How to not waste your warm-up

If you look around at a 5k or 10k road race, you're probably pretty confused about how you're supposed to warm-up. Some runners will do some light jogging. Others will add some drills or strides. A few will literally just sit around until the start --...

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Tips to get back into running

No matter how much you like to run, everyone takes a break from it from time to time. Sometimes it's because you just finished a marathon cycle. Sometimes it's because of injury, sickness, stress at work, vacation, and on and on.   When you get back into...

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Smarter cross-training in 1 chart

Cross-training has a bad reputation. It's not just something to do when you're injured and can't run. It can be a great way to supplement your running routine. Used correctly, it reduces injuries, helps you recover, and makes you a faster runner.   But not all cross-training...

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20 miles is NOT enough (but what is?)

"The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat" -- Bill Squires   Everyone agrees that the long run is a crucial part of your marathon training. What people DON'T agree on is how long your longest run needs to be. Look at cookie-cutter programs and you'll...

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How to set smarter running goals

As the fall racing season comes to a close, it’s time to start thinking about setting running goals for the new year. Of course, setting goals is easy -- but setting effective goals that keep you on track is harder. Use these guidelines to set...

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Time for your first marathon?

Deciding to run your first marathon is a big deal! When you sign up for your first marathon you're committing to a lot of time and a lot of hard work. To make sure that you give yourself the best chance to be successful and...

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Cross-train the Right Way

Cross-training can get a bad rap among runners. For a lot of us, the only time we're on an exercise bike or in the pool is when we're injured. So we start to associate those exercises with all kinds of negative thoughts and feelings. The...

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How racing a 5k can improve your marathon

I had a fun talk with Jay Johnson last night for an article I'm working on for Running Times. During the conversation, we got on a tangent about the fact that a lot of people who like to run marathons and half-marathons don't really race...

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Importance of hydration

Now that we're dead in the middle of the summer furnace, it's important to pay attention to your hydration. It may not sound exciting, but proper hydration will play a big part in your performance both in training and on race day. In fact, being 1%...

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Two approaches to hill workouts

Hill workouts are generally regarded as an effective and safe way to introduce the body to more high-intensity work.  But it can also be a great way to build strength and reduce injuries.  Because of this, everyone from beginners to elite runners can benefit by incorporating...

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