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14-Time Marathon Finisher Won’t Let Cancer Win

By on September 9, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Interview

the_alexLos Angeles runner serves as inspiration to others as he undergoes chemo, trains and completes marathons.

By Henry Howard

Alex Magdaleno learned he had cancer on Dec. 22, 2008. As the diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia continued to sink in on New Year’s Day 2009, Magdaleno set a goal for himself.

His goal? Run and finish the Los Angeles Marathon that May “to prove to myself that I could finish a marathon despite undergoing chemotherapy.”

Not only did he finish the Los Angeles Marathon six months after the initial diagnosis, Magdaleno has completed 14 overall marathons including the Ventura County Marathon on Sept. 7, the day before this interview. For him, it’s the marathon or bust. No 5Ks, half-marathons or theme races. Continue Reading →

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Tips For Improving Your Sleep

By on July 19, 2014 in Health and Wellness

In a previous post I talked about the importance of getting quality sleep during your marathon training.

If you have not read this post or heard the accompanying podcast episode, the main take-a-way is this: Sleep has a huge impact on your athletic performance!

Now I want to give you nine tips on how to improve the quantity and quality of your sleep so you can be a stronger, happier runner. Continue Reading →

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Getting Quality Sleep During Your Marathon Training

By on July 5, 2014 in Health and Wellness, Podcasts

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I must admit that I love to sleep. I was this way even as a child where I could sleep nearly anywhere. Even in my teenage years I would happily sleep 10 hours a night.

This started to change when I had to work 12 hour night shifts in my early years as a nurse. Then, unfortunately our oldest son did not share my sentiments about sleep and his babyhood was literally a rude awakening for me.

The first year of his life made me doubt if I’d ever sleep through the night again. Parents of young children can probably relate to this.

Now maybe you’re not as fixated on sleep as I am but most people underestimate its importance and many struggle with sleep difficulties. Continue Reading →

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I Should Not Be a Runner

By on June 18, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Motivation

Eyrn_LynumGuest blogger Eryn Lynum shares her epic journey of finding life, health, and running after Addison’s disease and anorexia.

I should not be a runner.

In fact, there are a lot of things I should not be. I should not be a mother. I should not be a writer. I should not be healthy. I should not even be alive.

When I was fourteen years old my adrenal glands gave up on me. Or rather they put up one heck of a fight yet lost their arduous battle against my very confused immune system, which attacked them until they were completely destroyed.

Never again would I feel the heart throbbing thrill that rushes through your veins as you peak the top of a roller coaster, and then let gravity have its way as you race back to the bottom. Never again would I take a simple ride in an elevator without an inevitable and debilitating dizzy spell at the end. Never again could I trust my body to come to my rescue with its “fight or flight” response when I was in a bind and needed just that extra bit of super strength or endurance. Continue Reading →

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Taking Care of Your Amazing Feet

By on April 1, 2014 in Health and Wellness, Podcasts

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During the course of a marathon the average runner will take between 30,000-40,000 steps so it’s obvious we rely on our feet a lot!

I’ve read that the running motion causes impact forces on a runner’s feet 2-3 times his/her body weight.

This episode and blog post is all about taking care of your amazing feet that survive 26.2 miles of pavement pounding each marathon.

I will give you a little anatomy lesson about the foot, and information on how to deal with problems like blisters, arch pain, plantar fasciitis and more. Your feet will love it! Continue Reading →

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How to Not Die During Marathon Training, Running

By on March 27, 2014 in Health and Wellness, Safety

how_to_not_dieMarathoner, professional writer and guest blogger Jeremy Verdusco explores what you can do to minimize the risk of dying at a marathon

I know. It sounds snarky, but this post comes from an earnest place. People in marathon training and long-runners in general, need to approach this sport with open eyes to the risks and dangers of pushing bodies to their limits. Just as important, runners need to assure friends and family that they’ve managed and minimized those risks.

This has jumped to the top of my mind for a couple reasons. Unfortunately, the first is a tragedy. Recently, Cameron Gallagher, a 16-year-old from Richmond, Va., died after crossing the finish line of the Virginia Beach Anthem Half-Marathon.

The second reason comes from the British Medical Journal. According to their research, the most likely person to die during a marathon is a “middle aged adult man” around the age of 41.

That’s me. Continue Reading →

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How Running Improves Your Body Image

By on May 31, 2013 in Health and Wellness, Podcasts, Weight Loss

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I‘ve been thinking a lot about body image in recent weeks. Why do so many of us struggle to love our bodies?

The more I studied the topic of negative body image and the never ending attempt to attain physical “perfection” the more disturbed I became. It is sad that a large marjority of people are dissatisfied with their bodies and often go to dangerous lengths to change it. I admit that I’ve been guilty of body dissatisfaction and I have purposed in my mind to start changing that.

This episode is all about body image. I want to show you how the Western concept of beauty is influencing the world and suggest three ways to improve your body image. You will also be inspired to hear how real people from the MTA community are using running to change the way they look at their bodies.

Continue Reading →

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Interview with ‘T-Rex Runner’ Danielle Hastings

By on April 15, 2013 in Health and Wellness, Interview, Podcasts

I shared a hotel room with Danielle (left) at the 2013 Go! St. Louis Marathon

I shared a hotel room with Danielle (left) at the 2013 Go! St. Louis Marathon

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In this podcast episode we talk with Danielle Hastings (T-Rex Runner) about her eleven year battle with an eating disorder.

I’ve followed Danielle’s blog for some time and was able to meet her at the recent Go! St. Louis Marathon. She has written an excellent series on Eating Disorders for her blog.

Reading these posts made me realize that this serious issue is often avoided or minimalized. I’ve had a few friends over the years who’ve struggled with an eating disorder and I know that there are many people out there with the same battle.

This episode will help educate you on this very important topic. Continue Reading →

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Three Moves to Get a Better Chest

By on March 10, 2012 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness

Guest Article by Fitness Expert and Triathlete Ben Greenfield

Whether you’re a guy or a girl, a better chest is something that can help you look better in a swimsuit or business suit. But getting a better chest goes far beyond simply looking good or having nice pecs.

This is because the chest muscles are responsible for flexing your upper arm bone (as you’d do when swimming), moving the arm inwards (as you’d do when holding bike handlebars) rotating the arm bone towards the body (as you’d do when running), and breathing deeply (as you’d do during intense exertion).

Because of those actions, getting a better chest is crucial to both aesthetics and performance – whether you’re a power lifter or an endurance athlete.

So here are three ways to take your pecs to the next level and get a better chest: Continue Reading →

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Secrets of Proper Recovery

By on November 30, 2011 in Health and Wellness, Podcasts

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When I was training for my first couple of marathons I didn’t give recovery much thought.

My biggest priority after finishing a run was getting a shower. I didn’t know that what I did in the minutes and hours after a hard workout was almost as important as the workout itself.

The body has the capacity to work hard and improve, but it also needs time to recover. When you don’t take time to recover properly this can take a toll on the body. Here are the secrets to proper recovery. . . Continue Reading →

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Interview with Weight Loss Expert Dr. Robert Maki

By on June 29, 2011 in Health and Wellness, Podcasts, Weight Loss

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Many people start running to lose weight yet they find that the pounds still won’t come off. I have even seen runners gain weight during marathon training.

Since weight loss is such a pertinent topic in the world of running we decided to bring Dr. Robert Maki onto the podcast.

Dr. Rob is a naturopathic doctor who has helped thousands of people drop the pounds without surgery, fad diets, or appetite suppressants. He doesn’t even make his clients count calories!

Here are the weight loss questions we asked Dr. Rob. . . Continue Reading →

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