LEADING VETERANS ORGANIZATION HOSTS 10TH ANNUAL 9/11 HEROES RUN MEMORIAL 5K RACE SERIES ACROSS THE U.S. |
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The Travis Manion Foundation commemorates 10 years of veteran advocacy and commitment to service
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), one the nation’s leading veterans advocacy organizations, is hosting its flagship event - the 10th annual 9/11 Heroes Memorial run in more than 50 communities across the country and around the world this September, including locally in in Annapolis, MD, and Alexandria, VA. The annual race series unites communities across the country to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost on 9/11, as well as to honor our veterans, military, and first responders who serve our country. Proceeds from the 9/11 Heroes Run will benefit the Travis Manion Foundation, which empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations.
The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K series was inspired by Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed by a sniper in Iraq in April 2007 as he selflessly protected his battalion. Before his final deployment, Travis visited Rescue One in NYC—famous for losing almost all of their men on 9/11—and returned home with deeper passion about why he was fighting in Iraq. At its heart, the 9/11 Heroes Run is a tribute to a personal commitment to never forget the heroes of that day. Now in its tenth year, the 9/11 Heroes Run national race series will be held in more than 50 locations across the country and around the world. As part of the marketing campaign for the race series, TMF has released a video to inspire runners and walkers of all ages to participate, which can be seen here. Last year, more than 50,000 people participated in race locations around the world or as virtual runners, to support military, veterans, first responders and their families through TMF. National sponsors of the events include Comcast NBC Universal and CBS Radio. Last year’s Annapolis run drew a crowd of over 2,000 participants including Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. Ryan Manion, TMF President and Travis Manion’s sister, provided this statement: “As I reflect on the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 Heroes Run, I’m in awe at the number of communities across the country and around the world that have united to honor all those touched by the events of September 11th, 2001. We challenge all Americans to join us this September, to ensure our next generation never forgets the sacrifices of our veterans, active duty military, first responders, and civilians who were affected by the attacks on 9/11 and in the wars since.” 5 Key Races
See details for over 20 other races in cities across the U.S. linked here. TMF empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1stLt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans and survivors continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation's heroes live on in the next generation. |
Tag: train
Guest Post: Competitive Strategy: How To Train for Your First Marathon
Competitive Strategy: How to Train for Your First Marathon
Some people decide to run their first marathon to cross an item off of their bucket list, and others simply want to do something fun and active that will improve their level of health. Running a full 26.2 miles is a significant accomplishment, and it requires ample training and planning if you want to achieve this goal without injury. If you have decided to start training for your first marathon, follow these tips for the best results.
Invest in the Right Equipment
When training for a marathon, you will run a significant number of miles each week. More than that, you may spend hours outdoors regardless of the weather conditions. You need to invest in quality footwear to prevent injuries to your feet and joints. Remember that running can place a great deal of pressure on your joints, and footwear can give you the extra conditioning that is needed to avoid injuries. You also need to buy athletic apparel that is suitable for the weather conditions in your area. Training may extend for months and span across several seasons, so plan to update your training wardrobe periodically as the seasons change.
Follow a Training Schedule
Your body may need to gradually adjust to an increasingly rigorous workout. You may start out running a mile or two every other day, but you may increase this until you are regularly running 15 to 20 miles several times per week. Your workout may need to include interval training, hills training and more. You can find a great training schedule on numerous websites to help you achieve your goal more easily. It may be helpful to register for a race that is at least four or five months away so that you have ample time to follow your training schedule without unnecessarily stressing your point to the point of developing injuries.
Find a Buddy
Running a marathon is as much about physical conditioning as it is about mental strength and fortitude. A running partner can help you to stay on track as you proceed through your training schedule and can motivate you to get out there and hit the pavement on days when you do not feel up to it. You may also join a running club if you cannot find a training partner to run with regularly. Remember that your partner’s commitment to training can affect your mental fortitude in this area. Ensure that you make a wise decision when selecting a running partner so that you receive the full level of support you need.
Take Care of Your Body
Your body will endure incredible stress when you are training for this event. You need to take steps to stay healthy and to avoid injuries. Plan several rest days each week without physical activity. Get an adequate amount of sleep at night, and follow a healthy diet plan that gives you an adequate amount of carbs, calories and nutrients. You also need to stay hydrated by drinking water or a recovery drink, like ASEA, after a workout if you want to avoid injuries. You can find great meal and hydration plans online that are designed to give marathon runner the full amount of nutrients they need to stay healthy and to fuel their bodies for this endurance activity.
