After all, an aerobic workout can increase your metabolism by 7 to 10 times above the resting level. This means, if you were to exercise hard for an hour and dissipate no heat, you could raise your body temperature from 98.6° to 140° F. (You’d cook yourself in the process!) In the summer, your body sweats heavily to dissipate this heat. But in the winter, the warmth helps you survive in a cold environment. Runners can enjoy a tropical environment in their running suit within minutes of starting exercise.

Because food provides the fuel needed to generate this heat, the right sports diet is particularly important for skiers, skaters, runners and other athletes who are exposed to extreme cold. The following article addresses some common questions and concerns about winter and nutrition and offers tips to help you enjoy the season.

For safety sake, winter athletes should always carry with them some source of fuel in case of an unexpected slip on the ice or other incident that leaves them static in a frigid environment. Winter campers, for example, commonly keep a supply of dried fruit, chocolate or cookies near by for fuel if they wake up cold in the middle of the night. You want to have an emergency energy bar tucked in your pocket, just in case…

Why do I feel hungrier in the winter than in the summer?
A drop in body temperature stimulates the appetite and you experience hunger. Hence, if you become chilled during winter exercise (or when swimming, for that matter), you’ll likely find yourself searching for food. Eating “stokes the furnace,” generates heat, and helps warm your body.
Food’s overall warming effect is known as thermo genesis (that is, “heat making”). Thirty to sixty minutes after you eat, your body generates about 10% more heat than when you have an empty stomach. This increased metabolism stems primarily from energy released during digestion. Hence, eating not only provides fuel but also increases heat production, warmth.

Do I burn more calories when I exercise in the cold?
Cold weather itself does not increase calorie needs. You don’t burn extra calories unless your body temperature drops and you start to shiver. (And remember: the weather can actually be tropical inside your exercise outfit.) Your body does use a considerable amount of energy to warm and humidify the air you breathe when you exercise in the cold. For example, if you were to burn 600 calories while cross-country skiing for an hour in 0° F weather, you may use about 23 percent of those calories to warm the inspired air. In summer, you would have dissipated this heat via sweat. In winter, you sweat less.
If you are wearing heavy clothes, you will burn a few more calories to carry the extra weight of skis, boots, heavy parka, snow shoes. The Army allows 10% more calories for the heavily clad troops who exercise in the cold. But the weight of extra clothing on, let’s say, winter runners is generally minimal…

Why do I find myself shivering when I get cold?
Shivering is involuntary muscle tensing that generates heat and offers a warming effect. When you first become slightly chilled (such as when watching a football game), you’ll find youself doing an isometric type of muscle tensing that can increase your metabolic rate two to four times. As you get further chilled, you’ll find yourself hopping from foot to foot and jumping around. This is Nature’s way to get you to generate heat and warm your body. If you become so cold that you start to shiver, these vigorous muscular contractions generate lots of heat–perhaps 400 calories per hour. Such intense shivering quickly depletes your muscle glycogen stores and drains your energy. This is when you’ll be glad you have some emergency food in your pocket!

What’s a big nutritional mistake made by winter athletes?
Failing to drink enough fluids is a major problem among winter athletes-hockey players, skiers, runners and winter hikers alike. Cold blunts the thirst mechanism; you’ll feel less thirsty despite significant sweat loss (if you overdress), to say nothing of respiratory fluid loss. That is, winter athletes need to consciously consume fluids to replace the water that gets lost via breathing. When you breath in cold dry air, your body warms and humidifies that air. As you exhale, you lose significant amounts of water.
Some winter athletes purposefully skimp on fluids because urinating can be problematic-too much hassle to shed layers of clothing (ski suit, hockey gear, snow pants, etc.) Yet, dehydration hurts performance and is one cause of failed mountaineering adventures.

