Author: Molly Andersen

Utah’s Greatest Ziplines Skimming above the treetops and across open water, down steep mountainsides, and over rugged desert landscapes, reaching heart-pounding speeds of up to 60 miles per hour: Ziplines might be the most thrilling way around to get up close and personal with Utah’s diverse outdoor landscapes. With options ranging from summertime rides accessed via ski lift to the longest over-water ride in the world, there’s sure to be one perfect for your next adventure. Though they’ve surged in popularity in the last decade or so, ziplines have a centuries-long history. In nineteenth-century China and in the Australian outback,…

Microbiota for Athletic Performance After a long, tough run, capped with a half-mile hill climb, you’re spent. To quench your thirst and restore your spirits, you uncap your water bottle and take a long, refreshing sip of…fizzy sour milk? Believe it or not, kefir—a drink similar to thin yogurt that’s been consumed for centuries in the Caucasus Mountains—and its fermented relatives may be an important addition to your training diet. Mounting research shows that these traditional foods (and their modern supplement cousins) offer a range of benefits that can positively affect your athletic performance. Probiotics: What Are They? You’ve doubtless…

Is Excessive Endurance Training Putting You at Risk? In April 2016, nearly 40,000 runners gathered at the starting line for the London Marathon. 31-year-old British Army captain David Seath was among them. An experienced athlete and combat veteran who was running to raise money for injured soldiers, he completed the first part of the course with no sign of distress. But three miles from the finish line, he suddenly collapsed. Despite immediate medical attention, Captain Seath was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the hospital. The cause of death: Sudden cardiac arrest from a previously undetected heart defect, one which…

The Outdoor Dog Training, Safety, & Gear Tips You Need Hitting the trail (or river, or campsite) with your dog might sound like a dream: You and your best buddy, the great outdoors, a wagging tail, a welcome snuggle at the top of the mountain or the end of the day. But all too often, the combination of dogs and outdoor adventures means off-leash shenanigans, a constant stream of “Leave it!” and “Come back here!,” or even serious risks to your dog’s health and safety. Utah is blessed with an abundance of outdoor dog trails, parks, and campgrounds (see “Hiking…

Outdoor & No-cost Classes Near Salt Lake City For building strength, increasing flexibility, and giving yourself peace of mind, there’s no better place to be than a yoga class. But especially during the warm months of summer and early fall, being stuck in a studio sounds much less appealing than going outside and soaking up the sunshine. Fortunately, there are plenty of local alternatives that allow you to enjoy Utah’s gorgeous outdoor environment while still getting your Crow pose on. Here are a few great choices for getting in serious mat time under a clear blue sky. (And, as a…

6 Utah Campgrounds to Pitch a Tent at This Summer Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an extended backpacking trip, camping is the perfect way to enjoy Utah’s summer months. But with hundreds of public and private campgrounds located throughout the state, finding the right destination can be a daunting challenge. Choose the wrong site, and you could end up surrounded by growling generators or swarms of mosquitoes. We’ve picked six of the best Utah campgrounds for all sorts of campers: dog lovers, family types, hardcore hikers, and more. No matter what kind of outdoor adventure you have in mind,…

What the Triad Syndrome Means for Athletes In 2013, Angela Sorenson (not her real name) was preparing for her third marathon of the year. She’d stepped up her training schedule recently, trying to get her time back down after having to take several weeks off to recover from a stress fracture in her foot. Early morning runs and evening workouts had pared her social life down to nothing—and she didn’t have much time to stop for meals, either. Most days she found it easiest to skip breakfast, grab a yogurt for lunch, then eat something quick and easy before collapsing…

[dropcap style=’square’]C[/dropcap]reamy, chewy, delicious, deadly. Fats of all kinds have been nutritional boogeymen for decades. However recent research suggests that, not only are fats important as part of a healthy diet, but they may have special value for active athletes. So before you drench your salad with another “lite” dressing—or pile your plate with crispy bacon—get the skinny on what fats can (and can’t) do for you. What is a Fat? Chemically speaking, fats are made up of groups of fatty acid chains attached to a central molecule of glycerol, a colorless sugar alcohol. While our bodies can synthesize some…

6 Tips for Avoiding the Post-holiday Blahs Christmas may be the season to be jolly, but the wintry days that follow can wreak havoc on your mood. Short days, gray skies, and chilly temperatures compound the natural letdown after the whirlwind of holiday parties and time spent with friends and family. And stepping back onto the scale after bingeing on sweets for weeks can prove a downer, too. But even in the darkest, gloomiest days of the year, you can improve your mood naturally with these simple (and fun) strategies. Feeling SAD? According to the National Institutes of Health, up…

Vitamins and Minerals for Peak Performance Getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet may seem like a straightforward affair. Eat a bowl of fortified cereal, have a big leafy salad, maybe pop a multivitamin pill if you’re feeling particularly dedicated. Though your body only needs them in trace amounts, these micronutrients can have a serious impact on your muscle strength, bone health, and overall energy levels. Recent research shows that athletes have specific vitamin and mineral needs—and that neglecting them can lead to slower race times, increased fatigue, and even heightened chance of injuries. These vitamins and minerals are…