Blog

By Blake Russell Recently, I have noticed my fellow runner friends blogging about their favorite gourmet recipes, and I admit I am a bit jealous I missed the cooking gene. I dread meal-time. When asked for my favorite recipe for a Christmas family cookbook, I cheated and re-typed a chili recipe from Runner’s World. If there was a pill I could take and not have to cook a meal, I would be all for it. No prep, no clean up! Who needs variety? I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day from kindergarten to twe...

By Stephan Shay Since finishing up college about a year ago, I have found myself jumping from place to place.  I am actually quite grateful for this experience, as I have gotten familiar with areas of the country that most people go to when they have vacation time.  Initially, I found myself going back to the great state of Michigan to visit some friends and train after finishing up summer school at BYU.  I was fortunate enough to be able to use Michigan State’s facilities while staying w...

By Peter Gilmore This summer marks my 10th year of running professionally. Over that decade, I’ve seen the sport continue to grow year after year. Participation in marathons and other road races is at an all time high, and high school kids are still turning out in big numbers to run track and cross country. Companies involved in the business of running are very tuned into these trends and have built brands that cater to these different groups. Its also been a huge boost to charities who have tapped into the fund raising power of run...

By Magda Lewy Boulet I am getting ready to leave for a three week altitude training stint with BATC teammates Stephan Shay and Jake Schmitt. There is so much discussion about various ways to use altitude training or altitude simulation for athletic performance. I don’t like to use altitude tents or other devices to simulate altitude because I enjoy the time I get to spend in the mountains. A couple of times a year I when I prepare for a major event like the Chicago Marathon in October, I spend three or four weeks...

By Tom Kloos A month after a cortisone injection into my heel finally brought relief to a year’s suffering the clenches of plantar fasciitis, I had attempted my first track session. 27 days of euphoric, pain-free running came to a sudden demise as the familiar pinch in my right foot returned. It’s a little sore. No big deal. I’ll be fine tomorrow.   Stage 1 – Denial I took a couple of days rest, moved in ice bucket under my desk, rubbed concoctions into my sole that would make a Belgian cyclist wince, and headed to...

 Travel Tips from the Road By Shannon Rowbury I just arrived in Europe for my summer competition season and since this is my third year racing abroad, I thought I would share some tips that I have learned along the way: Dealing with the Plane: For long trips, make sure to get up every 2 hours to stretch and walk around. I also recommend packing your own food. Plane food can be unreliable and who knows when it will be served. If you bring your own meals, you won't be stuck eating cookies and peanuts out of desperation. I always wear compre...

By Magda Lewy Boulet Many runners graduating from college have enough ability to become great runners given the ingredients for success, but so many of our post college runners do not pursue Post College running. Why is that? Is the real issue overcoming the fear of failure? Or is it the fear of the unknown? Many ask themselves, "What if I train full time and do not run any faster?" More years ago than I care to mention, I asked myself the same questions. And like all those entering the real world this month, I decided it w...

By Bolota Asmerom I am as serious about my meat eating options as I am about my running trails, shoes, and everything else related to running. Not because I love meat so much but because I have never enjoyed the texture or flavor of meat and often had conflicting beliefs about eating animals, especially animals who have been juiced up with hormones, raised in filth and then slaughtered in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. I tried the whole vegetarian/pescatarian deal but that route could not sustain my 80mile/week training routine. During th...

By David Torrence Monday afternoon. I’m at the track, about to do my last speed session before the big adidas Diamond League Meet in New York. The past few weeks had been going great... feeling healthy, fast, strong from training. Confidence ever growing from my victories and PRs earlier in the season.   It’s a great day for speedwork, the sun is shining down on Edwards Stadium, light breeze to keep you comfortable, but not too cool where it gets your muscles cold. I warmup, do my dynamic stretches and drills, a few strides, a...

  By Shannon Rowbury One of the greatest things about living in the Bay Area is the close proximity of fresh, local food. There is something to tempt any palate year round, but springtime brings a cornucopia of options. I recently went to the farmer's market at Noe and Market. It sets up every Wednesday from 4-8pm, and although it's a bit small (only one short block), there were more than enough options for me.   My favorite part about Farmer's Markets is talking with the vendors. It gives me a chance to find out where the food that w...