How To Run a Marathon For Beginners

Running a marathon is a great challenge and potentially major accomplishment. For some people, running an entire marathon may seem like a completely insane, impossible idea. Other people might assume that running a marathon does not require much preparation but simply a naturally ultra- strong body. However, neither belief is true, and unfortunately, such beliefs exist in abundance regarding running a marathon.

These false beliefs are what might result in the turning away of many people when they are offered to run a marathon. Therefore, it is better to eliminate them by labeling which ones are myths and which ones are actually true. For instance, the myth that running a marathon is impossible for anyone other than an Olympic athlete is completely false. With plenty of preparation and training, any average person can achieve a state of fitness in which he or she can easily complete a marathon and perhaps even come in first place!

Another false myth is the belief that only someone with an already naturally ultra- strong and overly capable body from birth can complete such a feat like finishing a marathon. This is simply not true. First of all, no one is ever born with the perfect body that can endure any kind of physical challenge. Secondly, because of this, even the most accomplished and amazing athletes must work very hard to train their bodies to be able to do the things they are known for. For instance, an Olympic runner must workout constantly to maintain his or her endurance. In the same fashion, a weight lifter must constantly lift weights and do strength training to keep building up muscle and grow stronger and able to accomplish more. Thus, with the same reasoning, a marathon runner must first go through a significant amount of training in order to be successful in running his or her chosen marathon.

Another myth that exists surrounding the category of marathon running is the thought that marathon runners, as well as runners in general, live on energy gels and power bars. This is also not true. While some runners do tend to rely heavily upon these easy, but not very natural solutions, for quick and efficient energy sources, most marathon runners acknowledge the fact that they need the natural benefits of a healthy diet and proper nutrition for their much appreciated energy boosts and general ability to run for long periods of time.
Finally, there is also the idea that anyone can run a marathon. This belief is not a myth- it is completely and utterly true. With the correct and proper preparation and training routines, paired well with a good diet that includes all the necessary nutrients and components, like complex carbohydrates and protein, any person, even the most un-fit and out of shape couch potato can finish a marathon. All this requires is for him or her to first obtain the correct mindset and become truly passionate about this goal. Then, with a bit of motivation and the necessary tips, guidelines and suggestions, this person can eventually end up running a marathon and achieving his or her dream. Though this may not necessarily prove to be an easy task, it is more than achievable by someone who truly wishes to succeed in completing a marathon.

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How To Rescue Abandoned Dogs and Cats

Each year in the United States, nearly two million healthy, adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized at shelters. Some are former pets whose owners have died, some were abandoned by their owners, some are just strays that no one has claimed, some were confiscated by the authorities from circumstances of abuse or neglect, and a large number are members of feral cat colonies which have been raided after citizen complaints. While cats in these colonies are extremely fearful of people and avoid human contact whenever possible, they depend on foraging in order to feed themselves and their young, and come into proximity with people while raiding dumpsters behind businesses, and are thus seen by some as a “nuisance”; if they feel cornered or threatened, feral cats exhibit aggressive behavior toward people. Aggression in unneutered male feral cats is common. Kittens born to the unspayed female members account for about 80% of all kittens born in this country. T/N/R (Trap/ Neuter/Release) programs are a tremendous resource in the management and control of feral cat communities. Neutering the males results in a marked decrease in aggressive behavior; it also makes it impossible for them to father more kittens. Spaying the feral females results in zero future growth of that colony.

Unwanted and homeless cats and dogs can be rescued from miserable lives on the streets, where they endure hunger, thirst, pain, fear, illnesses, aggression from other animals and sometimes, sadly, abuse by humans. They can also be rescued from shelters. Even at a low-kill or no-kill shelter, they live their lives confined to cages most of the time, and without any close human contact. This is a sad life that these poor animals certainly don’t deserve. If fate brings them to a kill shelter, they will have to endure the same lonely life, but it will be cut short when their time is up and they are euthanized to make room for the never-ending supply of abandoned pets. Older dogs and cats, especially those of mixed-breeds, or those who are not perceived as “cute” or animals so traumatized by their situation that they hold back out of fear and shyness, and are thus perceived as “not friendly”, are doomed almost from the moment they enter the shelter. The heartbreak comes in when you think of the healthy, wonderful and totally adoptable dogs and cats who want nothing more than a home and are eager for human to love, but have to have their lives ended too early because of the plague of over-population caused mostly by failure to have a pet spayed or neutered at an early age, and to a smaller degree by the proliferation of dog and cat breeders. The shameful truth is that about 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats are put to death in the U.S. each year because of the ignorance and neglect of humans.

