I would like to give back to you, the user.  No, this isn’t a bailout, it’s a gift.  From SeriousRunning.com to you.   I know, I know, we already give you enough with our thought provoking blogs, over 650 National Trail Run Listings, extensive race listings, running shoe reviews, and running forum; but we still want to do this for you.  You are runners.  We are runners.  Cool.  Let’s hang out.

In order for SeriousRunning.com to be the best running information and trail running website we need your feedback.  Tell us what you thought about your last trail run, your favorite pair of running shoes, or the races you love to participate in every year!  Tell your fellow runners the best way to enjoy the sport.  I know, the feeling you get from helping others is gift enough, but we would like to offer you something more.

$25 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com or REI.com!

How do you earn a $25 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com or REI.com?  By participating.  From now until June 5th, the top four runners who add the most trail running information to seriousrunning.com will win a $25 Gift Certificate to either Amazon.com or REI.com!  Here’s how we will determine the winners:

Trail Run Listing:  3 pts

Trail Run Review:  2 pts

Trail Run Photo: 1 pt (max 5 pts per trail)

Running Shoe Review:  1 pt

Are you Serious?  We are, so for competition’s sake, I’m going to give you an additional $25 Gift Certificate if you score more overall points than I do, Chris Barber.  Remember all those blogs about mental toughness?  I wasn’t kidding.  Bring it.

In addition, I would like to offer you your very own SeriousRunning.com T-shirt!  You’ll be so hip.  Registered members are awarded points for their contributions to the running community here at SeriousRunning.com.  When you earn 150 total points, you have attained “Serious Runner” status.  Aren’t you proud?  Well, you’ll get your very own T-shirt that shows it, for free!  Want people to start taking you seriously?  Then wear a T-shirt that tells them you are serious…about running.  You’ll be so hot.

Help us, help you, help others.  It’s all about runners helping runners…and free stuff!

“No matter what you do.  Don’t put the blame on you.  Blame it on the Rain.”  -person who was doing the singing for Milli and Vanilli

Blame everything on the rain.  Well, everything except your sore joints.  I began an intense running regime a couple of weeks ago and my knees have become particularly sore.  This has been coupled with erratic spring storms which have seemed to make the pain in my knees to intensify.  I’m not sure when I notice the extra “soreness,” whether before or after the weather, but there definitely feels like there is a spike in pain when the barometric pressure shifts, the sky becomes cloudy, and precipitation begins falling from the sky.  So I did what any other enlightened person would do, I googled it.  You probably did the same thing and are now reading this.  When you are done, go back to google, type in “running races”, “trail running”, or “running shoe reviews,” sift through all the irrelevant and sub par results until you get to SeriousRunning.com.  Once there click the green arrow to the right to “promote” SeriousRunning.  I’ve been working hard.  Don’t you think I deserve a promotion?  No?  Ok.  How about just paying me more then?

So what I found was that there is no agreement by experts whether there is a link between stormy weather and joint pain; however, since I have a website I can give my expert opinion too.  Bringing experts together is what SeriousRunnning.com is all about!

Joint pain and weather is a hypothesis that many people have assumed to be true; just like being wet in the rain gives you a cold, sugar makes children more hyper, and chocolate causes acne.  In order to determine what causes the effect of joint pain you must ask why it happened.  Is it the rain?  No.  Other instances of being in the vicinity of liquid don’t result in more joint pain.  Is it the drop in temperature?  Maybe, but joint pains are reported to be more elevated in bad weather even when the person is indoors, in a climate controlled environment.  Is it the change in baromatic pressure?  Possibly.  Barometric pressure does change oxygen levels which leads to blood vessels expanding but this has not been proven to effect joint pain.  Then what is it?

Well if science can’t answer this question then it must be a behavioral phenomenon.  It is difficult to measure whether an increase in joint pain from a changes of weather is a physiological effect because you can’t expose someone to a change of weather without them knowing it.  So I will have to use to my superior deductive reasoning to determine this perceived cause and effect.

