Mark Iocchelli

My Blog/Website

About Me

Also known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something 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.

My Posts

• I’m Awesome Enough. How About You?

  Once upon a time, I was a race junkie. More specifically, I was a marathon junkie. And even... 

• 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!)

  About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner... 

• 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: About Mark IocchelliAlso known... 

• 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 About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather",... 

• New Canadian Running Magazine Launches in February!

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

• 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. About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running... 

• A Million Stories

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

• 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] About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner... 

• 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. About Mark... 

• 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] About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner... 

• 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] About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something... 

• 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] – ... 

• Doctor Fun: Fartlek Fever

  [via Doctor Fun] About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something... 

• 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

  About Mark IocchelliAlso known as the "Running Blogfather", I'm a 40-something marathoner... 

• 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...