Runcast

Runcast 65 – Runners live longer / fighting side stitch and sleep issues

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Sun, 13 May 2012 13:34:35 PDT

Today on the podcast: a study proves that people who run live longer than people who don’t. The study was done over a long period of time and gives an insight on how much running may be too much. Next, the sleep issues which can prevent you from getting enough deep sleep your body needs for rest and recovery. Finally, we give you four tips on things you can do to stop the side stitch.

Runcast 65

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Links:
Jogging regularly can add years to your life
How to overcome common sleep issues and get enough rest
Four Ways to Stop the Dreaded Side Stitch
Canadian Running magazine

Runcast 64 – How to wash your gear / Running in pregnancy

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:18:33 PDT

Today’s episode will mostly interest female listeners. We’re exploring whether it’s safe to run during pregnancy, with a few tips for pregnant runners. Before that, we briefly talk about washing and maintaining your special running clothing so it lasts longer, look nice and smell fresh.

Runcast 64

Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:
Woman gives birth after running Chicago Marathon
Ask coach Jenny: Running & Pregnancy: Can I Train to Run a Half Marathon?
Running for Two: Guidelines for Pregnant Runners

Runcast 63 - Trail running and safety

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:18:21 PDT

Mihira Lakshman, editor in chief of Canadian Running magazine, talks about trail running and how it compares to road running. He also tells a story about a bizarre kind of extreme trail running in which prospectors in Northern Ontario hire trail runners to stake valuable mining claims. The story sounds like something from a western movie. Finally, we talk about safety when running on trails alone and we'll give you some tips to help you run and return safely from your trail run.

Correction:
In the podcast I wrongly state that Micah True, "Caballo Blanco" was found dead in Texas, while in fact his body was found in New Mexico.

Runcast 63

Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:
Canadian Running magazine
Running icon found dead in New Mexico

Runcast 62 - Understanding running pain / Alternatives to sold-out big races

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:18:05 PDT

For all of you who run for training, you know that with it comes certain amount of pain. I will tell you about the “good pain, the bad pain and the ugly pain,” what they mean and what to do about them.

As marathons get more and more popular, it’s getting really difficult to register for some of the big races. But, there could be alternatives, and I will tell you about them

Runcast 62
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Links:
Runners: Pay attention to pain
The Marathon - More Popular Than Ever
Marathons and the Invisible Hand of the Market
Marathon numbers
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon
Vancouver Marathon
Victoria Marathon
Niagara Falls Marathon
Around the Bay Road Race
Get Out There Magazine

Runcast 61 - Afternoon naps are not good for you / Become a morning runner

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:55 PDT

A sleep doctor tells us why napping in the afternoon is not good for an athlete. Then, another doctor helps us adjust our lifestyle to become a morning runner.

Runcast 61
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:
Hockey pre-game nap as outdated as wood sticks
Rise And Run: How To Become A Morning Runner
Lite Book
Philips Wake-up light

Runcast 60 - Finding your happy pace / Running with period

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:29 PDT

Today we help you to find your happy pace. That’s the pace when you feel like you could run forever and more, when you body runs on auto-pilot and when there’s almost no effort in maintaining your speed.

After that, we try to answer a very womanly question - how to train and run during period. We borrowed heavily from the writing of the renowned running coach and Runner’s World magazine columnist Jenny Hadfield.

Runcast 60
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:
Tips for Finding Your Running or Jogging Pace
How Your Period Effects Your Training

Runcast 59 - Prevent back pain when running / Pacing and racing tips

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:20 PDT

Today I talk about preventing back pain when running. Some statistics show that almost a third of working men and more than two out of ten working women in North America suffer from some form of back pain. While running itself is rarely the cause of it, there are things good to know about your back if you’re a runner.

Later I will share a few running tips from an Ironman coach which will help you improve your pacing and racing.

Runcast 59
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:
Running and looking after your back
Six Ironman Marathon Secrets

Runcast 58 - Is marathon harmful for the heart, or not? / Vitamin D

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:17:09 PDT

There have been lot of controversy lately whether running a marathon is going to kill you or not. In the wake of recent deaths during marathon and half-marathon races, two studies were published, with exactly opposite conclusions as to how harmful is an endurance race to your heart. I will talk about both.

