of maximum point to a place where effort begins to focus the mind. At this point, your body shifts over to exclusively using carbohydrate for fuel - you stop burning fat. The by-product lactate (lactic acid) makes movement awkward, breathing laboured and muscles burn. This potent training can, in small doses, add a few more per cent to your top speed. However, the bulk of your fitness still comes from the base you build. Intervals are not a get-quick route to higher fitness.

Speed work

Triathlon may be an endurance event but once you can complete the distance, i.e. you have the stamina, the next element to think about is speed. This high- intensity training is the icing on the aerobic base you build with your steady endurance sessions and technique work.

Examples of speed work are:

* Swim: 10 X 100m at 2 sec/100m faster than race pace with 60 sec recovery * Bike: 7 x 3 min at 90 per cent HR with a 1 min spin between * Run: 7 min at 83 per cent, 7 min at 85 per cent and 7 min at 89 per cent HR back-to-back.

In each case, the hard work only amounts to around 20 minutes, but it is very potent and does not need to be constantly added to. Less is more; if you follow these guidelines you will feel strong, come away from the session before you fatigue and get faster.

The warning label

The downside of anaerobic training is that it causes stress to the body and can, at times of high stress elsewhere in your life, just make you tired, not fitter. Only do it when your body is ready for it. For most beginners this means a total focus on base training for six to eight months before adding small amounts of speed work or racing. Don't rush into speed work; concentrate on building good technique and a solid aerobic base first. Always have a good aerobic warm up of 10-20 minutes before high-intensity work.

Top Tip

Recovering from some high-intensity training requires days of lighter training, so focus on good nutrition and ensuring that you get a good night's sleep for several nights. If the opportunity arises for snatching a catnap of 20-30 minutes in the middle of the day, take it; it will help all aspects of your life.

Flexibility - For Triathletes and Triathlons by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:56:00 +0000

It may not be clear exactly how much we can actually alter our flexibility, and it does appear to be genetic. However, repeated training can make our muscles tight or prone to injury, so how much flexibility does a triathlete need?

What do you need to do?

Each sport dictates you move your body in a certain pattern of movement. You don't need to be as flexible as a gymnast but poor flexibility makes you move inefficiently, wasting energy and slowing yourself down. Worse still, tight muscles may initiate a vicious cycle, leading to more tightness and so on. Watch a fast athlete: their muscles may be working hard but they are fluid and without compromise.

As a multisport person, you need your muscles to be supple and able to adapt to differing demands. For example, poor shoulder flexibility could affect your swim stroke, especially the recovery action. Similarly, poor lower back flexibility or an injury can make a tucked cycle position hard to hold. Running is the hardest sport on the body and many people run with tight hamstrings, poor hip flexibility or upper body tightness. None of this makes for a fluid runner, especially after a swim and bike.

Improving flexibility

There are several ways in which you can assess and improve your flexibility. Try the following: 1) Get a sports massage, which includes flexibility exercises. The practitioner should be advised that you are a triathlete and they can then seek out muscles that need massage and flexibility work.

2) Soon after training, stretch lightly, holding your muscles for 30 seconds, without pain, and having been shown the correct stretch. Research suggests this may help to maximize your flexibility potential.

3) Relaxing after training or in the evening by doing some light limbering exercises is great for relaxation and muscle recovery. You should perform short stretches of about 6-10 seconds duration within a comfortable range of movement.

Top Tip

Your flexibility potential and level of muscle development are both genetically determined. However, your flexibility and muscle size can be developed; the former in easy relaxing processes, and the latter by very hard resistance training. As a triathlete you will need flexibility, not super-sized muscles.

Transitions Between Disciplines - For Triathletes and Triathlons by Paul Scott

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:56:00 +0000

Transitions are the fourth discipline, taking you from swim finish to bike and from bike to run. They vary in their length, degree of crowdedness and the obstacles they pose. Think about transitions as they are the key to saving energy for the real racing.

Welcome to T1 - Swimming to cycling

As you reach the poolside or the edge of a river, lake or the sea, the swim has ended and T1 begins. You may just have to remove your hat and goggles and jog out of the pool to your nearby racked bike, but it could involve half a mile of running in your wetsuit, climbing steps and trying to miss literally hundreds of other athletes. Know what your planned event's T1 is like and build it into your training. A useful skill is to swim 200-1,000m, then haul yourself out of the pool, or every 100m in a 800m swim before walking to the far end of the pool, jump back in and carry on. Some events necessitate you get out halfway, duck under lane ropes or run up the beach and dive back in.

