Good Time to Try Snowshoeing

With all the white stuff piling up in the eastern third of the country, this weekend is a prime time to try snowshoeing. Rentals are easy to find and are inexpensive. Best of all, the snowshoe learning curve is basically non-existant--clumsy folks need not worry. No wonder the activity tops the "Fastest Growing Sports" lists.

According to Snowsports Industries America, snowshoeing burns an average of more than 600 calories per hour. Even more impressive for those looking to maximize their workout, snowshoeing burns 45% more calories than walking or running at the same speed.

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Different Bike Workout - No pedal straps

Finding a computerized bike in a hotel gym without pedal straps is a pet peeve. Any bike provider--health club, hotel, community center, etc.--should offer working straps attached to both pedals.

BUT, if you ride a stationary bike often and want to spice up your pedaling a bit, try removing the plastic straps and go through your entire workout strapless. You will notice that your toes, ankles and calves, must work a little harder on the upsweep and your quads must push a little more on the down.

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Only One 20-Mile Long Run is Enough for Marathon Training

Our good friend, Carolyn Day, recently sent a concerned email regarding her marathon training. She was due to compete in the New York Marathon in 5 weeks, had gone on "only one 20-mile training run", and had a significant amount of business travel upcoming that would make a second 20-miler difficult to accomplish. Apparently, the training plan she was following (a popular training schedule used by many runners) prescribed and highly recommended two, 20-mile training runs prior to race day.

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Helpful Tips for your First Time at Bikram Yoga

My wife is an every day Bikram Yoga junkie. I prefer other forms of exercise and sweat, but after attending a half-dozen or so Bikram classes over the past 5 years, I feel qualified to pass along a beginner's perspective of what to expect, what to do, and what not to do at your first Bikram Yoga class: (*Click HERE to view all the cities we cover)

1) What to Bring and What Not?

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San Diegos Best Runs

I'm always amazed at the number of local San Diegan runners who have never heard of or experienced some of San Diego's best run routes. For example, my good friend David Smotrich, M.D., logs hundreds of miles each year in prep for the New York Marathon and yet he still hasn't trained once on the Lake Hodges Trail--San Diego County's best jogging trail in my opinion. I like variety in my training and have run throughout the county.

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Sweating It Out in Sisters

As I mentioned in my last blog, the tiny town of Sisters, Oregon (pop. 3,000) is a semi-annual destination for my wife, daughter and me. In-laws live just outside the quaint and friendly "Old West" town (and for a sports connection, Sisters is the present home of Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Fouts too).

Until a few years ago, the town of Sisters had no health club, making frigid winter workouts a bit more challenging--the area is blessed with unbelievable trails, mountains and roads that are wonderful to explore on foot, bike, etc.

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Cycling Camradarie

This morning I set out on the Saturday morning Swami's ride --a 40-mile loop that heads east into rural San Diego County. Thanks to the Swamis Cycling Club team members and the customer-friendly new ownership at Nytro bike shop, this ride has become one of the most popular for local two-wheelers.

During the warm-up (first 10 miles), I struck up a conversation with a guy I had never met before. A typical conversation ensued--his name is Anthony, he works for SAP, a San Diegan for 20 years after moving from NJ, etc.

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Now THAT is an Athletic-Minded Hotel!!

Marriott Hotels is partnering with Leisure Sports Inc. (a northern California health club operator and development firm) in the roll-out of a new hotel concept branded Renaissance ClubSport.

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Stop the Yoga Mat Stink

Here at Athletic-Minded Traveler, we fully support the pursuit of hot, sweaty yoga as a means to enhance your overall wellbeing.  As Hot Yoga enthusiasts we measure our efforts not in numbers or with medals, but with how much sweat we can wring from our towels at the end of class. The bigger the puddle, the greater our efforts. And as Erin recently blogged, No Pain, No Gain.

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Start of the Season Workouts

March typically brings a bit warmer temps and, thanks to the earlier time change this year, another hour of daylight. As run, swim, bike and other races begin to show up on the calendar (St. Patty's Day is usually good for a few), we athletic-minded types start to exercise in earnest, again.

Visit AthleticMindedTraveler.com NOW!

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