With spring almost upon us (though you might not know it here in Madison), many runners have started thinking about what races they’ll be running this year. If you’ve already tackled a marathon and are itching to try something new, you might be considering an ultra. And so begins the excitement of researching races and distances, deciding on a training … Read More
Why I Don’t Wear Minimalist Shoes
When new acquaintances find out I run, and especially when they find out that I have run ultra marathons, I often get asked, “Do you wear those toe shoes?” I say no, although I do have a pair for walking around in. “I can’t wear them,” I say. “But my husband has a pair and he loves them.” I feel … Read More
Nutrition Experiment: Wrap-up
An amazing thing happened today. I came home from work, had a light snack, took my time getting ready, and went for a run. And it felt great! Okay, not profoundly great. I didn’t run super far, set a new PR, or got somehow transformed into a sleek thoroughbred. No, I was sweaty, tired, and my legs burned as I sprinted … Read More
Light up the Night – Gear to illuminate your runs
As the days get shorter and shorter it becomes inevitable that some runs will be started or completed in the dark. At night, or in early morning hours, running on sidewalks or on the street can become a major safety hazard. For many years, runners who wanted to be safe in the dark had to wear yellow or orange reflective … Read More
Zero to Hero #3: In Which Jason Completely Disappears
Week 2 + 3 Stats: Total Miles: 10 Total time: 1:47:10 Avg Pace: 10:43 New Gear: Warm stuff Changes: Due to a bout of food poisoning from my local Panera (bagels only from now on), and a mini vacation to Chicago, I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked the past couple weeks. That said, here are … Read More
Zero to Hero: Week 1 – Staying Motivated
Hello! In case you missed it, my name is Jason. This series is covering my transformation from a no one, to a no one who runs marathons. Here are the results from my first week of training. Week 1 Stats: Total Miles: 4 Sessions: 2 Total time: 41:35 Avg. Pace: 10:24 Changes in gear: Added smartphone + arm band for … Read More
How to Survive a Horror Movie: Be a Runner!
Happy Halloween, readers! Steve and I watch a lot of scary movies. We’ve been revisiting some of our favorites this month, and I just can’t help but realize how many victims would have survived if they just would have been runners (and worn proper footwear)! Classics like Halloween and Friday the 13th are two of the worst culprits when it … Read More
Zero to Hero – Ready…set…hang on a second, my shoe died.
Hello, my name is Jason. I am not a runner. I am running a marathon in 12/2013. Here are my stats– Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 193 Physique: Dumpy, at best. Style: Whatever causes shin splints and calf cramps. Diet: High carb, high fat, high sugar rush Longest Distance: 6.21 miles JasonI am a sports/game/music/literature enthusiast with the nasty habit of being a … Read More