MANKATO, Minn. — The heat is on, especially across the South, Southeast, and portions of the plains. The National Weather Service has issued several heat, and excessive heat advisories. When summer goes from warm to hot, exercising could become risky — unless you’re prepared.

“Staying active, even exercising in hot weather, can be done safely, but you really have to pay attention to the environment and your body to make sure a good thing doesn’t go bad,” says Chaun Cox, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System Family Medicine physician and an avid runner.

Here are a few tips from Dr. Cox for exercising in the heat:

Know the weather.

If you haven’t been exercising in hot weather already this summer, don’t choose a hot day to start. Your body needs to acclimate to the heat, so start with shorter periods of exercise and gradually extend the duration of your workout. High humidity prevents sweat from readily evaporating from this skin, which puts added stress on your body.  And pay attention to the forecast — and the sky. Severe weather can develop rather quickly, and there are no extra points for trying to outrun a thunderstorm or tornado.

Stay hydrated.

Your body cools itself by sweating, and if you stay hydrated, the body is pretty good at cooling itself. When you become dehydrated, your body starts to store heat inside. Your core temperature begins to increase, and that can put your organs and nervous system at risk. Drink water before, during and after you exercise. Additionally, make sure you have food throughout the day.

Slow down.

Don’t try to keep up your normal pace and intensity in hot weather. Get comfortable knowing you’ll have to take things a bit easier when the mercury rises. Save your goal of setting a personal best for another, cooler day. Don’t think you have to keep up with your running or workout buddies — at least until the temperature cools off a bit.

Dress smart.

Clothing for exercise or working out in hot weather should permit evaporation of sweat from your skin. Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting items. Clothing also can help protect your skin from the sun, along with plenty of sunscreen.

Listen to your body.

The old adage “no pain, no gain” is false. You should slow down or stop exercising at the first sign of discomfort. Other warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness and dizziness. Heat stroke, which is more serious, may be indicated by a rapid, weak pulse, confusion and loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these warning signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately, or alert someone to make the call on your behalf.

Summer fun can include outdoor exercise and workouts. The trick is to be smart about it. By following some simple tips, you’ll get more out of your time outdoors and reduce the risks associated with hot weather.

###

About Mayo Clinic Health System

Mayo Clinic Health System has a physical presence in 44 communities and consists of 53 clinics, 16 hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.

Media contact:

• Amanda Dyslin, Mayo Clinic Health System Communications, 507-327-7510, dyslin.amanda@mayo.edu

The post Ready to Run: Mayo physician and runner suggests ways to beat the heat while running appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

MANKATO, Minn. — Everyone has heard the saying "No pain, no gain," and, if you're training for a long-distance race, chances are that you've felt some pain.

“General muscle soreness and mild discomfort is common among runners, and it often is the sign of a successful training program,” says Paul Osterman, a licensed athletic trainer in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic Health System. “When training for a long-distance race, it's important to gradually progress your training and not overstress your body. Overtraining can result when you push your training too quickly, and the workload exceeds your body's normal ability to adapt to the stress placed on it without appropriate rest or recovery time.”

When putting your body through the rigorous training required for a marathon, how much pain is too much? When should you power through, and when should you take it easy and get checked out?

Here are a few of Osterman’s tips for warning signs when training for a marathon:

The most important thing is to listen to your body.

Sometimes runners get into a mentality that they must finish a particular run in progress, and they don't listen to or respond appropriately to their aches and pain.

A lot of runners experience knee pain, and it doesn't mean that you have to give up on your goal, especially if your pain level is low ― 0 to 3 on a 10-point scale ― consistent, doesn't escalate and you don't have swelling the day after the run.

If your knee pain is at a lower level and never changes, you can keep running. Use ice and stretching or lower your running intensity to ease the pain, rather than use medication to mask the pain.

Worsening pain means you need to see a provider.

If your pain level escalates more than two points, or you wake up with swelling in your hip, knee or foot, you need to get checked out or you may increase your risk of worsening the injury.

