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 [...]
Beat the Doldrums »
In the closing scene of “Finding Nemo,” the “tank gang” from P. Sherman’s dental office finally pull off the escape they’ve dreamt about for years. After Dr. Sherman places them in plastic bags to change the tank water, they roll their bags across the counter to an open window, freefall into the bushes below, [...]
Running Through Adversity »
We runners are a hardy bunch. We push ourselves to exhaustion. We sometimes break bones and scrape skin seeking out stressful situations to see just how far we can push ourselves. Sometimes we do all this while overcoming some immense obstacles.
If you’re San Luis Obispo, Calif., pulmonologist Tom Vendegna, 43, you run to reverse a [...]
Money-Saving Tips for Runners »
It has been said more than once that running is a cheap sport. However, when adding up the money I spend on it over a year, I’m not sure I agree. As with everything you do, there are plenty of ways to spend your money. If you want to run along at a budget, try [...]
Can Running Ruin Your Teeth? »
Recently, I had a disappointing visit to my dentist. “Why so glum” you ask? Well, he found three cavities (tiny ones but still).
Honestly, I’ve never had the toughest chompers—even as a kid I struggled with cavities whereas, my brother could chew on stones, never brush his teeth, and still never get a single cavity. But, [...]
12 Tips to a Terrific Taper »
Springtime is here, and with it come a multitude of spring marathons. If you’re closing in on an upcoming marathon, your actions during the final two weeks before the race are crucial to your performance. From that point on, it’s all about the taper.
Tapering is a period of “active rest” when your body [...]
5 Secrets to Balancing Running and Family »
I strongly believe in the value of high mileage, and as such spend a lot of time on the road.
Running 80 miles or more per week at my usual training pace of roughly 8 minutes per mile sees me racking up somewhere between 11 and 12 hours each and every week during peak training. Nonetheless, [...]
Video of the Week: A Friendly Reminder »
When we train we have good days and bad days. We have runs that work for us and give us confidence and then we have runs that go not so well and make us feel like poseurs who have no business running at all. Aren’t we funny?
Well yes. Some of us are [...]
An Insider’s Guide to the Boston Marathon »
For most marathoners, making it to the starting line in Hopkinton, Mass., is the completion of a long journey filled with endless miles of training and months of anticipation. But once you make it there, you still have a race to run, and a very difficult and entirely unique one at that. The Boston course [...]
Ethical Running »
It’s not often that ethical dilemmas occur during road races (at least those that don’t involve Rosie Ruiz), but two recent incidents got me thinking about how much responsibility each of us has to watch out for our fellow runners.
In a 10K race recently, one of my teammates was up front the entire race, trading [...]
Featured Web Site: MapMyRun.com »
There is a new—or at least a totally redesigned—player in the route mapping Web space. MapMyRun.com has been online for quite sometime but has just recently released a new and improved beta site. Route mapping sites have become an essential part of my training plan and I think—after a brief review—that this [...]
Don’t Be Nobody »
(Today we introduce Coach Peter, a Washington, D.C.-based runner, avid marathoner and coach with the D.C. Road Runners Club.)
I ran a race in the country last summer where a deer came charging out of the underbrush lining the road, bowled a runner over and disappeared into the bushes on the other side. The runner [...]
Featured Web Site: Runners Rescue »
By now many of you are well into your training for upcoming races. Unfortunately injuries are often a part of training. Not sure what to do and looking for information? Runners Rescue offers just that.
This sports podiatrist has pooled together information from many of his colleagues and physiotherapists to offer you essential information on how [...]
Thoughts on a Month of Slack »
So, I’ve essentially taken a little bit more than a month “off,” thanks to a little bout of “plantar fascitis,” about which you can read much more on the site.
And I’m having kind of a hard time getting back on track. I don’t think it’s lack of desire, or lack of willpower—there’s nothing so much [...]
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 [...]
Diet: More Than Just a Four-Letter Word »
Never underestimate the effects of diet on your running performance. I presume by now we all know that plenty of carbohydrates are a runner’s best friend, and that the steak on the evening of your race won’t actually build your strength just in time for your new personal best. According to the experts, your training [...]
Retail Therapy: Performance Bondi Bands »
Last month I had the pleasure of working on a project with fellow RBF member Runningmomma Michelle. She shared with me that she was distributing these very cool Bondi Performance Headbands. Hmmm, a product I hadn’t heard of? This, of course, peaked the fashion maven’s curiosity.
I ordered several, I tried them and it’s all [...]
Featured Web Site: Road Runners Club of America »
I discovered the Road Runners Club of America by accident when Googling “race etiquette” They had a pdf file on the topic and so much more.”
The Road Runners Club of America is the national association of running clubs, running events, and runners dedicated to promoting long distance running as a competitive sport and as healthful [...]
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance »
I’m a great believer in high mileage. While we all are, as they say, an experiment of one, and no two runners react the same to a certain type of training, a few principles do apply to all of us, and we can always learn from other’s experience.
I’ve been a runner for nearly three years. [...]
QuickLink: Looking for Running Motivation? »
Head on over to Susan’s for some great tips and links to keep you motivated during these cold winter months.
Link: Running Motivation
Doggone It! »
Imagine if you will an idyllic trail run. There you are, no one else around, the sounds of nature surrounding you, when suddenly you hear a crashing through the underbrush, and you come face to face with a dog the size of a small car. This is not an uncommon scenario. Here in Edmonton, we have approximately 40 off-leash sites. Many of these areas run through our river
Retail Therapy: Blister Beater Socks »
I don’t know about you, but nothing irks me more than having to pay $8 – $16 for a good pair of running socks. They’re socks! There’s not that much fabric to them. I have the same issue with underwear, but we won’t go there. I don’t have the answers to sock technology but according to Wikipedia, the average foot has 250,000 sweat glands, and the average pair of feet gives
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.
Retail Therapy: Brooks Vapor-Dry 2 Hoodie »
Review of the Brooks Vapor Dry 2 Hoodie – a very versatile and functional cold weather running jacket.
Expert Fitness Advice for Free »
Our local newspaper runs articles every Friday on endurance sports and athletes. A couple of weeks ago sportswriter Don Norcross asked coaches, trainers and some pretty successful local athletes for fitness tips. Subjects ran the gamut from running, and triathlons to diet and general fitness. You can find them all on the San Diego Union-Tribune web site. I was struck by the numerous mentions on the importance of rest in training
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