STL NEWS

08.30.16

It's All in Your Head

Yogi Berra famously quipped, “Baseball is 90 percent mental and the other half is physical.” The same could be said of running. Except, of course, the percentages are off.  Running is 99 percent mental.  I’ll be the first to admit I suffer from a mental hang-up …

Read More › 08.17.16

It's Not Over-Use; It's Under-Recovery

It's a common refrain among endurance athletes. Training is going great! I'm killing my workouts! PRs are inevitable!  And then the dreaded injury derails us, mid-euphoria.  Why do so many of us identify with this? As goal-oriented people, we are wired to push ourselves. We aim f…

Read More › 08.17.16

Are easy runs ruining your training?

One of the simplest concepts of successful long distance running also seems to be the hardest for many runners to grasp. Running easy helps you race faster!  If you are invested in your running, it it important to run with a purpose - even on easy days. - Brandi Barbre, Traini…

Read More › 08.16.16

Olympic Thoughts

I’m a sucker for the Olympics.  I always have been. A slow motion montage and some soppy music, and I’m a mess. The sight of Bob Costas alone inspires me to tears.    I mean, I haven’t watched any Olympic golf because, well, it’s golf. But still. If th…

Read More › 08.10.16

On Endings

I don’t usually do my long runs in the evening. For numerous reasons, I prefer early morning long runs. There is something about the quiet of the early hours, when all the world is still asleep. Even the air itself is different—familiar and hushed and confidential, as though shar…

Read More › 08.10.16

Insanity

Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But how many of us are guilty of this very thing? (I know my hand is up.)  Runners are notorious for routines. And in this way, one of our biggest strengths is also one of our greatest weak…

Read More › 08.3.16

A Little Strength Goes a Long Way

Training to achieve any running goal is exciting. We develop a plan of attack and set about conquering our goals. And then… we get injured. Ugh.  The high injury rate for runners is a frustrating reality. Studies suggest that almost 3 out of every 4 runners will develop some sort…

Read More › 08.2.16

Of Moments

It was early—too early by normal human standards—and I had already been running Forest Park for an hour. It was Friday. It had not been a good week. I had cried more than I had laughed. I had worried more than I had rested. The ratio of good moments to bad was not in my favor.
…

Read More › 07.27.16

Today is the Day

Each day dawns fresh and new, unmarred by errors, slips, or gaffes. For some reason, however, we tend to bring our past failures and worries with us into the landscape of each new day. Why must we always trip over the stone that's behind us?  Every resolution begins with good intention…

Read More › 07.26.16

The Negotiation

It happens every time I start marathon training. For the first three to five weeks, my body rebels. Straight-up rebels. Tempo runs are a bear. Track workouts may not even happen. Even daily runs are difficult and sluggish. Basically, my body and I are wholly engaged in a battle of wills unti…

Read More ›