Tips for exercising in winter

There are many benefits to exercising in the cold. You use more energy in winter, which means you burn more kilojoules and as you're burning more energy, you sleep better at night. In addition, regular exercise is also one of the best ways to boost your immune system and fend off wintertime colds and other illnesses.

But there are a few things to be aware of when you're exercising in the cold:

• Warm-up! It is important to warm up at any time before exercise, but it is particularly important during the colder months, as the body's temperature is generally a little lower and the joints take a little bit longer to warm up properly.
  
• Stretch! Stretching is really important in the winter months as it's easier to cramp up or pull a cold muscle.
  
• Moisturise. The colder air and dry your skin so remember to use a moisturiser on your lips, face, hands etc. 
• Hydrate! A lot of people forget the importance of water during the colder months. So make sure that you drink plenty of water as it is easy to become dehydrated during the cold months.
• Whenever exercise is stopped or paused for any longer than a couple of minutes, take off any wet clothes as soon as possible and put on a jacket and tracksuit pants to avoid getting a chill.

Commencement of training for the Ross Marathon

The Ross marathon is 56 days away. I have decided to do weekly vlogs to show other beginner runners what is involved in training for a marathon. I welcome you to follow me on this 7 week journey of training for the Ross Marathons. Follow me on myfacebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ki​msgym1

The completion of the gold coast airport marathon

A summary of my experiences training for and running the Gold coast Airport marathon

Week 13 of 14. Marathon Training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2011. Weekly Vlog.

Last week of my training program for the GC marathon. How time flys! Its been a hard 13 weeks but I feel fit and strong and ready to run on Sunday the 3rd of July....Bring it on!!

Week 12 of 14. Marathon training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. Weekly Vlog. Week 12 of 14

I'm into week 12 of my 14 week training program for the Gold Coast Marathon. This week has been a hard week as I've been physically exhausted all week being in bed by 9am most nights. I'm sure all this hard work is worth is, but I'm getting really, really nervous about the big day and hoping that my body is ready for the big challenge in two weeks time.

Week 11 of 14 Marathon Training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2011. Weekly Vlog.

Wow! I've just completed week 11 of my 14 week training program for the Gold Coast Airport marathon. I was sore after my long run last week so it was a slow start to the week, but I felt good during and after my long run this week. Less than 3 weeks to go...I'm getting pretty excited about the big race and looking forward to running in the big crowd.

Aimee Mullins - a true inspiration.

Aimee Mullins was born without fibulae in both legs. Her medical prognosis was bleak; she was to spend the rest of her life using a wheelchair. In an attempt for a chance at independent mobility, on her first birthday doctors amputated both her legs below the knee. By age two, it was evident that the decision had paid off as Aimee had learned to walk on prosthetic legs, and spent her childhood doing the usual activities alongside her "able-bodied" peers.
 

Graduating high school with honors and at the age of 17, Aimee was one of three students in the US chosen for a full academic scholarship from the Department of Defense. Aimee worked at the Pentagon in her summer breaks as an intelligence analyst.

It was during this time that Aimee rediscovered her love of competitive sports. While a dean's list student at the prestigious School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Aimee set her sights on making the US Team for the 1996 Atlanta Games. Aimee enlisted the expertise of one of the America's most respected track coaches Frank Gagliano and through this partnership, she became the first woman with a "disability" to compete in the NCAA, doing so on Georgetown's nationally-ranked Division I track team. Aimee was outfitted with carbon-fiber prostheses that were modeled after the hind legs of a cheetah and she went on to set World Records in the 100 meter, the 200 meter, and the long jump.

In 1999, Aimee made her runway debut in London at the invitation of one of the world's most celebrated fashion designers, Alexander McQueen. Walking alongside the supermodels of the world, Aimee's groundbreaking, triumphant turn captured the attention of the fashion media, propelling her onto the magazine covers of ID and Dazed and Confused. After making her mark in the fashion magazine standards of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W, Glamour, and Elle, she was also named as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World."

http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity.html