What’s best to eat to warm myself up?
If you become chilled by the winter weather, as can easily happen if you-
–wear sweaty, wet clothing that drains body heat,
–fail to wear a hat (30 to 40% of body heat can get lost through the head), or
–drink icy water (from a water bottle kept on your bike or outside pocket of your back pack when winter hiking),
the best way to warm yourself up is to consume warm carbohydrates-hot cocoa, mulled cider, and steaming soup, as well as oatmeal, chilli, and pasta. The warm food, added to the thermogenic effect of eating, contributes to rapid recovery.
In comparison, cold foods and fluids chill your body. Research subjects who ate a big bowl of ice cream in five minutes experienced a drop in fingertip temperature of 2° F in the first five minutes, 5° in 15 minutes. In summer, this cooling effect is desirable, but in winter, hot foods are the better way to warm yourself. Bring out the thermos of soup!

Why do I gain weight in the winter?
Some people eat more because they are bored and less active. Instead of playing tennis, they are eating mindlessly in front of the TV. For others, the change of seasons has a marked affect upon their mood (known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD). Changes in brain chemicals increase carbohydrate cravings and the desire to eat more. Holiday temptations also contribute to weight gain. A study of 195 people indicates they gained on average 0.8 pounds in the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. Overweight and obese people gained even more, with about 14% of the group gaining more than five pounds. The problem is, very few of the subjects lost those holiday pounds. Hence, yearly holiday weight gain becomes a major contributor to America’s obesity problem … that’s eight pounds in ten years.

One weight management solution is to stay active in the winter. By investing in proper clothing, you’ll be able to stay warm from head to toe. You’ll benefit from not only being able to enjoy exercise but also from sunlight-a good way to battle winter depression (and attempts to cheer yourself up with food). Winter exercise is an asset for managing heath, weight and the winter blues. The tricks are to dress right, fuel well, prevent dehydration — and you’ll stay warm!

Q. Help! I don’t feel like I’m making progress
A. If you’re new to running, we’d call going from doing no regular exercise to doing a run-walk programme pretty good progress. Don’t measure yourself against other people – if you’re running or walking further, more often, more quickly or more easily, you’re making progress. Improvements come in stepsQ.

Help! I have aches and pains
A. Feeling a bit achy after running isn’t uncommon. Minimize it by starting and finishing each run with a few minutes of gentle jogging or walking, and do some stretching when you finish your session. If your ache turns into a pain then you may need to ease up, or take a few days off running.

Q. How fast could I (should I?) go?
A. Most beginners’ goal is simply to finish the race with a smile on their face. but if you need to calculate a goal in your training programme, break it down per kilometre and set your watch.

Simply look for a distance you have ran and the time you have made, then work backwards your average pace.

Well if you hadn’t notice, one of the largest half marathons in the world was run this weekend. The Great north run this year was in its 29^th year. It ran with 42,000 runners and nearly 5 years ago I was lucky to be part of the 55,000 competitors who started when it broke the world record for most number of people in a race. So the question is what drives people on to run these events, well some do it to raise money for charities, some do it for fitness and losing weight, some do it in honor of loved ones they have lost, but most do it for the camaraderie that an event like this creates.

I remember been stood on the start line on a lovely autumnal morning. It was hot weather for England 15 degrees and no rain, which was a nice change from running through muddy forests with rain running down my back. I was doing it for My mums charity, they helped the old people from around our area who couldn’t get out of their houses by buying a mini bus and picking them up and taking them once a week to a local centre so they could meet people and sing songs, even celebrate Christmas as some were completely alone. As there old mini bus was getting old and falling apart, I thought I would try and help them by raising money for a new one and had accumulated over £2000 towards them buying a new mini bus. So I stood there with a good feeling, but the thing is I find it hard to explain what it was like stood there. I was nervous, but with excitement, this was about my 6^th half Marathon, so I was no virgin to this distance and new I could make it to the end. As the swell of people came into the paddock next to me, it was this nervous excitement which had people randomly walking up to you and saying hello, chatting about where they had come from and how much they had or hadn’t trained for the race.

