Check out this season’s running shoe guide and you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the options, each model carrying its unique promise for improved comfort and performance. Your traditional shoes guarantee the perfect level of support and motion control, your minimalist shoes provide unprecedented ground feel and flexibility, and – at the opposite end of … Continue reading
What’s your running goal? Are you looking to run faster, further or injury-free? Every runner has room for growth, and a key to developing that potential is knowing what specific factors, whether metabolic, mechanical or otherwise, might be holding you back from reaching your targets. A strong predictor of running performance is VO2 max, or … Continue reading
“If you keep running like that, you’ll ruin your knees by the time you’re 40!” If you’re a runner, chances are you’ve heard such cautionary advice one too many times. For the 42% of runners who suffer from knee injuries each year 1, chronic, and potentially debilitating knee pain may be a legitimate concern. For … Continue reading
Summer’s here! For many, this is reason to rejoice. Summer can mean time off from school or work, beach-going or sipping cocktails by the pool. But for runners, the thought of sun and heat can evoke dread. The rising temperatures instead mean risk of overheating, dehydration, cramping and bonking. A smart runner will take extra … Continue reading
A long, hard run is in the books and now it’s time to reward yourself. A nice, hot shower will hit the spot … or better yet – a long soak in the hot tub. You deserve it! “Not so fast, buddy! You do realize the havoc that heat will wreak on your already inflamed, … Continue reading
We’ve long been told that aerobic exercise like running is heart-healthy. Runners enjoy a wealth of benefits like reduced blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, and lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. But occasionally, these facts are undermined by news of runners, sometimes the very picture of good health, dying from cardiovascular conditions. The running … Continue reading
At your next 10k or marathon, take a moment to observe the feet of the passing herd and you’ll note one commonality: most runners – nearly 90% 1 – will contact the ground with their heel first. But like your mother said, just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you should too! In fact, … Continue reading
It’s time for your weekend long run. Before heading out, do you fuel up with a bowl of cereal or a fruit smoothie? Rev-up with a cup of coffee or espresso shot? Or just grab your water bottle and hit the road on empty? Along with sleep, a proper training regimen, and adequate recovery, our … Continue reading
Every competitive runner is familiar with the soreness and fatigue that follow a hard race effort. You ran fast, or far, or both, and now behind the scenes your body is retaliating appropriately, sending your immune system into overdrive to repair your traumatized muscles. But what exactly triggers a post-race inflammatory response, and determines how … Continue reading
Bare feet, Vibram five-fingers, racing flats or motion control shoes? By now almost every runner is aware of the increasingly heated debate over how much shoe cushion, heel-to-toe drop and structure are ideal. The medical, scientific and running communities comprise both die-hard barefoot and shod running advocates; yet presently, support for both sides of the argument … Continue reading
