The Athlete's Advisor

Hair soaks up oil spills

2010-05-09T18:58:00.000-04:00

Neat Stuff!

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Discount at Human Kinetics for Coaches and Athletes

2010-05-08T06:03:00.001-04:00

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Take 30% off your entire order

You should have received our 2010 strength & conditioning brochure in your mailbox. This brochure contains many of our new products such as, Fundamental Weight Training, Youth Strength Training, the new edition of Strength Training Anatomy, and much more. Click here to look inside.
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This brochure offers a 30% discount on your entire order, so don't miss out. Simply use promo code B732 when ordering to save on your next purchase. If you haven't received a copy of this brochure click here to request one.

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CDC updates guide with launch of National Physical Activity Plan

2010-05-08T05:59:00.001-04:00

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Champaign, IL-- The National Physical Activity Plan launches in Washington, D.C. May 3, just as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) releases a new edition of Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide for Community Action (Human Kinetics, May 2010). The book offers the tools and information to get people off the couch and on their way to healthy living.

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The Jump Rope Reemerges

2010-02-20T13:45:00.001-05:00

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Champaign, IL--Jumping rope may be a popular activity on the playground, but this child's play has evolved into one of the most efficient ways to improve cardiovascular health. In the new edition of his popular book Jump Rope Training (Human Kinetics, June 2010), Buddy Lee explains how jump rope training offers functional exercise that can increase fitness and sport performance.

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Caffeine and Athletes - Do they Mix?

2010-02-15T17:30:00.003-05:00

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One from the advisor archives and reposted on the new site. Nancy Clark waxes on caffeine and athletes. (Any of you other nutritionist please feel free to promote yourself and your works as good as Nancy does!)

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When Food is Foe: Disordered Eating in Athletes

2010-02-15T17:19:00.002-05:00

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Sports Nutritionist Nancy Clark looks at eating disorders in the athlete population.

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall are Muscular Men the Best of All?

2010-02-15T17:06:00.003-05:00

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Muscle dysmorphia. Nutritionist Nancy clark tackles this subject.

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Gym Workout Know-how

2010-02-14T14:44:00.004-05:00

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Developing Youth Soccer Players Discount 30%

2010-02-14T08:41:00.003-05:00

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Save 30% on Developing Youth Football Players Developing Youth Football Players combines proven coaching methods with over 150 games that allow young athletes to develop their skills, understand team play and appreciate the sport. From fundamental skills and goalkeeping to tactics and game intelligence, this book covers it all, making it easy to incorporate each lesson into your program for players aged 7 to 14. Order now using discount code E3806 and save 30%!

Product Description
Ensure that your young footballers reach their potential! Developing Youth Football Players combines proven coaching methods with engaging games that allow young athletes to develop their skills, understand team play and appreciate the sport. Author Horst Wein provides more than 150 games, corrective exercises, and competitions for players aged 7 to 14. Based on the internationally renowned Football Development Model, training and coaching methods are divided into four levels, resulting in the best age-appropriate coaching resource available. From fundamental skills and goalkeeping to tactics and game intelligence, Developing Youth Football Players covers it all with clear writing and colourful illustrations, making it easy to incorporate each lesson into your programme.Developing Youth Football Players will help you become a better teacher and coach. Use it to give your players a great start to a successful football career.

Contents- http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/developing-youth-football-players?associate=4945
Chapter 1. The Natural Development of Young PlayersChapter 2. A Successful Approach to Coaching FootballChapter 3. Coaching Age-Appropriate FootballChapter 4. Games for Basic Abilities and CapacitiesChapter 5. Developing Football Game IntelligenceChapter 6. Games for Mini-FootballChapter 7. Games for 7-on-7 FootballChapter 8. Developing Young GoalkeepersChapter 9. Games for 8-on-8 FootballEpilogue Taking Football Into the Future

Secrets to Learning the Breaststroke

2010-02-07T17:30:00.002-05:00

It is often much easier to learn the breaststroke kick in the inverted position because it is easier to see the foot and leg movements when you’re on your back. The breaststroke kick is a completely unique motion. You should avoid vigorous practice of the kick until your muscles have had time to adjust. Its efficiency depends on the flexibility of your knees and ankles.

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Study claims taller soccer players get more foul calls

2010-02-05T22:24:00.002-05:00

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Interview with Harvard Baseball Coach Joe Walsh

2010-01-26T21:51:00.003-05:00

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SAT-ACT Test What is it ? Why should I take it?

2010-01-16T08:43:00.001-05:00

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The SAT-What is it?
The SAT is a college admissions test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. The SAT lasts 3 hours and 45 minutes. In the U.S., the SAT is administered on 7 national test dates in October, November, December, January, March/April, May, and June.

The SAT-Why should I take it?
Colleges and universities use the SAT as one measure among others-high school curriculum, GPA, extra-curricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations-of a student’s readiness to do college-level work. SAT scores are compared with the scores of other applicants and the accepted scores at that institution; scores can also be used as a basis for awarding scholarships and merit-based financial aid.

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Yummy Sports Food - great recipes for your athletes

2010-01-05T21:10:00.001-05:00

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Copyright: Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD Nov 2009

Holiday Gift Ideas: Yummy Sports Foods!

Gifts that money can’t buy are often the nicest gifts: breakfast in bed, a special dessert, a nice dinner, a sweet treat. If you are looking for a simple, yet special, gift for your running buddy, teammate, or active friend, enjoy making one of these recipes for a sports food that will be sure to please any hungry athlete! The recipes are from my Sports Nutrition Guidebook, 4th Edition (ww.nancyclarkrd.com).
OA TMEAL PANCAKES

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Reduce the Money In Your Personal Accounts

2010-01-01T17:28:00.001-05:00

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Students seeking need-based financial aid must be careful of how much money is in their savings and checking accounts. THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT!

Colleges and universities expect you (the student) to use virtually your entire savings to help pay for college. You should take action to reduce money held in your name; if you need to buy things (such as a laptop computer for next year), do it before you complete the FAFSA, CSS/PROFILE, and other financial aid documents. Do whatever you can to reduce the amount of money in your name and report the reduced amount on the FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE financial aid applications.

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How Do I Choose a College Major?

2010-01-01T17:25:00.001-05:00

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Written by George Jefferson with Varsity Mentoring
Friday, 01 January 2010 16:54

Step 1
List your interests. Then research available College Majors, and compare them to your list ofinterests. Chances are you'll find more than one major that corresponds to something you like.

Step 2
Study course brochures for the major you are deciding on. Talk with senior students about their experiences and what lies ahead academically for you and if that chosen course is one you would definitely like to pursue.

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Junior Year To Do List.

2010-01-01T17:23:00.001-05:00

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Juniors who are thinking about college and the admissions process are doing themselves a fabulous favor.Here are a variety of items to put on the “To Do List” for junior year: College planning:

Examine goals, priorities, academic interests, geography, size, etc.
Talk to fellow students, older siblings, friends and parents
begin collecting information about the college admissions process.
Attend college programs at school.
Check out library books on college admissions, buy or borrow a college guidebook.
Set up a box with a system for keeping college materials organized.
Plan to attend the national College Fair nearest you.

Pool Operation Certification Online!

2010-01-01T08:19:00.002-05:00

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Why choose the AquaTech Program?

AquaTech is designed to prepare you to operate a pool or aquatic facility according to U.S. and international training requirements. Using a combination of online study and on-site competency testing, the AquaTech certification course offers a flexible alternative to classroom-only certification methods with the following benefits:

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Pretzel City Sports Running Update

2010-01-01T08:15:00.002-05:00

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Pretzel City Sports Newsletter~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dec Shiver by the River THIS SUNDAY!!!!!
Kris Kringle results on Pretzel City Sports and pagoda pacers weh site
MT PENN MUDFEST ENTRY OPNES TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!!
Time to get your Chilly Cheeks apps in

New Year Babies and Bubblies:
This is a very "stripped down version" of our weekly run update, due to family commitments. So, no dirty jokes, life observations, bad puns, etc this week; just a wish for a Happy New Year. We'll resume our normal format next week.

1) Every indication is that we will FINALLY get the Dec Shiver by the River race in this Sunday. I can relate to the dilemma that these reschedulings have caused the Pagoda Pacers race directors; I normally get my Christmas cards out in Jan as well so if you haven't gotten one from me yet, don't give up hope!! REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE A NEW LOCATION FOR THE SHIVER AND ALSO THAT YOU CAN STILL SIGN UP FOR THE SERIES AT THE 1ST RACE, AT A REDUCED COST VERSUS ENTERING EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY

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Free training available to Southern California Youth coaches

2009-12-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

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15,000 California coaches to receive free training

Champaign, IL-- In an initiative aimed at providing training to 15,000 youth sport coaches over the next five years, the LA84 Foundation and Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) have partnered with the leading coaching education provider, American Sport Education Program (ASEP), to offer a customized online training and certification program to SCMAF coaches.

Through the sponsorship of the LA84 Foundation, 3,000 coaches per year over the next five years will have the opportunity to take the LA84 Foundation's Art of Coaching for SCMAF Coaches (Human Kinetics, 2010) online course at no cost. Participation is highly recommended by LA84 Foundation and SCMAF.

The two-tiered coaching education program features the general coaching course LA84 Foundation's Art of Coaching for SCMAF Coaches, was released December 1, 2009, plus sport-specific LA84 Foundation's Coaching Youth [Sport] courses for flag football, basketball, and volleyball, which will be available fall 2010. The courses will be made available through the ASEP Web site at...read more

Apply the basics of sport nutrition to Performance and Training

2009-12-19T14:50:00.001-05:00

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Author Marie Dunford offers a look at the growing field of sport nutrition

Champaign, IL-- Students, athletes and professionals who work with athletes have a new one-stop resource on sports nutrition.Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Nutrition (Human Kinetics, January 2010) provides readers with a preparatory look at the exciting field of sport and exercise nutrition, including its foundational concepts and the diverse career options available. Readers will gain a basic understanding of how nutrition affects sport performance and exercise training. They will also see how this knowledge is put to work in today's sport environment.

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Take the Guess Work out of Baseball Practice

2009-12-19T14:48:00.001-05:00

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American Baseball Coaches Association offers book to maximize baseball players' abilities

Champaign, IL-- Some of the greatest baseball coaches of all time have teamed with the leading up-and-comers to compile Practice Perfect Baseball (Human Kinetics, January 2010), the ultimate guide to running baseball practices so every player is prepared come game day. Edited by the game's largest and most respected coaches organization, the American Baseball Coaches Association, Practice Perfect Baseball sports a roster of top contributors covering the topics they know best: Ed Cheff, Lewis-Clark State College: 16 national titles Keith Madison, University of Kentucky: 730 career victories Terry Rooney, University of Central Florida: holds school's season victory record.

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Are Athletes Prone to Violence

2009-12-17T06:10:00.001-05:00

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Are athletes more prone to violence?
Author explores anger issues among sports participants

Champaign, IL-- Fans and media personalities sometimes question the link between sports and violence, given incidents with football, basketball and even women's college soccer players, to name a few. In Anger Management in Sport: Understanding and Controlling Violence in Athletes (Human Kinetics, February 2010), author Mitch Abrams confronts stereotypes and addresses anger in a variety of sport contexts.

Abrams blames media headlines for the widely held notion that athletes gravitate toward violence more readily than non-athletes. "Athletes are not more violent than non-athletes," Abrams asserts. "Athletes are human. Many people in our society struggle with anger, and some athletes do as well. The goal is to start the journey toward helping athletes and those working with them handle their emotions and live to their fullest potential in life."

Read More - http://bit.ly/4E8ONV

Human Kinetics Offers Holiday Savings for Coaches

2009-11-29T07:45:00.001-05:00

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Greetings! In appreciation of our valued customers, Human Kinetics is pleased to offer a 15% holiday discount on any product purchased from our Web site at www.HumanKinetics.com. To receive an even better holiday offer, visit the Human Kinetics Facebook page! Make sure to become a fan to receive other great promotions.

This is a great opportunity to add books to your library, give last-minute gifts to students or colleagues, or get a head start on next year's needs. Simply enter E5480 or the special Facebook code into the promo code box when you check out to receive your discount on all qualifying products in your shopping cart.

Don't delay! This is a limited time offer that expires January 1, 2010. Place your order by December 11th (Canada) or December 15th (United States) and your shipment will arrive by Christmas. Below is just a sampling of the wide variety of resources available. Visit our Web site today to find something for everyone on your list!

Researching and Visiting Colleges

2009-08-18T05:55:00.001-04:00

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Excerpt from Chapter 1 of, The Making of a Student Athlete: Succeeding in the College Selection and Athletic Recruiting Process by Ray Lauenstein and Dave Galehouse.

Selecting colleges or even thinking about what colleges to apply to is a difficult task for anyone. It’s hard to start thinking about college when you are in HS because it seems so far away. However, it’s a reality and many families wait too long and don’t have a game plan. There are over 1,000 schools in the NCAA alone in three divisions, not to mention the NAIA, Junior college and Independent Universities. How are you expected to choose from thousands of schools?

While we cannot really help you make your choice, we can help make your choice easier and provide the tools to better judge what school might be right for you. Ultimately, you are going to have to decide on your own. The more informed you are and the sooner you start, the easier your decision will be. Our goal is to get you to college without any surprises. We never want you to say, “well, had I known that, I never would have come here” or “I can’t believe my school doesn’t offer that!” Many students select a school based on only a few criteria and they often fail to dig deeper to find out what their experiences over the next four years will be like at a particular school. If you follow the steps we are asking you to follow, you will be a very prepared S-A and your ultimate selection will be much easier for you.

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Waitlists and Deferrals

2009-08-17T21:14:00.001-04:00

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---WAITLISTS and DEFERRALS---

In a 2003 NACAC article on the practice of wait listing and deferrals, Martin Wilder – Executive Board Member of NACAC said, “The waitlist notification offers neither the joy of acceptance nor the finality of rejection.” Being waitlisted or deferred means that a college has not accepted you but thinks enough of you that if any spots are available as the year unfolds, the school will give you a chance to enroll. Waitlists were created to benefit schools, not applicants, and are designed to ensure there are enough interested students to fill enrollment. If a particular college has 2,000 openings in their freshman class and only 1,900 students enroll, a school turns to their "wait-list" to fill enrollment until they have reached an acceptable number. According to NACAC, roughly 30% of colleges use waitlists and students only have a 1-5 chance if they are waitlisted.

The Waiting Game

Being waitlisted can actually be worse than being rejected because you simply don’t know the status of your application or if the school will call you and ask you if you would like to enroll. Colleges are supposed to send you a letter outlining the number of waitlisted students, and the chance of acceptance. Schools are also supposed to notify you by August 1 (which will probably be after you have sent in a deposit to another school). The waitlist status usually comes at a difficult time in the life of students as they are in the process of receiving other acceptance and rejection letters from other schools.

Human Kinetics Launches New Site - 20% Discount

2009-07-20T06:48:00.000-04:00

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The largest site wide discount ever!
To save 20% on any Human Kinetics product just enter promo code E5308 at checkout.
This offer cannot be combined with other offers; it does not apply to FITNESSGRAM®/ACTIVITYGRAM® products, individual journal products, online courses, subscriptions, retest fees, or K-12 student textbooks; it excludes some distributed products; and it is only valid for items purchased online.
Offer Expires: 7/29/09

Do Your Softball Pitchers Out-pitch your Catchers?

2009-05-24T15:47:00.001-04:00

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Coach Dave Weaver is founder and director of the New England Catching Camp

As I have observed the game of fast pitch softball for women the past 10 years I have seen an interesting situation develop. There has been an extraordinary emphasis on pitching instruction around the country. The skills I used to see in only the best high school senior pitchers years ago are now being executed by girls as young as 12 and 13.

The 55mph barrier is being broken by younger and younger girls each year and the amount of movement on their pitchers that these young pitchers can achieve is startling.

All this leads me to the question: Do your pitchers out-pitch your catchers? Has the increase in skill of your pitchers out paced the skill of your catchers? Do your pitchers have pitches they can throw for strikes that your catchers have no chance of keeping a strike or maybe even just plain catching?

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Top Soccer Coach Provides Conditioning Tips

2009-05-24T15:14:00.001-04:00

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Gatz's new book offers agility insights

Excerpt adapted from Complete Conditioning for Soccer (Human Kinetics, 2009).

Champaign, IL-- Along with accelerating, agility involves reaction time, balance, coordination, stopping, and starting. Agility drills can be either reactive or nonreactive. Nonreactive drills are those in which the athlete can anticipate what is going to happen, whereas reactive drills require the athlete to react to a stimulus and make a split-second decision. Both reactive and nonreactive drills will improve your agility, but as a soccer player you should focus on reactive drills. These are most likely to transfer to the game. The following agility essentials form the framework for designing a training routine for increasing your quickness and ability to change direction.

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Complete Conditioning for Baseball

2009-05-24T15:12:00.001-04:00

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Editors Note: This book comes with a DVD, and it even tags the drills in the book as ones that are on DVD. I would have liked to see a few more tagged as the photos do not do justice to the actual technique being described. Unless there is a photo seguence from numerous, I don't think they ever work well in these books.

Overall the actual exercises mirror most others found in the general strength and conditoning books Human Kinetics Publishes. There are some good baseball, or shoulder specific exercises, that are helpful but the the real benefits for sport specific training guides deals with the year round programming - pre-season, in season, off season, training, etc. The issue is that most younger athletes not specializing in one sport are often playing another sport. A good maintenance program should be required by any sport - but if you are playing basketball in the winter, there should be a clear goal to work on shoulder strengthing exercises during the season (without huring your basketball) so that you are not behind the eight ball when spring comes. A book like this should help you and a coach figure that out.

Champaign (IL) - Today’s players are bigger, stronger, and faster than ever before. A focused conditioning program has become essential to on-the-field success. Complete Conditioning for Baseball features a comprehensive training approach that builds players’ physical abilities as well as the baseball-specific skills their positions require.

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New Sport Nutrition Text Caters to Coaches' Specific Needs

2009-05-24T15:09:00.001-04:00

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Editors Note: I'll be blunt folks. Sports Nutrition information is great stuff - but if you can't win the last mile, don't bother. The last mile in this case is actualy ability for the athlete to have timely access to the recommended foods for proper nutiton. Many coaches are just worried about their kids getting something to eat at night or in the morning before school, let alone the "optimal sports nutrition". This issue is far greater reaching than sports performance. As a nation, we are aware that hungry students do not learn very well in the classroom, yet we still can't get them all fed and ready to go each day.

Sure, there is nothing wrong with this information and any little bit helps and the Girls Cross County Team at Fayetteville Manlius would likely have this information and the access to any food they need, but that is not the norm. That said, this book does cover some very important topics that encompass more than just an athlete's performance and nutrition. Health issues related to alcohol use, weight gain and loss as well as supplements are covered. This looks to be a nice text for any coach to review and have access to.

Champaign, IL-- Coaches and fitness professionals often have trouble teaching athletes nutrition habits for optimal performance. The upcoming Sport Nutrition for Coaches (Human Kinetics, June 2009) solves that problem. In it, sport nutrition expert Leslie Bonci offers coaches, personal trainers, and fitness specialists an easy-to-understand guide written specifically for people with no previous experience with sport nutrition.

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Eye Safety When Exercising and Playing Sports

2009-05-20T09:09:00.001-04:00

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David Hurcombe O.DBoard Certified Optometrist, achieved his doctorate at the University of Houston College of Optometry

If you are into sports and suffer from a defect of vision there might be a few question marks regarding the safety of your eyes. For example, are glasses or contact lenses preferred? Or what risks do I expose myself to by wearing glasses? To help you out we have collected a few tips and pointers regarding what there is to think about.

