Air max 2009

It’s time. Put down the remote control. Throw away the half-eaten chip bag. Pull yourself off the loveseat.

We’re going running.

If only it was that simple.

Running a 5K takes a lot more than just deciding you want to get active; it’s also about ensuring your body is ready for road.

Adopting a training program that increases your endurance and stamina gradually is key to preventing running injuries, said Leslie Burkhalter, a physical therapist at ACCUA in Savage.

“There are a lot of really good programs out there, especially for first-timers,” she said.

If you haven’t been active in awhile, Burkhalter recommends starting with a walking program. It’s also a good idea, she said, to schedule a physical with your doctor to ensure your body can handle the rigors of exercise.

“Many people suffer setbacks and injuries because they start too fast,” said Justin Musil, a NSCA-certified strength and conditional specialist and owner of Anytime Fitness in Eden Prairie. “If you become sore at the beginning your body will adjust, but you may need to cut back on the demands you are placing on your body.”

Burkhalter suggested alternating walking and jogging for several blocks and then check your heart rate. If you can still speak when exercising, “that’s a pretty good indicator if [you] can still continue to do more,” she said.

A run/walk series is a great way to build your ability by giving your body days off to rest or cross train. Burkhalter recommends using an elliptical at your local gym or riding a stationary bike to get different muscles involved.

In addition to avoiding injuries, alternative workouts can optimize your performance, too, Musil said. He recommends a good strength training routine and full body workouts, such as swimming and biking.

“Even though these are both aerobic workouts, as is running, it incorporates different muscles and also helps keep your body in balance,” Musil said. “Swimming and biking also take pressure off your joints and that helps avoid injuries while in a running training program.”

Another key to preventing injuries is good stretching, Burkhalter said. Instead of stretching cold, walk or light run for five minutes. Then stop and stretch your upper and lower body. Stretch again at the end.

When training on a road or trail, alternate directions. For example, if you’re running around a lake, run clockwise one day and counterclockwise another. “Even the angle [or crown of the road] is enough to change the mechanics on the knees and hips,” Burkhalter said.

Burkhalter recommends investing in a good pair of shoes. A running shoe store can help ensure you get the proper fit for your foot structure. If you run a lot consider rotating shoes every few months, she said.

Some injuries, like shin splints, may indicate poor shoes, improper stretching or just an unusual running gait, Burkhalter said. Shin splints can usually be iced, but if you’re starting to feel knee or hip pain, consult a doctor or physical therapist, she recommended.

Burkhalter, who has been running since high school, said another great way to get off the couch is by joining a running group. The Twin Cities have a number of running clubs that offer great advice on everything from training to stretching to nutrition.

Most clubs has runners of different levels and abilities, so you can find people who understand your pace.

“It’s a little bit more fun to run with people and it keeps everyone motivated, too,” she said.

The clothing collaboration you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived!

No, not Missoni for Target. Jennifer Lopez has debuted the full look book for her Kohl’s clothing line, which includes a whopping 51 looks.

Set to hit stores and kohls.com on September 7, the line was a long time in the coming but hit some bumps along the way. Key among those was Lopez’s high-profile split from husband Marc Anthony, who also has a collaboration with Kohl’s coming out on September 7.

The duo was being promoted as “the first celebrity couple to simultaneously design collections for one retailer”… but after their split, the PR approach changed and the lines were advertised as two separate collections.

Because just because Lopez and Anthony are going through a silly little divorce did not mean they should get sidetracked from their all-important clothing lines.

So the show must go on and what a show it is: the Jennifer Lopez Collection is wide-ranging, featuring everything work-appropriate black pants and silky blouses to Jennifer Lopez signatures like off-the-shoulder tops, sky-high heels and even a jumpsuit (girl loves her jumpsuits).

If the clothing styles are fairly unsurprising, the muted color palate was certainly unexpected, given Lopez’s penchant for bright hues. But all in all, it’s a very “J. Lo” line — if you need a tight leopard-print dress, some faux snakeskin heels or a drapey revealing top, Kohl’s can now be your go-to spot.

