While some runners say stretching is vital to performance and muscle health, others conclude that more dynamic warmups benefit a good run over stretching.
Taking a look at how muscles work together, what stretching really does for the body, and when it is best performed, this quick guide can help answer some of your most pressing stretching questions: Continue Reading →
Want a non-stop stream of advice? Mention to your (marathoner) husband and (marathoner) brother that you need a training plan for your first marathon. Then sit back and listen to the contradictions roll in:
Run slow to go fast.
You need to up your pace if you’re going to finish in that time.
Your easy runs should be REALLY easy.
If I were coaching you, I would definitely push you more on your long runs.
Pain in the lateral (outside) of the hip or leg can be associated with a condition known as hip bursitis or trochanteric bursitis. This condition is almost always a repetitive motion injury, but it could also be initially caused by direct trauma. In the case of a runner, the condition is most likely a repetitive overuse injury.
As an overuse injury, hip bursitis is caused by repetitive friction over the greater trochanter of the hip bone (which ultimately leads to pain). This excessive friction is almost always due to faulty biomechanics. In this case, it’s faulty running mechanics.
Continue Reading →
Pounding the pavement can quickly come to a halt when you start to feel sharp pangs radiating through your heel.
Heel pain is a common complaint of many runners and it is largely caused by injuries including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. Continue Reading →
I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty reasonable person. Turns out I’m not. Go figure!
Other than occasional (failed) attempts to add jogging to my (then non-existent) exercise routine, I started running in 2013.
On a whim, my husband signed up for the Vermont City Marathon and in the spirit of spousal support (and perhaps a little co-dependence), I recruited friends to join me in a five-person relay. I trudged through hours on a treadmill at the gym that winter, slowly building up to what –at the time – seemed like the ungodly distance of 6.2 miles. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But I did it. Continue Reading →
Have you ever wondered why some runners seem to always get injured while others are resilient and seemingly bullet proof?
Injury can be the biggest obstacle you face when trying to be healthy. Acknowledging that you’re injury prone is the first step. Instead of letting the fear of getting hurt stop you from achieving your goals, learn how to take precautions and become a resilient runner. Continue Reading →
Here’s a great question that came in for the recent MTA podcast episode on Injury.
In this Q & A, I discuss Active Release Therapy (ART) and the importance of getting to the root cause of Piriformis Pain.
The Piriformis is a very important muscle in the buttock region. It helps to stabilize the pelvis and femur (the long leg bone) and rotates the leg outward.
It is also a common location for pain! Continue Reading →
We were standing in a parking lot, bibs pinned to our shirts, warming up, making final trips to the porta-potties, contemplating if we wanted to drop any last-minute layers off in our checked bags.
It was race morning of our latest greatest half marathon and there were about 12 of us, all Crossfit athletes, all in great shape. We were chatting race strategy, trying to take the edge off the pre-race nerves. “Ugh.” Said one of the guys, “It’s gonna be a slow day for me.”
“Oh yea? How slow?” I asked, thinking that maybe we could run together. Continue Reading →
Is your running form suffering from bad posture? How you sit, stand, and carry yourself off the pavement has a big impact on your own body mechanics and running efficiency when you’re on the pavement. Spinal alignment, balanced and flexible hips, and limber, pain-free muscles are a postural recipe for successful running technique that can make a big difference in your next marathon. Continue Reading →
The globe-trotting ultra marathoner brings a wealth of experience and similar coaching philosophy to the Marathon Training Academy coaching group.
Sports had always been a part of Dominique Hamel’s life. Collegiate soccer. Basketball AAA.
Then life took over and she became busy with her three daughters and career, working as an economist with the Canadian government. She felt overweight and exhausted.
Thanks to a friend’s inspiration, Hamel took up running and has now finished nearly 60 marathons and 13 ultras. Now, the newest Marathon Training Academy coach is looking to inspire other runners. Continue Reading →
Injury can quickly sideline any runner by causing pain, frustration, and disappointment over lost training days and unmet goals.
Injuries can be classified as accidental or as a result of overuse.
Some injuries occur due to accidents (such as tripping or falling). Accidents are unfortunate, but mostly random. Using common sense can help you to avoid repeating similar injuries.
Overuse and overload type injuries are preventable if you reduce your risks. Let me explain . . . Continue Reading →
Catching a cold just before a race is a real bummer! If you’re not ready to miss your half marathon because of a head cold here’s what to do . . . Continue Reading →
