I realize that I just had a post about minimalist/barefoot running, but there appears to be a sudden increase in the number of studies that have examined this issue. A new offers further support to the theory that overly supportive running shoes might not be the best thing for runners. According to the Harvard study […]
The Fastest a Human Can Run
One of the most amazing races I have ever seen was Usain Bolt’s gold medal 100m race at the 2008 Olympic Games. I could not believe that he ran 9.69 seconds when it looked like he was jogging across the finish line. Even more impressive was his 9.58 second run a year later in 2009 […]
Anemia and Running
Why has running gotten so difficult? You have been training well, taking care of your body, and tried not to over-train, but now you can barely make it out the door. You may feel irritable and lack the desire to do any form of exercise. If this situation describes you, you may be suffering from […]
Marathons and Heart Attacks
A reader asks: Can you explain why, in many big marathons, there is at least one runner who suffers a heart attack? I thought that running is supposed to be good for your heart. I always feel awful when I read those news stories. Perhaps the greatest shock for me was when Ryan Shay, an […]
Mensen Ernst: One of the First Professional Runners
One of my all-time favorite little-known runners is Mensen Ernst. Ernst lived from 1795–1843 and was one of the first professional runners. His income usually came from him placing bets on whether he could run a certain distance within a period of time. One of the most interesting Ernst stories is his run from Paris […]
Do Running Shoes Cause Injuries?
The general rule of thumb is that running in supportive running shoes is essential if you want to prevent injuries. It does seem intuitive that providing cushioning for feet should help limit the effects of the pounding that causes foot, ankle, and other problems. However, a new study casts serious doubt on the positive affects […]