Click below for a small sneak peek at the Jennifer Lopez Collection for Kohl’s.

At the age of 70, Russ Lesser has logged many miles in his running shoes and it only seemed fitting that when he reached a personal milestone it was at the Manhattan Beach Pier and in the town he has claimed home for 66 years.

Lesser admits to be being surprised when a group of about 20 people that included his wife Charlotte presented him with a plaque after he completed his daily workout that marked 50,000 miles of running.

“I had no idea they were going to do that,” said Lesser, the President of Body Glove International. “It was a nice surprise.”

Lesser, who served eight years on the City Council and two terms as Mayor of Manhattan Beach, grew up in the beachside community graduating from Mira Costa High School.

“I played a little basketball in high school but didn’t really start running until I was 30 years old,” Lesser said. “My friends and I noticed we were gaining a little weight so we decided to do something about it.”

It was during the 1970’s when Lesser gained inspiration from a book written by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, who introduced the concept of aerobics. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics emphasized a point system for improving the cardiovascular system.

“My friends and I got hooked and I began keeping of log,” Lesser said. “I don’t know what’s nuttier, running 50,000 miles or keeping track of them.”

Lesser and his friends had a good thing going. Decades later, theBeachCitiesHealthDistrictVitalityCitycommunity health program developed Moai (pronounced “Mo Eye”) walking teams of groups of up to 10 people that meet at least once a week to walk throughout the community.

“We were the original Moai,” Lesser said. “It’s a social network that helps you stay in shape while developing great friendships. We’ve met on Saturdays and Sundays at 7 a.m. for years. You feel like you have to be there so you don’t let your friends down. One of the keys to staying healthy life is having a purpose in life, wanting to get out of bed each day to make a better world.”

As Lesser became more involved with running, he began reading books to train for marathons – he has competed in 16 – and was learning what days to alternate long and shorts runs.

“I had to keep a log of my workouts and I just continued it all these years,” Lesser said. “I know in my daily routine that it’s 4 miles to El Porto and back and it’s 2 ? miles to the gym. It’s kind of anal retentive but it’s now a habit.”

Lesser has completed countless miles with his 4th Street Running Group and for many years was accompanied by his wife until a back injury limited Charlotte to walking.

“She stays in shape,” Russ said. “She walks very fast. When I’m walking with her, I can’t keep up.”

Lesser has accumulated many miles solo. Along with his competition in marathons, he has run in numerous 10K races including his favorite, theManhattan Beach10K.

When Lesser was elected to the Manhattan Beach City Council in 1978, he and many of his friends who were runners organized the first Manhattan Beach 10K.

The annual event has grown to become one of the top 100 races listed in the National Road Race Encyclopedia. Out of the top 100 races, the Manhattan Beach 10K boasts highest local participation (8-10% of the city) and is the only race with no major corporate sponsor, being held strictly with volunteers and a partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach which provides free services from its police and fire departments.

Although Lesser enjoyed the 50,000-mile celebration, he is equally as proud to be a dedicated member of P.I.E.R (Participated In Every Race), a group that has dwindled down to under 70 runners who have competed in every Manhattan Beach 10K.

“Running 50,000 miles is quite an accomplishment,”Charlottesaid of her husband’s feat. “He’s a very dedicated man.”

Famous Footwear BOGO Half Off Plus 20% Sale

Famous Footwear is having a Buy One Get One Half off sale plus an additional 20% off the entire purchase. The deal is available in the brick and mortar stores or online at their web site. Some of the shoes are available only at the web site.

This includes all the top brands that Famous Footwear carries, including kid favorites Converse, Skechers, Vans, Nike and Adidas. There are hundreds of different sneakers available including running shoes, walking shoes, cross trainers and boat shoes – shop online for an easily searchable selection.

