Marathon Training

There is no other feeling quite like that of finishing a long run each week. I personally choose to complete mine on Saturday mornings with a rest day on Sunday. This means I can look forward to a relaxing weekend after all of my hard work. Plus the accomplishment I feel of bumping up those miles each week gets me jazzed knowing that I'm that much closer to achieving my marathon goal. And you know what's reminding me that...

Marathon runners experience a lot of positive effects both mentally and physically, such as a better mood, healthy heart, and toned physique. But marathon running is often far from glamorous. As much as you feel like showing off those tanned and toned legs, sometimes you're just as eager to keep your feet covered up. Callouses, for one, are a sure bet. But when your toenail starts turning black or when the toenail threatens...

One negative side effect of running can be getting caught up in the comparison trap. In a world of in your face social media, this has become even more difficult to avoid. Instead of focusing on being grateful for what we are able to do, comparison can make us feel like our personal accomplishments aren't enough. But sometimes in timed events such as a marathon, making comparisons or having an idea of an average can also...

The truth is that the majority of the population finds the thought of running 26.2 miles impossible, but that's just not true. If running a marathon is something you want to achieve, you have the ability to make it happen. Almost any healthy and active person can run a marathon. Though it won't be easy, given the right training, mindset, and dedication, crossing the finish line of a marathon is possible. Sticking to plan is...

I began running in 2001, and this is how I approached every single run. I would decide how far I was going to go, then lace up and head out the door to run the fastest pace I could hold for whatever particular distance I was doing. This type of training basically went on through my first two marathons and all the way until I started training for my 10-year return to the marathon distance. I'm sure somewhere along the way...

When you consider all the benefits of exercise, weight-control or weight-loss often top the list. Even as we find better whys for our exercise such as happiness, reaching a goal, overall health, or becoming stronger...weight is still a big factor in why people exercise. People who sign up for marathons have many different reasons for doing so. Losing weight might be one of them. Gaining weight during marathon training, on...

In my mid-20s, I ran my first two marathons. Even though as a Coloradoan I was training at altitude, I purposely chose marathons at sea level. My first was in Long Beach and my second was in Portland. I also had family connections to Portland but the fact that it was at sea level made it a lot easier for me to say yes. Marathons are daunting, am I right?! I'm up for a lot more challenges these days, but back then I felt like...

When you make the decision to run a marathon, you know it's going to be tough. It's quite possibly one of the hardest things you will ever put yourself through. It is the culminating event in which you showcase months of hard work, test your mental will, and find out if your training was enough. Though you're excited for what's to come, it's only natural that self-doubt starts to creep in as the race draws closer. Being...

Marathon runners are usually divided into two camps when it comes to treadmills. Some fall into the "can't live without it" category while others avoid it at all costs. Where most of them agree, however, is that outdoor running is a necessary component in marathon training. But, what if taking your runs outdoors just isn't really possible? Or, perhaps you just feel most comfortable on your treadmill and would choose it over...