A lot of people point to long distance runners as having addictive personalities.  While distance running and training do take a large amount of discipline, when does this discipline become an addiction?  There are many signs of an addiction, but the universal result of an addiction is when it becomes an overbearing aspects of your life.  This all consuming addiction leads you to neglect other portions of your life.  Distance running has fallen into this category for some runners.  They get up at 3 am to go for a run, often missing social activities from the night before.  Some distance runners may go to work exhausted after their morning run, hurting their productivity and career, much like an alcoholic who comes to work with a hangover.  Other distance runners have neglected their families by running races or long distance trail runs on the weekends, missing family events.  Worse yet, some distance runners take long trips to travel to destination races, resulting in them being away from their families and loved ones for a couple of days at a time.

First off, part of the problem is that the “addictive personality” concept, that is often attributed to excessive distance runners, is inconclusive.  But, it is easy to compare the similarities between addicted runners and substance addicts.  For example, much like the substance addict, runners use running to relieve stress and eventually become dependent on it.  There are many runners that if they miss a day of running, the rest of their day is ruined and they may feel physically ill, not being able to function, much like the substance addict does.

There is also a physical similarity between substance abusers and running abuse.  Both activities release serotonin from the brain which gives you a heightened state or “high.”  In fact, many former substance addicts have turned to running to help them fight against their addiction.  But is running just replacing a negative addiction with a more positive addiction?  Is it merely changing how the addict gets their serotonin and their “high?”  For these individuals, running and exercise becomes a better alternative to their substance addiction, much like former alcoholics become habitual cigarette smokers.  So even though you don’t abuse substances could you be feeding your addictive personality with running?

There are multiple theories as to why some people may have a more addictive personality than others.  One is that it can be inherited, which seems to be most prevalent in alcoholics.  Maybe the same could be true for running, many children who run often have parents who are runners.  The addiction to running can also be cognitive or learned, meaning since you attain a “runner’s high” from running then you want to continue to do that activity to achieve the same feeling.  Other more logical reasons are availability and societies acceptance which makes running an addiction available to everyone.  Just like alcohol is abused more than harder to get and less accepted illegal drugs.

So how can you make sure your addiction to running doesn’t become an obsession?  You can become a female; on average Men become more easily addicted than Women.  If you are a Man then that probably won’t change, so if you can’t beat them, join them; Men that are married are less likely to develop an addiction.  If neither of these are an option for you then the best thing you can do is monitor yourself.  Often we begin an activity and continue to do it without stopping to think about the results.  Examine your running and decide if you are giving up too many other things in your life in order to continue to run long distances.  Unless you are making a living doing it, you are probably making some sacrifices to continue this passion for distance running.

Be careful, running is just like everything else in life, not healthy when done in excess.

It’s summertime and let’s face it.  Unless you are running, running shoes and shorts just don’t look cool.  Unless you are me of course and you go to drinks and dinner straight from your run.  Complete with your sweaty short shorts, SeriousRunning.com T-shirt, and somewhat muddy running shoes.  Add aviator sunglasses and a blue knee band for optimal legitness.  And everyone else showered and dressed nice to hang out.  Losers.

But this isn’t about me, it’s about TEVA Men’s Sutter Creek Sandals and how they make your running legs feel.  You’ve got to take care of your running feet and legs while they’re doing other things; like standing and walking.  How boring.

When not running I like to give my feet a rest.  Especially in the hot summer weather, I like to give my feet a chance to air out as much as possible.  No, not for the stench factor but to allow them to recover from my strenous runs.  When wearing your running shoes your feet begin to get stress in certain areas, resulting in blisters or bunions.  Allowing your feet to be in the open air, without your tight fitting running shoe is a great way to avoid these injuries.  However, there are two problems I have found with most sandals and flippy-floppies, they don’t provide enough support and they don’t give you enough protection from the ground.  Not since living in the Los Angeles Police Department’s jurisdiction have I felt as much support and protection than I do when I wear my Teva Sutter Creek sandals.  And they don’t even carry a shotgun in the front seat gun rack!

