Category Archives: Training

The March Madness Run: 20 Miles by Philly’s College Basketball Arenas

The marathon training schedule said it was time for a 20 mile run.  Sure, I could have done something simple, such as run the Kelly Drive loop and add in a trip to and from Manayunk.  You can do that anytime, though.

It’s March, which means that it’s one of my favorite times of the year with the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Philadelphia has a storied tradition of college basketball, particularly with its six Division I programs in the city or just outside of it (counting Villanova).

So, in honor of March Madness, here’s pictures from today’s 20 mile run by the five Division I college basketball arenas within city limits. I could have also continued onwards for another 6 miles to the Wells Fargo Center, where Villanova plays some of its games, but since Villanova didn’t really show up at the end of the season, I didn’t feel the need to show up there at the end of my run either.

Continue reading →

Cross-training by Snowboarding/Skiing

SnowboardingVirtually all marathon/long distance race training programs incorporate some cross-training aspect to weekly workouts.  These cross-training workout provide a change of pace and help prevent running burnout and soreness from pounding the pavement, while still providing a cardio workout.  Typical recommended crosst-raining workouts include cycling, elliptical machine, swimming and so forth.

In the winter, however, it’s often difficult to go cycling or swimming, and not everyone has access to a gym.  What about activities completely appropriate for the cold weather: skiing or snowboarding?  Turns out that they can provide a pretty good workout.  Someone from 140-155 lbs can burn about 400 calories in an hour while skiing or snowbaording.  This amount compares favorably to calroies burned in other activities such as light swimming and light cycling.

Of course, t’s not certain if the skiing/snowboarding calorie calculation factors in the necessary waiting one has to do in the ski lift lines and climbing on the ski lifts.  Given a crowded day on the slopes, you may only get a few runs in per hour. . .