Though it’s been several weeks since Freedom’s Run was held here in West Virginia, I am still receiving emails and from visitors thanking our neighboring towns for the friendly welcome they received as runners. We would not have been able to pull off this event — marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, one-mile kids run — without…
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Got Glutes?, Part Two: How Runners Can Further Increase Power and Performance by Having “Smart Behinds”
This instructional article is part 2 of a 3-part series. See part 1 here with video. We hope that your glutes will enjoy becoming smarter. And why is that? As was explained in part 1, runners often have under-performing glutes that can lead to big trouble. When our behinds are slow and fail to do…
“The Magnificent Seven”: 7 Top Minimalist Running Shoes in the Wear-Tested Spotlight
Natural Running Center’s shoe review editor Nick Pang also helms the website Minimalist Running Shoes, which goes into great, useful detail about all the new shoes now hurtling through the commercial pipeline. Nick’s shoe database is much larger than NRC’s, and includes many shoes in the casual, walking, lifestyle and even golf category. I often…
Current State of Running and Minimalism: Where Are We Now and What Will the Future Look Like?
The following essay on where matters stand today with minimalism –and what will they look like tomorrow — was penned by Blaise Dubois. It originally appeared on his lively, informative, and tell-it-like-it-is bilingual blog on running and injuries. Many of the old guard in the footwear, medical and running biz who are wedded to the…
Elastic Recoil Is Like Saving Money in The Bank
There is a lot of confusion around the term elastic recoil vs. braking in running. A critical feature of efficient running is a strong and stable base of support. Without this foundation, there can be no efficient transfer of energy. Our tendons are highly adapted to storing and releasing energy under tensile strain. Jay Dicharry…
Wee Warrior Dash
After organizing Freedom’s Run which is a massive logistical task of 2 states, 4 National Parks, and 3 historic towns, a small local race just for the little ones, and along with great help within our County Park, was a welcome relief. Our small team of adult warriors from Two River Treads put on the…
15 Misconceptions About Minimalist Shoes and Natural Running
by Jim Hixson. 1. There is no correct way to run. There is no perfect way to hit a forehand in tennis, or to drive a golf ball, or to kick a soccer ball, but the degree of divergence from the accepted norm in each of these activities is relatively small. When you look at…
New Dr. Mark Video: “Going for a Run”
One of life’s simplest pleasures is going for a run outside. The late Dr. George Sheehan summed it up best: “Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.” So once in a while let’s forget about footwear, performance standards, and high-tech gadgetry — and instead simply let your…
Getting in Marathon Race Shape
It’s a dilemma and challenge for many marathon runners. You have two important races that are only six weeks apart, and you want to perform well in both. Several weeks ago, I placed tenth overall in the Air Force Marathon. But come next weekend, I will be racing in the Marine Corps Marathon along with…
Minimalist Running Shoe Spotlight: Inov-8 TrailRoc 235/255
The Natural Running Center has an extensive data base of running shoes on our site. But as a further service to runners, we will now be featuring short, up-to-date, wear-tested shoe reviews by our shoe editor Nick Pang who also helms MinimalistRunningShoes.org. *** U.K.-based Inov-8 introduces TrailRoc, a new range of trail running shoes designed…
“Oprah’s Marathon Time”
In less than two weeks, around 30,000 runners will participate in the Marine Corps Marathon, which is now the fifth largest 26.2-mile race of its kind in the U.S., trailing behind New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. Nearly half of these MCM runners are first-time marathoners. When Oprah ran in this race in…
Got a Minimalist Running Shoe Question? –Let Jim Hixson (“Voice from the Running Shoe Store Floor”) Answer It!
Wide Feet Question: I ask this as someone with ridiculously wide feet. I have been a barefoot runner for 4 years now, and very much enjoy going naked, but I have become intensely interested in some more rugged, ultra marathons where having a foot covering will be important. I’ve considered simply using huarache style sandals,…
What is “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”?
The New York Times recently published a short essay by veteran running icons Amby Burfoot and George Hirsch, “The Honorable Clan of the Long-Distance Runner,” that considered today’s marathon runner in the wake of fabricated times (yes, that means you Rep. Paul Ryan) and the 26.2-mile race’s continued popularity. “There are no shortcuts to…
Go “Nip to Hip” With Your Hands
One of the keys to good leg action is what you do with your arms. Your foot will almost always land under your hand, so if overreaching with hand in front your leg will overstride. Just observe folks when they are jogging. When the hand stays close to center so does the foot. Thus move your…
Vivobarefoot Kids Shoe Giveaway
Last weekend was my favorite event of the year at our small natural running and walking shoe store in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Two Rivers Treads had its third annual Vivobarefoot kids shoe giveaway. We personally matched a contribution from Vivobarefoot and gave out close to 200 pairs of free shoes to local children. Yes,…
Lengthen Your Posture as You Run…
This tip comes courtesy of my friend Lieutenant Colonel (Dr.) Dan Kuland, who, before he retired, was U.S. Air Force Chief of Health Promotion. “Lengthen your posture while running by imagining a helium balloon attached to your head.”
Flying High At 46!
I want to share with you the amazing story of Colonel Mike Wasson. Mike is a good friend and long-time United States Air Force teammate. We are the same age (46) and have shared similar experiences in our running and busy professional careers — trying to balance family, work, health, and running. Mike shares the…
Ask Sock Doc!
Dear Sock Doc: I am in the Army, so running has become a part of my life so to speak. I overpronate when I run, but only get shinsplints when I do a lot of miles a week or run everyday. I usually run every other day to avoid injuries).I recently purchased Brooks Pure…
Don’t Overstride
Don’t overstride in front of you to go faster; this will wreck your knees and awkwardly stretch leg muscles.
Running and Asthma: Getting Healthy is the Best, Natural Treatment
by Dr. Phil Maffetone. Many runners often experience asthma. Yes, asthma is a common condition found in endurance athletes, and even occurs at a higher incidence than the general population. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by episodes or attacks of impaired breathing. Symptoms are caused by chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways…
Father, Son and Freedom’s Run Half-Marathon
The other day I received the most delightful and endearing email from a proud father and his even prouder son who will be running in the Freedom’s Run Half-Marathon for the second time. I’d like to share it with Natural Running Center readers. (This year’s race is on October 13, and also features a full…
Planet Wild Launches…Natural Running Center’s New Sister Site
Planet Wild Launches! It’s a new adventure, travel and fitness site that will bring readers and multisport athletes an even greater taste of the great outdoors. Editor and founder is Bill Katovsky, and the site is done in conjunction with RailRiders Adventure Clothing. Feature Stories Include: Amazon Crossing: Mickey Grosman’s 5,000-Mile Quest Becoming a Navy…
Ditch the Chair and Get a Stand-up Desk
Another very functional way for runners to improve their stability and overall body balance is to get a stand-up desk. Many of us spend hours a day sitting in front of a computer at work or home. This causes the body to go out of alignment, and can even impair or diminish that end-of-workday training…
Defining Minimalism and Running Shoes: Bringing the Hype Back to Earth
Blaise Dubois is a physiotherapist and founder of the Running Clinic from Quebec City, Montreal, whose multi-day course on the prevention of running injuries has attracted the interest and attention of health professionals, coaches and running enthusiasts around the world. Blaise also tells it like it is, as readers of his bilingual blog–French and English–…
Wake Up Your Glutes with “Run Away” Drill
The drill with the resistance tether is the “Run Away” drill and forces a runner to cue and engage the glutes in a “push” motion. Power in running comes from the glutes and all runners have them, they just need to wake them up and use them. No high-tech device is needed, just an old…