Yesterday I was sent two separate articles from friends about running in a poor economy and began to think about how running is affected by it. This is something that I have thought about many times before not only because I am a runner, but also because I am an economist who enjoys getting value out of every dollar. Some of the reasons I enjoy running so much are that it costs nearly nothing and you can do it where ever, whenever. I have never understood people who spend sixty dollars a month for gym memberships when the streets and trails or free. Maybe it’s a social experience for them.  Maybe they do a lot of weight training; I do push-ups and sometimes I even find a bar so I pull myself up above it, over and over again.  It’s pretty hot.  No matter how we exercise though, we can all agree that even in a poor economy it is very important to stay healthy and look your best.  At your job interview you want to look like you have the endurance to work those long hours don’t you?  I thought so.  One often overlooked reason it is important to stay healthy in a bad economy is that exercising is preventive medicine; keeping you from paying high health care costs later. A study found that those who worked out twice a week for 2 years saved 1,252 dollars in health care cost over those who exercised only once a week. Likewise, people who are overweight by thirty pounds typically spend between 5,000-21,000 dollars more on health care than people of average weight.  Not only do they have to spend more money for food, but also on health care costs!  Unbelievable.

Running is also a relatively inexpensive sport. I run almost everyday and it barely costs me a dime. However, there are two aspects of running that can become expensive:  running shoes and participating in races. Running shoes guard against injury and thus may save you money in the long-run (no pun intended). Remember, I value every dollar, and spending a bit extra for a good pair of running shoes is well worth it to me. However, before you spend a premium price for running shoes you want to make sure they are the right pair for you.  On this site at there are detailed descriptions along with runner’s reviews of running shoes to help you make the right decision for you.  You’re welcome.

The other major cost to runners is participating in events.  This cost is a personal judgment call depending on how much money you need to save and how valuable running certain events is to you.  In times like these I continue to participate in the events that I have a tradition of participating in but typically do not try new events or run in the random 10k just because I live near it.  You can decide which races are worth the price based on other runner’s reviews.

You can stop Running out of money and Recession Proof yourself!  Now who’s up for some McDonald’s dollar menu?

Falconhead Capital is a private equity firm that specializes in investing in the consumer, leisure/lifestyle, and media sectors. Recently, Falconhead Capital purchased the three year old Denver Marathon along with the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, bringing Falconhead Capital’s total ownership to 25 races. Races are not the only thing Falconhead has been purchasing, earlier last year they purchased three endurance companies, forming them into one, called Competitor Group, Inc. The three companies purchased were Elite Racing Inc., the creator of the Rock n’ Roll marathons, La Jolla Holding Group, LLC, owner of triathlete magazine, and Competitor Publishing, Inc. The newly formed company, Competitor Group, Inc., is now the largest endurance sport focused company in the United States. Falconhead Capital said they decided to form Competitors Group, Inc. in order to enter into the endurance sports business because of the very specific and high-end demographic of participants. They point to an age range of 25-54 years old with an average annual income of $75,000-$95,000 in endurance event participants.

This got me to thinking, I’ve always just participated in these races but I never thought about the business side of them? It makes sense that endurance sport participants are a highly desired demographic since they are usually made up of people who have determination, drive, and a work ethic, which probably leads them to success in their professional lives as well. A company as large as Falconhead Capital can use the events to promote their other businesses and private equity firm to this coveted demographic. In addition to the events being great marketing opportunities, the income streams can from many sources such as entry fees, sponsorship, television, merchandise, and fitness expos can make race organizing a very profitable business.

Since I usually don’t finish in the money in these races, running is not a profitable business for me; however, all of us participants should be aware that we are Running this Business.  Support your favorite races and small endurance businesses.

