Walking and Running Clubs for Women

2011-08-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

Join Us for the 2nd Annual Win for Brynn 5k to be held in beautiful Creekside Park in Gahanna, Ohio on Saturday October 22, 2011.

For more details and to register visit Girl Power 2 Cure

Freedom Walk & Run 5k: Columbus Ohio

2011-08-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Operation Homefront of Ohio is proud to announce Freedom Walk 2010 to be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 - Mcpherson Commons Nationwide arena Area!

Join our continuing national tradition to reflect on September 11th, and renew your commitment to freedom, the values of our country and to honor our veterans, past and present.

During the month of September citizens across the country join together in walking to establish a tradition to renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country, to honor our veterans, past and present, and reflect on the lives lost on September 11. Funds raised in conjunction with Freedom Walks will go to support the mission of Operation Homefront.

http://www.active.com/running/columbus-oh/operation-homefront-ohio-freedom-walkrun-2011

Walk, Run & Roll 5k

2011-06-26T18:59:00.001-07:00

Volunteer for the Uptown Pumpkin Dash 5k - Marysville Ohio

2011-03-19T04:37:00.000-07:00

With the upcoming Uptown Pumpkin Dash 5k on Thanksgiving Day, 2011, we will be looking for some volunteers to help us. If you not going to participate and would like a cool shirt just like the runners and walkers will get then why not volunteer for an hour.

We are looking primarily for volunteers to help us with parking coordination, race day registration, finish line assistance and course marshalling (directing participants along the course). All easy work.

If you can help, follow this volunteer link. We'll receive your information and will be in contact with you about a perfect role.

Pumpkin Pies - Uptown Pumpkin Dash 5k - Marysville, Ohio

2011-03-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

One of the more exciting aspects of the Uptown Pumpkin Dash will be the pumpkin pies we'll have on race day for participants. We'll have 300 pumpkin pies to give to the first finishers of the race, courtesy of our sponsor, Community Markets in Marysville.

Speaking about Community Markets, we are also going to be asking participants to donate a canned item to one of our two charities, Marysville Food Pantry. If you can, please support our sponsor by purchasing your donated item from them. When at all possible, stop by their store and pick a few things up. I think you'll like the store and the friendly staff.

Community Markets
700 Milford Avenue

Race for the End: Poverty 5k - Hilliard, Ohio

2011-02-20T18:30:00.000-08:00

The 2nd Annual Race for the End Poverty 5k will take place at Homestead Park in Hilliard, Ohio on Saturday April 30th.

This year sees a change in venues from Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Dublin to a more central location in Hilliard.

This year the presenting sponsor will be The Limited.

For more details about the race please visit the race website at Speedy Sneakers Racing

For more information on the sponsoring organization: International Development Collaborative

International Development Collaborative (IDC) is a non-profit organization that encourages the creation of sustainable entrepreneurial micro-enterprises in rural villages of developing countries. IDC provides rural villages the opportunity to sell their products on an international scale. IDC achieves its social objective by assisting villagers to develop their communities economically and to raise their standard of living.

Visit their website at http://www.idcvillage.org/

Hope to see you all there.

Uptown Pumpkin Dash 5k - Marysville, Ohio

2011-02-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce the inaugural Thanksgiving Day event in Marysville, Ohio. The Uptown Pumpkin Dash 5k will take place on Thursday November 24, 2011 in the beautiful Uptown District of Marysville.

Here are the details

When: November 24, 2011
Where: Uptown District, Marysville Ohio
Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
Distance: 5k
Timing: Chip Timed event by Speedy Sneakers Racing

Registration Fees: Range from $20-$30
Website: http://www.speedysneakersracing.com/

In addition to the race, we will be raising money for the Memorial Meals Program and the Marysville Food Pantry. When registering please consider a doantion and as always 100% of your donation will go to charity. On the day of the race, please bring a canned food item to the event.

Many thanks and we look forward to having you

Care to Walk 5k - Frazeysburg, Ohio

2010-10-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for the Care to Walk 5k. The event will be held at the Longaberger Homestead in Frazeysburg, Ohio on Saturday October 30 starting at 9:00 a.m.

The first 100 registrants will receive a special Longaberger travel mug.

You can register by visiting Speedy Sneakers Racing

Special Announcement: Ipico Sports Timekeeping

2010-10-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Special Announcement: Beginning in spring 2011, Speedy Sneakers Racing will begin offering chip timing services to augment our existing manual timing service. The new offering will allow us to service larger races while still being able to assist our smaller races.

We have chosen to use Ipico Sports Timekeeping. Ipico is an award winning timing system that has been used in the London Marathon, the Bolder Boulder 10k and the Nike Women's Marathon to name a few.

For more information about Ipico visit their website - IPICOSPORTS
For a quote, please visit Speedy Sneakers Racing

All Ohio Balloon Fest 5k - Registration now open

2010-06-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is one race you cannot miss. The All Ohio Balloon Fest 5k will be held at the beautiful Mill Creek Park along the Jim Simmons Trail in Marysville Ohio on Friday evening August 13th. All participants receive a dry fit t-shirt and a weekend pass to the All Ohio Balloon Fest on August 20th and 21st.

In addition, winners will receive $25 gift cards to Kroger and a combo meal card to Wendy's. So lace up those shoes and get training.

See you there.

Ohio Hills Folk Festival 5k

2010-06-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

If you are around Quaker City Ohio on July 10, 2010 plan to come out to the Ohio Hills Folk Festival and run or walk with us in the festival 5k.

The Ohio Hills Folk Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Ohio and you'll love running in this race.

Register at Speedy Sneakers Racing

Race for the End: Poverty 5k

2010-06-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Race for the End: Poverty 5k is this Saturday June 5, 2010. Please take a moment to thanks these sponsors.

Race for the Cure - Columbus, Ohio

2010-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Columbus edition of the Race for the Cure is about to take place this Saturday, May 15. What started out as an 800 runner/walker event held at Ohio State University a few years ago has grown into one of the largest events in the country.

Some 45,000 or more runners and walkers are expected to line up on Saturday morning to wind their way through 3 miles of downtown Columbus to finish in front of the State Capital.

What's really fun about this race, are the people who come out to cheer you. At various parts of the course you will be greated by a rock band and who can forget the bikers reving their engines at about the last mile.

This race is not about running fast times, but rather about contributing to the efforts of those who are trying to make break throughs in cancer treatment, or who are trying to make others more comfortable in their last days.

So, if you are near Columbus this Saturday come on out and witness the party.

Alcohol at the Races

2010-05-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or are there others who feel that alcohol should not be served as a post race beverage at the end of a race. I have seen a few races that have promoted their event by offering alcoholic drinks at the end of the race. Luckily this has not become the norm.

Locally in my hometown of Columbus Ohio there was one particular race that promoted tequila drinks at the end of their race. The race had 500+ participants who braved cool temperatures to run in a 4 miler and then enjoy a post race alcoholic beverage.

The question to ask, are these races promoting healthy lifestyles or has the sport become so corporate that the phrase "healthy lifestyle" simply is just a tag line that is used to create a perception that we are in it for the right reasons.

I am against alcoholic drinks at these events for two reasons;

1. I don't believe that alcohol promotes a healthy lifestyle and is inconsistent with the healthy messages we are trying to promote in the sport.