This makes individual pet rescuers and rescue charity organizations vital in helping to save a portion of these needy dogs and cats and helping to place them in homes where they can live out their lives in the peace and comfort that all living beings deserve.

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How To Raise Miniature Horses

Miniature horses have become more popular today than ever. They are sized down from full-sized horses and need to be 34 inches or under to be considered a miniature horse.

The eight step program to help you raise all your miniature horses:
Miniature horses have been around for a long time. They go back in history to about 1650 A.D. This is the earliest history found on these unique little horses. These were usually found as pets for the children of the rich. You’d find Kings and Queens with them.

Step 1 – Knowing your miniature horse. Miniature horses were bred down from the larger horse breed. They get mistaken for ponies but they are not considered to be ponies but horses. If you look at their characteristics you will see they come from the horse breed not the pony breed.

Step 2 – Feeding and Grooming Your Miniature Horse. Horses eat many things but are usually fed grains and hay with some treats. You must watch their weight and feed them accordingly because they will tend to become overweight otherwise. Grooming your horse takes some talent but is easy to do with the right tools. They need to be bathed as much as possible, and clipped down in the summertime and for shows. They need to be carefully maintained through brushing, combing and cleansing.

Step 3 – Breeding, Pregnancy and Foaling. The miniature horse can be bred by a stallion to produce an offspring. This can be done by stall or enclosed breeding methods or breeding called pasture breeding, where the stallion is let loose with the mares in a pasture. The best method is hand breeding where the owner is involved in the breeding process. Broodmares are pregnant for 11 months and can give birth as early as 300 days. Foals are born usually quickly within 20 minutes and need to drink their mother’s colostrum right away after giving birth to ensure a healthy immune system.

Step 4 –Sickness and choosing a veterinarian. Horses can and will get sick at times. The most common sickness is colic among miniature horses but can be treated if detected early on. A great asset to your barn and horses is choosing the right veterinarian. Be careful to check them all out and shop around for the right one as he will be helping you out a lot.

Step 5 – All About Stallions. Stallions are an important part of your barn especially if you plan on breeding him to your broodmares. Make sure you put the extra time and effort into handling him, as stallions can be a handful at times.

Step 6 – Exercise, Training and Horse Shows. Exercise is an important part of the daily life of the horse. Lunging a horse is one of the best forms of exercise you can provide for your miniature horse. You must spend a lot of time training you horse for horse shows. It is essential in order to do well and have your horse in the proper condition for them to show.

Step 7 – Trailers and Transporting your Miniature Horses. There are many trailers for transporting your minis. Some are for larger horses that the stalls in them can be sized down for your miniatures. Or you can buy ones that are actually made for miniature horses.

Step 8 – Where Can I Buy A Miniature Horse? There is a lot of information out there online or in magazines that will offer you all that you are looking for. Miniature Horse World magazine is a great place to start.
Miniature horses are great fun for anyone who has a love for horses. They are great for children and adults. They can find their way into anyone’s hearts!

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How To Raise Respectful Children

“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…all I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” This quote by Jackie Robinson reflects the need in society for people to respect each other despite their differences. Too often conflict and dissension arise over differing ideas, and it all comes down to a lack of respect. Although it is not realistic to think that you can change the actions and attitudes of everyone in society, it is possible for parents to make a difference in the world by helping shape the actions and attitudes of their children.

The idea of respect encompasses many areas, including but not limited to obedience, service, humility, and generosity. Children are not naturally inclined to excel in these areas. A simple observation of a playground will show a wide range of selfish and disrespectful behaviors. There will be fights over toys, name calling, yelling, arguments, pushing, and shoving. Although these types of actions are common in childhood, they should not be seen as acceptable.

Children must begin learning to respect others at home. While it is true that school and other community leaders have a responsibility and an influence in shaping children, the majority of the responsibility lies with parents. Parents will have the most profound effect on their children, and the home environment will provide the best opportunities for discussion, modeling, and correction.

Although it is not easy to teach children to be respectful, it is possible. It requires commitment and dedication on the part of the parents, and it also requires for children to learn the importance of that virtue. Children need to know not only what they need to do, but why they need to do it. If a child is presented with a scenario of what would happen if everyone thought only of themselves and the struggles that would come with that, they will be more likely to choose to think of others first. If a child sees how harmful words can be, they will be more likely to choose their words carefully to avoid hurting others.

When it comes to raising children to be respectful, the most important and often times most difficult thing for parents is to model respect. Your children are constantly watching you. They learn from you, and if they see you react to a situation in a certain way, they will react the same way. If they see you get angry and yell at someone, they will yell when they are angry. If they see you cut to the front of a line, they will do the same. On the other hand, if they see you give up your seat for an elderly person or hold the door open for someone, these will become habits that they adopt.

