Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts

The Portable Personal Trainer: 100 Ways to Energize Your Workouts and Bring Out the Athlete in You Review

The Portable Personal Trainer: 100 Ways to Energize Your Workouts and Bring Out the Athlete in You
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This book contains 100 strategies about how to bring passion and delight to any personal training program and into one's life. Each "tip" is followed by an action item that provides specific recommendations about how to incorporate it into one's fitness program and life. My personal favorite strategy is # 89, "exercise with a dog". This tip talks about how dogs can lift our spirits and keep us living in the moment.The action item suggests you watch your dog closely during the excercise and notice how focused they are on the "thrill of movement"."Passion and performance"; what a wonderful connection! A motivational book that actually has great advice! I highly recommend this "trainer".

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Exercise Your Body.Enjoy Yourself.Experience the Difference.Whatever your fitness level, world-class Iron Man triathlete Eric Harr shares 100 inspirational strategies to uncover your passion and improve your performance.•See each workout as a celebration and an opportunity for personal growth (#5).•Stop counting calories and listen to your body for nutrition information it knows what you need (#22).•Learn why morning workouts are best–and it's not just because you'll burn more body fat (#35) •Experience the power of a "breakthrough session" in your training program (#60).•Find out the five best fat-burning secrets, and why you must be selfish about your fitness.(#s 90 and 91).•Put less effort into your workout for world-class results (#73).•Let go of your ego and rely on your inner strength and confidence (#84).Gleaned from thousands of hours of training and shared wisdom from the very best athletes in the world, these simple lessons will transform your approach to getting fit, staying active, and being alive.

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The Frailty Myth: Redefining the Physical Potential of Women and Girls Review

The Frailty Myth: Redefining the Physical Potential of Women and Girls
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In "The Frailty Myth," Colette Dowling presents a compelling and well-researched analysis of why and how American girls are socialized to be "weak." Dowling examines the myths about the "weaker sex," tracing this myth as a source of the oppression of women handed down to us from Victorian times.
She convincingly explains why men fear strong women: In part, she says, it's because strength is perhaps the only area in which our culture does not say that men and women are equal. Thus, as male-only professions and traits are rapidly disappearing from public discourse, strength is masculinity's last hope.
Further, she carefully details how the media, parents, educators and peers of both sexes encourage girls to be passive and boys to be active (often without realizing it), and gives ample evidence that there is no physiological basis for the belief that women are fated to be weaker than men. It is, in essence, a mere self-fulfilling prophecy.
After demonstrating the mental and physical unhealthiness of this cycle, the author provides advice on breaking out of it. To illustrate the possibilities, she offers inspiring stories of women and girls who have become strong, breaking into "male" sports like football and even playing on co-ed teams.
This book is well-written, well-organized, and an important read for anyone with a daughter or an interest in women's issues. At the very least, it might encourage you to spend more time at the gym -- that's one of the many beneficial things it did for me!

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Can women be equal to men as long as men are physically stronger? And are men, in fact, stronger?These are key questions that Colette Dowling, author of the bestselling The Cinderella Complex, raises in her provocative new book. The myth of female frailty, with its roots in nineteenth-century medicine and misogyny, has had a damaging effect on women's health, social status, and physical safety. It is Dowling's controversial thesis that women succumb to societal pressures to appear weak in order to seem more "feminine."The Frailty Myth presents new evidence that girls are weaned from the use of their bodies even before they begin school. By adolescence, their strength and aerobic powers have started to decline unless the girls are exercising vigorously--and most aren't. By sixteen, they have already lost bone density and turned themselves into prime candidates for osteoporosis. They have also been deprived of motor stimulation that is essential for brain growth.Yet as breakthroughs among elite women athletes grow more and more astounding, it begins to appear that strength and physical skill--for all women--is only a matter of learning and training. Men don't have a monopoly on physical prowess; when women and men are matched in size and level of training, the strength gap closes. In some areas, women are actually equipped to outperform men, due partly to differences in body structure, and partly to the newly discovered strengthening benefits of estrogen.Drawing on extensive research in motor development, performance assessment, sports physi-ology, and endocrinology, Dowling presents an astonishing picture of the new physical woman. And she creates a powerful argument that true equality isn't possible until women learn how to stand up for themselves--physically.

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Running: A Global History Review

Running: A Global History
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I highly recommend this book - it provides a good overview of the development of running.
However, this is an unusual and idiosyncratic book; if a specific topic interests the author, he writes a chapter about it.I would have liked to see more on the business of running after 1990 - more on shoe company economics and how elite runners make money and less on running gurus. The prose style is also very stilted at times, but this may be more a function of the translator. Still, well worth it.