The Teva Sutter Creek sandal’s support is a result of the anatomically shaped, molded EVA footbed for all day walking comfort.  These sandals are fit for an all day hike or standing at an outdoor festival.  The most support comes from the encapsulated shoc pad.  Since my recent knee injury I have noticed that my knees will hurt from just walking or standing for long periods of time in footwear that does not have support, but this is not the case with the Teva Sutter Creek sandals.  They give me the extra cushioning I need while still maintaining my normal laid-back, summertime look.  They come in cigar color too which gives you a hint of ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World.’  Sorry, the sandals can only give you a hint though, you’re personality has to do the rest of the work.  My personality is always working.

I also need protection.  I know, I’ve heard it all before, “but sandals feel so much better with less protection!”  While this may be true, I’m not going to fall for it.  It’s not worth risking my body to be able to wear sandals without protection, I don’t care how good they may feel.  The non-marking, traction rubber outsole on the Teva Sutter Creek sandals is built for stability and protection.  When you are out in the elements you want to have protection from the ground.  You’re feet are important to you.  What if you cut them on a stick and couldn’t run until it healed?  Not cool.  So come on and start wearing sandals that give you more protection.  Even sailors have stopped wearing flip flops, opting to wear protection!

So if you want support and protection while still looking great, try the Teva Sutter Creek Sandals.  You’re running feet will thank you.  And I thank you for being responsible.

So do you like to run fun races that benefit a good cause and are combined with other awesome festivities?  No?  Then you’re a lame-o.  But I know you’re not a lame-o because you are here at SeriousRunning.com, so I feel it is my duty to keep you awesome and tell you about the Hyde Park Blast 4 mile Run/Walk race on June 27th at 8:00 AM at Hyde Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.  That’s right, the same city that the famous sitcom ‘WKRP-Cincinnati’ took place!  You know this is a destination race for sure!

More than just being able to experience the same city that inspired WKRP in Cincinnati, the Hyde Park Blast is a great reason to come and see what Cincinnati is all about.   Make this race and event an exciting time to get away, participate in a run, and get your festive on.  It’s also very family friendly so bring the whole clan along to cheer you on as you speed through the 4 mile race course in Hyde Park in this 2 loop figure 8 route, perfect for them to watch you race by multiple times.  The Hyde Park Blast Run/Walk 4 mile race starts and finished at Hyde Park Square at Erie and Edwards.  There will be water points at the 1.5 and 3 mile marks.  You can bring your baby stroller and dogs along to run because there will be a separate elite field from general racers.  This way you can see watch super serious runners.  If it makes you feel negative about your running prowess watching these elite runners, then maybe you should wait 45 minutes for the kids runs to lift your spirits.  Blast for kids age groups and distances are: 2-3 run 25 yards, 4-6 run 50 yards, 7-9 1/2 mile, and 10-13 year olds run a full mile.  These little racers will get a T-shirt, goodie bag, and medal just like you.  They grow up so fast; you might as well let them start running fast too.

The Hyde Park Blast started in 2001 raising money for cancer-related and community benefactors.  In that time, the Hyde Park Blast has given over $100,000 dollars to charities.  That’s a lot of good done.  Not only are the proceeds going toward a great cause but the event is helping the enviroment’s cause too.  Hyde Park Blast’s motto is:  Go Hard, Go Green.  In order to do this there will be an event-wide recycling program, recycled/reusable participant bags, organic fruit, no printed entry forms so register online, recycled paper for extra print, and have eliminated past bus transportation.  Looks like the the Hyde Park Blast is going hard and staying green.

I know, going green, helping cancer research, taking part in helping community businesses are all nice things, but what’s really in it for you?  How about a legit party and festival after the race?!  The party kicks off directly after the run with the Taste of Hyde Park and Sidewalk Sale featuring local restaurants and vendors.  If you’re not into walking around after running a race (you really should so your muscles don’t tighten) then plop yourself down at the best breakfast and post-race party Kegs/Eggs Breakfast.  Protein and carbohydrates, perfect for post race nourishment.  Not into Kegs or Eggs Mrs. finicky?  Well then how about organic fruit along with Bloody Marys and Mimosas too?  Sounds refreshing.  And the party doesn’t have to stop there.  Stay into the night, watch the Cycling Criterium, and hang at the evening block party featuring musical artists ‘The Rusty Griswolds.’  Sorry, no, their lead singer isn’t Chevy Chase.  But this band is sure to make the Hyde Park Blast as fun as a ‘Christmas Vacation’ or ‘European Vacation’ in the middle of the summer in Cincinnati!  You’re on your own to create the silly antics and hilarious physical comedy.