Contact Sports

This is perhaps quite obvious, but glasses are totally out of the question when it comes to contact sports. Glasses will not only disturb much of your movement – they will also be dangerous to wear. Generally your only option here is contact lenses but it is not always easy to know what type of lenses to wear for contact sports. Make sure that you get soft contact lenses as they will fit you comfortably and they will also stand the best chance of staying in your eyes if you were to get hit. Another tip that we can give you is only purchasing soft daily contacts as they are easy to replace if you were to lose a pair while playing.

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Coaching Tennis Technical & Tactical Skills

2009-05-17T20:47:00.001-04:00

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Go beyond tennis coaching basics

Coaching Tennis Technical and Tactical Skills (Human Kinetics, June 2009)

Champaign, IL--Tennis is thriving: Over the past five years tennis participation at the high school level has increased more than 10 percent each year, and total participation is over 14.5 million in the United States alone. Written for high school coaches, Coaching Tennis Technical and Tactical Skills (Human Kinetics, June 2009) guides coaches through basic to intermediate tennis skills in a comprehensive manner. Written by the American Sport Education Program (the leading instructor of coaches with over 1.5 million trained coaches in its ranks) in conjunction with the United States Tennis Association (the largest tennis organization in the world), this book is the practical resource that will help high school coaches improve their coaching.

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Nutrition - Issues for Underperforming Athletes

2009-05-17T09:49:00.002-04:00

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The Athlete’s Kitchen
Copyright: Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD author of Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook 4th Edition,),
September 2008

“Nutrition is my missing link. I have my training down, but my eating needs help.” Time and again, my clients express this concern when they fail to get desired results from their workouts. These busy people, who range from casual exercisers to competitive athletes, are eating at the wrong times, choosing the wrong balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat, drinking too little fluids, and consuming adequate iron. The question arises: How much better could these athletes perform? The answer is: Lots better! The following article highlights some common missing food links, and provides solutions that can help you to avoid these pitfalls.

Missing link #1: Respect for the power of food
“You know, Nancy, too many athletes show up for training but they don't show up for meals. They might as well not show up for training...” These words, spoken by a winning Boston College hockey coach, are true, indeed. Instead of rushing to practice, only to show up poorly fueled, you'd be better off taking 10 minutes from your training time to fuel properly and be able to get more from your workout. Plan ahead!

Click here for the rest of the Missling Links!

The Catcher's Creed by Coach Dave Weaver

2009-05-17T09:45:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Coach Dave Weaver is founder and director of the New England Catching Camp

Understanding that as a catcher I must accept my role as the leader of my team.
I hold myself to the 10 points of the Catchers Creed while training or playing.
I will be suited up, stretched, and ready to go 15 minutes before the team is expected to arrive for training or a game.
My equipment will always be clean. I will never drag dirt or mud into any indoor training facility.
My shirt will always be tucked in, whether in a game or at practice.
I will NEVER be heard saying anything disrespectful towards a team mate, opponent, coach, or umpire.

Click here to read the rest of "The Catchers Creed"

Pete Newells Playing Big - The Definitive Guide to Playing Modern Post Basketball

2009-05-17T09:39:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Written by Human Kinetics
Sunday, 17 May 2009 08:19
The Definitive Guide to Playing Modern Post by Pete Newell and Swen NaterEditors Note: Legendary coach Pete Newell passed away at age 93 in November 2008, but before his passing he left behind this book and the DVD that comes with it. You can hear Newell give an intro on the DVD - most of it features Nader and other Newell Big Man Camp Coaches in action. The DVD is very helpful and I restate my feeling that you should avoid any book that claims to be instructional but lacks a DVD or CD ROM. The added detail you get with video makes the complete package.For example, you see the timing of the footwork and the subtle details that make moves work. Coaches or athletes can read it, but for many, it will not sink in until the see it. One problem is that the book does not ear mark which drills or concepts are also covered in the DVD - unlike other books from Human Kinetics. I find this to be helpful and it should be SOP on these books.

Pete Newell’s Playing Big offers a rare opportunity to learn from a basketball coach who has taught Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Bill Walton the finer points of post play and added new inside dimensions to the perimeter games of Shawn Marion, James Worthy, and Scottie Pippen. With this book and DVD, Pete Newell and Swen Nater show how you too can learn and apply the tactics and techniques from the world’s foremost expert on playing big and dominating the inside game.

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Goose Adventure Racing - Update July 2007

2008-09-01T21:27:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

********************************************************

Greetings!

We're back! We're long overdue to get the word and race app out for our big Fall event, the fourth annual Out of Bounds Half Marathon and 10K Trail Runs at Bristol Mountain. Join us Sunday, October 5th (noon start)for big fun, big elevation changes and a big post race feast. Course designer Tim Ratowski, the innovator of offroad, has set up a challenging course that will take you on a wild tour of the woods around Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua, NY. Sense of humor is required.

What's new this year:
* New race date, we are on Sunday this year instead of Saturday.
* Our 10K serves as the USATF Niagara Association 10K Trail Championship. USATF Niagara Association members are eligible to compete for the overall cash prize and age group medals. You do not need to be a USATF member to participate in the 10K but awards however are only available to USATF Niagara Association members. USATF membership registration will be available race day. Awards in the half marathon are open to all racers.
* Mizuno tech shirts to the first 125 to register at either distance.
* Ian Webber is responsible for the video of the 2007 race now on our website, it offers a great glimpse of the race and what we do. Enjoy.
* An elevation profile has been added to the home page.

Each participant receives:
* A Skyride chairlift ride to the start at the summit of Bristol Mountain.
* Mizuno Tech Shirt to the first 125 registered runners.
* Post race barbecue.
* Half marathoners receive a pair of Injinji socks (first 75 registered).

Consider joining us for one of the most unique and challenging running experiences in the Northeast. We promise fast descents, big climbs, great views of the surrounding mountains, well-stocked fuel stations and a big collection of swag thanks to awesome race support from our sponsors that include: Bristol Mountain Winter Resort, Teva footwear, Mizuno, Ultimate Direction hydration, Buff headwear, Injinji socks and All Terrain Photo.

Thanks for reading and we'll see you out there.

You've been Goosed!

Mort and Tim
www.roadsarepoison.com

Meat Meat Meat - Protein and Athletes

2008-09-01T21:08:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

*********************************************************

The Athlete’s Kitchen

Copyright: Nancy Clark MS RD CSSD August 2008

Protein and Athletes

Protein is a hot topic among athletes of all sports. They want to know how much protein they need, when they should eat it, what's the best kind of protein, and if they should buy sports drinks with protein. The purpose of this article to answer some of these questions and leave you with this message: While adequate protein is important in your sports diet, protein should take it’s place as the accompaniment to carbs (grains, fruits, vegetables) in each meal and snack.

Q. I've been eating egg whites for breakfast. I’ve heard they are an excellent source of high quality protein, right?
A.Yes, egg whites offer high quality, muscle building protein. But take note: egg whites are mostly water, and are not “packed with protein.” A 3-egg white omelet has only about 10 grams of protein. You could more easily swig 10 ounces skim milk and skip the cooking and dishwashing.
A whole egg has about 6 grams protein, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. The yolk is cholesterol-rich; the debate continues whether or not the cholesterol you eat affects your blood cholesterol and heart-health. Likely not.
Better than eggs or egg whites, choose to fuel your muscles with carb-rich and health-protective oatmeal for breakfast. Cook it with skim milk (instead of water). If you want more protein, add almonds, walnuts and/or 1/4 cup of powdered milk.

Q. I've been weight lifting for several years. Do I still need a high protein diet?
A. In the early stages of training, your protein needs are higher than when you have established a stable muscle mass. Once you have built muscle, your protein needs return to the standard requirements. Yet, most strength-trained athletes habitually eat a high protein intake, and this becomes a moot point. Research suggests resistance exercise enhances the way your body uses the protein you eat, and this actually results in greater efficiency and a reduced protein requirement. (Campbell, 2007)

Q. How many protein bars per day are too many?
A. To start, you need to determine how much protein your body needs and then assess how much protein you eat via your standard diet. Most athletes eat more than enough protein without supplements! To estimate your daily needs, multiply your weight by 0.5-0.75 g protein/pound (1.0-1.5 g/kg). If you are restricting calories or are a novice exerciser who is building new muscles, your protein needs are a little higher, but 1 g protein/lb (2 g/kg) is more than enough!
Example:
• If you weigh ~120 lbs, the suggested intake is ~60-90 grams protein per day; 90-120 grams if dieting or starting to lift weights seriously.
• If you weigh ~160-lbs, the suggested intake is ~80-120 grams protein per day; 120-180 if dieting or starting to lift weights seriously.
To determine how much protein you eat at meals, use the information on food labels and/or analyze your diet at websites such as www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com.
Once you know how much protein you eat at meals and snacks, you can then determine how many protein bars you need. (Likely none!) That is, if your diet offers 100 grams protein and you need only 90 grams, there’s no need to buy a protein bar other than for calories to curb hunger. The athletes most likely to benefit from protein bars are dieters who restrict calories (including dancers, runners, wrestlers, gymnasts), vegetarians, and picky eaters.

Q. I'm a vegetarian and try to eat some plant protein at each meal. I still wonder if I am getting enough protein to support my training for a half-Ironman.
A. Many vegetarians who think they eat well are surprised to learn how little protein plant foods offer. For example, a petite vegetarian athlete who needs at least 55 grams protein per day might base her meals on these plant-proteins for the day:
Breakfast: a dallop of hummus (4 g protein) on toast
Lunch: a Boca burger (13 g)
Dinner: a quarter-cake of tofu (9 g).
That totals only 26 of the recommended 55 grams protein! Yes, she gets a bit more protein from the grain foods and veggies that round out her meals, but she would be wise to double those protein portions!
Getting enough protein is particularly important if you are restricting your calories to lose weight. Protein needs jump when calories are low because the protein gets burned for fuel rather than get used for building or repairing muscle. If you are concerned about your protein intake, meet with a certified specialist in sports dietetics for personalized advice. To find your local CSSD, use the referral network at www.SCANdpg.org.

Q. Should I use a sports drink with protein during my endurance runs that last longer than an hour?
A. If your goal of taking a sports drink with protein (such as Accelerade or Amino Vital) during an endurance event is to enhance your performance, don't bother. Endurance is largely affected by how many calories you consume while you exercise. Studies that look at protein+carbs during endurance exercise indicate when the total calorie intake is similar, the proposed endurance benefits are not there.
A good tactic is to eat a tried-and-true, well tolerated carb-protein snack or light meal within the hour or two before you embark on a long run or other form of endurance exercise. That is, enjoy some pre-exercise cereal with milk, bagel with an egg, a swig of lowfat chocolate milk. This gets protein into your system, so it’s ready to be used. Then after the first hour of endurance exercise, target ~200 to 300 calories of carbs/hour. Choose the sports beverage that tastes best to you. Soon after you’ve finished training, have a wholesome protein+carb snack or meal, to help reduce muscle soreness.

Q. I know I should eat a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio of carbs to protein right after I exercise, but I don't know what that looks like in terms of food. So I buy Accelerade to be sure I get the right ratio. Are there other options?
A. Commercial recovery drinks are more about convenience than necessity. You can enjoyably refuel with chocolate milk, yogurt, a sandwich or pasta with meat sauce. The ratio need not be exact; you just don’t want to consume a heavy amount of protein that sits in the stomach and slows digestion.
Also, whether or not a protein-carb sports beverage is superior to a carb-only beverage remains debated. In a recent study (Green, 2008) in which athletes drank either a carb or a carb-protein recovery drink immediately after muscle-damaging downhill running, both beverages offered a similar recovery process over the course of three days. The authors conclude the meals in those post-exercise days supplied the protein and carbs needed to recover. Yet, in a six-day study with college cross-county runners, those who took a carb+pro supplement reported less soreness than those who took only carbs (Luden, 2007.)
The bottom line: You won’t go wrong by refueling soon after exercise with a carb-protein combination. If engineered foods are preferable because they are convenient, buy them. But if you prefer the wholesome goodness of chocolate milk and other natural protein-carb combination, enjoy them instead!

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) offers private consultations to casual and competitive athletes in her practice at Healthworks, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill MA (617-383-6100). Her NEW Sports Nutrition Guidebook (2008), Food Guide for Marathoners, and Cyclist’s Food Guide are available via www.nancyclarkrd.com. See also sportsnutritionworkshop.com.

References

Campbell W, Leidy H (2007). Dietary protein and resistance training effects on muscle and body composition in older persons. J Am Coll Nutr 26, 696S-703S.

Green MS, Corona BT, Doyle JA, Ingalls CP. Carbohydrate-protein drinks do not enhance recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008;18(1):1-18.

Luden ND, Saunders MJ, Todd MK. Postexercise carbohydrate-protein-antioxidant ingestion decreases plasma creatine kinase and muscle soreness. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2007;17(1):109-23.

SIDEBAR

Thick and Frosty Milk Shake
Here’s a thick and tasty milk shake recipe from the new Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Fourth Edition (2008). The shake is tasty carbo-protein combination and makes a welcomed recovery food.
The instant pudding adds a thick texture; the ice cubes make it frosty and refreshing. It’s a healthful alternative to standard milk shakes made with ice cream and an enjoyable way to boost not only your protein and calcium intake, but also reduce post-exercise muscle soreness.

By varying the flavor of the pudding (vanilla, lemon, chocolate), you can create numerous variations. You can also add fruit (preferably frozen chunks) for extra nutritional value.

Note: The shake thickens upon standing; you can add more (or less) pudding mix, depending on how thick you like your shakes. If there are pieces of ice cubes remaining in the shake, worry not-they'll just keep the beverage cool.

1 cup milk, skim or lowfat
1/4 cup instant pudding
1/4 cup powdered milk
3 ice cubes

Optional: 1/2 to 1 cup (frozen) fruit chunks

1. Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Yield: 1 serving

Nutrition Information : 280 total calories; 55 g carbohydrate; 15 g protein; 0 g fat

Reprinted with permission from Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Fourth Edition (Human Kinetics, 2008)

Medical Awareness for Female Cross Country Runners

2008-08-25T20:17:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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DyeStat.com a 10 year staple of every competitive runner from high school on up has team up with a medical student to study the Menstrual Irregularities in HS Cross Country Runners.

Menstrual Irregularities in High School Cross Country Runners My name is Jennifer Malcolm and I used to run Pennsylvania District 1 cross-country and track with Villa Maria Academy and went on to compete at Bucknell University. I am now a first year resident at the Medical College of Georgia and am pursuing a career in sports medicine. Dr. Christopher Mehallo of the Rothman Institute and I would like your help this fall with our study on menstrual irregularities in high school cross-country runners.

This is a VOLUNTEER study involving an ONLINE questionnaire. The study is strictly CONFIDENTIAL. The runners will NOT indicate their name or school on the questionnaire. The initial survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and athletes will be asked to keep a log of their menstrual cycles during the 2007 cross-country season. The log is also online and requires less than 5 minutes of your time each month.

5th Year Player at RPI - Can't give it up!

2008-08-23T08:17:00.005-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Note: This link will expire in 7 days.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=714453&category=SPORTS

You can't find a more academically challenging college with this good a football program. A lot of credit has to be given to the players, yes of course, but to the coaches and admissions staff who find players that can compete on a Top 20 D-III football team and endure a very demanding science and engineering academic program.

RPI web site: http://www.rpi.edu/

RPI Sports web site: http://www.rpi.edu/student_life/athletics.html (note how it is under student life, not a stand alone sports web site, that tells you a little already). RPI is building what will be the top football stadium in the greater Albany NY area - surpassing SUNY Albany (D-1) in facilities by a big margin...for now.

Casale is back for one last try
Fifth-year student returns to complete RPI career

By PETE DOUGHERTY, Staff writer First published: Saturday, August 23, 2008
TROY — Nick Casale remembers the chilly December day nearly five years ago in Collegeville, Minn., arguably the pinnacle of RPI's 123-year football history. He was a high school senior at the time, and he traveled with his parents to watch his brother Anthony play in the NCAA Division III football semifinals against St. John's (Minn.).

Test

2008-08-03T20:57:00.000-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Test

Who Is Fielding Yost?

2008-07-25T10:57:00.004-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Some say he is a great inventor...but of what?

Interestingly for Michigan football fans, Yost, a West Virginia native, is perhaps the grand father of the spread, up tempo offense. Yost is a Michigan Legend and former AD of Big Blue. His nick name was "Hurry Up". Something you no doubt hear new Michigan Coach, and fellow West Virgina native, Rich Rodriguez say a lot. Albeit with a few curse words mixed in.

So, Big Blue fans, if you are not happy with the new look Wolverines this year, you only have one place to look - your own back yard! (make that two, West Virginia).

From Wikipedia - During their first five seasons under Yost, Michigan outscored its opponents 2,821 to 42, earning the nickname "Point-a-Minute."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielding_Yost

So for all you folks out there wondering who was actually the father or grandfater of this wide open, hurry up, spot the ball and snap it movement? It comes with some surprise that sluggy old Michigan (for the most part) was the epicenter of the movement.

Rob Crews - The Rob Crews Softball Swing

2008-07-22T15:32:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Good article about an old friend of mine. Rob Crews - the man can coach hitting. He specializes in softball players and his students include current NCAA stand-outs Ali Gardiner and Maddy Coon (plus several others).

Ultimately, Rob is a good guy who puts everything he has into the improvement of his students. If you don't give him the same, don't count on a 2nd chance.

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS02/806260505/-1/SPORTS

Mental Skill Tip for Performance Enhancement

2008-07-20T15:28:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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When speaking to groups about mental skills and the topic of self talk came up, it seemed that many in the audience had a hard time relating to the fact that useful self talk has to be self created. As athlete's we are trained to do what the coach tells us. In this case, we tell athlete's to use phrases that are positive and have meaning to them - in other words, you gotta figure it out a little.

Olympic Qualifier Alice Schmidt (800 Meters) had this interesting quote in a New York Road Runner interview.

NYRR: I read somewhere that you’ve been working on your mental game. What have you done?

AS: That has come with practice. It’s been tougher since I’ve been training alone. I definitely have to be more deliberate in visualizing through long intervals and workouts. Sometimes it’s really tough for me to stay focused. That’s something that I’ve just acquired over time. During the race I’m usually like “the hay is in the barn and the work has been done and today you will compete fiercely.” If you’re thinking during a race, you’re doing something wrong.

Read the entire article.

Ron Horn Runners Update - July 18

2008-07-18T15:23:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Joggers and Joggettes;

2 or 3 of you had asked to get off our subscription list. Was too busy this week but will deepsix you next week. Just ignore this horse hooey, like the other 10,700 people do!

1) MEGA EASY AWARD ALERT: this Sunday’s wonderful Winning Kick 5k thru the flat, shaded old neighborhoods of Mt Penn currently has about 60 entries and gives 53 awards. Now, they do get a decent walk up every year but this race is TOO nice not to warrant the attention of some of you. The app is on www.pretzelcitysports.com; timing and course design by Pretzel City as well. If you’re looking for something FAR more wild on Sunday, Big Wayne will be timing the Xterra 21K and 10K Trail Run down in Nottingham, PA Don Morrison puts on a 1^st class event and since this race helps earn points from the national Xterra rankings and championship, he has about 175 entries so far, from as far away as Reno, NV!! Check out the contact info for the race on the PCS site and give this event with national recognition a try.

