NOTE FROM COACH CARL: One of the things that I believe very strongly as a coach is that you can't be your best as a runner if you're always dealing with injury issues. That's why I think having a team of experts that you work with...
Read MoreThis is a stripped down version of a talk that I gave at the 2018 Nike Smoky Mountain Running Camp where I focus on the things that you SHOULD be trying to copy from elite runners as well as the things you should NOT be...
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Coach Carl's Introduction: Kristian Blaich is a tremendously accomplished Master's runner. He has won US titles on the road (10k), track (3k), and sports a 5k PR of 15:05 -- set at the age of 46! Kristian is an awesome reminder that PR's don't have to...
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I often hear runners talk about "the little things." Usually it's in the context of "I don't have time for the little things, but I'm getting my training in," or something similar -- which of course means that the "little" things are everything but the running. I'm...
Read MoreAchilles issues are very common among distance runners and they can also be very persistent. Fortunately there are things that you can do to help protect against issues and help recover from them. One of the most effective (and easiest) things to add to your routine...
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Lactate threshold workouts are the secret weapon of the distance runner. They're manageable enough to be done year-round, don't require the same recovery period as more intense speed work, they have benefits for every race distance from 5k to marathon, and improving your lactate threshold...
Read MoreIn this edition of "Coach Carl Q&A" I'm looking at issues related to training and preparing for fall marathons, including: -- Should you pick your goal race based on what year it would qualify you for Boston? -- What changes should you make in training for your...
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The idea of taking walk breaks can be a touchy topic. More than once I've suggested a client try walk breaks only to be told that they wanted to run "for real." I know in my younger days, I felt like walk breaks was cheating...
Read MoreFoam rolling is an important part of any runner's recovery protocol. Being consistent with foam rolling means that you'll head off problems before they start and give yourself a better chance to run smoothly and efficiently with more flexible muscles. In order to get the most...
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If you're thinking about running a fall marathon, now is the time to start finalizing your plans. I often get asked which marathon to run, and of course the answer differs depending on what your goals are for the race, and what type of marathon you're...
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