Ever think about running in a marathon or triathlon? One of the world's most popular multisport events is the Speight's Coast to Coast in New Zealand. In it, competitors participate in three sports. Running, cycling and kayaking are all a part of this world sporting event.

This is a rigorous event that calls for some heavy-duty training before attempting to participate. Participants must be trained in outdoor survival skills, and I'm not talking camping in your backyard watching the stars. This requires some real wilderness skills, which includes bush craft and river crossing expertise.

In addition to skills, it also requires lots of equipment. Some of the things you'll need are basic survival items such as hats, gloves, knit tops, first aid kits and survival bags. Another thing to remember is that because this is a multisport event, it requires a few different types of footwear.

For the running portion, you'll want to pack a good pair of running shoes. There are races of varying lengths, making it easier for racers of varied levels to participate. A pair of good running shoes should offer good bounce, comfort, durability and breathability.

Since there also will be some climbing and travel over terrain, it would be wise to use a pair of cross country shoes. This way, you have footwear for all types of terrain and are equipped for running. A good pair of cross country shoes should have all the great features of running shoes but with added traction and waterproof protection.

Footwear for kayaking should be lightweight, waterproof and have skid-proof technology. Breathability is also very important, because it can speed the drying process if the kayaking shoes get wet. Skid-proof technology is very important in these types of shoes, because it can become slippery aboard a kayak or other types of boats.

The most important thing to remember when participating in a marathon or triathlon is to be prepared. Sporting events, like the Speight's Coast to Coast, can be very fun and rewarding. However, getting injured or disqualified can take the fun away. Be safe, be prepared and have a blast.

Sources:
http://www.coasttocoast.co.nz/
http://www.kmsevents.com.au/

Remember when "The Secret" came out? For those of you who don't know, it was a book promoted about Oprah that encouraged people to use their thoughts and words to improve their life. Of course, it was a hit worldwide. Why? Intrinsically, everyone knows that how they think affects everything. This fact is especially true when it comes to running a marathon.

When you train for a marathon, your mind has to be just as strong as your body. If you don't believe me, check out the Zappos' blogs that talk about record-breaking runners. All of the great runners learn to overcome either personal or physical weaknesses in order to win. It's a part of life that no one can by pass. As a result, before your next marathon, you have to prep your mind.

You can prep your mind to help you run a marathon in two ways. One, you must visualize success. Two, you must tell yourself and others you can do run the full race. Start this process a few months prior to the actual marathon. Here's how to do it:

Imagine Success
Sit daily for a few minutes in a quiet place. See yourself running the course of the marathon and then see yourself crossing the finish yourself. Imagine yourself overcoming every obstacle that could get in your way like an aching knee, heat or weariness. Then imagine how you feel after accomplishing it.

Think and Talk like a Winner
When you talk about the marathon, let everyone and yourself know you will finish the course in record time. Think positively about it. Know that you can do it because of, or in spite of, past history. This type of mentality will keep you energized about the race.

So, are you ready to run the next marathon? I know your answer is "yes." Prep your mind and you'll be ready for the marathon.

A lot of people buy running shoes based on style and color and also even coolness factor. If a famous sports personality is photographed wearing Nike running shoes or Madonna wears Reeboks, all of a sudden, thousands of people rush out to buy the same pair of running shoes. If black running shoes are suddenly en vogue, every other person on the street is wearing a pair. But is that smart? Should you really be choosing which running shoes to buy based on how cute they look, what color they are or who's been photographed wearing them?

Overall, none of these factors are important. If you're a person who likes to be in style and wants to always be on the cutting edge, sure, maybe style is important to you. But it's not important to your feet. In fact, it can cause your feet more harm than good. Buying a pair of red running shoes might brighten up your day and make you feel happy when you look down at your rapidly moving feet and see a blur of rosy prettiness, but it doesn't make you run faster. And, seriously, who cares what Madonna or Victoria Beckham is wearing. Some women might think buying the same running shoes is going to make them look like Madonna. Seriously, it's not going to happen. Get over it.

What matters when you buy a pair of running shoes is actually simplicity itself - do they fit correctly and are they comfortable? Nothing is more important than buying a pair of running shoes that fit correctly. Badly fitting running shoes can damage your feet, rub holes in your toes and heels and cause you to lose interest in running quickly, because you get so sick of being in pain all the time. Badly fitting running shoes can also cause permanent injury to your feet if you wear them for any length of time. An ill-fitting pair of running shoes can easily cause you to end up with shin splints, damaged knees or even tendonitis.