2) I am KRANKED about the upcoming Marsh Creek Raptor 5m & 10M trail run!!! I rode the course with the race director the other day and its 99% certain that we’re going to make a change that will add some really neat trail with downed logs and a mud bog or two; the kind of stuff the crazies like! Even BETTER is the fact that this addition would eliminate 2 of the least appealing parts of the course; the long, grassy, uphill field in the sun that comes about the 3 mile mark and the start where you go thru a parking lot, run on grass and then return thru the parking lot. The new course, if implemented, will be FAR nicer, less confusing for those doing a 2^nd lap and more shaded. The race director has generously extended the prereg to midnight tonight. So, get those apps postmarked today or get on active.com TODAY, JOSE! This price break is FAR more than any oil cartel member has done for your pocketbook lately!!

3) A few prereg deadlines are coming up. The Grings Mill 5k & 10k, Pennsylvania’s prettiest race, has its deadline in just a few days. The shirts & medals for this event will go back to the retro design for this event that I used when I first directed it in 1987. It still remains one of the nicer shirts given in this area. It’s also time to start looking at the deadline for the Half Wit Half, trail running’s answer to labor pain and now finishing at the Reading Liederkranz German Singing and Sports club, and the Run4Sam 4 Miler in late Aug. The Hit the Hay 8 Mile trail run deadline is approaching too! 5-6 creek crossings, some wonderful vistas and a sickass course designed by Big Wayne, who is as demented as he is tall. You can find all of these apps on pretzelcitysports.com. Lastly, the wonderful Legs for Lindsey is not too far off either. This mid-week evening race at Evansburg State Park is in memory of Lindsey, a special needs child who got wonderful results from horse riding therapy. The race is directed by her mother in memory of her daughter who tragically died in her early 20’s, and proceeds will go to help other special needs kids have this same wonderful experience.

4) BIG happenings at last night’s Third Thirsty Thursday. A young man showed up and asked what the course record was. He was from Michigan, in town with his wife who is from Berks Co. I informed him that it was a 16:10 but that they had just re-stoned the trail about 2 weeks ago and it was still not quite hardpacked and, as such, a little slower than it will be in 2-3 weeks. “Well”, he said “it’s going down.” Now, I LOVE bravado because it normally leads to 2 things 1) either a great performance or 2) a chance to trash someone who makes a claim and then they fall flat on their face (like the guy at the end of the bike at the recent Trimax triath. He was in the top 10 at the end of the bike and I told him he was 45 seconds behind the person ahead of him. He asked me how far he was behind 1^st, I told him 7 ½ minutes and said that there was no way that he was going to catch him with a lead like that in a 5k. He said-“we’ll see about that”…., and we did! Not only did he NOT catch him, he dropped 3 places in the overall!! ). Anyway, back to the Third Thirsty. The guy was true to his word. Despite the slower course, he ran a scintillating 15:01; the second fastest 5k I can remember in Berks Co over the past 15 years, Ends up, his last race before this was in the finals of the US Olympics Trails, where he took 8^th in the 3000M(?) steeplechase. Second place was in the mid 16’s and he STILL got beat by over 1:30!! It was an incredible performance and it happened at our little old race known for hot times and cold beers!

5) For several years, a prominent, wealthy restaurateur in NYC’s Little Italy was having an affair with an Italian woman. One night, she confided in him that she was pregnant. Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he told her that if she would go to Italy to secretly have the child and stayed there to raise it, he would first pay her a large sum of money and then provide very generous Child support until the child was 18.

She agreed, but asked how he would know when the baby was born. To keep it discreet, he told her to simply mail him a postcard, and write 'Spaghetti' on the back. He would
then arrange for the child support payments to begin.

One day, about 7 months later, he came home to his confused wife.

'Honey,' she said, 'you received a very strange postcard today.'

'Oh really?' he said trying to look none the wiser, 'Surely a case of mistaken identity or a wrong address - let me see the card.'

She passed it to him and watched as her husband read the card. Upon reading it, he turned white and fainted! It said…..

'Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Three with meatballs, two without.

"Send extra sauce"

6) Although the 20 in 24 race is full, many folks we know are coming down this Sat and Sunday morning just to watch it. They want to see how some of these folks look after 20-21 hours of nonstop torture!! It will be interesting to see just how many people are able to grasp one of the 50 Mile certificates and the 100 mile certificates, considering that the weather is supposed to be hotter than a Pamela Anderson bra fitting. Not sure who all is running it but I know they include Laura Yasso, wife of Bart, Rob Gallagher of the BuxMont Club, Scott Tutton who directs the many races from the Hatfield Athletic Club and several members of our home club, the Pagoda Pacers. Should make for some WONDERFUL stories of pain and perseverance!! Now, if I can just stay up for 30 hours!

7) Fred's convertible glided to a halt on the edge of a lonely country road.

"I suppose," said his pretty but reluctant date, "you're going to pull the old 'out of gas' routine."

"No," said Fred, "I'm going to pull the 'here after' routine."

"The 'here after' routine what's that?", she wanted to know.

"Well, it goes like this. If you're not here after what I'm here after, you'll be here after I'm gone."

8) The very popular Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for VIA (individual and relay) has limits to its entry so if you’re thinking about doing it in early Sept, you better get on this stick!!! Or off of it. Or whichever it is. Oh, heck, just throw the stick away!!! The event goes from Allentown to Easton on primarily packed cinder trails and is one of the most competitive relay races in the East, with a VARIETY of divisions! PCS will be timing it and Bart Yasso, of Runners World is the quasi-director of the event; at least the part that relates to the course & rules. Hope to see a bunch of you there; either along or with 4 other knuckleheads. The web site is www.vianet.org

9) A doctor had just finished a marathon whoopee session with one of his patients. He was resting afterwards and was feeling a bit guilty because he thought it wasn't really ethical to “schtupp” one of his patients.

However, a little voice in his head said;

"Lots of other doctors have whoopee with their patients so it’s not like you're the first..."

This made the doctor feel a little bit better until still another voice in his head said,

"... but they probably weren't veterinarians".

10) Tidbits:

A major mailing is going out this week to people that did a race on our list over the past year. It contains the Hit the Hay, the Michael Wise, the Blues Cruise Ultra, the Live, Love, Hear 5k from Trooper Thorns, the Radnor Red Run Steeplechase, the Dark and Dirty Nighttime Trail Run and the Evansburg Challenge. It should hit the post office today and if you don’t see one in a week or so, most of the apps are on the PCS site.

The water crossing at this past weekends’ Herbert”s Off Road race in Allentown was a complete hoot! Some 198 people did this combination of grass, packed cinder trail, rustic trail and one hilarious creek crossing. Special props go to 2 people. The crossing was just about race deep but there must have been a slippery rock near the bank, because several people that stepped into that section were immediately thrown forward up to their neck. 1^st props go to our old buddy and always a frontrunner Budd Coates, from Rodale, who slipped on that rock immediately immersing himself up to his neck and thought, what the heck, and swam the reminder of the waist deep challenge. The second prop (I hope I have the name right) goes to Dr Jack Manzella. For reasons only he will know, he took off his shoes and then tried to get his dog to jump in. The dog was obviously the smarter of the two and refused! Dr Jack threw his shoes on the bank to try to get out and join the dog when one of them fell back in and started floating down the creek. Thanks to the race director’s brother, Neil, the shoes were saved while Jack dealt with the hound. NEAT race all around!!!

Still trying to find out what happened to the McFit and Able 5k in Orwigsburg. Did they have it this year?? This race was wonderfully directed and treated the runners better than 98% of the event that I attend. But, the course was SO hard that almost without fail, 90% of those that did it ONLY ever did it once!

Wonderful turnout the last 2 weeks for the Wed night races. The Moyer event got almost 450 people and the Phils Tavern did even better than that at 501 in the 5k alone! With the weekends being SO crowded, its great that we now have other options! One of the entries at the Phils run was the assistant director of the Boston Marathon who is also the director, at least for logistics I think, of the Phila Marathon.

Be sure to check out the Aug edition of Trail Runner magazine. They did a 20 year anniversary piece on the GREAT Hinte Anderson (HAT) 50k in Havre de Grace, MD. Congrats to Jeff and Phil for what they have done to make this one of the best races in the country. LOTS of familiar faces in the pics of the article; plus the event was won by our good friend & frequent PCS race winner Alex Barth and our clubmate from the Pacers, Lauren Zuidema.

THIS is why I stopped training for all long races. The Western Sates, the premier 100 miler in the country, was cancelled this year due to the forest fires in California. They had to do what they had to do. But, there are people that patterned the entire year’s training around that race. That HAS to be a bummer!!!

11) Shorties-----

A guy walks into a psychiatrist's office wearing only shorts made from Glad Wrap. The psychiatrist says, "Well, I can clearly see you're nuts."

What's the difference between a “hooker” and a “pusher”? The hooker can wash her crack and resell it.

Two poor kids were invited by a rich kid to a swimming party at his pool.
When they were changing into their swim trunks, one turned to the other and said:
"Did you notice the small weenies on the rich kids?" The other answered:
"Yeah! It's probably because they have toys to play with!"

An old man of 70 married a young girl of 18. When they got into bed the night after the wedding, he held up three fingers.

"Oh honey", said the young nymph,
"Does that mean we're going to do it three times?"
"No", said the old man, "It means you can take your pick of any of them."

12) If this email is as well received as Reverend Jackson’s remarks on the Obama campaign when he though his mike was off, “jess” let us know and we’ll take you off the list.

Ron Horn

Pretzel City Sports

Mike Barwis - Suddenly Famous

2008-07-17T10:03:00.005-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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For those in the blog and chatosphere wondering about the hype given Mike Barwis, the new Michigan SC coach, I recommend that you look back at the 2003 (not sure the year) WVU vs. Miami game in the Orange Bowl and see not just Quincy Wilson recreate an out of control freight train down the sideline and leave a cleat mark on some "caine;s" sternum. But you should also look at all those fat UM linemen - "Nobody works harder than UM!!?? Right Feldman?" - totally gassed in the 4th quarter while WVU was still rolling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHr2DbCBHws
Watch the run again if y our don't recall

True, they lost, due in large part to the pure god given talent of Winslow - but the bigger picture is what we are after here.

I recall a chat with Mike in which he was less than impressed with the conditioning level of the "hardest workers in football." Well we all know, from the recent success in S. Florida, that we can't say that about Mike Irvin's extended family anymore.

Also, if you have ever sat in a team meeting, like I have, especially the night before the last home game of the seniors when they are all given a chance to speak ,then you might find it interesting that all 22 WVU Sr's mentioned Mike Barwis in their talk to the team. That means something.

So, the Big Ten is in for a rude awakening and likely OSU is the only team prepared to handle the speed and onslaught that will come at them once the Wolverines have their stuff together. Give em a year. The speed of play better pick up...

I think back to how bad FSU walloped Michigan in the big house back in 1991 and it seems they learned very little about speed since then. Not anymore.

START YOUR ENGINES: The ABC's of Sports Nutrition

2008-07-13T21:43:00.000-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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THE ATHLETE'S KITCHEN
Copyright: Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD July 2008

START YOUR ENGINES: The ABC's of Sports Nutrition

Eating a performance-enhancing diet isn't easy, and for many athletes and active people, nutrition is their missing link. If that's your case, here are a few ABC’s to get you started on the path to winning with good nutrition.

Always eat breakfast; it's the meal of champions! Within three hours of waking, fuel-up for a high-energy day. Not hungry in the morning? Trade evening snacks for a nice breakfast the next day.
Breakfast of champions? I vote for whole grain cereal + milk + fruit—an easy, wholesome, carb-protein combination.
Carbohydrates are essential to fuel-up and refuel your muscles. Do not “stay away from” pasta, potato, bread, bagels and other carbs that have wrongly been deemed “fattening.” Excess fat gets easily converted into body fat, but not carbs.
Dehydration needlessly slows you down, so plan to drink extra fluids before you exercise. The kidneys require about 45 to 90 minutes to process fluids. Allow time to tank up, eliminate the excess, and then drink again pre-workout.
Energy bars are more about convenience than necessity. Bananas, yogurt, fig cookies and granola bars offer convenient fuel at a fraction of the price. But if you prefer the convenience of bars, try Zing Bars (www.ZingBar.com). Yum!
Food is fuel--not the "fattening enemy" as some weight-conscious athletes believe. If you obsess about food and weight, find a local sports dietitian at www.SCANdpg.org.
Gatorade and other sports drinks are designed to be used by athletes during extended exercise, not as a lunch or snack beverage.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, as characterized by light-headedness, fatigue, and inability to concentrate) is preventable. To eliminate an afternoon energy lag/drop in blood sugar, enjoy a hearty snack between lunch and dinner.
Iron-rich foods, needed to prevent anemia, include beef and dark meat chicken (thigh, leg). If you eat neither of those, choose iron-fortified breakfast cereals (Raisin Bran, Wheaties). Read the cereal label, and note all natural brands (Kashi, granola) offer little iron.
Junk food can fit into your sports diet in small amounts. That is, you don't have to have a “perfect diet” to have a good diet. Target a diet that is 90% quality foods and, if desired, 10% foods with marginal nutritional value—sports drinks (refined sugar), birthday cake, chips, etc..
Keep track of calories if you want to lose weight. You'll reduce body fat only if you create a calorie deficit. A popular website for tracking food intake is www.fitday.com. Adding on exercise can help with fat loss IF the exercise contributes to a calorie deficit. (But the more you exercise, the more you might eat…)
Lifting weights is the key to building muscles. For energy to lift weights, you need extra carbohydrates. To support muscular growth, eat adequate (but not excessive) protein. Each muscle-building meal should be mostly carbs, with a side of protein, as opposed to mostly protein with minimal carbs.
Muscles store carbs as glycogen; glycogen depletion is associated with fatigue. Along with each one ounce of glycogen, muscles store about 3 ounces of water. Expect to gain 2 to 4 pounds of (water) weight when you carb-load.
Never eat an untried engineered sports food before an important competition. You may discover it settles poorly and hurts your performance. The website of competitive events indicate what foods and fluids will be available on the course. Find out in advance, so you can experiment during training!
Olive oil is heart-healthy, reduces inflammation, and helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. Although excess calories from oil (and other fats) are fattening, a little bit of olive oil on salads and with cooking adds taste and health benefits.
Protein is an important part of a sports diet, needed for recovery from hard workouts. But protein should be the accompaniment and carbs the foundation of the recovery meal. Make that a carb shake with a little protein (not a protein shake with a little carb).
Quality nutrition is found in natural foods. Be sure there are some apple cores and banana peels mixed in with the litter from your engineered foods and energy bar wrappers...
Rest is an important part of a training program; your muscles need time to heal. Plan one or two days with little or no exercise per week. Expect to feel just as hungry on days with no exercise; depleted muscles require extra food to refuel.
Sweet cravings are a sign you've gotten too hungry. Experiment with doubling your breakfast and lunch (and halving your dinner). You'll have more energy, better workouts—and far less desire for sweets.
Thinner does not equate to being a better athlete—if the cost of being thin is skimpy meals and poorly fueled muscles. Focus on being fit and healthy--not just sleek and slim (but starving).
Urine that is dark colored and smelly indicates you need to drink more fluid. If you are well hydrated, you will eliminate pale-colored urine every 2 to 4 hours.
Vegetarian athletes who do not eat meat need to include a substantial portion of plant protein at each meal. Peanut butter on a bagel, hummus with pita, and beans in chili are just a few suggestions.
Weight is more than a matter of will power; genetics plays a role. Forcing your body to be too thin is abusive.
Xtra vitamins are best found the "all natural" way: in dark colorful vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, peppers, tomatoes and carrots, or in fresh fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries and kiwi. Chow down!
Yes, even you can optimally fuel your engines. The trick is: Don't get too hungry. When too hungry, you'll likely grab the handiest (but not the healthiest) food around.
Zippy and zingy--that's how you'll feel when you fuel with premium nutrition. Eat well and enjoy your energy!

For personalized nutrition help, consult with a registered dietitian (RD) who is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). Use the referral network at www.SCANdpg.org to find your local food coach.

Nancy Clark MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) counsels casual exercisers and competitive athletes at Healthworks, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill, MA (617-383-6100). Her NEW 2008 Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook 4th Edition, and her Food Guide for Marathoners and Cyclist’s Food Guide are available via www.nancyclarkrd.com. See also www.sportsnutritionworkshop.com for online education.

2008-07-13T21:39:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Race Director Don Morrison, of Mid Atlantic Events, will conduct his premier trail running event of the season next Sunday; the Xterra 21K and 10k. Here’s some info on the event, in his own words:

The XTERRA Philly Trail Run Series is preparing for its largest race of the season taking place on July 20 in Nottingham County Park, Nottingham,Pa. It will feature a 21K Half Marathon and a 10K Trail Run.

Nottingham County Park is nestled within the beautiful Amish Pennsylvania Dutch Farms of southern Chester county.

Runners will travel through wooded areas over lush green fields,ruggid trails,and up steep crushing climbs.

The XTERRA Philly Trail Run Series has been a favorite among local athletes all season but this race has drawn larger attention with runners already registered from 11 states including Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas and many from the surrounding states.

Race amenities include: XTERRA T-Shirts, Post Race Pizza Party, Large prize drawing, and kids play areas.

Both the 21K and the 10K start together at 9am and will be timed by Pretzel City Sports of Reading, Pa (www.pretzelcitysports.com) Also, we will be having MLKimages at our event taking pictures. Here is the link where the pictures will be after the event.MLKimages- Nottingham XTERRA Xduro Photos.

Additional Information and to register go to:
www.Mid-Atlanticevents.com
www.XTERRAPLANET.com

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR GAME

2008-07-13T07:26:00.000-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR GAME

By: Stanley Popovich

Your fears, anxieties, and other problems have the best of you and you don’t know where to turn for help. Your game is also starting to go south as a result of the stress and anxieties. In these cases, some athletes will use alcohol or other substances to feel better.
Alcohol and substance abuse or any other addictions will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse. So what do you do to make your problems and fears go away? Well, since you can’t runaway from them, then the best solution is to tackle your fears head on no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ways in how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties.

The first step is to learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or coming month, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. Focus on the present and stop trying to predict what may happen next week. Next week will take care of itself.

Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances and factors that you can’t predict which can be used to your advantage. For instance, let’s say at your place of work that you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. Remember: we may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed or frustrated, open up your small notebook and read those statements. This will help to manage your negative thinking.

Be smart in how you deal with your fears and anxieties. Do not try to tackle everything all at once. When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, break the task into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Avoiding your problem through the use of alcohol or other substances will do nothing in the long run in fixing your problems. Remember that It will just make things worse.

BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/

DO NOT LET FEAR AFFECT YOUR GAME

2008-07-13T07:25:00.000-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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DO NOT LET FEAR AFFECT YOUR GAME

By: Stanley Popovich

Sometimes, fear and anxiety can get the best of us in sports. The key is to know how to manage that fear and anxiety. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that an athlete can use to help manage their fears and every day anxieties.

Occasionally, we you may become stressed when we have to play in an important round. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you have to play in the championship golf game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that you are playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.

Sometimes we get stressed out when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could read the newspaper, listen to some music or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This is a great technique to use right before your next game.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that you can carry around with you. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you. Whenever you feel stressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements. This will help to manage your negative thinking.

In every anxiety-related situation you experience, begin to learn what works, what doesn’t work, and what you need to improve on in managing your fears and anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of anxiety and you decide to take a small walk before your game to help you feel better. The next time you feel anxious you can remind yourself that you got through it the last time by taking a walk. This will give you the confidence to manage your anxiety the next time around.Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Remember that it never hurts to ask for help.