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In the past decade, the number of Americans who consider themselves runners more than doubled—in 2008, more than 16 million Americans claimed to have run or jogged at least 100 days in the year. Though now running thrives as a convenient and accessible form of exercise, it is no surprise to learn that the modern craze is not truly new; humans have been running as long as they could walk. What may be surprising however are the myriad reasons why we have performed this exhausting yet exhilarating activity through the ages. In this humorous and unique world history, Thor Gotaas collects numerous unusual and curious stories of running from ancient times to modern marathons and Olympic competitions. Amongst the numerous examples that illustrate Gotaas's history are King Shulgi of Mesopotamia, who four millennia ago boasted of running from Nippur to Ur, a distance of not less than 100 miles. Gotaas's account also includes ancient Egyptian pharaohs who ran to prove their vitality and maintain their power, Norwegian Vikings who exercised by running races against animals, as well as little-known naked runs, bar endurance tests, backward runs, monk runs, snowshoe runs, and the Incas' ingenious infrastructure of professional runners.
The perfect gift for the sprinter, the marathoner, or the daily jogger, this intriguing world history will appeal to all who wish to know more about why the ancients shared our love—and hatred—of this demanding but rewarding pastime.

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Triathlon 101 - 2nd Edition (Outdoor Adventures) Review

Triathlon 101 - 2nd Edition (Outdoor Adventures)
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As the name implies, and the introduction states, this book is for the novice. It is excellent for that purpose. It provides a lot of encouragement and basic advice. If you haven't run a triathlon, this is a great place to start. Other books on triathlon are more technical and may be intimidating. Triathlon 101 should also benefit someone who has tried one or two triathalons and wants to learn how to train smarter. But an experienced person would probably find the content too light.
Triathlon 101 provides minimal details about equipment and technique. Rather it focuses on encouraging and training novices. The recommended training schedules are applicable to all levels but are most detailed for the beginner. The focus is on injury prevention through gradual increases in intensity. The book has many sidebars which chronical stories of people who have over come adversity to move on to become leading ironman triathletes.

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Triathlon 101 helped thousands of athletes take the guesswork out of multisport training and racing. Now, this best-seller returns, updated with more top-notch information and solidifying its status as the essential guide for multisport success.

In this new edition, you'll learn these techniques and strategies:

-Choose the best equipment for your goals, terrain, and budget.

-Create your own triathlon program for various distances and events.

-Know how, when, and what to eat and drink when training or competing.

-Prevent overtraining and recover from common injuries.

-Swim and navigate in open water.

-Smoothly and quickly transition from one leg of the race to the next.

-Taper your training for peak performance on race day.

Sample training programs, the latest recommendations on equipment, correct technique, and expert advice from pros and coaches Terry Laughlin, Lauren Jensen, and Troy Jacobson will help you improve your skills and times in every event.

Spare yourself the trial-and-error experiences that can lead to injury or discouraging results. Be a smart triathlete from the start. For developing multisport athletes, the best course available is Triathlon 101.


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Paula: My Story So Far Review

Paula: My Story So Far
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Being a runner, I love reading about runners, and their stories. Paula Radcliffe comes across in this book with frank honesty. She doesn't sugarcoat it, and tells it straight. She comes across confident, but human, like just another person. Granted, she is an elite athlete that has accomplished much in her life, but unlike some autobiographies, she doesn't sit there and tell you how great she is.
I learned a lot about Radcliffe herself in the book, along with a lot of interesting things about running, injuries, dealing with injuries, the triumph of her victories, the agony of her defeats, her drive to always give it her all, and that she is quite funny at times throughout the book.
Also, for those of you that don't know, she is asthmatic and if you know someone that has asthma and struggles with it, get them a copy of this book. It will inspire them.

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Paula Radcliffe has been hailed as one of the finest female distance runners of all time. Her amazing run of record-breaking victories in 2002 and 2003, including smashing the women's world marathon record in Chicago and then again in London, showed an athlete at the peak of her powers. Such was her dominance that a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens seemed almost a formality. But as the world watched, and a nation held its breath, that historic race ended for her on a dusty curbside instead of the podium. Paula has become a passionate spokesperson against drug cheats and, inspired by her own battle with the condition, is widely admired for her patronage of asthma charities. And even though Athens in 2004 proved to be more Greek tragedy than triumph, her popularity remains undimmed. Her remarkable life story of highs and lows is fully chronicled in this fascinating and inspiring autobiography.

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Triathlon Training Review

Triathlon Training
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I had never done anything even close to a triathlon, so this book took me step by step from day one to race day. I followed their 12 week program that prepared me for a successfull race. Great tips, great questions answered for those who don't have a clue, AND the book advances from newbie to elite with it's training if you chose to do another race.

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No matter what distances you're training for, Triathlon Training offers expert guidance for improving your racing from start to finish. Triathlon Training contains six race-specific programs—two for sprint distances, two for Olympic distances, one for the half Ironman, and one for the Ironman. The sprint and Olympic programs include target race times to help you choose the best program for yourself, based on your ability level. It also details a 12-week, step-by-step, base-building program that you can use to work up to racing distances.

The instruction, time management tips, and drills in Triathlon Training will help you make the most effective use of each training day. Insights from athletes' profiles and information on nutrition, supplements, and equipment offer additional ways to maximize training as you prepare for competition. The book examines the most common triathlon injuries, offers advice on preventing those injuries, and details how to treat and recover from them, should they occur.