No two transitions are the same from the end of the swim to the start of the bike. The key is to know where you are on the transition racking. You have to don the appropriate clothing, put your helmet on, and only then can you pick your bike up. You wheel it to the mount line and you're off on the cycle leg - the clock does not stop.

T2 - Cycling to Running

As you finish the cycle leg, there will be a dismount line. From there onward, you are on foot in T2 until you are out on the run. This involves wheeling the bike to your transition racking point and then removing your helmet. Those athletes using cycle shoes must change, whilst those cycling in run shoes are ready to go. As you exit T2 and start the run, the hard part of triathlon hits home: you still have cycling legs and they are not yet ready to run.

This bike-to-run transition, known as a 'brick', is worth practising many times over, e.g. 6 minutes bike plus 4 minutes run repeated 3-6 times, It can be done outdoors or using gym equipment. An ideal session is when you're on the road; gym training can get boring. The more you practice, the better your muscles get at making the transition and your brain becomes at dealing with heavy legs trying to run.

Top Tip

Being a triathlete is about not just one fast element or 'split'; it's also about the complete package. Having a fast swim split is pointless if you have disasters in T1 and T2 plus you walk half the run. You have to think, train and race with everything from start whistle to finish line in mind.

What to Look for When Shopping For Running Shoes by Lydia Quinn

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

These days running shoes can be purchased online or in person at a store that specializes in athletic shoes and equipment. A good running shoe salesman will be able to look at your old running shoes and determine your individual biometrics and recommend the right type of running shoe for you. There is no one best shoe for everybody. It is very much an individual choice based upon whether you are flat footed, have a high arch, run on the inside of your foot, or run on the outside of your foot.

When shopping for running shoes the first thing you must do is determine your foot type. This is very easy to do with a simple 'wet test'. Simply wet your foot and step onto concrete or a paper towel so you can see the wet outline of your foot.

A footprint with a slight curve is made if your foot is normal or average. If you have normal feet then you should choose a running shoe that has good cushioning and offers moderate stability on the medial side of the shoe. These shoes are often classified as Stability shoes and Neutral-Cushioned shoes.

A wet footprint that shows nearly all of the bottom surface of the foot is called a flat footprint. If you have flat feet, you should shop for running shoes that provide maximum support to the inner-side of the foot or to both sides, as in the case of Motion Control shoes. Choose a stiffer midsole that provides moderate cushioning and good stability.

A wet footprint that just shows a sliver of the foot is called a high arched foot. If you have a footprint like this, you should shop for running shoes that have generous cushioning and flexibility. You should not need additional support to the inner (medial) side of the foot.

Running shoes are placed into three main categories, stability shoes, cushioned shoes, and motion control shoes, based upon their function. They are further categorized according to their use such as racing shoes, trail running shoes, and performance shoes.

Motion control running shoes prevent the inward rotation of the foot, which commonly occurs with flat-footed runners. This shoe helps prevent injury by being rigid due to the insertion of a medial (and sometimes lateral) post on the inner side of the shoe. These shoes tend to be stiff, bulky and heavy.

Cushioned running shoes are made to provide balanced shock absorption without additional stability devices. They can encourage the inward rotation motion that is lacking in a runner with high arches. These shoes are also very flexible. Neutral-Cushioned shoes can be a good choice for runners with neutral gaits who like a lighter more flexible shoe than Stability shoes provide.

Stability running shoes offer features found in both of the other types of shoes but to a lesser extent. They offer some cushioning and motion control and provide stability to those with a medium arch or normal foot.

When shopping for running shoes, measure both of your feet and go with the size of the largest foot. It may be necessary to buy a running shoe that is a half or full size larger than your street shoes. It is also a good idea to shop late in the day when your feet are tired and swollen. Be sure to wear the socks you usually wear when running.

Choose the type of running shoe that is best for the shape of your foot. The purpose of a running shoe is to provide the cushioning and stability that is right for you. You shouldn't need to break in your running shoes, they should be ready to use right away. Test them thoroughly by wearing them in the store and running on a treadmill with them if the shoe store allows it.

High Jump: How To For Beginners by Erik Rokeach

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:11:00 +0000

Being successful in the high jump starts with knowing what is involved. You need to develop a solid foundation, and then build upon that.

To do that, you have to know what the basics are.

The basics start by knowing there are three different sections to the high jump.

The first section is the Approach.

In this phase, you develop all of the speed that is needed to be able to clear the bar. The approach is also used to put your body in the proper positions to give you the best opportunities for a successful jump.