When the gun went everyone was slowly jogging off together, no one was really bothered about the time as we all had chips on and new we would eventually get to the start. The music was booming all around me and me and my friends from the Leeds Dragons were chatting away about how it was going to be and talking about how they were going to celebrate after, mine was obvious as I had made a self imposed ban on fish and chips for over 6 weeks, so had already worked out where I was getting them from.

As the run progressed it was a bit stop start as the people who thought they were good started to puff and pant around me and started walking after 3 miles. This was a little annoying, but I kept telling myself I was here for charity and not for a time. Around the half way stage I suddenly realized the temperature was getting much hotter than earlier and when I noticed a temperature sign it read 23 degrees. It had become very hot over a short time and was rising. Suddenly I noticed that every mile of the course was lined with people and they even was handing people drinks and sweets to help them run. The locals was also out with their hose pipes showering people when they went past, it was great relief.

As the last few kilometers came, it was now baking hot and I slowed to a walk, ‘come on son’, shouted this voice. I looked round and it came from this man dressed as a bumble bee! He looked roasted thought the little air hole he had. This inspired me to push on and as I came up to the last 2 kilometers I suddenly felt I had energy again, so I made a last spurt and crossed over the line in 2 hours 20 minutes.

This was one of my slower times, but all my club colleagues came up and gave me a hug at the end and it was a near tear moment for me as I felt a huge amount of feeling lift up from me.

So I got my fish and chips, Mum’s charity got their new mini bus and I felt good about myself.

This is the same camaraderie I would like to have with our club in Basel and I know we can all have it. We just need to work together more in all aspects as a team and then we will go on from strength to strength in our friendship and in our private lives, in and away from the club.

Keep on running

Martin

Cut out saturated fats

They do nothing for you, so avoid them completely. These are fats found in greasy foods, crisps, chocolates, pastry…

Reduce late carbs

Make it a strict rule not to have any of the following after 5 p.m.

• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Rice
• Bread
• Fruit

Cut out junk/fast foods

Yes they are convenient but they contain nothing but rubbish. They are ladened full of saturated fat and unhealthy ingredients. Eat crap and your body will look like crap. Why do you think so many people have such deep-rooted fat like cellulite? Stay away from junk food. If you see a fast food place, avoid it. Go to a sandwich shop instead and get a sandwich.

Eat only when hungry

This is really important. Why on earth are we eating constantly? When was the last time you let your body experience that hungry feeling? There is nothing wrong with having an empty stomach for a few hours. Get used to it. Eat only when you feel hungry.

Eat smaller meals

Don’t eat what is put on your plate for you. Fill the plate up only as much as you can eat without stuffing yourself. Eat more frequently but eat smaller portions. This is a good way of speeding your metabolism up.

Drink water

Yes you have heard it a million times. What do you think shifts the fat out of your body? Drink water throughout the day, every day. You must drink at least 2-3 litres a day, more if you are sweating or trying to lose fat.

Make CV a integral part of your every day life

Try and do 45+ minutes, 3-4 times a week on either the stationary bike, rower, stepper or go out fast walking. CV is the only guaranteed way of getting rid of the fat which you already posses.

Eat fibre

It is amazing to see just how many people are constipated. Why? It’s not rocket science you know! If you don’t exercise and you don’t eat fibre, chances are you will be constipated. Fibre ensures a healthy intestinal tract, less toxins and less fat. Eating fibre reduces food passage time and can aid fat loss. If you are confused, then get a packet of prunes and have some during the day.

Drink green tea

The wonder drink for relaxation and fat loss. They drink it in the Orient and you can’t deny that they are slimmer than most others.

Shop only on a full stomach

The classic mistake people make is to go shopping on an empty stomach. All that happens is you end up buying sugary foods to satisfy your hunger. Always always go shopping after you have eaten. You will amazed at just how wise you will be in your choices!

Get more active

Every little bit helps. Stay active. Use the stairs instead of the lift. Walk to the station instead of driving. Go out during your breaks. Make sure you are suing calories at every available opportunity. Remember, winning starts with beginning.

Drink caffeine

Caffeine is without a doubt a good fatburner. A cup of coffee in the morning followed by a cup of grapefruit juice (yeah it sounds disgusting!) can be a very good start to your fat-burning day.

