COACH CYNDEE

As race day grew closer I was feeling confident in my effort to run 12-hours and 55-60 miles while raising almost $3,000 for the Nevada SPCA.    A week before the race, while on a training run, I fell and broke a bone in my hand/wrist.    I was upset but figured heck its my hand I can at least still run.    That was until I went to see the orthopedic doctor and he said I broke the worst possible bone in my body and the hardest bone to heal properly because of low blood flow to that area.    He was very adamant that I should not run the 12-hour run this weekend or run at all for about month to prevent further damage to the bone.    If I don’t listen to him I run the risk of needing surgery, which is a very difficult surgery to do and recover from.    Needless to say I am not running this weekend or at all for at least a month.   Run For Fido is not dead since I have a 56-mile run I was planning to do in June. ...

For the most part running is a relatively safe sport, but there can be a few things to be aware of.  If your like me most of your running is done alone.  I am usually running with my dogs but not always another human.  Over the past 20 years of running I can honestly say I have only had a few scary things happen but it only takes one bad situation to put you in danger.  Most of my scary situations involved off leashed dogs rather than people.  In either case carrying a few essentials could save your life or the life of your pet if your dog is running with you.  A few years back I was out early with my dogs and several off leash dogs attacked my dogs.  My dog that wasn't friendly with other dogs (except my other dog, she loved him) fought back and didn't get hurt but my other dog Tigger wasn't a fighter and they attacked him.  I was helpless and couldn't get the dogs off him for what seemed like forever but I'm sure was only seconds.  If I ...

Stress can wreak havoc on your body both mentally and physically.  Stress can lead to a host of medical problems that could potentially lead you to a doctor or hospital visit.  It can cause a host of problems that you don't want. Stress can cause: anxiety rapid heart rate weight gain or weight loss headaches muscle tension ulcers stomach distress heart burn over/under eating poor nutritional choices Take these simple steps to reduce the stress in your life: Try sticking to a schedule and planning your day/week in advance. Get up 15 minutes earlier than normal so you can have some quiet time and aren't rushing to get out the door.  Maybe use this time for meditation or whatever relaxes you. Do something you have always wanted to do but just haven't taken action to do it. If you have been thinking about volunteer work then do it.  If you have wanted to take a class then do it.  Do something for yourself that you want to do. Add de-stressing a...