Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about why so many new runners get injured or give up on running within a month or two of starting to run. Beginning runners feel overwhelmed with the amount of information out there, over-excited about running, and need to first lay the fitness foundation before starting an ambitious training [...]

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I’ve been a distance runner for 12 great years, transitioning from high school to college and now I’m training myself.  I started running about 20 miles per week and have gradually built up my endurance capacity to handle 90 miles during my peak training blocks.

It’s tough work if you want to be fast.  As my [...]

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Laying the Fitness Foundation: How to Skip the Intro Training Plan for Beginners

Have you ever met a successful runner who has only been running for a few months? I have. There are certain people who seem to jump into running and are able to perform at a competitive level. How do they do it? What’s their secret?
It’s not actually a secret. These people have a general fitness [...]

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Barefoot Running Research, Run Faster, and Free Shoes!

The barefoot running research continues to pile up. More and more studies, anecdotes, and experts are confirming what the minimalist camp has been preaching for years: barefoot running isn’t dangerous, it can make you faster, and it can prevent injuries.
When it comes to barefoot running for those training for a race, should you kick off [...]

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Race Recap: Sea Isle 10 Mile Run (Or, the Captain Bill Gallagher 10 Mile Island Run)

This past Saturday I raced the Sea Isle 10 Mile Run. It’s more formally known as the Captain Bill Gallagher 10 Mile Island Run but that’s a moutful. My fiancée usually runs this race every year and it’s become a tradition, much like the Tri for Our Veterans Sprint Triathlon.
I finished in 14th place with a [...]

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Running Recovery Extreme: How to Bounce Back From Hard Training Quickly

Wouldn’t you like to run hard workouts and long runs and be able to recover well for the next day? Now you can. I’m going to share my recovery routine that helps me bounce back from marathon prep workouts and hard speed sessions. It combines nutrition, dynamic exercises, and sleep techniques to help you recover [...]

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VO2 Max Testing and Ventilatory Threshold: I Need Your Help!

I recently participated in an exercise study that included VO2 Max Testing and measured several key indicators for endurance, including my ventilatory threshold. The endurance testing I did wasn’t specifically geared for performance improvement (it was measuring progenitor cells in my blood before and after exercise), but I gathered a lot of valuable information.
The problem [...]

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Fitz’s Training Journal: July 5th – August 8th, 2010

This training block went very well and I’m starting to feel very good running at faster speeds. As I come closer and closer to my peak race on August 14th – a 10 miler along the Jersey Shore (yes, that Jersey Shore) – I have started to reduce my mileage and focus more on faster [...]

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3 Marathon Workouts to Turbo Charge Your Marathon Training

Are you hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon? Maybe you’re trying to run another personal record at the Chicago Marathon. Whatever your marathon goals, I have several strategies for your marathon workouts that will take your training to the next level.
The marathon doesn’t have to be so intimidating. With the right training, and the [...]

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10 Running and Fitness Blogs to Help You Run Fast and Dominate Your Next Race

To be a better runner, you have to train well, stay healthy, and be absolutely dedicated.  How do you do all this?  Learn everything you can about running and leading a healthy lifestyle.  You’ll be able to design a great training program to get you ready for your next race, prevent injuries, and keep yourself [...]

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