Boston Marathon weekend is almost here! 💛💙 If your social media feed is anything like mine, it's filled with Boston-bound runners and last minute tips. I’ve run the Boston Marathon twice and both races were some of the most memorable experiences of my life. Not because they were my fastest races, but because it truly lives up to all the hype if you are lucky enough to go. If you're headed to Beantown this weekend, or hope to be one day, check out my tips to make sure you get the most out of...
9 days ago • 4 min read
It's been said that the 5k is harder than the marathon. Okay, that was me. I said that. Sure, the distance itself is easier, but if you are trying to race 3.1 miles as fast as possible, it feels like lighting your lungs and legs on fire from the get-go. Especially if you are a marathoner. We're just not used to going that hard that soon in a race and holding on for dear life. But, let me tell you, dedicating myself to one or two honest 5k training cycles a year absolutely made me a faster...
16 days ago • 4 min read
If you were going by social media standards, a "good runner" would probably look like this: impossibly smooth selfie videos while running by the sea in Bali sub-3 hour marathon, sub 1:25 half, sub-20 5k, sub-40 10k effortlessly gorgeous race photos, every single time I mean, I want all of that for you. I really do. But we both know none of those things are even remotely realistic for the vast majority of runners. Social media just makes us feel like that's the standard. Yes, I've knocked a...
23 days ago • 4 min read
The concept of tapering before your marathon seems pretty simple: lower your volume and intensity for a while so you are fresh for race day. But did you know that more than 64% of recreational marathoners are making taper mistakes that cost an average of 5 minutes off your marathon time? Studies show that most runners aren't following a well-disciplined, three-week strict taper and it's slowing them down. Strict tapers progressively decrease training in the weeks before the marathon. A...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
The best runners in the world don't just run. They strength train. They focus on sleep and nutrition. They work on mobility, get massages (more on that below), and prioritize recovery. And of course, the best athetes in the world have access to sports psychologists and therapists to help make sure their minds are as strong as their bodies. Most of them are also doing something very specific that doesn't get as much notice. They train their brains through cognitive conditioning. Whether they...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Did you know there is a sixth sense? And no, I'm not talking about seeing dead people. I'm talking about the sense we all have beyond taste, touch, hearing, sight, and smell. It's balance. When I say it, it sounds so obvious, right? We all have a sense of balance that can be strengthed with practice. It can also be lost with neglect. Not only is loss of balance a major factor in debilitating falls as we age, but for runners, it's a big factor in a loss of performance. After all, running is...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Be honest. Do you feel bad when you stop and walk? And don't feel bad if you said yes! Most runners do. Because we're runners. We just want to run. For a long time. Without stopping, walking, or god forbid jogging. Funny thing is though...stopping, walking and defininitely jogging all make us better runners. And walking is not just for new runners just getting into the sport. Even experienced runners can use walking to supercharge their fitness. Here's how... Read More (5 min) Click here to...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Being human is hard. And yet some people seem to move through life with ease. They walk into difficult conversations steady. They make big decisions without dragging them around for days. When something goes wrong, they adjust and move forward. When the stakes rise, they do not flinch. In running, two athletes can hold the same pace. One looks smooth and composed. The other looks like every step is a fight. The effort is identical. The experience is not. The difference is conditioning. We...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
I need to ask your opinion. One of the pillars of my coaching is mental strength training. Along with physical training and proper nutrition, the mental side of the game is equally important. This is why I include mental strength exercises every week for all of my athletes. It's also why I include the Mental Strength Minute at the end of every podcast, to fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less. I have gotten such great feedback from runners on how much the mental training has transformed...
2 months ago • 4 min read