So if you’re looking for a great way to celebrate the 4th of July the weekend before, then register to run the Hyde Park Blast Run/Walk, take part in all of the summer fun festivities and get warmed up for the 4th of July!

Today I had the special privilege of meeting and speaking with one of the running industry’s forefathers, great entrepreneurs, and savy marketers, and oh yeah, and a pretty good runner too, Jeff Galloway.

Jeff Galloway told the group about how he started running.  He chose running cross-country because it was the easiest sport to participate in the 8th grade.  The coach was rather laid back and the participants could go run in the woods and then sit there until it was time to come out again.  Jeff did this for the first couple of days until some other kids told him that he was going to run with them.  So he ran and ended up keeping pace because he wanted to hear the funny stories the other runners were telling about their classmates.  From there Jeff was hooked on running.  Maybe you’ll get hooked on running too.  But you will never know until you get out there and run.  Run with a running club or group for extra motivation like Jeff did!  Maybe you’re a world class athlete and don’t even know it yet!

Jeff Galloway went on to not only be a lover of running, but also a great competitor.   However, not until his Senior year of High School did he finally qualify for State Championship in Georgia.  He then went on to run at Wesleyan college, then went into the Navy, and from there went to graduate school at Florida State University where he had two missions; one to get a graduate degree and the other to train for the Olympic trials.  He trained with Frank Shorter and Jack Bacheler in the mountains of Vail, Colorado and qualified for the Olympic team in the 10,000 meter race; however, Jeff says his greatest thrill was dropping back so Jack Bacheler could qualify for the last spot on the Olympic marathon team.  Jeff was an alternate.  This is one of the aspects of running that Jeff Galloway fell in love with, the mutual respect that distance runners have for each other, no matter what speed or what distance.  Jeff also was the 1st winner of the Peachtree Road Race in a field of 110 in 1970.  He told us there were even cars on the road in the first Peachtree Road Race because the race director hadn’t let the city know that they would be running right down the center of the busiest street in Atlanta.  Jeff Galloway then became involved with the race directing of the Peachtree Road Race and persuaded some of the top national athletes to run it.  During this time he grew the Peachtree Road Race from 1200-12,000 participants which has now grown to be capped at 55,000 people which makes it the World’s largest 10K.

As you can see, Jeff Galloway isn’t just a great runner, he’s an entrepreneur, a marketer, and an innovator.  He has written over 18 books, including the best selling running book in North America, Galloway’s Book on Running.  He started one of the first running specialty stores in the United States, Phidippides.   He has conducted over 500 fitness events, does over 200 talks a year, and has coached over 200,000 runners.  He told me he works 16 hours a day and makes contact with at least 100 people a day.  He’s what you call a “connector.”  How does he do it?  By always meeting and talking with new people.  He told me he answers every email he receives, although he did admit that some particular emails may take a couple of months to respond to.  Jeff Galloway is probably one of the few people in the World who wishes email was never invented.

He’s become an innovator by learning as much as possible about running and how it effects your body.  In his book, Running Until You’re 100, he discusses how to take care of your legs and feet and avoid aches and pains at a later age.  But perhaps the most innovative and popular idea and technique of Jeff Galloway’s is the run/walk method for marathon training.  I have personally never tried this method, but the concept is that you run for a pre-determined amount of time, say 8 minutes, and then walk for one minute, then do it again until you reach your distance.  The idea is that you avoid putting as much stress on your body.  A serious runner I spoke with told me that she used this method in training for a marathon and found that it did make her recovery a lot quicker after a long run (plus some walking) day.  She also had trained for marathons using a normal running method.  Anything that takes stress off your body has got to be a good thing.  You can pursue your running addiction the rest of your life!

I’d like to thank Jeff Galloway for taking the time to talk with me, but also for developing and promoting the running industry to be what it is today.  Congratulations on all the successes Jeff, you deserve it.