It’s the underlying cause.  When the weather is poor people stay inside, get under the covers (or under your blankey), and don’t move.  This inactivity is what results in an increase in joint pain, not the weather.  Joints become sore when they are not moved or used for long periods of time and poor weather causes you to move your joints less than usual.  There you have it.  I’m a genius.  The IQ test I took in 4th grade said so.  IQ is the same no matter when you are tested for it.

I was told that my blogs are sometimes too long.  I agree, they can be a bit too much to digest for a quick diversion from your everyday life. It’s cool.  I’m into the whole brevity thing.  You can call me, ‘His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino.’  For you hipsters I’m going to blog in 140 character paragraphs.  This question was posted on our new running forum:

1.  What causes shin splint?

You cause shin splints.

Shin splints are caused by the sudden shock and force you repeat on your legs when running.

Don’t run on concrete, uneven ground, excessive downhills and uphills, or start putting more strain on your muscles.

There you have it.  Now serving our brevity sensitive customers!

I was wondering if you have been browsing our trail running section. My stats are showing that you aren’t receiving the full benefit of our trail running listings.  It’s a shame, its a pretty dynamite list.  There is a lot of information there.  I understand that it could be a little confusing.  It’s tough to process all of that information.  Tell you what Mr. Browning, Montana and Mrs. Kingstown, Rhode Island, I’ll walk you through it.

Go ahead and click on ‘Trail Running Listings’ on the banner at the top of the page and you’ll be taken to our Trail Running page; and you said we weren’t user friendly.  This is where we bring all of your trail running needs together.  We are able to pull trail running shoes from our running shoes section, trail running news from our blog, and trail running races from our races section, all together on one easy to navigate page with everything trail running.  We currently have 583 trail runs listed all over the nation which was contributed by trail runners like yourself.  Click on the state you want to run in.  Find a trail near you by searching according to city.  The trail run listings have the approximate distance, directions, and a description of the trail.  If you had anymore information trail running wouldn’t be an adventure.  Go check out one of these trails and tell everyone on the Internet what you thought about it.  You can rate it to let your fellow trail runners know if it is a good trail run or not.  The trail listing, as well as the rest of the website, is all about you, the user, the customer.  You are the one who submits the trails and reviews them.  We merely facilitate the exchange of this information.  We also process and interpret the information for you.  That way you can find the best types of trail running shoes, trail races, or trails to run without even thinking.  Go ahead and let your brain rest.  You go trail running so you don’t have to think.  Searching for the perfect trail to run should be the same.

I ran 15 miles this past weekend and my knees and shins told me it’s time to get some new running shoes…stat.  I’ve done a lot of research on the Internet and talked to fellow runners but I’m still not “sold” on any particular running shoe.  I figured it was finally time to go to the running shoe and apparel store to decide once and for all.

I went to Big Peach Running Company in Atlanta.  I actually bought my last pair of running shoes here and was really impressed with the experience.  In order to help customers find the perfect running shoe, Big Peach Running Company (BPRC) takes you through a 4 step fit process. First, they ask about you.  Finally…someone wants to hear you talk about you.  The BPRC associate asks you what your intended purposes are for the running shoes.  Do you need them for trail running, 10Ks, triathlons, speed-walking, jazzercise, or just being awesome?  Whatever it is they’ve got you covered; however, they can’t guaranteed the awesomeness of a pair of shoes, that has to come from within the shoe wearer.

They then put some white suction cups on your chest and nipples and make you run on a treadmill for the Video Gait Analysis.  There’s really no suction cups involved but I felt like I needed some since someone was analyzing me run on a treadmill.  Kind of like the Russian guy in Rocky.  While on the treadmill they videotape you running to determine what level of stability you need.  You don’t have to take their word for it though, they play the video back to you, frame-by-frame, in slow motion.  You may be surprised by what you see, but don’t be too concerned; you don’t chose to pronate, God just made you that way and that’s perfectly fine.  Click here to learn more about your pronation problems.  Just know that there are other people out there just like you.  You don’t have to deal with this alone.  Seek help from professionals; like the ones at BPRC.

