Florida Sports

Archive for August, 2010

Strong legs, strong lungs, strong will. Such is the portrait of a typical distance runner. The good news is that you can be a runner, too.

Why run?

Running carries with it the same benefits of all cardiovascular exercise: it helps reduce stress, strengthens the heart and lungs, reduces risk of certain diseases, increases confidence, brightens your mood, helps you sleep better, gives you more energy, and, in general, provides a better sense of well being. It is also a great way to burn calories.

How many calories do you burn running a mile?

Conventional wisdom says that, for every mile you run, you will burn 100 calories. But other factors play into the equation as well, including your running speed and your body weight. Generally speaking, a 135 pound person will burn about 100 calories per mile. A 200 pound person, running at the same speed, may burn 150. Obviously, the faster you run, the more calories you will burn.

Starting to run

Running can be stressful on your body, particularly on your leg muscles and knees. But you can minimize your risk of injury with a few simple tips.

Make sure to stretch before and after every run. Walk briskly for at least 5 minutes at the beginning of each run. Once you feel your body starting to warm up, do some gentle stretching exercises. Focus on steady, continuous stretches and avoid bouncing through the stretch.

If you are new to running, here is how you can work up to a 30 minute running routine while reducing the risk of injury.

Your first goal will be to make sure that you can walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes. If you can do that, start to run at a slow pace until you become short of breath. Then walk briskly until you feel like you can run again. Continue with these intervals. You can challenge yourself by timing these intervals and working toward longer intervals. For example, maybe the first day you will run for 30 seconds and walk for 2 minutes. As your endurance increases, run longer and walk for shorter distances.

Another interval technique involves counting your footsteps, instead of measuring time. When you are first starting your running routine, you may do 100 or 200 running footsteps with 300 or 400 walking footsteps in between. Then you can work up to 400 or 500 running footsteps with 200 walking footsteps in between. Each day, try to extend the number of running footsteps and reduce the number of walking footsteps (even by just a few footsteps) until you are running for a full 30 minutes. Counting steps can help give your mind a clear focus toward an achievable goal.

It is important to not push yourself too hard. Even if you simply walk for 30 minutes and can manage to get in a couple of one or two minute runs, you are getting your heart rate up, and you will be reaping some of those health benefits. The rule of thumb is this: run at a pace at which you can still talk. If you are very short of breath, slow down or take a walk break.

Once you are running for a full 30 minutes, keep up this interval training to maximize the benefits of your running routine. For example, run at your normal pace and then speed it up for 30 seconds or one minute (or 200 or 300 footsteps).

After every run, walk for a few minutes, and stretch your muscles again.

Making the most of your running routine

Here are a few more tips to help you make the most of your running routine:

Invest in a good pair of running shoes, which will increase comfort and reduce your risk of injury.

Plan to rehydrate about every 10 minutes during your run.

The best places to run are smooth dirt roads or paths, which are not as hard as asphalt and concrete. Ask around (at your local running store, for example) for recommendations of good routes.

Finally, make sure to follow these simple safety precautions: Running with a friend (or even a dog) is safer than running alone. At the very least, tell someone when you are leaving, where you are going, and when they should expect you to return. Leave your valuables at home, vary your routes, and stay in busy, well lit areas. Pay attention to what is going on around you. That means leaving the headphones at home, or turning the volume down low. Lastly, always jog against traffic, so you can assess oncoming cars for potential danger.

A running routine is a rewarding way to build strength and endurance. Enjoy the process of developing your own strong legs, strong lungs, and strong will.

Note: The tips in this article are for general information only. Before starting any exercise routine, you should consult with your doctor.

The thing that amazes me most about air hockey is how quickly it became popular and main stream in America. Air hockey was invented by a trio of Brunswick engineers (Phil Crossman, Bob Kendrick, and Brad Baldwin) between 1969 and 1971, and was an immediate success. The United States Air-Table Hockey Association (USAA) was formed in 1975 to ensure uniform play standards, and the first World Championships were held a few years later in 1978. I was too young to realize how new it was, but I remember in the mid-1970’s that it was all my brother wanted for Christmas, and Santa Claus delivered.