One thing that prevents athletes from getting checked out is the fear they'll be told they must stop training. While there are cases when a health care provider must say a runner shouldn't run, it's likely you can keep working toward your goal in some capacity. Pain that is short-lived, improves with activity or resolves with rest is generally not concerning.

Researchers have found that runners can moderate knee pain with changes in pace. An athletic trainer or physical therapist can help you modify your plan and educate you about stretching and interventions so you can finish your training and race.

“So listen to your body and keep working toward your goal,” Osterman says.

###

About Mayo Clinic Health System

Mayo Clinic Health System has a physical presence in 44 communities and consists of 53 clinics, 16 hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.

Media contact:

• Amanda Dyslin, Mayo Clinic Health System Communications, 507-327-7510, dyslin.amanda@mayo.edu

The post Ready to Run: Mayo athletic trainer suggests ways to manage pain, swelling during marathon training appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Jeff Helfrich, 41, began running in 5^th grade. He competed from grade school through high school in Illinois and was good enough to walk onto the track and cross-country teams at Harvard University, an NCAA Division I school.

Then came the summer of 2002, an injury, and what became a 20-year search for relief.

Running man

The summer before his senior year, Helfrich was in excellent shape. He had already qualified for the 2003 Boston Marathon. While running a downhill half-marathon in Colorado, he felt extreme pain in his right calf. He thought he just pulled a muscle. He rested and eventually returned to training camp for cross-country.

“I was only able to run one cross-country race that fall when the pain returned,” Helfrich says. “So I rehabbed for most of the season.”

That winter, Helfrich ran indoor track and posted his fastest time in the 5K. That spring, he skipped spring track so he could work on his senior thesis and run the Boston Marathon. He trained solo and completed Boston in 2:46, placing 117th overall.

After graduating, Helfrich moved to Denver for work. He ran for fun and trained for the occasional marathon.

His calf pain flared up periodically, forcing him to stop running for a few months. He tried rehab and massage, but just when he thought he was in the clear, the pain came back. Sometimes his left leg hurt, more often it was the right. Over time, the pain-free periods seemed to get shorter, the recovery periods longer.

No definitive answers

In 2008, Helfrich moved to Dallas for a new job. Over the next few years, he saw various specialists around the country. He underwent MRIs and bone scans. He got cortisone shots, received physical therapy and tried stretching routines. He also received platelet-rich plasma therapy.

One physician suspected chronic exertional compartment syndrome, an exercise-induced muscle and nerve condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes disability in the affected muscles. The doctor encouraged him to undergo pressure tests for the condition.

Pressure tests -- which involved sticking needles into Helfrich’s calves – showed Helfrich had borderline high results, but they were inconsistent with earlier cases of the syndrome.

“He offered surgery but needed to see what was going on once he got in there,” Helfrich says. “He didn’t have a prognosis. I passed on the surgery.“

On his own, Helfrich continued to research chronic exertional compartment syndrome. He learned about popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, or a pain or cramping in the calf that happens during exercise and goes away during rest. This condition can mimic or coexist with chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

Stealing a run

Eventually, Helfrich decided his running career was over. He switched to biking and rowing. Once in a rare while, he "stole" a run, but it was never consistent.

“I resigned myself to the fact that if I couldn’t run like I once did, I would do what I could and let sleeping dogs lie,” he says. “I remain firmly in that camp today.”

Mayo connection

Helfrich kept up with the scientific literature on his condition. He noticed that more people were finding relief with botulinum toxin (aka Botox). In 2021, he contacted Jonathan Finnoff, D.O., chief medical officer of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and former medical director of Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Minneapolis.

Dr. Finnoff recommended Jacob Sellon, M.D., a physiatrist and co-director of Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Rochester, Minn. Helfrich came to Mayo and consulted with Dr. Sellon and vascular surgeon Jill Colglazier, M.D.

