all stories

Keeping Your Cool

Competing in a triathlon can put you through the ringer physically as well as emotionally, especially when things go awry. But keeping a level head can be the difference between the finish line and disaster.

Speedwork for the 5K

Whether you’re yearning to spend less time running around the block or striving to be the best age-group runner in the area, those of us who put one foot in front of the other all wish we could be a bit quicker. Here is a proven program to improve your 5K speed.

Weight Training for Runners

There are several different types of resistance training equipment available to you in your local fitness club—free weights, Universal systems, Nautilus, Cam Systems, etc. They use different types of resistance: air pressure, fluid resistance, friction, pulleys, free weights, etc. 

Good Stretch? Bad Stretch?

Over the last few months our email server has been flooded with concerns about which stretches are good and which stretches are bad. In all cases someone has told the inquirer that they shouldn't do this stretch or that stretch, or that this is a good stretch and this is a bad stretch.

Easy Running Stretches and Flexibility Exercises

...guaranteed to improve your performance and do away with running injuries for good.

In & Out

Start conditioning now to get the most of your winter sports. Don’t let working out indoors get you down. These conditioning workouts will actually get you adequately prepped for that first snowfall when the games can begin outside.

 

Epic Rides: Be Prepared

There’s nothing like a good challenge. Cyclists always want to ride faster and go further. As you prepare to tackle epic rides where you’ll be out on the road for many hours traveling long distances, you’ll need to be prepared in areas beyond fitness alone. The implications of a mechanical failure or similar issue are more substantial when you’re 50 miles away from the ride start or nearest bike shop.

 

Side Stitches: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

A side stitch, also known as exercise related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), is one of the most annoying and painful conditions suffered by participants of sport and exercise. Although not considered a true sports injury, it has been estimated that 70% of regular runners suffered from a side stitch in the last 12 months.

Half Ironman Preparation

The following is a five-month Half Ironman training program to ramp up for a Half Ironman Triathlon. Shown below are mileage expectations for the build up period leading up to the race. Doing the mileage described probably won’t be enough to qualify you for Hawaii, but it will provide you with a solid foundation for a great racing experience. This is a general guideline. Depending on your skill sets, you will need to make some adjustments. For instance, if you are aquatically challenged, then you will need to do more yards than I have shown.

Training to Climb 14,000-Foot Peaks

It’s difficult to put into words the feeling of reaching the summit of a 14,000-foot peak, but a common response when asked is, “It is something you have to do.”

15 Essential Tips to Pursing your First Marathon

In her new book, Run Your First Marathon,Grete Waitz, nine-time winner of the New York City marathon, points out one of the wonderful draws of the marathon. “No matter who we are,” she writes, “at some point we are all first-time marathoners. All of us share that. That’s the beauty of the race — Olympians and all-comers share the same event.”