Remember that patience, persistence, and education will go a long way in preventing fear from becoming a factor in your game.

BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods" - an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/

New text tackles youth physical activity and sedentary behavior

2008-07-12T13:30:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com/

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Champaign, IL-- As interest in the public health challenge of youth inactivity increases, Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (Human Kinetics, August 2008) sets a standard for addressing a problem with worldwide implications. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this text breaks away from traditional thinking that places activity and inactivity on a single continuum; instead it encourages readers to focus on how sedentary and physically active behaviors coexist and consider how the two behaviors may have different determinants.

Each chapter presents the latest research, real-world approaches to implementation, and background for discussion. Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior also contains the following features:

Applications for professionals and researchers that provide practical suggestions for implementing solutions to youth inactivity
Coverage of more issues related to this subject than are available in any other reference
Internationally respected foreword writer, editors, and contributors who provide cross-disciplinary perspectives to examine solutions in a wider context

Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Challenges and Solutions considers current research about youth physical activity and sedentary behavior across a range of personal factors as well as cultural and social influences. The text seeks to communicate the knowledge base on how developmental, economic, psychological, and social factors influence this problem and provides an overview of youth-specific approaches to the reduction of sedentary living and the promotion of active living.

For more information on Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Challenges and Solutions, or a variety of other physical activity resources, visit Human Kinetics.

About the authors

Alan L. Smith, PhD, is associate professor of health and kinesiology at Purdue University. He is recognized internationally for his research in developmental sport and exercise psychology, serves as associate editor of the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, and is a consulting editor of Child Development. He is a fellow of the Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and is a past chair of the Sport Psychology Academy of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. He earned his PhD in exercise and movement science from the University of Oregon.

Stuart J. H. Biddle, PhD, is professor of exercise and sport psychology at Loughborough University. A recognized leader in the field of physical activity and health for young people, he has worked in the area for nearly 30 years. He is coauthor of the first textbook on exercise psychology and has delivered keynotes and other lectures in more than 20 countries. Dr. Biddle is past president of the European Federation for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity and was academic cochair of the Young and Active Project leading to national guidelines for physical activity for young people in the United Kingdom. He earned his PhD in psychology from Keele University.

CONTENTS

Part I. Conceptualization of Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

Chapter 1. Definitions and Measurement Simon J. Marshall and Gregory J. Welk

Chapter 2. Youth Health OutcomesDavid J. Stensel, Trish Gorely, and Stuart J.H. Biddle

Chapter 3. A Sociohistorical Analysis of U.S. Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary BehaviorMary McElroy

Chapter 4. Conceptual Perspectives Claudio R. Nigg and Raheem J. PaxtonChapter

5. "Couch Potatoes" and "Wind-Up Dolls"? A Critical Assessment of the Ethics of Youth Physical Activity ResearchMichael Gard Part II. Developmental and Psychological Factors in Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior C

6. Biocultural Factors in Developing Physical Activity LevelsRobert M. Malina

7. Youth Attitudes Martin S. Hagger and Nikos L.D. Chatzisarantis

8. Motivational Characteristics Stuart J.H. Biddle, Darren C. Treasure, and C.K. John Wang

9. The Role of the Self Peter R.E. Crocker, Kent C. Kowalski, and Valerie Hadd

10. Youth With Movement DifficultiesJanice Causgrove Dunn and Donna L. Goodwin

Part III. Social and Contextual Factors in Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

Chapter 11. The Family Brian E. Saelens and Jacqueline KerrChapter 12. Peers Alan L. Smith and Meghan H. McDonoughChapter 13. Physical Activity Levels During the School DayGareth Stratton, Stuart J. Fairclough, and Nicola D. RidgersChapter 14. Organized Sport and Physical Activity PromotionRobert J. Brustad, Runar Vilhjalmsson, and Antonio Manuel FonsecaChapter 15. Community Out-of-School Physical Activity PromotionDavid A. DzewaltowskiChapter 16. Living Environments Jo Salmon, John C. Spence, Anna Timperio, and Nicoleta CutumisuChapter 17. Economic Principles Chad D. MeyerhoeferChapter 18. Culturally Appropriate Research and InterventionsSuzanna M. Martinez, Elva M. Arredondo, Guadalupe X. Ayala, and John P. Elder

For more information, an excerpt, review copy, or author interview, contact:

Patty Lehn Publicity Manager-On short-term leave

Alexis KoontzPublicity Associate217.403.7985

Ron Horn the Comedian Running Organizer Update

2008-07-12T07:35:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Runners & Runettes;

A fair number of you may be getting your first ever Run Update eNewletter. How you’ve made it this long in life without this eclectic collection of insight is beyond me! These weekly emails are full of good running info, regional race reminders, tasteless jokes, life observations and multiple other hooey for which you’ll probably have no need. However, they are “free” and “you get what you pay for!” If you enjoy them, and over 10,700 do (or they just haven’t gotten around to unsubscribing), do nothing. Much like locust, they will continue to reappear at regular intervals. If you hate them, just unsubscribe. You WILL find some useful information among all the ranting and raving; however, you may have to be like Indiana Jones and dig thru a lot of cobwebs & decaying corpses to find it!

1) Numbers are starting to pick up for this Sunday’s Herbert’s Off Road 7.7M Run in Allentown. This event is a combination of rustic trails, cross country, cinder paths, a creek crossing, a covered bridge crossing, and who knows what else. You can find the app on www.pretzelcitysports.com, under trail apps and then under other trail apps. Speaking of trail runs, the prereg cutoff for the MOST EXCELLENT Marsh Creek Raptor 5M & 10M Trail Run is tomorrow, postmarked by July 12 (or go on www.active.com), and speaking of cutoffs, the cutoff for the prereg price for the outstanding Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon (and Relay) for VIA in early Sept is July 15th. Save some bucks so you can afford gas by getting your apps in for these events before the prereg price cutoff! The Marsh Creek app in on the Pretzel City site under “other trail apps” and on www.active.com; the Via app is on www.vianet.org. Pretzel City will time all these events.

2) Busy mid-week racing schedule next week. The week starts on Wed night with the Phil’s Tavern 5k in Blue Bell (app on www.aarclub.com). The event will be officially started by Bart Yasso, author and worldwide liaison for Runners World, who I suspect will have some of his books along to sign and sell. This is a VERY well run race and the Ambler RRC draws between 400-500 for this event regularly. The following night, the best excuse for undoing the positive effects of running with multiple beers afterwards occurs; the July edition of Pretzel City Sports’ Third Thirsty Thursday 5k at Trooper Thorn’s here in Reading (app on pretzelcitysports.com). The festive atmosphere afterwards, helped along by the 1 free beer with registration, helps offset a trail that is a just a shade small for the size crowd that we get but everyone has such a good time that the very minor limitations of the course hardly seem to matter. And where else can your entourage (your publicist, personal masseuse, speedwork coach, Uncle Ernie who can’t be left alone at home with little kids or sharp objects, etc.) sit of the deck of an fine Irish Pub and watch the start and finish of a race without ever putting down their Killians.

3) VERY busy next weekend for Pretzel City. On Sat, we will time the 1st annual 24 hr run in Phila, to benefit the wonderful Back on My Feet charity. VERY pleased to say that the registration limits for all 3 events has been reached so be sure to come down and cheer your friends on as some of them try to keep their tootsies in motion for 24 hours nonstop. Or, spend your time poking me with a sharp stick so I stay awake for some 28-30 hours. The next day, on Sunday, trail runners will ABSOLUTELY want to head to Nottingham, PA in lower Chester Co (home of Herr’s Snack, a runner favorite) and join Don Morrison for his Xterra 10K and 21K trail run. Xterra events give out more door prizes than a politician gives out favors to large campaign donors and Don runs some WONDERFUL events. Big Wayne will time this 1st year event for Pretzel City and I’m sure that people looking to get in either a medium or longer trail race will NOT be disappointed (you’ll all get an email with more specifics on this event in the next day or two.)

4) Pretzel City Sports is now involved with about 75 races a year but we do only 2 of them for free. One is the Mt Penn Mudfest, which I founded to benefit our own local running club; the Pagoda Pacers. The other is next Sunday, the Winning Kick 5k. This race is a NEAT little small town race in the suburbs of Reading known as Mt Penn, is AMAZINGLY flat for a race in a town that starts with the word “Mount”, and runs thru beautiful old tree lined neighborhoods and around a small lake. My daughter played for the soccer club that benefits from this race for years and NEVER, in that whole time, came home with a paper to sell hoagies, candles, magazines, frozen pizzas, neutered kittens, etc. Our free involvement in this event allows them to continue this history of not extorting money from Grammy, the neighbors, your co-workers and anyone else who could not POSSIBLY want this junk but is too kind to turn down you or your rugrat. I hope that ALL of you that are not doing the 20 in 24 or the Xterra race will consider helping this very worthwhile organization raise funds thru their fast, accurate and enjoyable 5k; app is on the Pretzel City site. With only 50 entries to date and over 40 awards, I’m giving this event our not-so-coveted EASY AWARD designation. Plus, they have a kids 1 mile run that gives awards too!

5) Former president Bill Clinton was at a baseball game to perform some activities for the home team. About 10 minutes before the game, a secret service guy whispered in his ear.Upon hearing what he had to say, Bill picked up Hillary by the ears and threw her mightily towards home plate!
The secret service guy ran up to Bill Clinton with a look of horror on his face and exclaimed:

"Sir, I believe you seriously misunderstood me!”

“I said that it was time to throw out the first Pitch!”

6) A lot of you have collected a lot of running knowledge over the years. If you’re interested in sharing it with our runners of tomorrow and live up north of the Lehigh Valley, Lehighton High School is looking for a new Cross Country coach.

Here’s the scoop:
Head Coach Cross Country Needed (Boys and Girls): Lehighton High School. Season runs from August to end of October and maybe longer if kids make PIAA States. Pay is $3225 and you will need criminal, child abuse, and FBI clearances. (I realize that this latter requirement will be an issue for many of you!). If interested, send a letter of application to:

Shawn Hindy, AD, 1 Indian Lane, Lehighton, PA 18235 or email the same to him at shindy@lehighton.org
Everyone I know that coaches XC says its one of the most fulfilling things they have ever done in their lives.

7) A young man took his date to an X-rated movie. They purchased refreshments and he showed his date to her seat.
Soon after the onscreen action started, things got hot and heavy. As they did, the young woman put her hand on the man's lap and started getting “busy”.

Smiling, she looked over at him and remarked;

"From what I can feel, it’s obvious that this is really getting you excited, too. But how come you feel so cold? Do you have bad circulation?” “No", he responded, “what I have now is your fingerprints all over my popsicle!"

Be Ready for Roth Conversions in 2010

2008-07-12T07:32:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Opportunity for high-income earners to convert
By Deborah L. Jacobs
Published: July 09, 2008

If you've been shut out of a Roth IRA because of your income, 2010 is the year that you may finally be able to take advantage of these tax-free accounts. That's because in 2010 you'll be able to convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. And as an added bonus, for tax year 2010, you'll be able to spread the tax impact over the next two years, 2011 and 2012.

The time to do something may be now. You may want to contribute as much as you can to a Traditional IRA before then, so you can convert as much as possible.

The details Starting in 2010, most taxpayers -- regardless of their incomes or tax-filing status -- will be able to convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA as spelled out in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (TIPRA), passed in May 2006. Before TIPRA, only people -- single or married, filing jointly -- with modified adjusted gross income below $100,000 could convert.

Benefits of Roth IRAs Roth IRAs offer some benefits not available with a Traditional IRA. Taxpayers who are 59 1/2 and older can make withdrawals from a Roth IRA without paying federal income tax. And unlike a Traditional IRA, there's no requirement to take yearly minimum distributions once you reach age 70 1/2. This means your money has the potential to continue to grow for as long as you live, which may increase the amount that your beneficiaries inherit.

Sound good? Here's how to prepare.

1. Start funding Traditional IRAs. Since there are no income limits for a Traditional IRA, investors can fund one for the next three years, with the intention of converting it to a Roth IRA in 2010. The more money you have in a Traditional IRA by 2010, the more you will be able to convert to a Roth IRA, so it pays to sock away as much as possible between now and then, says Barry C. Picker, an accountant and financial planner with Picker, Weinberg & Auerbach in Brooklyn, N.Y.

While your Traditional IRA contributions may not be tax deductible -- because you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), or your income is over phaseout levels1 -- you can still make nondeductible contributions. For 2008, anyone with earned income can contribute up to $5,000 per year if under age 50, and $6,000 if age 50 or older. (Once you reach age 70 1/2, you are required to start taking distributions from a Traditional IRA and can no longer add to the account.)
If you already have an IRA, you can simply add to it, Picker says. As long as you keep a record on IRS Form 8606 of your nondeductible contributions, there's no need to create a separate one just for this purpose.
How Fidelity can help Open an IRA or contribute to your existing IRA.

2. Maximize contributions to qualified plans. If you are currently participating in a workplace savings plan, such as a 401(k) -- and know you will be able to roll it over into an IRA because you are leaving the company or retiring -- consider funding the 401(k) account to the greatest extent possible before then, says Ed Slott, a CPA in Rockville Centre, N.Y., and author of Parlay Your IRA Into a Family Fortune (Viking, 2005). That's because in 2010 you'll be able to roll it directly into a Roth IRA. For 2008, the limit for 401(k) contributions is $15,500, plus an extra $5,000 if you are age 50 or older.

3. Be prepared to pay tax on the Roth IRA conversion. When converting from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you will owe income tax on any taxable portion of the account balance. An important point to note: Conversions must occur on a pro-rata basis, meaning you cannot choose to only convert the portion you've already paid taxes on. For example, say you have an existing $100,000 Rollover Traditional IRA with pre-tax money. You make $5,000 in after-tax contributions to it every year from 2008 to 2010 for $15,000 in total. You'd have to pay taxes on 87% of the $15,000 because taxes are calculated as a proportion of the total of your IRA accounts ($115,000). Please consult a tax advisor to see what this may mean in your situation.
Those who convert in 2010 may have a dramatically higher tax bill in 2011 and 2012. However, if you do the conversion in 2010, TIPRA offers two additional benefits. First, you don't have to pay any federal tax on the conversion in 2010. What's more, unless you elect otherwise, and as long as the converted amounts are not distributed before 2012, half of the taxable amount will be included in income for 2011 and half for 2012. Of course, it is better not to pay those taxes with funds withdrawn from the IRA or other retirement accounts, since doing that could generate yet more tax.

4. Understand the potential estate-planning benefits of a Roth IRA. People who inherit Roth IRAs also get favorable tax treatment, so converting a Traditional IRA or workplace savings account to a Roth IRA may be a savvy estate-planning tool, notes John Ragnoni, senior vice president of retirement products for Fidelity. Non-spouse beneficiaries must take distributions over their life expectancies but, unlike with a Traditional IRA, they generally don't have to pay income tax on the withdrawals. When a spouse -- let's assume it's a wife -- inherits a Roth IRA, she also has the additional option she has with a Traditional IRA, which is to roll over the retirement account into her own Roth IRA.

5. Expect the unexpected. Two wild cards may affect planning for Roth IRA conversions. One is the prospect that Congress will raise tax rates, which would increase the toll charge for doing a conversion. The other is the prospect of a new law repealing these provisions of TIPRA before they take effect in 2010. Either way, "none of these planning techniques can really hurt you," Picker says. "The worst-case scenario is that somebody put money away into a non-deductible Traditional IRA, which is a good move anyway.
How Fidelity can help Learn more about Roth IRAs.
(Please e-mail any comments to Investor's Weekly at Investors.Weekly@fmr.com.)

Why Parents Need to Save More for College!

2008-07-12T07:30:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Parents Saving Only 13% of College Costs
Research shows parents not saving enough
By Joanna Woodworth
Published: July 09, 2008

When three million1 students graduated from high school last month, many of their parents faced the realization that they have insufficient college savings.

Fidelity research2 found that parents of high school seniors expect to have just 13% of the estimated $100,0003 needed to fund a four-year college education. Additionally, parents anticipate student loans to cover 17% of their child's total college expenses, even as loans are projected to become more difficult to secure and may carry higher interest rates and less favorable terms.

According to the College Board, students received a total of $78 billion4 in both federal and private loans for the 2006-07 academic year, illustrating the reliance on financial aid to supplement college costs. Fidelity estimates that in order for parents to cover 17% of college costs in loans, today's high school seniors could incur $25,0005 or more in future debt.

"As college tuition continues to rise year-after-year, financial aid and loans can be part of the overall savings strategy, but it should not be as substitute for starting to save early and often in a tax-advantaged account, like a 529 plan," says Joe Ciccariello, vice president of college planning, Fidelity Personal & Workplace Investing. "In fact, our research shows that parents of children ages 15-18, who currently utilize a 529 plan, have significantly more savings and are on tract to cover almost half of college expenses."

Despite the preparedness of those parents utilizing a 529 plan, many parents (60%) still struggle to understand how savings in a dedicated college savings account are factored into the financial aid formula. Investing in a 529 plan account has a relatively small impact on financial aid because assets in a 529 plan are considered those of the parent not the child. Other savings accounts held in the name of the child or beneficiary may have a greater affect on financial aid eligibility as they are considered as assets of the child.

How Fidelity can help The 529 Plan Comparison Tool and 529 State Tax Deduction Calculator are designed to help you better understand the differences between plans and whether there is a significant tax advantage in your home state.

Learn more about Fidelity managed 529 Plans.
(Please e-mail any comments to Investor's Weekly at Investors.Weekly@fmr.com.)

Good summary of CFA rule changes in 2008

2008-07-09T11:26:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35981-2008-rule-changes-what-every-fan-needs-to-know

As is the trend, these play to the speed up the game freaks...the 40 second clock is what the NFL has. I am curious how spread, no huddle teams will make out. Check in with Michigan this year to see how it impacts their game as Rich Rod always trying to keep the defense on their heals with his tempo game.

Also - all face masks are 15 yards. No penalty for what used to be incidental face masks. That might change some games as refs no have to make a subjective decision about throwing the flag. Whereas before they could throw it and have a few seconds to think about a 5 vs 15 yard infraction. Agree? Disagree?

Secrets to a perfect pass- Three skills every soccer player should practice

2008-07-08T17:13:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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I have to admit, when I saw the title of this book and was hoping for a football book. As a former QB I am always looking for info on the Perfect Pass. Then again, the perfect pass in football is a completed one! Or one for a first down on 3nd and long...either way, I was wrong, this is about soccer and in our self centered universe, the art of passing is very often overlooked. I might argue that the ability to pass and set up a goal is as prized as a big footed goal basher...either way, this book might help you pass the ball better and in turn score more goals, but more pressure on the opponent and keep the ball away from their big guns...

Champaign, IL--Passing and support are some of the most important aspects of a soccer game. Soccer is a game of possession, and games are often won by the team that keeps possession of the ball for a longer time. "When under pressure, the player who passes rather than dribbles generally has a better chance of succeeding," says soccer legend Michael Parker. "It's vital that all players learn to be good passer of the ball, and it's especially important that they realize when and where to pass the ball."