The technology doesn’t stop there, you then have your foot digitalized.  They analyze this data looking at the width and arch of your feet.  They also ask about any injuries, bunions, or if you wear foot inserts; which I equate to stuffing your bra.  Not that I’ve ever worn a bra…or stuffed one for that matter.

After collecting and analyzing all of this information, the associate determines about four different pairs of running shoes that fit your needs.  Then its time to go old school and simply run in the shoes.  Like a car, they let you take the running shoes out for a test drive.  The shoes you run in aren’t “test pairs” either.  They’re brand new and are the exact pair you will be purchasing.  By running (they let you run up to 2 miles in them!) you will be able to tell the differences between the shoes.  You need to find the perfect running shoe for you.  We all have different running styles and/or shoe colors but one thing is for certain; we’re still the same…just runners.  Let’s hold hands in a circle.

When I went to the Decatur BPRC store I was helped by an associate named Luis.  This guy blew me away with his running shoe knowledge.  I’ve never been a “gear head” but I am very knowledgeable about running equipment; however, Luis told me about things I had never even thought about.  We’ve got to always keep learning.  Even the associates keep learning by testing out new products and shoes themselves.  With all the technology in the foot process analysis I think you have to have an engineering or science degree to sell running shoes there.  The associates at BPRC are experts.  No doubt about it.  Honestly, I haven’t seen service like this since “full service” gas stations went away.  With competitive prices and uber customer service I don’t know how BPRC makes a profit, but that’s for them to worry about and me to take full advantage of.

I ended up trying on about 10 to 12 pairs of running shoes.  I started out with the same version of the Brooks Adrenaline 8 that I currently wear and found no other shoe that compared…expect maybe the Brooks Infiniti 2s. I really want to try a different pair of running shoes than what I have right now but I haven’t found any that I like better.  I’m still holding out for something better to come along but maybe I should just love the one I’m with.  Who knows?

The point is, whether you live in the Atlanta area or not, you need to do your research to find the shoe that fits best.  Make sure you try out different running shoes to compare before making your purchase.  If you are going to a shoe store, then visit a running specific shoe store that offers some of the same features BPRC does.  The expert advice is a service worth paying for…even in this economy.

…to work at a small firm.  I learned a lot about the whole real estate development process and feel that  I am more knowledgeable than many of my peers.  The risk was that a slow down in the market affects the smaller firm more than a larger, diversified firm.  Honestly though, in this market and economy, I don’t know if it really matters where you work.  I may have taken another offer at a larger firm and had been laid off recently since I was the newest hire.  Who knows?  I enjoy real estate development and continue to be somewhat involved in it, but it doesn’t excite me as much as running and working on this website does.  I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life and enjoying it.  I am excited to learn, build, facilitate, and create.  And continue to do something that I love…running.

But honestly, even though this post is about me, it’s not about me.  It’s about creating something that may inspire people to become more mentally and physically healthy.  To motivate people to push themselves to their limits in accomplishing anything in life.  Running is what brought clarity to my post-Army life.  While I had to come back and resume my life with so many changes in it, running slowed things down and put the world in perspective for me.  It simplified it.  Made it clear.  It has lead me to overcome, grow, mature, and understand myself and my surroundings better than ever before.

