The Will to Go On »

In 1982 a 23-year-old college student named Julie Moss made the most memorable and remarkable trip to the finish line of the Kona Ironman Championship on record. In the lead for most the latter part of the race, she found herself out of energy and falling to the pavement just yards from the finish. She [...]

Zen for Runners »

“The obstacle is the path.” – Zen Saying

Book Review: ‘Run Less, Run Faster’ »

Article Summary: A review of the Runner’s World book “Run Less, Run Faster” by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, and Ray Moss [rating:4] I first heard about Run Less, Run Faster and the FIRST training program in a brief Runner’s World article in early 2007 and was intrigued by the training concepts presented. The article discussed [...]

Failing Up »

In my short running career I have had more than my share of memorable races, both good and bad. There was my first road race, a 5k in 90°F heat, for which I carbo-loaded the night before like I was running an ultra. That fettuccine Alfredo did me no favors on race day, but I [...]

A Power Primer »

Article Summary: This is part three of a debate on long run/marathon fueling strategies. In part one, Mark Iocchelli put forward the case for a minimalist approach to fueling (less is more). In part two, Steve Runner takes the opposite view – that fueling on the run is the advisable strategy. In part three, Lee [...]

Age & Weight Grading Calculator Analyzes Race Success »

There was a three and a half year gap between my previous and new PR marathons. I had made a number of changes in how I trained for the latter marathon. I could chalk the PR up solely due to those changes, but I also must recognize that I’m seven pounds lighter now. Naturally, I’ve [...]

Run Green »

Going “Green” is very popular these days. Most of your favorite daytime talkshow hosts have probably done shows about how you can go green. All over the internet you can find lists of the “top 10 ways to green your house” or “how to open an eco-friendly business”. But what if you are environmently concerned [...]

Running Lessons from Isaac Newton »

A while back, CRN co-founder Mark posed the question to me: “Hey, Bill? How does having lost weight change my running? As in: I know it makes me faster, but can you quantify that?” Being an engineer, I was tempted to snap back that I’d spent four years and a decent part of my potential [...]

Photo of the Week: Marathon Relief »

I don’t know about you but when I’m in a race, these are always a relief, especially when there’s no lineup! This photo was taken during the OC Marathon. Thanks Darkmatter for letting us feature your photo. Be sure to check out his other unique photos over at his flicker site. We are always looking [...]

June 24th Shoutout »

We have twelve new members in the R.B.F. this week. Click on a link and go get to know someone. Chelseygorun Dirge Rhetoric AZ Endurance Running Kate Aquarium Trimario Before I’m 30 Walk Away Renee Eat Less. Move More Not Sew Fast Marathon Moms – The Sky’s the Limit Run Zach Run

Marathon Nutrition: The Third Man’s View »

I’m sure I’m not the only one who enjoyed the two contrasting articles about nutrition by the Blogfather himself, and Steve Runner in the other corner. However, I can’t help but disagree with both of them, which is why I thought I might add my own thoughts to the debate, just to muddle the water [...]

Retail Therapy: For the A’s Only »

Article Summary: Overview of the Title Nine Not-A-Bomber Crossover Bra. Made with microfiber and Lycra. Even if you are a bit on the smaller side you don’t have to settle for a compression bra. This no-smush bra has the cross-over styling that supports and separates. It’s constructed with a blend of microfiber and Lycra, so [...]

Motivation »

Scratch that – this isn’t about motivation. We’re all motivated to run, be it to drop a couple of pounds, set a new PR, or just spend time with the other runners in our life. The problem we all face is one of execution – actually getting our butts out the door and on the [...]

Less Is More: The Blogfather’s Approach to Nutrition »

Article Summary: This is part one of debate on long run/marathon fueling strategies. In part one, Mark Iocchelli put forward the case for a minimalist approach to fueling (less is more). In part two, Steve Runner takes the opposite view – that fueling on the run is the advisable strategy. In part three, Lee Miller [...]

