Apr
26

Finding the Perfect Running Shoes

If you know me you know how much I love running and perhaps the only thing I like more than running is buying new running shoes. yes I admit it I often buy a new pair of Nike’s well before the tread’s gone.


I’ve been eyeing up a few pairs recently including these Nike Zoom Superflys. Yes I realise they’re track shoes but they look great and having tried a pair previously they’re one of the most comfortable sets of spikes I’ve ever worn!



But also these Nike Lunar Eclipse which also happen to look amazing are really comfortable and one of the best cushioned shoes you can find, they even do them in larger sizes which is great for me.



Finding the right running shoes which offer the correct type of support can be difficult so I thought I’d share this simple guide from Runners’ World which explains the principles behind foot shapes and the appropriate shoe for that individual. Here’s a brief breakdown of the key elements:


Normal feet – Require ‘stability’ shoes with few special features to control movement of the foot and leg.


Flat Feet – Here the arches may have collapsed and require heavier support from the shoe to avoid sustaining injuries. Try a motion control or stability running shoe to help provide support and steer joint and leg movement in the correct direction.


High Arches – High Arched feet require shoes with more cushioning to help absorb impact and avoid injury to the joints, specifically ankles and knees. Look for ‘neutral’ or ‘cushioned’ running shoes.


Now I’m rarely a betting man but recently a friend mentioned a sports betting site called Betsson who offer a range of sports betting, as the London marathon was on I decided to chance my arm, how did I do? Let’s put it like this I’ve already ordered both sets of running shoes! ;)

For those with a taste for it Betsson also provide online casino experiences on their main site.

Feb
08

What is the Best GPS Watch To Go Running With

Of course, people will have an opinion as to which of the different watches are the best, depending on their own personal preference, but when talking about the best GPS watch for running when it comes to ease of use and easy set-up, there are few that stand out above the rest. Although more features are often wanted, the level of technology that you can handle will impact whether one of these watches will be right for you.

There are many different brands and models of GPS running watches, but one of the best brands for ease of use is Garmin and their Forerunner range. The Garmin Forerunner 305 is considered the best GPS watch for running in terms of ease of use. The watch has an on/off button that when pressed finds the satellite signal, and then with only the touch of one button, the watch starts and you can begin running. It does however have more buttons than other watches, so set up may be a little confusing at first, but is still considered the simplest GPS watch to use.

Another great watch that is easy to use is also from Garmin’s Forerunner range, and that is their 301XT model. This watch has almost the exact set up as the 305 model, but offers more options and features, making it a tad bit more confusing.

Nike has also been very competitive in the race to make easy to use GPS watch for runners, and the Nike+Sportswatch GPS is also a great choice. The watch only has three buttons, so set up is a breeze. The buttons simply allow you to choose which mode you want and then the two other buttons let you scroll up and down to set your watch to the exact option. It does offer several options, so depending on how quickly you learn the functions; using the watch may take some time getting used to.

There are other watches that are more user-friendly and allow you to choose your option by just touching the screen. The Garmin Forerunner 610 is a touch screen watch, so if you are used to having an iphone, you may want this watch. However, if you are not as techno savvy as you wish you were, this watch may be a little too hard to work and set up.

As you can see, it is hard to say that one particular watch is the best, but depending on your preferences, there will certainly be one that is best for you. For the most easy to use, the Garmin Forerunner 305 is the best, but for the more user-friendly watch the Garmin 610 is the best. For the runners that want the most option with the easiest set up and use, the Garmin Forerunner 301XT will be perfect for you. Decide what features will be most important and what qualities will make a GPS watch best for you, and then you will be able to answer your question of what is the best GPS watch to go running with.

Apr
21

How long is a marathon


Image courtesy of Marcos Vascocelos

Exactly how long is a marathon? In modern competitive sport a marathon is set at a distance of 26.2 miles or 42.195km. Historically the marathon developed in Greece following the heroic efforts of one brave Grecian soldier, Pheidippides, ran from a battlefield at the town of marathon to Athens to herald their victory over the invading Persian army in 490 B.C.

But I’m not just here to tell you about the history of the marathon, let’s take a look at some great tips on how to prepare for your event and make that 26 miles seem a little shorter.