Today there are a lot of companies that make air hockey tables, and some of the professional tables can be quite expensive. But there are also a lot of tables that are great for home use. One of the companies that is well known for good quality home game tables is Carrom. There are three Carrom air hockey tables available to purchase. Let’s take a look at these three tables.

The first of the Carrom air hockey tables is the Carrom 7’ Signature Air Powered Hockey Table. Carrom boasts that this “table has it all”. The table has electronic scoring that celebrates goals with lights and sound, and ships with both two puck and two hand controller styles, for the beginner and advanced players. There is a 2″ drop to the play surface for an arena type feel. Some of the other features of this table include:

The second of the Carrom air hockey tables available is similar to the first. The MSRP is a little bit more, but I have also seen it on some web sites for a bit less than the first table. It is the 7″ Signature Air Powered Hockey Prof. It is sometimes described by Carrom as “the perfect game table for the expert hockey player”. It also had a 2″ drop play surface and ships with two different styles of pucks and hand controllers.

All of the basic features of the first table are the same. The main difference is in the look of these two Carrom air hockey tables. This table has a wood finish (the first table has more of a black marbled finish), and the legs are different. The legs on this second table have a more substantial look, shaped like a wedge and covered in black vinyl. This table is also a bit heavier, weighing in a 230 lbs.

For the last of the Carrom air hockey tables, the Carrom Company teamed up with NASCAR® . So if you are a NASCAR fan, then this is the table for you! Many of the basic features are the same as the first table, but the NASCAR table features exclusive artwork by Sam Bass, a renowned motor sports artist. His artwork makes this one cool looking air hockey table! The entire table is black (including the play surface) with bright NASCAR graphics. It also weighs in at 205 lbs, though it does not have the cup holders. The price point on the NASCAR table comes in about $150 – $200 more than the other two tables.

So, if you are looking for a game table for your family, check out the Carrom air hockey tables, you are bound to find a good table that your entire family will enjoy. And remember, they all come with a 1 year warranty!

Hockey north of the US Canadian border seems to carry more sway than any political, national or international moment. Hockey is far more than a sport to most Canadians, it’s a catalyst for memories of our youth. Whether it’s playing hockey on a frozen pond after the snow has been shoveled to the edges, or playing on the street in between cars and until the street lights come on. Hockey brings back crystal clear memories for most Canadians. Used to be mostly boys, but times have changed, and with the rise of women’s hockey, many grown women for this and future generations will be sharing those same memories. And, that’s why hockey means so much more than just a sport to most of us. It’s a nostalgic reminder of a less troubled past, and a reminder of a happy youth.

Not Just A Sedimental Journey

Hockey is great sport first of all, for a variety of reasons. It’s truly exciting to watch. Because of the ice surface it’s played on, very few sports can match the speed at which the players move about the field of play. It moves as a game, really moves! Both the players and the puck. The tide can turn quickly in a hockey game, and you really can’t let down your guard down for a moment. There can be long periods of no scoring, with lots of back and forth action. But then, in a heart beat the other team scores, and maybe a second or third goal shortly after, and fortunes have been reversed. I can think of no other sport that causes such heart-stopping, breath-holding, sheer intensity as when another team is pressing for a goal during a power play or man advantage after pulling their goalie. Usually it resembles some kind of train wreck in front of the goalie, with shot after shot, as the goalie goes down and up time and time again. Defensemen sliding desperately, risking injury to stop the puck, in the hopes, that the final seconds will elapse and the hockey game will be theirs.

The Great Ones and The Great One

Those nostalgic memories of hockey are not just of our own epic battles played between the street curbs and mounds of recently shoveled snow. There were of course the hockey legends themselves battling against one another. Hockey night in Canada is truly as much a national treasure, as any to this nation. During our formative years watching the great hockey teams and their rivalries were both a patriotic right and a duty. And then reliving those times in our own backyard rinks and streets, as we assumed the persona’s of our favorite teams and players, to crush the opposing neighborhood kids with spectacular hockey moves, only to be followed only be even more spectacular goals. Truly times to be remembered, and cherished.