Less Is Not Enough: The PodCaster’s Approach to Nutrition »

Article Summary: This is part two of debate on long run/marathon fueling strategies. In part one, Mark Iocchelli put forward the case for a minimalist approach to fueling (less is more). In part two, Steve Runner takes the opposite view – that fueling on the run is the advisable strategy. In part three, Lee Miller [...]

25 Celebrities Who’ve Run a Marathon »

Article Summary: A fun list and photos of actors, musicians, politicians, models and TV personalities who have run a marathon. Ever wonder who among the rich and famous have run a marathon and how you stack up against them? So did I so I set out to compile a list. An hour of googling later [...]

Photo of the Week: Beer Run »

This photo gives a whole new meaning to the expression “Beer Run”. Thanks Charlotte for letting us feature your photo. Be sure to check out the rest of her 2007 London Marathon set. We are always looking for interesting photos so if you’ve got a photo you would like featured, please leave a comment with [...]

Showdown @ CRN: Be There Or Be … Uninformed! »

Make sure to stop by tomorrow when and Meet in a battle of the ages to duke it out for your love & admiration! The topic: Long Run and Marathon Fueling. Stop by tomorrow to find out who’s right and who’s nuts!

Remember the Joy of Children and Running on Father’s Day »

Happy father’s day to all you dads out there!

June 17th Shoutout »

We’re back again this week with some new blogs for you to check out. I also had another thought (I really did!) and that was that maybe we should be shouting out some of YOUR favorite running reads. Who inspires you to keep running? You will not die, It’s not poison A Journey to Endurance [...]

Running Fast and Forever »

Last week Daniel Komen ran the fastest ever mile on American soil at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. It was not a world record but it was a blazing sub 4 mile – 3:48.28 to be exact. When I looked up the Prefontaine Classic’s history I discovered that Daniel Komen still holds the World’s Record [...]

Featured Web Site: Flocasts »

There is no television station dedicated to running, but take comfort in Flocasts, which is the next closest thing. The site features collegiate and elite-level races from the United States in their entirety. Flocasts also offers interviews that are almost too up close and personal, capturing athletes moments after their races. Among the races covered [...]

Attention: Vengeful Deer Crossing! »

Many runners encounter animals during their daily runs. Usually, it’s a neighborhood dog, or cat, rabbits, skunks, or possibly a few ducks. Runners have told tales about being chased by angry geese in local parks. Adventurous trail runners have reported seeing mountain lions, snakes, turtles and other members of the wild life community. For the [...]

Why Did You Run Your First Marathon? »

Minutes after a friend and I finished our first marathon, he said something to me that I will never forget and sometimes think about. He said “at least we ran this without having to!” I did not understand what he meant so I asked him to explain. He said that some people who decide to [...]

Retail Therapy: Speed Laces »

Friction is the name of the game. Where regular laces are unable to expand and contract, Speed Laces move the lacing to the surface of the shoe and eliminates friction. The best part is the lacing automatically adjusts to changing pressures of the feet during a run and lace tension is always equal throughout the [...]

Did Oprah Make You a Marathoner? »

Last week one of the most popular stories on the New York Times online was about modern marathoners and how they differ from the first running boom. It’s a subject that’s been discussed before here at Complete Running. What caught my attention was this passage from the article by author John Hanc: Today’s marathoner is [...]

Muscle Cramps »

Article Summary: Describes what muscle cramps are, what brings them on, what the symptoms are for muscle cramps, and what can be done to prevent and treat them. 1. What is it? A muscle cramp is a painful, sustained involuntary contraction of a muscle. A cramp can last for seconds to minutes or longer and [...]

Top 10 Questions Asked by Beginning Runners »

Learn how to run! This article contains the most common questions asked by new runners, and those returning to running after an extended layoff. Includes a beginner training plan (running program) to get you on your way!

