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.

COOL FACTS ON CRYOTHERAPY

THE ENERGY BOOSTING TREATMENT CELEBRITIES LOVE

Although chryotherapy has gotten more and more popular thanks to celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Jennifer Anniston, Mandy Moore and even master motivator Tony Robbins; there are many out there still unaware of what it is, how it works and its benefits. Dr. Lenoard Hochstein, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and owner of Hochstein Med Spa in Miami who offers the treatment to models, athletes and high powered entrepreneurs offers some facts to help you determine if cryotherapy is for you.

What is Cryotherapy?

Whole Body Cryotherapy is the exposure of the entire body to extreme cold lowering the client's skin surface temperature to approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit in 30 seconds. This remains nearly constant throughout the entire session which at Hochstein MedSpa, is 90 seconds. Skin receptors sense the cold and send signals to the brain to promote regulatory functions.

“Cryotherapy is a great treatment because it stimulates the body's natural response to decrease inflammation, pain, spasms and promote healing. Endorphins are released into the bloodstream, which relax the body allowing toxins will be flushed out. It’s fast and effective,” explains Dr. Hochstein.

Chryotherapy’s Beauty and Weight Loss Benefits 

The immediate release of endorphins can help with insomnia which means better beauty sleep. The accelerated production of collagen improves skin elasticity and texture, reversing skin aging and the appearance of cellulite. “Anyone wanting to maintain a toned body will appreciate that studies have shown a 500-800 calorie after burn associated with the body’s process to warm itself up. Whole Body Chryotherapy boosts the body’s metabolic rate, accelerating weight loss. Pro athletes rely on chryotherapy as a powerful treatment to decrease recovery time and increase athletic performance,” explains Dr. Hochstein who is a fan of the treatment and has done it himself.

Other benefits include…

* Alleviation of headaches/migraines and physical/mental stress

* Improvement of skin complexion and certain skin disorders

* Improved rheumatoid and osteoarthritis

* Can help reduce itching and inflammation in serious skin conditions (psoriasis/eczema)

* Enhances sports performance and increases muscular resistance to fatigue

* Increases libido/sexual stamina

* Stronger hair and nails

* Helps to provide relief from nerve pain

* Stronger, fuller hair

* Psychological competitive edge

Safety…

It’s very important you have the procedure done with a professional staff able to oversee the treatment plus adequately screen the client. The best candidate for cryotherapy is a healthy person, and that health history will be carefully reviewed prior to treatments.

Most people are surprised to feel how tolerable a cryotherapy session is given such extreme temperatures. The cryosauna requires a standing positon where then nitrogen creates a “dry” cold, which is much more comfortable than an ice bath. A trained technician should be on hand to talk you through it and make the three-minutes pass quickly and easily,” says Dr. Hochstein.

How often should I do cryotherapy?

“We recommend that our patients do 8-10 sessions within the first 2 weeks and then ideally move to 3 times per week depending on what you’re looking to treat. The evaluation process will help determine how many treatments would be optimal for you,” explains Dr. Hochstein. Many benefits such as a rush of endorphins and better sleep can be experienced as early as the first session, however maximum results are obtained with repeated treatments.

Who is a good candidate for cryotherapy?

People from a wide range of lifestyles and ages are a good candidate for this treatment. While it is certainly helpful to athletes and those with chronic pain, it is also highly recommended for individuals who simply want to improve their overall health and appearance. “The results as a treatment for cellulite is quite good and many people with pain find that they come for the beauty benefits and have their aches and pains treated too,” adds Dr. Hochstein.

Dr. Lenny Hochstein is a board certified plastic surgeon in Miami, Florida. World renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, symmetry and overall excellence, including published scientific papers, awards, early entry directly into medical school where he graduated valedictorian; Dr. Hochstein has two decades of experience, over 20,000 surgeries with breast augmentation as his main specialty. His dual accreditation of American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Society of Plastic Surgeons speaks to his high standards and reputation of providing exceptional care to all his patients. In 2017, Dr. Lenny Hochstein added Hochstein MedSpa to his Miami practice to offer lesser invasive treatments and anti-aging solutions adhering to the same values of high standards and quality. Anyone selected to be on his team must be exceptional, credentialed and committed to offering excellent care.