It’s Not Just Our Game

The game is shared now. With other players, and other nations. Everyone plays, and their current and future generations are building their own great hockey memories. Andthat’s OK. I just wonder, if those memories will rule their hearts and nations one day as they do ours.

TRAINING TO RUN:

Everything depends on your level of fitness. Lance Armstrong said running a marathon was the hardest thing he ever did, I’m just happy to finish one. His sub 3 hour marathon equate to my 1/2 marathon time give or take some minutes. The Basics of running are simple, efficiency of stride, lactic acid threshold, base training, patience and determination.

Training plan: If you’re just starting out, I would suggest running 3 times a week. I would also run a 3 week cycle. The first week of the cycle you train at a specific level. The second week you increase by 10-20%. The third week you scale back to lower than first week’s level. This gives your body time to recuperate and prevents injuries. The first week of your next cycle should be increased by 10-15%. After 3 cycles, reduce you first week pace by 10%. This will work – you just need to be patient.

For example: Distance of every run in the week.

Cycle 1: wk1:1km – wk2:1.2km – wk3:0.9km

Cycle 2 : wk1:1.2km – wk2:1.4km – wk3:1.1km

Cycle 3 : wk1:1.4km – wk2:1.6km – wk3:1.3km

Cycle 4 : wk1:1.2km – wk2:1.4km – wk3:1.1km

Cycle 5 : wk1:1.4km – wk2:1.6km – wk3:1.3km

Cycle 6 : wk1:1.6km – wk2:1.8km – wk3:1.4km

I think you get the picture.

Beginner:

The best method to ease into running is the run walk method. Your body should adjust to running more easily using this method. The time you spend running and the time you spend walking depends again on your fitness level. If you need to walk longer or are able to run more, just do it. You run for 30-60 seconds, depending , you walk for 30 seconds. You do this for a week. The next week you increment you run by 10 seconds, but keep the walk to 30 seconds. As the weeks progress you should be able to gain substantial increase you capacity of running. The ideal for the run walk method is to get up to 10 minutes of running and 1 minute of walking, but it all depends on how you feel. Once you are able to keep a pace of 10-1 for 30 minutes you can start to increase the 10 minute run by 10-20% every week.

The pace you should be in is a Zone 1 pace. Zones are calculated by the hearth rate that is attained with physical activity. Zone 1 pace is (220 – your age) X 60 or 70% – I’m 36 , (220bpm – 36) X 70% = 130 bpm. This is a foundation building pace. This pace is used on long runs because it enables your body to manage lactic acid. A friendly fuel when absorbed properly lactic acid becomes running enemy when it is out of control. The longer you can run at this pace, the more your body will improve his capability to absorb the acid. This is endurance building, and it is the first step to having a great run.

Lactic Acid Is Not Muscles’ Foe, It’s Fuel !

If you need to do more sports during the week, cross training should be your choice. Gym work to strengthen the abs is a plus. Cycling or spinning also gets your heart going without the impact on your knees.

If you are able to run for 30 minutes, my suggestion to you is to get out there and find a nice friendly 5k. This is a celebration of life , a celebration of your new found passion: Running. Turkey trot your way to the end.

Intermediate:

You’ve achieved your first goal and that first 5k is now behind you. You’ve adapted your body to running and now can run 3 times a week for 30 minutes each time and can even push this a bit further.

You now are able to move to the next level. First thing to do is add another running day to your week. This will help you put on the miles and will help you adjust even more to a runner’s regiment. Second thing to do is start mixing up your running workouts. 1 slow long run (zone 1), 2 normal half hour runs (zone 1 maximized- bottom zone 2), and 1 run that is totally different from the other types of runs that your body is accustomed to do. My suggestion is either Hill running or intervals.