Training

While it’s essential to plan and stick to your training schedule be sure not to overdo it in the final weeks before the race. Many who are new to marathon running tend to get a little nervy before the big day and start to pack in extra training session, be sure not to over train and risk exhaustion and injury.

On the day

If you need to travel to a marathon event be well prepared ahead of time, pack all you’re essential including your racing pack, bib, lubricants, race number and timing chip. Have your clothes ready to go and make sure you take plenty of water and snacks for your journey. (Don’t forget the safety pins! :) )

Water water all around

Be sure to hydrate well before a race, if your training hard you’ll already be losing a lot of water and need to replace this before the race. Take plenty with you, races such as the London marathon will have a plenty of drink stations but you never know how long you could be waiting around so it’s always good to be prepared.

Apr
11

Cycling laws look set to change

In March the Commons began discussions over the introduction of new legislation that would make place greater liability on dangerous cyclists. The new law could see dangerous driving style prison sentences imposed on those guilty of causing death or injury through dangerous cycling behaviour.

The UK currently has no law governing deaths caused by dangerous cycling and the types of penalties that could be issued for this offence. Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom introduced the bill last month in the hope of establishing the legislation, it’s hoped that with the support of the Department of Transport the bill will be passed.

“I am clear that everyone who uses the road – including cyclists – has a responsibility to behave safely and with consideration for others.

“My Department will consider the merits of the proposed Dangerous and Reckless Cycling Bill in consultation with the Ministry of Justice.” said Mike Pennington, Road Safety Minister.

Hopefully this will make cyclists more aware of their responsibilities as road users and create a safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

Take a look at the BBC website for more on this story.

Mar
10

How much sleep do I need?

How much sleep do I need

How much sleep do I need?

It’s a question we have all asked ourselves; ‘how much sleep do I need?’ and yet often the answer still eludes us. Many is the  time I’ve gone to bed early only to feel more tired the next day, so what is the secret number of hours for a perfect night’s sleep?

The answer, according to experts, is that there simply isn’t a magic figure that provides the best level of rest in anybody, even children. Though that’s not to say we can raw make some broad conclusions about the benefits of sleep on the body, that younger people require considerably more sleep and for most adults an between 5 and 10 hours a day is considered quite normal with an overall average of about 7 hours 45 minutes.

Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine but why do I need to sleep? The answer is not as clear as you might think. The concept that sleep has a restorative effect on the body has been around a long time, suggesting that sleep helps the body to heal or that it’s a means of saving energy yet the amount of energy we save in sleep appears minimal.

On the other the negative effects of sleep deprivation are well documented, from impaired perception and concentration to emotional disorders like stress and depression. It seems we’re struggling to develop our understanding of sleep beyond that of the basic stages and physiological reactions such as slowing of breathing and heart rate.

Sleep cycle

When we go to sleep we initiate a regular cycle sleep with lasts between 90 and 110 minutes per cycle. It consists of 2 types of sleep REM and non-REM sleep.

Stages of sleep

Non-REM sleep can be broken down into 4 distinct stages.

Stage 1 Light sleep

At this stage were between being sleep and awake, our body is starting adjust by reducing muscle activity. You may experience some twitching and can still be easily awaken. This stage lasts around 10 minutes.

Stage 2 True Sleep

During stage 2 the breathing and heart rate starts to decrease and can last for up to 20 minutes.

Stage 3 and 4 Deep Sleep

Stage 3 sees the brain producing delta waves and the heart and breathing hit their lowest rates. Stage 4 produces rhythmic breathing patterns and little muscle activity. Waking in stage 4 can be difficult and disorientating.

REM sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep lasts between 70 and 90 minutes, with 3 to 5 instances per night. Despite increased brain activity, blood pressure and breathing rates we also experience muscle paralysis in this stage with most of us experiencing dreams during REM sleep.

How much sleep do I need?

The big question is not so easy to answer; it seems we all need different amounts of sleep. Where some can survive on 6 or 7 hours, others may need 8 or 9. On the whole most of us need between 5 and 11 hours sleep per day, with the average around 7.75 hours to avoid any nasty side effects of sleep deprivation.

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