Someone recently asked me whether we need a special method for learning how to run. It was a rhetorical question, as the person was making a point that running is natural for our species and the world class distance runners learned “without a special method.” But actually it’s a fair question. I firmly believe there … Read more
Down deep every runner has The Dream, the fantasy in which they run almost without effort, just flowing or flying over the earth. But if you google “running quotes,” most of what you’ll find them talking about is hard work and suffering. That is the painful predicament many runners know all too well. Running doesn’t feel … Read more
Runners often come to me for help with neck and shoulder tension. On their own they try relaxing their shoulders but it only brings a few minutes of relief while running, then the tension creeps back again. The reason for the tension is often not anything to do with their shoulders, but instead how the … Read more
Do you have an injury that changes and appears to move — one day the inside of your knee hurts, the next day it’s the front below the kneecap, then a few days later it’s your calf? This can feel like a frustrating situation, almost like having injury after injury or, as a client of mine … Read more
“I had long refrained from writing about this method of countering pain because I thought it was some sort of New Age gobbledygook with no scientific basis. Boy, was I wrong!” So wrote Jane Brody, health and fitness writer for the New York Times, in the Well blog this past Tuesday. She went on to … Read more
This week as I’ve introduced The Balanced Runner Online Camp, a number of people have emailed me with questions about it. Since they’re mostly the same six questions, I thought it would be helpful to share the answers with you in case you have one of these questions too. The Most Important Factor The key … Read more
I’ll have an analysis of the elites in today’s Chicago Marathon for you tomorrow. Meanwhile, I want to share a bit of good news I got this week: Runner’s World UK included me in their “70 Most Influential People In Running” piece in the November 2017 issue. Having an influence–helping fewer runners get injured and more … Read more
Four blog posts ago I started this series on running and stress by sharing a stress-reducing “orienting” exercise that involves simply looking around and allowing your senses to work together. That might seem so simple it’s almost stupid until you check how you’re using your eyes at various points during the day. I bet for … Read more
Over the course of this week I’ve told you my story of learning how to run—complete with some real dunderhead moments. Through that, you saw how learning to move better is critical to realizing the dream of smooth, flowing, easy running. Not exercise, not pushing, not shoes, but a really effective learning process targeting the … Read more
In the past couple of posts I’ve been telling the story of my frustrating, miserable early days as a runner, as I fruitlessly chased the dream of running that would feel nearly effortless, flowing… even like I was flying! If you’re a runner I’m guessing you have that dream too. You may be actively trying to make it … Read more
In the spring of 2001 I was really frustrated. I badly wanted to run, but it felt awful. Every single time I went out the door I struggled through a few pounding, gasping miles and returned home dejected. My back hurt, my knees and feet hurt, and the whole thing felt like an assault. Despite … Read more
“Running inspires in us a deep curiosity about the unexplored territory within. Whether training to make an Olympic Team or to run healthy and happy for the rest of our lives the quest to expand the “new frontier” inside ourselves, is universal and eternal. My “Tips for Competition” pertain to the inner landscape…The opportunity to … Read more
Last week I told you the big news that The Balanced Runner will be launching a crowdfunding campaign in early January. I promised to give you a sneak peek of the campaign video, and here it is! Does this sound like a mission you can get behind? If so, I have something special for you. I’m forming an … Read more
An old dance friend of mine recently started running and posted about it on Facebook. Lots of people commented on her post, congratulating and encouraging her. But I was shocked at the number of commiserating comments from other runners about how bad running feels. In fact, there was not a single comment from anyone saying they enjoy running. I know the … Read more
