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Honoring our National Heroes
This Memorial Day weekend we are reminded of those who have served our country and have died in service. For a history of this holiday, check out “Memorial Day History.” We also remember our men and women currently in service who risk their lives for our freedom. Even on the NFE team we have members such as Mark Nowalk who dutifully serve our country. And, for many of us, including the NFE staff, Memorial Day will bring a long weekend, welcoming the summer vacation season. Here are some ways to celebrate the holiday.
- 9 Places to Play on Memorial Day Weekend from Active.com
- Pack a picnic and head to the park. Check out Real Simple’s “Picnic Packing Checklist.”
- Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. Wherever you are at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day, pause for a moment to remember America’s fallen soldiers.
- Run a 5K – many veterans’ councils host 5K running events to benefit American soldiers.
- Veteran Discounts – many parks and venues, such as Colonial Williamsburg are offering discounts for veterans this weekend.
- National Memorial Day Concert. On May 30, 2010 from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., PBS will present the National Memorial Day Concert live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.
Congrats
The 2010 NFE San Diego team has surpassed their fundraising goal of $20,000, and the race is still more than a week away! It’s not too late to help them reach $25,000.
Page of the Week Paul and Sarah Fisch
Why we like it: well written message and inspiring story.
Video of the Week
Think obstacle course while wearing lots of heavy gear. That’s what Michael Junge did in the Kissimmee Firefighter Combat Challenge. Junge hopes to qualify to compete at the world competition in Myrtle Beach in November. *** Listen to the announcer at about 4:00***
Injuries can plague even the most seasoned running veterans. Below is a poignant reflection from Bob Skold about how recovering from an injury can be just as challenging as finishing 26.2 miles.
by: Bob Skold
I have been running for almost twenty years, and now I am dealing with (not so well) my first running injury. I have a shin splint due to muscle overuse and likely from increasing my stride at one of my last marathons; interestingly enough due to tweaking my technique after reading a book on running. Lesson learned: never make any changes from your training during a marathon (YIKES!). Recovering from an injury is harder than finishing a marathon. Here is how I am trying to cope and prepare myself for a full recovery.
First off I have used some reference books to learn more about various types of running injuries to properly diagnose the nature of the injury – where I am injured, the cause and the treatment. There is an art and skill to distance running, and the more you know, the greater your chance of meeting your goals and staying healthy so that you may run strong and happy.
Secondly I am reaffirming my goal of enjoying a lifestyle of healthy running and that means keeping the larger goals in perspective; learning to be smart about how long it takes to heal. The body has a natural timetable. Each morning I test my leg, and I am quite anxious to lace the running shoes back up. I’m in it for the long haul, and I’ll wait for the soreness to completely go away. This means listening to my body. The point here is: run through annoyance but not through pain.
I am trying really hard to look at this injury as an opportunity. I am using my recovery time to pursue other interests like learning how to sign (smile here), and I am experimenting with some crosstraining options. I am rethinking how grateful I am to enjoy running — an attitude of gratitude because for me running really is a gift. Sometimes you really don’t appreciate the good things in life until you have to miss them.
I never knew how much I identified myself so fully as a ‘runner’ until I had this injury. I have had to dig deep and realize self-esteem comes from the inside and should not be dependent on circumstances. Still, I look forward to becoming a healthy and much older and wiser runner. Because in part for my next blog I would rather write about the joy of running.
Bob Skold works for the NF Endurance Team from Denver, Colo., and helps with runner support and team communications. An avid runner, Bob has a goal of completing 50 lifetime marathons. He plans on running in the Athens Classic Marathon on his 56th birthday on Oct. 31, 2010.
Quote of the day:
“When you face a setback, think of it as a defining moment that will lead to a future accomplishment” ~Unknown
FAQ: If I am running to lose weight, what is the best training program for weight loss?
Anna Recommends:
A running program will be a great way to lose weight. Your individual training program would be based on your current fitness level and time availability. However, in general there are a few tips that anyone can follow. These tips are mainly for weight loss goals and would vary for other training objectives.
1. Try to increase frequency before duration. This means that before you start increasing the amount of time you run, try to increase the number of days you are running. It would be better to initially run five days/week for 20 minutes versus three days/week for 30 minutes. With more frequency, your body will get more metabolic boosts during the week and will allow you to burn more calories on each day of exercise. In addition, you build a strong foundation of endurance and strength in the body. As you get stronger it will be important to increase the duration of these runs during the week.
2. Begin to increase duration before intensity. This means that before you start increasing the speed and tempo of your run, try to increase the duration of each run. When trying to lose weight, it is recommended to exercise for 30-40 minutes at 65-75 percent maximum heart rate versus 20 minutes at 85-90 percent maximum heart rate. It is better to run in an aerobic zone (lower heart rate, utilizing more oxygen) to burn a larger number of fat calories. As you continue your training program it will be important to vary the intensity of your workouts to burn more total calories.
Along with Anna’s expert training experience, DVD performances and affiliations, she is a running enthusiast, completing the 2009 San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon, 2007 & 2008 La Jolla Half Marathon, 2008 Carlsbad 5K and 2005 Boston Half Marathon. Check out more of her training tips at www.bridalbodiez.com.
