Know Your Potential

If you’re training on your own, it’s important you be able to honestly assess your ability and potential. If you haven’t run a mile since high school, maybe consider running a half marathon to get a feel for marathon running before training for a full marathon. Whatever it is you decide to do, make sure you get approval from your physician. The most important thing is safety, and while you should be pushing yourself, keep your expectations realistic.

Start Training Early

26.2 miles is a long run, and to complete the entire marathon comfortably and safely, you should start training as soon as possible. Most training schedules for beginners start at 20 weeks, but they require that you be able to run 6 miles with ease before starting. So the sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be!

Keep a Training Log

 And use it! Track your progress daily so you can accurately measure how much you should be increasing your distance each week. Keeping a log is also helpful for those days when you get discouraged, being able to see just how far you’ve grown as a runner is a great motivator!

Do Some Research

By reading up on nutrition and hydration, you should be able to find a good diet that works well with your individual needs.

Always Pay Attention

Listen to your body, never try to push yourself more than its safe. Even a small injury can derail your progress if not treated properly.

With these tips in mind, we hope you have a successful and fulfilling experience! For more exercise and health-focused tips, make sure to check out some of our other informative blogs!

that will help prevent injuries, and you will be on your way. Studies have shown that running is the better exercise for weight loss, because people expend two and a half times more energy than walking. This means that a 160 pound person can burn around 800 calories an hour while running. In contrast, walking only burns about 300 calories an hour. Another study shows that running controls our appetite hormones better than walking. Just remember, there is more risk for injuries when you run, including runner’s knee, hamstring strains, and shin splints.

If you’re walking on a treadmill, raise your incline periodically to burn more calories. If you prefer to walk outdoors, try to pick an area where there is variation in the terrain like hills and inclines.

Make sure to consult your physician or medical practitioner before beginning any exercise regimen. Here’s to sitting less and moving more!

Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour care, 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. Our emergency centers are located in the Houston area. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

Sponsored by United Community Credit Union, this fundraising event will include some of Houston’s best crawfish donated by The Crawfish Shack, personally cooked by owner Dan Meaux. Sponsorships are available, and there will be a live auction after the tournament.

For more information, call the Chamber office at 281.328.6984. We look forward to seeing you there!

the BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising event with a 180 mile bike ride from Houston to Austin.

Riders will begin the trek early Saturday morning, converging from multiple spots across Houston to ride to the halfway point. There will be a much-needed stop in La Grange overnight. On Sunday, cyclists will cross the finish line in front of the Texas State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum at 18th Street and Congress.

To learn more about this fantastic event that will raise money for multiple sclerosis research, click here. To donate, please visit our donation page here.

For an emergency center in Houston, you can count on your friendly Neighbors to deliver top-quality care 24/7. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

Running is a physical sport, but it requires mental endurance as well. Pay attention to the demands of your body and listen. Don’t be afraid to start slow until you get used to the physical demands. Employ proper breathing techniques and posture.

Involve your brain in the process by developing a plan that works for you. Listen to the right music to get you into the zone. Stretching is an important element of any training plan, so be sure to strike a proper balance between strengthening and stretching.

Of course, fruit and veggies are important, and your body will likely start craving them with the increased physical demands you put on your body.

• Don’t skip practice runs
• Train during the time of day that you’ll actually be running
• Cross-train with other forms of exercise to give your muscles a rest
• Find support with a running buddy who will keep you accountable
• Plan your hydration plan – get about 6-10 ounces for every 2-3 miles
• Get plenty of sleep

Most importantly, give yourself a pat on the back for committing to this endeavor. It’s not easy, but you should be proud for having a goal and sticking to it.

Remember to stay healthy. Neighbors Emergency Centers is an emergency center in Houston and in cities throughout Texas committed to providing top-quality, 24/7 emergency care. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec24.com.

Ironically, the more stressed we are at work, and the more long hours we slave away at the office, we convince ourselves that we’re too tired or there’s no time to exercise. Then the cycle starts all over again.

So What’s a Busy Person to Do?

When most people think of working out, they think of logging in an hour on a cardio machine. After that, forget about fitting in weights or strength training. The key here is to work out smarter, not longer, and to find an exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise so you will look forward to doing it. To work out more efficiently, try high-intensity interval training, Tabata training, or running.

These do not require as much of a time commitment, and you get more bang for your buck. Also, not everyone loves running, swimming, or yoga. If you don’t enjoy your workout, you will find reasons to skip it. If you love biking, try a spin class. If you love dancing, try a group hip hop class. If friendly competition is more your speed, sign up for an intramural soccer, softball, or flag football league in your area.

So even if that meeting ran late and you only have 20 minutes to spare, go for a quick walk, jog, or bike ride. One way to stay on course is to keep track of your workouts. When you log them into an exercise journal, you will begin to see your progress, and you will be motivated to achieve new fitness goals. Staying active is an integral part of your overall health. By making time for exercise, you will start to see a positive difference in many aspects of your life, including work. Making time for it will pay off.

Remember that Neighbors Emergency Centers are here for you to treat any emergency you may have. We are open 24/7/365, and we have short wait times to get you back to doing what you love most. Find your nearest Neighbors at nec.24.com.