Check out Jeff Galloway’s website for more information.

Buying running shoes at your local running shoe store is silly.  Why would you do something like that?  All you have to do is go to a sweet website like SeriousRunning.com, while sitting at home in your underwear, and read the reviews of other runners to help you decide which pair of running shoes you want to buy, at a competitively cheap price nonetheless.  I mean, seriously, each person reacts to a pair of running shoes the same right?  Well, I wish that were true, but guess what, one size does not fit all when it comes to running shoes.  If you don’t know anything about what type of runner you are, what type of running shoes you prefer to wear, or have been injured because of your running shoes, then I suggest you go to your local running shoe store and try out as many pairs of running shoes as you can.  That’s how much SeriousRunning.com is here for you.  We’ll even tell you to go patron somewhere else if we feel like you will get a better value out of it.  For instance, if you are looking for a cool camping website or cool mountain biking website then go to those links.  See, it’s not that hard.  We do it all the time.

I wouldn’t tell you to check out your local running shoe store without checking out mine here in Atlanta, Phidippides.  It’s a really great running shoe store that Jeff Galloway built back in 1975 when running shoe specific stores weren’t cool yet.  What a trend setter.  Actually, Mr. Jeff Galloway will be at the Ansley Mall location tomorrow morning at 7:30 to run part of the Peachtree Road Race route.  A chance to run part of the largest 10K in the World’s route with one of the former winners, that’s enough to get me going early on a Saturday morning!  If that’s not enough for you to wake up for then please go to http://www.notreallythatseriousrunning.com.  Or just show up tomorrow morning anyway for the free giveaways and after the event maybe you’ll be inspired to take running more seriously…dot com.

So what did I learn from going to Phidippides?  A lot.  I know, you thought I knew everything, and quite honestly, I did too, but it turns out I don’t.  I was taught about running shoes from a couple of different employees there, Gregory, Ron, and Kevin, who were all more than helpful in providing me with some excellent knowledge and great customer service.  So what makes a running shoe store like Phidippides so special?  It’s this expert knowledge that each employee has, being deeply involved in their craft.  So how do you get some of their knowledge?  By going through their Evaluation Process.  Don’t worry, everyone passes.

When a customer first comes in the store the employees ask, “What are you looking for?”  This is a great question because even though it is a running shoe store there were many types of runners in their like the High School cross-country runner, the somewhat out of shape couple looking to get back into running together, and the grocery store employee who was having knee problems from standing all day.  So once the staff member determines what type of shoe you are looking for, which also helps them to understand your running knowledge and running shoe experience, they put you in a neutral shoe and watch you run, focusing on your foot strike.  They don’t have any fancy cameras, treadmills, or water.  Well, they do have fancy water, but it’s for sale in a bottle.  They also have calibrated eyes and motion sensors in their brain.  They take the information they learn from watching you run and decide which category fits your running style, Core, Versatility, Core Support, Stability, or Stability II.  They also carry footwear in the Performance, Trail, Performance Support, Racing Flats, and even Orthopedic Sandals categories so they’ve got everything you would need from a running shoe store.  Here’s the thing about their categories though, the staff members don’t feel confined to them.  They are free to pick and choose the right pair specifically for you without being locked in to one specific category.  Finally someone realizes just how dynamic you really are!  The staff members watch you run in every pair of running shoe you try on and modify the type ever so slightly each time in order to find the shoe that fits best to your running style.  I honestly would go in there and try on whatever the staff member told me to, and then buy whichever running shoe he/she said fit me best without even questioning it.  The staff members I talked to had about 20 years experience selling running shoes, one specifically at Phidippides!  That’s over a million people he has watched run.  Trust me, I did the math.  However, you don’t have to go with exactly their expert advice, they do let you decide based on what you feel when running in the shoes, but they probably would make an objection if you decided to buy a pair of running shoes based solely on looks.  Sorry Paris Hilton, but it’s still hot.