A full-color book with more than 200 photos, Triathlon Training was developed in consultation with USA Triathlon and the British Triathlon Association. Whether you are considering your first triathlon or are committing yourself to Ironman competition, this book will help put you on the path to a successful finish.


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A Whole Other Ball Game: Women's Literature on Women's Sport Review

A Whole Other Ball Game: Women's Literature on Women's Sport
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I recently selected this book for use in a new course I am teaching on sportswriting at the University of California, San Diego. When I went searching for a good example of sportswriting to counterbalance the many offerings by men, I was not encourage by the very small number of titles by women. This book astonished me in its variety and quality of contributions, AND it is fiction, which makes it all the more exiciting to read. Very personal, very gritty, very real. Read this book!

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Women Who Win: Female Athletes on Being the Best Review

Women Who Win: Female Athletes on Being the Best
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Women Who Win: Female Athletes on Being the Best is an anthology of portraits of champion ten female athletes. A black-and-white photograph of each woman introduces her section, peppered with snippets of interviews, tales of training regimens, and stories of the raw struggle required to become the best of the best. The women covered are big-wave surfer Jamilah Star, jockey Julie Krone, soccer player Julie Foudy, runner Deena Kastor, gymnast Wendy Hilliard, volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, swimmer Lynne Cox, basketball player Tamika Catchings, triathlete Karen Smyers, and rock climber Lynn Hill. An amazing true account of what it takes to reach the top of one's game, and an especially inspirational read for women of all ages.

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Whether it's surfer Jamilah Star riding an unprecedented fifty-foot wave, Olympic marathoner Deena Kastor winning the bronze in 2004, or top-ranked climber Lynn Hill facing down a tough climb at Joshua Tree, one thing is certain: these women have game.What's more, these amazing athletes capture our imagination. How do they do it? What motivates them to win and to become the best in their sport?In Women Who Win, adventure writer Lisa Taggart takes us behind the scenes, deep into the training regimens and the ultimate victories, to see what makes these women — and some of their fellow female athletes — tick. Whether their sport is soccer, cycling, mountain biking, or volleyball, these athletes will inspire you to pursue your dreams, whether it's running a marathon or catching your first wave.

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Timeless Running Wisdom Review

Timeless Running Wisdom
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Timeless Running Wisdom is a collection of two dozen essays that cover a wide variety of running topics. At first glance, some of the individual titles seem to contradict each other (Chapter 17: Run Alone; Chapter 18: Run Together), but taken as a whole the reader learns that very contradiction is inevitable and understandable. Anyone who wants to run successfully for decades needs to realize that there is a time to race and a time to run without a clock, a time to run regularly and a time to take time off. As I often tell students in my writing classes: the only rule is there are no rules.
Author Rich Benyo has a storied past in relation to distance running and is race director for a very well known marathon, and while 26.2 mile races are mentioned in the book they are not the focus. Indeed, the lessons therein can be used by professional ultra runners just as easily as by neighborhood 5K runners. In addition to the author's plainspoken wit and wisdom, a number of famous--and famously successful--runners (including Joe Henderson, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, and Dean Karnazes) contribute to different sections to add their own keen insight.
Each essay is neatly summarized with a few key points titled "For Your Consideration," and the book concludes with three very useful sections: glossary, running quotes, and a bibliography of other great reads. Whether it is read from start to finish or sampled like a high quality buffet, Rich Benyo's latest is destined to be a favorite and highly useful book no matter what kind of runner you are.
Resting on a small table by the side of my bed, Timeless Running Wisdom has helped me remember why I run, prodded me to slip out of my running outfit in order to volunteer and spectate at races, and even gotten me into my shoes and out the door on a few mornings when I might otherwise have slept in. This will be a reference book that I go back to regularly. It is a powerful motivator.


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You run because you like the way it makes you feel in its best moments. You run with a goal of success and satisfaction. Wouldn't you like to tap into those feelings more often?



In Timeless Running Wisdom, longtime runner and author Rich Benyo takes you on a journey spanning the trends of the sport and the approaches, concepts, and methods that have bred success and satisfaction across generations of runners. Discover how to embrace simplicity; change up routes, distances, and terrains; keep your running in proportion to the rest of your life; and create your own adventure runs. It's all here—practical, compelling, and fantastic.



On this quest of rediscovery, you'll be joined by an all-star array of world- and national-class runners with literally millions of miles of experience and wisdom, including:



• Kathrine Switzer

• Roger Robinson

• Joe Henderson

• Bill Rodgers

• Dean Karnazes

• Amby Burfoot

• Joan Benoit-Samuelson



Through their personal stories, insights, and advice, they illustrate the essence of running success and satisfaction and guide you to achieving your every running goal. With this unique perspective you'll find the tools and the maps to run longer, safer, and better.



The ultimate runner's toolbox, Timeless Running Wisdom is also your GPS to the world's oldest sport. Read this book and you will remember why you fell in love with running in the first place.


