Had I never taken up long-distance running, I might never have known that my dad always dreamed of running a marathon. I learned this after I finished my first marathon. My dad, of course, was there to cheer me on throughout the race. He and my mom had driven the marathon route the night before to scope out all the places where they could catch me running (I think I saw them at least 5 times over the course of the race). My parents had always been fixtures at any sporting event in which I competed. Swim meets, track meets, cross country races, soccer games, softball games… if they weren’t …

We live in a hyper connected society. With our smart phones attached to our hips – sometimes literally – we can instantly update our social circles with our thoughts, actions and whereabouts. Our phones are our constant traveling companions, allowing us to watch videos, browse homes for sale and even find the nearest gas stations. As such, it’s no wonder they also offer plenty of tools for runners in the Digital Age. Here are some cool smart phone apps that provide tech-savvy runners with the tools they need to hit the road: RunKeeper (iPhone/Android) and iMapMyRUN (iPhone/Android/BlackBerry…

The warmer temperatures aren’t the only indication that summer is right around the corner. I always know that a particular season is upon us when I see an increase in emails about group bike rides and open water swims. I'm talking, of course, about triathlon season. My running friends organize group runs all year round, but here in New England there is only a certain window of time when biking and swimming outdoors is a good idea. And it’s during this time that I really see a difference between my running friends who just are just runners and my running friends who are also triathletes. It is…

If you’ve been following this column for any length of time, you’ll remember how a few months ago I lamented that once I turned 30, my body seemed to wave the white flag on all my training. Beginning in November, shoulder tendonitis and then a labral tear in my hip sidelined me from two of the sports I love, swimming and running. After going to physical therapy for my shoulder and taking a break from running for a few weeks for my hip, however, I was able to get back on track. While vacationing in Florida in March, I swam and ran to the point that I felt I could finally say, “I’m back!” And …

Last week I shared some tips to help new runners continue to enjoy and stay committed to the sport. I heard from a reader of the column who offered up another valuable rule of the road: “If you are running on the street or road way, [you should run] against the traffic.” This is a great piece of advice for all runners to remember, as it is really more of a general safety tip than a newbie tip. If there are no sidewalks, protocol calls for running against the traffic so you are more aware of your surroundings and have a better chance of avoiding an oncoming vehicle if need be. A runner should …

Dear Newbie Runner, Hello and welcome the club! Yes, that’s right, the club. Don’t worry, you didn’t sign on to anything without your consent. It’s just that if you stick with this sport you’ll soon discover that you have an unspoken bond with other runners, one that allows you to feel like you’re a part of the running tribe at large. You’ll find yourself talking training strategies, trading race stories, comparing injuries and, eventually, offering advice to runners even newer to the sport than yourself. Kind of like I am doing now. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First we have to get you …

My parents have always encouraged my athletic endeavors. From coaching my softball teams to driving me to early morning swim practices to cheering me on at my running and triathlon races, they have always done whatever they could to support me. So I’ve been grateful for the chance to return the favor in recent years. Although my mother has always been athletic – it was normal for my family to take bike rides and play tennis and go rollerblading together – I never before would have classified her as an athlete. But that has changed. It started when I began training for my first marathon two …

Competing in road races is fun and exciting. There’s the adrenaline rush you feel when the gun goes off.  There’s the sense of camaraderie among your fellow runners. There’s the feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line. But anyone who has run a road race knows that the race itself is only part of the equation.  Sure, it’s a big part, and probably the most thrilling, but it’s still just a piece of the entire race experience. It's important to adequately prepare and train for a road race, and depending on your fitness level and the distance of the race, this may take anywhere …

My experience at the 2011 Boston Marathon differed considerably from the way I envisioned it when I began training 18 weeks ago. Namely, I ended up as a spectator instead of a participant. My marathon training was a rollercoaster ride that ended up flying off the track. First I dealt with a hip injury in January and February that caused me to miss four weeks of training. When I got the all-clear to start running again I did so cautiously, hoping that I could build my way back to being ready for the marathon. But I’m afraid I was just a bit too eager to increase my mileage. A few weeks before …

Celebrating its 115th running on Monday, April 18, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the world’s most famous athletic events. According to the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), which organizes the marathon, “in terms of on-site media coverage, the Boston Marathon ranks behind only the Super Bowl as the largest single day sporting event in the world.” Known for its tough qualifying standards and distinguished history, the Boston Marathon attracts some of the most recognized names in running. While many runners dream of completing a marathon, still more dream…