Hill running is simple: Find a hill – run it to the top (if you can get up there fine – if not – stop where you’re about to collapse) – once up there – walk back down. Do this 10 times and make sure you keep a pace that you can accomplish it 10 times. If you cannot run it – walk up the hill. This will put pressure on your big leg muscles and should bring your body close to lactic acid threshold, walking back down will help your body manage that load and will push it farther and farther as the workouts progress.

Interval: Warm up with a 15 minute turkey trot. Once you are warmed up – bolt it for 100 meters – as fast as you can without collapsing (85% of your max speed) – just before blowing up – walk for 1 minute. Repeat this for at least 1000 meters (10 X 100 meters). If your body is not too broken, turkey trot your way back home for another 15 minutes … this is great for pushing your lactic acid threshold even farther.

The point of pushing your body this way is to enable you to start picking up speed and finding a way to sustain it. Also – this is a good thing for your running body as it is called upon to adjust and find new ways of coping. Doing the same thing week after week can cause your body to adapt and might hinder your progression.

The goal you might have with these exercises is to improve you PR for your 5K or 10K time, enabling you to get faster and faster. Being faster and enabling your body to cope with it will help you out on your long slow runs. Your lactic acid overload might not be as great as it was before and your threshold of pain and endurance will be heightened.

Once you mastered these techniques and can now run for an hour or more on your slow long runs, a 10K or a half marathon is well within your reach.

Experts:

Elite runners are a breed on their own. They usually have a running stride that looks like a work of art and also have a cardio that can sustain 15-20 km/hour run tempo. Not everybody can achieve this type of running pace and keep it for 2 hours or more.

If you’re at this level and are reading this, you’ve humoured me enough to keep going and could potentially write an article on this web site about how you go about your training. Since Deena Kastor and Meb Keflezighi are not here to add some advice, I will risk myself and add my two cents to this level of running fitness.

First thing, and expert runner sho

Ski in, ski out accommodation isn’t really a concept the Americans have conquered yet, but more options are gradully creeping in to Colorado’s repertoire.

Most Europeans by contrast have grown up with ski in, ski out lodging as the norm. Alpine villages, and the ski areas they were associated with, grew alongside one another and developed into the large ski areas we know today. The ski resorts began as part of the centre of the town and naturally as new ski lifts and runs were added and more people wanted to ski, the towns expanded around them to accommodate their needs. Ski in, ski out properties just became a normal part of the expansion and although often commanding a premium prices are relatively easy to find.

Skiing in the US is increasing in popularity with the Europeans, but especially the Brits due its superior snow conditions and uncrowded slopes. 

Several US ski towns such as Breckenridge Telluride and Aspen started life as mining towns, before they grew into the world famous ski areas they are today. Steamboat Springs was originally a ranching town and still retains much of its Old West character. Many of these ski towns in the US were already established before the ski areas were developed, so the ski lifts are a mile or two from the town associated with them.

Winter Park was originally home to railway workers and gradually developed into a small town. The town is about 3 miles from the ski area, but an easy 5-10 minute free bus ride. The vast majority of accommodation is still in the town of Winter Park and the small towns of Fraser and Tabernash, a little further along US Highway 40. 

However, gradually the powers that be are recognising the importance and desirability of ski in, ski out accommodation. The base area is now being developed to include more lodging options closer to the lifts in addition to the one true ski in, ski out accommodation already completed - Zephyr Mountain Lodge Restaurants and shops are now also being added at the base area to give ski in ski out residents more dining options near their accommodation. Chalets USA have added a luxury one bedroom and a luxury 2 bedroom apartment in Zephyr Mountain Lodge to their portfolio to give their guests the option of enjoying this newly improved ski in ski out experience. They only have one ski in, ski out catered chalet, due to the very limited properties available near the mountain. Thunderhead chalet  is in Steamboat Springs, sleeps up to 14 in 6 ensuite bedrooms and is literally ski to the door.

Maybe with higher gas prices and Americans gradually relying a little less on their vehicles, ski in, ski out lodging will become increasingly popular and perhaps more ski in, ski out possibilities may be just around the corner….

