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7 Tips to Quickly become Heat Acclimated for Your Race

By on July 31, 2018 in Guest Perspective, Race Day, Safety

Running and exercising in warmer weather tends to be more taxing on your body and requires more energy to remain cool.

Most running experts suggest performance impairments of between 1.6% and 3% in marathon times for every 10 degrees above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact ideal temperature (approximately 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit) is debatable and based also on humidity.

When you’re not acclimatized to running in heat, it takes even more effort to keep your running pace. This increases your risk of muscle cramping, bonking (hitting the wall), and/or being unable to maintain your goal pace (which leads to a longer finishing time). Continue Reading →

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How Do Boston Qualifying Times Work?

By on June 3, 2018 in Listener Question, Race Day

Here’s a great question we received from a listener named Anthony. We featured it in the quick tip segment of podcast #250.

“I really enjoy the web site and podcast, very inspirational. I finished my first half marathon in 2007 at age 45 with a time of 2:07. I stuck with it through the years and recently achieved a BQ at the Manchester marathon with a time of 3.35.47 a 6 and a half minute pb. I am in the 55-59 age category. What are the chances of this time getting an entry into the 2019 Boston Marathon? Keep up the amazing work.” Anthony

Here’s my best explanation: Continue Reading →

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Boston Marathon 2018, Staying Tough in Brutal Conditions!

By on April 22, 2018 in History, Podcasts, Race Day

Elite women at the 2018 Boston Marathon


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Weather conditions were completely miserable at the 2018 Boston Marathon. This included constant rain, cold, and winds hitting the runners at 25 mph! In this episode we give you an overview of this year’s race, plus we’ll tell you how to stay strong during tough marathon conditions.
Continue Reading →

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How to Deal with Post-Race Blues

By on February 15, 2018 in Motivation, Race Day

Post race blues or even mild post race depression is not something that gets talked about in the running community that much but it’s a very common phenomenon.

People are more likely to talk about feeling like a rock star crossing the finish line, having a sense of euphoria or super powers post race, pride, a generalized relaxation, calmness, relief and a mental high.

But often these good sensations start fading anywhere from a few hours to a few days post race and you’re left feeling anything but great. You’d think that post race blues might only happen after a disappointing or horrible race but it can also happen after conquering a new distance or an amazing PR. It can also happen to some people during periods of injury or hitting a plateau in training. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Bart Yasso -Race Everything!

By on October 23, 2017 in Books, Interview, Podcasts, Race Day

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Bart Yasso is the Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine and author of the new book Race Everything -How to Conquer Any Race at Any Distance.

He will retire from Runner’s World this December after 30 years at the magazine. As Chief Running Officer he travelled to 45-50 race events per year and has personally completed over 1,000 races!

In this episode’s quick tip segment, Coach Angie answers a listener question about how to decrease pre-race anxiety. Continue Reading →

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Race Day as a Slow Runner

By on April 5, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Race Day, Slow Runner


A runner is a runner is a runner. In my last post, I talked about how speed doesn’t make the “runner,” the act of running does. That said, there are certain aspects of the sport that are different for us back-of-packers.

Since training runs are generally self-driven, all runners learn to accommodate their specific needs during those runs and it’s only when we have to rely on others that these needs become complicated. This makes race day a tad more interesting to navigate. Continue Reading →

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How to Study the Marathon Course in Advance to be Confident on Race Day

By on September 21, 2016 in Race Day

screen-shot-2016-09-22-at-12-40-08-amBefore each marathon there are a few simple things I do to get a solid idea what the course will be like.

This takes a lot of stress out of my mind when I get to the starting line.

Sometimes I work with my coaching clients to develop a race day strategy based on the course profile (elevation gain, hills, aid stations, out-and-backs, etc.).

Your study of the course doesn’t need to be that involved. Just start with these five things. Continue Reading →

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How to Keep it Fun at Your Next Marathon

By on June 15, 2016 in Beginner, Race Day

photo credit: Jeff Moriarty; Flickr CC

photo credit: Jeff Moriarty; Flickr CC

While pursing my goal of running a marathon in all 50 states (I just finished California), I’m reminded of the importance of having fun at these races.

Maybe you’re feeling nervous about your upcoming race. It’s typical to have pre-race nerves. If you’re not trying to PR or BQ why not take the pressure off and just run for fun?

Here are five tips for keeping it fun . . . Continue Reading →

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Race Day Kit: What to Bring to a Marathon

By on May 19, 2016 in Gear, Race Day

My race day kit prior to the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler last year. Click to enlarge

My race day kit prior to the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler last year. Click to enlarge

We’ve all experienced that pre-race anxiety –wondering if you’ve trained enough, tapered enough, brought everything you need, and if your alarm clock will go off at the right time.

There are some things that you can’t control about your race experience. But being prepared with a race day kit can help make your run a lot more comfortable.

You’ll also have the peace of mind knowing that you didn’t forget anything important. Continue Reading →

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What To Do The Day Before A Marathon

By on February 17, 2016 in Beginner, Guest Perspective, Race Day

image2You’ve trained hard and prepared for this challenge. Now as the minutes tick down to the start of the race, nerves rattle and questions mount. Here are some tips to help you get to the starting line.

By Henry Howard

In a few weeks, I will be at the starting line of my 12th marathon. Even though the past 11 marathons have taught me a lot, I will undoubtedly feel a bit of nerves at the starting line.

Did I train the best I could have? Is my nutrition plan solid? Are those Oreos I ate a month ago going to affect my performance?

Of course, the starting line is way too late to make any adjustments that will create a better outcome. That’s why all the training, tapering and recovering are so crucial. But in the final 24 hours, there are some ways that runners can help themselves. Continue Reading →

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