The ability to be respectful and courteous is a skill that will serve a child throughout his entire life. He will have better relationships with his teachers and will therefore do better at school, he will have better relationships with his peers and in turn will have a rich and satisfying circle of friendship and support, and he will have a better relationship with future employers, and will therefore excel professionally.
Teaching your children to be respectful can be a difficult task, but it is one that is well worth the effort.

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How To Raise Guinea Pigs

The guinea pig is a small, tailless rodent. He will, fully grown, weigh about 1.5 to 2 lbs, and with good care live to be from five to seven years old. He is generally a sturdy animal with few health problems and is easy to care for.

In the guide you will find answers to questions about:
• What to look for when you buy a guinea pig
• Daily care for your guinea pig
• The guinea pig's diet
• How to set up and maintain a cage for your guinea pig(s)
• Socialization with your guinea pig
• Conditions that require veterinary care
• Shows and competitions
• Breeding

Everything is written in an easy to read format with tips and short cuts based on the many years the author has spent with guinea pigs.

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How to Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat

Whether you’re an experienced farmer with two hundred acres of land or a suburban landowner with just a few feet of space, raising chickens is an easy, fun process. It requires very little land, expense, and time, with the amazing turnaround of dozens of eggs and pounds of meat. However, it can be tough for a beginning chicken farmer to collect all of the information necessary upfront.

When you’re first starting out, you’ll need to consider the following questions.
How much space do I have? Chickens need, on average, about two square feet of space apiece in order to develop properly and prevent aggression. If you live in a crowded area or don’t have much acreage, you’ll need to consider this when designing your coop.

Do I want to raise birds for meat or eggs? It is rare for chicken farmers to raise birds solely for egg production, as most modern breeds are able to be eaten as well. However, deciding whether you want to raise birds for one purpose only (versus purchasing and raising a dual purpose breed) will impact coop size and structure, feed, and other important decisions.

Do I want to free-range my birds? If you plan on free-ranging, make sure you examine local zoning laws. Some areas do not allow animals to roam freely. If you have close neighbors or live in a suburban area, free ranging might not be an option. The existence of predator species may also have an impact.

Can I have roosters? Many residential areas do not allow roosters because of the noise they produce. If this is the case, you will have to purchase all of your chicks as started, day-old birds. Your hens will still produce eggs, but they will not be fertilized. A rooster is needed to produce fertilized eggs.

Do I want to keep birds over the winter months? If you live in a cool climate, this is a decision you will need to make. Winter weather will impact your coop design, feeding plan, and egg production.

How much work am I willing to do myself? Although chickens are arguably the most low-maintenance type of livestock, there is some work involved. The more chickens you have—and maintain throughout the entire year—the more work you will need to do. At a bare minimum, you will need to feed, water, and clean your chickens and their shelter daily, weekly, or monthly (depending on your specific set-up). If you raise meat birds, you’ll also need to factor in butchering and processing. Depending on your schedule, certain breeds, quantities, or types of birds may not be right for you.

At the end of the day, raising chickens is a worthwhile opportunity that helps to improve your overall health and contribute to a sustainable environment. They provide boundless enjoyment and are a great introduction to farming for any beginning homesteader.

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How To Powerlift For Beginners

Power lifting is a sport that you may or may not have heard of. It is a testosterone fueled, ego based, male and female sport to test and push one’s limits in power. Power is the ability to move objects with great speed or force. Anyone can move an object. Most people can move and object with speed or force. Only the best ever make it as a competitive Power lifter.

To be a competitive Power lifter there are some steps you must take. The first is to decide what you goal is, such as a 315 lb bench press. The second is assessing your ability, such as how strong you are at this moment in time. Third is setting the long-term goal and beginning to assess how you will get there. The fourth step is to set smaller goals and develop a plan to get there.

In developing a plan to get to your power-lifting goal, you will need to develop a training regimen and diet plan. You will also need to assess if you need supplementation. Some people will turn to a trainer for this. Some people will turn to informative materials such as books, manuals, or online content. Some people will develop their own way although these people generally use some form of external input.

Regardless of which way you set a plan to get to your goal, you need to make sure it is a solid plan. For example, if you use a personal trainer, make sure they know what they are doing. Some trainers really aren’t that experienced and some are experienced but not with power lifting. The same applies to materials you read and/or use to create your plan. For example, you don’t want to use a bodybuilder program to train for power lifting. Bodybuilder programs will make you strong but they are generally focused on building muscle and size more than strength. If you develop you own plan make sure you create an intelligent design. This same idea applies to your diet and supplementation.