The thought of running a marathon can initially sound like a far-fetched dream, and it is definitely not something that you can accomplish overnight. However, when you set your mind to it and when you follow a strategic plan, you will be able to train your body as well as your mind to endure this incredible feat. Investing in the right equipment and selecting a supportive partner are also critical if you want to achieve your running goals. As far-fetched as your marathon goal may sound right now, you may be able to accomplish your goal and cross this item off of your bucket list within a few months when you have the right plan in mind.
Celebrate Canada150 by Train!
Win a Rail Vacation from CanadaRail.ca at Canada's Marathon
Canada's Marathon – Scotiabank Calgary Marathon – is pulling out all the stops for Canada's Sesquicentennial, including partnering with a celebrated Canadian artist on a commemorative Toonie medal and giving away a trip for two by rail, courtesy of CanadaRail.ca.
Not only will participants experience the Coast to Coast to Coast course when they run in the 2017 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, runners will also take home a piece of Canadiana thanks to the generosity of well known Canadian artist and illustrator, David Crighton. His iconic 1995 illustration titled "Canada Coast to Coast" was originally commissioned by a Canadian Corporation that had offices in 5 major Canadian cities – east to west, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Now the illustration will be on the 2017 finisher's ribbons and technical T-shirts for participants.
"We are proud to partner with David to commemorate such a special year for Canada. Runners will experience the coast to coast to coast course on race day and take home both their finisher's medal and t-shirt with David's beautiful illustration to remind them of their achievement and Canada's Sesquicentennial," says Executive Director of Run Calgary, Kirsten Fleming.
David Crighton was born in Edmonton, son of an Anglican minister, his father's career took him to Ontario where the family eventually settled in Toronto. A love of cartoon doodling leads him to enter Central Technical High Schools Art Program in 1973. It was here that he found his first success with his talents as an architectural illustrator when given a project to go out and illustrate a building. The rest, as they say is history. David's ability to capture the memories and heart of a city and its communities through illustrations of its iconic landmarks is legend.
"I am thrilled my artwork has been selected to represent the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Race Weekend in honour of Canada's 150th Birthday in the province of my birth." says David Crighton,
Runners will experience the diversity and charm of the entire country as the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is paying tribute to the Sesquicentennial by adding experiences along the course unique to the different parts of Canada. You can kiss a cod in Newfoundland, eat watermelon with a Rider fan in Saskatchewan and get your medal from a cowboy in Alberta.
Register for any of the distances (from 5K to the special one-time only 150K in celebration of the Sesquicentennial) and you will receive a unique technical white t-shirt with David's illustration sublimated across the bottom and your distance on the back of the shirt. When you finish the race, you'll receive a commemorative Toonie medal with the same illustration on each ribbon.
And finishing the race will enter your bib number in a draw. If you win, you will enjoy a four-day tour travelling aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver in style. The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is partnering with CanadaRail.ca to give away two tickets aboard the luxury train for a four-day trip from Banff to Vancouver worth $5800.
"As runners we see parts and pieces of the country by foot while we train and when we race. Having the opportunity to see parts of the country by train is a pretty special way to celebrate crossing the finish line at Canada's Marathon and commemorating this momentous year for our country," says Fleming.
CanadaRail.ca is a Canadian company, based out of Calgary, dedicated to sharing the wonder and beauty of the country with its clients.
"It's an experience you will never forget, seeing the beauty and splendor of the Rockies while enjoying the luxury and service of the Rocky Mountaineer is a memorable way to top off the achievement of a big race during this milestone year for Canada," says Martin Flanagan, CEO of CanadaRail.ca on partnering with Run Calgary on this unique prize.
Register for any of the distances (from 5K to the special one-time only 150K in celebration of the Sesquicentennial) and cross the finish line on May 28 and you will be entered in the draw. The catch? You have to be in the stands to claim your prize and will only have one minute to make your way to the stage from the 17,000 seats in the Grandstand. The draw will be made at random by a computer that has all the bibs that have crossed the line at 2:01p.m., one minute after the finish line closes.
