10 simple ways to avoid injuries

Injuries are a fact of the running life. They just are. Either because of training errors, poor biomechanics, improper shoe selection and numerous other variables, injuries can only impede your progress. Fortunately, most of the...

Achilles tendon injuries: How to treat and cure

Achilles is one of the most famous names in Greek mythology—and the tendon named after him is one of the most important components in the group of muscles and bones that propels runners and walkers. This tendon’s job is to...

Armed for running: Proper arm position and motion

In running, your legs move you forward but your arms propel your body. If you carry your arms properly and use them in the right forward motion, they will help you maintain good balance and rhythm. If the arms are held poorly...

Core strength: The key to healthy running

Glance at just about any issue of a fitness magazine and you’ll see a cover line proclaiming the need for “rock-hard abs.” That is, a six-pack of abdominal muscles that are so muscular and spectacularly ripped that everyone...

Developing Good Running Form

There is no single prescription for efficient running mechanics which works for everybody for one simple reason: We are all put together differently—skeletally and muscularly. Some of us are broad and muscular, others more lean...

Heel-striking: The most efficient way to land

While running, there are three ways (or positions) in which your feet can strike the ground: Heel, midfoot or on the toes. Many beginners are confused which way is the best for them, but if you're considering running a marathon...

How to avoid a pain in the butt

Just when you feel like you’re rounding into top shape for the marathon, it happens out of nowhere. You go for a run and your hamstrings feel a little tight. It's no big deal and fortunately, the tightness doesn’t slow you...

Orthotics: The runners' cure for foot and shin pain

Orthotics are inserts that are worn inside your shoes to correct for structural deficiencies. For some runners, orthotics can be the single most valuable piece of gear they own. Why?

Few runners are biomechanically...

Step Rate and Walking Stride Length

You often hear race walkers talking about “step rate” and “stride length.”  These are two very important aspects of learning how to develop good race walking speed.  The Webster Dictionary defines STEP as “a movement...

Stretching: The Key to Injury-free Running

Most runners don’t like to stretch. Especially guys. Most of us who can do two-hour runs never seem to be able to find an extra 10 minutes to stretch. Some guys believe real runners don’t stretch. Of course, those...