The beautiful thing about running is its simplicity and the fact there are always little things – technique, economy, strength, pace etc – to work on to get better. Even if you’re pushing 70, you can still improve. It’s a lifelong journey.
We’ve been talking to top runners and coaches for many years, and have learned a lot in the process. There are so many aspects to improving running performance. Some of it is mental, some physical, and some commonsense.
For new and experienced runners alike, we’ve selected 12 ‘best of’ articles based on the conversations we’ve had with athletes and coaches. With so many of us confined to our homes, now is a good time to kick back and learn about the finer points of running. The fresh insights you gain will prepare you for an awesome running season once restrictions have been lifted.
Photo by Brian Erickson on Unsplash
How to adapt your training when the unexpected strikes
This is timely for many of us who are confined at home to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Races scheduled in spring and summer have been cancelled, and the entire race calendar is uncertain. We talked to pro running coach Michael Arend about how to respond to this situation. Click here to see his tips.
7 principles to help you find the flow
We all want to experience the famous runner’s high; that blissful flow state when time flies by, and everything feels easy. But they can be elusive. Mental Coach Markus Arjava shared 7 principles to follow to increase the likelihood you find the flow. Read the article here.
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Learn how sleep can make you a better runner
Runners, especially distance runners, often expect a lot from themselves. We can get focused on our running volume, time on our feet, and all the other stats. They’re important, but can obscure the big picture; performance is a consequence of many things, including having quality time with your friends and family, diet, and of course getting plenty of sleep. Sleep doctor Henri Tuomilehto shared 6 tips to make sure you are getting good shut eye. Read more here.
Tracking cadence, heart rate and pace while running
Having the ability to track yourself while out on a run helps to improve performance. We talk to a coach about how to do this well to ensure you are training and racing intelligently. Get the lowdown here.
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Emelie Forsberg’s top 7 yoga poses for runners
To benefit from yoga asanas (postures) you don’t need to start believing in eastern spirituality. Physical yoga, practiced regularly, is just a great way to maintain and improve your mobility, muscle tone, fascial health and breathing. Emelie Forsberg is a trained yoga teacher and practices yoga daily. In this article, she demonstrates her 7 favorite yoga poses.
8 essential running form drills
Doing these 8 drills regularly will help to improve your running technique and economy. Sloppy technique leads to a loss of momentum and energy, making running more arduous. We talk to an XTERRA world champion and science driven endurance coach about how with a little effort you can tighten up your running form. Read it here.
© Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
7 tips for running in hot weather
Ryan Sandes has run ultras in deserts across the planet. In this article, he explains how to lower your core temperature when you’re out running on intense summer days.
Four myths about ultra running you need to know
There are a lot of assumptions about what it takes to run an ultra marathon. These often mistaken assumptions can discourage us from taking on what can be an incredibly transformative challenge. Ultra marathon coach Jason Koop sets us straight about the four common myths surrounding this sport, and why to give one a go.
© Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool
Fuelling the engine: 6 principles of nutrition for athletes
We spoke to six athletes and two coaches for our “fuelling the engine” series, and heard a variety of perspectives on eating well. We reviewed all the articles and found six principles they all agreed on. Read on to make sure you’re fuelling the engine well.
How to bring mindfulness to the trail
Mindfulness is being in the here and now. It’s nothing special, just present moment awareness, which in our attention economy can seem weirdly exotic. Mindfulness helps runners to develop a mind-body connection, says South African trail runner and coach Meg MacKenzie. It helps us tune in to what’s going on moment by moment, day by day. Read about Meg’s approach here.
7 tips to go the (ultra) distance
Who better to talk to about running an ultra marathon than Ryan Sandes, who recently ran the Great Himalayan Trail for goodness sake? His tips can equally be applied to training for a 30 km race as an ultra.
Intro to distance running technique
In this article, our science driven coach gets more specific than in the article above, and talks proper running form for distance. Working on these aspects of your running technique once or twice a week can pay dividends over time.
Lead images:
© Wayne Reiche / Red Bull Content Pool
© Kevin Sawyer / Red Bull Content Pool
© Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
