Wednesday With Wheels 8--Training Plans & Upcoming Spring Marathons

They Say It's Supposed To Be The Coldest Winter In Years...We Say Bring It On!

Winter isn’t even ‘officially’ here yet, and we’ve already seen the weather at its worst (hopefully). Kids have already had 2+ snow days, snow plows have been out countless times, and you’ve battled with yourself about whether to tough it out outside or head to the gym, on more than just a few occasions.

If you’re anything like me, you almost get cabin fever running on the treadmill all winter long.  The good news is we have products and accessories that can keep you out of the gym and out on the road.

Yaktrax Run

The Yaktrax Run is an ice traction device anatomically designed for use with running shoes. Run naturally on packed snow and ice with the Yaktrax Run's combination of removable spikes and steel coils, providing 360° of unbeatable traction. Continue your training during the winter with the same stability you are accustomed to on dry surfaces. The Yaktrax Run can be worn in temperatures as low as ‑41° Fahrenheit.

Trans4m Adaptable Run Glove

The Trans4m is an adaptable glove that has 4 levels of warmth and versatility for every stage of every run. It has the optimal access for touch screens, shoe laces, and more. There is an easy access zipper pocket for essentials such as keys, money, and energy gels, as well as reflective detailing. The best part about these gloves is they have a universal design, so both gloves fit both hands! I have a pair of these and on really cold days, I wear them over my regular running gloves for an extra layer of warmth

Buff Headwear

The Original buff multi-functional headwear is seamless and is designed to morph into a multitude of different garments in seconds, allowing its wearer to change their headwear on the fly.  There are 10 different ways to wear it: mask, hood, balaclava, do rag, neckerchief, headband, cap, reversible cap, knotted cap, and scarf. The material is soft, comfortable, breathable, and thermal.

Hand and Toe Warmers

The hand and toe warmers are odorless, environmentally safe and provide a heat source for comfort in cold conditions. The hand warmers last up to 8 hours and the toe warmers last up to 5 hours, both are air activated and safe. You can wear the hand warmers in your gloves while you're running, and the toe warmers can be worn on the top or bottom of your toes.

Wool Socks

Merino wool is a warm fiber that retains the heat you create when moving for warmth and insulation. It is a very breathable fiber, so it also releases heat when needed so you do not over heat, making it ideal for use during periods of activity. In addition, merino wool works like an efficient sponge, holding water. However, unlike a sponge merino wool can absorb around a third of its own weight before it leaves you feeling damp. There are multiple brands of socks that make merino wool socks: Feetures, Smartwool, Swiftwick, and FITS.

Hope some of these things can get you out on the road more often than inside on a treadmill!

Happy Running!

Wednesday with Wheels 7- Great Christmas Gift Ideas

Wednesday with Wheels 6-- The benefits of the Massage Stick and Foam Roller

Wednesdays with Wheels 5- Guest Speaker Cameron Simoneau about our Flying Pig Full/Half Marathon Training Groups

Find out more about our TWO Flying Pig Full/Half Marathon Training Groups beginning in January!

Holiday Happiness--How to Keep Running to Keep Sane Throughout the Holidays!

The cold weather is already here, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and Christmas and New Years  are just around the corner!

 I don’t know about you, but this time of year is the hardest time for me to stick with a running routine. It’s either too cold, or there is something much more appealing to do like sleep in for an extra hour or watch TV after work.

So, I did a little research and here are some suggestions I found to keep us all running through the holidays! 

·         Schedule Your Runs
o   You’ll be more likely to run if you've already scheduled it into your day.

·         Be Prepared with a Home Workout
o   Sometimes you won’t have enough time to make it to the gym, or there’s a huge snow storm, so you can’t make it out for a run. Have a workout you can do inside, at your house, so that you stay in a routine.

·         Add Some Holiday Cheer to Your Runs
o   Wear a Santa hat or reindeer antlers on your next run. Run when it’s dark out and look at all of the Christmas lights. Download Christmas music on your iPod and listen to it on your next run.

·         Be Flexible
o   Although you should schedule your runs, life happens. If something comes up and you can’t run as long as you originally planned, something is better than nothing--don’t skip your run completely. Also, if you have a holiday party planned for after work, when you usually workout, wake up an hour earlier and get it done in the morning.

·         Run a Holiday Race
o   The Thanksgiving Day 10K, The Jingle Bell Run, The Egg Nog Jog, Holiday in Lights, etc.

·         Get a Family Member to Join You
o   This way no one can guilt trip you for going out for a run instead of spending time with the family. And if they aren’t as fast as you, ask them to join you for a recovery run or walk.  

·         Sign Up For a Future Race
o For instance, the Flying Pig Full or Half Marathon—knowing you have a big race in a few months will definitely keep you going!

Holidays can be just as stressful as they are fun, so to keep sane, stick with your running routine and enjoy all of the delicious holiday foods (almost) guilt free!

Happy Running!

Wednesdays with Wheels 4- Importance of Strength Conditioning for Runners-Guest Speaker Annie Beck

For this week's installment, Wheels visited YOLO Fitness, LLC to speak with Annie Beck, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, about the importance of strength training for runners!

Website: http://www.yolofitnessnky.com/
Email: yolofitnessnky@gmail.com
Phone: 859-429-2225

Annie Beck

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Morehead State University
• Master's degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association 
• A personal trainer and group fitness instructor for six years with a diverse range of abilities and ages
• knowledge in police officer fitness and tactical strength and conditioning field
• Participant in the Boston Marathon