Later, I’ll tell you how important vitamin D is for everyone, but especially for runners. Did you know it can help prevent overuse injuries and inflammation? Listen on and I will explain how it works.

Runcast 58
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Links:

Distance Running and Endurance Sports Can Be Hard on the Heart

Running marathons isn’t bad for your heart, study finds

Men’s Health: Can Running Kill You?

Runcast 57 - Running makes you smarter / How to fall without injury

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:16:53 PDT

Today I am going to boost your ego and tell you how smart you are for being a runner. Listen on, because I will give you the scientific proof that it’s really true - running makes you smarter.

Then I’ll bring you down - I will talk about taking a fall during a run, and how to fall safely. That may be easier said than done, but listen on, you can pick up a few tips that may save you from hurting yourself if you trip and fall.

Runcast 57
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Links:

Yaktrax Canada

“Spark, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”

San Marcos’ Daily Record’s column on connection between exercise and brain

Toronto Midnite Run - the New Year’s run and party

Runcast 56 - Post-holidays weight loss / breathing tips

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:16:29 PDT

Useful weight-loss tips after the season of over-eating. Also - how to breathe properly on the run.

Runcast 56
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Links:

Daily Burn
Daily Mile

Runcast 55 - What is ElliptiGO?

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:15:53 PDT

I recently test drove ElliptiGO. It’s an elliptical trainer on wheels. To help me explain what elliptigo is and what it does, I am joined by Bruce Raymer, a marathoner with a decade on Canadian national team, a running coach and a go-to guy for Elliptigo in Canada. He recently came back from the World Championships in ElliptiGO where he won bronze medal.

Runcast 55
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Links:

ElliptiGO Canada

Elliptigo International

Zoran test-driving ElliptiGO

Runcast 54 - Why are Kenyans so fast?

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:15:43 PDT

In this episode we talk about Kenyans, and later we'll have more audiobooks recommendations.

“Kenyan” has become a synonym for a fast runner. There are running courses promising to teach you to run like a Kenyan, and there are training plans with names like “from couch to Kenyan.” In short, running like a Kenyan is the greatest achievement in distance running these days. But, why is it that Kenyans are so good, so fast and so dominant?

To try to find an explanation I turned to a friend of Runcast, a scientist-runner and an editor at Canadian Running magazine, Alex Hutchinson.

Runcast 54
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:

Alex Hutchinson: Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights
Sweat Science blog

Audiobooks:

“The Memory of Running" by Ron McLarty
Carlos Ruiz Zafon

RunCast's new voicemail: (+1) 516-441-0112

Runcast 53 – Take a Winter break / Audiobooks for running

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:15:32 PDT

A break from running will keep you going longer; and a few audiobooks for running bibliophiles.

This is the time of the year when the marathon season winds down and the holiday season approaches. There will be a lot of food on the table and much less running. Most of the runners I know usually feel guilty during the holidays season, and try to push on with their schedule. In its December’s issue, Runners World magazine teaches us that it’s OK to scale back and enjoy time with family and friends. And don’t forget to enjoy the food too.

Do you read while you run? In this podcast I’ll recommend a few good audiobooks to get you going and keep you running.

Runcast 53
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Runcast 52 - Rainy Runs / Runcations / Fauja Singh

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:15:15 PDT

Today, a few words about the world oldest marathon runner and his fight to get into the Guinness Book of Records. Then, a few tips for rainy days runs. Finally, some thoughts about the running vacation, or runcation.

Runcast 52
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:

9 Tips for Training in the Rain
Guinness won’t recognize Fauja Singh’s record
Mike's SightRunning Berlin

Runcast 51 - Runner’s face and Berlin marathon

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:15:02 PDT

Running makes the body toned, but the face falls apart. Why does runner's face look older than runner's body?
Also, the report from 2011 Berlin Marathon and why you should consider running it.

Runcast 51
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Running track on the sports floor in Galeria department store in Berlin, Germany.

2011 Berlin Marathon finisher's medal

Links:

Some aging runners are turning to plastic surgery to mask fat-burning effects
RW Daily: Do You Suffer From… Runner's Face?
Paula Radcliffe lobbies IAAF in world record fight

Runcast 50 - Relax, it’s taper time!