So, the next time you buy a new pair of running shoes, ignore the coolness or style factor and instead concentrate on correct fit and comfort. After all, you're going to be running miles and miles in those shoes - so your feet might as well feel good while you're doing it.

I've been a runner for a long time and although I love running, I know I'm a "bad runner." Why, you ask? Because when I buy a pair of running shoes, I tend to break them in until they're comfortable and then I run in them until there's more foot than shoe, because they have so many holes in them. Now, that might be frugal, but it's certainly not healthy - at least not for my precious feet. Lately though, I've been trying to force myself to be careful with my running shoes and replace them much more often. Surprisingly though, it's not just me that doesn't switch out running shoes, a lot of my friends who are runners don't either. So, if you're a "bad runner" like me and my friends, when is the best time to replace your running shoes?

First of all, keep an eye on the soles of your running shoes. If they're looking worn down and particularly if they're lopsided (one side of the sole worn down much more than the other), they need to be replaced. Running in shoes with uneven soles can cause you to run awkwardly and can actually cause injuries if you're not careful.

The second thing is to make sure you keep a careful count of how much mileage you run. Some runners can get away with replacing shoes every six months if they're only running a couple of times a week. For those who run more often or run further distances, you may have to replace your running shoes as often as every six to eight weeks. The rule of thumb is usually about 500 to 700 miles is a good distance to replace your shoes. So, if you're running four or five times a week, 10 miles at a time, you're going to need new shoes after only two and a half to three months - and even sooner if you're training for a marathon.

Plus, honestly, if you wear the same running shoes all the time, you're also likely to have some stinky problems. So, it's probably best to have two or three pairs and rotate them. That way they get time to dry out after a run, and it'll take a bit longer to wear out one pair of shoes.

Do you have sole? No. I am not talking about the kind that gives you rhythm. I mean do you have enough sole on the bottom of your running shoes? If you don't, you are headed for an injury.

Because your body absorbs a force about three times its weight when you run, you need to cushion each step. The extra cushion reduces your chances of pulling a muscle or breaking a bone. How do you do it? You do it by purchasing a running shoe with an adequate outer, inner and middle sole.

Yes. Running shoes are created with three soles. The outsole is the bottom one that touches the ground. The midsole is the cushiony pad just above the outsole. And the insole is the removable sole that your foot rests on. All of these soles play a special role in protecting your feet. All together, they should be at least an inch. If not, your foot won't be adequately protected when you run. The best way to find a shoe that fits this bill is to bring a ruler with you when you go shopping at the store.

You can keep a mini ruler in your pocket or purse as you shop. Pull it out in order to check the height of the entire soles of potential new running shoes. Also, don't bypass any running shoe with extra gel or shock absorption in it. They will give you a little more support. Most of them are truly equal in their benefit. Therefore, don't worry about paying more for one with a fancy name or design.

So again - I ask - do you have sole? Check out the shoes you run in every day. They will help you answer this question honestly.

The Hong Kong Marathon is one of Asia's top distance runs. Held in February every year, the Hong Kong Marathon next year is going to be even more popular than normal because it's the 150th anniversary of Standard Chartered Bank being in Hong Kong. Standard Chartered sponsors the event. In 2009, to celebrate this important anniversary, they're increasing the prize money for the full marathon to U.S. $100,000. What this means is runners from all over the world, who might not necessarily run in the HK Marathon, will be running in the race. In fact, it's so popular that entries for all the categories of the marathon (the 10K runs and the half marathon) are already completely full. Entries for the full marathon are also nearing overflow, so if you haven't signed up already and you'll be in Hong Kong in February, now is the time to do it.

Besides the prize money, though, what makes Hong Kong Marathon events so special is the location of the run. The 10K, the half marathon and the full marathon actually begin at different starting lines in Hong Kong, but they all finish in the same place - beautiful Victoria Park at Causeway Bay. Hong Kong has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Just imagine running alongside the causeway and overlooking the water and the skyline. There are also around 45,000 people that participate in the event, and all those people, together with the scenery, really will give you a feeling of being involved in something special.

The Hong Kong Marathon is also part of the Greatest Race on Earth, a competition where competitors don their running shoes in four different marathons worldwide (Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong) for a total of more than $1 million in prize money.

It started with a desire to press out a pair of pants and ended with a lesson on foot care. How? I dropped the portable ironing board I was carrying on my big toe and split it in half. Luckily, my injury didn't require stitches, but as a nurse patched me up, she handed me a booklet on shoes. After reading it, I realized the importance of proper shoe attire especially in regards to running.

