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100 Secret Training Ideas For Runners

All Secret Training Ideas

Many of us have discovered training ideas which seem to work for us.  Some are more tested than others.  Best Road Races and The UjENA FIT Club is not endorsing these ideas but just sharing them with you.  Add your Secret Training Ideas here.  Include a photo when you can and be sure to name your idea.  Only do one idea per post and just use enough words to explain the idea.  Use examples of how it worked when possible.  Hal Higdon is offering his Tip of the Day!

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A Word about Strength Training
Posted Friday, October 31st, 2014
Strength training is important for both conditioning and injury prevention. I lifted weights and/or use exercise machines regularly in the... Read Secret Training Idea
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Losing my Edge by RIch Stiller
Posted Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
by Rich StillerI didn’t plan to stop racing. I just meant to take a break. In April of 1995 I... Read Secret Training Idea
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Eating Well for Running
Posted Thursday, March 6th, 2014
By Christine RosenbloomHeading to the gym after work for a quick workout? Out for a morning walk with the dogs?... Read Secret Training Idea
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How many Miles Should I run weekly?
Posted Monday, September 16th, 2013
by Hal HigdonWithin certain limits, the more miles you run the faster you can race. Double your training mileage from... Read Secret Training Idea

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Word of the day...gloves by Nancy Hobbs
Monday, April 30th, 2012
"My suggestion to all trail runners is to wear gloves on the trail."
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Probably not a secret, but...having heard two recent stories about runners taking bad falls on the trails I suggest wearing some type of hand protection -- i.e. gloves -- on all trail runs. The first woman, who will remain nameless, was heading out on a trail run with her husband. Within 100 feet of the car, which was parked at the trail head (actually, this was a U.S. Forest Service 4WD access road leading to a variety of trails), she took a tumble. Her hand and elbow took the brunt of the fall, and she also twisted her ankle. No gloves. Interestingly enough, this woman is a massage therapist. I spent some time talking to her and said, "Gloves are the word of the day. You rely on your hands for your business, protecting them is a good idea."

The second incident was relayed to me by a friend. This fellow was running a trail race, slipped and fell and sliced a chunk of skin off his palm. He finished the race, but I can tell you he was sore. My suggestion to all trail runners is to wear gloves on the trail. One of my friends wears the cycling type glove which includes some padding on the palm. I personally prefer a full glove. My fingers are important to me as well as the rest of the skin on my hands. I have taken many a fall myself and my glove have often saved me from nettles, burrs, scrapes, cactus points, gravel, etc.

Sometimes I just run in a jog bra and shorts, but I still wear my gloves on the trails. Like our first example, even seemingly flat and non-technical terrain can have an errant rock, or tree root to cause a tumble. I also like wearing gloves because they can act as a tissue for a drippy nose, or protect your hands from swelling with temperature variations (this happens a lot to me). Happy trails!

Nancy Hobbs is one of the key reasons why Trail running has exploded.  Just 20 years ago there were less than 400 events and now there is close to 2000.  Read her Ujena Fit Club Interview.  Nancy will be regularly sharing your advice with us.

 

Comments and Feedback
run I wear cycling gloves on trails.
Richard Stiller 5/1/12 1:03 pm
,,,,,
Hal Higdon Tip of the Day #17
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
"In the Taper, you are not training the muscles, you're resting them..."
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In the taper before an important race, especially the marathon, you're not training the muscles, you're resting the muscles. It's a time in your training when rest is usually best. Cutting back on miles is good for your legs, less so for your mind. Running can be addictive, so don't rush around doing silly things when you're supposed to be resting. Relax!

Photo Above:  Chris Mocko must have done it right.  He set a course record and won the Oakland Marathon (2:28:09) by nearly 10 minutes.  Photo by Catherine Cross Ujena Fit Club

"Among my most enjoyable activities is helping runners train for the marathon. I estimate that I have assisted a half million runners reach the finish line of 26 mile 385 yard races," says Hal Higdon

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