Have you got the running bug? If you've recently committed to a running program, it may seem like there's not much prep involved, except downloading your favorite playlist. Running is a popular pastime because it doesn't require much know-how to start — just pick out your shoes and go. But that doesn't mean that there isn't technique. Whether you're starting out or never thought twice about Read more

Running as a convenient form of cardio may be the bee's knees, but it can leave my knees aching. Although studies have found there is no connection between running and an increased risk for arthritis, here are some easy ways to show your knees some love. Stay flexible: Tight hamstrings or quads can prevent the knee from going through its full range of motion, which can negatively impact the Read more

You've been running regularly for some time and have completed a few 5K fun runs. But now it's time to step it up and take this distance seriously. Here are some tips to help you beat your personal record when running 3.1 miles. During Training Add speedwork: If you want to run a faster 5K, you have to practice running faster. Coach Andrew Kastor recommends adding 80-meter sprints into your Read more

A proper warmup starts your workout on the right foot, prepping both your muscles and lungs for what's to come. Once the staple of readying the body for exercise, stretching has fallen under scrutiny of late. Studies have found that static stretching, holding the stretch for 30 seconds to two minutes, is basically a wash as it neither causes nor prevents injury. And if your workout involves Read more

I know that I should embrace the incline while I'm running, but most of the time the thought of running hills and trudging along an angled treadmill fills me with unease. The more I think about it, though, the more I realize I should be loving the hills — and why you should, too. Here's why: You'll burn more calories. There's a pretty big difference between a totally flat treadmill and one Read more

When invited to run on a friend's team in the mother of all relays, you answer yes and start training immediately. This is how I joined the Van Tramps for the 30th running of the Hood to Coast Relay. I had seen the documentary (here's my review of Hood to Coast, the movie) and was honored to be in the 12-women team named partially after the Von Trapp family singers, immortalized climbing hills in Read more

There's an enormous hill by my house that I used to pass by and shudder. That is, until I went on a run with my hill-loving neighbor. Hills are intimidating, but they really do make us better runners. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? Here are some tips to make hills feel easier so you can start incorporating them into your runs. When You're Not Running When you're not running, Read more

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar! Once upon a time, rowing was considered a man's sport, beloved by preppy Ivy League boys and lake fishermen. Times have changed. Here's what happened: we ladies found out it was fun. You know what else is fun? Being toned. And, contrary to popular belief, rowing accomplishes that for more than just your upper body. Just Read more

The 5K distance is often considered the "gateway" race. Crossing the finish line after running 3.1 miles can set a racing habit into motion with the quest to conquer longer distances and shave seconds off finishing times. In the stepping stones of races leading up to the bucket-list marathon distance is the 10K. Doubling the mileage from 3.1 to 6.2 can be daunting, but it's important to keep your Read more