Sellon says that Helfrich’s case was unusual as his symptoms did not fit well with the typical symptoms of chronic exertional compartment syndrome, which commonly affects the front our outside part of the leg. Helfrich’s symptoms fit better with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, though his test results suggested he might have both conditions. Helfrich and his physicians discussed surgery, a traditional treatment for these conditions, but ultimately they decided on botulinum toxin injections.

“The mechanism is not entirely clear, but the thinking is that the toxin is relaxing the muscle around the blood vessels that are entrapped, which allows better blood flow,” Dr. Sellon says.

In July 2021, Dr. Sellon gave Helfrich the injection under ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound guidance allowed Dr. Sellon to target the muscles that appeared to be constricting his popliteal arteries, while avoiding injury to nearby nerves and blood vessels. The effects of the toxin lasts about three months.

In recent years, botulinum toxin injections have been show to help both syndromes, though the duration varies and the injections are considered experimental by most insurance companies, Dr. Sellon says.

Helfrich resumed running. In August 2022, he ran in a 200-mile relay race, the Ragnar Northwest Passage, an eight-year tradition with his buddies. Helfrich completed 11 miles over three legs without problems.

“We actually won the race,” he says. “There was no way I could have done that before Botox.”

Unfortunately, Helfrich’s pain has returned. He knew that this was a possibility and that he might need additional injections. He is planning to get a second round this month near his home in Dallas.

“I don't think I'll ever do the surgery as my prime running days are behind me,” Helfrich says. “The pain and rehab of doing two calves and missing out on other activities during the downtime just doesn't seem worth it. So anything the Botox can give me is a gift.”

The post Runner goes the distance to find answers appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Runner's diarrhea is characterized by frequent, loose bowel movements during or immediately after a run. Runner's diarrhea is most common in long-distance runners.

This article is written by Mayo Clinic Staff.

___________________________________________

The cause of runner's diarrhea isn't clear. Contributing factors likely include the physical jostling of the organs, decreased blood flow to the intestines, changes in intestinal hormone secretion, increased amount or introduction of new food, and pre-race anxiety and stress. What is clear is that food moves more quickly through the bowels of athletes in training.

Often, simple dietary changes can help prevent runner's diarrhea:

• At least one day before running, limit or avoid high-fiber and gas-producing foods, such as beans, bran, fruit and salad. If you run every day, experiment to find a tolerable level of fiber. Otherwise, simply eat those foods after you run.
• At least one day before running, limit or avoid sweeteners called sugar alcohols (isomalt, sorbitol, others) — most often found in sugar-free candies, gum and ice cream.
• For three to six hours before running, limit or avoid caffeine and high-fat foods.
• For at least two hours before running, don't eat anything at all.
• Before, during and after running, drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can lead to diarrhea. Avoid warm liquids, however, which can speed food through the digestive tract.
• While running, use caution with energy gels and energy bars. In some people, these products can contribute to diarrhea. And especially avoid introducing a new gel or bar on race day.
• If you're lactose intolerant, switch to lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk and milk products.
• Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen (Aleve). Both have been shown to increase the incidence of gastrointestinal complaints.

In addition, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing when you run. Clothing that's too tight around the waist may aggravate diarrhea. You might also consider reducing the intensity or distance of your runs until the diarrhea improves. Then gradually increase your activity as your signs and symptoms allow. If these tips don't seem to help, consult your health care provider for additional suggestions.

The post How can I prevent runner’s diarrhea? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I have stopped going to the health club, and I have gained the "COVID-19 pounds." Would running be a good way to lose this weight? I have heard that running is hard on the joints.

ANSWER: As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, it has created some unique situations for people in terms of weight gain and loss, and with respect to finding and embracing new exercise opportunities. Everyone’s situation is different. So, while running is a good form of cardiovascular activity, deciding if it is a good choice for you depends on a few factors.