For more info on these new chalets or other luxury ski accommodation in Colorado visit www.chalets-usa.co.uk

Running is one of the most heavily participated sports and recreational activities in the world. However, from a young age we are told to go out on the streets and run until we are tired. This may be alright for a while but further on down the road you will be likely to sustain an overuse injury that takes away your passion for running.
In order to make running a lifetime activity you need to be aware of some of the contributing factors that lead to common running injuries. Once you acknowledge these injury causing factors then you can develop the right plan for you. This applies to both the recreational runner as well as the competitive runner.
To ensure that you gain the most out of your training sessions while also reducing the risk of sustaining an injury be sure to take note of the following mistakes made by many athletes and coaches.
Excessive hill running that can often lead to excessive demands placed on the calf muscles (possible shin splints). Shin splints are an absolute nightmare for a runner. This type of injury can put you out of running for months.
Excessive down hill running can lead to increased stress on the quadriceps muscle. Most athletes say that running down hill is easier, however, it is just as tough on your body as running up hill.
Running in one direction all the time (if doing track work or running around the tennis court, football field etc.) can cause excessive pronation on the inside leg. Once again this can be easily fixed by alternating directions in which you run.
Running on unforgiving surfaces such as street running (high impact). Asphalt is not an appropriate running surface. This is one of the major causes of knee and hip injuries for runners. Roads are made for cars and not for runners! If you must run on asphalt then add in some runs on a grass surface.
Lack of variety in your training sessions can lead to overuse injuries as well as mental boredom. Select different workouts each week. Do you always run the same route in the same direction each time? If so vary where you run, the distance you run as well as the intensity of the run.
Running on an uneven surface such as a grass field. Often athletes try to avoid the hard surface of the streets so they decide to run on uneven fields which can lead to injuries of the feet. I love running on ovals as they are more friendly on my body but I choose not to run on a football ground as I know that the surface is likely to be uneven and full of holes. Most recreational parks are better.
Increasing training volume too quickly (allow for individual progression). This is a tough one for highly driven individuals who thrive on pushing themselves. Have a plan and follow it. Even if you feel that you can push yourself and run that extra mile hold back!
Increasing the pace or speed at which you run too quickly (can be achieved slowly through Fartlek training). Try to stick to your plan and run at a similar speed before you get into your next phase. As we improve we often want to run faster. Increasing both the speed and distance of your run at the same time can lead to injury.
It is important to wear the proper footwear when you run. Encourage your athletes to change from their normal sports shoes (eg. tennis shoes, basketball shoes) to running shoes prior to starting their run. Wearing tennis or basketball shoes while running long distances will lead to injuries. They don’t provide the required support for the feet.
Recognize that each individual will have their own pace and level of endurance so set individual goals for each athlete. When running in a group at a set pace, that pace may be comfortable for some runners, but too fast for others. Divide your athletes into two even groups. This is often a big flaw for many coaches of sports teams. We have all been guilty for doing this in the past but you must allow for individual abilities of athletes.
Running long distances in extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, hot and humid conditions or even when there has been a high pollution alert level given by the weather bureau. My tennis coach in college would often make our tennis team run at 7:00 am in the morning in the middle of a winter in North Carolina. As you could imagine we would often suffer from bronchitis and other common respiratory ailments. Unfortunately mine developed into pneumonia so make sure that the environmental conditions are appropriate for running.
Be smart when you run and your body will thank you for it!

The history of hockey is similar to that of golf as it basically is rooted from any game that involved a stick and a ball or rock which have all been played for thousands of years. Very rough and crude forms of these games have been taking place for thousands of years throughout Europe, Egypt and South America that have formed hockey history.

Hockey began to form clearer roots throughout England in the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. These were treacherous games that often combined the entire village versus another village and teams could often have up to a hundred players and the players often played through major injuries and endured several days of these games.

The sport that we are more familiar with today began to form at Eton University in England when they actually began to formulate rules around 1860. Then the first Hockey Assoc. in the history of hockey was formed in 1875 which clarified more rules.

