The Down Side of Gettin’ High »

Come on, admit it. Even if you haven’t done it before, you’ve wanted to. Everyone else is doing it. I’m talking, of course, about high altitude training. What did you think I was talking about?! Yes, train high, race low (or more accurately: live high, train low, race lower); every endurance athlete has dreamt of [...]

Will Run for Money »

We all enjoy the benefits of running and the enhanced quality of life it brings, but wouldn’t it be great to get paid for it? No, I’m not talking about becoming a professional runner and winning races and making money, I’m talking about being paid to just be a runner. Sound farfetched? This idea may [...]

Ya Gotta Have Heart »

We all know that running is good for our bodies, but a recent report in the March issue of a medical journal suggests too much running can actually damage the heart. At least in middle-aged men. A 51-year-old physician failed a calcium screening used to measure hardened arteries despite having no coronary risk factors to [...]

Sleep on This »

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 [...]

Why I Run »

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; [...]

I Love Coffee, I Love Tea »

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 [...]

Jeff Is Cookin’! »

I was contacted a while back by the folks over at Matisse & Jack’s to give their Trail Blaze bake-at-home oatmeal energy bars a try. i’m always one for trying out new products and their pitch for the bars sounded great. Bake ‘em yourself, save some money, no packaging or preservatives and enjoy a home [...]

Becoming Blood Brothers and Sisters »

The American Red Cross estimates that half the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5 percent ever does. Some of us are scared; some of us are busy; and some of us worry about a donation’s effect on exercise. Removing a pint of blood does have immediate and residual impact on workouts. [...]

The Ups and Downs of Cardio Equipment »

It’s been getting tougher to run in colder corners. If you aren’t careful, frozen hair breaks off. Exposed skin chaps. The brutal air can compromise vulnerable bronchial passages, leading to illnesss or exercise-induced asthma. Water bottles turn solid quickly, spelling trouble for those trying to stay hydrated on long runs. The slick roads and snowy [...]

A Different Kind of Runner »

About a month ago I was at a local running store helping register people for a local marathon training program when I overheard an interesting exchange between a newcomer and a coach trying to decide where to place her. “What’s your pace?” he asked. “I have no idea.” she responded.

Patience with Patients »

I see quite a few runners in my practice, and it appears that they are comforted by the fact that I too am a runner. However, these patients can be both the most rewarding and challenging patients to treat. The reward is to see them back running healthy again. The difficult part is dealing with some of the more unique personality types that make our encounters more

Quick Link – Fitsugar »

We’re starting something new this week – Quick Links. These will be links to places or articles we think you might enjoy. They will be shorter than our weekly Featured Website articles and will appear not on a scheduled basis, but just whenever the time is right. We’re starting off with a hot site that people interested in fitness will love.

Getting Fit with FitLink »

I recently wrote a review of FitLink.com. The site impressed me and the review I wrote caught the attention of Chris Charlier, one of the founders of FitLink.com. With this, I took the opportunity to ask Chris a few questions about him, the site, and his team’s vision for the future.

Reaching Painful Conclusions »

One of the most popular articles in last week’s online version of the New York Times was a story about whether it’s a good idea to run through pain. The high reader ranking wasn’t a surprise, even if the article’s placement in the fashion section was. The timing was perfect since newfound gym rats and overly enthusiastic runners are probably feelin’ it about now. A twinge to the outside of

Weight Loss and Measuring Up (Or Down) »

Losing weight is one of those perennial goals that people start in earnest this time of year. That includes runners vowing to shave their race times by paring down a few (or more) pounds. And thatís why many of us in the past week have headed to a calorie-counter or weight-loss site to first determine how much we can eat and still lose weight. The Body Mass Index is a popular

Running Away From Home »

On a recent trip to North Carolina, I was reminded how easily travel can affect my running routine—my hydration, nutrition and sleep were all affected simply by being in a new place. As if that wasn’t challenging enough, I also had to think more carefully about when, where and how I would run. Foolishly, I did little to plan ahead, and wound up running alone

Yet Another Reason to Use a Heart Rate Monitor »

This is a true story. It is not intended to scare people, but to make people aware of the safety factor that wearing a heart rate monitor while training can provide. A number of years ago I was doing pick-ups (2-minute surges with a 1-minute recovery) with a masters age triathlete. We were both wearing [...]

Long-Distance Running: Nothing to Sneeze At? »

There was an intriguing article in The New York Times recently about a study that had found a direct correlation between marathon training and an increased risk of skin cancer. The basic conclusion here is hardly surprising: Marathon runners spend a lot of time outdoors, often squeezing in runs during lunch in the peak sunlight [...]

So That’s Why You’re So Smart »

Even though this is something we runners have known all along, scientific proof comes to us via the Ririan Project Research suggests that people who get plenty of physical exercise can wind up with better brains. Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., found that adult mice who ran on [...]

Exercise Induced Asthma »

1. What is it? Exercise induced asthma (EIA) is irritation and swelling of the airways along with production of mucus triggered by exercise, especially aerobic exercise. 2. What are the symptoms? Symptoms can include any and all of the following: fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and chest pain. The symptoms [...]

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 may not be appealing if you are not one of those people, or if you are the type of person who prefers to focus only on the warm, fuzzy side of life. —————— The Jedi & You The [...]

To Stretch, or Not to Stretch … That Is the Question »

We all know to do our stretches, right? I mean, we struggle to find time to do them, we don’t really want to do them, but we know we should do them … right? Well, maybe not. At least that’s what the recent research is pointing to for the sports included in triathlon. Before we [...]

Sports Injuries Revisited »

Most runners at some point in their training will be affected by an injury. Injuries can range from mild to severe. Some require no time off of training, and some may require you to stop running completely. Many athletic injuries are preventable and treatable. A basic understanding of the causes of injuries can help to [...]

Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain Syndrome) »

1. What is it? The plantar fascia is a band of fibrous tissue at the bottom of the foot extending from the heel to the ball of the foot. This structure plays a major role in supporting the arch and preventing the foot from collapsing under the weight of the body. When this structure is [...]

Ignore the New Rules of Stretching at Your Own Peril »

Most experts agree on why you should stretch: 1. Stretching enhances muscle flexibility, 2. increase’s the body’s range of motion, 3. and can alleviate muscle stiffness. But, as far as most athletes are concerned (that’s you!), the most important thing about stretching is that the three reasons listed above combine to help you a) perform [...]

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