For most of us running on the track is a means to an end. We need a little more speed so we go run some repeat intervals. But for some of us, running on the track is the means to the ultimate end game—an Olympic medal. In the first case getting a good kick or holding a pace gives us a little self satisfaction—a sense that we…
Back in the 1970's and 80's the first aerobic craze hit North America. Kenneth Cooper got people excited about exercise with his bestselling book, "Aerobics" in 1968. Running burst onto the scene as a popular activity and athletes like Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers became cultural icons.
My experience in the 1980's and into the early 1990's running races from 800 meters to 20 kilometers revealed a depth of competition…
"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance." —Bruce Barton…
March is Women's history month and in honor of that, here is a very short list of some significant events in the history of women's running. For more complete lists of achievements please visit the links below.
1928 - Women first allowed to compete in Olympic Track & Field events. Reports of fainting after the 800 meter final cause the event to be dropped until 1960.
1936 - Two…
(Today we introduce Coach Peter, a Washington, D.C.-based runner, avid marathoner and coach with the D.C. Road Runners Club.)
I ran a race in the country last summer where a deer came charging out of the underbrush lining the road, bowled a runner over and disappeared into the bushes on the other side. The runner suffered a fractured skull and a concussion. He lay there insensate, totally out of it.
Fortunately…
There's a perception among recreational runners that one of the main things that separates us from the elites is the ability of those at the top of our sport to tough it out, to endure more pain than we can. The thinking goes that folks like Paula Radcliffe, Meb Keflezighi, Martin Lel and Deena Kastor are willing to push themselves harder than we are in order to make the most…
Okay, I don't know there could be more or less then 99 balloons in this photo but it still reminds me of that song, 99 Luftballons. It also looks like a fun way to start off any race.
The photo is from the Berlin Marathon. Thanks go to Frankinho for letting us use this photo. Be sure to check out the rest of his photos over at his Flicker site.
We are…
Apologies to those of you in the colder climates for last week's "Spring has sprung" comment. I know some of you had to run in 30°F weather or slog your way through slush. It is warming up, though and it's time to really start working on those training plans for the summer's big events, little events and non-events.
Speaking of big events, right now there are 700+ people…
By now many of you are well into your training for upcoming races. Unfortunately injuries are often a part of training. Not sure what to do and looking for information? Runners Rescue offers just that.
This sports podiatrist has pooled together information from many of his colleagues and physiotherapists to offer you essential information on how to prevent and treat running injuries. Many of the running tips and lessons are from…
Today, it's a two-fer!
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
—Mark Twain
You can't really be strong until you see a funny side to things.
—Ken Kesey…
With racing and marathon season upon us (some say it never left), it's time to again turn our attention to runners who fundraise. Take a look at your tax refund (ha) and then consider these worthy causes!
First up is Cheryl of the Bryn Mawr Running Club.
Cheryl says
Our annual "Out and Back" charity run generated over $30,000 in direct donations to the ALS Hope Foundation last year. Our…
Pes Anserine Bursitis/Tendonitis, that's what.
1. What is it?
This injury occurs where three muscles come together and attach to the tibia bone on the medial side of the knee, just below the knee joint. The three muscles are the gracilis, sartorius and semitendinosis.
These muscles and the bursa associated with them can be subjected to overuse, micro trauma or soft tissue contractures leading to injury.
2. What are the…
(Read parts one, two, three and four of this series.)
Summary and Lessons Learned
We covered many aspects of planning a trail race in the first four parts of this series. It is almost certain that some things were missed. The lesson there is that something will most certainly get missed along the way while you are planning your race. The perfect race day you have imagined does not exist…
So, I've essentially taken a little bit more than a month "off," thanks to a little bout of "plantar fascitis," about which you can read much more on the site.
And I'm having kind of a hard time getting back on track. I don't think it's lack of desire, or lack of willpower—there's nothing so much I want to be doing than slapping feet against the earth and sucking in as…
Saturday, March 17th was St. Patrick's Day. Did you wear green? Well many of the runners I raced with did. There were green hats, green shirts, green hair and more.
This photo is from the Flicker collection of James Tworow. James is a freelance photograph who photographed a number of runners during the annual St. Patrick's Day 5/10k race held on March 17, 2007, in Calgary.
