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Tag - running

Stay Safe During National Running Safety Month

November is National Running Safety Month, and it also happens to be the first of many challenging, wintry months for runners. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay safe on the roads and trails. Take a look at some the best running safety tips for a worry-free November! Get The Right Gear The dwindling sunlight in late fall means that it’s getting colder and darker outside each week. Before winter hits, take the time to pick up a weatherproof…

Save Your Shins: Avoiding Shin Splints

If you hang around the finish line after your community 5K long enough, you’re bound to hear someone complaining about an achy, consistent pain around the edge of their shins. In fact, medial tibial stress syndrome, or MTSS, is the most common musculoskeletal injury in runners, and it affects everyone from weekend warriors to seasoned pros. You probably know them by another name: shin splints. Most athletes know how much this injury can slow them down, so take some time…

5 Unique Pittsburgh Running Spots

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia Humans are creatures of habit, and plenty of runners are perfectly happy striding through familiar territory. But variety is the spice of life, so it may not be long until your thirst for adventure becomes unbearable! Luckily, Pittsburgh’s got you covered. With almost 100 beautiful neighborhoods to choose from, it’s easy to mix things up with a run through a new trail, vista, or community. Check out some of our favorites! Squirrel Hill If you haven’t…

Under the Microscope: Plantar Fasciitis

They’ve been walked on, beaten down, and generally ignored. But when it comes to keeping you healthy, they are truly the unsung heroes of your body. Of course, I’m talking about your feet! They support your entire body weight for hours each day and have a quarter of all the bones in your body, so don’t they deserve a little more attention? Pain in the feet is a definite buzzkill for a runner and has the potential to derail months…

The Dos and Don’ts of Trail Running

Summer is coming to an end, and it’s time to break away from air conditioned gyms and treadmills and step back into the great outdoors. What better way to make nature your newest workout partner than by taking a shot at trail running? Getting off the treadmill can put a spring in your step; studies have demonstrated improvements in mood and motivation during outdoor workouts compared to being indoors. Off-road running can be enjoyed by athletes of all experience levels,…

Protect Your Heart in the Summer Heat

All winter long, you probably dreamt of the summertime and the joy of exercising outside. The problem? The heat of summer puts added stress on your body. With temperatures reaching the 80s, 90s, and sometimes higher, your heart can face some serious strain when you exert yourself outside. Your body uses two processes in order to deal with the extra heat: radiation and evaporation, both of which require the heart to work harder. Heat naturally moves from warm areas to…

Treat Your Feet: How to Choose Running Shoes

As we enter marathon season, it is a great time to invest in a new pair of running shoes. Generally, it is a good idea to replace your shoes every 400-500 miles. However, if your old running shoes have wear patterns on the sole, it is probably time for a new pair. If you run in worn shoes, you can disrupt the natural biomechanics of your feet and cause injuries that could keep you from running this season. There are…

Guide to the Biggest U.S. Marathons

Running a marathon is about more than just crossing the finish line. Training for a 26.2-mile run can help increase your endurance, strengthen your heart, and build muscle. The training process can also reduce stress by producing endorphins. The experience of training and completing a marathon simply can’t be beat: not only will you get in great shape, but it can also be an opportunity to support a charity, get out of your comfort zone, make friends, and inspire your…

Learn the Basics: Fitness Tips for New Athletes

Every year, millions of Americans resolve to improve their health by committing to new fitness regimens for the New Year. As tempting (and admirable) as it is to jump into a new routine head first, there are some very basic principles that any beginner athlete should stick to in order to avoid injury, stave off burnout, and get the most out of that new outlook. The following are our tips for new athletes: Start Small As we wrote last week,…

Get on Your Feet: Be a Tourist at Home

Pittsburgh is a city filled with history, and with so many people moving here from out of town these days, many residents don’t know much about its past and role in American history. There are many “big tourist attractions” that we love seeing when our friends come to visit and when they don’t! The following are some of our  favorites for good fitness year round. Ice Skating at PPG ‘Tis the season for ice skating around the Christmas tree at…

How to Stay Active This Winter

Staying active in the cold weather might sound like an oxymoron to some. Exercising outside is often impractical, and working out inside can be a bore. But don’t stop exercising! Consistent exercise can actually help you clear those wintertime blues and boost your energy levels, so there will be fewer days when all you want to do is snuggle up under a blanket next to a fire. Keep Your Eye on the Prize Just because it’s winter and not marathon…