New Free Online Course -- Marathon Training 101

To paraphrase the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, “A journey of 26.2 miles begins with a single step.” From the time the ancient Greek runner Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to announce the Greeks’ victory in the Battle of Marathon, humans have had a compelling interest in taking that single step, and many more after that. Marathons in the U.S. have seen record increases in participation during the past few years.

And now there’s a new online course to teach you how to run a marathon! In Marathon Training 101, 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, exercise physiologist, and author of Running a Marathon For Dummies (http://www.runcoachjason.com/merchandise) Dr. Jason Karp shows you how to take 26.2 miles’ worth of steps to run a marathon, whether it’s your first one or fastest one. This unique, four-week online course, which runs January 21 to February 18, includes videos, downloadable podcast workouts, “homework” training runs, and active discussions with other people just like you. It gives you everything you need to know to run a marathon, including:

* the fundamentals of marathon training

* the knowledge you need to select the right resources for your training

*  how to structure your very first 20-week marathon training plan

* shoe selection

* ten things you must do on marathon race day

* secrets of long runs

* how to avoid injuries

“The marathon changes people’s lives,” said course instructor Dr. Jason Karp. “Given the popularity of the marathon and the continued misinformation that runners are given, this course is a great opportunity for people to learn what to do as they prepare for their life-changing event. And the best part is it’s totally free!”

About Dr. Jason Karp

Dr. Jason Karp is a nationally-recognized running coach, 2011 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, and owner of RunCoachJason.com, providing private coaching and training programs to runners of all levels. He holds a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and is founder and coach of REVO2LT Running Teamä and Dr. Karp’s Hot-Bod Boot Camp (http://www.runcoachjason.com/bootcamp). A prolific writer, he has more than 200 articles published in international running, coaching, and fitness magazines, has authored five books, including Running for Women (http://www.runcoachjason.com/RunningforWomen), Running a Marathon For Dummies, 101 Winning Racing Strategies for Runners (http://www.runcoachjason.com/101WinningRacingStrategies), 101 Developmental Concepts & Workouts for Cross Country Runners (http://www.runcoachjason.com/101WorkoutsforCrossCountry), and How to Survive Your PhD (http://www.runcoachjason.com/HowtoSurviveYourPhD), and is a frequent presenter at national fitness and coaching conferences.

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Top gym in Costa Mesa raises donations for the American Red Cross for the Boston Marathon bombing

Training Ground OC strength and Conditioning, voted one of the top gyms Orange County in 2013 by the OC Hotlist, hosted a fundraising event last weekend called Fitness Camp for a cause for the American Red Cross for help in the aftermath of the bombing of the Boston Marathon to raise money earlier in the month.

"The tragedy in Boston was unspeakable and we wanted to do our part to show support for those brave athletes, their families and friends present and suffer from this Act of terror," owner Am Ballinger said. "We want to give a big shout-out to all the people that came up, worked hard and made the generous donations we could raising almost $ 500 for our cause."

Training Ground OC has promised to all gifts given for this event one day, that one-hour, intensive circuit-style training with weights, bodyweight exercises and a variety of athletic training equipment on their facility Costa Mesa-based off of 17th St. and Pomona Ave.

As a local business owner, Am ' Coach B ' Ballinger and the team at Training Ground OC are heavily involved in the community and often host fundraising events for local and national charities and causes. Last winter they a camp 2-week charity fitness hosted and raised thousands of dollars worth of food, clothing and money for Colette the children's Home of Huntington Beach to help support the women and children love served during the holiday season.

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