FINDING THE RIGHT PERSONAL TRAINER

There was an article in the Health section of the Washington Post this week on ways to get a good match with a personal trainer. It may not be as easy as it seems. First of all, as I have already discovered, there isn't one source for become certified as a trainer, and some organizations offer much easier certification courses (in other words, you don't have to know as much ... just pay the fees) than others. Once you do find a trainer that has been certified by a reputable organization, you have to look for other qualities. Do they encourage you and push you, or are they just going through the motions with you. Do they make sure your form is good, correcting posture? Are they spending the whole time doing a sales pitch for their services?

The article offers a check list of things to consider when looking for a trainer.
To read the whole article, click here.

RUNNING LOG

Weekly Total: 13.2
Monthly Total: 48.1

Saturday, July 31, 2004
Ran 5k on treadmill in 26.50 minutes. Ran in sport training mode, level one. Walked 5 minutes at level 10 incline.

RUNNING LOG

Friday, July 30, 2004
Ran 3 miles in 32.10 minutes. Ran outside with jogging stroller. Very hot outside.

RUNNING LOG

Thursday, July 29, 2004
Ran 4 miles in 37.50 minutes. Ran outside, usual circuit.

Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Ran 2.25 miles in 20 minutes on the treadmill (sport training mode, level 1)

ROTATING YOUR RUNNING SHOES

I picked this up off of the Road Runner Sports web site.

 
What's your biggest fear as a runner? Injury, of course! It's important to do all we can to prevent injuries. Shoe rotation is at the top of my list. Ever notice how your body "signals" you to buy a new pair of shoes? Running in worn-out shoes results in aches and pains in your legs, knees and hips. You can prevent this unnecessary pain by rotating between two pair of running shoes. How's it work?

First, start with two pair of shoes that both have less than 250 miles on them. If they're the same model, mark one pair as A and the other B. To rotate most effectively, keep track of the mileage you've put on each pair.

The newest pair (lowest mileage) should be used for your longer runs and your competitive racing.

The older pair (highest mileage) should be used for your shorter runs, inclement weather runs or your offroad runs if you aren't using a trail shoe.

Keep the older pair in the rotation until you've run 450 miles in them. At that point, it's time to "boot" your old pair and bring a new pair into the rotation.Continue this cycle and you'll be doing everything you can to prevent worn out shoes from placing you on the "disabled list." Effectively rotating your shoes takes the guess work out of replacing your shoes and saves you money because your shoes will last longer. It will also save your body from the "wrath of the worn out running shoe."

RUNNING LOG

Monday, July 26, 2004
Ran 5k in 26 minutes on treadmill.

RUNNING LOG

Weekly Total: 7.5
Montly Total: 34.9

Saturday, July 24, 2004
Ran 3.5 miles in 30  minutes on the treadmill at 7 mph. plus 5 minutes of walking at level 10.