Getting Back to Exercise? Don't Be One of the 60% Who Hurts Themselves in the First Month

For good reason, health experts from across the country stress the importance of exercising regularly. Working out lowers your risk of disease and boosts your energy levels. If you have been inactive for a while, there are a few steps you must take before hitting the gym. However, 60 percent of those who start exercising again will get hurt within the first month. Here some key tips to avoid getting injured during your workout.

Obtain a Physical Examination

Never begin a fitness program without first consulting your doctor. Although vitals such as your blood pressure and heart rate can be checked at home, nothing beats being thoroughly examined by a trained physician. They will look for any underlying ailments and injuries. You can then exercise with an extra peace of mind.

Get the Proper Footwear

If you plan to start an exercise program, make sure that you buy the proper footwear. According to the Advanced Foot & Ankle Centers of Illinois, wearing the wrong type of shoes can contribute to a condition called plantar fasciitis. When dealing with this painful injury, expect to experience a great deal of discomfort in the heel and bottom of the foot. Your shoes should be designed for the specific type of activity. For example, it is definitely not a good idea to play basketball in shoes that were made for jogging.

Warm Up Your Body Before Stretching

Stretching is definitely a great way to promote better flexibility. Nevertheless, it is not a good idea to stretch without performing a proper warm-up. Cold ligaments and tendons are like stiff rubber bands that may snap at any moment. Before attempting to stretch, you must first break a sweat. Doing a few jumping jacks and wall push-ups will quickly elevate your body temperature. Try to make your warm-up routine last for at least five minutes.

Start Slow

If you have been lying on the couch for a few months, don’t try to train like an Olympic athlete. You need to slowly ease back into working out. Give your body enough time to adjust to the increased activity. The best approach is to gradually raise the intensity of your workout.

Allow Your Body to Rest

While it is advisable to exercise often, you still need to get the proper rest. Recent studies have revealed the many dangers of over-exercising. An enormous amount of lactic acid can build up within your muscles, which can lead to swelling and fatigue. After enjoying a long workout session, take a day off.

Now that you know how to start your exercise regimen, now it’s time to take action. You don’t want an injury to ruin your progress.

Train Hungry. I’ve always preferred to train weights about 2-3 hours after a meal and there are few good physiological reasons for this.

1) With no food in your stomach you have more readily available blood to flood your muscles with for the pump, because less blood is being used for digestive-related distribution. The pump can be one key driver of muscle hypertrophy when applied correctly.

2) Your pre-workout supplements will tend hit you harder when they’re not being mixed in with food that’s already in your stomach. You’ll get more of a concentrated, high potency effect – the intended effect actually. 

Did you know that it's Women's History Month in some parts of the world? In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8th, we at Train It Right thought it would be a  great idea to continue the celebration of women with an amazing, adrenal pumping, inspiring and celebratory workout playlist!!! Do yourself a favor and create a playlist on your favorite music subscription service (spotify, apple music, tidal, etc) with these songs and get your sweat on!!!

Bodybuilding Motivation | Figure Prep | 13 Weeks Out | Alicia + Sean Back Workout |

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Cody Morin https://www.youtube.com/user/HafAndHaf89 Instagram: www.instagram.com/codymorin89

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Fly Away - Kyrs Talk (JPB Remix) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds. Download: https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=mIY...

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Top 5 reasons your fitness program can fail

Whether you are starting a new fitness routine, an experienced vet or even a recreational gym user your fitness program can fail. There is a risk you may get bored, not see results or even over train. All of these things can cause you to lose commitment, stress out, become demotivated or fall off your fitness routine. The following are the top 5 reasons that your fitness program can fail and how you can prevent that.

1. You have not set any goals
2. You are in the wrong training environment
3. You don’t have a support system
4. Not allowing for ‘fun’ time
5. You Don’t have a training schedule

1. You have not set any goals

In order to succeed at whatever your fitness goal might be it is important to set specific goals. These goals will help you attain your end goal. It usually helps to also set a timeline to achieve these goals. One of the best ways to do this is to set what is called a S.M.A.R.T goal. Often times we head into the gym with no idea what we are trying to accomplish or vague goals like "losing weight", "toning up", “working on my upper body….” S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. When a goal is measurable it helps to establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of the goal you set. An attainable goals is important because when you choose goals that are most important to you, you will be able to figure out ways you can achieve them. A realistic goal means that you will be able to reach it and it. You can always reassess once you achieve it and set new goals. And finally the goal should be timely and set within a certain  time frame to make sure you stay on track it should be written down.