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You Go Girl Winning the Woman's Way Review

You Go Girl Winning the Woman's Way
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These amazing women athletes all made the decision to set a goal, to have the right attitude, to have faith and determination, and to make sacrifices in order to reach their dreams/goals in life. This book is very uplifting and inspirational - full of wisdom, optimism, gratitude and joy. It is truly a gift that makes you feel so good after reading just a few pages. I had the opportunity to share some of the stories with my male friends and they enjoyed it as much as I did. My five star recommendation goes out to both Kim and Charlie. Thanks for being able to share all these inspirational stories with us!

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A collection of first-person insights, thoughts, and stories from successful women in the world of sports, including Mia Hamm; Gabrielle Reece; Marion Jones; Kerri Strug; Chris Evert; Nancy Lopez; Picabo Street and more.

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Running With the Legends: Training and Racing Insights from 21 Great Runners Review

Running With the Legends: Training and Racing Insights from 21 Great Runners
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I would agree with the other reviewers that this is by no means a training manual (ala Daniels or Coe). However, that doesn't change the fact that it is a very enjoyable book to read, covering legends of the past as well as more recent champions. If you are interested in marathoning, this book is particularly good, as most of the runners covered are marathoners.
Whilst the training plans will be of little use, I find this book a great motivator, and that's what every runner needs!

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Run for Life: The Injury-Free, Anti-Aging, Super-Fitness Plan to Keep You Running to 100 Review

Run for Life: The Injury-Free, Anti-Aging, Super-Fitness Plan to Keep You Running to 100
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Here's a backhanded compliment. On the one hand, in Run for Life author
Roy Wallack has produced what looks like a very effective life plan for
running, with new ideas and tools that ought to make you a healthier,
stronger runner. Although many ideas were new to me, I found myself
nodding to myself at times "of course that makes total sense-----I'm
going to do that from now on' ------ such as those "Ultra-Interval"
30-second sprints, which I did on land and in the pool, and felt
stronger after a week. After three weeks, I beat my best 5k time over
the last 5 years on a treadmill by 12 seconds, and wasn't even really
pushing it. I can't wait to do a real race and see what happens. On
the other hand (here comes the backhand) , Wallack shot himself in the
foot with his marketing hook of "Running to 100'--- which will make
people think the book is only for old people. Listen people: It's
definitely not. It's not even just for people over 35, "when the body's
natural deterioration begins, as Wallack puts it. I would go as far
to say that a 16-year old beginner highschool cross country runner
would do himself a lot of good to use this book as his bible. The
detail about non-heel striking form, pedulum arm swing, and barefoot
running is invaluable, and thats just the tip of the iceberg here.
But alas, "young" people ---- and I mean fit, non-injured runners under
40 probably won't pick up this book because of that "age 100" angle.
Even older runners may not, like Bill Rodgers, who in his fascinating
interview said "Run to 100? That's so far away I don't even think about
that." That said it all to a marketing man like me. Bill's over 60 now
(just finished Boston the other day in 4 hours) and has even broke a
bone his tibia due to over-running, but the "100" angle still does not
resonate with him yet. It's a shame. The book could have stood stonger
on its own without this angle. Run for Life IS a great book, engaging
from the get-go even merely as entertainment, but it's fatally flawed
marketing hook may scare away the running masses of ALL AGES who could
benefit from it.

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Want to run fast and injury-free for the next 50 years? In Run for Life, the co-author of Barefoot Running Step by Step lays out a comprehensive plan designed to help you do just that. L.A. Times fitness columnist and endurance athlete Roy M. Wallack says new muscle- and joint-preserving techniques and technologies put life-long running within everyone's reach. "Yes, you can run to 100," he says. "And not merely live to 100 andshuffle along when you get there, but do what few, if any, have everdone: Actually run a 5k, 10k, or even a marathon on your 100thbirthday." Traveling the running world from Kenya to Tahiti and Bostonto Badwater in search of super-fit running longevity,Wallack talks to top coaches, athletes, and researchers andsynthesizes new running methods, products, and fitness regimens into a life plan for runners he summarizes as: * Run Soft * Run Less * Run Stronger * Run Flexible * Run Straighter * Run Faster. At the core of the Run for Lifeplan is a one-two punch that addresses the two oft-ignored factors thatcripple all runners: the natural muscle and VO2 Max deteriorationthat starts at age 35, and the joint deterioration caused by runningitself. Featuring 10 oral-history interviews and advice fromgreats such as Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Rod Dixon, HelenKlein, Laszlo Tabori, Bobbi Gibb, and Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Run for Life brims with innovations:·Soft Running form: The proven way to cut knee-shock -- and injuries -- by 50%;·Barefoot Running: Why it strengthens feet and can even eliminateimpact.·Vertical Arm Swing: Why a perfect pendulum is faster and safer than cross-chest swings;·HGH Strength Training: Radical high-intensity exercises that fight aging and injury;·Ultra Intervals: Short, hard sprint workouts that cue muscle growth and instant speed gains;·High-tech Water Running: Joint-safe pool tools used to set the half-marathon world record;·Runner-specific Yoga: Exclusive runner's warm-up from famed multisport yogi Steve Ilg;·Bionic Hips and Knees: The operations rejuvenating broken-down Baby Boomer runners;·Perfect running posture: Unique postural exercises to straighten you out and speed you up; ·Runaway Weight Loss: Slight changes in diet timing that can cut fat and race times.