So I’ve been writing this blog for about a month and a half now and I can tell you what I tend to write about.  I usually analyze the psychology of running.  Sometimes I equate running to some sort of social issue.  Sometimes I write a review on a shoe.  Maybe I’ll tell you about something we’ve added to the website.  A lot of the times I’ll talk about the medical side of running, like nutrition, injury prevention, how to make a turni-kit out of sticks, whatever.  I talk about my military experiences and how they relate to running.  I don’t write anything political.  I try to motivate.  I make suggestions.  I tell you about cool new running gadgets that I try.  I add humor whenever possible.  I find I make a lot of references to movie or TV show quotes.  I think that is because humor in the written form is different than in person, the readers have to understand your intent to humor.  I discuss the economy and how running relates to it.  I run races and tell you about them.  I run trail runs and tell you about them as well.  I won’t give you updates on my training schedule or PRs.  I don’t find doing this is very useful and quite frankly, boring.  Unless you ask me to do it.  Then I’ll talk about it.  This blog is whatever you want, I’m here for you.  One thing you can count on is  I will always talk about one thing:…running…seriously….I’m serious.

So that’s it.  That’s me.  I’m an open book and open to any suggestions about what you want to hear about or how much my grammar sucks.  Whateves.  I’m just Running Down a Dream.  Workin’ on a mystery; goin wherever it leads.  Thanks TP.

I’d also like to thank my brother Jeff who actually created the concept for this website and began building it using an awesome software program he developed:   review app. Check out his other websites too:  singletracks.com and tripleblaze.com.  Very smart guy; not as good of a runner.  And he’s not as good looking, but you would already know that if you read the blog yesterday.

Alright that’s enough about me.  Now you know who I am.  I’m actually tired of talking about myself and look forward to getting back to my normal blogging.  I recently read in Chris Brogran’s blog that the smartest, most successful people in the world are those who always want to know more about you rather than tell you about themselves.  I think that is true.  I’m going to try to do that from now on.  And yes, I was reading someone else’s blog.  I guess I’m a blogger now, but it’s not official because I haven’t added it to my “interests” on Facebook yet.

Word,

Chris Barber

We have recently added an “About Us” section at the bottom of the webpage to explain our backgrounds here at seriousrunning.com.  So, I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself as the blogger as well.  I am a runner, just like you.  All of us are the same, but here is my background, which may or may not be different than yours, or maybe it’s the same as yours, which is great.  Maybe we’ll be BFFs!  All of the people who read my blog are my friends.  Thank you, friends.

I’ve toyed with this title for a blog for some time now and have found the perfect fit for it here explaining myself and my background.  Please do not confuse the title with Tom Petty’s popular song, “Runnin’ Down A Dream.”  Notice my title has not abbreviation on the -ing; very different.  So what is the dream I’m running down?  This website, but read more to fully understand.

I started running competitively in the 6th grade on my middle school track team.  I was one of only three 6th graders to make the team that year and to my surprise, placed in the top 15 out of 80 runners in the mile run at try-outs.  Since I hadn’t been a spectacular baseball, basketball, or football player, I decided maybe I was just a runner.  I ran for three years in Middle School, becoming the Captain of the team by my 8th grade year and participating in the maximum number events allowed at track meets, including the 1-mile, 800m, 4x400m relay, disc, and hurdles.  Our team won first place that year, probably from all the garbage points I earned for finishing 4th or 5th in the disc and hurdles at the meets.  From there I ran cross-country and track for four years of High School, transferring schools between my Freshman and Sophomore years.  I was always a good runner, running Varsity on a team that finished 3rd in the state in the AAAA division, but was never a star.  My state race time was faster than the A and AA state cross-country winners’ times and good enough to have finished first on my previous AAAA team; however, I was still middle of the road on my Varsity team.  I was kind of like Derek Jeter on the Yankees.  And no, I never juiced.

