At one point in my running coach training course, the instructor asked us to raise our hands if we'd ever been injured. Every single person in that room raised their hands. If you've been running for longer than a few months, chances are you've had at least a mild running injury. And, you probably … [Read more...]
Turkey Trot Training Plan + Tips for Beginners
Fall is upon us, which means it's almost time for Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots in the US! Turkey Trots are a great way to get in some exercise before a big day of eating, and they're a wonderful way to start running and develop healthy exercise habits before the holidays. Today I'm sharing an 8 … [Read more...]
What I Wish I’d Known When I Started Running
We learn so much over years and years of participating in an activity. Unfortunately a lot of us make avoidable mistakes that countless others have also made. I have learned a LOT about running through years of training, and even more after reading every running book I could get my hands on (yes, … [Read more...]
What is a Tempo Run and Why Should I Do Them?
If you've been running for a while, or even if you've been doing a good amount of reading about running, you've probably heard about tempo runs. But, you might be asking yourself, exactly what is a tempo run and why would they benefit my training? Tempo runs can make running at certain faster speeds … [Read more...]
Foam Rolling Basics for Runners
The foam roller is something that I think all runners love to hate. Using a foam roller during hard training brings new meaning to the phrase "hurts so good." Massaging out your muscles can help break up adhesions and knots in the muscles and can also help stimulate blood flow to the muscles and … [Read more...]
Burnt Out on Running? Try These Fixes.
When I first started running, I couldn't get enough. I spent all of my free time reading everything I could get my hands on about running. I learned about tempo runs, cross training, and the ten percent rule. I ate, breathed, and slept running. That love lasted for well over a year, until I started … [Read more...]
Best Tips for Preventing Running Injuries
I remember when I took my RRCA running coach training and we got to our section about injuries, our trainer asked us to raise our hand if we had ever gotten a running injury. Everyone in the room raised his or her hand. So, if runners relatively injury-prone, it makes sense that we should be … [Read more...]
How to Choose a Running Training Plan
Choosing the right training plan for your running can be pretty daunting, especially if you're not working one-on-one with a running coach who writes the plan for you based on your needs. There are a lot of factors to consider when finding the perfect plan for you and your needs, and you may not … [Read more...]
How to Find a Race to Run
If you read my post from last week, you know I'm trying to put together a "racing" schedule (I use that term loosely since I'm primarily racing against myself). However, if you live in a larger metro area like I do (Chicago love!), you might have an overwhelming number of options to choose … [Read more...]
Are You Ready to Run a Marathon?
Running a marathon is a big deal. Not only is the act of running the marathon tough on your body, but training takes its toll, too. If you're smart, you'll wait until you're mentally and physically prepared to train for a marathon before you sign up for your first one. But, how do you know when … [Read more...]