The most common approach used today is the modified "J". That means that the run up to the bar is run in the shape of a "J".

To begin the approach, you take your first few steps by running straight ahead. This is where the majority of your speed is developed.

Once you run through these first few steps, you need to transition your body so you begin to start the curved section of the "J".

Once you transition into the curve, the steps you take need to step over each other. As you get closer to the bar, each step you run in the curve becomes quicker until you takeoff.

The takeoff is the second section of the high jump.

In this section, the speed that you developed through the approach is used to get your body off of the ground.

It is important that the correct body positions are developed. As you come into the takeoff, you should have a backwards and inwards lean away from the bar.

Another important aspect of the takeoff is the use of the arms. On the second to last step, you will bring your arms behind you. As your takeoff foot hits the ground, the arms swing forward and up.

When using your arms there are two methods that you can use. These are a single or double arm motion. When you are just learning, keep it simple and use whatever arm method is the most comfortable for you.

When done successfully, the upward motion of the arms will help to give you extra lift off the ground.

It is also important to use the non-takeoff leg. Similar to using your arms for some added lift, your non-takeoff leg (free leg) also helps.

To receive the biggest benefit of your free leg, you have to drive your knee straight up when you takeoff. Make sure to drive it up as high as possible. This motion combined with the arms really helps you to jump as high as possible.

The use of your arms and non-takeoff leg are very important. If they are not used correctly your chances of fouling increase considerably!

Once you have left the ground you are now in the third phase of the jump. The flight phase.

Many coaches and beginning jumpers focus on this phase the most. That is because they believe the flight phase or "arch" is what makes you jump higher. That is not the case. It is the approach and the takeoff that allow you to jump high.

So the majority of your time should be spent developing a good approach.

The actual role of the flight phase is to help improve your chances of clearing the bar.

Once you leave the ground, the path that your body takes has already been determined. It cannot be changed! Only minor body adjustments can be made.

As your body continues to rise, you head and shoulders will be the first to clear the bar. Once they are past the bar, you tip your head backwards. As you lean back your hips come up.

Having your head tip backwards and your hips up creates a nice arch. You then you have to collapse that arch and bring the legs and feet over the bar. To do that you just tip your head forward. This motion will help you lift your legs and feet over.

As your body successfully clears the bar, you fall towards the high jump pit. When you hit the mats it is important that you land safely on the upper section of your back.

Once you are on the mats, and the officials have signaled a successful attempt, you have completed the jump.

The best part is, you get to have fun and do the same thing all over again at the next height!

The Best Men's and Women's Running Shoes by run like pre

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:10:00 +0000

Running is one of the best ways to exercise and a great way to stay fit and enjoy life. The most important thing that a new runner needs to buy is a good pair of running shoes.

Running puts a lot of stress on your body, so it is important to follow a beginners run/walk program in order to get your body used to running, but it is more important to get a good pair of running shoes.

Do not go to some big box store and look for a pair of running shoes based on how they look. Do not try on a pair of men's running shoes, or a pair of women's running shoes and base your decision solely on how they feel in the shoe section of your big department store.

Go to your local running store and ask an employee to fit your feet for a good pair of running shoes. They will size your feet, watch how you walk and determine the type of foot you have. Pronation plays an important role in what type of running shoe you need, and the employees are trained to know how to fit you for the correct running shoe that will best benefit your foot type.

A good running store employee, after examining your feet, will ask you about your running. He will gather some information and then bring out a few different pairs, and a few different brands of running shoes. Do not worry about what pair looks best or how they will match your running clothes. A good pair of running shoes are bought based on function not form.

Try on the different pairs that the employee chooses for you and compare them to each other. The best way to work your way through the options would be to choose shoes that feel best and eliminate ones that do not.

Make sure that you walk around the store and get a good feel for how the running shoe fits to your foot. If the running store is a good one, they may even let you run outside. Take a trip around the blog and see how the running shoes feel when you are running on the street.

Be sure to choose the best running shoe for your foot type. Whether you need a men's running shoe or a women's running shoe, you need to make sure that you select the best pair of running shoes for you so that you can enjoy a lifetime of running goodness!

Three Simple Tips to Improve Your Running by Dominique de Rooij

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:09:00 +0000

A question I regularly get from readers of my website is the following:

"I have been running the same course faster and faster every time. Lately I can't improve anymore. What should I do to improve my running?"

I get this type of question regularly via my running training helpline. Usually I can help out and provide a few of the following running tips.

