Women's Running Magazine

How three ordinary women became runner s and lost nearly 300 pounds.

Jen Arruda sat beside her newborn son watching him struggle to breathe. She visited him in the neonatal intensive care unit every day, all day. Born six weeks premature, Zakary had taken only a handful of normal breaths before his underdeveloped lungs had  collapsed. He had stopped breathing once earlier that day, twice the night before. Arruda obsessed over one thought—I did this to him.

Whether you seek strength training or rejuvenation, escape from the daily grind with these five women-only retreats.

Halfway through a group run on a winding Rocky Mountain National Park trail, I wondered, when was the last time I had an entire week all to myself? One week to get away from the daily grind, where I could really focus on me. One week to meet other likeminded women—to sweat, laugh and even cry together. It seemed like such a luxury, and yet there I was, a participant at Active at Altitude’s Women’s Running and Conditioning camp—my first week “just for me” in nearly 20 years. No matter what your running goals, there’s a retreat out there for you. It all begins with your intention. Take that first step, and you may find yourself running at one of these five fabulous retreats.

This year, keep your resolution to eat healthy and lose weight with this practical guide.

It’s that time of year again. Thanks to the holiday spirit, you’ve stocked up on the latest cold-weather gear and a new pair of shoes. You’re also motivated by a new set of New Year’s resolutions, and if you’re like most women, health goals top the list. For many runners, however, January’s resolution to “eat healthy and lose weight” is a mere delusion by February.

Learn how your regular runs can add up to better health—and when a run might actually compromise your health.

Ask any runner, and you’ll hear the same refrain: “When I feel a little cold coming on, I lace up and sweat it out.” They’re quite confident that running can ward off just about any illness.