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:14:26 PDT

Tapering before a big race is the perfect time to reflect on training and plan race strategy.

The Fall season is here, with all the goal races which made us run like crazy the whole summer. Today’s podcast is a little different in the way that it’s more personal, although I hope there will still be enough information in it for you to find it useful. And, hopefully, entertaining.

Runcast 50
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Links:

McRunner breaks his marathon time after burger diet
Emily Strunk-Helm runs on McDonald’s
Tony Morrison to run carrying a fridge

Runcast 49 - How to slow down on easy days / Race pace workouts

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:14:07 PDT

The importance of running easy and two workouts to nail your race-pace: Yasso’s 800s and The Simulator.

Today I’d like to point out the arguably most common mistake runners make in training - running too fast. Or, rather, not running slow enough. I’ll explain the importance of the easy run and how to do it without feeling like a slacker. Later on, I’ll tell you about two fantastic workouts to test your goal race pace - Yasso’s 800s and the simulator. I’ll explain the two, their differences and how to incorporate them into your training.

Runcast 49
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:

Training pace calculator
Yasso’s 800s
The Simulator

Runcast 48 - iSmoothRun app review and giveaway / Running Safety

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:13:29 PDT

The best iPhone running app; safety tips for runners

There are so many running apps for smart phones, that it's almost impossible to pick the best one. I don't claim that I found the best, but I found the one that seems the best for me. On this pocast, I will talk about iSmoothRun app for iPhone, which does wonders to log my runs and update my social networks. And, if you stick until the end of the segment, I will tell you how you can win the code to download iSmoothRun app for free, curtesy of Lake Horizon Ltd., the app's creators.

Later on, I will give you some important tips to run safely.

Runcast 48
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:

iSmoothRun App review on Runcast
iSmoothRun web page
Safety Tips for Runners on runtheplanet.com

iSmoothRun iPhone app does everything, except run for you (Review)

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:14:07 PDT

**The information of a sweepstakes giveaway at the end of the post.

There's a point in every runner's life when just going out for a run isn't enough. We need to know how long and how fast we went. For many, a pedometer solution, like Nike+ iPod, is satisfying enough. But, if you ever tasted the excitement of a race, especially a longer race, then you have probably also experienced the disappointment with limitations of a pedometer, especially its inaccuracy. And you lusted after the GPS devices the runners around you had.

If you are really a hard-core runner, (and if you have enough money to support that addiction) you probably have a Garmin, or some similar wrist watch with GPS. However, these days we have an alternative solution, for those of us who are not willing to splurge for a Garmin. Most modern smart phones have built in GPS, and support apps that can track your training, log it online and connect you with like-minded and like-footed people.

There are many apps available for all smart phone platforms. I used RunKeeper for iPhone for more than a year - it tracks my distance and coaches me, logs my run on RunKeeper website and connects me with the members of my "Street Team," which is something like an online running group, or like friends on FaceBook. There were certain things I wished the RunKeeper would do, such as log on my data to DailyMile, a social network for fitness geeks. And I wished it would track the mileage I put on my shoes. Many updates later, it still doesn't do those things.

Then I discovered iSmoothRun, a $4.99 app which does it all. And, it does it better than any other app I tried. iSmoothRun uses both GPS and accelerometer to track your run, so based on your average stride, even if you lose GPS signal, it'll still track your distance. You can, for example, warm up outside, and continue your run on a treadmill. It also measures your time, pace, calories burnt, and even your cadence (i.e. how many steps per minute you're taking). It has auto-pause feature, which pauses the timer after 10 seconds of inactivity, but the duration can be set anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds of inactivity. So, if you have to wait for an extremely long red light, the app will pause your training, until you resume moving.

If you base your training on HRM (heart rate per minute), you can connect an ANT+ heart rate belt through a Wahoo Fisica connector (sold separately) and the app will give you updates on your heart rate, and warn you when you get too excited…or work too hard!

The list of features is long and sweet, and I'm not going to list them all. A couple of things I must mention, however, are the setting which lets you duck or pause the music while you're getting audio cues on your training. I like listening to audiobooks on long runs, and often, when the app gives me the update on the distance, I miss a sentence or two of a story. It's not a big thing, but it was something I wished I could work around. Well, now I can set the audiobook to pause, get the update on my run, and the story resumes right where it left off, without me losing a word.