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ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running Review

ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running
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What an interesting running book! Buy this book if you:
-would like to be able to run well into your old age
-would like to improve your running form and have fewer injuries
-would like to have a more philosophical approach to your running
-would like to increase your overall health
Here's how the book roughly pans out:
-Chapter 1: compares power running to ChiRunning
-Chapter 2: goes into the 5 principles upon which TaiChi and ChiRunning are based
-Chapter 3: gets into the "inner" skills of ChiRunning
As you can see, the first 3 chapters lay out the philosopical foundation- that's so when you get to the specific techniques, they make sense.
Chaper 4: learn about the ChiRunning "focuses"- which are the specific physical and mental methods used to run more efficiently.
Chapters 5-9: covers program development, peak performance training and diet. Note: Chapter 7 also covers some info on common injuries such as muscle cramps, plantar fasciitis (also rec. The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for more info on this), heel cord problems.
Chapter 10: how to incorporate the ChiRunning principles into your everyday life
As you can tell, ChiRunning, with its mind-body approach, is far from your typical book on running- and shouldn't be missed by any serious runner. Happy trails.


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Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives Review

Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives
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I just finished my copy after getting it yesterday, and Mina's book is inspiring. It outlines some of the toughest issues any one faces in the lifelong battle to stay focused and happy. You can sense the support in every page, because the style is so down-to-earth, but also because the quotes from the hundreds of women interviewed sound like things you'd hear from your best friends. This is augmented by stories from Mina's own life an athletic career--stories that illustrate the most positive ways to deal with negative self-image, low energy, troubles with partners (athletic and otherwise). I wish I'd read this years ago--I think I'd be even happier and stronger now, but with this book in hand I expect to start improving tomorrow morning!

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Run Like A Girl is about the impact that participating in sports has on women-how the confidence and strength that it helps to build spills over into all of our experiences, making us stronger and better prepared for life's many challenges. In this inspiring book, Mina Samuels uses the varied personal stories of women and girls of all ages and backgrounds-as well as her own-to take a broad look at the power that sports have to help us face, and to overcome, obstacles in all arenas of life.Myriad voices fill the pages of Run Like A Girl: a US-ranked amateur triathlete who's raising an autistic son; a thirteen-year-old girl who discovers and falls in love with cross-country running; a woman who runs her first marathon at age sixty; an investment banker who quit her job to become a yoga teacher and adopt a daughter on her own; a young mother with scoliosis who cycled her way back to health and became a jewelry designer along the way; and countless other women-including Kathrine Switzer, Rebecca Rusch, and Molly Barker-who have been changed by their experience with sports. Run Like A Girl makes the important argument that physical strength lends itself to psychological strength, that lessons learned on the field (or track, or slopes) can help us face challenges in other areas-and that for many women, participating in sports translates into leading a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Proform Trailrunner 4.0 Treadmill with Built-in Web Browser Review