Girls and women’s shoes are also included with name brands like Birkenstock, Fergalicious, ASICS, Eurostep, unity, Saucony and LifeStride. Full calf boots and ankle boots are available in dozens of designs from different makers including Madden Girl. Flats and heels from names like LifeStride, Aerosoles, Franco Sarto and Natural Sole are also available.

Leisure footwear is included in the sale – moccasins and slippers from makers like Rocket Dog, Fergalicious, and Minnetonka. Other specialty shoes are in limted selection like water shoes, sandals and work boots.

Men’s athletic shoes are on sale, but so are dress shoes from makers like Rockport, Stacy Adams, Dr. Scholl’s, and Dockers. There are many more brands to choose from.

Sale is on now through Tuesday only, no coupons or coupon codes are required.

Since it was launched in 1989, the Isabel Marant brand of bohemian chic has evolved into one of the more iconic—and imitated—Parisian looks. Marant’s meteoric success has a lot to do with her ability to distill a fantasy image of the quintessential Parisienne into a singularly appealing package: part bohemian waif, part glamour puss, part rock star. Last fall’s runway show, featuring sheer metallic sweaters over cropped cigarette pants, topped off with collarless fox or leather jackets and worn with slouchy boots or red suede pumps, thrilled fashion editors and inspired a thousand knockoffs. Winter 2012’s over-the-knee, crazily fringed high-heeled boots, paired with skinny black jeans or a body-hugging mini-dress, will no doubt have the same effect. Marant’s palette is usually restrained, with lots of charcoal, black and pristine white, punctuated by deep indigo or crimson. Separates are pleasingly spare, unfussy and streamlined, making them a cinch to wear even if you’re not a size two. Recurring themes include form-fitting tops and sweaters worn under unstructured blazers with skin-tight jeans or leg-accentuating trousers. Marant’s jackets are pure genius—a thigh-grazing shearling coat with furry bright-white lapels or a luscious fur vest will keep you cozily certain of your fashion creds.

If a concertgoer had walked out of the wilderness and into Rosemont’s Allstate Arena knowing nothing of Taylor Swift’s three albums, four Grammys or more than 20 million records sold, that person would still have understood Swift’s stature as a reigning queen of pop on the basis of just one thing: the singular sound of a basketball stadium rocked to its rafters by rapturous girls.

They are Swift’s target market, and they had waited more than nine months for this since her latest smash album “Speak Now” debuted at No. 1. After an extravagantly showy but smartly paced two-hour performance Tuesday night, a set Swift is scheduled to repeat at Allstate tonight, they went home happy.

In fact they had waited almost two years since Swift’s last local shows. She’s grown since then, and not just in the sense that she’s no longer a teenager. Always well-crafted, her songs are more nuanced now, complex yet hooky and singable, her words funny or fierce and often sentimental but not cloying.

Her voice, too, was both stronger and more confident. Where her live vocals were once thin and sometimes pinched, here she not only risked but skillfully handled even the supple, playful warbles in the new disc’s title cut.

And she smashed the misconception that she’s just a pretty face, playing guitar, piano and, for a breezy version of her older hit “Fearless,” ukulele. Best of all was her banjo playing, which led a sparkling front-porch jam on “Our Song” and “Mean.” Coupled with fiddle and some greasy guitar, they reconnected Swift with her Nashville roots.

But this was an arena show, by nature less about songs and more about spectacle. In its promotion Swift promised a “Broadway experience,” and she delivered. The stage was a mock theater proscenium with traditional red curtains and several staircases; the songs were subdivided into set pieces paired with elaborate backdrops and dancers in costume. They wore Fifties high school prep wear for a cresting rock version of “Mine,” formal black for the string-laden “Back to December,” and cocktail dresses for a riff-heavy “Better Than Revenge,” acting out the songs as smoke rolled, fireworks popped and snow-globe confetti twinkled to the floor.

