Under Armour is looking for Canada’s most passionate runners to participate in UA Run Camp. This is not for the faint of heart. I thought your readers would be interested!
UA Run Camp brings together the world’s most passionate runners and pits them against some of the world’s worst conditions. The goal is to push the limits of athletes farther than they ever thought possible.
If that looked challenging, just wait until you see what’s next when runners take on “The Desert”. Want to be there? Here’s how you can earn your spot. Canadian runners have until September 16 to earn their spot at UA Run Camp by:
Sharing their most intense run on Instagram or Twitter tagging @uarunning #earnyourspotca and #uacontest
Logging an intense run on the MapMyRun or Endomondo app and sharing on Twitter or Instagram using #earnyourspotca, #UAContest and tag @UARunning with a statement about why they deserve a spot.
The 8th Annual Toronto Huntington Heroes Run for Huntington Disease
(KITCHENER, ON) June 15, 2016 – Join the Toronto Chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada to the 8th AnnualToronto Run for Huntington Disease in support of those impacted by Huntington disease in the Toronto area. New this year is the Huntington Heroes theme, participants are invited to dress up in costume as their favorite heroes. All proceeds will go directly to the Huntington Society of Canada to support families in Canada impacted by Huntington disease (HD) and Juvenile Huntington disease (JHD).
What? Toronto Huntington Heroes Run for Huntington disease
When? Sunday, June 26, 2016
Where? Wilket Creek Park, Toronto, Ontario
Why? In support of the individuals and families impacted by Huntington disease
Details: Join the Toronto Chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada and the Running Room at Wilket Creek Park for a 10K run, a 5K run, or a 5K hike on June 26, 2016. Registration is at 8:00AM. Welcome at 9:30AM, run and hikers begin at 10:00AM. After the races, be sure to stay and enjoy food, beverages, and awards. Please visit www.hdtoronto.org for more information.
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Huntington disease (HD) is a debilitating brain disorder that is fatal and incurable. About one in every 7,000 Canadians has HD and approximately one in every 5,500 is at-risk of developing the disease. Many more are touched by HD whether as a caregiver, a family member, or a friend. Huntington disease is often described as having the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS – simultaneously. As the disease progresses, a person with Huntington’s become less able to manage movements, recall events, make decisions and control emotions. The disease leads to incapacitation and, eventually, death.
The Huntington Society of Canada (HSC) is a respected leader in the worldwide effort to find a meaningful treatment for Huntington disease. HSC is the only Canadian health charity dedicated to providing help and hope for families dealing with Huntington disease across Canada.
If you are busy juggling family life with a full-time job, you’ll know just how tough fitting fitness into your routine can be. No matter how busy you are, you shouldn’t use this as an excuse not to exercise. After all, running is perfect exercise for any time of the day. So why not start running once the kids are in bed at night? You may be put off slightly by running in the dark, but you can guarantee a peaceful run. There’s be no busy traffic or crowds to get in your way!
Want to know how to run safely at night? Here are our five top tips.
Run a Familiar Route
Stick to a route you are familiar with to cut down your chances of getting lost. Not only will getting lost increase your mileage, but it could also be tricky finding your way back in the dark. Running in an area you know well also means you’ll know where there are street lights. If you jog in a well-lit area, you will be able to see exactly what is happening in your surroundings, helping you to feel safe.
Run with a Buddy
Ladies, listen up! Pair up with your friend or partner and go out pounding the streets together. This is a great way to stay motivated throughout your run, and you will also feel safer in numbers. If you do not know anyone who enjoys running as much as you, see if there are any local running clubs in your area. As well as helping you with your running, you’ll be able to meet new people and make more social connections!
Stay Bright
It is important that you can clearly see traffic and pedestrians in your vicinity, but they also need to see you. So brighten up your clothes! Wear colourful running gear and, if possible, wear high-vis materials. Your local sports shop will sell fluorescent arm bands, which are a great investment. Running headlamps are also readily available. Not sure which one to go with? Check out what personal trainer Andrew Rockwell thinks.
Don’t Run With Music
I know we often go on about how great music is for your workouts. However, when running at night, it’s a good idea to leave your iPod at home. This will help increase your awareness. You’ll sooner notice if anyone suspect is following you or if there is something else occurring near you that you need to be aware of.
Bring a Cellphone and ID
Always take a cellphone and ID with you if you are running after dark. The cellphone will help you contact a friend or relative if you have an accident. If things take a turn for the worse, the emergency services may need to contact someone on your behalf. They will be able to get important information using your ID. Don’t forget to charge your cell fully before you head out!
Running in the night is a fantastic way to squeeze fitness into your packed schedule. It’s important to put your safety first!
