How are you staying in shape this winter?

[Finny61]

A good thread to ask this, any recommendations on a brand of treadmill for purchase? Been doing some homework and the web is full of fluff reviews, haven't found much quality.

Considering a Livestrong lspro2, Canadian tire tends to have great sales. Also have looked at Sole but seems Sears is the only place to buy those.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by sun

I want to start swimming, but I haven't swam laps since I was like 12 years old. I can swim, but probably with an awful technique. Should I take a couple classes for adults or just go to the pool and dive right in? Any other tips?

Tip I recently learned on swimming and it almost doubled the number of laps I could do - for front crawl, focus on your arms, and use as little kicking as possible.

Lots of people think that kicking harder makes you go faster but what it really does is tire you out quicker.

You should be using your kicks to position your body for the longest reach for each arm, and to take a breath when needed (I do every 3 strokes).

[Sainters7]

Seven. Minute. Aaabs.

The best part is, if you're not satisfied, they'll send you the 8th minute free!

Honestly though, I work out decently regular in the summer (3-5 gym days/wk, + flag football league), but in the winter it always goes to crap, especially after the Jesusmas Season of Snacks. I've already put on my usual 10lbs "winter weight". Those 1st couple workouts in April are always so depressing..

+1 for Talisman Centre type places. I really miss that Mount Royal University gym when I was living by there. Best pool.

[Cowperson]

Just an FYI for a goal to keep you moving through the winter . . . .

The Millarville "Run To The Farmers' Market" Half Marathon, set for 7:30 a.m., June 15, 2013, opened for registrations last week at www.millarvillehalfmarathon.com

This is a rare point-to-point event, 21.1 km running from Black Diamond, down the Turner Valley Golf Course road, into Turner Valley proper and then using the Friendship Pathway before turning onto Racetrack Road and finishing at the 31st opening of the Millarville Farmers' Market.

Complimentary shuttle buses pre and post race from the Racetrack to the start line.

Unique Finishers Medal hand-crafted by one of the Farmers' Market vendors, plus a wick t-shirt . . . . and various other things in the race package.

A new Run 4 A Cause program has the race partnering with local registered charities.

This a full half-marathon or a two person relay.

More details at www.millarvillehalfmarathon.com



Cowperson

[blankall]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Tip I recently learned on swimming and it almost doubled the number of laps I could do - for front crawl, focus on your arms, and use as little kicking as possible.

Lots of people think that kicking harder makes you go faster but what it really does is tire you out quicker.

You should be using your kicks to position your body for the longest reach for each arm, and to take a breath when needed (I do every 3 strokes).

I would definitely look into the Livestrong stuff. Good chance that particular brand can be had for a significant discount.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Tip I recently learned on swimming and it almost doubled the number of laps I could do - for front crawl, focus on your arms, and use as little kicking as possible.

Lots of people think that kicking harder makes you go faster but what it really does is tire you out quicker.

You should be using your kicks to position your body for the longest reach for each arm, and to take a breath when needed (I do every 3 strokes).

Wear a cap, get GOOD googles and use a nose plug(forces you to breathe correctly. I also found a pause at the end of each length of a couple of seconds was good. And on the to next one. Plus I swam a half an hour at as good a pace as I could maintain 3 times a week. I took no lessons and hadn't swam in ages. At first the pauses were longer and the overall number of lengths was less. Plus I struggled with my technique and(every 3 stroke) breathing.

But it really wasn't that long when you commit to 3 times a week before it becomes habit and you can do lap after lap at a very steady pace.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Climbing at an indoor climbing gym again now that my tweaked finger is feeling better. Good upper body workout for those that find weights boring.

This is why I like working out at the YMCA. There is a track, pool, courts, climbing wall, heavy bag, a couple of workout rooms plus the usual weights and machines. Really easy to vary the routine.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Tip I recently learned on swimming and it almost doubled the number of laps I could do - for front crawl, focus on your arms, and use as little kicking as possible.

Lots of people think that kicking harder makes you go faster but what it really does is tire you out quicker.

You should be using your kicks to position your body for the longest reach for each arm, and to take a breath when needed (I do every 3 strokes).

Learn bi-lateral breathing to make your strokes even more level and efficient . . .

I ran 25 km on Saturday. Felt good but looked like a popsicle in the ice fog out by Turner Valley. Running five to six days a week now, a mix of sprinting intervals, hills, middle distances and longer distances. Some major aches and pains have been reduced to minor aches and pains. Hopefully, that trend continues.

Cowperson