Race Day Q & A
The best advice I can give about racing is to relax and enjoy yourself.
The Walk/Run Training Method
Start with walking every other day for 20 minutes at a time.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
When winter arrives, not everyone gets excited about dashing through the snow.
Morning, Noon or Night
People frequently ask me: what is the best time of the day to run?
Going to the Dogs
Dogs make excellent running partners. They will never miss a run, make excuses, whine about an injury, make fun of your form, brag about their personal best or scoff at your jokes.
Safety First
Make up a small card listing your name, address, a friend or relative's phone number, your blood type, and any other relevant personal medical information.
Layering for Winter
Colder temperatures are here, and sleeveless tanks have given way to long-sleeved tops with thumb holes in the cuffs.
The Correct Arm Carriage
Like many elements of running form, arm position varies widely from one runner to the next.
Trail Running 101
Adding variety to your running keeps you mentally fresh, and trail running might be the next big thing for you to try.
Training Basics
Effective training combines weekly sessions of long endurance runs, strength training for both your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and speed training to develop your coordination.
What the Hill?
Hills are also a great way to prepare your body for the rigours of speed intervals. They offer an added challenge to your running routine and help you maintain quickness.
Running FAQ
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned runner, random training questions are bound to pop up along the way. Here are my answers to some frequently asked running-related questions.
Less is More
Tempo runs help your body and mind adapt to running at an uncomfortable pace. They will make you a more efficient runner and improve your ability to fight off fatigue.
Goofy Training
First off, let's all agree on one thing; running a half marathon one day and running a full marathon the next day is indeed, goofy!
Keeping Physically Fit
Suffering from a winter cold? Staying physically fit helps reduce the likelihood of falling sick with a cold, a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests.
Motivation
One way to make your running more enjoyable and consistent is to find a group to run with.
Rules for the Road
When running with a Running Room group, no one runs or walks alone!
Heart Rate Monitors
The heart rate monitor can assist the new runner in establishing a safe, effective pace in his or her training.
Race Day Results
For the most part, the longer the race, the greater the stress endured by the runners.
Summer Training & Tips
If you are currently planning your training around a specific race, you are already practicing a seasonal approach to your training.
Race Season
Part of the rites of spring are the events from Victoria to St John's that runners use as goal events to acheive a special distance or set a new personal best time.
10K Training
The 10 K road race requires only a limited amount of training, which can fit into most busy schedules, and the other added bonus is you recover quickly after the race.
Hill Training
Hills are a wonderful way to add some resistance to your training.
The Runner's side Stitch
Runners often experience a side stitch while running. The pain usually occurs just under the ribs.
The Unspeakable
You now have two choices—wallow in self-pity, put on weight and lose touch with family and friends in your misery, or be proactive and positive in your recovery.
Springtime
Running is a great sport for its sheer simplicity. Lace up your shoes and no matter where you are you can soon get out for a stress-busting run.
Back to Basics
If you are new to running and honest in your response you may say that running hurts and you do not enjoy it.
Belly full of Training
Achieving your personal running goals may revolve around improving your core strength.
Wimpy Walking Breaks
I can now run continuously for 20 minutes without walking breaks; do I need to take them during my long runs?
Treadmill Principles
Treadmill running is slightly easier than outdoor running due to the lack of wind resistance.
Smoking & Running
I would love to be able to join your club sometime in the near future.
Training Principles
Improvement in physical fitness results will only occur when specific muscles and systems of the runner are stressed and challenged by a workload greater than normal.
Cross Training
Simply put, cross training is using one or more sports to enhance your overall fitness.
Running Form
This is one of the most frequent questions coaches hear.
Winter Running
Building a snowman in the fresh snow can add a new cross-training regime to your winter workout, so loosen up and enjoy the winter.
Goal-setting
Set an ultimate goal and then set several smaller goals to get you there.
How to know if you have frostbite & what to do if you get it?
Frostbite is nasty stuff. Once you have been frostbitten, you can be scarred for life and you can have permanent circulation problems in the affected areas.
Progressive Training Top 10
Running seems to attract hardworking, goal-oriented people who appreciate the fact that the sport rewards honest effort.
Walking Breaks
Walk breaks work! On long runs make them mandatory; they provide many benefits while keeping you highly motivated.
Wake-up call!
Together, it is time we did something about the rising rate of childhood obesity rates.