TresSugar

Turn That Runner's High Into Workout Motivation

Leta Shy — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:19:34 PDT

Over the weekend I participated in my first race, the Bay to Breakers 12K. Since the celebrations surrounding the 100-year-old race make it one of my favorite days in San Francisco, I was beyond excited to make the race my first competitive running experience.

I was a little nervous about whether or not I'd get winded on the race's infamous hill (an 11.15 percent grade incline that runs for five blocks and brings runners 215 feet above sea level), but between the energy of the crowd walking and running the race as well as the spectators on the street (both turned the course into a sea of costumes, cheers, and dancing), the atmosphere kept me motivated and my attention off the incline or thinking about how much longer I had to go. Add to that the ease of the course - after the hill, it's mostly flat or slightly downhill - and the beautiful Golden Gate Park scenery, and by the time I finished I was more exhilarated than tired.

That characteristic post-race high also left me ready to do it all again soon. Are you also a fan of racing? Check out my suggestions for turning that racer's high into a motivational tool for your workouts after the break.

Are You Training For a Race?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:30:26 PDT

Back in my dancing days I was always rehearsing for a show. Knowing I would be performing in front of a live audience helped me keep my eyes on the prize. I rehearsed hard. I took technique class religiously. But times have changed, and though the stage no longer calls me I do like the structure of a good race.

I must confess though, I have yet to sign up for upcoming races this season. While I am pretty diligent about working out regularly (let's face it - it is easier to stay in shape than get back into shape), with no race day looming in my future it's easier to skip that 6:00 a.m. spin class. I find that I am not pushing myself as I normally do once springtime hits, so I know I will be sealing the deal and paying the entrance fee for a sprint triathlon soon . . . and a 10K too. Now that I have 'fessed up, what's your story.

A Beginner's Guide to Training For a First Race

Leta Shy — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:30:31 PST

After years of participating in the craziness from the sidelines, I recently signed up for San Francisco's most infamous (and most naked) race: the ING Bay to Breakers 12K. The 7.5-mile race crosses the entire width of San Francisco and draws thousands of participants, from serious runners to those who are decidedly not, and turns the whole city into race fans for a day.

I love that my first race will be for the 100th anniversary of one of my favorite San Francisco "holidays." And since I haven't been much of a runner lately, registering now is good motivation for me to start a dedicated routine that'll prepare me for the May race.

Before I can don a wild outfit and brave the city's hilly landscape, I need to get serious. Read on to see how I'll start training for my big day.

Group Therapy: Interracial Dating Makes Me an Ugly Duckling

Tres Community — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 06:00:00 PST

This question comes from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I have this affinity towards finding men outside of my own race attractive. I am African American, and yes I do like black men as well, but for those times when my current crush happens to be white or Indian or Asian, I always kind of feel like a last resort - like these men will date outside their race BUT I'd be picked last because I'm black.

It's a very self-defeating thought and I had ERASED it completely for several months and held a very positive self view. I mean black women, and women of all kinds, are beautiful, and I'm no exception. I should be worthy of anyone

But recently I was very emotionally involved with a guy who I thought liked me (well I knew he liked me because he'd buy me dinner, chocolate, and say underhand flirty comments and such), and he kind of led me on to a point and then dropped me completely. So I started connecting the dots and I realized that he probably likes Asian girls more. (He himself is interracial, half black, half white).

Find out more after the jump!

Ad Tells Latinos: Don't Vote, Takes Page From 30 Rock Playbook

Annie Scudder — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:40:45 PDT

In season two of 30 Rock, scheming Republican Jack Donaghy enlists Tracy Jordan as a new GOP spokesman with the hopes of gaining black votes. But halfway into filming a political ad, Tracy realizes that black Americans will always vote Democrat. So instead of trying to get them on board, Jack and Tracy shoot a commercial with a simple message for black voters: don't vote.

The episode is meant to exaggerate political tactics for satirical purposes. But now life is imitating art. A new ad put out by a Republican group is telling Latinos not to vote, plain and simple. It ironically states: take action, don't vote. Univision accepted $80,000 to air the ad on its network. The message is almost too blatant and cynical to believe. But to see it for yourself, read more.

Teri Hatcher and Julie Bowen Tri For a Good Cause

FitSugar — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:00:00 PDT

This weekend the stars came out in full force to take place in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. The popular race is a favorite among celebs because of its close proximity to Hollywood, but more important, they participate to raise money for a good cause: the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program. This year, TV host Nancy O'Dell emceed and former America Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell lent her chops to sing the national anthem.

