I got an email recently from a runner (let's call him Jim) who had just started wearing a heart rate monitor during his training. Jim was concerned because at 56 years of age, his maximal heart rate was "supposed to be" 164 beats per minute (bpm), yet during his threshold run he managed to get his heart rate all the way up to 172 bpm. Was Jim… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running

Running hills has long been a cornerstone of serious running programs. Whether you're doing threshold training or running intervals, running uphill is a great way to "ramp up" your cardio session. For city dwellers, running over a bridge can offer a nice variation on the classic hill run. If you are in the NYC area, I recommend running the Williamsburg Bridge as it's generally… Continue reading

Running

I'm not into having a bunch of fancy, high-tech running accessories these days; however, I am into staying hydrated. With the mercury rising as summer approaches, training runs that last over an hour can be dangerous if you aren't taking in fluids along the way. That's why I decided to try wearing a FuelBelt during some of my training runs for the Brooklyn half marathon. The… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running

You don't need fancy sneakers to run long distance. This past Saturday I ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon in my beat up, old Vans and it was a great experience. Finishing the race with a time of 1:53:33 (8:40 per mile) felt pretty good, too. I started my day before the sun came up, making my way to Prospect Park just in time to line up for the… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running

As part of my minimalist approach to running, I've been experimenting with various types of footwear. I've tried running barefoot at the beach and even at the track, but with all the things that you could cut yourself on in the streets of NYC, I've been looking for the next closest thing. A lot of people have suggested that I try running in Vibram Five Fingers… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running

I've run many races over the years, usually wearing high-tech sneakers and my heart rate monitor, while meticulously selecting the best running playlist for my iPod. When I run the Brooklyn half marathon next month, however, I am going to try something new; I'm planning to leave all those things at home. A few months ago I made this post about running sneakers, in which… Continue reading

Running, The Mind/Body Connection

I'm no stranger to caveman workouts and I love to keep variety in my exercise regimen. So during my visit to Mexico this week, I decided to take my primal training style to a whole new level. Running barefoot on the beach, hiking through trails and climbing trees have been just a few of the activities I've explored during my time south of the border. Since… Continue reading

Body Weight Exercises, Running

Editors Note: This is a guest post by Amy Shigo. After seeing my recent blog entry on gym etiquette, Amy thought a post on race etiquette would be a great way to kick off the 2010 racing season. The popularity of triathlons and road races has exploded in the last decade (Ironman and marathon distances especially) and the chance of encountering “newbies” or unschooled, yet accomplished renegades increases… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running

I'm sometimes surprised by how often my clients tell me they can't find anywhere to run in the city. I tell them, "If there is ground ahead of you and you can put one foot in front of the other, you can run." Having said that, there are some spots that are more conducive to running for fitness than others. Three of my favorite places… Continue reading

Running

When I tell people that I love distance running, I often get reprimanded. "You're going to blow out your knees," people warn me. I don't know if they genuinely think they are going to save me from the perils of ACL surgery or if people just like to get on a soapbox, but it's getting old. Distance running is not inherently bad. When running injuries occur, it… Continue reading

Rants and Raves, Running