We all have run naked before in our lives.  Whether it was a quick crawl at birth or yesterday from the bathroom to the bedroom.  Maybe you lost your clothes on the drive home from work yesterday and had to run inside your house to get some clothes on, I don’t know.  Anyway you go about it, running naked is an experience.   A couple of years ago I participated in a race called the Fig Leaf 5K.  It is held at a nudist resort in the North Georgia mountains.  Participants run completely naked to fully clothed.  I would not recommend running it fully clothed though.  That’s like pigging out at a buffet that you didn’t pay for.   I plan to run this event again this year and make it my own yearly tradition until I am told my body is starting to scare the other runners.

So when I tell people I have run a 5k naked the question I get the most is, “Did it hurt?”  The answer is no.  The human body is an amazing organism that has its own ways to shield against potential problems like running naked.  What do you think the cavemen did when a Mammoth came running at them?  They ran…naked.  I’ll do some more research this weekend about how running naked may effect your body but for now, try running naked in a controlled environment like this race.  It’s so easy even a caveman can do it.  Sorry cavemen if I sound condescending.

There are plenty of races to benefit a cause, usually to help find a cure for some type of disease, but what about finding a cure for the everyday blues? Everyone has bad days, what is the best way to deal with them? Some may pop open a beer, I run…then I pop open a beer as a reward for accomplishing my goal.

Some Physical Fitness and Obesity Treatment Consultants believe that running or jogging is the best way to cure depression, or “a lot of bad days in a row” for our purposes here. A study found that depressed patients who had done regular exercise had a better result compared to other patients who just relied on the traditional psychological medications to cure depression. According to the chemical imbalance theory, low levels of the brain chemical serotonin lead to depression and depression medication works by bringing serotonin levels back to normal level. Perhaps the exercise helped these patients because of the release of endorphins we get when we attain a runner’s high, worked like depression medication does to offset the low levels of serotonin. I’m not a doctor though, just a runner that is in tune with his body and mind.

The study also found that patients who had done their regular exercise were found to have gained more self confidence, more happiness and a feeling of accomplishment. Self confidence from starting on a run that seemed impossible at the onset, but actually wasn’t as bad as they expect, can really help you realize other aspects of life that may not be as bad as they seem. There is nothing better to cure a negative attitude than to disprove your own perceptions of a difficult situation. Once you are done with that run, you are happy that you accomplished your goals. I’ve found accomplishing goals I set for myself gives me a lot of happiness. Whether your goal is to run a marathon or be a contestant on the “Price is Right,” (I’ve done both) there is no greater feeling than accomplishment.

In conclusion, go accomplish something and stop worrying about things that seem insurmountable, like a long, steep hill in the middle of a 20 mile run.  Just run straight up it!

It’s girl’s night out, a first date, a holiday with the family…what do we all do? Gather, chat, love and EAT! It’s the American way, after all.

Most of us have the tendency to socialize around food. Don’t get me wrong, I am a strong believer in food. I have my Master’s Degree in Nutrition and will be a Registered Dietitian in just a few months and I got into this profession because I love food! However, (I hold my breath as I type this) there is more to life and socializing than food.

Chris, who writes a bulk of this BLOG, has encouraged so many of us to get out there and run to get in touch with ourselves again in this all-too “plugged in” world. And I fully agree with what he points out, but I am going to offer yet another advantage to running: socializing!

Instead of meeting your friend for coffee on Saturday morning, throw on your running shoes, say adios to the $5 cup of coffee and calorie-laden danish and go for a run with him or her instead. I assure that you will find yourself just as awake as after your double-shot mocha latte with extra foam and you won’t feel quite as guilty buying those skinny jeans that you found on sale!

The Serious Running website offers some wonderful trails around the United States to go and discover with friends. You’d be surprised at what lies just around the corner and behind some trees! Sometimes it’s fun to just go explore and see what you find. And if you find something worthwhile, post it on Serious Running!

Ordinary tasks like window shopping, browsing the menus of local restaurants or even house hunting can all be done with a little rubber on your feet, a bounce in your step and a friend at your side.

So, the next time that a friend wants to meet up, throw out the idea of exploring the city and catching up on a little run, then going to grab a bite to eat (you gotta eat sometime!). Plus, there is a 45-minute window after a workout when you can refuel your body’s muscles and tissues and prevent soreness. In other words, running not only offers you a way to stay in shape, but it offers a social outlet and allows you to feel good about your fish tacos and beer!

