You ever look back and wonder why you thought it was a good idea to run that workout when you already knew your knee hated you and was pretty niggly? Or why you thought nothing could go wrong, taking a new a gel on race day, just be proven, very, very incorrect? Or thinking your 20 mile long run would be a great time to try a new pair of shorts before race day, just to cut the run short because you have blisters and chafing in spots you didn't think was possible? Soooo basically, this week's...
10 days ago • 3 min read
I know the internet promises you that with just enough stretching, your hip flexor will finally, blissfully release! And just maybe, sometimes, it does. Because that feeling: the deep, stubborn tightness in your hip flexor that seems to show up the second your long runs start to peak or after a tough speed session... It's a real run ruin-erSo you stretch. Foam roll. Maybe even hang out in a lunge for five minutes hoping something finally releases… And yet, the next run? Same hip. Same...
17 days ago • 2 min read
Did I ever tell you about the time I couldn’t nail a PR to save my life? I was giving my ALL. The entire season. To the point where dry heaving at the end of a race was my new “normal”. And yet….nothing. I wasn’t slacking off on workouts. I wasn’t sandbagging in the races. I had the right shoes, socks, ate breakfast, all the things. I just couldn’t wrap my head around why in the previous season, the PRs just kept rolling in, even on the toughest courses. And now, I might as well have been...
21 days ago • 2 min read
If your shins are talking back right now.... getting a little sassy every time your mileage climbs or speedwork kicks in... You’re not alone. It's that time of year. One of my Running Rescue Runners, Karen, was 8 weeks out from the Marine Corps Marathon when her shins started screaming. What started as mild, annoying soreness turned into sharp pain by the end of her long runs. Even basic plyos like pogo jumps? Absolutely NOT happening. But instead of backing off completely, she learned...
24 days ago • 2 min read
The little eye ball emoji just kills me lol. Just me...creeping on your strava. Making sure you're not cheating yourself out of your taper. Because for all my marathoners out there getting ready for race day, I need you to listen up. Tapering feels weird. Your legs feel weird. Your brain is going into overdrive. You're inhaling every carb in sight. And it makes NO sense why you're running less and still feel like you got hit by freight train. Obviously, I'm deep diving into ALL of this in...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
If you get a fierce case of the taper tantrums, you're not the only one. Because I know a lot of you are either tapering or getting ready to, I wanted to make you a one-stop guide to (nearly) all things tapering. Yes, this week's exercises are *still* knee-based, because phantom knee niggles are probably one of the most common taper ouchies. But really...the concepts in these exercises apply to any body part that's giving you trouble. Because here's my two cents: massage guns and foam rolling...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Welcome to runner's knee prime time. We're in that awkward in-between stage of 4-6 weeks out from various fall marathons and other races... where body parts start...talking. And sometimes it feels like they're having a competition of who can talk the loudest. And it's really no wonder when you step back and REALLY LOOK. Because you're probably dealing with.... Increased mileage. Speed workouts. Tempos. Hills. Maybe you're even needing new shoes so you throw that into the mix and...it's a lot....
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Anyone else need to hear something a few times before it really sinks in? Or are you like me where you learn best by going through it? (spoiler: don't pick that option frequently lol.) I've actually been fighting with a cranky Achilles and peroneals on my left foot for about a month now. But I haven't had to stop running. And I've been pushing myself in the gym, getting stronger and bouncier. But I haven't had to stop my plyometrics. And here's why: Because I knew better than to fall for the...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Man, I even remember the first time I heard a sports doc tell me this. Compared to what we know now: W O W. Let me back up: race days are coming up. Training is intense. And if you're not training right now, your runs are still ramping because F A L L. (yup, I'm sneaking out for extra miles too.) So either way: cooler temps = extra miles + a dash of unintended speed. And plantar fasciitis loves that dangerous little combo. So if you're feeling a little stab in your heel first thing in the...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read