CanadaRail.ca Video & Trip Details:
http://canadarail.ca/specials/charity/hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cALrfgeLkYw
Images of medals and t-shirts Courtesy: Dave Holland
SOURCE Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
Launching Soon Vlogs - Workouts etc on my Youtube
Im super excited to start my youtube channel and do it the right way! Ive been inspired lately by a lot of bloggers and v-loggers and I've decided to up my youtube game. I hope that I inspire more people and that you will enjoy getting to know me a little bit better!
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Top 5 Reasons Why Women should lift weights

A lot of women get intimidated walking into a gym and heading towards the free weight section. You shouldn’t be afraid to dive into the pit of grunting, sweating and good looking men because lifting weights (heavy ones at times) is what is going to get you the body that you really want. It will give you the curves, weight loss and the toned muscles that you want.
Going to the gym and just doing cardio is not going to get you the results that you have been wanting for so long. What it will get you; a flat butt, no muscle tone, and a lot of wasted time and energy. While lifting weights will get you the results that most people want which is a tight and toned butt, muscle tone and the best results for your time and energy.
The follow are the top 5 reasons why women should lift:
- Weight Loss
- Healthy Food Cravings
- Tight and Toned Butt
- Flat Stomach
- More Energy
1.Weight Loss
One of the best things that happens when you get into the gym and lift weights is that you will lose weight. Believe it or not weight lifting will not make you big and bulky. The bigger muscle groups that you use when lifting the greater the fat loss will be. You will build long lean muscles that are great for burning fat. The heavier you lift the quicker that you will drop those pounds.
- Healthy Food Cravings
When you start going to the gym regularly you are less likely to crave bad food. Once you hydrate more and eat cleaner your palate will change. That means that you will crave refined sugary foods less and want more of the fuel your body needs for energy for your daily workout.
- Tight and Toned Butt
The more you lift heavy and add in squats and lunges the quicker that your butt will become tight and toned. If you strictly stick to cardio machines you do not activate the glutes fully to create that round bottom that everyone wants. So hit the squat rack, grab the dumbbells and lunge and hit the hamstrings to develop that round bottom that everyone looks for these days.
- Flat Stomach
This ties in with weight loss. Because you are lifting and burning more fat the waist line is going to drop and the stomach is going to get lean and toned vs skinny fat and flabby.
- More Energy
Once you start lifting the endorphins get released. What do these little guys do? Give you energy! That's why studies have shown that people who do strength training have more energy throughout the day than people who don’t exercise. The have less daily lows and have more energy to get through their days. So buckle up and prepare to feel healthy and energized when you start hitting those weights!
Don’t be intimidated the next time you walk into the gm and show those guys who belongs in that weight pit! Happy training and remember to Train It Right!
It’s undoubtedly a lot easier to get fit if you work a manual labour job. For example, you might be walking lots, or lifting items, or operating heavy machinery. Having a basic level of fitness makes getting very fit easier. This is because your body is already partly use to exercise.
However, it can be a very different story for people who spend more of their lives sat down or working in an office. We spend a huge proportion of our lives at work. Also, working full-time can be very tiring. This may mean that when you do leave work, you don’t have the energy to exercise. Instead, you just find yourself sitting down in front of the TV! This vicious cycle will get you nowhere.
If you do work in an office, one item that you should be sure to invest in is a pedometer. Although this seems like a very basic fitness product, it is actually fantastic for motivation. Nice and small, you can attach it to your trouser band or belt. At the beginning of the day, set yourself an aim. For example; “I will take 2,000 steps today.” Keep checking up on the pedometer throughout the day to remind yourself of the challenge and keep moving! As time progresses, you can increase the number of steps. If you always have your phone on you, you can even get an app that does the same job. As if you needed another excuse to go and make a fresh cup of coffee in the staff kitchen!
If you want to work on your arms specifically, use a Gyro ball. This small plastic ball sits in the palm of your hand. You can use it while you’re writing with the other hand, or even on the phone to clients or colleagues. Simply shake your hand being the ball inside moving. Some have timers to help you keep track of how long you’ve used it for.
If you want to properly invest in fitness products that will do some of the work for you, consider a muscle stimulator. You attach the pads that come with the device to the specific muscles you wish to improve, like your abs or biceps. These nifty little devices have lots of different settings, and while they can be quite expensive, they can make a huge difference.
There are some other more basic tips you should be sure to follow every day. Firstly, think about getting to work in the mornings. Would it be possible to walk, run or even cycle? This way you’d get daily exercise before it was 9am! If you must drive, park further away from the entrance than you would usually. It might seem like a tiny change, but it can stack up. Similarly, if you use public transport, get off a stop earlier than usual and walk the rest of the way.