2. Will offering these drinks at events create an expectation that other races offer drinks likewise in the future much like the post-race buffet has become norm even for small races such as a 5k.

I will end it at this, but should a dialogue develop out of this post I will be happy to dive into the subject a little more.

Join the Columbus MFTC and Speedy Sneakers

2010-05-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Are you planning on running or walking in either the full / half marathons at the Columbus Marathon on October 17, 2010. If so then join Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women and the Columbus Marathon for the Cure team. The Columbus MFTC team link is up and running so you can join now. There are also tons of incentives to join. Get more info

2010-05-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

Sponsors are starting to come in for Race for the End: Poverty 5k to be held at Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Dublin on June 5, 2010.

The latest addition is Downtown Dermatology which is located at 500 East Main Street Suite 310 Columbus Ohio.

Please visit their website and thank them for being a sponsor.

Thanks EAS

2010-05-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to EAS for sponsoring us with Myoplex drinks for all finishes. We appreciate your support.

See you all at the Race for the End: Poverty 5k. Dublin, Ohio June 5, 2010 at Glacier Ridge Metro Park. You can register at www.speedysneakers.com/racing

New Logo for the "Run for the End" Poverty 5k

2010-04-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the new logo for the Run for the End: Poverty 5k. It's pretty awesome and I can't wait to see how it'll look on the race t-shirts.

June 5, 2010

Glacier Ridge Metro Park

9:00 a.m.

Poverty 5k - June 5, 2010 - Dublin Ohio

2010-04-13T03:47:00.000-07:00

Speedy Sneakers Racing is please to announce the Poverty 5k. The sponsoring organizations are the International Development Collaborative and Grandma's Gifts.

The event will be held on June 5, 2010 at Glacier Ridge Metro Park starting at 9:00 a.m.

Register at Speedy Sneakers Racing

George Roulett - FrontRunner - Thanks

2010-04-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to George Roulett of FrontRunner in Columbus, Ohio for coming out to talk to our group in Dublin this morning.

George spoke on the topic of injuries and specifically the common causes of injuries.

Here are the high-level points of the talk

Five Common Causes of Injuries

1. Overuse - running too much, too fast or over training
2. Tight or fatigued muscles
3. Muscle imblance
4. Bad running surfaces, too hard, too soft, too slippery
5. Improper foot strike - over pronation or under pronation

Thanks again and if you are interested in attednding one of our meeting, take a look at our schedule on our club website at http://www.speedysneakers.com/

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women.

3rd Annual Stirrup Hope Fund 5k - Registration Open

2010-03-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Annual Stirrup Hope Fund 5k has opened registration for the August 21, 2010 event. This year the event is set to be an evening event which should be a lot of fun.

To register for the event, visit the race website - Stirrup Hope 5k

Westerville Speedy Sneakers - 2010 Season Kick off

2010-03-20T14:03:00.000-07:00

Westerville Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women kicked off the 2010 season today at Sharon Woods Metro Park.

After a short speech by Peter Engelbrecht, Jessica Kielmeyer the group leader led club members out for a great workout. Conditions were perfect to start off the season. Hopefully there will be more good weather after a winter of cold, ice and snow.

If you are interested in joining Speedy Sneakers, but missed the kick off don't dispair new members can join anytime of the year.

Speedy Sneakers offers it's members the opportunity to walk or run with others who are of equal ability and fitness. We are currently training for the Race for the Cure which will take place on May 15 in Columbus.

Interested members can get more information on our website at http://www.speedysneakers.com/

George Roulett - FrontRunner - Westerville, Ohio

2010-03-16T03:46:00.000-07:00

George Roulett of FrontRunner will be speaking to the Westerville Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club for Women on Saturday April 24, 2010.

The talk will be held at Sharon Woods starting at 7:45 a.m. All attendees will be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate.

See our website or Facebook page for more details.

Good Deal: Nutrisystem - Two Weeks Free Food

2010-02-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a deal I just had to pass on. From Nutrisystem, two weeks of free food. Enjoy.

Sharon Woods Metro Park Profile: Westerville, Ohio

2010-02-25T03:02:00.000-08:00

Sharon Woods Metro Park will be the new home of the Westerville Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women.

Located off Cleveland Ave, it's situated on 762 acres which includes a lake (Schrock Lake). The park has a fabulous mix of paved and nature trails so that all types of runners and walkers can enjoy running and walking in a variety of beautiful settings.

In a few weeks, on Saturday March 20th, 2010, Westerville Speedy Sneakers will begin a new era. Join us as we startup this new club. We hope that we'll have the same success in the new club as we have with our first club location in Dublin.

If you are interested in joining, visit our club page Speedy Sneakers.

Spring Time is on it's Way

2010-02-18T03:35:00.000-08:00

With all the snow and ice you sometimes wonder if spring will ever get here. Here is a little daily inspiration.

New Feature: Guest Columnist

2010-02-18T03:24:00.000-08:00

A new feature has been started on Speedy Sneakers. We'll have a guest columnist and our first is Diane Raymond of Blue Sky Gym. Diane is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer and holds undergraduate degrees from Ohio State University in Exercise Science and Journalism.

You can read Diane's first article of many more to come at SpeedySneakers.com

Strength Training for a Better Runner

2010-02-11T03:48:00.000-08:00

When I was 14 years old I had an injury where I could not run so one of my friends who ran the sprints at school asked me whether I wanted to go to the gym with him to lift weights. I thought he was crazy, I am a middle distance runner why would I want to bulk up by lifting weights. He then explained to me that I would not bulk up since we would not be lifting heavy and that if I incorporated a program of weight lifting into my training regimen I probably would not get injured as often and would likely run faster due to the increased strength I would have gained. This was all music to my ears, especially the run faster part. I cautiously went with him to the gym and from then onwards was never afraid to lift a weight. In fact, afterwards found out that all runners of every distance lift weights for primarily two reasons, to avoid injury and to run faster by being stronger.

Every runner of every distance persuasion can benefit from a strength training program which uses weights, or other mechanisms to increase overall strength. From the weekend 5k to the end of season marathon runner, all will be better runners by being stronger.

Let us dispel some myths before moving on.

Myth - Lifting weights will bulk me up.

Lifting light weights with more repetitions will increase your endurance. If you not eating a diet rich in protein then the chances of gaining weight through more muscles is very minimal.

Myth – Lifting weights will decrease my flexibility.

Running long distances will decrease your flexibility if you do not incorporate stretching into your fitness program. All runners need to stretch to maintain their flexibility, especially as they age. So lifting weights will not decrease your flexibility, not stretching will decrease your flexibility.

Lifting weights can also be described as resistance training. In this training method you are attempting to condition your muscles to bear an increased amount of resistance against it. Over time the increased muscle strength gained will allow the runner to better handle the weakening muscles caused by fatigue during a race.

Lifting weights will also allow a runner to work muscles that are routinely not fully exercised during the running motion. In many instances these muscles can become imbalanced from the other opposing muscles. In a racing situation the opposing strong muscles will have to work harder than the weaker muscle. By increasing the strength of all the muscles the resistance placed on them will be more evenly distributed and will allow the runner to effectively run stronger for longer.

If you have any concerns about starting in a weight lifting program, start light. Lift light weights and gradually over time increase the amount of weight and gauge how you look and feel. If it works for you, continue and if it does not, then stop. However, give it a try and I expect you will see the same benefits I saw many years ago.