We are always looking for…
If you want to train for a marathon there is but one way to do it—train! It doesn't matter if you are going for a sub-six-hour finish or a Boston Qualifier; you still have to train and it's hard work and it can hurt but when you get to the end of that long, hard run it feels like a celebration!
Spring has sprung—happy warm weather running!…
Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you. - William James…
If a runner from the 70's running boom was magically transported through time to present day, I'm sure he or she would be astounded at all the technological options we runners have for tracking our every footstep.
It wasn't long ago when, if we wanted to figure out how far we were running, we'd have to do things like:
count city blocks (which meant we'd have to run in mostly straight lines!)
drag…
Time to rest easy and get moving. Finally, a compression bra that supports in all the right places. The soft fabric allows for breathability and only a small degree of stretching which drastically reduces the dreaded bounce.
Wide rib band, hook-and-eye front closure. Provides medium-to high-impact support for C-through DDD-cups.
The ENELL Sports Bra was the top ranked sports bra for larger breasted women in the November Self Magazine sports bra…
(Read parts one, two and three of this series.)
Race Logistics
Lots of different things make up the logistics on race day.
Course markings.
Make sure people won't get lost on your course becuase if they do you may be responsible. Mark your course clearly the day before the race. Typical trail markings might be ribbons, flours, stakes, etc. I would suggest two methods as flour can…
While listening last year to an archived episode of the Phedippidations podcast, host "Steve Runner" mentions that he got a great night's sleep on the eve of the Cape Cod Marathon thanks to taking the sleep aid Ambien. It was the first time I'd heard of a runner taking a prescription drug to get some zzzzz's before a big race. Many people, I suspect, won't risk residual grogginess on race…
Never underestimate the effects of diet on your running performance. I presume by now we all know that plenty of carbohydrates are a runner’s best friend, and that the steak on the evening of your race won’t actually build your strength just in time for your new personal best. According to the experts, your training diet should consist of 60 percent carbohydrate, 15 percent protein and 25 percent fat (though…
Any time a conversation at a party or business meeting comes around to running, as it somehow always does, it's inevitable that one of the non-runners in the discussion will ask: Why do you run? I, like most runners, have any number of stock answers to this question: Because I love it; it's great exercise; because I like to eat M&Ms; to get away from daily life. But for me…
This week's featured photo comes from Run4Women, a site we featured a while back.
This is the start of the Run4Women 8km Race in Winsdor, UK. This year it will be held on September 29. Their official charity is Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
I wonder who the lucky fellow is they are chasing.
We are always looking for great photos so if you’ve got a photo you would like featured, please leave…
Hi everyone! Please make sure to visit these latest additions to the Running Blog Family!
Best Day of the Year
kurthiggins.com
//run.phast
Run to Skate
Got To Run
A Jones for Running…
Watching this clip makes me want to hop in the car, drive down to the Monterey Bay and just run.
(The Team in Training South Bay Run Team from Los Gatos, California.)…
Last month I had the pleasure of working on a project with fellow RBF member Runningmomma Michelle. She shared with me that she was distributing these very cool Bondi Performance Headbands. Hmmm, a product I hadn't heard of? This, of course, peaked the fashion maven's curiosity.
I ordered several, I tried them and it's all true:
Comfortable, moisture-wicking and dries lightening fast fabric One-size fits all, even freakishly small or large…
1. What is it?
The iliotibial band (ITB) is a sheet of fibrous tissue that extends from the outside of the hip, down the outer thigh to the outside of the knee. The ITB helps to stabilize the knee joint. During normal movement, as the knee bends and straightens, the ITB rubs over part of the femur. If the rubbing is excessive, injury occurs.
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2. What are the causes/predisposing…
(Read parts one and two of this five-part series.)
Advertising & Sponsors
Before I begin part 3 I do need to remind you of the time committment in planning a race. As you can tell by the sporadic updates to this 5 part series, I have been busy. Planning a trail races takes A LOT of time. If you don't think you have the time, don't do it…
Pepsi and Coca-Cola recently announced they will soon include more specific label information on the caffeine in their beverages.. Reports suggest the vast majority of adults consume caffeinated beverages daily, particularly coffee or colas. Recreational runners most definitely are among them.
Some drink caffeinated beverages in the morning to get an energy boost or to ward off withdrawal symptoms of caffeine addiction. Some drink up first thing to stimulate a…
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