Once you arrive at work, you should of course always take the stairs instead of the lift. Also, during the day, take regular breaks to stretch. This will keep your body limber and stop you from seizing up.
Bouncing Back After an Injury at the Gym
There’s nothing much fun about suffering an injury at the gym. It’s natural that you’ll want to bounce back as quickly as possible.
Stop When the Pain Starts
As soon as you start to feel an abnormal pain in a particular part of your body, you should stop exercising. The old cliche of working out is is that there’s no gain without pain. But that kind of attitude is not at all helpful when it comes to keeping your body in good shape. In fact, it can cause you a lot of damage. You need to get to know your body over time. Sometimes, you will feel the burn, and it usually won’t be an injury. If you keep at it, you will learn when your body is hurt and when it is just tired. These small differences are very important to recognise.
Put Ice on the Injury and Rest
The next thing to do is to get ice on the area of your body that hurts. Do this as quickly as you possibly can because it might help to limit the size of the problem. It helps by reducing the level of inflammation and swelling that often occurs after an injury in the gym. Never begin your treatment with a heat pack; ice should always be what you start with. Get your hands on some ice packs and then use them as much as you can. This will at least keep your injury under control until you can get advice from a medical expert.
Follow All Medical Advice You Receive
If the initial rest and the ice haven’t fixed your problem for you, you will need to seek some medical attention. This will allow you to get to the bottom of the issue if you’re not sure what’s wrong. Most people who work out a lot know their bodies inside out. So, if you’re not sure what’s going on, it’s a sign that something needs to be done. When you get the advice from a doctor, make sure you listen to it. Don’t be tempted to think that you know better than the doctor because you probably don’t. If they tell you to not do any physical activity for a couple of months, you need to do that, however frustrating it might be.
Prevent the Injury Recurring When You Go Back to Normal
When you are finally coming to the end of your recovery, you will need to think about how you can return. This is one of the most important stages of the process, and it definitely should not be rushed. If you rush, the injury will recur, and you will be left on the sidelines for even longer, and that’s not what you want, is it? Make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor before you hit the gym again. And then make sure that you warm up very carefully and don’t overdo it to begin with. Ease yourself back into your old routine over a period of a couple of months. This is the most sensible approach to take.
Lifting Straps By Rip Toned Review #riptoned
These LIFTING STRAPS By Rip Toned come in a pair of cotton padded weightlifting straps for both men and women. I was recently sent them to try for free. I actually have only used lifting gloves or grip pads throughout my long history of fitness and training. I never had the opportunity to use straps before. I was a bit nervous but they were easy to use and very sturdy. I definitely was not disappointed and was very impressed. Why have I never used straps before?!?!?
A little bit about why these were a good product for me: I had a motorcycle accident last May which left me with 7 stitches in my hand and reduced grip strength. I am strong but I have been unable to hold the weight that I know I am capable of lifting to lift it. I quickly put the straps to use and I have to tell you these straps have helped me lift heavier than I was able to before.
I also like that they give you a Product Guarantee. They are actually the ONLY Weightlifting Straps Backed by a Lifetime No-Hassle Free Replacement Guarantee.
Why use lifting straps? According to their website "Quality no slip weight lifting wrist straps allow the confidence, safety and leverage critical to achieving your body’s peak performance and health we all so desperately seek."
This straps are great for a variety of reasons:
- Lifting Straps overcome a weak grip allowing you to lift more weight while building your ideal body
- RipToned lifting straps provide an element of safety to your exercise when losing your grip could cause injury
- Great quality material for long lasting use
- Rip Toned workout wrist straps will not stretch giving you complete peace of mind
- Provides solid grip without slipping for maximum lifting power
- Top notch stitching and product workmanship
- Durable cotton material with thicker than most neoprene padding
- Comfortable one size fits most design
- Washable for easy care
Get yours here you won't be disappointed if you lift heavy and/or have difficulty gripping when you lift.
Thanks Rip Toned these straps will forever be in my training bag!