To best answer your question, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions. Although we may have all been born to run, running is not for everyone. The most obvious question is: Do you like to run? But you also should consider your readiness to run. Factors that influence your readiness to run include:

• Age, weight and body mass index.
• Your general health and fitness level. Are you in otherwise good shape minus the extra pounds? Have you been working out at all in the past few months? Are there any other medical conditions that limit your fitness? 
• Running history. If you are a novice, your rate and distance will be different than someone who has previously run distance events, for instance.
• Cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Do you have any existing heart issues or concerns? Do you have arthritis or a history of sprains or breaks? You should consult with your health care provider and physical therapist if you have cardiovascular and/or musculoskeletal health issues. If you have severe arthritis or artificial joints, there are safer ways to burn calories without overstressing your joints.

Running is one of the simplest natural exercises available to us. All we have to do is step into our sneakers and go outside. It is a great way to burn calories. However, running will help with weight loss only if it is a sustainable program — meaning weeks and months.

For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories. The good news is that if you are not ready to run, you may start off with walking, which burns about the same amount of calories. If, over a week’s time, you walk or run 35 miles, you would lose 1 pound per week. This is, provided that you do not increase your caloric intake.

It also is important to make changes gradually, so your body has time to adapt. For instance, if you have never run before, you don’t want lace up your sneakers and head out for 10 miles on your first day or even your first week. Your body will not respond favorably. Our tendons, ligaments, bones, joints, cartilage, vertebrae and discs can all adapt and become stronger if we do not ask them to do too much too early.

My recommendation is that if you are new to running, start off with walking, then progress to bouts of walk/running, and gradually increase your running intervals until you can run continuously without pain. Studies show significant benefits from interval aerobic exercise.

A simple way to make sure that you are not over stressing your cardiovascular or musculoskeletal systems is called the talk test. You should aim to run hard enough that you feel that you are working somewhat hard but not so hard that you can’t have a conversation.

I also recommend that novice runners not join up with faster, more experienced athletes right away. Two things can happen if you run too fast too soon. First, you are likely to get injured. And second, when you run too fast, your body chooses to burn carbohydrates in preference to fat. Running hard too often will result in excessive release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can inhibit the thyroid and cause weight gain.

Slow and steady is ideal, as easy running will cause a number of favorable adaptations, such as increased size and number of mitochondria (fat burning engines), and capillary density in your muscles. Your body also will recover much more quickly from slow, steady runs.

One way to determine your ideal run rate is to do a quick calculation of your maximum aerobic heart rate. If you are in good health, subtract your age from 180. The resulting number is your target heart rate. When you run, you will burn more fat if you can keep your heart rate below this target number.

When you are just starting to run or walk/run, it is good to start with three or four days per week. On other days, consider cross training exercises, such as stretching, yoga, swimming, weight training, cycling or skating. These forms of exercise will help you improve fitness and burn calories with less sudden stress on your musculoskeletal system.

If you focus too much on just running as a new runner, you are at higher risk of exceeding your tissues' capacity to adapt, which all too often results in an injury. It is important to be aware of your body and any warning signs of injury.

Forces going through the legs while running can be up to 12 times your body weight. Running within incorrect form or with too much weight can easily result in running injuries. Some studies indicate that as many as 80% of runners experience a running injury every year.  Beginners are at a higher risk than seasoned runners of developing injuries. If you have had a running injury in the past, you are at greater risk of running injuries.

Many runners will feel various levels of pain or discomfort and take ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before running. I would discourage this. If you experience some minor pain that eventually improves as you run, go cautiously. Perhaps try stretching or warming up longer before you run.

If you experience pain while running that continues to worsen as you run, it is best to stop. If you experience pain that worsens after you have completed your run, when you sleep or is accompanied by swelling, it is also ideal to limit running until you’ve had a conversation with a health care professional.

Running is a good addition to your overall strategy for weight loss, but it is important to incorporate lifestyle changes, as well. If you listen to your body and run smartly, you can reap a lifetime of benefits, including weight maintenance, improved cardiovascular function, a stronger musculoskeletal system and improved mental health. — Jeff Carson, D.P.T., Physical Therapy, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

****************************

Related Articles 

• How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted issues of obesity published 1/19/21
• Consumer Health: Is your fitness routine in balance? published 12/16/20
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Running for better health published 10/25/20

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Running and weight loss appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.

