For the Long Run: a Runner's Blog

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The Biggest Mistake You Can Make on Race Day 5k training guide beginner running tips hydration for runners Oct 02, 2025

If you're running a long distance event this fall, you've likely put in most of your important training at this point. It's time to start visualizing race day and making a plan! 

The biggest mistake runners make on race day is  under-fueling.

Not eating enough during the race will sabotage your pe...

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How to Handle Pain When You're Close to Raceday Sep 25, 2025

As many of you may know by now, I'm currently training for my first ultramarathon! It's going to be a 70-mile road running event in October. (Wish me luck!)

After having a baby in September 2024, I gradually trained myself up to "base training" in January 2025 and since then my sights have been s...

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How to Stay Motivated to Strengthen During Peak Weaks Aug 28, 2025

Happy almost fall running season! 🍂🎃

For most long distance runners, September and October will be the peak weaks of training before the Big Event! Meaning that your mileage increases for your runs, which often comes with less energy, time and motivation to lift those weights.

Here's some tips t...

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Should I Run This Race or Not? avoid running injuries injury prevention for runners knee pain from running running with pain Aug 25, 2025

"Should I Run This Race or Not?" 

A Guide to Making the Decision Safely

As a running physical therapist and run coach, I get this question a lot. 

The hardest time to answer this question is when I'm first meeting someone with pain from running and they're hoping for this simple yes or no answe...

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Hill Work How To's Aug 06, 2025

How to Pace Hill Repeats Properly

It all comes down to effort over pace because the gradient (steepness) of your hill will change how hard it feels.

💡 Target about 70% effort. That means:

  • Controlled but hard breathing

  • You’re not all out sprinting, but you are working

📉 Don’t chase...

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What’s the Deal with Weighted Vests? Aug 06, 2025

What’s the Deal with Weighted Vests?

There's a recent trend online of people purchasing and wearing weighted vests during walk, running, even biking! 

If you've seen this, you might be wondering: "Should I be doing that too?" 

Weighted vests are a great tool, but let's talk about their uses, wh...

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Your Running Form - Does It Matter? Jul 31, 2025

A popular running influencer recently posted a short video confidently stating that “running gait doesn’t matter.” 

It's a clear, bold claim - good for social media - and in some ways, not entirely wrong. But here’s the problem: there's nuance to this!

It’s kind of like trying to figure out how yo...

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How to Test Your Running Injury Risk Jul 07, 2025

 

Can you pass these 5 Running Readiness Tests?

What if there were simple, evidence-based ways to reduce your risk of running injuries this season?


Would that help give you a little peace of mind during training?

Good news! There's been a lot of research on key running readiness tests that help...

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3 Essential Tips for a Successful Fall Race Training Season Jul 07, 2025

By now, you’ve probably got your fall race locked in and you're mentally preparing to increase your weekly mileage.

Did you know that many running injuries can be traced back to training errors? That’s one reason I became a running coach after finishing physical therapy school. Understanding how to...

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How to Manage Your Weekly Running Routine With A Busy Schedule avoid running injuries beginner running tips build endurance running injury prevention for runners return to run run coaching run training Jun 24, 2025

It’s hard enough to stick to a regular fitness routine, and having to do that while navigating pain is exhausting. 

As a physical therapist, when I ask someone how their home rehab program is going, I’m used to hearing the somewhat defeated response of: “I’ve been too busy to do my exercises.”

I...

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How to Recover After a Long Run: Proven Tips for Runners how to recover after a long run hydration for runners injury prevention Jun 09, 2025

Ahhh the long run!

It’s a sacred tradition for runners to lace up and prepare for their weekly long run while training for a half or full marathon. 

Long runs are an essential part of building endurance and are considered the key workout when chasing long distance goals. 

But what happens AFTER y...

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Is Your Calf Weakness Causing Your Injuries? achilles tendonitis calf pain plantar fasciitis strength for runners Jun 03, 2025

When we think of running strength, the calves are often overlooked. But if you're a runner—or just someone who wants to stay active and injury-free—your calf muscles are doing a lot more work than you might think.

Let's start at the soleus (one of the deeper calf muscles), one of the hardest-workin...

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