2. You are in the wrong training environment

Going too extreme, too soon. i.e. forcing the body adapt to too much stressors all at once. Make changes gradually. Or you are in the wrong training environment and need to make a change to the right environment for you. If you don’t like big corporate gyms, then join a small studio. If you don’t like training alone, then try group fitness. If you only like training at home, then investigate that option. Whatever it is, you won’t continue going somewhere that you don’t enjoy walking through the doors.

3. You dont have a support system

If you don’t have a support system in place to keep you accountable you are setting yourself up for failure. Training partners, friends, spouse – people that are supportive of your goals. Too many roadblocks on the path can lead to failure. When you have a support system you are more likely to stay on track, be motivated and stick to a regular routine. We never want to let our friends or loved ones down, and we definitely don’t want to leave them waiting at the gym for us!

4.Not allowing for ‘fun’ time

Whether it’s a cheat meal or time away from the gym, the body and mind need temporary breaks, not pushing it 100% all out all the time. Allow for some things you enjoy and the program becomes much easier to follow. Plus this allows your body time to recover, regenerate and be prepared for the next week of workouts. I like to take Sunday and use it as a family day that way I enjoy my time and have some time away from the gym.

5. You Don’t have a training schedule

Pick a plan and stick to it for the duration. i.e. trust the process. Far too many try something for 2 weeks decide it’s not working and jump over to the next latest thing. One of the best ways to do this is to get a one-on-one personal trainer. If you would rather workout on your own maybe hiring an online coach like Team Trex Training is an option. Online training programs like Trex do customized programs for you and you do them on your own. It’s a great option if all you need is to have someone to be accountable to.


There are a lot of different ways as you can see that your program can fail but you can succeed. Remember to set goals, write them down, get in the right training environment, find a support system, stick to a schedule and allow yourself some fun from time to time. You will be much more successful and happier with your results if you follow those steps! Happy training!

For all of you runners, you know first-hand how running safely is a year-round focus. Especially during the colder months when it gets darker earlier and visibility is low, safety should be a top priority for those who are still hitting the pavement. The following is a guide on running safety that's being shared by SimpliSafe. It includes a ton of examples on how technology can not only help with your training, but how it can also keep you safe and focused. They specialize in wireless security systems, so they definitely know a thing or two about keeping us safe.

Five Pro Athletes to Follow on Social Media Who Will Motivate You to Get Healthy

Social media has given fans a chance to feel closer than ever before to the athletes that they love to cheer for. No matter your favorite sport, you will find the following athletes' pages inspirational and interesting as you strive to live a healthier life this year.

J.J. Watt

The defensive end for the Houston Texans has gotten a lot of attention for his Twitter account and the information that he loves to post about his workouts. While there is no doubt that Watt is always out there getting his swell on, some are getting tired of all of the pics that Watt loves to put online whenever he is getting work in. Whether you love him or hate him, there is no doubt that J.J. will be in the gym getting his in. If you follow him, you will have one pro athlete on your Twitter feed who will always be challenging you to get better.

Annie Thorisdottir

This relatively unknown athlete is the queen of the motivational quote, and crossfit fans will find themselves going to her Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram accounts whenever they are feeling a little down in the dumps. In addition to posting about her workouts and all of the things that she is trying to do to stay on top of her game, you can read about her career from various sites on the Web.

The Rock

“The People’s Champ” is probably one of the most popular people on the planet. His Instagram is a must follow, as he plays as a fitness model/inspirational role model/movie star/ just a straight up awesome dude. Just take a look at any of Dwayne Johnson’s social media accounts if you need someone to pump you up, laugh, or just feel good about life.

Chris Bosh

Fans who follow Bosh will quickly discover that he is a chef masquerading in a basketball player's body. Bosh loves to cook, and he frequently posts pictures of dishes that he creates from scratch to fuel his NBA body. Whether or not you are a fan of basketball, all athletes can benefit from a well-balanced diet that gives you the nutrients that you need to perform on the court or on the field. In addition to being a great cook, Bosh also has an amazing physique that should inspire you to get into the gym to do one more set of abs.

Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper is one of the most entertaining social media follows on this list, and he will help you focus on keeping a positive mental outlook while you are trying to live a healthier life. In addition to posting about his workouts and play on the field, Harper finds ways to let you know about the relaxing things that he does off of the field. This balance is key for athletes who are looking to live a well-balanced life. Work hard, play hard seems to be his official model.