Another big improvement is the way you can customize intervals - unlike RunKeeper, in which you can repeat intervals only if they are of the same kind - for example, I could enter a 1-minute interval to be repeated 12 times, but if I wanted to have 15 minutes warmup before, then I had to enter the warmup and each of the 12 sprint intervals manually. iSmoothRun lets you customize the intervals in groups, and then add those groups into the workout - example, 15 min warmup is one group, 12 repeats of 1 minute sprint with 1 minute recovery is another, I could add to it 15 minutes steady running as the third group, then 15 minutes cooldown…you get the idea. After each interval the app gives you the data for it - speed, pace, length, heart rate, etc.

Finally, the app syncs the data with both sites I use for tracking my training - RunKeeper and DailyMile (it also connects with RunningFreeOnline and TrainingPeaks). I can use RunKeeper live feature on it too, enabling my progress to be tracked live as it happens on the map, which my family uses to estimate how long I'll be gone, and to locate me when/if I get injured. (If you're not on any of those networks, you can still analyze your runs on your device, or have the data sent via email.)

I was so amazed by iSmoothRun, that I contacted the programmers and had a brief e-mail interview with one of them. Here's what he had to say:

Q: Who is behind iSmoothRun App?

A: We are Ros and Manolis, the developers from Lake Horizon Ltd.

Q: Where are you based?

A: We are based in Greece. All programming is done in Greece. The amazing graphics design was done in Denmark by icondesign.dk

Q: Where did the idea for the app come from? Obviously, there are runners behind it, because the app covers most of the requirement a runner can have for tracking his runs.

A: When I tried my first running App I was excited because I could see the potential. Sports watches with the small screens and insufficient computing power had very limited functionality. The idea of having two GPS devices on me while training didn't seem rational. Unfortunately all the running Apps I tested left many things to be desired.

After waiting for 2 years, I realized that no one was going to built the App I needed, because it seems that the target audience for those Apps are the people who don't run, and not runners. That's why we see a proliferation of C25K apps. And it makes sense because the target audience is much bigger, and with easy requirements. Simple GPS tracking and social features are enough. On the other side if you try to build an App for runners (I define my target group as "runners who follow a training plan"), people who race, you have to be prepared to be judged and compared against Garmins and Polars (no easy task).

By that time my Polar broke, I started to get interested in running form, so I needed also something to measure cadence. iPhone 4 was introduced with a much better GPS and battery life. Add my love for the iPhone and programming, and I started the project just for fun.
In one month I had all the basic GPS tracking and cadence measuring done, and was able to use it on my runs. From that point I got hooked and obsessed with the App. Next step was adding intervals training and coaching. Now the App was starting to be really good. With the addition of the ANT+ sensors (for heart rate monitoring) we had everything we needed.

At the same time the economic crisis in Greece got worse, and I decided to publish the App in the App store.

So that's the story. The App is built by runners just the way we want it to be. We want an App that will help runners perform their training plan, log all the quantitative data, provide a complete log and help them at any point evaluate their training status.

Q: The app is, as far as I could find, iOS only. Do you have plans to spread it to other platforms, i.e. Android, BlackBerry, etc.?

A: Unfortunately, we have limited resources and for the moment we are interested in iOS, since there are a lot more to be done for cyclists, triathletes and runners of course. Better to give a groundbreaking App in one platform than a simply good App for everyone.

Q: What can we expect from iSmoothRun in future? Are you planning to develop a web site, or will continue partnership with RunKeeper?

A: From the beginning we decided to stay focused only on one platform and provide the absolutely best product possible. The version that is coming out in a few days has automatic logging of weather conditions, auto pause for cycling even if no sensors are used, and a tool to calculate and log Heart Rate recovery (HR drop in 60 secs).
In parallel we are working to offer localized versions for the major European languages.

We believe that we have finished the first phase of development, that offers runners and cyclists a truly advanced tool and we are ready to start create even more interesting features. We are very interested in the logging of all aspects of an athlete's life like nutrition, resting HR, weight, body fat measurements, VO2max measurements etc, provide tools for testing protocols like Cooper or Conconi and advanced statistical analysis.