Some other services Phidippides provides that your local running shoe store may as well, is the 30 minute indoor service.  After you purchase your shoes you can run in them for 30 minutes indoors on a treadmill or indoor track and still take them back for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied.  That’s like 6 miles!  Ok, maybe like 5.  Another cool thing I saw them do was modify the inserts.  The staff members would cut felt and mold an insert specific to what the customer needed.  Remember what I said about one size doesn’t fit all for running shoes.  I wasn’t lieing.  Also, after asking about a category discrepancy I had, they told me about how the staff members work closely with shoe companies, testing out new products and giving them feedback about whether the running shoes performs the way it was intended to.  If a shoe doesn’t perform the way the running shoe company says it should the Phidippides staff either re-classify it or stop carrying the running shoe entirely.  Going head on with the shoe-scientists at major running shoe manufacturers.  What authority!

I know, not everyone has such an established, successful, helpful running shoe store near them like I do, but if you want to try on your running shoes instead of, or before purchasing them online, then go to a local running shoe store.  To help, check out our listing of running shoe stores and see if there is one near you.  Review it and tell other runners where the best place to buy running shoes is…other than on SeriousRunning.com of course.

How does a BaddRunner mentally prepare for a race?  What types of things do you tell yourself race day?  Do you have a mantra when you run?

I try to find out as much about the race as possible and train accordingly.  For instance, for Boston we tried to find a long run course that had similar elevation and do that every time.  My mantra can also change depending on the race, in fact it probably should never be the same.  At Boston I knew there would be a lot of other runners around me, which is not always the case, so my mental saying was, “keep moving up, keep passing.”  That way I never settled in.  A conservative estimate is that I ended up passing 1,500 runners during Boston.  So it really depends on the race at hand.  If it is a short fast race (5k for me.)  My motto might be just to “hang on to the front runners” or “just stay within striking distance.”  But overall, if I had to have one motto it would be “Just keep yourself in the best position to succeed.”  Some days that is easy to do in a race, other days it seems impossible, but if you can just keep close to your goal, a lot of times you surprise yourself and find some way to succeed.

I’m always surprised when I succeed…not really.  I deserve everything I have, like my ridiculously good looks.  For those who aren’t as lucky as me, do you have any tips for running a competitive race?

I’d say never panic and continue to analyze the race.  I feel like a lot of competitors that are equal to me in skill level sometimes fail because they allow their brain to shut off at key moments in the race.  They might miss a surge because they aren’t paying attention.  Or something unplanned might happen that could throw you off mentally…you can’t let it get to you.  I’ve almost been hit by a deer, a train, and a tree during a race.  You’ve just got to deal with it and not give up. Sometimes I’ve beat a competitor using one tactic that failed the next time.  You have to have alternative race plans for the same race.  That way if something changes you can adapt and not be phased.

Wait, almost hit by a train during a race?!  That’s a true competitor!  Other than running putting your closer to death, can you tell me more about what you mean about running taking too prominent of a role in your life?  How did your running change/consume other aspects of your life?

In high school and college I let running basically run my life.  I really enjoyed it and knew it was happening, but it just left no time for anything else.  In college I called my commitment to running “total war.”  I tried to beat competitors with every aspect of my life.  Anything that could change the outcome of a race I tried to improve such as sleep, nutrition, weight lifting, stretching, massages, icing, rehab, prehap, psychology (I saw a sports psychologist on campus,) and anything else that I thought might help.  When people asked me my major I told them that I came to college to run.  I did happen to graduate from a private, liberal arts university with a 3.5 GPA (Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama) but I was there to run.  After graduation I had to sit down with myself and realize that I was not fast enough to run professionally and therefore had to make room for other stuff.  I had also become a Christian in college and it no longer made sense for me to worship my running.  Of course I have continued to run at a pretty high level, but overall I consider myself retired.  Every time I get too amped up over a race I tell myself to relax because now I’m just doing it for enjoyment.  It also gave me time to fall in love with a great girl and make her my wife.  We celebrated our first wedding anniversary while in Boston.  So obviously running is still a huge part of my life, but I’ve found a balance that has made me happy and more accessible to others in my world.

Congratulations on your Anniversary!  I’m personally still holding out for Running, she’s a tough love to lock down.  So being a part of the running shoe industry, what do you think about the new Vibram Five Fingers, barefoot running, and toe strike techniques and the idea that the running shoe industry has created running shoes that create more injury by putting such an emphasis on heel cushioning?  That the human body was made to run on its toes?

