Runner's World

inside knowledge

SARA HALL The Reinvention, p.36 I had some friends and coaches who drove home the importance of healthy eating habits and not depriving yourself for short-term gains that can come from unhealthy weight loss. It was a temptation at a young age, when I saw people beating me by doing that. But I’m thankful now that I didn’t go there, and as a result, I can still be enjoying my career—the most I ever have—at age 38. PLUS: When a run gets tough, I sometimes count down in my head to take my mind off the pain, or I tell myself, “The well is deep. Even if I’m hurting, I can keep going to the well.” And I focus on my form cues to keep my body moving strong. PJ THOMPSON Your Best Teammate,…

my running life

COLIN Mc SHERRY SENIOR ART DIRECTOR GO, MAN, GO!!—PAT McSHERRY, MY DAD PRODUCTS I’M USING RIGHT NOW 1 / Skechers GOrun Razor Excess $140 Lightweight, wide toebox, and good heel retention—all the things I look for in a shoe. 2 / Ciele Athletics GOCap Standard CMYK Edition $35 I’m a magazine designer—was there really any choice but the CMYK color edition?! 3 / Apple AirPod Pros $249 I don’t always run to music, but when I do, the transparency mode is a must compared to noise cancellation. SUPERIOR POSTRUN SIPS An ice-cold can of Coke. My Advice for Newbies Just start. It’ll feel hard, but the more you do it, the better you’ll feel. And if you need to switch your routine up, try trail running. Your pace will slow down, but you won’t notice that much while dodging roots,…

my running life

RUNNER’S WORLD+MEMBER HANI KIWAN, 52 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEEP GOING. PROVE YOU CAN DO IT Hardest Run of My Life The virtual Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, which I ran before the 2020 Istanbul Half. I started too fast, and by midrace, I was fully drained. I PR’d, but it was painful. I learned a big lesson and fixed it in Istanbul, which was amazing—another PR. My advice: Start slow. And know your limits. PATIENCE OR PUSH? 80 percent patience, 20 percent push. Running takes time. Believe in the process and you’ll see massive improvement. GREATEST RUN OF MY LIFE The Istanbul Half Marathon last April. I was in control all the way and did exactly what I’d planned to do. Negative split, PR. I trained well, started slow, and picked up pace in the second half. MY BIGGEST…

the inside lane

IF YOU’RE THE kind of person who likes to race a lot, 2020 was a stinker of a year. And 2021 didn’t start out much better. But marathon season is back, baby! That is, assuming the Delta variant doesn’t throw a wrench in the plans. The pandemic-fueled postponement of races has led to the most concentrated fall race schedule ever, especially for the World Marathon Majors—all six races will be contested in just a six-week span. Typically, Boston, London, and Tokyo marathons are held in the spring, with Berlin, Chicago, and New York City being spread out over September, October, and November, respectively. For the jet-set types, that makes it easy to run a couple (or more) of the Majors in any given year. But, this year is trickier. If you…

can you replace some running with elliptical training?

IF YOU’VE EVER followed a race training plan, you know it’s not just about running; it’s about running strategically. That’s why nearly every training plan includes easy runs, long runs, speedwork on the track, tempo runs on the road, recovery runs—it’s enough running to fill at least five or six days a week, and it can eventually do a number on your body. The reason training plans call for so much running is the rule of specificity: “Whatever you want to get good at, you have to do that type of activity to a high degree,” explains Ian Klein, a specialist in exercise physiology, cross-training, and injury prevention at Ohio University. Translation: To be a better runner, you have to run more. Each specific running workout has a purpose—from developing fast-twitch muscle…

bui ld out your home gym with an elli ptical

Like most home fitness equipment, ellipticals range from basic models to gym-quality machines. As with treadmills, to some extent you get what you pay for. Although you can get a good workout from lower-priced models with fewer settings, having more options will keep your workout interesting and challenging. The top machines offer a broad range of adjustable resistance—often with 20+ levels. They also include more adjustability, including auto-controlled incline height and stride length. Although some models cost as little as $200, they tend to break down more quickly. A higher-quality elliptical will provide a quieter, smoother ride. Just be sure to consider your space and budget when shopping. Also make sure to check out the warranty before buying—mechanical issues can strike even the higher-end models.—Caitlin Giddings Courtesy Nauti lus (M9 and 470); Courtesy…