A presentation this theatrical has to be carefully choreographed, a fact that leaves little room for spontaneity. As a result, Swift plays the same set list every night, with one exception: In each city, she walks through the crowd to a small stage in the back of the arena, where she tosses off a different medley of songs by local artists. It was Justin Bieber and Nelly Furtado in Toronto, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi in New Jersey, even Eminem in Detroit.

At Allstate, Swift played only a solo acoustic take on Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” saying it was her favorite song in her freshman year of high school. The choice was more notable for what it wasn’t; given the chance, Swift opted not to symbolically bury the hatchet with a rival by covering Chicago’s own Kanye West.

Sometimes clothes look different on the rack at the department store than they do once out of the shopping bag, on our bodies and standing in front of the mirror. Sometimes we purchase a perfect piece of clothing that we wear every single week until it becomes such a big part of our wardrobe that eventually we become ill at the very thought of wearing it once more, but we can’t bring ourselves to donate it to a local thrift shop.

Either of these scenarios, as well as the periodic closet purging, can soon leave you with a significant amount of clothing to dispose of. What’s a woman to do?

Consider a clothes swap.

Clothes swaps are becoming a popular way for frugal and fashion conscious women (mostly) to update their wardrobes by just bringing clothes to trade. While, there’s a good number of Internet sites dedicated to “hosting” large scale clothing trades, a clothes-swap party can be a perfect excuse to share some laughs — and maybe even some wine.

Callie Johnson, corporate recruiter at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, recently attended her first swap.

“It was an opportunity for me to finally ‘get brutal’ with my closet cleaning, and get rid of those things that have been able to avoid the culling for quite some time,” she said. “I took great care in selecting only the things I was sure other people would like and made a separate pile of items not quite up to par that I would donate. The result was a clean closet — I can actually see what I have in there now — and a fantastic array of offerings to take to the party. I vowed not to bring anything home, as I wanted to enjoy my newly found closet space, but on my way out the door, I just happened to see a great pair of wide leg Seven for All Mankind jeans in my size, and snapped them up.”

The hostess of the party Johnson attended offered simple snacks such as hummus and crackers, fresh blueberries and pineapple, complemented with a complete array of wines. There were bedrooms with open doors and mirrors inside for guests to try on their selected items while talking, laughing and giggling.

People of all ages attended — from teenagers to a retired school teacher — and nearly everyone left with something.

Allison Maier, former Independent Record reporter who is now attending graduate school at Columbia University in New York City, attended the same clothes swap Johnson did.

It was her first one, but she’d read about the idea in a magazine and loved the concept.

“I actually found it fascinating to see how clothes work differently for people,” Maier said. “I’d bring things that I never loved on me and saw how fabulous they looked on other people. It was usually pretty obvious who should take a certain item home.”

Maier has now been to two clothes swaps. The first time she took home more than she expected and said she had a lot of fun incorporating it all into her wardrobe. The second time she was in the midst of moving across the country so she seized the opportunity to clear her closet.

“It was actually kind of liberating to get rid of so many bags of clothes,” she said.

Clothing swaps don’t have to be just for girls, because guys and children need clothes, too.

Jackie Schultz, a local mother of three, attended a clothes swap earlier this year and was so impressed by the concept that she organized and hosted her own party within two weeks.

Her swap included clothing for everyone.

The same rules apply no matter what kind of swap it is. The only difference might be the refreshments — if men are invited, beer might be nice to have on hand, and if children come, juice is a good choice.

The basic rules begin with organization and invitations, which can be sent electronically to keep costs low.

The party can be a potluck, too, so the host or hostess isn’t responsible for everything, but having at least one clothing item to share from the get-go is probably a must, according to most party planners.

Another rule is mirrors — preferably full-length — so guests can see themselves in full view with their potential “purchases.”

Organizing the clothes can be tricky, but the easiest way is probably by type — jeans in one pile, shirts in another — allowing party-goers to sift through and search for appropriate sizes. Shoes can be in one area, accessories in another.

Leftover clothing can be donated to a local charity like Good Samaritan, Florence Crittenton, God’s Love or local churches with clothing-donation programs.

