Everything a runner needs
Ask any runner and he or she will agree running is just as much a mental sport as a physical one. I’m the queen of doubting my abilities. I’ve noticed when I start out a run with a negative mindset, it usually doesn’t go well. I’ve even psyched myself out to the point of DNFing [...]
Growing up as a red-haired, freckle-faced little girl on the Jersey Shore means I know a lot about sunburn. Now, I take sun protection very seriously. I already have a high risk of skin cancer based on my history and heritage, but being a runner makes that risk go up even more (read more about [...]
Dehydration is one of the biggest threats facing athletes. But endurance athletes are also at risk for drinking too much water. Hyponatremia basics Hyponatremia is a life-threatening condition that happens when there is a dangerously low level of sodium in the blood. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in and [...]
I’ve been distance running since I was 21 — 10 years ago. I’m a lot faster now than I was back then. In fact, since turning 30, I’ve PR’d in every distance I’ve run. Unlike fine wine, athletes in few sports get better with age. Football players commonly retire in their early 30s because they [...]
Some runners say beer and running go together like peanut butter and jelly. The frothy brew can be found at nearly every finish line, and many runners rely on “liquid carbs” to help fuel them through a tough training cycle. Runners who drink alcohol are hardly alone. Alcohol is the most frequently consumed drug among [...]
Deep tissue massage can release tightness and muscular adhesions that prevent us from running our best. However, most of us do not have the money or the time for a weekly massage. Enter the foam roller. This piece of styrofoam is a cost-effective alternative to deep tissue massage and can help you avoid injury. What is [...]
I am going to preface this post by admitting the obvious: I am a female. That said, I am a licensed physical therapist, wife, mom to a son, and a sister to a brother. I get men issues — especially the medical ones that impact running. In the first part of our series on male [...]
Asphalt roads, concrete sidewalks, trails, or the track? Which running surface is best (and worst)? Exercise physiologists say switching up running surfaces is just as important as varying mileage and training intensity when it comes to injury prevention. Some surfaces are harder on our bones and joints than others. Here are the pros and cons [...]
Diane Walsh, 39, of Ocean City, Md. has been running nearly her whole life — with about 20 marathons under her belt. But a few years ago, she had the desire to give something back to the running community. Enter pacing. Diane saw the Air Force Marathon needed pace team leaders, so she reached out [...]
Running in the summer can be dreadful. The heat slows us down, which can really throw our training plans for a loop. Wearing sunscreen on all exposed body parts and following these tips can help you beat the heat and avoid common summer running problems. Problem: The hot sun Solution: Few runners enjoy the feeling of [...]