Proform Trailrunner 4.0 Treadmill with Built-in Web Browser
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This well built midrange treadmill may be called the Trailrunner 4.0, and it may run Android 2.2, but the Internet portion feels like version 0.95 beta. In other words, it's a good midrange treadmill with a not-ready-for-prime-time tablet attached to it. I got the Proform as a Gold Box buy for what a comparable treadmill would cost without the Android add-on. The Sole F80 Sole F80 Treadmill (2011 Model) is a probably a better choice if it's less money. Certainly don't pay more for the iFit Live features at this point.
PEDIGREE - Proform is owned by ICON Health, a larger corporation, like GM, which brands a nearly identical treadmill under different brand names. This one is also sold under the NordicTrack brand name, and maybe others. Proform is probably the Chevy, and NordicTrack is probably the Buick :) I've used their equipment in gyms without issue. The idea of this model is to have an Internet connected treadmill with custom workouts and google map charted jogging paths.
SHIPPING - Fair - arrived 2 weeks after I ordered, and 7 days after Amazon estimated it would. The delivery men will drop it off past the threshold of your front door. I hope you have a strong back, a strong dolly, and perhaps some other moving tools...as with all well built treadmills, this one's a 400 lb beast. Inside, the treadmill and its parts arrived well packed, well protected, and in good condition. You'll need a big garbage can, and probably a box knife, to break down the packaging to fit in the trash.
ASSEMBLY - Fair - Getting the box off was a huge pain, though I think it would be for any treadmill by mail. The lower part of the treadmill is fully assembled; most of the work involves getting the control deck attached. Make sure you have two strong-backed people, a screwdriver, and a medium sized adjustable wrench. You will have to lift the 400lb treadmill at least three times during assembly. All the parts fit together pretty well, with pretty small tolerances. Kudos to Proform for good quality control on the mechanical parts. WARNING: If you live alone, are prone to hernias, or have ANY sort of muscle or joint problems, PAY FOR ASSEMBLY. You can't order assembly via Amazon, but the treadmill packaging does contain an offer to call in some people. Even if you're strong, there's a decidedly unsafe part of the process that involves installing the support strut while the gigantic treadmill is held free-hand over your head. Proform, if you're reading this, please consider pre-installing this strut at the factory. This last step is an accident waiting to happen, though I'm not sure if any other folding treadmill would be different.
BASIC OPERATION - very good - When you plug in the machine, it takes about 30 seconds to boot the Android operating system.
It plays a very well produced infomercial on how wonderful your new treadmill is. Plugging in the magnetic safety key shuts it up. (don't lose it, or you won't be able to use the treadmill)
BUILD QUALITY - very good
Build quality is well above average, and certainly competitive for its price range. The unit does not flex or vibrate very easily. It feels solid under your feet, but the thud-thud sound of your shoes isn't muted like it is on the $3,000 Precor machines. But for a folding treadmill in this price class, it's darned good.
The motor is reasonably quiet, and the 3.8hp rating is higher than most at this price. Treadmill belt has good traction. The belt has slightly rough edges, which don't affect performance, but also don't compare well against more expensive machines. Rollers are larger than average, which should increase longevity. There's adjustable cushioning. My gimpy knees did fine on a light 30 minute run.
Large one touch buttons for speed and incline allow quick adjustments. Inexplicably, they do not work unless you are already running. On other treadmill models, such as Horizon, AFG, and even lower end proform models, these same buttons work at any time; you can hit the 5mph button from a stop and immediately start running.
The big 10" touchscreen is great for basic operation: Tap go, and a very nice display lets you run in manual mode. The touchscreen controls work great in the basic running modes, where the buttons are large and easy to read. The information displays are top notch, though I wish they had a way to cycle through screens automatically. The display is big, bright and easy to read. If you are 5'10 like me, viewing angles are great. If you are 5'2" like my wife, the screen washes out. Proform obviously opted for a cheaper TN panel, rather than the wider angle IPS panel on the iPAD and other nicer tablets.
Unlike most Android phones and tablets, the screen does not appear to cycle off to save power. The off switch is inconveniently located at the bottom front of the treadmill. (for safety reasons, I don't think ANY treadmill has a convenient power switch)
Sound quality of the built in speakers is fair, fitting somewhere between a good laptop and a bad boombox. You're not going to rock the house with these, but more than acceptable while jogging. There is an easy to use 3.5mm "aux-in" and an included cable to plug in any mp3 player. The stickers say "iPod compatible", but this aux-in is not as well integrated as other treadmills which include the proprietary Apple dock connector and integrated music controls. (I bet that incurs a hefty Apple licensing fee, which is why it isn't here) Besides, Apple changes their docking plugs every year, anyway.

ADVANCED OPERATION - Poor - Frustrating, especially since the problems are easy to fix.
Speaking of Apple, I hate their corporate culture, and I refuse to buy their products. However, they didn't sell a zillion iPads and iPhones making bad product. A two year old can figure out an iPad, and millions of non-tech people happily consume iPhones. You don't need manuals to run most Apple products to most of their potential. I should also say that I'm an Android fanatic, and that had a part in my choosing this treadmill. I have the original Motorola Droid, and I have it customized and hacked to it's utmost. So I'm no stranger to electronics.
There's no way on earth a non-technical user would ever figure this machine out. Basic menus are too basic, and configuration is difficult to find. There's no initial setup wizard. The product manual could be written better; it seems to expect you to jump to page 27 for this, then remember to come back to page 4 for that. Again, from a product design perspective, well designed products should not require the manual for at least 80% of their functionality...and most other treadmills succeed in this regard. Setting up wireless was relatively simple...once I found it...and once I managed to get my fricking password typed in.
This exposes you to the single greatest failure of the product: the lousy resistive touchscreen. Typing is aggravatingly inaccurate, even with the treadmill at 0mph. The letters are gigantic compared to a phone, but nowhere near as precise. You either press one letter lightly and get the next letter over, or you can push hard and get the correct letter twice. The delete button works about one fourth of the time. Unlike what the paid shill reviewers have said, pushing hard or soft doesn't improve the accuracy. It took me an eternity to enter a 14 character wireless password. Registering for the iLive account (which requires entering a 16 digit alphanumeric code) was even more frustrating. Do yourself a favor and register the iFit account on the website using your desktop or laptop. Pick a short username and password, because you still have to put it into the treadmill at least once.
Proform's manual says to calibrate the touchscreen. I did manage to find the two separate calibrator programs. The first is relatively easy to find in the configuration menu. The second is on the Android desktop in the app drawer to the right. No way a non-techie person would find these. The improvement was marginal; it's still far worse than any phone or tablet I've used so far. Leagues away from the standard that non-technical people have come to expect from the capacitive touchscreens in iPhones, iPads, and pretty much all recent smartphones. You can make it tolerable by using a pencil eraser instead of your finger. For your safety, I would only use the eraser head of an unsharpened pencil, and even then, only when the treadmill is parked.BROWSER - Poor
Even after I updated the firmware (which has warnings about known bugs) and calibrated the touchscreen (both of which are tricky to find), the browsing experience is simply does not live up to Proform's video hype.
As previously mentioned, the resistive touchscreen is pitifully poor. Entering web addresses is frustrating and inaccurate. Multi-touch pinch to zoom is not supported, meaning that this could be a lower cost resistive touchscreen. Half the time when you are trying to scroll, it clicks links instead. The stock Android browser isn't as fast as your modern 1GHz smartphone or tablet. There is no apparent way to create your own custom bookmarks, though the Android browser does auto-remember your history. Android fanatics, you'll probably recognize the browser as the stock 2.2 browser. Because Icon cheaped out and put in a resistive touchscren, pinch to zoom doesn't work, nor does scrolling about a fourth of the time. Just frustrating, especially since spending $20-50 more for a quality capacitive touchscreen overlay is all it would take to make this a much better product. Shame on you, Icon Health,...Read more›