Improve Your Running Tip #1: Build Your Base

Many runners run a set course and then try to beat their time each and every time. This seems a valid approach. At first, you will usually find yourself improving quite a bit as you get used to the distance and the course. Inevitably though at some point you will hit a plateau. It can be frustrating as you are trying to figure out why your running is not improving anymore. The reason is that you have only been working on your speed, but you have been neglecting to build your running base. Only when you have a strong base you will be able to run quickly for a long time. If you do not have that strong base, then your speed is built on a layer of quicksand. You will not be able to maintain it. So, how do you build your base? Roll miles, roll miles, roll miles. Simply increase your mileage by doing lots of easy running. Instead of running one mile per workout, you build up to three miles per workout, five miles per workout etc. Suddenly a mile is not that far anymore. And suddenly you are able to run that mile so much faster!

Improve Your Running Tip #2: Vary Your Speed

When you run the same course and try to run it faster every time, you know only one running speed. Top speed. Many runners do not realize that every running speed has got its own benefits. That's why the running training of top runners consists of different types of running training at different speeds.

Runners do slow and easy running to make their heart stronger. Easy running helps your heart pump more blood and oxygen to your muscles with every heart beat.

Tempo running is done to increase the lactic acid threshold, so that it takes longer for lactic acid to build up in your legs. It is therefore also regularly referred to as lactate threshold running.

Interval running is faster than tempo running but not an all-out effort. It is done to improve the amount of oxygen your muscles can take in at the one time.

Repetitions are short, close to all-out, efforts. You do them to decrease the amount of oxygen your body needs to run. It is also a good way to improve your form and running cadence.

Improve Your Running Tip #3 : Periodization

There are different theories about when to do all these types of running training. One school of thought is to basically do your easy running on your easy days, and on your hard days you alternate the other types of running. So you'd go through a cycle of a minimum of 8 days (more is possible as well) in which you would have four easy days and four hard days. The hard days would be containing a tempo run, intervals, reps and a long run.

Another, more popular, school of thought is to apply periodization. This means that you cut your running training up in different blocks. You would usually start with a block of pure base building. So only easy running and a weekly long run. Closer to your race you would include faster workouts like tempo runs and intervals. A few weeks before your race you'd include a bit of a taper so you'd be optimally prepared for race day.

These three simple running tips can have an amazingly big impact on your running performance. I have seen people shave off minutes of their 5k and 10k times and good parts of hours for the half and the marathon only by following these simple tips. So build up your base, do all the different types of running and do them at the right time and you will also be able to improve your running.

In One Runner's Imagination by Gary Cooper

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:59:00 +0000

In my studies with Bob Proctor just yesterday he gave a say that; Napoleon Hill once said. The imagination is the most marvelous, miraculously and inconceivably powerful force that the world has ever known! Bob Proctor also said that, if everything was created equal and you didn't have to concern yourself about the money! All being equal and fairness. What would you really like to be doing? Where do you want to live? Just let you imagination soar! Write it down on a piece of paper.

Put that image into your mind! Then build the picture! Fill it in! Hold it! So, I got to thinking? And he did say that, if it did not concern money? Everyone is capable of doing this exercise, in their imagination.

So I decided to do, just what he said to do. Write it down on a piece of paper. What I would do? I will give an example of this, in my imagination! I would travel to all the major cities in the world with my close net of seven to ten piers in our jet. This jet would be big enough to carry all the lot of us and our luggage. We would give lectures in all the major cities around the world for all to come and seek our thought and wisdom.

You see my piers would come from all walks of life. And each one their past would be totally impossible for anyone to believe their background and where and what each of them came from. You see I know first hand exactly what the human mind and the body is capable of.

You see I know what my secret is! I know Bob knows the secret of what he is talking about. But I know the secret of what I'm talking about. You see I'm going to tell you the secret right here! And I'm not even going to charge you $12,000 dollars. The secret is, there is no secret. The secret is; to me the mind is just another muscle like the heart!

At one time I could barely walk around the block without getting out of breath. A person's body and heart must exercise everyday to run marathons. Or just run period. Or just walk if that's all they can do. If a person wants to do anything they simply must adapt a little more of it everyday. If they want to stop smoking, stop drinking, lose weight or make money or become a successful network marketer! It's all in the mind!

If you want to do anything you must learn to control your own mind. Control the mind first before you can do anything. To me the mind is just another muscle. You must exercise that muscle everyday with the thoughts of what you want to become. A man of wisdom told me one time, if there is anything you want to change you must mark your progress in terms of each year. I said what do you mean in terms of years?