Actress Teri Hatcher competed in the tri for the second year in a row joined by fellow stars Rachel Griffiths, Josh Hopkins, Julie Bowen, and Mark Feuerstein. Gilles Marini, Trevor Donovan, and James Marsden also ran, bike, and swam in the 24th annual event. The triathlon consists of a half-mile swim, an 18-mile bike ride, and a four-mile run - yowza! It looks like Hollywood is brimming with the fit and fabulous!

For shots of all these competitors, keep on reading.

Speed Read! Sarah Palin Comes to Dr. Laura's Defense

TresSugar — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:30:40 PDT

Sarah Palin defends Dr. Laura after racist rant, says she was in "shackles" - Jezebel
Rare photos of Marilyn Monroe unveiled - Huffington Post
What does Elizabeth Gilbert's ex-husband think about Eat Pray Love? - Daily Beast
Court halts enforcement of controversial abortion law in Nebraska - Salon
Chelsea Handler to host VMAs - BuzzSugar
Foreign speaking nannies a must in NYC - New York Times
PopSugar's shirtless man bracket is down to the Elite 8 - PopSugar

8-Week Beginner 10K Running Schedule

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:30:33 PDT

You've run a few 5Ks and are ready to tackle double the distance. Running a 10K is totally doable, especially if you take time to build up your mileage. Here's an eight-week beginner training schedule that will help you train through the Fall and prepare you for your first 10K race.

To see this basic eight-week training schedule,

read more. CT: Cross train EZ: Easy run at a comfortable pace

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Rest	3 miles	CT	2.5 miles (race pace)	Rest	3 miles	30 minutes EZ
2	Rest	3 miles	CT	3 miles (race pace)	Rest	3.5 miles	35-40 minutes EZ
3	Rest	3.5 miles	CT	3.5 miles (race pace)	Rest	4 miles	35-40 minutes EZ
4	Rest	4 miles	CT	3.5 miles (race pace)	Rest	4.5 miles	40-45 minutes EZ
5	Rest	3 miles	CT	4 miles (race pace)	Rest	5 miles	40-45 minutes EZ
6	Rest	3.5 miles	CT	3.5 miles (race pace)	Rest	6 miles	40-45 minutes EZ
7	Rest	4 miles	CT	4 miles (race pace)	Rest	7 miles	40-45 minutes EZ
8	Rest	3 miles	CT or Rest	3 miles	Rest	Rest	Race Day

Have fun training and good luck!

Rantings of a Single Girl's Book Club: The Help

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:00:16 PDT

Here's an excerpt from OnSugar blog Rantings of a Single Girl.

The Help had been suggested by several people for me to read, but I just hadn't picked it up yet. So when y'all started suggesting it for the Book Club, I decided that would be my next pick. After reading the book in 2 days, I'm so happy that it was suggested.

I can't even begin to tell you how much this book hit home with me. At first I thought Stockett wouldn't have any idea about what she's writing about. I've found most authors who try to write about the South and racial struggles (who aren't from the South) can't do it. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, MS. Even if I didn't know she was, I would have been able to tell from her writing. The beauty of how she described Mississippi was so wonderful to read.

While I wasn't around in 1960s Mississippi, my father was. I can still hear his stories about the desegregation of schools and so on. I can still hear the anger in his voice when he talks about those times . . . and unfortunately that anger is a racial anger. He was raised to believe that people of color were not equal to him. My grandparents taught him that black people were quite literally the help.

Read the rest here.

Want to see more? Start following Rantings of a Single Girl or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be posted here on TrèsSugar!

Interracial Marriage Still Rising but Slowing Down

TresSugar — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:30:24 PDT

Leaving the stigma of the past (and sometimes present) behind, more Americans are getting hitched to people of different races according to US Census figures released yesterday. The Census amasses a treasure trove of intriguing statistics so here are the numbers about race and marriage that caught my eye.

8 percent of US marriages are interracial.
Between 1999-2000 the rate of interracial marriage jumped by 65 percent. Between 2000-2010 it only jumped 20 percent.
However, blacks are three times more likely to marry whites compared to 10 years ago, thanks to factors including a growing black middle class and an integrated military.
Hawaii has the highest rate of mixed marriages
Thanks to interracial marriage, the number of multiracial Americans is on the rise and will represent half the population by 2050.

Do any of these numbers surprise you?

Source: Flickr User douglemoine