Pearl Izumi is on the Ropes »

Pearl Izumi thinks running is on the ropes. They have a new ad campaign – We are not joggers. Maybe you’ve seen it. If you have, I can almost guarantee you were either inspired or insulted. I haven’t seen many opinions that weren’t one way or the other. Here are a few excerpts: After all, [...]

A Letter to Mrs. McCarthy*-Part Three »

Part three of a three-part essay I composed for an acquaintance who had met me for lunch recently to discuss “how to run.”

Photo of the Week: On the Line »

These guys are about to put it on the line and run. Photo curtosy of Orionoir. Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from his bigeast 07 track & field set and other photos on his flicker site. We are always looking for interesting photos so if you’ve got a photo you [...]

June 10th Shoutout »

It’s Sunday again and this week we have new members all the way from Michigan to Italy and parts in between. Check them out. Marathondudebill Fourwhitefeet Claudio72 Team In Training Northern New Jersey Blog ‘Tis but a Scratch Wheezing Whinings Many Feet Moving Running Around The World Team Diabetes: Running for a Cure

Why I Run »

We all have our reasons for running. We want fitness and speed and PRs and time alone and lots of other things. Some of us are super serious and competitive and some of us are just starting out and haven’t really committed to reasons yet and some of us are just working to stay healthy. [...]

Lose Weight & Get Faster »

There was a nice little table in Runner’s World this month that illustrates how much faster you could be if you lost weight. Of course, this would not take into account speed increases due to training. Pounds Lost 5k 10k 1/2 Marathon Marathon 2 :12.4 :25 :52 1:45 5 31 1:02 2:11 4:22 10 1:02 [...]

Retail Therapy: Nathan Elite 1 Hydration Pack »

I hate to admit it, but I frequently ditch the fuel belt because I look like a combat soldier. Bad Susan. But on occasion we have to choose function over fashion, especially when it comes to hydrating—the life source of liquid that propels us through the day. Stupid water. We can’t win them all, but [...]

Charity-o-Rama for June 7, 2007! »

Wow, there’s a lot of people running the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in October? Who knew? For instance, Princess Runner is one of them. She’s raising $1,400 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Team in Training program. Help this princess reach her goal here. **** Guess what? Connie Dressen is also raising [...]

My Skirt Is Faster Than Yours »

(It might seem like completerunning has been writing a lot about running skirts lately. Well, we did write about them here, and here, and well, you might say one of CRN’s founders (I won’t say who) possibly has some sort of obsession with them, or maybe just really likes them. But after this in-depth review, [...]

The Best Way to Strengthen Your VMOs »

My running has been plagued by bad patella tracking and therefore knee pain. Poor patella tracking is typically due to weak Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) muscles and tight quads. I have tried doing many different VMO exercises but they came up short. I did many leg extensions and leg presses and even though the VMO [...]

A Letter to Mrs. McCarthy*-Part Two »

Part two of a three-part essay I composed for an acquaintance who had met me for lunch recently to discuss “how to run.”

June 3rd Shoutout »

We’re back again this week with eight new entries in the R.B.F. Please click on a link and welcome someone into the fold. My Run Log Running Dutch Girls Just Wanna Run Juan Pedregosa Run Central Indiana Rich is Running TriSethTri From Couch to Marathon

Paula Radcliffe – Olympic Hopeful with the Heart of a Lion »

One of my favorite sayings is “Fall down seven times, get up eight”. It’s what anyone trying to do something difficult needs to keep in mind. We all stretch ourselves to reach new goals and sometimes we fail and the only real antidote to failure is to put the disappointment behind us and just keep [...]

Charity-o-Rama for June 1st, 2007! »

Charity-o-Rama took a short break, but is now back! First up is a CRN contributor: Dawn on the Run (aka the “Pink Chick”)! Dawn says: Call me crazy but I just signed up to run a race in my underwear—The Underwear Affair, 10k Run/5k Walk on June 9th. Okay, so I’m chicken and will likely [...]