http://tips.fitconnect.com FitConnect.com -- It's OK To Brag! Copyright 2007-2008 FitConnect LLC plucky on 2/27/2008 (5 comments)

Are you getting tired of the same old running route? On vacation and you want to find a good 5 mile route without a lot of intersections close to where you are staying? How about alternate routes with the same start/stop location?

For these and lots of other reasons, you should check out a website called MapMyRun ( http://www.mapmyrun.com ). It's a great tool for runners that works in conjunction with Google maps and allows you to load a map, then start drawing your route right on top of t...]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:05:14 GMT plucky on 2/28/2008 (2 comments)

For starters, I'm not a nutrition guru, and I won't claim to know all (or any!) of the science behind this. I can, however, make the claim that these basic steps have worked for me and I believe they would work for most other people as well. This is kind-of a follow-up to Rusty's excellent tip that diet might have more to do with weight loss than exercise.

The hardest part is making the lifestyle changes - yes, lifestyle. I choose to call it a lifestyle rather than a diet/exercise plan. T...]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:48:22 GMT plucky on 3/4/2008 (13 comments)

Recently a runner-friend of mine asked me, "Are you a neutral or stability runner?" I guess the clueless look on my face gave him the answer, "Duh?" He then told me to checkout http://www.roadrunnersports.com . Ok, this is *not* and endorsement of their site from a retail perspective. But, there is a handy utility you can use to help determine the right type of shoe for your body type and running style. It's called "Shoe Dog" - how clever, the shoe dog can fetc...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:20:01 GMT plucky on 4/3/2008 (10 comments)

I posted this as a comment to the Runner's United group, but thought it would be useful for others.

This is a small collection of tips & techniques that I use based on various research I've done over the last couple of years. When I started running semi-seriously, I was probably around a solid 9 min/mi and using these techniques I've gotten to the point where I can do a 6:30 min/mi for about 6 miles - after that I creep up to an average 7:30 to 7:45 min/mi for the rest...

1. Make sure...]]> Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:05:04 GMT plucky on 3/12/2008 (4 comments)

Personally, I like to go with the flow, since I'm pretty easy going in the first place. But I recently recognized that I also go with the ebb... Recognizing your ebb and flow during an endurance activity is important, but the key to unlock that potential is what you do once you recognize it.

You can think of your ebb and flow as a cycle, just like the cycle of the tides. Sometimes the tide is low and weak and sometimes the tide is high and strong. As you participate in an endurance activi...]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:41:55 GMT plucky on 3/4/2008 (6 comments)

As I was just getting into running a couple of years ago, I read an article somewhere about being a 'mindful runner'. I thought at the time that the advice was at most interesting. Now that I'm running consistently over 10 miles and preparing for my first full marathon, I have re-visited the advice and now it is an important part of my training.

What is a mindful runner? Basically, you use a little bit of mind-over-matter technique to get you to those long distance goals. Any long distanc...]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:06:33 GMT plucky on 3/17/2008 (14 comments)

So you just saw "Never Back Down" (basically the modern version of "Karate Kid") and you want to learn how to kick ass like that - you just don't know where to start. Choosing a martial art and school are not as easy as signing up to your local gym; there are hundreds of styles - if not more - and with each style is a philosophy and strict training regimen. This tip brings you some basic information on how to find what's right for you to help you get started.

First, let'...]]> Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:33:38 GMT plucky on 6/6/2008 (4 comments)

How often do you eat because you are hungry? What about for other reasons, such as boredom, anger, stress, or for social reasons?

Try eating when you feel hungry and stopping as you begin to become full. For some people, it helps to keep a food journal where they jot down their hunger level every time they eat. Many people are surprised at how often they eat for reasons other than physical hunger. Identifying your eating patterns is often an early step to improving your diet.]]> Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:11:23 GMT