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Nike+ Human Race: One Day, One Race, One Million Runners

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

So you run and aren't quite ready to tackle a marathon, but are looking for a race to run. Have I got an event for you. You can participate in the largest, most unique worldwide 10K race - the Nike+ Human Race. It takes place on August 31, 2008, and there are two ways you can run. Either sign up to run in one of the 25 designated race cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, or London. Or you can opt to run wherever you are - on a treadmill, on the road, or in the woods. Just track your "race" using either the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit (if you like to run while listening to your iPod nano), or with the Nike+ SportBand (if you don't have a nano). After the race, connect either your nano or the SportBand to your computer to upload your race data to the NikePlus.com website.

To hear more about the race read more.

All you have to do is register here. If you're running in one of the 25 race cities, the registration fee is $35 ($5 goes towards one of three charities you choose: The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The UN Refugee Agency, or World Wildlife Fund). If signing up for a race has been on your mind, all I have to say is, "Just do it." Imagine running in a global race with a million people – talk about a powerful experience.

Race Day Tips for Your First Race

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I firmly believe that signing up for a race is a great way to stay motivated to workout. After all, your practice runs/rides/swims are all rehearsals for the big show.

You have logged many miles so of course you want your first race to be fun! So here are a few tips from realbuzz to help you race your best!

The night before you want to eat a well balanced, stomach agreeable meal. No need to focus on carbo loading unless you are running at a high intensity for 90 minutes or more. Drink plenty of water too!
Make sure to wake up 2 to 3 hours before the race since your body will function much better at the starting line if you have been moving around for at least a couple of hours. Eat a light breakfast (no fried foods) and drink plenty of water.
Arrive early so you can deal with registration and get your number. The number makes it feel so official!
Warm up! Jog for 5 to 10 minutes and then stretch. You will feel calm and race better after warming up.
Stay toward the back or middle of the pack at the starting line, since the front row is generally reserved for experienced runners. For the first few minutes, keep your pace nice and easy. Once you have settled into a pace that feels comfortable just enjoy the scene and the scenery.

Congratulations you're running your first race! Have fun!

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Gear Up For the 2009 Nike+ Human Race

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:30:18 -0700

Last year, Nike hosted the world's largest running event - the first Nike+ Human Race had over 780,000 participants. It was such a hit, they're hosting another one on October 24, 2009, with the hope that this year it will be even bigger.

This race gives runners all over the globe the chance to run a 10K together on the same day. If you want to be part of it, there are two ways you can join. Either sign up for one of the runs hosted by Nike in more than 30 cities around the world. Or you can run a 10K wherever you choose - on a treadmill, in the woods, or by the beach. Just track your run with the Nike+ Sports Kit or the Sportband. Then upload your race data to nikeplus.com.

I did this race last year and it felt amazing to know that hundreds of thousands of people were running the 6.2 miles along with me, so I definitely plan on doing it again this year. If you're interested as well, register here, and then start training - you have about two months until race day.

Speak Up: What Are Your Pre-Workout Rituals?

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:07 -0700

Athletes do some kooky things before a big game: former Red Sox player Wade Boggs would eat chicken before every game, and during the 1998 World Cup, Laurent Blanc would kiss the head of his goalkeeper before each kickoff.

I might not be a professional athlete but I have my own little rituals before heading out on a big hike or climb. I fill up at least three water bottles and make a small tower of rocks at the beginning of my trail. Building a little rock tower is something I did when hiking with my family and I've just continued on the tradition.

Do any of you have rituals or superstitions you subscribe to before a big race or challenging exercise? Do you do them out of habit or does it calm your jitters? Let's hear from you!

You Asked: Alternative Races

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering.

Hi Fit,
The Olympics inspired me to get out and race, but I am looking for something more fun than just running. I would like to do some kind of obstacle race or fitness challenge. I guess I am looking for the thrill of adventure with a fitness element. Can you help me find a race?
Thanks,
- East Coast Adventure Gal

Wow! Sounds like you are looking for something that is a cross between parkour and an open water swim. The craziest race I could find was the Nettle Warrior Tough Guy race in the UK with obstacles like burning bales of hay, electric fences, and icy streams. Nettle Warrior also has the Guy Gorilla race on Feb. 1, 2009, but sounds like you want some stateside options, so read more.

