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by Christine Hinton Most runners who fill out the race entry form and line up early on a Saturday morning to test themselves are competitive, to some degree, if only for that day. And for the most part, it is about testing ourselves… our will, our determination, our desire to beat the clock. For some … Read more

By Art Liberman In today’s busy and complex world, we are often faced with many options and choices. Depending upon their relative importance to us, some decisions take a minimal amount of thought while others will require much evaluation and analysis. We may not even be aware that we arrive at some of the decisions … Read more

Perry Dau I’m often asked a wide variety questions regarding running shorts. This article summarizes the many considerations and options related to the purchase of running shorts. Do you wear underwear with the shorts? The intent is NO, running shorts have an integral liner built in. If they do not have this liner I would … Read more

By David Peterson A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of exercise been firmly established and therefore carbohydrate loading is a proven form of boosting running endurance in prolonged events lasting more than two hours in duration. While there are various methods of carbo-loading, the process basically involves consuming large quantities of carbohydrate-rich … Read more

Dr. Larry Smith I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such an amazing event as the Iron Man Triathlon. I truly value living in a free and democratic country that is not only war free but beautiful beyond belief. To have 5000 volunteers for 2500 athletes is phenomenal and I … Read more

By Stephanie Teskers Studies show that marathon running isn’t about weight loss because it’s comparable to a crash diet, which typically has disheartening results. Training for a marathon could initiate a lifelong habit of engaging in regular exercise, though there are no statistics as yet to prove that it does. So why do people pursue … Read more

By Tony Zhang During the time I practiced with the Tufts Marathon Team, for about three weeks, I noticed visible improvements for my 200, 400, and 800m runs. At one of the practices, I asked Coach Don Megerle for help on proper running form. He said the most important thing is to ‘loosen up’ and … Read more

By Trace Bonner Loosely translated, meditation means bring to the center, specifically the mind. When we allow the mind to find a centered space it feels relaxed and easeful. The way we get the mind to center is usually not easy, due to the fact the mind is always thinking and commenting through an inner dialogue. … Read more

By Nate Pennington If you have dealt with disappointment in training or in a race I hope this list of 15 tips to overcome disappointment in training will keep you motivated. Runners are already highly motivated people. If you are a beginner and just starting out, you have already proved to me you are a … Read more

By Dr. Aaron V. Mares MD, UPMC Sports Medicine Running barefoot, or natural running, has only become trendy in North America in the last few years. Christopher McDougall’s 2009 best-seller Born to Run is oft credited with kicking off the craze in North America, though our ancestors have been running sans shoes for over a … Read more

The marathon is an intriguing event because so many factors come into play in determining how well you will do and how much discomfort you might experience. Did you come face to face with the infamous “wall”? In the days and weeks when the marathon is finally behind you, you may wish to consider the … Read more

Of all the distance running events, the marathon presents the greatest challenges both physically and mentally. Even after completing all the required training and making it to the race site rested and healthy, arriving at the starting line in less than the ideal state of mind can have a devastating effect on your performance. In … Read more

One beneficial aspect of marathon training that can’t be overlooked is the opportunity to experiment with a variety of miscellaneous concerns (e.g., shoes, nutrition, pacing, etc.) prior to incorporating them into your actual 26.2-mile event. The long run, in particular, is a great time to experiment with various issues in question. A cardinal rule of … Read more

I cannot overstate the necessity and benefits of stretching regularly as part of your running routine, let alone your marathon training program. How we stretch, why we stretch, and when we stretch are the keys to making stretching work for you. There are many texts and magazine articles that provide photos and diagrams of stretches … Read more