One good thing about winter in New England is that it allows for some leeway when it comes to New Year’s resolutions – particularly those that deal with fitness. The seemingly endless snow, treacherous ice and frigid temperatures that the winter months subjected us to made it hard to even get to the gym; never mind finding the opportunity – or will – to run outside.   But spring is finally here. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are milder and running outside actually seems like a good idea again. We are over a quarter of the way into 2011, and now is the time to renew or revise …

I've had triathlons on my mind lately. With triathlon season starting in just a couple of months, I've been mapping out my race schedule and beginning preliminary training. I've been keeping up with running, of course, as I'm training for the Boston Marathon, and I've been going to spinning classes at the gym. But it wasn't until my recent vacation in Florida that I started working on my swimming again. There was an outdoor Olympic sized pool close to our resort, so I got in a lot of lap swimming while I had the chance. Swimming lap after lap, back and forth between the pool walls brought me …

Spring may be just around the corner, but it sure feels like summer to me. No, I haven’t lost my mind; I’m vacationing in south Florida and every day so far has been sunny with temperatures in the high 70s or low 80s. It is dream weather, especially after the cold, snowy winter we’ve had in New England. I don’t mind running in the heat as long as there is no humidity, so I have been loving my runs here. But it was still a bit of a shock going from winter running weather to summer-like running weather in the blink of an eye (or, a three-hour plane ride). This time of year I’m used to wearing …

I recently came to a decision that makes me hardcore or crazy, depending on your point of view. I am going to run the Boston Marathon this year. Yes, I started training for the marathon back in December, but when I had to stop running for a few weeks in January and February due to a hip injury, my status as a 2011 Boston Marathon participant was uncertain. If I had consulted my trusty Magic-8 Ball, its answer would have been: Reply hazy. Try again later. But with my MRI results indicating that I have a labral tear and not a stress fracture, I was given the go-ahead to run again – with the …

Earlier this week I went for an easy three-mile run. It wasn't what I’d consider to be a beautiful day. I didn't take a particularly scenic route. I didn't run all that fast. And yet, it was the best run I've had in a really long time. I find it so interesting that they way I feel when I run can vary greatly from day to day; how seemingly insignificant factors can be the difference between a good run and a bad run; how I can expect a run to go a certain way, only to experience a very different reality. I felt strong, energized and motivated during that 3-miler, and I think it had a lot to do …

"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." - Michael Jordan  As I return to running after a few weeks off due to a hip injury, I’ve found this quote by NBA legend Michael Jordan to be very motivating. It reminds me that an injury just a hurdle in my training journey; it is not the end of the world. It doesn’t mean I have to stop running for good, but rather that I have to assess my goals…

I've seen signs of the approaching season popping up everywhere lately. No, I'm not talking about spring - I'm talking about spring marathon season. What signs, you ask? Well, there's the billboard for Cox Rhode Races on Route 95 in Providence that I drive by often. I'm receiving a higher volume of running gear discounts and road race reminders in my inbox. And I see more and more runners wearing FuelBelt hydration systems in order to take in enough fluids during longer runs. It's the time of year when marathon chatter reaches fever pitch among runners - topics like weekly running mileage, …

To run or not to run: that is the question – particularly when your training plan says, “yes,” but your body says, “no.” A friend of mine recently found herself in this conundrum. She is training for her first marathon in May, and while she has been meticulously following her training schedule, she hit a roadblock last week. After completing her weekly “long run” – most training plans call for one longer run and several shorter-distance runs each week – her legs felt sore, tired and definitely not ready for the 7-mile run on her schedule for the next day. Knowing I’ve trained for a few …

A few months ago I wrote about how to prepare for your first road race. The emphasis was on what to do before the race to ensure a positive experience. This Sunday, a friend of mine will be running her first 5K – the Narragansett Running Association’s Super 5K. I received a frantic email from her earlier this week in which she told me she had followed my advice to prepare for the race, but now she needed to know what to expect on race day. I was happy to oblige. With numerous races under my belt, I’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts to help “newbies” like my friend make the most of their …

For the past few months, it seems my body has been trying to send me a message: “You’re old.” It was inevitable, I guess. I did, after all, just turn 30. Okay, maybe it’s a little early for me to apply to AARP. But as a runner, one of the truths that come with age is that you are more prone to injury. It's a truth I am realizing firsthand. In my running club there are members ranging from 17 to 87. I have heard from veteran members that at some point, you just don’t remember what it was like to run without some sort of ache or pain. I have enjoyed exercising injury-free for many years. Sure, …