Written by Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women. With club locations in Dublin and Westerville Ohio, Speedy Sneakers offer a non-competitive training environment for runners and walkers of all abilities and fitness levels.

Dr. Dana Winchester - April 17, 2010

2010-02-10T03:29:00.000-08:00

Dr. Dana Winchester of the Winchester Institute will be our guest speaker on Saturday April 17. Dr. Winchester is well known in the Columbus area for public speaking and health promotion. She has been featured on Fox news and published in newspapers and magazines. We are looking forward to hearing her

Speedy Sneakers Racing and Facebook

2010-02-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Speedy Sneakers now has a fan page on Facebook. Join us on Facebook by going to our website at www.speedysneakers.com/racing and keep up to date on all that is happening with Speedy Sneakers.

Speedy Sneakers Racing is affiliated with Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women with locations in Dublin and Westerville Ohio.

Westerville Speedy Sneakers

2010-01-31T13:28:00.000-08:00

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women is pleased to announce that starting March 20, 2010 Westerville Ohio will be the location for the second running and walking club in Central Ohio.

Speedy Sneakers currently has a club in Dublin, Ohio which has been in existence since March 2008.

Walkers and runners interested in joining can do so through the Speedy Sneakers main website at http://www.speedysneakers.com/

Dublin Life Magazine

2010-01-31T05:53:00.000-08:00

Checkout Speedy Sneakers in the latest issue of Dublin Life Magazine. In an article on Dublin Running Clubs, Speedy Sneakers is included as one of many running clubs in Dublin, Ohio. Enjoy and let us know what you think. http://www.columbuscityscene.org/keep_on_runnin039.html

Start Training Now

2010-01-30T04:01:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a successful spring this year perhaps even running a personal best time then nothing will be more important than to start training now. You still have time to begin building up your training to avoid getting injured and to actually become fit for the onslaught of 5k that will predominate this spring time.

So what do you do? Start slowly; run for 10 minutes if that is all you can do. Run every other day, add a day each week, and add more 2 minutes to your running time. Whatever you do, do it slowly and methodically and you will find success.

I know that many times the urge to run hard, run far and run fast lingers in our mind as we feel that this is what we should be doing. Maybe it is, but not right now. Right now is all about building up your mileage and the time you spend running. Even the most elite of runners follow this method to ensure their success.

To help you along the way, here is a great tip. Write down on a piece of paper your spring time goal, find a race that you want to run and write down the date, place and time. Put the piece of paper in a place so that you can see it every day. I think two places work best, the bathroom mirror and the refrigerator. Every time you see your goal you will think about it and hopefully if you are motivated enough you will do something about it, like go for a run.

So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to start running.

By: Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women. With location in Dublin and Westerville, Ohio we are dedicated to promoting women’s health and fitness through running and walking programs. Visit us at www.speedysneakers.com

Speaker Announcement

2010-01-26T03:14:00.000-08:00

Speedy Sneakers is pleased to announce that Dr. Patricia Stafford, Medical Director of Solis Women's Health in Dublin, Ohio has agreed to come and give us a talk on Saturday May 8, 2010. So mark your calendars. Dr. Stafford is a Boston Marathon finisher, current Board member of Komen Columbus and on top of this is a great speaker.

For more information, visit http://www.speedysneakers.com/

Gahanna Speedy Sneakers

2010-01-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

Now Columbus east side residents have a Women's only Walking and Running club option as the west side had with the Dublin club.

Starting on March 20, 2010 at Blendon Woods Metro Park, Gahanna Speedy Sneakers will kick-off.

To get registers just go to http://www.speedysneakers.com/

Survey: New Years Fitness Goals

2009-12-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Take a minute to share your thoughts on setting New Years Fitness Goals. Results will be shared on this blog and at SpeedySneakers.com

New Years Fitness Goals

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Womens Health should Not be Rationed

2009-12-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago the U.S Preventitive Task Force, a government-backed physician group said women in their 40s are more likely to get false-positive tests that can lead to unnecessary biopsies and anxiety and therefore recommended that rather than receiving mamograms at 40, that women should start getting them at 50.

Hands up, anyone who would rather get a false positive at 40 than wait until 50 for a positive test result that could have been cured had the screening being taken at 40.

This type of article is not routinely something that Speedy Sneakers would get into, but when it comes to women's health and the quality of medical care that impacts women, we all have an obligation to pay attention to what is going on.

Unfortunately, I cannot believe that this type of report would lead to better health care for women but rather see it as partly what we are all fearing will come out of the current health care reform efforts, rationing of health care. We should not accept it.

Announcement: Speedy Sneakers Racing

2009-11-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Speedy Sneakers Racing a division of Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women announces the luanch of it's new website at www.SpeedySneakers.com/Racing

Speedy Sneakers Racing offers race timing for running and walking events in Central Ohio.

Please visit the website for more information.

Commit Now for Success in the Spring

2009-11-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

In the northern parts of the United States, the leaves have now fallen off the trees and the snow is about to come down. Winter is around the corner. As winter comes in the difficulty of training outdoors becomes apparent causing many runners and walkers to miss vital winter training.

Here are some tips to help you stay in shape, or at a minimum keep up some fitness activity through the winter:

Work on your core strength by doing back and abdominal exercises.

Though stretching may not increase your strength to run a 5k, it will increase your flexibility which will help you stave off injuries as you increase your mileage in the spring and summer.

Find sunny days through the winter when the snow is packed on the ground and you can get outside for a quick 20 minute run.

Try some rope skipping, you will be amazed at how tired you will become doing this workout.

These are some simple workouts and routines that will help you stay in shape through the winter. I would be interested to know what others have done. Please let us know.

Run as your feel

2009-11-20T12:48:00.000-08:00

For many years I have heard runners talking about timing all their runs. This is a big mistake. Anytime you time yourself, you are putting yourself on the clock and with that you will for all intents and purposes probably end up running too fast. Now running fast is a good thing, but not all the time.

Running fast everyday will ultimately leave your body tired and run down. When training your body needs time to recover, which normally takes place at night when you are sleeping, but when you are training hard you need to give your body that little extra help by not running fast. That is why you will also hear runners talking about their “recovery runs”. These are runs where you run slower than normal or running as you feel.

My personal advice to better help you run as you feel is to leave your watch at home.

Building your Base

2009-11-19T05:54:00.000-08:00

You might have heard elite runners talking about building a base in the winter training months and have wondered what they were talking about.

Base training serves as the foundation for what is to come later in the year. Much like building a foundation for a house, base training serves to provide the runner with a strong foundation to not only help train harder in the spring and summer months, but also will helps to make the runner stronger for the long slog through the summer.

Base training typically can include long slow runs and weight training. The base gets built up over the course of weeks, in terms of miles, no more than 10 percent increase each week until a maximum miles is reached. Periodic rest weeks can and should be taken to avoid becoming stale and the training can become boring. In fact, many good runners will also through in some light speed and streghtening work such as hill sprints to break up the training.

Base training is important for everyone, but is especially important for those who plan to run in half or full marathon. You will need to build your base before thinking about tackling the high mile weeks that will come later.

If you have any questions on training and building your base, please let me know through this blog and I will be happy to respond.

Wearing Layers

2009-11-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

To stay warm and comfortable during your winter runs, it will be important to wear layers.

