Philadelphia Running Coach

Improve Your Warm-Up With The Lunge Matrix

Think about your current method (if you can call it that) of warming up. Perhaps you bend over and strrrrrretch to tie those shoes and then off you go? I think we can do better. This week I want to share a very simple warm up that carries with it several benefits like better muscle activation, range of motion, and potential injury prevention.

Nose Breathing For ALL Runs?

I was recently asked for some clarification regarding my nose breathing post. In it, I detail all of the benefits of breathing solely through the nose. (There are a lot) The question I received was essentially: should one breathe that way all the time if one is running “easy pace”? In other words, if you're running easily, are you better off breathing solely through the nose?

Don't Race Like An 8 Year Old (no offense, kids!)

His fate was sealed 4 miles into the run. While he was feeling great. This happens ALL THE TIME to a majority of runners, but the effects are most pronounced in the marathon. Running one soon? Pay attention to the following 5 tips...

The Pervasive Myth of Variety

As an experienced coach I can say with certainty that to get the BEST results, variety is the last and smallest piece of the puzzle - DESPITE what marketers would lead you to believe! Variety is truly the icing on top, yet the cake is made with 'precision' and 'progression'.

Shut Your Mouth: Endurance The Easy Way

Clients often give me that WTF look when I make the following suggestion: “Breathe only through your nose.” Like, ok, what the heck are you talking about? And what does that have to do with the half marathon I want to run or simply beginning a running program? “Well, just... everything.”

Sprinting Rules Pt.4

When we talk bang for the buck, sprints have to rank near the top of the list of things you can do that will noticeably improve your distance running in a short time period. From improving your coordination to developing stride power, just a small amount of sprinting can take your running to the next level in only a few weeks. They can be magical, but they can also be disastrous, however. The range of motion required and your body's ability to tolerate huge amounts of force determine if you should even try sprinting in the first place.

Single Leg Solutions

Want to quickly assess your risk for a future running-related injury? What about efficiency? Every runner wants to run fast with less effort. Would you like to peal back the curtain and observe a possible energy leak?

The Marching Bridge Exercise

I've recently written about how weak glutes can undermine and eventually derail your training. After working with hundreds of clients over the past 12 years I can say one thing with certainty. Weak butt muscles are an epidemic and, more than likely, you've got some work to do, too. Again, if you've got weak glutes it's not a matter of IF you will get a running injury, but WHEN. The Marching Bridge a simple and effective exercise to build up that critical muscle group.

Your Engine Must Match Your Body

What inevitably happens is that you go out for a run and you feel great. You're attuned to your exertion level and maybe you're even aware of your personal heart rate training zones. You're doing everything by the book. Yet, you continue to break down with an injury every 8-12 weeks! What's up??