I understand and appreciate the idea, but one thing that I always preach to customers that come in our stores, Breakaway Running in Memphis, Tennessee,  is trial and error and personal preference.  Sometimes we’ll have people that should obviously be in a shoe with a lot of medial stability but for some reason they can’t stand the feeling and have always worn light flexible shoes to train in.  So I tell them that the end goal of footwear is to keep you comfortable and safe.  So if they aren’t having problems and can run at the level they want to then they have to go with what works.  I say all of this because I understand the theories behind all of those shoes and I own a pair of the Nike Frees that are a similar idea, but I happen to run way back on my heels and haven’t been able to wear anything that is too minimal or forefoot focus like Newtons.  Another question we have in the stores is about running form and I always lay out the principals that are supposed to be good for runners and everything, but I end off with telling them that your body will find it’s own “natural” form and to night fight that too much.  So always get wary with products that preach only one correct style or stride for running. Some off the greats had terrible running form.  I just say do whatever keeps you keeping on.

I couldn’t agree more.  There are ideas and general practices that work, but everyone’s body is different and running is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us some insight on your Badd Running, Bryan.  We look forward to more great running information on your blog, The BaddRunner, and on your running shoe store website, Breakaway Running. See you on the race course!

BADD, as in good.  I know, the kids these days never say what they really mean. This BaddRunner, Bryan Baddorf, is no kid though.  He turned in a 2:39:48 at Boston a couple of weeks ago!  I know, that’s pretty serious.  It’s cool to be a serious runner, that’s why you are here, but have you thought about also being a BaddRunner?  A BaddRunner describes running as not just a hobby, not just a job, but an ethos, lifestyle, and addiction.  And you thought you were the only one with this addiction.  See, I told you, you’re not alone.  I recently caught up with this BaddRunner, Bryan, and here’s what he told me about being Badd (my previous knowledge of being Badd was only from Micheal Jackson):

What are some of your PRs? My fastest marathon was ironically my first one.  My freshman year of college I earned the nickname “The Debut Kid” because I always managed to run a good time at my first try at a certain distance.  My PR for that first marathon was 2 hours 34 minutes and 58 seconds.  I’ve completed 2 more marathons since then at 2 hours 48 minutes and then Boston at 2 hours 39 minutes and 48 seconds.  Other PRs include 5K: 14:44 (College), 15:25 post collegiate. 4 Mile: 19:58, 10K 31:09 (college,) Half Marathon 1 hour 12 minutes.

Whoa, those times are pretty Badd.  So, what does it mean to be a BADD runner?  Any particular reason for the two Ds? The main reason for the 2 Ds is because of our last name being “Baddorf.”  But the idea of being a BaddRunner is more or less someone who really lives the lifestyle of a runner.  Not necessarily a “weekend warrior” but an every day warrior.  Someone that’s willing to sacrifice the extra sleep for the extra mileage on the roads or trails.  Anyone that has to take their running into consideration when making huge life choices is probably a  BaddRunner.

I know what you mean, I almost married a mermaid once but decided that running was too important to me.  I didn’t want to become a swimmer.  So I’ve heard you say, “You have to train mean before you race mean,” what exactly do you mean (pun intended)?

I definitely don’t push every day hard.  Some people claim that they are hardcore when they do that, but really they are is stupid.  I love pushing myself hard and running fast.  It really is fun, but when you reach a certain pace level it can also be dangerous.  Not to toot my own horn, but if I run at a hard tempo pace for 5 miles or so, I can hold about 5:30 pace without dropping off that effort.  This scenario is fine to do once or twice a week but definitely not every session.  That’s how stress fractures and burnout happens.  I have several friends that do that.  But I do love to train mean.  I always feel good after pounding out a hard training run.

