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Author: NickP

Nicholas Pang has published dozens of e-Book for the Amazon Kindle and Apple iPad. He has also co-authored two books in print for Oracle Press (“Oracle 9i Mobile”, 2002) and McGraw-Hill/OsborneMedia (“Mobile Macromedia Flash MX”, 2003). While not tinkering with the latest Internet technologies for Silicon Valley start-ups in real estate, retail, and local government, Nick is busy fine tuning his running form and training hard for the National Senior Games and World Masters Athletics Championships. Nick is also a member of the USA Track & Field organization.

Improving Bone Density & Blood Pressure with Movement

Posted on March 13, 2025March 17, 2025 by NickP

Authors: Dr. Mark Cucuzzella (NRC) & Nick (Wear Tested Gear Review) The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs. This article was originally published on Wear Tested Gear Review. As we age, bone density naturally decreases, leading to weaker bones…

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NRC Pop Up Store is OPEN

Posted on December 4, 2023December 4, 2023 by NickP

Get your holiday gifts here! Shop early and support the NRC. Our online shop is powered by Printify – everything is handled by our expert e-Commerce partner including fulfillment and customer service. Please email me any suggestions or feedback (nick at weartested.org) on how we can make it better for runners. Merchandise or designs you…

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Arch Height vs. Arch Function

Posted on February 20, 2018June 18, 2021 by NickP

By Dr. Ray McClanahan Today we’re diving into a hot topic: Arch Height. Most footwear companies are talking about it, every shoe store or doctor’s office tries to fix it. So we’re here to tackle some big questions today. What does a healthy arch look like? More so, is arch height even important? Let’s start with…

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The Hereditary Bunion Myth: Part II of III

Posted on August 31, 2017June 18, 2021 by NickP

By Dr. Ray McClanahan After reading part one of the Hereditary Bunion Myth, you are likely asking yourself an important question – If a bunion deformity is a non-hereditary, progressive dislocation of the big toe joint caused by footwear; how do we prevent one from occurring and progressing? The answer is both simple and difficult. Simple, in…

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Boston Marathon 2017 results visualized & Dr. Mark’s 30 marathons charted

Posted on May 3, 2017June 18, 2021 by NickP

By Nicholas Pang, Wear Tested Gear Review Now that the 2017 Boston Marathon is over and results available, I’ve decided to do some data mining and apply some of my technical expertise to display the results visually – demographics and data analytics. And a few nuggets. See full Boston Marathon 2017 report here I also…

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Everything you want to know about breaking two hours in the marathon

Posted on April 27, 2017April 27, 2017 by NickP

By Nicholas Pang, Wear Tested Gear Review In the next two weeks, you’ll undoubtedly hear lots of media coverage about Nike’s Breaking2 Project, their quest to break the two-hour marathon barrier – the last frontier in running. To save our readers time and resources, here’s a quick guide on everything you ever need to know…

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The Hereditary Bunion Myth: Part I of III

Posted on March 10, 2017March 10, 2017 by NickP

By Dr. Ray McClanahan In spite of the fact that the medical community has made advances in the care of many common medical conditions, the treatment of bunion deformity is still locked in the dark ages. Today’s podiatric students and residents are being taught that bunions are hereditary, represent a bone structure problem, and require surgery…

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6 week event tune up

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

Efficient Running Training Program – Pre Event Schedule 6 Weeks out Designed for the runner who has a goal of maximizing performance on PT test or an event. Primary goal of Efficient Running is aerobic development to support optimal health and wellness. You can take on harder and faster running only if you build this…

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Progression to Maintenance

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

For those already able to run comfortably for 30 minutes Efficient Running Training Program – Progression to Maintenance Designed for the runner who is already engaged in a regular fitness program. Some may have completed our 16 week Beginner Plan. Primary goal is full aerobic development to support optimal health and wellness. This plan is…

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Beginner

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

Efficient Running Training Program: Beginner/Adapter Program Designed for the runner just starting out, after an extended break, or recovering from illness or injury. Primary goal is safe and gradual adaption back to fitness. This plan is very conservative and designed for anyone. Schedule is designed with flexibility and different activities, so have fun and make…

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Links

Posted on February 19, 2017September 29, 2021 by NickP

Additional Websites and Resources 1. Lt Col Mark Cucuzzella’s Resource Sites Natural Running Center– Site on the Science , Art , and Fun of Running. Video Principles of Natural Running Video Barefoot Running Style Running Times Video on “Are You Ready for Minimal? Running Times Accompanying Article on Assessments, Footwear, and Minimalism Our video on…

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Books

Posted on February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by NickP

Best Reads on the Art and Science of Exercise Physiology, Running Mechanics, Footwear, Injury Prevention, and Training for Runners of All Ages and Abilities Mark Cucuzzella MD, Professor Family Medicine West Virginia University Books 1. Anatomy for Runners: Unlocking Your Athletic Potential for Health, Speed, and Injury Prevention by Jay Dicharry MS P ·THE toolkit…