__________________________

Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. If you're not an athlete or even if you're out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management. Discover the connection between exercise and stress relief — and why exercise should be part of your stress management plan.

Exercise and stress relief

Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.

• It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity may help bump up the production of your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner's high, any aerobic activity, such as a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike, can contribute to this same feeling.
• It reduces negative effects of stress. Exercise can provide stress relief for your body while imitating effects of stress, such as the flight or fight response, and helping your body and its systems practice working together through those effects. This can also lead to positive effects in your body—including your cardiovascular, digestive and immune systems—by helping protect your body from harmful effects of stress.
• It's meditation in motion. After a fast-paced game of racquetball, a long walk or run, or several laps in the pool, you may often find that you've forgotten the day's irritations and concentrated only on your body's movements.As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you stay calm, clear and focused in everything you do.
• It improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Exercise can also improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. All of these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

Put exercise and stress relief to work for you

A successful exercise program begins with a few simple steps.

• Consult with your health care provider. If you haven't exercised for some time or you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
• Walk before you run. Build up your fitness level gradually. Excitement about a new program can lead to overdoing it and possibly even injury.For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Examples of moderate aerobic activity include brisk walking or swimming, and vigorous aerobic activity can include running or biking. Greater amounts of exercise will provide even greater health benefits.Also, aim to do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week.
• Do what you love. Almost any form of exercise or movement can increase your fitness level while decreasing your stress. The most important thing is to pick an activity that you enjoy. Examples include walking, stair climbing, jogging, dancing, bicycling, yoga, tai chi, gardening, weightlifting and swimming.And remember, you don't need to join a gym to get moving. Take a walk with the dog, try body-weight exercises or do a yoga video at home.
• Pencil it in. In your schedule, you may need to do a morning workout one day and an evening activity the next. But carving out some time to move every day helps you make your exercise program an ongoing priority. Aim to include exercise in your schedule throughout your week.

Stick with it

Starting an exercise program is just the first step. Here are some tips for sticking with a new routine or refreshing a tired workout:

• Set SMART goals. Write down SMART goals — specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-limited goals.If your primary goal is to reduce stress in your life, your specific goals might include committing to walking during your lunch hour three times a week. Or try online fitness videos at home. Or, if needed, find a babysitter to watch your children so that you can slip away to attend a cycling class.
• Find a friend. Knowing that someone is waiting for you to show up at the gym or the park can be a powerful incentive. Try making plans to meet friends for walks or workouts. Working out with a friend, co-worker or family member often brings a new level of motivation and commitment to your workouts. And friends can make exercising more fun!
• Change up your routine. If you've always been a competitive runner, take a look at other, less competitive options that may help with stress reduction, such as Pilates or yoga classes. As an added bonus, these kinder, gentler workouts may enhance your running while also decreasing your stress.
• Exercise in short bursts. Even brief bouts of physical activity offer benefits. For instance, if you can't fit in one 30-minute walk, try a few 10-minute walks instead. Being active throughout the day can add up to provide health benefits. Take a mid-morning or afternoon break to move and stretch, go for a walk, or do some squats or pushups. Interval training, which entails brief (60 to 90 seconds) bursts of intense activity at almost full effort, can be a safe, effective and efficient way of gaining many of the benefits of longer duration exercise. What's most important is making regular physical activity part of your lifestyle.

Whatever you do, don't think of exercise as just one more thing on your to-do list. Find an activity you enjoy — whether it's an active tennis match or a meditative meander down to a local park and back — and make it part of your regular routine. Any form of physical activity can help you unwind and become an important part of your approach to easing stress.

This article is written by Mayo Clinic Staff. Find more health and medical information on mayoclinic.org.

The post Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Running a marathon may sound overwhelming, but it could be the key to better health.

