A Peek at Peak Performance

Read the entire account of Mike’s experience: part one, part two, part three, and part four.
Because of my amazing celebrity connections, I got an opportunity this week to try out the peak performance package at the Canyon Ranch health resort in Tucson, Arizona.
I will be spending four days being tested, poked, prodded, analyzed and examined […]

Charity-o-Rama!

Let’s take a whirl on the charity cycle.
First up this week is Peter, who is raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Peter says:
I am training for my first marathon ever in Disney. I am doing this because it has a personal meaning to
meal along with trying to do something good in […]

Is it Time to Work a Bit of Soccer Into Your Training?

Some people live to run. These folks are happy as long as they feel the track, trail or road beneath their feet. And then there are other runners who relish various cross-training activities to mix things up now and then. If your spicy garnish happens to be a game of soccer, you may be in […]

The Joys of Cross Training

The only thing worse than running… is not running. But sometimes that’s the only answer when it comes to injury recovery. About two weeks ago my patellar tendon decided it really wanted a rest (the patellar tendon is attached to the shin and kneecap, which when inflamed causes a tightness and often sharp ache […]

August 26th Shoutout

Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.
– Richard Bach
Join me this week in welcoming 15 new additions to the R.B.F.
The Run Down
To Be Honest With You….
The Middle of the Pack
Off the Pace
Philly To La On Foot
Running and Good Times
Dukes of Flatbush
*Mythots Exactly*
Ultramarathoning for love
IU Mini 9.8.07
Run Report
Slow Girl Running
The […]

To Run, Perchance to Dream

We all do it—we get lost in our heads while running. Some of us keep focus by listening to music or to books but regardless of what is going into our heads via the ears, it is what goes through our heads via our eyes and our dreams that really fills the space. […]

The Worst Part of Running

I know, I know. We’re not supposed to hate anything about running, right? Certainly if you put it on a ledger the assets would far outnumber the debits. But if you peered into the deepest recesses of your most secret thoughts you would find something about our chosen sport that you despise.
No? OK, it’s just […]

Osaka Marathon: Who’s Who

Heat and humidity will make for stifling conditions in the marathon at the 2007 IAAF World Championships. The men’s marathon will be the first event of the championships on Saturday, August 25, while the women’s marathon will take place on September 2, the final day of the championships.
Temperatures at the start will be close to […]

Marathon Spectating: Do’s and Don’t’s

Fall marathon season is approaching, and even if you’re not a marathoner, you can still be a part of the festivities. If you know somebody who is running, you can show your support by being an enthusiastic spectator.
It’s actually quite easy to be a spectator. While the runners invest several months preparing for […]

The Ice Bath: Sexy Fad or Scientific Fact?

After a hot and sweaty run, the prospect of chilled liquid appeals to many runners. Water, a sports drink, maybe even a beer might do nicely to quench the body’s desires. But, the eyes widen when this cool cocktail is served up in the form of floating ice cubes in a bath tub sans purple […]

Your Weekly News Roundup

The 2007 World Championships begin on August 25 in Osaka, Japan. The current issue of ESPN the Magazine has an interview with the two favorites in the 100 meters, Jamaica’s Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay of the United States. Powell holds the world record, but Gay has run the fastest time in the […]

Photo of the Week: Ready, Set, GO!

Friday night in Calgary was a fun night at the track for me and a few friends. A small group of runners met up at the new 400 meter track for a fun event put on some members of the Calgary Roadrunners. We raced first for 2,000 meters, then took a short break. Following the […]

August 19th Shoutout

The world is full of discourages. We have a duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks of appreciation or cheer has kept a person on his feet.
William Barclay
We have 14 new blogs entered in the R.B.F. for you this week. Take a look and welcome someone […]

Something We All Wish We Could Do

Run fast - run really fast - like this guy.

