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Denise Helm 4 days ago
You wouldn't think gloves could get complicated. A place for four fingers and one thumb. One for the left hand. One for the right hand. But when it comes to running gloves, it's like running gear in general - you think you'll just need a pair of runners and a simple T-shirt but soon find out different. Sure you can run in that cotton shirt, but you won't be comfortable. Ditto with gloves. Plus why pay $1.99 for canvas garden gloves when you can pay $39 for hand coverings that will make you run really, really fast. I kid you not. When recently glove shopping, I saw a Nike model whose packaging said you'd run faster. I'd settle for warm and comfortable. It seems last year when I bought gloves, there were a couple of different types to choose from. This year there seems to be an explosion in variety. You can get thin ones, thermal ones, mitt styles or pairs that glow-in-the-dark. Some allow you to expose your fingertips for easier use of your iPod. Others have ...Denise Helm 9 days ago
Running inside a gym means inhaling stale, or worse, sweaty air. I don't like it and neither does my mind. Earlier this week, I found myself at the local rec centre because of the night's rain and wind. I figured it was better to work out on the treadmill and stationery bike than do nothing. And lately, I've been choosing nothing. But tonight I craved the cold air on my face so I pulled on my long tights, an extra top and strapped on my Pezel head lamp. God it felt good. As I slipped into the night, I watched my warm breath condense into puffs of vapour that quickly vanished. And just as I needed to exercise my body, I enjoy getting my mind off the couch too. Tonight as I ran, I listened to a lecture about the decline of newspapers by Bob Cauthorn, the former vice president of digital media at the San Francisco Chronicle and the guy who launched one of the first five newspapers web sites in the U.S. He was doing this back in the mid 1990s. He loves newspapers, as I do. ...
Denise Helm 17 days ago
Being first to cross the finish line in the New York City Marathon has its rewards. The personal satisfaction. The $130,000 in prize money. Another $40,000 if you’re the top American. The headlines and glory. But a chihuahua? That’s what Late-Show host David Letterman offered tape-breaker Meb Keflezighi who appeared on his show earlier this week. Keflezighi looked somewhat surprised and likely glad Letterman didn’t actually hand over one of the wee footwarmers. (The dogs were once used by Mexican royalty to warm their toes). After all, Keflezighi’s feet don’t need warming. He ran the marathon in 2:09:15 and when asked by Letterman what how fast he ran Mile 26, replied: “4:45 or so.” Besides the aforementioned money and glory, the athlete was invited to deliver Dave’s infamous Top Ten List. The night’s offering? Top 10 thoughts that go through your mind while running the New York City Marathon: 10. “Wow, Staten Island is even more beautiful than I imagined.” 9. “Cool! Maquest found a ...
Denise Helm 21 days ago
As an online editor, I know better than many what's available by simply tapping my fingers on a keyboard. Google "running" and you'll get 379 million results. Yes, you read that correctly. Narrow your search to "running injuries" and you'll get 14.5 million. "Running weight loss schedule" - 44.5 million. After rocketing around the universe reading about running online, the comfort of holding a magazine in my hands is like coming home for a sit on the porch. I picked up my first copy of Canadian Running at last year's Royal Victoria Marathon's race expo. The free copies were an enticement and I like supporting Canadian endeavours, so I also signed up for a subscription. It had the same slick ads as the American monolith Runners World, though not as many, and the content was admittedly thinner. What was immediately obvious, as if the name wasn't, is that this magazine is about Canadians. Beyond the same advice you'll get anywhere about ...
Denise Helm 30 days ago
Feeling irritable - actually, let’s call it what it is - feeling bitchy, I realized I was suffering from “post-race comfortable recovery syndrome.” It had been almost two weeks since I ran the RVM’s half marathon. I had done little other than a cycling work-out in the gym. I was enjoying my extra spare time, a few late nights, red wine and high heeled boots rather than sensible flat shoes. The pain in my achilles heel and tibia, from a possible stress fracure, had melted away. Aaaaaaaaaaaaah. But like a see-saw that has been in one extreme position, levels out, then starts to tip in the other direction, I knew it was time to stop the momentum or my butt would hit the ground. Maybe permanently. It’s time to hit the road again. Last night, I laced on my runners and was almost giddy to go out for a 30 to 40 minute run. I felt like a racehorse (looked like a Clydesdale) breaking out of the race gate. Not looking to clock a particular time or log specific mileage, it was a treat to just ...
