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Running with Asthma: Using the Air Quality Health Index to Plan the Perfect Time to Be Outside

Having asthma or another respiratory condition doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy exercise, reach your fitness goals, or even become a champion. But it does mean paying close attention to your body and the main triggers of symptoms, such as outdoor air conditions.

And the best way to do that is by checking the Air Quality Health Index, or AQHI.

The AQHI assigns a rating between 1 and 10 for the air quality in your region: the higher the number, the greater the risk. People with asthma and other health conditions often experience more severe symptoms — issues like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or irritated eyes and throat. But even people who are otherwise healthy can feel the effects of air pollution (and especially when poor air quality combines with extreme heat). Continue reading “Running with Asthma: Using the Air Quality Health Index to Plan the Perfect Time to Be Outside”

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A Change for the Better

by Shane Dixon

If anyone tells you that running will change your life, you should listen, because it’s true. I’m living proof.

Throughout most of my life, the bulk of my time was spent going to the gym, lifting weights, and, like most younger men, trying to become bigger and more muscular. I often neglected the importance of cardio activities, and instead focused mostly on weight training. During this period of my life, I also enjoyed Toronto’s night life, and spent many nights going out to bars and binge-drinking with friends. Partying served as the perfect outlet for me as I was unhappy with parts of my life, miserable with my sales job, and chose to drown my sorrows with alcohol. Continue reading “A Change for the Better”

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Big Bird in Tokyo

Below, a Canadian runner shares her story of completing the Tokyo Marathon, the sixth event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series (the other five are Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York). Now in its 12thyear, the series attracts thousands of runners from 190 countries. Amateurs can vie to complete all the races in the coveted Six Star Finisher program, which was launched in 2014. Continue reading “Big Bird in Tokyo”

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Arthritis and Running

We’ve invited readers to send in topic suggestions for this column, and we received this question from David: “Is it possible to run or jog when one has a chronic and painful condition of the knee, like arthritis?”

To begin, there are many causes for “arthritis.” I’m using quotation marks since the patient has to be satisfied that the diagnosis of arthritis is correct in the first place. Arthritis of the knee should definitely be confirmed before any alterations of activity or lifestyle are made. Continue reading “Arthritis and Running”

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Q & A with Tara Postnikoff

Tara writes our “Ask a Nutritionist” column in the Running Room Magazine, sharing her progressive and practical advice with readers since 2006. She is a Registered Nutritional Consultant, certified Personal Trainer and triathlon/running coach in Toronto. An avid distance runner and triathlete, she is also a regular guest speaker for Running Room training programs.

Favourite kitchen utensil.
Not quite a utensil, but my kitchen is not complete without my Vitamix for my daily smoothie.  I bought a spiralizer expecting it to change my world, but the novelty wore off after a few weeks, likely as I’m not really a pasta lover so I didn’t need to replace the concept. But to answer the initial question, I cannot live without a good sharp knife for all of my vegetable chopping. Continue reading “Q & A with Tara Postnikoff”

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Eating Well as a Vegetarian Athlete

by Lisa Podlecki

Athletes may choose to eat vegetarian or vegan for a variety of reasons, such as environmental considerations, animal welfare, personal preference, and/or religion. While eating a well-balanced vegetarian diet can have a number of positive health outcomes—including lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension—athletes may also believe that becoming vegetarian may be a way to lose weight, improve their performance and help with recovery. As with any diet, cutting out a particular food group can result in insufficient calorie and nutrient intake, which may lead to potential nutritional deficiencies and decreased performance. With the proper guidance, however, vegetarian athletes can be just as strong and healthy!

Continue reading “Eating Well as a Vegetarian Athlete”

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I Did It!

by Alice Bohlen

I never really considered myself a runner or someone who has the “running bug.” But, all of that changed when I volunteered at the legendary Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend in 2015. The people were cheering, upbeat music was playing and there was a lot of diversity in the crowd. It was the hidden community of running that I always seemed to be drawn to. So, two years later, on the occasion of Canada’s 150th anniversary, I completed a 10K race with my cousin. In this first run, the thing that made the biggest difference for me was the atmosphere. It certainly was the best source of adrenaline that I could have.

Continue reading “I Did It!”

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Lake Maggiore Marathon

by Karen Warrendorf and Steve Mattina

A playground for the rich and famous, Lake Maggiore in northern Italy is a truly stunning place to visit. On the south side of the snow-capped Alps, Lake Maggiore (meaning “major” or “large”) is the second largest lake in Italy. Since the climate is mild year-round, the area is filled with Mediterranean vegetation and provides ideal conditions for running. In November 2018, we had the good fortune to travel to Lake Maggiore for the Sportway Lake Maggiore Marathon. We flew to Milan Malpensa Airport and with an easy drive of less than an hour, we arrived in Stresa. Continue reading “Lake Maggiore Marathon”