Healthy happy you.
While running on the sidewalk offers some serious safety features, like no cars, Cool Running has ranked it as the worst surface for running. Rock-hard concrete is hard on your joints since it provides zero shock absorption. Ideally, we should all run on grass or dirt trails, which are more gentle on our joints. If you're an urban runner, finding these surfaces for your regular runs can be a Read more
Cool Running, the web site that brought you the ever popular Couch to 5K running program, has rated running surfaces. Why? In an attempt to help keep runners free of injuries — that's why. Running on rock hard surfaces like concrete, like sidewalks, is hard on the body. To protect your joints you want to look for surfaces that have shock absorbing qualities for the majority of your runs. Read more
The hot sun of the summer can make an outside jog or run absolutely brutal. One way to avoid getting too overheated is by running on dirt, gravel or grass since asphalt (and even concrete) absorbs a good percent of the sunlight (and therefore heat) that hits it. So on those really sunny days that you still want to get that run in, think about switching your workout from the street to the park or Read more
Body-wise, running can be a high-impact sport, which can mean achy joints, irritated tendons, and other running-related injuries. Many runners use various methods to try to lessen the impact of constantly striking the ground. For many runners, that means choosing a soft surface. But while you may think that running on soft surfaces may help lower the strain on your body, this may not always be Read more
Are we better runners when the shoes come off? That's the question more runners are asking, thanks to the growing popularity of barefoot running, one of this year's biggest running trends. It's not a new trend, however. Serious runners have been braving the asphalt sans shoes professionally for decades (some have even competed in the Olympics without them!), but the movement started gaining Read more
Spring just around the corner, so now is the time to hop off the treadmill and hit the open road. Exercising in fresh air is bound to make you happier, but it might be a little rougher on your joints since treadmills are more forgiving than concrete and asphalt. Plus, moving your run outdoors means you lose the assistance of the treadmill pulling your legs backward, so your body works harder Read more
The barefoot running trend is, ironically, creeping into sneaker design. Inspired by the phenom of running sans shoes, many popular running shoe brands are bringing lighter weight running shoes to the market this Spring. New Balance, a company that built its reputation on well-cushioned, fortified sneakers, is introducing the revamped 890 running shoe ($100). It's a bantam weight sneaker — Read more
Biking is my favorite form of locomotion. The world moves by at the perfect pace when pedaling. You can take in the view and still feel the wind in your face. Riding a bike is a great green way to get around since you can travel a greater distance in a shorter time when compared to walking, and it can be faster than driving, depending on gridlock traffic. Here are five reasons to bike to work, Read more
If you are new to running you definitely want to be wary of developing runner's knee, an overuse injury that is twice as likely to occur in women than men. Known in the medical world as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPFS), runner's knee causes pain in and around the knee cap (or patella). The pain is caused by tracking issues with the knee cap that irritate the bony groove the knee cap actually Read more
Running happens to be one of my favorite pastimes because it's easy and I can do it practically anywhere. There are, however, some things you can do wrong when it comes to running. Here are five common running mistakes and how to fix them for your future runs: Footwear: Wearing shoes that don't fit you properly, are not meant for running, and are too old can lead to problems with your feet, Read more