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Proform Trailrunner 2.0 Treadmill Review

Proform Trailrunner 2.0 Treadmill
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Purchased the pro form trailrunner 2.0 Dec 28th. Looks great and functions appear that they would contribute to a good workout.
The treadmill has never functioned properly since we bought it. After 2 weeks the the authorized repair company was able to stop by for 5 minutes to confirm that the treadmill did not work. The repair company ordered the replacement parts, but the parts are backordered indefintely.
We've been going back and forth with ICON fitness and their customer service to have the unit returned because the parts are on indefinite backorder. Their customer service line averages right around a 45 minute wait time for anyone selecting the option to return equipment. I easily have 4+ hours of hold time with them. Buyer Beware with any ICON Fitness equipment. They are suppose to arranage the RMA at this time, 3 months later. Very disapointed.
Thought the touchscreen and size of the motor would have been a nice touch for $1500. Any kind of customer service or support probably would have resulted in us simply exchanging our broken treadmill for a new one. ICON Customer service is horrible. Sending it back and getting a non icon treadmill.
Hope this helps.
Brett


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The Proform Trailrunner 2.0 si the ultimate runner's treadmill. Featuring everything a runner needs for incredible performance, this treadmill is perfect. Ther extra-long 20"x60" treadbelt features ProTech Advanced Adjustable Cushioning. Pesonalize your settings so you fell comfortable durning and afer your workout. The Trailrunner 2.0 also features iFit Live built-in. This wireless technology features workouts Powered by Google Maps, training with Jilliam Michaels and automatic speed and incline controls.

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Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill Review

Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this item from Amazon because of free shipping and no sales tax. I had hoped to locate it on the second floor but after receiving it I found this impossible to do. Even unassembled the bed of this machine must weigh 200 pounds so I put it in the basement.
The treadmill gives a good workout. Thus far I have used the EZ Cline program at Level 15 and at 3 MPH for 20-25 minutes. This gets my HR up to almost max. There are several programs that keep your HR at a certain percentage automatically by adjusting the incline. I am interested in these but have yet to try them. The life Fitness "Hill" program is also available on the TR5
I would recommend this treadmill because of the number of programs it has as the key to exercise with a machine is varity so you don't get bored and give up.

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With striking design aesthetics combined with unmatched customization and personalization options, the Life Fitness T5-0 Treadmill will motivate you to accomplish your fitness goals in the comfort and convenience of your own home. This machine builds on the exceptional performance and durability of Life Fitness' best-selling health club equipment, but it's uniquely designed for the home environment and incorporates a number of design and mechanical features that make it easier to establish and maintain a personal fitness program.
Feature Highlights
12 workout programs
2 user profiles
4 My Workouts™ personalized programs
1 custom workout per profile
Deluxe LED console with back-lit TouchSensor™ buttons
FlexDeck® shock absorption system
HeartSync™ heart rate controlled workouts
Polar® wireless HRM chest strap
GoSystem™ Quick Start with 3 speed and incline presets
3.0 HP MagnaDrive™ motor system with 10-year warranty
Built-in reading rack and dual accessory trays