Further growth of the sport was spawning in North America as new settlers came to the continent. Montreal was credited with the first organized game in the history of hockey that was played in 1875 by college students. The students then formed more associations and leagues and created new rules at the same time.

The game continued to grow in popularity and became so popular that Montreal offered the first World Championship of Ice Hockey in 1883. European hockey continued to grow at the college level while a number of universities formed fierce rivalries.

Some dramatic rule changes were applied that helped progress the game to a field of eleven players while hockey equipment began to evolve as well. The use of safety equipment to include pads, helmets, mouth pieces and protective eye shields have dramatically improved from the early days of hockey history. It was not uncommon to not even wear head gear until the last few decades.

The international appeal of hockey grew tremendously due to the Olympic Games. It was first played at the Games in 1924 and only allowed male teams. Canada was a safe bet to win the gold medal as they won the first six out of seven golds. From the mid fifties to the eighties the Soviet Union dominated. Although the US won its first gold medal in hockey history in1960 it was the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” where our college amateur team went on to beat the heavily favored Russians that spurred a growth in Americas appetite for hockey.

The NHL as we know it today was formed in 1917 and consists of 30 teams 24 of which are from America and the remainder in Canada. The bulk of the players come from Canada, Europe and America. There is also an International Association called the International Hockey Federation which was formed in 1908 and continues today by hosting some of the largest international ice hockey tournaments. These two organizations have helped to form and govern hockey as we know it today. The sport has grown a lot from twigs and balls to a major international activity that produces billions in revenue each year and has some of the most amazing athletes on the planet, so goes the history of hockey.

Meribel is in the heart of the Three Valleys skiing area in the French Alps. It’s Europe’s favourite skiing destination with stunning scenery and excellent snow conditions for a wonderful ski holiday. Travel to the ski slopes is now very convenient with budget airlines and trains offering their services from UK to the ski destinations in France.

But travelling with all your bulky winter clothes, accessories and the heavy, large bags of your ski equipment is not an easy thing. At the same time, buying ski equipment is not an option if you are only going for a season.

Also, ski gear is expensive and requires maintenance and care to keep it in top condition. With the constant upgrades and latest models available in skis, your gear can quickly become outdated. Another issue is that your ski gear needs to match the snow conditions at the ski resort. With your own equipment, you are stuck with equipment that’s not quite suited to the snow conditions at Meribel.

For all these reasons, many skiers prefer ski hire at Meribel. The advantages are many: its convenient- lighter and hassel free travel, cheaper than buying your own ski equipment. You are also assured that you will get ski gear that’s in excellent condition and just suited to the snow conditions and for your skiing level. The ski hire services at Meribel cater to all levels of skiers from beginners to advanced skiiers. Hiring ski equipment may also be a good idea for young children. They’ll outgrow their boots, if not their skis, in a season, sometimes quicker.

Here are tips on ways to save money when skiing, including purchasing equipment inexpensively in Meribel.

These are some of the important things to bear in mind while hiring skis and ski equipment at Meribel. You can visit (website URL) for details, information and discount offers for ski hire at Meribel.

