Category Archives: Training

Marathon Training For Beginners

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Introduction

I remember when I ran my first marathon many years ago in New York. I’d done all the training and had a precise time goal in mind (which was to qualify for Boston). However, as things turned out I didn’t have much of a plan for actually running the race and finally finished quite exhausted 25 minutes over my goal! Hopefully this article will help other beginner marathoners avoid this situation.

Pick a Realistic Goal!

Many people look at their 10K times and expect to run a fairly quick marathon based on this time. It seldom works this way! Here are some suggested goal times for beginner marathoners:

Finish comfortably!

That’s right -for many first or second time marathoners you should forget about a time and focus instead on completing the distance without too much pain & suffering. Once you have mastered the distance you will be able to improve your time.

4 to 4 1/2hours

– This is a popular goal time and it is an excellent choice for the middle of the pack runner if you feel you must aim for a time.

3 hrs 30 minutes

– Even if you can run a 40-minute 10K this isn’t a bad time for your first marathon. 26.2 miles is a great ‘equalizer’ when it comes to runners of differing abilities

Train Wisely

Once you have established your finish goal make your training runs match. Don’t forget to vary the pace on the different runs. You should follow a marathon training program of about 16 to 20 weeks long. (You can find a really good beginner schedule at www.marathon-training-schedule.org )

Track your miles in a running log to see how closely you are following the training program. If you belong to a running club train with other people who are planning on running a marathon – but make sure you run at a pace that suits your program and your abilities. It’s too easy to get sucked along with others going at a faster pace than you need.

Many beginners actually train too much and as a result their bodies have not fully recovered in time for the race. I ran one of my best marathons after training with a friend who was recovering from an injury – he was running more slowly and would take walk breaks during the longer runs.

Eat The Right Foods

Your diet is important when you are doing all that training, so make sure you eat sufficient amounts of carbohydrates (without overdoing it). If you Google ‘marathon diet’ you will find several good sites that discuss this. The key thing is to eat a balanced diet and avoid junk food as much as possible.

Conclusion

– pick a goal that you feel you can realistically achieve

– train at a comfortable level (you’re not training for a 10K!)

– follow a proven training schedule

– train with a buddy if possible

– watch your diet

Following these simple points will help you get through that first or second marathon as comfortably as possible. The links below have some great information for beginner marathon runners.

Are There Online Paramedic Schools That Train EMTs?

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There are many different online EMT training programs available, but the main thing you need to remember is that you want one that has qualify programs and has been established for a long time. You also want to be sure that this program is state accredited and approved.

The basic level of EMT training will depend on what state you are located in. There are different regulations that are set by each state. Online EMT training schools are available for those who have a full-time job or who for whatever reason find it more practical to take online classes. There are three levels to EMT training, with the most advanced being the paramedic level. Obviously, the more advanced the training, the more future benefits you’ll be able to enjoy.

Online EMT training courses may include audio clips, video clips, text links, website references, and interactive portals to make learning easier. Interactive portals work great, because you are able to communicate with your professor or instructor. You can immediately ask questions in real time, from the comfort of your own home. You can also collaborate with fellow students when working on projects.

Many like to combine online classes with real hands-on experience. Making use of a combination of educational tools is probably one of the best ways to advance in your future emergency medical services career.

Online classes and courses will teach you medical terminology, CPR, using a defibrillator, basic life support methods, pediatric emergency support, and how to deal with trauma. You’ll be taught how to use sterile techniques, reduce the spread of pathogens and how to deal with violent and unstable patients.

In addition, you will also learn how to deal with bleeding wounds, head trauma and bone fractures. In essence, you’ll be equipped to deal with any major medical emergency that you can encounter. Be sure to take enough time to learn these things properly.

This will also teach you how to use backboards, stretchers, oxygen units, airway devices, and monitors so that you can assure that the patient survives the time between the leaving the scene of the emergency and arriving at the hospital.

While there are many effective schools that provide EMT training, you’ll want to be sure to get with a school that is state accredited. After you’ve completed your training, you may also need to have some field experience and hands-on training. Be sure that you do your proper research and have this clarified before starting your EMT training program.

After you have graduated from your training program, you will be able to have a wide variety of job opportunities. You can work in a hospital, private practice, or even a private ambulance company. Each state has different regulations for the EMT training courses and what their qualifications would be, so be sure that you check with your state’s regulatory agency before committing to any EMT training programs online or offline.

With the proper training, you’ll be able to enjoy a career that is recession-proof. Everywhere there are people, there will be medical emergencies. This means you will always have a job available to you.

Depending on your level of training, you can also enjoy a good paying job with entry-level positions starting from $25,0000 to $30,000 a year. Obviously, the more training and experience you have in the field, the more money you can enjoy. That’s why you may want to consider getting enough EMT training to qualify as a paramedic, so that you can enjoy even more job opportunities and a higher pay scale.