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This article was written to answer some of the most common questions asked by new runners and by people returning to the running scene after some time off. 1.  How long should my first runs be? Answer: During the first week or so, try to keep your runs to no more than 15 minutes. After that, your goal should be to increase the time very gradually. It is recommended that you increase your mileage by no more than 10% each week. 2. What should I do if I can’t run non-stop for 15 minutes? Answer:  In the beginning, most people have …

Runners spend a lot of time worrying about the shoes that they wear for their workouts and races.  They’ll try on a dozen different trainers at a running shoe store, searching for the perfect shoe that will keep them running healthy.  But often, they don’t pay much attention to their casual shoes or their work shoes—the ones they’re wearing for the 14 or so waking hours a day that they aren’t running. These shoes can be just as important as the ones you run in, and a poorly-fitting or restrictive shoe that you wear for work or for fashion can …

“To give anything less than you best is to sacrifice the gift.” These words, spoken by Steve Prefontaine, summed up who he was and how he raced. In every competition, he would give it everything he had to make sure he ran his absolute best. This athlete shattered every american distance running record, starting in high school, and became a household name. His untimely death at the age of 24 shocked the world and, over 40 years later, people still view him as one of the best distance runners of all time. Steve Prefontaine was born in the blue-collar town of …

Loss of flexibility isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Ok, maybe don’t stop altogether, but you don’t need as much stretching while training as you may think. One of the more interesting effects of run training is reduced flexibility in the joints of the lower legs. In a word, the more you run, the harder it is to touch your toes. Flexibility is generally thought of as a good thing, and therefore the loss of flexibility that results from running has generally been thought of as a bad thing. But think about it: Why would running cause a physiological adaptation that …

If you’ve been in the running scene long enough, chances are you’ve heard about loading up on carbohydrates the night before a race. Why do they suggest doing this? The main reason is to make sure your body has a lot of simple sugars floating around that can easily be burned for energy. Carbohydrates are much more readily used than fats or proteins so it makes sense to have plenty of carbs before a race, right? Well, it depends on two factors; how long the race you’ll be running is and what your eating habits have been in the weeks …