My typical marathon training has 3 hard sessions during a week.  Monday is relatively easy, hitting at least 10 miles in the am at about 7 minute pace (most of our runs we try to hold 7 minute pace for “easy” days.)  Tuesday we would do some repeats.  We try to vary the distance to keep it fresh.  Sometimes 8 x 800s, sometimes mile repeats.  But usually our  mileage for the day would be about 10 miles.  Wednesdays we would do an easy hour or so in the morning and lift afterward (when we lift we mostly do upper body with not real heavy weight, but high reps…we are distance guys not body builders…we don’t mind being laughed at for being skinny.)  Thursdays we would do a tempo run of 5-6 miles hard.  After warm up and cool down it would be about 8 miles for that day.  Friday would be another 10 miles easy in the am.  Then Saturday would be considered our 3rd hard day with our distance being most of the hard part.  Our longest run during training for Boston topped out at 23 miles.  Usually at some point we would work down to 6 flat pace for 4-6 miles…usually towards the end of the run.  Our goal pace for the marathon was 6 flat, so we would try to emulate that as much as possible.  Sunday was an optional run.  I had some minor injuries so I usually rested that day.

Good idea.  Even God took Sunday off to rest.  So you said you like to take 4 weeks off of running a year so you don’t burn out, which makes sense, but do you completely stop running or do you fill that void with another physical activity? Do you change your eating habits?

One strategy that I like for off time I heard from Bob Kennedy.  He said his high school coach told him to take time off between seasons.  He said to wait until you felt like running again.  Supposedly that is why Kennedy retired…he had taken a break and didn’t feel like starting back and so thought it was a good indication to stop.  Anyway I try to do about a 2 week break.  Depending on how I feel I might do some light cross training, but it is always fun stuff.  I’ll play a little ultimate frisbee or frisbee golf.  We also play on an ice hochey team in a Men’s League here in Memphis and sometimes that falls in our off time.   I try to really cut loose during my off time and that sometimes includes my eating habits.  Nothing too extreme, but more fast food than usual and that kind of stuff.

Nothing too extreme?!  Frisbee golf is pretty extreme to me man!  You said you do two training cycles a year, does that mean you race/train specifically for two big races a year?  Do you often train for different distances?

It really depends on my mental status.  Normally I will focus one one race or distance and train mostly for that.  I’ll pick a race and work backwards on an outline for a training schedule.  Right now after training for six months for Boston, I’m not setting any goals.  I’ll just train until I feel like I’m in shape and then race.  I’ll probably do 5ks for a while until my leg speed weakens a little, then hop back to the longer stuff.

More to come about competitive running, running shoes, and the running life from Bryan Baddoff.  But if you want to know more about being a BaddRunner then check out the BaddRunner blog.

I wasn’t a stretcher; until I got injured.  Now I am more of a stretcher, doing stretching exercises that focus on the parts of my body that need a little extra wake up, cool down, or strengthening.  There is some debate when it comes to stretching and running.  When is it best to stretch, before, during, or after a run?  What muscles should you focus on?  Should you stretch longer for longer runs?  Should you bounce when you stretch?  Ok, well maybe there isn’t any debate to that question, everyone pretty much agrees that you shouldn’t bounce when you stretch.  At any rate, I’m here to tell you, stretching is like most things in running, the best policy is to stretch whatever you feel you need stretching.  Stretching is also like most things in life, it is good for you in moderation, but over-stretching can cause damage or injury.  Geez, stop doing everything in excess.  It drives me crazy.

So I am not going to debate whether or not stretching is mandatory for every runner or tell you to do certain stretches.  But I do want to give you some information about what stretching can do for you and your muscles.  Then you can determine what amount of stretching is right for you.  Guess what, running isn’t one size fits all.  However, there is one universal theme to stretching, it increases flexibility; and an increase in flexibility will breed a more satisfying…lifestyle.  Maybe the Rolling Stones should have thought about stretching before complaining that they couldn’t get any satisfaction.

Wear and Tear: The more flexible your muscles are the better they can take the everyday pounding of serious running…dot com.  Stretching prepares your muscles better for the micro-tears you get from running and helps you recover more quickly.

Fluid Runny Style: Stretching increases your flexibility which allows you to run in your normal running style.  Running in a stiff posture can lead to injury.

Increases Blood Flow to Muscles: Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles which brings oxegyn and nutrients to them.  This helps aid recovery and allows your muscles to perform at optimal levels during your work-out.

