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10 Questions About Pregnancy and Marathon Training

By on March 31, 2015 in Health and Wellness, Safety

photo credit: Michael Hollander; Flickr Creative Commons

photo credit: Michael Hollander; Flickr Creative Commons

Many women have asked me if it’s possible to safely run and train for a marathon while pregnant.

This is a very important question and I’ve thought about dedicating a whole podcast episode to this topic.

Well, lo and behold I was recently invited to speak about this on the Run Run Live podcast. A big thanks to Chris Russell for having me on the show! You can hear me on episode 4-308.

Chris sent over 10 really great questions about pregnancy and running that he wanted me to tackle during the interview.

Here are the answers I gave based on my own experience of running through two pregnancies and the science I’ve read on this topic. Continue Reading →

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The Bizarre World of Race Cheaters

By on December 6, 2014 in Podcasts, Safety

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A day after the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, which I ran this year, it was reported that the first place woman was disqualified for an inconsistent time.

Tabatha Hamilton of nearby Trenton, GA had finished the race in 2:55:39 claiming first place.

Upon closer inspection the chip times didn’t add up. It turns out her first half split was 2:06:51 and her second half was run in 49 minutes (which is 9 minutes faster than the current men’s world record)!

Reading about his unfortunate news made me wonder how frequently cheating goes on in the racing world, specifically during marathons.
Continue Reading →

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How to Not Die During Marathon Training, Running

By on March 27, 2014 in Health and Wellness, Safety

how_to_not_dieMarathoner, professional writer and guest blogger Jeremy Verdusco explores what you can do to minimize the risk of dying at a marathon

I know. It sounds snarky, but this post comes from an earnest place. People in marathon training and long-runners in general, need to approach this sport with open eyes to the risks and dangers of pushing bodies to their limits. Just as important, runners need to assure friends and family that they’ve managed and minimized those risks.

This has jumped to the top of my mind for a couple reasons. Unfortunately, the first is a tragedy. Recently, Cameron Gallagher, a 16-year-old from Richmond, Va., died after crossing the finish line of the Virginia Beach Anthem Half-Marathon.

The second reason comes from the British Medical Journal. According to their research, the most likely person to die during a marathon is a “middle aged adult man” around the age of 41.

That’s me. Continue Reading →

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I Biffed It – Taking a Tumble While Running!

By on January 28, 2014 in Safety, Trail Running

Not to happy about tripping over this!

Not to happy about tripping over this!

Face it, if you run enough you are going to take a tumble.

If you run on trails the probability of falling goes up exponentially.

It happened to me for the first time about 4 days ago. I was speeding through a 5 mile trail run on a nice leafy path. During the final downhill section a root stub sticking out of ground about 2 inches caught my left foot. I immediately went horizontal.

If you could rewind the tape and play it in slow motion you would see the following: Continue Reading →

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Running in the Cold Without Killing Yourself

By on December 15, 2010 in Podcasts, Safety, Winter

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Cold weather can be depressing if you’re stuck inside all the time.

Running can be a great way to get out of the house, boost your mood, increase your energy level, and stay in shape.

However, you need to be more careful to have a safe and enjoyable running experience in cold weather.

Here are some things to consider before hitting the road. Continue Reading →

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Safety Tips for Runners

By on March 8, 2010 in Safety

safetyA couple of years ago I was on a morning run in a residential neighborhood. It was a fairly quiet street and I wasn’t concerned with the lack of a sidewalk or shoulder. A car approached and I didn’t become concerned until I realized that it was headed straight for me.

The distracted driver was applying makeup in her rear view mirror and I was forced to jump off the road into the ditch.  My heart was racing after that and I hope the driver learns to use her bathroom mirror in the future for any makeup application

Unfortunately, there are a lot of idiots out there on the road and runners need to learn how to avoid potential problems and protect themselves.

Runner’s World Magazine found that in 2009 there were more than 20 runners who were killed by cars or trucks. There is the additional risk of danger from the unsavory human element of society. It is always important to be alert and aware of potential problems. Here are some safety tips to follow. Continue Reading →

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Dog Safety

By on February 11, 2010 in Safety

dogIt was a beautiful fall day and I was about a mile into my run through the neighborhood. 

I was getting closer to a house that had a dog that had been threatening in the past (running up to the edge of his property and barking menacingly). 

I crossed the road to avoid a confrontation even as my heart rate sped up.  Indstead of stopping at the edge of his property like usual, the dog kept running toward me barking and growling.  I slowed to a walk and didn’t look at him, but it was to no avail. 

The dog bit the back of my thigh ripping a hole in my running pants.  Fortunately, he didn’t attack further so I got out of there as quickly as possible. 

When I got home I called animal control.  After describing what happened the officer went to the house and impounded the dog to make sure it was rabies free.  The outcome was fine and I wasn’t seriously injured, but that incident has made me hyper-aware of dog safety.  Here are some helpful tips I’ve found: Continue Reading →

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