I am sure if you are like me, less clothing is best, but when it get's cold you need to add clothing, and this causes other issues of comfort. Too much clothes and you feel like you are dragging, too little and you run chilly and stiff. So the happy medium is to have either just the right amount of clothing on, or have the correct clothing on.

The best approach is to dress in layers:

1. The first layer should be made of a wicking material to keep the sweat away from your body.
2. The second layer should be to keep you warm and can be a little heavier
3. The third layer should keep the wind or cold air away from you.

Happy running

Start your own club

2009-11-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running clubs for women started on March 22 2008. Since that time, Speedy Sneakers has helped over 50 women in just one location meet many of their personal fitness goals.

Some of our members had goals to simply just get back to some general fitness while others wanted to run a 5k. By being a member of Speedy Sneakers, members were able to meet regularly and together they trained to meet their goals.

This coming year, Speedy Sneakers will be embarking on a new adventure - helping others start their own club. If you are interested in starting a club of your own in your neighborhood, the take a look at our website www.speedysneakers.com and give us a shout if you have any interest, we'd love to let you know how you too can start your own club.

Take care and happy running and walking

Warm Fall Weather

2009-11-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful morning we had. Our Speedy Sneakers group of walkers and runners met at Glacier Ridge and enjoyed the warm weather.

Throughout the fall and winter there will be some days that will provide you an opportunity to take advantage of the nice weather. If you are one who doesn't like to run or walk in cold weather then keep your eyes out for those windows of opportunity.

As a reminder: Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club for women will be meeting each Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. throughout the winter months.

Run for Kids - Marysville Ohio is July 18

2009-06-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Run-for-Kids 5k will take place again this year in Marysville Ohio. sponsored by Honda of Marysville the race starts and finished in front of the dealership.

This year's race should be just as much fun as last year where there was plenty of food and good music to entertain the runners and walkers.

Registration for the race has started, if you are early you can get a littel discount and if you are a high school runner its even a little cheaper.

Come on out and enjoy a fun run and walk with the family.

Register at www.columbusrunning.com

Cross Training For Runners

2009-05-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Reminder, this Saturday May 30, 2009 starting at 7:45, Speedy Sneakers will host an informative talk titled "Cross Training For Runners."

Mindy Gargasz and Erica Mullins, two Orthopedic Physical Therapists will give the talk and gear it specifically to women runners and walkers.

If you have any questions, you can contact us through our website, at www.speedysneakers.com

Congratulations - Race for the Cure

2009-05-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all Speedy Sneakers members who ran in the Race for the Cure in downtown Columbus.

This year's race drew more than 46,000 runners and walkers - what an awesome site.

Perhaps next year we'll break the 50,000 participant mark - won't that be something.

Willow Ridge 5k Run and Walk

2009-05-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Registration opens for the 2nd Annual Willow Ridge 5k Run and Walk which will take place at Glacier Ridge Metro Park on August 22, 2009.

It is important to register early and online as there will be no race day registrations.

The race will start at 8:00 a.m. and will include awards for runners and walkers.

For more details, go to Speedy Sneakers Racing

New Races added to TheYappers

2009-03-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

I have just added a few more races to TheYappers which I think you will love to run.

Close to home is the Home Run 5k which takes place in Dublin Ohio on May 24, and a week before that warmup with the biggest race in Columbus as 40,000 runners and walkers take to the streets in Columbus for the Race for a Cure.

Home Run 5k

Race for a Cure 5k

Also, dont' forget to checkout some of the other races and when you are done running and walking return back to "Open your Yap" by rating and reviewing the races.

Dublin St. Patricks Day Results - now available

2009-03-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Two Dublin Ohio runners take top honors at the Dublin St. Patricks Day event held in Historic Dublin.

Congratulations to Michael Sawicki and Star Emmert.

If you participated in the race now you can rate and review the race.

Also checkout your race photos at RunPhotos

2009-01-31T15:43:00.000-08:00

Now you can rate and review running, walking, triathlon, duathlon and swimming races in Columbus with The Yappers

So, if you have something to say, "Open your Yap....and Share your experience with the rest of the Race Community."

Dublin Ohio "Home Run 5k"

2009-01-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

"Home Run 5k"
Sunday May 24, 2009 starting 5:00 p.m.
Historic Dublin

In partnership with the City of Dublin and Habitat for Humanity comes an awesome new 5k race to Dublin. This new event, the "Home Run 5k" will have a unique start time of 5:00 p.m. and will take in much of historic Dublin. There will be finish line activities for adults and kids alike, awards for runners using strollers, and much more. It promises to be unique, entertaining and mostly FUN.

The race committee has formed and plans are underway to get the race off the ground. The committee is dedicated to providing a unique racing experience for runners, walkers and sponsors alike. But we need your help.

Whether you are a runner, or walker, elite or recreational, we want to hear from you. We want to know what will make your race unique and fun. What have you seen work at other races that you want incorporated into this race? What would your kids love to have as finish line activities? What would you love to see for yourself?

Let us know and we will strive to incorporate them into our race planning, and then when all is said and done, we ask you to mark your calendars and come out to the run, or walk and enjoy the cool air of a springtime evening in Dublin.

The survey has only 6 questions. Shouldn't take you too much time. Thanks in advance.

START SURVEY

Columbus Race for the Cure - May 16, 2009

2009-01-07T06:10:00.000-08:00

It's not too late to start thinking about the Race for the Cure which will be held on May 16, 2009 in Columbus Ohio.

If you need a training group, then stop by Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club and join our club. We are currently training each Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. over at Glacier Ridge Metro Park. We will add another day (Tuesday) when there is more sunlight.

Visit our website Speedy Sneakers

Speedy Sneakers January 2009 Newsletter

2009-01-05T13:13:00.000-08:00

Just published: Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club for Women, January 2009 club newsletter

Walk Magazine - Going Green in 2009!

2008-12-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

(copied from Walk Magazine)

I've been hinting about changes coming to WALK! Magazine, but I haven't gone into much detail. Here are some of the exciting things going on.

WALK! Magazine is going green! We will begin publishing only electronically
beginning with the next issue. There are many benefits to publishing electronically.

Not only will we be saving trees, but delivery will no longer be delayed due to printers and the postal service! We have a lot of exciting ideas to take advantage of this new format and we will share those with you as they develop.

Second, WALK! will start publishing six times a year in 2009! I have wanted to take this step since our first year of publishing. To better accommodate this new bi-monthly production schedule, we are postponing the Winter issue, traditionally published in December, to January 2009 to make it the January/February issue. This change will cause a delay of only a couple of weeks, but will make the transition to a bi-monthly magazine much easier in the long run.

In this current economy, paper and postage costs are taking their toll on many
publishers -- even long-established magazines with large readerships are hurting! We had a lot of difficult decisions to make and finally decided it is better for our readers to keep publishing, even if it is strictly electronically.

I have to admit -- I'm pretty old school when it comes to publishing. I like paper --I like the feel of paper and I like the portability of taking a magazine or a book with me wherever I go.

But by going electronic, we are able to do some things we can't do otherwise -- like include links to other walking websites, build an online walking community or embed video into the magazine. Wouldn't it be great if, when Dave McGovern explains a new technique, we can see a video of him demonstrating that technique? Not all of those extras will take place immediately, but we are working on it. It will be a very exciting time for us!

