No matter how many times you complete it or how fast you run, the marathon is always a challenge. Likewise, marathon training is always a puzzle of figuring out exactly how hard to push yourself to improve - without pushing yourself so hard that you overtrain or resent running by race day. On one end of the spectrum, you have cookie-cutter plans or overly rigorous methods. You must run six days per week, 60 miles per week, to run a marathon. You must spend 18 weeks training. On the other ...
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Ask a Running Coach: Long Runs
The long run appears simple: you run for a long time. But whether you are a novice or experienced runner, first time half marathoner or seasoned ultra runner, you likely know that long runs are not always as simple as they seem. I put out a call for questions about long runs on Instagram and Facebook. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions on long runs. Before I answer the questions, it is essential to define the long run. The primary purpose of the long run ...
How Accurate is the Indoor Run Mode on Garmin?
A common question I receive from many of my athletes regards treadmill running - a question that I’ve had myself and you have possibly had as well. Most runners use a Garmin or other GPS watch to track their runs - it’s a commonplace piece of gear for a majority of runners. The Run Indoor setting on many Garmins allows you to track and record your treadmill run, just as you would an outdoor run. However, several of the runners I coach ask me about the accuracy of the Garmin Run Indoor mode. More ...
Ask a Running Coach: Easy Runs
Easy runs are featured in a majority of training plans (with exceptions being plans similar Run Less, Run Faster). The concept sounds simple enough - you run at an easy effort - but concepts and reality can diverge. Easy runs can be one of the trickiest aspects of training for some runners to master. Today's Ask a Running Coach answers several questions I have received about easy runs. How do I know if I'm going easy enough on my easy runs? You can use three metrics to ...
Common Winter Running Problems
From snow and ice to negative degree wind chills, winter running presents several difficulties to runners - especially if you hate the treadmill and want to run outdoors. From itchy red skin to picking out the right winter running gear, these are some questions I’ve received as a running coach about common winter running problems - and the answers to how you can solve them. Remember that each runner is an individual and will respond to cold weather differently! Above all else, prioritize ...