Every month I highlight the Top 10 Running Articles that I come across. They focus on topics like injury prevention, race tactics, training tips as well as inspiring stories.
1.Why Can’t I Run Faster? by Runner’s World. This article discusses all the different sensations we experience while running that keep up from maintaining a fast pace. It also talks about the importance of understanding what goes on in our brains when we run. Why do we feel like stopping? Why do our legs feel so heavy? I’m quite impressed by answers to these and other questions.
2. Exercise Tips: Circuit Training by Canadian Running Magazine. Personally, I love circuit training. This article covers a few awesome moves that you can use when you build your own exercise circuit. It’s a challenging, yet effective workout that alleviates boredom. It can be done any time anywhere.
3. The Science of Running by Canadian Running Magazine. This article is very interesting as it covers topics such as whether or not running is bad for your knees, the difference between road and treadmill running, interval training and the benefits of strength training for runners.
4. Over the Hills by Canadian Running Magazine. Consistent and progressive hill training will help you become a better and stronger runner. You don’t have to kill yourself on the hills in order to reap the benefits.
5. The Ups and Downs by Canadian Running Magazine. This article talks about proper techniques for running up and down hills.
6. Running on the Road by Canadian Running Magazine. Just because you have a busy travel schedule, doesn’t mean that you should skip your run. You can stay on track even if your work requires you to travel a lot.
7. Over the Hills: 5 Hill Workouts to Make You Stronger and Faster by Canadian Running Magazine. Ideally, it’s good to have a variety of hill workouts in your training program. Examples include: short/power hills, medium/pace hills, long/endurance hills, acceleration hills and downhill running. Every type of hill workout will help you improve as a runner and this article does a great job at explaining each of them. It’s almost like an “add-on” to #4.
8. Marathon Training and Weight Loss by Canadian Running Magazine. Many people choose to take up a marathon training program in order to lose weight. However, research has shown that people who choose to train for a marathon in order to lose weight are less likely to complete their marathon program. Part of the reason is that there are other factors that contribute to weight loss and a marathon program alone is not always enough. Therefore, it’s very important to train for a marathon for the sake of training for a marathon rather than looking at it as a way to simply lose weight.
9. Training Tips: Hot-Weather Hydration Planning by Canadian Running Magazine. Proper hydration is very important. Dehydration negatively impacts your performance. Over-hydration is dangerous. The key is finding the right amount of hydration to maintain your electrolyte balance.
10. First Steps: No Excuses by Canadian Running Magazine. This article is inspirational in the sense that it’s real. It’s written by a real person who knows how to relate to others. A lot of times, we come up with reasons not to run, especially when it’s cold, rainy, snowy, icy out and when we are tired. We need to find motivation from within.