Running shoes can greatly affect your ability to perform. Why? A good pair of running shoes can reduce the risk of injury while extending the life of your feet, ankles and shins. So, it's important to know what to look for in a pair. Here's how to do it.

Look for a pair of running shoes at a store or website with a large selection. It will increase your chances of finding a pair that is in your size. Select three pairs of running shoes in your size that fit your taste. Don't worry about brand name or price. Check out the flexibility of the toe in each pair of running shoes. It should be able to bend, which will allow your feet to move freely.

When you put each pair of running shoes on, jump up and down. Which pair of running shoes absorbs the shock of your weight the best? Run up and down the shoe aisle. (Be sure to run on uncarpeted flooring.) Does your heel slip out from the back? Are your toes comfortable?

Elect to buy the pair of running shoes out of the three that marks highest in flexibility, shock absorbance, fit and comfort.

If you follow this process when you purchase a pair of running shoes, you will find the one that is best for you. You will also learn that Adidas, Nike and other popular brands have variations in them that might make your feet hurt. Therefore, you can't just pick a pair of running shoes because it's popular. Plus, you wouldn't want to select one in this way anyhow. After all, you're a runner - not a high school student.

Isn't it funny that the only time certain cities ever make the national news is when something goes wrong? Birmingham, Alabama, appears to be one of them. The only time you hear about it is when there is a scandal. Yet, this city has evolved throughout the years. It's now an integrated, prosperous area that hosts a fun marathon.

The Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in Birmingham during February. Just like the vehicle it's named after, the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is a class act. Besides being well organized, it features a few crowd pleasers like a kids' marathon, relay and half marathon. To add to this, the goody bag for participating runners is well stocked with desirable items. What is the catch? The only challenge you'll have with this race is its course.

The course of the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in all of the usual places. It's strewn across the downtown area giving you a chance to see the highlights of the city. The only problem is that it's really hilly. So, if you aren't used to running up and down hills, you will struggle throughout this marathon. However, don't despair. Just buy a cushy pair of Nikes and stop by several of the drinking stations. These two things will help you finish this marathon. After it's all over, stop off to a local restaurant for a traditional southern meal and visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

So, does the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon sound right for you? If your answer is yes, register. You still have time. Just visit their official website at www.mercedesmarathon.com for more information.

After having a few episodes of crippling pain that knocked me to my knees, I was diagnosed with gallstones. I was in my late 20's, relatively healthy and active. Yet, after having my surgery, it took me around six months to fully recuperate and feel like my old self. For this reason, I was surprised to find out that the only American female to hold the record for the 800 to 10,000 meter race, Mary Slaney, had over 18 surgeries during her career.

Mary Slaney, a slight brunette, was a popular athlete in the 1980s. From a kidney infection to chronic foot pain, she experienced a lot of ailments throughout her running career. Many of them led to surgery, which ended up causing her down time. For many people, these ailments coupled with surgeries would have caused them to hang up their Adidas. However, Slaney learned to take each episode with stride and continue on. This attitude earned her great success. Here's a laundry list of her accomplishments:

Records Held
American Record: 800 m - 1:56.90 (August 16, 1985 - )
American Record: 1,500 m - 3:57.12 (July 26, 1983 - )
American Record: 1 mi. - 4:16.71 (August 21, 1985 - )
American Record: 3,000 m - 8:25.83 (September 7, 1985 - )
American Record: 5,000 m - 15:06.53 (June 1, 1985 - )
American Record: 10,000 m - 31:35.30 (July 16, 1982 - )

Championships
1988 Olympics: 1,500 m (8th)
1988 Olympics: 3,000 m (10th)
1983 World Outdoors: 1,500 m (1st)
1983 World Outdoors: 3,000 m (1st)

Because of her long-suffering and undying fortitude, Mary Slaney was able to compete in races well into her late 30's. Today, she is retired. However, her legacy lives on. She was the little engine that could and did, regardless of the pain in her body.

Are you willing to bet on yourself? This question is one I've asked myself throughout the years. It started when I was age 10 and decided to jump across a wide, slippery ditch. Call me crazy, but a part of me just knew I could make it to the other side even though I'd never jumped it before. Guess what? I made it! It was an exhilarating feeling that led me to push myself to do other challenging things in life. Of course, all of them didn't work out perfectly, but the fact that I was able to take risks helped me learn to trust myself. It is a feeling that I've had to rely on in order to make some of the most important transitions in life that would normally seem out of reach for me. For this reason, I was really happy to hear about a renowned runner who'd done the same: Mensen Ernst.