In Premier Soccer (Human Kinetics, 2008), Parker addresses three factors that contribute to a skillful pass:

Accuracy. A player must be able to strike the ball correctly and accurately, most often aiming at a teammate's feet. The most accurate technique is to use the side of the foot, with the toe rotated outward. This kind of pass should be used for shorter distances of 5 to 20 yards. For longer passes, the instep of the foot should be used. This type of pass is more powerful but more difficult to do accurately. Defenders try to read the pass so that they can quickly get into position to intercept it or quickly close down the player receiving the ball. Thus the attacker needs to disguise the pass as well as possible--for example, by running in one direction and passing in the other, by changing direction quickly, or by faking or delaying the pass.
Timing. The ball must be released at the right time. If it is released too soon, the receiving player may not have had time to get into good position to receive it; if it is released too late, players may have run offside or into positions where they can no longer receive it. As a general rule, if the pressuring defender is farther away than the player who is the target of the pass, then it is too soon to make the pass.
Pace and power. The speed of the pass makes a huge difference. During keep-away sessions in practice, it's critical to put good pace on the ball in order to create a better rhythm and make it harder for defenders to intercept the ball. In game play, however, good judgment is essential: If a pass is too slow, it will be intercepted. If it is too strong, the receiving player may have difficulty controlling it. So passing speed should be adjusted to the conditions of the field, the particulars of the game, and the ability of teammates. In general, the better the receiver, the faster the pass should be. Passers must work hard to put good pace on the ball, and the player receiving the ball must work even harder to control it. The passer knows he has done well when the receiver can do anything he wants with it on the first touch.

In Premier Soccer, Parker presents intermediate to advanced techniques and tactics and the keys to using them in various situations during the heat of the match. He also provides the key elements for team success, including set plays, restarts, practice drills, and systems of play proven to work for his championship teams. For more information on Premier Soccer, contact Human Kinetics at 800-747-4457 or visit www.HumanKinetics.com.

Premier Soccer

Michael Parker

Paperback · 208 pp

ISBN 978-0-7360-6824-6 · $18.95

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Parker, the wins leader among active Division I men's soccer coaches, has won six national titles in 30 years of collegiate head coaching experience spanning all three NCAA levels. He has been at University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 1984, taking a club program and leading it to success in Division III (two national titles) and Division I (fourth among Division I active coaches with a winning percentage of .736).

His teams have made 19 NCAA tournament appearances, and in 1993 he became the first men's soccer coach in NCAA history to lead a team to the tournament in all three divisions. During his tenure, UNCG has won 10 conference titles, including six during its Division I era. Parker's 2004 team was ranked No. 1 in polls for much of the season. Parker also won three national titles while head coach at Lock Haven in 1977 and 1978 (Division III) and 1980 (Division II) and three national titles at the semipro level with the USISL's Greensboro Dynamo in 1993, 1994, and 1995.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Winning Attitude

Chapter 2. Roles of Players and Coaches

Chapter 3. Attacking Skills and Tactics

Chapter 4. Defending Skills and Tactics

Chapter 5. Systems of Play

Chapter 6. Set Plays and Restarts

Chapter 7. Physical Conditioning and Nutrition

Chapter 8. Practice Sessions

Chapter 9. Matches

Zap Fitness a Haven for Runners in North Carolina

2008-07-08T14:40:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Someday I am going to ZapFitness...it is a great place for runners of all levels. I am tied to Zap as the founder, Andy Palmer, who died suddenly in 2002 or 2003, was a PhD Student in Sport Psychology at FSU when I was a Master Student. We had some great talks and he was wonderful person - very helpful, caring and always ready to give advice if asked.

http://zapfitness.com/index.php?page=106

When I learned that Andy has passed a way, it was then that I committed to running a marathon. In 2003 I finished the Chicago marathon in under 4 hours.

His wife Zika has been running the center and foundation since Andy's untimely passing.

Four keys to pursuing the football - is it all speed?

2008-07-08T11:10:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Granted - speed makes up for a lot of mistakes in football. But as you climb the food chain re: advance in the playoffs, or play a big time schedule, or just play in the SEC, most teams are even on speed (or pretty close). So, when you cancel out speed what is left? Speed endurance? Yup, but that too will even out.

This book might give you some answers so you know what do with you players once you have (or train) some fast ones. Visit Humankinetics.com for a HUGE selection of speed and conditioning books.

Champaign, IL--Unbridled pursuit of the football seems like a simple concept. But, according to Ron Vanderlinden, author of Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses (Human Kinetics, 2008), pursuing is not simply running to the ball. "If this were the case, speed and effort would be the only requirements for proficiency at this task," says Ron Vanderlinden. "Pursuit also requires discipline and the development of proper technique."

In Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses, Vanderlinden explains four types of pursuit that should be employed by defenders:

Shuffle. This technique, often used by linebackers, is a controlled movement parallel to the line of scrimmage. The shuffle technique begins with an 8- to 12-inch reach step with the foot in the direction of the defender's initial movement. The initial step should be low to the ground and parallel to the line of scrimmage. The other foot should slide a similar distance, also low to the ground and parallel to the line of scrimmage.
Alley. Alley pursuit begins whenever the shuffle does not allow the defender to keep pace with the ballcarrier as he gains speed. The defender must turn his hips and run inside out to the ball. He must work his arms hard to keep his shoulders as square as possible. He should also maintain a low pad level. When the defender regains his leverage on the ballcarrier, he should regain his shuffle and fit inside out on the ballcarrier.
Press. This term describes a technique used by a linebacker when he has an opening to the ball. In this situation, the linebacker should press the ball, attacking the line of scrimmage in an attempt to make a minus-yardage play. This type of penetration from a lineback is essential for creating defensive plays that have a positive impact.
Angle of pursuit. If the ballcarrier quickly outflanks the interior defenders and crosses the line of scrimmage, the defenders need to adjust their course to put each defender in position to intercept the ballcarrier. As an individual defender regains leverage on the ballcarrier, the defender should regain his shuffle and expect the ballcarrier to attempt to cut back.

In Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses, Vanderlinden provides a thorough explanation of the two defenses, their base structures and adjustments, key reads and techniques, and positional responsibilities and requirements.

For more information on Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses, contact Human Kinetics at 800-747-4457 or visit www.HumanKinetics.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses

Ronald A. Vanderlinden

Paperback · 248 pp

ISBN 978-0-7360-7253-3 · $19.95

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ron Vanderlinden has been Penn State University's linebacker coach since 2001, where he is recognized for developing one of the top linebacker units in the nation. He coached the 2005 and 2006 Bednarik Award winners, the 2005 Butkus Award winner, two-time first-team All-American Paul Posluszny, and consensus All-American Dan Connor. Vanderlinden began his coaching career in 1978 as a graduate assistant for Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he had earned his master's of arts degree. He has enjoyed great success in his career as a Division I coach with stints at the University of Colorado, Northwestern University, the University of Maryland, and his current position at Penn State. Vanderlinden has been an integral part of four Big Ten championship teams, three Big Eight championship teams, and one National Championship team. He and his wife, Lisa, live in State College, Pennsylvania.

Meet Bart Yasso - The Mayor of Running

2008-07-07T10:12:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Meet Bart Yasso in our Collegeville shop on Monday, July 14 from 6-8pm!

Don't miss this opportunity to meet one of the best- known names in running! Dubbed the "Mayor of Running," Bart Yasso is one of the best-known figures in the sport, but few people know why he started running competitively, how it changed his life, or how his brush with a crippling illness nearly ended his career a decade ago. With insight and humor, My Life on the Run chronicles the heatstroke and frostbite, heartache and triumphs he's experienced while competing in more than 1,000 competitive races.

My Life on the Run will be available on Monday, July 14, at the Collegeville store for the special price of $19.99 (normal retail is $24.99). We hope to see you at the signing!

http://www.happyrunning.com/new.html

Comment by Augie Garrido on postion scholarship breakdown

2008-07-07T08:48:00.000-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/070608dnsposcholarship1.3b76d39.html

Garrido parcels out his 11.7 scholarships based on position. He tries to give 5.5 scholarships to his pitching staff, 1.5 to his catchers, 2.5 to his four infielders with the remaining 2.2 divided up among the outfielders.

"You can't put together a college baseball team if one player has a full ride," Garrido said. "Your top scholarship is probably 90 percent."

Garrido also has his assistant coach Tommy Harmon decide how the financial aid will be divided so Garrido doesn't know.

"I don't have any connection or awareness of the money involved, so I can assure them it will be about the best ballplayer playing," Garrido said.

At least one baseball dad has his head on right about scholarships

2008-07-07T08:44:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Good article in the Dallas News about how the scholarship numbers game works. Every year, the next batch of scholarship minded parents are slapped in the face about the realities of "scholarships" - it is a relative term and not defined as "a grant to pay for all your college expenses for four years." Not even in football is this true, but it is a little closer than the other sports this articles points out.

But Sibley said he is financing his sons' passion for baseball with realistic intentions.

"If you were looking at it from a purely monetary standpoint, chances are in baseball, you're probably going to come out a net loser," Sibley said.

"But I'm looking at the sport as a chance for my sons to become a better-rounded individual. We don't look at it from the standpoint of we're putting all this money in with the hope a scholarship will pay us back because it's not going to happen."

Summer means travel teams, tournaments and fast food

2008-07-03T10:48:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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What do you feed your young athlete, superstar to be and athletic scholarship hopeful? These days anything you can afford that gives them calories to burn during these long, hot summer months of camps, tourneys, tryouts and combines!

Keep in mind that some foods are better than others for energy. These fast food breakfasts are very high in fat, which is ok if you are burning a ton of calories and are also getting the protein and carbs you need...but, typically I am not sure that happens.

There is a ton of nutrition info at www.athletesadvisor.com/nutrition to help you out! Also you can search this blog for "Nancy Clark" and get all the posts I have put up here as well.

Read full article
http://food.yahoo.com/blog/hungrygirl/21192/worst-chain-breakfast-diet-busters-satisfying-swaps

Women's Lacrosse Coach Receives National Honor - Does She Stay

2008-07-02T20:10:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Women's Lax has been around at Division III Hamilton College for a long time, since before I started there in 1987 so this is not a recently new program, a la the Northwestern University program that built a 4 time defending NCAA Championship program in basically a few years.

But, Patti Kloidt who has been at Hamilton for six years must be on more than one schools short list of coaches to replace an existing coach or start a new program. But you never know, she could love the lifestyle and pace of coaching D-III and plan on staying there as long as she can. You never know.

Any recruit interested in a program with a reigning national coach of the year has to find that attractive, but understand you are not alone and ask the coach what his or her plan are? Do they have a long term contract to stay at the school - where do they see themselves in 2 or 3 years.

Ideally you pick a college with at least equal weight to academics, social fit and athletics, but we know many of you weigh sports more than academics - because, let's be honest, you might be a good academic fit at a lot of schools.

http://www.hamilton.edu/news/more_news/display.cfm?id=14224

Lehigh Valley's 1st Trail Run: BE THERE!

2008-07-02T11:27:00.001-04:00

We are just DAYS from the first trail run ever held in the Lehigh Valley. The description below seems to indicate that it will be a very diverse run. Please read the following words from the race directors and we hope you'll join us for this memorable event in 2 weeks; AND, I have to ask, WHY would you ever pass up a race that has awards that are donated by a BREWERY??!! (see below). Event timed by Pretzel City Sports

You've got only one choice for trail runs on July 13^th….Herbert's Off Road Run in the Lehigh Parkway in Allentown. In fact, Herbert's is the ONLY trail run in the entire state of Pennsylvania on July 13^th. Herbert's has it all; rugged trails, smooth paths, steep hills, covered bridge crossing, even a water crossing. Not to mention killer awards from Aardvark Sports Shop, Allentown Brew Works, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, and many more.

This 7.7 mile run is challenging enough for the veteran trail runner but is also perfect for newbie's to the trail. It is truly an all-encompassing course for runners of all levels. The course will have 3 water stops/replenishing stations and is mostly shaded. Awesome race shirts are available to the first 200 entrants. Register early to avoid race day registration lines and save yourself 10 bucks!

Technology and Recruiting - They are intertwined

2008-07-01T16:09:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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I love Athletic Business, great magazine. Good article on how the NCAA is constantly chasing the regulation of technology in the recruiting process.

Of course, the regs really go after the most affluent programs with access to both staff and resources to use the technology that is available.

Be that as it may, there are some many free services to run a video chat from a web cam that maybe it is a blessing for small programs with limited budgets.

http://athleticbusiness.com/articles/article.aspx?articleid=1813&zoneid=28

The typical HS kid knows how to use a web cam and an online messanger. It might not hurt to include your IM handle in your player profile and let coaches know you can enable video chat. Especially if you are trying to make a good impression, that face to face can't be beat. That said, exercise caution before using it. Start with a phone call or email before getting to that level. Ask the coach if it is against NCAA rules to play to safe.

APRIL/MAY 2008 VARSITYEDGE.COM NEWSLETTER

2008-07-01T12:17:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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ARTICLES

When freshman swimmer Joe Lessard received a letter of rejection from Dartmouth College after applying early decision, he expected to join a hugely competitive pool of students applying regular decision to some of the nation's best colleges, including Tufts. READ

Ivan Perez stood on the court at the finals of the high school volleyball championship in Puerto Rico. His play in that tournament earned him the honor of MVP and led his team to a national victory. But Perez did not know there was much more at stake that day. READ

In a year of triumphs marking USC Beaufort's return to intercollegiate athletics, one day left Kim Abbott feeling utterly defeated. This past July, the Sand Sharks' athletics director and golf coach met with her boss, USCB Chancellor Jane Upshaw, to recommend the school scrap plans for a women's golf team. Abbott had rounded up enough hopefuls to start a men's squad for its first season as an NAIA member, but interested females were in too short supply.

NEWS ON INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES

Jacksonville will add men’s and women’s lacrosse for the 2009-10 season, bringing the school’s sport-sponsorship total to 20. Mindy McCord will serve as women’s head coach and director of lacrosse. A search is underway for a men’s coach. Jacksonville will be the only Division I men’s lacrosse program in the state. Florida is the only other school to sponsor women’s lacrosse in the state.

Georgia State will start a football team in 2010. The school will also add women’s lacrosse for the 2010 season and is exploring other options for women’s sports as well.

Rhode Island announced it will eliminate men’s swimming, men’s tennis and field hockey at the conclusion of the 2007-08 academic year. The school previously had announced the elimination of gymnastics.

Indiana University has a few basketball scholarships open. The teamis returning only 3 scholarship players after the coaching fiasco they had last year.

Long Island will add women’s bowling for the 2008-09 season.

Bard will sponsor men’s and women’s varsity lacrosse programs beginning in 2010, giving the Skyline Conference its seventh program in each sport. The Bard teams will play in 2009 at the club level.

The men’s and women’s lacrosse programs at Maine-Farmington took another step toward starting play with the appointment of head coaches. The women’s team will begin competition in spring 2009 under Molly Wilkie, who also will coach women’s soccer, and the men will open play in spring 2010 under Christopher Parsons, who also will coach men’s soccer.

ODD'S N ENDS

Tulane is getting another flood. Tulane University received 36,000 applications this year, more than double the previous year. The school got so many applications that it stopped taking applications before the actual application due date.

I am a big believer that school is what you make of it and if you want to be successful in school and after school, where you go to school has less impact on how you will do in the future. With that being said, it is interesting to note that Harvard University (the school with the 25+ billion dollar war-chest also known as an endowment) has recently decided to Match Penn, Yale, Brown and Dartmouth in a new tuition plan. Families that earn $60,000 or less can basically send their children to Harvard for free and families earning up to $180,000 will have to spend no more than 10 percent of their income on tuition. From an athletic standpoint, this could have an interesting effect on recruiting. One of the challenges Ivy coaches have when recruiting student-athletes is that they cannot compete with other competitive D1 colleges when it comes to athletic scholarships. While schools like Notre Dame, Stanford, or Duke can offer athletic scholarships, the Ivy’s in years past could simply offer the chance to attend an Ivy University and possibly get some financial aid. For many talented athletes, choosing between a school like Stanford offering them money to compete as an athlete and choosing an Ivy where they may have a $40,000 tuition bill simply wasn’t an option. But being able to offer free tuition or a severely reduced tuition bill makes attending a school like Harvard or Yale more of a reality for a top athlete. The challenge now is to find talented high school athletes who qualify academically for an Ivy league school.

Read from a press release about the signing of a field hockey recruit at a division 2 school. “Abby has been attending xxxxxx field hockey clinics since she was in eighth grade. Very early on I knew she could be a great fit for our program.

A school in Boston is getting lots of press for creating a rejection board. The rejection board is a place where students can post rejection letters from colleges they have recently received so they can feel better. Remember, getting rejected is not usually a reflection about yourself and with all that’s going on in the world right now, it is hardly the worst thing that can happen to you…

Nice article about top Texas HS football player and great student

2008-06-30T21:33:00.001-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/sports/ncaafootball/30mcfarland.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Always nice to read about someone so good, yet so grounded. Credit has to be given not only to the person, but to his family and coaches.

New Sport First Aid, Fourth Edition textbook and course provide coaches with latest techniques for being competent first responders

2008-06-30T15:44:00.001-04:00




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Allemand ASEP Marketing Director	June 26, 2008 800.747.5698 ext. 2212 MarkA@hkusa.com www.ASEP.com

New Sport First Aid, Fourth Edition textbook and course provide coaches with latest techniques for being competent first responders

Newly revised and updated to reflect the latest research and best practices put forth by the American Heart Association and the American Safety and Health Institute, this fourth edition of Sport First Aid provides high school, collegiate, and club sport coaches with detailed action steps for the care and prevention of more than 110 athletic injuries and illnesses.

Organized for quick reference, Sport First Aid covers protocols for conducting emergency action steps and providing life support; performing the physical assessment; administering first aid for bleeding, tissue damage, and unstable injuries; moving an injured athlete; and returning athletes to play.

Also featured are the most recent guidelines for using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the Heimlich maneuver, and automated external defibrillators (AED) as well as the latest information on controlling bleeding, treating concussions, and preventing and recognizing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA).

An expanded section on anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs assists coaches in recognizing the effects of performance enhancers and in educating their athletes on the dangers of steroid use. To prevent injuries from occurring in the first place, strategies for reducing athletes' risk of injury or illness are also featured, such as implementing preseason conditioning programs, creating safe playing environments, planning for weather emergencies, ensuring proper fitting and use of protective equipment, enforcing proper sport skills and safety rules, and developing a medical emergency plan.

Sport First Aid is a potentially lifesaving resource that you and your coaching staff can rely on to make smart decisions when encountering emergency situations with your athletes.

Produced by the American Sport Education Program (ASEP), Sport First Aid is the text for the ASEP Sport First Aid course, which, along with Coaching Principles, Coaching Technical and Tactical Skills, and CPR/AED for Coaches courses, makes up the curriculum for the ASEP Bronze Level coaching certification program. For more information on ASEP Professional Coaches Education Program courses and resources, call 800-747-5698 or visit www.ASEP.com..

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sport First Aid
Melinda Flegel

July 2008 · Paperback · Approx 328 pp
ISBN 978-0-7360-7601-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I Introduction to Sport First Aid
Chapter 1 Your Role on the Athletic Health Care Team
Chapter 2 Sport First Aid Game Plan

Part II Basic Sport First Aid Skills
Chapter 3 Anatomy and Sport Injury Terminology
Chapter 4 Emergency Action Steps and Providing Life Support
Chapter 5 Physical Assessment and First Aid Techniques
Chapter 6 Moving Injured or Sick Athletes

Part III Sport First Aid for Specific Injuries
Chapter 7 Respiratory Emergencies and Illnesses
Chapter 8 Closed Head and Spine Injuries
Chapter 9 Internal Organ Injuries
Chapter 10 Sudden Illnesses
Chapter 11 Weather-Related Problems
Chapter 12 Upper Body Musculoskeletal Injuries
Chapter 13 Lower Body Musculoskeletal Injuries
Chapter 14 Facial and Scalp Injuries
Chapter 15 Skin Problems

Appendix A First Aid Protocols
Appendix B ASEP Coaches Education Program
Glossary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melinda J. Flegel has more than 20 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer. For 13 years, she was head athletic trainer at the University of Illinois SportWell Center, where she oversaw sports medicine care and injury prevention education for the university's recreational and club sport athletes. During that time, she also taught in the university's undergraduate athletic training program.

