For the last fifteen years or so, I have approached running with the same mindset: be a better runner than I have been. This resulted in me always pushing the envelope, and trying to run just a few more miles, or do slightly more intense workouts, than I had before. For years, this resulted in lots of time spent training and personal records. Lately, though, after suffering a few injuries that derailed my training for Read more…
Ahh, August, when the heat and humidity reach levels normally not found outside of Swedish gym facilities, and runners long for the crisp days of Autumn. Chances are, if you are training in this heat, you probably aren’t enjoying it too much. Even if you’re not dealing with sweltering conditions, you doubtless will encounter times when you just aren’t feeling great, and find yourself slogging through a run with sluggish legs and a sour temperament. Read more…
Back in July of 2017, shortly after the Boilermaker 15K, I made a pact with myself that I would not cut my hair until I ran a personal best time in a race. Since then, I have trained with a vigor and enthusiasm designed to reclaim the fitness I enjoyed in my 20s. My initial results, while still a long way from my best, were encouraging. I ran a challenging cross country 8K in 29:40, Read more…
After every race, I ask myself “Did I leave it all out there on the course? Did I run as fast as I could during every part of the race?” and to be completely honest, 99% of the time, the answer is “no.” I can almost always remember a moment where I could have tried a little harder, but didn’t. Sometimes it’s in the name of pacing and I want to save some energy for Read more…
In June of 2013, I accomplished my life-long goal of breaking 2:40 for a full marathon by running 2:39:08 at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. In the interest of helping others to further their goals, I have decided to share my training in the weeks preceding this race. The reason is two-fold. One, it might give one of you some ideas on how to structure your marathon training plan, and two, it shows that even Read more…
I’ve been following the exploits of the Northern Arizona Elite group for a while, ever since runner/writer Matt Fitzgerald joined them as a “celebrity” member in his quest to break 2:40 at the Chicago Marathon. One of the things I really respect about the group, and coach Ben Rosario, is that they share everything. There are no secrets within their group (at least about their training). You can see every run that a NAZ Elite Read more…
Winter has officially arrived in Western New York, and ’tis the season for black ice, slippery sidewalks, and an increased potential for injury. While many runners opt for the treadmill when the footing outside is treacherous, some of us don’t have that luxury. Here are a few tips to avoid getting injured during the winter. Wear shoes with good tread, or opt for add-on traction like YakTrax, Stabilicers, or machine screws for your shoes. I Read more…
As a follow-up to my last post, I have also been thinking about how to distill my training philosophy into a simple, enumerated list. Obviously, something as amorphous and malleable as a methodology does not lend itself to bullet items very easily, but here’s my best shot: 1) Every mile counts. I have heard lots of people say “you need to run for at least x amount of minutes to reap any benefits.” Sometimes x Read more…
As a coach and a runner, I am constantly trying to refine my personal coaching style and philosophy. The more I read, and the more I realize what is truly important in training, the more I am convinced that my philosophy is one of minimalism. Not in the sense of wearing ridiculous barefoot shoes, but in the sense of eschewing technology and gear in favor of relying on your own senses. I have written about Read more…
Many things have happened since the Utica Boilermaker in July, most of them not related to running. Most importantly, Ashlie and I had our second daughter, Hadley, who was born on September 11th. We were supposed to run the first Pete Glavin XC race in Clay on Sunday the 10th, but Ashlie’s OB prohibited us from making the trek, and with good reason. Hadley was born the very next day! She and Ashlie are doing Read more…