Mark Iocchelli

My Blog/Website

About Me

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40 year-old marathoner who has beaten stress fractures and terrible shin splints. Now I'm running double the mileage with no pain - and I'm getting faster. I love to talk about running form and Arthur Lydiard. I also enjoy taking photographs, have a beautiful (and very patient!) wife, and am the proud father of two crazy kids. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about the site here: mark at completerunning dot com. Thanks for visiting! Other Places You Can Find Me Life in Iocchelli Land Twitter Facebook Flickr LinkedIn My Google Profile

My Posts

• Start Running… in the Winter?

  After a longer than two year break from running (it’s a loooong story), I’m back... 

• What Are You Doing To Help New Runners?

  Photo Credit: Mike Baird's Flickr Photostream There are some moments that really make blogging... 

• Best Ever Running Books Collection

  If you search for running books on Amazon, you’ll be confronted with hundreds of results.... 

• Running Blog Spotlight: Running is a Journey

  Jessica has written considerably for us here at Complete Running – mostly focusing on... 

• Links for May 29th

  Nerds Do It Better » Team Effort: 50 Tips and Resources for Couples Losing Weight Together... 

• How To Breathe When Running

  ‘How to breath properly while running’ is one of the most searched for topics here... 

• Running is Funny (Really!)

   Read More →

• Complete Running For Mobile Users

  It goes without saying that things have been a little (ok, alot) stagnant around here for the... 

• Adam Jacobs – Founder of The Final Sprint – Dies Unexpectedly

  I would like to take a moment to share some sad news. Adam Jacobs of The Final Sprint has passed... 

• Flotrack Interviews Nobuya ‘Nobby’ Hashizume

  Flotrack‘s Christopher Kelsall recently interviewed Nobuya “Nobby” Hashizume,... 

• Book Review: Bowerman & the Men of Oregon

  This book has something for everyone. I’m giving it five Nike es out of five. Bill Bowerman... 

• Book Review: 26.2 Marathon Stories

  26.2 Marathon Stories is a lovingly crafted tribute from two authors who obviously have a... 

• Spirit of the Marathon Showing TONIGHT in Canada!

  Thanks to Melissa for sharing this with us just moments ago:  Read More →

• Why Was Steve Prefontaine Worshipped?

  I got this gem from David’s Flickr page and thought I’d share what he wrote me... 

• Site Maintenance/Down Time

  We will be doing some maintenance and upgrading and therefore will not be posting articles... 

• Blog Bling For Our Members

  If you’re one of the people I love  Read More →

• New Canadian Running Magazine Launches in February!

  He’s a blogger from our community. He’s a world record holding Joggler, and now  Read More →

• And California Jumps out to a Convincing Lead!

  I’ve been happily watching the new, search-able Running Blog Family directory fill up.... 

• Members with Upcoming Races

  Here are some upcoming racers from our calendar.  Read More →

• A Million Stories

  There was a time when I was able to easily visit all of the members of the Running Blog Family.  Read More →

• Elite Runner Videos of Ryan Hall & Others – Courtesy of God

  I found a terrific little archive of elite runner videos on GodTube. As of today, there are... 

• Crunchy Nanas?!

  A Crunchy Nana? What’s that? Well, it’s a runner, of course! A runner from our... 

• Share Your Music Playlists!

  It’s no secret that the iPod and MP3 players in general have become quite an important... 

• New-Fangled Quote Archive

  We’ve given our quote archive a facelift. Check it out here. And get in touch with us... 

• Frank Shorter on Marathoning

  You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can’t know what’s... 

• Membership Has Its Privileges

  Last week, you got your first look at the new-look CRN, as well as the enhancements to the... 

• Links for January 13th

  Here are today’s bookmarks. EndurancePlanet – Terrific podcast site – particularly... 

• The “Downeast Runner” Definitely Rocks

  In the inaugural post of this series I’d like to introduce you to a runner who truly... 