10 Fueling Tips For Marathoners
by Tara Martine, MS, RD, LDN
Wise marathon preparation is a holistic endeavor. Sleep, recovery, cross-training, and most of all, nutrition, all play essential roles. Ask any experienced runner: the right foods, eaten in the right quantities and at the right times, can make all the difference when race day arrives. Here are ten nutrition tips any runner would be smart to follow:
1. Winners plan ahead.
Many marathoners wait until a week or two before the big event before thinking about their diet. But race nutrition is much more than five days of carb loading. Start thinking about what you’ll eat at least a couple months before the race. As you’ll see below, there’s a lot to do.
2. Stomachs need training too.
About eight weeks before your race, figure out which brands and types of sports nutrition products settle best in your stomach. The only way to determine this is to experiment. Simulate your race-day nutrition plan during your long workouts. Aim for 30-60 grams of carbohydrates, 24-48 oz. of water, and 400-800 mg sodium per hour.
3. Plan your final meal.
Within a month of the race you should have your race-day meal plan dialed in as well. General guidelines are 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 1-2 hours before the race, OR 3-4 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 3-4 hours before. Practice eating a variety of breakfast foods before your long runs to see how they digest. Avoid high fat foods because fat takes a long time to digest. Good options are bananas, toast, oatmeal, bagels, fruit, cereal, potatoes or rice.
4. Be good to your body during race week.
During taper week, the goal is to rest your body and full recover from all the hard work you’ve put in. Replenish with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Avoid processed foods. Shoot for 70% of your total calories from high carbohydrate foods.
5. Don’t worry about your weight.
Don’t be alarmed if you gain weight during taper week. For every gram of stored glycogen, the body stores three grams of water, which is used to help convert the stored carbs into energy once you begin racing. So drink plenty of water and relax.
6. Load up on nitrates.
Everyone knows about carbs, but few realize how important nitrates are to performance. Nitrates, found in plant foods like beets, argula and swiss chard, are converted into nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that increases blood flow to the heart and working muscles. A good idea is to drink eight daily ounces of a performance juice like Beet Performer for seven days prior to your race, and another eight ounces the morning of the race.
7. Eat your pre-race dinner early.
Eat an early high-carbohydrate, low-fat meal to ensure that your body has enough time to fully digest and eliminate everything. Avoid foods that can trigger heartburn including spicy foods, high-fat foods deep-fried foods, highly acidic foods like tomatoes, chocolate or mint. Foods that are lower in fiber, like regular spaghetti, may help prevent diarrhea, intestinal cramping and bloating.
8. Don’t try anything new on race day.
The biggest rule of thumb for race-day nutrition is don’t try anything new. Eat the breakfast that you have perfected over the last month at the time that works best for you.
9. Fluids matter.
If you normally consume coffee in the mornings, then do so on race day. Hot tea or coffee often helps clear out your bowels before the gun goes off. Hydrate yourself with 1.5-2.5 cups of fluid 2-3 hours before the race. This will ensure you are fully hydrated and allow enough time to void excess fluid before the race starts.
10. Add carbs a half-hour before the gun.
To top off your energy stores, you might want to consume 15-30 grams of carbs within 30 minutes of the event start in the form of a gel, chews, or sports drink.
Following a thoughtful nutrition program will give you confidence once your race starts. So plan early, follow the plan, then get out there and enjoy your day. You’ve worked hard for it!
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TARA MARTINE, overall women’s winner of the 2014 Savannah (GA) Rock ‘N Roll Marathon, is a registered dietitian, licensed dietitian/nutritionist, and founder/owner of Whole Impact Nutrition. She specializes in wellness, sports, and plant-based nutrition.
Sweating your way to optimal health Giacomo Fasano highlights the benefits of detoxifying the body through running in new fitness book
I recently received the book Revolutionary Powercycles to review. As I am a track and field coach and recreational runner it was very fitting to my lifestyle. The fundamentals of fitness have been under our noses forever, but some aspects have not been diligently recognized. I also myself had to under go chemo last year (non cancerous) and used exercises as part of my therapy for both the mental and physical aspects. Although after reading this book I don't think that it is for everyone but there is a place for it with a lot of people. Sweat does help use release toxins in our bodies and I think we need to focus more on that with our treatment plans for a lot of illnesses. Please use the programs that the author suggests if you have a doctor to supervises especially if you are on any radiation therapy or chemotherapy drugs.
In the book “Revolutionary Powercycles,” Giacomo Fasano presents an 8-year self-study of his unique exercise regimen, Powercycle68, which combines 68 minutes of vigorous and slow-paced running to achieve the highest amount of sweat extraction.
Lead and other toxic metals present in sweat are cumulative toxicants that affect multiple bodily systems that can lead to many illnesses like cancer, tumors, depression, high blood pressure and premature aging. The World Health Organization says there is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe, and that lead can enter the body through environmental contamination or ingestion.
“The pragmatic approach to targeted lead removal in Powercycle68, known as progressive displacement, is like a reverse vitamin to our bodies,” Fasano said.
By following Giacomo’s fitness plan, readers currently undergoing cancer treatments can also improve their health through progressive displacement by lowering the levels of arsenic toxicity in their bodies caused by radiation or chemotherapy drugs while generating new, healthy cells in the brain, lungs and other organs.
