You are browsing the archive for 2011 Archives - Runners Connect.

Staying motivated when running in the winter

Dec 27 2011in General Articles Coach JeffTags: , ,
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A few weeks ago, I recorded a video with some great winter running tips and strategies. The main focus of the article and video was to highlight logistical strategies for winter running – where to run, what to wear, and how to stay safe. While the article was extremely useful and practical, in the interest
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Caffeine and Running

Dec 20 2011in Nutrition Articles Coach JeffTags: , , ,
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Even the swiftest of runners can easily be beaten without their daily cup of coffee or caffeine fix. Some runners rely on caffeine to get them up and out the door while others find caffeine to be the only stimulant protecting them from having Swingline tattooed across their forehead. Luckily, if you’re a caffeine addict,
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Running in the Winter – Dealing with the Cold, Ice and Snow

Dec 6 2011in General Articles Coach Jeff 1 Comment »

Running in the winter can be a definite challenge. Having trained most of my life in Maine, Providence, and Michigan, I’ve faced just about every cold weather scenario you can imagine. I’ve run in Gunnison, Colorado when it’s been -25 degrees below zero. I’ve done workouts so cold that frost literally clung to my facial
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The Week Before a Marathon

Nov 29 2011in Training Articles Coach JeffTags: , , ,
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As marathons continually increase in size and more and more runners choose to run destination marathons, the planning and logistics the last week before a marathon are becoming increasingly important. To reduce pre race nerves and help ensure nothing goes awry in the week before the marathon, here are some great tips and important guidelines.
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Ibuprofen and Running

Nov 22 2011in Injury Prevention Coach JeffTags: ,
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While I, along with many other athletes, thought we were being tough and helping our training by reducing inflammation with Ibuprofen and Advil, recent research and analysis has shown that anti-inflammatory drugs can actually limit or cancel out the very training benefits we’re so desperate to achieve.

Here’s what the latest research has to say and when it’s safe to use NSAIDs in your training.

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Rethinking the Traditional Training Model

Nov 15 2011in Training Articles Coach JeffTags: ,
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Just like there are many ways to skin a cat, there are many ways to formulate the perfect training plan. The trick is finding that critical balance of workouts, recovery, and training paces that work for your body and your particular strengths and weaknesses. The variety of different training approaches is one of the many
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What you can learn from elite runners – The 2011 NYC Marathon

Nov 8 2011in General Articles Coach Jeff No Comments »

In case you had any doubts about which strategy would work best during your next marathon, consider learning from the world’s best. Despite having more than 6 minutes in the bank at mile 15, Mary Keitany bonked the last 3 miles and finished in third place and over the course record. On the other spectrum, Geoffrey Mutai ran a conservative first half and dominated the last 10k to smash the course record.

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How to Recover after a Marathon

Nov 1 2011in Training Articles Coach JeffTags: ,
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Recovering from a marathon is a critical component to a perfect training plan that runners often neglect. Unfortunately, if you don’t properly recover from your marathon, you’ll increase you injury risk and limit your long-term potential – making it harder to break your PR and stay healthy. As a running coach, I’ve heard all the
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VO2 Max for Runners

Oct 18 2011in Training Articles Coach JeffTags: , , ,
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If you grew up in the 80′s and early 90′s, as I did, or maybe just watched a lot of Saturday morning cartoons with your children, you probably caught a few episodes of GI Joe. At the end of every episode, a member of the GI Joe team would illustrate an important life lesson and
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Tempo Intervals

Oct 11 2011in Training Articles Coach JeffTags: , , ,
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Tempo intervals are simply tempo runs that are broken into bite-size intervals to help you run longer at your threshold pace, or as an opportunity to run faster than you would for a normal tempo run. On your training schedule, they may look something like this: 1-3 mile w/u, 2 x 3 miles @ target
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