He said, most people try something new for a few weeks or a few months then judge their own progress. If they don't see much progress they quit and say, see I told you so it don't work! The wise man said, if it's something worthy enough that you want to change it or learn to do it. You must treat the end of your first year as your first day! The first day as I just started would be day one. What he meant was it will take 365 days for you to equip. yourself with the knowledge, the tools needed to perform the task at hand. With the one year under you, now you can take on the world! Now you can accomplish what it is your imagination sought after.

Tips to purchase sports equipments at subsidized prices by sharonsamraj

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Skies, shoes, weights, helmets and all the other sports equipment are available with a high price tag, but it is important to note the fact that there is no need to forgo your sports equipment just for the fact that they are high priced equipments as there are many other ways through which you can get the sports equipment within the reasonable limits. Incase you are passionate about a sport then there are many other ways through which we can get the sports equipments at a low cost.

The first and the foremost way in which you can save money are to borrow the equipments from your friends or family. Incase you need the skis for the weekend then it is important to understand that you can try getting them from your friends. However it is important to note that the borrowing from your friends and others will work if incase you are new to a particular sport and you are trying it the initial times. It can really frustrate the people incase you are going to borrow from them the few times, it is preferable that you borrow from them on trial basis so that you can know your comfort basis, incase you don't find it comfortable then probably you can go in for some other brand product. Hence borrowing is an option which you can rely on incase you need the equipment for a short term basis. Incase you are sure that you need the equipment then it is important that you look into the discount stores so that you can bargain at get the equipment at a reasonable prices.

Another option which you can go in for incase you are looking at buying the goods at the reasonable prices is to look in for the second hand goods. It is important to consider the fact that when you are intending to buy the second hand goods, you need to buy the goods that are not much used and are in good condition. For checking its worth it is important that you test it properly, then take in the decision to buy it, and do bear in mind that you pay fair price for the product. Ensure that the equipment can bear normal wear and tear. Proper check will not surprise you when you use the product on a regular basis.

The next option wherein you can get the sports equipment on reasonable basis is to become a smart and shrewd shopperholic person. You can get the equipments from the discount stores. Purchasing during the sale will enable you to have better offers at hand. There are many clearance sales available that can help you to get the best deals at your requirement. There are good offers available mostly during the start as well as the end of the season. It is important that you have a glance at the markdown price so that you can grab the product at the favorable price. Another perspective wherein you can save money is to buy the best quality goods that can last longer which can help you to save the money to be spent on repetitive basis.

All about the different types of Sports Equipment by sharonsamraj

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:06:00 +0000

These days when people are looking forward to get fit then mostly they join in a gym and slogging for 2 -3 hours, but incase you are looking to get into better shape then I can give you a better idea where you can be assured of having fun, you can join a sports team, this is one of the best ways to get yourself moving. But it is important to remember the fact that when you join the sports team you need to perform the sports well and that too protect yourself from the injuries. At this stage you will have a need to look in for the sports equipment which is very much essential even before you move on to the field. When you are intending to buy the sports equipment the main concern which you need to have is safety and that too which is quite reliable. It has been noticed that most of the people injure themselves in the recreational sports than in other activities. The majority of the injuries are caused due to the fact of overexertion and it is even because of inadequate co-ordination. But it is important to realize on the fact that the injuries occur because of the inadequate sports equipment. We need to realize that the protective gear is not used in anyway for playing a particular sport but it is used so that you continue to play the sport you are choosing to play. Some of the other examples are the athletic supporters, sliding pants, sports bras, eye protection, helmets, face masks, nose guards, chin and arm guards, etc. It is very important to realize the fact that you need to provide yourself with all the protection packs irrespective of the cost which they impose on you.

One commonly used sports equipment which is almost used in almost all the games like volleyball, baseball, basket ball, soccer ball, lacrosse ball and even the football. So a ball is one of the most important sports equipment which you need to possess. So it is important to note that when you are moving on to buy a ball it is important that you keep few things in mind like it is always important to have in mind that when you are intending to play a competitive sport it is important to note that you always buy a new equipment, incase you are buying used balls then it is important to remember the fact that you cannot see the problems in the beginning. Further another specific thing which you need to remember is that do ensure that you buy them from the big retail stores so that you can get the latest version of the sport you are intending to play. For example the sport of beach volleyball requires a ball that is different from the volleyball.

