The Fitness Buff Show

Who doesn't want to run faster with less training? That's the premise of the new Rodale/Runner's World book RUN LESS FASTER: the Ultimate Training Guide. Author Bill Pierce shows how runners can get stronger, faster, and better through more efficient and less time-consuming training. Pierce joins us on this episode of The Fitness Buff Show.

The Goruck Challenge might be the most formidable of the many obstacle races that have sprung up in the last two years. Created by Green Beret Jason McCarthy as a way to field test his Goruck rucksacks, the race and the rucks are inspired by his military training and experience. We talk to Jason in this episode about what it takes to get through the grueling Goruck Challenge, which typically begins around midnight, last up to 12 hours, and feature such team-building tasks as carrying 1,000-pound logs through urban areas.

Tanya Denckla Cobb has written a fascinating new book "Reclaming Our Food: How the Grassroots Food Movement is Changing the Way We Eat." The book explores how Americans are demanding more fresh, local foods and how community food projects are rising to meet the need. Led by innovative, creative people from all walks of life, these projects are strengthening communities by creating valuable jobs, preserving cultural traditions, building local knowledge about growing food, and educating schoolchildren. Tanya joins us on this edition of The Fitness Buff to discuss her book.

P.I.N.K. Method is a comprehensive fitness and nutrition program that empowers women to take control of their weight, their health and their lives. Designed by nutritionist Cynthia Pasquella for women of all ages and fitness levls, it helps you lose weight and keep it off. Not only that, skin, hair, and nails will be rejuvenated to youthful sexy health, cravings will be eliminated and libido and energy will be at all-time highs. Cynthia joins us in this episode.

No segment of the endurance sports world is growing at a faster rate than obstacle racing. Mud Crusade is the latest entry into the field and it debuts April 21-22 near Tampa, Florida. With more than 4,400 people already registered and featuring obstacles never before seen in the category, it promises to be a memorable weekend. Joining us to preview the event is race director Marshall Chmura.

As the creator of the infamous Spartan Death Race, Joe DeSena knows a thing or two about putting together an imposing obstacle mud run. The Spartan Race, though not as challenging as the annual Death Race in Vermont, still ranks among the toughest events in the category. DeSena joins us in this episode of The Fitness Buff to preview the upcoming season.

The Spartan Race is perhaps the most challenging of the booming obstacle racing category and it kicks of its 2012 season Feb. 25-26 in Miami with an eight-mile Super Spartan race. We preview the race and how this form of racing has taken over endurance sports.

After a successful debut last August, the Savage Race returns to Clermont, Fla., on March 10. Billed as the "race to kick your ass," it's a 4.2-mile course featuring a number of tough obstacles, including a 150-yard swim through deep water. (Can't swim? Do 30 Burpees and take a 10-minute penalty.) Race director Sam Abbitt joins us in this episode to discuss a race that already is becoming one of the most popular on the growing obstacle mud run circuit.

Ever wish you could grab healthy, pre-made, gourmet meals to go? FitLife Foods, launched last year in Tampa, has made that possible with a menu of delicious, healthy options. Company founder David Osterweil joins us in this episode to talk about FitLife's exciting concept and what exciting plans the company has for expansion in 2012.

Many a New Year's resolution involves taking up distance running. That's an admirable first step but taking up running without a plan can lead to frustration and injury. Tampa running guru Lynn Gray, who has finished 93 marathons, has guided thousands of runners through her "Take the First Step" program. She's also the race director of the MADD Dash 5K, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 7 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Lynn joins us in this edition of The Fitness Buff Show.

Most of us spend a lot of time on our muscles. But how much attention to you give your bones, the very framework that supports your hard-earned muscles? In her new book The Complete Book of Bone Health, Dr. Diane Schneider, a leading expert on osteoporosis, explains what we can do at any age to get the most out of our bones. She joins us in this edition of The Fitness Buff.

Laser hair removal has become a mainstream procedure in recent years, with thousands of men and women undergoing procedures. Whether it's for aesthetics, sports performance, or other reasons, it's never been easier. In this episode, Fitness Buff host Pete Williams undergoes laser hair removal during the show. Join him and co-host Whit Lasseter as they broadcast live from The LaBrecque Center for Aesthetics in Clearwater, Fla., as owner Terri LaBrecque works her magic on Pete.

Matt Fitzgerald is perhaps the most prolific writer in the endurance sports world, with more than a dozen books to his credit. Best known for his collaborations and books on how to improve endurance performance, Fitzgerald tackles his first narrative with "Iron War," an engaging and thorough account of the 1989 Ironman Kona showdown between Dave Scott and Mark Allen, the greatest Ironmen competitors ever. Matt joins us in this episode.

Stand-up paddleboard racing continues to grow in popularity. This weekend, the Pacifico Paddle Challenge takes place in St. Pete Beach, Fla., and features a Battle of the Paddle style format where athletes alternate between laps of paddling and short beach runs. Race organizer Shane "Waterboy" Webb joins us to preview the race.

Bob Babbitt is the Forrest Gump of the endurance sports world. Pick an event from the last 35 years and chances are he was there - or at least has interviewed everyone who was. Continuing the Gump analogy, he's also a terrific endurance athlete. Among Bob's other accomplishments: creator of the Muddy Buddy obstacle run series, which has inspired literally dozens of copycats. The boom in obstacle mud runs might be the top story in the endurance sports world and Bob is here to talk with us about the boom. He's also a key source for Matt Fitzgerald's terrific new book IRON WAR, which chronicles the epic 1989 showdown at Ironman Kona between Mark Allen and Dave Scott. We'll get Bob's thoughts on that is well.