Improves Running Form: When stretching you strengthen muscles that you would not normally use.  Often these are muscles that have stress put on them while running and need to be stronger to keep up with the rest of your well-tuned muscles.

Reduces Muscle Soreness: The less sore you are, the better you’re going to run.  It’s just science.

Lactic Acid Removal: Stretching before and after a run removes the lactic acid in your muscles.  I will write more about lactic acid later but for now, just know that you don’t want it.

So start stretching and play around with what feels good to you.  How can something that feels so good be so wrong?

Congratulations to the winners of our Submit a Trail Run Win a $25 Gift Certificate to REI.com or Amazon.com Contest!  Maybe we should have used a shorter name.  Anyways, here are the winners in no particular order:

Smokey

Crabman

McIntyre

Shoe Guru:  Jason Cook

It was a hard fought race but these guys are true competitors and earned their prize.  Good job guys (sorry, no gals won).  Way to contribute to the SeriousRunning.com community.  I know, you really did it just because you wanted to help your fellow runner and be a part of something bigger than yourself, like the cause to encourage people to run, but we’d like to send you our appreciation anyway.  We insist, seriously.  SeriousRunning.com, the gift that keeps giving, all-year-long.

So how can you be a winner like these people?  Well, by contributing to SeriousRunning.com.  It makes you feel good to help your fellow runner doesn’t it?  We’re not doing a contest per se other than the always happening contest of who is the awesomeness.  Otherwise known as the path to becoming a Serious Runner.  Just like running, it’s a contest against yourself.  How serious can you become?  It takes contributing 150 points worth of shoe reviews, trail listings, or race reviews.  When you become a Serious Runner we will give you a free T-shirt that tells everyone how serious you are.  It’s pretty much a badge of honor to wear proudly.  I have 2189 points.  That’s like 15 T-shirts.  I wear them all at the same time.  I’m just that proud of them and you will be too.

So help your fellow runners by telling them that those new Adidas Response Trail Running shoes are gnarly or that you found a cool new trail to run near your crib.  Not only will they appreciate the help but they will think you are hip because you use words like gnarly and crib.  Radical!

Oh what a week.  National Trails Day and National Running Day all in the same week!  It’s like Christmas and Hanukkah in the same week!  Wait.  That doesn’t make sense.  Anyway, happy National Trails Day!  Although, you should be celebrating running and trails everyday, but National Trails Day is a good excuse to think about your beloved trails…to run on!

But in case you read this post too late today to plan a celebration for your trails don’t fret, National Trail Running Day is August 22nd!  I am going to combine the powers of both of these events to make one ultra (pun-intended) powerful event, NATIONAL TRAIL RUNNING DAY!  That’s right, you heard it here first.  A great day of celebration for trail running.  The Trail Running Industry is coming together, with SeriousRunning.com the leader in trail running information and listings leading the way, to celebrate trail running on August 22nd.  That’s it.  National Trail Running Day is August 22nd.  It’s official.  It’s so official it’s like “relationship status” on Facebook official.  Yeah, that official.  So tell your friends, tell the trails you run on, get your Hallmark cards now, and no matter what else you may hear later, August 22nd is the official National Trail Running Day date.  Believe it.  I know.  That just happened.  Call my lawyer if you have any questions.  He’s the same guy that represents Dwight Howard and T.I.  So yeah, you don’t want to mess with this…unless maybe you’re Kobe Bryant.  Then you don’t mind messing with Dwight Howard.  But T.I. does ‘whatever he likes.’  Well, sorta.

So what should you do on National Trail Running Day?  Well it’s simple.  Go trail running.  Maybe appreciate the trail you are running on more.  Perhaps you can volunteer to help take care of your favorite trail running trails along with friends.  Or you can invite friends to join you that have never been on a trail run.  Decide to register for a cool trail race.  Hand out SeriousRunning.com fliers to people on the street.  Wear your SeriousRunning.com T-shirt.  All great ways to celebrate!  If you are too busy to do anything of these things, then just simple go Trail Running.  It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

So celebrate National Trails Day today and go for a trail run.  Don’t wear yourself out though, National Trail Running Day is coming soon!