7 Tips to Surviving Your First Marathon

You’ve made it! You put in the time and training for your first marathon and the day is finally here. But before the adrenaline-fueled start, take a moment to review these quick tips to ensure that the big event is a fun first instead of a stressful last.

1. Limit Mental Fatigue

The 7 Best Carbs for Fuel

There once were three bears that lived in the woods. They loved porridge — a complex carb — but apparently weren’t very good at making it. 

How does this story end? In tragedy, with two bowls of porridge gone to waste and Goldilocks running for her life on an assumedly over-full stomach. Terrible. With a little foresight this crisis could have easily been averted, which is exactly why we’re here.

Low-Mo Days: Breaking Through Mental Training Barriers

We feel great when we run, not many things beat that natural high. So why on some days does our motivation dissipate as soon as we look at our running shoes, or before? 

Every runner comes up against mental walls. They pop up when we least expect it, and usually when it’s the most inconvenient. So what can we do? How do we push past the siren song of comfy bed covers or the TV (or chores) calling?

1. Plan Ahead

Solid Ground: 7 Running Myths, and the Truth Behind Them

We’ve all heard it. Well-meaning but ultimately misguided advice on how you really should be running. The actual correct footfall pattern, real training hacks, or my personal favorite — how running really isn’t healthy for you (usually from a cheerfully confident relative, mid-holiday party).

So what’s real, and what do we leave behind as we forge ahead in training?

Go the Extra Mile: 6 Ideas for Extending the Life of Your Running Shoes

Most serious runners invest huge amounts of brainpower and money into finding the perfect pair of running shoes. Many athletes even keep multiple pairs to wear in rotation or for certain types of events or terrain. Follow these useful tips to help protect your investment and increase the longevity of your favorite running shoes.

Sidelined by Love: 5 Ideas for a Happy Home With a Spouse Who Doesn’t Run

In an ideal world, the person you call your mate would just love getting up with you at the crack of dawn to train and run — then run some more. Right alongside each other you’d go, footfall for footfall, into the sunset of eternal togetherness and endorphin bliss.

But this isn’t an ideal world. More often than not, your partner doesn’t share the same level of passion for your hobbies as you do. Often they’re not interested at all.

3 Mental Habits of Successful Runners

We’ve all heard the term “mind over matter,” but how does that apply to the running lifestyle? No doubt, this hobby of ours is physically demanding — some days, I might call it grueling. So how much does mental attitude play into becoming a successful runner? A lot.

1. It All Starts With Discipline

Go Deep: Breathing Techniques for Beginning Runners

Why would beginning runners need to learn how to breathe? Breathing is something we all do every day (and all night) without even thinking about it. But chances are that new runners may not be making the most of each breath they take. In fact, improper breathing technique while running could lead to premature fatigue or even injury.

Breathe From the Belly

Baring Your Sole: The Benefits of Barefoot Running

Recent years have seen a surge in runners shunning fancy shoes in favor of running barefoot. While that may seem hazardous, especially in harsher climes, some experts believe that barefoot jogging may have advantages.

10 Tips for Safe Hot Weather Running

As the August sun blazes down here in Texas (and other regions of the northern hemisphere), now is an excellent time to review tips for remaining safe and comfortable during your runs. Many of the following suggestions may seem like common sense, but sometimes sense isn’t all that common. It never hurts to revisit the basics.

Try some of these tips for running in warm weather:

1. Start Out Hydrated and Stay That Way