Mensen Ernst was a Norwegian marathon runner who was popular in the 1800s. Considered to be one of the world's first professional athletes, he traveled the world betting against himself. From Europe to Africa, he ran to beat his own times. What was his most spectacular feat? Ernst ran from Paris to Moscow in 14 days. It was unheard of in his day and set a precedence for future runners.

In 1843, Mensen Ernst died on a quest to find the source of the Nile River. However, his passing wasn't sorrowful. For most of his life, Ernst had bet on himself and it led him on an exciting lifelong adventure. As a result, his life became a testimony to anyone who wanted to achieve great things. He showed the world that if you bet on yourself, you win. Use this lesson for yourself and make the upcoming year your best one. Believe in your abilities to make the necessary changes in your life to be happy and win in 2009.

In April 2009, the largest 10K in Minnesota and one of the largest in the U.S. will take place in Minneapolis. Get in Gear is in its 32nd year, and this year the event is even adding a half marathon to the 10K, 5K and 2K races to make it just that bit more exciting. Get in Gear in 2009 will be run on April 25th with the 2K Fun Run setting off at 8:15 a.m. in Minnehaha Park in downtown Minneapolis. The half marathon starts at 9 a.m. (with a three hour limit) and the 10K and 5K start at 9:30 and 9:50 a.m., so you don't even have to get up too early.

Get in Gear is billed as the annual rite of spring, but it's actually been known to be really cold (they even had snow last year on race day!). So if you're gonna run it, make sure you've got running clothes ready for both spring and winter, because, in Minnesota, it can go either way. Don't worry though, even if it's freezing, enough folks from Minneapolis will come out to cheer you on, even if they do have to wear gloves and drink hot chocolate.

Get in Gear is great because all of the proceeds from the race go to local food shelters to help the hungry, and in this economic climate, that's even more of a necessity. The goal is to raise $50,000 in 2009, which will buy a lot of loaves of bread, boxes of rice and packs of spaghetti.

Speaking of food, the day before race day, don't forget to go and pick up your race packet (including your race number and computer chip). If you're coming from out of town, you can pick them up before the race on race day, but you'll need to allow extra time. I said "speaking of food" because the packet usually includes tons of goodies such as snacks, healthy chips and last year even a box of Minute Rice too. You'll also get a nice 100-percent cotton t-shirt just for participating in the race.

Get in Gear is a lot of fun. The race is popular, the course isn't too difficult and after the race there are boatloads of food available at many food stalls in the park from noon to 8 p.m. There's also a Vendor's Village with tons of stalls to browse. Don't forget, you can also volunteer if you don't want to run. Just give the Get in Gear organizers a buzz at (612) 722-9004.

There are two 10K races that have the same theme but take place in different places and at different times. The theme is to celebrate Scotland, but the races take place on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Scotland Run 10K is in New York in March, and The Great Scottish Run 10K in Glasgow in September.

The Scotland Run 10K takes place in Central Park in New York City every March and takes its name from the fact that it starts off a week of celebrations about Scotland. The Scotland Run 10K is an awesome event for the family, especially for the kids, as there are loads of booths serving great food, as well as music, dancers and face painters. Runners of all levels participate in The Scotland Run 10K, which is a loop run around Central Park. While you're running, you'll hear the beat of the drums and the wail of the bagpipes, so even if you're not Scottish, you'll feel like you are. Around 6,000 runners run in The Scotland Run 10K every year, making it best to register for the race beforehand, as registering on the day of the race gets incredibly hectic, and you don't want to miss the start time. The Scotland Run 10K also usually hands out some very nice gift bags, so make sure you get yours.

The Scotland Run 10K is one of the races that are pre-qualifiers for the ING New York Marathon, so there are always a lot of serious runners in it. But, don't worry, if you just want to have fun here, you can do that too.

Crossing the Atlantic and onto Scotland, The Great Scottish Run 10K takes place in September in Glasgow. Almost 20,000 runners run in this event, so it's huge and is actually the "biggest participation event" in Scotland. The race itself is relatively challenging, with some hills but a lot of flat ground. Proceeds from the Great Scottish Run 10K go to cancer research in the UK, but just for participating you'll get a nice T-shirt, a medal, certificate and a gift bag. You'll also get the satisfaction of knowing you did your part for cancer research.

