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...

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...

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...

Are We Too Soft?

A few days ago I posted about my first tempo run in a few years. The response in the comments forum discussions was interesting. Quite a few people expressed surprise I was doing an hour-long tempo run. Several people recommended alternatives that involved either slower or shorter distances.

I thought the runs were rather modest. The first run averaged a 7:44 pace (7.76 miles) with an average heart rate of 164 (85% of max). My fast Read More...

Running Faster: Humbled by a Tempo Run

I want to get faster. Part of my plan involves the addition of tempo runs to my training.

Shelly and I did a 60 minute run- we ran down the road for 30 minutes, turned around, then ran back. The goal is to get as far as possible and make it back to the start line before time expires.

The first mile was great! I was being mildly conservative, but manages to cruise to a Read More...

Epic Stupid Run Fail: Boulder to Nederland

The Rockies have sufficiently humbled me.

Yesterday, I went on a planned 50ish mile run with Jesse Scott and his friend Ely. We planned to run from Boulder to Nederland, CO using a network of trails that wind through the mountains. Here’s the blow-by-blow of the adventure:

We leave Jesse place at about 7:45 am, run about a mile to meet Ely on the UC Boulder campus. We run a few miles to the trail Read More...