For some people, going electronic will be a difficult transition. To make that transition a little easier, we are offering some great subscription deals. All current subscribers will be receiving that information soon. I sincerely hope you will give it a chance.

To see what an electronic edition is like, check out the Summer issue. Just click on the pdf cover to open it. The password is "walkingmag". (Future issues will have more features.)

Home Run 5k - Dublin, Ohio

2008-12-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

The 2009 "HOME RUN" 5K Race will be held Saturday May 9 at 5 p.m. in Downtown Dublin. Coordinated by the Dublin Habitat for Humanity Partnership with key sponsors and specific race route soon the be announced, the run will feature a great Central Dublin course and offer participants and attendees a great run/walk and numerous activities, as well as an excellent package for all in the race.

Let's us know if you will be there.

Yes I will be there

Parents Looking for Events for your Kids?

2008-12-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

If you are a parent and are looking for some quality events and activities for your children, look no further than KidsLinked

About Kidslinked

Our story of becoming busy parents should sound familiar to anyone who has tried to balance the demands of work, home and parenting. As a database developer, amateur tri-athlete, creator of online training plans for self-coached athletes and all around entrepreneur, KidsLinked.com founder, Greg Yoakam, saw the need to develop a company that provided parents with family management tools at their fingertips. This realization led to the creation of KidsLinked.com – a one-of-a-kind resource for parents and child-care givers to discover safe and fun learning opportunities for their children.

We invite you to explore KidsLinked.com and enjoy the many activities it provides and the time and energy it saves. KidsLinked.com connects kids to fun and learning while creating a lifetime of memories.

New Running Event Company Forms in Columbus

2008-12-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

A new running event company has formed in Columbus Ohio. Second Sole Racing was found by Brian Ditty who has numerous years of event experience in Columbus having been an owner of Premier Races also located here in Columbus.

There have a few signature events such as Capital City Half Marathon and Columbus Marathon.

Checkout their site: Second Sole Racing

Watch the Dream Video & Help a Great Cause!

2008-12-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the launch of the video—and encourage you to share it with friends—Brooks will donate five cents for every view of the video between November 13, 2008, and December 21, 2008. We'll be counting views at the official viewing sites: brooksrunning.com and YouTube.com. Once the views have been tallied, Brooks will donate up to a maximum of $25,000 to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, earmarked for the support of breast cancer research.

WATCH DREAM

Flying Feather Four Miler - Thanksgiving Day 2008

2008-12-04T13:47:00.001-08:00

After some concern, the Flying Feather Four Miler was held in Dublin Ohio on Thanksgiving Day.

This years race drew almost 2,000 runners and walkers. The overall winner was Austin Schmidt of Columbus who won in 21 minutes and 7 seconds. The first female runner was Krista Seibert of Powell win in a very fast 25 minutes 3 seconds.

If you want to see the other race results and photos here is the link FLYING FEATHER FOUR MILER

Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-24T10:13:00.001-08:00

This is probably the best time of the year for several reasons:

1. We get to see family and friends
2. We get a couple of days off of work to see family and friends
3. We get to eat some of our favorite dishes.

This is also the time of year that we get to add calories. The food is always good, but we can surely pack on the pounds unless we make a determined effort to exercise during these winter months. So how much should we exercise after our Thanksgiving meal? Well, that depends on how much we eat of course!!! For my classes that I teach I found this neat website that will allow you to determine how many walking steps you need to take based on the food you consume over Thanksgiving.

Now be warned......this is based on number of steps you need walk. If you are starting to run your calories burned will be higher so think about that as you take a look at the outcome. Click on Thanksgiving above to access the link.

Winter Schedule

2008-11-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Just because its fall going into winter, it does not mean we stop training. Speedy Sneakers will still be meeting at Glacier Ridge Metro Park each Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

We meet at the shelter house when you enter in from the north entrance of the park across from Glacier Ridge Elementary.

If you are interested in joining our club, stop by and check us out.

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women

RRCA 10km Trial Championship

2008-11-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

The Ohio Valley Walkers and Runners Club has been awarded the RRCA Ohio 10k trial championship.

For more details visit their race website

Congratulations Speedy Sneakers

2008-10-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all members of Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women who participated in the Columbus Marathon on Sunday. You guys did awesome and we are proud of you.

To view the results of all the races, follow this link. http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=2918

Cool Weather Workouts!

2008-10-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

The fall is finally here, with temperatures quickly cooling down making it more difficult to get out.

Here are a few tips to staying warm when the air is chilly:

1. Layer your clothing - layers are best because they can be removed once you start warming up from your exercise. Wear an outer jacket that acts as a windbreaker and that also keeps you warm in the initial stages of your workout.

2. Bring your hat and gloves - an individual loses heat through their head and hands so it is best to keep them covered until you are sufficiently warm!

3. Windchill factor - the cold temperatures plus the wind make the air temperature much cooler than it really is. Start your workout going into the wind and finish with the wind to your back.

4. Time change is coming up! - be safe when working out in the dark. Wear clothing that has reflective material on it so others can see you.

5. Get dry - once you are finished with your workout put some dry clothes on. Wet clothes will cool you down quickly.

Remember, exercise is a year round event so be careful, keep working out, and be healthy!

More on BPA by JAMA

2008-09-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

A new report issued by The Journal of the American Medical Association has just been issued and it is a must read for anyone interested in the current happenings concerning BPA (Bisphenol A).

Click here for the report. Association of Urinary Bisphenol A Concentration With Medical Disorders and Laboratory Abnormalities in Adults

Speedy Sneakers Run at the Game Day 5k

2008-09-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

With the early morning rain, it seemed that the race may be cancelled, but as the sun came up the weather changed and the race was a go.

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club members came out and had a fun time running through Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

We were also entertained by "the coach" Wood Hayes impersonator.

Thanks to the organizers for an awesome time and to the worthy cause of the United Way of Union County in Ohio.

Best of luck next year.

The Prediction Competition

2008-08-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with the RRCA National Run@Work Day on September 19, 2008, Good Bodies Personal Fitness & Wellness has put together a team competition that is fun and suitable for anyone regardless of age, gender, or level of fitness. Encourage two (2) co-workers, family members, or friends to join you and let’s get started!

It’s not the swiftest that wins it’s the most calculating. How does it work?

On September 18th, 19th, or 20th, you and your 2 teammates will be timed in either a;

* 1 mile run/walk on a treadmill
* 2 mile stride on an elliptical machine
* 3 mile ride on a stationary bike.

The time it takes to complete it is your STARTING PACE.

Four-weeks later. Run/walk 2 miles, stride 4 miles, or ride 6 miles and predict a time that has to be as good or a better pace per mile than your STARTING PACE.

Eight-weeks (in total) later. Run/walk 3 miles, stride 6 miles, or ride 9 miles and predict a time to finish in that has to be as good or a better pace per mile than your week 4 pace. The team whose predictions at week 4 and week 8 are closest is the WINNING team.

To make it fair, after you have established your STARTING PACE, in your weeks 4 and 8 assessments, the odometer/speedometer will be hidden so that you cannot adjust your pace to meet your predicated time.

The closest predicting team splits $600 (evenly)
The closest predicting individual wins $100

This is a competition that almost anyone can join because you do not have to be in good condition to start. It is important to start an exercise program, though, because improvements are required.

