welcome to elaney!

“If you’re not first, you’re last.”  – Carter Woolfolk, On marathons

The first marathoner was a Greek messenger named Pheidippidies who ran 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of the victory over the Persians.  The story goes that Pheidippidies called out, “Rejoice!  We conquered!”  Then he keeled over and died.

Fast forward to the present, marathon running is a pasttime for many Americans.  Even celebs are doing it.  Marathon running has a crazy subculture that goes along with it and is just one of the many things that make it entertaining.  Why do we like it?  It’s cool to have so many facets tested in a span of 4 hours: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.  And it’s just fun…so if you want to track elaney and Reader Grace in Philly:  check us out here!  Here’s to hoping we see Katie Holmes!

Few more for you:

“Fantasy (remix),” Mariah Carey
“Get Up,” Ciara
“Call Me Al,” Paul Simon (can’t explain it, but unnamed high school football player** mentioned it got him pumped up before a game while elaney was painting a break thru sign – loved to work out to it ever since)
 

**crush has since fizzled

While perusing the latest Gap brand, Athleta, we stumbled across a new innovation in the realm of running / walking ladies fashion.  In the past, we’ve experienced severe jealousy of “the tennis skirt,” so we were delighted to discover the running skirt!  However, this may be taking it to a whole new level.  Fair maiden atheletes, do tell:  what do you think about the running dress?

Nothing like getting your week off to the right start with a Monday morning run.  Thinking of getting into running?  We recommend that you get a running partner (reader Hmmmm is ours) and commit to doing your body right.  It’s obviously a little tougher to do it on Monday morning, but it sure does make you feel good.  As they said in League of their Own, “the hard is what makes it good.”

Dear elaney,  As part of streamlining in ’09 my workout routine, I am trying to decide between yoga and pilates.  Which do you recommend?  With Love, Complicated in Columbus, GA

Dear Complicated, 

We commend you for deciding to streamline.  Let us start by saying, both have great qualities.  But we’re guessing (just assuming you’re the same as every girl we’ve ever met ever), you’re looking for which one is going to whip you into bathing suit season, and that is probably pilates.

Detailed info from Pilates Insight:

• The Pilates method is a complicated system of effective but gentle, whole-body conditioning and corrective exercises. It was first practiced by dancers and gained mass attention in recent years because of its largely aesthetic body sculpting effects. Yoga is a lifestyle, rather then simply an exercise. Its known as the path to both physical and mental well-being. It includes everything from physical postures and healthy diet to breathing, relaxation and meditation skills.
• Pilates mainly concentrates on cultivating core strength in the body and lengthening the spine. Also, Pilates is a valuable tool for increasing strength, definition and proper posture. Yoga aims to work the body equally and unite the body with mind and spirit. Yoga is often considered therapeutic, when compared to Pilates, as it helps people find harmony and release stress.
• Yoga has many different styles, but all are generally performed in a group setting on a yoga mat with the aid of a yoga instructor. Pilates has a full complement of mat work, but it also incorporates work on Pilates machines which help build a longer, leaner, dancer-like physique.

Bottom Line:

• Yoga can be therapeutic, will increase flexibility, and will elongate and lengthen the muscles.  Pilates can lead to that uber-toned dancer like body everyone wants.