First-time marathon runners significantly improved their cardiovascular health during training for a 26.2-mile race, according to a recent study.

"This study showed participants had improvements in overall cardiovascular health, but particularly related to the stiffness of the aortic vessel," says Dr. Sara Filmalter, a Mayo Clinic sports medicine specialist. "As we age, the body's vessels become stiffer. But we don't want stiff vessels because that can be detrimental to our health since our body has to work harder to pump blood."

In addition to runners having a substantial decrease in the stiffness of the aortic vessel, which moves blood throughout our body, the study found marathon training improved blood pressure.

Watch: Dr. Filmalter discusses cardiovascular health.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video sound bites with Dr. Filmalter are in the downloads at the end of the post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network."

The study looked at marathon runners six months prior to training and three week after they completed the race. And on average, the subjects ran about 6 to 13 miles in training per week.

Dr. Filmalter says the most interesting finding was that the slowest runners had the greatest improvements in cardiovascular health. So even if running 26.2 miles isn't on your bucket list, you can still benefit from lacing up your sneakers, she says.

"What we can see if that you don't have to run to have the health benefits. Even with a small amount of exercise, there were improvements with overall cardiovascular health and vessel stiffness. So if your knees won't let you run or your back won't let you run, if you just start to walk on a regular basis at a brisk pace, you can reap the health benefits."

Dr. Filmalter recommends 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five days a week.

And if you're wondering about the definition of moderate intensity, Dr. Filmalter says, "You should be able to talk to whomever you're with, but you should not be able to carry a tune."

The post Taking strides to better cardiovascular health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Just five months after having a baby, registered dietitian Mary Wirtz ran the race of her life and qualified to participate in this year's Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta.

At the end of this month, 675 runners from across the United States will lace-up and compete in this year's Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, Georgia. Among them will be Mary Wirtz, a registered clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic. "I'm really looking forward to it," Wirtz tells us. "Competing in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials has been a goal of mine for a long time, and one I haven't shared with a lot of people yet." (Well then, allow us.)

Another thing Wirtz hasn't shared with a lot of people is that not only is she going for the gold, she will be doing it just six months after giving birth to her daughter, Laney. While that may sound Herculean on its own, what's even Herculeaner (to us, anyway) is that last spring, mother and daughter ran their first marathon together. "I ran the Fargo Marathon in May while six months pregnant with Laney," Wirtz tells us. "I did that one more for fun. The Houston Marathon I ran two and a half weeks ago was different."

Different because she needed to run well in Houston to qualify for Atlanta. Really well. "The Houston marathon was the last race in which I could qualify for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials," she says. "I just had one final chance to do it."

Read the rest of Mary's story.
________________________________________________

This story originally appeared on the In the Loop blog.

The post In the Loop: Mayo dietitian qualifies for U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials — five months postpartum appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For 10 years, runners have gathered every February to participate in the 26.2 with Donna. It’s a marathon to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and care. Founder Donna Deegan is a three-time breast cancer survivor who was treated at Mayo Clinic. With funds from the marathon and related events, Donna – and thousands of participants from around the world – have helped Mayo Clinic establish the Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program. As a result, researchers have begun to uncover new information about breast cancer and develop better ways to diagnose and treat the disease, as well as other cancers.

With a look back at this international event and the impact it’s having on breast cancer, here’s Vivien Williams for the Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: Ten years of The DONNA: Running for a cure

Journalists: The broadcast-quality video (2:12) is available in the downloads.

The post 10 years of The Donna: Running for a cure appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On Mayo Clinic Radio, Dr. Ed Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center, has tips on how to get started with a running routine, as well as the benefits of interval training. Also on the program, Mayo Clinic obstetrician Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah discusses advances in prenatal care, including Mayo Clinic's novel approach — dubbed OB Nest — for women with low-risk pregnancies. And, Mayo Clinic family medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Cozine explains the viral infection known as shingles.

The post #MayoClinicRadio Podcast: 6/18/16 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.