Running a sub 3 hour marathon is a dream for many runners. It’s a lofty goal, and there’s something magical about the even ‘3 hour’ mark. 2:59 sound so much more impressive than 3:01 – as if you’ve broken through some barrier. But how hard is it to finish sub-3? You’ll find a wide range … Read more
Before you get started with marathon training, there’s a simple but important question that you should ask yourself: where should you run? It almost seems silly. I mean, you can run anywhere, right? Well, you can. But it helps to put some thought into planning your regular routes. The choices that you make about where … Read more
A common question among would be marathoners is: How much time does marathon training take? Before taking the plunge, casual runners may look at experienced marathoners and think, “Gee, they spend all their time training! I can’t do that!” True, marathon training is a commitment. Success relies on consistency, and that may mean making some … Read more
Heat and humidity are performance killers when it comes to long distance running. This holds especially true with an event like a marathon. So what do you do when race day gets close and the weather looks terrible? Do you cry and just stay in bed? No. Do you defer to another race? Possibly, if … Read more
Fall marathons are great. When it’s time to race, the temperatures are cooling off. There’s only one problem. You need to train through the summer – when heat and humidity can make your life miserable. As much as you might not always like running in the summer – or the winter – weather, you will … Read more
I saw a post on r/AdvancedRunning recently, in which the OP asked, essentially, “When can I run after a marathon?” It’s a common question. Any race requires some recovery – and a marathon is a race unlike any other (except of course the even more demanding ultra-marathons). Perhaps because of the daunting nature of the … Read more
In r/AdvancedRunning this week, I saw a question related to Jack Daniels’ Running Formula. I’m a fan of JD, and so I often answer these types of questions to help other runners better understand his training philosophy. It’s a good question to use to more fully explain how Jack Daniels’ training philosophy works, so I … Read more
Treadmill running is usually not at the top of anyone’s list of “favorite” activities. It can be mundane and boring. Without a change in scenery, it may seem like the activity never ends. There is a reason some people call them dreadmills, after all. But there are some really good reasons to incorporate treadmill running … Read more
If you’ve been running for any length of time, you’ve probably wondered – how often should I replace my running shoes? How many miles should they last? Some general and oft repeated advice is that you should replace your shoes every 300 miles. I’ve heard that suggestion many times. And when I was first starting … Read more
Running a solid 5k race depends on your ability to pace yourself well over the course of 3.1 miles. To help you do that, I’ve created the 5k pace chart that you see below. Finding the right 5k pace can be tricky. You need to run fast, but you also need to be able to … Read more