For serious fitness competition, there is the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge. The event combines a 500-yard swim, calisthenics (read: pull-ups and more!), plus a 1.5-mile run. You can participate in Chicago, San Antonio, LA, and Dearborn, MI.
The Urban Dare is part photo treasure hunt, part trivia, and part dares. The dares are mental or physical challenges such as climbing a wall, shooting a few baskets, solving a riddle, or eating something, but nothing slimy like you see on Fear Factor.
Urbanathlon is sponsored by Men's Health in Chicago on Oct. 18 as well as NYC on Sept. 27 (but this date is already sold out), and it is not just for the dudes. The entrance fee is $90, but you get a month's free membership to Crunch gym for training. This race is an urban obstacle course that uses features of the city to create challenges.
Rat Races are urban adventure challenges that take place all over the UK. Participants run, mountain bike, and kayak as they navigate a course revealed hours before the race begins. These could be an excuse to travel to the other side of the Atlantic without having to endure the downright craziness of the the Tough Guy races I mentioned above.
City Chase is an urban adventure laced with challenges designed to test not only your physical abilities, but your mental and spiritual ones as well. It is part obstacle course, and part scavenger hunt.

Hope you can fit one of these races into your schedule. If any of you have an "alternative race" to recommend, please share the details in the comments section below.

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Looking For A Race? Active.com Is The Answer

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Are you shopping around for a race to run? Be it a 5k, a Fun Run/Walk, Half Marathon or a Marathon you can find an upcoming race in your area at Active.com.

On the right side of their main page is a the event search box. Type in the type of event you are looking for and your zip code and all of the upcoming races in your area will come up. If you want to be more specific in your search, you can do an even more advanced search by type of race or if you are just looking for 10k runs. You can even sign up for many of the races through the site. Once you have registered and paid for an event, I think the chances of blowing it off decrease significantly.

I think fitness goals are great to stay motivated, and training for a race is a wonderful way to make sure you fit those workouts into your busy day and hectic week. It is like having a deadline and those sure do motivate us at work and school, so why not have an event deadline to keep you moving.

Fit's Tip: Check out the races in your area and choose one far enough in the future that you can train. If you are curious to start running try the Couch to 5k program at Complete Running. It takes at least 8 weeks to train. So think about signing up for a race in mid June or later.

Iron Girl Races Nationwide

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Looking for a new race to get involved with this year but intimidated by all the choices? Then how about trying an all women's event?

Iron Girl is an all-women’s event series that has a little something for just about everyone - the series of events consists of run/walks, duathlons and triathlons. Iron Girl races typically have finishers ranging from 5 years to 78 years, including teams of grandmothers and mother/daughter pairs, as well as women who have never worked out a day in their life to women that workout everyday. Iron Girl is a great way for women to embrace a healthier lifestyle while being surrounded by other women with the same goal in mind.

To see a list of the next Iron Girl races nationwide just read more.

May 4
Denver, CO
5K Run/Walk

June 22
Del Mar, CA
10K & 5K Run/Walk

June 29
Atlanta, GA - Triathlon
.33 Mile Swim/18 Mile Bike/3 Mile Run

July 20
Irving, TX - Triathlon
500 Meter Swim/20K Bike/5K Run

August 24
Columbia, MD - Triathlon
.62 mile Swim/17.5 Mile Bike/3.4 Mile Run

September 7
Seattle, WA
10K & 5K Run/Walk

September 21
Bloomington, MN - Duathlon
2-Mile Run/22 Mile Bike/2-Mile Run

December 6
Tempe, AZ
10-mile & 5K Run/Walk

For more information and to sign up at an event near you visit IronGirl.com.

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Have You Participated in a Road Race?

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Training for a race, walk or fun run is a great way to stay motivated and workout. The race is like a big test and all that training is your homework. Some people are race fanatics while others avoid them completely. I am wondering about you -

Teacher Tries to Play It Cool, But FAILS

GiggleSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:00:00 -0700

It's the last day of school and tradition calls for a teacher-versus-teacher relay race. This year, the kids wrapped their instructors in Saran Wrap and declared a bounce-off. The dude in the tie, who obviously makes a habit of taking himself too seriously, stole a quick lead, crossed the finish, and dropped it like it's hot - in the most uncool way ever.

Are Children Color-Blind or Do They Recognize Race?

LilSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Are kids color-blind? According to the new book NurtureShock, they aren't. It claims that children as young as six months judge other people based on the color of their skin. The researchers behind the book found that while many families try to avoid discussing race in order to raise "color-blind" children, the kids are making their own, often incorrect, conclusions as to why they look different from their neighbors. According to a Newsweek article about the research:

We might imagine we're creating color-blind environments for children, but differences in skin color or hair or weight are like differences in gender - they're plainly visible. Even if no teacher or parent mentions race, kids will use skin color on their own, the same way they use T-shirt colors. [Researcher Rebecca] Bigler contends that children extend their shared appearances much further - believing that those who look similar to them enjoy the same things they do. Anything a child doesn't like thus belongs to those who look the least similar to him.

Some parents don't address race, but the authors suggest that by talking about it early - before first grade - we can avoid racial stereotypes. Do you believe lil ones recognize race?