From here I went to college where my running revolved mostly around ROTC training.  The first week of college, us new cadets took a PT (Physical Training) test which consisted of evaluating the amount of push-ups and sit-ups we could do in two minutes and then a 2-mile run.  I was the only person who passed the PT test overall (I had been practicing my push-ups over the summer) but placed 2nd in the 2-mile run.  The whole week prior we had been wearing our brand new Army boots around campus and I am blister prone.  My feet were covered in them.  I asked my superior before the race if I could run the 2-mile run barefoot but got a stern “NO” answer.  Little did I know, this would not be the first “No” answer to a logical and legitimate question I received in the Army.  I still think I would have run better and faster barefoot and beaten that kid who ran faster than me that day.  From his first showing of running stamina, the other cadet received the nickname “wheels” but never beat me again on any other run (we took a PT test once a month) for the next four years.  I was later dubbed nicknames such as, “Top Cadet”, “Outstanding”, and “Above His Peers.”  So it was fine with me.  Who needs “wheels” when you have really fast legs anyways?  What you think about that Mar-cheesi?!

Upon graduating I began my four year commitment to the Army.  My fun college experience along with my new found Army salary lead me to add about 30 pounds to my body.  No.  I’m not the one on the right in the picture above.  I still maintained a good running fitness during that time, being a better long distance runner than most of my peers in the Army, but this was due more to my mental toughness and experience than level of fitness.  I was stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC in the 82nd Airborne Division where I jumped out of airplanes over 30 times.  These not so soft landings definitely took a toll on my knees.  I now have to pay attention while running but I’m still a young man.  While serving as an Officer in a Field Artillery unit I deployed twice.  Once in a no-notice deployment to Afghanistan and again for a 15-month long tour to Iraq where I served as a Platoon Leader and a Logistical Officer.  While serving the 15 month deployment I began to focus on my fitness level again, starting by lifting weights daily and then running.  The weather and terrain weren’t very motivating or conducive to running so I was in the gym a bit more.  I also began eating healthier and was able to shed that excess 30 pounds to come back down and now maintain my “playing weight.”  Game on.

Although most people find me very interesting, you’re probably tired of reading about me for today.  I’ll discuss more tomorrow about my post Army and college career, life philosopy, and why I’m “Running Down A Dream.”  Now get back to work!

You’ve got the cushioned, the stability, the support, the performance, and the trail running shoes; those are for the trails.  As I begin my journey for the perfect running shoe I am going to totally re-think my normal running shoe type:  stability.  Even though my pronation indicates I need some stability in my runs (and maybe in my life for that matter), I still want cushioned support that performs the best to its ability; whether or not on the road or trail!  Well, minus the trail part, I want it all.  Here’s are the types of running shoe and explanations of the why I want a bit of it all:

Cushioned: Some may call this type a Comfort running shoe; but I don’t.  It’s not a stuffed animal that you sleep with every night for your comfort.  It’s like a leather couch…cushioned.  These shoes are neutral running shoes with soft midsoles and a rounded toe.  They are for the runner that is looking for comfort on the bottoms of their feet and do not need extra support.

Stability: These shoes are for overpronators like myself.  I can admit it, I overpronate.  So you can admit it too.  The difference in these shoes is that the density is on the base of the inner foot which gives more protection and cushion on your rolling foot.  These types of shoes are also referred to as “motion control” shoes but if you have a problem controlling your emotions, running shoes aren’t going to help.  Why can’t you just land flat on the ground like a normal person?  I bet a caveman could do it.  I didn’t mean to sound condescending.

Support: These shoes are for severe overpronators.  They have a heavy bulk with flat arches that provide the support you need so you don’t completely roll your feet into one other while running.  It’s that severe.  Sure, we all need some extra support now and again but you need it on every run.  Seriously.  Stop being so needy, it’s a turn-off.

Performance: These shoes won’t “enhance” your performance but they will allow you to perform to the best of your ability.  These types are lightweight, typically have a lot of mesh, and are made to be your racin’ shoes.  Buy the fastest shoes you can find and I bet you’ll break your PR.  If you don’t, it’s the shoes’ fault, blame them.