• New Design, New Features, New …

  To start the year, we’re making some big changes here at CRN so, come on down and check... 

• Do You Have a Running Blog?

  Most people around here know about the Running Blog Family Directory (RBF) – the web’s... 

• Links for January 5th

  Running Times Magazine: RT Radio: Ryan Hall – Podcast interview between Running Times... 

• Poll: Are New Year’s Resolutions Helpful to Your Running?

  [poll=8]  Read More →

• Happy Holidays from CRN!

  The gang here would like to wish you a terrific holiday season. All the best to you this Christmas! We’d... 

• Instructional Running DVDs

  RunningDVDs.com looks to be just getting going but, from looking at the samples on their web... 

• There is Greatness in You

  Through my blog, someone recently called me a “great runner”. It was an odd thing... 

• Nova TV Marathon Challenge

  Just a little reminder that Nova airs its Marathon Challenge TV Special tomorrow, Tuesday October... 

• Group Writing Project: What Movies Inspire You to Run?

  Note To RSS Subscribers: There are two Youtube videos embedded in this post. Visit the site... 

• Why on Earth Would Anyone Want to Run a Marathon in 90 Degrees?!

  Today, I’d like to address another criticism that arose out of the 90 degree Chicago... 

• Chicago Marathon: Runners Share Their Side of the Story

  Thanks everyone for your comments on my Chicago Marathon: Defending… post. It seems a... 

• Chicago Marathon: Defending Slow, Fat, Poorly Trained Runners

  By now, most of us have heard about the terrible heat and humidity that lead to the closure... 

• Haile Gebrselassie Sets New Marathon World Record!

  Some called Paul Tergat’s record an impossible feat to eclipse. Well, Haile Gebrselassie... 

• Live Coverage: Berlin (World Majors) Marathon

  For those of you interesting in getting a look at Haile Gebrselassie’s world record attempt,... 

• Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story – Now on DVD!

  Question: What movie was voted the Greatest Running Movie on Lets Run? Question: What movie... 

• Hot Feet, Iron Deficiency & Footstrike Hemolysis

  It’s been almost a year since I committed myself to high mileage marathon training.... 

• W.C. Fields on …Success?

  Mr. Fields would have made a lousy runner. “If at first you don’t succeed, try,... 

• Redd Foxx on Health

  All I have to say to Mr. Foxx is that “someday” will be a lot farther off for some... 

• Joan Rivers on Jogging

  I think Joan’s been hangin’ with the wrong runners! “The first time I see... 

• George Carlin on Fast vs. Slow

  Do you think George may have stumbled on the difference between elite versus non-elite runners? “Have... 

• Checklist for Solving Polar Heart Rate Monitor Transmission Problems

  I use the Polar 625x Running Computer – a fantastic product. But I recently became frustrated... 

• A Runner is Like An Onion

  Lots of funny layers! Here is a compilation of very funny running related satirical writings... 

• Running is (Not!) Too Hard on the Body – Part II

  Article Summary: The second in a two-part series that offers hope to runners who’ve... 

• Running is (Not!) Too Hard on the Body – Part I

  Article Summary: Part one of a two-part series that offers hope to runners who’ve given... 

• 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... 

• 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... 

• 25 Celebrities Who’ve Run a Marathon

  Article Summary: A fun list and photos of actors, musicians, politicians, models and TV personalities... 

• Top 10 Questions Asked by Beginning Runners

  Article Summary: This article was written to answer the most common questions asked by... 

• Lose Weight & Get Faster

  There was a nice little table in Runner’s World this month that illustrates how much... 

• Exercise Is Just for Kids

  I ran across this fascinating 1958 CBC radio clip of a discussion between Byng Whitteker –... 

• Runners Who Are Racing This Weekend

  I see that, according to the CRN Race Calendar, there are seven people racing this weekend.... 

• (The Myth of) The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

  A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away… …some bad things happened in my life.... 