Entry Fee is $50 per person which entitles you to;

* The chance to win $600 with your team.
* A chance to win $100.
* A fitness consultation after your initial timing.
* Corporate discount rates to Good Bodies Fitness.
* A 16-week membership to Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club for Women.
* A membership to the Columbus Running Company training group.
* 10% discount coupon to the Columbus Running Company.
* Tips on how to lose weight.
* Weekly email support from Good Bodies. Each email will include exercise, nutrition, and motivational information.

Here’s how it works – Team A records initial run/walking times of 5:08, 11:16, and 8:22. That is their STARTING PACE. In week 4 they respectively PREDICT TIMES for 2 miles of 10:16, 21:00, and 16:00. They record times of 10:40, 21:30, and 15:55. What is their score? Since runner 1 ran a slower pace (it needed to be 5:08/mile pace or better and he ran a 5:20/mile pace) than what is acceptable, his difference of 24 seconds is doubled to 48. The other 2 runners ran at acceptable paces. So the combined difference is 48 + 30 + 5 = 83. The week 4 score is added to the score from week 8 to determine a team’s final score.

Contest Parameters

There is no obligation to become a member or workout at Good Bodies. There are no hidden or additional costs (the $50 entry fee is the only cost).

Friends and Family members are welcome to enter the competition!

Competitors will receive a packet of information when they record their STARTING PACE. It will include health and exercise information that will help them get off on the right foot.

Contestants will receive weekly support via email that will include the Good Bodies Healthy Habit tips, exercise tips, encouragement, inspiration, and contestant highlights.

You will be timed at Good Bodies but we can arrange to record times at your place of business if suitable exercise equipment is available. Teams do not have to use the same exercise modality.

Dates of timing are;
* September 18th, 19th, and 20th.
* October 16th, 17th, and 18th.
* November 13th, 14th, 15th.
* Winners will be announced on November 17th.

Good Bodies will be opened from;
* 6 am to 10 pm Thurs. – Fri.
* 6 am to 5 pm Sat.
* If there are appointment times available, you can sign-up through the 20th.

Good Bodies accepts cash, check, VISA, MC, AMEX, and Discover.
To learn more about Good Bodies, go to http://www.goodbodiesfitness.com/ See Map

Contact Matt Maglicic at (614) 889-2282

The First Women's Olympic Marathon

2008-08-23T10:36:00.001-07:00

Joan Benoit - Read More
Grete Waitz - Read More

Dublin Recreation Center Closed - Workout Alternatives

2008-08-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

With the Dublin Recreation Center closed for their annual cleaning many people will be wondering what to do for the week of the closing.

There are a number of alternatives.

1. Workout outside by either walking, running or biking. If you are a lady walker or runner, Speedy Sneakers works out twice each week at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

2. Swim in one of the outside pools.

3. Temporarily join another fitness facility. Lifetime Fitness is offering a free 7-day membership.

With the Rec Center closing, and the great weather we are having this is a wonderful opportunity to try something else.

VitaBrownies Featured on Good Morning America

2008-08-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that we were recently featured on ABC's Good Morning America because our delicious 100 calorie VitaBrownie was listed by Women's Health Magazine as one of the 125 best packaged foods for women!

According to Lisa Drayer, R.D., contributor to Women's Health Magazine, "It definitely is delicious and it's another guilty pleasure that's good for you, too. VitaBrownie is not the typical brownie at all -- it's healthy. Plus it's fortified with vitamins."

Just For Fun

2008-08-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Where have you been?

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

I have visited all these States and hope to visit all one day. Where have you been, or want to go?

Facts about PET

2008-08-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to our blog on BPA last week, additional information has been coming in from other sources wanting to weigh in on the debate.

I was emailed this website a few days ago and I think it is worth reading.

Core Training For Walkers and Runners

2008-08-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

You always hear that training your core is essential to running and walking faster and stronger. So which muscles do you have to work on and what are a few simple exercises to get you started?

Though core training can never be considered easy or simple, getting started is half the battle. In this short video you will see that core training does not have to be as strenuous as some think they should be.

Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania Wins Olympic Gold

2008-08-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

On Sunday morning at the Beijing Olympics in China, Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania won the women's marathon to take gold in 2 hours 26 and 44 seconds. She was followed by Kenya's Catherine Ndereba with bronze going to China's home town favoriate Zhou Chunxiu.

World record holder Paula Radcliffe after having been injured for most of the time in preparation for the race finished in 23rd place. The world record holder, and winner of two New York Marathon has not won a medal at the Olympics and with the London Games in four years time may certainly have one last chance.

Bisphenol A (BPA) - update FDA "It's Safe"

2008-08-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago, we wrote a short story about the controversy surrounding the use of the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in a variety of plastic products, such as water bottles used by athletes, baby bottles, electronics and many other household products.

The Associated Press just sent an update that the FDA says, "trace amounts of BPA are safe for adults and babies."

You can read the report on MSNBC.com

Working Out - Use Common Sense

2008-08-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about how confusing magazines make working out. For ever magazine you see on the sales rack, there must be ten to twenty different pieces of advice and that's only for this month alone. Next month they end up having another ten.

Well how about some common sense. Read the latest article post on www.SpeedySneakers.com, "Working Out Requires Common Sense."

After you have read the article, why not snub the magazines and enjoy a treat then go out and walk or run 3 miles.

New Article Post - Bisphenol A (BPA) – Myth or Not?

2008-08-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the last few months, many news stories have been written by online bloggers, newspaper and magazine reporters concerning Bisphenol A commonly abbreviated as BPA and its possible negative effects on the body through continued and long-term use. The concern was such that many notable retailers including Wal-Mart pulled some products off their shelves which contained BPA.

Read the full article

The Guilt of Rest

2008-08-11T06:29:00.001-07:00

Walkers and runners who are committed to an organized and consistent exercise routine seldom like to take rest or recovery days. We feel that rest will inhibit our training, making us unfit almost immediately. We feel guilty if we take two days off to rest. I like to call this the "the guilt of rest."

We feel guilty as if we have cheated our bodies of something essential. This is so untrue and we should not think or feel this way. In fact, we really need to think about taking rest every week. Perhaps up to 2-3 days off per week wouldn't do us any harm at all.

If you are one of those who prefers not to take a lot of rest days during the week and you feel that taking time off will hurt you physically, then mentally you need to play a game of rest. This is how the rest game goes.

Day 1
You will exercise in the morning on the day 1, then do nothing in the evening.

Day 2
On day 2 you will do nothing in the morning, but will workout in the evening.

So now you have trained on day 1 and day 2. By playing this game, mentally you feel like you took no rest days as you worked out on both days, but physically your body has rested for up to 36 hours which included one nights sleep which is essential for recovery.

Try this game and let us know what you think.

By Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women

Game Day 5k - September 13, 2008

2008-08-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to signup for the Game Day 5km on September 13 at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

There will be a drawing for Ohio State Football tickets, post race breakfast catered by Der Dutchman and lots of fun and entertianment.

Use this link to register today.

http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/gameday5k.htm

Glory Days

2008-08-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine shared this link to another blog, which I thought was a great little article. Here is an excerpt of the blog, called Glory Days, read and enjoy.

