Resources to Help You Have a Better Run

Running is a great workout.  Some days it may take a lot of encouragement to get out the door, but I never regret a run. 

Here are a few resources I'm looking over to help me have an even better run:

1) 6 Yoga Poses to Improve Your Run

2) Exercises for Strong Abs (a strong core is important for running form)

3) 71 Resources to Run Better Today

What are your tips for having an even better run?

Pumpkins!

We may be a little late to the game as it is July, but we're planting what we can in our garden!

We moved into our first house in the last weekend of June, so we weren't able to plant anything in the spring.  We have a few raised beds, two of which were empty so we decided to plant some pumpkins!

After six to seven days we've made progress:

Let's hope they're ready by Halloween!

How Fast Can A Powered Wheelchair Go?

Last night my husband and I were having a debate: how fast can a powered wheelchair go?

The conversation spawned from the fact that we are both supposed to run a half marathon tomorrow, but my back has been having some problems for a while and it really flared up this week, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to run-- which is very disappointing.  

That got me imagining taking off from the starting line in a Hoveround, throwing elbows at runners, and knocking them over as I drove my way to victory.  And that's when the true question arose: Am I faster than a Hoveround?  

A quick google search produced these results:

Disclosure: Since this isn't information that will greatly effect human history, I decided not to look much further than what popped up on the first page, and I didn't even click on the links.  

So trusting that the first two websites provide accurate information, the average Hoveround is 3-5 mph and the fastest "Max Speed" scooters can go 6 mph.

Top speed of a Hoveround: 6 mph, 1/2 Marathon finish time: 2 hours 11 minutes 0 seconds

My last 1/2 marathon: 6.54 mph, finish time: 2 hours 0 minutes 13 seconds

Answer: I'm faster than a Hoveround! (At least when I have a good back.).

Exercise Works Your Muscles and Your Brain

Exercise gives you endorphins, right?  Well, it's beneficial in plenty of other ways too. 

That's a funny looking mouse!

You can read the article from Science Daily here.

In short:  Researchers from Princeton University found that exercise helps do two main things:

1. Responses to stress are reduced from the way physical activity reorganizes the brain
2. Normal brain function is less likely to be interrupted by anxiety

I know going for a run helps calm me down when I'm stressed, but this study focused on responses to stress (for mice) after six weeks of living an active life or a sedentary life.  The study isn't about an immediate calming effect.  Rather, it shows that exercise can have a prolonged and important impact on the development and growth of how your brain is wired.  The mice who lived an "active lifestyle" were able to run during the six weeks period: "The brain in a runner mouse showed every sign of controlling its reaction to an extent not observed in the brain of a sedentary mouse."

Exercise helps you handle and cope with stress.  Thanks exercise!

Play

Who doesn't like to play?

I know I do!

To me, when you play it means you are doing something fun, something you enjoy.  There doesn't need to be a serious reason motivating you (though there might be).  You're just having a good time. 

Boomer at the top of St. Mary's Peak

Some ways I play:

• Hiking
• Running
• Tennis
• Golf
• Skiing (very rarely)
• With Boomer
• Reading
• Cooking
• Gardening
• An occasional video game or puzzle
• And more...

I think sometimes adults forget to play, or maybe even forget how to play.  We can get grumpy and set in our ways.  Work can make us too busy, and sometimes it is just easier to sit on the couch and do nothing.

But play stimulates our minds.  It revitalizes us.  It can be more relaxing than just relaxing.

So, play on!

Hello

I'm just getting things set up.  More will be coming soon!

Thanks for your patience,
-M