runningandthecity

Yes, in general, the crowds are the there (I want to think magically) to slow you down for a reason)… 1 – No matter what, do not weave. If you go around people to pass them you’ll end up adding sideways meters we don’t need (vs conserving that energy to use it later when we can). (you know how sometimes you’ll end up with extra mileage at the end??? yes, it’s this). -2 People will surely move…

So you’ve decided to pay good money to run 26.2 miles. Congratulations—now you get to panic about packing, too! Whether you’re hopping on a quick domestic flight or trekking across the globe, here’s a cheat sheet to keep you from arriving at the start line in full meltdown mode. 🏠 Domestic Marathon: Keep It Chill If you’re staying in-country, you can always replace the basics at a Target (or…

1. Active Recovery Without the DramaYour joints are tired. Your muscles are screaming. Your foam roller is judging you from across the room. Walking is low impact, gets your blood flowing, and helps you recover without making you want to cry. Bonus: you get to wear real clothes (or at least cuter ones). 2. Mental Reset With Bonus EndorphinsRunning is fun—until it’s not. Walking gives your brain…

Because Regular Shoes Are Basically Wooden Clogs” Ah, racing shoes. Remember the good old days when we just wore glorified bedroom slippers with some rubber on the bottom and called it a day? Well, friends, those days are over. Enter carbon-plated racing shoes—the turbo-charged, NASA-engineered, elite-approved marvels of modern footwear that make regular racing flats look like medieval torture…

Have you paid thousands of dollars and you look like crap at the finish line? Well, the race is hard, the finish line doesn’t have to be. Actually, sometimes it is the best part of the race, and with a little bit of prep and practice, it can show. It’s so easy, I promise. Let’s go. Here are some tips for a smashing shot: When you are about 200 meters from the finish, run a mental check of what…

ITBS is AWFUL but if can be a BULLY, you can get rid of if quickly. no need to be scared. you just need time and a few dollars. #1: GET OFF THE PAVEMENT. I had trouble first with the idea of doing even the long runs in the briddle path, but it was a major factor on my super fast recovery. I will keep at it. Just keep running through it, you won’t make it worse, it doesn’t matter what people say,…

what am I missing? DAY BEFORE One or two electrolyte drinks Go to sleep early, you need to be rested Try to wake up/go as early as possible BEFORE the RUN Drink water/electrolytes or sodium pills Wear SPF Wear anti-chafing Wear hair mask/thermal protection for hair/scalp Wear light colored clothes that hopefully won’t chafe PREP/Bring water/drink if needed Refillable bottle Gel if…

Hello friends! Last weekend I raced those two. Was NOT the day I expected but I’ll give you a quick run-down. I was “trained”, that is in quotes as I had to pause training for about 7 weeks right at the thick of it because my heart was doing some funny things. After a bunch of tests, time off, etc, I resumed training as best as I could to make up time. The race itself was amazing. The…

So, you might know, it gets cold in NYC in the winter, and so, the park closes the water fountains because the water will freeze and that will make the pipes burst. Or something like that. There is usually 3 water fountains that stay open throughout the winter, aka NOW.  Side note: bathrooms start opening at different times through the park, some at 6 am, some at 7 am, some at 8 am. If in dire…

Blog Title:  Coping with the post marathon season blues is no joke. It’s pretty terrible actually. You get sad, you have no idea when to wash your hair, you find no reasons to go outdoors, your laundry doesn’t stink as bad so it just sits there, and what do we do with all that pasta?? it really is a confusing, boring, sad, annoying time… Your “normal” friends could give you some helpful advice…

Phew, done, updated, here is a tracking sheet you can send your friends and families, so they know where they can see you on race day and at what time. Basically, you enter the runner’s (you!) bib number, wave time, and your predicted finish in the yellow cells, and it throws a page ready to print with splits for every mile so your fans can track you. It also has the closest train stops. And they…

Well, well, well, and that is totally how you start a post. Let’s try again: before I forget, there is a 55 seconds video here where you can see a lot the course looks like. The NYC Runs Brooklyn Half Marathon is around the corner and given it’s the same exact course I run last year, let’s just put the basics on the motherfucking table. Lessssgo. This is the official course information, with my…

Download it, print it, adjust it YOUR NEEDS, check it, and definitely save it in a precious place for next time! Delete and add as much as you please!! I organized it in stages, so it’s both a packing list and a to-do list. Week before Prepare playlist Study the course Plan travel/accomodation/race nutrition Grocery shopping (once in destination) Salted pretzels Nutella Bread,…

You know the “don’t wear anything new on race day” and all the basics… you can get that anywhere else. So let’s focus on Chicago alone now. Note to keep in mind: the marathon I did the most is NYC, so I might be biased and comparing, okay? Pre-Race This course is flat. Sit down. Think. Talk to your coach. Find a strategy and STICK to it. Whatever it takes. If you want my opinion on how to…