For further information log on to http://www.ski-hire-meribel.com

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Long distance running is a thing of beauty: The graceful stride, the sheer power in motion – not to mention the lean and muscular pistons that are a long distance runner’s legs.
Many of us would love to be long distance runners, but the reality is, it takes time to work ourselves up to this level of fitness. And if we push too hard, we may experience an injury (or mental burnout) that turns us away from the sport in the future
If you are a beginning runner and would like to ramp up your running routine (whether it’s for your physical or emotional well being or to train for a marathon or a charity running event), here are some tips to keep your body running smoothly and to create an enjoyable exercise experience.
Get Ready
Talk to your doctor. You want to make sure that a long distance running routine is right for you, and your doctor may have suggestions, tailored to you, about what kind of running routine will be best for your body type, age, and fitness level.
Invest in a good pair of running shoes. Take the time to go to a local store where they specialize in athletic shoes and make sure you find the proper fit for your foot, your preferred running surface, and your level of ability. While you’re there, ask around for good running routes in your town or city. You’re looking for a route that is safe and that provides the proper mix of hills that will keep you challenged and motivated, but not exhausted.
You’ll also want to make sure you stay hydrated while you run. You’ll have more energy throughout your run, and you’ll keep your body safe, too.
Keep a journal. Keep track of your running times and distance in a journal or online running log. You may want to make some notes, too. How did you feel starting out the run? How energized did you feel afterwards? What parts of the run did you find easy and which parts were more challenging? In what way does your running routine change the rest of your day?
Choose Your Ideal Path
The best place to run is a smooth dirt path. Concrete sidewalks can jar your joints as you run. Indoor and outdoor tracks offer a great surface but can get pretty boring pretty fast.
If you choose to run on grass, make sure you stay aware throughout your run for obstacles or uneven patches.
Start Running
You can choose from a variety of training methods when you run, and you can mix it up from day to day. One day, for example, you may run for speed. The next day, you may choose hilly terrain to get in a good interval workout.
You will want to start each training session by warming up. Stretch your muscles and walk briskly for five minutes or so to get your blood pumping, before you break into a run.
Make sure you are using proper technique. You want to avoid injury, above all, so check with a doctor or exercise trainer if you experience any pain, or if you are not sure whether you are running with optimum form.
Watch your exertion level, too. Ideally, you will be able to talk while you are running, particularly at the beginner level. Make sure you aren’t overdoing it at this stage. Your endurance will build in no time. And if you train too hard in the beginning, you run the risk of personal injury (or burning yourself out on the idea of running in the first place.) If you become overly winded, slow down (even to a walk) until you can catch your breath. Then start running again, slowly.
After the Finish Line
Following your run, walk for at least a few minutes. Then do another stretching routine. And make sure to record your run in your log. Write down how great you feel immediately following a run. These words can be tremendously motivating the next time you need to lace up those running shoes.

Hockey tickets are one of the most popular stocking stuffers of the holiday season. Once the snow starts to fall, it means that it’s time to strap on the skates and hit the ice for some hockey, one of the most popular sports in the country.

Once Upon A Time In Canada

The actual beginnings of ice hockey have been traced back to the 17th century. But professional ice hockey as we know it today was started in Montreal, Canada in 1875. A number of students from McGill University officially codified the rules and the game caught on like wildfire. In just a few years, the first world championships were held and the oldest hockey rivalries were born. In 1893, the first Stanley Cup was awarded.

Though the National Hockey League would be active in both America and Canada, it was the latter country that seemed to have more of an affinity for the game and a higher demand for hockey tickets. This may be due to the fact that Canada is more suited to winter sports. In any case, Canadian teams have dominated the major league in the past with teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs notching up multiple Stanley Cup wins. These two teams have also hosted a number of the league’s best players.

Famous Fights

Like football, ice hockey has been known for its violence. In fact, some sports fans buy their hockey tickets to see some good fights as well as good plays. While football violence simply uses the body, hockey players also use their sticks and some have even used their skates to inflict violence. While a certain amount of roughness is allowed in the game, there have been times when things have simply gotten out of control. While some fights were the result of hot blood between the teams, some were the result of international politics.

In the world of professional hockey today, it is not unusual to have certain players on the team who are there to protect more valuable players. These players are unofficially known as enforcers. In the old days, during the time of legends like Gordie Howe, players often acted as their own enforcers. Howe himself was known for both scoring and taking part in fights. But players like Gretzky usually had a number of enforcers assigned to them to ensure nothing untoward happened on the ice.

While fights may be entertaining some times, the majority of fans buy their hockey tickets because they want to see a good game. Recent changes have been made to the game to bring the focus back to scoring and speed. Ice hockey is a risky game but the risk factor lies in the speed element, not in the violence. Players need to be able to think and move quickly, with an ability to maneuver the puck in the swiftest way possible. This is what makes a great hockey game.

If you’d like to catch some cool ice hockey action but are worried about how to get tickets, you can book them using the internet. Just log on to an authorized online ticket vendor and order your hockey tickets.