Don’t get stressed – relax!

People who are too desperate to lose fat, usually put their progress back. Stress means the release of cortisol which destroys muscle and stores fat! So don’t get stressed and try to find ways of relaxing.

Lose the “fat” not “weight”!

Don’t get obsessed with the scales. How much you “weigh” is not the issue here. Your weight consists of fat, muscle, bones etc. It is how much “fat” you have which is important. Throw your scales out and make sure the mirror is your guide. How much you “weight” has NOTHING to do with how much fat you have.

Do weight training

Weight training builds muscle tissue. Muscle tissue ensures a steady fat-burning furnace is operating in your body. Don’t neglect bodyparts like the legs, which can burn a great deal of body fat.

Be persistent

Fat doesn’t appear overnight and it most certainly doesn’t disappear overnight. Be persistent and stick to it. The body is not a mystery. Start, stick to it and you will succeed.

Please click into the category:training session header tab in the above to view.

16 Week First Marathon Training Schedule

16 week, 3.5 hours finish, Marathon Training Schedule

Ten reasons you should start running!

Basel Dragons have everyone from Beginners to elite runners and tri-athletes training with us. Here is 10 reasons why you should join us and run.

1, Running is easy to learn.

2. Running s the quickest way to get cardiovascular fitness.

3. Running makes you feel good mentally and physically.

4. Running is one of the best ways of reducing stress.

5. Running is the most flexible way of training your body.

6. Running is good for your heart and helps you be able to run after your kids and not be tired running for that tram.

7 Running and fitness makes you better in bed. * Ask the coaches for more details )

8. Running is the cheapest forms of exercise.

9. Running with a group not only helps motivate yourself to run further and harder, but helps create unbeatable bonds with other like minded people.

10. Running can be not only motivational, but bring great personal satisfaction.

We can help you get your goals, join us!

The 6 bridges run, 10.3 km flat

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/switzerland/basle/133123755649375339

Rhine round 9.8 k river and town route

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/switzerland/basel/283629

Marks Lange Erlan run 8.5k route along the birs

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/switzerland/basel/347079730

Beginners inner city 3k route

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/switzerland/basel/263677145

Marks Water tower and Brudderholz run, 7.16 km

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/switzerland/basel/271422281

Beginners 4K rhine route

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/ch/basel/261124593579766675

Oskars Kraftwerk run 6.8K

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/ch/basel/141124767447932383

Oskars Wettsteine/Rankhof run 6.14K

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/ch/basel/450124767549765404

A supportive sports bra is one of the most important pieces of running kit a female runner can buy – here’s all the advice you need to find the perfect fit

According to the latest research carried out by the Shock Absorber Sports Institute (SASI) at Portsmouth University, 9.5 million women in the UK are not supporting their breasts properly. Could you be one of them?

Read on to discover how you can protect your assets by investing in proper support.

Why wear a sports bra?

The average breast weighs between 250 and 300g, and any unsupported movement – such as running – causes three-dimensional movement: up-down, in-out, and side-to-side.

This can result in discomfort, chafing and strain on the breasts’ supportive tissue – the Coopers ligaments – which in turn can eventually lead to sagging.

In fact, the SASI research also shows that on average, a woman’s breast moves 9.08cm with every stride when running.

What’s my size?

“There’s no magic formula to finding out which bra size will fit you best,” says Shock Absorber’s Julia Nolan. If you have never worn a sports bra before, start with your usual bra size but be open to trying on different sizes before you find the perfect fit.

“First of all, ensure that the back band is at the same level all the way round. If it rides up, then it’s too big,” suggests Nolan. Your sports bra should fit snugly, but not be so tight that you can’t breathe.

“You should be able to get no more than one finger under the band or in the cup, and the material should not pucker at all,” says Selaine Messem, founder of online sports bra shop, Less Bounce.

