Every hobby has its own secret language, but runners take it to a whole new level. To an outsider, a conversation between two marathoners sounds less like a fitness chat and more like a bizarre medical emergency mixed with structural engineering. If you've ever overheard someone at a coffee shop talking about "fartleks" or "bonking" and wondered what on earth they were doing on the weekends, this one is for you. Let's decode the strangest, funniest running terms that most peo

There is a specific kind of dread known only to runners waking up for a summer morning long run, stepping outside, and realizing the air feels less like oxygen and more like warm bathwater. Running in high humidity is a completely different beast than running in dry heat. When the air is saturated with moisture, your body's primary cooling mechanism breaks down. But if you handle it right, "soup season" can become your secret training weapon. Here is what is actually happenin

In the world of endurance training, it is easy to fall into the trap of uniformity. We often find a routine that feels productive and repeat it indefinitely, hoping that consistency alone will lead to a breakthrough. However, the true catalysts for performance gains—whether you are chasing a new half marathon personal best or preparing for your next ultra—often lie in how effectively you oscillate between training intensities. Alternating weekly between high-intensity speed i

Everyone who follows me knows I have started my sourdough journey. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it! I loved learning how to make bread from scratch, being self-sufficient, not worrying about toxins in my food, and so many more things. It feels good to learn something new, especially when it come with such great benefits - both mentally and physically. Every runner knows the anxiety of the pre-race meal. You need the carbohydrates to top off your glycogen stores, but st

Last weekend, I raced for the first time in about a year and a half. My last race was the Burn Run in 2024, which sounds and feels like it was forever ago. Shortly after that race, I was sidelined for a year. I had shin pain, that was more of an inflamed feeling, like my shin was simmering if I would stand for too long or after I ran. I tried to come back a couple of times, but at some point, I would reach the conclusion that I was doing more harm than good. Eventually I was

In the world of distance running, there is a persistent, whispering myth: Lighter is faster. It’s a siren song that leads many athletes to cut calories in hopes of hitting a PR. But here is the cold, hard truth—your body is not a calculator; it’s a biological engine. When you stop putting gas in the tank, the engine doesn’t just run slower; it starts to dismantle itself for spare parts. This physiological state is known as Low Energy Availability (LEA), and when it becomes ch

Every year, I see a familiar surge of energy in the running community. It’s not just the pre-race jitters; it's the "New Year, New Body" mentality that often creeps in alongside our marathon and half-marathon training blocks. As a sports nutritionist, I am all for ambition. I love goals. I live for optimizing performance through fuel. But I am deeply troubled by a persistent, toxic trend that seems to have a stronger chokehold on endurance athletes than any elite pacer: The

In the world of running, the final weeks leading up to a race are crucial. You've put in the miles, endured the tough workouts, and now it's time to refine your strategy. A key concept to grasp is the you can still gain fitness up to 10 days before your race. However, after that point, your body needs to recover and adapt, so additional hard workouts are more likely to be detrimental. You’re standing 10 days before race day , wondering: “Can I still get fitter?” Great questi

Every time your foot hits the ground, your body absorbs force. Not a little. Not casually. A lot. Whether you're cruising through an easy five miles or hammering a tempo session, each step produces ground reaction forces that can reach 2–3 times your body weight . Over the course of a run, that’s thousands of loading cycles your muscles, tendons, bones, and fascia must manage. And here’s the thing: impact isn’t the enemy. Mismanaged force is. What Is Ground Contact Force? Whe

Running isn’t just miles and medals. It’s identity. It’s rebellion. It’s healing. It’s community. And sometimes, the best way to remember why we lace up is to watch someone else do it on screen. Here are some of the most powerful running films — the ones that remind us what this sport is really about. 🎬 1. Chariots of Fire (1981) If you’ve ever felt like running was tied to something deeper than fitness, this film will hit home. Following Olympians Eric Liddell and Harold Ab

From a running coach who has seen a lot of winter runs go sideways. If you’ve ever stepped outside on a cold morning, started running at what should feel easy, glanced at your watch, and thought, “Why is my heart rate doing THAT?” — welcome. You’re not broken. Winter just changes the rules. Cold weather doesn’t just make running uncomfortable. It places real demands on your cardiovascular system, and if you train by pace year-round, winter can feel confusing fast. This is w

For decades, the blueprint for endurance success—the intervals, the tapering strategies, and the fueling protocols—has been built on a foundation of data derived almost exclusively from men. If you are a female runner, cyclist, or triathlete, there is a high statistical probability that the training plan you are following was designed for a body that doesn't share your hormonal profile or physiological baseline.

Honestly after last year, I did not think it could get much worse. I missed like the first four months of running, and then finally got around to training in June, but I still pulled it all together for a great Fall racing season, and this year seemed like it was going to be the same except nothing came out of it. There was no good training block, and there were no good races. Actually, there were no races. I only had two small periods when I ran at all, and the first one end

You've just crushed your run! 💪 The finish line is crossed, and that post-run bliss is setting in. But wait! Before you collapse on the...

Written by Lauren The Jungfrau Marathon is held on the first weekend of September in Interlaken, Switzerland. This tough mountain race is...

If you’re passionate about running, you’ve probably heard about free radicals and antioxidants. But what exactly are free radicals, and...

After months and months, I did finally attempt to run, and it was amazing. Just in the first few steps I felt so happy and free. It was only a like 15 seconds later when I started to feel my shin. Not necessarily bad, but I knew it was there, but I came to do my mile, and I did it.

When I hit the aid station at 3.50mi, the ladies volunteering were legit rays of sunshine. They were so sweet and supportive! They cheered everyone in with a cowbell and hoots and hollers, and every time they reviewed the spread of goodies, and offered to help with whatever we needed. The station itself was super stocked!! Cola, Ginger Ale, Water, Gatorade, pickles, sweet treats, salty treats...and wait for it...SALT POTATOES!!!

Training for a marathon is a thrilling and transformative journey, but it’s not always a smooth ride. Every athlete, no matter how experienced, faces a variety of challenges along the way. The good news is that these obstacles are not insurmountable.

In the world of sports and athletics, performance hinges on numerous factors, from training techniques to nutrition. However, one element often overlooked is sleep. Sleep is not just a recovery tool—it's a performance enhancer.