Meanwhile we will keep our strategy of being completely open, regarding the export of our data and connectivity with other web services like RunKeeper or Daily Mile etc. We are not very interested in the social aspects, so we are happy we can focus on our tasks and leave the social functionality to others that have proven to be best at.

Q: What kind of relationship you have with RunKeeper, since your app obviously works in sync with their database, including RunKeeper Live?

A: Since June RK offers a partner program, where anyone can connect and use the Health Graph API. We are very proud to be the first iPhone App, and we do believe we complement RunKeeper's services very nicely. The RunKeeper community has really shown their preference for iSmoothRun and as RunKeeper's API evolves we promise many more exciting features.

**Lake Horizon Ltd. is giving 20 promo codes to listeners of RunCast podcast, to download the app for free from iTunes App Store. The details on how to enter the lucky draw will be recorded in the next episode of RunCast, to be released on Thursday, August 18.

Runcast 47 - Chasing the Runner’s High

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:13:09 PDT

Comparing running to alcohol addiction in the book by Ray Charbonneau. Please, run responsibly.

Ray Charbonneau, a runner, an ultra-marathoner and an author of "Chasing the Runner's High" joins me on the phone from Arlington near Boston, MA, to talk about his book and running in general.

Runcast 47
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Link:

Chasing the Runner's High book page

Running (and singing) in the rain

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:19:42 PDT

- A message for wet runners -

Photo credit: brokenheartedrunner.wordpress.com

There was a drummer outside the bedroom window this morning. As I woke up, there was a constant drumroll of raindrops against the glass. I confess, I love to sleep in the pouring rain, as long as it's outside and I'm inside. But, sleep isn't what I was about to do. Running was!

Margaret, my wife, was surprisingly cheerful while we dressed for a run. She's the sleeper in the family, the one who has to be dragged out of bed, especially at 5 a.m. But not today! She hummed and sang the old cliche "I'm singing in the rain". And so we stepped out.

Huddled under the awning, we synced our RunKeepers and stepped into the shower. Here I must explain that Margaret is a fairly novice runner—she was a sprinter and a hurdler in high school, but joined me on my long distance plodding only recently, and has yet to run through the elements. It was pleasant 22 degrees Celsius (71 F) and the rain was more refreshing than hindering.

Margaret dashed out like a bullet, with a gasp and a little yelp when the drops hit her. I sprinted after her, calling her to slow down. She slowed a little, but was still going too fast. I had to explain that we are going to be out at least 20 - 30 minutes and we are going to be soaked, there's no outrunning the rain. The only difference is that she can relax and enjoy the run, or she can run as fast as she started and be miserable. That finally slowed her down to normal pace.

I watched her form and laughed. Her shoulders were hunched and arms were barely swinging, kept up high at her chest. She looked at me under the bill of her hat, rain dripping from it.

"You know," I said, "hunching shoulders will not keep you any drier. You'll get just as wet as if you're swinging your arms normally."

Then I witnessed the transformation. Margaret laughed, dropped her shoulders, swung her arms and splashed on. Like kids, we ran, wadding through the puddles, splashing, spouting the rain pouring down our faces, joking, laughing. Once we surrendered to it, the rain was amazingly liberating. It was such an unusual sense of freedom, we were like children finally allowed to play in the mud.

When we finished, still laughing and dripping water all over the floor, Margaret confessed that she really liked running in the rain. Once the first panic subsided, she said, she loved every step.

And that is our message for all you wet runners out there—there's nothing so liberating as summer rain. Don't fight it, leave the rain-coat at home. Instead, embrace it, surrender to it, and enjoy the run. It will cool you down, leave you feeling refreshed and make you feel alive, like a child you used to be.

Runcast 46 - Why do you run?

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:11:54 PDT

Also - hot tips to keep cool in the heat, and how to recover after long runs.

I’d like to ask you something: Why do you run? It seems simple enough question, but is it, really?

Also, over here in Canada we are getting really hot. And I mean literally HOT. The temperatures are around 35 degrees Celsius - which is 95 Fahrenheit, and with humidity you can easily add 10 or more degrees to that. I’ll tell you how to make your hot summer runs cooler.

Last time we talked about the importance of recovery in general. This time I’ll give you some tips to speed up recovery after your long run.

