Her Sports + Fitness Magazine

Built to last

You have an amazing body.

No, really. We all have amazing bodies.

At least, that’s the concept behind a miniseries, Human Body: Pushing the Limits, on the Discovery Channel next week.

This Sunday’s (March 2) episode, 9 p.m. EST, focuses on strength, including a segment on superhuman strength during a crisis. But Human Body also tackles how the body controls pain and how the brain is powerful enough to control our body. The show's computer-generated human demonstrates how bones, ligaments and muscles coordinate and endure under extreme conditions.

In our quest to become as fit and strong as possible, maybe we can slow down for a few minutes to appreciate what we already have: an amazing machine that can summon incredible physical and mental strength when pushed to the limit.

— Tiffany Wendeln Connors

Fitness on the Go

I travel a lot, both for work and fun. This week, I'm in California for a photo shoot for our new women's-specific Gear Guide, which will publish this May. Our cover athlete, who's been booked for months, happens to be Monica Carlson, who won the David-meets-Goliath reality TV show American Gladiators on February 17. During our shoot, she proved herself to be incredibly fit, fun to be around and a warm and friendly mother of twins.
    While I love to meet new people and explore new cities, it can be challenging—and expensive—to stick to my workout schedule. Yesterday, squeezing a run in meant spending $15 on a guest pass at a local gym. Today I plan to purchase a three-class introduction package at a local yoga studio ($20). For tomorrow's workout, I'm going to consult Athletic-Minded Traveler, a city-specific guide to gyms, fitness-centered hotels and healthy restaurants, for tips from locals on the city's best workout options and running routes. Know of any other great fitness information sources for travelers? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

—Kristin Harrison

Catch the Spirit

When I first heard of the film The Spirit of the Marathon, I was skeptical—sure I respected the sport, but I’ve been burned by documentaries in the past. But this movie, which will engage a runner and nonrunner equally, was time well spent.

The film made sure the audience became intimate friends with the cast—six diverse runners that included elites like Deena Kastor and a 12-minute-miler who likes to high-five people along the race route. Their common goal: to complete the Chicago Marathon. As the movie dips in and out of their narratives, we are privy to their early morning training runs, doctor visits and darkest moments. By the end when they are running the race, I found myself so connected to one runner that it was all I could do not to yell “Go Daniel!” in the theater.

I loved seeing the original footage of Kathrine Switzer as she ran the 1967 Boston Marathon, despite coming under attack by a race official who wanted to keep women out of what was a men’s-only event. I had heard this story many times, but never truly comprehended her courage until I saw it for myself. There were also plenty of light, unexpected moments like when the runners are expounding on why they run, and the affable Jerry says that he does it for the T-shirt.

Seeing the determination and discipline of these runners certainly reminded me of why I like to run and inspired me to run longer distances. But the biggest thing that stuck with me is the power that the marathon possesses. It shows how running the marathon is a way for us humans to prove we can still triumph over something and overcome difficult challenges. In this age of convenience and instant gratification, that is worth a lot. Look for The Spirit of the Marathon on DVD this summer and find more information at marathonmovie.com.--Jeana Durst

Adventure with your mom

Plan ahead and skip the bouquet of flowers on Mother's Day this year. Surprise your mom with a trip to Sedona, Ariz. Travel with Adventurous Wench, a women-only company founded by Deanna Keahey, to hike among red, orange and yellow sandstone formations, take a "rugged" jeep tour or visit unusual art galleries. The three-day weekend excursion May 10 to 12 includes accomodations, meals, guides and activities. Book before February 29 to get a 10 percent discount for you and your mom.

—Emmalee Schmidt

New way to work

For the first time in two decades, I rode a bike yesterday. It was a hand-me-down Kona mountain bike that I got serviced and fitted with road tires. I have been a big fan of running for some time, so I was wary of the bike.

With my first ride, I didn’t like the feeling that I had lost some control over my movement. When I walk or run, I have (almost) complete control over how fast or slow I’m moving, and stopping is simple. Now, there are brakes to consider, gears to switch between, railroad tracks to navigate.

But as I took my first ride around the neighborhood, I noticed the air rushing around me. Even with my helmet securely in place, I felt like I was riding with the wind. I was free.

I was so thrilled with the ride, I decided to bike to work today. I had to promise my husband I’d be extra careful of “all those crazy drivers on the road” (even though, technically, he’s one of those drivers). I was amazed at how much I had never noticed during my car-commutes – from bike paths that end suddenly to litter that would never hinder a driver but stopped me in my tracks. But I also had time to realize how fresh the air smelled, how pretty some of the houses were in my neighborhood and how much better my body felt when I got to work. After commuting on foot for so many years in New York, I had that stress-relieving experience again of being car-free.

This biking thing could get addictive.

— Tiffany Wendeln Connors

Make Your Own Energy Bar

I've never been a fan of energy bars, but I choke them down when necessary to fuel my workouts. Like Goldilocks, I find one bar too dry, another too sweet, one (OK many) that make me sick thanks to my lactose intolerance. I have yet to find one that's just right.
    So I was excited to read this article in the New York Times today and discover the You Bar. Founded by an athletic mother/son duo, You Bar lets you create your own energy bar from a long list of natural ingredients. Pick your favorite nut, natural sweetener, fruit and protein source, among other options, and examine a nutrition facts label generated by the program. You can make special requests and even name your bar. For $40 (not including shipping), you'll get a dozen handmade bars sent to you in the mail. Considering you can pay $5 or more per bar at a grocery store, these customized bars aren't as expensive as they may seem. Don't like the taste of your creation? Send it back and You Bar will rework it for free.
    I'm debating how to make my own You Bar. So far this ingredient list sounds good: peanut butter, soy protein, almonds, dried pineapple and coconut, clover honey and a dash of cocoa powder. How would you design your perfect energy bar?