Encapsulation bras have two cups like a normal bra, but with extra support. Compression bras, on the other hand, press your breasts against your chest, and are usually pulled on over your head. If you’re opting for the former style, then make sure the centre piece lies flat against the breastbone.

What shape of bra best suits my breasts?

Trial and error is the best way to discover which brand, model and size fits your breasts best. Most retailers should be able to suggest a selection of bras that, based on your body shape and level of activity, will suit you best.

If you’re shy about having a fitting in person, then online retailers such as Less Bounce provide knowledgeable customer support and a freepost returns if you’re not happy.

Don’t forget though, that the shape of your bra will have an impact on how effective it is in reducing movement while running. “As with running shoes, many women stick with the same model of bra once they’ve found the one that works best for them,” says Messem.

What level of support do I need?

Different bras offer different levels of support. The type you need will depend on your cup size and the type of exercise you do.

Low-impact sports bras, used for stretching or walking, are often cut like a crop-top and are, on the whole, made from thinner material. High-impact bras (for running) generally use less stretchy material, include supportive seams and overlays and are sometimes even underwired.

Running causes a large amount of breast movement compared with many other sports. “The level of support required does vary according to bra size, but whatever size you are we would recommend opting for maximum support,” says Messem.

I’m smaller-/larger-chested than average, what options do I have?

Smaller-chested women may feel most comfortable wearing a compression sports bra. However, warns Messem, there is research to suggest that a properly structured encapsulation bra – which cups each breast individually – is more likely to give good support than a compression bra.

For larger cup sizes, encapsulating sports bras are definitely recommended; although some bras offer a combination of both encapsulation and compression.

What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

During pregnancy or when breastfeeding you will need the maximum support available. In addition, your bust size will change throughout your pregnancy, so consider buying an adjustable bra to avoid frequent replacements.

Some women find that wearing a crop top over a sports bra is the only way to stay comfortable when running during pregnancy.

Why has my sports bra started to chafe?

Sports bras usually start to chafe when the elastic has begun to age. It can also occur more frequently on longer-distance runs – this is because of the increased movement of the bra against the skin, due to perspiration.

“One solution is to tighten the rear-fastening by one notch before setting off,” suggests Messem. “This can also be a solution if you’ve recently started running (or increased your training) and have lost weight.”   

Like running shoes, a new sports bra will also need be worn in, so to avoid any unexpected problems, best not to wear a new bra on race day!

How long does a sports bra last?

“After 30-40 washes most sports bras need replacing. As a rule of thumb you will need three new bras for every one pair of running shoes,” says Messem.

The technical fabric of your sports bra will wear in the washing cycle, and its elasticity will diminish during use. Try not to tumble dry your bra either: the heat will destroy the fabric on your bra and reduce its life

Take the ‘talk test’ always run at a relaxed and comfortable pace. This isn’t the Olympics – it’s a lifelong fitness quest. To check your effort level, start a conversation with your training partner. You should be able to speak without gasping or feeling out of breath. If you can’t, then slow down.

Go farther, not harder Once you reach the magic 20-minute mark, build up to 30 minutes (then 40, 50 and 60). Don’t make the mistake of trying to get faster – don’t try to run your 20-minute course in 19 minutes. Increasing endurance is your first priority.
Dont look at a watch or even wear one at first as you only compare yourself to your last run. This can be totally demoralizing and the biggest achievement is you are out there in the first place.

Be a tortoise, not a hare I don’t have to re-tell the old children’s story here. Running works just like the tortoise-and-hare race. It rewards the patient with weight loss, steady progress, less stress, more energy and a host of health benefits and penalizes the overeager with injuries, burnout and the like. This isn’t a sport for sprinters. Be slow, not sorry.

Don’t compare yourself with anyone else There must be a billion runners out there, so don’t feel bad if you see someone who’s faster, thinner or smoother-striding. Running is your activity – make it work for you, and don’t worry about anyone else and enjoy it and feel good about what you are achieving.

One last point, run as a group It’s good to start with other people going through the same thing as you and come and join us for a run on Thursday after work at 18.30, see the calendar.