Overheating Because of Moisture-Wicking Fabric: Could This Have Caused the Bighorn Catastrophe?

Timothy Noakes, author of the book Lore of Running, has released a new book about the problem of over-hydration in endurance events. Waterlogged has created quite a stir among one of my favorite communities. I haven’t read the book yet, but have read enough commentary to get the gist of Noakes’ central theme- we drink too much in races. His recommendation- drink to thirst.

[Check out this summary from Joe Uhan over at irunfar.com]

Read More...

Changing Shoes in Races: A Secret Hack to Reduce Fatigue and Run Faster?

Here’s what we know:

Running long distances is fatiguing
Different shoes slightly change the biomechanics of running form
Changing biomechanics slightly changes how the body works, including changing stress on various body parts and possibly changing muscle activation patterns (Pete Larson and Bill Katovsky discuss this in “Tread Lightly“)

Here’s what we can assume:

Changing biomechanics will provide relief for fatigued muscles

So…

In long races, it may be advantageous to change shoes. The key- they must be Read More...

How to Choose Your First 100 Miler (Or Any Other Ultra Distance)

I have a few friends that are beginning to dabble in ultras, and are going through the process of choosing a race. In some cases, it is their first ultra. In other cases, they’re looking for a longer ultra after successfully completing a shorter ultra. At any rate, here’s a quick guide to choosing a race.

Step one: Assess your abilities. Specifically, what are your strengths and weaknesses? Do you prefer flat courses or hilly courses? Are Read More...

The Internet Makes Us Run Slower

I spend A LOT of time on running forums… far more than I would like to admit. Different forums have different atmospheres. Some focus on sharing experiences. A few talk about gear. Others discuss the scientific side of running. A few others are nothing more than a bunch of antagonists trying to one-up each other.

All share one thing in common- lots of advice is tossed out.

This sharing of advice results in a strange double-edged Read More...

Walking During Races: How to Maximize the Technique

Walking during races? For ultrarunners, it’s often a necessity. For new runners, it’s the preferred method to build endurance. For serious road runners, it’s considered a mortal sin. But it’s rarely something we practice.

Jeff Galloway has made a living coaching runners to use a run-walk strategy when racing… and it really works! The idea is simple- by interspersing walking breaks with periods of running, you can run faster and cut time off your finishes. Galloway Read More...

Gluttony Training: The Other Side of the Fasting Training Coin

Yesterday I wrote about fasting as a method of training. Learning to eat before and during the run is another useful training technique.

Before I get to the details, I should note this training really only applies to ultrarunners. Most people should be able to run anything up to about 18-20 miles without any food. Even a marathon would require very little food, if any at all. Once you pass that marathon threshold, food becomes increasingly Read More...

Training on an Empty Stomach: A Low Heartrate Alternative?

Many of my ultra friends have started experimenting with low heart rate training. The technique is based on the idea that we can train our body to run faster while remaining in an aerobic zone (burning fat versus carbs as a primary fuel). Many people have had success with the method. I’ve played around with the idea, but found the long, slow running to be too boring. It took the fun out of running.

For years, I’ve Read More...