“I am of the strong opinion that the calculated, systematic and consistent removal of lead and other bad toxins from the body can only begin to have mankind be taller and better than cancer and other ailments,” Fasano said.
The author Giacomo Fasano has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Johnson & Wales University and a law degree from Pace University School of Law. His passion for health and fitness is well into its fourth decade, having logged more than 14,000 miles of running throughout the last 10 years.
Thank you so much for giving me the honour to read your book Giacomo Fasano. It really reminded me and re- opened my eyes as a health professional and track coach about the benefits of sweat and exercise. Endorphins are a powerful drug. We all need to take exercise I bit more seriously.
The Accidental Athlete - Review
Author Stephanie Atwood specializes in health and wellness books and products. Stephanie Atwood has a M.A. In Communications and is certified as a Run Coach, Trainer, and Nutritionist (sounds like someone else you might know hehehe). Anyway she has an "Empowered Athlete Series." I recently had the opportunity to read "The Accidental Athlete."
If you are a runner or any type of athlete what so ever you will find that this is very relatable. It is also a quick read with a great message, Stephanie the author describes her experience finding and holding onto the lifeline that is movement! As a fellow accidental athlete, her story is a reminder of how far many of us have come through fitness and community.
The HipZIPP was inspired by many failed run belts on the market. They don't fit all the essentials (Phone, ID, Gels, etc.). They aren't very well balanced, they bounce, and they're a nuisance to get anything out of them once you've put something inside them. So we went ahead and created something that worked, that innovated and revolutionized the market of run belts. We took everything bad about the countless run belts, eliminated it, and created something amazing and good. Though this did not happen over night. Countless prototypes, countless runs, jogs, walks, and even treadmill tests at the gym went into perfecting the HipZIPP. We wanted to create something that was fashionable enough to wear at the gym, but comfortable enough to wear on your morning runs. With 2 large zippered pockets and a tucked away mini pocket, this belt will fit your phone, gel packs, and your ID or credit card.
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
WASAGA BEACH, Ont. (08/01/2015) - Alicia Bell climbs over the walls of the foam box object at Foam Fest held in Wasaga Beach for the first time Saturday. Photo By: David Zammit
My Experience At The 5Km Foam Fest in Wasaga Beach
On August 1st I decided to drive up to Wasaga Beach with one of my clients to run the 5Km Foam fest that was happening on the beach. At first look it looked super cool. There were huge slides set up and all sorts of fun activities and awesome music playing. We checked in and quickly went to change in the changing rooms. Registration was a breeze and so was bag check. We were told our heat was to go at 12:30pm. It didn't start until about 12:40pm we were just standing at the start waiting for someone to give us instructions. We took our picture in the foam at the start. This was fun. They then came over and told us all to line up! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 4, 3, 2, 1 and we were off. After the first 3 obstacles I was ahead of everyone in my heat. The obstacles were fun, foam filled and super unique. I actually was challenged in the sand and for some of the obstacles. I also quickly caught up to the walkers in the heat before me. Some of the obstacles like the rope climb or walk across the rope was a little loose but no big deal. For the most part I came to the obstacles and quickly went through. Overall the run was fun and slightly challenging.
Now for the bad. I was told by one woman that I shouldn't be racing because the race was for fun. Running fast and going through the obstacles is fun for me. I was timing myself and wanted to see what time I could achieve for 5km with obstacles in the sand. Thats my kind of fun! I was also a bit disappointed that they didn't have a chip time us and there were lots of opportunity to cheat on the course. Also when they finally posted the pictures they were for sale not to simply grab off the internet which I was disappointed about. Ah well.
The race was still very fun and I want to give David Zammit a free lance photographer a big shout out for capturing this awesome photo of me! Because now I have a great memory of the race thanks to him!
2015 Fitspirit Run - Toronto Recap - Train It Right
For the second year in a row I was an ambassador and Kinesiologist for FitSpirit. I got to travel all across the GTA and teach young elementary and high school girls about the benefits, importance and rewards of physical fitness. I also got to introduce them to running and strength training to get them in shape to run their first 5km or 10km. The race was at Downsview Park on a beautiful May day! There is nothing more rewarding than looking at girls who at first doubted their abilities complete their first race. I love making an impact and if I can encourage our youth in any way it would be through teaching them what I have done and how I got to where I am through fitness and sport.
The 2015 FitSpirit Toronto Run at Downsview Park in May was a huge success and gave over 3,000 teenage girls the opportunity to complete the challenge of a 5k or 10k run.
Check out the video and feel free to share the link in the spirit of sport and physical activity!
I hope that the short glimpse into the FitClub provides the inspiration to get us all moving.
Check Out All of The RBC Run For The Kids Ambassadors
Can you spot me? Im excited to be an Ambassador for the RBC Run For The Kids! Have you registered? There is a 5km, 7km, and 15km. I am running the 15km! Challenge yourself and raise awareness.
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