Sarah Harne, a local mom and account manager for Mountain West Benefits, was thrilled to get an invitation to Shultz’s swap.

Today we are talking to a singular literary talent who has written for Broadway, Hollywood, television and film, but, besides her Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway debut, ‘NIGHT MOTHER, which opened on Broadway in 1982, she is perhaps best known as the Tony-winning book-writer for two particularly beloved musicals of the last few decades: THE SECRET GARDEN and THE COLOR PURPLE. Generously covering her varied career writing for stage and screen, Ms. Norman and I discuss her process, her passions, her many projects old and new, and, most importantly, the two premieres she has looming large on the horizon in the next year, both coming after her highly successful collaboration with Jason Robert Brown on THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN symphonic suite (available now on PS Classics) and the recent world premiere of her new play, THE MASTER BUTCHERS SINGING CLUB, at the Guthrie Theater: in addition to writing the book for Jason Robert Brown’s musical adaptation of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, we also discuss her newest project for Theater For Humans which is focused on international women’s and children’s issues and the manner in which she will tackle the hot button topics of human trafficking and enslavement in it. Additionally, we touch on the bumpy Broadway road of THE RED SHOES and working with Jule Styne, NY versus LA, musicals versus plays, GLEE, WEST SIDE STORY at the Hollywood Bowl, playwrighting pal Theresa Rebeck, as well as much, much more!

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman has worked successfully in seemingly every form of media - winning accolades and awards for ‘NIGHT MOTHER in the 80s to penning the books for the Broadway musicals THE SECRET GARDEN (winning a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for her efforts) and THE RED SHOES in the 90s all the way up to writing for HBO’s IN TREATMENT in the 00s and performing book-writing duties on THE COLOR PURPLE. In addition to her musical theatre work, Ms. Norman has also composed nearly twenty plays besides ‘NIGHT MOTHER, the first being GETTING OUT and CIRCUS VALENTINE in the late 1970s continuing to THE MASTER BUTCHERS SINGING CLUB premiering later this year. Warm, kind and open, Ms. Norman illuminates the life of a playwright and how her new dramatic Theater For Humans piece about women’s issues has the potential to address issues of human trafficking and enslavement in much the same ways that the edgy and frank ‘NIGHT MOTHER tackled suicide - that is: on a very public stage and in an unprecedented, progressive manner - nearly thirty years ago. Ms. Norman holds fast to her convictions and all of her work speaks to her passionate, individual dramatic voice.

Shoe designer Julia Lundsten has unveiled the Project 3 shoe in her Finsk line. The tri-colored strap-ons sit atop a six-and-a-half inch platform described as “broken.”

Not only will you suffer nosebleeds wearing these sky high heels, but the pricetag is in the upper atmosphere as well—$1,000.

I dare you. Send photos. Walking, not standing. Walking.

On the Finsk website, there is artsy video of a woman kind of walking in them. Designer Lundsten is reportedly a two-time past winner of the Manolo Blahnick Award, but I don’t think even Carrie Bradshaw could amble through Manhattan in these.

Lundsten’s Projects One and Two are also pretty eye-popping. Perhaps we should think of this as walkable art, but with a twist. Let’s just hope the twist doesn’t involve your ankles.

People should vary their shoe type and heel height on a daily basis, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists has warned.

Podiatrist Lorraine Jones said that wearing high heels is fine in moderation, but “choosing the right shoe for the job” is vital.

She explained that individuals should ensure there is 1cm between the longest toe and the end of the shoe and an adequate amount of width and depth to support the foot.

“If you’re going out for the evening then high heels are fine for short periods, but for everyday wear you should ideally opt for a wide-toe shoe with supportive straps to hold your foot in place, and a low heel of around 3cm,” added Ms Jones.

This follows a statement from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons which maintained that it is important clinicians assess lesser toe deformities as they are often treatable and can be symptomatic of other conditions.