Runner's World

JESS MOVOLD Newbie Gains, P.24 I think the most beautiful part about running is the self-discovery throughout the journey and process. I don’t think anyone could have told me anything that would have changed my path with running. It’s one of those things where I needed to explore it for myself. However, someone could have warned me about chafing. That would have been helpful. ALSO: Oatmeal and banana prerun, gels during, and for the postrun–it’s all about brunch, baby. Poached eggs, pancakes, and maybe a Bloody Mary. I guess if it’s not brunch, let’s do pizza.…

RON COOPER RW+ Member, P.28 When obstacle races were just coming to the scene about a decade ago, my brother and I did them together. We would travel to the various locations, catch up on life, reminisce about the past, and dream of the future. Then we would go out and run, and we actually did really well, winning and placing in several. The atmosphere was great, with lots of music and a DJ to pump us up. No one really knew yet what they were doing in these events, so we were all like big kids running and playing in mud and obstacles. ALSO: Listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to cross-train your way into fantastic running shape when injured.…

RUNNER’S WORLD+ MEMBER RAMZY LOUTFY, 31 PILOT SYSTEMS ENGINEER & AIR FORCE INSTRUCTOR PILOT /PLANO, TEXAS EMBRACE THE SUCK. KEEP GOING. HOME RUN I live only minutes from the schools I went to growing up in Plano. I love running around the area and having memories come back to me as I pass by the local CVS or donut shop that my friends and I used to go to. Although the weather here is humid, unpredictable, and hot, luckily during the fall and winter, it cools down and feels amazing. RUNNERS+ EARLY RISER → With my hectic schedule nowadays, I usually wakeup around 4 a.m. to get my first workout done. In my opinion, it’s the ideal time to exercise, although I may not always say that at 4:05 a.m. It feels good to get it out…

RUNNER’S WORLD+ MEMBER ERICA STEIN, 46 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST /OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND ONE MILE AT A TIME. RUNNERS+ GROUP OR SOLO RUN? Group. I used to always run alone, but recently I’ve joined training groups and run with friends. My groups keep me accountable and give me an extra push when I need it. Knowing there are others out there with the same goal for the day helps me get through those miles. MY PRERUN ROUTINE → For shorter runs, I roll out of bed, throw on clothes, and head out the door after a few minutes of mobility work. For long runs, I prep the night before by getting together my clothes, accessories, and any fuel I might need during the run. LISTEN TO THIS I like running to rock music, especially for harder efforts. Foo Fighters are a…

HOW TO CHUNK YOUR LONG RUNS Long runs are often harder on your psyche than they are on your legs. Running at an easy, comfortable pace makes all those prescribed miles feel like they’re ticking off at their own leisure—slowly and endlessly. Fortunately, practicing a mental technique called chunking can help you split your interminable long runs into much more manageable fragments. As you’d expect, RW staffers have learned lots of ways to trick themselves into thinking long runs aren’t actually that long. Adapt one or all of these strategies on your next double-digit run. REWARD YOURSELF EVERY FEW MILES During long marathon training runs, I typically take in half of a gel or some gummies about every three miles, so that’s my big reward for a small chunk of the run. When I’m…

RUNNER'S+ It’s easy to scroll past all the perks that come with your Runner’s World+ membership, like exclusive fitness advice, curated training plans, gear deals, and testing opportunities. Here’s what you might have missed lately. (Not a member? Head to runnersworld.com/join.) HARD FACTS Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your 10th marathon, you’d never lace up your shoes if you weren’t up for a challenge—which might have brought you to the trendy program known as 75 Hard. The 2.5-month-long challenge requires adherents to follow a strict nutrition plan, complete two 45-minute workouts daily, and drink a gallon of water a day. In a member-exclusive article, RW contributor Karla Walsh considered whether the viral challenge is worth the effort. Some doctors and nutritionists have criticized 75 Hard for being too extreme, time-intensive, and…