Once you have your plan, you need to implement it correctly. By this I mean do what is laid out in the plan and do it well. Don’t slack off, or do only what you want, or cheat on meals, etc. This will derail you on your goal or at least make it harder to reach. Be disciplined and be focused. It plays the biggest part in your success once you have a quality plan. Stay the course and be determined.

Your program will change over time as will your goals. Quite often these changes will go hand in hand. This is normal and is to be expected. Your goals will change or your progress will plateau. With a new goal will likely come a new plan. When you plateau you must do something to break that plateau. A change in program will often do that. Adapt as needed and continue to plan and train intelligently. If you do this, you will be successful. Best of luck to you.

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How To Podcast

If you've been active online at all, you've likely heard the term “podcasting” in passing. You may be curious what it is exactly. Podcasting is a form of communication that has attracted a lot of listeners as of recently. It is a method of broadcasting that is recorded, and sharable. Anyone can release a podcast for a cheap price, and reach audiences of hundreds, if not thousands. But how can a company properly harness podcasting? It's quite simple, actually. All you need is an idea, some equipment, a website, and you can make a podcast.

Before you begin this podcasting journey, you should figure out what you want to podcast about. Choose a subject that you are either opinionated or an expert. Once you have that, the recording process is simple. Podcast production requires as much, or as little equipment as you like. Most podcasters start off by using a headset microphone and free recording software like Audacity. Others go on to use small mixers and mics. And a few of the best invest their money in the absolute best in the podcasting sphere, using sets that resemble Radio studios, and working with high quality software like Adobe Audition. The equipment certainly brings a great sense of quality, but it isn't the absolute for podcasting.

You can record using simple equipment. Then all you need is a website to host the files on. This can be your own blog, a mixture of blogs and web-hosting, or even just your personal page on services like Myspace. Once you have your content posted, you can send the RSS feed to iTunes, who will pick it up, and stream your content. And now it's available to the world. But what should you do next?

The next best thing for you to do is market the show. First, you should consider who your audience is. Find out where they go online, what are their favorite mediums, and how to get in contact with the heads of that niche. Then, Take your content, and share it with the groups and niches that share your loves and desires. Make sure that you tell shows like yours that you exist. Start by sharing marketing, and telling your listeners about other shows on yours, and the others will return the favor. Don't be afraid to post links where you can, and leave a good impression with your community. It's all about the impression you make.
Hopefully, this mixture of links, marketing and work will attract you an audience. This audience will be invested in what you do, and will help you to continue your work. And this is the final goal of any podcast. You want to attract listeners to your show, so that they can engage and converse. They will appreciate your expertise, and share it with others. And through this unique relationship, you will have the opportunity to leave an impact through both your brand, and your show. And that's why podcasting is worth doing. If you podcast, you have the chance to influence people for the better.

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How to Play Scrabble

Playing Scrabble is an excellent pastime, something that the whole family can enjoy for family game night. It is also a great choice for getting young people together for a youth group or social event without presenting any material that parents would not approve of. It is not difficult to learn the basics of playing Scrabble. Just follow a few simple steps and always be on the lookout for great words to create high scoring combinations throughout the game.

• Start by setting up the board. Since it lays flat with no extra pieces, this step takes only a few seconds.
• Shake the tile bag to mix up the tiles and spread them on the table in a pile. Turn all tiles facedown and rearrange to make sure no one memorizes letter placement.
• Each player should draw a tile to determine who goes first. The player closest to A gets the first turn. In case of a tie, tied players should draw again until only one player is closest to A.
• All players draw seven tiles and place them on their respective bases. Organize the letters however works for you: alphabetically, reverse order, grouping methods, or random placement.
• Create the first word by placing any word from the acceptable Scrabble word list with more than two letters on the board, with one letter covering the red star at the center of the board. This word is automatically doubled. Count your score, draw tiles so that you have seven on your base again, and move to the next player.
• The next player can build horizontally or vertically on or against the first word. At least one letter should join the two words, either by adding to the word (“add” becomes “adds”) or creating a new word (“depend” using the D in “add”). Score that word.
• As you score your word, make sure to include bonus tiles that affect the letter or word. There are bonuses that double or triple the letter or word, creating high scoring words that boost your score. Start by adding letter bonuses, then account for word bonuses to get your final score.
• Using all seven tiles from your base in one turn creates a 50-point bonus word called a bingo. This bonus comes in addition to the word’s regular score, so you can really rack up some points this way.
• Once the word is scored, draw tiles so that you are back at seven. Move to the next player.
• Gameplay should progress in this manner until there are no more tiles to draw. When one player runs out of moves (skips three times), and no one else can play, or someone runs out of tiles, the game is over.
• All players should count their total scores and compare them. Players should deduct for any tiles still remaining on the base, and the player who ran out of tiles gets a bonus for this number from each person. The person with the highest score wins!

