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12 Strategies to Prevent and Self-Treat Muscle Cramping

By on June 16, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Injury

RunningInjuryOnCalfMuscle cramping and spasming can significantly derail your best intentioned race plans.

A muscle cramp or spasm is a sudden, involuntary, and typically severe muscle contraction.

Thankfully, it’s very rare for a muscle spasm or cramp to permanently damage the muscle. However, the cramp or spasm can produce mild to excruciating pain. The pain can be very short lived or linger for days after a severe episode.

Unfortunately, muscle cramping can affect your performance. Common causes of muscle cramping include overexertion, prolonged immobility, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Continue Reading →

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Low Back Pain Prevention for Runners

By on May 14, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Injury

StandingBackExtensionsLow back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent medical conditions treated in the United States and throughout the western world.

It is also the most common source of pain for runners. Runners often suffer from low back pain due to prolonged sitting and weak core muscles.

LBP can be safely self-treated if you handle your pain and symptoms quickly. In this post you will learn how to implement prevention strategies during exercise in order to avoid episodes of LBP. Continue Reading →

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20 Running Mantras

By on April 15, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Motivation

run_mantra.001
Runners repeatedly feed their mind with inspirational, motivational and even humorous sayings during long-distance training runs or races.

During my first marathon somewhere around Mile 16, I heard a bystander repeating to all the runners who came by her, “You can and you will.”

I really didn’t know what a mantra was at that point, but I kept repeating it in my head, and it turned out to be a mantra that I still use today.

Continue Reading →

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9 Tips to Self-Treat Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

By on April 9, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Injury

ITBandMobilizationRunners will often develop Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) after running on uneven terrain or downhill.

The pain, located on the lateral (outside) leg or knee, can be very debilitating to the point that running or hiking activities have to be stopped.

Even walking becomes difficult. If you handle your pain and symptoms quickly, ITBS can be easily self-treated.

This post will help you discover the risk factors for ITBS, and learn how to quickly return to your running routine with these self-treatment techniques. Continue Reading →

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How to Self-Treat Plantar Fasciitis

By on March 26, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Injury

PlantarFasciitisExercisePlantar fasciitis, a very painful and debilitating condition, is commonly experienced by runners in the spring as many runners begin to taper up mileage in preparation for the spring and early summer racing season.

A sudden increase in mileage along with a transition from indoor running (either on a track or treadmill) onto harder surfaces (such as concrete or asphalt) can cause microscopic injury to the plantar fascia.

This results in swelling and pain. Plantar fasciitis is more common in older runners, but it can occur to anyone at any age. It typically begins as a mild discomfort which grows steadily and quickly to the point that a person may struggle to walk, stand, and especially run.

In this post you will discover the risk factors for plantar fasciitis, and learn how to quickly return to your running routine with these self-treatment techniques. Continue Reading →

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Positivity, Inspiration Drive Busy Single Mom

By on February 24, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Half Marathon

Davonda Family-22Davonda Williams balances raising her daughter, fulfilling her job and maintaining her fitness as she aims to finish half-marathons in the U.S. and Europe.

By Henry Howard

Ask Davonda Williams about how she got started running and she laughs. Williams then goes on to explain about a man she used to date who was “always talking about his ex-girlfriend” who was a runner.

“And it started to irritate me,” Williams says cheerfully. “So the first 5K I signed up for was more about me being able to say, ‘Hey, I can run too!’ I am going to show him. And show her. And show everybody.” Continue Reading →

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Top Running Stories of 2014

By on December 26, 2014 in Guest Perspective

2014It’s been quite a year for the running community — from glory in Boston to disbelief in South Africa.

By Henry Howard

With 2014 winding to a close, many news organizations look back with “top 10” lists of the best, worst or some other categorization.

As runners, we have our own personal top achievements from the past year. Maybe it was a PR, finishing a new race distance or winning an age group. Or perhaps pushing through or recovering from an injury.

But as I reflected on the past year, there seemed to be quite a few running related stories that carried impact that will last beyond 2014. The resilience of the Boston Marathon community to host a terrific race one year after the terrorist bombing. The death of a beloved Olympic athlete and war hero. And Deena Kastor’s half marathon record.

These aren’t in any particular order — I’ll let history decide on the significance of each. But to me, these are the top running stories from the past year. Continue Reading →

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Home Gyms: Are They Worth It?

By on December 12, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Sponsored Post

Posted December 8th 2021.

Health and fitness should be simple and practical. From moving with meaning to lifting the weights with efficiency and perfect form, that is how improving your physical fitness should be. On the other hand, packing your stuff in a bag, climbing in your car, and traveling for miles just to go to your gym is not. Continue Reading →

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Musician Conquers Alcoholism, Then Ultras

By on November 13, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Motivation

10003585_10204714372890015_6944650481230729807_o-2Just running wasn’t enough for Ryan Deguzis to break his addiction. It did play a role, however, and now he is loving life and giving back.

By Henry Howard

MTA member Ryan Deguzis has a lot going for him: he’s a classical musician, teaches students, has a steady girlfriend and recently finished his first ultra marathon.

But it wasn’t always like this. Like millions of Americans from all walks of life — millionaires to soccer moms — Deguzis battled an addiction to alcohol. He’s been sober for 3 ½ years now.

“Running was one of the things that helped me escape alcoholism,” he says. Continue Reading →

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Do Muscle Scraper Really Work?

By on June 22, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Sponsored Post

Published on June 22, 2023

What is Muscle Scraper?

A muscle scraper, also known as a gua sha tool and soft tissue mobilization tool, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) tool, It is often made of stone, jade, or stainless steel. Muscle scrapers are used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve pain, improve circulation, and promote healing. In the western world people also known it as a Graston tool, Use for break up adhesions, scar tissue, and fascial restrictions. Muscle scraper used by many practitioners on muscle therapy such as massage therapist, athletic trainer, physical therapist and personal trainers. Continue Reading →

I Should Not Be a Runner

By on June 18, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Motivation

Eyrn_LynumGuest blogger Eryn Lynum shares her epic journey of finding life, health, and running after Addison’s disease and anorexia.

I should not be a runner.

In fact, there are a lot of things I should not be. I should not be a mother. I should not be a writer. I should not be healthy. I should not even be alive.

When I was fourteen years old my adrenal glands gave up on me. Or rather they put up one heck of a fight yet lost their arduous battle against my very confused immune system, which attacked them until they were completely destroyed.

Never again would I feel the heart throbbing thrill that rushes through your veins as you peak the top of a roller coaster, and then let gravity have its way as you race back to the bottom. Never again would I take a simple ride in an elevator without an inevitable and debilitating dizzy spell at the end. Never again could I trust my body to come to my rescue with its “fight or flight” response when I was in a bind and needed just that extra bit of super strength or endurance. Continue Reading →

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