Movie Review - Runners High

When I was first commissioned (i.e. asked to volunteer) to provide the Saturday Inspirational Video I showcased a trailer for a film called ‘Runners High’ about a program in Oakland California that trains kids to run a marathon.
I recently had the opportunity to see the film and found myself deeply moved by […]

Spousal Support

What would we do without them? It’s tough getting up on a Sunday morning and doing that 20-miler, but what a joy to return home and find your spouse or significant other has a stack of your favorite pancakes waiting for you.
We enjoy our enthusiasms because the sacrifices we make on their behalf don’t seem […]

Program Review: Medtronic Global Heroes

The Medtronic Global Heroes Web site starts out with this statement:
Running long distances was never meant to be easy. It becomes even harder when the body becomes a barrier. For runners diagnosed with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal disorders, chronic pain or neurological disorders, that is the reality. Yet the passion […]

Achilles Tendonitis

1. What is it?
The Achilles tendon is the common attachment point for the calf muscles to the heel. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body (it is also the most frequently ruptured tendon too). Achilles tendonitis is usually due to overuse from repetitive micro-trauma causing inflammation. Achilles tendonitis accounts […]

W.C. Fields on …Success?

Mr. Fields would have made a lousy runner.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again. Then give up. There’s no use being a damn fool about it.” - W.C. Fields

Redd Foxx on Health

All I have to say to Mr. Foxx is that “someday” will be a lot farther off for some of us!
“Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.” - Redd Foxx

A Bad Air Day

Driving this weekend through California’s San Joaquin Valley, it was hard not to notice agricultural-related aromas, such as a massive methane-producing livestock ranch or freshly fertilized farmland. It got me thinking: Sometimes air really stinks.
This is nothing new, of course. Air quality has been a problem for many decades, and the recent emphasis on global […]

August 12 Shoutout

And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin
Check these new blogs out;
Marathon Dreams
Goal 26.2
Beth Runs!
MarathonDudeBill
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Marvel-ous Musings
Pinoy Runner
Self Motivation
A Slowpoke’s Blog
The Running Laminator
St. Louis Running Fool
The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Running a Marathon
Life Strides
Rick Reed
Running […]

Compare and Contrast - Cross Country at it’s best

Compare and contrast. You have us, the members of the Running Blog Family who don’t step out the door without our GPS devices, stop watches, heart rate monitors, mapped out routes of known length, technical clothing and super high tech running shoes. We find plans, pay coaches, and use scientific methodologies in the […]

Flexibility: Not Just for Muscles

You’ve heard it a million times. “Don’t try anything new on race day.” It’s good advice, especially for those tempted to wear the new running shoes or apparel they bought at the race expo the day before.
I follow it religiously. Every morning I get up at 4 a.m., have my wife drive me to the […]

Introducing: The News Roundup

Welcome to what I hope will be a biweekly survey of recent news related to fitness, nutrition, training, and competition. My goal is to pass along links to articles that summarize recent medical research, offer insights into training, as well as other articles of interest to runners. You won’t see many articles from Runner’s World, […]

Running Skirt Blowout, Part Deux

(Read part one here.)
To review: I wore each skirt for a minimum of two runs of at least three miles each. My runs are also always on trails though that does not factor much into this review. I analyzed the length of the skirt, coverage, type of undergarment, weight, skirt material, pockets, colors, price, and […]

Running Skirt Blowout-Part One

One of the latest fads in running fashion is the running skirt. This is evidenced by several Complete Running articles on this topic (here and here—not that we’re obsessed or anything, we can stop anytime—and this is only part one!) the numerous apparel companies who have sprung up as specialty retailers, and the now […]

Photo of the Week: Ph.D. in Running

If there were a Ph.D in running would you make the passing grade? And would it be based on how fast you are, how long you go or how many miles you put in? What would the credit courses be?

I found this week’s photo amongst Susan’s Flickr site but the credit for the photo belongs […]

August 5th Shoutout

Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction.
Al Bernstein
Join me this week in welcoming 18 new blogs to the R.B.F.
Running for Pennies
Catra’s PCT Journey
Dirt Diva
The Toronto Runner
Western Pennsylvania Track Club
Cubbiesfolife
Run-a-bout!
The Quiet Runner
Tiara Training
Running Alone But Together
Sweet Victory
Notes of a Non-Runner
The Baltimore Running Project
Some Of Us Are Born Great
LiveRun
I used to […]

Trail Running, Anyone?

Have you ever considered heading out to more remote areas and doing a nice, dirty trail run? Ultrarunner Julie Fingar has all the reasons you might want to try it and just the tips you’ll need to insure a safe, fun filled trip (oops!) down the trail.

Take a look at our post on […]

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