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How To Play Saxophone

Creating music is considered a talent, and this can be as simple as picking up an instrument and looking to the right sources for guidance. For saxophone, a source such as this one is a good place to start.
The saxophone is a complicated instrument, with a lot of keys and buttons and a mouthpiece that if used without proper technique, might not be playable at all. This makes you wonder about the magic of being able to use such an instrument. The basis of playing this instrument relies on a few things: being able to identify music, proper mouth position, and proper finger positions. The simplest of the three is finger positions; an internet search will yield many charts of “fingerings,” or finger positions. Therefore, other than this guide, there are many helpful tools on the internet. As both of these topics could take several articles to describe, and reading music is something that could also be found relatively easily online, I will explain the hardest issue, mouth positioning. The term for mouth positioning for an instrument is embouchure and consists of a few basic principles: creating a seal, harboring tone, and maintaining air.

In order for the mouthpiece to sound, you must create a seal around it, so that you do not leak air when trying to use the instrument. The easy part is pulling your lips in to form the seal, but while doing so you must also position your bottom lip to allow the reed to vibrate. As the reed’s vibrations cause the instrument to sound, you cannot restrict its movement with your teeth or lip. Your bottom lip must be taut and supported by your bottom teeth in order to be able to play for any period of time. While keeping your jaw relaxed, say ee, as in the end of see. This allows your bottom lip to gain tension, the feeling you ultimately want. Immediately after this, say u, as in the end of you. This will bring the edges of your lips together. When transitioning to the u sound, make sure to keep the tension of the bottom lip intact by rolling it back onto your bottom teeth. When you have done this, you will have proper embouchure. This can be modified slightly to fit your body and the shape of the mouthpiece, but it should be extremely similar. Once your mouth is in the proper position, you may insert the mouthpiece, placing your top teeth on top of the mouthpiece (not pressing hard, but enough to keep a slight grip) and your bottom lip up against the reed, pulling in the corners of your lips to form the seal.

The next part to playing is harboring proper tone. Though it is based on individual preference, there are a few factors that help determine tone: how much of mouthpiece you are using, how tight your jaw is, and how your cheeks are positioned. How much mouthpiece you have in your mouth determines how much control you have and how much room the reed has to vibrate. The less of the mouthpiece you have in your mouth, the more control you generally have over the instrument, while the more you have in the easier it is to create sound. The reason it is an issue: the sound of the instrument is produced by the vibrating reed, and the only part that is vibrating is the part of the reed that is inside your mouth. If you do not have enough in, it will be difficult or impossible to produce sound at all, but if you have too much in you will have no control over the reed or the sound. As a safe average starting point, the mouthpiece should be between a quarter and a third of the way in your mouth. You can adjust it to your personal preference but that is a safe starting point to learn and practice. Along with this, the jaw needs the right tightness. A tight jaw produces a sharper tone, and a loose jaw produces a flatter tone. With some notes and phrases you are supposed to change jaw tightness to better control or produce a better tone, but for most phrases you should have your jaw tight enough that you grip the mouthpiece and no more. Adjust the tightness for notes and your individual build and style. Lastly, the cheek positioning is also a matter of personal preference. When the cheeks are flattened out, it allows the airstream to be more direct, keeping it constant. All adjustments to hit different notes are made by the diaphragm. When the cheeks are puffed out, the air stream is also controlled by the cheeks, changing the way you make notes sound. The ideal choice is to have flattened cheeks, but again this is up to the individual. Whatever you find fits your habits and style best, use it. When all of these factors are combined in a working manner, you then harbor the proper tone for what you are playing.

Finally, you must maintain your air. It will be difficult at first, as your body is not used to doing this, much less for long periods of time. A lot of air, known as breath support, is necessary to keep your playing audible and sounding good. While some instruments and notes require a different amount of air, all of them require large quantities in order to sound clear and precise. If you do not use enough air, then your notes will sound bad, and you will not be able to hit many of them. With practice, you will learn how much breath support you will need. With this, when you are breathing, make sure to push with the diaphragm. It may seem odd at first, but after some practice your diaphragm will grow accustomed to it and become stronger, making playing easier and more enjoyable.

As long as you have proper embouchure, you are able to harbor a good tone, and maintain your breath support, you are in better shape than many players. This is the key to successful playing and playing that you and your loved ones will enjoy forever.

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