Getting started as a new or beginner runner is a huge challenge. So, first congrats on taking the first big step to learn. We are excited to help you grow as a runner, help you stay healthy and achieve your goals!
Now, before we get started, this is some of our guiding principles at RunnersConnect
1. There are no secret workouts, magic pills, or patented systems in running. Improving takes time, patience, and intelligent training.
2. Everything we write is supported by current science and research. We don’t publish fluff pieces. Any advice we give is proven by research or our coaching experience. We are always learning, evolving, and teaching you the knowledge we’ve gained.
3. We welcome all types of runners. We work with young, old, fast, slow and everyone in between. As long as you have a passion for running or transforming yourself into a better runner, you’ll fit right in.
RunnersConnect is a place where you can connect with and learn from like-minded runners who share in your passion for running, getting faster, improving themselves, and who have fun doing it.
To get started, check out some of most popular and helpful articles for the most commonly run race distances.
We feel it’s important you understand the “why” behind any training you do or any advice you get.
You don’t need a degree in exercise science, but understanding the why behind what you do help you implement more effectively and stick to it.
In this section, we’ll look at some of the most important and underlying principles of training for newer runners.
If you are reading this article, chances are you have been bitten by the running bug. It can be hard to explain, as at some
In one of my earlier posts I discussed the difference between aerobic and anaerobic training and the effect each can have on your performance. While
Warming up properly for your race will help you stay injury-free and is the easiest way to improve your race times at shorter races like
Being a running coach is a lot of fun. I get to talk with people the majority of my day about a sport I love,
How exactly do you breathe properly while running? It may seem like a simple question, but there is a right and wrong way to do
There’s a lot of nuance to running workouts. Not only are there a lot of different physiological systems you want to target (speed, endurance, long runs, strength, etc) but there’s a lot of different ways you can attack them.
In this section, we’ve done our best to highlight some of the more important workouts and concepts to help you develop a solid training foundation.
There are certainly more workouts you can add to your repertoire, and we hope we can continue to educate and help you as you grow as a runner.
If you are interested in a custom plan or coaching where we give you day-by-day instructions with specific paces and exact workouts and distances, check out our custom training plans here.
Lactate threshold is a term than is commonly used in training vernacular, but has most runners more confused than a high school kid in calculus
The first step to improving is almost always identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Whether it be preparing for a job interview or improving your 5k
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ll know that I don’t have a “one-size-fits-all” approach to training. I believe each runner is an
The run walk method has shown to be great for beginners and experienced runners alike. Hear what Coach Dylan has to say about it on
How does running on a treadmill compare to running outside? Is one easier than the other? It’s a common question and despite conflicting opinions, scientific
Have you ever been running a race or workout, feeling strong, running faster than you ever have before, and you start to think about how
The long run is a staple in almost every runners weekly training schedule. It doesn’t matter if you’re training for the 5k or the marathon,
When designing running workouts, a coach can manipulate three elements of the training plan to elicit certain physiological adaptations. These three elements are: The time
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
Hands down, the fastest way to become a better runner is consistency. The more days, weeks and months you can string together without significant time off, the faster you will improve.
One of the most common (and sucky) ways to lose consistency is getting injured. And, unfortunately, getting injured is also very common. Recent research estimates that 82% of runners will get injured at some point in their running career.
It’s no secret then that getting to the bottom of your running injuries – and preventing them in the future – is critical if you want to continue to improve long-term.
By implementing injury-prevention knowledge early in your journey as a runner you can stave off many injuries and improve much faster!
Recent research has shown that as many as 79% of runners get injured at least once during the year. Stop. Think about that number for
In a constant quest to run faster and further, we should not as runners be surprised when from time to time things start hurting. Performance
Suffering from shin splints? Coach Danny gives some tips and tricks to help you recover from the injury and prevent it in the future. Listen
https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/runnersconnect/Hip_Strength_and_Running_Injuries_2020-07-13.mp3 Ask any fitness nut or personal trainer about “core work” and you will be treated (or not) to a long spiel about the importance.
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"Understanding the science behind the workouts and the plan helps me to trust the training when I know why I'm doing a particular workout and what the result of it should be."
Kara Schmidt
"RC helped me smash my stretch goal and I couldn't be happier. In all my races so far I've been simply amazed at what a great feeling it is being well trained and well prepared for the task at hand."
Dean Roberts
"As usual, Jeff and the RunnersConnect team goes beyond all the simplistic advice you normally find in magazines and backs up all theories with research and pratical examples."
Brian Connors
We love running and want to spread our expertise and passion to inspire, motivate, and help you achieve your running goals.
We’re not here to sell you the latest “run faster without trying” scheme and we don’t claim to have the “super-secret, hidden formula that will transform you into a running god or goddess”.
We also believe you’re an experiment of one and that there is no one-size-fits-all way to train. We hate template plans and simple answers to complex questions.
Our team is now over 600 members strong and we’ve helped 867 runners in the last 2 years record new personal bests from 5k to the marathon.
We’re excited to help you improve as a runner and achieve your goals!
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