—Kristin Harrison

   

Happy 30th Birthday, Ironman!

Thirty years ago today the first Ironman competition was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The multisport race was the brain child of John Collins, who was intent on settling the dispute of which athlete—swimmer, cyclist or runner—is in the best overall shape.
    On February 18, 1978, 12 men completed a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.  Gordon Haller finished first, in 11:46:58, and received the original "Ironman" title.
    Just one year later, cyclist Lyn Lemaire became the first woman to complete an Ironman. Proving women are just as capable as men, she finished 5^th overall. In 1992, Paula Newby-Fraser became the first woman to break the 9-hour mark at a full distance Ironman competition, and in 1993 set a women’s Ironman world record with a time of 8:58:23.
    Then, in 1994, Newby-Fraser won the Ironman competition and succeeded in becoming the first, male or female, to win the championship seven times. Newby-Fraser’s record still stands today, 30 years later.  (For a complete history of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship, visit History of the Ironman.) Want to try to break it? Ironman now hosts hundreds of events around the world.

—Amanda Smith

Name Our Team!

In my ongoing effort to stay motivated, keep training interesting and mix up my routine, I've convinced senior editor Jeana Durst to do something she's not entirely thrilled about—dive into a pool of thick, gooey mud. On May 10 in Orlando, we'll be participating in our first Muddy Buddy. We'll tag-team trail running and mountain biking over a six- to seven-mile course that includes obstacles like hay bales, monkey bars or rope ladders. (We  won't know the course specifics until two weeks before the race.) The last obstacle is the famed mud pit, and the rules declare that you must crawl through to the finish line—no running, walking or jumping allowed.
    I'm excited about adding this event to my regular triathlon season schedule for one big reason: It sounds fun. All participants have to register with a team name—the more creative the better—and there's even a prize for best costume. We won't be worrying about our pace or finishing time; we'll just be happy to finish with a big muddy grin on our faces. But we're stumped on our team name. The Muddy Editors isn't going to cut it. So we need your help! Any clever suggestions out there?

—Kristin Harrison

The Green Machine

Saving the earth is in. Products from soap to cars are getting a green makeover, and the athletic gear industry has joined the bandwagon, promoting numerous "eco" goods, from t-shirts to running shoes. But I have to wonder, are these products really better for the environment or simply marketing schemes after a different kind of green?
    Recently, I spoke to a PR rep for an athletic apparel company who kept proclaiming products "environmentally-friendly." When I asked what that meant, she said a few of the product's production facilities recycled paper or were trying to reduce water usage. While I applaud steps toward reducing waste and conserving natural resources, this answer just didn't seem to live up to the hype. My face must have given me away because the rep conceded the company was still working on "getting the message right." I silently wondered if they should work on getting the product right.
    It's hard to sort fact from fiction in this era of green marketing. "Recyclable," "sustainable," "green," "eco," and "natural" can be as tricky to decipher as the good-for-you claims on a food package. But there are resources that can help. Consumer Report's  GreenerChoices.org offers purchasing guidance as does National Geographic's The Green Guide, complete with a section on women's apparel. Some tips: Look for products made of 100 percent organic cotton and wool as well as hemp, bamboo and soy, or that are made from recycled fibers or clothing.
    But the good news is there are companies practicing what they preach. Patagonia has been running environmentally-focused programs for years, from donating 1 percent of their sales to preservation efforts since 1985 to recycling old clothes into new products. Recently, they launched a wildlife initiative called Freedom to Roam. And new companies are joining them. Nau launched their athletic apparel line dedicated to sustainability in 2007 and gives 5 percent of every sale to an environmental or social change nonprofit—chosen by the buyer (you). And some other big companies are making steps in the right direction. Nike began using organic cotton in some of its apparel in 1998—it plans to use at least 5 percent organic cotton in all of its cotton clothing by 2010.

—Kristin Harrison

   

Looking to "Supergirl" for Motivation

I’ve seen her at the USF gym countless times. Melanie Peters gets on a treadmill and just starts going. And keeps going and going and going. It seems like she can run forever, maintaining a pace that rivals my 400-meter dash speed. Not only is Peters a machine on the treadmill and in races (she's leading the 2007 Irongirl 10k pack in the picture at left, a race she won), but she's also working toward her masters and Ph.D. in Marine Science. In between being a graduate student and a competitive marathon runner—she won this year’s Walt Disney World Marathon with a time of 2:47:29—she also works part-time at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute mapping coral reefs.   
    Did I mention that the Disney Marathon was only her second marathon? As if that’s not enough, her fourth marathon attempt this past Sunday qualified her for the Olympic trials on April 20. She won Tampa's 2008 Gasparilla Marathon with a time of 2:46:45, qualifying with just 15 seconds to spare.
    While some may dismiss her as an anomaly, I look to Peters for inspiration and strength—she's my personal Supergirl. Whenever I’m making excuses for why I don’t have time to complete my long endurance run or finish that daunting term paper, I think of her. Sure, I may never qualify for the Olympics, but she proves to all of us that you never know what’s possible until you try.

--Amanda Smith