As coordinator of outreach services at the Great Plains Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center in Peoria, Illinois, Flegel annually provided athletic training services to athletes at more than 15 high schools as well as consulted with their coaches about sport first aid. As the center's educational program coordinator and an American Red Cross CPR instructor, Flegel gained valuable firsthand experience in helping coaches become proficient first responders.

Flegel is currently a doctoral student at the University of Illinois. She received a master's degree in physical education from the University of Illinois in 1982. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association, and she has been a certified strength and conditioning specialist since 1987. She is currently associate director of professional education at Human Kinetics, Inc., where she oversees the development of online courses for athletic trainers and fitness professionals. In her leisure time, Flegel enjoys photography, walking, and crafts.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SPORT EDUCATION PROGRAM

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) is the leading provider of youth, high school, and elite-level sport education programs in the USA. Through its high-quality programs, ASEP has educated more than one million coaches, officials, sport administrators, parents, and athletes. For more than 25 years, local, state, and national sport organizations have partnered with ASEP to lead the way in making sport a safe, successful, and enjoyable experience for all involved. For more information on ASEP sport education courses and resources, call 800-747-5698, e-mail ASEP@hkusa.com, or visit www.ASEP.com.


	Email Marketing by

34 % College Scholarship

2008-06-30T09:18:00.003-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Interesting to see this specific amount published for the athlete's athletic aid package. Notice that it is for both Cross Country and Track and Field. For a runner to get money from just one sport is very unlikely unless, especially a distance runner. Similar to a football player having a regular season and then spring practice, this scholarships is for a year round commitment. There is nothing seasonal about it!

http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080628/SPORTS/806280320/1006

2008 Olympic Trails - Track and Field

2008-06-28T22:16:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

http://www.eugene08.com/

US Record in Men's 100 M set in the first round - http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/results/Q1.asp

Tyson Gay...9.77

Unfortunate story about how .15 seconds makes for wasted 2400 mile trip for UAlbany (NY) 400 Meter Hurdler, Joe Greene.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=699742

NBA coaches share winning strategiesNew book showcases techniques and tactics from basketball's elite

2008-06-28T22:02:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Impressive list of contributors to this book. How often to you get the games best speaking on their expertise. Check out the table of contents to see what I am talking about. If you don't know these people, then you really need to read this book to learn from some historic names of the game.

Champaign, IL -- Mike Krzyzewski and Rick Pitino attest to the benefits college basketball coaches glean from the pro level. Now college and high school coaches can get advice from top NBA coaches in the NBA Coaches Association's upcoming NBA Coaches Playbook (Human Kinetics, September 2008). The first of its kind, the playbook offers a collection of proven methods and strategies from the NBA's elite coaches on maximizing player and team performance.

"Winning basketball was and still is a matter of fundamentals and details, but you also need a tough attitude in order to reach the top," says Basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson.

In NBA Coaches Playbook, 28 successful coaches offer more than 450 Xs-and-Os diagrams and expertise, including tips from Phil Jackson on the fast break, Tex Winter on the triangle offense, and Pete Carril and Eddie Jordan on the Princeton offense. Each chapter offers technical teaching points, practice drills, tactical nuances, or game-management tools that provide a coaching edge. The book's "special plays" section should be especially popular among coaches seeking the out-of-bounds and last-second plays that work when the game is on the line.

ABOUT THE BOOK NBA Coaches Playbook
NBA Coaches Association

Available September 2008 · Paperback · Approx 384 ppISBN 978-0-7360-6355-5 · $21.95

ABOUT THE EDITORS Founded in 1976, the NBA Coaches Association is a who's who in coaching: Every coach in the league is a member. Through the Celtics-Lakers rivalry in the 1980s, the 1992 U.S. "Dream Team," and the unparalleled skill and marketing power of Michael Jordan through the 1990s, the National Basketball Association has become the world's most famous sports league. Its coaches represent the absolute top instructors and game technicians in the sport. They have mastered not only coaching the world's top athletes but strategizizing and plotting against other world-class athletes and coaches as well.

Giorgio Gandolfi is editor in chief of Assist magazine, the primary magazine of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Gandolfi has served as a European consultant for the NBA Coaches Association and has been a member of the Italian Basketball Federation Coaches Association since 1974. He has authored two books with the NBA and the coaches association: NBA Coaches Handbook and two editions of Hoops: The Official National Basketball Players Association Guide to Playing Basketball.

CONTENTS

Part I Individual Offense

Chapter 1 Shooting Techniques Hal Wissel

Chapter 2 Perimeter Moves Stan Van Gundy

Chapter 3 Post Moves Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Chapter 4 Screens and Screen Plays Phil Johnson

Part II Team Offense

Chapter 5 Attacking Offense Avery Johnson

Chapter 6 Triangle Offense Phil Jackson and Tex Winter

Chapter 7 Princeton Offense Eddie Jordan and Pete Carril

Chapter 8 Flex Offense Ruben Magnano

Part III Fast Break

Chapter 9 Fast-Break Principles George Karl and Doug Moe

Chapter 10 Primary and Secondary Breaks Mike D'Antoni, Alvin Gentry, and Marc Iavaroni

Part IV Special Plays

Chapter 11 High-Percentage Plays Lionel Hollins

Chapter 12 Out-of-Bounds Plays Brendan Malone

Chapter 13 Last-Second Scoring Plays Dave Wohl

Part V Individual and Team Defense

Chapter 14 On-the-Ball Pressure Mike Fratello

Chapter 15 Full-Court Pressure Jim O'Brien

Chapter 16 Defensive Strategies Del Harris Part VI Coaching Essentials

Chapter 17 Productive Practices Lawrence Frank

Chapter 18 Game Preparation Mike Dunleavy and Jim Eyen

Chapter 19 Player Development Kevin Eastman

Chapter 20 Player and Coach Motivation Scott Skiles and John Bach

Chapter 21 Modern Conditioning Methods Rich Dalatri

For more information, an excerpt, review copy, or author interview, contact:
Patty Lehn Publicity Manager On short term leave Alexis Koontz Publicity Associate217.403.7985

Ron Horn Runners Update

2008-06-27T10:58:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Runsters;

Chilling out right now in Avalon, NJ so the jokes, updates, the recap of the Bare Hare Duathlon (the 1^st clothing optional duathlon ever held in North America) and other useless insight will return next week. But I did want to remind you of a wonderful event that we’ll be timing on Sunday.

Tri Max Endurance Sports (www.trimaxendurancesports.com) will be having their Off Road Sprint Marathon up at Winters State Park near Mifflinburg. I hear that the park is beautiful and the distances are very reasonable; half mile swim, 11+ mile mt bike and 3.9 mile trail run. The TriMax folks know how to put on a NICE triathlon. The ones that we timed last year and earlier this year in the Poconos were REALLY enjoyed by their participants. We hope to see a LOT of our mid and up state friends that enjoy a race with a lot of variety and scenic beauty.

Ron Horn

Pretzel City Sports

Tulsa Offensive Coordinator Runs One Day Camp

2008-06-25T21:28:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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My pal, Herb Hand, is teaming up with his Tulsa church to bring a camp to any child who wants to attend. Looks like fun and there is a cheerleading camp as well.

Herb is an offensive wizard and a great motivator, one of the best speakers you will find.

http://www.gutschurch.com/Outreach/FootballExperience/tabid/534/Default.aspx

Ultra Run & Relay Benefits Nationally Recognized Charity

2008-06-24T21:17:00.001-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Pretzel City Sports, Reading, PA is proud to have been selected as the timer and logistics consultant for the “20 in 24” 24-hour ultra, ultra relay and 8.4 Mile Midnight Madness Run.

This event, in Phila, PA on July 19 & 20, is sponsored by Nike, and benefits a running affiliated charity, Back on My Feet, that was started in Philly and has been recognized throughout the nation in TV, print and radio. Read the details below and consider joining us for us for the 1st ever running of this unusual, challenging and fun event. Go crazy and see how far you can run in 24 hrs or just do one of the 8.4 mile loops when the clock hits twelve. Hope to see some of you there at the start of the Ultra and others at the stroke of midnight!

The Back on My Feet 20in24 Relay Challenge, Ultra Marathon and Midnight Madness Run Presented by Nike
July 19-20, 2008 – Philadelphia,

Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that uses running to promote the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population, is proud to announce The Back on My Feet 20in24 Relay Challenge, Ultra-Marathon and Midnight Madness Run Presented by Nike. This event will kick off on Saturday, July 19th at 10 am in Philadelphia at Lloyd Hall.

The 20in24 Relay Challenge
This is Philadelphia’s first 24-hour relay race. The event is created for teams of five that can choose a participation category ranging from 8.4 miles to 33.4 miles per member.

The Lone Ranger - Ultra Marathon Option
For those who are a little more nuts than the rest of us, the Lone Ranger option challenges individuals to complete as many loops as possible in the 24-hour time frame. There will be special prizes for those who complete 50 (6 loops) and 100 (12 loops) miles.

Midnight Madness - Philly's New Glow-in-the-Dark Run
Be one of the hundreds to participate in Philadelphia’s first glow-in-the-dark 8.4-mile run around the Schuylkill River Loop starting at Midnight on Saturday, July 19th in front of Lloyd Hall. In addition to prizes for the top three finishers, awards will be given to the most illuminated runner.

Central Staging Area
Situated on the banks and overlooking the Schuylkill River, just north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Lloyd Hall is the only public athletic facility on Boathouse Row. This facility is air-conditioned and will be open the entire 24 hours to all 20in24 participants. Inside, you will be able to sleep, relax, eat, watch movies, play video games and board games, get massages and even take a shower. In addition, a 24-hour secure baggage check will be made available to participants.

Registration
For more information and to register for any of the three categories visit, www.20in24.com

Back on My Feet
Because of the wonderful support of our sponsors and partners, 100 percent of the profits from the 20in24 go directly to support Back on My Feet. We are pleased to provide 20in24 participants the option of either paying the registration fee or fundraising the same amount.

If you have any questions please contact Maureen O’Toole at maureen@backonmyfeet.org.

All Football Coaches are From Missouri!

2008-06-24T09:42:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Missouri is the "Show ME state" and every coach wants to see with his or her own eyes! Film is one thing, but in this case, the in person exposure is what pushed this recruit from a "we like you" to a "we love you enough to give you scholarship offer now" status.

This is true at any level camp - not just these large school machines.

Pump and Run - How much can you bench? How fast can you run?

2008-06-24T09:04:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com
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Jen Flint and Aimee Rodriquez at Runaway Success are at it again in the great Philly area with a unique race that matches speed and power. This is tough, bench your weight for as many reps as you can and then run a 5K.

Runaway Success as running store locations in Paoli and Collegeville PA and offer a great number of events, educational seminars and group runs. Check them out.

Successful College Cross Country Coach, Unhappy, Leaves

2008-06-21T10:18:00.004-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

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Click on the title to link directly to the article or visit http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/sports/index.ssf/2008/06/jim_nesbitt_resigns_as_track_a.html

Interesting information about the money involved in scholarships and general support and how coaches view the budget as being critical to winning championships. Of note is how important out of state tuition waivers can be to a coaches recruiting success when they cross the borders.

A new look at Overtaining

2008-06-20T10:32:00.002-04:00

Posted by http://www.athletesadvisor.com

Champaign, IL -- Overtraining presents numerous problems to athletes and their teams. Overtraining Athletes: Personal Journeys in Sport (Human Kinetics, April 2008) seeks to communicate the complex subject of overtraining to help athletes, coaches, parents, and sport science professionals understand the dangers of overtraining and take steps toward prevention. Using history and research, current experts' perspectives, and athletes' personal experiences, Overtraining Athletes identifies forces that push athletes to overtrain by sharing the struggles of those athletes and the sport professionals who seek to help them.

The text employs a nonlinear structure, allowing the flexibility to sample chapters from each of its four parts based on interest and level of knowledge about the topic. By presenting the phenomenon of overtraining from a variety of perspectives and with varying degrees of technicality, the book engages a wide range of readers while presenting significant research and studies in the area. Each of the four parts of the text displays a distinct method for understanding the effects of overtraining:

· A review of current research and risk factors that increase the probability of overtraining

· Perspectives from coaches and sport scientists that will help readers recognize the characteristics and behaviors of susceptible athletes

· The real-world experiences of athletes with a history of overtraining presented through three aggregate case studies

· A comprehensive model of overtraining risks and outcomes to help identify athletes who might be at risk as well as environments and cultures that increase vulnerability to overtraining

Overtraining Athletes presents information through a qualitative focus combined with current research and future directions, encouraging readers to learn about the topic and take action in the treatment and prevention of overtraining.

For more information on Overtraining Athletes, contact Human Kinetics at 800-747-4457 or visit www.HumanKinetics.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Overtraining Athletes
Personal Journeys in Sport

Sean O. Richardson · Mark B. Anderson · Tony Morris

Available April 2008 · Paperback · 224 pp

ISBN 978-0-7360-6787-4 · $38.00

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean O. Richardson, PhD, completed his doctoral work in sport psychology at Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia) in 2006. His dissertation research focused on the risk factors for athletic overtraining, stress-life balance, and injury.

Richardson has also been a competitive athlete most of his life. He has pursued windsurfing and rowing at national and international levels, along with several other sports at the state and provincial level, including road and track cycling, downhill skiing, and volleyball. He has had personal experiences with injury related to overtraining behaviors, missing out on two chances to make the Canadian Olympic team in rowing because of injury.

Throughout Australia and Canada, Richardson now serves as a sport and performance psychologist in the areas of performance enhancement, injury and illness prevention, rehabilitation, and stress-life balance for numerous sport and performing arts groups as well as health care and business professionals. He regularly delivers seminars on optimal recovery and injury prevention to athletes, coaches, performing artists, and teachers of all levels, from novice to professional.

Mark B. Andersen, PhD, is a professor in the School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance at Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia). He received his PhD in psychology with a minor in exercise and sport sciences from the University of Arizona at Tucson in 1988.

In 1994 Andersen received the Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award for excellence as a young scholar and practitioner in applied sport psychology from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. He has published more than 50 articles in refereed journals and more than 65 book chapters and proceedings. He has edited two other Human Kinetics books: Doing Sport Psychology and Sport Psychology in Practice. Andersen is a member of the International Society of Sport Psychology, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and a charter member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Tony Morris, PhD, is a professor in the School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance at Victoria University (Melbourne, Australia). He received his doctoral degree from the University of Leeds in England in 1984.

Morris has published more than 30 books, monographs, and book chapters and more than 80 articles in referred journals. He presents his research worldwide, having been invited to speak at conferences in the United Kingdom, Greece, Australia, and throughout Southeast Asia. Morris is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society, a full member of the Australian Psychological Society, and a founding member of the Board of Sport Psychologists in the Australian Psychological Society. He is also a member of the British Society of Sport Psychology, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, International Society of Sport Psychology, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis, and the Sport Psychology Association of Australia and New Zealand.

He has served on the editorial board for a number of journals, including the International Journal of Sport Psychology, Journal of Sports Sciences, International Journal of Sport and Exercise, and Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal. Morris is also the associate editor for Australian Psychologist.

CONTENTS

Part I: What We Know So Far
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research and Terminology in Overtraining
Chapter 2: How Big Is It? Prevalence and Manifestation of Overtraining
Chapter 3: What Brings It On? Risk Factors for Overtraining

Part II: What the Experts Have to Say
Chapter 5: Burnt Cookies: Conversations With an Exercise Physiologist
Studying Oneself
Chapter 6: Sport Systems Can Damage: Conversations With a Sport Psychologist

Part III: What We Can Learn from Athletes
Chapter 7: The Pathogenic World of Professional Sport: Steve's Tale
Chapter 8: A Case of Olympic Seduction: John's Tale
Chapter 9: The Perfect Girl: Jane's Tale
Chapter 10: The Perfect Boy: The Author's Tale

Part IV: Past Models and Current Conceptions
Chapter 11: Models of Overtraining: Then and Now

2008-06-19T15:18:00.000-04:00

on't let diabetes derail activity!

2008-06-19T14:49:00.000-04:00

Champaign, IL--People with diabetes face a higher risk of activity-related injury than people without diabetes, says author Sheri Colberg, PhD. In her upcoming Diabetic Athlete's Handbook (Human Kinetics, November 2008), Colberg offers tips on how people with diabetes can minimize injuries while living an active lifestyle.

Because high levels of blood glucose affect joint structure over time, joint-related overuse problems dominate the problems that active people with diabetes face, according to Colberg. Injuries such as "frozen shoulder" (which reduces shoulder movement in all directions), carpal tunnel, foot fractures, nerve-related joint disorders such as Charcot foot, and "trigger fingers" (curled fingers caused by shortening ligaments) commonly afflict active diabetics. Repetitive activities, prolonged gripping, or direct nerve compression during weight training, cycling, and other activities also cause problems for people who have diabetes.

"In most cases, good control of blood sugar can reduce the risk of developing these injuries," explains Colberg, an exercise physiologist, researcher and athlete who has managed type 1 diabetes for 40 years. But she also advises the following practices for avoiding injury or furthering an injury:

Give your joints a rest! Alternate and vary workouts daily so joints are not stressed in the same way with every workout.
Fix what you can. "Orthotics can correct some anatomical concerns, like leg-length discrepancies," says Colberg. "Also, consider doing other activities that don't cause as great a risk of injury, such as working out on an elliptical trainer a few days a week instead of always running outdoors on asphalt."
Improve technique. Work with a coach or teacher or take lessons to help with proper training and technique.
Warm up and cool down properly.
Ice inflamed joints after workouts.
Some medications can help. Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to control inflammation and pain.
Cross-train with other activities to maintain overall fitness levels while an injured area recovers. "Try alternating weight-bearing activities, such as walking or running, with non-weight-bearing ones, such as swimming, upper-body work, and stationary cycling, so that you don't injure another part of your body," Colberg advises.
Strengthen around previous injuries. "Strengthening the muscles around an affected joint, once the pain is gone, is critical to preventing the problems from returning," stresses Colberg. "After a shoulder joint injury, for example, focus on doing resistance work using all sections of the deltoid muscle in particular, along with exercises for biceps, triceps, pecs, upper back, and neck."

In Diabetic Athlete's Handbook, Colberg includes tips on specific activities as well as balancing blood sugar levels during exercise. For more information on this or other fitness books, visit www.HumanKinetics.com or call 1-800-747-4457.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Diabetic Athlete's Handbook

Sheri R. Colberg

Available November 2008 · Paperback · Approx 304 pp
ISBN 978-0-7360-7493-3 · $21.95

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sheri R. Colberg is an exercise physiologist and professor of exercise science at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She specializes in exercise and diabetes and conducts extensive research in these areas thanks to funding from the American Diabetes Association and other organizations.

Dr. Colberg has over 40 years of practical experience as an athlete living with type 1 diabetes. She is the director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Old Dominion and is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. She is also a professional member of the American Diabetes Association and serves on the board of directors for the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association.