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A little about me:  My name is Lanier Thompson and I will be posting mainly about nutrition and food as it pertains to exercise and running.   Recipes, cooking (and eating) ideas, and hydration tips specifically for runners will all be  included. I will be focused on easy and great-tasting recipes, mainly because that’s what I like! Please post any comments or questions that you might have about food and nutrition. Happy running and eating!

All runners are different.  Some runners concentrate on speed and exact distances while others may focus on building a base by running long distances, with little emphasis on the pace.  Some runners constantly have a scowl on their face while others prefer to smile and waive at the other runners they pass.  I am a waiver, but on my faster paced runs waiving can be difficult.  So I thought about how could express myself when I am on these kind of runs.  I decided that since upper body running gear may be almost any type of clothing that I should use T-shirts to express myself while I run.  After doing some extensive research, here are some of my favorite shirts quotes I found:

“Stop playing with your balls, run.” -contains a picture of a football, basketball, and baseball

“You wouldn’t like me if I didn’t run.”

“Runner’s don’t get rained out, they get rained on.”

“I run like a girl, just try to keep up with me.”

“Never knock on Death’s door…ring the bell and run, he hates that.”

“If I didn’t run I’d feel like you do.”

“In my mind I’m Kenyan.”

“While running is it rude to count the number of people you pass out loud?”

“If I don’t get a Runner’s High, there’s always a plan B.” -with a picture of a draft beer

So express yourself while you run no matter what your mood is.  If you want to express how Serious you are about running, then please go to http://www.cafepress.com/bluesprucev.345056788#.  There are some pretty seriousrunning.com shirts available.

He runs past churches, schools, taverns and grocery stores. Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) is running his campaign for governor of New Jersey; literally. Merkt runs through the town’s residential areas and downtowns to show the voters that he is working hard for them. To me running does not necessarily signify working hard, but rather shows a mental toughness that everyone should posses, especially our politicians. Merkt says, “I want to show people I’m hungry for the nomination.” I guess running is a better way to show your hunger than a pie eating contest or something else similar. Merkt has run in over 300 towns and 21 counties in the state. His goal is to run in every one of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities before next year’s primary.

Merkt obviously isn’t doing it to lose weight, he has only lost 4 pounds since he started!  So I started thinking about different causes people run for.  There are a plethora of road races that benefit different organizations.  What gets us out there running for a cause?  Throughout time there have been numerous people who have run long distances for social reasons.  What motivates these people?  Why is running the vehicle they chose to promote their beliefs?  I imagine it is two fold, running signifies staminia, a will to push yourself and always strive to go farther and faster, but I think more importantly it gives us time to think and process information.  I can see why this would be important in a mayoral race and I also think it is important for our everyday lives.  So whatever you believe in, keep running for it!

Apparently Footlocker faces another lawsuit for their gift cards. The suit was filed in California and charged that Foot Locker illegally sold pre-paid gift cards that are not redeemable below $10. If you received or gave a gift card from Foot Locker this past Christmas and were not able to redeem the full value past $10 you may be entitled to the remaining balance. The court documents said, “…as a result of this deception, defendants have been able to sell more gift cards and products, which constitutes unjust revenue and profits.” Either way, unless you know exactly what type of running shoe you want, Foot Locker probably will not be you best option to give you the information you may need to find the right running shoe for you.

I suggest going to a local shoe store that specializes in running shoes. They can give you a lot of tips and often let you try out the shoes before purchasing. Everyone’s running style is different so just because the shoe fits does not mean you have to wear it! If you don’t have a running shoe store near you, you can check out all the shoe reviews on this site. Otherwise you will have to base the value of running shoes based solely on price and no one wants to do that!

Cold weather running can be a motivation killer.  Don’t let it be.  Look at it as a more extreme run.  There’s no better feeling than when people see you out running and say, “Look at that guy/girl running in this!”  Weather can turn a normal run into an extreme run, but there are still things you should do to mitigate the elements.

