We know that building and maintaining strong muscles is important, especially when it comes to supporting a running lifestyle. However, I have struggled in the past to incorporate strength building exercises into my routine. I would do some strength training one day and then I would forget which exercises I had done. Sometimes I would neglect certain muscle groups and overwork others. If I…
My recent experience while taking a brief break from running left me pondering a question: Can taking a break from running be harmful? It all started weeks ago when I felt pain in my lower left leg and also in my right knee. At first, I tried not to worry about it and continued with my running routine. When the pain returned, my level…
How do you know when the time is right to consider moving up to a full marathon? Until quite recently, this is a question that I didn’t think that I would ever ponder. Running 26.2 miles was for other runners. I had no desire to run a marathon. However, a few months ago, something started stirring inside of me. It was a weird longing…
With my head completely cluttered from the latest news and predictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, I tied my sneakers and headed out the door. I needed to run. My feet settled into a rhythm as I zoned out to the podcast in my ears. I was hearing the sound, but not listening or even attempting to comprehend it. Digesting information is not possible when…
This past Saturday morning, I completed my first virtual race. Previously, I had never seriously considered participating in a virtual race. Sure, I had seen advertisements for virtual races with really cool looking medals that were tempting, but the idea of a virtual race never fully made sense to me. That is, it never made sense until now. For several months I had been…
As humans, we usually look for the easy way out. We want to know how to hack the system. How can I do this faster? How can I do it easier? How can I do it with the least amount of effort? When given the choice between difficult and easy, I think most people would choose easy. However, this is not the case with…
Are you looking for something to watch while getting your miles done on the treadmill? These films are more than just good distractions. They are inspiring stories about everyday people training for and participating in endurance sports. Run along with these amazing folks and they will motivate you to finish strong. The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young1 hour 29 minutesThis may…
Recently, I was chatting about running with someone I know and respect who is a non-runner. After briefly discussing the upcoming half-marathon that I’m training for, the conversation shifted. Suddenly, he knew more about running than me. He declared that running is bad for the knees. He then went on to imply that the reason my knees were not yet ruined was because I…
Standing in line at the grocery store, I glanced down at my cart full of food and was surprised. For the first time in a long time, I was happy with what I saw there. As I placed the items onto the belt, I felt good about the choices that I had made. There were even a few things that I had not purchased…
Staying motivated to do your best during a race can be challenging. Overcoming mental barriers is no small feat. Some runners use visualization during races to conquer negative thoughts before they even start. I tried visualization for the first time during a 10k, and it was an experience that I will not easily forget. About a mile or so into the road race, I…