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Simple Food Rules

Posted on February 19, 2017March 11, 2017 by NickP

Intro- Low Carb Revolution Comes to West Virginia Pt 1 Low Carb 101  (my patient handout) Pt 2 No Sugar No Starch Diet with Dr Eric Westman  (also a patient handout) Pt 3 Simple Food Rules Pt 4 Some additional resources …………… INTRO Low Carb Revolution Comes to West Virginia Why were nearly 100 citizens including the…

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Be a Locavore

Posted on February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by NickP

Local Resources for Real Food Farmers Markets: Charles Town Farmers Market – 100 Block of South Samuel Street / Charles Town, WV Time: Saturdays 8am – 12pm Inwood Farmers Market – 178 Pilgrim St./Inwood, WV Time: Monday-Saturday 10am – 6pm / Sunday 12pm – 6pm Contact: (304) 229-5011 Shepherdstown Farmers Market – Behind the Shepherdstown…

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Glute IQ Series

Posted on February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by NickP

Sarah Young and Jenn Pilotti share with you an amazingly simple and evidence based series of articles on Glute Function and Retraining.  Follow there assessment and prescription for a smarter behind!  As Jay Dicharry describes in his book “Anatomy for Runners”….it is all about the booty. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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Mobility and Stability for Healthier Natural Running

Posted on February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by NickP

You can’t fire a cannon from a canoe.  There is no place this is more true than in running. To run efficiently and without injury you need a strong, stable, and mobile base.  A tough combination on unconscious movements that take place with every running step. The web is loaded with videos on core training,…

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Are you ready for Minimal?

Posted on February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 by NickP

At Two Rivers Treads we understand the chassis is more important than the shoes, the form, or the engine. We teach this daily to customers in our store, in group clinics, and in our medical arm RunMed. We share with you our best pieces on the assessment and the prescriptive training.  Having an assessment by…

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Proper Fit Explained

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

No article on the transition to minimalism is complete without some discussion on the effect of footwear, what is the ideal for footwear, how do you choose what is best for you, and most importantly how to fit the shoe. At Two Rivers Treads, we defy old-school thinking of narrow-shaped, ill-fitting conventional shoes. Improper shoe…

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The World is Flat if You are a Foot

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

Foot Anatomy 101- the Foot is Designed to be Flat on the Ground The foot is the least understood of all moving body parts because of the complex interworking between its many joints, tendons, nerves and more.  What we do know is that the foot is perfectly built for its two most important functions: (1)…

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Part 2: Determining Your Heart Rate Zones

Posted on February 19, 2017February 27, 2017 by NickP

So how do you determine what this “go no higher” HR is to maximize aerobic development and all the cellular and vascular changes that occur. Most of us do not sense what a true physiologic easy effort is.  The high tech but precise way is in an exercise physiology lab.  A simple, safe, and more…

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Part 1: Slow Down to Build the Endurace Engine

Posted on February 19, 2017June 22, 2017 by NickP

“Train Don’t Strain” Arthur Lydiard 1960 A natural runner is progressively improving their running economy.  It is fun to move faster and more comfortable with less effort There is a scene from “The Matrix” where Morpheus shows Neo two pills. “This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the…

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New research suggests up to 76 percent of the world’s population is overfat

Posted on January 4, 2017January 4, 2017 by NickP

By Dr. Philip Maffetone As many athletes are making racing and training plans for 2017, a new study suggesting that 76 percent of the world’s population is overfat has not spared even those who are very active. Researchers writing in the journal Frontiers of Public Health describe the overfat condition as a new pandemic that has…

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Running to overcome addiction

Posted on June 2, 2016June 3, 2016 by NickP

In West Virginia and around the nation opiate addiction and the effects on lives and families is a catastrophe and no answer is in sight. People have asked me if I have ever met anyone who has come off opiates successfully without substituting another opiate or drug. In over twenty years of medicine the list…

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Stuck on the Sidelines: Why Your Running Injuries Keep Coming Back

Posted on March 14, 2016May 13, 2016 by NickP

By Elinor Fish For years Julia had some kind of running-related injury. It began as a soreness in her right foot that then moved up to the knee. After changing her shoes and running form, she experienced some relief. Then while training for a half marathon, the pain flared, this time in her right hip….

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Love Your Maximalist Shoes? What You Need to Know

Posted on March 6, 2016June 2, 2016 by NickP

By Amanda Loudin Jason Bahamundi will go to his grave clutching his pair of Hoka One One running shoes. The finisher of five Ironman races and multiple ultramarathons swears by the big, cushy shoes—and he’s not alone. The brand saw sales increase 350 percent from 2013 to 2015 and most running shoemakers now have a…

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