I was never an athlete. Not in elementary school. Not in middle school, and certainly not in high school where I actually earned my only “D”—in gym class. And when I say “earned,” I mean earned. I mean, you really have to work hard to get a “D” in gym. It’s not like any idiot can do it. I fondly recall skipping out on gym to do fun stuff like drive with my other hip friends to McDonald’s in my little fluorescent orange austin america to flip french fries on the hood and watch the birds gobble them up.
Does it get any better than that?

Guest Speaker - Dr. Patricia Stafford

2008-07-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Our Guest speaker this week was Dr. Patricia Stafford founder of Womens Imaging and Wellness.

Dr. Stafford gave a great presentation on Women's Bone Health. Please look for presentation materials to be posted on the club website http://www.speedysneakers.com/

I think what I took away from the presentation is that we should all be thinking about our bone health especially women who could face osteporosis in the future. Some remedial actions, include taking supplements and excercising. It really also wouldn't hurt to get a bone density scan.

Another little tidbit about Dr. Stafford is that not only does she practice good halth in her profession but she also practices it in her own life. Dr. Stafford is an avid runner and just this year ran in the Boston Marathon - way to go.

Thanks Dr. Stafford and good luck for Boston in 2009.

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women

Run 4 Kids 5k Marysville Ohio

2008-07-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Speedy Sneakers members ran in the Run-4-Kids 5k in Marysville, Ohio. What a beautiful day it was to run as you can see from some of the pictures.

I think everyone had a great time and we some good running. This was the first race we have been to as a group since the Komen Race for a Cure 5k in Columbus and so it was fun to get the ladies back together to run in a fast 5k race.

This was also a good time for everyone to support some of our Marysville members who are always coming down to Columbus to run races.

Thanks to everyone who showed up.

Speedy Sneakers Womens Walking and Running Club

www.SpeedySneakers.com

Women's Walking and Running Club Coach/Coordinator

2008-07-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to meet new people in your neighborhood while getting fit and healthy at the same time.

Now you can by being a coach/coordinator of a Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Club for Women.

If you are interested in starting a club, then let us know of your interest. We are looking for people who have enthusiasm and a smile and not necessary any experience as a coach.

For more detail see our website: Speedy Sneakers

USATF Stretch Study

2008-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

USATF is conducting a study to determine the effect of pre-run stretching on running injuries. The purpose of the study is to determine specifically if pre-run stretching of the three major leg muscle groups is beneficial for overall injury prevention or reduction. The study is not examining in-run or post-run stretching.

For more info visit USATF

CHA Animal Shelter's 18th Annual Dog Jog & Health Fair-5K Run & 1 Mile Walk

2008-06-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Race begins at 9:30 a.m. Registration fee: $25-benefits CHA animals! Dogs welcome! There will be awards for top race finishers & top fundraisers. Or, come out for the health fair following the race, free of charge. Vendors, music, games, information sessions, raffles, food and more! Stay tuned to www.CHADogJog.com or contact Stacia@CHAAnimalShelter.org for more information.
Citizens for Humane Action (CHA) Animal Shelter, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding permanent homes for abandoned cats and dogs in central Ohio.

An Awesome Day to Run in Dublin Ohio

2008-05-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

Today, our group met and ran the Muirfield 5km race in Dublin Ohio and what an awesome day it was.

Clear blue skies and just a little chill in the morning air, which warmed up nicely as the day went on.

I think everyone will admit this is a fun family event and one which we will go to for many years to come.

Great job ladies.

Speedy Sneakers – Columbus Dispatch April 24

2008-04-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women makes the news as part of the Columbus Dispatch HealthSource Magazine article.

Happy walking and running

You can read the full article on our website Speedy Sneakers

Keeping Perspective of Your Goals and family

2008-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Regardless of whether you are an elite athlete or a recreational walker or runner, keeping perspective about your personal health and fitness goals is essential.

How many athletes have you known, or heard about in the media who have sold the farm to achieve their goals? Many athletes have put off their careers, family, and life in general all to “make it.” The problem is that these moments of glory and fame, if they come, are fleeting. In the years to come, as the talent, motivation and opportunity are gone; nobody will remember what you did. Perhaps having had some perspective would have been better. Work on the career, have a family and then try to “make it.”

So for the recreational athlete, be careful about lofty goals, keep perspective on what makes you happy at home. Your family, friends, children, the dog. Have goals, but keep them attainable. Keep them within reason and have a ton of fun along the way.

Happy walking and running

Speedy Sneakers Welcomes a New Partnership with atalanta athletic Wear

2008-03-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women is pleased to announce a new partnership with atalanta athletic wear.

The goddess of travel and adventure, Atalanta was a legend for her athletic prowess, as well as her courage and willingness to stand up for her personal values. Sought after by many, she preferred first to see the world and ran like the wind in an effort to earn this right. By offering top quality workout apparel that is both fashionable and functional, we hope women of the 21st century can find inspiration in her grace and courage.

http://www.skirtgoddess.com/
girl tested. runner approved.

Run or Walk Safely

2008-02-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Whether walking or running, consideration should be given to the aspect of safety. A recent trend we see on the roads today is the use of Mp3 players or iPods as they are commonly known. These devices have pre-recorded songs that have been loaded on by their owners. I think these devices are absolutely awesome; however I also consider them to be extremely dangerous to every walker or runner who uses them during training and racing.

All of the major organizations of running and triathlon have banned the use of these devices at their races, simply because they are a danger to the athlete.

How are these devices dangerous? Simple, you have to hear to be alert. If you walking or running and cannot hear you put yourself in a lot of danger. Think about it, when you are training you are sharing the road with cars, motorbikes and trucks which are going very fast. If you are not able to hear or are not paying attention you could be hit.

Even if you are running on bike paths, you have to be cautious. Cyclists of all ages are using the paths and a simple mistake can result in injury.

If you are a person who uses an iPod then I ask you to begin practicing to not use this device. I know it’ll be hard, but try and keep it home so that you can be sure to be safe.

Taking your heart rate

2008-02-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

On our previous posts we talked about training in your heart rate zone. So perhaps the next question would be what is the best way to take your heart rate? There are several options:

1. You can take you pulse on your wrist, also referred to as your radial pulse. To do this use your index finger and feel for you pulse on the thumb side of your opposite wrist.

2. You can take your pulse on your neck, also referred to as your carotid pulse. To do this find your adam's apple and slide your fingers over to the left or right. You should be able to feel your heart beating.

3. You can purchase a heart rate monitor. Heart rate monitors can range in price but are quite easy to use and a great tool for closely monitoring your heart rate as you work out.

So now you have found your pulse, what next? In order to determine your heart rate you need to count how many times your heart beats in one minute. It is best to have a watch with a second hand to do this. You can take your heart rate for a full minute or you can take it for 15 seconds and multiple it by four. If you are using a heart rate monitor you do not have to do any calculations as it gives you your heart rate real time.

Injury Prevention

2008-02-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

As older walkers and runners, injury prevention becomes of paramount importance. Why? Since we do not heal as well as our younger counterparts, coming back from an injury takes longer causing us to have to make the slow progression to full recovery just that bit longer. This can be a frustrating process that calls for patience.

So what do you need to keep in mind to try an avoid injuries? Since we are all different, and the situations we place ourselves in can cause an injury in one of us, while the other remains injury free.

I think the best thing to keep in mind is a few commonly known tips.