One thing you can do is vary the time of your run.  When it is cold out I suggest running during midday.  It’s a great way to push away from your desk, get outside, de-stress about the day, and think about what you still need to accomplish.  I do suggest showering before returning to work.  Don’t be that extreme.  Try to eat a small snack about an hour or two to get the most out of your run.  It’s a great way to break up the day.

When it is really cold outside I try to get the best work-out I can while being outside for the least amount of time possible.  Try running 400-800m intervals but make sure you stretch to prevent pulling a muscle in the cold weather.  Or you can try running up hills.  It’s a great way to keep your body warm while building your legs and lung capacity.

Lastly, make sure you are wearing the proper clothing for the weather.  You should be a slight bit cold when you first step outside because you will get warmer as you start your run.  Make sure you wear plenty of layers of thin clothing.  Try to wear a technical shirt as a base layer that “wicks” away or carries your sweat away from your body.  For your outer layers, try to wear a jacket with zippers so you can adjust accordingly during your run.

My sister-in-law suggests running on a treadmill.  My 65 year old mother suggests running inside your house.  I suggest you stop being lame, get serious, and get outside!

On my runs I notice that most runners prefer to listen to music while running.  I have noticed that it is not confined to only a certain group of runners.  I have seen old people, stroller pushing people, track sprinters, and even someone carrying a CD Man (that’s serious).  As a thinker and a non-music listening runner I began to think about these people and wondered what they were listening too and why do so many people run to music?

Research has confirmed the benefits of exercising to upbeat music. In a study by Porcai and colleagues, presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, volunteers listened to music of various tempos while they worked out on stationary bicycles. The researchers found that the cyclists’ pedaling speed increased as the music tempo increased. Their heart rates and power outputs also varied (Porcai, J. “Effects of Music Tempo on Spontaneous Cycling Performance”, Meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Kansas City, Usa/Missouri, October 16-19, 2003)

Len Kravitz, (not to be confused with Mr. Lenny Kravitz who I do suggest you listen to while exercising) an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at the University of New Mexico, in an article on the university’s website, cited a survey of 70 college students enrolled in an aerobic dance class. (Gfeller, K. – 1988 – Musical components and styles preferred by young adults for aerobic fitness activities. Journal of Music Therapy, 25, 28-43). In his summary he states, “97% of the students felt (perceived influence) that the music affected their performance during aerobic activity. Respondents identified the following factors that influenced their aerobic performance: music style (97%), rhythm/beat (94%), tempo (96%), lyrics (77%), volume (66%), mood (37%), and melody (17%). The results of this study support previous research that indicates that music benefits students from a motivational standpoint” (Nelson, D. O., & Finch, L. W. – 1963 – Effects of audio-analgesia on gross motor performance involving acute fatigue. Research Quarterly, 33, 588-592).

While I usually do not listen to music on my runs, I have experienced the benefits of running to a cadence from my four years of service in the United States Army.  Runners that do not have the benefit of someone yelling a beat at them can find music as a pace setter.  It is important to find the songs that have the right BPM (beats per minute) for your pace.  To figure out your BPM go on a run with a playlist of varying paced music and pay attention to what songs are the most comfortable to you.  Once you have established your BPM, add similar songs to your run list.  There are a couple of websites available that categorize songs by BPM and even sell mixed CDs and digital music.   Apple Computer, Inc. is also getting serious about music-paced running. They have partnered with Nike to form Nike+iPod and to market the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. A sensor in the Nikeplus running shoes tells the runner how far he/she has run and how fast. All of the data can be synched, stored, and displayed on the iPod and the nikeplus.com website. They also have posted “Nike Sport Music” on the iTunes Music Store. While not specifically selected for music-paced running, the playlists are designed to motivate the runner. And there is more. Apple has applied for a patent for an iPod program that will vary the tempo of iTunes songs to match the runner’s cadence. It will also allow the runner to select a song with a tempo that already fits her or his pace.