Trail Running: These shoes are obviously built for trail running.  They are in between hiking shoes and running shoes.  They are more durable and provide more protection than normal running shoes against all the rocks and roots you’ll be tripping over.  Stop dragging your feet!

So there you have it.  I want it all.  I want to feel the cushion as I make every step in my run.  I want the stability that my pronating feet need.  I also want a little extra support to guard against injury and wear and tear.  I also want to run as fast as possible, not only in races, but in everyday intervals and on my everday runs.  Is that too much to ask?  I think not.  If the shoe fits, you must…run quick!

Hello Serious Runners.  Here at seriousrunning.com we would like to thank you for all of your support and would like to tell you about a couple of new features we’ve added to improve your experience.  We like to think of seriousrunning.com as a community for all of you who are as serious about running as we are.  Hi-ya-didily-ho neighbor.

First, we have developed a way for you to show your beautiful mug on the website utilizing avatars capabilities.  Click here to create your gravatar if you don’t already have an Internet personality.  All you have to do is register with the same email address that you used when registering with this website.  Then you’ll be surfing the cyberwaves with the pose of your choice.  Anything gnarly, rad, or sick will suffice brah.

In addition, we have given you a goal to work toward; (because your running and life goals weren’t enough) to become an internet all-star!  Now you get credit for giving back to the community.  Click here to view your member ranking and see how you can increase your accomplishment level.  You could go from a “couch potato” to a “serious runner” in no time.  All while staying in your pajamas!  Stay tuned for posting contests with some pretty cool prizes.  We know, the feeling you get from posting in the community is prize enough for you, but we would still like to give something back to you.  We insist.

Lastly, because we appreciate all people, runners and non-runners a like, you can now link anything you are doing on SeriousRunning.com to your Facebook account.  Let your friends know what races you are going to run, trails you think they should check out, and whatever else you think your friends want to know about…and what they probably don’t care about as well.  Also, if you want to join the circle, then join the Facebook group, “I Get a Runner’s High.”  Do it.

I give your running work out a 7 out of 10.  Does that rating of your run make you feel better?  Do you need someone giving you positive reinforcement?  That’s fine, we all love some positive reinforcement but do you need it during or right after your workout?  You should be doing it for you and how it makes you feel afterward.

I have found that the things that make people the most happy in life are achieving goals they set for themselves.  Maybe your goal is to run a marathon and accomplishing that will give you great sense of achievement.  A more fit body is good goal to have.  You can get pretty good positive reinforcement from other people with a fit body.  Make achieving your goals your positive reinforcement.  But how do you determine what your work out should be in order to achieve those goals?  Make a training plan, track it, and accomplish it.  Tools to help you along the way are coming soon to this site!  Be excited.

Your daily workout and run is your own workout and run.  You set your daily goals, but the only person that can tell you whether or not you really achieved them is your body.  Someone recently told me that non-verbal communication was more important than verbal communication, which I agree with; however, they told me this over IM, right after arguing the value of text messaging over speaking over the phone.  I’m not sure how reliable the source is.

So how do you rate your workout?  You can post your workout on the web and wait for comments from other runners.  Or you can find your target heart rate and monitor it as you exercise with neat-o gadgets.  I however am of the old school line of thought and agree with Mr. Tom Petty when he says, “You Gotta Listen To Your Heart.”

So what are you listening for?  Muscle soreness.  Muscles soreness comes from minor tears that you get from intense work outs.  Runners usually feel muscles becoming sore 12-48 hours after their run so it looks like you are going to have to wait a bit for the daily rating.  What happens is that the tearing of your muscles is part of an adaptation process which leads to you being able to achieve higher stamina and strength.  These improvements in your level of fitness come from the stressing of the muscles and then them recovering.  So push yourself in your intense runs then make sure that you take enough “rest” days to allow them to recover.  When in doubt, listen to your heart…which is a muscle of course…a love muscle.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

To Be Stong You Must Feel Strong…well, really you need to feel sore.