1. Always warm-up well before a workout.
2. Always cool down thoroughly after a workout.
3. Keep a good balance between hard, moderate and easy workouts.
4. Rotate worn equipment. If your shoes have done the miles, change them out. A good rule of thumb is to have two pairs and rotate them each day.
5. Take a rest once in a while; it will do the body a lot of good.

Product Review – Vitamin Water

2008-02-13T13:54:00.001-08:00

I am not big on fads at all. Any type of fad or even new technology sometimes takes awhile for me to get on board.

It’s really bad, I just recently got a digital camera, do not have a MP3 player, do not have a GPS watch like a Garmin and definitely do not own an iPhone.

Just like technology fads. Fads are all over, and it either ends when some other new fad comes along or it becomes part of our culture and way of life. So how about this Vitamin Water thing that is being marketed? Will it be a fad and fade or will it last and become as useful as Gatorade? Who knows, only time will tell?

I will let you know I recently tried out some Vitamin Water. The power-c dragon fruit with c+ taurine. Dragon fruit is mostly comprised of the B vitamins, which I have always been a big fan of for instant energy. There is also a really healthy dose of vitamin C, though it’s the ascorbic acid type which is not as good as if they had used Rose Hip which is more natural. Perhaps they cannot preserve it in a liquid, or it is just too expensive.

The downside to some of the ingredients is that is does contain 13 grams of sugar, not as much as a Coke or Pepsi, but more than a diet drink. So be cautious, do not drink too many of these things, unless you are training for the Ironman.

Overall, it was definitely tasty, and I definitely felt like I did get a bounce from it. I would say from time to time, give it a try, but my opinion, over time this too will be a fad.

What do you think?

Get more information on the other flavors of Vitamin Water

Rx Running Shoes

2008-02-12T08:42:00.001-08:00

Generally when taking care of your health, you will visit a doctor to diagnose a health issue. On some occasions as we get older, we visit our doctors for routine medical checkups. Why do we visit the doctor? Why not just go to the drug store and pick out a few drugs and take them? Wouldn’t it save us time to just go online and research our medical issue and then proceed to fix it?

Of course not, this would be ludicrous. In most instances we would probably do more harm than good?

If this is true, why then do we buy our walking and running shoes without first consulting with a professional? How many of us, visit the nearby big box retailer to get the great deal on the newest Nikes? I suppose we have to assume that we do not take our feet and legs as seriously as we do our other body parts.

I think we can agree, for the most part, we are all made just a little different from the next person. Therefore, we all may need a little help in finding a shoe that fits our height, weight, style of walking or running and distance we walk or run. A professional running store employee should be able to help us find the shoe that fits our bodies.

The benefit of having the right shoes is that we will be able to prevent some injuries that probably could have been caused by buying the wrong type of shoe. Look at it as a prescription for running shoes.

Flexibility is Important

2008-02-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

Once you begin your run/walk program you will want to maintain your flexibility. One of the best ways to do this is to stretch before and after your exercise session.

Warming up the muscle is key to getting a good stretch. Think of your muscles as elastic bands...well if you put an elastic band in the refrigerator it will not stretch well, however warm it up and it has a more elastic property. Just like that elastic band, warming up the muscle and getting some blood flow through it will help improve the flexibility of that muscle.

When you stretch you should stretch to a position of mild discomfort and then hold that position for 10-30 seconds. This should be repeated on each muscle three to four times. Also while stretching do not hold your breathe, breathe as normally as possible.

Good news, flexibility can be improved in as little a time as two sessions per week!

Registration Opens - Dublin Speedy Sneakers Training Program

2008-02-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

Press Release

Registration for spring 2008 Speedy Sneakers Training Programs and Walk/Run Club.

If you are new to walking or running, want to get healthy and fit for summer, but have never, seldom or occassionaly kept your self in shape then this is the program for you.

Speedy Sneakers training program coaches will customize a personal walking and/or running program for you. They will motivate, encourage and support you in your pursuit of your fitness goals.

There will be three categories to register.

1. Regular Registration (Ages 17-64)

2. Ages 16 and under will be free

3. Ages 65 and older will be free

For more details visit the Dublin Ohio Speedy Sneakers

Keep Your Running Shoes Healthy

2008-02-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Do you keep track of how many miles you run or walk in the shoes you currently own? Do you change shoes when they fall off your feet? Do you walk around in your shoes, even if you are not running?

These are three great questions in regarding shoe health. The answers to them should be as follows;

Do you keep track of how many miles you run or walk in the shoes you currently own?
I hope the answer to this is “Yes”. Why is this important? Just like you have an expected life span, your shoes have an expected life span. By logging how many miles you put on your shoes, you will know when it is time to get another. Do not fall in love with your shoes, when its time to depart, keep them out of the rotation. Besides, you can use them to grocery shop, kind of like retirement for your shoes.

Do you only change shoes when they fall off your feet?
The right answer to this is “No”. You should change shoes ever few hundred to thousand miles, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation. A great resource for this will be your local running store employee. They should know this information if they worth anything. You should also be able to research this information through the running shoe company website.

Do you walk around in your shoes, even if you are not running?
I hope you answer “No” to this question. Use your running shoes to run in, use other shoes which have reached retirement age for walking around. This way you get to keep your shoes longer and they will probably remain cleaner and fresher for an extended period of time.

Buddy Up with Friends

2008-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Some of my most fondness memories of the hard training sessions I have done over the years were the times I spent with my friends who slogged and toiled with me. Each drop of sweat was truly shared as we “hung tough” together. If there ever is a place to build friendships it was there on the track, trails and parks where we worked our tails off. We were in it together, we succeeded and failed together.

I am a firm believer that regardless of your current fitness level, whether a world class athlete or recreational athlete you can benefit from “budding” up with some of your friends to workout together. Together you can motivate and encourage each other to strong workout performances.

The key is to find workout friends who are of similar strength. However, if your fitness levels vary greatly, you can still tailor the workout to benefit all.

Let us say we have Group A, they can run a mile in 10 minutes, and Group B, can run a mile in 13 minutes while Group C can run a mile in 15 minutes. Your workout calls for running 5 x 800 meters in 6 minutes.

Group C will leave first, one minute later Group B will leave, with Group A leaving one minute behind Group B and two minutes behind Group c. You stagger the starting times so that all groups should finish together.

Good luck with your training and finding friends to workout with.

Benefits of Cross-Training

2008-01-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

Cross training, what is it and what can it do for you? Regardless of whether you are a competitive or a recreational athlete, cross training can be of great benefit to your overall fitness.

Cross training is performing “other” exercise routines which are not normally part of your primary program. Many people choose to use lighter exercises for cross training. For instance, if you are a walker or runner you may want to try swimming or cycling which have a lighter impact on the body.

Cross training allows you to work on different parts of the body that you may not have in your primary exercise. As a walker or runner, your arms may never see any exercise, but if you were to cross train by swimming or lifting weights you will engage those muscle groups into your program.

Cross training will help you avoid injuries by reducing the amount of work load you will place on one set of muscles. Through repeated action your muscles, bones and tendons could become overused. By cross training you will use different parts of your body thereby shifting the workloads around your body.

As a walker or runner here are some cross training exercises you should consider. Swimming, aerobics, weight lifting, rope jumping, stretching and cycling.