So you want to be in the top 0.5%?    You want to join that tiny percentage of people who have finished a marathon? The good news is you can totally do it.   All you have to do is follow these seven simple (not necessarily easy) steps: Decided you want to do it Nice job, you’ve already done this step!   Told you this could be simple.   But seriously, running a marathon is a commitment and to get there you are going to have to practice.   There will be days you don’t feel running, but you’ll need to get out there anyway. Pick a course T ..read more

So today was supposed to be Opening Day for Baseball and while I haven't made it to an Opening Day game in years, that used to be a tradition for me for a few years shortly after getting out of college (before kids).    I've always loved baseball and there is just something special about Opening Day.   I used to spend a good bit of my summers as a kid with my grandparents and my "Papa" spent a lot of time listening to baseball on the radio.   Probably what started my love of the game.   Even now sometimes I'll listen on the radio even though every game is televised these days. But Opening Day ..read more

Earlier today, they announced that the 2020 Boston Marathon was going to be postponed.  I certainly agree it’s the sensible thing to do.   With people coming in from all over the world for the race and thousands of spectators, the risk is just too high. But I'm really glad they are only postponing the US's oldest continuously running marathon.   I have had the privilege to run this amazing race 4 times and while the whole race is a blast, that feeling you get when you turn on Boylston street cannot be matched. Anyway, a good number of you are probably surprised to be reading this right now ..read more

Most people share a common running experience. You start off feeling slow and sluggish - wondering how long you've been running for and when it will be over - then something shifts. The body goes from heavy and stiff to warm and ready to run for miles. This applies to all runners. Even the most experienced long-distance lovers have days when they're just not feeling it or when their body needs a little more to warm up. It's normal; however, there are certain things you can do to speed up the process. A perfect running warm-up begins by doing the proper pre-run stretches. These simple movements ..read more

Beach running burns around 30% more calories than running on a firmer surface such as asphalt. With such an important benefit, how does the idea of running on the soft sand this summer sound? Quite idyllic, right? But perhaps not if you're running on the beach barefoot. A lovely ocean breeze, the sweet sound of waves, and the sun--the ideal setting for a run, isn't it? Well, once you kick off your shoes and begin running on the sand, you'll immediately realize one thing--running on the beach isn't a breeze like the Baywatch lifeguards would have you believe. However, don't allow that to deter ..read more

Running may be an activity that delivers a variety of personal benefits, but that doesn't mean you have to participate on your own. Certainly, you can hit the open road at your leisure and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet away from the madding world and the many demands of your daily life. However, you could also choose to run with friends or join a local running club if you're looking for a way to turn your fitness routine into a social activity, killing two birds with one stone. How can you determine whether solo or social running is right for you? You'll have to consider several factors, in ..read more

You've been training for months and you're finally ready to lace up your running shoes and hit the road in a competitive capacity. In other words, you've signed up for a race. Before you hear the starting gun, however, you need to understand that there is etiquette involved in racing, as with any social situation. Here are a few important points of etiquette every racing newbie should observe. Don't Lead the Pack If you're new to racing, you're not the fastest runner in the bunch, which means you won't outdistance other runners and be the one to break through the tape at the finish line. So wh ..read more

It’s been far too long since I’ve posted and I’m sorry about that.   These past couple of months have been a little insane between my kids activities, travel for work and the odd accident thrown in there too. First off…my trip with my eldest daughter to go back-packing was amazing.   14 pairs of dads and daughters for a 10 day trip!  (did slip in a little 5K the first morning of the trip) We hiked Mt Capulin in New Mexico to get us started then off to the Great Sand Dune National Park near Alamosa Colorado.    From there we went an did a quick hike at Monarch Pass which was pretty awesome as ..read more

As runners, we’re lucky. We don’t require expensive equipment or special sports pitches to practice our favorite form of exercise. Plus, it’s free! What we do appreciate are a few things: a mild climate, plentiful routes, tracks and trails, a supportive local community of runners and perhaps some company. Ever wondered where in the U.S offer these wonderful qualities and are the best cities for runners? Well, now you do. Financial company SmartAsset has recently released its annual study of the top 10 cities that rank as best for runners. Want to see if your hometown is on the list or find som ..read more

If your New Year's resolution was to exercise more but you haven't made good on it, don't worry -- you're not alone. Fortunately, it's not too late to get back on track. If you're looking for an exercise regimen that is good for you, why not try running? Research shows that a whopping 64 million individuals in the United States went running or jogging back in 2016. People choose to take up running for many different reasons. If you need some motivation, here's a rundown of 12 reasons why running is good for you. Let's get started! 1. Running Is Good for You If You Want to Stay Fit You, of cour ..read more