Dr. Colberg has written hundreds of articles on exercise and diabetes and is the author of five books: The Science of Staying Young (McGraw-Hill, 2007), 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes (Marlowe & Co., 2007), The 7 Step Diabetes Fitness Plan (Marlowe & Co., 2006), Diabetes-Free Kids (Avery, 2005), and The Diabetic Athlete (Human Kinetics, 2001). Her expertise on diabetes is also frequently shared in interviews and articles in popular magazines, including Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Diabetes Health, Diabetes Forecast, Newsweek International, and USA Today.

Dr. Colberg lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband and three sons. She enjoys participating in recreational sports and fitness activities as well as exercising with her growing boys.

CONTENTS

Part I: The Diabetic Athlete's Toolbox
Chapter 1: Training for Fitness and Sports
Chapter 2: Balancing Exercise Blood Sugars
Chapter 3: Ups and Downs of Insulin and Other Medications
Chapter 4: Diet and Supplements for Active People
Chapter 5: Exercise and Blood Glucose Monitoring Guidelines
Chapter 6: Thinking and Acting Like an Athlete
Chapter 7: Preventing and Treating Athletic Injuries

Part II: Guidelines for Specific Activities
Chapter 8: Fitness Activities
Chapter 9: Endurance Sports
Chapter 10: Endurance-Power Sports
Chapter 11: Power Sports
Chapter 12: Outdoor Adventures

For more information, an excerpt, review copy, or author interview, contact:

Patty Lehn

Publicity Manager

217.403.7558

Alexis Koontz

Publicity Associate
217.403.7985

Condensed Baseball Schedule Ruffles Coach Feathers

2008-06-17T21:18:00.003-04:00

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=3435963

Not sure all of these comments make sense. But, one thing is for sure, uniform start of the season date or not, FSU and Mike Martin continue their fuitlity at the College World Series! Two and out is as ugly a phrase in Tallahassee as Wide Right (I was at the first one and believe me, it hurt!)

I side with the coaches on the academics - but maybe it is not necessary to play 56 college baseball games? How much would it hurt to play fewer mid week games that you have to fly to? Cut down 5 or 6 mid week games and work on player development??!!

Maybe if these coaches used that time to develop players and pitchers more, they would have better success in the post season, more successful players in the pros and have fewer arm injuries? Perhaps not, but I don't think you can dismiss this entirely.

Even college coaches look at "arm use" or "innings pitched" or "high intensity appearances" when judging future talent and weighing all the facts. Unfortunatley no definite research is avalable to make true sense of all these factors, but one thing is for sure. Poor throwing mechnics leads to injury and it is very hard to fix these problems mid season if you are playing all the time.

Just my two cents...

Peter Kosgei '10 Wins Four National Titles in 2007-08

2008-06-16T14:18:00.003-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com

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While I am on the topic of Hamilton, my old school, let me brag about this guy!

He is so good, the school gave him his own web page!

http://www.hamilton.edu/Athletics/Kosgei/

Maybe it is the new AD's influence! Jon Hind...

Again, since I am here, one of the most trafficed pages I used to have was a Hamilton Football Blog...http://www.athletesadvisor.com/articles/football/hamilton.htm

It is kind of dated, but shows the transition from the last coach, to Steve Stetson who appears to have them moving in the right direction!

Another accolade for Hamilton Girls Lax

2008-06-16T14:15:00.002-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com

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This girl is actually from Guilderland NY, one town over from where I live. Her sister had a good year for the HS team that made it to the girls final four in NYS before losing to a Long Island Team.

Women's Lacrosse Star an Academic All-American
Tetreault '08 led Hamilton to first NCAA team championshipContact: James Taylor (jtaylor)Phone: (315) 859-4685June 16, 2008

Academic All-American Nicole Tetreault '08
Hamilton College women's lacrosse player Nicole Tetreault '08 (Guilderland, N.Y./Guilderland HS) has been selected to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Tetreault is one of 15 student-athletes on the College Division's First Team. A total of 45 student-athletes from across the country in NCAA Divisions II and III were recognized on three teams.
Tetreault ranked second on the team with 54 goals and 21 assists this year. The 2008 Liberty League Player of the Year was named to the NCAA Division III championships all-tournament team after the Continentals won the first national team title in school history. She captured First Team All-America honors in 2007 and 2008. Tetreault graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry on May 25.

Hamilton women's lacrosse set team records for wins (21) and consecutive victories (19) in a season. The Continentals (21-1 overall) were making their fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament. Hamilton boasts back-to-back Liberty League regular season and tournament crowns.

Tetreault is Hamilton's first Academic All-American since diver Mike Salmon '06 made the men's at-large team in 2006, and the first student-athlete from the College on the first team since 1996. Eight Hamilton student-athletes have earned a total of nine selections since the Academic All-America program began in 1952.

The at-large category includes 13 varsity sports sponsored by the NCAA: Bowling, crew, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis and water polo. Tetreault was a second team all-district pick for schools in New York and New England in 2007.

Student-athletes need to meet several eligibility requirements to be considered for the academic All-America team. The student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for her career. No athlete is eligible until she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at her current institution.

Human Kinetics 15% off sale expires 6/15

2008-06-13T15:37:00.001-04:00

Human Kinetics' resources make a great gift for Dad or anyone in your family. As a thank-you to our customers and fathers everywhere, we are offering a special 15% discount for a limited time on any product purchased from our Web site at www.HumanKinetics.com.

We have the perfect items for summer reading from sports and fitness to strength training and nutrition. Simply enter E4918 into the promo code box when you check out to receive your discount on all the products that you place in the shopping cart.

Below is just a sampling of the wide variety of resources available. There are only 3 days left to save, so visit our Web site today.

NCAA and Youtube.com I find it Ironic

2008-06-12T16:28:00.003-04:00

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=25191

I am sure they must have banned the use of Youtube, Myspace and facebook in some executive ruling...but now they see the use of a free, paradigm shifting tool.

I wonder if college coaches send video messages this way to recruits? I would if I worked at schools with small recruiting budgets (most of them!)...

The Days of Nike paying to fly recruits to Oregon in a private jet with the BIG Green Hummer on the tarmac are over! Click here to see what I mean

Anyhow - all things come full circle, don't they...

Wheel Chair Hoops at the College Level

2008-06-12T09:45:00.002-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com

Feel good story about hoop dreams with four wheels. Think about what people do who are not as fortunate as you? Do you make too many excuses and not take 100% responsibility?

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/062008/06092008/382106

Competition for Athletic Scholarships Growing

2008-06-12T09:40:00.002-04:00

http://www.athletesadvisor.com/

Did you think you had to worry about the guy in Antigua, when you had your eye on a roster spot in Quincy IL?

http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=374622088006092008&an=320737098106082008&ac=Sports

A different type of recruiting

2008-06-12T09:36:00.001-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com

Usually we write about athletic recruiting and topics related to athletes. But college coaches and marine recruiters have similiar jobs!

http://www.salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/502668.html?nav=5007

NCAA Division III Girls Lacrosse Champs - Coach Speaks

2008-06-11T21:28:00.002-04:00

http://www.hamilton.edu/Athletics/LacrosseChampionship/kloidt.html

My old school's first ever team national championship!

Slide show http://www.hamilton.edu/Athletics/LacrosseChampionship/slideshow.html

More Ron Horn - Funny Race Director in PA/NJ

2008-06-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

Folks;

Pretzel City is timing two 5ks this Sat, BOTH which qualify for our MEGA-EASY-AWARD alert. One is smack dab in the middle of Montgomery Co, the other is just East of the Bucks Co line. Read the details of each below, in the words of each race director:

Worcester, PA (Montco) 5k:

8th Annual Worcester Vol. Fire Dept 5K Run/Walk...this Saturday. Registration ON-LINE open until Thursday Midnight. Race day registration begins @ 7:30......5K begins @ 9 AM. Additional details http://www.worcesterfd.com/

First of all Worcester..pronounced War-ces-ter..not Wor-ches-ter or Wis-ter for my friends in Massachusetts. Minutes from King of Prussia/Blue Bell (route 202), Lansdale (Merck), 5 miles from 422 Oaks exit. http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

22 registered so far for 40 awards!!! (Wawa Gift cards and gift certs to area running stores) + free giveaways. So easy to win an award even Ron Horn can win !!!

Flat and fast course. New runners and walkers..make Worcester your first race!

Help us PAY for our NEW FIRE HOUSE. All of the fire trucks will be used on course (water spray) Kids can get in the fire trucks ...take pictures. All kids race participants receive an ice cream voucher @ MerryMead Farms....1 mile from fire station. Huge playground next to fire station…..great to entertain the family while runners are on course. Register now…our fire house needs your financial support…thanks !!

Fire Fighter & Fellow Runner….Tom McGinley

Frenchtown, NJ Go, Daddy, Go (and Mommy too) 5k:
(app on www.pretzelcitysports.com)

Looking to set a PR in your next 5k and maybe win an award as well???? Run the Go Daddy Go 5K this Sat at Kingwood Park which is located 3 miles east of Frenchtown, NJ. The course is a flat, wheel measured out and back cinder packed trail that meanders thru the woods along the Lockatong Creek. When you enter back into the park you will do a loop in the park which will be extremely exciting and motivating because all your family and friends will be able to cheer you on.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ABOUT 40 ENTRIES FOR 40 AWARDS!!! Our pre registration list consists of seasoned runners to first timers, we will have local cross country teams and encourage local running clubs to pass the word around and join us in this great race.
There will be overall male and female winner trophies as well as age group awards. The race will be followed by a 2 Mile Fun run/walk and a ½ mile kids fun run and plenty of food and refreshments.
The park has jungle gyms, soccer fields, softball fields, picnic tables- there will be something for the whole family to enjoy! Have fun at the park and then enjoy the surrounding towns like Frenchtown, Lambertsville, New Hope and Peddler's Village. Look forward to seeing you there!
Lastly, don't forget the always wonderful Smith's Challenge All Male 10k Trail Run in Lancaster on Sunday. This is the race that taught me how to play in the mud again, after some 30+ years of giving it up. After I finished, i said, "I just GOTTA have one of these in Reading!" And the rest is history!

Strength Training is Essential to a Leaner You

2008-06-11T11:52:00.005-04:00

http://www.athletesadvisor.com/

Strength Training is Essential to a Leaner You

Ever say to yourself, "I am doing three days per week of cardiovascular exercise and eating the same, but I'm still gaining weight!" Keep reading to see how you can get the results you are looking for.

The key to leaning out is to increase your metabolism and firm up. Most people think, "If I just sweat through cardiovascular exercise, I will melt the fat off." Not so fast. You will definitely improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, but this alone will not give you a toned and sculpted body.

You need strength training to increase your muscle to fat percentage. This can only be done through resistance conditioning. Through moderate weight training 2-3 times a week, you can expect to increase your strength by 30 to 50 percent!

Everyone needs to understand some of the basic benefits of strength training:

1. Burn calories
2. Increase lean muscle (Which burns calories all day and takes us less space then fat.)
3. Help your body fight gravity by exhibiting good posture.

It is a fact that every pound of muscle on your body burns between 30 and 50 calories a day - even when you're sleeping. Every pound of fat burns only 2 to 5 calories.

Researchers at Tufts University in Massachusetts found that people who strength trained for 12 weeks and increased their muscle mass by just 3 pounds could eat 15 percent more calories - that's about 300 calories a day for an average woman - without gaining an ounce. They also lost fat pounds in the process. Over time, these muscle-metabolism gains can add up to major fat losses.

Also important to understand is that muscle weighs more than fat tissue. If you don't have a lot of weight to lose but need to firm up, you may not see much of a decrease in scale weight (if any). The weight loss is more of a factor in the individuals that are 20+ pounds overweight. You will look and feel better, with others noting how you "look different, younger, and more healthy."

How Can Train Boston Help?

The easy solution is to start a safe, effective strength conditioning program right here at Train Boston. We offer the area's leading training system, in a cost-effective group training program, called Total Body Conditioning or simply TBC. With TBC you will participate in a program that will give you a full body work out in a six day rotation. You'll firm up, lean out, and recapture that youthful feeling.

Train Smart - Train Boston

Arc Beats Elliptical!! Shocking Upset!

2008-06-11T11:49:00.003-04:00

http://www.athletesadvisor.com/books

Why an Arc Trainer beats the Elliptical - I saw this at www.trainboston.com

Unlike an ellipcital, the Cybex Arc Trainer's unique pattern of motion promotes balanced loading of the hip and knee to deliver the most effective and efficient possible workout. These machines allow our clients to build muscle and burn calories at the samet ime. An arc trainer can do more for the body in 20 minutes then most other machines can do in 45 minutes. So, next time you are in the cardio room don't be afraid to try something new, step on the Arc Trainer and see what it can do for you.

2008 Sports Nutrition News from ACSM

2008-06-10T09:39:00.001-04:00

The Athlete’s Kitchen

2008 Sports Nutrition News from ACSM

For cutting edge sports nutrition information, the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine is the place to be! Over 5,000 exercise scientists, sports dietitians, physicians and coaches gathered in Indianapolis in May to share their latest research. Below are some of the sports nutrition highlights. (For other highlights, see www.acsm.org; click on news releases.)

• Eating an energy bar just 15 minutes before you exercise is as effective as eating it an hour before. Grabbing fuel as you rush to your workout is a good idea that gets put to use.

• Natural sports snacks, like a granola bar or banana, offer a variety of sugars. But engineered foods might offer just one type of sugar. Because different sugars use different transporters to get into muscle cells, eating a variety of sugars enhances energy availability. In a 62 mile (100 km) time trial, cyclists who consumed two sugars (glucose + fructose) completed the course in 204 minutes; those who had just glucose took an 16 additional minutes. The bottom line: eat a variety of foods with a variety of sugars during endurance exercise, such as sports drinks, tea with honey, gummi bears....

• Salty pre-exercise foods such as chicken noodle soup can make you thirsty and encourage you to drink more. This can reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated during hot weather.

• A survey of 263 endurance athletes indicates they understand the importance of recovery after a hard workout. But they don’t know what to eat. They believe protein is the key to recovery. Wrong. Carbohydrate should really be the fundamental source of recovery fuel. Or better yet, enjoy a foundation of carbs with a little protein ...Chocolate milk!

• When exhausted cyclists were given a choice of recovery drinks, they all enjoyed—and tolerated well—the chocolate and vanilla milks, more so than water, sports drink or watery chocolate drink. Chocolate milk is familiar, readily available_and tastes good!

• How long do elite soccer players need to recover from a game? In one study, they needed five days for sprinting ability to return to pre-game level. That's four days longer than most athletes allow...

• How many calories does a triathlete burn during the Hawaii Ironman? Using labeled water, researchers determined a 173 lb (78.6 kg) man burned 9,290 calories. Body water turnover was about 4 gallons (16.5 L), and weight dropped 7.5%. Muscle glycogen dropped by 68%.

• Fatigue is related to not only glycogen depletion and dehydration but also to body temperature higher than 104º F (40° C). Try to keep cool when exercising in hot weather!

• Have you ever wondered how long it takes for the water you drink to end up as sweat? Only 10 minutes (in trained cyclists). Ingested fluid moves rapidly, so don’t hesitate to keep drinking even towards the end of an event.

• Should an endurance athlete choose a sports drink with protein? The research is confusing, due to different protocols (time trials vs. endurance tests). Plus, in most research studies the subjects have nothing to eat before the exercise tests—an unlikely situation for most endurance athletes. Hence, we need more “real life” research. Until then, plan to eat carbs with a little protein pre-exercise—cereal with milk, a cup of yogurt—so the protein will be available, if needed. During exercise, choose a sports drink that tastes good, so you’ll want to consume enough.

• Some endurance athletes do perform better with protein during exercise. For example, when given carbs or carbs + protein during an endurance exercise test, those who were “high responders” to the protein performed about 10% better in the time trial at the end of the endurance test, as compared to the “low responders”. This is just one example of how each athlete has his or her individual response to different fuels during exercise. The best bet: Experiment during training to learn what sports drinks/foods settles best, tastes good and works well for you personally!

• A Norwegian study of elite endurance athletes indicates 73% took vitamin supplements. Little did they realize their diet provided the recommended nutrient intake without the pills. The vitamin intake of the pill takers was even higher—135% to 391% of recommended levels. Two exceptions were Vitamin D (low in 22% of the athletes; perhaps due to the fact they live in Norway and have less sunshine) and iron (low in 10% of the women). The researchers remind us that high intakes can have toxic effects and may be detrimental to health over time. The best bet is to eat your vitamins via healthy foods.

• Coaches encourage football players to be big—but what is the long term cost? A survey of former college players indicates a high rate of obesity and associated health problems.

•The “freshman fifteen” pounds gained in the first year of college may be an exaggeration. Among a group of 40 female college freshman, half gained and half lost weight (~4 to 5 lbs) Excess calories from specialty coffees and soda contributed to the weight gain. Watch out for liquid calories!

• If kids are going to play video games, they might as well play active ones such as Wii Boxing, Wii Tennis or Dance Dance Revolution. These burn two to three times the calories as traditional hand held games 1417, 2443

• If you read ultra-fit magazines when you are exercising, you'll likely feel more anxious and depressed then if you read Oprah or no magazine. Take note: the models’ “perfect bodies” are altered to look leaner and more glamorous.

•Women who exercise experience an increase in the hormones that stimulate appetite; men have less of a response. This means women tend to get hungry after exercise and have a harder time with weight reduction than do me. Science finally validates what women have known all along!

• Lightweight rowers commonly get rib stress fractures. In their efforts to maintain a light weight, many rowers undereat, lose their menstrual period, and end up with low bone mineral density. Even after rowers with menstrual dysfunction retired from their sport, their bone density remained low, suggesting the effects might be irreversible. Light weight athletes should consult with a sports dietitian for professional guidance on how to healthfully lose weight and maintain the low weight. (For a local referral, see www.SCANdpg.org.)

• Athletes with eating disorders are known to over-exercise. If they get admitted into an eating disorders recovery program, they often are not allowed to exercise (for health reasons). This can be very upsetting. Yet, a study with patients with eating disorders who did 10 weeks of supervised strength training as a part of their recovery achieved higher bone mineral density and muscular strength. The exercise generated positive physical and psychological benefits.

• If you have “healthy genes”, you still need to exercise to be able to gain access to the potential good health you inherited. There’s no slouching when it comes to prolonging life!

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) counsels both casual and competitive athletes in her practice at Healthworks, the premier fitness center in Chestnut Hill MA (617-383-6100). Her NEW 2008 Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Food Guide for Marathoners, and Cyclist’s Food Guide are available via www.nancyclarkrd.com. See also sportsnutritionworkshop.com.

The Ones Who Make a Difference in So Many lives

2008-06-09T21:05:00.002-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com/books

Sounds like he was a great guy and a credit to the running community...

June 6, 2008, 10:42PM

OBITUARYRyan, an inspiration for Houston runnersFormer Cougar standout, coach motivated athletes
By PEGGY O'HARECopyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Howie Ryan, a retired University of Houston cross-country and distance coach who encouraged hundreds of athletes throughout the Houston running community, died Tuesday of an aortic aneurysm. The Spring resident was 63.

Aimee's Soapbox -April 2008: Ockham’s Razor

2008-06-07T20:20:00.001-04:00

www.athletesadvisor.com

Want to be notified when Aimee's Soapbox comes out each month? Click here! Aimee's Soapbox!