(Image via pixabay https://goo.gl/FeuyYr)
Did you know that you don’t necessarily have to pick up a weight to get a good workout in? Using your bodyweight can be just as tough and rewarding. Here are some of the best bodyweight exercises for your body parts:
Chest/Triceps
Very little needs to be said on this matter; everyone knows that the push-up is a great bodyweight exercise for your chest. The great thing about push-ups is that there’s room for alterations. You can drop your knees down if you’re unable to do a normal push-up. You can do clapping push-ups if you find normal ones too easy. You could even try one handed ones if you’re arong enough.
Also, you can alter the angle of your body to target different parts of the chest. Put your feet on a bench and do incline push-ups to target more of your upper chest.
Or, if you bring your hands in close and do a push-up, you’ll be targeting your triceps more. This is actually one of the best tricep exercises you can do.
Shoulders
For shoulders, you can do a variation of a push-up. It’s called the pike push up and starts off in the classic downward facing dog yoga pose. You then let your forehead drop close to the floor then push back upwards. It can be tricky to get the movement right, but when you do you really feel it in your delts.
Alternatively, you can do a handstand presses if you’re experienced and strong enough. Do your handstand up against a wall for safety and stability.
(Image by skeeze https://goo.gl/Pt5IEy)
Back
One of the best exercises you can do for your back is the pull-up. It’s a simple movement that involves grabbing a bar overhead and pulling yourself up off the ground.
Of course, pull-ups are a hard exercise to do, and not everyone can do them. If you can’t do a pull-up, or don’t have any way to do on in the home, do an inverted row instead. This is a much easier exercise to do, and you can alter the difficulty based on where you place your legs. If you’re in the gym, you just need access to a squat rack or smith machine to do this.
Biceps
Bodyweight exercises for the biceps are similar to the back. The best one is called a chin up. It’s like a pull up only you grab the bar with an underhand grip. Plus, you should focus on using your biceps to curl your chin up over the bar.
Likewise, you can do inverted chin curls, which are similar to the inverted row. But, you grab with the underhand grip and use your arms to curl your body up. This is an absolute killer, and your biceps will soon feel pumped.
Legs
The best bodyweight exercise for legs is squats. Doing loads of squat variations is a great idea to build leg strength without needing weights. You can do jump squats for an extra challenge, or one legged squat if you feel up to the challenge.
Another favourite bodyweight exercise is the lunge. There are many lunge variations that are fantastic for strengthening legs and building muscle.
Would you like to get in shape and turn your body into a fitness machine? Do you look at old movies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger with envy? Then now could be the best time to start working on your muscles. Most people don’t know where to begin, and so we’ve made some suggestions on this page. The basic rule of thumb is that you don’t want to push yourself too hard. You will cause an injury and set yourself back considerably. Start slow, and build on your routine when you feel more comfortable.
Join a local gym
It might sound obvious, but the best course of action usually involves joining a gym. The only issue is that many people struggle to find the motivation they need. That is why you should encourage a friend to come along for the sessions. Either that or you should pay for the services of a personal trainer. You will notice an improvement by the end of the first month if you train regularly. It’s a big commitment, but exercise is the only way to get your body in shape.
Try a self-defence class
There are lots of different self-defence classes you might like to choose. Some people like to stick with something traditional and popular like Karate. Judo is also a top choice for many folks who are just starting out. However, those of you who want to try something different might consider Krav Maga. The boss of IDF Training told us it is one of their most sought after classes. People come from all around the country to take part. The self-defence system was designed for the Israeli military, but it has become popular all over the world.
Buy weights and set them up at home
Those of you who are more interested in building muscles than getting fit should purchase some equipment. That is the best way of taking your training to the next level. Presuming you have a spare room in your home, you could create a personal gym. Make sure you have lots of weights and a decent bench so you can work out at times that are convenient for you. Again, asking a friend to come round and take part is a wise move. You will have someone there to help if you injure yourself, and they will provide much-needed encouragement.
Run every morning before work
It’s a good idea to go out running for half an hour before work. That is the best time of the day to get your fitness regime started. You don’t need to pay for access to a local track. Just jog around the streets in your area. Make sure you purchase appropriate running shoes, so you don’t damage your body. It might have been okay to run in school shoes when you were a child, but adults need more support. Your body is not as young as it used to be. Try to find shoes with memory foam soles for the most comfortable experience.
You should have enough ideas to get started right now. Maybe you should see how many press-ups you can do at the moment? Perform your new routine and then see how that number has increased in a few weeks. It’s important that you can tell how much difference your exercise is making. It could be wise to get hold of a pedometer too. That will give you a basic idea of how far you’re running.
Good luck!