1) I’ve Completely Trained Outdoors: I’m fortunate to live very close to some of the great hikes of Los Angeles. So rather than spend hours indoors using treadmills and other machines (aka massive amounts of electricity), I’ve been generating my own and enjoying the beautiful scenery and weather all around me. Plus, with all of the recent rains, the sky is clearer and the hills are greener than I have seen in a long while.  I’ve also had the privilege to train with SOMA Get Fit’s Scott Crawford.  In addition to my cardio regimen, Scott has me on the Gray’s Functional Training system.  I believe this on top of the targeted body work that Scott also provided me with is the number one reason I was not very sore after the race as was able to recover so quickly.

2) I’ve Used Clothing and Shoes Made From Sustainable Materials: I ran in Brooks Green Silence Shoes. We’ve covered their eco-cred in a previous article, but one of my favorite things about them is that parts of the soles are biodegradable. It’s great to know the shoes won’t be sticking around for a bazillion years after I stop using them. I also treated myself to an outfit from Lululemon . Lululemon is possibly the best athletic company when it comes to using sustainable resources and being mindful of its environmental impact. I opted to buy something new because a majority of my workout clothes are made of cotton and cotton can chafe after a while. Realizing that I was going to be sweating it out for over five hours, I decided it was a worthy investment, and something I will continually reuse.

3) I’ve Hydrated with H20 and Coconut Water: I’ve steered clear of the Gatorade, Powerade, Sugarades etc and have been using healthier sources of hydration from filtered water (my own filter and reusable bottle) and Naked Coconut Water which is chock full of electrolytes. During the run I enjoyed Clif Bar Blok Chews, which are also a healthy source of electrolytes. I also munched on the Clif Bar Protein Roks to keep my energy high. I did end up having a few cups of Powerade along the way, but not that many.

4) I’ve Minimized Waste: I always use my own water bottle, but for a 26-mile race running with one in hand will be too much. The race staff are generous to offer water and hydration stations along the route, but I noticed from my last race (a half marathon) how much trash was created by paper cups being guzzled and quickly chucked to the ground by exhausted runners (even in a race, I can’t stop thinking about this stuff). For this one, I’ve invested in a water belt so I can carry some of my own water (and coconut water) and I won’t have to be so dependent on the stations. I did end up having to visit a few of the stations, but I reused the same cup over 10 times.

5) We Carpooled: 25,000 people will be running this race, so hopefully 25,000 cars won’t be driving to the starting line. My fellow We Run Green teammate Lauren Selman and I will carpool to and from the race and to pick up our materials a few days before. The marathon is also offering a shuttle service for runners to take advantage of.

The Verdict? I don’t think these massive races can really be super green; they’re by definition big productions that create a lot of waste. However, I do think individuals can make their own experiences less wasteful and these big races could partner with more eco-friendly companies like Naked Coconut or Lululemon.

Training however, can definitely be done greener and truthfully I’ve enjoyed doing it outdoors and using healthier food and beverages more. Plus I love knowing I’m not running in materials laden with chemicals.

So what do you think? Did you run the marathon? What did you think about the eco-friendly nature of the race? Do you run green or train green? Tell us how in the comments below.

Originally posted by Tracy Hepler from Your Daily Thread.com

Images via Fishbowl2009 Flickr, Brooks Running and Interbike

Check out our most recent press in the daily healthy online magazine Vital Juice.

We hosted the LA editorial team here for one of our weekend retreats and they absolutely loved it.

Click below to read the full review and save 20% off your next retreat.

http://vitaljuice.com/entry_detail/la/1037

by Kristen Matthews

2010 has arrived and I would like to welcome it with open arms and gratitude.  This new year seems a special one as it’s also the beginning of a new decade.  What a great time to make resolutions.  If one of yours is to exercise, you are not alone.  How about Pilates?  It’s a fun, effective, and streamlined way to stay in shape.

People always ask me if Pilates can really help them.  The thing that’s great about Pilates is that it’s beneficial for all ages and fitness levels.  From injury rehabilitation to improved fitness for sport to a healthier all around body, a regular practice of Pilates has many long-lasting benefits.  I see the benefits in my clients every day.  One of them credits Pilates for helping her “solve” a climbing problem.  Her flexibility has increased along with her core strength, both of which are important to a climber.

You’re first step to starting Pilates is finding a studio in your area.  Most if not all gyms offer classes as well as privates.  My recommendation is to begin with privates.  In a private lesson, your instructor can focus her/his attention on you, making sure to correct your alignment and keep you moving.  By making small changes with your body, your Pilates session can become a completely different workout.  If privates are out of your reach, don’t be discouraged.  Look for small classes or ones that cater to beginners.   A seasoned teacher is able to teach multiple levels and will give modifications when needed.  Like any workout, the more you do Pilates, the faster you will see results.  Set a goal for twice a week, and see how amazing your body will start to feel!

If you live in the Los Angeles area I teach a $10 mat class outside in Santa Monica on Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.  I also offer an introductory special, 5 privates for $300.  Go to www.kristen4pilates.com for more detailed information.   Here’s to an exciting new year!

by Janet Rifkin, Ph.D.

I was going to write about our rafting and hiking trip in the Grand Canyon where I put Scott’s program into an action-packed adventure. But before I do that, I thought a more immediate update would be in order. Having been “in training” with Scott for the months of September, October and ½ of November, I needed to head back to Massachusetts for 5 weeks which meant that I would be without my trusted guide. I had made lots of progress in those weeks with Scott-improving cardio-vascular conditioning, improving flexibility (I have already admitted in previous posts that I have the tightest hamstrings and calves on earth,) and had also begun-at Scott’s suggestion, a nutrition/exercise program (with an amazing woman named Teri Tom)  that would help me lose those 8 pounds I had gained while sitting behind my desk as a college dean (By the way, for the record,  I am 62 and don’t want to look like I’m 40 or 50, but I don’t want to look like I’m 80.)

All was going amazingly well before I left California. I was disciplined, committed and focused. But how would it be when I left this environment without my support team. More importantly, how would I do on my own, over Thanksgiving where I would be hosting a feast for 15 people, cooking all the traditional stuff that people want and expect, and wanting to start drinking early enough in the day to temper the inevitable tensions of large family gatherings?  So, here’s how it went. Let’s just call it a “good news/bad news” outcome.

The Good:

1. I went to my local gym 4-5 times a week and kept up with my cardio.

2. I followed Teri Tom’s nutrition plan pretty well, and didn’t eat too too much on Thxgiving.

3. I kept in touch with Scott via email and text which made me remember that he was still an important part of my world, that I would be seeing him again soon and that I’d better not let him down because that would be disappointing myself.

The Bad:

1. I didn’t focus enough on stretching and my tightness is in high gear.

2. I am slouching more than I did before I left LA

3. The afternoon drinking (couldn’t help it) on Thxgiving didn’t stop family craziness (although-still it was mostly fun.)

I’m headed back to LA in a week and already have scheduled multiple sessions with Scott. Let’s see what his reaction is when we start-up again….