If you want to enjoy the true Scottish experience, run in The Great Scottish Run 10K (there's also a half marathon if you want it a bit more of a challenge). But if crossing the Atlantic seems a bit too much, stay closer to home and run The Scotland Run 10K in New York. You'll still enjoy all the fun of Scotland without the long plane ride.

Come away with me to an island full of lush plants and rolling mountains. Sit with me on the beach and allow the ocean air to blow through your hair and bring you back to a time when you had no cares in the world. You were young, healthy and able to run for hours without ever getting weary. Okay. Now that you are fully relaxed, you can refocus your thoughts and imagine doing one more thing. What? Running the Whidbey Island Marathon.

The Whidbey Island Marathon is one of those runs you can turn into a mini-vacation. It happens in the spring when the weather is warming up, your bank account has finally recuperated from all of that holiday shopping, and you are ready for a break. This marathon offers you a chance to unwind with the entire family and turn a few days into something special.

There are many ways to enjoy the Whidbey Island Marathon. It has a course that trails along a majestic island surrounded by fresh water, a half-marathon, charity clothing drop and awards for participants of all ages. As a result, your five-year-old child and seventy-year-old grandfather have a chance to get rewarded if they finish in the top three of their age category. Oh, don't worry about getting them up to and back from the race; there are shuttle buses for that. The only thing you need to worry about is planning that special family dinner after the marathon is over and enjoying the island scenery.

So, as you can see, the Whidbey Island Marathon is the perfect mini-vacation. Therefore, come March, plan on packing up your sneakers, beach bag and windbreaker. You can use all of them if you participate in the Whidbey Island Marathon. For more information, visit their Web site at www.whidbeyisland.com/race.cfm.

Are you a little bit country? Do you enjoy hearing the twang of a banjo? Can you recite every Jeff Foxworthy joke by heart? Is the constitution the main document you swear by whenever you are in a fierce argument? Okay - some of these things might be stereotypes. People in and around the country differ in many ways. Yet, almost all of the ones in Nashville can agree that the fun run for them is the Country Music Marathon.

The Country Music Marathon is the Grand Ole Opry of the running world. Every year, the creators of this race plan it for late April. It's when the weather is warm, the Tennessee area is beautiful and people are ready for their first spring gathering. In response to this desire, the Country Music Marathon gives them it all. Big musical groups, food vendors and volunteers line up to make this marathon more like a festival. As a result, a diverse crowd shows up for it every year with sneakers in hand. And guess what? Within all of this hubbub, the Country Music Marathon finds a way to raise lots of money for charity. It is estimated that they have turned over a net $148 million to charitable organizations in the last ten years. So, as you can see, the Country Music Marathon is that fun run nobody should miss, especially if they live in the south.

Now, do you see why so many southerners are proud of their region? These folks really know how to host a marathon. It's enough to make a northerner lace up a pair of shoes and make a long trek to Tennessee. For more information on how you can run this race, visit their Website at www.cmmarathon.com.

A few years ago, I drove across the country and ended up in Charleston, West Virginia, on my way to my parents' house in North Carolina. I hadn't been to Charleston before and was blown away by the prettiness of the town and the friendliness of the people. If it wasn't for the incredible heat and humidity, I could live in Charleston in a second. Charleston is also the home of the Charleston Distance Run, which at 15 miles in length is the longest run in the state. The event also has a 5K and a 10K run, for those of you who can't imagine running 15 miles.

The Charleston Distance Run has been going on for more than 35 years and is very popular, with more than 1,000 people lacing up their running shoes and joining in. The course starts out through downtown, where you can ogle the gorgeous colonial buildings (I'm so in love with Charleston's buildings!) and see some of Charleston's amazing history. It continues along the waterfront and even into one of the local cemeteries, so watch out for the ghosts!

The course is quite hilly in parts, although most of the hills are at the beginning of the run. Also, like always in Charleston, it'll probably be hot and humid so don't forget to keep hydrated. Keep up a steady pace though and you shouldn't find this run too difficult. The only thing to warn about is to watch traffic around by Pennsylvania Avenue, because it can be busy. There will be staff to help out, but they can't watch every person and every car, so make sure you know what's happening and you'll have no problems.

The Charleston Distance Run coincides with the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, so this really is all weekend kind of an event. The regatta features tons of boats (obviously!), a huge carnival and hot air balloons that take off at night and glow as they rise into the air. And because this all takes place in the south, there's the usual mounds of food and drink, all served up with the typical southern hospitality and smiles. The Charleston Distance Run is going to be my excuse to visit Charleston again soon - not that I really need one, of course.