Slow Fat Runners

The Running Times reports that the number of women finishing road races in the USA exceeds the number of men. Here's what the trends are for marathon and half marathon events:

US Road Race Finishers

1990 25% Female
1995 32% Female
2010 53.3% Female

US Marathon Finishers
1980 10% Female
1995 26% Female
2010 41% Female

US Half Marathon Finishers
1995 32% Female
2010 59%Female

I  bit the  bullet and registered for the Distance Challenge. Am I nuts? 5 events, starting with a 10K this weekend, and culminating in a full marathon in February. The thought of this has me extremely anxious, yet, I know I can finish it.

deep breath...

UPDATE: 2010-2011 DC done, jacket earned and DC 2011-2012 underway, this time with my daughter!

After a long run, you'll want to do some gentle stretches, even take an ice bath, to help your muscles repair and recover. A couple of hours after your workout, self-massage is also helpful. There are a lot of "tools" available on the market. Some folks opt for a tennis ball to get the kinks out of their muscles. However, these are my favorite self-therapy post-workout tools:

Foam roller

My Personal Trainer/Coach has me roll out sore muscles after putting me through an intense workout at the gym. This is much less painful than having my sports therapist work on me with what I call his tools of torture (that include his elbow pressed into pain points). There are a couple of different types of foam roller. Mine is a high density full round much like the Altus Athletic 6-Inch by 24-Inch Foam Roller.

The Stick

When some of my more experienced running buddies first showed me The Stick, I thought they were out of their minds. Then, our team physical therapist suggested it, and I mustered up the courage to try one at an Expo. Now I carry a travel size one in my gear bag so that I can have it at the ready after a hill workout or other hard run. It's also nice after a swim or bike workout to deal with any cramping in my calves.

THE STICK MARATHON STICK BODY MUSCLE MASSAGER SG-2000

Participation in distance events has exploded over the past decade or so, as people are becoming more health conscious and physically active. There is nothing as exhilarating as having completed your first race, regardless how slowly you think you've done it. When there's a medal to be earned at the finish line, that's even more exciting. Distance and endurance events aren't for everyone; but the half marathon is the fastest growing event in the U.S. over the last 10 years.

Distance events have gained popularity among women, in particular, as a way to lose weight, deal with stress, or support a favorite cause. You may have decided to train for your first 5K, or your friend has talked you into doing a half marathon in 6 months.

As you lace up your shoes to embark upon your new athletic journey, avoid these newbie mistakes: