Articles

Ask the Expert—Dr. Izzy Lira

Q: What are the differences between running on the street and trail running?

A: Running is a high-impact sport, which can cause achy joints, irritated tendons, and sometimes IT band tightness. While you may think that running on soft surfaces may help lower the strain on your body, this may not always be the case. Runners who run on softer surfaces don’t always have fewer injuries than those who run on asphalt or concrete. If you’re new to running, start either on a treadmill, track, or the streets around town. Start with just a mile or two at first and slowly increase time and miles spent running and you will build stamina for longer runs.

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Out of the Box

BeachBody Brings P90X Certification to a Gym Near You

By now, we’ve all seen the infomercials for the fitness phenomenon known as P90X and have marveled at the rigorous routines and remarkable results. But for many of us, the idea of going it alone at home and maintaining motivation seems as probable as pulling-off a one-arm pull-up. That’s why the folks at Beachbody, the brains behind the best-selling box-set of workout DVDs, have come up with a solution.

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Stand, Paddle, even Savasana

With the gorgeous Pacific Ocean right at our fingertips and a near-perfect climate, Santa Barbara is one of the few places that allows for outdoor adventure or activity almost every day of the year. It’s no wonder that more and more Santa Barbara residents are taking advantage of these incredible conditions and trying their hand at the ever-growing water sport, stand up paddle boarding. Stand up paddle boarding, more commonly referred to as SUP, originated in Hawaii in the sixties. Overtime the sport gravitated to the mainland and as of late has exploded amongst adventure-seekers across the country, quickly becoming one of the most popular modern water sports.

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Are You Tough Enough?—Part II

If you’re thinking about training for a marathon or a distance longer than a marathon, there many resources available. Unfortunately, the numerous diverse resources offer as nearly as many diverse views on how to train train. Is there any one best way to train?

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Brighter Bites

We’re a month past those new year promises and Dr. Lira’s article in the last issue on how to eat better—so how’s it going? Remember, this is an excellent opportunity to rest your body by eating lighter and healthier. Doing so is similar to a gentle detox in that we eliminate heavy foods, foods that we might be allergic to, or processed foods that have little nutritional value. Here are some familiar reminders as well as guidelines to follow in staying the course after your fresh start. 

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Swell Shape

Santa Barbara is home to some world-class surf breaks but is not known for having consistently big surf. Point Conception and the Channel Islands create a very narrow window for swells to sneak past, but when larger northwest swells arrive in winter, the aforementioned breaks come out of hibernation and start to fire! Surfing is all about

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Why Not Tri?

Have you ever thought about doing a triathlon? For some of you, the idea may be intriguing but the amount of specific training for a three-sport event might seem overwhelming. Perhaps you’re a runner that may have dabbled in cycling, but you’re not sure you can even swim a complete lap in your local pool. Or maybe you love swimming and cycling but can’t remember the last time you ran over a mile without stopping. No matter your fitness history, I’m here to tell you that ANYONE, with the proper training and desire, can complete a Triathlon!

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