The next common equipment which you need to look in for is the bat or the racket. There are wide varieties of rackets available for tennis, badminton and racquetball. It is important that you take enough time and you are speaking adequately with the professional that will ensure if you are buying the right size of bat.

Importance And Risks Of Sports Supplements by Spencer Hunt

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:09:00 +0000

Monday 8:30 am

From the Desk of Spencer Hunt, marathon runner and wellness consultant.

Hello Friend,

This is a FREE brief overview of the different types of athletic supplements and some of the supplement risks. If you are new to supplements, read this article before you buy.

Sports supplements, or ergogenic aids, are dietary products taken by people looking to improve their sports performance. Supplements are of varying types. They can be synthetic, or natural herbs. Sports supplements can usually be bought over the counter and through the Internet. Sports supplements can be used for building muscle, losing weight, building stamina and increasing strength.

Sports supplements are often perceived to be a quick fix or easier means to achieve desired outcomes. I personally use a combination of food based vitamins, minerals and glyconutrients along with organic, home-grown garden foods.Athletes often use supplements to get fit after an injury. But are sports supplements all good, carrying no draw backs or side effects? The answer is probably no. People who use supplements tend to have mood swings, high blood pressure, heart disease, urinary and bowl problems, blood clots, sleep disorders and there is an increased possibility of cancer in the later stages of life. People injecting steroids in a group environment and sharing the same needle run the risk of catching diseases like HIV or hepatitis.

So this begs the question of why sports supplements are not regulated. Well, they are, but in this age you can buy them from countries in which there are no such regulations. You often hear of customs officials catching people importing supplements that are not otherwise available or only available by prescription.

Major sport supplements can be broken down into the following categories: Protein powder mixes; Anabolic steroids; Human growth hormones; Fat burners; Creatine; and Androstenedione.

Protein powders are in my oppinion the safest. These are quite popular for delicious shake mixes that allow an athlete to increase their daily protein intake, which is good for the body since muscles are made up of protein. This can be very nice for vegetarian athletes that are looking to get the right amount of protein into their diet. I am not a vegetarian, but I still enjoy a scoop of protein mix in the morning. If you are already eating plenty of protein, like tuna sandwhiches or egg for breakfast, then this might not be necessary for you.

Anabolic steroids are hormones that help stimulate body muscle growth resulting in bigger and stronger muscles. Steroids are usually compared with male testosterone, which is produced naturally in males and in a smaller quantity in females.

Human growth hormone, known as HGH, is often prescribed by doctors for patients who have known hormone or growth problems. Its abuse often leads to imbalanced hormone levels in body.

Fat Burners are one of the most popular supplements available in the market as a panacea for losing weight. They are usually made out of the natural herb ephedra, commonly known as ephedrine. It is known to increase the metabolism and increases nervous system. These supplements can cause serious heart problems or stroke if not used properly.

Creatine is a byproduct produced by liver and kidney. It is found in red and white meat and in fish. Creatine is supposed to provide extra strength during physical activities like workouts or in professional competitions. Taken in large quantities, creatine can interfere with organs like the liver and kidney of human body.

Androstenedione is commonly known as DHEA(dehydroepiandrosterone) or simply Andro. These are natural hormones or pro-hormones that can be broken down into testosterone. The effects of these hormones are often compared with anabolic steroids, and they are not suitable for young adults as they interfere with the natural hormones of the young body and can cause natural body growth to stop.

My Recommendation...

For a natural, effective supplement that will promote healthy lean muscle while safely removing the extra fat covering your muscles...

OsoLean Powder

Three Simple Tips to Improve Your Running

noreply@blogger.com (AWSGroup) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:43:00 +0000

A question I regularly get from readers of my website is the following:

"I have been running the same course faster and faster every time. Lately I can't improve anymore. What should I do to improve my running?"

I get this type of question regularly via my running training helpline. Usually I can help out and provide a few of the following running tips.

Improve Your Running Tip #1: Build Your Base

Improve Your Running Tip #2: Vary Your Speed

Runners do slow and easy running to make their heart stronger. Easy running helps your heart pump more blood and oxygen to your muscles with every heart beat.

Tempo running is done to increase the lactic acid threshold, so that it takes longer for lactic acid to build up in your legs. It is therefore also regularly referred to as lactate threshold running.

Interval running is faster than tempo running but not an all-out effort. It is done to improve the amount of oxygen your muscles can take in at the one time.

Repetitions are short, close to all-out, efforts. You do them to decrease the amount of oxygen your body needs to run. It is also a good way to improve your form and running cadence.

Improve Your Running Tip #3 : Periodization