• Blogs by Elite/Famous Runners Courtesy of Runner’s World

  Runner’s World recently got into the blogosphere with some fine blogs written by elite... 

• Can Running Ruin Your Teeth?

  Recently, I had a disappointing visit to my dentist. “Why so glum” you ask? Well,... 

• MySpace Can Be OurSpace

  I bet you wish you had running friends like I do. I mean, who wouldn’t? When it comes... 

• Question for You from Runner’s World Magazine: Drop Out or Tough it Out?

  Gigi’s last question to CRN readers was so successful she’s back for more. Here’s... 

• Featured Web Site: Is Bones In Motion (BiM) ‘The Final Frontier’ for Tracking Your Runs?

  If a runner from the 70′s running boom was magically transported through time to present... 

• Runner’s World to Acquire Running Times Magazine

  Via Scott Dunlap’s A Trail Runner’s Blog comes word that Rodale, Inc. is acquiring... 

• Get Yourself in the Pages of Runner’s World!

  UPDATE: Gigi says she has enough responses to continue with her story. Thank you and good luck... 

• QuickLink: Looking for Running Motivation?

  Head on over to Susan’s for some great tips and links to keep you motivated during these... 

• The Pose Method Way to Prevent and Treat Plantar Fasciitis

  CRNs very own Lee Miller recently wrote an excellent article on Plantar Fasciitis (PF) which... 

• QuickLink: Trail Runner VO2 Max Test

  We often hear about V02 Max but rarely get a glimpse at a real life accounting of the outcome... 

• QuickLink: Nifty Weight Management Calculators

  Make sure you check out weight loss/fitness calculators at FitSugar and MSNBC.  Read More →

• Video Inspiration: Female Runner With A Message All Of Us Can Relate To

  More often than not, the videos I show here on Saturdays feature male runners. This is not... 

• Video: Alan Webb’s High School World Record Mile

  Alan Webb is one of the great hopes for American distance running. In this video clip, he takes... 

• Quick Link – Fitsugar

  We’re starting something new this week – Quick Links. These will be links to places... 

• For Fans of Steve Prefontaine & Bill Bowerman

  If Bill Bowerman isn’t the greatest American running coach ever, he certainly is the... 

• Are You Raising Money For Charity?

  We’re plugging this again because it’s really worth it. Lots of runners combine... 

• New Year’s Day: A Blogger Shows Us We’re All Capable of the Extraordinary

  Beansprout is one of us. She’s a runner with average running talent. But what she’s... 

• CRN Makes FoxNews.com Top Ten List of Health Blogs

  We’re honored to have made the FoxNews Top Ten List of Health Blogs. Welcome FoxNews... 

• Elite/Famous Runner Web Sites

  I set out to collect a list of famous or elite distance runner websites – personal sites... 

• So That’s Why You’re So Smart

  Even though this is something we runners have known all along, scientific proof comes to us... 

• Video: How a Canadian Dresses for Winter Running

  This video shows what I wear for running in the Canadian cold. How cold? Really cold but you’ll... 

• Relax Relax Relax Your Way to Better Running

  A Lesson From The Sprinters of the World Have you ever watched a sprinter in slow motion? I’ve... 

• Lance Armstrong Sucks

  Have you ever been to the letsrun forum? It’s an amazing place for a few reasons: There... 

• Embracing the Dark Side of the Force: How to Turn Exercise Into a Lifelong Habit

  Warning: This article is for people in a constant struggle to find the will to exercise. It... 

• “Daddy, You Smell Like …Pee”

  That’s what my son said to me upon returning from my long run on Monday. Want to know... 

• You Gotta Have Heart, Miles & Miles & Miles of Heart!

  This is part four in a series about heart rate training: Part one is about Karnoven Heart Rate... 

• How Fast Will Lance Armstrong Run New York Marathon

  [poll=6]  Read More →

• How to Accurately Determine Your Maximum Heart Rate & Have An Out of Body Experience At the Same Time

  continued from parts one and two ———————————— According... 