April 2008: Ockham’s Razor

Get out your Latin phrase books, Groovy Readers. I want to share with you my favorite tenet of the reductionist philosophy of nominalism: “Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatum.” In other words, “All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best.” You probably already know this phrase as Ockham’s Razor (also spelled as Occam’s Razor).

A 14-th century English logician and Franciscan friar named William of Ockham gets the credit for this observation that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible. This principle is often expressed as the lex parsimoniae, or the law of parsimony or law of succinctness. In other words, "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity.” Sadly, all too often, most of us feel that “more is better.”

We supersize our meals, overtrain ourselves to injury, and gulp down twenty vitamins when three would do. Why do we tend to complicate things for ourselves, when we can see that “nature does not employ two instruments where one suffices,” as Thomas Aquinas said? Why not simplify? I would like to propose three ways to Ock-ify your life.

We all complain of overwhelming stress and too much to do and too little time. So here is a perfect opportunity to streamline.

1. GIVE YOURSELF ONE DAY OFF PER WEEK. Don’t you have enough to do and worry about during the week? It’s OK to ease up on yourself once in a while. Why not give yourself one day a week not to exercise, to eat whatever you want, to turn off your brain from its relentless whip-cracking. Cut yourself some slack and be OK with mellow. In the big picture, the rest you give yourself will pay off much bigger than any workout or dessert-skipping ever will.

2. LET GO OF THE SMALL BATTLES. Often times, we type A’s feel that we have to have control over every situation, win every battle, follow every plan to the letter. But in actuality, Mother Nature bats last. She has the last word, not us. So even if you WANT to be in control of everything, it’s not even possible anyway! So let go of the smaller items that really don’t mean anything in the big picture. Save your energy and your passion to fight the battles that really matter.

3. DO THE RIGHT THING, DO THE THING RIGHT. I have said this one before, but it bears repeating. Trying shortcuts and cutting corners doesn’t always work out the way you want. Often times, you have to go back and fix stuff anyway. And in the case of health and wellness, trying a diet pill or doing 8-minute abs in the hopes of looking like a supermodel just shortchanges you of nutrition and real fitness.

So take your time, do it right, you can do it, baby (apologies to the S.O.S. Band). Simplicity is the key to the championship, honestly. Give yourself a month to try streamlining, and see if you don’t feel a little weight lifted off your shoulders. Happy Spring, everyone!

8 College Savings Myths

2008-06-06T16:33:00.002-04:00

I received this in some Fidelity Email a while back.

www.athletesadvisor.com/mosa -

Eight College-Savings Myths
Saving is not a bad thing
By Joanna Woodworth

In 2007, according to the College Board, the average financial aid package totaled $9,500 covering 43% of tuition, fees, and room and board for one year at the average four-year college, public or private.1 This underscores the need for families to save in a dedicated college savings account to supplement the remaining costs. However, 60% of parents think that if they save too much toward their child's future education that it could negatively affect their child's chances of receiving financial aid.2 And that is just one myth about saving for college. Here are the other seven.

Myth 1: Saving in a 529 plan will affect my child's eligibility to receive financial aid This is one of the more common myths with regards to 529 college savings plans. According to the federal financial aid formula, parent-owned assets are assessed at approximately 5%, compared with 20% of the child's assets. In actuality, investing in a 529 plan will have a relatively small impact on financial aid because those assets are considered those of the parent, not the child. Furthermore, other savings accounts, such as an UGMA/UTMA, where assets are considered those of the child or beneficiary, tend to have a greater affect on financial aid.

Myth 2: I shouldn't risk investing my money in a college savings account when the market is so volatile No one has the ability to predict how the market is going to perform from day to day, and trying to time the ups and downs of the market is generally a bad strategy. One approach is to use the time-tested investment strategy of dollar cost averaging. Basically, instead of investing money all at once, you can contribute a set amount to a 529 plan at regular intervals. Anyone who is investing a set amount on a regular basis, like monthly contributions to a 529 plan, is utilizing dollar cost averaging -- and helping to smooth out the swings -- so ultimately more shares are purchased when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.3

Myth 3 : I'll lose control over the assets in a 529 plan if my child decides not to attend college If a child or beneficiary chooses not to attend college, the parent or account owner is able to change the beneficiary to another eligible family member of the original beneficiary. As well, the account owner may choose to use the assets toward financing their own education. Furthermore, 529 plans give the account owner more control of the assets than custodial accounts, such as an UGMA/UTMA, where the beneficiary takes control of the assets once they turn 18 years old.

Myth 4: 529 plans offer limited investment options Many 529 plans offer a wide variety of investment options to choose from, which may include strategies, custom strategies, or static portfolio strategies. Additionally, once you select a strategy, you can often select from actively managed portfolios or index portfolios. While you're only allowed to reallocate previously invested contributions and earnings among portfolios once per calendar year for a given beneficiary, 529 plans allow the flexibility to change the investment allocation of future contributions at any time.4

Myth 5: I don't have enough money to open a 529 plan Even though requirements vary by plan, there are 529 plans that allow you to open an account with a minimum initial investment of $50 or even as low as $15 per month with an automatic investment plan.

Myth 6: I don't want to limit my child's college options by having to invest in my state-sponsored 529 plan All 529 plans are open to residents of any state and the account can be used to pay for qualified higher education expenses, including tuition, books, and room and board at most accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities nationwide and at eligible foreign institutions.

Myth 7: The contribution limits of 529 plans won't allow me to save enough for college Contribution limits for each beneficiary in many 529 plans are $300,000 or more, and while tuition rates continue to rise, parents who start to save early and regularly in a 529 plan may significantly increase their ability to meet future college costs. Considering the average cost of a private four-year college for the 2007-08 school year reached $32,307, an increase of 5.9% from the previous academic year5, the cost of waiting to save may force a college-bound student to rely more heavily on student loans or other means to supplement costs.

Myth 8: You can get a better return on your investments if you create your own portfolio of funds versus savings in a 529 plan While it is hard to predict future investment returns, there are several benefits to investing in a 529 plan account versus a general mutual fund account for instance, that may be earmarked for college savings. For example, investing in 529 plans can help prevent random withdrawals for day-to-day expenses or financial emergencies, such as home improvements, car repair, travel, or even retirement. As well, with a dedicated 529 plan account it is easy to establish a college savings goal up front and keep track of the progress against that goal, so that when the time comes to pay for college expenses, you know exactly how much you can cover and how much you may need to finance.
In addition, 529 plans are one of the best ways to save for future college costs because of their tax benefits. For example, 529 plans allow for earnings to grow tax-deferred and withdrawals from these accounts are permanently federal income tax-free for qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition, and room and board, as well as, books and supplies. Furthermore, because of their tax-advantaged status, 529s have greater potential to compound earnings when compared to taxable alternatives and therefore may leave you with more money for college. For instance, if a parent saves for college via such taxable alternatives as certificates of deposits (CDs), stocks, or a traditional bank savings account, the earnings of those investments may be taxed by as much as 30%.

How Fidelity can help Learn more about 529 plans.
(Please e-mail any comments to Investor's Weekly at Investors.Weekly@fmr.com.)

1. Trends in Student Aid 2007, College Board.
2. College Savings Indicator Research, Fidelity Investments, 2007.
3. Keep in mind that dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in declining markets. For the strategy to be effective, you must continue to purchase shares both in market ups and downs.
4. The IRS does not allow participants to have direct or indirect control over the investments in a 529 account.
5. Trends in College Pricing 2007, College Board.
Units of 529 Portfolios are municipal securities and subject to market volatility and fluctuation. Different asset allocations offer different balances between risk and potential returns. Generally, the greater the stock allocation, the greater the potential for long-term returns and the greater the risk of volatility, especially over the short term. Conversely, the greater the allocation to bonds and/or short-term investments, the lower the potential for high long-term returns but the lower the short-term risks.

Ron Horn is a nut - run a race he does and you will know it!

2008-06-06T16:20:00.003-04:00

or read one of his weekly emails like this one.

http://www.pretzelcitysports.com/

Hounds & Honeys:

1) IMPORTANT REMINDER: The next Xterra MidWeek Trail Race is tonight (Wed) at Warwick Park, near St Peters, PA Also, the Commerce Bank Pro Bike race in Reading is tomorrow; amateurs start at 10 and pros are expected to go off at 1. Good places to see the race are right downtown at the start/finish & on the upper side of City Park where they climb to "near the Pagoda" on the last 3 laps!

2) EVEN MORE IMPORTANT REMINDER: The online reg deadline for the Wissahickon 10K Trail Classic on Sat (www.pretzelcitysports.com) and the Brandywine River Trail 15K on Sunday (on www.active.com, I think) BOTH end at midnight tonight. Both are EXCELLENT events. The Sunday race is not drawing well so I'm giving it our EASY AWARD alert; come home with more hardware than a trip to Lowes. I'll also be sending out a course description tomorrow or Friday so you can confirm that you can REALLY get gnarly at the Brandywine, even in normally flat and barren Delaware. Both apps are on www.pretzelcitysports.com.

3) ANOTHER REMINDER OF EVEN MORE MEGA-IMPORTANCE! The prereg cutoff for Pretzel City's summer trail classic, the Double Trouble 15k/30k in French Creek State Park is "postmarked by Monday, June 9" so this is the LAST eNewsletter you'll get before that needs to be in the mail! This is the longest (for some) event that Pretzel City Sports holds and you can choose what distance to do in mid-race, based on the weather, your fitness level, the amount of brew you consumed the night before, how badly you've chafed on the inside of your thighs, etc. There are a LOT of trail runs around but this is one of the oldest and most successful around for a REASON!: showers afterwards, a beautiful course that takes you around 2 lakes, a pool nearby, choice of tank top or regular shirt, etc.

4) WONDERFUL weekend for the roadies! On Sat, you can choose to do a FAST 5k in Lansdale (the Kugel Run-please note, this is the ONLY race we do each year with a rain date since it is associated with a festival so if the weather bites, call the contact number before making the trip-normally a very good place to win an award as well) OR you can do the lightening fast Perkasie Main St Mile Run, 1 mile of slightly downhill road with 2 heats based on age. Gives the 40+ folks a chance to lead the race, by not having to compete against those 39-year-old "whippersnappers"! Sunday, one of my favorites: the Oy Vey 5k in Ambler. These folks put on a really nice event. They have a ton of door prizes, indoor toilets, flat course, fair number of awards, etc.

5) A man and his wife were awakened at 3:00 am by a loud pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, asks;

"Hey Buddy, I really need some help. Can you give me a push?
"Not a chance" says the husband, "its 3:00 in the morning!" He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife.
"Just some drunk guy asking for a push" he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks.
"No, I did not. It is 3:00 in the morning and it is pouring rain out there!"
"Boy, do YOU have a short memory," says the wife. "Remember about 3 months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped us? Get up and help him this very minute and you should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man starts feeling a little guilty, gets dressed, and goes out into the pouring rain. Standing there in the deluge, he calls out into the dark,

"Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes, I am" comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
"Where are you?" asks the husband.
"Over here on the swing!"

6) Attention-People who only DREAM of winning an award: I'm putting out an EASY AWARD alert for both of NEXT Saturdays events. The one race is a first year event; the Go Daddy Go 5k just outside of beautiful Frenchtown, NJ. Don’t be confused by the name; it is for Daddy, Mommy, the products of Daddy/Mommy and people that just like to fool around. The race is in a park right outside of Frenchtown and right now, it gets a REALLY EASY AWARD designation since it only has about 30-35 entries so far. So, mosey on up there and then spend your post-race time in neat tourist destinations like Frenchtown, Lambertville, New Hope and Peddlers Village! The other event, down in Montgomery County, is headed by local running enthusiast Tom McGinley; the Worcester, PA Fire Co 5k. For those of you that don’t immediately know where Worcester is, as easily as you do Philly, Pittsburg, Salunga or Virginville, it is east of Skippack and near West Point, PA. This race has a really neat award system that is REALLY "topical" in our current times: the overall male gets a gift certif. to Runaway Success, the female winner gets a gift certif. to North Wales Running and the age group winners get a gift certificate to WAWA!! Can you say "FREE GAS"!!! A solution that neither McCain or Obama had come up with to date! Now watch me put my foot in my mouth when they end up being for a free "shortie" of your choice! Not that their "shorties" can't give you "gas" as well. I was never sent a copy of the app to post on the PCS site (hope to rectify that in the next day or two) but you can find out details on www.worcesterfd.com. WARNING: this event has quite a bump between its post reg price and its "day of" price so get those apps in NOW! Hope to see a lot of BucksCo folks in Frenchtown and lots of MontCo folks in Worcester!

7) A shy guy was boarding a plane when he heard that the Pope was on the same flight.

"This is exciting," thought the guy, "I've always been a big fan of the Pope. Maybe I'll be able to see him in person."
Imagine his surprise when the Pope sat down in the seat next to him for the flight. Still, he was too shy to speak to the Pontiff.

Shortly after take-off, the Pope began a crossword puzzle.

"This is fantastic," thought the gentleman. "I'm really good at crosswords. Perhaps, if the Pope gets stuck, he'll ask me for assistance."
Almost immediately, the Pope turned to the guy and said,

"Excuse me, but do you know a four letter word referring to a woman that ends with the letters 'u-n-t?'"
Only one word leapt to mind to the gentleman. "My goodness," he thought. "I can't tell the Pope that. There must be another word." He thought for awhile and then it hit him.
Turning to the pope, the gentleman said,

"I think the word you're looking for is 'aunt'."
"Of course!!" exclaimed the Pope with a look of revelation, to which he followed with

"Any chance you have an eraser?"

8) I think some people thought I was pulling their leg or some other body part last week when I announced that we were timing a clothing-optional off-road duathlon in 3 weeks. No, the Bare Hare Sprint "Du" is a legitimate event and one that benefits a charity; just like other races! Below is some info from the race directors on the event:

Hi. We are Gary & Sue Butts of ....B.A.R.E....Butts A'Runnin Race Enterprises. And yes, our last name is Butts. How ironic! We organize and direct BARE races at nudist clubs. Our BARElosophy is promoting nude recreation as a wholesome and positive experience. We want you going away from an event, wanting to return to it the next year. We are passionate about our participants having a well-managed and organized clothing-optional race experience. Our goal is to encourage others to improve their health & fitness, and to maintain an active & healthy lifestyle, whether it be bare or clothed.

The Bare Hare Sprint Duathlon is a new undertaking and has never been done anywhere else. THIS IS A LEGITIMATE EVENT! We have lots and lots of age group awards for individuals and team, loads of door prizes. And some "special" prizes. The restaurant will have a race friendly dinner on Friday night for those staying on the resort. This is a charity race for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, with a portion of your participant fee going to help join the fight against blood cancers that can strike all ages. Plus you get to use the wonderful facilities as part of your race fee, until 9 PM that night. Members of your entourage may attend as well, a very small entry fee to the facility applies.

One important clarification. The races we do are clothing-optional. That means you are not "required" to be nude if you wish not to be. That is an option that is entirely up to you. But most do "bare" it after a while, because they feel so relaxed in the atmosphere around them and "out of place" with their clothes on. For this event, though, you must wear a bike helmet on the biking portion. And shoes and socks are required, unless you're one of those barefoot runners. Only first names are listed on the results, unless we have your permission to use your full name. Also, please "bare" in mind that you must be 18 or older to compete in this event

So, whether you are just a beginner or expert, come on out and join us! Be a part of this Inaugural challenge and "DO the DU". There's nothing like it in this world!

Like some ad we once saw, said so eloquently, "Just "Du" It".

9) A sad but "oh so true" dissertation (with apologies to friend and fellow runner Albert Booth who, at 88, still functions AND runs better than I do):

I Sure Have Gotten Old

I've sure gotten old!
I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes.
I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.
Have bouts with dementia & circulation's so poor that I can hardly feel my hands & feet anymore.
Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92 and have lost all my friends to the grim reaper.
Thank God, I still have my driver's license.

10) A reminder that you'll want to start getting your apps in for some of the other trail events in July. Herbert's Off Road Adventure is coming up in Allentown in early July. You won’t want to miss this inaugural event in the Lehigh Valley. One correction; the app said that you had the option of using a bridge over the creek at one part of the course, even though it would add some time to your run. Well, Lordy, Lordy! Guess what municipality decided to rebuild their bridge in their park? Yep, THIS one. So, EVERYBODY, bring your floaties! There's no "wimping out" now! Later in the month, you'll want to check out Don Morrison's longer Xterra race down in Nottingham, PAS, home of the generous Herr's Snack Food Company (if you haven’t tried their black pepper barbecue tortilla chips or pumpernickel rye pretzel sticks at one of Pretzel City's races, you have missed one of the TRUE JOYS of life!). Don runs a really awesome event, with door prizes galore, outrageous courses, wonderful organization, etc. And did I mention "wonderful timing" as well? The following week, it’s the excellent Marsh Creek Raptor Run, a race that has already become one of the most popular of the summer. Held in the park by the same name near the Downingtown exit of the turnpike, you can do either 1 or 2 loops of this 5 mile trail and again, taking the lead from the Double Trouble, decide in mid-race which one you want to do.

11) The "sometimes" misperception that Engineers have "sensitivity" issues:

A priest, a doctor, and an engineer one morning were behind a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed,

"What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!"
The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!"
The priest said, "Here comes the green-keeper. Let's have a word with him."
He said, "Hello George, what's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?"
The green-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime."
The group fell silent for a moment.

The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight."
The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything he can do for them."
The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?"

12) The Charlie Horse results on the Pretzel City site have been corrected. The names that got switched in the initial results posted have been corrected and our apologies to those that were switched. LOTS of positive feedback from those that did the event. The NEXT thing that the host Pagoda Pacers hope to find is a way so that the 2nd water stop doesn’t require you to run down into the gun club and then run the other way up the same trail as slower runners approach you. We THINK we have a solution but time will tell.

13) The wife came home early and found her husband "boinking" a very attractive young woman in their bed.

"You are a disrespectful pig!" she cried. "How dare you do this to me -- a faithful wife, the mother of your children! I'm leaving you & getting a divorce!"
The husband pleaded, "Hang on just a minute, dear, so I can tell you how you've totally misconstrued the situation."
"Fine, go ahead," she sobbed, "but they'll be the last words you'll ever say to me!!And the husband began --"Well, I was getting into the car to drive home and this young lady here asked me for a lift. She looked so down and out and defenseless that I took pity on her and let her into the car."

"I noticed that she was thin, poorly dressed and very dirty. She told me that she hadn't eaten for three days! So, in my compassion, I brought her home and warmed up the enchiladas I made for you last night - the ones you wouldn't eat because you're afraid you'll put on weight. The poor thing devoured them in moments."

Since she needed a good clean up, I suggested a shower, and while she was doing that, I noticed her clothes were dirty and full of holes, so I threw them away. Then, since she needed clothes, I gave her the designer jeans that you have had for a few years, but don't use because you say they are too tight. I also gave her the underwear that was your Anniversary present, which you don't use because I don't have good taste. Then, I went and found the sexy blouse my sister gave you for Christmas - the one that you don't wear just to annoy her, and I also donated those boots you bought at that expensive shoe boutique and don't use because someone at work has a pair the same."

The husband took a quick breath and continued;

"She was so grateful for my understanding and help; and as I walked her to the door, she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said,

"Sir, no one has ever been this kind to me before. Do you, by chance, have anything else that you could share with me that your wife doesn't use?"

14) If you find this email as welcome as Obama finds the news that Hillary wants to be his running mate, let us know that putting you on our subscriber list was far too "ambitious" and that we should correct our "vice".

Ron Horn
Pretzel City Sports