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The Case for Urinals at Starting Lines

By on January 5, 2016 in Guest Perspective

542 - Public Urinal frontin the Dept of JusticeHere’s something we’ve never talked about on the MTA blog -contributed by MTA fan Adolfo Salgueiro.

I had the opportunity to visit Europe recently and of course I looked for a race. I was going to be in The Hague, Netherlands, and God smiled at me with the Den Haag Marathon on the exact same weekend I was there. I ran the half. It was an unbelievable experience. The most beautiful course in one of the prettiest and quaintest cities I’ve ever visited.

But one of the memories that has endured from my experience in the Den Haag race is kind of a weird one. The urinals at the starting area, which was in a public park. Yes, urinals. And not just at the starting line but also in many public places as permanent structures throughout several cities in The Netherlands. Continue Reading →

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From Freak Achilles Injury to Ultramarathoner

By on January 2, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Injury, Interview, Ultramarathon

Relay Iowa start (1)A pool accident sidelined Jill Becker as she transitioned from high school to college running. She’s fought back with patience and perseverance, and now runs faster and longer than before.

By Henry Howard

Jill Becker found her passion — running — when she joined the middle school track team. Later, she excelled on the high school cross-country and track teams.

“First off, I love to run,” she says. “I love the feeling. The ups and downs. The runner’s high, the accomplishment, the health benefits, the challenge, being a motivator, my idea time, my focus time, and it’s part of my routine. I enjoy challenging myself, pushing my limits, and the process of being the best I can be!”

A freak accident before Becker started college gave her the challenge of a lifetime. Continue Reading →

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Running Miles and Miles for Charity

By on December 24, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

CBU-2014-etape3-0289By his own estimation Adrian May is an “average runner.”

He started slow, signing up for 5Ks and similar shorter distances.

Then, based on a gym manager’s encouragement, May eventually signed up for half marathons and a marathon, even though he didn’t think he could finish.

Now, seemingly no distance is too challenging for May. But his efforts are not just about him, they are focused squarely on the charity — Hope for Children — that he supports through his running quests. Continue Reading →

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How to Best Transition to Trail Running

By on December 15, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Trail Running

RunOver the river and through the woods will take runners on a journey often more satisfying than a road run. Here’s what to know before you take to the trails.

By Henry Howard

If you are like me, you started out running on the roads or a treadmill. Your first race was probably a 5K on a paved road or maybe a paved trail in a community park.

Since those early days, I have gravitated toward running trails.

In fact, three of my nine long-distance races this year were trail runs — my first full marathon on a trail in Wisconsin, as well as two half marathons, one at night and one during the morning.

Continue Reading →

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How to Self-Treat Posterior Tibialis Pain

By on December 6, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Injury

FallenArchesThe most common cause of pain along the inside (medial) portion of your ankle when running may also be associated with the most common reason for adult acquired flatfoot.

It’s likely something most of us haven’t ever heard of before. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), also known as posterior tibial tendon syndrome or tibialis posterior syndrome, can develop into a tibialis posterior tendon insufficiency which causes a fallen arch. Continue Reading →

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Does Compression Gear Really Work?

By on December 1, 2015 in Gear, Guest Perspective

IMG_2927By Henry Howard

There are varying points of view on whether compression socks actually help athletes, or whether they are merely a placebo.

By a fairly wide margin, online reviewers credit compression gear for assisting their recovery from hard workouts, providing endurance athletes support throughout competition and following through on promises of wicking away sweat. Continue Reading →

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How My Dad Coached Me Through My First Marathon

By on November 27, 2015 in Beginner, Guest Perspective

383084_211432644_XLargeLast March I decided to start running pretty much on a whim. My Dad had signed up for the NYC Marathon, having already had run NYC and Philadelphia in recent years.

Throughout my childhood, I remember my Dad and his running. Running when we were on vacations, in extreme heat, and in icy temperatures during the frigid New Jersey winters.

My Dad was one of those crazy runners you hear about sometimes, never wanting to skip a day. To give an example, my Dad went out for a run during Hurricane Sandy as not to mess with his training schedule.

So one night last March, I asked my Dad whether or not he thought I could run the marathon. He said,

“Anybody could run a marathon if they put in the training,”

Continue Reading →

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Blind Runner Cherishes NYC Marathon Finish

By on November 22, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Motivation

NYC Marathon Finish GroupCharles-Edouard Catherine lost his sight three years ago. But thanks to his persuasive wife, Achilles International and others, he is achieving his dreams.

By Henry Howard

For many first-time marathoners, the first glimpse of the finish line signals the end of an incredible journey.

Charles-Edouard Catherine never saw the finish line as he approached then crossed the timing mat at the end of 26.2 miles at the New York City Marathon.

Three years ago, Catherine lost his sight — and with it his self-esteem and motivation. Continue Reading →

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The Birth of Altra Shoes

By on November 6, 2015 in Gear, Guest Perspective, Interview

IMG_7027 (3)Champion runner Golden Harper uses his passion for helping injured runners, homemade ingenuity and thoughtful research to create a unique, beloved brand.

By Henry Howard

When you run before you can walk, you were born to be a runner.

When you win a world championship at age 8, your running future is bright.

When your parents own a running store where you start working at age 9, you learn quite a bit about sneakers, running form and injuries.

Put it all together, and you have Golden Harper, champion runner and founder of Altra Shoes. Continue Reading →

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Inaugural Race a Labor of Love for First-Time Director

By on November 3, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Review

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 10.07.00 PMThe Laughlin/Bullhead Half Marathon and 5K offers participants the chance to run in two states and two time zones.

By Henry Howard

The clock is winding down to the inaugural Laughlin/Bullhead Half Marathon and 5K race, taking place in both Nevada (Laughlin) and Arizona (Bullhead) and in two different time zones.

This is also race director Mark Villalovos’ first time overseeing a race. It’s been quite the journey, as he says. I’ll step out of the way and let him talk about his journey, the race itself and more. Continue Reading →

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Review: Tailwind as a Race-Day Fuel Source

By on October 28, 2015 in Fueling, Guest Perspective, Nutrition

IMG_2945The electrolyte mix will replace calories and energy without giving the endurance athlete the dreaded sugar crash or bonk.

By Henry Howard

Jennifer Vierling knows the challenges endurance athletes face: the need to replenish lost calories, energy and electrolytes with something that will sustain and hydrate them throughout the event.

Vierling became hooked on cycling when she rode 6 miles from the Charleston airport to the KOA campground to begin a weeklong cycling tour. She put in many miles including RAAM qualifiers and Paris-Brest-Paris, while also supporting her husband, Jeff, as he competed in long-distance cycling events.

They turned their love for endurance sports into a solution for athletes when they created and co-founded Tailwind Nutrition mix and launched their company in 2012. The company actually got started when Jeff ran into nutrition challenges while competing at the Leadville 100 mountain-biking event. Continue Reading →

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