• The What, Why & How of Your Resting Heart Rate

  Last week, I talked about using the Karnoven Method for determining accurate heart rate training... 

• Marathon Preparation Series

  Blaine over at Run To Win has put together a nice series on Marathon Preparation. Check it... 

• Doctor Fun: Joe the Disembodied Head

  [via Dr. Fun]  Read More →

• Use the Karvonen Method to Determine Your Heart Rate Training Targets

  The basis for how you determine your target heart rate may not be exactly correct. In the... 

• Ignore the New Rules of Stretching at Your Own Peril

  Most experts agree on why you should stretch: 1. Stretching enhances muscle flexibility, 2.... 

• Congratulations Running Chick!

  One of CRNs writers — The Running Chick with the Orange Hat has qualified in convincing... 

• What Is Your Ultimate Marathon Destination?

  For many people — especially long time runners — the history of the Boston Marathon... 

• Video: Lance Armstrong & Matthew McConnaughey

  Because it’s just really funny (don’t ever get famous). [source: Duncan Larkin] -  Read More →

• Doctor Fun: Fartlek Fever

  [via Doctor Fun]  Read More →

• YouTube: More Team Hoyt (Rick and Dick)

  Our World’s Strongest Dad post from a few weeks ago continually brings people to CRN... 

• Runner’s Tool Box: Race Conversion Calculator (Predicts Finish Times Based on Other Race Distances)

  Instructions Enter a distance (a number) you have run recently. Select kilometers or miles... 

• Video: Running on Ice

  There are few tests of a runner’s technique better than running on ice. Being able to... 

• Video of One Very Stylin’ Barefoot Runner

  This video stars a fellow named ‘Yanni’ who is to be found in the Running Barefoot... 

• Runner’s Tool Box: Split Calculator + Pace Band Maker

  In the days before GPS and Speed+Distance monitors (not very long ago!), the old-fashioned... 

• 10 Easy Steps for Joining the Gross, Rude Runner’s Club

  We’ve run with them, near them or seen them doing their thing from afar. They are the... 

• Man Runs Sub Three Hour Marathon While Juggling

  Most people who run a marathon have their hands full. Not Michal Kapral. Today, at the Toronto... 

• 75 Year-Old Ed Whitlock Runs Marathon in an Amazing 3 Hours 8 Minutes

  Only a fraction of a percentage of people will ever run a marathon, and a fraction of a percentage... 

• Dr. Fun Runner’s Humor: Running the Jurasic Marathon

   Read More →

• Do You Need to be Taught How to Run? (part II)

  (part two in a series) ———————————————– In... 

• Is Dr. Fun Poking Fun at Running Blogs?

  Considering he created this comic in 2000, I don’t think so! I introduced Doctor Fun... 

• Via YouTube: Julie Moss Competing in the 1982 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon

  A classic piece of unbelievable determination as demonstrated by Julie Moss. As the announcer... 

• Digital Runner’s World Magazine Available Now!

  Zinio publishes digital magazines and they do a fantastic job of it. Here’s why: The... 

• The New Apple Nano & Shuffle: Perfect for People Who Enjoy Running to Music

  With all the coolness and innovation surrounding Apple products, it’s no wonder they... 

• 100 Beginner Running Tips

  Welcome to the Complete Running Network 100 Beginner Running Tips. This first top 100 post... 

• Via YouTube: Paula Radcliffe

  I can’t imagine anyone not being impressed with Paula Radcliffe. She’s not only... 

• Do You Need to be Taught How to Run?

  (Part one in a series.) ————– Do you need to be taught how to... 

• Via YouTube: Legends of Running

  Although the quality of the video could be better, this is a tremendous compilation of some... 

• 10 Ways to Inject Fun Into a Run

  New runners struggle. Veterans get into slumps. We all know them—those times when running...