Runcast 46
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Links:

Video: What do you run for?

How to recover after a long run

Runner’s World: Pre-hydration and hydration for the long run

“Chasing The Runner’s High” by Ray Charbonneau

Runcast 45 - The importance of recovery

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:11:31 PDT

Explaining what we can do to help the body recover after an endurance training.

People tend to keep pushing things they like to do, until they overdo it. With runners, overdoing it means that we tire more easily, our training stagnates, instead of getting faster we get slower, and we become prone to injuries.

Many training plans include different forms of cross training as a solution for overtraining. There is, however, another important part of training process which is rarely emphasized - recovery. I’m joined today by Carolyn Murray, a coach with Triathlon Canada and Canadian Sport Centre Pacific. She is here to explain the importance of recovery in training process.

Runcast 45
Play the podcast by clicking the play button, or download by right-clicking HERE, then choose save (or download) file as...

Link:
Carolyn Murray interview highlights

The Black Toenail: The pain of running long

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:32:53 PDT

My friend looked at me. There was fear in his eyes.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
“Does what hurt?” I replied.
“Does it hurt to run a marathon?”
—-
An old friend came to visit last weekend. By “old” I mean that we’ve known each other since he was a teenager, and I was in my early twenties. We trained judo together, and he never fails to mention a beating I administered, which I honestly can’t recall, but there’s no reason to doubt his memory. It is odd how we remember the beating we received and forget the ones we delivered.

It was a fine evening in a fine restaurant with fine red wine. Memories were flowing freely, helped by the drinks. It has been five years since we’ve seen each other last time, and a lot happened in both our lives. He got married, they are expecting a baby. Life sped up in many ways, business-wise and family-wise, and it slowed him down physically. He gained weight, though I tried not to mention it.

On my side, running has become a huge part of life; I shed some 20 lbs (10 kg) since he last saw me, and ran four marathons. Inevitably, the conversation turned to running. I tried a few proven tricks to get him to try, but he just looked at me with glassy eyes. Too much wine, I thought. But, no—it was fear taking hold of him.

Back in our judo days, we subjected our bodies to various kinds of torture for training sake. Running far, with obstacles and speedwork was a part of it. And so my friend removed the glass from his lips after a long pause and said: “I hate running.”

He also developed distaste for gym. So I tried the safe approach: running is easy, it’s natural, it only hurts at the beginning.

It didn’t work.
“I can’t,” he said.
“You can’t…what?” I asked.
“I can’t run. At all. Not even a hundred yards.”

And so I finally understood. Once he was an athlete, a champion in his sport. It must have been horrifying to realize that running to a bus became too tasking.

Then he asked me: “Does it hurt?”
“Does what hurt?” I replied.
“Does it hurt to run a marathon?”

I also understood his fear of pain. In competitors’ sports pain is a part of life. But, once he was removed from such life, he was doing everything possible to avoid pain. And we both knew that one can’t start training without going through the pain of muscles adjusting to the new regimen. There was no point in trying to deceive him.

“I ran marathons that hurt,” I said, “and I ran a few that didn’t. There’s a way to run without pain.”

To start running some people need a nudge, some need a push, and some need a kick in the butt. Some you only need to encourage, some you need to entice, pull by example. My friend is in the last category. It would work if I show up on his door with his running shoes in hands and literally kick him out the door. The problem is of a geographical nature - my foot from Toronto can’t reach his butt in London.

So, I did the only thing I could think of.
“Can I send you a book?” I asked. “But, you must promise you’ll read it.”
He promised.

I’m sending him “Running: Getting Started” by Jeff Galloway. Hopefully, Jeff’s run-walk-run method will ease my friend into once-again active lifestyle. He’ll need it, if nothing else, to chase his toddler around.

Runcast 44 - The bad—and good—of running with Garmin

mail@runcast.net (RunCast.net) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:41:55 PDT

In these days of high tech, more runners than not run with a GPS device. They help us keep the pace, stay on course and track the training in the most minute detail. But, as we know, nothing can be so good that there is no bad side to it. Kevin Smith, a coach with Marathon Dynamics runners club from Toronto, joins me today to point to the bad - and the good, of course - of running with a Garmin-like gadgets.

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