It includes 12 pre-programmed workouts, and two different users can create one custom workout each, as well as track progress in existing exercise routines using the My Workouts programs (which saves start-up information and favorite workouts). You'll appreciate the touch-sensitive, ergonomically placed controls, including a lower control pad that brings the buttons you use most often closer to you. And the GoSystem Quick Start feature remembers your preferred walk, jog and run speeds, as well as three different incline positions, so you can get started with the push of a button. Other features include a deluxe LED console with back-lit TouchSensor buttons, a message center providing workout feedback, a workout profile display that shows workout progress, and a built-in reading rack plus dual cup holders and a front-mounted accessory tray to hold cell phone, MP3 player, or remote.
The patented FlexDeck Shock Absorption System reduces shock and impact to the knees, back, and joints by nearly 30 percent compared to other treadmills. And because the Lifespring™ shock absorbers found in the FlexDeck are nearly indestructible, the flex experienced during the first use will be the same flex experienced in all subsequent workouts, even years later.
All Life Fitness treadmills offer HeartSync heart rate controlled workouts, which automatically adjust the resistance based on your heart rate feedback via the included Polar wireless chest strap. Simply choose any HeartSync program and the treadmill incline automatically adjusts in 0.1 percent increments to keep you in your target heart rate zone.
Under the hood is the state-of-the-art MagnaDrive Motor System, an ultra-quiet, ultra-smooth system that combines a powerful continuous-duty motor with a custom-designed motor controller and advanced cooling system. The system automatically communicates with the console and adjusts to the precise power you need depending on your weight. It's backed by a 10-year warranty.Boredom is never an option with Life Fitness treadmills, with a wide variety of challenging workout programs built into the easy-to-use console. Save time by storing up to four pre-programmed My Workouts, and replay them at any time. Rename them for different days of the week or different users in your household. Your weight and incline levels are automatically saved, and you can also store personal results for each workout to keep track of your progress. Based on your workout's specific time, incline and heart rate level, a customized cool-down program helps to ensure your heart rate properly returns to a normal level at the end of a workout. You can also conveniently change programs without restarting or losing your current workout information. This treadmill comes with the following programs to choose from:
Manual: Gives you complete freedom to choose your own speed and resistance levels.
Hill: Challenges you with intervals of multiple hills and valleys with each hill becoming progressively more difficult.
Random: Includes many different motivating combinations of hills and valleys.
Time-Based Goal: For a time specified by the user, this workout used 1.5 percent incline as the baseline to accurately simulate running outdoors on flat ground. Anything below a 1.5 percent grade is then used to simulate running downhill. The inclines and declines last between 30 and 60 seconds. The goal of the workout is to help users train for outdoor running.
EZ Incline/Resistance: Slowly and progressively increases incline so you are less aware of the building demands.
5k Sport Training: A Distance-goal workout that simulates an actual terrain with varying incline levels. It is designed to assist runners in training for a 5-kilometer, or 3.1-mile, race.
10k Sport Training: A Distance-goal workout that simulates an actual terrain with varying incline levels. It is designed to assist runners in training for a 10-kilometer, or 6.2-mile, race.

Specifications:
Speed: 0.5 - 12 mph (0.8 - 20 kph)
Incline: 0-15% in 0.5% increments (0.1% increments during HeartSync heart rate controlled workouts)
Motor system: 3.0 Horsepower Continuous Duty DC MagnaDrive Motor System
Motor controller: Life Fitness-designed microprocessor-based PWM controller
Deck: 3/4-inch Medium Density Fiberboard
Deck shock absorption: FlexDeck shock absorption system
Handrails: ErgoBar™ front handlebar and commercial side handrails
Belt: 60 x 22-inch multi-ply, pre-lubricated
Rollers: 2.0-inch precision crowned
Electronic readouts: Incline, Time, Speed (mph/kmh), Distance, Heart Rate, Target Heart Rate, Time in Heart Rate Zone, Calories, Calories per Hour, Pace
Display type: Amber LEDs
Workout profile display: 7 x 15 segments
Workout feedback display: 16-character message center
Dimensions: 80.25 x 32 x 59 inches (LxWxH)
Unit weight: 320 pounds
Maximum user weight: 400 pounds

Manufacturer's Warranty Frame and Lifespring shock absorbers - lifetime, motor - ten years, electrical and mechanical parts - 7 years, labor - one year. The warranty is valid only within the United States.
About the Warranty This Life Fitness product is intended for home use only. Your warranty will be void if this product is used in a commercial setting.
About Life Fitness What started as one man's pursuit to improve his own physical condition, eventually turned into a global fitness revolution. That man was Keene P. Dimick, the mastermind behind the legendary Lifecycle® exercise bike. The story of Life Fitness began when two young entrepreneurs, Ray Wilson and Augie Nieto, saw the promise of Dr. Dimick's invention. Even though it was slightly ahead of its time, they believed the Lifecycle exercise bike could help generations of athletes, trainers, exercisers, and people everywhere live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Wilson and Nieto bought the rights to the Lifecycle bike from Dr. Dimick, perfected it, and sold it out of a motor home to health clubs across America. Despite the overwhelming odds and initial unpopularity of the Lifecycle exercise bike, the two passion-filled pioneers turned a two-man operation and a seemingly impossible vision into a prosperous reality. Along the way, they shaped the future of Life Fitness as well as the fitness industry, bringing cardiovascular training into the mainstream and helping ignite the health club boom.
Today, Life Fitness is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of reliable, high quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the number one brand of fitness equipment in health clubs worldwide.


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